Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I start out my Member's statement in this session, I would like to send greetings back home to my wife and children. Mr. Speaker, spring brings on a special feeling for many people in the Northwest Territories. I refer specifically, Mr. Speaker, to those who are preparing for graduation from their formal years of education, the K-12 system as we call it.

Mr. Speaker, I was fortunate to attend and be part of the ceremonies and the banquet of the graduation ceremonies in Inuvik on June 1, 2001. It was a special time, Mr. Speaker, to see the young men and women there preparing to move on. It was like a rite of individuals moving forward to become young men, women and adulthood. Many will be pursuing further levels of education and some will be looking into the job markets right away.

Mr. Speaker, during the banquet, I had also listened to an event they had. This was the first time I have attended their banquet. During the banquet, they held an event they call the prophecies, where they do a slight roast of all of the graduates. Listening to that, Mr. Speaker, I also had warning at that time that some of these graduates would be looking to challenge in the area of leadership when it comes to this Assembly. I look forward to that, and encourage them to step forward and to look wisely at the decisions they make in the near future.

I wish them the best in their writing of the exams as the end of the month comes by, and I also commend them for being positive role models to their brothers and sisters as well. I think it is something we need to celebrate and show that it is something we definitely look forward to and hope that they will be achieving their actual graduation certificate and moving forward to further levels of education. Thank you.

-- Applause