Please be seated. Mr. Speaker, Members of the 15th Legislative Assembly, it is both an honour and a privilege to be in your service once again.
I would like to begin by extending my sincere and heartfelt sympathies to the families, loved ones and colleagues of the four young RCMP officers killed in the line of duty in northern Alberta last week. Constable Anthony Gordon, a northerner, originally from Fort Smith; Constable Peter Sheimann; Constable Leo Johnston; Constable Brock Myrol, were more than just courageous and dedicated officers. They were sons, husbands, fathers, friends and respected colleagues.
On behalf of all northerners, I share the grief and the shock of my fellow Canadians and offer my sincere condolences, not only to those close to them, but to all members of the RCMP touched by this tragedy. Today, a national memorial service was held in Edmonton, Alberta, for the fallen officers where the Northwest Territories was represented by Her Honour Commissioner Glenna Hansen. Our thoughts and our prayers are with everyone at this time.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank members of the RCMP for the selfless and dependable work they do on our behalf. I understand the community of Rae-Edzo recently held an event thanking the RCMP for their contribution to the community. I hope more communities will reflect on the valuable work of their local RCMP and take the opportunity to thank them as well.
A group of individuals who promote learning and discipline to our youth are the Canadian Rangers. Commissioner Hansen recently opened the Junior Rangers Air Rifle Competitions here in Yellowknife and has asked me to thank the junior rangers from all territories for a most exciting competition.
The Canadian Rangers provide a structured and supervised program for young people from the ages of 12 to 18, promoting traditional lifestyles and cultures. The Junior Canadian Rangers Program is the largest youth program in the North with over 1,000 members. On behalf of Commissioner Hansen, I would like to thank them for the excellent work they do across our territory.
Our northern communities are full of many talented and committed residents. Today I would like to recognize some wonderful people who have recently been the recipients of a number of different awards. First the Wise Women Awards. These awards are bestowed upon women who have been nominated by their peers as examples of intelligent and respected contributors to furthering the role of women in northern society. This year's recipients are Ruth Wright from the Beaufort-Delta; Tanya Cazon from the Deh Cho; Helen Tobie from the North Slave; Alphonsine McNeely from the Sahtu; and Sister Agnes Sutherland, South Slave. All these ladies are strong, positive role models in their communities and throughout the North. I congratulate them for being honoured as this year's wise women.
Recently some brave and selfless people were recognized with Rescue Commendation Awards from the Life Saving Society. The recipients of these awards put aside their personal safety and go to the rescue and assistance of those in peril. I would like to congratulate the recipients of the Rescue Commendation Awards. They are, in the youth category, Nicole Henkel; Angus Willson; Hanna Willson; Ishai Forget-Manson; and, Devon Allooloo. In the adult category, we have Edward Jumbo; Paul Falvo; Todd Burlingame; and, Christa Domchek. As well, I am very pleased to announce that three northerners have been honoured with Aboriginal Achievement Awards to be presented to them in a televised ceremony in Saskatoon at the end of this month. I am delighted that Andy Carpenter, Sr.; Bertha Allen; and, Sharon Firth have been selected by the Aboriginal Achievement Foundation to receive these prestigious awards.
Andy Carpenter, Sr. has devoted his life to conservation and sustainable use of wildlife and he has held many other positions of leadership. He was involved in the Inuvialuit Final Agreement and is the founding chair of the Inuvialuit Game Council, a position he held for 10 years. Among many other achievements, Mr. Carpenter initiated the International Polar Bear Management Agreement between the Inuvialuit and the Alaskan Inupiat and helped establish the Ivavik National Park, the first Canadian
national park legislated by a land claims settlement. Andy Carpenter, Sr. lives in Sachs Harbour.
Bertha Allen is a life-long activist for social change and the advancement of aboriginal and northern women. A strong advocate for education and training, Mrs. Allen helped found the NWT Training Centre in Yellowknife and Inuvik and worked as a life skill facilitator at those centres. Through her leadership as a former president of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, founding president of the Native Women's Association of the NWT and former president of the Native Women's Association of Canada, Mrs. Allen has been a tireless promoter for women. In addition, Mrs. Allen has served on the NWT Constitutional Committee, the NWT Judicial Appointments Committee, the Multicultural Advisory Committee to the RCMP, and was the only woman to sit on the Bourque Commission. Mrs. Allen lives in Inuvik.
The third northern recipient is Sharon Firth. Sharon was born in Aklavik and, along with her twin sister, Shirley, has competed in cross-country skiing in four winter Olympics, three world championships and countless other national skiing competitions. In 1985, she took part in the Great American Ski Chase and took the overall title. A highly regarded role model, Ms. Firth delivers motivational speeches in schools throughout the Northwest Territories. As well, she has been the subject of many documentaries, including CBC's The Olympians, the Firth Sisters and Northern Gold. Ms. Firth was inducted into the Canadian Ski Museum and Skiing Hall of Fame and 1990. In 2002, she received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal. Sharon Firth lives in Yellowknife.
On behalf of northerners, I offer warm congratulations to Andy Carpenter, Sr., Bertha Allen and Sharon Firth for their aboriginal achievement awards and hope that they have a very enjoyable evening at the awards ceremony later this month. I am sure there will be many supporters in the audience cheering them on.