Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have the great honour to speak about a soccer tournament that was recently held in Fort Simpson, May 12 to 14. It is called the Paul Stipdonk Memorial. This is the third year this tournament was held in his name and the fourth year since it was developed. It is in the honour of this individual for his very active involvement in the community, region, and the Territories. Many who have known this individual has known him as a coach, teacher, volunteer, or recently before he passed away, as a bus driver. I am lucky to say that I have known this man and his family since moving to Fort Simpson until the day he passed away. He is sadly missed, but I know that he would be greatly honoured to have this tournament named after him. As a friend of mine recently, this Saturday, Michael Botterman, as we were talking, three grumpy men wind up in heaven and two are on the ground, we talked, and he said it is great to see Paul up there, watching us, encouraging the kids, and saying what a great tournament this is.

This tournament is very unique in the Northwest Territories. It is about partnerships. It is about the Mackenzie Rec Association, Municipal and Community Affairs using the regional youth sporting events, Thomas Simpson School, the village of Fort Simpson, Bompas and their staff. Also, what is unique about this tournament is that they do not keep track of scores or results. It gives the youth an opportunity to participate and interact with other youths from across the region. It is about playing the sport, developing new skills, and most importantly, having fun. As well, what is unique about this is it is all co-ed. It is U6, U8, U10, U12. It is about girls and boys playing together, having fun and enjoying the sport. The other unique thing is it is about capacity. As everybody has heard, I have talked about capacity of youth, the importance of it. This program, this tournament, is all about youth capacity. It is about young people coaching, young people refereeing, and young people chaperoning with mentors. I would like to ask unanimous consent to finish my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you. It was actually February 12 to 14, not May. I got excited. The communities that were involved were Fort Res, Fort Providence, Behchoko, Fort Liard, and Fort Simpson. But I would be remiss not to recognize these young individuals who helped out: Jordanna Snider, Tyler Lafferty, Jade Tesou, Faith Sibbetson, Nathan Rabesca, Charlene Brown, Newmoon Buggins, Nathanial Tetsu, Emily Hardisty, Akesha Hardisty-Norwegian, Michelle Yendo, Kayra Sanguez, Sahaznay Waugh, Marshal Nahanni-Kwansey, Mikala McLeod, Chase Berreault, Taeresha Berreault, and Arlene Wright. These people are great, involved people that are involved in the community. I would like to thank them very much. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi. Members’ statements. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Members, I would like to draw your attention to those present in our Chamber and also in the gallery. First and foremost, it gives me great pleasure to recognize the Consul General of Korea, Mr. Kie Cheon Lee is here with us. Welcome. I would also like to recognize former Commissioner, former Speaker, former Minister, former Member, former Sergeant-at-Arms, honourary clerk, and honourary Captain, Royal Canadian Navy, Mr. Anthony J. Whitford. I would also like to recognize another former Member that is here with us today. Welcome, Lena Pederson, first woman Member of the Legislative Assembly. Mahsi for being here. Members, I would like to recognize Chief Ernest Betsina of the Yellowknives Dene First Nations.

If we have missed anyone in the gallery, I would like to welcome everyone for being here with us to witness our first opening of our 18th Legislative Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to recognize the following visitors in the gallery: Paul Rowley, De Beers' executive vice-president of global sightholder sales; Kevin Goodrem, De Beers vice-president of beneficiation, global sightholder sales; and Simon O'Brien, diamond integrity manager, De Beers Canada Incorporated.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister responsible for Seniors, I would like to recognize a couple of individuals in the gallery who represent different seniors' organizations here in the Northwest Territories: Ms. Barb Hood, who is the executive director of the NWT Seniors’ Society; Merlyn Williams, who is a member of the NWT Seniors’ Society; Stephen Jackson, who is the CEO of Avens; as well as Kim Doyle, the executive director of the Yellowknife Seniors’ Society. As a note, Ms. Hood and Mr. Williams and Mr. Jackson are also residents of the Great Slave riding, so welcome. I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize a friend, a passionate ambassador of the Northwest Territories and all people of the Northwest Territories, the first female Member of this Legislature, as well as a friend of mine, Ms. Lena Pederson. So great to see you again.

Mahsi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two members of the Wiilideh riding: Mr. Darrell Beaulieu, who was my official agent, and also Chief Ernest Betsina.

Mahsi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Chief Ernest Betsina, who I have had the pleasure of playing hockey with once in a while. I would also like to recognize Lyda Fuller, who is the executive director for the Yellowknife YWCA, and she is also a constituent, and any other Frame Lake residents that I can’t see that might be seated up there.

Mahsi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize David Wasylciw who has run for MLA a couple of times. He is an avid politician and an asset to have in our riding.

Mahsi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome Mr. William Greenland, a man of many talents and also my cousin.

---Laughter

Welcome to the House. I would also like to recognize Alyssa Carpenter who is doing studies here in Yellowknife. I do believe Geoff Ray and Sheena Tremblay from the NWT Recreation and Parks Association are here, who are just recent winners of the Arctic Inspiration Award as well as ambassadors to a great program, the Walk to Tuk Challenge. Welcome, everybody in the House today.

Mahsi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize today Ms. Lydia Bardak. She is a constituent in Yellowknife Centre and a tireless worker with the population of homeless people that I spoke about in my Member’s statement. I commend her for all the work that she does on behalf of those that need it, and I'd also like to introduce my partner and recognize my partner, Janice McKenna, and my mom, Ann Little.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a friend of mine, Blake Noksana asked me to recognize his daughter here in the House today, Laila Noksana, who is one of the Pages. Also, I'd like to thank all the Pages for helping us through our session.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Mr. Michaud, former mayor in Fort Simpson; now he's retired. As well, Alyssa Carpenter who's one of my soccer daughters, I welcome her, and a couple of former colleagues Geoff Ray and Sheena Tremblay, and as well, Ms. Doyle, my favourite soccer mom.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput.

Recognition of visitors from the gallery. Member for Hay River South, Mr. Schumann.