Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the riding of Kam Lake is home to over 50 dog mushers and 600 highly trained athletes, the sled dogs. Most of these mushers act as ambassadors for the city of Yellowknife and for the NWT throughout Canada, the United States and Europe during the winter racing season.

Not only do dog mushers represent a healthy lifestyle, they also bring in substantial tourist dollars to our city and our territory. In the winter, the two things most tourists want to do while here is view the aurora and go on a dogsled ride.

Some mushers were born into the lifestyle while others have chosen it. By profession, mushers are an eclectic mix. They are municipal and GNWT employees, self-employed businesspersons, artists, accountants and military professionals, just to name a few. For many mushers in Kam Lake, dog mushing involves the entire family. Through dog mushing, children are taught the value of hard work, commitment to a passion, the love and respect for the dogs, how to work towards a goal and the appreciation for an amazing land and environment.

The history of the North and the history of dog sledding are very closely connected. The North was opened up by dog teams. For years, dogsleds were the main form of transportation around the North. In this respect, our present day mushers are a daily celebration of our northern history. Many current mushers still use their dogs to haul wood in the winter and some continue to trap with their dogs keeping traditions alive and passing them onto the next generation.

Many of the Kam Lake mushers take the time out of their busy schedules to offer educational talks about dog mushing to local schools and groups. This helps alleviate some of the misconceptions that exist about dog mushing.

These types of outreach and community efforts by mushers are changing public perception.

The Northwest Territories should have an annual sled dog appreciation day to honour the history of dog sledding here in the Northwest Territories. Dog mushers represent a piece of living history here in our city and in our territory. Please join me today in applauding the dog mushers in my riding of Kam Lake and in the rest of the territory for all the efforts that they make in promoting the sport of dog mushing not only here at home, but around the globe. Mr. Speaker, with any luck, there will be some snow soon so the mushers can hit the trail. Mahsi.

---Applause