Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to tell you about an old institution in the town of Inuvik in Inuvik Twin Lakes. Construction of this building began in 1974 and was completed in 1976. For the benefit of those who do not know, approximately 1,020 white spruce logs were rafted down the river from the Mackenzie River Valley area in Fort Simpson. Many Inuvik citizens were involved in the development of this building. This old building continues to bare the name of the Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre.
Mr. Speaker, for 25 years, Ingamo Hall has been providing social, cultural and recreational needs through a variety of programs and services to the elders and to the youth of Inuvik. The prime example of this service is that every second Thursday of the month, Ingamo Hall hosts an elders' luncheon where the youth assist in serving the food to the elders.
Ingamo Hall has organized and hosted elders' social gatherings. The Ingamo Hall Youth Group has been actively involved in providing awareness regarding community issues such as participating in Take Back the Night walks, a candle vigil. They also hosted the AIDS Awareness Walk. The youth group has accumulated many volunteer hours by assisting in a variety of activities held at this wonderful hall.
The Ingamo Hall offers cultural programming activities such as drum dancing, beading, sewing, traditional cooking and Arctic sports to the residents and visitors to Inuvik. Not to leave out perhaps the most favourite activity open to all residents of Inuvik, the regular Tuesday night bingo. This Saturday, October 27th, Ingamo Hall is celebrating their 25th anniversary and invites everyone to join them.
Mr. Speaker, Ingamo Hall is an old building, an old log building but yet is full of life. Its structure is strong and will last a long time and so will the services to the people of Inuvik.
I wish to applaud the efforts of the staff and volunteers, past and present, of Ingamo Hall. Without the dedication of the board and their staff, these programs and services will not exist. Ingamo Hall has improved the way of life for Inuvik residents and I wish, on behalf of myself and my colleagues, further success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause