(June 5, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, this Assembly’s vision of healthy, educated people contributing to a strong and prosperous Northern society starts in early childhood, from prenatal to five years.  The Departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services have worked collaboratively to craft a renewed Early Childhood Development Framework based on best practices and national and international research.  We will be tabling this document later today.

(June 3, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, Elders play a vital role in integrating languages and culture into school programming and provide valuable skills and knowledge to our children and youth.

(May 31, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, bullying is a broad societal problem and a very serious issue in our schools that Education, Culture and Employment is dedicated to addressing.

On February 16, 2012 the Legislative Assembly passed an Anti-Bullying Motion, calling on the Department to establish a territory-wide campaign to denounce bullying, and review anti-bullying legislation in other jurisdictions and bring forward a bill for consideration by the Assembly within 18 months.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 30, 2013) – Seven Northwest Territories residents were honoured this morning as inductees into the Education Hall of Fame, which recognizes the important and lasting contributions of those dedicated to education in the North.

YELLOWKNIFE (April 26, 2013) – Northwest Territories (NWT) Commissioner George Tuccaro and Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty took part in the launch of Northern Scene at the National Arts Centre (NAC) yesterday. More than 70 artists from multiple disciplines will be representing the NWT during the festival, which will be held in Ottawa from April 25 to May 4, 2013.

YELLOWKNIFE (April 4, 2013) – Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Jackson Lafferty  announced the launch of an expanded and improved departmental website today.

YELLOWKNIFE (March 26, 2013) – The second Aboriginal Languages Symposium wrapped up last week in Yellowknife. Nearly two hundred delegates from across the Northwest Territories, representing all nine Aboriginal language groups, attended the two-day gathering.

(March 13, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, our Income Security programs provide support for those residents over the age of 19 and their families.  It covers basic food, shelter and clothing needs, childcare benefits, heating subsidies, income support, and student financial assistance.  It also provides supports for disabled residents.

(March 11, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, the Education Renewal and Innovation initiative is examining a wide range of issues facing education in the NWT, and developing a comprehensive plan to address these. The development of this plan and many aspects of the plan itself will involve participation of other GNWT departments.  I am happy to report that a wide range of GNWT departments have dedicated staff to participating in this process. The plan itself is scheduled to be completed by this late fall/winter.

YELLOWKNIFE (March 6, 2013) – March is Aboriginal Languages Month and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) will be using some innovative  technology to deliver important messages to youth and residents across the territory.