(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is in support of the dogteams participating in the Arctic Winter Games. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the fact that we have Inuit and their dogteams participating in the Arctic Winter Games.
Since the Arctic Winter Games began, many Inuit and other native people have been expected to compete in sports such as basketball and volleyball, which are not our traditional sports. I am very happy that the Arctic Winter Games include Dene games, Arctic sports and dog racing because these sports are traditional for aboriginal people. When we include Arctic sports like dog racing in the Arctic Winter Games, it reflects our northern way of life and our culture.
I don't think the Arctic Winter Games should only include the sports they play in southern Canada. Dogteams are a very important part of our history and our culture in the North. They are also very important in Yukon, Alaska and Greenland. The use of dogteams is growing in the Eastern Arctic.
I hope that the Arctic Winter Games will continue and that the games will continue to be a reflection of our northern way of life and our culture. Thank you.
---Applause