Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too want to recognize the International Women's Day.

Mr. Speaker, I'm concerned about Indigenous employees of the GNWT. I have been hearing from my constituents in my riding about the challenges to advance into management positions. I recognize, Mr. Speaker, that a GNWT Affirmative Action Policy has recently released Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Action plan, and these are positive steps, Mr. Speaker, but I am concerned that the Indigenous employees are still falling through the crack -- or falling through the gaps.

The GNWT provides employment to 6,249 people. And of that 6,249 people, there are 1,832 are Indigenous. The vision has made it publicly clear that GNWT wants public service to reflect its population. Indigenous people represents nearly half of the NWT population and 29 percent of that is GNWT employees. And when we look at the senior management, Mr. Speaker, this number drops to 20 percent. So 80 percent of leadership in the GNWT is held by non-Indigenous people.

In 2020, there were just over 250 GNWT senior management and managers. Only 50 of them were Indigenous and if half of them were to be Indigenous, we would need 75 more Indigenous senior managers.

How can we change this, Mr. Speaker? Can we do -- what can we do today in the short-term to retain and develop Indigenous employees we have? Why do Indigenous employees feel that they are not advancing?

We know that lower education rates are lower amongst Indigenous people in the NWT compared to non-Indigenous people. So what plans are in place to help Indigenous employees get the required training, experience, or education they need to advance in the workforce? Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Finance later today. Mahsi.