Thank you, elder Annie Goose.
Colleagues, on February 28th, 2025, the Member from Yellowknife North rose on a point of order regarding comments made by the Member from Yellowknife Centre. I will not repeat those comments today; however, I am prepared to deliver my ruling at this time.
As your Speaker, I find that our rules were broken and there was a valid point of order raised by the Member for Yellowknife North.
Although the words spoken by the Member for Yellowknife Centre were not captured on our microphones or recorded in Hansard, they were clearly heard in the chambers. Colleagues, I do not need to hear the words in a recording or to read them in Hansard to determine if they were appropriate. They were not. In fact, these words could be easily interpreted as breaking several of our rules of debate. Specifically, I feel the comments violated Rules 3.2(3)(h), (i), and (k), which respectively prohibits Members from making allegations against another Member, imputing false or hidden motives, and the use of abusive or insulting language that is likely to create disorder.
I will now ask the Member from Yellowknife Centre to apologize to this House for his comment. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Whatever I said, Mr. Speaker, I withdraw.
Member from Yellowknife Centre, could you give a little bit more clarity.
Whatever I must have said, I withdraw. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Colleagues, before we begin, yesterday was Commonwealth Day. This is an annual celebration observed in the 56 commonwealth countries around the globe. This year's theme is Together we Thrive, which really hits home for me. I feel like this year's Commonwealth Day theme was selected for us. In our consensus government system, we are stronger when we work together for the benefit of our people, the people we represent, The people who elected us to speak for them in this House.
Colleagues, I know all of us want to see the Northwest Territories thrive. I know I do. That's the reason I got involved in politics. In the spirit of Commonwealth Day, I would like to remind you that together we can thrive as a territory. Now let's get on with our business today.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, climate change is creating significant challenges for the Northwest Territories, impacting communities, people, ecosystems, and infrastructure. The GNWT is addressing these challenges by integrating Indigenous knowledge and fostering partnerships to build resilience and sustainability for the future generations.
Mr. Speaker, over the past year, we have achieved significant milestones with Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, and community partners on climate change adaptation initiatives. This includes building consensus on the most pressing climate risks, implementing practical solutions, and sharing information to support residents and protect the environment.
Mr. Speaker, we are also addressing extreme water level fluctuations, which have ranged from record highs to record lows over the past five years, impacting transportation, hydroelectricity generation, public safety, and harvesting. The GNWT has expanded its water monitoring networks, improved data management, partnered with researchers, and shared updates through monthly water monitoring bulletins. This past year, departmental staff met regularly with marine transportation services to share data and information that informed decision-making for the upcoming barge season. In addition, our ongoing snow and climate monitoring will support assessment of climate change impacts on northern hydrology, aligning with the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, federal funding and partnerships with institutions, like the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University, are advancing our work to create new opportunities for Northerners through skill-building and adaptation programs. Training programs and resources are being developed to build climate adaptation skills in communities across the territory, empowering them to respond effectively to climate impacts. These initiatives deliver real benefits. Updated flood maps and expanded water monitoring enhance safety and preparedness, ensuring safe communities for Northerners. Greater climate knowledge strengthens decision-making at all levels. By integrating Indigenous knowledge, we are ensuring our approach is inclusive, collaborative, and reflective of northern values.
Mr. Speaker, our efforts today are crucial for building resilience and adapting to climate change. We are committed to securing a sustainable future for residents and communities across the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Ministers' statements. Minister of Finance.
Mr. Speaker, today I want to describe how key infrastructure projects are helping support our government's commitment to building strong relationships with Indigenous governments.
A key example of this collaboration is the Taltson Hydro Expansion. This project is being advanced though a memorandum of understanding agreement between the Government of the Northwest Territories and Indigenous governments with traditional territory in the Taltson watershed; namely, the Northwest Territory Metis Nation, the Akaitcho Dene First Nations, and Salt River First Nation.
Regular meetings at the leadership level have become more frequent over the last 12 months creating strong momentum as we work together to address legacy issues, advance commercial agreements, and prepare an environmental regulatory application. I hope that in the coming year to have a plan to move forward on legacy issues, have a preliminary commercial structure in sight, and a timeline for the environmental review process. Together we can connect over 70 percent of the Northwest Territories population and bring access to hydro power to our most promising mineral resource region.
Another major project that depends on strong collaboration is the Mackenzie Valley Highway. We have a memorandum of understanding with the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated to facilitate collaboration during the environmental assessment and we are working together to update the business case for the project so that we are ready to seek investment upon completion of the environmental assessment.
We are also working closely with the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation to address concerns raised about the alignment in the Deh Cho between Wrigley and the Sahtu Dene and Metis settlement agreement boundary. The Government of the Northwest Territories is pleased to have provided funding to Pehdzeh Ki First Nation to conduct alignment work and Indigenous knowledge studies, and we remain committed to reviewing and discussing these findings. Feedback from local communities has already led to optimizations and changes, including adjustments near Bear Rock and Big Smith Creek, based on input from community organizations in Tulita. Our projects are informed by both Indigenous knowledge and western science studies of water, wildlife, habitat, socioeconomic and climate change impacts, and they are stronger for this.
Mr. Speaker, the need for the Mackenzie Valley Highway has never been more evident, as this critical infrastructure will provide much needed resilience for annual community resupply operations in the Sahtu and serve as a unique access corridor into the heart of Canada's Western Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, and these are not the only projects built through partnership. The Dehk'e Frank Channel Bridge replacement is another example, with ongoing work alongside the Tlicho government. And two public engagement sessions for the Dehk'e Frank Channel Bridge replacement took place in Behchoko a month ago, and we received valuable input that is currently helping us shape next steps. In addition, we have begun to re-engage regional Indigenous governments about routing for the Slave Geologic Province corridor and an access point into the Eastern Arctic.
By working together, we can address shared priorities more swiftly, identify more investment opportunities, and create more opportunities for the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Finance. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, I want to speak today about environmental assessment as a way to make projects better and how it makes projects better.
Sometimes we talk about environmental assessment as if it's just an obstacle, as if it's some GNWT employee sitting in an office tower gatekeeping, checking off some boxes, and could they please just get it done faster because we have mines to develop and roads to build and jobs to create. But it's not that at all.
Environmental assessment is central to our co-management systems. It's enshrined in modern treaties. It brings Indigenous governments and the federal and territorial governments together as equals to make decisions about anything that could have big impacts on the land and water, including how to maximize economic benefits. Environmental assessment can make projects better for everyone. For example, it can recommend a road take ago slightly different route to avoid interfering with harvesting and wildlife. It can ensure that a mine doesn't contaminate the water and fish and that community members get to participate in regular sampling and fish tasting to confirm for themselves. But it can only make those projects better if there's full participation from all the top experts. That's traditional knowledge experts, elders, and scientists who have their own important information about how mines and roads affect caribou and water and fish and all the rest.
Most of our best scientists work for the government, and since devolution, the majority work for our territorial government. But what if the territorial government is the one proposing the project like the Mackenzie Valley Highway or the Lockhart All-Season Road? The GNWT has decided that its own scientists should not be able to freely participate in those environmental assessments. They're supposed to share their scientific expertise behind closed doors, and then the higher-ups in the GNWT will decide what becomes public. What I fear is being lost, Mr. Speaker, is the opportunity for scientists to collaborate directly with traditional knowledge experts in the communities about what the impacts could be and how to design, for example, roads better.
Ten years ago, I had the privilege of facilitating on-the-land camps bringing together TK experts, scientists, and young people learning to be environmental monitors, and I saw firsthand the incredible potential for that kind of collaboration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll have questions for the Minister.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member from Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to preface my statement with a content warning that I will be speaking to sexual abuse and trauma so that those listening can decide if they wish to not listen to my statement.
Mr. Speaker, we speak a great deal in this House about access to health care, and with good reason. However, holding hands within that same priority is addressing the effects of trauma. Mr. Speaker, we are doing good things in this area. I was elated to attend the opening of the first transitional housing for addictions recovery program, or THARP home, here in Yellowknife yesterday. It's wonderful to see health, housing, the city of Yellowknife, and the Salvation Army, all working together to address a crucial gap for folks returning from addictions treatment from the south. I think it's a promising model and wish it every success.
Mr. Speaker, that said, we still have far to go in adequately addressing the effects of trauma. I have spoken in Committee of the Whole last week and in e-mails to both the Ministers of health and justice around my concerns for folks who need to heal and have the support they need in recovering from sexual trauma and abuse.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Justice does provide services to inmates who are overcoming experience of sexual abuse, but I am concerned that we need these services to be preventative as well. We need pre-emptive supports for folks who have the wherewithal to know that they are struggling and do not wish to continue the cycle of trauma, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week my 2-year-old came down with a nasty ear infection and though I was able to stay at home with him, 811 instructed my family to err on the side of caution and have him checked out. As Yellowknife Primary Care accepts booking just after they open at 8 a.m., I made sure to have my phone in hand ready as the seconds ticked closer to the right moment to make my call. First, 8 o'clock, then 8:01, 8:02, 8:03, 8:04, and finally I hit dial just as 8:05 came on to the screen of my phone. When the phone rang, I eagerly anticipated my opportunity to arrange the care my child needed yet the phone kept ringing and ringing. Then to my disappointment, it ended with a message informing me that a high volume of calls meant I would have to wait a little longer. So I did. After 15 minutes, my fears were confirmed. My call still went unanswered meaning an appointment was out of reach.
Mr. Speaker, this frustrating experience is shared with too many of my constituents who often fail in their attempts to secure their own appointments as well. And, as frustrating as it is on our end, I can't imagine how it must feel for the staff on the other end of the phone who try their best every day when their switchboard is lit up with dozens of incoming calls. They don't work in health care to drop calls, Mr. Speaker. They work in health care to help Northerners and their families, but under such unmanageable conditions, sending me to voicemail must have been their only option.
Instead of primary care, we then relied on the Range Lake clinic and booking the appointment was a trivial matter. I merely chose a time on their website, filled in my details, and I was set. We were relieved to have the care we needed for our son, and luckily, the appointment didn't come at any cost.
Mr. Speaker, I know health and social services would have preferred that I gotten the care my son needed from them. We are constantly reminded that we are in the midst of significant primary care reform, yet we have not heard from the Minister what this reform is in exact detail and how it will improve the delivery of care. We are well into our second year, yet when we ask in this chamber how we will fulfill the Assembly's priority to increase the accessibility of care, we are met with a ringing phone call that ends in a message telling us to call back at another time. Mr. Speaker, for too many of us, and too many of us Northerners, that phone is still ringing unanswered. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Members' statements. Member from Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NWT is in a vulnerable position because of the national and global tensions. One example is the US tariffs and the resulting trade disputes. The NWT imports more than it exports, so we are more vulnerable to the increasing costs of things we buy every day.
Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of negative economic impacts on the horizon. I'd rather focus on the positives.
The Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment recently took part in discussions to reform provincial and territorial trade barriers when the committee on internal trade, or CIT, met in Toronto last week. If CIT achieves its objectives, it will be easier to do business in Canada and grow the domestic economy. What will this mean for the territory?
Mr. Speaker, the political landscape is shifting daily with that's recent economic changes. I echo what my colleague from Boot Lake has said: The NWT is resource rich and cash poor. Talks on tariffs imposition has created uncertainty and, more importantly, questions about sustainability. How can the NWT reposition itself as a supplier of critical minerals to the rest of Canada? How can the territory be a leader in refining, production, and mineral processing?
Mr. Speaker, there is no question that the NWT needs federal funding to advance an infrastructure agenda. We have heard that the federal Arctic foreign policy may lead to increased defence spending and access to capital. However, we might see a more immediate economic impact by creating additional resource revenues and retaining devolution benefits. I will have questions to the Minister of ITI later. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Members' statements. Member from Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to echo the concerns and frustrations of my constituents from the community of Tetlit Zheh, and other communities throughout the NWT, in their efforts to combat the influx of hard drugs coming into our community without any support from the local authorities, Housing NWT, or local housing authorities.
This past week while I was home in Tetlit Zheh, I was confronted by numerous members of the community about drug dealers from neighboring communities coming in to Tetlit Zheh and setting up their business within Housing NWT's public housing units and nothing being done to accommodate the residents' concern.
Mr. Speaker, the drug dealers are coming into our smaller communities and setting up their network in the public housing units because they know that nothing is being done to move them out by any authority. The residents know who these drug dealers are and where they are stationed yet when they give tips to any of the authorities, it is the policies and procedures that protect the criminals. The tenants of the housing authority are also benefitting from these transactions and letting them stay within their units to conduct these illegal activities.
Mr. Speaker, there are community members who are targets of these drug dealers because they are addicted to these hard drugs and they see easy access to drugs and money. It hurts me personally to see those unfortunates targeted and preyed upon. Our family and community members cannot do anything to help protect our members of the community.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I will not have any questions for this government because their solutions are far and in between to implement a solution to save our communities in combatting the drug crisis we are experiencing. The drug dealers are using our own residents to kill our own people just for the simple financial transaction. Te only question to this House is what can we do today? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about Arctic security again today and, specifically, around the Arctic security council. Certainly the leadership in my community are very live to the issue of Arctic security given that we have infrastructure there, the forward operating location as well as the NORAD office in Inuvik.
Mr. Speaker, the federal department of defence announcement on March 10th identified Inuvik and Yellowknife as military hubs which will share in a $2.6 billion investment with Iqaluit. Given the recent article on Cabin Radio, Mr. Speaker, there may be some ambiguity around how those funds are going to roll out but certainly now is the time, you know, for us as a government to ensure that, you know, we are working with the ND and to ensure that we are prepared for the investment and how it can benefit our communities, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, there are things happening. Canadian Institute of Arctic Security, which is the Yukon, the Yukon's Arctic council, are having a Conference Zero -- they're calling it -- on March 27th in 2025 to discuss Arctic security. I'm sure, Mr. Speaker, that the Premier's aware of this and likely may have even gotten an invite to attend.
The town of Inuvik, Mr. Speaker, is hosting the Arctic Development Expo on the 17th to the 19th of June, 2025, where the theme is Preparing for Our Future in a Changing Arctic where, again, Mr. Speaker, there will be three days of discussion around Arctic security and development.
The leadership in my community has been made aware that the department of defence, the Joint Task Force North, will be meeting with Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon in Whitehorse in late May of 2025 to, again, discuss shared DND infrastructure projects. The Premier's office, I assume, will have a delegation that will be part of this discussion, Mr. Speaker, and I would suggest that the Premier include the mayors of Inuvik and Yellowknife as part of this delegation to take part in these important conversations.
Mr. Speaker, Inuvik just hosted the very successful and biggest operation of Nanook since began in 2007. There were several NATO countries involved as well as the Canadian Rangers from across the country. In total, there were 700 military personnel on the ground and in the air for the event. There was also media in Inuvik from across the country. The town of Inuvik, the Gwich'in, and the Inuvialuit were all fully engaged and involved supplying DND with meeting facilities, accommodations, and operation space. This was a huge economic boost to the area. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, it's important that the Premier and this government are fully engaged, and now is the time to create an NWT Arctic security council that includes the Premier, applicable Cabinet Members, mayors from Inuvik and Yellowknife, and Indigenous leadership representatives, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from Frame Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we approach the spring equinox, there is palpable excitement in Yellowknife. I'd like to take a moment to highlight one of my favourite winter events, the the upcoming Frostbite 55 taking place this Saturday, March 15th. This event is the premiere winter endurance event in the Northwest Territories and brings together skiers and snowshoers from across the NWT and Canada to undertake a grueling 55-kilometer course. The course traverses the area around Yellowknife, N'dilo, and Dettah, and highlights the beautiful and rugged terrain around these communities.
Mr. Speaker, this event is entirely organized and supported by volunteers committing their time and energy for the benefit and enjoyment of the community. The participants train throughout the dark, cold months of January and February, and come prepared to undertake the physical and mental exertion necessary to achieve their personal goals either individually or as part of a team. Businesses in and around Yellowknife provide their support through generous donations and sponsorships for prizes and draws for participants and volunteers. This event pushes the limits of our endurance, but also brings or community together in celebration of the wild beauty of our landscape. The strength of our community is apparent as the skiers and snowshoers start off Saturday morning complete with throngs of friends, family members, and teammates cheering them on outside the Yellowknife ski chalet.
Again, this event wouldn't be possible without the hard work of so many volunteers who have spent countless hours preparing for this incredible event to ensure the safety of participants. I want to congratulate them and thank them for their contribution to their community. I'd like to wish all the participants the best of luck in this year's race. I hope the sun is bright and snow conditions are just right.
I'll personally be on the course this weekend as a safety rider, and I've heard that the Member for Yellowknife North, who I'll note won the event last year, will be participating so look out for a few of your local MLAs on the course this weekend. I would note that if you're on the fence about participating, today is the last day to register, and I strongly encourage you to try it out. It's a great event. Let's all mark our calendars for March 15th and keep an eye out for these dedicated athletes as they tackle the Frostbite 55. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the beginning of this Assembly, we came together to agree on several key priorities to focus on during our term. One of those key priorities is ensuring the safety of residents and communities. While territorial-wide dangers like disasters and crime often come to mind when we think about public safety, but we're also hear to solve public safety challenges which is unique to our communities as well.
A challenge to public safety my constituents uniquely face is the lack of junction lights on Highway No. 5 on the way to Fort Resolution. Without these lights, drivers often miss the turnoff on Highway No. 5 towards Fort Smith in the dark. My constituents fear worse than that. However, they feel it is only a matter of time a vehicle could collide with one another in and out of the turn towards Fort Smith. This is specifically a concern during the winter months when it's dark. Nights are long and freezing conditions could reduce a driver's ability to react and take evasive action.
My constituents raised this issue to my office often, and I agree with them. The lack of lights at this junction poses a serious threat to drivers yet when I raised this last chamber, I am told that these concerns have been flagged or studied enough for a solution to be considered. How many studies do we have to have to build a set of lights at the junction? Surely, we do not have to wait for a serious accident to take place before the Minister takes action. If an accident happened before the lights are set up, our priority for safety committees would not have been upheld for my constituents. I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to discuss how the government will safeguard higher learning in our small communities.
Mr. Speaker, in a public briefing about the closure of community learning centres, both the chairperson of the board and president of the Aurora College outlined the college's decision to move to online learning. The board says the reason is, quote, low enrolment and high costs. The president of the college suggested the closure of CLC will save $8.29 million.
Mr. Speaker, I find the proposal to transition to online learning deeply troubling. The college number for online enrolments are inflated by classroom restrictions dating back to the pandemic. Their plan comes down to one thing: The loss of in-person learning for adult education programs and upgrading.
Mr. Speaker, in small communities, technology is a huge barrier to education. Many students do not have internet access or their own computers. Students with special needs such as FASD and others need hands-on visual learning opportunities. Were these factors considered in Aurora College's decision-making? This problem cannot be solved by a support line. Connectivity at the Whati CLC is currently adequate for running remote programming since the school has recently been hooked up to the fibre optic line. But this will not be the case if we force learners to upgrade online at home.
Mr. Speaker, we need a brick and mortar approach. Closing all 19 centres to save a small amount of money is wrong. Students will need to use the existing infrastructure to join classes online. I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with approximately 937 days left in this Assembly, Mr. Speaker, I wonder what will happen next. Mr. Speaker, in my February statement I talked about being bold, reaching out to the defence Minister, talking about getting investment in the North.
Mr. Speaker, recently a Cabin Radio story talked about Inuvik and Yellowknife becoming the hubs in the North. Mr. Speaker, their story said there's $218 million over 20 years going to be spent. Let's be frank, Mr. Speaker. That's a drop in the bucket as far as defence spending goes. Mr. Speaker, if I spoke in NWT terms, I'd refer to that as 72 kilometers of highway. That's all it is, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, we need northern infrastructure. We need northern bases. Mr. Speaker, we could be the true hubs to protect all 135,000 Northerners from one side, be it the Yukon to the other side; be partners with Nunavut, Mr. Speaker. There's no reason we can't be bold.
Mr. Speaker, historically we always know that we've had Russia, China, and different views of how geopolitical problems work. Now if you read the Globe and Mail, you'll see a former Yellowknifer Nathan VanderKlippe talk about Trump's influence and desperation of saying I'm annexing Canada and I'm taking Greenland with it, Mr. Speaker. Shame on them. Now couldn't be a better time to demand Ottawa starts better spending in the Northwest Territories. Even the city of Yellowknife sent a letter saying that we could be a strategic centre.
Mr. Speaker, that 2 percent NATO spending ain't going to spend itself. Mr. Speaker, we don't need all the F35s, just a couple, Mr. Speaker, because a couple mean tons of jobs, a lot of money, serious investment, and commitment to protecting Northerners.
Mr. Speaker, as my colleague from Boot Lake pointed out that that delegation in a few days, I encourage the Premier to invite MLA for Boot Lake and myself because we feel very strongly about this particular concern, so strongly I wrote a draft joint working group terms of reference in response to the Premier about how could we advocate for more defence spending in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I want to see money in Inuvik, and I want to see money in Yellowknife, and I want to see Northerners working to help protect Canadians, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when I read the quote in the story a couple days ago and the Premier says the federal government now appears to know that they should come talk to things, actually I reverse it. We should now be on the tips of our toes leaning into Ottawa and saying now's your opportunity, we're open for business, and we need your money. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements.
Colleagues, today, I would like to talk about an individual who is a great-grandson of Baptiste Cazon, the former chief for Liidlii Kue First Nation. The GNWT named the ECE building in his honour just previously. One of these individuals that provide a message to everyone present via the grand chief was Gavin Wilkes.
Gavin was born in Peace River, Alberta, to Naila Cazon of Fort Simpson and Brian Wilkes of Northampton, England. Gavin is one of seven children between the two. He has two half-brothers and a half-sister on his mother's side, and two half-brothers and a half-sister on his father's side.
Gavin's great-grandfather Baptiste Cazon was a chief of Liidlii Kue First Nation for over 20 years. Growing Gavin was inspired by the work and dedication of his great-grandfather helping the Dene people and being a voice that he served in the region. People highly respect his great-grandfather.
Gavin wanted to do something similar like his great-grandfather. He studied hard and was accepted to attend the University of Augustana faculty from 2014-2018 where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in drama and philosophy. Then his next step was to attend the University of Alberta for his law degree from 2020 to 20203 and obtained a doctorate degree.
Gavin is now legal counsel at the Wahkotowin Law and Governance Lodge in Edmonton, Alberta, where he is working diligently with First Nations to identify, articulate, and implement their laws and legal governance structures.
Gavin's mother is very proud of the young man he has become and for his dedication to pursue his goals and his tireless dedication and commitment to his work. She told me that she sees a lot of her grandfather in Gavin, and she knows he will do great things for our people.
Recently Gavin attended and spoke at the 30th Annual Deh Cho First Nation meeting that was held in Fort Simpson this past summer where he shared his educational journey and addressed the youth, inspiring them to challenge themselves and to pursue their education. Gavin shared that he made this ten-year educational journey for the Dene people and to advocate and serve the Liidlii Kue First Nation of Treaty 11. I would like to congratulate him on his achievement.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just following up on my Member's statement today. Given the fact that the Premier's noted in a recent story about this engagement of the federal government, I'm asking the Premier what is he doing about the national defence investment money in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.
