June 11, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, the work the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is doing in the Northwest Territories and across Canada is a critical step in the healing process for people suffering from the abuse and trauma of residential schools. Our government is working with them to support our people and our communities.

Far too often, people who have been through residential school have ended up in front of our Community Justice Committees, our courtrooms, or ultimately, in our correctional facilities. While many people in communities have shared their experiences during the Inuvik national event or in their own communities, those in correctional facilities may not have had this opportunity.

To date, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has not had the opportunity to enter any correctional facility in this country to work with inmates to record their statements in an organized way.

We are planning to change that.

I am pleased to notify Members of the Assembly that we are working with the Commission and Health Canada to find a way for this innovative work to happen this fall in our largest facility, the North Slave Correctional Centre.

Staff are planning carefully to ensure the people who are opening themselves to this healing journey will be properly supported, both in the facility and again when they return to their home communities.  Our counterparts in Health Canada and the Department of Health and Social Services play essential roles to make sure once released from a correctional facility, inmates have the support they need.

Mr. Speaker, we hope to set a precedent here for other facilities in Canada to follow. This will be a valuable process for all inmates who choose to participate.

The statement-taking process of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is just the beginning of the healing journey. We hope that many of those in our largest Correctional facility will take this important step. We will be there to support them when they do.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.