This is page numbers 4205 - 4270 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was know.

Topics

Richard Edjericon

Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The communities of Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh riding have seen significant decrease in housing infrastructure dollars for the 2018-2019 to 2022-2023 budget. As a matter of fact, thank you Nedhe-Wiilideh's receiving only 1 percent of the overall capital budget.

Mr. Speaker, how can we be effective with 1 percent of the capital budget for all four communities in my riding?

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned before, overall one-third homes in Dettah, N'dilo, Fort Resolution, Lutselk'e are in core need. How can I represent my constituents if the NWT Housing Corporation consistently ignores homeownership and home repair programs in their budgets? It is imperative that a portion of the homeownership and home repair program presented in this main estimate budget specifically address the core need of homes in the Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh riding.

I will have questions for the Minister of Housing or Minister of Finance later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As restrictions are being lifted, it's time to say good-bye to long cold winter and welcome the bright sunny days of spring.

The people of Inuvik are looking forward to celebrating the 64th annual Muskrat Jamboree on April the 8th to the 11th. We will gather safely in front of Inuvik of the east branch of the Mackenzie River to visit and spend time with our family and friends.

The festivities start with the crowning of our 2022 Muskrat Jamboree king and queen, and we will all enjoy our first traditional community feast since the start of this pandemic.

We will practice traditional skills like nature calls, harpoon throwing, log sawing, muskrat skinning, tea boiling, just to name a few. We will also enjoy an all cultures traditional dress parade, drum dancing, talent show, jigging, also an old time dance. And let's not forget about the food tents and the exciting dog teams and skidoo races.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the many volunteers and sponsors that work hard for -- hardworking committee members that make Muskrat Jamboree happen for everyone in Inuvik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member for Hay River North.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have a lot of success stories here in the Northwest Territories, and it's important that we highlight those stories to show our residents, and especially our youth, what's possible.

Mr. Speaker, if you travelled to Hay River, or Katl'odeeche, or Enterprise lately, you may have been wondering whether you took a wrong turn somewhere and accidentally wound up in Hollywood. That's because for the past few weeks, Hay River has been serving as a filming location for the upcoming full-length film Cold Road. The man behind this project is Hay River's own Kelvin Redvers.

Filmmaking has always been Kelvin's passion and, beginning as a student at Diamond Jenness Secondary School, he spent countless hours writing, directing, producing, acting, and all the other things you need to do to make it in the TV and film industries. He's paid his dues, built a career, and has a number of successful projects under his belt. Now he's returned to Hay River to direct his first ever feature-length film and we're happy to have him back.

It's fitting that Cold Road is being filmed in the South Slave, as it was the long quiet highways of the region that inspired the film's story.

The original plan was to film the scenes in northern Alberta but it became clear, and only a couple months ago actually, that there were no suitable locations in Alberta and it just wouldn't work. With the end of winter approaching, the crew began to grapple with the reality that delaying the filming until next winter meant it was likely that funding would dry up, and the movie would never be made.

With only a few days before the fate of the film would be sealed, Kelvin began reaching out to the NWT Film Commission, the Department of Infrastructure, the Town of Hay River, and others, in the hopes of saving the production. Mr. Speaker, despite government's well-earned reputation of taking its sweet time, things moved quickly and within a matter of days the necessary elements were put in place to make filming in the NWT a reality.

I have to thank the film commission, the Minister of ITI, and the Town of Hay River for their support and their determination that was instrumental in bringing the production to the NWT.

Over the course of filming, roughly half a million dollars will be spent in the NWT. On and off, about 50 people will be brought up to work on the film - all staying in hotels, eating in restaurants, and contributing to the economy. The production is using local caterers, contractors, and other service providers, and is renting vehicles, facilities, and equipment to assist with the production. Dozens of local businesses have benefited, and four local businesses have been used as shooting locations. The crew has said that residents have made it easy for them to film in the NWT, and they would have no problem coming back to do it again. And Mr. Speaker, we'd love to have them back because they've proven to be a great group of people. I know the crew is grateful to many Hay River residents and businesses for the support and responsiveness, including Rick and Jane Groenewegen, Brent and Jackie Kruger, Ernie Pokiak, Shawn Buckley, Anne Peters, and the staff at the Ptarmigan. And Mr. Speaker, I have quite a list here but I see that my time has run out so I can't list everyone, they know who they are, and Mr. Speaker, I'll see you on the red carpet at the premiere of Cold Road. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River north. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the Fort Simpson Speed Skating Club.

Mr. Speaker, the Fort Simpson Speed Skating Club is a strong-minded youth who have been working hard over the last two years to keep attending practices and competitions despite all the COVID-19 related closures.

This year the team traveled to Yellowknife for the NWT championships in February, and the whole team's mental and physical strength was tested. Every individual brought home huge personal best times and increased self-confidence. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to watch these young athletes from Fort Simpson perform and give their all, including my oldest granddaughter Paige.

This season, six skaters were able to travel outside the NWT. That's right, travel outside the NWT, and down to Calgary to compete at the Olympic Oval. The sheer size of the rink and the competition gave each of these young women invaluable race experience.

In speaking with one of the coaches, the athletes had personal best times and had a couple of medal winners. Tamara Tanche-Hannah, the most senior member of the team, went on to represent Team NWT at the Canadian Youth Championship West in Selkirk, Manitoba. She initially qualified in 2019 and was suddenly able to attend this year. The entire speed skating team has struggled through the challenge of sports during the pandemic and they have all come out stronger mentally and physically.

The coaching staff and the community are extremely proud of the team of young athletes that have managed to keep training and compete throughout the unprecedented global lockdown.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the parents and coaches for taking these young athletes to these events. It involves a lot of driving from them to Yellowknife and then flying from there. But, what I have heard from my granddaughter and my personal experience as a coach, this is one of the most exciting times for the young athletes. That is right, a six-hour drive to Yellowknife is about bonding time and sharing it with your fellow teammates.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am happy to see our young athletes given this opportunity to travel to other sporting events and I am looking forward to other success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.

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Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There's a number of people I want to recognize today.

I am going to start with the Tlicho Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty. Welcome, glad to see you back in the House again.

Ms. Kate Reid. Kate Reid I knew from the work of my colleague Julie Green when we were trying to do the campaign for women in leadership and look what happened. I'm hoping to see your name on the ballot this coming election, Kate, so welcome.

The northern Indigenous counselling graduates. Everyone knows that we need more people for counsellors. We know that we need more Indigenous people, people that can relate, so I'm truly honoured to see you all here.

And the babies in the House. It reminds me, in all honesty, of the time when I went and got my own social work degree as a single mom, with two young children and one still nursing and I noticed you were nursing, so congratulations. I was the fist person to go to university in my whole family and both of my children are in post-secondary. So congratulations for what you're doing and congratulations for breaking the cycle. Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.

Welcome everyone. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Range Lake. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

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Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge and thank the people who are the northern Indigenous Wellness Warrior graduates. I'm pleased see Johnny Ongahak here and the rest of this group.

We created, at the Department of Health and Social Services, an addictions recovery and aftercare fund in order to assist communities to hire these graduates and help with addictions aftercare at the community level. I am happy to say that we've got nine agreements in place. They are in communities from Fort Smith to the Beaufort Delta. And we are very pleased that you are willing to take on this work that's so needed in the NWT. Thank you.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

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Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to also congratulate the students of the northern Indigenous counselling program. I've got two students here from Inuvik. I'd like to recognize Louisa Elanik and Melissa Lennie. Thank you. And I see Melissa's sister Jen Lennie's also here to support her as well. Thank you for being here with us today.

I'd also like to congratulate my brother Billy Archie, who was part of this program, who could not be here today. So with that, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Boot Lake. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.

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March 31st, 2022

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Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I myself want to acknowledge also Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty and also the graduates as well too.

Mental health is such an important issue in the Northwest Territories and being Indigenous graduates as well too, I take really strongly to my heart as well too because there's a different perspective that needs to be understood when we're dealing with our own people here in the Northwest Territories, and there's a different kind of approach. Really appreciate the work of Jean and Roy Erasmus as well too, and the collaboration, working together as well too, and establishing this program. And I hope that it actually continues.

I see in my own riding that, you know, we need school counsellors, we need mental health workers, we have issues with addiction and also not only that, just limited resources in smaller isolated communities. So I congratulate you all.

And I also wanted to just specifically I wanted to acknowledge Louise Nason. I don't think she's here today. But she's in my riding as well too and she's got her family that are located there as well too. So I just wanted to express my appreciation. And also I wanted to acknowledge Melissa Lennie and Louisa Elanik that I've known from Inuvik as well too. Mahsi for your time commitment. Amazing. Mahsi.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Sahtu. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.

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Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker; I'll try to keep mine a little bit shorter.

I'd like to also say thank you and congratulations to everybody that has graduated. I think that's awesome. And the Grand Chief as well, welcome. But I'd also like to acknowledge my constituent Kate Reid, who works for ENR and is here because one of her projects is being tabled today and she wanted to see it in action. So thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Monfwi.

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Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Okay, I would like to do this in Tlicho. [Translation Unavailable].

Mahsi and congratulations, and welcome Jackson Lafferty. Our Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty who is in the gallery, and the students, Tiffany Wedawin and all her classmates. Thank you.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. As you could tell, we're having a little difficulties with our broadcasting. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.

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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to also recognize the Grand Chief, a mentor of mine and former colleague, Jackson Lafferty. But as well, Mary Jane Cazon, one of our interpreters, doing a great job and I'd like to recognize her and thank her for being here today. Thank you.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you. If we have missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to the Chamber and I hope you are enjoying the proceedings. It is always nice to have an audience with us.

Oh sorry, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

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Richard Edjericon

Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was waving at you; you didn't see me so.

First of all, I just want to say, recognize in the gallery there to my left here is my beautiful wife Alita Rose Edjericon. Also a good friend, Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty. I also want to recognize him as well, in the back. Mahsi.

Also from the northern Indigenous counselling students; I think most of the names were mentioned. I just wanted to mention Jean Erasmus. I think she's here. Also that's taking part in this program is, but not here, is Bernice Mandeville, Lorena Pierrot, Vanessa Sangris. I just want to recognize them as well. Mahsi.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Actually, I got this note here. I'll just read it out. Actually I know most of them are recognized, but we have a group from the Northern Indigenous Counselling Initiative here today.

19 Indigenous counselling students began their educational journey in September 2020. 16 of these students graduated from the program and are beginning their practicums. Congratulations.

The Northern Indigenous Counselling Program is co-sponsored and run by Rhodes Wellness College, a counselling college with over 25 years of experience in Canada, and by Dene Wellness Warriors.

Dene Wellness Warriors is a professional counselling organization based in Yellowknife that focuses on helping Indigenous people throughout the NWT. It is 100 percent Indigenous owned and operated by Jean and Roy Erasmus.

The owner with us today is Jean Erasmus, here with the students. Cody Erasmus is also here.

Leanne Joss. Melissa Lennie. Louisa Elanik. Louise Lennie. Johnny Ongahak -- I hope I pronounced that right.

With us, we also have students that are not here with us and one was mentioned by the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Billy Archie from Aklavik. Lena Koe Peterson, also from my riding. Rita Green. Bernice Mandeville. Lorena Pierrot. Vanessa Sangris. Michelle Bourke. Lindsay Auger. Tiffany Wedawin. Lenny Fabian. And Shawn Marshall. Congratulations, everyone, and I wish you all the best in your future. Mahsi.

If we have missed anyone else in the gallery, welcome to the Chamber and I hope that you're enjoying the proceedings. It is always nice to have an audience with us. Mahsi.

Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As one of the MLAs from the Beaufort Delta that is present here today on our last sitting day and is able to ask questions to the Minister in this House, I will continue my questions to the Minister of Infrastructure as this project is one of the most important infrastructure projects that's happening in our regions.

Can the Minister update this House on the decision her department has with regard to the Inuvik Airport Runway Extension Project and if the time sensitive part of the project will occur this year as this employs a local contractor and this Cabinet has said that it supports economic recovery for our northern contractors. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.