Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society – Major Canadian newspapers bring their award-winning journalism to 2017 NAIG
 
Toronto, ON – February 17, 2017 – Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Host Society announced Friday that the Toronto Star and The Hamilton Spectator have been named official newspapers for the coming North American Indigenous Games, scheduled for July 16-23, 2017.
 
Highlights of the agreement include extensive print, tablet and digital promotional advertising in the Toronto Star and The Hamilton Spectator as well as Metro Toronto. The Toronto Star is Canada’s most-read daily print newspaper on a weekly basis. Metro Toronto, which is part of the Star Media Group that includes the Toronto Star, is the second most-read weekday newspaper in Toronto.
 
In addition to advertising and promotional coverage, Toronto Star will produce the official 2017 NAIG Feature Guide and special sections with overruns provided to Games spectators.

The Toronto Star and The Hamilton Spectator join the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as the major media partners of the Toronto 2017 NAIG, provided all the rights and benefits of presenting sponsors of the Games.
 
Quotes
 
“The Toronto 2017 Host Society welcomes the Toronto Star and The Hamilton Spectator as the official newspapers of the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games. Their broad reach and extensive readership will greatly help spread the NAIG Movement across Canada. More than a sporting event, these Games have a unique opportunity to showcase Indigenous culture and inspire a generation of Indigenous youth.”
 
-Marcia Trudeau, CEO Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games
 
“Through their award-winning journalism, the Toronto Star and The Hamilton Spectator have exhibited passion for bringing Indigenous issues to the forefront. As official newspapers of the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games, the Toronto Star and The Hamilton Spectator will tell stories to Canadians of hope and inspiration, through the power of sport and culture.”
 
-Michael Cvitkovic, General Manager, Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games
 
 “We are delighted to be media sponsors for this major event to be held in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Our goal is provide residents in the area with comprehensive and in-depth news and information about the Games, the athletes and the events that surround 2017 NAIG.”
 
-Bob Hepburn, Director, Community Relations and Communications, Toronto Star
 

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 two week-long cultural festivals 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; more than 5,000 athletes are expected to participate.
• More than 2,100 volunteers have already signed up to be involved with 2017 NAIG through www.naig2017.to/en/getinvolved.
• The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, have each committed $3.5 million dollars 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 2017 NAIG. As the sole rights holder, ASWCO created Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society, a separate corporation to manage and operate the Games.
• Net proceeds from 2017 NAIG 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.

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.
 
Contact Information:
Abidah Shirazi
Director, Marketing and Communications
Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society
abidah.shirazi@naig2017.to
416-825-3348
 
Bob Hepburn
Director, Community Relations and Communications
Toronto Star
bhepburn@thestar.ca
416-869-4947