Please be seated. Ah, it feels so nice to sit in this chair again. Good afternoon, mesdames et messieurs, et monsieur le president, monsieur le
premier minister, messieurs et mesdames les deputes, mesdames et messieurs, et amis.
Again it is my privilege and my pleasure to be here among you. Since we last met in June, many things have taken place in our territory, both happy and sad. The people of the Northwest Territories were both honoured and delighted to host their Excellencies, the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and her husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, during their first visit to the Northwest Territories in mid-June. Their Excellencies had an opportunity to visit the people of Fort Simpson and Yellowknife. They enjoyed the beauty of the Nahanni National Park and, while here, even caught some fish on Prelude Lake with our Premier. Their Excellencies were pleased to meet with so many different groups of people, allowing them to enhance their knowledge and understanding of northern perspectives on topics of special interest to them, such as aboriginal culture, youth and women's issues. Their visit was a great success and credit must be given to the many people who spent time organizing and preparing for that visit, making it meaningful, interesting and enjoyable for their Excellencies.
Another important visitor that we were pleased to welcome over the summer was our Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper. Prime Minister Harper was also making his first trip to the Northwest Territories. The reception held for him here in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly allowed him to talk to many northern residents and to hear first hand their thoughts and their concerns. As well, I understand that he was the recipient of a souvenir hockey stick promoting Deline as the birthplace of ice hockey. As a devoted hockey fan, I am sure that the Prime Minister understood the importance of this not only as an historic event, but also as a passionate issue of the people of Deline.
I have reported to you many times about my goal to visit the communities in the Northwest Territories during my term in office. I can tell you proudly that since we last met I have added the communities of Whati, Detah, Tuktoyaktuk and Fort Good Hope to my visited list. So I'm well on my way to achieving this important and inclusive goal. As well, I have recently revived the Commissioner's Awards for Bravery and for Excellence, and appointed a committee of three to review and to recommend nominees to me for awards. I want to encourage members of the public to put forward nominations of persons they feel should be recognized for their efforts and brave actions.
On a sad note, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the people that we have lost over the past months. In particular, I want to mention the late Helen Tobie, Ponchit Santos, and the victims of that very tragic airplane crash in the Sahtu. As well, we have had a number of northerners lost to drowning accidents this summer and as recently as this week. To the families of those people, I also extend my sincere condolences.
I have learned this morning that our beloved former Commissioner of the Northwest Territories and now Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut, Mrs. Helen Maksagak, has been admitted to an Edmonton hospital. On behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories, I would like to wish her a speedy and full recovery.
