Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, like all northerners and Canadians everywhere, I have found the last three days to be very difficult. The shock and horror of the events at the Royal Oak Giant Mine, in Yellowknife, has been virtually overwhelming. It is hard to know how to think, or what to feel, at a time like this.

Mr. Speaker, the impact of this terrible tragedy has not only touched Yellowknife, but all across the Northwest Territories people are feeling numb, confused, and even violated as they have learned about this loss. To the families of the nine miners I would extend my condolences and the sympathies of the people I represent in the North Slave region. We share your pain, and we are here if you need us.

To you, Mr. Speaker, and to my good friends in this House, particularly, the honourable Members Mr. Whitford, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Dent, I realize the added burdens that come with leadership at a time like this. Along with the city council, the Clergy, the social service agencies and the law enforcement personnel, I know that you will have many stressful hours and difficult decisions ahead as our capital city, and all of our communities struggle to deal with this tragic event.

I believe that you will be helped in this struggle by your knowledge that we northerners are strong, and that our strength comes from relying on each other in times of difficulty. Throughout the years, the cultures and the regions of our vast territories have coped with such things as climate, the most harsh on earth, and with the political and economic environment that demands a consensus approach to meeting challenges.

As we face this great challenge, we should not allow those same principles to desert us. Now is the time to pull together, to support each other, and to reach out when we see others in need of assistance. To the people of Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, you should know that my people of the Dogrib Nation, the Dogrib people, are praying with you in time of trouble, and that we are ready to help out in any way. Mahsi.