Inuit performers to bring Olympic spirit to Vancouver stages

February 11, 2010 – Ottawa, Ontario – From the peaks of Nunatsiavut’s Nackvak Fiord, the shores of Nunavik’s Ungava Bay, the beaches of Nunavut’s Fox Basin and the foothills of the Richardson Mountains in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories, 30 Inuit performers are heading to the stages of Vancouver next week to show their Olympic spirit in a series of free performances throughout the city.

Feb. 20 is Inuit Day at the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion (Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, West Georgia St. & Hamilton St.). Taking its lead from the Games’ Inukshuk logo, the theme of the Inuit performance is “The People Behind the Inukshuk.”

Performances will begin at the top of the hour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include demonstrations of drum dancing, throat singing, Inuit games and contemporary artistic disciplines. Visitors will also have an opportunity to visit information booths from each of the four Inuit regions.

The day will close with an invitation-only reception at the Jack Poole Reception Hall of the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion, an opportunity for businesses men and women to meet with Inuit business leaders and sample traditional Inuit “country food.”

A shorter version of the People Behind the Inukshuk performance will take place at 5 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the Surrey Live Site (Holland Park, 135A St. & 100 Ave.) and Feb. 23 at the Richmond O Zone Live Site (Minoru Precinct, 7191 Granville Ave.).

From Feb. 18-22, Inuit artists will promote arts and crafts from Arctic Canada at the Artisan Village and Business Showcase at Vancouver Community College. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, in partnership with the Four Host First Nations and the Yukon Council of First Nations, will host an afternoon reception on Feb. 21, allowing retailers from the Lower Mainland to meet the artists.

Inuit arts and crafts will also be on sale at the Richmond O Zone from Feb. 23-27 as part of the Visions of the North Artisan Market.

“It fills me with joy to bring our world-class performers and artists to this international stage,” said National Inuit Leader Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

For more information, to arrange media interviews or to view the performances please contact:

Patricia D’Souza, communications officer
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
613/292-4482; dsouza@itk.ca