Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this being National Addictions Awareness Week, I wanted to lend my support and acknowledge some groups and individuals who are working hard to spread the word and educate people across the Northwest Territories on all the problems associated with addictions. I want to commend the National Women's Association, the Native Women's Association, the Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories and the Department of Health and Social Services for their effort to develop the material being issued in the FAS/FAE awareness campaign.
Mr. Speaker, we must do everything we possibly can to help raise the awareness around this very important and harmful issue. Mr. Speaker, I have been very blessed with being one of 13 kids brought up in a family whose mother did not drink or smoke. As a result of that, all 12 of us now are very healthy, the oldest being 78, the youngest being 50.
I have been very blessed with two grandkids from one of my daughters who refused to drink or smoke during her pregnancy. I am enjoying two grandsons who are very strong and healthy for that reason now. My oldest daughter, Michelle, seven-and-a-half months ago found out she was pregnant. Michelle is a very ordinary girl who likes to have a good time. She was a smoker and enjoyed a sociable drink, but since she found out she was pregnant has refused to drink or smoke.
I hope that she and her husband, Brent, are rewarded with a very strong and healthy baby. I want to thank them for doing their part in keeping the family strong. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause