MLA's Rice and Donaldson exchange All Native Tournament Toasts in the legislature

Two Northwest MLA's took time out on Monday to salute the success of the 2017 All Native Basketball Tournament, held in Prince Rupert from the week of February 13 to 18..

The first salute came from down Highway 16 as Doug Donaldson, the NDP MLA for Stikine paid tribute to the championship victory of the Gitxsan Mystic.

The Stikine MLA offered up his observations from a game that Mr. Donaldson described as a nerve-wracking experience, noting for the Legislature how the Haisla team from Kitamaat pulled closer and closer to the Mystic as the minutes were counting down.

He further noted that with the victory, it was the first time in more than 35 years and the first time under the modern day format that the Gitxsan Women's team had won the tournament in Prince Rupert.

He asked that Legislature join him in congratulations for their success.

North Coast NDP MLA Jennifer Rice was next up with the Monday afternoon Sports report for the Legislature, first acknowledging the success of the Gitxsan ladies team and then celebrating the victory of the Skidegate Saints.

Ms Rice who was in attendance at Saturday's thriller in the Russell Gamble Gymnasium noted for the Legislature that it was the sixth championship in a row for the Saints.

The MLA regaled the Legislature with her own play by play of the event, providing some background as to how the Skidegate squad had defended their championship from a tough challenge from another team from her constituency out of Kitkatla, hailing the back and forth Overtime battle that the two sides provided.

She paid her tribute to the success of the tournament, noting that it had been a great event.

However, Ms. Rice may have to make amends to the Lax Kw'alaams Strike Force in a future speaking opportunity.

Caught up in her enthusiasm for the Seniors game, she neglected to make mention of the highly energetic contest between the Prince Rupert and Lax Kw'alaams teams on Saturday afternoon. That contest saw the Lax Kw'alaams team claim their second straight title in the Intermediate event.

Fortunately for the MLA, there is no shortage of speaking opportunities to pay tribute to the efforts of both teams at an upcoming session.

You can review the MLA's tributes from the Legislature record from Monday afternoon, they can be found starting at the 1350 point of the legislature notes.

The video of the MLA's statements to house can be view from the Legislature Chamber video presentation for the February 20th afternoon session, the tributes portion of the proceedings take place at the very beginning of the session.

More items of interest from the British Columbia Legislature can be found on our archive page.