Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past couple of months I have had the privilege to meet and talk to a number of our youth across the Northwest Territories.
In May, I had the opportunity to formally recognize four youth at a formal dinner jointly hosted by the Native Women's Youth Association, the NWT Council of Friendship Centres and the GNWT. This special event was held here in the Great Hall in conjunction with International Youth Week. The youth who were recognized this year include Jennifer Duncan from ColviIle Lake, Steven Raddi from lnuvik, Chelsea Simpson from Hay River, and Lisa Turner from Yellowknife. These four individuals all have displayed strong leadership and have served as excellent role models for the youth of the Northwest Territories. It is dedicated young people like these who will help move the North towards a better tomorrow.
On May 31, 2000, I was pleased to be invited as the keynote speaker for the official opening of the 2000 NWT Track and Field Championships in Hay River. This was an excellent opportunity to pass on our message to over 1000 youth from across the North. An event such as this provides an excellent opportunity for youth of all ages to share their experiences with their peers from other parts of the North and also allows them to raise the level of their own self-esteem and confidence in their abilities.
I accepted an invitation from Samuel Hearne Secondary School in my hometown of Inuvik, to give a keynote address to the 2000 graduating class. I also traveled to Fort Resolution along with Steven Nitah, the MLA for Tu Nedhe, and spoke to the Deninoo School graduating class. Both of these special events provided an excellent opportunity for me to congratulate these students and to provide encouragement to continue their lifelong journey and inform them that the future holds so much potential for all youth and new graduates of today.
On May 29, 2000, the Students Against Drinking and Driving group provided an update to the Minister responsible for Transportation and his officials and myself. Information was provided on the organization's fundraising efforts and to also provide an update on the planning for the Canadian Youth Against Impaired Driving Conference, which will be held in Yellowknife in March 2001. The students provided a very impressive presentation and demonstrated their enthusiasm and commitment to this event. I was very pleased to see these youth contributing to bring awareness to this serious problem, not only within the NWT, but also at the national level.
Next weekend, the Lutselk'e Dene Band will be hosting an Akaitcho Territory Youth Camp. This youth conference's primary purpose is to bring youth from the Akaitcho Territory together to discuss common concerns and share ideas on how community and regional organizations could better support youth to maintain healthy communities. This youth conference will be conducted in an environment which allows for traditional activities, as well as a sharing of wisdom from respected elders from the Akaitcho Territory.
Over the summer, I plan to attend a youth conference in Hay River, and I am looking forward to hearing the views of our youth in the Northwest Territories. As leaders, we must remind ourselves the important role that youth play in assisting us in designing the future of the Northwest Territories. Youth are our future. As a responsible government, we have to ensure that we continue to provide opportunities to our young people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause