North American Indigenous Games Day proclaimed by City of Toronto
TORONTO, July 16, 2017 /CNW/ - Mayor John Tory has issued a proclamation recognizing July 16 as North American Indigenous Games Day in Toronto.
"This is the first time the North American Indigenous Games will be held in Toronto and we are honoured to be the host city. This week is about more than sports and competition. It's an opportunity for us all to celebrate Indigenous culture and heritage and to support Indigenous athlete development," said Mayor John Tory. "I encourage all residents to attend and experience everything that this year's Games will offer."
In addition to the proclamation, the 2017 North American Indigenous Games flag will be flown from the Queen Street flag pole at City Hall to commemorate the opening of the Games and the 3D TORONTO sign will be illuminated to recognize Toronto as the host city of this year's Games.
The North American Indigenous Games is the largest sport and cultural gathering of Indigenous Peoples from across Turtle Island (North America). From July 16 to 23, Toronto will welcome more than 5,000 Indigenous athletes, ages 13 to 19. Sport competitions, which will be held from July 17 to 22, are free and open to the public. Athletes will participate in 14 sport categories at world-class venues in Toronto, Hamilton and Durham Region – many of which were built for the Toronto 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games. Sport and cultural venues include Humber College, McMaster University, York University, University of Toronto Scarborough, City of Toronto facilities, City of Hamilton venues, and venues within Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.
The host society is organizing free week-long cultural festivals at York University and McMaster University from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Special nightly entertainment, concerts and presentations will begin at 8 p.m.
The City of Toronto was named the host city of the 2017 North American Indigenous Games on June 26, 2015. The bid was led by the Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario with assistance from the Chiefs of Ontario, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand River. This is the first year that the Games will be held in eastern Canada.
The official Games website includes schedules and information for the competitions and festivals at http://naig2017.to/en/.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. In 2017, Toronto will honour Canada's 150th birthday with "TO Canada with Love," a year-long program of celebrations, commemorations and exhibitions. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/TorontoComms and on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto.
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Chris Fernandes, 7/16/2017 |
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