IQALUIT, May 7, 2008 - Naomi Alookee, age 16, from Netsilik School in Taloyoak, is the territorial Canada Day Poster Challenge 2008 finalist for Nunavut. This year's theme was My Canada Today !
The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced the territorial finalist, as well as regional winners by age category.
"Throughout Canada, we have the chance to celebrate the talent of our young people. In their posters, these young people have brilliantly shown what Canada represents for them," said Minister Verner. "Their artwork beautifully reflects our identity, our history, and how these young artists see the future."
The territorial finalist was chosen from among four winners in the following age categories:
Ages 5 to 8: Joellen Netser, age 8, Sakku School, Coral Harbour
Ages 9 to 11: Esmé Lee Archer-Roussel, age 9, École des trois-soleils, Iqaluit
Ages 12 to 14: Junette Kingmiaqtuq, age 13, Netsilik School, Taloyoak
Ages 15 to 18: Naomi Alookee, age 16, Netsilik School, Taloyoak (Territorial Winner)
The work of the overall national winner, chosen from among the 13 provincial and territorial winners, will be chosen to appear on the official 2008 Canada Day poster, which will be distributed across the country. The winning artist will be announced in May. In addition, the 13 provincial and territorial winners will travel to Ottawa, where they will join thousands of other Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill to celebrate Canada Day. As a special feature this year, they will continue on to Québec City where, on July 3, they will take part in the big celebration of the city's 400th anniversary. The year 1608--the date of the foundation of Québec City--is a historic date for all of Canada and North America. It is from that date that we truly started to become what we are today.
From June to September 2008, the 13 finalists' 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 has become one of the most popular programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Winners will receive prizes from our official partners in the 2008 Poster Challenge: the Hudson's Bay Company (Hbc), the Trans Canada Trail, the Historica Foundation of Canada, the Dominion Institute, and the Canadian Children's Museum.
To find out more about the Canada Day Poster Challenge, visit www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/affiche-poster
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages
819 997-7788
Angela Cassie
A/Director of Communications and Executive Services
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
204 983-4367
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
