IQALUIT, May 15, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, today announced the names of the Canada Day Poster Challenge 2007 winner and finalists for Nunavut. The winner is Trisha Campbell, aged 13, of Aqsarniit Ilinniarvik School, in Iqaluit.
The theme of the 2007 Canada Day Poster Challenge was "A Portrait of Canada: Celebrating 140 Years." The contest was open to young people across Canada aged 18 and under. More than 372 youth from Nunavut participated this year.
"This year's Poster Challenge is a special one. Canada's New Government asked young people from Nunavut to think about what it means to them that Canada is 140 years old," said Minister Oda. "We invited them to express their thoughts about Canada's people, geography, culture, and heritage, and the results are inspiring. The Poster Challenge is a unique opportunity for our young Canadians to express their creativity and to demonstrate their pride in belonging to this great country. Each poster represents each young person's unique and personal view of Canada."
"This year, the participation of Nunavut's youth in the Poster Challenge more than tripled," said Minister Prentice. "The inspiring and impressive posters created by these youth remind us of the great pride we have for our country. I congratulate all the participants from across the territory."
The first-place winner was selected from the finalists in the following age categories:
Age 5-8: Annie Kootoo, 6 years old, Nukasuk School, Iqaluit
Age 9-11: Tammy Barrieau, 9 years old, Nanook School, Iqaluit
Age 12-14: Trisha Campbell, 13 years old, Aqsarniit Ilinniarvik School, Iqaluit
Age 15-18: Kristine Mannilaq, 16 years old, Netsilik School, Taloyoak
The design of one of the provincial or territorial winners will be chosen as the official Canada Day 2007 poster and will be distributed throughout the country. The name of the national winner will be announced in May. All 13 provincial and territorial winners and their escorts will be guests of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women in Ottawa on July 1, when they will join thousands of other Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill to celebrate Canada's 140th birthday.
From June to September 2007, the 13 winning posters will be on display at the Canadian Children's Museum, located in the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec.
Initiated in 1987, the Canada Day Poster Challenge is one of the Department of Canadian Heritage's most popular programs. Official partners of the 2007 Canada Day Poster Challenge--the Hudson's Bay Company, the Trans Canada Trail, the Historica Foundation of Canada, the Dominion Institute, and the Canadian Children's Museum--will offer prizes to this year's winners.
To find out more about the Canada Day Poster Challenge, please visit our website at
www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/affiche-poster
Information:
Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Angela Cassie
A/Director of Communications
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
204 983-4367
