Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak today about the 2000 Arctic Winter Games. The Games are being held from March 5th to 11th, 2000, in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Since 1970, the Arctic Winter Games have been bringing young people from the circumpolar region together every two years for a celebration of sport and culture. We are proud to participate in this event again this year.

The Northwest Territories is sending over 300 athletes, coaches, cultural delegates and mission staff to Whitehorse. Team NWT will join nearly 1700 other people representing Alaska, Yukon, northern Alberta, Nunavut, Greenland, Nunavik and the Russian provinces of Magadan and Chukotka. This is the first time since 1976 the Inuit of Northern Quebec will participate in the Arctic Winter Games. It also marks the first time that Nunavut will participate as its own territory.

Mr. Speaker, Team NWT members were selected through regional trials held in a variety of Northwest Territories communities from November to January. From the regional trials, athletes moved on to the territorial trials held earlier this month in Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Yellowknife, Dettah and Inuvik. A total of 776 athletes from 24 communities participated in the territorial trials. Of that number, 527 participants were from outside Yellowknife, with 231 coming from the Inuvik region alone.

I would like to thank Sport North, the territorial sport organizations, regional coordinators and the countless volunteers who organized the regional and territorial trials process. Their work makes it possible for young Northwest Territories athletes to take part in events like this. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will continue to work with these partners to ensure that young athletes from across the entire Northwest Territories have the opportunity to participate in sport and recreation programs.

Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Winter Games is a celebration of northern culture and achievement. Our delegates to the Games will share in friendly competitions and cross-cultural exchanges with youth from across the North. I am confident that our young people will benefit for years to come from the experiences and friendships they will find at the Arctic Winter Games.

Premier Stephen Kakfwi will be attending the official opening ceremonies for the Arctic Winter Games on March 5, 2000. The Honourable Roger Allen, Minister responsible for Youth and I will also attend the Games. I invite all Members to join us in wishing the best of luck to Team NWT and all the participants in the 2000 Arctic Winter Games. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause