Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.
Joe Nasogaluak is considered to be one of the top carvers in the North. Although Joe’s the youngest of the three brothers, he’s been a professional artist the longest, starting his career in 1987 and quickly making a name for himself with mythical carvings. Since then, Mr. Speaker, Joe’s works have been sought after by collectors and distributors worldwide.
Of all of his achievements, his most favourite is when he worked with his brothers, Bill and Eli, on the seven and a half-tonne marble carving and when they participated in a family snow carving competition held annually in the Winterlude Carnival in Ottawa. Joe still resides in Tuktoyaktuk.
Mr. Speaker, Bill, Eli, and Joe Nasogaluak are truly inspirations in their own right to the people of Tuktoyaktuk and the Northwest Territories. The brothers have represented the N.W.T. at numerous Winterlude Carnivals, winning competitions in ’02 and ’07 and second-place finishes of the Winning Artists Choice Award selected by their peers.
Today, Mr. Speaker, I am very proud and honoured to recognize the tremendous achievements and many successes of the boys from Tuktoyaktuk: Bill, Eli, and Joe Nasogaluak.
Applause.