Masi, Mr. Speaker. It has been almost a year since all of the craziness of COVID began with us here in the Northwest Territories. While we have been largely unaffected by COVID in terms of actual numbers of COVID cases, there have been many hidden consequences resulting from this pandemic. The restrictions that were put in place to keep us safe from this disease also keep us apart in many other ways. We have seen the impact of this: rise in addictions, mental health, and social services.

In the past four months, my family and I have lost five significant people in our lives. In November 2020, I lost my youngest brother, Troy. It was the most difficult time; it still continues to this day. This past week, we lost my auntie, Therese from Whati. Therese was a second mother to me since my mother passed on in 2014. She took over the role. She was the matriarch for our family, our strength, our rock. Therese was the epitome of a Dene woman, a woman of such great strength, resilience, a traditional woman, a spiritual woman, a woman who loved all unconditionally. If she was here with us today, my auntie would be the one supporting all of us, holding us together in our grief through the most difficult times. She would be standing behind me, holding my hand right now.

Mr. Speaker, this is a very difficult time to stand here before you to talk about the most influential person of all times. Our hearts are broken yet again, and we are asking the public, the Members, for their continuous prayers and support through these difficult times. Masi, Mr. Speaker.