Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to name 20 people right now. From Chief Albert Wright School: Twyla Etchinelle, Kyle Yakeleya, Brendan Norn-Lennie, Vanessa Kenny-Andrew. From ?ehtseo Ayha School: Carla Kenny, Doris Sewi, Valerie Makeinzo, Sheldon Takazo, Shane Naedzo, Chelsey Elemie, Louie Nitsiza, Connie Modeste, Kayleen Kenny. From Mackenzie Mountain School in Norman Wells: Evertt McCoy, Joel Erb. From Chief T’Selehye School in Fort Good Hope: Nathanial Kelley, Lindsay McNelley, Lloyd Edgi, Ian Jackson and Carrie Kakfwi.

Other Members talked about a time in their life when their parents had received them in their loving arms and grew with them into their lives. These young people I named are today going to be celebrating, with their communities, achieving in an education system, recognizing their accomplishments to get a grade 12 diploma and continue on with their life.

These young people have struggled through the education system, through growing up in the small communities. I’ve seen them. Actually, Kyle is my nephew. I remember him being six years old and growing up. I know the troubles and the challenges he went through, and obtaining his grade 12 is remarkable. All of these children we have in the Northwest Territories have gone through some difficult times in their communities.

My message to these students in the Sahtu region, and to other students, is that life is out there. Life will be challenging. There are a lot of successes in life. Take these challenges with the goodness of your heart. Pray for some powerful guidance in your life that will help you deal with things. Things are tough out there. However, there are successes out there. Many of our people here today have recognized the success of the people of the Northwest Territories.

I wish them well, and I thank the parents, the teachers and the families for supporting these young people’s lives. God bless you all. Mahsi.