Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The chapter of a strong Metis life was closed last week in Tulita, Mr. Speaker. A Metis man of the land, a gentle man with a loud voice, you knew when he was in the house. Also, Mr. Speaker, there are many honourable elders who have passed away in the Sahtu this year too. Mr. Speaker, with them we lay to rest their experience, their knowledge and their wisdom that make us proud to be Dene or Metis in the Sahtu region and in the North.
Mr. Speaker, in keeping with the passing of the elders, the ones who hold the sacred knowledge to speak with wisdom and live life as life should be lived, mostly they were happy, always smiling, Mr. Speaker. These elders lived the old way of life in these modern times today. They live with strong principles, walk with the old laws in hand and practice traditions that sustain them many times over. They have a spiritual connection to the land, Mr. Speaker. Only now we’re recognizing that special relationship that they had.
Mr. Speaker, I mentioned earlier, closing the chapter of a strong Metis life last week. Mr. Archie Lennie Sr. was laid to rest in Tulita last week, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Lennie was born on January 17, 1927, to Mr. Dan Lennie and Adele Lennie, on White Fish Lake. He was my mother’s oldest brother. He came from a family of 12. Mr. Archie Lennie Sr. was married to Jean Lennie, nee McLeod, and they had 10 children and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many foster children.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Lennie worked on many projects in the North. For example, the construction of roads on the highways, maintainer operator -- on especially Highway No. 8 -- he helped build Inuvik, and he was also a long-time DPW worker. Our elders knew the value of hard work, good work, and Mr. Lenny was such a man in the North here.
I offer, in closing, our prayers and thoughts to the family in their sorrow and loss and know that their losses are comforted by the prayers of many people in the Northwest Territories.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
