Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am going to talk about my other community in my riding, the community of Lutselk'e. The people of Lutselk'e have strong ties to the land and water, and strong connections to a traditional lifestyle. More importantly, they respect the land and water and all that inhabit it and share its bounty. Mr. Speaker, when I visit Lutselk'e I cannot help but admire and honour the elders and the trappers who maintain that connection.
Before Treaty 8 was signed, the people of this area lived a nomadic lifestyle. They built canoes out of birch bark. Made fish nets out of roots. They bartered their goods with other families and shared their food with one another. In winter and summer, they followed the caribou in order to eat and feed their families. I know it was a tough life, and one that we who have not lived it, cannot easily understand.
Mr. Speaker, in those days, everyone spoke Chipewyan. Although western medicine had not reached this part of the country until the mid-1900's, our people used natural medicine from the land, built sweat lodges and depended on their midwives to assist women during child birth. Mr. Speaker, these people are proud, proud they are independent, proud of the fact they took care of their families and proud they lived an independent free life. They were spiritual people who paid their respect each year at Fort Reliance to the Old Lady of the Falls. They do that pilgrimage still on a yearly basis, Mr. Speaker.
The next era, was called the Trauma Years. It was a time when European explorers brought many of their products and influence into the north. The missionaries arrived, residential schools tore children away from their parents and culture at a very young age. While Lutselk'e became a fur trading post, the people moved permanently off the land and into the community where welfare became their sole source of income for many, instead of furs.
Mr. Speaker, that is the time when the traditional lifestyle began to crumble. It has been especially hard on the elders. I have heard the elders long to return to their old ways. They still want to pass on their knowledge and their skills to their children and grandchildren. It is not too late, and I am glad to say, Mr. Speaker, that their strength and determination are paying off. They are teaching our children and they are listening. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.