Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is indeed a great pleasure to be able to speak to our fellow Members today, who are leaving for Nunavut. Certainly, we all have our individual experiences and emotions about our Members leaving. I would like to just deal, very quickly, with a couple pieces of history. I was there when Chief John Charlie Tetlichi was the first appointed Member of the Legislative Council of the Northwest Territories, back in the early 1960's. Following him, Abe Okpik, who you made reference to, Mr. Speaker, and then Simonie Michael, who became the first elected aboriginal Member of this particular House. Over the years it had very important historic beginnings, Mr. Speaker, and over the years many, many changes have taken place to evolve to what we are today, and today we are on the historic move to separate and create two new territories.
I have learned a lot from my fellow Members. I came here for my first session in 1995, and certainly, I have enjoyed my experiences here. I honestly can say there have been trials and tribulations, and we certainly are still going to be facing more trials and tribulations, but I think we work through them all. It is always interesting here, for 24 Members, Mr. Speaker, to have gotten along so well over the years to do what needs to be done for the people in the Northwest Territories. I really find that very admirable. I am a little older than many of the Members here, and I think, when I was younger, I would lose my patience much more quickly. I really admire those of you who are much younger then I am, who kept your patience and were much more methodical than I think I would have ever been. So I really appreciate the Members here.
I would like to quickly, Mr. Speaker, my time is running out and I may wish to ask for permission to conclude my statement and to seek unanimous consent. I would like to make reference to the four Ministers from Nunavut, the Honourable Kelvin Ng, the Honourable Manitok Thompson, the Honourable John Todd and the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo. I want to thank them for their dedication. It has not been easy for them over the four years. I know, we on this side, have been a thorn in their side. Mr. Speaker, I wish to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.