Mr. Speaker, the 10th anniversary of the Chief Johnny Charlie Memorial Ski-doo Trek is coming up on March 26–31, 2008. The family of the late Johnny D. Charlie would like to invite everyone to participate in the final run of the ski-doo trip, which is now in its tenth year, from Fort McPherson to Old Crow in the Yukon, some 300 miles.
Throughout his life Johnny D. Charlie made this trip a priority, first by dog team in his early days and later with snowmobiles. After his death in 1998, his family decided to continue making the trip in memory of their father. His family feels that it’s important for them to keep in close contact and communication with the relatives in Old Crow in the Yukon.
The whole intent of the trip when it first started in 1999 was to show many people the traditional route, which is taken over the Richardson Mountains, down the Porcupine River, and over to Old Crow in the Yukon. It opened up the old traditional portage trails, and then they marked the trails, they cut out the trails and, more importantly, they included the youth to take part in this activity so they, in the future, will know the route between Fort McPherson and Old Crow in the Yukon.
Finally, Johnny Charlie wanted to ensure, like many of our chiefs before him, that the Teetlit Gwich’in of Fort McPherson and the Vuntut Gwich’in of Old Crow in the Yukon stayed united by having the opportunity to continue a practice that’s been in place for hundreds of years as people move back and forth between communities.
Mr. Speaker, the final run will happen on March 26 to 31. Again, everyone is invited.
Since the beginning of time aboriginal people across the North survived in this cold, harsh environment and also by following the caribou for their food source and also practising traditional cultures and values and ensuring that they are connected with extended families in other parts throughout the Northwest Territories. At the end of the winter season, spring would come, and then they’d continue to celebrate. Mr. Speaker, our people will continue on with this practice today with feasts, dances, and storytelling about what has happened in their communities.
Mr. Speaker, I seek and ask to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Our people have continued to celebrate by way of feasts, dances and storytelling about their journeys during the past winter, and get together like they did for hundreds of years.
Yet we also continue to celebrate in the Mackenzie Delta at that time of year through different festivals that take place by way of the Mad Trapper Rendezvous in Aklavik, which is March 21–24, the Mackenzie River Jamboree in Tsiigehtchic, which will be April 4–6, and the Peel River Jamboree in Fort McPherson, which will take place April 18–20.
Again, Mr. Speaker, everyone’s invited. Thank you very much.
