Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you colleagues. Through the struggle to get the federal government to accept the reality of Inuit aspirations and their achievements, I feel we have come a long way since then.

(Translation) I recognize that many people who participated in this ratification. However, I would like to show my gratitude to the pioneers like Tagak Curley, who ran the Eskimo Association of Canada and who vocalized the issues for the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada; John Amagoalik, who never seemed to run out of ideas and strategic plans; Bob Kudloo and Allen Maksagak who stuck it out to the end. Also, I thank James Eekoolook and Louis Pilakapsi, who determined that the work we started must be completed, and my father, who kept reminding me that without the land claim settlement, the Inuit will always be asking for solutions instead of doing what is best for them. (Translation ends)

Answers are not going to be easy, but at least we will be in a position to answer the best we can.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am very happy and proud. It is a great moment for me in the long history of the Inuit people. I know that all Inuit will work together over the next decade to ensure that Nunavut becomes a unified and integral part of the Canadian political landscape. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.