Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS half the population of the Northwest Territories is Indigenous;

AND WHEREAS there are 33 communities in the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS there is one capital, six regional centres, and 26 small communities;

AND WHEREAS Indigenous peoples make up the majority population in the small communities;

AND WHEREAS Indigenous peoples were subjected to colonization and genocide; and whereas the legacy of colonization is embedded in the health and social services system as systemic racism;

AND WHEREAS Indigenous peoples were forced to experience systemic racism in the health and social services system, which is a significant contributor to lower health outcomes;

AND WHEREAS Indigenous peoples suffer disproportionate health inequities as a result of a lack of access to quality health and social services care where cancer and other chronic diseases that are misdiagnosed;

AND WHEREAS those Indigenous peoples who have cancer and other chronic diseases that are misdiagnosed, suffer and die prematurely;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, that this Legislative Assembly calls upon the Government of the Northwest Territories to provide increased access to physicians and medical specialists to offer quality care, diagnoses and second opinions;

AND FURTHER, the Government of the Northwest Territories prioritize cultural safety, trauma-informed care, and anti-Indigenous racism professional development training within the health and social services workforce, including locum doctors;

AND FURTHERMORE, the Government of the Northwest Territories provide additional training to nurses, health care workers, and locum doctors in the small communities on the detection of cancer and chronic illnesses;

AND FURTHERMORE, the Government of the Northwest Territories conduct a quality review on the health centres in the small communities, including an external audit of client treatment records and client satisfaction;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a comprehensive response to this motion within 120 days.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.