Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to acknowledge a constituent in my riding who has recently received an award from this government. Every year, the Department of Education provides community language awards to recognize the work of individuals and groups that have worked towards the preservation and use of official languages in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, the selection is made based on recommendations from the language communities in the North. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, the Honourable Jake Ootes, has announced the winners for the year 2000. This year, Miss Margaret Vandell from Fort Providence has received this award. Margaret has dedicated many years of her life to teaching the youth the advantage and significance of their language and culture and its relationship to the land. She has passed on stories of the elders and researched legends and names of historical sites.
Mr. Speaker, Miss Margaret Vandell is a valued and respected role model in our community. Although she has now retired, she, along with her husband, Norm Vandell, still continues to contribute their time to the youth of Fort Providence. They help the school every year with the spring and fall camps and she is the elder in residence for Deh Gah Elementary and Secondary School. Margaret also works with the children through the circle program and does traditional counselling. Mr. Speaker, lately Margaret has been very busy spending a lot of time with her own grandchildren.
Mr. Speaker, this lady is very worthy of this award because of her commitment and dedication for so many years to preserving and maintaining the language of the Deh Cho Dene.
As the MLA for Deh Cho and on behalf of the people of the Deh Cho, I would like to say thank you and congratulations to her. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause