Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Last year two of our elders and residents of Fort Resolution passed away and just recently the oldest resident of Tu Nedhe, Maurice Lockhart of Lutselk’e, passed away. Maurice Lockhart was born to Baptise and Louise Lockhart just after the first snowfall of winter in Lutselk’e. His true age was never verified but he was baptized in 1910. He was born at a time when there was no modern technology. They didn’t even have canvas, which is very valuable to hunters and trappers.
Mr. Speaker, life is sustained only by what Mother Earth provided, which were heat, caribou hides for clothing, and dog teams for travel, and hunting. Maurice spent most of his life on the land mainly near Timber Bay and Artillery Lake area.
Maurice survived the 1925 flu epidemic and did his part to help others through that difficult time. In 1935 he married Judith Casaway of Luselk’e and built a home on an island near the old Lutselk’e. All of his children were born out on the land. Alfred, Emerence and Joe were born at Tthaili, Felix was born near Lutselk’e and Tom was born in Rocher River.
Maurice lived a nomadic lifestyle, travelling with the seasons to hunt and trap in the vast area. He often took his wife, Judith, to visit her family at Nonacho Lake. Maurice is known as a spiritual man. People would tell him their problems and through his dreams he would help them. He prayed for his family members every day, as well as for the community of Lutselk’e. Maurice was well known for his public speaking at political and social gatherings.
Mr. Speaker, one of Maurice’s greatest passions was the love for music. He loved to imitate people in his fiddling and dancing, and the people of Lutselk’e enjoyed his imitating and loved him. Mr. Speaker, that was evident at his funeral, which I had the privilege to attend. There was both the traditional drum dancing, modern fiddling and square dancing. The whole community and many visiting guests took part in the last dance to remember and honour Maurice Lockhart.
Please join me in honouring this much respected elder in sending our condolences to the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
