Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [translation] today the little girl, Doris and Daniel McQueen's little girl, Doris' granddaughter, Ava Lizotte, was remembered in a tribute December 9, 2016. It was just a few months ago that she was playing soccer [translation ends], running dogs with her dad, teasing her brother, kissing her mom goodbye before she went on a trip. Then she was gone.
The death of one so young, bright, and talented as Ava placed a heavy cloak of sadness on the families of Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories. Her full name was Ava Margaret Doris Lizotte. Her parents loved her name, meaning life and vitality, and decided to bless their child with this name. She was also named after her great grandmothers: on her mother's side, Margaret Bishop from Balcarres, Saskatchewan; and, on her father's side, Doris McQueen from Rocher River, Northwest Territories.
Ava was born August 6, 2005 and the joy of her parents, Courteney and Trevor Lizotte of Yellowknife, NWT. At the time, Courteney was a teacher at Kalemi Dene School in Ndilo and Trevor a correctional officer at Yellowknife Correctional Centre. Ava joined her older sister Sadie in a growing Lizotte family. The third child was born in 2009, a little boy, this time named Logan Lizotte, born May 18th. Trevor was so proud to have a son to join his sisters, Ava and Sadie, in completing the Lizotte family.
Ava lived an active life in Yellowknife, NWT, going to school first at NJ Macpherson Elementary, then Range Lake North School. This year, 2016-2017, was Ava's first year in the intensive French course with her 31 classmates making up two classes. She was a smart, savvy young girl, enhancing her education by learning a second language. As well, Ava excelled in arts and crafts, having a very assertive and unique style.
Dog mushing was in Ava's blood, carried down from her great grandfather, Danny McQueen, and her father, Trevor. Ava participated in shorter-distance races held during the Canadian Championship Dog Derby at carnival in Yellowknife. Her big northern family was proud of her when she zoomed over the finish line, taking first place in the four-dog class. Nothing could beat this little champion.
Ava was invincible, fearless, and a force to be reckoned with until one day she began complaining to her dad that she had a sore leg. She stayed home from school for two days, at which time her dad brought her to Stanton emergency ward. No sooner said than done, Ava was medevaced to Edmonton where she was treated by a team of expert pediatricians at the University of Alberta Stollery Children's Hospital. Sadly, she was diagnosed with a rare blood infection and died several days later. She was only 11 years old.
Please join me in this tribute to Ava Margaret Doris Lizotte, honouring her young life through continued story-telling, sharing memories that she has left us with. This beautiful little girl from Yellowknife is now a little angel, but she will be forever remembered. God bless Ava and her family and friends. Thank you.