Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Irene (nee) Bertrand was born April 9, 1955, on the Liard River in a boat while travelling on the way to the old Fort Liard Health Centre. Irene was raised by her parents Gabriel and Verna with help from her Grandma Selena and Grandpa Michael Bertrand. They lived about a mile above the BC border on the Liard River. The majority of her upbringing was with her Grandma Selena until she passed away. As Irene grew older, she was sent to residential school in Fort Simpson. She stayed at Lapointe Hall and attended Thomas Simpson School. Later, she was sent to Yellowknife where she stayed in Akaitcho Hall and attend Sir John Franklin High School.
In 1974, she met and married Angus McLeod in Fort Liard. This is where they began their own additions to the Bertrand and McLeod family. They started with their beautiful daughter Lisa and added two handsome sons, William and Clinton.
Irene's favorite season was the fall time. It was the time when the family came together to go moose hunting and spending time together. As well, her husband would bring a friend or two to go with them to help with the hunting. Irene loved her family and took the time to be with them. They would travel by boat on the rivers of the Nahanni, Petitot, Liard, Beaver, Scatter, Crow, Toad, Fort Nelson, and Cooper River.
As the children grew older, Angus built a main camp at Whissels Landing. There, they would do their fall hunt and where Angus taught the boys survival skills and how to hunt. Over the years, Irene had become skilled at making dry meat and her dry meat was in high demand. There was never a dull moment for Irene. There was always something that had to be done and worked on or sorted out.
Mr. Speaker, Irene received the Wise Woman Award for the NWT. Like the river, Irene's life flowed in and out of people's lives. Along the way, Irene made many lasting friendships. She was an amazing friend. Irene was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandma, greatgrandma, auntie and greatauntie. I had the pleasure of knowing her personally and had great conversations with her.
Mr. Speaker, Irene had many talents and there is a list attached to this statement that I wish to have been deemed as read.
Mr. Speaker, Irene passed away on February 5th. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her, especially her beloved husband Angus, her sons, and their family. Rest in peace, Irene.
Among other skills Irene acquired was photography (taking portraits of elders; she had a collection in a photo album) croqueting baby blankets for newborns, and she was a patient teacher as well. There were other talents that Irene shared with the community such as:
Interpreting, administration and medical travel for the Health Centre for about 40 years.
She served as the Justice of the Peace.
She was Acho Dene Koe First Nations councillor.
Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and community at this time.
