DREAM ACHIEVE INSPIRE

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Businesses and Volunteers Generously Contribute to the 2010 Arctic Winter Games Store and Office

Grande Prairie - Debbie Reid, president of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games Host Society gave accolades to the local businesses and community volunteers for their generous contributions toward the new Games office and store. Reid announced that the new Games office and store facility, along with all the set-up costs including wiring, phones, construction and furnishings were provided through donations and sponsorship.


"The support that our organization has received to open this office and store is overwhelming," said Reid. "Our business community stepped up so generously and so willingly, and our volunteers worked tirelessly painting and scrubbing and preparing for this day. The Arctic Winter Games is both proud and humbled to announce that we are able to set-up the office and store free of any cash outlay to our organization.


When you experience this type of commitment, you really have to appreciate how fortunate we are to live among people who care so much about their community."

Reid made the announcement at today's grand opening of the new Arctic Winter Games office and store, located at Ernie's Sports Plaza. The store will be open with limited hours for the sale of 2010 Games merchandise. The first line of merchandise is also available to order online through the Games website.


Local government representatives were on hand for the grand opening and for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Assisting Reid with cutting the ribbon to officially mark the opening were City of Grande Prairie Mayor Dwight Logan, County of Grande Prairie Councilor Leanne Beaupre and M.D. of Greenview Councilor Lesley Vandemark.


Members of the 2010 Host Society also expressed appreciation to the newest sponsors of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games. These sponsors were recognized for their contributions to the new office and store, as well as to the Games, which will held in our city next March.


The Arctic Winter Games invites the public to come by and see their new space at 11500-100 Street, or to go online and check out their merchandise at www.awg2010.org.


The Arctic Winter Games is an international sport and cultural event that provides Northern youth with an opportunity to participate in a variety of sports and showcase their talents. The 2010 Games will be held in Grande Prairie from March 6-13.



For further information contact:

Debbie Reid

President

2010 Arctic Winter Games

Cell: (780) 512-6346

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Friday, January 23, 2009

Greenland Cultural Arctic Winter Games Representative Visits Grande Prairie

Grande Prairie, Canada - An Arctic Winter Games cultural representative from the Nordic Institute of Greenland, Mr. Anders Berndtsson, is in Grande Prairie on a three-day visit to view the cultural facilities that will be used during the 2010 Games, and to see first-hand the framework of the cultural component of the 2010 Games. He will also be meeting with members of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games Host Society.

The Sports Federation of Greenland has selected the Institute to provide all the cultural contribution from Greenland to the 2010 Games. Berndtsson and his cultural institution have, with huge success, produced the Greenlandic cultural contribution both at the 2006 Arctic Winter Games in Kenai, Alaska and the 2008 Yellowknife Games in the North West Territories.

"Many of us from Grande Prairie who were at the 2008 Games in Yellowknife had the privilege of seeing Greenland's cultural performance," said Jackie Clayton, cultural director for the 2010 Games. "We are definitely looking forward to seeing what they have in store for us at next year's Games." Berndtsson says plans are underway for the Greenlandic production for the gala events in 2010, and will consist of a fusion between Greenlandic choir traditions and South African choir traditions. "Greenland believes it is very important for the young cultural participants to have the opportunity to go through a professional creative process prior the Games," said Berndtsson." A professional artistic leader, choreographer, and light and sound designer are hired in Greenland for the production that will be held in Grande Prairie."

The Nordic Institute of Greenland is a cultural institution under the Nordic Council of Ministers and is based in Nuuk, Greenland. NAPA is part of the active cultural life in Greenland and gives opportunities to experience Nordic culture in Greenland and Greenlandic culture in Scandanavian countries. One of NAPA's priority areas is to support, stimulate and contribute to the development of Greenlandic culture through its own cultural projects, with an emphasis on children's and youth culture.

Contact:
April Weavell
Marketing & PR Assistant Director/Media Chair
2010 Arctic Winter Games
Cell: (780) 505-0703 Email: media@awg2010.org

Monday, January 19, 2009

The Unique Cultural Aspect of The Games

One of the things that really sets the Arctic Winter Games apart from other sporting events is the unique cultural performances that are an integral part of the week.

Take this example; traditional Throat Singing.



Just one example of the unique cultural performances you can expect to see in Grande Prairie 2010!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Arctic Winter Games Rocks with Canadian Music Icon Colin James

Grande Prairie, Alberta – The 2010 Arctic Winter Games is hosting a party, and they're inviting the community to dine and dance to the music of Canadian music icon Colin James. James – a six time Juno winner who has sold over a million albums worldwide – will be in our city on March 28 at the Evergreen TEK Centre to help raise awareness and funds for the 2010 international celebration of sport and culture.

2010 Arctic Winter Games Sponsorship Chair Linda Side said that Saskatchewan-born James is just the right person for the fundraising event.


"Colin is a very well-known and accomplished western-Canadian musician who has made his mark on the world with his raw talent. Music and culture are a huge component of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games, and Colin James represents the incredible level of talent that we Canadians bring to the international stage."

The Canadian singer, guitarist and songwriter appeals to a variety of audiences and music lovers playing in the blues, rock and swing genres. Also joining James will be seven members of his band who have played with many of the industry's greats including the Rolling Stones, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton.


Side said that the evening will include a silent auction featuring a variety of unique aboriginal art pieces from aboriginal artists around the region. There will be an opportunity for a meet and greet for sponsors with Colin James.


"It is a rare opportunity to share an evening with this caliber of talent in such an intimate, casual and closed setting. With the Games just over a year away, the excitement is building and what better way to celebrate than with this level of Canadian entertainment."

Tickets for the dinner and dance are $175 a piece and can be purchased at the Crystal Centre Box Office, or by calling the games office at 780-538-4777. Table sponsors will have an opportunity to personally meet Colin James before the event.


The Arctic Winter Games is an international sport and cultural event that provides Northern youth with an opportunity to participate in a variety of sports and showcase their talents. The 2010 Games will be held in Grande Prairie, Alberta from March 6 – 13. Participating contingents will include Northern Alberta, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alaska, Greenland, the Russian region of Yamal and the Sami (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia)


Contact:

Linda Side

Sponsorship Chair, 2010 Arctic Winter Games

Work: (780) 532-0636 Cell: (780) 831-8517