Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Hay River (Jun 25/01) - The people who provide social services across the Territory say they are pleased with the outcome of the Social Agenda Conference.
Health Minister Jane Groenewegen, the Cabinet minister most closely associated with the conference referred to it as "the first step" in creating a Territorial social agenda.
During the conference, participants generally agreed that the first step was a good one. However, the goodwill that greeted the government seems conditional on a visible second step.
Nuelle Novik, president of the Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada said, "something has to come out of it, for sure."
"Realistically, if people see the creation of a process, that goodwill will continue," she added.
The GNWT spent $225,000 on the conference, which was held on the Hay River Dene Reserve early last week.
Novik said that in the long run, the conference was worth it.
"When I take a look at the big picture, I'd say yes."
Organizers billed the conference as the first of its kind in the Territories, bringing together "front-line service providers, non-government organizations, Aboriginal leaders and community leaders with Territorial government legislators and policy makers in a unique collaborative forum."
Participants discussed the problems facing residents in their communities, successful programs in other jurisdictions, and developed strategies to address social issues across the Territory.
Some of the recommendations included strengthening legislation dealing with domestic violence, developing a Territorial vision on social services in consultation with the communities, and ensuring that proposed Territorial human rights legislation is at least as strong as the Canadian Human Rights Code.
Groenewegen has cautioned that the government and participants have "a big job" ahead of them.
The participants' final recommendations are now being compiled. The consultant charged with compiling the recommendations says she expects a rough draft to be completed by the end of the month.
