The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre was recognized last week with a Canadian Museums Association (CMA) Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Exhibition.

The exhibit We Took Care of Them: Special Constables in the NWT  honours Indigenous northerners who worked as Special Constables with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Seamstresses, guides and interpreters are also recognized for their contributions to police work. By sharing the skills needed to live and work in the north, local people often made the difference between life and death to the RCMP.

Mr. Speaker, Income Security programs are a vital piece of the societal safety network that together help address the needs of NWT residents.    

Those who access programs within this complex network are often at a point of vulnerability in their lives. It is good government practice to continually review and evaluate programs, especially social ones, to ensure that those in need are being provided appropriate supports and services.

Mr. Speaker, programs focused on both teacher and student wellness are foundational to Education Renewal. Mental wellness is essential for everyone involved in teaching and learning, and we have acted to address this need.

Caroline Cochrane, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), today launched the Postsecondary Education Visioning Survey and invites all residents of the NWT to participate in this important process.

The Government Response to the Aurora College Foundational Review committed to establishing a vision for postsecondary education in the NWT -- a common vision to guide future decision-making around education after high school.

Mr. Speaker, the transformational changes we have been making across the education system are gaining momentum to help fulfil this government’s mandate commitments towards education renewal.

Under the Skills 4 Success strategy, grades nine to 12 students and youth aged 18 to 24 across the North will soon have access to Career and Education Advisors. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has already hired six to work with students to help them navigate their best academic path from ‘classroom to career’.

Mr. Speaker, many factors impact a child’s life both negatively and positively.  As a parent, I understand some of the struggles parents face and as a Social Worker I adhere to the principle that all of us; (parents, family, friends, community members, and governments) have a role to play in ensuring children have the supports to succeed in life.

Mr. Speaker, we are making significant progress in meeting this government’s mandate commitments to strengthen the Northwest Territories postsecondary education system.

I am pleased to advise that the drafting of legislation to govern postsecondary education in the NWT is nearing completion. The proposed legislation will create, for the first time, a process to ensure the effective governance and quality assurance of all postsecondary institutions operating in the territory.

Premier Bob McLeod and Caroline Cochrane, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment today announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas Weegar as the Associate Deputy Minister of Postsecondary Education for the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).

Mr. Speaker, when our connections to our languages and cultures are strong, our people are strong. Languages and culture play a crucial role in people’s daily lives, as tools for communication, education, social integration and development. Language, cultural history and traditions shape us as people.

 I will begin by announcing that upon recommendation of the official language boards, February has been declared the new Indigenous Languages Month in the Northwest Territories.

The Honourable Caroline Cochrane, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), met with territorial education leaders on January 9, 2019 to continue discussion on improving the education system. Leaders from all regions of the Northwest Territories gathered to review progress to date and plan for future work.