HYDRO ONE NAMED PRESENTING PARTNER OF TORONTO 2017 NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GAMES
Toronto 2017 NAIG – Agreement includes naming rights to Opening Ceremony as Games shines spotlight on Indigenous communities through the inspirational power of sport
Toronto, ON – May 31, 2017 – The Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (Toronto 2017 NAIG) Host Society announced Wednesday that Hydro One Inc. has been named presenting partner for the international sport and cultural event taking place July 16-23, 2017. Celebrating the diverse Indigenous landscape across the Province of Ontario and Turtle Island/ North America, Hydro One will also receive naming rights to the largest celebration during the Games, the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games Opening Ceremony presented by Hydro One.
As the title sponsor of the Toronto 2017 NAIG Opening Ceremony and a presenting partner of the Games, Hydro One will join in welcoming 5,000 participants representing 22 competing regions across North America. A strong proponent of Indigenous relations in Ontario and across the country, Hydro One owns and operates assets located on 24 First Nations reserves in Ontario, including providing electricity to 15 remote First Nations communities across Northern Ontario.
The support from Hydro One of Toronto 2017 NAIG is part of a larger framework of community building, opportunity development and program creation aimed at supporting Indigenous communities and youth, through a collaborative and comprehensive approach that integrates service alongside education and acknowledgement. This framework aligns well with the #Team88 legacy campaign developed by the Toronto 2017 NAIG, which recognizes Call to Action #88 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is aimed at promoting reconciliation through the inspirational power of sport. #Team88 seeks to achieve this by reducing barriers for sport participation, telling the stories of Indigenous athletes at the national level, and promoting the inclusion of Indigenous protocols in all major Games and events. #Team88 also highlights the necessity of action as an important aspect of reconciliation, and encourages everyone to get involved, through a medium as universal and positive, as sport.
Toronto 2017 NAIG is scheduled to kick off July 16 at the Aviva Centre with a showcase of Indigenous diversity and a celebration of the history of Ontario Indigenous heritage and the North American Indigenous Games movement. Dating back to the first Games in Edmonton, AB held in 1992, the Toronto 2017 NAIG will be the ninth Games in the 25 year history of the North American Indigenous Games.
In forty-five short days, Hydro One will be a key partner in delivering a spectacular showcase of Indigenous sport achievement and unique cultural heritage to the City of Toronto, with a Games footprint that will extend over 16 world-class venues, showcasing 14 sports and an array of Indigenous cultures. Hydro One, through its support of the Toronto 2017 NAIG and #Team88, will shine a spotlight on Indigenous athletes from across North America, inspiring a generation to come.
Quotes
“Hydro One has a long history of supporting sport and cultural events. Having such a committed partner alongside Toronto 2017 NAIG will provide increased opportunities to share stories of inspiration while celebrating diverse Indigenous cultures. Hydro One will play a key role in promoting opportunity for Indigenous youth and will help us continue the conversation of reconciliation through the power of sport. The Toronto 2017 NAIG Opening Ceremony presented by Hydro One will be a spectacle showcasing amazing Indigenous athletes while honouring cultures from across Turtle Island. We welcome Hydro One to #Team88.” -Michael Cvitkovic, General Manager, Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games
“Celebrating diversity is an important shared value at Hydro One. We are honoured to help shine a light on the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games and the 5,000 participating Indigenous youth. Hydro One proudly serves many Indigenous communities in Ontario and we look forward working together during this important period of reconciliation. The Opening Ceremony presented by Hydro One will be a magnificent showcase of motivated youth through sport and culture.”
-Natalie Poole-Moffat, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Hydro One Inc.
Toronto 2017 NAIG Quick Facts
- From July 16-23, 2017, the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (Toronto 2017 NAIG) are expected to be the largest sporting and cultural gathering of Indigenous Peoples in North America. The Toronto 2017 NAIG will host more than 5,000 participants, and thousands of spectators for 14 sport competitions being held within world-class venues located across the Greater Toronto Area, including the Region of Hamilton and Six Nations of the Grand River.
- The 14 core sports of the Toronto 2017 NAIG include: 3-D Archery; Athletics; Badminton; Baseball; Basketball; Canoe/Kayak; Golf; Lacrosse; Rifle Shooting; Soccer; Softball; Swimming; Wrestling; Volleyball.
- Equally important, Toronto 2017 NAIG will host a week-long cultural festival at two sites open to the public, showcasing a variety of Indigenous artists, traditional learning, vendors, food, cultural performances and nightly entertainment.
- Participating teams represent all 13 provinces and territories of Canada, as well as up to 13 regions from the United States; 5,000 athletes are expected to participate.
- More than 2,100 volunteers have already signed up to be involved with NAIG 2017 through www.naig2017.to/en/getinvolved.
- The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, have each committed $3.5 million to help fund the 2017 Games, in recognition of the NAIG as an important agent in promoting Indigenous sport development and recreation in Canada.
- The Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO), in collaboration with the City of Toronto and Government of Ontario, won the bid to host NAIG 2017. As the sole rights holder, ASWCO created Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society, a separate corporation to manage and operate the Games.
- Net proceeds from NAIG 2017 will be directed to a Legacy Fund, aimed at providing increased sport, health and wellness programming, services and equipment to Indigenous youth across the Province of Ontario.
- The Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games Opening Ceremony presented by Hydro One is scheduled for July 16 and will take place at Aviva Centre, home of Rogers Cup on the campus of York University.
Social Media Official Website, Toronto 2017 NAIG www.naig2017.to
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Official Website, Hydro One www.hydroone.com
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Acknowledgement Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society honours the traditional lands and homelands on which the 2017 North American Indigenous Games will take place. We honour and thank the Huron-Wendat Nation, Metis Nation of Ontario, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand River as our community partners and traditional inhabitants of the lands of the City of Toronto, Region of Hamilton, Durham Region and surrounding areas.
About Hydro One Limited We are Ontario’s largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with more than 1.3 million valued customers. $25 billion in assets and annual revenues of over $6.5 billion. Our team of 5,500 skilled and dedicated employees proudly and safely serves suburban, rural and remove communities across Ontario through our 30,000 circuit km high-voltage transmission and 123,000 circuit km primary distribution networks. Hydro One is committed to the communities we serve, and has been rated as the top utility in Canada for its corporate citizenship, sustainability and diversity initiatives. We are one of only four utility companies in Canada to achieve the Sustainable Energy Company designation from the Canadian Electrical Association. We also provide advanced broadband telecommunications services on a wholesale basis utilizing our extensive fibre optic network. Hydro One Limited’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: H).
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Contact Information:
Abidah Shirazi
Director, Marketing and Communications
Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society
Jay Armitage Director, Communications Hydro One Inc. jay.armitage@hydroone.com