Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to offer my congratulations to the residents of Baker Lake. Thanks to the last five years of hard work and planning, the residents of Baker Lake are preparing for a grand opening of their new Inuit Heritage Centre on June 3rd. Mr. Speaker, many special guests will be attending the opening including the Governor General of Canada and his wife, the Honourable Charles Dent and the elders of Baker Lake. The elders first dreamed of having a centre that would permanently record their rich and unique history as the only inland Inuit in Canada.

This new centre will preserve Inuit history for future generations and provide a fantastic and interesting museum for all. Various patches of this dream were sewn together by many different people. The hamlet council immediately agreed to support the elders and offered to renovate the old community hall and transform it into the Heritage Centre.

As always, the difficult task of raising money began. Over time, with contributions from the GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment, other levels of government, foundations, corporations and individuals from all across Canada, the money trickled in. With generous work, assistance and interest from many people, especially those from the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and Mr. David Webster, the elder's dream has become a reality. The newly established national historic site will also be interpreted in the new centre which now employs a full-time manager, a trainee and two summer students.

In addition to the grand opening, the elders are also launching a CD of traditional Inuit music, done by the elders, a book containing the oral histories of 26 Baker Lake elders and a video entitled, Amarook's Song relating to the nomadic life of our elders. Hats off to the people of Baker Lake. Thank you.

--Applause