Date
May
28
2004
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Debates of May 28, 2004 (day 15)
Topics
Statements
Member’s Statement On Teaching Experiences In The North
Roger Allen
Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Being a Friday morning, I also had the privilege doing a job shadow/teaching experience at the Weledeh Catholic School on the afternoon of May 10th. Mr. Speaker, this was the most pleasurable experience I’ve had in many years. As you are aware, I have spent many years teaching youth across the Northwest Territories, both wilderness and survival skills. Mr. Speaker, what I did find out from sharing our stories is how do we know each other’s regions, communities and way of life, although we claim to be true northerners? Since this is a nice, Friday morning, I wanted to reflect back on the many, many stories I have listened to during the course of my lifetime from my own elders back home as I grew up in Aklavik and on to Inuvik.
In my reply to the opening address, I dedicated a sentence to those who were not indigenous to the North but came north to follow the immense opportunities that
are afforded to newcomers. Mr. Speaker, many Members here will not recognize the names, but it’s important to speak well of our elders who do tell stories of explorers, trappers, traders and those who immigrated to the east side of the Mackenzie Delta.
So to my friend, Buster McLeod, thank you for educating me on the important role of the now deceased who helped develop the history of our small region. The names he has given me are: Billy Phillips and Mrs. Leyland, Earl Mirander, Old Tom Throne, the Werville brothers, Pierre Tazzi, Lalu, Big Rock, Pierre Coyen from Loche Creek, Pascal Baptiste, Albert Ross, Adolf Koziak, Jim Harris, Jack Billips and the Norris family at east branch.
Mr. Speaker, the members of the pioneers of the east branch of the Mackenzie Delta bring back fond memories for those elders who remain with us today. On behalf of myself and those who participate, I would also like to thank both the teachers at Weledeh and St. Joe’s Catholic schools for inviting me to share the history of the Mackenzie Delta. I also look forward to going back on June 14th and 15th to teach more about the Mackenzie Delta and the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.