Norman Yakeleya

Mr. Speaker, I guess I am really unclear in terms of the Minister not supporting the aboriginal traditional medicine in terms of encouraging some people who would want to use this. I think it’s a view as to what is best for the people. I truly believe that what she is saying, this is the way to go; however, she hasn’t given enough evidence in terms of showing me that traditional medicine is next best to the vaccine shots that people are going to get. I guess I want to hear more encouraging words from the Minister in terms of saying to the aboriginal people and elders, yes, you can take your...

Mr. Speaker, some of the people I talked to, in my previous meetings with them, are somewhat sceptical as to the vaccine, because there were so many different reports on it and studies on it. Is the department also going to be advising the elders if they do not want to take the vaccine, that they are encouraged to use the traditional medicines -- that’s one way also -- to see if this is an acceptable method by the health centres? I am not sure if that will be a message that this Minister wants to give. I want to make sure the elders are given this opportunity to see if they would also take...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would ask the Minister of Health and Social Services in terms of the swine flu, the vaccine and the information. She said there was a 1-800 number to call for people who inquire for more information about it. Is this 1-800 number also being translated into the aboriginal languages for the people who want to use their language to get more information with regard to this flu?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the issue here in terms of the Deh Cho Bridge toll system, can this toll system be designed by a private company other than the GNWT? Is that the way this is being looked at? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I think if the Minister were to embark on this concept, it would be very worthwhile to look at in terms of people, I can speak for the Sahtu and, more specifically, Colville Lake, in terms of where there is still a lot of independence in the people in terms of their lifestyle. So this concept would work very well in that community. I’m not going to speak for other communities, but my region would certainly benefit. I want to ask the Minister if he would give his officials some leeway and flexibility in exploring with the people of Colville Lake or in the Sahtu region in terms of...

I am certainly pleased to hear from the Minister in terms of their plan to go ahead with the Deline realignment of the road project and certainly the people from Deline will be happy to hear that.

Another issue that I want to just touch on which Mr. Krutko, the MLA from the Delta, talked about is the bridging programs. Certainly one that we in the Sahtu are looking forward to, specifically in Norman Wells and the hamlet of Tulita was looking at the Bear River bridge. This somehow has become a challenge for this government and this department as to how you put together a package to make a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, trapping is a strong life, it’s a good life. It’s a life that people certainly enjoy. I would ask if the Minister would work with his Cabinet colleagues to see how we can look at trapping in terms of how to get food into our communities and our local stores and start opening a discussion on how to support trappers in a lifelong passion to practice their way of life.

Minister McLeod alluded to the Youth Trapping Program. I wanted to ask the Minister in terms of strengthening the Youth Trapping Program, is that part of the educational curriculum for young trappers in the Northwest Territories? Speaking to young trappers in Colville Lake, Mr. Samuel Oudzi, who was the youth trapper in that community in the Sahtu region, would he be able to continue to have that type of opportunity to put trapping as part of his educational curriculum?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will continue to press the Premier and his Cabinet colleagues to make this a top priority, as I think they are well aware of, in terms of the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway and how many people down the Mackenzie Valley will be very appreciative of this support here. Can the Premier tell me, if we build a Mackenzie Valley Highway, what would the revenue be to be paid to open up the Mackenzie Valley for resource development exploration and extraction?

Can the Premier tell me in terms of how this proposal was discussed amongst his colleagues in terms of this proposal that’s continually worthwhile or another avenue that we could look at?