Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I have got a eulogy for the late Laura Sabourin. Laura Mary Sabourin worked at Deh Gah School in Fort Providence for more than 30 years. In that time, she wore many hats in education. For example, Laura was a school counsellor for a time. Laura's heart and passion was for her Indigenous language and culture. Laura was instrumental in the revitalization of Indigenous education at Deh Gah School, specializing in the revitalization of the Dene Zhatie language and the Dene culture within the school and the community of Fort Providence as a whole. Laura was devoted for passing the Indigenous language and culture that she cherished so dearly to future generations, and she did that in her role at Deh Gah over several decades. Laura was the student assistant in the grade 2 and 3 classroom at the time of her passing. At Deh Gah, there is an Indigenous language immersion program from junior kindergarten to grade 3. It used to be 100 percent immersion but in 2020, Deh Gah School and its community of Fort Providence decided that they wanted to try a 50 percent immersion program to see if doing so would place young students at a grade level in terms of their literacy and numeracy skills. Laura was there for that transition.
Laura Sabourin was a very kind and gentle Dene woman. She loved her students and colleagues with an open heart. She greeted everyone with a smile and a good morning, always calling those she met by name to personalize the greeting. She loved her family, her parents, brothers, sisters, children, and grandchildren. She also loved her land.
Laura would go on the land at every opportunity. In the summer, she would stay out on the land for indefinite periods of time. Laura could be seen daily walking along the riverbank of the Mackenzie with loved ones. Often, she walked with them towards the Snowshoe Cafe to enjoy time and coffee with her friends and family. In the warmer months, Laura walked each evening with her daughters Cynthia and Rosalie and her granddaughters Beliha and Tautoo. They would sit together on the banks of the Mackenzie and talk watching the sun set in the evening sky.
When she was walking with her family along the bank, she would tell her grandchildren various stories which they enjoyed very much. She liked telling stories about being out on the land or making bannock or bush medicine. Laura Sabourin was of this place; she was of this land. She spoke our language and valued our culture. She embodied what it means to be a beautiful and proud Dene.
She will be forever missed. We give thanks for the time that we had her with us, gently teaching the next generation about the language and the culture she loved so dearly. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.
