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Jake Rudolph receives Presidents’ Award in recognition of outstanding volunteer contributions

Jake Rudolph has been named the BC Games Society’s recipient for the Presidents’ Awards, given to volunteers from Sport BC member and partner organizations who demonstrate the spirit of volunteerism through the dedication, commitment, and tireless energy they give to their sport organizations.

The Presidents’ Awards are formally presented as part of Sport BC’s 57th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards on Thursday, March 6.

Rudolph served as Director of Sport for the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games, working tirelessly to facilitate competition at the Games in collaboration with local and provincial sport organizations. He demonstrated outstanding commitment to the

Rudolph recently retired from public life, having served at the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Nanaimo, The City of Pitt Meadows and the Deputy City manager of the City of Abbotsford and the General Manager at the City of Maple Ridge. He has been a Director of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators, serving several leadership roles in the organization. Among his many volunteer roles, Rudolph is a Past President and Board Member of the Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association where he and the team organized many amazing provincial tournaments.

He is one of 38 recipients of the President’s Award in 2025 — eleven of whom have been recent or long-standing volunteers with the BC Games Society or Team BC.

To read the full Sport BC release on the Presidents’ Awards, visit sportbc.com.

ABOUT SPORT BC PRESIDENTS’ AWARDS

Sport BC recognizes the importance of volunteers in sport. The significant role volunteers play in the sport sector is celebrated through Sport BC’s Presidents’ Awards. The Presidents’ Awards presented by Sports With Balls are given to volunteers from Sport BC member and partner organizations who demonstrate the spirit of volunteerism through the dedication, commitment, and tireless energy they give to their sport organizations. The 38 recipients will be celebrated during Sport BC’s 57th Athlete of the Year Awards taking place on Thursday, March 6, 2025. Congratulations to the 2025 Presidents’ Awards Recipients, thank you for all you do for sport in British Columbia.

 

  SPORT ORGANIZATION             2025 PRESIDENTS’ AWARDS RECIPIENTS

Badminton BC Michael Khoo*
Basketball BC Ken Olynyk
BC Adaptive Snowsports Russell Vida
BC Archery Greg Birtwistle
BC Athletics Dawn Driver*
BC Blind Sports and Recreation Sean Cowie
BC Diving Sven Batalla
BC Games Society Jake Rudolph*
BC Golf Barbara Rainey
BC Hockey Randy Henderson*
BC Lacrosse Penni King
BC Netball Sabrina Versteeg*
BC Seniors Games Society Gordon Oates
BC Snowboard Steven Hills
BC Soccer Stuart Wright
BC Sport Cheer Alyssa Bradford
BC Sports Hall Stan Wong
BC Wheelchair Basketball Darlene Antoniuk
BC Wheelchair Sports Kelly Smith*
BC Women & Sport Brenda Chinn*
BC Wrestling Boxing BC Sucha Mann*
Curl BC Neil Campbell
Field Hockey BC Colbin Wong
Football BC Drew Kightley
Gymnastics BC Graham Dodd
Judo BC Donna Hansen
Karate BC Michael Scales*
KidSport Patti Hunter
PacificSport Fraser Valley Stephanie Eby
Rowing BC David Miege
Skate Canada BC/YT Section Joanne Nickel*
Softball BC Squash BC Lavaughn Larson Tasha Doucas
SportMedBC Joseph Stern
Triathlon BC Peter Denny
Volleyball BC Water Polo West Barton Lim*
* Denotes BC Games connection

Langley’s Deschanel Donovan wins W.R. Bennett Award in Maple Ridge

MAPLE RIDGE, British Columbia – Langley’s Deschanel Donovan was presented the W.R. Bennett Award for Athletic Excellence on Sunday, July 21 at the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games.

The W.R. Bennett Award recognizes one athlete at each BC Winter and BC Summer Games who demonstrates athletic achievement and leadership. The award was named in honour of former premier Bill Bennett, who created the BC Games in 1978. Nominations are submitted by Provincial Sport Organizations and the winner receives a $2,500 bursary.

A softball athlete for Zone 3-Fraser Valley, Donovan was recognized moments after she helped lead her team to a gold medal, pitching in the final against Zone 5-Vancouver Coastal. The presentation was made by the Honourable Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Food and MLA for Abbotsford-Mission.

“I feel really good – it’s a really cool award to win and I’m very proud of myself for everything I’ve done,” Donovan told Global BC on Sunday. “I’m proud of all of [my team], we’ve all put in the work through the season and it’s come to this.”

Donovan has been a standout in her sport since she began playing a five years old. She currently plays for Fusion 2008 and the AI Bandits travel team located in the USA. Last year, she led her team to a national championship and was named Top Pitcher of the tournament. She was also a candidate for lowest ERA for the Alliance Top Tournament and named on the IDT All-Star Team. She pitches over 60 miles per hour with a current top speed of 67 miles per hour.

Her coach at the BC Games, Katelyn Ross, singles her out as a leader on the team who encourages positivity and makes time for her teammates. In her free time, Deschanel volunteers as a coach for a youth team and teaches pitching lessons.

“She works her butt off, so she’s putting in work at practices probably four to five days a week and then outside of practices as well,” said Ross. “I think the thing about her is that she has goals and ambitions and she’s really working towards those.”

Deschanel pitching at the BC Summer Games.

Sixteen Athletes Receive BC Games Leadership Bursary at 2024 BC Summer Games

Athletes, youth coaches, and officials taking part in the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games were invited to apply for the BC Games Leadership Bursary.

Supported by Canadian Tire, this bursary aims to recognize participants under 19 years of age who have achieved in academics and sport while going above and beyond in their communities through leadership and volunteer activities.

Sixteen recipients were awarded a $1,000 bursary to support their future sport or educational pursuits.

Kootenays (Zone 1)
Tessa Dainard – Athletics (Invermere)
Emma McLachlan – Rugby (Castlegar)

Thompson-Okanagan (Zone 2)
Coen Kissmann – Athletics (Kelowna)
Kiersten Bereska – Rowing (Weast Kelowna)

Fraser Valley (Zone 3)
Bode Lynch – Baseball (Maple Ridge)
Keria Bowering – Beach Volleyball (Maple Ridge)

Fraser River (Zone 4)
Advaith S. Iyer – Triathlon (Burnaby)
Savin Kang – Wrestling (Surrey)

Vancouver-Coastal (Zone 5)
Elia Comeau – Athletics (North Vancouver)
Jordan Ma – Triathlon (Vancouver)

Vancouver Island-Central Coast (Zone 6)
Cedar Chiang – Softball (Victoria)
Christian Attwell – Victoria (Victoria)

North West (Zone 7)
Eric Vander Wart – Soccer (Smithers)
David Vander Wart – Soccer (Smithers)

Cariboo-North East (Zone 8)
Rachael Pruden – Athletics (Prince George)
Cadence Hooft – Basketball (Prince George)

CBC Radio-Canada Interview: First male to compete in artistic swim at B.C. Summer Games

CBC Radio-Canada sat down on July 11 with Caden Wong, who will be the first male to compete in artistic swimming at the BC Summer Games when he suits up at the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games from July 17-21. sport at the BC Games when he takes to the water in Maple Ridge next week 🎉

Wong was featured on On The Coast with Gloria Macarenko alongside his coach Meng Chen Pacific Wave Artistic Swim Club.

Listen to the full interview on CBC Radio-Canada’s website.

Be prepared for heat at the BC Summer Games

As the weather warms up, the BC Summer Games reminds all participants and spectators to prepare and stay safe during forecasted high temperatures.

BC Summer Games is monitoring weather alerts from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the BC Heat Alert and Response System and is prepared to respond. 

In the event of a heat alert, information will be disseminated to participants through their sports and updates will be available on social media, bcsummergames.ca, and via email for families of participants. For comprehensive information on how to stay safe in the sun, please visit fraserhealth.ca/sunsafety. For information about dealing with wildfire smoke, visit the Fraser Health website.

More resources about staying prepared, identifying signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and tips for how to stay cool are available at the bottom of this page.

Stay tuned to bcsummergames.ca throughout the Games for more information in the case of heat warnings.

For more information about resources in Maple Ridge, visit MapleRidge.ca. Participants and spectators can also sign up for emergency alerts from the City of Maple Ridge at MapleRidge.ca/Alert to stay informed of heat warnings or extreme heat.


Tips for staying cool

Read more on the Fraser Health website.

Check-In
  • Notice how you feel and watch for signs of heat illness in those around you.
  • Monitor the indoor temperature.
  • At least 2 times a day, check in on those at risk for heat illness.
Dress for the Heat
  • Wear clothing that is loose-fitting, light-colored, and breathable.
Hydrate
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Offer water often to those in your care.
Plan ahead and stay informed
  • Check the weather forecast and latest heat alert information.
  • Take it easy during the hottest times of the day.

About Heat Warnings

There are two types of heat alerts:

Heat Warning – issued when two or more consecutive days of daytime maximum temperatures are expected to reach 33°C or warmer, and nighttime minimum temperatures are expected to fall to 17°C or warmer.

Extreme Heat Alert – issued when heat warning criteria have been met and the forecast indicates that daily highs will substantively increase for three or more consecutive days.


Where to cool down in Maple Ridge

  • Stay cool at air-conditioned facilities, including the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre, Greg Moore Youth Centre, Albion Community Centre, Maple Ridge Library, and local malls. The location of facilities can be found at MapleRidge.ca/Facilities
  • Take a splash at the City’s water parks. The location of spray parks can be found at MapleRidge.ca/SprayParks.
  • Once a heat warning is issued, the City will open a cooling centre at the Greg Moore Youth Centre (11925 Haney Place) from 11:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. The hours can be adapted depending on the temperature of the day. 

For more information about heat alerts in Maple Ridge, visit the Maple Ridge website.


More Resources

BC Summer Games to welcome participants from every corner of the province

The Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games take place July 17-21, 2024, and over 3120 athletes, coaches, and officials are set to participate.

The participants hail from across the province, representing 177 communities and all 87 constituencies. The 2430 athletes will compete in 22 different sports and are supported by 482 coaches and 213 officials, who have earned both sport-specific and Safe Sport certification to ensure a competitive and safe environment for athletes.

“We are excited that participants from every corner of the province will have a chance to come together and experience the BC Summer Games,” said Alison Noble, BC Games Society President and CEO. “Volunteers have been hard at work with planning for more than a year as Maple Ridge gets set to put on a unique celebration of sport during their 150th anniversary.”

The full participant list, including a breakdown by sport and community, can be accessed below. The list and numbers are subject to change up until end of day on July 17.

The Maple Ridge Games are the 33rd iteration of the Summer Games. The event is taking place on traditional territory of the Katzie (q̓ic̓əy̓) First Nation and Kwantlen (qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən̓) First Nation. Volunteers from the host community have been preparing for the last 18 months to welcome participants and put on a celebration of community and sport. Over 1,100 local volunteers have already signed up to support attendees at Games time.

The BC Winter and BC Summer Games have been the starting point for many athletes who have gone on to higher levels of sport. Many Olympians and Paralympians have attended the Games, including Julia Grosso (soccer), Brent Hayden (swimming), Bo Hedges (wheelchair basketball), Maidon Mailey (rowing), and Maple Ridge’s own Karina LeBlanc (soccer).

For more information about the BC Summer Games please visit bcsummergames.ca. For a full list of sports in the 2024 BC Summer Games, visit our website.

Resources

Quick Facts:

  • This year’s Games in Maple Ridge mark the 33rd BC Summer Games and the third time that the community has hosted the Games (Ridge Meadows 1998 BC Summer Games and Maple Ridge 1983 BC Summer Games). 
  • To date, 42 communities have hosted BC Winter and/or BC Summer Games.
  • Competitors represent eight geographic zones: Kootenays (Zone 1), Thompson-Okanagan (Zone 2), Fraser Valley (Zone 3), Fraser River (Zone 4), Vancouver-Coastal (Zone 5), Vancouver Island-Central Coast (Zone 6), North West (Zone 7) and Cariboo-North East (Zone 8).
  • 2024 BC Summer Games participants will compete in 3×3 basketball, artistic swimming, athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, box lacrosse, canoe/kayak, equestrian, field lacrosse golf, rowing, rugby, sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, towed water sports, triathlon, ultimate, volleyball, and wrestling. Athletes with disabilities compete in athletics-Special Olympics, canoe/kayak-Paddle All, equestrian-para, swimming-para, and swimming-Special Olympics events.
  • More than 380,000 participants and volunteers have taken part in BC Winter and BC Summer Games over the past 46 years.

Key Dates for the 2024 BC Summer Games

  • Opening Ceremony: Thursday, July 18
  • Competitions: Thursday, July 18 until noon Sunday, July 21

PARTICIPANT LIST

To find out who is registered for the 2024 BC Summer Games, look at the Participant List, which is now available online and searchable by city, sport, and name. 

View Participant List

To search participants by community:
Step 1: Choose Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games
Step 2: Choose List of all Participants
Step 3: Choose All from the Sport drop down list (bottom of the list)
Step 4: Choose the community from the dropdown list

Click Submit

PLEASE NOTE: The Participant List and numbers are subject to change until the close of the Accreditation at 11:59 pm on July 17. 

Everything to know about the 2024 BC Summer Games

The Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games are fast approaching and athletes are now registered to attend.

Learn everything you need to know about the BC Summer Games using our Guide to the Games booklet, G2G Sessions, and Registration Key Dates Timeline.

More resources:


Guide to the Games

The Guide to the Games booklet for the BC Summer Games is now available for download.

The Guide is a document produced before each BC Winter and Summer Games designed to fill participants in on everything they need to know ahead of the Games. The booklet has information on accommodation, transportation, ceremonies, the host community, and more.

Cover for the 2024 BC Summer Games Guide to the Games document.

Guide to the Games (G2G) Sessions

Prior to the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games, online G2G Sessions open to athletes, coaches, officials, and parents provide an overview of what to expect at the Games.

The sessions are meant to help:

  • Increase understanding of the BC Games and the logistics of the Games.
  • Explore ways athletes can gain full benefit from their BC Games experience.
  • Provide specific information and tools to support preparation for the BC Games.
  • Provide practical information regarding their upcoming BC Games experience.
G2G Register for a Session

Registration Key Dates

Volunteer Recruitment Continues for Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games

Volunteer Recruitment for the BC Summer Games continues and as of the beginning of June over 800 people have signed up. The Games will run from Wednesday, July 17 through to Sunday, July 21 and our community will welcome over 3000 youth athletes, their coaches, and officials from around BC to compete in 22 sports at 20+ venues in Maple Ridge and surrounding communities.

“Our Games Directors and Chairs have been out at community events raising awareness and sharing information on how residents can join Team Maple Ridge and help deliver a first-rate experience for our guests from around BC,” said Games President Laura Butler.

“Our volunteers are working through the lists of people who have registered to make contact to help choose the areas they want to work in. That’s the first step in getting them ready for their volunteer experience. Volunteer schedules will be developed a bit closer to the Games as we lock down the timing for competitions, meals, and transportation,” she added.

“As we move closer to the Games there are some areas where we are looking to sign up and assign volunteers as early as possible so we can do training and orientation sessions,” said Heidi Einhorn, Director of Participant & Volunteer Services. “At this point in our recruitment campaign, we’re highlighting opportunities on our Access Control, Accommodation and Food Services Teams to ensure the safety and comfort of all the Games participants.”

Here’s some details on roles that we’re looking to fill and important information on what’s happening behind the scenes:

Access Control

The term ‘Access Control’ is a fancy way of talking about event security. This team is looking for people who will work at venues to manage access points for spectators and athletes, provide support for the transportation team to make sure that bus traffic and the Games officials can move in and out of the sites smoothly and provide support at the accommodation sites.

Some of these positions will require security clearances and are well suited to young people who are thinking of a career in law enforcement and security or retired and semi-retired citizens who have security experience.

There will be a variety of shifts during the day and some shifts available for folks that like to work late in the evening or early mornings.

Accommodation

Athletes and coaches will be housed at a dozen local schools, and we need have 24-hour support at each of these sites to control access to the dorm areas and provide support for the athletes at their accommodation sites. The accommodation team is looking for people who may be familiar with a school site such as PAC parents, teachers, school admin staff and retired or semi-retired professionals in these fields. Older students are also being encouraged to fill these roles as part of their volunteer hour requirements for their Grade 12 graduation.

Food Services

During the Games the team will make and serve close to 40,000 meals. The team will consist of people who are preparing the meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and people to help serve and clean up after the meals.

If you have some experience or education in food preparation this is a great opportunity to flex your skills and be part of the kitchen team. There will be a crew dedicated to making sandwiches and lunches that will be delivered to the venues each day in addition to the breakfast and dinner teams. This is a great opportunity for a service club or church group to work as a team to impress our guests.

Other Roles

There’s a job for every age and capacity. For example, there will be a team that works intensively to accredit the athletes, coaches, and officials on Wednesday, July 17 as they flow through Planet Ice out to their accommodations. Once accreditation is complete, they can sign on other roles helping to deliver the Opening Ceremony, act as a host at a sport venue, work as a shuttle driver for the fleet of donated cars or help organize medal presentations at the 20+ sport venues. There are many roles we need to fill.

What happens when you sign up?

Every volunteer needs to sign up online at https://bcgames.net/mridge2024sm.

Once registered your information is sent to the Volunteer Management Chair for the area that you selected. Like you, they are volunteers, and they are working through the lists to make contact by email or on the phone to determine your availability and interest in filling certain roles.

We appreciate your patience as we work through these lists and make that initial contact. The Games will run from Wednesday, July 17 through to Sunday, July 21. If you can look at your calendar and determine what times you are available, that will help the Volunteer Management Chair when they develop their schedules later in June and the beginning of July.

Once the Games get underway there are a variety of volunteer shifts driven by the competition schedules, special events and some of the ongoing activities such as security, transportation, and food prep, that will have overnight or early shifts. The Volunteer Management Chairs will work with volunteers to fill these shifts. As details will be firmed up in the next couple of weeks you can expect to get more information on your Games volunteer schedules.

“This is a huge undertaking, and we know that our volunteers will help us deliver a first-rate and memorable event for the participants. I know from personal experience that you will make new friends as you meet other volunteers and that we will all come away with incredible memories of the 2024 BC Summer Games,” said Games President Butler.

“Please go online and get signed up as soon as possible. Ask your friends and family to do so as well and volunteer together! Join Team Maple Ridge and let’s show BC the hospitality and passion we all share for this community,” she concluded.

Torchlighting Ceremony Begins Official Countdown to Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games

Maple Ridge, BC (April 17, 2024) – On Saturday, April 27 the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games torch will be lit, and the countdown will begin! The athletes, coaches and officials will arrive in Maple Ridge on July 17 and the competition will run from July 18 through to July 21.

“I’d like to invite the community to come down to Memorial Peace Park, specifically to the east side of the Bandstand, at 11:45 am to get settled for the Torchllighting Ceremony that will begin at noon,” said Laura Butler, President, Maple Ridge 2024 BC Games Society.

The Torchlighting event on April 27 marks 82 days until it is officially ignited as part of the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games Opening Ceremony on July 18.

“On July 17 over 3000 athletes, coaches, and officials from around BC will converge on Maple Ridge to celebrate competition and community as we host the BC Summer Games. We’ve already signed up over 400 volunteers and this past weekend we visited all the local venues preparing for the competitions that will be happening in and around our city. The excitement is building, and this torch lighting is the next milestone on the journey to the games,” added Butler.

Taryn Stephenson, Director of Ceremonies & Special Events, for the Games noted, “A huge thank you to the Haney Farmers Market for sharing the park with us for the torchlighting. The ceremony will include the signature sounds of the Maple Ridge Concert Band, some brief speeches, and of course the lighting of the torch. Many Games Directors and Chairs will also be on hand to answer questions about how to get involved.”

Over 2500 volunteers are needed to join Team Maple Ridge and help deliver an exceptional Games experience.

Bring the family and be part of this milestone moment as the City of Maple Ridge counts down the days to the 2024 BC Summer Games.

Memorial Peace Park is located on 224 Street in downtown Maple Ridge between Lougheed Highway and Dewdney Trunk Road. The Bandstand is in the centre of the park, east of the Cenotaph. Parking is available underground, and the first hour is free.

If you would like to be a BC Summer Games volunteer, please visit www.bcsummergames.ca or come visit us at the Torchlighting Ceremony for more information.

Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games Society Celebrates Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week, happening April 14-20, is a time to celebrate the integral contributions that volunteers make to the well-being of our communities. The 2024 theme ‘Every Moment Matters’ highlights exactly that sentiment, from the moment a volunteer commits their time, to all they do – every moment they give to an organization makes a difference.

DOWNLOAD FULL RELEASE (PDF)

“From July 17 to 21, 2024, Maple Ridge will host 2,782 athletes, 566 coaches and 375 officials from across BC. The motto for the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games is ‘Celebrating Competition & Community’ reflecting the over 2,500 volunteers that we’re recruiting to deliver an exceptional Games experience for our guests this Summer,” said Laura Butler, President of the Games.

She continues, “Maple Ridge’s volunteers bring their skills, expertise, and passion to every aspect of life in our community. From sports to the arts, faith organizations, service clubs and charity organizations, there’s no one in our community that’s not enriched by the investment in time that local volunteers make in Maple Ridge. On behalf of our Society, we’d like to say thank you to all the volunteers in our community for making Maple Ridge great.”

The Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games Society volunteer recruitment drive is now live at www.bcsummergames.ca for both games time and planning positions. Sports enthusiast? Community advocate? Just looking for fun things to do? Whatever your skill set, if you’re interested in volunteering, we have a spot for you!

“There is a huge variety of roles that we need to fill to create ‘Team Maple Ridge’. From food service to accommodation, transportation, warehousing to events and marketing, there’s a place for all ages and abilities to bring your passion to this incredible event,” said Heidi Einhorn, the Games Director of Participant & Volunteer Services.

“One of the things that we saw during our visit to the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games was the sense of community pride among the volunteers that we interacted with over the days of the competition. That’s the inspiration behind our Games slogan – ‘Celebrating Competition & Community.’ For five days in July, all of us who are volunteers will surround the athletes, coaches and officials to ensure that they have an incredible athletic competition and that when they head home, they remember the kindness and hospitality of all the volunteers,” said Heidi.

If you are interested in being a volunteer for the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games you can go to www.bcsummergames.ca and follow the links to the online sign up. Once you register, your name will be sent out to Directorate teams in your preferred area, and they will reach out to you to confirm what your availability is before and during the BC Summer Games. Athletes, coaches, and Games officials will be arriving on July 17 and the competitions and special events will run from July 18 to 21.

Look for Games recruitment out in the community over the next couple of months including at the 2024 Ridge Meadows Home Show on May 3, 4 and 5 where the Games will be co-located with the City of Maple Ridge. You can sign up on location at this event.

“A volunteer recognition event will be held on Sunday, July 21 once our guests have departed back to their homes across BC,” said Laura Butler. “I know, from personal experience, the tight bond that’s formed when you come together with neighbours to put on an event like the BC Summer Games. I think that ‘Team Maple Ridge’ will be one of the great legacies of this event. As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, please join us in delivering and incredible Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games experience.”

For more information go to www.bcsummergames.com.

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Volunteer recruitment poster with information from article.

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Territory Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) People, also known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, and recognize that our work in this province spans the territories of more than 200 First Nations, as well as Métis and Inuit communities.

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