Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been said that "youth sports are the ultimate classroom." Kids learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance, respect for authority and rules, and how to win with class and lose with dignity. It gives our youth a positive way to channel their energy, to learn about cooperation and team dynamics, and to build self-esteem, all while having fun.
Youth sport also contributes to health and wellness by encouraging kids to be active and increasing their levels of physical fitness. This in turn helps reduce rates of obesity and diabetes in young people and helps instil fitness habits that last a lifetime.
All of these benefits are magnified for Aboriginal youth, especially those living in smaller, more remote communities, and those whose lives are touched by poverty, addictions, and poor nutrition. For this reason, it is important that the GNWT provide as much support as possible to sporting events such as the North American Indigenous Games or NAIG, as they call it. Mr. Speaker, NAIG is recognized as an important vehicle to promote Indigenous sport development and recreation in Canada. It also provides an important opportunity to showcase and celebrate Indigenous culture across North America.
This event is so significant that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has included it in its Calls to Action. Call to Action Number 88 reads: "We call upon all levels of government to take action to ensure long-term Aboriginal athlete development and growth, and continued support for the North American Indigenous Games, including funding to host the games and for provincial and territorial team preparation and travel."
Mr. Speaker, I am told that the GNWT contributed $663,000 this year to the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Northwest Territories to fund the NAIG games. It is critical that our young people have proper training, more training time, and the continued opportunity to participate in these games. I want to encourage the GNWT to meet or exceed this funding in its next budget and to keep up the good work.
This summer, the North American Indigenous Games were held in Toronto. Athletes from the Northwest Territories brought home 28 medals, 5 gold, 13 silver, and 10 bronze, in an array of activities, including archery, track and field, canoe, kayak, golf, rifle shooting, and swimming. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues in this Assembly will join me today in congratulating the medal winners and acknowledging the hard work and competitive spirit of all athletes, coaches, and mission staff from the Northwest Territories who participated in this event. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.
