Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Spring is just around the corner, though you’d never know it by looking outside. I’m sure if the groundhog came out today he’d probably freeze. With spring -- and my colleague for Nunakput mentioned it before -- the carnival seasons are starting up and it’s always an excellent time of year for folks in the Beaufort-Delta to gather and check out their new racing machines and check out their new dog teams and go up against each other. It’s always an excellent time for folks to get together. They have their old-time dances. It’s just a great time to celebrate.
Inuvik has their Muskrat Jamboree they’ll be starting in a couple of weeks. Beluga Jamboree is always a big success up in Tuk, and they have the Peel River Jamboree in Fort McPherson, and Tsiigehtchic has their spring carnival. They try staggering them every weekend so you can pretty well make the loop and be going for five weekends in a row and after that you’re played out and you gotta rest up until next year.
A lot of work goes into these carnivals. There are a lot of folks who started fundraising this year and a lot of good corporate support. We’re really pleased to see that. Aklavik has their Mad Trapper Rendezvous. They always have it Easter weekend. It’s a bit of a tradition. We look forward to the carnival season. We always look forward to the carnival season.
With spring also comes an age-old tradition up in the Beaufort-Delta, the muskrat trapping season. Folks have been doing this for years and it’s always a good opportunity for them to go out and take part in something that they’ve done for many years. I hear the prices this year are fairly good, so people will be getting out there and setting their traps.
I just want to ask all those that go out there to be safe. Those that take part in the carnivals, be sober, be safe, enjoy your time and don’t waste it going out and getting smashed or anything like that.
With that, I’m going to ask all those folks out there to enjoy all the festivities and if you’re out enjoying being on the land, I just ask that you respect the gift that was given to us.
