Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This weekend about 130 athletes plus coaches and chaperones from 15 communities across the Northwest Territories, representing all regions, will be coming to Yellowknife and participating in the 3rd Annual Traditional Games championships.

The importance of these games goes beyond just the physical nature. It creates a social intelligence within these young athletes but also spiritual and cultural revitalization in terms of these students participating in games that their ancestors did for survival.

There’s going to be 80 events over at William McDonald this weekend, and I encourage all Members to go and show your support to your constituents and these young athletes who are coming in and participating in these games.

As I said, these games have helped in the revitalization of Arctic sports and Dene games throughout the Northwest Territories, but it goes beyond that. It shows that we’re sharing our

cultures, we’re bringing games from the Beaufort-Delta, sharing with people in the Deh Cho, in the South Slave and we’re taking games from the South Slave and sharing with people in all other regions. It’s just a really great time and it shows our traditions, our northern hospitality and our northern way of life.

I’d also like to take this opportunity just to thank the elders who carry these games and traditions and pass them on to our young coaches and young athletes so that they can continue to show these games and show our traditions and cultures to our next generation.

As I’ve always said, events like these could not be done without support. So I’d like to take this opportunity to give a sincere thank you and acknowledge the hard work, dedication and commitment of all the volunteers, coaches, officials and, most importantly, the Aboriginal Sport Circle that has been engaging our communities, who have been taking these games to all 33 communities, taking equipment in there and leaving the equipment in the communities so that the students can continue to practice these games.

Just before I finish here, I’d like to give a quick message to the athletes. This weekend just play fair, try your hardest, show sportsmanship, which is embodied in the games that you’re playing, but most of all I want the athletes and the young this weekend just to have fun. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.