Former Speaker Frederick Blake Jr. honoured with portrait

Former NWT Legislative Assembly Speaker Frederick (Sonny) Blake Jr. had his official portrait released in the Great Hall of the Assembly this week.

Current Speaker Shane Thompson spoke fondly of his predecessor, prior to the portrait being unveiled during a ceremony in the Great Hall, as a large crowd gathered.

He said the three-term MLA for Mackenzie Delta led the 19th Legislative Assembly through “a few challenges” including: The lockdown and work-at-home orders with the Covid-19 pandemic; a public inquiry into an MLA’s misconduct; and two by-elections.

Thompson said the three-term MLA for Mackenzie Delta led the 19th Legislative Assembly through “a few challenges” including: The lockdown and work-at-home orders with the Covid-19 pandemic; a public inquiry into an MLA’s misconduct; and two by-elections.

“So he was very true to his word, and made his commitment to the people. You know, for an individual who represents Tsiigehtchic, he also represented Aklavik and Fort McPherson  so which said a lot to me when he was elected to be the member of the Legislative Assembly with two large communities compared to (his home of Tsiigehtchic), but also says a lot that he is now the grand chief of the Gwich’in Tribal Council.

“I don’t want to embarrass him anymore, because I probably could tell a whole bunch of other stories, but he’s done an amazing job.”

The portrait was commissioned by Dene artist Darrell Chocolate.

Originally from Tlicho Community, Gameti, Chocolate is known for his intricate portrait work.

Blake took time to honour people who supported his political journey (“I always firmly believe that we need to acknowledge those that had faith in us, showed us the way, encouraged us”)  and said while he had a good time in the NWT Assembly, there were also trying times.

“You know, I had a lot of fun here at the Legislative Assembly — there’s a lot of challenging times, but also good times — you meet a lot of great people,” he said.

“We also had a lot of amazing staff, you know, who tend not to get acknowledged … all the staff at the Legislative Assembly when I was Speaker, they did amazing work.”

Blake also took time to thank his family for putting up with the demands of holding political office.

“They say, when you’re an MLA, you’re here in Yellowknife half the year, or for a four-year term, you’re here about two years, so over 12 years, I was here in Yellowknife, for probably five to six years. So, being away from home that much can be challenging, but also, many times, my children said, ‘when is Dad going back to work?’ So, you know, they learned to deal with it.

The portrait will be on display in the Great Hall for the next week prior to being hung in the Speakers’ Hallway where the Legislative Assembly recognizes past Premiers and Speakers once they are no longer in office.

Blake is now the Grand Chief of the Gwich’in Tribal Council.