Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to give my condolences to our cousins, family and friends who lost their loved ones in the Nahendeh riding over the summer and fall. In great sadness I want to say that it was a particularly difficult one for the communities as we lost a total of 11 this summer. I would like to note that nine were elders.
Most recently, Ms. Corinne Modeste from Fort Simpson passed away last week at the age of 81.
Bella Norwegian of Jean Marie River died on September 22nd at the age of 94. Ms. Norwegian had been a midwife and healer for many years. She was predeceased last May by her son Fred Norwegian.
Thomas Poitras died in Fort Simpson on the bank of the Mackenzie River. His friends called him Pork Chops. He leaves his widow, Dorothy Michel.
Recently retired from Renewable Resources, Mr. Isadore Lomen from Fort Liard fell overboard while pursuing a moose on the river. He loved the river and spent time with his family in a cabin.
Mr. Johnny Sassie was born at Bouvie Lake in 1953 and died of cancer in Fort Liard. He leaves behind his wife Corinne.
Mr. George Deneron, also of Fort Liard, was a calm and kind elder who followed a traditional lifestyle and was an advisor to the band.
Elder Rosie Horesay from Wrigley -- it was my favourite place to visit -- she never had ill will to anybody.
The oldest resident of Wrigley, Ms. Helen Ekanale, died of old age at the age of 95.
Willy Sake, another kind-hearted elder who was from Jean Marie River. He loved and stayed on the land until his passing.
Ms. Ina Bertrand of Fort Liard, a young woman who lost her struggle with cancer.
An elder, Mr. George Horassi, a snowshoe maker from Tulita who moved to Fort Simpson.
Also to Ms. Terry Remy-Sawyer, also known as Terry Norwegian, the mother of my constituency assistant, Ms. Pearl Norwegian.
Once again I offer my deepest sympathies and wishes of courage and strength to the families who lost their loved ones to deal with their losses.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
