(Date of Speech: May 18, 2012)

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Before we get the day's sessions started, I would like to express how much of an honour it is to once again be in Whitehorse – the home of both the Kwanlin Dun and the Ta’an Kwach’an First Nations.

It would be most appropriate to have a welcome prayer performed by a local First Nation elder. I would like to introduce Ms. Annie Smith, a member of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation to perform a prayer.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 15, 2012) -- The 2012 parks season officially begins today and two new initiatives from the GNWT’s Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) are making it easier than ever for visitors to access the NWT’s extensive Parks system.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 14, 2012) -- National Tourism Week highlights the economic contribution of the tourism sector across Canada. In the Northwest Territories, tourism contributes over $110 million annually to the economy – more than all of the territory’s other renewable resources combined.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 8, 2012) -- Northwest Territories resident Andrew Silke’s short film, Amelia, will screen at the 65th Cannes International Film Festival in France. Everyone in the cast and crew is from the Northwest Territories and the production was filmed in the territory.

This year’s Festival runs from May 16-27 and Amelia will screen as part of Telefilm Canada’s program, Not Short on Talent.

(Date of speech: May 1, 2012.)

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Good morning ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for the invitation to join you this morning.

I am in Houston this week in my capacity as the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment for Canada’s Northwest Territories.  During my time here, I want to highlight our tremendous petroleum potential and answer any questions you may have. But before I get into that, I would like to give you a bit of background on the Territory for those of you who may be unfamiliar with it.

April 30, 2012

DETTAH (April 23, 2012) -- Over 70 tourism operators, entrepreneurs, government representatives, guest speakers and industry stakeholders attended the Aboriginal Tourism Forum to define, set priorities, and set the stage for future community engagement in the development of an Aboriginal tourism sector in the NWT.

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April 18, 2012 - I appreciate this opportunity to address the Northern Air Transport Association’s 36th Annual General Meeting. Aviation is an important industry in the North, one that requires a continuous dialogue between regulators, airport operators, and the aviation industry. Thank you for providing that forum – we all benefit from continuing our conversation.

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April 3, 2012 - Thank you for that introduction, and good morning.

First off, I want to thank Chief Ed Sangris and Chief Ted Tsetta and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation for hosting us on your traditional Chief Drygeese Territory.  It is a pleasure to be here, and to have this opportunity to welcome you all here today, on this gorgeous spring day here in Dettah.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON (April 2, 2012) -- Over $880,000 worth of Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs (GMVF) were sold at a wild fur sale hosted by Fur Harvester's Auction Inc. on March 22, 2012, bringing total GMVF sales this year to over one million dollars.

Demand for NWT furs increased again this year, particularly from buyers in Russia and China. An NWT marten pelt went for an unprecedented $380 and a lynx for $400, the top auction prices for these species against all others from across Canada and the Northern US.