It was a busy first week for incoming MLAs getting set for the Oct. 25 opening of the legislative assembly.

All 19 were flown in for initial introductory meetings and orientation last week before laying out priorities in the legislative assembly Oct. 9.

Many of the items, which ranged from economic development to infrastructure needs to housing, education and health care, will be condensed into an assembly mandate at a later date.

A common theme among community MLAs was the need to settle land claims and self-government negotiations and develop better relationships between the GNWT and Indigenous governments.

Ronald Bonnetrouge (Deh Cho), who defeated incumbent Michael Nadli in the Oct. 1 territorial election, said his biggest goal for the coming term was to settle SA国际影视传媒渁ny and all land claims in the NWT,SA国际影视传媒� which he said would SA国际影视传媒渃hart the future for economic prosperity.

SA国际影视传媒淚 want to share with you a vision, a vision of meaningful dialogue and continuous collaboration with all the Indigenous groups of the Northwest Territories to chart the future of the territory for economic prosperity,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淥nly with these partnerships will we realize the prosperity required to build a strong workforce that creates self-esteem and self-sufficiency for all the people of the Northwest Territories.SA国际影视传媒�

Shane Thompson (Nahendeh), back for a second term, echoed that sentiment, including better housing for Indigenous communities.

SA国际影视传媒淣WT Housing needs to work with small community governments to establish a year-round maintenance program for looking after the knowledge keepers in their homes,SA国际影视传媒� Thompson said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 horrendous when you go into these peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 homes and they donSA国际影视传媒檛 have the support there to fix their homes.SA国际影视传媒�

Housing shortages were common concerns among almost every MLA.

The housing issues that we have in our riding, is a big theme,SA国际影视传媒� said Jackie Jacobson, MLA for Nunakput. SA国际影视传媒淲e have young families that are growing. I had 24 (school) graduates this year in Tuktoyaktuk. Where are they going to go, (the) young families? We have no housing.SA国际影视传媒�

Jackson Lafferty, MLA for Monfwi, had a similar message and said he would like to see a reevaluation of the NWT Housing CorporationSA国际影视传媒檚 approach to housing construction in communities and meeting their needs. This includes having better partnerships with community governments and exploring the possibilities of introducing tiny homes.

SA国际影视传媒淕oal number one is that in four years, the NWT Housing Corporation policy is amended to provide viable solutions to homelessness issues throughout the Northwest Territories,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淗ow are we going to do that? Continue to increase available, safe, affordable housing. SA国际影视传媒�

Health-care delivery to small communities was also a common theme from Hay River to Inuvik.

SA国际影视传媒淩esidents are concerned with the routine absence or shortage of doctors,SA国际影视传媒� said Rocky Simpson, the new MLA for Hay River South, noting concerns over long wait times and the stress of travelling south for medical care. SA国际影视传媒淭his shortage limits appointment opportunities, diagnoses of illnesses and emergency care.SA国际影视传媒�

Lesa Semmler (Inuvik Twin Lakes) said accessibility and respectful treatment at health centres, especially for Indigenous patients, remains an issue.

SA国际影视传媒淭here is a lack of trust in the health care system with high turnover in staff continuing to build where residents donSA国际影视传媒檛 want to access and difficult to trust when they are not being treated with respect,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Frederick Blake Jr., acclaimed MLA for Mackenzie Delta, said there is a need for improvement with medical escort services, plus dental and other specialized health services in his district, that includes the communities of Tsiigehtchic, Aklavik and Fort McPherson.

SA国际影视传媒淐olleagues, we want more health care and we need relief for our health and social services workers,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

This week

MLAs will meet Indigenous leaders at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre in Yellowknife on Oct. 17. This will involve round-table discussion between MLAs and several Indigenous leaders throughout the NWT.

The official selection process for speaker, premier and cabinet will begin on Oct. 18, when interested candidates put their names forward at the territorial leadership committee.
On Oct. 19, MLAs will travel to their home communities to meet with constituents to get feedback on who should be supported for those leadership roles.