Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to acknowledge the 2012 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon, and congratulate the athletes that have been training to win their spot on Team NWT to represent the Northwest Territories.
We have such programs in place to help our athletes compete at national levels. We offer financial contributions for athletes who need the extra training and we have endless amounts of resource material to assist our athletes in becoming the best they can be.
I have so much pride in acknowledging athletes that are coming out of the Mackenzie Delta riding. Please let me congratulate 41 Arctic Winter Games participants. From Aklavik: four Dene Games athletes, one ski biathlon athlete, eight cultural performers, two female hockey players, one juvenile dog musher. From Fort McPherson: two Dene Games athletes, two snowshoers, three cross-country skiers, four snowshoe biathlon athletes. From Tsiigehtchic: one Dene Games athlete. There is a total of nine coaches and staff from the Mackenzie Delta.
It gives me more pride to mention today that one of our respected elders in Fort McPherson, 81-year-old Mrs. Jane Charlie Sr., has supported her children and grandchildren throughout their years of growing up in all aspects of sports. She has attended many hockey tournaments and cheered on the sidelines for various other sports for members of her family. As a result of the extra support and encouragement, Mrs. Jane Charlie has five of her children coaching for Arctic Winter Games and six grandchildren were participating: one in dog mushing, two in Dene Games, one in female hockey, one in snowshoeing and one in snowshoe biathlon, and she has one female great-grandchild participating in female hockey.
Members of the Legislative Assembly, please join me in congratulating a fine supporter of active living and promoting fair play, Mrs. Jane Charlie from Fort McPherson.
Thank you, Mr. Blake. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.
