WHITEHORSE, May 2, 2008 - Ferryn Nowatzki, age 15, from Wood Street Centre in Whitehorse, is the territorial Canada Day Poster Challenge 2008 finalist for the Yukon. 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 celebrate the creativity and 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."
More than 70 young people age 5 to 18 from across Yukon participated in this year's Poster Challenge. The territorial finalist was chosen from among four winners in the following age categories:
Ages 5 to 8 Jessica Francis, 8, École Émilie Tremblay, Whitehorse
Ages 9 to 11 Abby Gartner, 9, Christ The King Elementary School, Whitehorse
Ages 12 to 14 Shawna Pitts, 12, Del Van Gorder School, Faro
Ages 15 to 18 Ferryn Nowatzki, 15, Wood Street Centre, Whitehorse
One of the 13 finalists' works, selected from all the provinces and territories, 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 finalists 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, the finalists 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
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604 666-6504
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
