Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to pay tribute to a young Rhoni Morgan Beaulieu of Fort Resolution. Rhoni was born February 24, 1998, and passed away on August 15, 2014, at the tender age of 16. Rhoni died of smoke inhalation in a house fire.
Rhoni was raised in Fort Resolution by her grandparents Ronnie and Cecile Beaulieu, and she referred to them as mom and dad.
Rhoni had completed Grade 10 and would be going to Grade 11 this fall. She was very active in all kinds of sports from a very young age and was considered a great team player. She had many friends from all over the NWT and other provinces. Rhoni was not shy. She was very outgoing, spoke her mind and was not afraid to express her feelings and thoughts. She was culturally strong and enjoyed going on spring and fall hunts with her father, Ronnie. She enjoyed learning and speaking Chipewyan language and impressed me by speaking Chipewyan to me each time she saw me. She used to walk up to me and say…[English translation not provided.]…which means how are you, for me things are beautiful. The young and old in the community were deeply touched and very saddened by Rhoni’s passing.
Rhoni was predeceased by her aunties Dolly Beaulieu and Annie Lafferty; uncles Tinker Delorme, Roland, Harry and Bruce Beaulieu; grandfather John Beckwith; great-grandparents August Beaulieu and Louis “Mickey” Lafferty.
Rhoni is survived by her biological parents, Melanie Beaulieu and Dave Beckwith; her sister Rhonda Beaulieu; her brother Kelly Betsina; grandparents Ronnie and Cecile Beaulieu and Margaret Beckwith; great-grandmothers Lizzie Beaulieu and Virginia Lafferty.
My condolences go out to the late Rhoni Beaulieu's parents, sister, brother, grandparents and great-grandparents, many uncles, aunts and friends. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.
