MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 18, 2014
PARTNERS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES TEAM BC FLAG BEARERS FOR THE 2014 NAIG OPENING CEREMONY
VICTORIA, BC – Samantha Horth and Joel Patsey will carry the British Columbia and Team BC flags into the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) this month, announced Rick Brant, Director of the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council (Partners Council). “These athletes were nominated by Team BC coaches because they exemplify the spirit of fair play and ethics,” Brant stated. “They are considered roles models during and beyond competition.”
Samantha and Joel embody what Team BC athletes are all about: ambassadors on and off the field of play. Both athletes have been recognized for their outstanding athletic achievement, community service and leadership skills.
“I’m happy to know that my personality shows through the way I play,” said Samantha. “With so many athletes going to NAIG, I am so excited to have been chosen as the flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony.” Samantha is Metis, she lives in Surrey with her family and will be playing for the U19 girls’ Volleyball team for BC.
“I am very honoured to have been chosen to be the flag bearer for Team BC. I thank you for this great opportunity,” Joel said. “I will carry our flag with great pride along with all my fellow athletes in representing beautiful British Columbia.” Joel is from Gitanmaax and resides in Hazelton—he will compete at this years’ NAIG for the U16 boys’ Soccer team for BC.
“On behalf of Premier Christy Clark and the Government of British Columbia, I want to offer my warmest congratulations to the Team BC flag bearers,” said Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes. “We wish you and the entire Team BC contingent all the best as you represent the province at the North American Indigenous Games.”
“It is a privilege to lead Team BC to the 2014 North American Indigenous Games,” said Team BC Chef de Mission, Lara Mussell. “The coaches, athletes and support staff have worked diligently to prepare for the Games, providing the support needed to make the NAIG journey a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of Team BC.”
About Team BC
The Partners Council is responsible for managing the Team BC Program for the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). Through the support and oversight of its Team BC Work Group and Provincial Sport Committees, the Partners Council has established a coordinated Team BC program that includes the development of a comprehensive process to select the dedicated team of 500 Aboriginal athletes, coaches, managers, chaperones and mission staff to represent British Columbia at the 2014 NAIG
About the North American Indigenous Games
The North American Indigenous Games is an international multi-sport event, involving North American Indigenous athletes from 13 provinces and territories Canada and 13 regions in the United States staged intermittently since 1990. The 2014 NAIG will take place in the City of Regina on July 20-27, 2014 and will bring together 6,000 athletes and coaches and more than 3,000 host community volunteers and 200 Cultural and Entertainment performers.
About the Partners Council
The Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council (Partners Council) is a consortium of the First Nations Health Authority, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres and the Métis Nation BC. The Partners Council has established six regions across BC inclusive of the Northwest, Northeast, Interior, Fraser, Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver Island. This structure brings together sport, recreation, physical activity and health leaders from within each Region to establish committees, set priorities and create annual plans for advancing sport, recreation and physical activity in their communities.
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Media contact: Felicia Greekas, Team BC Communication Manager 250-732-2044 or fgreekas@bcaafc.com
