Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the permission of the Moses family to remember the late Winston Moses, a respected elder and friend to all to the town of Inuvik.
Winston's family said the world got a little brighter when their dad, grandfather, uncle, and friend Winston John Moses was born on April 6th, 1944, in Old Crow, Yukon. In his early years, Winston was raised by his sister Mary Lazarus Charlie and his godparents Ellen and Robert Booth Senior. Winston attended residential school in Old Crow, Aklavik, and then Inuvik. He later attended vocational school in Whitehorse and Fort Smith.
In 1974, while working in Inuvik, Winston met the love his life, Martha Pascal of Fort McPherson. After many weekend visits to Fort McPherson to visit Martha, he brought her home to Old Crow where they married on May 7th, 1975. The young couple moved to Inuvik in 1978 and together raised six children.
Mr. Speaker, one of his children, his son, Alfred Moses, who many in this building will recognize that name and remember who sadly passed away at the age of 45 in 2022, Alfred was elected to the Legislative Assembly here in 2011 and represented the electoral district of Boot Lake until his retirement from politics in 2019.
Winston and Martha enjoyed picking berries, setting snares and going for drives on the highway and enjoyed visiting relatives in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. When Martha could no longer go berry picking or setting snares, he would go out and often come back with full pails of berries or a few rabbits just for her, always taking care of his wife and family like the good man that he was.
Winston was known for walking everywhere with a hello or a good day. And anyone who's been in Inuvik or lives in Inuvik would see Winston walking up and down the hill, never accepting a ride, just waving and saying hello to everyone he crossed paths with. He was a humble man who always had kind words to share. In his spare time, he enjoyed sharing his music skills in guitar or harmonica. He would often perform in talent shows. When he attended the Gwich'in Gathering in Old Crow in 2022, he had entered almost every contest they had and won first place in many of them, including in the jigging contest and his harmonica in the talent show.
The Gwich'in Nation mourns alongside Winston's family as they have lost a respected Gwich'in elder and a knowledge holder who was always so willing to teach anyone who wanted to learn. Winston lived by example, and we've all seen his traditional values in all that he did.
One of his fondest memories was his last trip to Old Crow where he spent time with his family and going to Crow Flats. He was so glad to be home. He mentioned it being his first time back there in almost 50 years. He sat quietly having tea, he shared what he remembered, and appreciated his treasured trip. Mahsi cho to the Tetlichti family for taking good care of him during their revisit.
Mr. Speaker, Winston was special to everyone who knew him. Let us each honour him and all our loved ones who passed before by living the best we can each day, remembering all the teachings and applying them to our daily lives. Let us keep learning and sharing and caring for each other, like Winston did for us, never forget the sacrifices, hard work ethic and strong faith that he carried and lived. His legacy will live on through his family who was always the most important thing in life to him. Thank you for all your work on earth, Winston, and rest in peace in paradise forever more. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Just beautiful Celebration of Life of a gentleman that was well known across the Northwest Territories. My condolences go out to the family and his friends.
