Mr. Speaker, it is also my pleasure to report today on another successful Team Canada trade mission. I would like to take this time to share some highlights of the trade trip with the people of the Northwest Territories.
While en-route to the Team Canada trade mission, I had an opportunity to meet with De Beers and Rio Tinto in London, England. In speaking with De Beers , I restated our position of wanting them to provide rough diamonds to our northern cutting and polishing factories. I remain hopeful that they will
see the premium in our northern diamonds and provide these locally as other companies, such as BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, have done.
Team Canada travelled to Russia and Germany, visiting Moscow, Berlin and Munich. At different stops, several members of the NWT business community joined me. People such as Chris Ghazouly from Canada North Projects Limited, who signed a memorandum of understanding in Russia to provide technology in wood frame construction, and Stephen Simek of Ferguson, Simek, and Clark, whose company has vast experience working in Russia. Chahe Arslanian of Arslanian Cutting Works and Fernando Alverez from Jacques Cartier Clothier Inc, which is a partner of the Inuvialuit Regional Development Corporation, were also able to meet with business counterparts in Munich, Germany.
I had the pleasure of having Kevin Diebold and Kelly Hayden, representing the Northwest Territories Chamber of Commerce, join me for the entire mission. Considering our population and our natural resource base, the level of business interest, especially in Russia, was incredible.
In Berlin we were invited to participate in a time capsule ceremony at the future site of the Canadian Embassy. On behalf of the Northwest Territories, I contributed a bow loom with the porcupine quillwork to the capsule. Ruby Minoza of Fort Providence made this bow loom, representing centuries old techniques that are still being used today in many of our communities. It was a proud moment.
Finally, our presentation of Beneath the Dancing Sky in Munich, Germany, was a fitting end to a successful Canada trade mission for the NWT delegation. This presentation was a celebration of the richness and diversity of the culture of the Northwest Territories. This event, staged last Thursday evening in Munich, showcased Northwest Territories diamonds, furs, designer fashions and accessories, and a variety of arts and crafts to over 250 people. A number of northern businesses involved in the tourism industry were able to share information on their products and promote the Northwest Territories as a world-class tourism destination. The crowd included representatives of the German business community, government dignitaries, members of the German aristocracy and Team Canada trade mission participants, including Premier Ralph Klein, his wife Colleen, and Senator Frank Mahovlich and his wife Marie.
The response to the show and the Northwest Territories was overwhelmingly positive. The event was also an effective tool to raise the profile of the Northwest Territories and promote our tourism products and services at an international level.
In addition to a fashion show of contemporary and traditional aboriginal fashion designs, Beneath the Dancing Sky provided visitors the opportunity to observe our artists and craftspeople demonstrating their unique crafts in the natural setting of a recreated cultural village. I would like to take a moment to thank the cultural ambassadors for all of their assistance: Judy Magrum, Bill Nasogaluak, Karen Wright-Fraser, Antoine Mountain, Francois Thibault, Lucy Barnaby, Berna Beaulieu, Jane Dragon, Jimmy, Kevin and Roberta Memogana, Fred and Linda Kataoyak and Buddy Alikamik.
I would also like to thank the many NWT companies who helped plan this event and the delegation that joined us to help promote the Northwest Territories, and as well, my wife, Marie, who accompanied me on this trip. Mahsi.