February 8, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Communications TCDSB NORTHERN SPIRIT GAMES Department 80 Sheppard Avenue East Students from Toronto Catholic District School Board elementary schools will participate in the 5th North York, Ontario Annual TCDSB Northern Spirit Games on February 11, 18, 24 and 25 at five TCDSB secondary school locations. M2N 6E8 The athletic, cultural and spiritual celebrations welcome approximately 300 students in Grades 4, 5 Media Contact: and 6 at each site. Students participate in ten indoor and outdoor activities based on traditional Emmy Szekeres Milne Aboriginal and Inuit games. Each day’s activities are run by trained student leaders from the Acting Co-ordinator hosting school.
Communications, Public and Staff and students will partake in traditional cultural past-times such as art, music and time- Media Relations honoured games and activities which focus on physical strength, agility and endurance. The games [email protected] emphasize team work and introduce students to sports and activities still alive in northern g communities, such as snow shoeing, rope skipping, and spear throw. 416-222-8282 Ext. 2356 Each Northern Sprit Games day is kicked off with opening ceremonies led by students from one of the participating elementary schools. The opening ceremonies are based on the teachings of the Medicine Wheel and honour the gifts of Mother Earth, reminding students of their sacred connection to nature. Students pray and sing together and are treated to a drum performance. Guest speakers from First Nations groups, including story tellers, Elders, musicians and cultural leaders, address the children before the athletic activities begin.
The Northern Spirit games are part of the TCDSB's larger First Nations, Métis and Inuit initiatives, including curriculum development, teacher workshops and twinning with Northern communities. The TCDSB Northern Spirit Games (formerly Arctic Games) arose from the Twinning Initiative established by former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario James Bartleman to honour Canada’s Inuit and Aboriginal populations.
All Games begin at 9:30 a.m. and run until approximately 1:30 p.m.:
February 11th Neil McNeil High School 127 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough Contact: David Hogan 416-393-5502
February 18th Msgr. Percy Johnson Catholic High School 2170 Kipling Ave., Etobicoke Contact: David Hogan/David Iogna 416-393-5535
February 19th Archbishop Romero Catholic Secondary School 99 Humber Blvd., York Contact: Paddy Morgan/David Iogna 416-393-5555
February 24th Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School 959 Midland Ave., Scarborough Contact: Bianca Auciello 416-393-5554
February 25th Blessed Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School 40 Sewells Rd., Scarborough Contact: Paddy Morgan/Peter Fitzpatrick 416-393-5538
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The Toronto Catholic District School Board educates more than 90,000 students from diverse cultures and language backgrounds in its 201 Catholic elementary and secondary schools and serves 474,876 Catholic school supporters across the City of Toronto.