Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the Special Committee on Western Identity of the 13th Legislative Assembly was established to consider the official symbols of the Northwest Territories before and after the creation of Nunavut on April 1, 1999;

AND WHEREAS the existing Mace of the Northwest Territories is reflective of the demographic, geographic, and cultural heritage of both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the Special Committee on Western Identity felt that a new Mace more accurately reflecting the land, cultures and peoples of the new Northwest Territories after April 1, 1999 would be more appropriate;

AND WHEREAS the Special Committee commissioned the design and construction of the new Mace by three well-known and accomplished northern artisans;

AND WHEREAS the new Mace incorporates new symbols and unique design features representative of the new Northwest Territories and has been presented to the people of the Northwest Territories at an unveiling ceremony in the Legislative Assembly Building on January 14, 2000;

AND WHEREAS in its Final Report to the 13th Assembly, the Special Committee recommended that the current Mace be retired and placed on permanent display and that the new Mace be used at the first Session of the 14th Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS the Mace is a traditional symbol of the Legislative Assembly and represents the authority of the Speaker;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that this 14th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories hereby adopts the new Mace before it as the official Mace of this Legislature and the symbol of the authority of our Speaker reflecting the ability of the people of the Northwest Territories to govern themselves;

AND FURTHER, that the former Mace, in use since 1959, be officially retired and placed on permanent display.

Thank you.