Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, minor hockey brings people together in communities across the Northwest Territories and Canada.
Fort Providence has not seen organized hockey for children since the late 1980s, but it has recently made a comeback thanks to the efforts of the Parents' Minor Hockey Committee and its newly elected president, Mr. Tim Cragg.
Mr. Speaker, many Members of this House and people listening to our proceedings today have good memories of growing up with minor hockey. Some of us still play hockey, thanks to participation in minor hockey leagues.
Mr. Speaker, minor hockey led to the development of players like Jordin Tootoo, who once played for the local team, and the eventual formation of the Fort Providence Bulls, a dynasty that defended the Kingland Ford Tournaments champions' title for years.
This past year, Deh Cho constituents Tim Cragg, Edward Landry, Bertha Landry, Trisha Landry, and other parents raised funds to buy new equipment for children to play minor hockey in Fort Providence, also applying for funding through Jump Start to get 20 new sets of hockey equipment for the other students to play.
Mr. Speaker, hockey is a great way to stay active and get kids involved in sports. Hockey helps them develop skills that that they can apply to other sports and activities out on the land, like shooting straight, working hard, and using the right technique and equipment.
Mr. Speaker, playing hockey is an opportunity to learn life lessons about goal setting, winning and losing, fair play, working as a team, and keeping your stick on the ice.
Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, parents and 12 youth took part in their first hockey tournament in Fort Smith, and the kids ages from five to nine sure enjoyed their time on the ice, scoring, making new friends, and finding a new passion for themselves in hockey.
Mr. Speaker, it is exciting to see youth in my riding taking to the ice. I would like to take this opportunity to applaud the efforts of the Parents' Committee as well as the community for its support in bringing hockey back to Fort Providence. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.