Good afternoon. First of all, I want to congratulate everybody in the House on the newly elected MLAs who will be serving in this 19^th Assembly. Bonding and serving with each of you to further our priorities and mandates is key to successfully serving all the people of the Northwest Territories to the very best of our abilities and potential.

I want to thank the amazing community of Fort Smith for giving me the opportunity to serve the riding of Thebacha and the people of the Northwest Territories.

Forming all necessary partnerships with all levels of government, Indigenous governments, local and federal governments, and the private sector is key to success. Solutions and decisions made here affect all people of the North. Being realistic and using common sense is a trait and a positive way of ensure the people of the North are really being served properly.

All my priorities are not rated. I feel that each of my principles and my priorities are all equal in importance. My first principle: supporting true consensus government through empowered communities with strong regional governments. My priority: maintain the promise that Fort Smith remain the education centre of the NWT. Supporting the plan to develop the Polytechnic University / University of the North is vital. We must ensure this is truly a unique university where people across the North, Canada, and the world will want to come to study. This Polytechnic University / University of the North headquarters must remain in Fort Smith.

My second principle: settling of the outstanding land claims of Akaitcho, the Dehcho, and the NWT Metis claim. The priority: we have an obligation to truly walk the talk and seriously support the settlement of these claims to move forward. We must not be an obstacle, but we must really mediate a settlement that satisfies all parties involved. Land claim settlements are positive economic opportunities not only for the group that settles, but are good for the region and good for the Northwest Territories.

My third principle: balanced economic opportunities. Expansion of the Taltson River Dam is vital to the entire Northwest Territories. This opportunity of green energy is vital. Hydro is the cleanest form of energy. It will create a climate of new opportunities, create new jobs, lower the cost of living, and provide new training opportunities in the trades, which gives new hope to the people of the Northwest Territories.

We must also open up the North to balanced development in partnership with business and our Indigenous partners, and with consultation with the people to improve our economic situation, and use creative new ways of doing business. This must be a priority.

My next principle: development of a social envelope. Priority: creating a universal subsidized childcare program is a must. A full-service territorial addictions centre is vital to address a true northern solution. Develop a process of retention of doctors to serve the communities so proper care is given to our residents. Being creative to ensure this happens must be a priority.

We must develop a plan to address the housing issues of the Northwest Territories. Using creative new ways to use capital dollars must be examined.

Our seniors and elders who paved the way for each of us into today's society must be recognized, and their contribution to all of us must always be a factor in all future decisions.

In closing, together and in true consensus government we have an obligation to the people of the Northwest Territories to set the stage for hope, cooperation, equality, and ensuring the Indigenous issues are truly dealt with. The people of the NWT deserve a sincere, honest version of accountability, transparency, and an open-door policy. Changing the way we do business and using creative ways to find solutions is extremely important.

I want to thank you for giving me an opportunity to state my priorities, and I look forward to ensuring solutions for developing the 19^th Assembly's mandate. Thank you.