Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, having returned to this Legislative Assembly yesterday after about three months since our last session in July, our responsibilities as MLAs had allowed me to travel into the six communities that I represent in the Nahendeh constituency.

I travelled to Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Wrigley, Trout Lake, Nahanni Butte and recently, Fort Liard. This time I made it a point of visiting all of our elders in our smaller communities. I learned a lot from this trip, Mr. Speaker. I learned that our elders and Dene people continue to keep themselves busy into their 70s and 80s and still maintain the traditional way of life of keeping busy in the fall.

This year, they have been on a fall hunt for moose in my constituency. People have been successful in getting moose meat for the winter and moose hide for garments. There was a lot of activity going on in preparing the meat, making dry meat and working on hides, as well as preparing for the winter, getting fire wood and so forth.

In Wrigley as well as Willow River, Trout Lake, Nahanni Butte and Fort Liard, I noticed particularly that the elders are keeping themselves busy every day. They don't sit idly about watching TV or sit around and do nothing. They make a point of telling me that you have to keep yourself busy, preparing yourself for the next season.

It is a good example for all of us here as younger people, that this is the way our people have been taught and trained and to carry on their way of life by example. You don't teach this in the schools or the classrooms but you learn it from our elders.

I just wanted to take the opportunity here today to share what I learned on my trip. I learned a lot of things. I have talked to a lot of politicians, but our elders are giving us lessons that we have to keep busy, keep active and continue our way of life. Thank you. Mahsi.

-- Applause