Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to remember and recognize an elder from my constituency who passed away on April 21st this year, Mr. Joseph Bonnetrouge. Mr. Speaker, in our communities our elders play a vital role in the preservation of our traditional lifestyles and values. When one passes away many teachings are often forgotten, but their legacies live on.
Mr. Speaker, although Mr. Bonnetrouge lived a humble life and was a very quiet person his smile was genuine and his words were comforting to those who were close to him. Joe Bonnetrouge was born on October 8, 1925 and in 1943 he started working for the Government of the Northwest Territories as a janitor for the health centre and then the school. With his new job he received a new title. The local residents of Fort Providence fondly knew him as Dr. Joe. He would go out of his way to help patients by escorting the elders, translating and assisting the nurse when needed. Joe married Melvina Gargan on January 12, 1959 and raised nine children and many grandchildren.
As part of Joe's work history he worked as a roughneck for an exploration company, trained as a surveyor on the construction of the Yellowknife Highway and was an alcohol and drug counsellor for the Fort Providence Dene Band. After many years of service to the Government of the Northwest Territories, Joe retired in 1985 and devoted time to his family, as well as to hunting and trapping.
Mr. Speaker, Joe was a friend, teacher and advisor who is loved and sadly missed by many. As an elder, Mr. Bonnetrouge contributed to the history of the Northwest Territories by promoting official languages for the benefit of generations to come. He served as an elder representing the Deh Cho in the Office of the Languages Commissioner advisory board.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to his wife Melvina; his sons Gary, Noel, Clifford, Clinton and Travis; his daughters Phoebe, Darlene, Agnes and Cassandra; his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. On behalf of the people of the Deh Cho I want to say to his family that our prayers and our thoughts are with them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.