The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs:

Minister Highlights Labrador Winter Games

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a tremendous cultural and sporting event that concluded in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on Saturday evening - the Labrador Winter Games.

This year marks 30 years since the first Labrador Winter Games and I had the honour of officially opening the games on March 3.

Featuring competitors from 22 communities across Labrador, these are no ordinary games as they combine both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal culture and tradition in a showcase of skill, love of sport, and fellowship.

With a mixture of culturally-themed events like dog sled races and the Labrathon - which tests competitors on traditional trapping skills - to more conventional sports such as table tennis, volleyball and cross-country skiing, athletes compete for community points that are tallied to determine which community will get to take home the coveted Labrador Cup.

A highlight of each Labrador Winter Games is the Northern Games, which consists of two nights of Inuit games that showcase strength, agility, and sheer will, including challenging events like the one-foot high jump where athletes must stand on one foot, jump to kick a target and then land on the same foot.

The Provincial Government is proud to be the primary sponsor of the Labrador Winter Games. As part of the Northern Strategic Plan, $500,000 was provided through the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. A great deal of on-the-ground organizational support was also provided through our Labrador Affairs Office.

Often called the “Labrador Olympics”, these games showcase our Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage, our outdoor lifestyle and our love for energetic and friendly competition.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in congratulating Labrador City for taking home the Labrador Cup as the top point gatherers for the 2013 Labrador Winter Games, along with Alf Parsons of Labrador City and Rhonda Lawrence of Wabush for being named top male and female athletes of the games.

I also ask members to join me in congratulating the organizing committee, the many volunteers, and, of course, all the spirited athletes who continue to make these games one of the premier sporting events in the province.

2013 03 11             2:15 p.m.