Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Congratulations on your election to the very important office of Speaker.
(Translation begins) It is an honour for me to stand today as the elected Member for Sahtu.
This has been one of the most significant weeks in my life. The events of the past three days have been the high point of my political career so far. They have also marked the beginning of a new journey for which I am honoured to have been chosen.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support and encouragement I have received - for 13 years - from the people of the Sahtu and from my family. They have always supported me.
Politics is a tough business and all of us here need our families behind us to do our job well. I am blessed with a family that supports me with love and patience and I am profoundly grateful for that.
To my constituents, the residents of Fort Good Hope, Tulita, Deline, and Norman Wells, I extend my most sincere gratitude. They have given me the first and most important honour - that of serving them in this Legislative Assembly.
They have given me their trust. I will not take that lightly. It will be a daily measurement of my words and actions.
They have given me the support that I will rely on when I need to stand as a leader of this Assembly and the people of the Northwest Territories.
To those who helped to co-ordinate my campaign, to those who answered phones, distributed buttons, put up posters and went door to door or supported me in other ways, I must say thank you for supporting my vision of the North.
I thank all those who voted for participating in a democratic process that provides us with the freedom to choose our Territorial leaders.
I thank them for believing in me enough to have me represent them during this exciting new beginning for our Territories. I will do my best for all the people of the North. (Translation ends)
I would like to thank my wife Marie, who is here today, my daughter, Kyla, and my two younger ones who are in school today, Daylyn and Keenan.
A long time ago, I made an offer to my wife. I said I might not amount to much, but I have dreams and visions. They may not amount to much, but on the other hand, you might miss out on something exciting and beautiful. She took a leap of faith, and she is still with me today. She has put her job and career on the line, and I thank her for that.
I do not know what will happen to us. I hope something good comes of all of this. I have to remain optimistic and true to this dream and vision all of us have for a better future. Mahsi.
-- Applause