Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So we made the decision to basically look at the education system we have, figure out what's working, and fix everything else. We are embarking on a process of modernizing the Education Act in partnership with Indigenous governments. We looked at the curriculum, and we are adopting BC's curriculum and modifying it to the needs of the territory. We're making investments, and we're partnering with the Government of Canada in early learning and childcare to expand the number of spaces and ensure that early learning and childcare workers are paid more so that we can attract more people to that field and are receiving the training and education that they need to help students.

So these are all things to do exactly what the Member was stating. Earlier the Member had a reply to the budget address and she highlighted issues of poverty and issues of lack of education and that's -- those are the issues I think about every day when I make decisions. I always say that there's some people who they are born into the circumstances that are, you know, very fortuitous and they're going to do well in life because they have supports that they -- they have supports around them. There are other people who need a little extra support from the government, and they need us to take those extra steps and that's what I think about when I make decisions. So I'm working for the Tlicho people and all people of the territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. What community-led solution has the GNWT supported to keep kids in school and to help raise graduation rates, especially now after pandemic? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There was a program a few years ago to, you know, encourage kids to go to school. I think it was maybe relatively successful or somewhat successful but nothing to the level that we need.

The rate of attendance in the Northwest Territories is low, and for the past seven years, it's been getting lower every year. Here in Yellowknife, it's pretty stable. I think it's probably around 87 percent attendance rates. You go into the regional centres, you're looking -- you drop down to the 80s -- or sorry, the 70s, and it's even lower in the small communities. So what we need is community-led initiatives. It needs to be people in communities valuing education and wanting their kids to go to school. The education system has to make them want that. So we do have a part to play but it really is grassroots are. If kids aren't in school, if they're missing, you know, one out of every four days, they're years behind by the time they get up into the upper grades. So I agree that we do need initiatives, and we work with the education bodies who are really the ones on the ground to help them, support them when they advance those initiatives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. So what percentage of teachers are Indigenous? I should have told him earlier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have the number somewhere. I gave the number to the Member not long ago in response to a written question. I can't -- I don't have it off the top of my head. But definitely not the majority, I can say that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Monfwi.

Thank you. Does the department have a plan in place to increase the Indigenous teachers and to increase the numbers? And has the department considered doing a community-based training? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I've spoken many times about the teacher education program that was offered by Aurora College and wanting to ensure that we have something in place once that review is complete to do exactly what the Member is saying and train local teachers. So that is going to be a large part of the plan going forward. And perhaps I can leave it at that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.