Mr. Speaker...[English translation not provided.]
Following up on the MACA Minister, I, too, will talk about the Arctic Winter Games.
Watching the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Canadians had the pleasure of cheering their athletes on to glory. Next week many of our young NWT athletes will be participating in the 21st Arctic Winter Games in Grande Prairie, Alberta. They will be competing with eight other teams, four Canadian and four northern international teams. Given the Canadian success at the Olympics, I think all athletes will be pumped, I predict lots of fun, lots of personal bests and lots of medals.
I want to recognize the athletes from Nahendeh who will be attending the Arctic Winter Games. Not only am I pleased to see what a bumper crop of athletes we have going from Nahendeh, but they are participating in a wide range of events. Twelve youth will be attending representing nine different sports:
Carson Mantla, junior male category, Dene Games;
Charlene Deneyoua, Junior Female Snowshoeing;
Michael Gast, Midget Male Cross-Country Skiing;
Blair Kotchea, Junior Female Biathlon Snowshoe event;
Madison Pilling, Juvenile Female Speedskating;
Thomas Roche, Junior Male Basketball;
Napem Moses, Junior Male Snowboarding;
Sydney Rowe, Junior Female Hockey.
The team with the most representation from Nahendeh is the Intermediate Female Soccer Team. There are three members: Amanda Bradbury, Jacqueline Thompson and, last but not least, Nicole Cholette-Antoine.
I don’t know if Arctic Winter Games mittens will be a best seller or not, but I would like to take this opportunity to wish the very best of luck to these young people from Nahendeh and to all NWT athletes in their sports. Also, a special greeting to the coaches, parents and volunteers who will be there. Don’t forget to take in the entertainment and cultural events.
Once again, good luck and have fun. Cheer each other on. Previous cheers at Arctic Winter Games have always been NWT, NWT, NWT! Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
