Thank you, Madam Speaker. Last week I had the privilege of attending several sessions of the tenth annual general assembly of Pauktuutit, the Inuit women's association, held in Iqaluit and bringing greetings from this Assembly along with my colleague, the Honourable Rebecca Mike.
As Nunatsiaq News put it so aptly in an editorial published last week, in describing this large group of leaders from Nunavut, Nunavik and Labrador, "Though most of them don't hold any formal elected political positions, it is a group of leaders who are growing in power and influence. They are leaders in the true sense of the word, community leaders, role models, family leaders, youth leaders, leaders of the people. We will be hearing the strong voices of Inuit women in Iqaluit," the editorial concluded, "We will be listening to and learning from those voices for many years to come."
Madam Speaker, I was one of a number of male political leaders who had the privilege of addressing the meeting. To me it was a mark of the coming of age of Pauktuutit that these strong political leaders, including James Eetoolook, John Amagoalik, Jack Anawak, Senator Willie Adams, among others, spoke frankly and often emotionally about the need for men to support and understand the point of view of women and children.
Madam Speaker, it was a marvellous meeting. I am pleased that it was so well covered in the media. I can do no better than again quote from Nunatsiaq News. The story in Friday's paper summed up the spirit of the meeting quite well. "Spare chairs were few, the coffee ran low and people lined the walls around the square meeting tables to watch Pauktuutit's tenth anniversary meeting, which proved to be one of the most successful Pauktuutit has ever had. Women shed tears, shared smiles and embraced during breaks, updating each other on what has happened in their communities since they last gathered a year ago. Around the table they supported each other as well during emotional speeches where men and women revealed painful life stories." As the article pointed out, it was much more than a business meeting, it was a mixture of healing, support and business. A dynamic new board of directors was elected. There was a fabulous fashion show interrupted in dramatic fashion by the NWT Power Corporation.
Madam Speaker, I would like to interrupt my concluding remarks to request unanimous consent to conclude. Thank you.