Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since I have an interpreter today, I would like to speak in my language. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
(Translation starts) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On May 31st, we lost an elder, Albert Thomas. He was born in 1926 and he passed away at the end of May. I would like to say a few words about this person.
He was an aboriginal person who was born in Fort Liard. He lived a traditional lifestyle. His parents taught him very well in the traditional lifestyle. He was a very good hunter. He travelled throughout the woodlands and he did a lot of work throughout the mountains.
He was a true aboriginal person. He never spoke English. He always spoke in the Dene language. He travelled as far as Watson Lake, Lower Post, Fort Nelson. Those people speak the Slavey language so he was at home amongst those people. He trapped, he hunted, he worked effortlessly throughout the woodlands.
His son Jerome had asked him a question one time, "I wonder how many grizzly bears did you ever kill?" He said 19. "So are you ever afraid of anything?" Albert responded, "No, I am not afraid of anything in the forest. I know the wildlife. When aboriginal people go into the woods, they are not afraid of anything."
His story was not written. I just wanted to say this about him because his story was never written. Thank you. (Translation ends)
-- Applause