Canada Lands Company to Celebrate Indigenous Culture and Sport with Masters Indigenous Games

TORONTO, July 9, 2018 -  The Masters Indigenous Games 2018 (MIG 2018) Organizing Committee is pleased to announce Canada Lands Company as the official Community Partner for the inaugural event taking place July 12-15 at Downsview Park.

Downsview Park, which is under the stewardship of Canada Lands Company, will be the primary venue (for both culture and sport) for the Masters Indigenous Games 2018. The MIG 2018 Cultural Village, hosted at Downsview Park, will feature a "Regalia" exhibition sponsored by Canada Lands. Traditional sport demonstrations (Artic Games, Standing Kick, Teepee Building, etc.), sport competitions (Archery, Athletics, Basketball, and Volleyball) and a traditional Pow Wow with Dance Specials will take place at the Cultural Village.

The sport competitions, Cultural Village and Pow Wow are free and open to the public with a multitude of family friendly and interactive hands-on cultural and sport activities to try. Residents in the Greater Toronto Area are encouraged to attend and learn more about Indigenous culture and sport. Attendees can take part in sport demonstrations, try a game of lacrosse, watch a traditional Indigenous cooking demonstration, view a cultural Indigenous performance of art, dance, singing, or drumming, sit in on a storytelling session in a teepee, or simply browse vendor booths, showcasing Indigenous arts and crafts.

"Building relationships by creating opportunities for further dialogue and learning are critical for us to move forward, not only as Indigenous Peoples, but as a country. A concerted effort to learn, to acknowledge, to share and most importantly, to act, is everybody's responsibility in achieving Truth and Reconciliation. The Masters Indigenous Games is an opportunity to do just that, it's one small step in the right direction. We are thrilled by the support and genuine interest that Canada Lands Company has demonstrated as a Community Partner for the 2018 Games. We look forward to building on this relationship with our Canada Lands through the work of the Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario" said Marc Laliberte, President of ASWCO.

"With a focus on education, sport, culture and community building, I am proud to say that our values are truly aligned with those of the Masters Indigenous Games", said John McBain, President and CEO of Canada Lands Company. "It is an incredible privilege to be able to host the Games at Downsview Park for everyone to enjoy".

Downsview Park is a dynamic, evolving urban park located in the heart of Canada's largest city. Conveniently accessible via TTC and GO Transit, the park has become synonymous with recreation and sports in Toronto, with athletes utilizing the park's rich variety of sports facilities. The park is also a major events venue, hosting a wide variety of community and cultural events.

Canada Lands and MIG 2018 are proud to jointly facilitate a broader agenda of supporting opportunities for the celebration of Indigenous culture, knowledge and ways of being. Events like the Masters Indigenous Games provide an opportunity for ordinary Canadians to engage further in the dialogue of reconciliation, through a platform as positive and relatable as sport and culture.

MIG 2018 Quick Facts:

• The MIG 2018 will take place from July 12-15, 2018, with the majority of events taking place at Downsview Park located in Toronto, Ontario.
• Masters Indigenous Games 2018 (MIG 2018) will feature hundreds of participants, 300 volunteers, various contemporary (athletics, basketball, canoe, golf, softball and volleyball) and traditional sports (archery, standing kick, tug of war and teepee building).
• The Masters Indigenous Games feature global Indigenous participation.
• A Cultural Village showcasing Indigenous artists, performers, sport demonstrations, storytellers and vendors, will be located at Downsview Park. The Cultural Village is FREE and open to the public throughout the Games.
• The MIG 2018 will also feature a traditional Powwow, with Dance Specials and a Community Feast on the last day of competition. This special event is also FREE and open to the public.
• MIG was founded by the Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO), the officially recognized Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body for Ontario.

Downsview Park Quick Facts:

• Downsview Park is a 291-acre (118 hectare) public greenspace located in Toronto.
• More than one-half of the site is dedicated to integrating forests, ponds, several kilometers of walking trails and a play zone for children (including an active orchard).|
• The Downsview Park Sports Complex is a 45,000-square-metre (485,000-square-foot) multi-purpose facility that features indoor and outdoor soccer fields, multi-sport and basketball courts, rock climbing, beach volleyball courts and go karting facilities.
• Scotiabank Pond is located at the park, a state-of-the-art four-pad ice rink.
• The park offers educational programming, welcoming more than 7000 students from over 100 Greater Toronto Area schools this past school year.
• The park offers free community programming, last year taking more than 800 participants on indoor/outdoor adventures exploring the natural world.
• Some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry have performed at the park.