Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to take a moment to reflect on all the constituents who passed away in Nunakput since our last sitting.
Mr. Speaker, Matthew Steen was born January 25, 1993. He passed away July 1, 2011. He was the son of John and Joanne Steen, and brother to Shelby, John, Brandon, Julia, and Luke. To all the family and friends and the community members, I wish to express our deepest sympathy and condolences in respect to losing a youth so young in the community is especially hard. I know Matthew will be remembered not only in the community but also in the territory. Mr. Speaker, he was an awesome hockey player and he will be missed by the community of Tuk.
In the community of Ulukhaktok, Ida Kuneyuna passed away August 13th. She had two children: Mary Banksland and William Joss. She passed away with cancer. She will be sadly missed by the family and friends in the community of Ulukhaktok.
Mr. Speaker, Phillip Elanik was born February 14, 1978. He passed away August 10th. Mr. Speaker, he was the son of Sandra and Phillip Elanik, the brother to Janette, Shelley, Kendra, and Danny, husband to Lorraine Elanik, and the father of six children: Grace, Phillip, Elaine, Mathias, Nigel, and Mason. He was a hero to many in the community of Aklavik and I think all of the territory, because just before Christmas there was a house fire in his house and he saved all his children. At that time he severely burned himself, so he should be given some sort of award, I think, coming up in the next sitting. He was a well-respected drum dancer. He danced with all he had, and was truly an inspiration to many. He passed away from cancer, which he was recently diagnosed with. He wanted everybody to know that he and Jesus made it, he said.
Lastly, deeply saddened by the loss of our dear elder, Mary Ivic Ruben, Lil’ Nanuck. We will cherish the memories and all the times we spent together and the times I visited with her. She always had great stories to share. She was a good friend. Even when I was a young boy, we had memories of her coming to Tuk and spending time with my mom and dad in the community.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
She was always caring towards her family and the youth in the community. Ivic always had good advice and guidance. I will miss her for all the support she willingly gave. Although it’s a difficult time today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help and comfort the people and the family she left behind. May the loved ones always around her help to get through the days ahead. Mr. Speaker, we may not understand why she left us so soon or why we weren’t ready to say goodbye, but little by little we begin to remember not that she died, but she lived, and that the life gave us the memories so beautiful we would not forget.
Lastly, our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. May God bless you and keep you and the people of Paulatuk. Heartfelt sympathies going to the passing of Lil’ Nanuck. Our communities are small and everyone knows everyone, Mr. Speaker. In Nunakput we are a very close-knit community. One person deeply impacts us all.
I, lastly, wish to give condolences to all the people in the Northwest Territories who lost loved ones in the past few months. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
