2007 Canada Games - The Three 2007 Canada Winter Games Pan Northern Torches

The Three 2007 Canada Winter Games Pan Northern Torches

The three 2007 2007 Canada Winter Games Pan Northern Torches were commissioned by Touch the North, Inc. for donation to the 2007 Whitehorse Canada Winter Games Society. Each torch is unique, with a carved handle fashioned from caribou antler by artist Shane Wilson. Caribou antler was chosen because of its unique handle-like shaft, as well as the fact that caribou are universally present in all three of Canada's Territories. The palm and tine portion of the antlers, which normally point upward in their natural state, were reversed to point downward and host the signature carvings. Each carving contains three elements: an animal significant to the respective Territory, the Canada Games Maple Leaf logo with an addition of three veins to represent the three territories who have joined together to host the Games, and an element containing 13 parts to signify the Provinces and Territories that make up Canada. The Yukon Torch features a raven overlooking 13 mountain tops of the northern boreal forest; the Northwest Territories Torch sports a polar bear clambering onto secure footing from an ice pan breaking up into 13 pieces; the Nunavut Torch displays the narwhal with tusk passing through the Canada Games Maple Leaf logo, swimming amongst 13 ocean waves. The torch tops are fashioned from stainless steel and copper and hold a solid fuel source - a 'cupcake' of wax and woodchips that has a burn time of about 1/2 hour. Following the 2007 Canada Winter Games, the three Pan Northern Torches were presented to their respective Territories for permanent display.