ANNUAL REPORT 2020 TIME TO SHINE Mission Vision Values Honouring the heart In sharing the energy Access and Equity, and spirit of the Games, of our great northern Cultural Diversity, Wood Buffalo will enrich community, we will Inclusion and Awareness, lives by promoting create a memorable Fair play, History, personal excellence, athletic, cultural and Honesty, Legacy, cultural diversity and social experience while Personal Excellence, creating a legacy for fostering a sense of Respect for Self athletes, participants, accomplishment for local and Others. volunteers and the and visiting participants. Wood Buffalo Region. Table of Contents Message from the Co-Chairs ....................................................................................... 4 Land Acknowledgement ................................................................................................... 5 Board of Directors ..................................................................................................................... 6 Meet the Team .................................................................................................................................. 7 2020 Operational Highlights ......................................................................................... 8 Celebrating Local Athletes .............................................................................................. 9 Shining on Social Media in 2020 ............................................................................. 10 AWG in the Community ..................................................................................................... 11 Getting Ready in Gameswear ................................................................................... 12 Meet the Mascot ........................................................................................................................ 14 Getting to know the Pin Program .......................................................................... 15 Bringing Volunteers Together ..................................................................................... 16 Meet the Committee Chairs ......................................................................................... 18 Preparedness Through Planning ............................................................................ 19 Sponsorship Snapshot ..................................................................................................... 20 Financial Statements ........................................................................................................... 21 3 Message from the Co-Chairs On behalf of the Wood Buffalo Arctic Winter rural hamlets are included in every step of the Games Board of Directors, we are proud to reflect Games, we launched the Rural Delivery Program on the accomplishments of the Host Society in - allowing residents in the rural to order online 2020 and we are amazed by how much transpired and have the items delivered to their homes. This in 12 months. was all supported by the launch of the Official Games website in December which enhanced As you will see in this report, there are many our Click-and-Collect store and community successes to be proud of in 2020, from launching communications. campaigns, creating partnerships with stakeholders and the community, to growing the The past year was filled with tremendous activity, Host Society with a skilled and passionate team. exciting opportunities and of course some challenges that 2020 presented as we continued In the summer, the Games Operations Centre in to deliver on our mission, vision and values. downtown Fort McMurray was wrapped in our Games branding and features eight of our local It is evident the Arctic Winter Games bring our athletes. This local focus enhances the celebration Circumpolar World closer together and none of of sport by giving athletes their time to shine. The this would be possible without the support of Host Society also welcomed Fort McMurray’s own our community, partners and sponsors. We look professional snowboarder, Brooke Voigt, as an forward to continuing this journey together and official ambassador leading up to the Games. being a part of one of the biggest events in Wood Buffalo’s history. Fall was an exciting time for the Host Society. On the heels of a successful mascot design contest Sincerely, in the spring, we worked with the winner, Sadie Antoine, and unveiled the Nitotem the Lynx to Nicole Bourque-Bouchier and Melissa Blake the public. This was followed by the successful Board of Directors Co-chairs launch of our Games merchandise, which features Wood Buffalo 2022 Arctic Winter two clothing lines and colourful accessories. Games Host Society Due to the strong demand and ensuring our 4 Land Acknowledgement In 2020, the Wood Buffalo Arctic Winter Games We are honoured to share our Land Host Society developed a Land Acknowledgement Acknowledgement with you today: to be read at the beginning of every AWG meeting and event. The Arctic Winter Games Host Society acknowledges Treaty 8 Territory, ancestral and “Our Land Acknowledgement is an act of traditional land of the Cree, Dene and Metis reconciliation and a reminder of whose traditional people. land we are on. It is a simple but beautiful way to honour the people and the land,” said We are thankful for these borrowed lands Allison Flett, Program Manager, Culture and along with the traditional teachings and Indigenous Relations. “We are grateful for the lessons of resilience they offer us in the spirit of guidance from our Elders in our region who we maintaining good relations with others for future continue to work with to help us create this Land generations. Acknowledgement in a respectful way.” As long as the sun shines, the river flows and the grass grows we will honour these lands. 5 Board of Directors Nicole Bourque-Bouchier Melissa Blake Co-Chair Co-Chair Ashley Ryan Jean-Marc Ana-Maria Mendez Greg Tolson Bill Brook Director of Guillamot Director of Culture Director of Director of Venues Administration Director of Care & Ceremonies Information Comfort & Protocol Technology Michelle Toner Kelsey Green Michelle Farrow Jamie Doyle Linda Ollivier Director of Director of Director of RMWB RMWB Marketing, Sport/Technical Volunteer & Representative Representative Communications Community & Promotion Claris Voyageur Sheila Lalonde Jerry George Leigh Goldie Don Wilson Council Liaison, Council Liaison, SPAR AWGIC, AWGIC, Ex-Officio Ex-Officio Representative, Alberta’s Public Alberta Gov’t Ex-Officio Representative, Representative, Ex-Officio Ex-Officio 6 Meet the Team Connie Smith Christina Baker Charity Wiley Dave Hutchinson Senior Administrative Senior Manager, Senior Manager, Program Manager, Assistant Operations Sport and Venues Sport Eden Boutilier Jerry Neville Elizabeth Priest Claire Davies Senior Manager, Program Manager, Program Manager, Program Manager, Marketing, Promotional Projects Marketing and Merchandise Communications Communications and Partners and Promotions Erica Brewer Allison Flett Lee Anne Deans Chelsi Ryan Senior Manager, Program Manager, Senior Manager, Senior Manager, Culture, Stakeholder Culture and Office Administration Volunteer, Education Spectator Indigenous Relations and IT Services 7 2020 Operational Highlights Core-Four Milestones for Each Operational Division Marketing, Communications and Culture Promotions • Truth and Reconciliation calls identified • Games website launched • AWG Land Acknowledgement created with • Marketing, Communications and guidance from regional Elders Promotions Plan developed • Initial engagements with First Nations and • Brand created and guidelines implemented Metis locals completed and • Newsletter strategy created and • Collaboration identified with Athabasca distribution launched Tribal Council (ATC) Sport and Venue Operations • 20 sports confirmed, including Dene • Participants Village confirmed Games and Arctic Sports • Initial transportation plans drafted • Venues confirmed in Anzac, Saprae Creek, • Sustainability planning launched with all Fort McMurray and Fort McKay divisions • Initial sport technical and venue plans • Security and Medical Services planning drafted initiated • Technical Officials recruitment plan developed Finance and Administration • RMWB Shared Services Agreement Volunteer and IT Services completed with clear direction of RMWB • KimikIT GEMS (Games Event Management departmental support System) secured for the Games • Insurance completed for the Host Society • Through the RMWB/AWG Shared Service • Banking RFP completed Agreement, access to the network, mobile, • The AWG bank account opened, and funds computer technology, help desk support, deposited GIS/CAD services to produce drawings and maps has been provided • Volunteer needs assessment resulted in a target of 2,300 volunteers to be recruited • Preliminary development of volunteer tasks to guide recruitment developed 8 Celebrating Local Athletes It is their Time to Shine The Wood Buffalo Arctic Winter Games aims to celebrate our local athletes, both past and present. This was highlighted in 2020 through the design of the Games Operations Centre building feature all local athletes, the securement of Official Ambassador Brooke Voigt and the concept creation of the Local Athlete Recognition Campaign. The Arctic Winter Games will host a high number of athletes from the region and the Host Society strives to celebrate them as they compete at home. Spot a Local Athlete at the Games Operations Centre BROOKE VOIGT