Nunavut joins Vancouver 2010 Team as a contributing Territory

Iqaluit, Nunavut (July 8, 2009) – With only seven months to go until the Opening Ceremonies for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Nunavut has joined in the excitement. The territory’s unique culture will be showcased to a global audience during the games as part of a partnership agreement signed with the Olympic organizing committee while also contributing directly to the success of the Canadian Olympic Team.

The spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games was alive today as Premier Eva Aariak and Economic Development & Transportation Minister Peter Taptuna joined Taleeb Noormohamed, Director Corporate Strategy and Partner Relations for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), to announce that Nunavut has joined VANOC’s Contributing Province/Territory Program (CPTP).

“I’m pleased that Nunavut will be a contributing partner at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games,” said Premier Eva Aariak. “Our contribution will ensure we will be able to showcase our arts and culture during the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad. Nunavummiut will support the staging of the games and will be especially proud when the Olympic torch comes through our territory on November 5, 2009.”

“We want to thank Nunavut for contributing to the success of our Canadian athletes and for showing a commitment to our project,” said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer VANOC. “The territory has a rich geography and unique traditions fostered in local arts and culture - we look forward to using this spectacular celebration to highlight Nunavut to the world.”

Of the $168 thousand dollar investment from Nunavut, $84,000 will go toward the Own the Podium 2010 program, which supports Canadian athletes in their preparation for the games, and $84,000 will be dedicated to ensuring the territory takes full advantage of a wide range of benefits associated with the VANOC partnership.

“We are proud that Nunavut will be a participant in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and its historic torch relay,” added Minister Peter Taptuna. “The Olympic Torch will travel 6,630 kilometers by land and water in our territory, involve 90 torchbearers and visit three communities, including Iqaluit, Resolute and my hometown of Kugluktuk. The torch will also be in Canadian Forces Station Alert, the most northern permanent settlement in the world.”

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For more information, contact:
Matthew Illaszewicz
Manager, Communications, Economic Development & Transportation
867-975-7818
@email
www.edt.gov.nu.ca 

Katie Green
VANOC Communications 
Phone: (778) 227-6074 
Email: @email

Background: Contributing Province/Territory Program

VANOC’s Contributing Province/Territory enables Nunavut to participate in the following:

~  Organize a Nunavut Day at the 2010 Winter Games to promote the territory;

~  Participate in the Cultural Olympiad, which will include opportunities for Nunavut’s artists;

~  Encourage Aboriginal participation in the Games and preceding events;

~  Access VANOC promotional materials;

~  Use the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and Own the Podium 2010  logos;

~  Promote educational and volunteer opportunities relating to sport and culture, and encourage healthy lifestyles; and

~  Participate in the historic torch relay for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

VANOC’s Contributing Province/Territory Program offers a structured avenue for all provinces and territories to participate in the 2010 Winter Games. Under the CPTP, signatory provinces and territories receive a package of benefits that create a close association with the games, similar to those of corporate sponsors. In return, participating provinces and territories make a financial contribution towards the success of Canadian athletes in 2010 through the Own the Podium 2010 program; culture and arts, through the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad; and directly, to staging successful Games in 2010. VANOC developed this new program in response to interest demonstrated by Canada’s provinces and territories outside of British Columbia to allow for greater involvement in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

VANOC

VANOC’s government partners provide funding, infrastructure, essential service support and management services to the 2010 Winter Games, which will contribute to the lasting economic, sport, cultural and social legacies for citizens and communities throughout Canada. VANOC’s government partners include the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Nunavut today joins VANOC’s existing Contributing Province/Territory Program partners, including Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, NWT, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island. VANOC’s Venue Cities are Richmond, Surrey and West Vancouver. VANOC has also signed an MOU with each Canadian province and territory.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Nunavut

Nunavut is Canada’s largest territory or province. One of the three territories, it was formed in 1999 when it separated from the Northwest Territories. Nunavut is one-fifth of Canada’s land mass. It is in the northeastern part of the country. It has a southern land-based border with Manitoba. Its western border is with the Norwest Territories. The territory has just over 31,000 inhabitants; the least of any Canadian province or territory.

A majority of Nunavummiut are involved in creating the unique type of art that has come to signify the territory. Inuit carvings, wall hangings, jewelry and prints have become famous around the world. The territory has just announced a brand that will identify Nunavut art from imitations.

The territory is known for its breathtaking scenery. It attracts tourists who want to get off the beaten path. Nunavut has four national parks, eight territorial parks, outfitters, museums, art galleries, regular festivals and events.
The territory is also home to many untapped resources such as gold, diamonds, natural gas, oil, copper, lead, zinc and precious stones. A new gold mine is scheduled to open early next year. Nunavut is a great place to live, visit, work and play.