Thank you Mr. Speaker. Tomorrow is the first day of June, which also makes it the first day of Senior Citizens’ Month in the Northwest Territories. Senior Citizens’ Month is a time set aside for all of us to recognize and honour the seniors and elders in our communities. I'm sure each of us has had the occasion to be grateful and appreciative of an elder in our life, whether it's a lesson we were taught, a skill that was passed down, a language, or valued practice that was gifted to us. For each of us, our seniors and elders have offered us the gifts, knowledge, and values that make us who we are today. I know for myself my grandpa Jules Vanthuyne played a significant role in influencing the person I am today, and that's why I think it's important for each of us to take some time to offer our thanks and demonstrate our respect and appreciation for our seniors. Mr. Speaker, the whole month of June is seniors’ month, but two days are special. Tomorrow, June 1st, is Intergenerational Day. That's a day recognized across Canada to promote and celebrate relationships between older and younger generations. Those relationships create connections that allow learning, sharing, and appreciation between Canadians and Northerners of all ages, and help create healthy communities for members of all ages. Then in two weeks comes another important day to be recognized. The United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 66/127 designated June 15th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. That's the day that is set aside for the whole world to voice its opposition to elder abuse and the suffering that is sometimes inflicted on some of our older generations. This is an international day, but sadly, as we know, some of our own elders here in the NWT have faced this tragic situation. The lives lived by our elders created the foundation for the world in which we now live. Their legacy and gift to us is that we live in a free and prosperous country that some people call the best country in the world. I urge everyone in this Assembly and all residents of the Northwest Territories to take the opportunity during seniors’ month and always, quite frankly, to celebrate, respect, honour, and thank our elders for creating this world in which we are so lucky to live. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Deh Cho.
