Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to start off this session with a good news story. Mr. Speaker, this year the hamlet of Aklavik is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
---Applause
Mr. Speaker, this is a great accomplishment, considering 100 years ago the Hudson Bay Company made a decision to establish a trading post in a location where Aklavik is today, which was built by the late Alexander Stewart.
Mr. Speaker, Aklavik has a great history. Becoming a trading post, a commerce for people in regards to the fur trade back in the early 1900s and then working its way to becoming a major regional centre for commerce from governments, programs and services by way of regional hospitals, education facilities for schools, and also the military played a major role in regards to the early centre, which was established in Aklavik.
Mr. Speaker, it was the main centre of government for the people in the Beaufort-Delta and also played a major role as a regional centre.
Mr. Speaker, Aklavik has a rich history of families that live there, and continue to live there today, and a place where the Mad Trapper remains.
More importantly, Mr. Speaker, the community has had a slogan for 50 years, when a decision was made by some bureaucrat in Ottawa to move the community of Aklavik to East Three, which is known today as Inuvik and celebrated its 50th anniversary a year ago. Again, they’re missing out on the big celebration, which is 100 years, which is Aklavik’s celebration and takes place this year.
Mr. Speaker, the people of Aklavik invite all residents of the Northwest Territories and elsewhere to celebrate with them. Over this year they are having carnivals, dances, bonspiels, the famous Pokiak Music Festival, consideration of the Northern Games taking place in Aklavik this year, the Gwich’in Assembly and also hosting canoe races, dog races and many special events over the year.
Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to send an invitation to all the residents of the Northwest Territories to mark on their calendar that they will make an attempt to celebrate with the people of Aklavik.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to send an invitation to all the residents of the Northwest Territories to mark on their calendar that they will make an attempt to visit the community of Aklavik and celebrate with them on their 100th anniversary; more importantly, to take the time to realize a part of the Northwest Territories which most people have never been to or have never had the opportunity. Mr. Speaker, the opportunity is now. Celebrate the 100th anniversary with the people of Aklavik. Mahsi cho.
