Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been a long three months since we last sat. Mr. Handley with his runners...I was hoping he would run through his budget address a little quicker, but I guess those runners are meant for long-distance running.
-- Laughter
Mr. Speaker, it has been a long three months. Many of us have spent a lot of time in the communities, on the roads and living out of our luggage. I would first like to start by thanking Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Handley, Mr. Antoine and Mr. Ootes for accompanying me while I traveled through my communities.
The future success of our people rests in many corridors, Mr. Speaker. One of the most important of those is education. It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the first grade 12 graduates on Tu Nedhe soil. Kara King and Holly Beaulieu proudly graduated on June 8th at the Deninoo School in Fort Resolution.
-- Applause
I would like to congratulate those two fine young ladies. I look forward to seeing more grade 12 graduates from the Tu Nedhe communities in future years. To this end, Mr. Speaker, after many discussions and a meeting in Fort Resolution with the honourable Minister for Education, Jake Ootes, and community residents, I have good news.
School renovations are going ahead this year instead of next year, if all goes well. Students, parents and all residents in Fort Resolution are thankful. I would like to thank Minister Ootes and his Cabinet on behalf of the community of Fort Resolution.
In Lutsel K'e last week, Mr. Speaker, there was an initialling of the Akaitcho Framework Agreement. Akaitcho Treaty 8 chiefs and negotiators initialled a framework agreement last week. This progress is like a bud on a tree, Mr. Speaker, a stage of growth and promise.
While this is only one step in the long haul of negotiations, it is progress. It is significant in that the Akaitcho people have been able to work together to come this far, despite their differences in opinion.