Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome everybody. Good morning. During my statements, I'm going to celebrate people who have contributed to our society, both in the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit regions of Nunakput and Inuvialuit. Today I'm going to commend Mr. Gerry Kisoun. I'm going to speak a few notes on Gerry right now. Gerry was born in the Mackenzie Delta during 1953. Gerry grew up as a trapper, like myself, and growing up on the trapline you realize the hardships of life and then you celebrate the rest. Gerry moved to Inuvik and Aklavik in 1956, today known as Inuvik, the East-3. Gerry attended Sir Alexander Mackenzie School and then attended Samuel Hearne Secondary School during his high school years. Gerry, in 1971, joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. After seeing service in Alberta and the Yukon, Gerry eventually worked back to the Northwest Territories in the RCMP and retired in 1996. After retiring from the RCMP, Gerry took a position with Parks Canada and the Western Arctic Field Unit working with visitor services, which today is known as the Parks Canada Western Arctic Field Unit, which he retired from in 2013. Today, Gerry guides with the tourism company called Tundra North Tours, guiding and sharing many great stories of the people of the Mackenzie Delta.
Gerry is from Inuvialuit and Gwich'in background. With his wife Rosa, Gerry has four children and five grandchildren. Gerry has been involved in many, many areas that pertain to our people. Gerry took part in northern games since his teenage years, and continues to do so today. Gerry volunteered many hours with our Muskrat Jamboree, northern games, and other activities in our region, including the Northern Dene Games Summit, which is going on its fourth year now in Inuvik. Gerry sits on a number of boards, which take a good portion of his time. Also, Gerry is a recipient of the RCMP Long Service Medal in Canada, the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, the Queen's Jubilee Medal and, most recently, the Polar Medal. During 2011, Gerry was appointed as the Deputy Commissioner of Northwest Territories and was reappointed to another three-year term in 2014. Today, I just want to commend Gerry and thank him for keeping the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit culture strong and respectful. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
