Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. During the Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray two weeks ago, I was proud to accept the invitation of the Honourable Henry Zoe to help represent the NWT and this Assembly. The three days that I spent there were actually the sixth chance that I've had to be at an Arctic Winter Games, Mr. Speaker; three times as a reporter; twice as a volunteer; and this time as a representative of this government. That goes back to the very first time the games were staged here in Yellowknife 34 years ago.

I was impressed, Mr. Speaker, not only with the calibre of our cultural performers and the skill and play of our athletes, but also with their sense of fair play and sportsmanship. Overall, they showed the NWT as a cool and a class act that sets a great standard for all athletes.

One of the most memorable events was not a competitive one. As Mr. Zoe mentioned in his statement, the NWT paid tribute to one of our great volunteers, the late Rick Tremblay, in dedicating a new technical manual on the traditional sport of Inuit wrestling. The dedication ceremony was made on the mats in the wrestling arena, as athletes from much of the circumpolar world applauded Rick's contribution to wrestling and the NWT's contribution in the form of a manual. A former Member of this Assembly, Titus Allooloo, was also there as a former games athlete, coach and, this year, as an advisor to the sport of Inuit wrestling.

Mr. Speaker, it wasn't possible for Rick's family to attend the ceremony in Fort McMurray, but I am pleased to see his widow, Nancy Trotter, here today. Joining her is Abe Theil, the president of Sport North, and Mr. Paul Christopher who is the president of the NWT Wrestling Association.

Rick's passing in the summer of 2001, Mr. Speaker, was a deep shock and a great loss. He was a tireless volunteer. His big, positive outlook on life was infectious, and it's what made him such a valued and now greatly-missed volunteer.

The dedication of this manual to Rick is a small but fitting tribute to a great guy, and I join Mr. Zoe, Mr. Speaker, in hoping that through the dedication of this manual, the hundreds of sport volunteers across the NWT take notice and accept our thanks for their enormous contribution not only to the Arctic Winter Games, but to sport every day across the North. Thank you.

---Applause