Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about the cost of obesity to our people and to our healthcare system. According to Statistics Canada, the Northwest Territories has the highest obesity levels in the country, at 35.3 per cent.

Mr. Speaker, two of the four pillars of health are to eat healthy food and exercise. In small communities, it is costly to eat fresh vegetables and fruits on a regular basis. However, it is still possible to get healthy traditional food, like caribou, moose, fish, and small game, like wild chickens, ducks, and rabbits. In addition, many of the elders will pick berries in season and make them last an entire year.

Mr. Speaker, one physical activity has become very popular, especially in small communities, is hand games. Hand games have grown in popularity right across the Northwest Territories and have proven to be very good for the physicality of participants. This is demonstrated by the fact that hand games and other Dene games, such as finger pull, snow snake, stick pull, and pole push are all recognized competitive sports in the Arctic Winter Games. Further, I also know that the GNWT shares this view of the importance of hand games because of its inclusion in the Aboriginal Sports Circle Program.

Moreover, Mr. Speaker, hand games have proven to be an excellent medium for youth to communicate and make positive social connections with their peers. Mr. Speaker, youth that are involved in sports and recreation like hand games and other Dene games are much more likely to stay out of trouble and away from dangerous activities that involve drugs, alcohol, or crime. As you can see, Mr. Speaker, there are many positive aspects to hand games.

Mr. Speaker, hand game participants get to interact with their counterparts from other communities, participate in physical activity, and stay away from drug and alcohol. Mr. Speaker, whenever you have a situation where youth are in a non-alcoholic, non-drug environment, you can only have positive things come from it.

Mr. Speaker, we all know the government and the social costs when youth do not exercise and become obese and when the youth overconsume alcohol and drugs and end up in the justice system.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted