Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to inform Members about our Northwest Territories Team for the 2004 Arctic Winter Games, which are being hosted by the regional municipality of Wood Buffalo in Fort McMurray, Alberta, from February 28 to March 6, 2004.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has been an active participant in the Arctic Winter Games since their inception in 1970. These games are an important celebration of sport and culture for youth from the circumpolar region. We are once again proud to send a team to this event.

Team NWT will join athletes and cultural performers from Alaska, Yukon, northern Alberta, Nunavut, Greenland, Nunavik, the Russian provinces of Magadan and Yamal, and northern Scandinavia.

Mr. Speaker, Team NWT will consist of over 350 athletes, coaches, cultural performers and mission staff. Final selections for team members will take place at the territorial trials being held over the weekend of January 29 to February 1, 2004, in the communities of Fort Simpson, Inuvik, Hay River, Fort Smith, Rae-Edzo, Detah, Ndilo, Fort Resolution and Yellowknife. I want to pass on my congratulations to all the participants who have tried out for Team NWT. Whether you make the team or not, you are already a champion because you have demonstrated your commitment to active living and have tried your best.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my thanks to the Sport North Federation, the territorial sport organizations, regional coordinators and the many hardworking volunteers who are leaders in our sport system. Without their hard work and the thousands of hours of time they give, the Arctic Winter Games and many other sporting events would not take place.

The Arctic Winter Games are an important part of our sport system. Every two years, our youth look forward to the opportunity to share in friendly competitions and cultural exchanges and I am confident that our youth will once again benefit from this experience in Fort McMurray. Friendships will be formed and our young people will return with many lasting memories.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I would like to wish Team NWT the best of luck at the 2004 Arctic Winter Games. I would like to reaffirm to them and to all young northern athletes how proud we are of their healthy and active lifestyle choices. Mahsi.

---Applause