Mr. Speaker, June 21 is a special day to all Northerners, aboriginal people in the NWT and across Canada. The Northwest Territories is the first jurisdiction in Canada to make June 21 a statutory holiday in recognition of National Aboriginal Day. It’s a day that’s there to recognize our First Nations peoples and the significant role they played in the history of Canada and the Northwest Territories and how the First Nations people of the land welcomed the newcomers to Canada and the Northwest Territories. The unique culture and history we have within the Northwest Territories is because of our First Nations people.
Mr. Speaker, June 21 is the day to celebrate not only the uniqueness of our First Nations people but the history and culture of the Northwest Territories and the role our First Nations people have played in developing the North into what it is today. We cannot lose sight of the culture, history and values of the First Nations people in everything we do, and the protection of our land, protection of our waters and also the protection of our languages.
With that, I wish everyone in the Northwest Territories to celebrate June 21 with the aboriginal people of the Northwest Territories in recognition of the contributions our First Nations people have made to the history and the uniqueness of the Northwest Territories. I wish everyone all the best for National Aboriginal Day. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.
