Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the athletes, coaches, cultural delegates and mission staff who will be representing the Northwest Territories at the 2014 Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks later this month.

This year, Team NWT will include 365 participants representing over half of NWT communities competing in 19 different sports and the Games’ cultural program.

The Arctic Winter Games are the largest and most important multisport cultural event held in the circumpolar North. There are nearly 2,000 athletes, cultural performers and community volunteers from nine contingents representing seven countries in the Games.

The Arctic Winter Games are successful because they include a program that combines athletic competition, cultural exchange and social interaction among circumpolar participants.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is extremely proud to support our team at the Arctic Winter Games through direct financial sponsorship and a range of other programs that support athlete, coach and officials’ development at the local, regional, territorial and national levels.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize the many volunteers who help Team NWT, including the Sport North Federation and all of the territorial sport organizations who select and manage the team. Their contributions are significant and play an important part in promoting healthy lifestyles and vibrant communities in the Northwest Territories.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize some important volunteers and local government members from Inuvik, Hay River and Fort Smith who will be at the 2014 Games in Fairbanks preparing for their opportunity to bid on the 2018 Games being held in the NWT. This will be the first time in 40 years that one of our communities outside Yellowknife has hosted the Arctic Winter Games.

I know that the bidding process will be competitive and that all three communities have significant benefits to offer the games. Our best wishes go out to all of them. The Arctic Winter Games International Committee will announce the successful bid next year.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our athletes, coaches, volunteers and cultural delegates a fun and rewarding experience at the Arctic Winter Games. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.