Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have one, two, three, four, five, six petitions, one, petition No. 60-13(3) with 29 signatures, one petition No. 61-13(3) with 8 signatures, one petition No. 62-13(3) with 6 signatures, one petition No. 63-13(3) with 7 signatures, one petition No. 64-13(3) with 9 signatures and one petition NO. 65-13(3) with 57 signatures regarding the naming of the new western territory after division and the petitioners request and urge the Government of the NWT to retain Northwest Territories as our name when two separate territories are formed in 1999 for these reasons.
One, Northwest Territories is an historic name northerners of every race claim with pride. That pride is one of the few common bonds we have as Dene, Metis, Inuit and other Northerners. We need all the unity we can muster to build a new territory.
Two, Northwest Territories conveys and exciting and intriguing image for tourism, accurately describes what our new territory will be physically and is a name known worldwide today. We have spent millions to establish that recognition. Why spend another fortune to start over again. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.