Caitlin Cleveland

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our Cabinet, many members will be travelling down to Ottawa to meet with federal Ministers, and we intend to travel with representatives of Indigenous governments of this territory. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the years the Yukon has gone one way, and the NWT has gone another way. At this point, what I am doing is I am travelling to Ottawa in order to ascertain what the difference is and how we get to a more equitable place as far as how our immigration program works in the Northwest Territories. And I very much look forward to having the conversations to talk not only about our allotment, talk about work permits, and to talk about settlement services, as well as flexibility within the program here in the territory. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was two questions there. So to the first question, the answer is no.

To the second question who is in charge, so the DEC has the responsibility of hiring and selecting and working with the superintendent. And within the legislation, there is also a concert and it works in concert with our Public Service Act and the collective agreement under the NWTTA. So that's an important thing to consider there as well, is that there are considerations under that too. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our district education authorities and our district education councils do have a governance role. Within the Northwest Territories, we do have a decentralized system. The governance roles within those boards are setting mission, vision, goals, objectives, developing and reviewing policies, procedures, providing guidance and direction to administration, developing strategic plans, monitoring and evaluating implementation plans and procedures, allocating funds and resources, training members, ensuring effective risk management policies are in place...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, absolutely, elders are always teaching when they are anywhere in our communities. A lot of the programs centre around language revitalization and on the land experiences and cultural experiences for students across the Northwest Territories. And even when elders are in a health and wellness role within the school, they're still teaching at that point. So teaching is a key component in imparting knowledge and experience to our youth. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand that the families want to be able to bring their own children to the track meet, not to get on the bus. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is true, I am dealing with this at the moment, and as soon as I have a resolution, I will be in touch with the chair of the district education authority. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, superintendents do not have the authority to dissolve a DEA or a DEC. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd be happy to follow up with the department on that specific program. But over the years, additional programs have come into play that have a created more space for elders in schools. Our school food program is just new this year in 2025. The transition to the school-based mental health and wellness program where elders could be hired, that's brand new as of 2024. So some of these programs are actually quite recent. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't have a specific number for that program, but we have multiple programs across the territory that create space for elders within our school system. The Member is absolutely right, the power of elders is absolutely undeniable and one that we have the privilege of experiencing in this House. Some of the programs that I'd be happy to talk more about are the elders for Indigenous languages programs, our school-based mental health and wellness program, our community focus from the Indigenous languages secretariat, as well as our school food...