Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. This is Education Week and I hear that Education, Culture and Employment is challenging residents to take part in the Thumbs Up contest to identify ways people can support the education system. Well, I have thumbs up for two Fort Simpson men who are doing a great job encouraging our students to think about their future. I am speaking about Bob Norwegian and Wilbert Antoine who are excellent role models. These two cousins have 75 years of trades experience. They left the North and made careers and now they have returned to Fort Simpson and want to make a difference and help our Aboriginal youth. They spend their spare time in the bush and maintain traditional values. It doesn’t seem like youth are hearing much about careers in oil and gas and mining industries. Who better to get students to listen to what opportunities are available than Bob Norwegian and Wilbert Antoine, who can show how the industries have affected their lives in a positive way.
They tell students about the thousands of types of jobs that are out there: employment as electricians, engineers, geologists, machinists, environmental technicians, management and many others.
A recent article in the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers publication highlighted what a good role model these men are. Bob Norwegian has been an electrician and instrumentation technician in the oil and gas industry working on gas plants, oil pipelines, jet turbines and he has designed and built microprocessors. He now operates Rabbit Skin Ventures with his wife in Fort Simpson. Wilbert Antoine has worked in coal mining and diamond mining and is presently the northern development officer for Canadian Zinc.
Both men are committed to helping kids understand how important education is and how preparing for a good job just doesn’t happen overnight. Tomorrow they will meet with Aurora College students in Fort Simpson to continue their great work and I wish them well.
They have told me that our grandfathers took every effort to do things on their own. They want to show the youth today, with their stories, that this is still true. When you have a dream, you can follow it.
Thumbs up to Wilbert Antoine and Bob Norwegian for their enthusiasm in encouraging our students to think about the long term and the future they can create for themselves. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
