Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the 2003 Northern Winter Games demonstration was held January 30th to February 2nd. It was a success this year. More than 100 participants from the Western Arctic region attended from Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Paulatuk, Holman, Fort McPherson, Inuvik and also a youth from Whitehorse.
This year's games were mostly geared towards youth. We did have an 82-year-old elder, Mrs. Eunice Mitchell, who won a couple of events. First place at muskrat skinning...
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...and second place in caribou hide skinning. The best man of this year goes to Abe Mitchell and the best woman goes to Jean Gruben from Tuktoyaktuk. We had a record-breaking event. Matthew Anikina from Tuktoyaktuk broke the Alaskan high kick record and he went to the height of seven feet, four inches. The best overall categories, eight to 10 years of age, girls, Francis Esau from Sachs Harbour; boys, Miller Kasook of Inuvik. Eleven to 13 years of age, girls, Christina Esau of Sachs Harbour; boys, Greg Elias of Inuvik. Fourteen to 16 years, girls, Heather Okheena of Holman; boys, Craig Gruben of Tuktoyaktuk. Seventeen and over, girls, Katy Smith of Inuvik; and, Phillip Jacobson from Inuvik for boys.
Every year, these kinds of events bring our communities together and it's good to see the youth playing and challenging themselves with traditional games. It is also an honour to have our elders still participating despite their age. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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