Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will stay on the theme of elders. Mr. Speaker, from August 9 to 11, 2004, the first Sahtu Elders' Conference was held in Deline. The purpose of the conference was to bring elders together to discuss important issues regarding the communities of the Sahtu region and to talk about forming a Sahtu elders' council. That would include elders in a decision-making process on an ongoing basis.
Mr. Speaker, traditionally, aboriginal elders played a key role in our communities. Their wisdom, experience and stories are crucial to the success of our people. During the conference, more than 30 elders from the five Sahtu communities developed a slogan, "Our Life, Our Land." Mr. Speaker, what affects our life, affects our land; what affects our land, affects our life.
Mr. Speaker, it is critical to ensure elders have a role not only concerning seniors' issues, but issues concerning the Sahtu as a whole. Traditions are changing and the threat of losing the traditions, upbringing and the gap between elders and youth because of the wage economy has become a reality and a concern of the Sahtu people.
Mr. Speaker, other concerns revolve around the impact of development and change throughout the region, specifically in the areas of health and social services, the social programs, the education system and the high rate of aboriginal children dropping out of school. In addition, the elders are concerned with the pension clawback and government's policies and laws. They feel that these laws are preventing them from participating equitably in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, recommendations developed by the elders are to create a Sahtu elders' council, hold another Sahtu elders' conference in the winter of 2005 and invite federal and territorial governments, oil and gas industry representatives and Sahtu leaders for the next elders' gathering, and also to work with the Sahtu youth.
Mr. Speaker, the Sahtu conference, in terms of participation, recommended full intentions to be part of the decision-making process and was a huge success and a positive benefit to the Sahtu people. I would encourage other regions to do similar things for their own elders.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Deline First Nation for their hard work in hosting the event and the many sponsors who contributed to this wonderful event. I would like to thank the people of the Sahtu region for making it happen. Mahsi.
---Applause