April 26, 2019
Iqaluit, NU - Northwestel employees rolled up sleeves and put on aprons today to give back to the community. Volunteers from Northwestel served lunch at the Qajuqturvik Food Centre and presented the local facility with a $4000 donation.

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Northwestel is giving back to the communities it serves. The company recently made a donation to the Food Bank Society of Whitehorse during a similar event in Yukon. Northwestel President Curtis Shaw notes that communications in the North have evolved at a tremendous pace over the past 4 decades.

“We’re celebrating 40 years in the North by saying thank you to the communities we serve,” says Shaw. “In 1992, Northwestel began serving many communities which would eventually become Nunavut. Today, every community in the territory is connected to a broadband network over satellite. I want to say thank you to our employees, to our partners, and to our customers for helping to make this possible.”

Qajuqturvik Food Centre Executive Director Wade Thorhaug was on-hand to receive the special donation from Northwestel today. Thorhaug explained how the Food Centre makes Iqaluit stronger – both through support for those who need it and through the volunteers who help.

“We rely on volunteers not just for their help but also to build community,” says Thorhaug. “Our aim is to have an inclusive space that strengthens connections and breaks down divisions. We are grateful for Northwestel for their donation and support.”

“Many of our more than 500 northern employees spend their time volunteering with local community groups,” Shaw explained. “In celebration of our 40th anniversary, Northwestel will match our employees’ volunteer time with donations toward the group they volunteer with. It’s just one way that we want to give back and say thanks.”

Incorporated as a northern telephone service provider in 1979, Northwestel now serves more than 90 northern communities with solutions such as high-speed Internet, digital TV, distance e-learning, 911 capability, and a range of business telecommunications services. More information about Northwestel’s 40th anniversary celebration is available online at nwtel.ca.

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Contact:
Matt Wallace
Manager, External Communications
(867) 455-4209
media@nwtel.ca