Yellowknife (Nov 03/06) - The territorial government will be donating $100,000 towards helping people with spinal injuries.

The Rick Hansen Foundation will be receiving $20,000 a year for five years to help the man who wheelchaired 40,000km around the world to raise awareness for people with spinal injuries.

Rick Hansen, left, shakes hands with NWT Minister of Health and Social Services Floyd Roland on Tuesday following an announcement that the territorial government would be giving the Rick Hansen Organization $100,000. - Jessica Klinkenberg/NNSL photo

Rick Hansen, the B.C. man who pushed himself around the world, was in Yellowknife on Tuesday to speak with Weledeh School students, as well as to receive the money from the government.

"It's hard to believe that 20 years ago I was planning (to go around the world)," Hansen said.

Since then, Hansen's organization has raised $178 million to support people who have spinal cord injuries.

Floyd Roland, the newly appointed minister of health and social services, said the partnership with Hansen would have many benefits.

"(We're doing this) to show our support for working with organizations," Roland said.

Roland was unable to answer how this would benefit people in the NWT who have suffered spinal injuries.

Hansen said that it would help patients who had to leave to receive treatment return home.

"That transition back home is the key one. (They will know) how to be connected to role models, to look at re-entering life, education," Hansen said.

"Those are the close examples of how leaders can prioritize."