Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All day schools and residential schools were transferred to the GNWT on April 1st, 1969. During the 1969 school year, there were 10,291 students, 541 teachers, in the Northwest Territories, including Nunavut. This jurisdiction change did not result in change in management, and the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church continued to operate each school year under a contract. And their intentions remained the same: The extinguishment of the culture and traditional way of life of Indigenous people.

The federal government has acknowledged this harm for students prior to 1969 and provided compensation from anywhere from $10,000 to $200,000. This compensation should be identical after 1969.

Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the question to the Premier of the Northwest Territories, and I brought this to her attention a couple times already, and I just wanted to ask what steps has the Premier taken to address the GNWT's role in the day school program to make amends for the harms done and compensate for survivors after 1969? Thank you.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Honourable Premier.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is not a party to the class action suits that are going on with the federal government; therefore, we don't have a direct role in the litigation that's happening. However, ECE has worked with students who have come forward to get their historical records. We've also provided letters in support for students that might have missing or incorrect personal information. And I do encourage that any residential school survivor to visit the indiandayschools.com to find more information on what's happening with these class actions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The territorial government was born in 1967. Two years later, the Indian Federal Day School of Canada transferred that responsibility to the GNWT. And I understand what the Premier's saying that the GNWT's not part of the federal class action lawsuit prior to 1969. But after 1969, the abuse continued to happen to this day. So, again, is the government aware of the total number of days -- day home survivors in the Northwest Territories after 1969? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't have on hand the information related to the number of residents who attended -- who were students in the Indian day schools on hand and how many of those were Indigenous versus Caucasian. I mean, there was also Caucasian people that went to the schools after that time. However, as stated, we're working closely with any students that need supports and we're trying to offer as many supports as possible to people that are facing intergenerational trauma. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the scars of intergenerational trauma caused by residential day school continues in the present confining many Indigenous people to addiction, poor mental health, poverty. The day school program in particular has not been properly resolved and compensation is needed. Will the Premier ensure the day school survivors are compensated for trauma they suffered through day schools, in all the schools in the Northwest Territories, including my riding and also in the Tlicho region? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We try to support students, as many as possible, as they come forward. I do want to say, Mr. Speaker, that I recognize the trauma, the intergenerational trauma that's happened from colonization from the beginning, residential school as well. And not only those two but just the ongoing societal judgements that are put on Indigenous people. And so I do think that we have a responsibility to try to make sure that the health and wellness of our residents is taken care of. We're trying our best. We have many programs to support people with mental health, trauma. But we can't do it alone, Mr. Speaker. And so from the beginning of this government, I've tried to focus as much efforts as possible with working with Indigenous governments. That's why we formed the Council of Leaders. And I think that it's important that we work with the Council of Leaders as we go forward to address the intergenerational trauma. And it's not going to be something that will be addressed -- fixed in this government. It took decades of abuse that happened to Indigenous people to get where we are today and it will probably take -- hopefully not, but as long to deal with the trauma. So I will do my part, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Premier, for your answers. And I know this is a very sensitive subject, and it hits home to everybody here in the Northwest Territories. And I'm also probably one of those survivors as well. So, you know, we -- I guess going forward, we need to really start looking as to how we're going to start dealing with this issue as a government and start looking at how we're going to address these outstanding issues with survivors after 1969. So I'm -- will the Premier work with her -- also with her counterparts in Nunavut to ensure that all students receive adequate compensation for their time in day schools regardless of jurisdiction? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We work with the northern territories, the Yukon and Nunavut, whenever possible. There's always strength in numbers; we realize that. I can make a commitment to the Member that I will bring this topic to the Premier of Nunavut, and that I can commit to. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Madam Premier. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Madam Premier.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. An application was submitted under the Oceans Protection Plan for the Hay River Harbour restoration on February 17th, 2023, and the Minister of Infrastructure is seeking $35 million over four years under this program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Premier confirm if it was just the one department, or did it go to any other departments in the federal government? Thank you.