Sponsorship from Ontario's largest electricity provider to power-up the Games
TORONTO, May 31, 2017 /CNW/ - Today,the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (Toronto 2017 NAIG) Host Society gets a major boost from Hydro One, joining an impressive list of partners sponsoring the international sport and cultural event taking place July 16-23, 2017.
"Sport is transformational because it requires leadership, teamwork and discipline," said Ferio Pugliese, Executive Vice-President, Customer Care and Corporate Affairs, Hydro One. "Hydro One is proud to be a part of this important event that will have a lasting impact on everyone involved."
As the title sponsor of the Toronto 2017 NAIG Opening Ceremony and a presenting partner of the Games, Hydro One will join in welcoming 5,000 participants representing 22 competing regions across North America.
"This sponsorship is about supporting our Indigenous communities, while at the same time recognizing the stellar achievement of the athletes competing at the Games," said Pugliese. "We wish the athletes great success and want them to know that everyone at Hydro One will be cheering them on."
A strong proponent of Indigenous relations in Ontario and across the country, Hydro One serves 88 First Nations communities in Ontario, including providing power to 15 remote First Nations communities across Northern Ontario. Earlier this year Hydro One hosted leaders from those communities and more recently hosted leaders from the Metis communities it serves.
In forty-five days, Hydro One will be a key partner in delivering a spectacular showcase of Indigenous sport and unique cultural heritage to the City of Toronto, with a Games footprint that will extend over 16 world-class venues, showcasing 14 sports and an array of Indigenous cultures. Hydro One, through its support of the Toronto 2017 NAIG will shine a spotlight on Indigenous athletes from across North America, inspiring a generation to come.
"Hydro One has a long history of supporting the development of First Nations youth. Having such a committed partner to support Toronto 2017 NAIG will provide increased opportunities to share stories of inspiration while celebrating diverse Indigenous cultures," Michael Cvitkovic, General Manager, Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games Toronto. "Hydro One will play a key role in promoting opportunity for Indigenous youth and will help us continue the conversation of reconciliation through the power of sport. The Toronto 2017 NAIG Opening Ceremony presented by Hydro One will be a spectacle showcasing amazing Indigenous athletes while honouring cultures from across Turtle Island. We welcome Hydro One to 2017 NAIG."
Toronto 2017 NAIG Quick Facts
- From July 16-23, 2017, the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (Toronto 2017 NAIG) are expected to be the largest sporting and cultural gathering of Indigenous Peoples in North America. The Toronto 2017 NAIG will host more than 5,000 participants, and thousands of spectators for 14 sport competitions being held within world-class venues located across the Greater Toronto Area, including the Region of Hamilton and Six Nations of the Grand River.
- The 14 core sports of the Toronto 2017 NAIG include: 3-D Archery; Athletics; Badminton; Baseball; Basketball; Canoe/Kayak; Golf; Lacrosse; Rifle Shooting; Soccer; Softball; Swimming; Wrestling; Volleyball.
- Toronto 2017 NAIG will also host a week-long cultural festival at two sites open to the public, showcasing a variety of Indigenous artists, traditional learning, vendors, food, cultural performances and nightly entertainment.
- Participating teams represent all 13 provinces and territories of Canada, as well as up to 13 regions from the United States; 5,000 athletes are expected to participate.
- More than 2,100 volunteers have already signed up to be involved with NAIG 2017 through www.naig2017.to/en/getinvolved.
- The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, have each committed $3.5 million to help fund the 2017 Games, in recognition of the NAIG as an important agent in promoting Indigenous sport development and recreation in Canada.
- The Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO), in collaboration with the City of Toronto and Government of Ontario, won the bid to host NAIG 2017. As the sole rights holder, ASWCO created Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society, a separate corporation to manage and operate the Games.
- Net proceeds from NAIG 2017 will be directed to a Legacy Fund, aimed at providing increased sport, health and wellness programming, services and equipment to Indigenous youth across the Province of Ontario.
- The Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games Opening Ceremony presented by Hydro One is scheduled for July 16 and will take place at Aviva Centre, home of Rogers Cup on the campus of York University.
Social Media
Official Website, Toronto 2017 NAIG www.naig2017.to
Like Toronto 2017 NAIG facebook.com/naig2017
Follow Toronto 2017 NAIG @naig2017to
Official Website, Hydro One www.hydroone.com
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Follow Hydro One @HydroOne
Acknowledgement
Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society honours the traditional lands and homelands on which the 2017 North American Indigenous Games will take place. We honour and thank the Huron-Wendat Nation, Métis Nation of Ontario, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand River as our community partners and traditional inhabitants of the lands of the City of Toronto, Region of Hamilton, Durham Region and surrounding areas.
About Hydro One Inc.:
Hydro One Inc. is a fully owned subsidiary of Hydro One Limited, Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with more than 1.3 million valued customers, $25 billion in assets and annual revenues of over $6.5 billion. Our team of 5,500 skilled and dedicated employees proudly and safely serves suburban, rural and remote communities across Ontario through our 30,000 circuit km high-voltage transmission and 123,000 circuit km primary distribution networks. Hydro One is committed to the communities we serve, and has been rated as the top utility in Canada for its corporate citizenship, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. We are one of only five utility companies in Canada to achieve the Sustainable Energy Company designation from the Canadian Electrical Association. We also provide advanced broadband telecommunications services on a wholesale basis utilizing our extensive fibre optic network. Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: H). For more information about everything Hydro One, please visit www.HydroOne.com.
SOURCE Hydro One Inc.
