Thank you, honourable Members. This time, the first ones to benefit will be our people. We will not stand by and watch the benefits pass us by like the last time a pipeline passed through our land. We need to plan for these types of development such as the pipeline, hydro and upgrading our road systems.

I support the self-government initiatives that will be going on in our region and that people are striving for. We are just beginning to build the foundation of the Sahtu region that will see self-sufficiency through the efforts and the cooperation of claimants and community organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the support of the Legislative Assembly and the government to assist me to move my constituency towards positive goals and objectives. Many of my colleagues from around the NWT have shared that they have heard similar concerns from their people, so I think we will have many common goals. As I said earlier, this is a good group of people here, and I look forward to working with you.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank some of the people who didn't make it to this Christmas; young people in my region and older people in my region who didn't make it to this Christmas. I want to say prayers for the people. I want to wish people in the Northwest Territories, the old people, a happy Christmas holiday and a prosperous New Year. God bless you wherever you be. Mahsi.

---Applause