Debates of June 6, 2006 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in our communities down the Northwest Territories there are people in the communities and regions that are well known, that you remember from time to time either coming up and speaking to you personally, or coming to a regional meeting and giving their opinions, or trying to get something going in the communities for their special interest groups, or you see them in talent shows, or drum dances, or hand games, or any kind of community feasts. These people have a special talent or special gift that you remember that has a special place in your heart as an MLA in your constituency. Sometimes they bother you; you know, quite often in terms of phone calls. You work with them on some of the issues here and they’re pretty persistent and dedicated to the role and to the people that they serve. They are always very creative in their decision-making or trying to get things going for their people.

Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, I was informed that the people in Fort Good Hope and the Sahtu region lost one of these good people in our community. Mr. Bruno Ritias, also known as Sir Bruno, passed away last night in Fort Good Hope of health complications, as I understand, but I’m not going to go into any details. Anyhow, Mr. Ritias was a good member of the community of Fort Good Hope and he was also a good entertainer. He provided a lot of comedy and laughter in the people and in our region. We will surely notice his absence when we go into Fort Good Hope or the Sahtu for regional meetings that he’s not there.

Mr. Ritias is well known to the Sahtu people involved in community functions. Bruno was the guy who had a lot of expertise in communication. He put the radio station on the air and had a hell of a lot of creative ideas. Mr. Ritias was also disabled. But that didn’t stop him. It’s a tribute that yesterday was the last day of the Council of Disabled that we honour him today in Fort Good Hope and the Sahtu region in terms of where his heart went and the hard work that he did for his people. The people in Fort Good Hope will surely miss someone important. I wanted to say that in the Leg, that our hearts and our prayers are with him and his family. Thank you.

---Applause