Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the House. Welcome back as we sit together for the last time as Members of the 15th Legislative Assembly. I know that the summer recess has been brief and very busy for all Members. In addition to your constituency work, committees have been travelling on the public review of bills and Cabinet has continued with the work of government. In spite of the schedule, I hope you have all managed to savor a few minutes of our glorious, but all-too-short summer season and found some time to enjoy the company of family and friends.
As the summer began to wind down, the Speaker's Outreach Program paid a special visit to the residents in the High Arctic community of Sachs Harbour on the south shore of Banks Island. This historic visit marks the first time the Mace of the Northwest Territories travelled above the Arctic Circle.
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Our visit was extremely well received by community residents. I had the pleasure of having tea with the elders, playing sports with the children and youth and enjoying caribou stew and bannock with the community-at-large. Community members, students and staff were an enjoyable audience and regarded the Mace with awe and delight.
I also had the pleasure of meeting the man who selected the stone that was placed inside the Mace to represent the voices of the people of Sachs Harbour, Mr. Geddes Wolki. On behalf of the Legislative Assembly, I extend gratitude to the residents of Sachs Harbour for their hospitality.
I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the late Rosie Firth, respected elder, mother and artisan from Fort McPherson. The late Mrs. Firth is the artisan who provided the beaded Delta braid featured on the Mace of the Northwest Territories. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend condolences of the House to those communities who suffered tragic losses this summer. Our thoughts and prayers have been with you.
Colleagues, we have a full agenda for the next seven days and I know that you are all eager to begin. I remind Members to continue to act with respect for each other and for this institution, allowing us to work for the benefit of all residents of the Northwest Territories and to complete the mandate of the 15th Legislative Assembly.
It is my duty to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. It reads, "Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2006-2007 and Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 2007-2008 during the Sixth Session of the 15th Assembly. Yours truly, Anthony W. J. Whitford, Commissioner."
Thanks for your attention, colleagues. Orders of the day. Ministers' statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.