Marci cho, Mr. Clerk. I would like to start by introducing myself. My name is Steve Norn, MLA for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. My home town is Deninu Kue; it's the place where I cut my teeth and where I grew up, and I'm proud to say that I'm happy to represent the riding of Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

I would like to congratulate all the new MLA-elects, and I would also like to mention the three acclaimed Members. You guys look really stressed throughout this whole process.

I want to also thank the voters of the Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh riding. I found out afterwards that our riding was number two in the voter turnout, 70 percent, which is really good. I'm really proud to say that. We are number two behind my colleague for Nunakput, who is at number one. That just goes to show that people in my riding are really passionate about our politics, and I want to say marci cho to them.

Women in politics. I was raised by my great-grandmother, and my first order of business when I came to the office, I put a picture of my great-grandmother up. I've always been surrounded by very powerful women, and I'm very happy to say I'm flanked by two very influential, powerful women. You are very good role models for our young generation. I'm proud to be standing beside you.

My colleague from Sahtu mentioned Ethel Blondin, and that made me think. You mentioned that name, and all of a sudden it brought me right back. I was in high school and the principal called me in. He said, "Ethel Blondin is rounding up youth from around the North. We're getting this new thing up in Ottawa called the Youth Employment Strategy." I was like, "Why do you want me? I'm going to high school and I'm from Deninu Kue, a skinny little kid." I was like, "I'll jump all over that opportunity, I'll take it. So I did." I always seemed to have these influences around me, and it's like a sign. This is what you are destined to be working at, and I'm so happy to be here, to work with you guys.

I have always said that, whatever government department we have, the working population should always be representative of the population it serves. I think we more than did that with this Assembly.

When I did my door-to-door, you felt helpless because a lot of time during your campaign people poured their hearts out to you, and you felt helpless because you weren't elected at that time. They told you all sort of things, they have all sorts of questions for you, requests, and they are hoping you are their next hope. I am hoping that all the Members here elected stick to your word; I really hope so.

I also want to say we have job certainty for the next four years. A lot of the people that we met door-to-door do not have that. To me, that doesn't sit right. A lot of that doesn't sit right to me, so we owe it to our constituents, the people who voted for us, to do our best for them.

Also, when I sat down here, someone pointed out to me that this is the Premier's seat, so I won't get too comfortable here.