Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to would like to speak about a respected elder from Wrigley, Mr. Gabe Hardisty. Gabe Hardisty was born in the bush, just outside Wrigley, on September 21, 1945. He spent the first 13 years of his life with his parents learning his language and culture and traditional ways.
In 1959, at the age of 14, he went off to school for the first time in his life. He travelled up to Inuvik. In 1960, Mr. Hardisty went to Fort Simpson, where he spent the next four years of his life. He is very proud to say that he completed grade seven, and it has helped him throughout his life.
Mr. Speaker, in speaking with Mr. Hardisty, we talked about his love for hunting and trapping. In the wintertime, he would travel about 200 miles a week with his cousin David Horassi by dog team to check things out. It was an 80-mile trip into the mountain with three routes to choose from once there. One season, they trapped over 60 martins.
As for his hunting, it was about providing for his and the extended family. They would average about five moose a year. When we chatted about his dog team, he would say with a big smile it was the best thing about being outdoors, not like today with snowmobiles.
Mr. Hardisty met with the Iove of his life, Elsie. They had three daughter, three granddaughters, one grandson, and one great-granddaughter.
Ever since I have known Mr. Hardisty, he has been involved in the community and regional politics. It started in 1972, when he was elected to band council and later on became the chief. He is still passionate about the politics even now. He presently sits on the Elders Committee and on the Dehcho Business Development Board.
When asked what advice he would give to people wishing to get into politics, he would say get to know the people you are going to represent, know what the job is all about and what things need to be accomplished. This way, when you step into your role, you have a clear understanding of what needs to be done and what is your responsibility.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Hardisty for his continued commitment to the Nahendeh and the Deh Cho region and the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.