Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, early September, the youth of Fort Simpson, organized the Deh Cho Leadership Conference. Young people from across the western Northwest Territories came together to talk about choices, making choices and finding healthy lifestyles.

Some of the workshops focused on making responsible decisions to prevent the abuse of alcohol and drugs.

This was very encouraging and I think that the conference organizers and the delegates should be commended for their awareness-raising efforts.

Earlier this summer, people also gathered at the Fourth Annual Pehdzeh Ki First Nation Spiritual Healing and Gathering in Wrigley, again, there were discussions about alcohol abuse, wellness and healing.

I am very hopeful that these types of gatherings, coordinated by people at the grassroots community level are the best way to make sure the message gets out about the dangers of drinking during pregnancies.

Through these types of gatherings, we can encourage each other to be strong and to lead kinds of lifestyles that will bring healthy babies into our communities.

Once again, I would emphasize that this is an issue that affects everyone of us, not just women. And by working together we can raise awareness and build an understanding that will lead to the elimination of these problems

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.