People in Nahendeh have been hearing a lot of fiddle music this winter. Today I would like to tell you about how learning to play the fiddle has provided recreation to our communities and it has helped our youth develop confidence from their achievements and leadership skills in helping others. I am referring to the achievements of the Kole Crook Fiddle Association that has got hundreds of youth interested in developing a passion for music and fiddling. This has come about through the efforts of volunteers, parents, teachers, students and board members. It was made possible by grants provided by the Municipal and Community Affairs, the NWT Art Society and the Dehcho Board of Education.

A fiddle has four strings and the Kole Crook Fiddle Association has a string of four programs. One

program is teaching tours. Two expert fiddlers have been touring this fall and winter and sharing their skills in 12 communities. There were six students in Kakisa, 38 in Fort Liard. In all there were 168 students involved. Some of these fiddlers studied during school hours and also at sessions with adults and in the evenings and on weekends. There were classes for both beginners and advanced students.

In November in Fort Simpson, the fiddle teachers were weathered in and students were lucky enough to have lessons every day for a week. On Friday they entertained at an assembly and on Saturday there was a fiddle jam and dance at the Bompas gym.

The second program is the annual fiddle jamboree. It was held in Fort Simpson last month. Six instructors taught 95 fiddle students who came from Wrigley, Fort Providence, Jean Marie River, Yellowknife, Hay River and Behchoko. Two nimble fingered students, Mr. Wesley Hardisty and Miss Elissa Hazenberg, who is paging for us this week, Mr. Speaker, participated as teacher aids.

Starting on Friday, January 9th , it was a week of

classes, fiddle repair, jigging and a Saturday night fiddle jam and dance. There is also a highly anticipated fiddle summer camp that has been offered since 2003.

The fourth is training for trainers to help our fiddlers become teachers.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted.