Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games officially began on Sunday, January 29th with an opening ceremony at Legacy Dodge Field at Shell Place in Fort McMurray, Alberta, on Treaty 8 territory ancestral traditional lands of the Cree, Dene, and Metis. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, the Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games is the first Arctic Winter Games since 2018 and is the 26th edition of the events starting in 1970 in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
According to the Arctic Winter Games website, Commissioner James Smith (Yukon), Commissioner Stuart Hodgson (Northwest Territories), and Governor Walter Hickle (Alaska) began the Arctic Winter Games in 1969 to provide a forum where athletes from the Circumpolar North could compete in their own team and their own way and on their own turf. The focus of the Arctic Winter Games is to support and promote Northerners and traditional sporting competition that strengths culture and social interaction, increase community pride, and enhance in selfesteem.
I'm very proud to acknowledge all the athletes in the Northwest Territories, especially from the Tu NedheWiilideh riding, that participated in the Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
From the communities of Dettah and N'dilo, we have:
Desire Charlo, gold in hand games and bronze in the pull push;
Gordie Liske, gold in hand games and received a fair play pin;
Gavin Pellisey, bronze in under 19 hockey;
Talin Sundberg, bronze in pull push;
Airian Sundberg Koyina, gold in hand games and silver in stick pull;
Rex Turner, bronze in basketball.
From the community of Lutselk'e:
Joel Catholique and Ashley Catholique, bronze in volleyball male category;
Robin Catholique, gold in hand games.
And from Fort Resolution, we have:
Jessica Sanderson, one gold and three bronze in the Dene games category.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to say thank you to all the athletes in the Northwest Territories and in particular my riding. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Member for Tu NedheWiilideh. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
