Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. While there are many important looming issues in the North, I’d like to speak about the community of Fort Liard. They are having a graduation today. They are celebrating the achievements of four students who are graduating from the Echo-Dene School there: Ms. Camille Bertrand, Ms. Monica Berreault, Ms. Ivy-Lynn Marcellais, and I am especially pleased to acknowledge my nephew Mr. Trye Timbre, who is among those finishing high school this year.
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Thank you, colleagues. He’s a lucky man to be able to take not one but three young ladies to his grad.
Congratulations, graduates. You can truly be proud of your hard work and perseverance. That is what got them here today.
The theme for their grad this year is black and white, and it’s a good one. Black and white creates definition and impact, contrast and absolutes. The world relies on black and white. It makes the words stand out on a page and notes stand out on a sheet of music, and we know just how powerful those things, words and music, can be. Pianos have black and white keys. In combination, they also create harmony.
Every year our world, our territory and our communities become more complex. The decisions our graduates and their fellow students make will be more sophisticated than the ones made by previous generations. More and more we live in a world where so many people seem to have lost sight of what is right and wrong, but in traditional culture there were absolutes that helped our people live in harmony and respect with one another and with nature. I encourage our young people to look to the wisdom of the elders and spiritual leaders for help with the decisions they face as they venture out into the world.
In TV and photography, black and white images were the precursors of extraordinary things, things previous generations couldn’t even imagine. We all know it’s a challenge for our youth in our small communities to stay in school.
As the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Nahendeh, I would like to congratulate once again Camille, Monica, Ivy-Lynn and Trye and all graduates in my riding. I want to recognize the support of the families, school staff and all the volunteers that work in the school for encouraging our youth. They have what it takes to make a difference in this world. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
