Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided]

Tarek Chicot was recently selected to travel to Calgary to meet the Flames' defenseman Travis Hamonic and take in a hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks. Tarek was chosen on merit, including his achievements in high school. This honour came about through the Calgary Flames and Hockey North, in their efforts to build Canada's "hockey family" and promote positive life skills.

The trip included airfare, two nights in Calgary, two Hamonic jerseys, and a meeting with Travis and other players in the dressing room after the game. It was a very exciting experience. Travis was accompanied by Chief Lloyd Chicot. I congratulate Travis Hamonic and his wife Stephanie for reaching out to northern youth in this way. As hockey fans know, Travis is Metis and very proud of his heritage.

I am particularly happy for Tarek's selection. All of us face adversity and tragedy at some time in our lives, and at age seven, Tarek lost his father, but Tarek was well-raised raised by his mother, Sheila, as a single parent, along with her family. She is very dedicated to him, and today Tarek is a fine young man.

Of course, high school and this hockey trip are not Tarek's only successes. He assisted in a study of the Tathlina Lake fishery, conducted by his community and a Master of Science student from Wilfred Laurier University. The lake has supported a small commercial walleye fishery as well as whitefish stocks that are so important to the community.

Tarek has also benefited from his relationship with his uncle, Chris Chicot, and Melaine Simba through the Guardians program. Tarek continues to fish with his Uncle Chris on weekends and has been filleting fish since he was seven years old. I am pleased that Tarek is learning the ways of our world as he is. His is the way of the future, and I am very proud of him. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.