Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize heroic events that happened in the community of Resolute. I will read a brief synopsis of events regarding the rescue of Emily Ulayuruluk and Connie Pudluk who are the grandchildren of my predecessor Ludy Pudluk and Lallie Pudluk. On September 19, 1997, between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., two girls, Connie Pudluk and Emily Ulayuruluk, were snowmobiling on the ice near Resolute Bay. The ice was thin and the snowmobile went through the ice. This left the two girls in the water between 10 and 30 minutes. The water was extremely cold and the air temperature was below zero degrees.
Matthew Nungaq, resident of Resolute Bay, was driving by the area and his daughter noted the two girls in the water. They drove to get help and located Nathaniel Kalluk. Nathaniel took his boat to the scene and then went out across the ice in the boat to get the girls. He pulled both girls into the boat then came back to shore. Nathaniel was alone in the boat when he went to get the girls. The boat had to be pushed across the ice and then into the water to break through the ice. The girls were taken to the nursing station after they came off the boat. They had to be supported because of the numbness. They were all right, to date. I would recommend that the people who rescued these two girls be awarded with an Award of Bravery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause