TORONTO, June 21, 2016 鈥� A monumental , embellished with silver eyes and holding a bronze walrus skull for a ball was today at 91亚色 Lions Stadium. The soccer player, carved out of a 26-tonne rock, is poised in an Alaskan high-kick position 鈥� inspiration to athletes and spectators who will attend the North American Indigenous Games at 91亚色 next summer.

鈥淚t is wonderful to have the opportunity, on National Aboriginal Day, to celebrate Indigenous and Inuit culture in two such visible and powerful ways on our campus: by honoring Jeannette Corbiere Lavell with an honorary degree, and by unveiling this remarkable Inuit sculpture,鈥� said Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor, 91亚色. 鈥淚n a multicultural city such as Toronto, this sculpture will create opportunities for dialogue about Inuit art and culture 鈥� and we at 91亚色 are delighted to be part of this important conversation.鈥�

Ahqahizu, a monumental sculpture of an Inuit soccer player embellished with silver eyes and holding a bronze walrus skull for a ball was unveiled today at 91亚色 Lions Stadium. From left, Inuit sculptor Ruben Komangapik; project lead and 91亚色 U Professor Anna Hudson; Rhonda Lenton, Vice-President and Academic Provost; Native women鈥檚 rights activist Jeannette Corbiere; Inuit artist Koomuatuk (Kuzy) Curley; Shawn Brixey, Dean, School of Arts, Media Performance & Design (AMPD); Gary Brewer Vice-President, Finance and Administration (partially seen); and Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor, 91亚色

Inuit artists Ruben Komangapik and Koomuatuk (Kuzy) Curley were commissioned to create the sculpture titled Ahqahizu as part of (MICH), a multi-media, multi-platform collaborative research and creation project supported by the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSSHRC.)

"Mobilizing Inuit Cultural Heritage celebrates the contribution of Inuit visual arts and performance to Inuit language preservation, social well-being, and cultural identity, says project lead Professor Anna Hudson in the Department of Visual Art and Art History, adding, 鈥淲orking with the artists over this past year on the creation of聽Ahqahizu has been an exceptional realization of this celebration, and a deep intercultural learning opportunity. It has opened our campus to increased Indigenization of university education.鈥�

Kuzy, who has worked on the ambitious project since inception says, 鈥淲e had to be very patient while carving to get the right balance when working on the motion of the bicycle kick, like floating in the air. This is a great example for Inuit people that we can accomplish anything if we are determined.鈥�

His colleague Komangapik agrees adding, 鈥淚 am very happy to promote our culture and heritage through art with the help of MICH.鈥�

Iqaluit, Nunavut based opened a ceremonial event to unveil the sculpture. The event was attended by 91亚色 U community members, government officials and other special guests including Josh Stribbel of Torontomiutaujugut, a newly formed Toronto based Inuit youth organization. Also in attendance was Native women鈥檚 rights activist Lavell who received an honorary doctorate at 91亚色 U鈥檚 spring convocation this morning.

A highlight of the event was a performance by Inuk musician Susan Aglukark, who received the prestigious Governor General鈥檚 Performing Arts Award just over a week ago. Traditional food served in a traditional manner was also part of the celebration.

Partner organizations include Nunavut software startup , McMichael Canadian Art Collection, , , , 聽in Kinngait (Cape Dorset), and in Lule氓, Sweden.

91亚色 has always been known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our 52,000 students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and our 283,000 alumni worldwide push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide.

Media Contact:
Gloria Suhasini, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416 736 2100 ext. 22094, suhasini@yorku.ca

The post 91亚色 U unveils spectacular Inuit soccer player sculpture appeared first on News@91亚色.

TORONTO, May 5, 2016 鈥� Watch Mercury transit across the Sun鈥檚 disk at 91亚色 on May 9. The last time Mercury made the move was in 2006.

Observatory telescopes and a live feed will be in place at 91亚色 Lions Stadium, from 9am to 2pm, with solar glasses available for everyone attending. The free public event is hosted by the Astronomical Observatory and the Astronomy Club at 91亚色.

Since the orbit of Mercury lies inside of Earth's orbit, Mercury passes between Earth and the Sun about 13 times per century. From Earth, we see this as a small black dot moving slowly in front of the Sun.

Mercury transits the Sun as seen from Earth in 2006. Credit ESA NASA SOHO

鈥淥bserving the Mercury transit reveals one of the fundamental ways we detect exoplanets orbiting other stars鈥�, says Paul Delaney, director of the 91亚色 Astronomical Observatory and the Division of Natural Science, Faculty of Science, 91亚色.聽 鈥淭his event highlights the gravitational embrace stars have for planets and how we can learn so much from such simple observations.鈥�

The actual transit will start at 7:10am and end at 2:44pm. For those unable to attend the event at 91亚色, the event can also be monitored via the website.

WHAT: Mercury in Transit spectator event at 91亚色

WHEN: Monday, May 9, from 9am to 2pm

WHERE: 91亚色 Lions Stadium, 91亚色, 4700 Keele St, Toronto (number 6 on the ).

COST: Free

is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our 52,000 students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 24 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide.

Media Contact:

Sandra McLean, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 22097 / sandramc@yorku.ca

The post 91亚色 invites community to watch Mercury in transit May 9 appeared first on News@91亚色.