Honourable senators, it’s a privilege to rise today as the senator for Yukon to pay tribute to my former colleague in the Yukon Legislative Assembly, Dennis Fentie. Dennis and I had several things in common. We were both born in Edmonton, Alberta, we were both elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in 1996, and both of us had the privilege of serving the Yukon as premier.

Dennis and I also had our differences in terms of our political affiliation, and a quick read of Hansard might reveal some of the more entertaining moments of our discourse. Ultimately, however, we shared a common passion for the Yukon. The member for Watson Lake was a tireless champion of the community he called home, its people and its resources.

As his role serving the public expanded from the NDP member for Watson Lake responsible for the forestry commission to that of Yukon Party premier of the territory, his energy and passion was the whole Yukon. The groundwork for the Northwest Territories Land and Resources Devolution Agreement, the transfer of land, water and resources to the territory, had been concluded by others, including Dennis’s former colleague in the NDP government, Government Leader, Premier Piers McDonald, Yukon Party leader, John Ostashek and myself. If that agreement could be considered allowing Yukon to be masters of our own house, then Dennis Fentie got the keys to the property. The actual physical transfer of the territory to the public resources was one hallmark of Premier Fentie’s leadership. He was also about the people and communities. During his term as premier, Yukon constructed two new hospitals, one in the community of Watson Lake and one in Dawson City.

Dennis Fentie’s leadership and his appearance — as he looked like a bit of a gambler — belied his strong negotiating skills. One public servant recalled, who is now a member of the legislature, he somehow, on the way to a First Nation land claim agreement signing, managed to find himself in a three-and-a-half-hour drive with the Minister of Northern Affairs and the premier alone with no public officials present, by themselves. Who knows what got done?

Stories like that and his many abilities were recalled fondly with honour, with love and with laughter on November 8, which would have been his sixty-ninth birthday, at the Kwanlin Dun cultural centre on the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dun and the Tr’ondek Hwech’in council on November 8 in Whitehorse.

Perhaps the most eloquent moments of the celebration of Dennis’s life were shared by his love, Lorraine Nixon. We appreciate and give thanks to Dennis for his contribution to Yukon. To you, Lorraine, may I also express, on behalf of all Yukoners, and in this special place on behalf of all Canadians, our gratitude. I offer my heartfelt thanks to you and to Dennis’s family and friends for loaning Dennis to public service. May your love and the special memories that you shared bring you some small measure of comfort as we mourn the loss of the late Premier Dennis Fentie.

Mahsi’cho, gùnáłchîsh, thank you, honourable senators.