Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to begin today, I want to acknowledge all the residents of K'atlodeeche First Nation, KFN, and Hay River, who had to evacuate their homes due to the wildfires over the last couple of weeks. On that same note, I want to thank all the leadership and staff at the territorial fire centre, the Department of Economic and Climate Change, and all personnel involved in keeping our communities safe with the wildfires.
I also want to recognize all elected leadership in and around Hay River and KFN, which includes both MLAs Rocky Simpson and Minister Simpson, Mayor Jameson, Rest Point First Nation Chief Cayen, Hay River Metis Council Government President Trevor Beck, as well as my friend and a very strong chief, April Martel.
Similarly, Mr. Speaker, I want to strongly encourage all Fort Smith residents and all South Slave residents to remain vigilant. The NWT and much of Canada is experiencing extremely dry conditions and will likely be all summer long. So people must be very cautious as they light any type of fire, even cigarette butts. People must safely dispose of those and don't forget the South Slave has the largest trees and the thickest forest in the NWT. So we must care for our lands, our children, and communities, and take precautions this summer.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the ongoing search efforts that had taken places in Fort Smith over the last two weeks in search of Frank Gruben. I want to recognize and thank the acting Salt River First Nation Chief Brad Laviolette who opened a search centre for Frank at the Salt River First Nation Conference Centre. I also want to recognize mayor Daniels and the officials at the Town of Fort Smith, and a thank you to the grand chief of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, Ken, for contributing funds to help in the search.
I also want to thank all volunteers who helped the search over the past two weeks, as well as the Minister of finance for granting approval of emergency leave for all Government of the Northwest Territories employees in Fort Smith to help with the search. And a thank you to the Minister of MACA for helping cover some of the costs of the search.
I also want to thank the offduty RCMP officer and his wife who had helped search almost every day, along with the staff of the Aurora College who have helped with the search of Frank Gruben. As well as Northwestern Air Lease in helping Frank's mother and son get flown to Fort Smith at no cost. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the graduating class of 2023 of PWK High School. Yesterday was convocation and tonight is their grad dinner. On behalf of Fort Smith, congratulations to all the grads.
I also want to thank all the amazing constituents of Thebacha for their continued support as their MLA. And I would also like to thank my family for always supporting me in my work, specifically my husband Peter, my sons Mickey and Jerry, and of course my dog Rambo. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.
