This is page numbers 6207 – 6238 of the Hansard for the 17th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was water.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to recognize the exceptional youth of my riding and thank them for making their voices heard. Firstly, in the gallery today I have 13 students from the Fort Simpson Bompas Elementary School whom I will be recognizing later today. I hope you’re enjoying the speeches called Members’ statements today. Because we just started, they are taking much longer, and I thank you for your patience up there.

In the first week of May, like Mr. Speaker said, young people from across the territory gathered here at the Legislative Assembly for the Youth Parliament. That included Ms. Sylvia Pascal-Matt from the Thomas Simpson School, who represented Nahendeh and did a fantastic job. I also want to say her younger sister Abigail is also here with the Grade 6 class here today. Welcome.

While I was in Fort Simpson this past month, I had the opportunity to speak with these Grade 6 students at Bompas Elementary. I spoke with them about the role of the MLA, how government operates and how people can effect change. Bompas students as well as students from the Thomas Simpson Secondary are gearing up and training hard for the annual NWT Track and Field Championships in Hay River next week. The Grade 6 students mentioned how useful it would be to have the community of Fort Simpson fitted with a new track and field. Not only could they train for competitions like the annual Hay River meet, they

could even host it one day, serving as ambassadors for Fort Simpson.

The community of Fort Simpson has not had track facilities since the early 1990s. Sadly, our children of Fort Simpson are training in the playgrounds and training on a gravel road next to the school. An outdoor track would enable students to practice and train properly, not just one sport but many, helping them find new ways to have fun and stay active. Participants at any skill level would benefit, from first-time beginners to those training for territorial and national high performance competitions. It would also be a valuable addition to the community at large, giving everybody in Fort Simpson a new place to exercise and, as I said, the capacity to host meets would also enable students like the ones I spoke about to build friendships across the NWT, to work with their friends, meet new people and improve their skills.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

We all know the importance of physical activity and how it affects a positive educational outcome. The more exercise our students get, the better they are at learning. I look forward to the day that Fort Simpson students can train on a track of their own.

During question period, I will be asking questions with regard to working toward getting a track and field facility for the community of Fort Simpson. Mahsi cho.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.

Louis Cardinal Ferry Launch
Members’ Statements

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure today to let you know that this coming Saturday we have two graduates from Tsiigehtchic.

Deron Andre and Vanessa Lennie will be graduating this Saturday in Inuvik. Family and friends will be travelling to Inuvik to help celebrate this occasion.

As you may know, at this moment we are isolated. The ferry will be launched tomorrow, from what I’ve been told, and hopefully we can have the ferry in operation by this coming Saturday.

I will have questions for the Minister later today. Thank you very much.

Louis Cardinal Ferry Launch
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize members from the Braden family in the gallery: Carmen Braden and her partner, Eli Purchase; Laurie Nowakowski and her partner, Andrew Robinson. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Ramsay.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a constituent in the gallery today, Ms. Cheryl Fennell. Welcome.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Lafferty.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize and welcome here in this House the 2015 Education Hall of Fame inductees who are here with us in the gallery. They are Lea Lamoureux, Ted Blondin, Doris Camsell, Dean MacInnis, Reanna Erasmus, Bruce Green, Carole Bachand, Marja Van Nieuwenhuyzen and Michel Louis Rabesca. I would just like to say congratulations to all of them as the 2015 Education Hall of Fame inductees.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Menicoche.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in my Member’s statement I spoke about the Grade 6 class in Bompas Elementary, so I would like to recognize them here today. It gives me great pleasure that they have taken the time to drive over to Yellowknife. I just want to say, as well, to the students there that their names will be in Hansard, an historical document. Your names will be in Hansard for the next hundred or more years. I would like to welcome teachers Leanne Josie and Bernie Leader, chaperone Martina Isaiah, and the students: Fayth Sibbeston, Etanda Hardisty-Beaverho, Tamara Lennie, Grace Day, Charlene Brown, Stevie May Gargon-Lacasse, Abigail Pasqua-Matte, Tamara Deneyoua, Seneah Allen, Kylan Antoine, Jeremy Larter, Marie Anderson and Kyra Sanguez. I’m glad you made it here today. Welcome.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very proud as the Member for Hay River South to have had two constituents from the Hay River South riding who are inducted into the Education Hall of Fame today. Doris Camsell, who has been a big contributor to traditional language and culture for her First Nation that she comes from in Fort Providence. She has been a wonderful asset in Hay River in the education field, and I would like to recognize her husband, Doug, who is also with her

today. He is also a well-known mariner in the Northwest Territories.

I would also like to recognize Bruce Green, who taught high school for many, many years. He is the father of the famous Brendan Green – I had to mention that – and Bruce’s wife, Marilyn, who is also here today, who is Brendan Green’s mother. Mr. Green was well known for his science teaching at Diamond Jenness Secondary School and had a particularly outstanding knowledge of mushrooms. I am sure he is watching this morel mushroom harvest, this rush we are having in the Northwest Territories, very closely. Welcome to the House and congratulations on a well-deserved recognition today.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Bromley.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d also like to recognize members of George Braden’s family here today. George was a couple years ahead of me in school. I appreciated the Premier’s tribute to George today. I know the family did too. George was a couple years ahead of me, but he always seemed miles ahead of me in terms of leadership. He was a very thoughtful guy and always far ahead of us. So, recognition to Carmen Braden, his niece, and Eli Purchase and Andrew Robinson, who are with us today, and my heart goes out to the whole family, of course.

I’d also like to recognize other constituents, particularly and joyfully there’s a great energy in the House today with all these young folks and the Education Hall of Famers. There’s a couple of Weledeh residents in particular. Congratulations to everybody, but Lea Lamoureux for her attendance initiatives out at Kaw Tay Whee School in Detah, and of course Reanna Erasmus for her amazing decades of dedication to early childhood and inclusive education. So, a real tip of the hat to those constituents.

I’d also not like to forget about our Pages today. They always do such great service for us. I know Emma Willoughby here is from the Weledeh riding. So, welcome to our Pages. Mahsi.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Yakeleya.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to also recognize a couple of the recipients of the educational award. First to my sister-in-law Doris Camsell, congratulations, Doris. Behind every good woman is a real good man, so also to Doug Camsell. I’d like to recognize Doug, also, my brother-in-law, and also to Ted Blondin and Violet Camsell and to the other recipients of the award.

Also to the Braden family and my colleague at one time, Mr. Braden. Also, I’d like to welcome the young... I think I see my niece up there, Mahalia. |I’d like to welcome her and wish her well with the

Government of the Northwest Territories internship, and she’s one smart cookie.

I want to also recognize the young people in the gallery. I hope that one day you’re down here. Stay in school. Help us out here. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Moses.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize and acknowledge all our inductees into the Education Hall of Fame. I appreciate all the work you’ve done over the years in your position as an educator, as a volunteer, as a contributor to your community.

Ms. Marja Van Nieuwenhuyzen wasn’t able to join us today because she is in Holland attending her mother’s 90th birthday celebrations with her family

and friends. So, on her behalf, I’d just like to say thank you to the Department of Education, as well, for recognizing her. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Mr. Hawkins.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too, like others, would like to first acknowledge the Braden family and thank him for his individual contribution to the Legislature in its day and certainly to the path that all of us have enjoyed. He’s helped us along the way through his wisdom and guidance in his early years as our first Government Leader or, as we refer to them now, as Premier.

I wish we had more time today, but I’d like to recognize just a couple of the Education Hall of Fame winners here today. Dean MacInnis is a constituent of Yellowknife Centre and it’s quite fitting that he’s received the significant contribution to safe and caring environments for students. I know of his reputation at Sir John, and it’s certainly one of great esteem, not just with students but with his colleagues who work there. So, people do think very highly of the work, and it shows. He’s recently been made principal of the school, a school I happened to graduate from one or two years ago. More like 26, unfortunately, but that’s the truth.

Lastly, under the Education Hall of Fame folks, I do want to say a special hello to Reanna Erasmus, a lady who I truly cherish. Her vibrancy and excitement and passion for children is certainly infectious. She’s done wonders and amazing things with the Aboriginal Head Start and certainly her early childhood education, and I thank her for that.

Finally, I would like to note a deep personal hello and certainly a welcome to the children of Fort Simpson. I went to school there, and Mr. Menicoche talked about the old track in the old days. Well, I’m just a little bit older than you and I remember running on it in the old track and field days, and I hope one day you too will enjoy that

experience and have that memory of your own. Thank you very much.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Bouchard.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Robert Bouchard

Robert Bouchard Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a few Hay River residents who were distinguished Education Hall of Famers, as well, Ms. Camsell and Mr. Green. Mr. Green taught me Grade 10 biology and I didn’t have the stomach to go on dissecting frogs, but he’s also a wrestling coach. He helps out in the community quite a bit, and Mrs. Groenewegen talked about he’s involved in morel mushrooms now.

I’d also like to recognize Ted Blondin, an alumni from U of L who I went to school with. Thank you very much.