Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that on May 30th and June 1st the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic held its first annual general meeting in Dettah, Northwest Territories. Aboriginal recreation leaders and volunteers from the Inuvik, Sahtu, Deh Cho, North Slave and the South Slave regions attended this gathering. The purpose of this meeting was to select a board of directors and to set the course for this newly formed organization for the new year.

Mr. Speaker, the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic has been established to work with other partners to promote and enhance community wellness and cultural awareness through sport and recreation. The Aboriginal Sport Circle is working in partnership with Sport North and Municipal and Community Affairs to encourage aboriginal youth in the Northwest Territories to participate in the sport, recreation and cultural activities to live healthy, productive and spiritual lifestyles.

Mr. Speaker, the Aboriginal Sport Circle desires to make a difference by working together with communities, Sport North, territorial sport organizations and our department to increase participation of aboriginal youth in sport at the community, territorial and national levels. The Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic was created to enhance the current sport and recreation system's ability to respond to the needs for accessible, equitable, and affordable sport, recreation and cultural opportunities in smaller communities. These activities continue to play an essential role in enhancing individual lifestyles and in addressing issues such as alcohol, substance abuse and unemployment.

The Aboriginal Sport Circle will also serve as a facilitation body whereby the communities of the Western Arctic work together in partnership to increase participation of aboriginal youth in a variety of sports at all levels. The Aboriginal Sport Circle will work with Sport North, territorial sport organizations and the department to develop athletes and coaches for regional, territorial and national level competitions.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs supports the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic working in partnership with Sport North and its member territorial sport organizations. This will ensure that all residents of the NWT have access to sport and recreation opportunities while avoiding unnecessary duplication of administration or services. This will also allow for the development of a better sport and recreation system while working within the existing resources available. It will also allow the organization to provide some focus on addressing unique issues facing sport development in the smaller predominantly aboriginal NWT communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause