VANCOUVER, March 26, 2009 - The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), today took part in the unveiling of the second set of posters in the Find Your Passion in Sport series in front of students from Grandview Elementary School in Vancouver.
"Canada has many young, talented Aboriginal athletes who are pursuing their dreams of making it to the podium," said Minister of State Lunn. "Let's celebrate these athletes and encourage Aboriginal youth across Canada to become active in sport."
The Government of Canada believes that the involvement of Aboriginal people is vital to the overall success of the 2010 Winter Games. The poster series is a unique opportunity to enhance awareness among Canadians of the sporting achievements of Aboriginal youth in Canada and to inspire young people through the power of sport.
"The Aboriginal athletes chosen for this series of posters are an inspiration to all Aboriginal youth and young Canadians across Canada," said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. "Our Government is committed to ensuring that Aboriginal participation and initiatives leave a lasting legacy that remains beyond the 2010 Winter Games."
The unveiling of the 2009 Find Your Passion in Sport poster series features three up-and-coming Aboriginal young people who are pursuing excellence in sport. The selection of the athletes was conducted in cooperation with the Four Host First Nations and the Aboriginal Sport Circle in the fall of 2008. The following athletes were selected from over 80 Canada-wide nominations:
- Travis Jones, a Métis curler from British Columbia
- Leah Sulyma, an Inuit hockey player from the Northwest Territories
- Sammy Kent, a First Nations alpine skier from Yukon
Across Canada, talented young Aboriginal athletes are striving for sport excellence. To celebrate these athletes and to inspire more Aboriginal young people to become active in sport, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and its partners, the Government of Canada and the Four Host First Nations, produced the Find Your Passion in Sport poster series.
The first posters in the series were launched in March 2007. Each poster features a young Aboriginal athlete who embodies the true spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The athletes featured in both series reflect all three Aboriginal heritage groups from across Canada: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.
The posters, including lesson plans, will be distributed to all elementary and secondary schools across Canada.
The Government of Canada is a major and committed funding partner in delivering successful Winter Games in 2010 and will strive to maximize Canadians' investment in the Games. Hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is a unique opportunity for Canada to showcase its accomplishments and innovations to the world, while realizing sustainable environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits across the country and for all Canadians.
