Thank you, please be seated. Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon. I am pleased to welcome you to the Eighth Session of the 13th Legislative Assembly. This is an historic occasion, as we begin the final Session in the life of this government. A time which has seen dramatic changes here in the Northwest Territories.
Before I go any further, I would like to offer my most sincere congratulations to our new Senator, Mr. Nick Sibbeston of Fort Simpson.
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Mr. Sibbeston has for many years shown a commitment to the people, the cultures and the future of the Northwest Territories both as a Member of this Assembly and as an individual. We are fortunate to have such a person as the first Senator for the new Northwest Territories.
I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to the Honourable Vince Steen and his staff for assisting in making this weekend's tour of Nunakput such a great success. My aide-de-camp, Constable Noella Cockney and Constable Violet Pokiak, both of whom are Inuvialuit, did much to enrich my visit to this region. One of the main reasons for the tour of Nunakput was to honour certain residents by presenting the Commissioner's Award for Community Service. This award recognises people for their contribution to their community and to life in the Northwest Territories.
Edward Ruben, an elder in Paulatuk, was instrumental in deciding the present location of the community. He exemplifies the elders we have in all our communities, sharing his past with the present generation. In Holman Island, Robert Kuptana was recognised for his work with the Inuvialuit of the region and as a community leader. He has served on all the organizations of Holman Island. In Sachs Harbour, Andy Carpenter has worked for the Inuvialuit people throughout his life and to preserve the environment has been a good portion of his life.
Two awards were presented in Tuktoyaktuk. Norman Felix Sheppard was honoured for his work teaching young people their culture and traditions. He has travelled the world with his troop of drummers, demonstrating Inuvialuit drumming and songs. Lucy Cockney is another fine example of elders who work tirelessly for their community. She has devoted many years to making Tuktoyaktuk a better place through her work on the hamlet council and with the church.
Mr. Speaker, all of us can learn from the example set by these people. By committing ourselves to our communities, to our families and neighbours, we can build a strong territory. We can make the Northwest Territories a place where all people feel welcome. We can create the opportunities that our children deserve. We can show the rest of the world a way to build healthy communities and to make the most of human and natural resources.
Mr. Speaker, when this government took office in late 1995, it introduced the Agenda for Change. This was an ambitious and necessary program to:
- improve social conditions;
- improve economic conditions; and
- work towards the successful creation of two new Territories.
This work is by no means complete, and nor should we expect it to be finished in the life of one government, but important progress has been made. The creation of two new Territories was, of course, accomplished earlier this year to the great pride and satisfaction of people across the North and around the world.
More decision-making authority has been placed at the community and regional lever so that programs and services can be delivered in ways that best suit the different needs of people across the NWT. At the same time, a commitment has been made to give people the training and support they need to adjust to this new authority and make the most of it.
Important socio-economic agreements have been negotiated to see that northern people benefit from new resource development. The NWT has entered into agreements to work with our northern neighbours and with several provinces to cooperate in areas of mutual concern. A new formula funding agreement was negotiated with the federal government.
Mr. Speaker, despite all that has been accomplished, many challenges still lie ahead. That is why this government introduced the Agenda for the New North earlier this year. This document looks beyond the life of this Assembly. It contains a vision of how northern people can work together to make progress on the issues that affect us all. This government recognizes that the Northwest Territories is at a unique and vital point in its development. It also recognizes that government alone cannot take advantage of the opportunities before us. This will require the commitment and cooperation of all parts of our northern society.
And with that, I would like to commend to you for your sincere consideration and wise judgement of the business of this House as I declare open the Eighth Session of the 13th Assembly of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
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