Please be seated. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Premier, Members of the Legislative Assembly, you are embarking on the final leg of your journey as elected representatives of the Northwest Territories.
Your work for the past three years has not been easy. It has challenged you to work together, to make strong decisions, to take tough stands and to set aside your differences and positions in the interest of the people that you represent. As a result, you have been successful in achieving many of the elements of your original vision.
You have established important partnerships such as the Intergovernmental Forum and the Aboriginal Summit that will guide your steps forward. You have opened the door to development of our non-renewable resources. You have invested in our Territory, our communities and our people to ensure that the benefits for this development will be fully realized and, in recent months, you have formally begun devolution talks with the federal government.
This week I have followed the events of your last session with great interest. I listened keenly to your comments in defence of consensus government and I was pleased yesterday with your decision to complete the mandate given to you by the people of the Northwest Territories.
Our Territory is on the brink of taking its place as a strong, unified and self-reliant leader in our nation.
As I prepare to open the Sixth Session of the 14th Legislative Assembly I would like to acknowledge the passing of three important pioneers in our region: Agnes Semmler, Florence Erasmus and D'Arcy Arden -- elders whose guidance, wisdom and leadership will be particularly missed.
First Agnes Semmler, who despite her many distinctions and awards was best known to us all as either Mom or Granny. Her life and work, particularly in the interests of aboriginal women, paved the way for many of us to follow in her footsteps. She was the first woman to be appointed Deputy Commissioner and the NWT's first woman Justice of the Peace. Her foundation of the Committee of Original People's Entitlement led in time to the establishment of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. Mrs. Semmler's passing earlier this month marked the conclusion of a full life of commitment, leadership and service in the Beaufort-Delta.
Florence Erasmus was another remarkable woman who also left behind a lifetime of extraordinary achievement. Her commitment to education and to the preservation of aboriginal cultures and languages will continue to be reflected in the lives and achievements of the many people she touched. We know that Florence's example and strong teachings will continue to be recognized in the upstanding conduct and leadership of her children and their families.
And finally I would like to pay tribute to D'Arcy Arden who truly epitomized the life of a northern pioneer. Mr. Arden was best known as a prospector, but accomplished much during his long and eventful life. As a young man he successfully bridged the gap between his traditional Metis heritage and the emerging new North and will be remembered by many for his willingness to serve the people of the Northwest Territories. He did so first as an RCMP special constable then, in later years, on a variety of public service boards.
I ask Members to share with me in a moment of silence for these elders, and to also remember at this time the folks of my home town of Aklavik who continue to heal from the tragic passing of Doug Irish, Larry Semmler and Charlie Meyook earlier this fall.
Many of you will take the time next month to attend Remembrance Day events in your community. I urge you to support these significant ceremonies and, in particular, the army and air cadet programs that figure greatly in them. This summer I had the pleasure to join many of these young men and women in Whitehorse for their annual cadet camp. I was very impressed by the highly intuitive, mature and enthusiastic character of these future leaders.
I have been equally impressed by the many students I have met through the NWT's Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or DARE, program. I had the occasion to address and congratulate many graduates of this cooperative community project.
Through these types of programs our youth are learning to take control of their own lives and in doing so can prepare the path for their future. It has been my pleasure and I will continue to be a part of these youth initiatives in the NWT.
In conclusion this afternoon, I would also like to take the occasion today to congratulate those residents of the NWT who have been identified to receive a Queen's Golden Jubilee medal. These medals are being awarded across Canada, in commemoration of Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee, to recognize extraordinary individual achievements and commitment. Together with Members of this Legislative Assembly, it has been my pleasure to nominate 149 NWT residents for this prestigious distinction. I understand Premier Kakfwi will provide more details on these awards later this afternoon.
Members, I ask you at all times to give your most earnest consideration and wise judgment in conducting the business of this Legislative Assembly. In this your final year I urge you in particular to seek out and maintain the unity and spirit that was so much a part of your vision for a better tomorrow. With it I am confident that you will see much of your work fall into place. I encourage you to stay the course.
As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I now declare the Sixth Session of the 14th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories open. Thank you.
-- Applause