Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Northwest Territories Aboriginal Languages Plan - A Shared Responsibility, October 2010. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The regional languages committee and the committees play an important role in promoting and supporting the revitalization of our languages and enhancing our aboriginal languages. The committee plays an important role in the development and implementation of strategic plans to meet our unique needs, circumstances and priorities of the respective languages. They will be part of the ongoing discussion when it comes to implementation of the strategy.

Yes, we do. We provide immersion programs in some of the regions, probably not all regions as we wish that we could do, but we are working towards that. We’ve been given the direction, the guidance and also the support to deliver that. At the kindergarten level, or even earlier than that, the Head Start Program has been successful as well. Those are the discussions that we’ve had throughout the Northwest Territories and now we need to start implementing the total package that will be before us. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, later today I will table the Government of the Northwest Territories Aboriginal Languages Plan - A Shared Responsibility. The plan was crafted after reviewing the Standing Committee on Government Operations’ report Reality Check: Securing a Future for Official Languages of the Northwest Territories.

Over 200 delegates at the Aboriginal Languages Symposium held in late March 2010 offered their thoughts, concerns and ideas for this plan. As well, a number of community meetings were held to discuss the future of aboriginal...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have the exact number before me, but within the region I believe we offer… Within the three regions, but I have to get the facts for the Member, because I need to highlight the correct information that I can provide to the Member.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I think that’s the very reason why we’re here today producing this package. It has over 70 recommendations. We have done some work with respect to preserving our language and revitalizing our language. We have programs that have been implemented, the ALCIP program. I think we need to do more. Part of the documentation that is going to be provided speaks to immersion programming, elders in schools, specialists in schools on our language, teachers that speak the language. We need to produce those important people, the resources. We have done some work in that area but we’ll...

I agree with the Member that we need to have a mechanism in place for the tracking and monitoring and evaluating of our programming. We want this strategy, the plan, to be successful. I believe the Member did indicate that this will be part of the legacy that we’ll leave behind for years to come. Revitalizing our languages, there will definitely be a mechanism in place to monitor it every step of the way.

Mahsi. I did receive an invitation from the Akaitcho Government and I’d be more than glad to meet with the leadership, along with the Member, to discuss the process of initiating this process. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, I did meet with the Member on identifying the funds that are being distributed through teaching and learning centres. There have been some concerns in that respect. We are currently rolling out the Aboriginal Languages Plan. It will be tabled in the House today. From there, that does cover the aspects of what the Member is referring to. It is broad. It is just not one region, Mr. Speaker. So I am glad that the Member is referring to that, because it is an important piece of work that we need to start talking and making those changes.

We currently provide this approximately $12...

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Member for that particular question, because I am very much in support of community-based training programs that take place close to the Members’ homes and also to the Northerners’. The communities have the best understanding of their core needs and the priorities of their communities. I am committed to having my department work closely with the community and work closely with the Member to make this an effective and successful training program. That is part of that package. That is part of the strategy. Mahsi.