News Releases
Call for 2010 Dene and Inuit Games Participants
YELLOWKNIFE (June 12, 2009) – The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Traditional Games Program was announced today by the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA). MACA, in partnership with the Northern Games Society and the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic, is looking for young, vibrant people to display their athleticism within Dene and Inuit Games at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“With more than 80 countries involved, the Traditional Games Program at the Olympics presents a significant opportunity for our young northern athletes to proudly showcase our northern identity and promote our culture to the world,” said Minister McLeod. “These northern delegates will be some of the most talented and respected traditional games athletes in the Northwest Territories.”
“The Northern Games Society is pleased to see the Traditional Games Program part of the 2010 Olympic celebrations,” said Roy Ipana, Chairperson of the Northern Games Society. “Traditional games were originally played when groups from different areas visited and celebrated their culture together. The Olympic Games will allow us to share our culture, while also learning and celebrating others.”
“Participating in the Olympics and promoting Dene Games to such a large audience world-wide is really meaningful,” said Jan Larsson, Executive Director of the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic. “It is important to provide an opportunity for our youth to showcase the Dene sport and culture to the world.”
During a selection camp, athletes will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate a number of traditional games, their commitment to a healthy lifestyle, and their ability to demonstrate their knowledge of cultural relevance of traditional games. To qualify for the program, youth must be between 18 to 25 years of age on September 1, 2009. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 3, 2009.*
*EXTENSION!: The deadline for applications has been extended. The new deadline for Dene Games participants is Friday, July 24, and the deadline for Inuit Games participants is Friday, July 17.
Information about the Traditional Games Program, including application forms click on the following Dene Games - Inuit Sports.
For more information, contact:
Kevin Brezinski
Manager, Policy and Planning
Corporate Affairs
Municipal and Community Affairs
Tel: (867) 873-7512
Roy Ipana
Chairperson Northern Games Society
Tel: (867) 678-2429
Jan Larsson
Executive Director
Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic
Tel: (867) 669-8338