Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to acknowledge a long-time Northerner who recently retired from flying 747s and 737s. Mr. Speaker, Cecil Hansen hails from Aklavik, and this Saturday a huge retirement celebration will be held in his honour in Aklavik.
The celebration will be in recognition of his service to his home community and for his service to Reindeer Air Services of Aklavik and also to recognize him for his years of service with Canadian North providing air transportation to the whole Northwest Territories.
Cecil Hansen was born and raised in Aklavik. He was one of 12 children born to the late Hans and Kathleen Hansen. Cecil attended local day school in Aklavik and then went off to high school in Inuvik and further south for more education in the field of flying.
Cecil studied and became the first Inuvialuit to gain his commercial pilot’s licence. Reindeer Services was one of his first jobs as pilot. He worked alongside Fred Carmichael, his long-time friend and mentor.
Not surprisingly, Cecil would become captain of the 747s flying in Australia. Upon his return to Canada, he started flying Canadian North’s 737s. I can only imagine how proud Cecil was upon his retirement. He retired his captain’s seat to his daughter Dawn, who continues to fly today for Canadian North, honouring her father’s air miles. Cecil has become a role model to his home community as well as the entire Beaufort-Delta region. Well done, Cecil. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Blake. Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
