Mr. Speaker, I would like to use my time today to read you a report on a trip, prepared by Vital Manuel. Vital has been a constituency worker of mine for several years, assisting the office staff and helping with constituency work. He has also served for some years as a page for this Assembly.
Recently, Vital attended the Alberta Special Olympic Summer Games and, with his team members, won a bronze medal. I would like to read his report, if I may.
Mr. Speaker, this is addressed to Premier Stephen Kakfwi:
My trip to the Alberta Special Olympic Summer Games
The games were held in Calgary May 11th to 13th. I was chosen to be part of the NWT Special Olympics five-pin bowling contingent. I was one of the ten bowlers chosen. The bowlers were made up of two teams. Team one consisted of Danny Tanche, Gabrielle Nukapiak, Julie White, Clara Tutcho and Corey Foot. Team two was made up of Corinne Lafferty, Monica Felix, Janet Berard and Mervin Olikoak and myself.
We all trained out of Yellowknife under head coach Judy Russell and coach Lynell Broadbent. The coaches accompanied the team. We did a lot of practising before we went to the games. We trained hard because we knew we were competing against 405 bowlers from across Alberta.
We left Yellowknife by plane about seven o'clock Friday morning, May 11th, and returned about eleven o'clock Sunday night, May 13th.
In Calgary, we stayed at the University residence with all the other athletes. We all felt proud of our performance at the games. Team one won a gold medal and Team two won a bronze medal. In addition, there were several individual team member medals, including one gold medal, three silver medals and two bronze medals. We all shared the successes.
For me, I felt proud to be representing my city and my Territory. I also felt that it would make my parents feel good to know that they gave me the strength and encouragement to be the best I can be. As well, it helps everyone understand that people with disabilities are whole people like everyone else, who live full lives and contribute to society. I was grateful for the opportunity...