The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about trust. We are in a mental health crisis. The NWT has some of the highest rates of substance abuse and intimate partner violence in Canada. Young people are losing their lives to suicide.

In October of last year, we passed a motion on suicide prevention, asking for each region to have $250,000. This is $1.75 million for our youth, families, and communities. This represents seven regions, including Tlicho. It is upsetting because this government said no and decided to ignore the motions to provide additional support for our young people. Their life is priceless, and they are our future generations. We are the people of this land, and this is what we have asked for. When we say no to support, we are saying no to our youth. They already have limited resources in the communities. It is very sad we are losing young people to addictions and suicide.

This motion would have helped our young people. A regional fund would have given each region the power to make their own decisions on how the money should be spent and where it should focus. The Government of the Northwest Territories is supposed to be a consensus government. The Cabinet needs to listen and work with us, not against us. We all have common interests serving the people of the NWT and in our regions. When we, the majority of the MLA, vote in favour of something, we are representing the view of the people. It should be respected and acted on. This is how consensus government works. It works together in collaboration.

Mr. Speaker, we are elected into being an MLA to serve our people. Our people want funding at the regional level to provide mental health support and prevent losing our youth. Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Why does the Government of the Northwest Territories keep preventing this? Whenever we ask for this funding, the Financial Administration Act, legislation and policies, are always referred to as why we can't. We have to answer to the people, not to the bureaucrats, and find ways we can work to make this happen. This can happen. The Government of the Northwest Territories just has to do it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, of the many things I've discovered as a Member of this House, there's one thing that sticks out to me all the time, which is the slow pace of conducting government business. It takes so much time to simply make a decision about anything and to get things done in this building, which can be frustrating at times because I'm a very busy MLA and I'm used to getting things done at a faster pace. But regardless, I persevere, and I continue to press forward because I know that the work we do here is important and it does impact the people of the NWT, whom we represent.

Partially for that reason, Mr. Speaker, I feel that my work here at the Legislative Assembly is not yet complete, which is why I will take this opportunity to publicly announce my intention to run for re-election as the MLA for Thebacha in the 2023 territorial election. Mr. Speaker, if I have the privilege to be re-elected as the MLA in the 20th Assembly, I will continue to work hard, as I always do, for the constituents of Fort Smith, as well as all the people of the NWT. I take my oath of loyalty very seriously. So as a Member of this Assembly, I will always be loyal to the people of the NWT, and I'll always honour and respect the treaties and land claims signed with Indigenous peoples.

Mr. Speaker, as we near the end of the 19th Assembly, I want to take a moment to thank all my colleagues in this House, both on the Regular side and on the Cabinet side for all the work we are able to do throughout this term. It was difficult at times; there's no doubt about that. But we were still able to get many things done for the people of the NWT, which is a very good thing. I want to wish all my colleagues good luck in their re-election efforts this fall. However, for those not seeking re-election, I want to thank each of you for your service in this House, and I wish you all well in your future endeavours. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement

---Unanimous consent granted

Also, Mr. Speaker, today this Assembly is going to lose a very special person. Today marks the last day of employment of our long-time clerk, Mr. Tim Mercer, who after today will be retiring from the Legislative Assembly. I want to thank Mr. Mercer for all his 20 years serving this House. His presence will most certainly be missed in this building. I wish him all the best with whatever life brings him next.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all my amazing constituents of Thebacha for their continued support. I also want to thank all the Indigenous leaders throughout the NWT for their continued support in me and for them always reaching out to me to share their concerns. And lastly, I would like to thank my family for always supporting me in my work, which includes my husband Peter, my two sons Jerry and Mickey, and my dog Rambo. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, spring is in the air, the sun is out in full force. Well if it isn't, it will be once I part the clouds. It won't be long before we have to don our Comashores, the old gumboots, as we traverse the many potholes.

Mr. Speaker, the Fort Providence Bison Jamboree is in full force and has been running all week filled with daily activities to welcome the spring. This yearly carnival gets everyone out of the house, and people are encouraged to participate in any event of their choice. There's three-on-three basketball, three-on-three volleyball, poker rally, and everyone's favourite cribbage tournament. Mr. Speaker, there are events for toddlers and tots at the school gym, youth movie nights, and youth outdoor events. Of course, all this activity brings on hunger pains so they will host a hot dog eating contest. If that is not enough to settle down the tapeworms, then check out the outdoor barbecues throughout the weekend along with the pancake breakfasts.

Mr. Speaker, this year they will introduce the Ultimate Bush Person contest, which is a traditional carnival event in which contestants will have to saw a log, haul and split the wood, and boil the tea. The winner will be crowned the 2023 Ultimate Bush Person.

No carnival is complete without an adult talent show and dry dance. So pull out your favorite uptown shoes and jig like your life depended upon it. Mr. Speaker, I'm all tuckered out and I haven't even entered an event yet. So come on by, don't be shy, make new friends, buy arts and crafts on Saturday, try out the three-on-three hockey out on the river, and there's something for everyone. So be sure to check out the Bison Jamboree at Fort Providence. Mahsi.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. And I'm sure you'll get some very nice pictures over the weekend. Mahsi.

Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today the Vatican development and education office released a statement formally reputing to the doctrine of discovery. These theories, backed by 15th century Papal Bulls, legitimize colonial era seizure of Indigenous lands and formed the jurisdiction for the forceful disposition of sovereign Indigenous nations from their territories. The doctrine of discovery interbills are based on the presumed racial superiority of European Christians people and has been used for the -- to dehumanize, exploit, and subject Indigenous people and dispose Indigenous peoples of their land and rights for over 500 years. This statement said was right to recognize these errors and acknowledge the long-lasting effects of colonial era and assimilation of policies of Indigenous people and asked for their forgiveness. This statement recognizes at least these Papal Bulls or decrees did not adequately reflect the equal dignity and rights of the Indigenous people and that the documents had been manipulated for political purposes of colonial powers to justify immoral acts against Indigenous people that were carried out at the time without opposition of -- from ancestral authorities.

The Catholic Church therefore repudiates in these concepts that fail to recognize the inherit right of human rights of Indigenous people. In reviewing this release, this is not quite the level of relocation of the doctrine of discovery that was requested by the survivors during the Papal visit in 2002, visit to Canada, during which he apologized to Indigenous people for the church's role in the residential school system. Of course, the path of reconciliation is long and winding, and this is just one small step. However, this is without a doubt a breath of fresh air for over 500 years that's overdue. Our people have experienced relentless and deliberate attempts of colonization over hundreds of years, the intergenerational impacts of our brothers and sisters, our parents, and our children are significant and long lasting. But together we can make a rapid stride towards addressing historical injustice and moving forward in meaningful truth and reconciliation. While we cannot change the past, we will live in present; we must look forward to creating a future for our children and that will walk that we can all look forward to. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. We will continue to call on the Government of Canada to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 94 Calls to Action in order to redress the legacy of residential school and advances the process of Canadian reconciliation. We must be steadfast in confronting these truths in order to find a better way forward. In the words of the Dene National Chief, Gerald Antoine, who is the AFN national portfolio holder for the residential school, family, like a branch on a tree, we all grow in different direction, yet our root remains the same. Let us find comfort and strength and shared values, nourish and strengthen our root and reconnect with energy and determination to this critical work. I would have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, anybody that was either present or listening to Committee of the Whole yesterday may have noticed that it was basically an extension of a Standing Committee on Social Development meeting here for most of the day. And two of the things that we covered in Committee of the Whole yesterday were reports that were done by the standing committee, but those reports could not have been in the way that they were done without the participation of the residents of the Northwest Territories. They really are the voices of the residents of the Northwest Territories. And one of the things that we have tried to do different this term in the Standing Committee of Social Development is ensure that we really elevate the voices of youth from around the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, one of the things that we've done in order to do that work through our priorities with the youth of the Northwest Territories is to step outside of this building and to meet youth in spaces that they find or feel are safe for them. So the work that we have largely done with youth has not happened in the Legislative Assembly. It has happened in places like a youth centre. Those are places that youth have identified are more comfortable for them. So it found committee members sitting on couches, eating doughnuts, drinking hot chocolate, and being able to hear true, valid, lived experiences from youth from across the territory, not just youth from Yellowknife.

The reason that committee has done this is to capture voices that are incredibly powerful to the work that we do and incredibly insightful and important to the work that is done by our committee.

Mr. Speaker, the voices of youth give our work more strength and more depth and the stories and lived experiences that they have so bravely shared with committee members have truly captivated committee members because they have been honest, and they have been brave. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the youth who have shared their stories and lived experiences with committee members in the work that we have done, but I also want to extend a huge thank you to the staff and the executive director of the Foster Family Coalition of the Northwest Territories and Home Base YK. Those staff members have created a lot of those safe spaces through their existing relationships with youth from across the territory. And I'd like to thank youth for participating and look forward to one day seeing them sitting in these seats here. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in the House to recognize and share some, I repeat some, amazing things about Ms. Joanne Deneron during her public life. I can say I have the pleasure of knowing her and have had some very amazing conversations with her since moving to Fort Simpson in 1992.

Mr. Speaker, Joanne is a resident of Fort Liard, is nominated for work and community leadership. Joanne has been selected for or elected to many positions in the community of Fort Liard where she served with distinction and gained recognition for her community, whether it was on the band or hamlet council, or local DEA. For an NWT perspective, Joanne has served and held many board and community positions. These include chairperson of the Aurora College, chairperson of the Workman's Compensation Board, board Member of the NWT Science Institution, board Member of the Canadian Polar Commission, president of the Literacy Council of the NWT, board Member of the Business Development Investment Corporation, executive Member of the Deh Cho First Nation, and board Member of the Development Bank. Currently, Joanne is on the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, serving her third term as a chairperson.

Mr. Speaker, when you ask Joanne why she took on these roles throughout her life, she explained it was about wanting to learn good new things, meet new people, and have the desire to make her home a community region and the NWT a better place to live.

Mr. Speaker, Joanne has been and always will be a very dedicated and humble person. When she heard that she won the award, her first thought was they must be talking about somebody else; they can't be talking about me. Well, Joanne, they were talking about you.

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that Joanne is known throughout the NWT for -- or Northwest Territories -- North, for her strong commitment to her family. Just ask her kids, who had the opportunity to make a number of those trips with her throughout the years so she could attend and be with them.

To her community and to the NWT and Nunavut, I can tell you that Joanne's contributions have been recognized by the Government of the Northwest Territories, First Nations governments, and related organizations who continue to request her participation at high level boards and committees.

Mr. Speaker, when you ask what message she would like the next generation on why it's important to get involved, she would say it's about making a difference in the community, improving the life of your family, friends and residents. It is also a great time to get to know the issues and meet new people.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the nominators and the committee for selecting and honouring her as part of the Order of the Northwest Territories. She is a well-deserving recipient of this award. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.