Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I want to remember what happened there and commend the residents' story into a permanent record of the House. Marci cho, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm seeking unanimous consent to return to item 5 on the orders of the day.

---Unanimous consent granted

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [Translation] today I would like to talk about Rocher River and Rat River. Since 1959, the school had burned down and, since that time, the people have been dispersed away from the community. Some moved to Fort Resolution. A lot went to Hay River, Fort Smith. The people moved to the south, even. That's what I want to talk about today. [Translation ends.]

During 1959, the small Dene community of 200 to 300 people and about 50 residents just 24 miles upriver at a place called Rat River were relocated from their established communities. The Dene were displaced...

That is sort of what I am looking for. Right now, if a patient presents in Fort Resolution at the health centre then the referral is to Yellowknife. My question was that if a person presents at the health centre, is it an easy possibility for them, today, if their medical travel would be covered today to get referred to a doctor if there is a general practitioner in Hay River?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. With the new health transformation right now, four communities that I represent all go through the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority. However, Fort Resolution is in close proximity to Hay River. Right now, people have to go from Fort Resolution to Hay River, get on a plane early in the morning, come here for appointments, possibly overnight and then back to Fort Resolution.

Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I indicated the return on investment for this program. The report indicates a return in investment. I use the number 2.5 times return and the potential return would be 3.7, so that's quite substantial. Considering these enormous returns, how does the Minister feel about the government supporting this program moving forward?

Marci Cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Researchers with Social Ventures Australia, a firm that has assessed a federally funded Aboriginal Stewardship Program in Australia for the Prime Minister and Cabinet just released a case study of Indigenous Guardian Programs run by Lutsel K’e and Dehcho First Nations. I'd like to ask the Minister if he's aware of the findings in that report. Thank you.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about Indigenous Guardian Programs, an innovative model for strengthening communities and caring for the land and water we all depend upon. Indigenous guardians are the "eyes and ears" on the ground for Indigenous communities and effective partners with public governments.

Working with the youth and with advice and direction from the elders, the guardians monitor wildlife, collect wildlife, water, sediment and soil samples to measure against baseline data while managing their territories and sacred places. They engage with industry and...

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, committee wishes to consider Committee Report 3-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 NWT Human Rights Commission Annual Report, and Committee Report 4-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 Public Accounts. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of my constituents from Fort Resolution, I want to ask the Minister if he could tell me when he anticipates this coming into effect, and if, in fact, currently, the services in Hay River, if the health and social services medical travel policy could travel individuals from Fort Resolution to travel to Hay River to see a doctor at the services there? Thank you.