Thank you, Mr. Speaker. WHEREASthe chair of the Stanton Elders’ Council has called upon the Department of Health and Social Services to include a wellness centre at Stanton Territorial Hospital to provide a blend of traditional Aboriginal and western medicine;

AND WHEREASthe Alaska Native Medical Center and First Nations health programs at Whitehorse General Hospital in the Yukon provide useful examples to emulate, including access to traditional food, medicine and healing practices;

AND WHEREASother jurisdictions have shown that incorporating a unique wellness model in the

health care system improves health and well-being and reduces the rates of various diseases;

AND WHEREASthe Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal Project does not currently include a wellness centre;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE,seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that the Legislative Assembly strongly recommends that the Department of Health and Social Services work with Aboriginal governments to establish a wellness centre at Stanton Territorial Hospital;

AND FURTHER,that the Department of Health and Social Services incorporate a wellness centre into its plan for renewal of the Stanton Territorial Hospital;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the government provide a comprehensive response to this motion within 120 days.