Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is certainly nice to be back home here in the Northwest Territories. I just wanted to continue on what I started during this session in talking about the different communities that I represent and every chance I have, I speak on behalf of the people who put me here.
Today I would like to say a few words about Sambaa K'e, which is Trout Lake in my language. Trout Lake is a small community in my riding along a very big lake that has very fresh water, a lot of different kind of fish, plenty of game out on the land. This is a very traditional community.
I just wanted to maybe say that every fall what they do is they do the right thing. They shut everything down and they all go hunting for about two weeks. They go moose hunting. For two weeks they shut down the schools and that way the teachers and all the students and the community members go out there on the land and set up their tents and their camps around the different lakes. They stay out there for about two weeks.
I am told by the elder from Trout Lake, Joe Punch, that this year they got about 18 moose in this community hunt. There was a lot of dry meat and there was a lot of moose hide that has been traditionally tanned in Trout Lake. I would like to commend the community to keep on their tradition. I just wanted to recognize the leadership of the community under chief and council. The chief is Dennis Deneron, the counsellors are Victor Jumbo, David Jumbo, Tom Kotchea, Tony Jumbo. They had their election last spring and their band manager is Ruby Jumbo.
I just wanted to commend the community for doing what they do. Like I say, they are a small, traditional community but they are very innovative and they get into a lot of different, interesting ventures that the community decides on, guided by their elders. I would like to continue to encourage them to continue working with our government to provide them with the different programs and services that we have and that they continue to practice their way of life the way they chose. Mahsi.
-- Applause