Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to advise this House that a ceremony was held today to celebrate the tremendous contributions that people across this territory have made to education.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment launched the Education Hall of Fame in 2010. We recognize that we all play an important role in supporting the education of our children and the Education Hall of Fame reflects the valuable contributions that people make as educators, volunteers, board members, administrators, and other community members.
In February 2011 we distributed advertisements requesting nominations be put forward for those Northerners who made lasting and selfless contributions to education. Nominations poured in from every region and seven people were chosen from across the territory. The 2011 inductees embody the commitment, diligence, creativity, and passion that we want education to inspire in us all.
Ms. Joanne Tetlichi from Fort McPherson is a custodian of 18 years at Chief Julius School and a coach. She takes great pride in her work and greets the students every morning, and opens her home to anyone in need of a safe place.
Mrs. Dorothy Beaulieu of Fort Resolution began her teaching career as a part-time classroom assistant in 1974, and over her 30 years as an educator she taught many subjects to all grades. After teaching Chipewyan for 22 years, Mrs. Beaulieu earned an Aboriginal Language Certificate and continued teaching Chipewyan until she retired.
Mrs. Ethel Blondin-Andrew of Tulita taught for 10 years across the Northwest Territories before moving to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment as a language specialist fluent in North Slavey. Ethel was involved in policy development for the preservation of Aboriginal languages and culture. In 1988 she became the first Aboriginal woman to be elected to the Parliament of Canada and appointed to the Privy Council and Cabinet. During her tenure as a Member of Parliament, she served as Secretary of State and then Minister of State for Children and Youth. Ethel now sits on the Aurora College Board of Governors and remains a tireless advocate for children in the North.
Mr. Ed Jeske began teaching at Sir John Franklin High School in 1958 and devoted his time and energy to his students both in the classroom, the heavy duty mechanics shop, and on the hockey ice. Even after retiring in 1989, he continued mentoring hundreds of youth on the ice as a hockey coach.
Ms. Lucy Lafferty spent her nearly 30 years in education as an educational assistant, teacher, principal, and director of education in the Tlicho region. She was instrumental in the implementation of many language and culture programs, including Community Teacher Education Program and Aboriginal Language and Culture Instructor Program. Ms. Lafferty continues supporting education today as the culture coordinator for the Tlicho Community Services Agency.
Ms. Margaret Field passionately provided students in Fort Providence with an education balanced with both academic and cultural knowledge for 41 years. With positions such as supervisor at LaPointe Hall, classroom assistant, teacher, and later as community adult educator, almost every child in the community learned her lessons in academics, culture and Slavey, and some returned as adults to continue their education with her.
Mr. Garth Brasseur came to Yellowknife in 1989 to teach at St. Patrick’s High School and has since taken on roles of teacher, friend, confidant, advocate, taskmaster, coach, counsellor, tutor, drug and alcohol counsellor, taxi driver, lawyer and parent. His unconventional methods forged trust with even the most at-risk students, relating to them at their level as he works to affect change and see them through to graduation.
Of these distinguished people, some are with us today in the gallery, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, today we stand on the shoulders of giants. Without the dedication and hard work of these people and people like them, education in the North would not be where it is today. Just as they built upon the foundation laid by the many people who came before them, we must continue to build upon their efforts for strong minds and a strong North.
Mr. Speaker, this is our second group of inductees into the Education Hall of Fame. They are truly impressive people who inspire thousands of us to do more, be better and believe in ourselves.
Healthy, educated people is one of the goals of this Assembly, and I hope all Members of this Assembly will join me in honouring the inductees in the Education Hall of Fame and thank them for dedicating their life’s work to the students of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
