Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)... Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak in my own language. because of a shortage of money. We can't afford it, so I will speak in English.
On January 15th, Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of attending an awards ceremony in my home constituency of Fort Simpson. The Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, Helen Maksagak, hosted the awards presentation and recognized the three individuals who rescued a Fort Simpson man from certain death. Mr. Ernie Paul Isaiah and Mr. Jack Lee Mouse received the Commissioner's Award for Bravery at the Highest Level.
They were instrumental in saving Mr. Mike Cazon from a burning house in Fort Simpson, which had ultimately taken the lives of three others in September of 1993. Mr. Isaiah and Mr. Mouse were in a neighbouring house when the community fire alarm sounded. They ran to the burning building, ran inside and while searching through the smoke for residents, they discovered Mr. Cazon unconscious and pulled him into the hall. While both ran back to look for others who still may have been in danger, Mr. Loutit entered the building and helped Mr. Cazon outside. By that time the whole building was engulfed in flames and both Mr. Mouse and Mr. Isaiah had been forced to give up the search.
Although Mr. Cazon received burns to 60 per cent of his body, he is here today as a result of the heroic efforts of Mr. Ernie Paul Isaiah, Mr. Jack Lee Mouse and Mr. Ernest Wayne Loutit. I wish to acknowledge the risk that these men took with their own lives and there are many people in the North who show heroic feats and we should acknowledge them in this House. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
Just to let the Member for Nahendeh know, I believe there was a ruling in the federal Parliament and Mr. Anawak did make a statement in his mother tongue. The ruling was that you have the political right to be heard, but not understood. Mr. Antoine, you do have the right to speak in your own language in the House and it is up to the Members if they want to make a point of order regarding whether they understand Mr. Antoine or not. The rules are there for the Members. It is up to the Members to use them.
Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions.