Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] INSERT* [Translation Ends] Happy birthday, Rosemary.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Across the Northwest Territories communities to face the devastating impacts of drugs and alcohol. These challenges affect individuals, families, and the well-being of our community as a whole. While clinical and facility-based treatment options are important, they cannot stand alone. We must continue to invest in on-the-land programming that brings people back to the places where healing as always begun - on the land, guided by elders, culture, and traditional knowledge.
Mr. Speaker, on-the-land programs reconnect individuals with purpose, identity, and belonging. For many at risk of substance use, the structure and teachings found on the land offer a path forward that is culturally meaningful and emotionally restorative. Whether it is building a fire, harvesting from the land, travelling by river, or learning stories and teachings from elders, these experiences provide more than skills. They provide grounding, pride, and hope.
Our elders remind us that healing is not only about treating symptoms but about restoring balance. When individuals spend time with knowledgeholders, they build relationships that strengthen resilience and reduce isolation, two of the most significant risk factors tied to substance abuse. Participants gain confidence, reconnect with culture, and rebuild their sense of identity.
Mr. Speaker, investing in these programs is not just an investment in cultural preservation. It is an investment in prevention, recovery, and long-term community health. I urge our government to continue expanding accessible, sustainable, and community-driven on-the-land opportunities, ensuring that those most at risk have a chance to heal in ways that honour who they are and where they're from. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Great Slave.
