Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to announce the establishment of the Bobbi Hamilton Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Achievement. The Department of Justice is establishing this award to recognize individuals who demonstrate the principles that Bobbi embraced in her daily life.
Bobbi Hamilton was a dedicated and respected community justice coordinator in Hay River for 15 years during which time she worked with hundreds of youths and adults in the community justice program. Sadly, Bobbi passed in November last year. She leaves a legacy of championing restorative justice, helping others, and making her community a better place to live.
Bobbi said that what she loved most about her job as a community justice coordinator was helping others make positive choices, and she had a knack for it. All it takes is one person to help somebody change the course of their life, and Bobbi was that one person for many of the clients she worked with. She shared a story about a youth who was in trouble with the law and making their way through the community justice program's restorative justice process. The youth successfully completed the program, but they kept coming back to Bobbi's office, not because they were in trouble again but just to talk or hang out and do homework. The youth eventually went on to university but continued to visit Bobbi years later. I don't think that was unusual for Bobbi. That is the kind of person she was. The first time you met her, you would swear you had been friends for years.
Outside of work, Bobbi was a tireless volunteer in her community and dedicated time to her church, minor and old-timer hockey, youth sporting events, and wherever else she was needed. She cared deeply about her community, and we cared deeply for her.
It is no surprise that the Department of Justice chose to name the award for Outstanding Community Achievement after Bobbi Hamilton. The award is open to individuals working in the areas of restorative justice and survivor supports, and those who make contributions to community safety. Considerations include:
Years of service;
Work promoting peaceful conflict resolution and healing between offenders, victims, families and the community; and,
Leadership in community justice and collaboration with community partners, and organizations.
The Bobbi Hamilton Award for Outstanding Community Achievement will be open for nominations for next year. It will be awarded at the Annual Community Justice Symposium, and the winner will be offered the opportunity to attend the National Restorative Justice Symposium that takes place in a different location across Canada each year.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Justice is excited to honour Bobbi Hamilton's legacy with this award and recognize others who exemplify her dedication and commitment to community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Justice. Ministers' statements. Minister for Education, Culture and Employment.
Monsieur le President, [No translation available] Merci.
Thank you, Minister for Education, Culture and Employment. Ministers' statements.
Before we go on to the next one, I forgot to thank Bertha Catholique for the opening prayer, so I'd like to thank her for doing that in her language.
Mr. Speaker, today I want to pick up the ball on advocacy that was ongoing in the last two assemblies around reestablishing an adult day program for seniors with dementia. Many seniors at some stage of Alzheimer's or dementia want to continue living at home supported by a partner or family members, and we should be respectful of our elders' wishes. It also makes economic sense to support families to continue caring for their loved ones at home. It costs the territory much more to move elders into a long-term care facility. But many of us know firsthand how hard it is to care for a family member with dementia. I know of a woman who could not leave her husband alone even for a short time as he gets lost even in their own home. A senior with dementia may be physically capable but need constant supervision in case they start operating an appliance or a vehicle in an unsafe way because they're confused. Constant supervision and reminders are exhausting. Caregivers need real respite, and a few hours a week of home care cannot give them that.
Now up until 2016, Avens here in Yellowknife operated an adult day program. It was a supervised program that seniors with dementia could attend in a group setting, and it opened up freedom for the spouse or caregiver to be able to leave the house and do errands, socialize with friends, or simply put their feet up in their own home and have a cup of tea. When that program closed, the health authority attempted unsuccessfully through an RFP process to have another third party operate the adult day program. While organizations such as the Yellowknife Seniors' Society have been working and advocating to find a way for the program to resume, the budget that was laid out in the RFP was totally unrealistic compared to the actual costs of safely running the program. But perhaps now there is a new opportunity to make this work.
The health authority has just opened up a brand new long-term care facility in the Liwego'ati Building with trained staff, including recreation therapists running day programs for the residents. Now, could day programs be opened up to drop-in clients as well to allow seniors living at home to join the programs? Even just a few times per week. That could be a huge help for the caregivers and families who are struggling to manage at home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.
Mr. Speaker, Jordan's Principle is a federal program that distributes billions of dollars nationwide annually to raise the standard of living for First Nations children. There is no funding cap. The program is on demand and available to First Nations' families, their service providers, and their community governments, so long as the application provided to Indigenous Services Canada identifies the needs of First Nations children which are not currently met or up to the standard enjoyed by their non-Indigenous peers. Therefore, every year a large portion of what the federal government distributes to northern First Nations children through Jordan's Principle goes to our territory's schools. Here in Yellowknife, school boards receive millions of dollars to support First Nations youth. For example, last year YK1 received more money from Jordan's Principle than it did from taxpayers, to the tune of more than $6 million of their annual budget.
These funds are vital for our schools, Mr. Speaker, to hire crucial support staff. However, last month, CBC reported 60 percent of support assistants were paid -- or sorry, and last month CBC reported 60 percent of support assistants were paid for through Jordan's Principle funding. And this can include everything from classroom assistants to speech-language pathologists. Recently, however, Mr. Speaker, Indigenous Services Canada has been struggling with such a massive backlog of Jordan's Principle applications the resulting delays have become so severe to schools across Canada that they're now cutting services due to that uncertainty. Now to make matters worse, the federal government is narrowing the eligibility criteria for Jordan's Principle applications, including the eligibility for school-related applications.
These changes will likely have a serious impact on education in the North, especially if assistant positions are reduced or cut entirely. I know that the Minister is aware of these changes but working families need to know that once the impact on our schools become clear, we will as a government advocate to prevent these cuts from taking place. If those efforts are not successful, then the Minister has no choice but to adjust school funding to compensate appropriately otherwise this will be yet another devastating blow to education for Indigenous children in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Members' statements. Member from the Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. GNWT strategies for federal engagements. I want to discuss today the Northwest Territories economic strategy and preparedness.
Mr. Speaker, in February, the Premier announced the new position of senior envoy to the Government of Canada with a presence in both Yellowknife and Ottawa. I believe this position will strengthen our engagements and relationships, but there must be clear objectives.
Mr. Speaker, there's no question that the Government of the Northwest Territories needs and depends largely on federal funding to advance its infrastructure agenda. We have heard that the federal Arctic foreign policy would lead to increased defence spending and access to capital. The Premier recently called for strategic investment writing in the media that the territory is key to securing Canada's critical minerals future and that the federal government needs to ensure northern development is a national priority. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT should use this envoy position to effectively engage the federal government in an aggressive way.
We must also strengthen position, relationships, on federal engagements on staffing and conventions to access funds for sovereignty, Arctic security, NATO defence obligations, while developing the potential of our critical minerals' potential and reducing the cost of living.
Mr. Speaker, the country's resources and security are in the global spotlight right now. It is time to ensure sustainable economic growth and strengthen Arctic sovereignty, but we also need a clear picture in this Assembly of how we will do that going forward. I cannot emphasize enough the crucial developments of building relationships with our federal counterparts particularly during the tariff calamity. Later I will have questions for bthe Premier. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Members' statements. Member from Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I'd like to talk about elder abuse. Mr. Speaker, too often elders are mistreated by the people responsible for their care. Rates of elder abuse increased during the pandemic. There were national reports of residents in care who had not been bathed in weeks, lack of pain treatment, and little or no turning of patients, and people going hungry. Now, there's an urgent need to improve the lives of elders in the healthcare system and at home across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, elders are our teachers. They carry traditional knowledge that we need to learn from. We must care for them. Some of our elders are living from feast to famine, surviving off their pension only to find themselves abandoned once it's gone. Mr. Speaker, I've heard about people pressuring elders for pension cheque money. It's like they are trapped, and their money belongs to others. There's no one to offer a helping hand or shovel snow, do the shopping, or simply sit and eat with them.
Mr. Speaker, in communities some people are speaking out, and in my riding fear of speaking out keeps people from addressing these problems. Drugs have made their way into our communities, and users are taking advantage of the elders. Mr. Speaker, the Dene Nation has a campaign for the prevention of abuse and family violence, but I want to know how the Department of Health and Social Services will support our communities to ensure elders are safe, respected, and cared for. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, spring is around the corner. The sun is shining, and we all know that means things will soon start to melt. Mr. Speaker, that also means that communities around the North are busy getting ready for their yearly orders, for their barging orders again. Mr. Speaker, we're looking at construction materials, equipment, household items, vehicles, and, of course importantly, most importantly, the annual retail restocking in the coastal communities.
Mr. Speaker, given the disaster we looked at last year in Norman Wells and with the low water, I would hope that right now the department's looking at cutoff dates so to ensure that construction companies and Indigenous governments and, indeed, just residents in the communities can know, and it's communicated to them, those dates they can get their orders in, Mr. Speaker, and ensure that they get their materials in a timely fashion. I know, Mr. Speaker, that we'd be looking at -- I would hope that we're monitoring the water levels this year, we're looking at the trucking routes, considering road bans, and all the things that are important to this important shipping season, Mr. Speaker. So I will have some questions for the Minister of Infrastructure on what we're doing this year to prep for hopefully a much more successful barging season. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Delivery of health care in the Tlicho region. Mr. Speaker, I would like to discuss how primary healthcare reform will impact small communities.
Most small communities have no permanent doctors. One report noted that NWT is funded for 80.7 full-time equivalent doctors but as of September 2024, there were only 50 physicians registered, not including locums. According to the territorial medical director, health managers are asking whether residents in small communities are getting the same care they could expect if they were in Yellowknife or Inuvik or down south.
Mr. Speaker, the main issues for small communities are continuation of care, limited access, and a shortage of doctors, nurses, and technicians.
Historically, Mr. Speaker, Tlicho region had its own hospital and staff, the Faraud Hospital in Behchoko, which operated from 1936 until its closure in 1974. Today most Tlicho people travel to Yellowknife for health care.
Mr. Speaker, community health centres are meant to provide accessible primary care services to small communities. Having hundreds of people from Tlicho region use primary care in Yellowknife is not helping the system. The Tlicho community services agency manages health, wellness, and education services in Behchoko, Gameti, Wekweeti, and Whati. With more resources, Mr. Speaker, more nurses and doctors, could be sent out to communities. Imagine being able to get a simple blood test done in a community health centre.
Mr. Speaker NTHSSA is in the process of gathering information to better understand how to reform primary care. They need to put small communities first. I will have question for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you.
Thank you, member from Monfwi. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to tell a story today about some excitement, some sadness, and hopefully opportunity, Mr. Speaker.
I was speaking with the NWT Literacy Council about their Skills 4 Success. So here's some of the excitement. They have created a program, they work with four Tlicho communities, they work in your riding, Mr. Speaker, in Fort Simpson and even in the -- Mr. Nerysoo's running of the Fort McPherson, in Aklavik, in those ridings. Mr. Speaker, at least seven community -- they work out of seven community learning centres. They create -- they have agreements with some college staff. They create educational and work experience opportunities, and they get results, Mr. Speaker, because they have people in literacy programs that teach them skills, on-the-land training, resume writing, and even on the job experience. And some of these people, I'll say in Fort Simpson it says, everyone got a job. Guess what? In Fort McPherson, you got it, everyone that took the program got a job, Mr. Speaker. What's being attacked here?
Now the sadness as we now tremble down to the next part of the plot. We have Aurora College butchering away and throwing away CLCs because if you read the 2025 and 2028 mandate, they have nothing for literacy, nothing for adult literacy. Shame. So who's on attack? But don't worry. There's an opportunity. Education's on attack. Oh, I will tell you more. And thank you for asking, Mr. Speaker.
Well, just before I get to that, I'll tell you there is a program in Yellowknife. It's called literacy outreach. It's in Yellowknife. It's in Fort Smith. And believe it or not, it's in Inuvik. And it's helping Northerners get literacy all through the community learning centres.
So here's your opportunity, Mr. Speaker. I promise, and I know everyone here's at the edge of their seats waiting what's next, what's next. I think even the Member for -- Member Nerysoo is crying over there, he can't wait with excitement. The NWT Literacy Council wants to be the partner. They say themselves they can help save community learning. They can help educate adults, young people who have given up on school where there's no opportunity or chance to get back into the education system who can become productive citizens. Mr. Speaker, don't let this story end like a tragedy. Mr. Speaker, today is an opportunity. We have the NWT Literacy Council who will come to help save Northerners. Let's give them that chance, Mr. Speaker. And I'll have questions later today for the honourable Minister of education. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements.
Colleagues, the Tom Longboat Award was established in 1951 to recognize Indigenous athletes for their outstanding contributions to sport in Canada. The awards have been given out every year since its inauguration. It remains the longest standing and one of the most prestigious awards for Indigenous athletes in the country. Each province and territory is given the opportunity to name one man and one woman recipient of the regional Tom Longboat Award.
I would like to congratulate both James Williams and Shakita Jensen for receiving this year's award. It is a great honour to see both received this recognition. Today, I would like to recognize one of the award winners, Mr. James Williams. As part of the awards, they were able to bring a family member to the ceremony. He had the pleasure to share the evening with his son Jimmy where he received the award at the National Indigenous Sports Awards Gala, hosted by Aboriginal Sports Circle Canada in Ottawa, Ontario.
I first met James in Fort Simpson at a ball tournament where he was a little bitty baby in his mom's arms. He was always involved in sports. I can tell you this young man has lived in Fort Simpson, Inuvik, and now in Yellowknife. As well, he has lived in southern Canada for a bit of time playing hockey. He is still active in sports, most notably hockey and Arctic sports at a very high level. It is amazing that even at the young age of 32, he still competes in Arctic sports internationally against younger athletes and is still being successful.
As you are aware, Arctic sports is about competing against yourself and helping others regardless of the territory, providence, state, or country you represent. In the true meaning of sport, I have witnessed this young man help other competitors achieve their best. As well, he is very big on giving back to the sports world. I noticed that he won the award by a Facebook post. He did a great job and I would like to share it here with you here today. Unfortunately, with limited time, I would like it deemed as read and printed in the Hansard.
James Williams Post:
What an honour to be a part of such an amazing event. Today I had the pleasure to share a night with my son Jimmy at the national Indigenous Sports Awards Gala, hosted by Aboriginal Sports Circle Canada in Ottawa, Ontario.
The Northwest Territories was represented well with myself and Shakita Jensen being awarded with Regional Tom Longboat Awards for our respected sports, and Jacob Klengenberg awarded with the national Indigenous Coaching Award.
Meeting new people and seeing familiar faces again all evening was a great time spent. I can't thank Indigenous Sports Circle NWT enough for everything they do for not only myself as an athlete, but for the youth across the Territory. Continuing to provide opportunities to promote, pass along, and demonstrate our cultural games. Also giving them other opportunities to excel in other sports on many platforms across the nation.
Quyananni to my family - Mom Pamela Williams for always believing in me in all my sports I have competed in, from Hockey, MMA, Arctic Sports; even still at the age of 32 and competing in our games against 'kids' (18-20's), no matter what you were/are always in my corner. Aurora & Byron Kotokak for your continued support and helping me to be the person I am today. My dad up in Paradise, I felt him here with me accepting my award, I still wanna just call him and hear him say "congratulations, I'm proud of you, and I already knew that", (he always had a connection somewhere that he'd find stuff out before I did). My uncle Donald Kuptana Jr. For first introducing me to the Northern Games and becoming my coach for the games ever since. Instilling in me that "nothing but Good Things come from playing our games" you and Kyle used to bring me along to demonstrate in the early 2000's, showing the importance of being a good demonstrator and showing proper techniques. My mother-in-law and father-in-law Patrice and Steve O'Hara for all of their love, help, and support throughout the years. Everything you do that helps us with our kiddos, or with Linna and myself, especially if it's when I'm away, it goes along ways.
Finally, my wife and children Linna Williams, Jimmy, Jane, and Honey for allowing me to still continue to do what I do that makes me feel still young and electric. Sacrificing time to train for events and time away for competitions. You changed my life and make myself strive to be a better person every day.
I feel lucky, grateful, and happy to be where I am today, and I have you all to thank. To have every single one of you on my team, is truly a gift.
Again, congratulations James and Shakita for a job well done in representing the Northwest Territories.
Members' statements. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Member’s Statement 603-20(1):
Mr. Speaker, my communities of Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh are facing challenges on the scale they never experienced before. These challenges include serious increase in criminal activity, drug use, and mental illness, which are affecting especially our youth. As important as it is to provide our youth easier access to addiction support and keep the streets safer through increased RCMP resources, I am afraid that these solutions are only addressing the symptoms and not the cause of the problem. What my communities need to prevent our youth from falling into the trap of addictions in the first place is a proper recreation and skill programming that can enrich their lives and open doors of opportunities for them to pursue their dreams or practice their culture.
Recently, my community have lost recreation coordinator positions which were responsible for providing youth and sports with recreation programming. Lutselk'e and Fort Resolution, in particular, are left with great recreation facilities but have no funding from MACA to provide maintenance, staffing, and programming. Instead, the First Nations are responsible, and they can't always keep these facilities staff and operating with all these services for the youth.
The youth are looking for safe, healthy, and active programming. My communities are also coming to me with creative proposals to establish local youth advocates who are skilled navigating the services different departments have to offer and resourceful in the opportunities youth can access, not just sports related but opportunities for large cultural revitalization, skill development, and career counselling. We need to reverse the trend of closing services in small communities and empower community leaders because they know what the youth in their communities need.
I look forward to asking the Minister responsible for these services about the ideas later today so I can return to my communities after session and start working with them to bring forward exciting new proposals. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member from Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Evelyn Georgina Ross Perry, Tetlit Gwich'in member of our community, was a loving mom, cherished friend, beacon of love in all our loves. Evelyn's warmth and compassion touched everyone she met but it was her role as a ** and great ** that she truly shined. Evelyn was born on November 16th, 1946 and was the second oldest daughter of the late ** Ross and was traditionally and lovingly raised by her grandmother, the late Sarah Peter and great uncle the late Roddy Peter.
She spoke fluently in her Gwich'in language and practiced her Gwich'in culture and was a good cook, a licensed fur seamstress, everything but macrame, she would say, and talented beader and embroiderer. And, of course, good storyteller. Evelyn loved life and had the biggest heart of anyone. She loved karaoke, spending time with her family and many friends. When Evelyn was home, she enjoyed participating in community events and loved the Midway Lake Music Festival where she was her true Gwich'in self. Evelyn was our biggest supporter in faith, culture, and language traditions.
She later went to business school in Toronto. Later on Evelyn taught the Gwich'in language in the schools around the Delta. For the past 13 years, she was the radio announcer for the Gwich'in language program for CKLB in Yellowknife. She wanted to be closer to her children and grandchildren, so she moved to Edmonton. As the announcer for the Gwich'in language program CKLB Radio not allowed her to broadcast from Edmonton. She always said she would work until she was 80, and she almost made it.
Evelyn lived a full vibrant life and was enjoying life, enjoying living in Edmonton where she had her sister Sarah and nephew Franklin, now deceased, niece Jenna, her son Jace, her daughter Mia nearby, as well as her daughter Georgina, granddaughter Jade, and great granddaughter Violet. She loved it when she had visits with her other granddaughter Joelyn and great granddaughter Adriana. She loved being part of four generations. She was a constant visitor and brought great joy to her auntie Bertha Carruthers and her brother James Thompson. She had many relatives, and she treasured all of them.
Jesus took our dearest mother, sister, auntie, grandmother, and great grandmother, and friend by the hand and led her home on Sunday, January 26th, 2025. Her kindness and wisdom will be remembered by many, and she lived life to the fullest without regrets and showed us the importance of friendship and respect. The Creator has gained a formidable angel. Until we meet again, rest easy with our ancestors and loved ones.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to add that Evelyn was the interpreter here at the Legislative Assembly, and today her two nieces Karen and Evelyn carry on that tradition. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Our condolences go out to the family.
Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to recognize my nephew James Williams. He's in the gallery today; I don't often get family members here, so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize a hunter and trapper and a painter, a contractor for about 40 years, originally from Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, lives in Fort Smith, but he's retired and living here in Yellowknife. I would like to welcome ** Marie, a well-respected elder and a good friend of mine. Also, I want to recognize James Williams as well in the back. I want to say welcome here as well. Mahsi.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Dave Wasylciw. He is the YK1 board chair here in Yellowknife and a member of the Range Lake constituency. Welcome, Dave.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Kam Lake.
Well, Mr. Speaker, this is the beauty of going last as you get to repeat some people. But I'd like to say a big hello to constituent James William; powerhouse of an athlete, powerhouse of a parent, powerhouse of a coach, and powerhouse of a chair, David Wasylciw, who is the chair of the Yellowknife Education District No. 1, so we get to spend some good time together. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Kam Lake. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. It's my turn to embarrass James a little bit. But welcome to the Assembly, James. I greatly appreciate all that you've done for sports and the caribou out there as well. So thank you very much for being here today to allow me the honour of doing your Member's statement. Welcome to our Assembly.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member's statement today I talked about some challenges through the CLC and community outreach program through literacy. I'm going to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment that knowing that there's going to be some significant change-ups and noting that the mandate of Aurora College no longer notes -- or maybe never have noted adult literacy, is she willing to engage with partners like the NWT Literacy Council in order to save these programs that are not only needed in the communities but in our larger centres, such as Yellowknife, Inuvik, and Fort Smith. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
