Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like my colleagues, Mr. Delorey, and the young Mr. Nitah for Tu Nedhe, I would like to speak briefly about the Arctic Winter Games and the people that have made these Games possible, the people that are going to go from my community. I made reference to the youth of my colleague because he indicated he went in 1988 to the Arctic Winter Games. I went, as one of the more ancient Members of this House, in 1970 to the first Games here in Yellowknife...
-- Applause
...but I do know that it is an experience that sticks with you. It gives you a chance to participate at a level that probably you will not -- at my age now, I will be lucky to be able to lift both legs off the floor at the same time if I sat in a chair, let alone compete at that level. It is a very, very important time for the young folks, and I want to commend the volunteers, coaches, parents as well as the athletes themselves.
- Mr. Speaker, in Fort Smith we have the benefit of 25 people going off to attend the Games. For the record, I would just like to recognize them in this House:• Inuit Games - Derek Thrasher, Meika McDonald, Joe Thrasher, Tim McDonald and Lena Illasiak;• Cross-country skiing - Lindsey Freund, Betsy Mawdsley, Kristyn Freund, Tom Koidhis, Patti Kay Hamilton;• For the cultural-visual component there are Laura Aubrey and Keith Douglas;• Ice hockey - Aaron Mackeinzo, Lance Lennie and Kurt MacDonald;• Volleyball - Brendan Bourque, Katie Popplestone, Brandy Thompson, Chantelle McDonald, Charlotte McDonald, Roslyn Cardinal, Candace Adam, Natasha Black and Alma McDonald; and • For mission staff, we have Juneva Green.
I would like to offer my best wishes to those people from my constituency, as well as all the athletes from the Northwest Territories. I hope they have the time of their lives, that they travel safely and that they come back draped in gold. Thank you.
-- Applause