Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My Member's statement today is in regard to the state of education in our small communities. Mind you, what I have noted is that it is almost taboo to discuss education on a public level in our communities. Public meetings to discuss education and any initiatives have not been initiated by the school, the school boards, nor by the divisional education councils that represent the schools throughout the region.

No one seems to mind that the attendance rates are dropping, the graduation rates are not flourishing as they should be, and the fact that the academic level of education has gone by the wayside. Couple this with the fact that our schools have had to lay off good quality teachers. It is alarming that no one wants to make an issue of what can be deemed a crisis situation regarding the state of education in our small communities.

I would like to draw your attention to a Department of Education, Culture and Employment document entitled "Education Renewal and Innovation Framework, Directions for Change." It is a three-year education renewal action plan created in 2015 by the department. The document goes on to state, "The current approach to education is not producing the overall levels of student achievement that we need and should reasonably expect for the investments that are being made." The document further states, "This renewal is critical to developing the capable citizens the Northwest Territories needs."

The document presents nine major action plan commitments that the Government of the Northwest Territories will ensure to undertake to improve the quality of education in our communities. It is a very bold and determined document. Unfortunately, this is the first time I have seen the document, and it is now 2019, four years later. I would further be dismayed, and rightly so, if the district education councils have not seen or had any chance to action the initiatives outlined in the Renewal Action Plan.

It is not clear if people in the communities were consulted or presented with the action plan. Had this happened, there certainly would have been measurable outcomes and the GNWT would have been on the hook to see these commitments through. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

My final question to the Minister is: how often are the bison tested to ensure a disease-free bison herd within the sanctuary, and when was the last testing?

It is kind of ironic that I chose this topic today as I went into the local restaurant here and they were serving bison stew. I had myself a hearty bowl of bison stew. I guess what I am trying to get at is that we really miss having that stuff as part of a food staple in our community. The residents of Fort Providence had previously been issued bison tags to harvest bison for food. Since the anthrax outbreaks a while back, all that has ceased. I am just wondering: what is the update on the issuance of bison tags to the community of Fort Providence?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. During an ENR presentation last month to the Priorities and Planning Committee, there was mention of a caribou management plan. What was amiss was the Bison Management Plan. I would like to recognize that the community of Fort Providence is on the doorstep to the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary. My question to the ENR Minister is: I am interested to know if there is an updated Bison Management Plan and if the community of Fort Providence is aware of such. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to use my Member's statement today to thank the people of the Deh Cho electoral riding for instilling in me the confidence to represent them as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. The riding consists of the communities of Kakisa, Enterprise, K'atlodeeche, and Fort Providence.

Although I didn't receive a resounding number of votes from the communities in my riding, each and every one will be treated fairly and with the respect they so deserve. Many in these communities are my friends and will continue to be so, including the many new friends I have met on the campaign trail.

Elections always have a way of dividing people, even close relatives and friends. We need to put all that aside now and continue with our daily lives for the betterment of the communities and especially the people, young and old.

I have to give a big shout-out to my family for their unwavering support throughout this campaign, be it encouraging words, financial resources, or the organizing of gatherings. You just can't beat the love of family, especially my grandchildren, in whose eyes I see hope and optimism for the future, the future of which I will be a part of charting. As the Dene elders have always stated, "The children are our future."

I would also like to recognize the many years of service to the Deh Cho riding from the previous Members of the Legislative Assembly. They include Sam Gargan, who served four terms; Michael McLeod, who served three terms; and Michael Nadli, who served two terms. Your contributions have not been forgotten by the people of the Deh Cho riding, and I extend my sincerest gratitude to you all.

I do have big shoes to fill and am up to the challenge, albeit with ongoing support and advice from all the people of the Deh Cho riding. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Section 61(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act requires that there shall be an Executive Council of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS Members of the Executive Council are appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that this Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories that the following Members be appointed to the Executive Council:

• Ms. Katrina Nokleby, the Member for Great Slave;
• Mr. R.J. Simpson, the Member for Hay River North;
• Mrs. Diane Thom, the Member for Inuvik Boot Leg;
• Mr. Shane Thompson, the Member for Nahendeh;
• Ms. Paulie Chinna, the Member for Sahtu;
• Ms. Caroline Cochrane, the Member for Range Lake; and
• Ms. Caroline Wawzonek, the Member for Yellowknife South.

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

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, I will move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that this Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories that the following Members be appointed to the Executive Council:

• Ms. Katrina Nokleby, the Member for Great Slave;
• Mr. R.J. Simpson, the Member for Hay River North;
• Ms. Diane Thom, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake;
• Mr. Shane Thompson, the Member for Nahendeh;
• Ms. Paulie Chinna, the Member for Sahtu;
• Ms. Caroline Cochrane, the Member for Range Lake; and
• Ms. Caroline Wawzonek, Yellowknife South.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome to the House a few members of my home community of Fort Providence. I have Joachim Bonnetrouge and his lovely wife, Nancy Ann; and also, Jim Thom, husband of the Commissioner. Both of these are former Chiefs of our Deh Gah Gotie First Nations. Also, in the new term this Assembly, my colleagues, I have learned over the last little while that they are also knowledge keepers. Mahsi.