Debates of March 30, 2004 (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my Member’s statement is on the Gameti spiritual healing workshop. During our visit to the Sahtu region early in February, Mr. Henry Zoe and myself had the opportunity to speak with the Deline people who at that time were talking about a cultural exchange trip on the land to Gameti. The Deline coordinator spoke on the Dene history, the passing down of knowledge to the younger generation and the essential movement to keep the traditions alive by embarking on this trip. By fundraising and seeking support from this government and other organizations, the trip to the Gameti spiritual healing workshop became a reality.

We were witness to the event yesterday at Gameti. That is what Minister Zoe promised to the people of Deline in early February at a public meeting. He told them he would invite the Sahtu MLA and he would meet them when they arrived in Gameti. True to his word, he kept this promise. Eighty people from Deline arrived in Gameti yesterday. They were highly grateful and appreciated Minister Zoe. Mr. Speaker, I want to say mahsi cho to the Gameti organizers for their hard work, to the people of Gameti for the warm welcome and to Minister Zoe for helping make this happen. We counted over 30 skidoos arriving in Gameti. We saw at least 45 young people who had made the three-day trip to Gameti. Some of them were just 10 years old.

Mr. Speaker, we had important issues to deal with, with important changes coming our way and important decisions to make for the whole NWT. However, the most important actions we take are for our children. The looks on the children’s faces and the joy at having made this trip, Mr. Speaker, is the big picture we always talk about. Small steps taken by this government like supporting community initiatives like this have a big impact on our people. We need to see more of this. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause