Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our youth are our future, and we need to ensure that we hear what they are saying, because the decisions we make today will affect them when we are no longer here. We continue to hear from our youth, and we need to be mindful when making decisions that we represent them when we are here in this House. Although many of these youth cannot vote, they are looking to us to ensure that, as NWT residents, they are being heard and listened to. I will therefore read the Youth of the Beaufort-Delta Declaration on Climate Change, as well as table the document in this House today. Our Climate Our Arctic - Beaufort-Delta Declaration made on March 8, 2020.
As the youth of the Beaufort-Delta, we are one with the land, the water, and the animals. We stand up for what we believe is right and consider the future of our environment while trying to understand the past and carry forward and value the knowledge of our ancestors.
We recognize that climate change is a worldwide problem; however, the rate of change in the North is much more rapid. Our region is a preview of the effects of climate change. The climate crisis is affecting every aspect of who we are. Our communities need to be less economically driven and more environmentally driven. We can't escape our changing climate, but we can adapt. We don't control our environment, but we are a part of it. We need to ensure that we have effective resources in order to implement our ideas for change into action. We encourage collaboration with the intent of creating a sustainable future. We want to ensure that we as youth, and our future generations of youth, are able to maintain and expand our connection to, and respect for, the environment. We are trying to set a sustainable and well-cultured example. Our voices as youth are powerful and valuable, and we need to be heard.
Climate change is an overwhelming subject, and it's hard to fight the lack of hope. We will work toward our goals, even if they won't be achieved in our lifetime. We are resilient in the face of the challenges we encounter. And they were Maddysen Kingmiaqtuq, Helayna Cockney-Goose, Kata Kuhnert, Kyla Goose, Sienna Gordon, Davonna Kasook, Nicholas Cockney, Olivia Inglangaskuk, and Eriel Lugt. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.