Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I stand in the House to inform you that Jim Weaver, a former teacher of Fort Simpson, passed away on November 24, 2020. Jim was born on October 15, 1941. As a young teacher, Jim travelled North in 1966 with his wife, also a teacher, to Iqaluit and Pangnirtung, where they spent 10-plus years teaching. It was here he developed his love for the North while spending his time on the land hunting caribou, ptarmigan, and fishing char with the local residents. It wasn't long before he had his own snow machine and qamutit.
In 1978, he had the opportunity to bring his young family to Fort Simpson, where he would continue teaching for the remainder of his career. He enjoyed being part of the community and, most of all, the school, bringing elements of the land into his classroom, where his students would learn the biology of local fish and wildlife, including how to trap, skin, and clean them for subsistence. He was also known for his assortment of animals in his classroom and engaging teaching lessons, no matter the subject. He also had a passion about bringing his students onto the land, where they could learn through their own hands-on experience. His Dr. Kelly camps are remembered by many. Most importantly, his former students now span across the North, taking some of those powerful experiences with them.
After retiring, he stayed one more year so that he could enjoy a few more trips hunting and fishing on the beautiful Mackenzie River and not have to return home on a Sunday night for school the next day. Bringing home a moose was his greatest highlight. Finally, after 21 years in Fort Simpson, almost 30 in the Northwest Territories, in declining health, it was with much sadness he returned to his home town of Doaktown, New Brunswick.
His time in the North created experiences and memories he cherished deeply and will never be forgotten by his family, whom he shared them with. He leaves behind his wife, Joan; son, Kevin; and daughter, Sharon; and four grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by his friends and family, and he had a huge impact on our community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.