The motion is in order. To the motion. MLA Monfwi.

Masi, Mr. Chair. I support this motion because an increase in education funding for Indigenous students would have a huge impact on my community and Tlicho region and communities across the territory. The Standing Committee on Social Development has discussed how to improve education outcome for Indigenous students. During the 2020 review of early childhood to grade 12 education in the Northwest Territories, the Auditor General of Canada recommended the Department of Education, Culture and Employment identify what is required to provide equitable access to quality education for all students and take action and that this should include providing additional support for small schools. The Auditor General found that the department of education adjusted its funding to offset the higher cost of living for schools in remote communities and provide more administrative support to schools. This is good progress, but we must take further steps towards reconciliation by closing educational gaps for Indigenous students. We can do this by increasing the amount funding students in small communities can access. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion. Member of Monfwi.

Yes, Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories make a public commitment -- okay.

My apologies to Member from Monfwi. Member from Range Lake was going to speak to the motion, then I'll come back to you. I'm going to go to the Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thank you very much to the mover of this motion and the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Development. She's very passionate about this topic, and we spent a great deal of time at the standing committee talking about how we could incorporate these concerns into our report on Bill 8 when this issue of funding Indigenous communities and Indigenous students is relevant to every community in the Northwest Territories.

The school boards in Yellowknife, for example the English school boards, they have -- run a third of their funding comes from Jordan's Principle to support Indigenous students. And that's just scratching the surface of the actual need out there. So this is an important aspect of this work going forward to strengthen and support the education system and to correct the historic deficiencies in ensuring equal access to education and that has not been possible due to a colonial system. So I support this motion. I think it's important that we continue to advocate for Indigenous students regardless of community in the Northwest Territories and indeed in Canada as well. So I'm happy to support this motion, and I hope the Minister of education will support it as well and find a way to make more resources available to Indigenous students and Indigenous communities. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? The motion is carried.

--- Carried

I'm going to go back to the Member from Monfwi.

Thank you, thank you, Mr. Chair. Motion 2, I move that this committee recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories make a public commitment to guarantee continued reconciliation efforts in regards to education outcomes for Indigenous students such as the removal of semester limits and increase access to funding under the basic grant. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion. I'm going to go back to the Member from Monfwi.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I support this motion because a public commitment to guarantee continued reconciliation efforts like the removal of semester limits and increase access to student funding under the basic grant, it will help improve education outcome for Indigenous students. These commitments should be made in the same spirit as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action number 10 which highlights the need to:

1. Provide sufficient funding to close identified educational achievement gaps within one generation;
2. Improve education attainment levels and success rates;
3. respect and honour treaty relationship.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? One abstention. Motion carried.

---Carried

Mr. Speaker (audio) recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories study the disparity of educational outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and put forward a plan with solutions to ensure that our Indigenous students are not left behind. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion. I'm going to go back to the Member from Monfwi.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I support this motion because it is clear that significant disparities exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students when it comes to educational outcomes at all levels in the education systems. We have seen this time and again through reports on outcomes, and we see it in our communities directly. The GNWT must study this problem properly. There's so many studies that exist regarding this already, and it's getting to be too much.

The Standing Committee on Social Development believes that students in small communities who show desire to pursue post-secondary education should have access to enrichment programs or streams to nourish their potential.

Committee also believes educational outcomes in the NWT cannot improve until access to therapeutic interventions such as speech therapy are properly funded by the government. Students must have security about financial assistance and feel assured that the progress made will continue, and the government will keep honouring treaties. These are key issues for Indigenous students.

Year after year, the gaps remain. It is time for the GNWT to find solutions to these problems so that our Indigenous -- I repeat, Indigenous -- students can also prosper and reach their full potential. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Three abstentions. Thank you, motion carried.

--- Carried

Moving on, the motion's in order. To the motion. I'm going to go to the Member from Monfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to Committee Report 9-20(1), Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 8: An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, within 120 days.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. To the motion. The motion is in order. To the motion.