Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm always -- it's always a pleasure to go first, and I'm always ready when you call upon me to give my Member's statement because I've got lots to say.
Mr. Speaker, a few days ago, or I should say a few weeks ago, a former colleague of mine, Michael Miltenberger, wrote in the Northern News Services, and he talked about a very interesting thing. We did chat about, before his special article went out, guest article that is, and we chatted about is it time to have a good conversation about naming the Northwest Territories or renaming it a name that should mean something.
Mr. Speaker, a name can mean a lot of things and, of course, it is, as we all know for facts, it's a bunch of letters. Wherever you write your letters, wherever they're from. But a name is also about the meaning of what it represents, and that's really true, the genius of what a name is.
Now, the Northwest Territories has come upon its name based on colonial reasons and, in many cases, some would define it as a placeholder position. But no longer do we represent the Northwest Territories in its truest sense as it was defined. In other words, that land over there, somewhere in the North, on the west side. Now that was true to a time, again from the colonial overseers that governed this land that is, but many places have had the courage to reflect, say to themselves, should we have a name more reflective of who we represent and the people we represent in the sense of what it means to them.
Mr. Speaker, it was many years ago, as was pointed out by my good colleague, our mutual friend, the wonderful and most elegant Jeannie Marie Jewell who broke ranks with the times and said I want my riding named with a name that means something. And, therefore that riding had been renamed from the colonial name to Thebacha as we know it today. I think that was a bold step by certainly a bold leader.
Mr. Speaker, we've had the challenge before, in the '90s, where they said maybe we should talk about the Northwest Territories and give it a more meaningful name. Now, of course, I'll say it was my personal favorite because it almost is my name, which is the starring name that shot through the roof, was Bob. Now, I would never suggest we name the Northwest Territories Bob, and, of course, we got exactly what the person was probably intending, trying to be funny and hence it derailed a very important subject.
There have been many names suggested, such as Denendeh, Nahendeh, Utialuvik -- if I said it right -- but maybe more importantly, Mr. Speaker, as I finish as the time ticks away, is this is a conversation we should open and embrace and welcome some food for thought -- or thought for food from Northerners. Please write in and give us your thoughts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.
