I, too, on behalf of myself personally, my family, the people of Weledeh and the people of the Northwest Territories, want to express my condolences to the families and colleagues across Canada to the officers who were killed on duty. I want, Mr. Speaker, though to go beyond that and make a statement on something because I think it is important. These officers want us to carry on with the good things that go on in this world and make it a better place to live and to be.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this occasion to switch a little bit here and say that I want to wish a person a happy birthday on her 90th birthday. Mrs. Mary Kendi from Aklavik is celebrating her 90th birthday today.

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I want to take time to admire Mrs. Kendi for her commitment to her family, her community and her culture. Mary has proven herself over and over again, with her kind generosity to many visitors to Aklavik. She has made many people feel welcome to her home and has never been afraid to show her true identity. In fact, I could say, Mr. Speaker, that Mrs. Kendi is someone, even at her age, who attended practically all, if not every meeting that I have ever been at, she has been there and she is certainly ready to speak on behalf of her community.

Mrs. Kendi has been called upon, from time to time over the past few decades, to identify works of clothing from the Gwich’in heritage and many museums and has been inspirational in keeping our traditional languages alive. Her contribution to the Gwich’in culture has benefited all of us in the Territories. I want to take this time to wish Mary Kendi a very happy 90th birthday and to thank her for all that she has done for those around her and also to wish her good health and happiness. Mahsi cho.

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