Norman Yakeleya

Mr. Speaker, I make reference to my statement this afternoon. My question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services in regard to supporting the people in the Sahtu region in terms of dealing with many of their losses in November and December and just recently, a couple days ago, an elderly lady passed away in Fort Good Hope that the Sahtu people need to be acknowledged and, I guess, to recognize that we’re carving out our own territory. In many aspects of what we’re discussing this afternoon and that we have the resources to reinvest in our people here, we want to develop a model with...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to wish the House a happy New Year and say that I’m looking forward to working with the Cabinet on new initiatives for this year. Over the past couple of months, from early November to a couple of days ago, there were many deaths in the Sahtu region. This Christmas, there were Christmas cards, New Year’s cards and sympathy cards. In the Sahtu, we had many losses and communities were heavily impacted. I want to acknowledge the families because it was one death after another and families, grandparents and children were all impacted. It was just one after...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize an elder from the Sahtu: John Kenny. Also a leader from Fort Good Hope, Anthony Grandjambe from Sahtu and also my cousin Ernie Lennie up here, a former Olympic skier. Also elders in the gallery, aboriginal leaders, dignitaries and the lovely group of school children who sang O Canada. Mahsi cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know how long I've waited to say these few words.

---Laughter

I would like to congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, and also the Premier-elect and the Ministers. Congratulations to my fellow honourable MLAs in this Assembly.

I rise as a rookie MLA for my home region and the Sahtu constituency. However, I'm a veteran in northern politics. I am honoured to be here today. I thank my supporters in my campaign, the elders who gave me advice, my family and the residents of the Sahtu who voted for me to be their elected representative. I would also like to thank Stephen...

Thank you, honourable Members. This time, the first ones to benefit will be our people. We will not stand by and watch the benefits pass us by like the last time a pipeline passed through our land. We need to plan for these types of development such as the pipeline, hydro and upgrading our road systems.

I support the self-government initiatives that will be going on in our region and that people are striving for. We are just beginning to build the foundation of the Sahtu region that will see self-sufficiency through the efforts and the cooperation of claimants and community organizations.

Mr...