RBC recognizes Aboriginal torchbearers for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch<br>Relay

VANCOUVER, Oct. 15 /CNW/ - RBC today announced the names of more than 150 Aboriginal people who have been given the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.

On October 30 in Victoria, B.C., the Olympic Flame will begin its 45,000 kilometre journey across Canada, visiting over 1000 communities, including 119 Aboriginal areas. RBC is a presenting sponsor of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.

Aboriginal Torchbearers selected by RBC come from every region and age group across Canada. Torchbearers were recognized for their contributions as part of a team or for their outstanding individual efforts.

"RBC is proud to sponsor the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay and give all Canadians the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame," said Graham MacLachlan, RBC regional president for British Columbia. "Today, we are pleased to celebrate the rich and diverse Aboriginal culture in Canada and encourage many of them to pursue their Olympic dreams."

The Team Torchbearer program was created for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay to provide teams with the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame and be recognized for making a difference in their community through teamwork. Three of RBC's Aboriginal team torchbearer spots include:

    
    -   First Nations Snowboard Team - Established in 2004, the team strives
        to improve the quality of life for youth through its innovative
        snowboarding programs. Experienced snowboard athletes are prepared to
        compete at provincial, national and international levels, while their
        recreational program trains snowboarders for entry level
        competitions. The First Nations Snowboard Team also operates an
        outreach program which enables elite snowboarders to inspire and
        mentor athletes in the high performance and recreational programs.

    -   Dolphus Nitsiza - Mr. Nitsiza won the RBC Local Hockey Leaders award
        for Hockey North. Mr. Nitsiza, from Behchoko, Northwest Territories,
        is a volunteer who works tirelessly to make hockey accessible to
        young people in northern Canada, where travel costs become an
        obstacle for kids hoping to play hockey. Every Saturday morning he
        drives many kilometres to pick up the kids to take them to hockey
        games and practices. Mr. Nitsiza will carry the Torch along with 19
        members of his hockey community.

    -   John Baptiste Sewepagaham School - This school represents a remote
        and Cree speaking population in the community of Fox Lake, Alberta.
        Fox Lake is a unique First Nations Reserve that has held on to its
        culture, traditions and language. JBS was awarded a team torchbearer
        spot in the RBC 2010 Olympic Torch Relay School Team Torchbearer Spot
        Contest. Their students and staff pledged to make Canada a better
        place by promoting healthy lifestyles and awareness of diabetes. JBS
        students and staff are promoting health and exercise by participating
        in Running Club, Hip Hop and Volleyball and by participating in the
        Diabetes Walk each year.

    Many notable Aboriginal people will also participate as 2010 Olympic    
Torchbearers,including:

    -   Phil Fontaine - Mr. Fontaine recently completed an unprecedented
        third term as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).
        He is a dedicated and highly respected leader in Canada and beyond.
        He has been instrumental in facilitating change and advancement for
        First Nations people from the time he was first elected to public
        office as Chief when he was 28 years old. Fontaine is a proud member
        of the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba and still plays an active
        role in the support of his community. He is currently a special
        advisor to RBC.
        "RBC is giving many Aboriginal Canadians the chance to tell their
        unique stories to the rest of Canada and the entire world. It is a
        wonderful opportunity for our people to share, participate and
        represent their communities in the Olympic Torch Relay. I am grateful
        to have been associated with this initiative through RBC and the
        Assembly of First Nations," said Mr. Fontaine.

    -   Ojibway Elder Lillian McGregor - Ms. McGregor has served numerous
        organizations as a board member or Elder. Originally from Whitefish
        River First Nation in Birch Island, Ontario, Dr. McGregor is a former
        nurse who most recently served as an elder-in-residence at the
        University of Toronto. She is also a member of the Order of Ontario.

    -   Wilton Littlechild - Dr. Littlechild is a lawyer, athlete and
        international advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples around
        the world. Born on the Ermineskin Cree Reserve near Hobbema, Alberta,
        Dr. Littlechild became the first Treaty First Nation person to earn a
        law degree from the University of Alberta and the first to be elected
        as a Member of Parliament. He currently serves on the Government of
        Canada's Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation
        Commission.
    

For further information: or interviews contact: Matt Gierasimczuk, Media Relations, [phone], [email protected]