Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to honour the passing of an elder: Madeline Villeneuve from Fort Simpson. Madeline — best known as Madeleine, as she had been called all her life — was the oldest member of our community. She was 101 years old by church records. However, other elders and community members maintain she was far older than that. She was definitely the oldest one in our community and our region. She had lived a long and formidable life: from bows and arrows through to the moon landing, as it was said in her eulogy. This is significant, Mr. Speaker, because I read recently that the oldest person in the world is only 105 or 107, and she was up there.
She contributed greatly to our community. She had a large family. She had 43 grandchildren, 90 great-grandchildren and 28 great-great-grandchildren. I am proud to say that my children and grandchild are counted among them through their mother, Connie Villeneuve.
I just wanted to honour her today here in the Legislature, Mr. Speaker, and as well to say: Madeleine, you have done a great job with all of your children, and I wish you peaceful rest as you have taken leave from us. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
