Judo sensei says thanks, and farewell

I wish to thank everyone in Iqaluit for supporting Judo Nunavut.

I would like to give special thanks to:

Friends and associates:

* Shodan Rick Lefebvre, who took time off his hectic schedule to provide advice and guidance to the youth, and to me;
* Jo-Anne Falkiner, who helped me develop judo in Iqaluit and helped me put together projects in addition to assisting with the judo lessons;
* Gordon McKay and Robert Tookoome, for sharing the passion of judo and volunteering for special events;
* Renée Russell, Pierre Dubeau and Claude Martel for their involvement with the club;
* Ron Woodman, our Judo Nunavut bingo caller;
* Emilie Rousseau, a precious collaborator for the years 2004-2005, who helped with the school program and the development of programs.

School Program collaborators:

* Darlene, David and Hilary, the best principals in Nunavut, you believed in my program and gave me a chance; and all the teachers who worked with me each week, and the school staff who helped to organize and who volunteered to make the Judo Day competition a success: thank you all.
* Terry Young, who helped me get started by donating judo mats.
* Iqaluit Businesses and Services:
* Thank you First Air, Northmart, DJ Specialties, Fantasy Palace and Baffin Flowers.
* Thank you to all Iqaluit residents who sponsored Judo Nunavut when playing Thursday night bingo.
* Thank you to the John Howard Society who supported the school program from 2002-2005.
* Thank you to Justice Canada and the Crime Prevention program, as well as the Association des Francophones du Nunavut and École des Trois-Soleils, who supported the pilot project in 2001, and provided space for the first and second Judo Day in 2002 and 2003.
* Thank you to the media: CBC North (Patrick), Nunatsiaq News (Jim and John), News North (Chris), Iqaluit Cable and EATV, CBC Radio (Romy), Raven Rock (Glenn), CFRT (Ghislain and Sylvain), for allowing the young athletes to gain exposure and to talk about their sport; and for your participation in different programs and for giving visibility to Judo Nunavut.
* Thank you to the Government of Nunavut and the Iqaluit MLAs: Paul, Ed and Hunter; CLEY (Stéphane and Johnny), Sport Nunavut (Kyle and Frank), Brighter Futures, ADI, for the financial support to Judo Nunavut and the competitive athletes.
* Thank you to the City of Iqaluit, for funding and support for the Nunavut Judo Day;
* Thank you to the City of Kuujjuaq and Jennifer for the youth weekend; and special thanks to Giovanna and Judo Kuujjuaq.
* I received technical and advisory support from Judo Québec and Judo Canada. Special thanks to Patrick Vesin, Patrick Esparbès, Serge Piquette, Daniel De Angelis.
* Thank you to all the judokas and international athletes who came to Iqaluit to share their knowledge and their love for their sport with the youths: Nicolas Gill, Nathalie Gosselin, James Kendrick, Jean-François Villemure, Marie-Hélène Chisholm, Maryse Guilbeault, France Morin and Fred Féréal.
* Thank you to Jukado, Gillsport and Trophées Claude Fortin.

Finally, thank you to the judokas, and a special thought goes to Eugene, Zach G., Zach C., Natalie, Nicole and Gabrielle. I hope you continue to enjoy judo and that you will keep this sport alive in Nunavut.

Mario Des Forges
Iqaluit