Colleagues, allow me to draw your attention to the presence at the table of Mr. Anthony W. J. Whitford. As many of you know, Mr. Whitford has many roles: former Commissioner, former speaker, former Minister, former Member, former Sergeant-at-Arms, honorary clerk at the table, and member of the Order of NWT. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Whitford to the House this afternoon. It is always a pleasure when he is a visitor to this House. Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to recognize eight individuals who have made a strong and lasting impression on northern education, and were inducted into the Northwest Territories Education Hall of Fame today: Annie Felix from Tuktoyaktuk, Teresa Jaffray from Fort Simpson, Merril Dean from Yellowknife, Al McDonald from Yellowknife, Denise Bowen from Yellowknife, Chuck Lirette from Hay River, Shane Brewster from Inuvik, and Dave Roebuck from Yellowknife.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank and recognize their families and their guests. Many have travelled to be here today for supporting these individuals and all the work that they do and their education, and for making a lasting impression on Northerners, our students now and the ones that are in the future, touching many hearts and many minds along the way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. I, too, on behalf of the House, would like to congratulate all the Education Hall of Fame inductees. Welcome to our Chamber. It is always great to have an audience. Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome my constituent, Merril Dean who, as the Minister said, was inducted into the Education Hall of Fame today. Welcome and congratulations and, more importantly, thank you so much for all your contributions to the youth of the Northwest Territories. You and your efforts are truly appreciated. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity in celebration of Seniors' Month.

I would like to welcome some people to the Chamber: first up, Barb Hood with the NWT Seniors' Society, Joseph John Soderberg from the Yellowknife Seniors' Society, Merlyn Williams from the Yellowknife Seniors' Society, Joyce Williams, Gordon Graydon, Yvonne Quick from the Yellowknife Seniors' Society, two of my very favourite people in the whole world, Dick and Loretta Abernethy, Martha MacLellan from the Alzheimer's Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, and Annmarie Senhouse from the Alzheimer's Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Thank you all for being here in the gallery today, and happy Seniors' Month. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize the man of many hats but also a very humble and well-respected neighbour in the riding of Yellowknife North, Mr. Tony Whitford. I, too, want to recognize the many seniors who have come here today, and acknowledge that June is Seniors' Month. In particular, I want to recognize Barb Hood and the work that she does for the NWT Seniors' Society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and welcome.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife South.

Mr. Speaker, Al McDonald, my constituent from Yellowknife South, is here so that we may celebrate his induction into the Education Hall of Fame. Al McDonald has been teaching in the Northwest Territories for over 40 years. He is a coach, a past NWTTA president, president and vice president for the Canadian Teachers' Federation, and for the last many years, has been the vice principal at Sir John Franklin High School. He is an inspiration to his colleagues and students, and his impact on education in Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories cannot be understated. I want to thank Al McDonald and congratulate him on his induction in the Education Hall of Fame, and I hope we can get a golf game in soon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize two of the constituents from Range Lake who were also inducted into the Education Hall of Fame today. I will start with Mr. Dave Roebuck. Mr. Roebuck was inducted for his support, counsel, and guidance given to so many educators across the Northwest Territories within his role as executive director of the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association for the past 18 years. His dedication and service to northern educators is long-lasting. I hear today that he will be retiring and moving from the territories. It is a sincere loss to not only the territories, but to my riding, as well.

The next person I want to recognize is Miss Denise Bowen from Yellowknife, who was also inducted into the Education Hall of Fame today. Miss Bowen has established and supported numerous health and human service programs through Aurora College, including the highly successful four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. I also want to congratulate her on her weekend retirement, because now she has accepted a new position and will be remaining in the constituency of Range Lake. Congratulations to you both.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first I would like to welcome my constituent from Tuktoyaktuk, Mr. Angus Emaghok, as well as my "atic," which means my "namesake," Mr. Herbert Felix and his wife, Loretta Felix. Welcome to the inductees of the Education Hall of Fame, Mr. Shane Brewster and Mr. Chuck Lirette, who taught in Inuvik, and all of the inductees today. Finally, I would like to congratulate my constituent from Tuktoyaktuk, Annie Felix, who is also the vice principal of Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk.

Mr. Speaker, Miss Felix's strong relationship with her students, colleagues, and community has enhanced the knowledge and wellbeing of so many around her. Her commitment to culture inside and outside the classroom is an inspiration to all northern educators, Mr. Speaker. I just want to say thank you to Annie for the years of service and dedication to Inuvialuit at Mangilaluk School, and congratulate you on your induction to the Education Hall of Fame. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Terry Jaffray, or Teresa Jaffray, as I found out her real name was today, or yesterday, actually, and her husband Brian Jaffray, who both are constituents in my riding, as well as Mayada Echtay, who is one of my new constituents' assistant. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mr. Rami Kassem, the owner of Javaroma, who provides fantastic catering for our building here, and makes sure I can stay away from those committee meetings. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Merci, Monsieur le President. I, too, would like to recognize a constituent, Yvonne Quick, who is here on behalf of the Yellowknife Seniors' Society today. I also want to recognize her years of volunteer work on behalf of the Northern Frontier Visitors' Association. Merci, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mr. Chuck Lirette from Hay River, who was introduced into the Education Hall of Fame today. Mr. Lirette is a dedicated educator, and has always been an active part of his community. As Herb said, he has been in Inuvik and Hay River. His positive influence in helping students engage with science has made a lasting difference in their lives and in their school community. It is an honour to congratulate Mr. Lirette today and all of the inductees, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to use this opportunity to recognize Shane Brewster, who was inducted into the Education Hall of Fame. Mr. Brewster dedicated his entire teaching career to elementary education in Inuvik, first at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School -- we all remember where that was -- and then East Three Elementary School. Congratulations, Shane, on your well-deserved induction in the hall of fame. Also, sitting next to Shane is his very proud daughter, Jasmine. Welcome. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we are missing anyone in the gallery, welcome to our proceeding. It is always great to have an audience. Masi. Item 6, acknowledgments. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my constituent, Miss Bernice Hardisty-Isaiah, for receiving the Premier's Award for collaboration for implementation of the NWT cancer strategy. I've had the pleasure of working with Bernice in previous positions and I'm happy to see her hard work recognized. With a big heart and sympathetic spirit, she has always been dedicated to the entire well-being. On behalf of the region, I would like to express the pride we have in her for receiving this work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause