Debates of February 6, 2006 (day 23)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honour one of our constituents in the Sahtu region from Tulita. Her name is Stella Bayha-Yallee. She has 25 years of service as a housing manager in Tulita. I wanted to say that to the House, that she is one of the longest-serving members of the local housing authorities in the Northwest Territories. In light of all the stress, heartaches and bellyaches, she hung in there and stayed with us. She is a valuable member to the community, but also, more importantly, a valuable member to the Housing Corporation in terms of changes that we are going through. I wanted to say that the true test of her commitment to her job and to her people and to hang in there for 25 years.

Stella was born in Deline and moved to Tulita. She was advised to take this job as a housing manager in the community. She was successful in getting the job in 1981. Then she began working as a manager. She had one maintenance staff and 35 units to take care of. Although she learned then on the job and got training, today Stella manages over 75 units and has five staff members. Stella is a very strong and caring individual and highly respected in the community and in the region. She is married to Rodnick Yallee and has three daughters and two grandchildren. She volunteers much of her work in the community of Tulita. On behalf of the Sahtu region, I would like to congratulate Stella for her dedication and for her commitment and dedication, mostly for her 25 years of being in the housing office as a manager for the people. Mahsi cho.

---Applause