Hon. Michèle Audette: Tshinashkumitin, honourable senators, and thank you to the Anishinaabe people for hosting us again on their beautiful territory.
Colleagues, I rise today to talk to you about a magnificent, incredible young Innu woman who came to spend the week with me here in Ottawa for an introduction to our wonderful chamber, the Senate.
It all started with her mother, Jackie Bizeau, whom I met at a Tshakapesh Institute awards ceremony held one evening in Uashat mak Mani-Utenam.
We got talking about her daughter Aby-Gaëlle, and her mom’s eyes lit up with pride. We had one goal: to figure out how to make Aby a junior senator for a week, so that she could experience the Senate and learn how this fantastic space functions.
She shadowed me all week, from morning to night. She listened to you, heard you and attended committee meetings and Senate sittings. She even participated in two SENgage activities this week and met with Vote16 Summit representatives. Well done. Let me just remind you that she is 18 years old and comes from Uashat. Mani-Utenam is my home, and Uashat is beside it. Together, they form one community.
Exactly one year ago today, on May 30, 2023, she was awarded the Quebec Lieutenant Governor’s medal. Aby, today is your last day, and I’m sure you’re getting lots of love from senators. Aby was awarded this medal because of her involvement in her community and her school, but also because her academic performance only proves her perseverance, dedication and commitment.
Beyond all these commitments, Aby is deeply interested in politics. Apparently she was even told she might one day replace Senator Audette. She also served as prime minister of her high school, a first for a young Innu. Congratulations!
Her involvement continues this year at CEGEP. Her mandate from our office this summer will be to listen to First Nations youth and explore whether or not voting should be allowed from the age of 16. She will also be preparing my speeches. Thank you. To her mom, I say “mission accomplished,” and to Aby, thank you for joining us at the Senate.
Tshinashkumitnau.
Some Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!