Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today with great sadness and a heavy heart to pay homage to one of our own. Our own Gwich’in boxer Jonathan Steven Andre. Jonathan was born to May and James Andre on March 30, 1980, in Teetlìt Zheh, which is Fort McPherson. His grandparents, John and Rachel Robert of Teetlìt Zheh and Anthony and Carol Andre of Tsiigehtchic.
Jonathan’s early life was one of turmoil and trouble. He had battled with drugs and alcohol, and with violence and anger. However, in the last decade, much to everyone’s surprise and happiness, Jonathan turned his life around.
In 2007 he left home to move to Yellowknife where he began training as a boxer. It was in Yellowknife where he met Andrea, the love of his life. Jonathan and Andrea later moved to Edmonton where he later joined the Cougar Boxing Club and where he had a great amateur career where he won 22 out of 29 fights, including back to back Alberta Provincial Junior Middleweight titles in 2008 and 2009.
Jonathan turned pro in October 2010 where he had a record of two wins, no losses, and where he was very competitive.
Jonathan was well known and respected for his work ethic and his quiet and respective demeanour. Mr. Speaker, it was apparent that he had high ambitions and was also highly regarded in the boxing community. If you met Jonathan, you’d know him to be a calm and reserved young man who was very considerate of whoever he met. While Jonathan was a gentleman outside the ring, he was also known as a fierce competitor as he took his training seriously.
Jonathan worked for the Edmonton Break and Clutch in which he was looking forward to returning home to Teetlìt Zheh, Fort McPherson, and to partake in the Midway Lake Music Festival. He was going to speak to the youth about how he turned his life around and how they can also do the same thing.
Mr. Speaker, he credits his family, his faith, and his girlfriend for helping him strengthen his life.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. On Sunday, June 26, 2011, Jonathan was struck and killed by a speeding car as he walked across 118th Avenue in Edmonton. Thirty-one years old, way too early for his time.
Jonathan was survived by his parents, James and May; his sister, Jayda; his nephew, Liam; his brother, Fraser; and his love, Andrea.
Jonathan was very proud of who he was and where he came from, proud to be Gwich’in, proud to be from Teetlìt Zheh. Jonathan Steven Andre was laid to rest in Teetlit Zheh on Sunday, July 2nd. He was our Gwich’in boxer and we are all so proud of him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
