Debates of March 11, 2025 (day 53)

March
11
2025
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
53
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay Macdonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 22: Legislation Act
Member’s Statement 584-20(1): Environmental Assessment
Member’s Statement 585-20(1): Addressing the Effects of Trauma
Member’s Statement 586-20(1): Primary Healthcare Access
Member’s Statement 587-20(1): Economic Outlook for the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 588-20(1): Illegal Drug Activity in Public Housing
Member’s Statement 589-20(1): Arctic Security Council
Member’s Statement 590-20(1): Frostbite 55
Member’s Statement 591-20(1): Junction Lights on Highway 5
Member’s Statement 592-20(1): Aurora College Community Learning Centres
Member’s Statement 593-20(1): Federal Defence Spending in the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 594-20(1): Recognition of Gavin Wilkes
Minister’s Statement 114-20(1): Building Resilience Together – Advancing Climate Adaptation in the Northwest Territories
Minister’s Statement 115-20(1): Collaboration with Indigenous Governments
Motion 51-20(1): Affirmative Action Policy
Motion 52-20(1): Strengthening Support for Nurses and Healthcare Workers
Motion 53-20(1): Reappointment of Members to the Human Rights Adjudication Panel
MOTION 53-20(1): Reappointment of Members to The Human Rights Adjudication Panel, Carried
Motion 54-20(1): Extended Adjournment of the House to May 22, 2025
Question 621-20(1): Federal Defence Spending in the Northwest Territories
Question 622-20(1): Committee on Internal Trade
Question 623-20(1): Harm Reduction Supports
Question 624-20(1): Physical Assets of Aurora College Community Learning Centres
Question 625-20(1): Indigenous Employment Policy
Question 626-20(1): Arctic Security Council
Question 627-20(1): Role of Traditional Knowledge in Environmental Assessment Process
Question 628-20(1): Junction Lights on Highways 4 and 5
Question 629-20(1): Primary Care Reform
Question 630-20(1): Status of Caribou Herd Populations
Question 631-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program
Question 632-20(1): Indigenous Employment Policy
Question 633-20(1): Access to Yellowknife Day and Sobering Shelter
Question 634-20(1): Recruitment and Retention of Physicians
Question 635-20(1): Status of Rockhill Housing
Tabled Document 305-20(1): Towards a Basic Income Guarantee in the Northwest Territories: A Proposal to Invest in People for the Common Good – Summary for Policy Makers
Tabled Document 306-20(1): Draft Proposal for Joint Working Group, Terms of Reference
Statements

Member’s Statement 594-20(1): Recognition of Gavin Wilkes

Colleagues, today, I would like to talk about an individual who is a great-grandson of Baptiste Cazon, the former chief for Liidlii Kue First Nation. The GNWT named the ECE building in his honour just previously. One of these individuals that provide a message to everyone present via the grand chief was Gavin Wilkes.

Gavin was born in Peace River, Alberta, to Naila Cazon of Fort Simpson and Brian Wilkes of Northampton, England. Gavin is one of seven children between the two. He has two half-brothers and a half-sister on his mother's side, and two half-brothers and a half-sister on his father's side.

Gavin's great-grandfather Baptiste Cazon was a chief of Liidlii Kue First Nation for over 20 years. Growing Gavin was inspired by the work and dedication of his great-grandfather helping the Dene people and being a voice that he served in the region. People highly respect his great-grandfather.

Gavin wanted to do something similar like his great-grandfather. He studied hard and was accepted to attend the University of Augustana faculty from 2014-2018 where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in drama and philosophy. Then his next step was to attend the University of Alberta for his law degree from 2020 to 20203 and obtained a doctorate degree.

Gavin is now legal counsel at the Wahkotowin Law and Governance Lodge in Edmonton, Alberta, where he is working diligently with First Nations to identify, articulate, and implement their laws and legal governance structures.

Gavin's mother is very proud of the young man he has become and for his dedication to pursue his goals and his tireless dedication and commitment to his work. She told me that she sees a lot of her grandfather in Gavin, and she knows he will do great things for our people.

Recently Gavin attended and spoke at the 30th Annual Deh Cho First Nation meeting that was held in Fort Simpson this past summer where he shared his educational journey and addressed the youth, inspiring them to challenge themselves and to pursue their education. Gavin shared that he made this ten-year educational journey for the Dene people and to advocate and serve the Liidlii Kue First Nation of Treaty 11. I would like to congratulate him on his achievement.