ATC WELCOMES ACDEN AS HAND GAMES TOURNAMENT PARTNER

(Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, AB, Treaty 8 – August 2, 2023) - One of the most exciting events at the Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) Cultural Festival is the Hand Games Tournament. ATC is honoured to have Acden’s support in showcasing this traditional sport. Acden is owned by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) and is one of Canada’s largest Indigenous companies.

“The Indigenous-owned companies of the region understand the necessity of supporting community and culture. I am so proud to see Acden, a company owned by my own First Nation, take such an active role supporting traditional games at the ATC Cultural Festival,” said Chief Allan Adam, President of the Athabasca Tribal Council and Chief of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. “By supporting the Hand Games Tournament, Acden is ensuring this traditional sport continues to be passed down for generations, and I personally love the camaraderie and friendly competition created between the teams and the Indigenous communities of the region.”

Registration for the Hand Games Tournament will open on Friday, September 15, and teams must consist of six people with an alternate if the team chooses.

The tournament will start on Saturday, September 16, with the finals on Sunday, September 17.

Spectators get very involved in watching the high-energy tournament every year. This year the Festival will set up bleachers to oversee all the action.

“We have watched the Hand Games Tournament grow each year at the ATC Cultural Festival, and Acden is proud to partner with ATC to support this traditional game,“ said Garry Flett, Chief Executive Officer of Acden. “As a community-owned Indigenous company, we are grateful to the team at ATC for creating a space for our communities and the region to become immersed in Indigenous culture. In addition to supporting as a sponsor, Acden’s senior leadership team will be volunteering to help with the Elders Programming. We can’t wait to give back to the community as sponsors and volunteers while learning and experiencing our region’s rich Indigenous culture.”

“Each year, the Hand Games Tournament always draws a bigger crowd, and we find ourselves bursting at seams with people wanting to experience the action,” said Karla Buffalo, Chief Executive Officer of the Athabasca Tribal Council. “It is exciting to see the different generations participating in the games and wanting to learn how to play. I’m very pleased that Acden has stepped in to support the Tournament and helped us create a space to accommodate the crowd and excitement the Hand Games Tournament produces.”

The Festival will take place September 15-17, 2023, at Snye Point Park in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo in Northern Alberta on Treaty 8 territory.

To learn more about the ATC Cultural Festival, please visit https://www.atcculturalfestival.ca.

Partnership opportunities are available and can be found at https://www.atcculturalfestival.ca/partnerships, or you can contact ATC’s Events Coordinator, Misty Preshyon-Snook, at 780-792-9885 or email Misty.preshyon-snook@atcfn.ca for more information.

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For more information or media inquiries:

Karla Buffalo
Chief Executive Officer
Athabasca Tribal Council
karla.buffalo@atcfn.ca  |  780-791-6538

Claire Rogers
Manager, Communication
Acden
Claire.rogers@acden.com  |  587.644.1200