PM visits site of new Kluane National Park Visitor Centre

Ntl’eo Sòóthan

Thank you, good morning, everybody.

Thank you, Ryan Leef, for that warm welcome. Greetings to everyone, and in particular, to our Senator for Yukon, Dan Lang. Thank you for your hospitality, and for the hospitality of your wife, Val, last night. Greetings also to my colleagues who have travelled with me all week, Minister Leona Aglukkaq and Minister John Duncan.  Greetings also to Mayor George Nassiopoulos and Premier Darrell Pasloski. Darrell, this is my first visit to the Yukon since you became Premier, so I want to congratulate you on achieving this, in the presence of your fellow Yukoners.

I want to greet all of the First Nations elders and representatives here today. Special thanks to Chief Alatini of the Kluane. Thanks particularly to Chief Allen of the Champagne and Ashihik First Nation for welcoming us to your traditional territories.

I understand that August is Nänätthän N-zha which is the "fat animal month" and harvest is beginning soon. So, I wish everyone a good hunt.

It is a real pleasure for me to be here, to enjoy the warm hospitality that I’ve received at Haines Junction today, and to be able to see Kluane National Park for myself. I’m sure you all agree, there is no better place anywhere in the country to experience the majesty of Canada’s North.

We are here today to celebrate an important addition to Kluane National Park and Reserve . Our government has been partnering with Yukon
and with the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations on building a building that represents two projects. It will be a valuable resource for both visitors and the community.

For band members, this building will be the Dä Kų Cultural Centre. Here, you will gather to celebrate traditions and cultures. You will create lasting memories, and young people will learn from elders. We as Conservatives believe that heritage is vital. Those who are cut from the past have no signposts for the future. This building will also be an important base for Aboriginal artists, entrepreneurs and crafts people to sell their creations.

Our government is proud to support construction of this building, which is, in part, a project under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, and it is on track to open on time next year. This is another demonstration of the progress we are making in the North.

By placing the new Kluane Visitor’s Centre in this Community Centre
I’m told that we can expect to have more than 45,000 guests at this site each summer. Attracting more tourists to Haines Junction will be good for local business. Tourism is essential to the economy this community, and as I’ve said before, the economy is our government’s top priority. This facility demonstrates how our Economic Action Plan is leaving a legacy that will continue to create jobs for decades to come. And this investment will encourage more Canadians – and indeed people from all over the world – to come to Kluane.

I believe every Canadian should know more about what Kluane has to offer. Here in Kluane you can explore gentle trails or embark on a backcountry adventure. You can see lush valleys, immense ice fields spectacular mountains.

A hiker does not have to go far from Haines Junction to find a spectacular walk through colourful tundra. Deep into the Kluane Reserve, Canada’s mightiest peak, Mount Logan stands 6 kilometres above sea level – an inviting beacon for the most adventurous climbers.

This is also perfect place to fish on Lake Kathleen or to raft on the fresh, clear waters of the Alsek River. And yesterday’s miners have left behind a real treasure for today’s athletes: challenging mountain bike trails on old trail tracks.

Friends, by putting under one roof a wealth of information about this vast park, we can make sure that each visitor can come here and make his or her own plan to enjoy Kluane to its fullest.

This is our government’s Northern Strategy at its fullest : exercising our sovereignty by bringing people to the North, creating jobs for Northerners, while preserving and enjoying the wonders of the Northern environment. I make no apologies if all of this sounds a little bit like I’m presenting a tourism commercial, because over six summer tours, my passion for the North has continued to grow.

In a short while, I am going to take some time - I’m afraid it’s always too short a time - to explore the park for myself. I hope that more Canadians from all regions will be inspired to come and see the beauty of Yukon up close.

A visit to Kluane really is a pilgrimage for everyone that wants to feel the spirit of our great country.

Thank you very much.

Kwänischis

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