Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A part of Aboriginal Languages Month and Francophone Week in the Northwest Territories is the government's community language leader award program that recognizes individuals who promote the use of their languages.
The program recognizes a finalist from each official language except English. From these finalists, three award winners are chosen from Inuktitut, French and Dene/Cree.
Mr. Speaker, this is the first year of the program. A panel has completed its review of the nominations for this year's awards and I'm pleased to announce their names this afternoon: Bertha Francis of Fort McPherson, Gwich'in; Mary Wilson of Yellowknife, North Slavey; Andy Norwegian of Fort Simpson, South Slavey; Johnny Eyakfwo of Rae-Edzo, Dogrib; Jonas Adams of Fort Smith, Chipewyan; Suzanne Lefebvre of Iqaluit, French; Rosemary Meyok of Kugluktuk, Inuinnaqtun; Fred Wolki of Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvialuktun; and, Mariano Aupilardjuk of Rankin Inlet and Mark Kalluak from Arviat for Inuktitut.
The panel felt the contribution of these people to be significant. As a result, they, along with all other finalists, will receive a certificate recognizing their contributions to the promotion of their languages.
Mr. Speaker, the three award winners chosen from the finalists are: Mariano Aupilardjuk of Rankin for Inuktitut; Johnny Eyakfwo from Rae-Edzo for Dene/Cree; and, Suzanne Lefebvre of Iqaluit for French. I have a tough time with those names, Mr. Speaker, and the pronunciation; so I apologize to those people if I did not pronounce their names properly.
Each of these award winners will receive a plaque and $250. An additional $250 will be donated on their behalf to a community organization of their choice that is involved in language development work.
Mr. Speaker, I want to ask Members to join me in commending these individuals for their efforts in promoting the use of their language. Mahsi, thank you.
--- Applause