Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this time to express my deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Judy Lafferty who had passed away peacefully Sunday morning in Fort Good Hope. She was surrounded by her loved ones. Ms. Lafferty is well-known across the Northwest Territories for her exquisite, very well-detailed handcrafted art, sewing, and traditional practices, and delicately preparing flawless moose hide, providing tanning workshops throughout the Northwest Territories.

Ms. Lafferty's art is well-designed. Her moose hide jackets, slippers, bead work were bought across Canada and throughout the Northwest Territories. Attending fashion symposiums, and also displaying her talent in New Mexico where she shared her talent, her traditional knowledge, and language with the Navaho Nation. Ms. Lafferty is a national treasure. It is saddening, and it is a huge loss to the women of the arts for the Northwest Territories. Ms. Lafferty proudly displayed her unique designs representing the Northwest Territories at the recent Arctic Winter Games set up for arts and crafts in March of this year. Ms. Lafferty mentored several women, passing on her traditional knowledge and skills to empower Indigenous women throughout the Northwest Territories to rebuild their skills and provide the importance of guidance to empower each other.

With her kind heart and deep compassion for people and willingness to see the good in everyone, her passing will have a significant impact on our traditional arts and culture for the Northwest Territories. Today, I want to acknowledge Ms. Judy Lafferty's family, friends, and the community of Fort Good Hope, include my constituents of the Sahtu region, in her legacy, contributions through arts and crafts and leadership throughout the Northwest Territories. Thoughts and prayers are sent to the family. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.