Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the loss of one's livelihood can be devastating to harvesters in the Northwest Territories, the impact of unforeseen events that severely damage a person's normal ability to work in many ways.

Mr. Speaker, the Hunters' and Trappers' Disaster Compensation Program is available in the event that a traditional harvester in the Northwest Territories suffers loss or damage to equipment or assets because of a natural disaster. The program is delivered by the Department of ENR through the Wildlife Division.

Harvesters who possess a general hunting licence or are land claim beneficiaries, actively engaged in harvesting activities that provide for at least 25 per cent of their annual income are eligible for up to $4,500 compensation under this program. ENR staff are available to assist harvesters in most communities across the Northwest Territories. They also travel to communities where there are no resident staff permanently placed.

Mr. Speaker, in recent years, forest fires have devastated millions of hectares of habitat. As global warming has greater and greater impacts on coastal areas in the Arctic, Inuvialuit harvesters may also experience losses due to natural events.

Mr. Speaker, the traditional economy continues to be an integral part of the our residents' livelihoods. The Hunters' and Trappers' Disaster Compensation Program is an example of how the Government of the Northwest Territories supports that. We must continue to support the icons of the North, who are the men and women who preserve our culture on the land of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today marks International Women's Day, and the theme this year is "Be bold for change." The Northwest Territories certainly has no shortage of bold women leaders who have made an indelible mark on our political landscape, from Lena Pederson, our first elected MLA in 1970, at a time when the territory was just beginning to form responsible government, to Ethel Blondin-Andrew, the first Indigenous woman elected to federal parliament in 1988 and later federal Cabinet Minister. In 1991, Nellie Cournoyea was appointed as the first female Premier of a territory and the second woman Premier in Canadian history. We have often made great strides in the continued effort towards gender equality, but, unfortunately, we still have a long way to go.

According to the 2016 census, over 21,000 people in the NWT, or half the population, Mr. Speaker, are women, although this House only has two sitting Members. That is only 10 per cent. We can and must do better.

Mr. Speaker, we have seen a number of strong women leaders, of course, but also behind the scenes. The people who are deputy ministers or chiefs of staff, our advisors, these are leaders, as well, and they deserve recognition, as well. My own mother was a chief of staff to a federal minister at one time and a constituency manager at other times. Everything I learned about politics, I learned from those experiences. I remember going to her office at lunch and watching CPAC, taking breaks from high school. Those experiences were very formative for me and shaped me, but all of that is about getting an appetite for politics, and grass-roots activism is a sure enough way to do that. So I challenge all Members of this House to get out and knock on doors and bring young women with you and women who are interested in running for office. Let them become your volunteers. Let them see what it takes to be an MLA. Give them the confidence and ask them to run because, Mr. Speaker, women's rights are everyone's rights, and we as men in this Assembly have just as much to gain by seeing more women represented in the next Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to my colleagues who made statements today recognizing International Women's Day. It is, of course, a day to reflect on the accomplishments of women and to gather strength to continue the work required to achieve women's equality.

Mr. Speaker, as you've heard from some others, a unique celebration took place in the House of Commons today. It marks the beginning of the right of women to vote in some jurisdictions 100 years ago. It also highlights the need to attract more women to political life. I'm talking about the initiative that we have here and is in Ottawa today called Daughters of the Vote.

This morning, one young woman from each of the 338 ridings in Canada took a seat in the House of Commons. It was a very inspiring sight to see every seat occupied by a woman, representing Canada in all its diversity. Olivia Villebrun from Fort Smith is there representing us. As Nelson Mandela, that great champion of equality once said, "It always seems impossible until it is done."

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that we here, at the Legislative Assembly, held our own NWT Daughters of the Vote workshop last month. Young women aged 17 to 23 joined us from communities around the NWT, from Tuktoyaktuk to Fort Smith. These young women heard the stories of women elected to a variety of roles, including city council and the school boards, as well as here, at the Legislative Assembly. We were joined by my colleague, the Minister for the Status of Women, along with former MLAs Jane Groenewegen and Sandy Lee. They talked about why they ran for office and what changes they wanted to make. As the Minister said that day, "The only one who limits us is ourselves." It is important to show these young women that, if we can get elected, they can, too. My hope is that some of them will come back in the future as MLAs for their ridings.

Mr. Speaker, we have nowhere to go except up in terms of equality of representation. There have only been 12 women MLAs in the whole history of this Legislative Assembly and no more than three at once. Our current legislature has the lowest proportion of woman members of any jurisdiction in Canada except Nunavut. At the federal level, a quarter of MPs are women, an all-time high. What I want to see and what I think we all want to see is equality. Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to finish my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, colleagues. Our task is to offer the women we know the support, mentorship, and encouragement to turn the dream of equality into reality. Let's celebrate International Women's Day with our determination to make that happen. Mahsi.

Masi. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Member's statement, I would like to welcome, from the Hay River Ranger Patrol, Master Corporal Rob Wilkins, Ranger Warren Gibb, Ranger Quentin Steinwand, and, as it is International Women's Day, I'd like to introduce and celebrate the two female rangers we have, Ranger Sheila Warren, who I'm told is the best marksman or markswoman in the Ranger patrol, as well as Ranger Linda Carter, who is, in addition to being Hay River's co-reigning citizen of the year, I am told is also the toughest Ranger.

I, too, would like to say welcome to our proceedings. It's always good to have visitors as part of our gathering here. Keep up the great work. Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the NWT Languages Board members and chairs and the Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board, in particular the two chairs, Beverly Amos and Dora Grandejambe; board members from the Sahtu, Mary Ann Vital and Theresa Etchinelle; and the rest of the women board members. Congratulations. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you. Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, colleagues, today I would like to recognize some hard-working and dedicated individuals from across the NWT who provide important advice and guidance to me as Minister responsible for Official Languages. These, of course, are the board members of the Official Languages Board and the Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board, as well as the Regional Aboriginal Language Coordinators, who are responsible for the implementation of their Aboriginal languages plans. I would like to recognize Official Languages Board Chair Beverly Amos, from my hometown of Inuvik, and Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board Chair Dora Grandejambe, from Norman Wells. They are joined by their board members and language coordinators, Bertha Catholique from Fort Resolution; Mary Ross from Fort McPherson; Emily Kudlak from Uluhaktok; Theresa Etchinelle from Tulita; Tammy Steinwand-Deschambeault from Behchoko; Jonas Landry from Fort Providence; Vance Sanderson, Fort Smith; Celine Zoe from Behchoko; Barbara Memogana from Inuvik; Robert Charlie from Inuvik; Mary Ann Vital from Deline; Violet Jumbo from Fort Simpson; as well as Monsieur Richard Letourneau. Accompanying them is our 2012 inductee to the Educational Hall of Fame, Ms. Angela James. These committed individuals are currently providing their knowledge, expertise, and guidance towards drafting and updating the NWT Aboriginal Languages Framework "A Shared Responsibility."

As well, Monsieur Letourneau is here from Inuvik, and he's assisting us in providing improved government services in French to our residents. As well, Rendez-Vous de la Francophonie des Territoires du Nord-Ouest and March 20th is International Day of La Francophonie, so I would like to wish all of our French and Aboriginal residents a happy month of language celebrations.

At this time, I'd also like to recognize Brad Firth, also known as "Caribou Legs," joining us in the House today, and, accompanying him, the five Rangers who provide an important service to us here in the North. One last one is one of our biggest fans of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Patrick Joss, who I'm sure is watching us here today. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker, and celebrate Aboriginal Languages Month. Mahsi cho.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in Gallery. Member for Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I'd like to recognize Ms. Angela James, who I consider a huge friend a role model of her own. Ms. James has dedicated her whole life to actually working with Indigenous children and communities to bring forward their strengths and their pride in their culture, and she is one woman who I have known most of my life and I totally respect and bow my head to. Thank you, Ms. James.

Masi. Member for Range Lake.

The other person I want to recognize in the House today is Mr. Brad Firth, commonly known as "Caribou Legs." Mr. Firth ran 7,400 kilometres across Canada to raise awareness for family violence and the problem of the missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. This is a huge feat, and to you I offer as well my sincere appreciation. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I won't be as long. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to welcome all the Official Languages and Aboriginal Languages Revitalization board members, and also, in particular, some constituents of mine and relatives from Ulukhaktok, Ms. Emily Kudlak and Ms. Barb Mamogana, and also Ms. Beverly Amos from Inuvik. I just want to say thank you for all the hard work you do in keeping our language strong.

Mr. Speaker, earlier on in this sitting I said, with all the language and culture of Indigenous groups so prevalent today through colonization, Mr. Speaker, there is a core that is unshakable. The women and men who work hard every day are the greatest contributors to our society, and I appreciate the work that they do today and looking forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mahsi, Monsieur le President. Today I have a page who is serving in the House, Simone Bruce-Cato from St. Patrick School, and she's a constituent of mine. I want to thank all the pages for the hard work in this session; it hasn't been easy, but much appreciated. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Violet Jumbo, a constituent of mine, to the Legislative Assembly. As well, Brad Firth, who I've had the pleasure of working with through my previous job and way back when during our hockey seasons up in Inuvik, so I welcome Brad to the Legislative Assembly. As well Ms. Linda Carter, who is a long-time family friend of my sister and the family, and I welcome her to the Legislative Assembly as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, wanted to recognize members of the Regional Aboriginal Languages Board, the chairs and plus the language coordinators from the region: Jonas Landry from Fort Providence, and also Violet Jumbo from Fort Simpson. Also, people who I know: Theresa Etchinelle from Tulita, as well as recognizing the Rangers and Mr. Brad Firth for his accomplishment. I understand he just came across Great Slave Lake and he ran that course. I would like to recognize him. Mahsi.