This is page numbers 4731 - 4756 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 support. View the webstream of the day's session.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the things that being a Member of this Legislative Assembly has taught me is that I am an optimist; and honestly, I don't think I could do this job if I wasn't.

Just look at the state of our territory. Government labour relations are at an all-time low. The impending closure of all the diamond mines is going to do to Yellowknife what the fall of the oil and gas industry did to the communities up and down the valley. It is getting harder for small businesses to make it in the NWT, and they are increasingly becoming convinced that this government is just fine with that. Indigenous leaders from across the territory have told me that the relationship between Indigenous governments and the GNWT is at the lowest point that it has been in decades. Even the foundation of consensus government, the relationship between the 19 Members, is so weak that accountability has become a pipe dream.

If history tells us anything, it's that things never seem to change.

A while back, I was reading comments made in the House by Mrs. Jane Groenewegen. She was once again raising ongoing issues that she had been raising for years. Many are the same issues I continue to raise 10 years later.

I've just read a GNWT report from 1991, and if you had told me it was written this year, I would believe you because the challenges it identifies are indiscernible from the challenges we face today.

Going back even further, Mr. Speaker, I watched a CBC documentary from 1973 in which Nellie Cournoyea talked about the problems with the way government operates and how it is structured. Again, those comments ring true today.

So, Mr. Speaker, in light of all this, how do I stay optimistic? Well, it is because I have seen the future.

I have been lucky enough to travel to every region of the NWT, to regional centres, communities, and the capital, and what I have seen is a new generation of leaders emerging in every corner of this territory. Every generation is shaped by common events, and these emerging leaders see the word in a different light than the champions of the status quo. They are educated in western and traditional ways to a degree and in a manner that hasn't been seen before. They are not content with continuing business as usual. They would prefer to work together to achieve progress; not what they are told progress is supposed to be, but progress as they see it.

This groundswell of young, educated, capable future leaders is what keeps me optimistic in light of the mounting challenges this territory is facing, and I encourage them now, at the beginning of this sitting and at the beginning of this election year, to step up and begin to take the helm and help steer the NWT into the prosperous and equitable future that Northerners deserve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Eulogy for Flora Cli
Members' Statements

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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since the last sitting Nahendeh region experienced the loss of one of our beloved elders, Flora "Big Momma" Cli. She was born on April 3, 1943, to William and Mary Cli. She passed away on December 1, 2018, after a long battle with cancer.

Flora was one of 11 children. I had the pleasure of knowing Flora personally, had the opportunity to be invited into her home for some tea and snacks that she always had available. She was always busy doing things around the house. However, she loved to be in her cook house that Francis and Steven built for her. This was where she thrived. She enjoyed being outside, having bush tea, and making dried meat and fish. People were always welcome in her home. Once you walked into her house, you were considered her family.

Flora was very selfless, always ready and willing to help others, regardless of the time or situation.

Flora had two children, Cheryl Cli and Steven Jose, whom she loved and cherished deeply. People spoke about how "Big Momma" would speak about her children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild with so much pride and love. She raised them to be strong, independent, and hard-working individuals. She stressed to always be generous, loving, and caring for your family and friends. Those were strong values she held close to her heart. Flora loved and appreciated her extended family. She loved the opportunity to visit her sisters and brothers every time she came into Fort Simpson. Her nieces and nephews were a huge part of her life. She never wasted an opportunity to be with them.

When you talk to others about Flora, they loved the way she could tell a story about the past. She would get you hooked on every story, and before you know it, it was done. You were sad to hear it was finished, but you knew there was always going to be another great story she would share.

Flora will be dearly missed. We will miss her wisdom, humour, and caring attitude.

Flora was survived by her spouse Francis Betsaka, her one brother, two sisters, one daughter, one son, four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and -nieces. The Betsaka and Cli family would like to thank everyone for their loving support and prayers during their time of sorrow.

Mr. Speaker, Flora Seline Cli will be sadly missed and never forgotten.

Eulogy for Flora Cli
Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Our condolences to the family, as well, and to the community. Members' statements. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the visitors in the gallery. We have visitors in the gallery: Chief Eddie Sangris of Detah is here with us. I would like to thank him. We also have Chief Lloyd Chicot of Kakisa. He is here in the gallery. I would like to thank him for joining us.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

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

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Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.] I would like to recognize Chief Eddie Sangris, YK Dene First Nation. Thank you.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

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

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a couple people I would like to recognize. First, Ms. Kristine Vannebo-Suwala, the executive director of the Family Support Centre in Hay River. I want to welcome her here and thank her for all her hard work.

The second person I want to recognize is my beautiful girlfriend, Chantal Lafferty. I appreciate her coming out. This is the first time she has been to the House while I have been here, and she informed me that it might be the last. I'm not sure why, but that is what she said. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

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

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Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to take this opportunity to recognize Chief Sangris. We are, after all, on the Chief Drygeese traditional territory. I also want to take this opportunity to recognize Yellowknife North resident and president of Local 11, Frank Walsh. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
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Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent of Inuvik Twin Lakes, Ms. Donna Rogers. Welcome to the Assembly.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

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

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Chief Edward Sangris of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. And, of course, we are meeting on Chief Drygeese Territory. I have two constituents I would like to recognize, as well; Lyda Fuller, executive director of the YWCA, and Debby Rybchinski, who is the manager of Alison McAteer House. They are both here for meetings with the NWT Shelter Network this week. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

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

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Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take a moment to recognize the constituents of Range Lake, and excuse me if I say it wrong. I am trying for the fiftieth time: David Wasylciw.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Practice makes perfect. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Chief Sangris there, a strong supporter of my son Arnold and a mentor, and I think I heard Chief Chicot back there, so I would like to recognize him as well. Mahsi.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Thebacha constituent April Davies here with the NWT Shelter Network.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an interpreter here, Lillian Elias, who is also a relative. Ms. Lillian Elias is a true example of culture, pride, drum dance, and language across the Northwest Territories and around the world, Mr. Speaker. Also, as an elder, a very respectful role model to many women; not just women, but everybody she crosses paths with. I would just like to welcome Lillian and wish her a good week here in Yellowknife. Quyanainni for being here, Lillian. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to recognize a few people; Chief Lloyd Chicot from the K'aagee Tu First Nations, I see him in the gallery, and also, Chief Edward Sangris from Detah. Mahsi.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery, thanks for being here with us as part of our proceeding. Masi. Item 7, acknowledgements. Member for Range Lake.