Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to inform this House of the loss of a close friend and respected elder during the summer of this year in Coral Harbour.

Mr. Speaker, Tooma Netser of Coral Harbour was born in September 1928 and passed away on June 10, 1998. He is sadly missed and deeply remembered by his wife, Annie, and their 11 children and many grandchildren. His children are Ajownik, Amaujoak, Joe, Nellie, Patrick, Leona, Dorothy, Jackie, Jake, Leonie and Jason. Mr. Netser and his wife had one other son, Albert, who passed away as a young man.

Mr. Speaker, Tooma Netser put in more than 20 years of service with the Department of Public Works before he retired. He was actively involved with his community and worked hard to make it a better place. During his lifetime, Mr. Netser was a dedicated mayor, he served as an outspoken and determined member of the hamlet council, he was an active board member of the HTA and the DEA, and was deeply committed to serving on the Special Committee on Suicide Prevention.

Mr. Speaker, Tooma Netser was very vocal about the needs of his community. He was regularly heard on the local radio talking about life skills, youth politics and harvesting practises. Mr. Netser firmly believed in community empowerment and emphasized that the skills of the local people needed to be developed so that they can become employed in their community. Finally, Mr. Speaker, Tooma Netser encouraged us to believe that we, as aboriginal people, are able to live and help our communities to become better places. Mr. Speaker , Mr. Netser was a wise and respected elder. The community deeply misses him and we will always keep his memory alive in our hearts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause