Mr. Speaker, June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
We all need to take a moment and say thank you to those elders who have taught us, supported us and provided the wisdom that has guided our lives.
Many of us in this House owe a debt of gratitude to the elders in our communities that have helped guide us in our careers.
All residents need to stand up and say with one voice that any form of elder abuse is unacceptable. June 15th is a good day to take the time to do this officially, but we must be vigilant every day. Abuse of any kind, taking advantage of elders in any way or neglecting the needs of elders is unacceptable.
Elders shaped and built our communities in their younger years, raising their children and working to make the NWT what it is. Today elders continue to contribute to our communities by providing advice, wisdom, supporting a cause, sharing life experience, volunteering and participating in community activities.
When I travel to communities and meet with people, the elders in the meetings know the issues and offer positive solutions.
Mr. Speaker, we encourage our elders to make healthy choices so they can live independently at home. We should also encourage residents to report elder abuse and neglect. It is hard to imagine that up to 80 percent of elder abuse or neglect goes undetected. We owe it to our elders to protect them.
To show support for our elders and to let residents know elder abuse is unacceptable, I encourage people to wear purple in the House on June 14th to raise awareness for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
