Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to advise this House that a ceremony was held earlier today to celebrate seven individuals who have made tremendous contributions to education in the Northwest Territories.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment launched the Education Hall of Fame in 2010 to recognize the many Northerners that play an important role in supporting the education of our children.  It reflects the valuable contributions made by various educators, volunteers, board members, administrators and other community members across the territory. 

Mr. Speaker, for this year’s celebration, nominations poured in from every region and seven people were chosen from across the territory. The 2016 Inductees embody the commitment, diligence, creativity and passion that we want education to inspire in us all.

From the Beaufort Delta Region, Sarah Jerome is a Gwich’in Elder who was among one of the first Northwest Territories residents to become a certified teacher. Sarah began working in the education system with the teaching and learning centre in the Beaufort Delta sharing her passion for language and culture. That passion continued throughout her lifetime as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent of the Beaufort Delta Education Council, Languages Commissioner of the Northwest Territories and most recently, as a guest lecturer at Harvard University.

From the Dehcho Region, Valerie Gendron is a tireless advocate for education and activity. A teacher in Fort Simpson for more than 25 years, her commitment to education encompasses coaching curling, hockey, track and field, soccer, figure skating, speed skating, gymnastics and table tennis. She has lobbied for funding to improve the cooking program, and volunteered at the local pool, running classes for parents and children.

From the Sahtu Region, Vivian Pellissey has been a teacher in Tulita for 35 years. Her dedication to ensuring that her students understand their culture and speak their language has been a driving force for her. She has taught generations of children, and continues teaching today.

From the South Slave Region, Jane Dragon has been active in her community since the 1960s. Acting as a key parent volunteer during the years her six children went through school, she could be counted on for field trips, teaching students about cooking traditional foods, skinning a muskrat as well as travelling as a coach or a chaperone on numerous school trips and competitions. She has helped guide the development of Chipewyan resources in the community, has extensive traditional knowledge, and maintained an open house to any student that needed a place to stay or home cooked meals.

From the Tłįchǫ Region, Jim Martin is a Senior Policy Advisor with the Tłįchǫ Government. His efforts in education in the Tłįchǫ region span many years, through numerous positions. He has always focused on transforming the education system through leading from behind and empowering local people to take responsibility for their learning and leadership for themselves and their communities. He has been a teacher, principal, superintendent and the Tłįchǫ Community Service Agency’s first Chief Executive Officer. In 2006, under his leadership, the TCSA received the prestigious Silver Innovative Management Award from the Institute of Public Administrators of Canada, and the Public Service Award from the United Nations in 2007.

In the North Slave Region, Rita Mueller has been involved with youth since she arrived in the North in the late 1980s. She has been a lifeguard, a coach, a teacher, a principal, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Tłįchǫ Community Services Agency. At the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, she was the Director of Early Childhood and School Services, and now holds the position of Assistant Deputy Minister of Education and Culture. She has consistently encouraged students to set their goals high, and helped them reach those goals through her passion and dedication. Under Rita’s principal leadership, Chief Jimmy Bruneau School in Behchokǫ̀ was selected as one of the top Aboriginal schools in Canada.

For the Minister’s Choice Award, Muriel Tolley from Yellowknife has been a passionate advocate for education for many years. A pioneer in teacher preparation and induction, as well a long-time teacher and educator at all levels of education in both Nunavut and the NWT, Muriel has a deep knowledge of the history and policies of education in the North. She has made a professional career through advancing education in the NWT focusing on the importance of Aboriginal peoples’ history, traditions, culture and language and has been a dedicated advocate for positive change to take place at the community level, seeing education at all levels as the path for growth. 

Of these distinguished people, some are with us today in the Gallery.

Mr. Speaker, this is our seventh group of Inductees into the Education Hall of Fame.  They are truly remarkable people who reflect the principles of dedication and passion in education, and inspire us to do more, and believe in ourselves.

Education is one of the priorities of this Assembly, and the 2016 Education Hall of Fame Inductees are shining examples of reaching beyond barriers and challenges and inherently understanding the need to invest in our students and communities.

Please join me in honouring the 2016 Inductees and thank them for dedicating their life’s work to the students, families, and communities of the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.