Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
[English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, June 15 to 21 is recognized as Senior Citizens’ Week, which is a special opportunity to recognize and acknowledge our seniors and elders. Senior Citizens’ Week is an opportunity to highlight the important contributions of seniors in all our northern communities. The theme this year is Seniors and Elders Leading to a Better Future.
Our seniors are the foundation of our culture, the holders of our tradition and active members of our society. Seniors have a lot of knowledge to share with us and must be respected.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, June 15 is recognized as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The international theme of this day is My World… Your World… Our World — Free of Elder Abuse.”
While about 80 per cent of abuse or neglect of seniors is hidden or goes undetected, there is an increasing concern in the NWT about the abuse of seniors. We must work together to confront this issue and put an end to the silent pain many of our seniors endure.
Mr. Speaker, we would like to take this time to recognize the efforts of the NWT Seniors’ Society, a hard-working board of directors, and also many of the elders in the communities across the NWT.
We would also like to show gratitude to the many individual seniors throughout our smaller northern communities who share their knowledge and volunteer their time to organize events. They bring their communities together through these efforts.
We would also like to congratulate Mabel Collinson of Yellowknife, who was the recipient of NWT’s Outstanding Elder Award for her volunteer work. This award is presented by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, in partnership with Volunteer NWT, to individuals and groups who have helped to improve the quality of life in the NWT through their work as volunteers.
Mr. Speaker, I am joined by all Members in thanking our seniors and elders across the NWT for the strong roles they play in our families and our communities. We pay special recognition to you during Senior Citizens’ Week; however, our seniors remain dear to our hearts all year long.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.