2015 Canada Winter Games: AtBC and Lheidli T’enneh Sign Statement of Cooperation

January 23, 2015

Lheidli T’enneh Territory, BC The Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC (AtBC) and Lheidli T’enneh, Official Host First Nation, today signed a Statement of Cooperation to formalize their working relationship during the upcoming 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, BC.

Across British Columbia, Aboriginal tourism contributes more than $45 million annually to the economy. The Statement of Cooperation allows both partners to strategically work together to highlight the Aboriginal tourism opportunities in the region to athletes, families, partners and media during the course of the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

“This is an exciting day for many reasons,” says Keith Henry, chief executive officer, Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC. “The partnership with the Lheidli T’enneh enables collaboration as we increase awareness of their rich culture to a local, regional and national audience. The Games also provide an exceptional stage to showcase the diversity of our Indigenous culture that has been recognized as increasingly important for tourism in BC, providing differentiation, authenticity and enriching visitor experiences in a dynamic industry.”

The 2015 Canada Winter Games are expecting to attract 15,000 people from across the country including athletes, coaches, family and fans. The national event allows AtBC to highlight the amazing cultural and tourism experiences of more than 200 First Nations, who are spread out across British Columbia.

“We are looking forward to working with AtBC in welcoming people into the Lheidli T’enneh traditional territory” says Chief Dominic Frederick, Lheidli T’enneh. “With the Games only three weeks away, and our Aboriginal Pavilion close to completion, we are preparing to share our arts and culture, traditions and stories in a meaningful way through numerous planned and spontaneous activities that include musical performances, arts and cultural displays that all ages can engage in and enjoy.”

AtBC and the Lheidli T’enneh Agreement includes collaboration in the following areas:

• Enhancing visitor’s experience with Aboriginal culture through sharing stories and educating visitors about Aboriginal people.
• Work with Northern BC Tourism, the 2015 Canada Winter Games committee and other key partners in a collaborative manner and, together, leverage opportunities.
• Work together to have a significant presence and showcase the Aboriginal Arts and Cultures of the Host First Nation, Northern BC and the province.
• Collaborate on the programming at the Host First Nation Pavilion.
• Look for other opportunities for Aboriginal cultural tourism programming.
• Assist in building and distributing digital assets including video and images.

For more information about the Lheidli T’enneh, Official Host First Nation, visit www.lheidli.ca (Launching shortly www.lheidli2015.ca) or follow along at #AboriginalBC, #lheidli2015, #2015CanGames

About AtBC
The Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC) is a non-profit, stakeholder based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Aboriginal tourism industry. Through training, information resources, networking opportunities and co-operative marketing programs, AtBC is a one-stop resource for Aboriginal entrepreneurs and communities in British Columbia who are operating or looking to start a tourism business. AtBC works closely with tourism, business, education and government organizations to help BC’s Aboriginal tourism businesses offer quality experiences and actively promotes these experiences to visitors and local residents. www.AboriginalBC.com.

About the Lheidli T’enneh
The traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh stretches 4.3 million hectares from the Rocky Mountains to the Interior Plains, and includes the City of Prince George. The word, Lheidli, means, “Where the two rivers flow together,” referring to the Nechako and Fraser Rivers, and T’enneh means, “the people”. Downtown Prince George and the surrounding neighborhoods now sit on the site that was originally the Fort George Indian reserve, established in 1892. The history of the Lheidli T’enneh is a big part of the history of the City of Prince George and the entire region.

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Media Contacts:
Kate Rogers, Tartan Group: 604-880-1494 (cell) or kate@tartangroup.ca
Paula Amos, AtBC: 604.803.4494 (cell) or Paula@AboriginalBC.ca
Veronica Haddon, Lheidli T’enneh (250) 961-1475 (cell) or vhaddon@lheidli.ca

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