Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have tabled a document in this Assembly that reflects a number of people in my riding of Inuvik Twin Lakes who still retain the basic land skills and continue to use hunting and trapping to supplement their lifestyles, diets and economies. This also applies to those who come North to live amongst us. They have learned to appreciate our vast land and the abundance of wild game, fish, and fur.

For many of us as Members of the Legislative Assembly, as Members from small ridings, we may have grown up in such a setting. Many of us were not only taught the way to survive on the land, but developed skills that we took out of formal education schooling, in a log house somewhere out in the bush.

Mr. Speaker, our traditional times are going to the wayside, simply because it is no longer affordable to trap for a living. Mr. Speaker, with a new trapping season ready to begin, I would like to let the trappers in my riding and others across the Northwest Territories know that I am in support of this lifestyle. I stand in this House today to applaud you.

With that in mind today, I want to showcase my vest made from local sealskins harvested offshore of Sachs Harbour on Banks Island. The lady who made this vest for me is Ms. Edna Elias who is not only a seamstress but entrepreneur, former school principal and interpreter. Her partner Sydney and her spend a good part of the summer harvesting these seals to make these vests, so I can promote it.

The embroidery also signifies the artwork that symbolizes the town that we have in the North. The renowned artists, some of them down from Fort Smith, carved the pendant of the eagle I am wearing today. As you can see, Mr. Speaker, I am wearing two important pieces of art, one which is made in the most southern part of our Territory, the other from the most northern part.

Mr. Speaker, the promotion is intended to display what fine products can be made from wild fur at a very affordable price. It also shows that smaller companies can still be developed in the most remote communities of our Territory, using locally harvested products. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues in this House to work with their constituents to promote our finest furs and to encourage people to continue to trap and support an industry that needs revival. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause