Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Diabetes, I talk to many of my constituents and a lot of them have been saying, you know, we need that program back. In the past, there was a diabetic -- or the nurse used to come and visit the communities and work well with the community. Lately, I know that diabetes among the Indigenous is on the rise because of the lifestyle. We know that. So I want to ask the Minister, because we do have money for healthy choice funds, healthy family, on the land, diabetes program, etcetera. And is there any plan in the near future to bring the diabetes program to the small communities? Thank you.

Okay. Okay, she mentioned all the regions, and I know that in Tlicho region, you know, we make up 10 percent of the population, and Behchoko is the largest community. Has the department ever thought about putting a patient advocates or Indigenous patient advocates in Tlicho region especially now with that -- and I know that language is -- for many, it's a barrier. So if we have a patient advocate in the region, people will know who to go to, and they can speak to the person in their language. So I just wanted to ask the Minister is there any -- is there a plan in place, or have they -- to put...

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Well, that is a shame because that hospital -- you know, to build that hospital, millions and millions and millions of dollars was spent especially -- not only that -- especially when a hospital that we do not own, you know. And they left out one of the most equipment, an MRI, you know, like it's early detection of all kinds of illness. So that is -- it's -- you know, I mean, that is a shame because it's a lifesaving equipment for many of our people. And so with that, because there's no MRI in that -- at Stanton Hospital, so can the Minister explain to us -- so...

Okay, thank you. So then some of the communities that does not have adequate health centres, will they be getting the help that they need or build more health centres in small communities? I know that's a capital project, but still. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Minister. Yes, it would be nice to see some kind of a report just so that we are aware of what's going on between Council of Leaders and the Ministers and -- but, I mean, specifically I am more interested in the department of health and education so I guess that's -- that really -- it helps our regions and our community because most of the employment that we have in our small communities is health and social services and education. Thank you.

Thank you. Will Premier commit to working with the relevant stakeholders to expedite this process so as to ensure that Dinaga Wek'ehodi is an established protected area before the end of this current government? Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, I really do appreciate. Thank you. Because this is a sensitive topic and because it does involve majority of the client that we're talking about are young people, the Indigenous and, you know, I know a lot of them that went out for treatment. And people that are close to you, you know. And even now, there's people close to you that are leaving their community. That's going to -- you know, going out for treatment to help themselves, which is good. And coming back to the same old -- it's not going to be easy journey because we know -- just like you mentioned, trauma. There's a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for Premier.

Mr. Speaker, can Premier confirm the current legal status of Dinaga Wek'ehodi and the specific steps remaining to advance from candidate area to full designation under the Protected Areas Act? Thank you.

Since we're talking about the facility-based addiction treatment, I know that Tlicho government they're doing their feasibility study regarding the treatment centre. I just wanted to ask the Minister if they are working with the Indigenous government such as Tlicho government who are doing their own studies to, you know -- to accommodate. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Dinaga Wek'ehodi. Dinaga, in Denezo Yatii, means this land; Wek'ehodi look after in Tlicho language.

Dinaga Wek'ehodi is a landscape of profound natural, cultural, and political significance in the Northwest Territories, encompassing nearly 800 square kilometers along the North Arm of Great Slave Lake. It has been a place of gathering, teaching, and sustenance for Dene and Metis people for countless generations. This land is a living foundation of stories, language, ceremony, and knowledge passed from elder to youth, rooted in longstanding relationships with...