The Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games is still on the hunt for more volunteers and cash sponsorships. On Friday, Enbridge contributed significantly to the financial campaign. The energy transmission company, with an extensive network of pipelines in B.C., including through Lhtako country, added $25,000 to the Games effort.
View the full article from the Quesnel Cariboo Observer HERE
Quesnel, BC – The Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games volunteer recruitment campaign has hit a big milestone to kick off 2024! Over 1000 volunteers have signed up to assist with the Games. With less than 40 days to go until the Opening Ceremony, the volunteer recruitment campaign is picking up steam.
For those still unsure of how to contribute to the Games, there are opportunities to volunteer inside, outside, with friends, work groups, and more. There are opportunities to be creative, to be friendly, to work solo, to organize people, papers, or things, to sit, to stand, or to be active. Food Services and Accommodation Directorates are both in need of many more volunteers, while other areas have completely filled all roles. When registering, prospective volunteers can select from a list of specific areas still needing volunteers or to select one of the general volunteer areas so that efforts can be directed to the areas where volunteers are needed most. There are volunteer opportunities for people of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds.
“What better way to beat the February blahs, than to contribute some of your time to a community event that will leave a lasting impact on our community, and the participants from around the province. If you’ve already made the commitment, recruit a friend, family member or co-worker to join you! We can’t have too many volunteers.” Brian Balkwill, Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games President.
Registration to volunteer can be done online, through the Games website at: www.bcwintergames.ca The Games will be held at various venues around the community, February 22 – 25, 2024.
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Media Contact
Amy Reid
Public Relations Chair
Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games
pr@bcwintergames.ca
November 17, 2023 – Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games will host the Torchlighting Ceremony on Friday, November 17th. The lighting of the torch represents approximately 100 days to the launch of the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games.
The torch relay will begin at the west end of the Fraser River Footbridge at 5:15p.m., proceeding across Front Street to Carson Avenue, turning north on Reid Street, east on St. Laurent Avenue and into Spirit Square. The procession will be led by athletes from Quesnel who participated in the Greater Vernon 2022 BC Winter Games (held in 2023). The Torchlighting Ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Spirit Square with entertainment, music and speeches. Entertainment will include the Q City Singers singing O! Canada, a cultural performance by the Lhtako Dene dancers and drummers, and more. Hot chocolate and information about the Games will be available on site.
The whole community is encouraged to come to this event, show support for our athletes who will be carrying the torch and the volunteers organizing the Games. Ther Ceremony will be happening the same night as Quesnel Downtown Association’s Moonlight Madness event, making this a great opportunity to take in a once-in-a-lifetime community event and get some early holiday shopping done.
“This is a fantastic collaboration between the Games and the downtown businesses – how great that people will have a chance to support ‘shop local’ while also learning about the 2024 Games. This is an example of how hosting this event takes the whole community working together, maximizing the economic impact of the event while building community spirit,” says Brian Balkwill, President, Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games.
People interested in volunteering for the Games can now register online to volunteer at www.bcwintergames.ca. Those registered before midnight on November 30 will be entered to win a Bose Speaker System. The prize will be drawn at the Volunteer Appreciation Event after the Games. The Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games will be held February 22 – 25, 2024.
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Media Contact
Amy Reid
Public Relations Chair
Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games
pr@bcwintergames.ca
In recognition of the partnership between the community of Quesnel and Lhtako Dene Nation, the BC Games Society has announced that the 2024 BC Winter Games will officially be named the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games.
The announcement marks the first time in the history of the BC Games that a city and First Nations community have been featured together in the official name of the event. Driven by local dialogue, the initiative is part of Quesnel’s ongoing commitment to recognizing Lhtako Dene’s traditional territory, ways of life, and continued cultural presence in the region.
The Lhtako Dene Nation is part of the Dakelh (or Southern Dakelh) Nation in the Athapaskan language group. The multi-sport Games, which will bring thousands of B.C.’s top young athletes, coaches, and officials to the region, represent a unique opportunity to immerse participants from all over the province to the culture and history of the Lhtako Dene people.
The Lhtako Dene Nation and the City of Quesnel are partnering with the Cariboo Regional District and Quesnel School District to bring the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games to life. To learn more about the Games, visit staging.bcgames.org/.
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Quotes
Chief and Council, Lhtako Dene Nation
“These Games are about more than just a sporting event. They will present an opportunity to gather and share our traditional ways of life that have been practiced for thousands of years and will continue to carry on. Lhtako Dene Nation is excited to welcome participants and spectators to our unceded territory and look forward to creating memories, building community and sharing knowledge that will last a lifetime.”
Mayor Paull, City of Quesnel
“The City of Quesnel is proud to be a part of the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games and we are very pleased to be hosting these Games in a true partnership with the Lhtako Dene Nation. This first joint naming and hosting of the BC Winter Games is both an historic first and it will serve to deepen the relationship between the City of Quesnel and the Lhtako Dene Nation.”
Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
“The BC Winter Games are a shining example of the power of sport in our communities. Reconciliation is at the heart everything we do, and it is a key focus in our strategic framework, the Pathways to Sport. The Province is particularly excited about this initiative because it highlights how partnerships with First Nations can be advanced to benefit everyone. Congratulations to the Lhtako Dene Nation and the community of Quesnel. We look forward to these memorable Games in 2024”.
Alison Noble, BC Games Society President and CEO
“This initiative was driven by the local community in the spirit of reconciliation and in recognition of the true joint partnership between the Lhtako Dene Nation and local partners to put on this event. The naming of the Games is only the beginning and we’re excited to see this partnership grow.”
Media Contact
David Conlin
Communications Manager
BC Games Society
250.356.5254
davidc@bcgames.org