Nunavut to Have Some of It!

With only seven months to go until the start of the 2010 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 Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) while also contributing directly to the success of the Canadian Olympic Team.

The spirit of the 2010 Winter Games was alive today as Premier Eva Aariak and Economic Development & Transportation Minister Peter Taptuna joined Taleeb Noormohamed, Director Corporate Strategy and Partner Relations of 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 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 kilometres 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.”

“We want to thank Nunavut for contributing to the success of our Canadian athletes and for showing a commitment to the 2010 Winter Games,” 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 showcase Nunavut to the world.”

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 north-eastern part of the country. It has a southern 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, jewellery 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.

Of the $166,667 thousand dollar investment from Nunavut, $83,333 will go toward the Own the Podium 2010 program, which supports Canadian athletes in their preparation for the games, and $83,333 will be dedicated to ensuring the territory takes full advantage of a wide range of benefits associated with the VANOC partnership. A comprehensive background document on the CPTP follows.

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.

Welcome Nunavut!