Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement is paying respect to the people who have passed away, and their families and friends, since the last sitting of this Assembly.
We lost a really important elder in our community of Tuktoyaktuk. Mr. Jimmy Komeak passed away April 2, 2010. Jimmy lost his parents at an early age and was raised by Peter Panaktalok. He married Jean and had seven children. He started with the RCMP in Cambridge Bay in 1941 and was a well-known reindeer herder in the Mackenzie Delta area. Jimmy will be sadly missed for his sense of humour and always teasing.
Out of Ulukhaktok we lost Mr. Philip Katoayak. He passed away February 14th. He was born to Simon and Effie Katoayak. Simon is now deceased. Philip lived in Ulukhaktok, his daughter in Gjoa Haven. Philip Katoayak loved spending time on the land and he’ll be sadly missed by his mom, Effie, and his sister, Hannah.
This last week we lost a real piece of history in the Beaufort-Delta, Ms. Bertha Allen, nee Moses. She was born in Old Crow in the Yukon to Caroline and Steven Moses. She was well-grounded in the Vuntut Gwitchin culture and traditions of her grandmother, and had great plans for her to do the work that honoured her. The strengths of the Vuntut Gwitchin upbringing allowed her to experience All Saints Anglican Residential School from 11 to 16 years of age, with a few negative impacts that allowed her to help students that were struggling within the system.
Her many accomplishments included forming the leading of the NWT Native Women’s Association, holding leadership positions in the NWT Status of Women Council and the Native Women’s Association of Canada. Bertha was also inspirational in improving the health and social services, through participation in various boards and agencies. She received the Governor General’s Award for commemoration of a Person’s Case in the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.
---Unanimous consent granted
After, she had received the Governor General’s Award for the Commissioner Volunteer Award, the highest level of national health and welfare of Canadian volunteer award and the National Aboriginal Achievement Award. She was named to the Order of Canada and her last accolade was when she accepted the Governor General’s medal. When she accepted these awards she brought acknowledgement to all women who helped her along the way. She is survived by her son Gerry Kisoun, Shirley Kisoun, Yvonne Camsell, Judy Mahoney, Dennis Allen and Donna Kisoun.
Last April 5th, Ronald Storr passed away in Aklavik. He was my uncle. He’s survived by his wife, my Auntie Marjorie; his son Ronald Storr Jr., and son Chris, and daughter Phyllis Kasook, and many grandchildren. Myself and Minister McLeod attended the funeral. It was a beautiful service and I put my uncle to rest.
To whoever lost family members these past few months, I pay my respects to you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Can I wait?
The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
