Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

In my own language I honour these few words from my grandfather’s and grandmother’s language. You see, I was brought up with the English and Dene language. In our house we spoke in the two languages. It was not until I started living in Tulita that I began to see and hear the Dene language expressed to its fullest by my grandparents and by my people in Tulita.

Growing up with little knowledge as to the importance of my mother’s language, early in our education at the federal day school we were strongly encouraged to read, write, and speak only in English. This was the trend throughout my educational learning. Never in my life did I think the aboriginal language would be taught in our schools. I had mixed feelings about this at first. However, after hearing the children speak the language in the schools and the hard efforts by some very dedicated people like Phoebe Tatti, who wanted to include language in our school and the Dene Kede school curriculum.

I wish to applaud the Government of the Northwest Territories for honouring the first language in the Northwest Territories. I once asked an elder about the language because I was struggling with my language. The elder asked me, where did you learn? How did you learn? I said to the elder, most of my life I spent in residential school. The elder said, it is not your fault. The Creator only understands the language that is spoken from your heart. The Creator will understand that language.

I, too, want to share my appreciation for all the hardworking teachers in the schools and the people who are using the first language to teach the children and to teach us. I have to work hard on my own language. Hopefully one day I will be able to speak very fluently in Dene.