Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in small northern communities, having each other is all we have, and helping each other in a time of need is essential. Mr. Speaker, [English translation not provided.] Case in point: at the beginning of the month, there was a family in Fort Providence who were at their fall fish camp, and they attempted to walk back to the community. After two days of walking and three quarters of the way into town, an elderly couple had to be rescued as nighttime temperatures dipped to minus seven.
Mr. Speaker, elders Antoine Canadien and Celine Lesage are both active traditional harvesters who fish in the falltime. They experienced mechanical issues with their outboard motor and decided to walk back to town.
After the second night of their walk back to town, the elders sent their two grandchildren for help. A search team was mobilized, with people on quads, boats, and a helicopter.
Mr. Speaker, fortunately, the elders were located and brought into town and to the health centre. Both are doing well and are grateful for their bush survival skills, which enabled them to survive without food or water during their walk back to town.
A special thanks to the following people; James Nadli, Eric Nadli, Ernest Nadli, and George Nadli, Sheldon Farcy, Cameron Sapp, Michael Vandell, Rick Lesage, Colin Malewski, Danny Beaulieu, and Edward Landry.
Mr. Speaker, elders Antoine Canadien and Celine Lesage are very thankful to the people who went out searching for them. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.