Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to just today mention a few people with respect to the passing of some loved and respected northerners. I empathize with Mr. Yakeleya today as he stands in this House to speak of the memory of his mother. It was 10 years ago this week that my Dad passed away while I was a sitting Member of this Legislature. I returned and stood in the House to speak to his memory. It is a difficult thing to do, but Laura Lennie, Norm's mother, was a definitely much beloved woman. I got to know her a little bit when I began to search for my grandmother's council, the matriarchs and the highly respected women in the various regions in the Northwest Territories. Her name was definitely at the top of the list. I got to know her a little more with her work that she did with the NWT seniors and helping seniors and encouraging them. She was a beautiful woman. She was a woman who had extraordinary talents when it came to making things and handicrafts and beadwork. As Norman said, she raised nine children. She, about herself, had a lovingness about her. You would not see her anywhere, at Wal-Mart, downtown, wherever you would run into her when she was in town, which was often because she was very politically involved in the North. I would always get a big hug and a kiss from her when I would see her. That lovingness that she showed is exemplified in her children as well. She did a wonderful job. Today, I just want to offer my condolences to our colleague here at the loss of his dear, dear mother at too early and too young of an age.
Also today, in a few minutes, they will be starting the memorial service for our friend Vince Steen up in Tuktoyaktuk. I had the honour and privilege of serving in this Legislature with Vince Steen. He was a character. He was his own man. He was unusual and he was unique. He was not all that easy to get to know, but I remember after knowing Vince for quite some time, I noticed that he didn't easily share his personal feelings and emotions that well. I found out, after a long time, that Vince had gone off to residential school when he was five years old and did not return until he was 12 years old. Seven years away from his family. That told a big story to me about Vince, but he was a man of great integrity. I always said if I was going to be lost out on the land someplace, I would want Vince there because he knew the land and he knew the ways of it so well. So we offer our condolences to his family and think of them today in Tuktoyaktuk as they remember his life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause