Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this weekend in Lethbridge, Alberta, some of the best female curlers in the country and probably the world, because Canada has the best curlers in the world, are gathering to play in the Scottish Tournament of Hearts. Mr. Speaker, we're represented this year by a real territorial team. Four members are from all parts of the Northwest Territories. We have Kerry Koe, who's the skip of the team; she's from Yellowknife. Monique Gagnier, who, I understand, inherited her skill from her father; she's from Hay River. Kelli Turpin curls out of Inuvik. Dawn Moses curls out of Fort Simpson, and Nicole Baldwin, the fifth player, is from Whitehorse. We expect, Mr. Speaker, big things from these girls this year as a lot of us curlers know it's a hard road to get there and they have to be
commended for their achievement, and I believe they will do well. There's a website that we can send greetings and best wishes and I encourage everyone to get on there and send them their best wishes.
Mr. Speaker, also in a couple of weeks the Briar playdowns are being held in Hamilton, Ontario. The team this year representing the Northwest Territories is made up of Jamie Koe from Yellowknife. This is a Yellowknife team. Brad Whitehead, Mark Whitehead, and Brad Chorokowski. The fifth player is Randy Turpin living in Inuvik. Last year, Mr. Speaker, the men went six and five and they had a good opportunity to get into the playoffs, so we're expecting big things from our curlers this year. These are some of the best curlers in the country and we are not lagging far behind as far as skill goes.
Mr. Speaker, a lot of the curling that goes on is helped along by volunteers. These curlers had to start somewhere and I commend MACA for being involved in the winter games. It gives these kids a chance to get started somewhere and if it starts there, someday they may end up at the pinnacle of their sport. As my colleague from Tu Nedhe said, a lot of the communities have to volunteer, escort these kids. It's called volunteer, Mr. Speaker. You volunteer your time; you don't get paid for it. I encourage everybody to get out there and help these kids along so some day they may end up at the top of their sport also. Thank you.
---Applause