Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to rise and also recognize international women's day, and like the honourable Minister responsible for the Status of Women, I agree that northern women are taking leadership positions in Canada, in the Northwest Territories and in my constituency, and they should be recognized. I am just going to name a few, Mr. Speaker, although this list is by no means exhaustive. First we have to, once again, be proud that we have selected the first woman Government Leader in the history of the Northwest Territories. We have to be proud of people like Rosemarie Kuptana, named by McLean's magazine as one of the 12 who made a difference last year to Canada; Ethel Blondin-Andrew, who has a very significant national stature; and, Susan Aglukark, whose reputation is growing in Canada as a musician with a message, just to name a few, Mr. Speaker.
I also want to acknowledge that women from my constituency are making their contributions on the Northwest Territories Power Corporation board, and the Arctic College board of governors, which is now very well represented by women in contrast to its composition in earlier years.
---Applause
I would like to join in the congratulations to Joanne Deneron, who I know will be a very capable chairperson like her predecessors. Women from Iqaluit are also working on the NWT arts advisory council. I want to express my pleasure that this government has recently appointed an Inuk woman, who was formally the superintendent of Personnel, to the position of assistant regional director in the Baffin.
I would like to mention, once again in this House, the wisdom and inspiration of the late Leah Nuturaq. We must do more than improve the representation of women, we must ensure that they have an increasing influence on our public policy initiatives. The voice of women must be put, as we consider issues like the Justice House report, family law reform, the battle against family violence.