Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Passing of the constituents in my riding of Nunakput. Elizabeth Kuptana passed away. She was a respected elder, recognized, and she received an award for 20 years of service as an Inuvialuktun teacher. She also ran and coordinated many youth language camps, mainly during the summer, at Greens Island, a.k.a. Egg Island. She was a positive influence and advocate of her lifestyle and a traditional cultural leader.
Sadie Ruben passed away in December at a young age. Sadie was a very energetic and family-oriented person who, through her efforts to improve conditions for her family, moved several times from the community. On her final return home, her home was opened up to many people, including those who were struggling with a place to sleep. She took great care every day to make sure her elder father, Marcus Ruben, Sr., and her uncle David Ruben, the oldest residents, were fed and her personal care given, besides her housecleaning, to help the elders.
Our respect goes out today to the families who all lost loved ones in the Beaufort-Delta in the last few weeks, Mr. Speaker. We have a lot of people hurting, and we just have to keep moving forward and keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
The respect today that I have for former Speaker Paul Delorey, Mr. Speaker. He passed away in January. A former colleague of mine, a mentor. He always said that, when he was first elected, my uncle Vince Steen took him under his wing, and so, when I was elected, he thought he'd do the same for me, and he was a big part of my early career as an MLA in this House and sitting on the board of management. We did a lot of good things together, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Davida, and the family back in Hay River. I know you went to his funeral. I thank you for that, to represent us.
Also, while mentioning my uncle Vince, former MLA for Nunakput, today is the 14th anniversary of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with my auntie Betty and the family back home in Tuktoyaktuk, and thoughts and prayers to people who lost loved ones in our territory in the last few months. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.