Canada Day Poster Challenge 2009 Finalist for Northwest Territories

• 5 to 8 years: Stacey Evigaktoak, 8 years old,
•  Moose Kerr Elementary School, Aklavik
• 9 to 11 years: Eloise St.Louise, 11 years old, 
• Weledeh Catholic School, Yellowknife
• 12 to 14 years: Kim Ring, 13 years old,
•  Diamond Jeness Secondary School, Hay River
• 15 to 18 years: Carly Gon, 17 years old,
  
• Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School, Behchoko

Minister Leona Aglukkaq Announces Canada Day Poster Challenge 2009 Finalist for Northwest Territories

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?m=/index&nid=453209

BEHCHOKO, Northwest Territories, May 22, 2009 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament (Nunavut), today announced the names of the winners in four age groups and the territorial finalist in the 2009 Canada Day Poster Challenge.

The Northwest Territories finalist, Carly Gon, age 17, attends Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School in Behchoko. She interpreted this year's theme, "With Glowing Hearts," with style and originality. In her poster, Carly blends together symbols of the 2010 Winter Games with Canadian symbols and landmarks such as an inuksuk, Parliament Hill, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian flag.

"I am proud to see how creative and inspiring our young Canadians are. All of the participants were able to show us how they see Canada--from the splendour of its landscapes to the wealth of its history and cultural diversity," said Minister Moore. "With the 2010 Winter Games less than a year away, the Poster Challenge has allowed thousands of young people from every part of the country to take part in the excitement and to once again demonstrate that these are truly Canada's Games. Congratulations to everyone who took on the Poster Challenge."

"Using their creativity and imagination, young people from the Northwest Territories demonstrated their artistic talents and expressed how they see Canada," said Minister Aglukkaq. "I would like to congratulate the winners and all those who took part in this year's Challenge."

In the Northwest Territories, more than 130 young people between the ages of 5 and 18 rose to the Challenge this year. The territorial finalist was chosen from among the four winners in the following age groups:

• 5 to 8 years: Stacey Evigaktoak, 8 years old, Moose Kerr Elementary School, Aklavik
• 9 to 11 years: Eloise St.Louise, 11 years old, Weledeh Catholic School, Yellowknife
• 12 to 14 years: Kim Ring, 13 years old, Diamond Jeness Secondary School, Hay River
• 15 to 18 years: Carly Gon, 17 years old, Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School, Behchoko

Carly will be among the 13 provincial and territorial finalists who will go to Ottawa in June to participate in the Canada Day celebrations. As a finalist, she also has a chance to win this year's special grand prize: an all expenses paid trip to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

The grand prize winner is chosen from among the 13 provincial and territorial finalists. The winner's work will become the official poster for Celebrate Canada and will be distributed nationwide.

Created in 1987, the Poster Challenge program encourages young Canadians to learn more about Canada, which makes them even more proud of our country and strengthens their feeling of belonging.

For more information on the 2009 Canada Day Poster Challenge, visit www.posterchallenge.pch.gc.ca.

Information:

Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155