Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi. [Translation] Thank you for allowing me to give this message in the Tlicho language. I have a lot of respect for many elders and Behchoko residents that I have met in my years as a pharmacist, so I have made a promise to myself that I would learn to speak some Tlicho during my term of being an MLA.
It is important that during Aboriginal Language Month we need to promote and use our language every day at home, in the community and at work. We need to celebrate our languages. We need to always encourage people to learn about them and to use them. Our children need to see us using our languages in our home, in our drum dancing, during play and during storytelling.
I know that the Tlicho language is very strong and many speak it in the Northwest Territories, but Aboriginal language use is on the decline. We have five Aboriginal languages to date that we have less than 500 residents who can speak it. I am very fearful that in the future these five Aboriginal languages and their cultures could one day not be here. This would be a sad day for the North.
Thank you for letting me speak your beautiful language and join me in celebrating Aboriginal Languages Month. [Translation ends]
Thank you for their help, and thank you for allowing me to celebrate Aboriginal Languages Month in my own special way. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.
