Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am looking forward to celebrating National Aboriginal Day on June 21st, 2002. It will indeed be a special day for all of the people of the Northwest Territories. All the people have the opportunity of joining our celebration and reflect on the many cultures that surround us. The communities across the North are hard at work, preparing and organizing events to commemorate this historic event.
Mr. Speaker, my home town of Inuvik is busy planning, like all other communities in the Northwest Territories. The Town of Inuvik will be holding a community barbecue, many cultural events, northern and Dene games, the community feast, the jigging contest and the old time fiddle dance to help celebrate National Aboriginal Day.
Mr. Speaker, with so many different ethnicities in our home town, I am very pleased to see that the whole town is coming together to share what is important to the aboriginal community. It is, simply put, an important community celebration. Mr. Speaker, I will be joining my constituents and my fellow community members in these celebrations.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to draw the Members of this Assembly's attention to the jacket I am wearing. The significance of this jacket exemplifies the uniqueness of our common heritage. I would like to thank my honourable colleague from North Slave for allowing me to showcase such a beautiful jacket from his home community. To show that, I wear it proudly in recognition of our cultural identity. So, Mr. Speaker, before I close, I would just like to say, happy National Aboriginal Day to all. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause