Norman Yakeleya

The Aboriginal governments want to have meaningful input at the negotiation table, rather than just being told this is what’s happening, this is how you can participate. Hence, we got the issue of the Gwich’in taking the territorial government to court. I’m not too sure how far we can have discussions on that, but that’s how our relationship has deteriorated with one of the Aboriginal governments that represent a number of communities such as the Gwich’in Tribal Council.

What costs, as the Legislative Assembly, are we willing to pay to put this deal to bed and say that’s it, this is the deal...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I spoke about the devolution earlier this afternoon and I talked about the impacts and probably some of the thoughts in the Northwest Territories. I want to ask the Premier in terms of this devolution deal here, that we have some communities out there, some Aboriginal governments that feel there should be stronger, more meaningful participation in this process. Basically what I’ve been told by some of my people is that the federal government has basically set the time and set the stage for the negotiations in saying the federal government was dictating the process: your...

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize the honourable Judge Shannon Smallwood, the first female Aboriginal appointed to the Supreme Court in the Northwest Territories in history.

Judge Smallwood is originally from Fort Good Hope, as an only child of her late mother, Mary Jane Elvey, and father, Ted Elvey, who is currently living in Calgary.

Ms. Smallwood worked previously as the Crown prosecutor where she was admitted to the Bar in 2000. She moved south to get her law degree, but eventually moved back to the North to pursue her career. On behalf of the Sahtu region and the community...

A number of my community constituents talked to me while I was in Fort Good Hope. They said when they go to the health centre and they complain about a sore back or sore stomach, the nurse usually refers them to Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol. She says, here, take this and come back. Usually when they come back, it’s serious. It’s sore and she again gives them Tylenol. I want to ask the Minister if this method can be stopped and the Minister can ask the health centres if they ask for testing, because we don’t have doctors all the time in the health centres, that they could go for further...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services about the health care assessment that could be done in the Sahtu communities, specifically in Fort Good Hope where an increase of cancers are being diagnosed by the physicians either in Yellowknife or Edmonton or even in the Inuvik area. Can the Minister let the people know in Good Hope that there will be proper testing of the people who are afraid that they may be getting sick or they may have some other illness that they should be aware of and getting it treated right away?

I want to share with the Minister my written questions here. So that was leading up to my second question. Can the Minister tell me when can the Sahtu see such a program like a dental therapist coming into our communities that can do prevention? Otherwise, we’re going to have this come up in the House again in February. So when can the Minister advise me and the people in the Sahtu that there is going to be some plans in place to look at dental therapists in our communities, in our schools? Then I can say, “Good government.”

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services on the dental services in the Sahtu region. Last month the dentist was in Tulita. They were booked from morning to nighttime and one person wanted to see the dentist, but because it was so booked they put the person on the cancellation list, and the cancellation list was so long that this person had to wait until 19 people had cancelled their appointment before she could get in and see the dentist. I want to ask the Minister what type of plans does his department have to see if they can have a full...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to do my best with a verse here that we worked out this morning.

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through this House

Not a Member was stirring, not even a mouse.

The coffers were built in warehouses with care,

In hopes the Finance Minister soon would be there.

The Members were comfy, all snug in their chairs,

While visions of schoolhouses danced in their heads.

And I in my moose hide, and Jane in her wrap,

Had just steadied our brains, for a whole new load…

Oh, and just a moment, Mr. Speaker. That’s a whole new load of promises, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I certainly applaud the Minister’s messages to the health centres. Too often people in my communities go to the health centre, they’re given some mediation and then they’re sent home. I’d ask again if the Minister would let the health centres know that when people come in and they are requesting some further testing, that that can be done as soon as possible so that the people then can know that they can catch the disease or whatever they have earlier so it can be treated.

Right now in Good Hope there’s a cancer scare and that’s not good for people. I ask the Minister if...