The Government of Canada Announces Canada Day Poster Challenge 2008 Finalists for Northwest Territories

The Honourable Josee Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced the territorial winner and finalist.

"Throughout Canada, we have the chance to celebrate the talent of our young people. In their posters, these young people have brilliantly shown what Canada represents for them," said Minister Verner. "Their artwork beautifully reflects our identity, our history, and how these young artists see the future."

The territorial finalists, by age category, are:

Ages 5 to 8:    Katherine Lenoir, age 7, Ecole Boreale, Hay River
Ages 9 to 11:   Houmisha Nunkoo, age 10, Weledeh School, Yellowknife 
               (territorial winner)

The work of the overall national winner, chosen from among the 13 provincial and territorial winners, will be chosen to appear on the official 2008 Canada Day poster, which will be distributed across the country. The winning artist will be announced in May. In addition, the 13 provincial and territorial winners will travel to Ottawa, where they will join thousands of other Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill to celebrate Canada Day. As a special feature this year, they will continue on to Quebec City where, on July 3, they will take part in the big celebration of the city's 400th anniversary. The year 1608-the date of the foundation of Quebec City-is a historic date for all of Canada and North America. It is from that date that we truly started to become what we are today.

From June to September 2008, the 13 finalists' posters will be on display at the Canadian Children's Museum, located in the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec.

Initiated in 1987, the Canada Day Poster Challenge has become one of the most popular programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Winners will receive prizes from our official partners in the 2008 Poster Challenge: the Hudson's Bay Company (Hbc), the Trans Canada Trail, the Historica Foundation of Canada, the Dominion Institute, and the Canadian Children's Museum.

To find out more about the Canada Day Poster Challenge, visit www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/affiche-poster

This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.

204-983-4367