Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This afternoon I wish to mention to the Assembly that over the weekend, February 27th to March 3rd, a very memorable trip took place in Fort McPherson. Fourteen snowmobiles with 18 travelers left Fort McPherson to Curtain Mountain, which is about 170 miles into the Yukon from Fort McPherson, traditionally known as Moses Hill.
The late Chief Johnny D. Charlie travelled extensively in his early years back and forth to Old Crow, Yukon, where the Charlie and Tetlichi family originally came from. Later in his life, he travelled by snowmobile with the younger people, teaching them about the importance of tradition, showing them significant landmarks, and speaking to them about leadership and respecting the land and all it has to offer.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the group of travelers that went on the four-day voyage, breaking trail through the creeks, travelling through the overflow, climbing the LaChute Mountain and setting tents in the evening.
It’s a tough life living on the land, Mr. Speaker. The people of Fort McPherson make an effort each year to keep this trail open just to make sure the Vuntut Gwitchin people of Old Crow and the Tetlit Gwich’in people of Fort McPherson can see each other and spend family time together.
Traditional livelihood is special to all of us in the North. It’s a means of survival and the more we invest in cultural trips such as this, the more we are encouraging our youth to take pride in going on the land, hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Members for supporting our efforts on keeping our cultures alive. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Blake. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
