Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My summer message:
Mr. Speaker, summer is upon us, and many of the young people will be on their welldeserved summer break. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate all the graduates from Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, from Menzi Community School in Whati, and Jean Wetrade School in Gameti, and Alexis Arrowmaker School in Wekweeti.
I want to thank all the students, parents, guardians, teachers, support staff, principals, and many more who worked hard supporting, working with our young people in the communities to complete the school year. For many it was not easy. There were challenges. But people coming together, working together, helped to move forward. There are still a lot of family and friends are still grieving for loss of loved ones. But I would say to all the people who helped, be proud of the accomplishment that they have made.
As I have said many times to our young people, Mr. Speaker, some of the young people will go to postsecondary, some will work, some will go in training, some will choose to travel, but you do need money to go places or live life off the grid. As we go through life, sometimes things can get in our way, difficulty in our families, with our friends, or maybe in school, a subject we find hard to understand. It is easy to just give up or quit. And this is not moving forward in life. As a young person, you have to keep pushing yourself forward, don't give up, and you can accomplish anything.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to extend congratulations to all the postsecondary graduates from Tlicho region. A job well done, now the world is their oyster.
Further, I would also like to acknowledge, honour, the family members and friends that we have lost in the communities: elders like Elizabeth Michel, 99 years old. In Tlicho we call her Moma Cho. And elder Philip Dryneck, 94; my Godsister Mary Ann Football; former Grand Chief Eddy Erasmus; and others who are no longer with us. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, we have lost too many young people. Their lives are priceless. They are our future. I encourage anyone struggling to reach out for help. Indigenous people are resilient; we have said that, and it's been known. We will continue to support one another to heal and move forward. Please don't drink and drive. Listen to your parents, parent, parents, grandparents, guardians and elders. You can have fun without drugs and alcohol in your life. There is more to life and living.
Mr. Speaker, I wish all the people in Tlicho region and leaders a happy and safe summer. I know many of them will be travelling. May God bless them, keep them and their families safe on their journey. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife South.
