HYDRO ONE NAMED PRESENTING PARTNER OF
TORONTO 2017 NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GAMES
Agreement includes naming rights to Opening Ceremony as Games shines spotlight on
Indigenous communities through the inspirational power of sport
Toronto, ON – May 31, 2017 - The Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (Toronto
2017 NAIG) Host Society announced Wednesday that Hydro One Inc. has been named
presenting partner for the international sport and cultural event taking place July 16-23, 2017.
Celebrating the diverse Indigenous landscape across the Province of Ontario and Turtle Island/
North America, Hydro One will also receive naming rights to the largest celebration during the
Games, the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games Opening Ceremony presented by
Hydro One.
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. A strong proponent of Indigenous relations in Ontario and across
the country, Hydro One owns and operates assets located on 24 First Nations reserves in Ontario,
including providing electricity to 15 remote First Nations communities across Northern Ontario.
The support from Hydro One of Toronto 2017 NAIG is part of a larger framework of community
building, opportunity development and program creation aimed at supporting Indigenous
communities and youth, through a collaborative and comprehensive approach that integrates
service alongside education and acknowledgement. This framework aligns well with the #Team88
legacy campaign developed by the Toronto 2017 NAIG, which recognizes Call to Action #88 from
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is aimed at promoting reconciliation through the
inspirational power of sport. #Team88 seeks to achieve this by reducing barriers for sport
participation, telling the stories of Indigenous athletes at the national level, and promoting the
inclusion of Indigenous protocols in all major Games and events. #Team88 also highlights the
necessity of action as an important aspect of reconciliation, and encourages everyone to get
involved, through a medium as universal and positive, as sport.
Toronto 2017 NAIG is scheduled to kick off July 16 at the Aviva Centre with a showcase of
Indigenous diversity and a celebration of the history of Ontario Indigenous heritage and the North
American Indigenous Games movement. Dating back to the first Games in Edmonton, AB held in
1992, the Toronto 2017 NAIG will be the ninth Games in the 25 year history of the North American
Indigenous Games.
In forty-five short days, Hydro One will be a key partner in delivering a spectacular showcase of
Indigenous sport achievement 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 and #Team88, will
shine a spotlight on Indigenous athletes from across North America, inspiring a generation to
come.
Quotes
“Hydro One has a long history of supporting sport and cultural events. Having such a committed
partner alongside Toronto 2017 NAIG will provide increased opportunities to share stories of
inspiration while celebrating diverse Indigenous cultures. 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 #Team88.”
-Michael Cvitkovic, General Manager, Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games
“Celebrating diversity is an important shared value at Hydro One. We are honoured to help shine
a light on the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games and the 5,000 participating
Indigenous youth. Hydro One proudly serves many Indigenous communities in Ontario and we
look forward working together during this important period of reconciliation. The Opening
Ceremony presented by Hydro One will be a magnificent showcase of motivated youth through
sport and culture.”
-Natalie Poole-Moffat, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Hydro One Limited
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.
• Equally important, Toronto 2017 NAIG will 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/naig2017to
Follow Toronto 2017 NAIG @naig2017to
Official Website, Hydro One www.hydroone.com
Like Hydro One facebook.com/HydroOne
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, Metis 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 Limited
We are 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 remove
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 four 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).
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Contact Information:
Abidah Shirazi
Director, Marketing and Communications
Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society
[email protected]
Jay Armitage
Director, Communications
Hydro One Limited
[email protected]