Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For thousands of years the people of the Sahtu have relied on the land to sustain us and our elders to guide us. Mr. Speaker, with those resources, it’s hard to keep the good people down, even with the challenges the residents face today. Just look at the issue in Norman Wells.
However, today I am pleased to talk about the projects that the Sahtu residents are involved in to address the high cost of living and improve their way of life. The Sahtu has become the potato capital of the Northwest Territories. Last year more than 10,000 pounds of spuds were grown locally and sold throughout the region. But it’s just not potatoes, Mr. Speaker. Gerry and Monica Loomis are the proud owners of Produce North. The Norman Wells business grew over 24,000 plants and vegetables last summer. This year they’re doubling the size of their greenhouse operation, which will make them one of the largest retail businesses of plants and vegetables in the Northwest Territories.
I think as well as the potato capital, Norman Wells is also known as the tomato capital. I am pleased that all five of the Sahtu communities now have greenhouses. Residents are becoming more sustainable by growing their own foods which will help them bring down the cost of living. One example of a successful greenhouse operation is the greenhouse in Deline operated by Verna Firth. Last summer all kinds of vegetables and plants were grown in this greenhouse, and the local hotel benefited from the locally grown lettuce during the summer months.
Another feather into the cap of the Sahtu is the news that some of the Deline residents are planning to raise free-range chickens and turkeys. Deline will soon be famous for more than the birthplace of ice hockey in Canada as those free-range chickens can show up on our dinner plates around the Sahtu and maybe even on our plates here.
Mr. Speaker, the Sahtu region is not only known for producing delicious vegetables, tourism, fishing and big-game hunting attract people in our region every year. A local hunter recently became famous for bagging the largest muskox rack. Just last fall a visiting hunter took the largest ever Woodland caribou rack in the Mackenzie Mountains, and recently a world record trout was caught in Great Bear Lake.
Mr. Yakeleya, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, honourable colleagues. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts from all over come to the Sahtu, come to experience some of the finest whitewaters in North America. In addition to our rivers, Mr. Speaker, our trails have also become famous within the hiking circles. Last summer, through a partnership between ITI and the Tulita Land Corporation, a beautiful hiking trail from the Mackenzie River to the top of Yamoria on the top of Bear Rock was developed. The trail offers the finest view of the Mackenzie of all NWT traditional trails around Fort Good Hope that have been reopened, which allowed young Aboriginal youth the opportunity to enjoy the history and culture of the K’asho Got’ine. Colville Lake has the rights to boast Bern Will Brown paintings. Mr. Speaker, the Canol Trail is also known for its hiking extreme enthusiasts who hike this trail.
Mr. Speaker, this July myself and the Minister of ITI will be attending the opening of the Norman Wells Float Base and Aviation Museum. Mr. Speaker, the spirit of entrepreneurialship is alive and well in the Sahtu. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
