Vancouver set to promote Nunavut during Olympics

An inuksuk built by former Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq stands in the entranceway of the Northern House, a showcase for Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon during the 2010 Olympic and paralympic games. (COURTESY OF THE GN)

The Northern House, located at 602 West Hastings Street in downtown Vancouver, will give visitors information about Nunavut art, business, sports and culture during the Olympic and paralympic games. (COURTESY OF THE GN)

When visitors pour into Vancouver for this February for the Olympics and paralympic winter games, they’ll get a taste of Canada’s north at the Northern House, a showcase for Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon during the 2010 games.

“Canada’s Northern House will be the place to be prior to, during and after the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games,” said Peter Taptuna, Nunavut’s minister of economic development and transportation. “The business opportunities, art, culture and entertainment will attract people from around the world to this venue, and hopefully ultimately lead them to visit and invest in Nunavut in the future.”

Simulated northern lights will shine out from the windows at the Northern House, located at 602 West Hastings Street in downtown Vancouver.

In the entranceway, there will be an inuksuk built earlier this month by former Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq, who used stone from Nunavut, NWT and British Columbia for the inuksuk.

Inside the Northern House, visitors will find information about Nunavut art, business, sports and culture.

The Northern House will also showcase performers such as Artcirq and throat singers, drum dancers, and traditional games athletes.

The Northern House will have an art lounge, story telling area and an exhibit called “The North Today,” which will show interactive displays on living, visiting and investing in Nunavut.

And business information about the three territories will be available.

The Northern House is scheduled to open on Dec. 8 and remain in operation until March 31.

As well, the city of West Vancouver will promote Nunavut this February, Taptuna said.

Details of an agreement to showcase Nunavut’s culture, history and economy were finalized last week when Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, the mayor of West Vancouver, visited Iqaluit and Pangnirtung.

“In Nunavut, everyone I met is excited about the Olympic Games and inspired by our partnership,” said Goldsmith-Jones in a Nov. 16 news release. “For our residents and visitors, this will be an unforgettable cultural and educational experience and a key opportunity for business development.”

Under the agreement, West Vancouver will host a major mining gala, called “A Mine Altering Experience,” on Feb. 17, 2010.

West Vancouver, which is home to several junior mining companies, plans to showcase investment opportunities and the mining in Nunavut.

Among the other showcases planned is a presentation during “20 Days of Multimedia,” on Nunavut.

This will see giant-sized images of Nunavut’s land and people screened in the atrium of the West Vancouver community centre’s “Spirit Square,” an official 2010 Olympic celebration site.

During the games, a program called 2010 explorer camps and educational explorations for children will teach Inuit games.

A Nunavut lecture series rounds out the events also planned for West Vancouver.

“I’m extremely pleased with the opportunities the district of West Vancouver will provide the people of Nunavut during the Games,” Taptuna said. “We are always looking for innovative ways to share our territory with the world, and West Vancouver during the Olympic games is the best place and time to do this.”