(October 28, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories strengthens awareness of our Northern identity and uniqueness by promoting our many cultural backgrounds and revitalizing our languages. I am very pleased to advise this House that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment held the third annual Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle to celebrate the tremendous contributions that people across this territory have made.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 28, 2013) – Five Northwest Territories (NWT) residents and organizations were honoured this morning at the third annual Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle Award Ceremony. The event recognizing the important and lasting contributions of those dedicated to the arts and cultures of the North took place in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly.

(October 23, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, bullying is a complex social issue, and has potentially devastating effects on student achievement, attendance and mental health.  Unfortunately, we have all seen the most shattering results of bullying across Canada, and we are focused on ensuring this does not happen in the NWT.  Everyone has a role to play in making sure our residents are safe and feel safe in their communities, at home, and at school.

(October 18, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, the Department continues to improve Income Security Programs and services based on a report from the Auditor General in March 2013. We received valuable feedback from the Standing Committee on Government Operations in June 2013.  As we move forward with effective, efficient government, client service is at the forefront of our minds.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 18, 2013) – On March 7^th, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) tabled its report and recommendations on Income Security Programs (ISP) across the Northwest Territories. The report was presented to the Standing Committee on Government Operations on April 16^th.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 8, 2013) – The Northwest Territories (NWT), in partnership with the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), released the first national and jurisdictional results of the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) today. The results show current adult literacy rates across Canada and for the territory.

(October 7, 2013) - Thank you for coming tonight and special thanks to MLA Wendy Bisaro for agreeing to be our moderator this evening. I’d also like to recognize any MLAs present. I know that Minister Ramsay and MLAs Bromley and Hawkins wanted to be here this evening but are traveling on business right now and weren't able to make it back for this meeting. Premier McLeod also had another commitment, but is very interested in hearing from me about tonight’s discussion.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 27, 2013) – Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty attended a provincial/territorial labour market ministers meeting this week to discuss the importance of maintaining critical funding under existing labour market agreements.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 24, 2013) – Recipients of the Council of the Federation Literacy Award and the Ministerial Literacy Awards were honoured today during the annual Adult Learners’ Luncheon in Yellowknife.

The awards, created by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in 2002 and the Council of the Federation in 2005, recognize adult learners who have overcome learning and literacy challenges or championed literacy to learners of all ages.

The award recipients for 2013:

HAY RIVER (August 20, 2013) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) welcomes today’s announcement of $5.9 million in federal funding to support training that will enable NWT residents to take advantage of current and future employment and business opportunities in the NWT mining sector.

Funding for the Mine Training Society’s Mining the Future project was announced today by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Prime Minister was joined by Premier Bob McLeod and Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty.