Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with great pleasure and honour that I acknowledge Lucy Simon as a 2020 Wise Woman for the Deh Cho region. I had the opportunity to be at her celebration at Fort Simpson this past weekend with her family, friends, and the regional leadership. I have known her for over 28-plus years. She is someone I call advisor, mentor, knowledge-keeper, supporter, and, more importantly, "Mom." She has opened her home to my family and me. She treats my children as her grandchildren, and for this, I am truly grateful. As well, I have had the privilege to have gloves and slippers made by her. Everyone has asked where they come from, and they comment on the amazing bead and fur work. One set of her slippers were made for my daughter's wedding, and I wear them in the House.

Lucy Simon was raised in Jean Marie River and is one of eight daughters in a family of 15. Her parents, Mary Louise and Jim Sanguez, saw many changes from living on the land to living in the settlement. Through it all, they were always emphasizing, maintaining, and preserving the history and culture of Jean Marie River through on-the-land practices and art. The time and patience that her mother took teaching her the art of sewing is a true testament of seeing Lucy's art. She is a very talented artist, known throughout the NWT and nationally, with some of her work displayed at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Her passion for creation started at a young age, when she was inspired by her elders and the land around her. Lucy created an extraordinary moose hair tufting called "The Voices of Our Elders," a project that was coordinated by the Open Sky Creative Society. She is very passionate about her creating traditional footwork, gloves, and takes pride in every detail of a finished product. Just as she learned from her mentors, she wants to pass on this creativity and knowledge to those who want to learn. Both her and her husband, Isildur (ph), raised a family of five and now enjoy the grandchildren. They teach them to speak and understand Dene Zhatie when they can and also the importance of education, just as her parents did at every opportunity and shared moment about these teachings of language and culture that her parents shared.

Lucy was employed with the Government of the Northwest Territories at the Deh Cho Health and Social Services division as community health worker for 25 years and continues to mentor those who work there. She is also the successful business manager of her own B and B for the past 18 years. Perhaps the best way to describe Lucy's thoughts are in her own words:

"When I walk through the bush, I see the beautiful northern roses and all the things around me that create pictures in my mind that I need to draw. The pictures I draw and create are interpretations of experience through colour and suit the beauty around me. When I dye moose hair, it is a few drops here and then that results in multicolours. This is where it is not just one colour but many shapes and patterns such as life."

Mr. Speaker, I wore a suit at her ceremony there, and today, I told her I would wear my suit again in the House today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.