Debates of June 8, 2006 (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with this being the last day of session and the whole summer to look forward to, I would like to speak to events going on in all the communities. I would like to speak to a few of the events that are going to be held in Inuvik.

On June 14th, Mr. Speaker, the sixth annual Inuvik Petroleum Show will be held. It’s an opportunity for industry and the business community, government, aboriginal government to come together to discuss common issues. Last year, Mr. Speaker, there were 700 registered participants, 120 tradeshow booths, and over $2 million brought into the local economy. This reinforces Inuvik’s position as the oil and gas capital of the NWT.

On July 10th to the 14th, Mr. Speaker, an important event is going to be held in Inuvik and that’s the Beaufort-Delta Residential School Society will be holding a reunion in Inuvik and the idea for the reunion, Mr. Speaker, was the former residential students’ desire to create a forum where they could share their impacts of residential schools. This is a very important event. An invitation was extended to the Premier to come and speak, and I’m sure the society would be honoured if his schedule permits him to.

July 28th to August the 2nd the Gwich’in will be holding a large gathering in Inuvik, Mr. Speaker. This is a gathering of the Gwich’in from the NWT, Alaska and the Yukon. Many events will be held during the week and they’ll be having many discussions on common issues and I’m sure caribou will be one of them. This is an excellent opportunity, Mr. Speaker, for the Gwich’in to gather and meet old friends and hopefully make some new ones.

June 23rd in Inuvik the Samuel Hearne will be having their graduation and I congratulate all the grads and best of luck to their future.

Seeing this is our last day of session until October, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to wish my colleagues a safe and enjoyable summer. Thank you.

---Applause