Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in every meeting we, as leaders, stop to say a prayer for guidance in the work that we do on behalf of our constituents. The prayer that we pray at the opening of every session day asks that we have constant recognition for the dignity and aspirations of those whom we serve. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to elaborate on that prayer in relation to the pressing issue before us. We are taught to pray by beginning and entering with our thanksgiving and then making our requests known. Today I thank God for our country, for the hard-fought freedoms, the freedoms of expression, the freedoms of religion, the freedoms to demonstrate, all of these freedoms entrenched in our Canadian Constitution.
Today, I thank God for this marvellous Territory that we all call home, for the richness of the people, for the diversity of our cultures and for the remarkable resources of our land.
I thank God for the heritage of our First Nations who were the original people of our Territory, for their perseverance through the challenging times, for their wisdom in dealing with the ever-changing pressures on their way of life, and for their forgiveness when they suffered injustices and for their sharing of their knowledge when newcomers arrive and made the North their home as well.
I thank God for every leader at the community, regional or territorial level who has embarked on service with the best interest of their people at heart, that they would never lose sight of the honour and trust there is in being asked to lead. Whether that leadership is on a local school board, a member of a parent action committee, a community or band council member, a community justice committee, I trust that they will feel validated for their contribution in leadership.
For those who serve at the front lines of our programs and services to our people, I pray for strength, encouragement and supernatural wisdom. For the teacher who stands each day before a class of young minds with the desire to bestow knowledge, value and guidance, even when they feel alone or overwhelmed, I pray they will feel the support of their colleagues and this government and the network of leaders who oversee the education of our youth. For the nurse at the local health care facility as they deal with the stress brought on by illnesses or the trauma and grief from the loss of a loved one through accident, illness or suicide. For the councillor who puts their heart and their hand out to victims of abuse or those struggling with addictions, that they would celebrate the small victories and it would give them inspiration to carry on.
I pray for us as legislators at this level of government that we would serve with humility and respect, never losing sight of the dignity and aspirations of those whom we serve from the most vulnerable to the strongest, from the youngest to the oldest, from the most lowly of means to the most successful. I pray that nothing that we do or say would be an affront to those who desire to serve and be involved through their life’s work or through their volunteering.
I thank God that His ways are higher than our ways, that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and I pray that our leadership would demonstrate those values. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
