June 11, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is committed to improving educational outcomes for all students of the Northwest Territories. We have developed new curricula that will be introduced in the Fall.

As part of our efforts to develop culturally appropriate and engaging learning opportunities for our students, Northern Studies 10 includes a new focus on the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada. Optional implementation of the new course will begin with the 2012-13 school year and become mandatory in 2013-14.

June 8, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, on May 13-16, 2012, 17 youth from the Northwest Territories participated in the National Skills competition in Edmonton, Alberta.  There were 500 competitors from across Canada at the competition, with a team from every province and territory.

There were about 40 contests at this event, and our team competed in Auto Service, Carpentry and Industrial Mechanics, Cooking, Plumbing, Electrical Wiring, Welding, TV and Video Production, and Graphic Design.

June 5, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, our languages make us who we are as individuals and as a society.  Today I would like to talk about service improvements and revitalization efforts for the Northwest Territories official languages.

Recently we concluded the consultation phase of the French Languages Plan.  The Fédération Franco-ténoise is reviewing it and we hope to share it with Members of this Assembly very soon. 

May 29, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to advise this House that a ceremony was held today to celebrate the tremendous contributions that people across this territory have made to education.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment launched the Education Hall of Fame to recognize that we all play an important role in supporting the education of our children.  It reflects the valuable contributions that educators, volunteers, board members, administrators and other community members make. 

YELLOWKNIFE (May 29, 2012) – Seven Northwest Territories residents were honoured this morning as inductees into the Education Hall of Fame. The third annual Induction Ceremony was held in the Legislative Assembly’s Great Hall, as a way of recognizing the important and lasting contributions of those dedicated to education in the North.

May 28, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, early childhood development and the early years of learning in Kindergarten are a priority for the Department.  As we are all aware, healthy childhoods are the best foundations to develop healthy, productive adults.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 24, 2012) – Ten days after its 33^rd anniversary, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC) celebrated its one millionth visitor, who entered the building during a public program organized by Ecology North on the morning of April 26, 2012.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 18, 2012) – The Government of the Northwest Territories recently met with Aboriginal and social program leaders to collaboratively discuss child and family resources available in the NWT and the development of Child and Family Resource Centres.

YELLOWKNIFE (April 19, 2012) – Premier Bob McLeod is today announcing the retirement of Mr. Dan Daniels as Deputy Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE).

YELLOWKNIFE, NT (April 18, 2012) – The Honourable Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), received support from the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo for the Aboriginal Student Achievement (ASA) Education Plan.