Please be seated. Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly, ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure for me to again join you here today. C'etais un grand plasir d'etre ici aujourd'hui.
First I would like to offer my congratulations to the Premier and Executive Council whom you have chosen to head this Assembly. I am confident that each of you, elected by your peers, is equal to the task of meeting the challenges that lie ahead.
When we last met in this House in January, Members were fresh from a general election. It was a time of great ceremony and excitement as we celebrated the beginnings of a new government.
Since then, Members have gone to work planning for the next four years. You gathered in Fort Providence earlier this month to discuss your priorities for the life of this 14th Assembly. I am pleased that you renewed the tradition of bringing government closer to the people by holding meetings outside of Yellowknife. On your behalf, I would like to thank the Member for and residents of Fort Providence for their effort to make you feel at home during your stay in their community.
The planning session itself could not have been easy. As we are all aware, the Northwest Territories faces many challenges. But as we look to the future of our new Territory, we must always remember to honour our past and build on its rich tradition.
In that spirit, I will be sending letters of recognition to the elders and participants of the Gwich'in Enrolment Board who recently completed the task of identifying and creating a record of the histories and family trees of the Gwich'in people. Their project will be a legacy for their children and for many generations to come.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Ranger Sergeant Nick Mantla and Ranger Philip Zoe of Wha Ti, who were both recently awarded the Special Service Medal and Ranger Bar from the Governor General of Canada. The award is given to Canadian Rangers who perform special service in the northern regions of Canada.
I would also like to note three Northerners awarded late last year for bravery by Canada's Governor General, Patrick and Roland Kuptana and posthumously, Darryl Gruben, who acted heroically to save a young child from drowning. They join an elite group of special Canadians - and it is with pride that we identify them as fellow Northerners.
Mr. Speaker, death by drowning is an all too common occurrence in the Northwest Territories and for that reason I am honoured to have been appointed Vice Patron of the Royal Life Saving Society. In keeping with themes that I wish to develop in my term as your Commissioner, this society promotes the energy, creativity and intelligence of our young people through their involvement in lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership education programs and awards.
In closing Mr. Speaker, during this Session, the government will introduce a bill for the consideration of this House entitled Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1999-2000. The government considers this bill essential to the good conduct of its business and, as such, I recommend its passage.
With that, I wish you all well as you begin the work of leading the Northwest Territories into the 21st century. I now declare open the Second Session of the 14th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.