Michael McLeod

Mr. Speaker, languages are an integral part of the aboriginal cultures of the Northwest Territories. What does the Minister plan to do to preserve, enhance and promote aboriginal languages in the Northwest Territories?

Would the Minister inform the House which aboriginal people where involved in the negotiations?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister inform the House as to whether or not there were any aboriginal people directly involved in the negotiations of this funding?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. The Deh Cho Tribal Council has publicly stated that the aboriginal languages in their region is in a crisis situation.

The Government of the Northwest Territories and the federal government have signed a cooperation agreement on languages. In this agreement, there will be $1.6 million allocated to the provision of French language services. The agreement further supplies $1.9 million for aboriginal languages.

The Deh Cho region has been allocated $250,000 of this money. Mr. Speaker, this amounts to $25,000 per community when you divide by the ten communities in the whole of the Deh Cho region. This is not enough money to preserve, promote or enhance our aboriginal languages.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister how the amounts of $1.9 million for aboriginal language activities and $1.6 million for French language activities were determined?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every two years, athletes from across the northern part of our world come together to participate in the Arctic Winter Games. This event was first hosted in Yellowknife in 1970. This year, from March 5th through the 11th, athletes from the Northwest Territories will travel to Whitehorse to participate in the 16th Arctic Winter Games. Three hundred sixteen athletes from the Northwest Territories will participate.

At this point in time, I would like to congratulate each of these athletes for making the Northwest Territories Arctic Winter Games team. I would especially like to congratulate the three athletes from the Deh Cho who have attained positions on Team NWT.

Mr. Speaker, although I celebrate the three athletes from the Deh Cho who made the team, I have to express my concern that only three athletes from the four communities in my constituency were successful.

Mr. Speaker, colleagues, perhaps it is time for the Northwest Territories to re-evaluate its participation in the Arctic Winter Games. We must ensure that youth from smaller communities are given a fair opportunity to participate. We must investigate further to determine the barriers that prevent youth in a small community from being selected to the Northwest Territories teams.

The costs for participating in the Arctic Winter Games selection process are high. In my region, in order to participate in the regional trials, all athletes had to pay a fee. If the athlete is successful at the regional level, they must pay an additional fee to participate at the territorial level. Then again, if the athlete is successful at making the Northwest Territories team, they pay another fee. Mr. Speaker, the hockey team from my community could not raise the funds so did not participate in the trials. We have to question how families with low incomes and a number of children raise the money.

Further, Mr. Speaker, we all know the social problems in our communities are high. However, most of our youth that participate at the games are under the age of 19 years. How do we address the youth from the ages of 20 to 24? Are we sending the message that participation in sport ends once you have reached 20?

We are entering a new millennium. Perhaps now is the time to enter into a new type of games for the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS it is required by Rule 85 that the Legislative Assembly shall appoint a Striking Committee of three Members to report and recommend, with all convenient speed, Members to comprise the Standing Committees;

NOW THERFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for North Slave, that Mr. David Krutko, Ms. Sandy Lee and Mr. Steven Nitah be appointed to the Striking Committee of this Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, January 21, 2000, I will move the following motion: now therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for North Slave, that Mr. David Krutko, Ms. Sandy Lee, and Mr. Steven Nitah be appointed to the Striking Committee of this Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with the motion today. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to offer my congratulations to you, to Premier-elect, Mr. Kakfwi, and the entire Cabinet. Mr. Speaker, I would like to say Happy New Year to all the people in the Deh Cho and all of the people in the Northwest Territories.

I also have to thank all of the staff for the coaching in the last few days. It was quite an ordeal learning when to talk, when not to talk, when to sit down, when to stand up...

-- Laughter

...so I have to thank the staff for the job they have done. I also have to thank all of the senior Members for their advice and all of the new Members for sticking by me.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my family in Fort Providence. My wife Joyce, my children Kevin, Robyn and Shawna, my parents Angus and Florestine McLeod and all of my brothers and sisters for their support throughout the campaign.

I also want to recognize one person who has worked extremely hard and who has put in an extra effort in supporting me, Susan Christie, who was my campaign manager.

I want to say to the people of the Deh Cho; Fort Providence, Kakisa, Enterprise and Hay River Reserve that I believe I have a clear mandate. The messages I heard over the duration of my campaign will be with me throughout all decisions I will be making.

Mr. Speaker, I also have to extend a sincere thank you to Mr. Sam Gargan, who served as the MLA for the Deh Cho prior to my election for 16 years of service. On behalf of all of the people of the Deh Cho, thank you.

With that, I wish all of the Members good luck, and I look forward to working with you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause