Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak about the Arctic Winter Games, an international gathering starting next week. The Games provide an opportunity for young men and women to participate in their sport of choice, the sport they excel in, the opportunity to exchange ideas and create new friendships with people of the same sport and different sports from different countries.
It will be a great experience for all Northerners participating. I would like to congratulate people from my communities that I represent, specifically, Mr. Speaker: Mr. Damien Kalilik, who is participating in the Dene games. He is from Lutselk'e; Travis Guild, a badminton player from Fort Resolution; Dexter Lafferty, a musher; Frank Lafferty, who is a coach for the dog sledding; Kirk Fabien, dog sledding; Frank Fabien, who is a coach in that area; and Freda Elief, as part of the mission staff.
Mr. Speaker, in 1988, I was lucky enough to represent the Northwest Territories in the Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks, Alaska, in the snowshoe biathlon, so I personally know the excitement that comes along with the Games and the experience and the wonderful memories they bring home. I wish all northern athletes, all the territorial athletes, luck and I hope they have a great experience and fond memories that they will cherish for years to come.
Mr. Speaker, I have been critical in the past about the Arctic Winter Games and the lack of participation at the community level. Just based on the list of people being represented from my communities, I am still not totally satisfied, but I see there are some improvements. I will be travelling with the Minister to the Arctic Winter Games and see first hand the athletes participating and representing our great Territory in this, what Mr. Delorey calls our Olympics.
I would like to say good luck to all athletes and congratulate them in advance on their participation. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause