Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as MLA for Nahendeh, I have six communities that I represent. From time to time, some of the small communities, their community leadership is the chief and council, so today I would like to speak about Sakalee, better known as Jean Marie River.

They went through an election for chief and council last month and their new chief is Fred Norwegian. As a new chief, Mr. Norwegian had set some priorities. He had said from the outset he wants to concentrate on restoring strong local leadership and maintaining more of a presence in the community. He is interested in strengthening the local leadership at all levels, and the priority for Chief Norwegian and his council is for talking about wanting to arrange training for their band members.

He also wants to make the council more effective at their job. He wants to address strengthening the band's relationship with the government departments and other service agencies.

I would like to congratulate Chief Fred Norwegian. Along with him are councillors Derek Norwegian, Raymond Minoza, Gail Sanquez, Yvonne Norwegian, Angus Sanquez and Ernest Hardisty. I would like to congratulate this new chief and council and I look forward to working with them as their representative here in the Legislative Assembly in areas and issues that involve this government as well as this Legislature. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

-- Applause