Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, we sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day issues we face in Canada that we forget the many things that work right in our country and, for all the challenges we face, many things do work well. For the second year in a row, the United Nations has ranked Canada as the best country in the world in which to live. I believe we occasionally need to take time to reflect on the benefits of living in Canada and the contributions of the peoples who have helped build our country.

I am pleased to inform this Assembly that the Government of Canada has designated February 12th to 19th as National Citizenship Week. As part of the celebration, I was pleased to take part today in a ceremony you mentioned, Mr. Speaker, marking the anniversary of the Canadian Flag.

Heritage provides a foundation for each one of us. Our culture and heritage shapes how we see the world, how we learn and how we relate to others. Understanding our heritage helps us understand ourselves and gives each of us the self-confidence we need to meet the challenges in our everyday lives.

Heritage Day, February 19th, has special significance for the Northwest Territories. The NWT is made up of peoples of many different cultures, each of which has made important contributions to our society. Heritage Day presents us with an excellent opportunity to learn more about our own culture, and to learn more about our neighbours.

Heritage Day is a project of the Heritage Canada Foundation, which has chosen the contributions of Nordic Canadians as its theme for this year. To celebrate this theme, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre will be holding special programs this Sunday and Monday. A significant event on Sunday will be the First Annual Knut Skibstad L'il Loppet ski race, which is being held to honour the late Knut Skibstad. Mr. Skibstad was a Canadian or Norwegian descent who worked as a cabinet maker and exhibit fabricator at the Northern Heritage Centre for 14 years.

The Heritage Centre will also host a series of children's activities on Heritage Day to promote awareness of Nordic Canadian cultures. Museums and heritage organizations in other NWT communities will also hold events and activities in celebration of Heritage Day.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has a rich cultural heritage that stretches over thousands of years. There are many ways in which all northerners can learn more about their own culture and heritage. Some of these include visiting an elder and asking about his or her childhood; visiting a museum, heritage building or historic site; exchanging stories or traditions with someone of another culture; or, spending an evening looking at family photos.

I encourage all Members of this Assembly and all residents of the NWT to take some time on February 19th to reflect on the many advantages of living in Canada and the importance of culture and heritage. Thank you.

---Applause