Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to recognize nine outstanding individuals who will receive the Language Leader Awards. These awards are especially meaningful as each of the award winners are nominated and chosen by their peers from the communities and regions. We need to ensure the grassroots work being done by leaders such as the people we are recognizing today continues. These people don’t just talk about the importance of their languages; through their daily activities and lives, they demonstrate how important their language is.

I’m pleased to announce the 2003 Language Leader Awards:

For Chipewyan - the Deninu Kue Chipewyan Language Working Group for their work on a volunteer basis developing and promoting the Chipewyan language, including evening language classes, traditional sewing classes, a youth carnival and maintaining the Chipewyan Language Resource Centre.

For Cree - Mary Cardinal. Mary is a devoted individual teaching children in the Head Start aboriginal language program, parent’s language and craft classes, and performing translation work for the NWT Cree Language Program.

For Tlicho - David Gon. David has been a strong advocate promoting language through music, singing, writing, recording and performing in the Dogrib language. As well, David has been involved in many musical programs with students in the Dogrib region.

For French - Ann Marie Vigeant. Anyone who knows this dynamic lady knows that she is always eager to promote her language. Ann Marie has been vital in teaching after- school programs, adult French conversation classes, and organizing all francophone cultural activities in Fort Smith.

For South Slavey - Philip Constant. If you have ever listened to the local radio in Fort Providence, chances are you’ve heard Philip. He volunteers his time transcribing the stories of elders for learning materials and assisting elders to understand and interpret local issues important to them.

For North Slavey - Lucy Jackson. Lucy has been very active in her community of Fort Good Hope translating for workshops, organizations and corporations in the area. She is very active on the local radio station scene and uses her language in her capacity as a community leader.

For Gwich’in - Ann Firth-Jones. Ann has been instructing Gwich’in on her own time and has made sure that everyone in her place of work is learning a Gwich’in word of the day. As well, she’s an active contributor to the Gwich’in newsletter in Fort McPherson and has ensured that the traditional crafts and community events have thrived in her home community of Fort Smith.

For Innuinaqtun - the Holman Sing-along Group. This traditional group has kept their language alive through sharing their songs in Innuinaqtun, including translating hymns and singing traditional songs throughout their communities for special occasions and in times of hardship.

For Inuvialuktun - Mary Tatti. Working as a resource person for language officers at the Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Centre in Inuvik, Mary has also been instrumental in working on the original dictionaries and subsequent updates. She uses and encourages others to use their language on a daily basis.

Mr. Speaker, through the work of these individuals and people just like them in each and every community of the Northwest Territories, we will ensure that all our languages not only survive, but thrive. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

----Applause