Thank you, Mr. Speaker-elect, and good afternoon. I have put my name forward to seek support for Executive of the 19th Legislative Assembly. My knowledge and experience will portray my abilities to take on this challenging role and be a voice for the residents of the Northwest Territories. I bring key components to the table that can be used to ensure accountability and transparency in the 19th Legislative Assembly.
I was born and raised in Aklavik, Northwest Territories, where I was custom adopted by my grandparents, being the oldest grandchild in the family. Raised in a traditional Inuvialuit lifestyle, we lived a nomadic way of life, moving from seasonal camp to seasonal camp, led by my Daduck, my dad, and my Nannuk, my mom. They were the greatest team I have ever known.
I realized from an early stage that academics would be a key to my development and a path into my future. I was always curious and perceptive in school. I wanted to know why things worked the way that they did, so I would challenge myself to learn and understand the subjects taught to me front-to-back and back-to-front, and still do to this day.
I was sent -- it wasn't my choice -- to attend residential school at Grollier Hall to complete my grade 12 and graduated. During this time, I met many friends from across the communities of the Northwest Territories, and I still maintain those friendships today. However, it was a challenge, as Inuvialuktun was the first language spoken in my family, and I quickly lost my mother tongue.
After graduation, I attended Arctic College -- back then, that was the name -- Business Management Diploma program in Inuvik. Upon completion, I began my employment with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation as the Regional Youth Coordinator. This role allowed me to work with youth in the region and also work with ITK on National Youth Initiatives.
Further to this, I moved to the development side of the organization and worked my way up from accounts payable to receivable and eventually to assistant controller for multiple business corporations while completing the Aboriginal Financial Organization designation.
With one more year left to complete my bachelor's degree in management with Athabasca University, I moved south to complete my degree and further develop my academic skill set, then went back to Inuvik and started in community development. I was in charge of programs such as ASETS, Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training, Education Foundation, National Health Initiatives, Economic Development, Early Childcare, Research and Culture, while managing multimillion-dollar budgets in annual and multi-year funding.
There was also an opportunity for me to explore and fulfill my career interests in the oil and gas company. I took a one-year secondment to British Petroleum, BP, as a communication advisor. The role of communication advisor was to liaise between the communities in the Beaufort Sea and the oil and gas industry. I did two weeks up north and two weeks in the south. During this time, it allowed me to get a good understanding of oil and gas licences in the Arctic offshore. This includes 2D and 3D seismic and environmental safety mechanisms.
A week before the tragic event in 2010, I was called back to the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation as Executive Director for Community Development and Community Programs and Initiatives. I was the Inuit representative on the National Inuit Committee on Health, the NICoH, as well as PHAC, the Public Health Agency of Canada. My role was to set strategies and plan policy-driven health priorities for the North. I was also a part of the GNWT's Community Wellness Plans. I took my team to each of the different communities, and we developed priorities for each of the different communities.
I started and completed my master's degree through Royal Roads University in Victoria. My thesis at the time was based on Indigenous self-inherent rights.
Back to Inuvik and to the organization's self-government/intergovernmental relations, I was quickly appointed as chief negotiator and director of intergovernmental relations with the Inuvialuit. My responsibilities included working with the Board of Directors and with communities and beneficiaries, along with territorial and federal negotiation teams. These required a variety of quarterly meetings and community visits, putting together a field work program, and monthly main table sessions.
As the Inuvialuit representative on the GNWT Intergovernmental Relations, I worked alongside Indigenous groups in the Northwest Territories. As part of the work in negotiating a self-government agreement, there was a lot of work in the Implementation, the Financial, the Fiscal, the Tax, and Communication Working Groups with representatives from Canada and the GNWT at various tables.
I was elected and served two terms as a board of director for the Inuvik Community Corporation, where I was vice chair during the first term, and then secretary/treasurer during my last term upon my recent election.
Mr. Speaker-elect, in the last two days, the 19 Members sat down and came up with priorities for this 19th Assembly. They include strengthening partnerships with our Indigenous groups, improving mental wellness, increasing economic diversification, and climate change, just to name a few. I have lived in small communities in Aklavik, Inuvik, Fort McPherson. I also had, during my employment, the opportunity to reach out to some of the smaller communities.
My experience and my education skill set have prepared me for this challenge. It is the reason I put my name forward to run for Inuvik Boot Lake Member of the Legislative Assembly. I also want to acknowledge the support from my husband, Grant Thom, and my son, Connor Sullivan, for supporting me to be here in this role.
That has brought me to where I am today, Mr. Speaker-elect. I ask other MLAs to consider my education and vast experience and think about that today when you cast your vote, as you choose who can best represent the people of the Northwest Territories during this 19th Assembly. I also acknowledge that we have a lot of work to do. We have been tasked with many different challenges, and I am really honoured to be here with everybody right now. Quyanainni, thank you.
---Applause