Good afternoon, colleagues. Before we start today I’d really like to wish a happy birthday to one of my elders back in my home community of Tuktoyaktuk, Persis Gruben. Her birthday is on Sunday, the 20th ,
and she’s 95 years old.
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I was speaking with her daughter-in-law last night, and in this day and age for our elders to live this long is a blessing to us. I’m sure she’s seen many changes in her lifetime from dog team to trucks to planes, from telephones to cell phones and computers. Just yesterday she was on FaceTime with her daughter-in-law and she couldn’t believe the technology.
Her wealth of knowledge about the land, our culture and traditions is invaluable, as well as our Inuvialuktun language. She always tells her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and even myself and anybody she talks to, respect the land and to respect each other.
Persis still lives and maintains her own home in Tuk today and is sharp as a whip. Her irreplaceable knowledge of values will benefit all our generations. We truly have a gem. I’d like to wish her many more years to come and good health and happiness. Have a good birthday party in Tuk on Sunday. I am unable to attend, but have a good birthday party. I wish I was there.
Item 2, Ministers’ statements. Minister Miltenberger.