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Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
March 23, 2010

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs:

Labrador Winter Games a Spirited Celebration of Sports and Culture

I rise to inform Honourable Members of Labrador's premier sporting event, the Labrador Winter Games, which took place earlier in March. These games brought together athletes, team leaders, and excited fans from all over Labrador. They showcase Labradorians' love of the outdoor lifestyle and celebration of culture and traditions while presenting some of the most spirited competition this province has to offer.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is proud to be the primary sponsor of these games, investing $500,000 towards their successful planning and execution. The Board of Governors, the Labrador Winter Games staff, and some 500 volunteers are to be commended for their triumph over the uncharacteristic warm winter.

I was pleased to see my colleagues, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, and the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, attend the opening ceremonies; an electrifying event, where for the first time in four years, teams from 25 different communities came together to open the games. It was a special moment in time when Labrador's own poet, artist, songwriter and performer Gerald Mitchell took to the middle of the stadium, and, under the light of hundreds of flashlights, sang the classic Sons of Labrador.

One of the mostly highly anticipated and entertaining spectacles was the Labrathon, a high-paced event that detailed a traditional outdoor lifestyle. A competitor raced around a 500-metre track to separate locations, where they had to start a fire and boil water, complete a target-shoot, cut through a log using non-powered hand tools, set a trap, and create a fishing-hole using an ice chisel, all while wearing snowshoes and towing a toboggan with gear weighing about 30 lbs. This event was won by Bradley Rumbolt from Mary's Harbour.

There were many feats of athleticism showcased over the course of games. Some of those recognized include:

  • Tanya Daley and Rick Kennedy, most outstanding female and male athletes for Lake Melville district;
  • Holly Andersen and Trent Pottle, most outstanding female and male athletes for Northern district;
  • Danielle McLaughlin and Mike Brookes, most outstanding female and male athletes for Western district; and,
  • Andrea Pardy and Preston Morris, most outstanding female and male athletes for Cartwright - L'Anse Au Clair district.
  • I extend congratulations to the community of Cartwright for winning the overall event and taking home the Labrador Cup, and congratulations to all of the athletes, volunteers and staff who made these games an outstanding success.

    2010 03 23                                                        2:05 p.m.


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