I recently travelled to Tadoule Lake to visit the Sayisi Dene First Nation, both as your Member of Parliament and as Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs.
During this visit, I toured the school, met with Chief and Council alongside departmental officials, and engaged in meaningful dialogue about infrastructure, housing, and community priorities. I also joined community members for a lunch ceremony in the school hall, which was a warm reminder of the strength and hospitality of the Sayisi Dene people.
Your voices guide our work, and I remain committed to advancing the solutions you’ve identified.
One of the most remarkable things I saw during my visit to Tadoule Lake was the dedication of community workers who have spent decades, literally half their lives building a place where people can live, learn, and earn. I was also struck by the teachers from diverse backgrounds who have chosen to serve the Sayisi Dene community. That kind of commitment doesn't happen by accident. It speaks to the strength of this community and the importance of the work being done there.
I want to acknowledge the incredible leadership of Chief Kelly Ann. She is a fierce advocate for her people, working tirelessly alongside her Council team to make sure Sayisi Dene voices are heard. During my visit, we sat down for a roundtable discussion where Chief Klyne and Council shared the concerns and priorities they need me to bring back to Ottawa. That's exactly why I'm here—to listen first, then fight for what communities tell me they need.
I also had the privilege of learning a few Dene words and receiving gifts from community members, gestures of warmth and hospitality that my team and I are deeply grateful for.
This is why I do this work. I can't represent Churchill—Keewatinook Aski from a desk in Ottawa. I need to be in communities, see what daily life looks like, understand the challenges firsthand, and then use my position to make things better.