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

Mahsi. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] [Translation Ends].

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has jurisdiction over educating all students in the NWT. The GNWT must provide access to the same quality of education regardless of the location or size of their communities.

Mr. Speaker, we have an excellent student financial assistance program. It is among the best in the country. Yet, Indigenous students are grossly underrepresented in education outcome. Mr. Speaker, there is a privilege in the education system. The results show who is succeeding and who is struggling.

Recent statistics show 6.1 percent of Indigenous students complete a university degree compared to 36.6 percent of non-Indigenous students. The improvement to the SFA program in the last Assembly supported Indigenous students by removing the semester limit. Now Indigenous students can access SFA for as long as they need to pursue post-secondary education. This is positive.

Mr. Speaker, if we are raising the student loan limit, how many students from small communities will benefit from this? How many Indigenous students in the NWT are even near the $60,000 loan limit? Mr. Speaker, who will benefit from this increase student loan limit? And how will we pay for this?

The 2023 public accounts show the GNWT is running a $2.7 million operating deficit from granting more student loans than is available in the revolving loan limit, and now we have a bill to provide larger loans.

The 2020 Auditor General report on education in the NWT highlighted the gap in graduation rates between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. The gap in support for students in small communities and that the department is unable to confirm equitable access to education programs and services in small communities and whether students' outcome were improving. Mr. Speaker, this bill will mostly improve access to --

-- Member from Monfwi, your time is up. Your time is up.

Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

The role of the GNWT is to close the gap in education outcome. We know students in small communities need more support to succeed in post-secondary education. We need focus and attention on improving the education outcomes from students in small communities. They should remain the focus for the student finance assistance program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Monfwi.

Before we get on to the next Member's statement, I'd like to recognize Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty back to this Chamber. Mr. Lafferty was a Member of the 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th Assembly. He is a former Minister, Member, and Speaker of the House. Welcome back to your House, Mr. Lafferty.

Members' statements. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to take this opportunity as my Member's statement to thank the Members, my colleagues around the table here. It's been a busy almost four weeks. I also wanted to thank, Mr. Speaker, your staff. Also the ledge staff as well that work behind the scenes for us. I know there's a lot of work that happens behind the scenes that people don't see. I want to say thank you to my CA, Taylor Pagotto, and also Warren Delorme of Fort Resolution. Also, I want to thank all the translators that are here. I want to say mahsi. If it wasn't for you that we wouldn't be able to get these messages back home to our communities. Also, we got to say thank you to the technical people that provide all the sound equipment and translation, everything else. I just want to say a big mahsi cho to everybody.

Mr. Speaker, while all the MLAs come here, we leave our home communities. You know, we have to come here and do the work to hold this government to account. But while we're here, our families are back home taking care of the family. Like, my wife in my case. And I got a daughter that just got honors at Sir John Franklin High School and I just found out, so I just want to mention that.

But, Mr. Speaker, the reason why we're here is that we represent the people in our small communities and throughout the Northwest Territories, and we bring their issues here. And by working together collectively, we look for solutions. So I just want to say thank you to everybody and enjoy your summer, and let's have a safe summer as well. Mahsi.

Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member from the Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] [Translation Ends].

Mr. Speaker, for my Member's statement today, I want to speak about the motion that I gave notice on two days ago regarding federal top-up funding for Enterprise. Mr. Speaker, the motion in question will be voted on later today and it's all about getting more support for the people of Enterprise who lost everything during last summer's wildfire. Ultimately, Mr. Speaker, the displaced residents of Enterprise need practical and viable solutions right now as soon as possible. We all have known the devastating loss that the community sustained, which was 80 percent of all structures, including many homes. These residents need help. As the MLA representing this community, I am willing and prepared to take all the help we can to provide further assistance to them during this difficult time.

That is why, Mr. Speaker, I brought this motion forward, because right now the federal government is prepared to offer a significant aid package to the community in the form of several temporary housing units for displaced residents. However, for this to occur our territorial government must work with the federal government on the cost sharing aspect of this assistance. Our government must be willing to pay for 10 percent of the cost of these temporary housing units.

Mr. Speaker, I know that temporary housing units may not sound like a perfect solution to this situation, but it's much better than nothing at all. It would be a huge mistake for our government not to accept this offer from the federal government. This solution is better than no solution. The alternative would be to do nothing and provide no temporary housing to the displaced residents of Enterprise. And I cannot stand for that, Mr. Speaker.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I'm urging all my colleagues on both sides of the House to vote in favour of this motion later today. As a government, let's work together and give some hope to these residents for a brighter tomorrow. Let's do the right thing. Action this immediately and move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Hay River South.

Thank you, Member from Hay River South. Members' statements. Member from Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know I don't have to tell you this, but coaches play a vital role in our communities. Good coaching isn't only about enhanced sport performance, it's about something much more important.

Eighty percent of people who received coaching report increased self-confidence. They establish and take action towards achieving goals, become more self-reliant, gain more job and life satisfaction, contribute more effectively to their teams on and off the court, take greater responsibility and accountability for their actions and commitments, and work more easily and productively with others by being team players and communicate more effectively. Essentially, Mr. Speaker, good coaches help build good humans.

Last term, through multiple community engagements, the Standing Committee on Social Development heard repetitively the powerful impact sport and recreation has on community wellness, especially youth and families. Sport and recreation was attributed to keeping families healthy and together and our youth feeling valued, fulfilled, and alive because physical health is a key component of mental health. Efforts like this rely on the selfless dedication of coaches who show up, lead by example, and are consistent bright lights in the lives of so many youths.

This past month, two Kam Lake coaches have been recognized for their incredible coaching contributions to youth sport, changing the lives of NWT children and teens through their endless volunteer hours. Shakita Jensen was named Yellowknife minor hockey coach of the year, and Shakita is a Canadian trailblazer changing the face of Canadian hockey. She gives so much of her time to coaching, including teams in Yellowknife minor hockey, and as the coach for Canada Winter Games as well as Arctic Winter Games.

Erin Wells was named Sport North NWT coach of the year and has coached youth basketball for decades, including Arctic Winter Games, Canada Games, and the NWT's high-performance teams. This past March, Erin coached Team NWT's Arctic Winter Games basketball team to a historic gold medal, first for the NWT female basketball team.

Mr. Speaker, neither of these people are coaches because they have children in the game. They have dedicated themselves to coaching through exemplary leadership for the love of the sport and commitment to the future of NWT youth. A huge thank you to Erin and Shakita for your dedication, time, and leadership, and congratulations on your very well-deserved recognition. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Kam Lake; I couldn't agree with you more.

Members' statements. Member from Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to honour the class of 2024 from the Paul William Kaeser High School in Fort Smith. This year, I am proud to announce there were 24 graduates from the regular school program and the Phoenix program. I would like to thank all of the teachers, the staff at PWK, and the South Slave Divisional Education Council, the parents, guardians, and all of those who have supported their success.

To the students, as you navigate through the existing journey ahead, Mr. Speaker, passion will fuel their pursuits, integrity will guide their decisions, and resilience will help them overcome any obstacles they encounter. Their future is brimming with possibilities, and I wish them all the success, growth, and opportunities this holds. Best wishes on your journey. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Thebacha. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to take this opportunity to bring attention to a very accomplished athlete from Yellowknife South.

Mr. Speaker, last summer Chelsey Makaro travelled to Berlin, Germany, as part of Team Canada at the Special Olympics World Summer Games and came home with not one, but two gold medals - one for the 25-meter backstroke and the other as part of the 4 by 50 meter freestyle team relay. These medals also made Chelsey the first Northwest Territories female athlete to win gold at the Special Olympics World Games. And with this accomplishment, together with all of her hard work that she puts in to promoting the Special Olympics within the Northwest Territories, Chelsey was awarded the 2024 Mary Beth Miller Memorial Senior Female Athlete of the Year from Sport North on May 25th.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Chelsey on this hard earned honour. I look forward to hearing more about her continued dedication to sport, her hard work, and the inspiration that she brings to all of those around her. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife South. Members' statements.

Colleagues, I would like to close this session with the opportunity to celebrate some amazing things that recently happened in the Nahendeh riding. Usually, I would have Member statements about each of these exciting moments but as this is our last sitting day until October, I would like to celebrate here today.

Leanne Niziol was born and raised in the community of Wrigley, NWT. Growing up in a remote community, with limited access to health care, pushed her to pursue a career in medicine. However, more importantly, her grandfather was her main inspiration to go into medicine. He was a medicine man, but his life and way of being was something that impacted her significantly. She recently graduated from the University of Manitoba's Doctor of Medicine program, a career she says has been a dream of hers since she was little. A large amount of her family travelled to Winnipeg from Ontario, Alberta, Yukon and NWT to watch her graduate. In speaking with her auntie, the family is looking at hosting a huge celebration on June 22nd in Wrigley to celebrate her accomplishment. Congratulations, Dr. Niziol.

Yesterday, I spoke about graduation and the importance of that moment. I would like to congratulate Ms. Betty Elizabeth Hardisty on graduating from the bible studies program on June 8th, 2024 and obtaining her Bachelor of Theology. I can tell you she is truly a positive role model and an example for others.

The U19 team, a mixture of young ladies ranging from 13 to 19, from Liidii Kue Regional High School, won gold in the tier 2 division at Super Soccer. I can tell you I had the opportunity to witness this team play, and I can say the athletes were respectful, kind, and hardworking. They made their coaches, family, community, and school very proud. Some of the athletes played three days of soccer the previous weekend, then spent three days snowboarding in Banff before playing four more days of soccer. Well done, ladies.

The last shout out goes to the basketball program in Fort Liard. This school year, the community decided to offer a new sport to the youth. They attended two tournaments and had a three-game competition with the first responders from the Community. They won the competition 2 to 1. As well, they attended the tryout with NWT Basketball, and one of the athletes was selected first alternate for the national team.

I would like to congratulate them all and have a good summer. Thank you.

Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Colleagues, we have a group of young people here from Hearst University from northern Ontario. I'm going to apologize now; I am not going to say your names because I'm going to mispronounce them so I'm just going to deem them as read. And thank you very much for being here.

• Diane Gaulin,
• Ndery Dione,
• Jeremy Bouchard,
• Kayla Laurin,
• Chantal Pelletier,
• Else St-Onge,
• Daniella Musangu,
• Ruth Esther Kouame,
• Elothy Ngoie Kisula Kasunka,
• Saoudiatou Ba, and
• Sara Sabti.

As well, now I get to embarrass a young lady of mine. The coach of Arctic Winter Games gold medal in Fort McMurray, a coach of the silver medal in Alaska, my middle child who has moved on to McPherson to be a social worker there. So welcome, my daughter.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Yellowknife South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are very grateful for our pages, and I am very pleased to say that Yellowknife South is represented this week by Mya Polpufa Baird.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife South. Member for the Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to also recognize Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty. We had the privilege of serving and working together during the 18th Assembly. And also as we depart for the summer, I'd like to say my sincere thanks and recognition to the support staff that we have in this House here from the cooks, to the pages, to the clerical staff that we have. We wouldn't be as efficient without their support, so they should be recognized also for the many hours. And everybody in this Assembly here on the spirit of collaboration of working together. Have a safe summer. Thank you. Mahsi.

Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize two of my constituents, Ms. Zoe Guille and Ms. Gabby LaMarsh, they're up here. They are both student midwives who some of the Members have met in the past few weeks. They've worked hard in these past weeks to advocate for midwifery. They're student midwives. They're committed to continuing the work in the coming years to plant roots in Yellowknife so we can see midwifery care grow throughout the territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.