Debates of March 9, 2005 (day 52)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later this month, March 25th to 27th, Yellowknife will be celebrating its 50th annual Caribou Carnival. Mr. Speaker, every year since 1955, Yellowknife residents have celebrated the coming of spring with this annual carnival. Incidentally, the Caribou Carnival is as old as the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories, which we are celebrating. I wonder if there are any connections.

Caribou Carnival, Mr. Speaker, began in the 1950s as a competitive event. Hunters and trappers from far and wide emerged from the bush to compete for the title of Bush King. The title went to the man who proved he had the most skills needed to survive the harsh northern winters. Women were not left out, Mr. Speaker. Speed and dexterity and muskrat skinning and tea boiling were the qualities of a queen.

Caribou Carnival has gone through huge transitions since those early days. Yellowknife has grown from a small mining town to a thriving metropolitan city. Fortunately for us soft city types, today the crown goes to whoever can sell the most raffle tickets.

But, Mr. Speaker, the early days have not been forgotten. The snow stage still features competitions in wood chopping, tea boiling, fire starting, log carrying, log splitting and nail hammering, and the scariest and most heart stopping one for me, the snowmobile race. Mr. Speaker, for those who are all beauty and no brawn, there is always the ugly dog and truck contest in which to shine.

I am always happy to see lots of our neighbours from surrounding communities that descend on our capital city, Mr. Speaker. This year’s schedule of events promises something for all ages and all interests. There are the Caribou Capers talent show, the fiddle dance and, of course, the Canadian Championship Dog Derby. The cultural tent will showcase games from across the NWT: Dene hand games, Inuit games, blanket toss and finger pull. I would like to report to you, Mr. Speaker, that the Yellowknife MLAs will be out there once again in full force to brave the cold and to dish out delicious and toasty hotdogs to our beloved constituents, while they are watching the fireworks, free of charge. I would like to encourage everyone to come out and help us celebrate this big event for the 50th year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank in advance all the organizers and volunteers, especially Carol Van Tighem and her team who have been working tirelessly to make this event happen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause