Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
The community of Wrigley has really excelled at Dene hand games over the last three years. I am very proud to speak about that today, proud that they have a strong cultural belief system, they practice it and support each other and their youth. The Dene hand games is one of our strongest cultural experiences for the Dene of the NWT, on par with drum dancing, which we all love.
I believe our government should be supportive of this and provide resources to support the Dene hand games. We must make efforts to support and sustain this. As you know, we have spoken many times. Our small communities have limited fundraising abilities and low employment rates, yet in the community of Wrigley the energy and dedication of the residents, the band office and parents make it possible to travel and participate at hand games tournaments throughout our North and even in northern Alberta.
Mr. Speaker, the Wrigley hand game players have always done well wherever they go. They have requested assistance from our government, but we have no programming for this. The communities are not asking for full sponsorship, only a contribution to assist them in travelling for this important cultural activity. The band offices support it, the parents support it, the people support it and our government must support it.
We have a successful Youth Ambassador Program and I believe we can have a cultural ambassador program to support this. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
