Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. With the appointment of the regional superintendents of the Executive, how much autonomy will the Sahtu region now have to conduct its own affairs? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, if I had a billion dollars, I will establish a territorial one-stop shop elders’ secretariat. Listen to the elders’ concerns. You are born to do that.

If I had a billion dollars, I will build a road to connect the Sahtu. Then we connect to the south and show them a thing or two. Would the Tuk people help, too?

If I had a billion dollars on the winter road, I would build a Tim’s just to drive through. It’s such a smooth trip. We won’t even have to stop in or spill my double double, too.

If I had a billion dollars, I will enhance and develop the wilderness camp because you just...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to thank the honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty, for putting this motion on the floor here. I wanted to support this motion. I am very glad to second it. This motion speaks to the very valued essence of our people and honouring our elders in this manner. It would be equivalent to a PhD professor or someone who has a master’s degree in the western concept of education. The elders are the reason why we are here today, Mr. Speaker. It’s the elders who guide us in our communities. They may not be in front of our political arenas and they may have been...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t think I was suggesting that the regional superintendents be dictators. I think we have enough in Yellowknife here to dictate to how the regions are going to run.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That begs the next question. When will we see full transportation authority or services program into the Sahtu and other departments like the Department of Justice in terms of those type of responsibilities coming to the Sahtu region? The Premier has said in the near future; however, I’m looking for more specific timelines to that question. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize a very special person in my life and a big supporter. She is awesome. She is my spouse, Cheryl Bonnetrouge here.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize a huge delegation from Deline on this MACA training. I can see Christine and Jane Modeste. I think I see Greg Bayha. I can’t see further. I am not as tall as I used to be.

---Laughter

I would like to recognize some good people from MACA who are also in this program here and the instructor Judith Knapp who is doing a wonderful job. I think Mrs. Beck is up there, too. I am...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a band called the Bare Naked Ladies sings a song called If I Had a Million Dollars. Mr. Speaker, I always liked the song. Again, I have my own version to share with the House. I performed a version of this song during last year’s budget session. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the rules of this House still do not allow guitars or keyboards or even backup singers to be with me, so you have to bear with me as I read my Sahtu version.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, again, we’ve certainly seen some improvements needed in our smaller communities and it seems like it’s not getting some of the attention that is needed. I’m trying to follow this process here and some of these buildings that are needed in the communities that need improvements that doesn’t seem to make a good acceptable business case for Cabinet sometimes if they take it or leave it and then come back and say well it’s not their building, they won’t do anything to it or not their responsibility and it’s up to the landlords. So I’m having a hard time in terms...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A leased building, so that’s not our building, it’s somebody else’s building?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social.

When will the communities/schools be eligible for funding to take the "Drop the Pop" challenge?

How much will each community/school be eligible for participation funding?

When will the "Drop the Pop" campaign be communicated to our communities/schools?

Will the communities receive recognition for participation in the campaign?

Thank you.