Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario – Search Begins for Brands to Champion Ontario’s Indigenous Provincial Sport Body
 

(September 5, 2019)— After an extensive and competitive bidding process, Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO – formerly known as Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario) today announced Spectra, an industry leader in naming rights, sponsorships and hospitality, as its national partner to engage brands that will champion the sport body’s next chapter.
 
In November 2018, ISWO re-branded with a new name, look and platform that better aligned with its three pillars—Sport, Leadership, and Community—as well as the diverse peoples it serves. Spectra was also the sponsorship arm of ISWO’s predecessor, Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario, since 2016.
 
“Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario represents the full breadth and range of athlete development, from leadership opportunities to highly selective national and international competitions,” Bryan Furey, Senior Vice President of Spectra’s Partnerships division, said. “It’s a unique opportunity for companies to make a deep community impact. Spectra is proud to have been selected to continue its commitment to the Indigenous people of Ontario.”
 
Spectra is searching for companies to sponsor major events (such as the Masters Indigenous Games and the Ontario Indigenous Summer Games), Team Ontario’s presence at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships and North American Indigenous Games, and ISWO’s Standing Bear leadership program for Indigenous youth.
 
“Our support of ISWO follows as a natural extension of our partnership with its predecessor, ASWCO, and we couldn’t be more excited to continue on with the relationship,” Brent Harrison, Spectra’s Regional Director of Partnerships in Canada, said. “As ISWO plans for strategic and sustainable forward momentum, Spectra looks to find brands that are committed to supporting Indigenous peoples and the growth of their communities throughout Ontario.”
 
ISWO hosted one of the largest Indigenous sport and cultural in North America in 2017 and recently struck a five-year media partnership with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). In addition to coverage of major events such as the Masters Indigenous Games, Ontario Indigenous Summer Games and Team Ontario’s participation in the 2020 North American Indigenous Games, CBC will provide coverage of ISWO’s flagship programs including the Standing Bear Youth Leadership program, the Urban Indigenous Sport Strategy, and the Far North Sport Strategy.
 
“The partnership with Spectra is an important part of the organization’s strategy as we implement an ambitious five-year plan to take Indigenous sport development in Ontario to new heights,” Marc Laliberte, President of ISWO, said. “Spectra was an essential part of ISWO’s success in hosting the 2017 North American Indigenous Games and the 2018 Masters Indigenous Games; the organizations brought to the table demonstrated genuine interest in supporting young Indigenous athletes and their communities—actively contributing to the journey of reconciliation. As we move forward with Spectra, we are confident that they will continue to help build community, develop athletes and elevate sporting opportunities for the Indigenous youth of Ontario.”  
 

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About Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario
Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO) is the designated Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body (P/TASB) for the province of Ontario. ISWO serves all Indigenous Peoples and communities across Ontario, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, living on and off-reserve, in rural and urban settings, encompassing more than 350,000 Indigenous Peoples across the province. ISWO aims to develop and deliver opportunities for participation in sport, leadership and cultural activities, which promote wellness and positive lifestyles for Indigenous peoples across Ontario.
 
ISWO is recognized by the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) and the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Council, and is the designated sport body for the development, selection and management of Team Ontario, for participation in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) and North American Indigenous Games (NAIG).
 
Learn more at iswo.ca. Follow ISWO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
 
About Spectra
Spectra is an industry leader in hosting and entertainment, partnering with clients to create memorable experiences for millions of visitors every year. Spectra’s unmatched blend of integrated services delivers incremental value for clients through several primary areas of expertise: Venue Management, Food Services & Hospitality, and Partnerships. Learn more at SpectraExperiences.com. Follow Spectra on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
 

Acknowledgement
ISWO honours the traditional lands and homelands of all Indigenous Peoples and communities across the province of Ontario, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis living both on and off reserve, in rural and urban communities.

Contact:
Kylie Thompson, Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO)
Kylie.Thompson@iswo.ca
www.iswo.ca

Beckie Liwacz, Spectra
Beckie.Liwacz@spectraxp.com
(267) 901-4687