Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past weekend I attended the second NWT Wellness Conference at Sir John Franklin High School, and joined my colleagues, Ms. Bisaro and the Premier, for a tour there. While the Premier may not be known for his flexibility in this House, you should have seen him in the yoga workshop. I had no idea the human body could do things like that. But the Premier was not the only one who put a lot of effort into this event.
There were plenty of dedicated volunteers and sponsors from the local business community, non-government organizations, talented care providers, and motivated citizens who deserve a hearty thank you for their hard work and contributions, and I should give a tip of the hat to Weledeh businesspeople Leanne Tait and Tami Johnson of Tait Communications, Wayne Guy of Guy Architects, Matthew Grogono of Old Town Glassworks, and Johanna Tiemessen, who is program coordinator.
Twenty-six trade show exhibitors included a wide variety of wellness options, medical and naturopathic doctors, traditional and natural healers, varied massage therapists, hard of hearing support, life coaches and an estate planning lawyer, to name just a few.
Besides eight informative workshops, the trade show and live demonstrations, the conference included four panels: Bridging the Gap: Allopathic and Naturopathic Medicine; Stress and Mental Health in the Workplace; Demystifying Energy Healing; Wellness-Connecting Mind, Body, Soul and Spirit.
Finally, inspirational music therapist Jennifer Buchanan was the keynote speaker and a moving music collaboration led by Weledeh VIP Pat Braden ended the conference in style.
This conference would not have been possible without the help of their very dedicated, thrifty and hardworking steering committee: Simone Goudreau, recruitment coordinator; Della Green, Aboriginal component; Tami Johnson, as I mentioned, marketing; Rhonda Miller, workshop and panel coordinator; Paul Gillard, logistics; Johanna Tiemessen, program coordinator; Peggy Holroyd, volunteer coordinator; and Sylvie Francoeur, coordinator (Ayni Conceptions). I’d like you to join me in thanking all these good, hardworking folks.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Colleagues, today I would like to welcome and introduce a special group of international students that are here from Rotary International. They are joining us here in the House today from all over the world. Welcome to the Northwest Territories and welcome to Canada.
Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
