Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and myself are proud to acknowledge and congratulate the large contingent of Inuvialuit participation at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Through the Government of the Northwest Territories, there are 16 Inuvialuit participating in a blanket toss, traditional Inuit games, performing arts, individual arts: Mr. Abel Tingmiak, Hans Lennie, Donald Kuptana, Kyle Kuptana, Noel Leigh Cockney, Kristin Green, Marion Toutuk Green, Vanessa Anikina, Mathew Anikina, James Williams, Karis Gruben, Dwayne Illasiak, Leanne Goose, Greg Nasogaluak and Mary Okheena and Elizabeth Drescher.
Through the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the National Inuit Organization, the Aklavik Drummers and Dancers as well will participate at Inuit Across the North in a showcase celebrating the people behind the Inukshuk on Inuit Day, February 20, 2010, at the Aboriginal Pavilian. The group will be performing on NWT Day, February 19, as part of the NWT Cultural Delegation at B.C. Place. Twelve participants from Aklavik -- Carol Arey, Mary Gordon, Dean Arey, Mary Ruth Meyook, Phillip Elanik, Lori Elanik, Pamela Gordon, Colin Gordon, Alexander Gordon, Thomas Gordon, Eva Gordon, and Andrew Gordon, Sr. -- will also be all at the pavilion.
Most impressive is the two-year effort of the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers who were able to raise funds to bring more than 30 of their members to perform at the Vancouver Olympics. Although not part of the official Inuit Cultural Delegation, the group will appear at several venues through the Talking Stick Festival, at appearances in the Northern House. The participants are: Brian Rogers, William Allen, Kevin Allen, Vanessa Kasook, Patrick Gruben, Ethel Gruben, Dang-Dang Gruben, Olivia Lennie, Jimmy Kalinek, Justin Collinson, Jayda Sittichinli, Blair Rogers, Robin Carpenter, Alainna Carpenter, Keenan Carpenter, Priscilla Smith, Miranda Pingo, Lorna Delanie Elias, Sarah Tingmiak, Lillian Elias, Annie Aleekuk, Shae-Lynie Allen, Billy Lennie, Alecia Lennie, Cheryl Rogers, Patricia Rogers, Kendra Elanik, and Wendy Smith.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
I won’t go after that last section. During the opening ceremonies, four Inuvialuit youth participated as part of the Indigenous Youth Gathering: Margaret Noksana, Sophie Steffure, Joshua Teddy, and Chad Larocque. Working through the territorial government and ITK, Peggy Jay and Mavis Jacobson are championing the Inuvialuit crafters and carpenters with a variety of products for sale at the Northern House and the Aboriginal Village in and downtown Vancouver, and the Visions of the North on February 23 to 28 at the Richmond O-Zone Live Site. Joining the three Inuvialuit visual artists are Joe Nasogaluak, Bessie Inuktalik, and Ryan Taylor.
Finally, a big thank you to all those who supported the IRC in all the Inuvialuit communities. Please join me in acknowledging the Inuvialuit participation which will enhance the Northwest Territories presence at the Vancouver Olympics.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
