Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the athletes, coaches, managers, mission staff who represented Team Northwest Territories, better known as Team NT, at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games recently held in the Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta. I also want to acknowledge those who are representing Team NT at the upcoming 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island, scheduled from February 18th to March 5th.
It was exciting to finally see the return of the Arctic Winter Games after five years. Team NT had 347 participants strong, comprised of a diverse group of athletes who competed at 19 different sports. The Arctic Winter Games provide an opportunity for our coaches, officials, and athletes to engage with, and compete against, other circumpolar countries. Not only are the games an athletic competition, they are also the opportunity to promote social exchange and learn of cultural values from other countries and regions.
I would like to thank the Team NT's leaders: The chef de mission Mr. Bill Othmer and assistant chefs de mission Mr. Damon Crossman and Ms. Rita Mercredi, and the rest of the mission staff.
In addition to Team NT, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs was pleased to support the Northwest Territories Youth Ambassadors Program at the Arctic Winter Games. This program offers a wonderful volunteer experience for youth at major territorial, national, and international events. Participants work to develop life and job skills and to build the confidence necessary to deal with complex life challenges.
There were nine youth volunteering with the 2023 Arctic Winter Games host society who were between the ages of 16 to 19 in seven different communities across the Northwest Territories. Those youth are the role models and leaders of tomorrow, and I commend them for taking the opportunity to learn and grow by participating in this exciting volunteer experience.
In the coming days, Team NT will again be represented by 155 athletes and coaches competing in 11 sports at the 2023 Canada Winter Games. The Canada Games showcases the highest level of national competition for Canadian athletes and provides our national highperformance athletes a venue to compete with hopes of earning a spot on Team Canada for the Olympics or other international events.
I would like to wish the very best to our leaders for the Canada Winter Games: The chef de mission Ms. Rita Mercredi and assistant chef de mission Mr. Damon Crossman, as they and Team NT make their way to the games. I also want to recognize the many volunteers who are responsible for supporting Team NT. This includes Sport North Federation and territorial sport organizations volunteers who were responsible for selecting and managing teams. Volunteers are a significant and an important part of sport and recreation programs that contribute to a healthier Northwest Territories. The Government of the Northwest Territories is extremely proud to support our teams at both the Arctic and Canada Winter Games through financial assistance and a range of other programs that support development of coaches and athletes at the local, regional, territorial, and national levels.
For those of you still celebrating the success of the 2023 Arctic Winter Games, I sincerely hope you all enjoyed this truly wonderful experience. For those who are about to attend the Canada Winter Games, have fun, work hard, make us proud, as you always do. Go Team NT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
