Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to advise this House that a ceremony was held today to celebrate the tremendous contributions that people across this Territory have made to education.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment launched the Education Hall of Fame some months ago, requesting nominations be put forward for those Northerners who made lasting and selfless contributions to education. Nominations poured in, Mr. Speaker, and 15 people were chosen from across the Territory. The 2010 inductees embody the commitment, diligence, creativity and passion that we want education to inspire in us all.

Of those distinguished people inducted into the Education Hall of Fame this morning, some are with us in the gallery. They are:

Mrs. Sylvia Boyer, a teacher from Hay River. Mrs. Boyer taught in the Northwest Territories for 31 years and describes education as her “life calling.” Mrs. Boyer retired in 2001 but still participates in school activities today.

Mr. Brent Kaulback from Fort Smith is the deputy superintendent of the South Slave District Education Council. Mr. Kaulback made an enormous contribution to aboriginal culture and education including as project coordinator of the South Slave Topical Dictionary, which records and preserves the language of the Katl’odeehche people.

Mrs. Toni Harker Auge, a teacher from Yellowknife. Mrs. Harker Auge taught thousands of children during a northern teaching career that began in 1971. Despite having retired in 2006, she remains an active and sought-after volunteer in the education field.

Mr. Chuck Tolley has filled many roles in the education world but is nominated for his contribution as superintendent of schools and for his reputation for integrity and sound judgement. Mr. Tolley spent his forty-year career in many northern communities and was nominated by his former colleagues in Norman Wells.

Mrs. Margo McLeod is a classroom assistant from Aklavik. She began her career at the Moose Kerr School in 1974 and is still there today. Mrs. McLeod participates in on-the-land activities and mentors many students in the aboriginal classes. Her four children and 15 grandchildren have all attended Moose Kerr School.

Ms. Miki O’Kane has been the campus director at the Aurora College in Inuvik since 1994 and has a genuine desire to make a difference to the people of the Beaufort-Delta and Sahtu regions. Ms. O’Kane was the force behind the new student residence and campus classroom expansion projects, as well as the procurement of the Mobile Trades Training Unit.

Mr. Michael Botermans is a teaching assistant and volunteer sports coach at the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School in Behchoko. He is much loved by the students he inspires; in fact, nearly 50 students came to the Great Hall today to see him inducted into the Hall of Fame. Mr. Botermans is an energetic and passionate coach devoted to his students.

One other person inducted today but unable to join us is Mrs. Irma Miron from Hay River. Mrs. Miron began teaching in 1943 and never missed a day of school. Her creative and expressive approach to her job enabled her students to take a real enjoyment in her classes. She will receive her award at a ceremony in Hay River later this summer.

We stand on the shoulders of giants. There are many great people who came before us who laid the foundation of good work and dedication upon which we build. We were very pleased to recognize

some of those people today with posthumous inductions into the Hall of Fame, and thank their family and friends for joining us here in the gallery. The posthumous inductees are:

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Mrs. Elizabeth Mackenzie of Behchoko, a

pioneer and committed education advocate;

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Ms. Alice Cambridge of Hay River, a respected and innovative teacher and community contributor;

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Mrs. Anne Enge from Yellowknife, a

passionate advocate and school board trustee, the first aboriginal woman to complete a Grade 12 diploma;

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Mr. Jerry Ruben from Paulatuk and Fort Smith, an insightful and compassionate teacher and avid sports coach;

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Mr. John Miltenberger from Fort Smith, a

forward-thinking and empowering teacher who believed in a community-centred approach and that education is priceless;

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Mr. Cliff King, a teacher and hockey coach from Inuvik whose inclusive approach to teaching ensured that no child was left behind; and

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Mr. John Carroll, a teacher from Hay River, Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River who was a friend and confidante to all his students, remaining so long after he retired.

These are the first inductees into the Education Hall of Fame. They are a truly impressive group of people who inspire thousands of us to do more and believe in ourselves. I hope all Members of this Assembly will join me in honouring the inductees into the Education Hall of Fame and thank them for dedicating their life’s work to the students of the Northwest Territories.