This is page numbers 4521 - 4570 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was work.

Topics

Passing of Madeline Nelner
Members' Statements

Page 4528

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Madeline Nelner passed away on October 4, 2018. She was an amazing person. She was 91-year-old community member of Liidlii Kue, who was a pillar of wisdom and common sense.

Madeline was born at the confluence of the Willow and Mackenzie Rivers on April 19, 1927, to Paul and Marguerite Jose. Madeline has a twin sister, Celine Villeneuve, and a younger sister, Diane Edwards, still alive. She was predeceased by her parents, four sisters, two brothers, and a son.

Madeline was five years old when she went to residential school. After 10 years of residential school, Madeline was sent to Liidlii Kue to work with the nuns who ran the hospital. She worked there for three years before moving down south.

Mr. Speaker, Madeline was a beautiful woman who turned her future husband, Ivan Gerald Nelner's, head, and they soon began courting one another in 1963. After getting married, they started their family. They had two sons, Dennis and John. Unfortunately, John passed away two weeks after his birth.

Back in those days, homemakers would not buy clothes at the store. Madeline would buy patterns, fabric, and sew her own clothes and the family's.

The Nelner family moved to Liidlii Kue in the early '70s. After her husband passed away in 1981, Madeline worked at several jobs. She was a guard at the local police station, caretaking for the youth group home and the seniors' home. In those days, Madeline had the patience of Job. She was bound and determined to see her son graduate from high school, which meant she was going to be alone most of the school year. Dennis thanked his mom for her courage, strength, and determination to see him graduate.

Madeline enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and baking during her spare time. She liked to socialize and play cards, Rummoli, crib, and frustration rummy until all hours with her friends. She enjoyed reading and, most importantly, spending time with her two grandchildren. Madeline loved her grandchildren, Nicholas and Lydia, and her son, Dennis, and daughter-in-law, Trudy.

Madeline was well-grounded in her Catholic faith. She helped raise funds to replace the aging church. Madeline used her own residential school money to pay for the ingredients.

Madeline was amazing for 91 years old. She had an exceptional memory, excellent comprehension, could read and write like a 20-year-old, and had her own home, where she lived and cooked on her own.

Dennis had the privilege to live with his mom for the last five months of her life in Yellowknife. She told him she'd had a long life and, if the Lord came calling, she would not feel any sorrow. The pain and suffering is now over, and that's the main thing. Madeline was surrounded by her family and friends in her own home when she passed away. This is how she had described it. She would not have had it any other way. I would like to thank Madeline's niece, Susan, and her husband, Larry Pucka, for being here today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Passing of Madeline Nelner
Members' Statements

Page 4528

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Our condolences to the family and also to the community, as well. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have often spoken about the critical need for housing in my region. Today I would like to focus on one particular part of this very large issue, the need for transitional housing.

Mr. Speaker, historically, transitional housing has been focused in our larger communities through organizations like Inuvik Transition House or the YWCA here in Yellowknife, whose Rockhill Apartments were recently lost in a fire.

We have come to better understand, Mr. Speaker, that homelessness is not a problem limited to the regional centres. Residents themselves have made their voices heard, calling for more transitional housing with options spread across the territory.

The NWT Housing Corporation responded with the Northern Pathways to Housing program, a five-year partnership with three communities, to introduce new transitional housing units and fund ongoing caseworker support.

Mr. Speaker, the program is intended to help tackle homelessness in small communities specifically because, even though public housing is typically the norm, some residents are unable to access housing. They are being left out in the cold, sometimes literally.

Mr. Speaker, Northern Pathways to Housing is making significant headway on a serious problem but unfortunately is not enough. Nunakput communities are among those not included.

Although the funding agreement between the Government of Canada and Inuvialuit Regional Corporation will bring much-needed housing replacements for the region, that money is not going to result in additional units. Today, right now, we have current residents in need and prospective residents looking for options. This is an area that needs urgent attention. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4529

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to visitors in the gallery. I have the pleasure of recognizing Mrs. Maria Andrelita S. Austria, who is here with us today, Consul General of the Philippines. She is here on the occasion of her first official visit to the Northwest Territories, and she advised me that this will not be her last trip. She will make other trips coming to the North. Accompanying her is Ms. Arlene Magno, Consul from the Philippines consulate in Vancouver. Please join me in welcoming Ms. Austria and Ms. Magno to our Chamber this afternoon.

I would also like to recognize Ms. Elaine Keenan Bengts, the NWT Information and Privacy Commissioner, who is here with us today to witness the tabling of her annual report later on today. Masi for being here with us.

[Translation] we also have a guest, Donna Camsell from Behchoko. I would like to thank her, as well. [Translation ends] Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4529

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the recipients of the 2018 Minister's Culture and Heritage Circle this morning. For the youth award, we have Miss Alice Twa, and her parents attending, of Yellowknife, on her behalf, her parents, Erin O'Rourke and Cameron Twa. Thank you. Our individual award went to Tishna Marlowe of Lutselk'e. Our elder award went to Joanne Tetlichi, of Fort McPherson. The group award went to Old Town Community Association of Yellowknife, represented by Lisa Seagrave, Rosalind Mercredi, and Dave Kellett. Our Minister's Choice Award went to the Designated Gwich'in Organization of Fort McPherson, represented by Anita Koe, Ruby McDonald, Lenny McDonald, and Dean Charlie.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4529

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. I was too excited. I forgot to recognize Carmen Moore from my Protocol Office. Masi for being here with us. You're doing such a fantastic job. Masi. Recognition of visitors in gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4529

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to recognize Tishna Marlowe for receiving the Minister's Cultural and Heritage award. I'm sure Lutselk'e is very proud of Tishna. I had the pleasure of seeing one of her fashion shows, and they have the right to be proud.

I would also like to recognize Larry Purcka. Larry is a hardworking expert in highway construction, and was a major part of Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway. Thank you.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4529

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4529

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like recognize my constituents of Fort McPherson. We have Joanne Tetlichi, Dean Charlie, Anita Koe, Lenny and Ruby McDonald, Dennis Wright, and my constituency assistant Liz Wright. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4529

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member for Sahtu.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4529

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Mr. Larry Purcka and our two pages from Deline, Abigail Sewi and MacKenzie Menacho. Mahsi.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4529

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member for Yellowknife South.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4529

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to recognize two constituents of Yellowknife South, Susan and Larry Purcka. Welcome.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4529

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member for Yellowknife North.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4530

Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to recognize a few constituents in the gallery. I would like to start by recognizing the Privacy Commissioner, Elaine Keenan Bengts. I would also like to recognize Rosalind Mercredi, Lisa Seagrave, and who is that guy up there? Oh yes, that's Dave Kellett up there. Thank you for being here and welcome.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4530

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member for Great Slave.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4530

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize some constituents in the gallery today. Today with us are Cameron and Erin Twa, who are the proud parents of Alice Twa, who was recognized for the Minister's Cultural and Heritage Circle recipients earlier today. Also, Alice's proud grandfather Robert O'Rourke, who is with us today, and also with us in the gallery, a constituent in the Great Slave riding is Elaine Keenan Bengts. Welcome to the gallery.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4530

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member for Frame Lake.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4530

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to recognize a constituent as well, Lisa Seagrave, and congratulations on winning an award earlier today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4530

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member for Nahendeh.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4530

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement here, I talked about Madeline Nelner, and I would personally like to thank her niece Susan and her husband Larry Purcka for all the work they did with Madeline during her time here, and taking her home and making her feel loved. I'd like to thank you for doing that. As well, not too many times you get to recognize a couple of friends, Joanne Tetlichi and Liz Wright. Joanne's name wasn't that when I first met her, and it kind of ages me. They're still young and fresh there, but I would like to thank them for being here because they were friends of mine during school. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4530

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in gallery. If we have missed anyone in the gallery, welcome to our Chamber. It is always great to have an audience as part of our proceedings. Item 6, acknowledgments. Member for Nahendeh.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Nick and Karen Sibbeston married in Lloydminster, Alberta, on August 17, 1968, after meeting each other while studying Education at the University of Alberta. This year, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Nick noted that he grew up in the North, and Karen on a farm in the South, and that intercultural marriages are a phenomenon that is occurring more and more nowadays. Nick said that this is truly a great cultural experience; to give and take, and to learn from each other and your differences. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.