Canada -- Canada Goose, the leading Canadian manufacturer of down-insulated outerwear for extreme climates, has partnered with two great Canadian companies - The North West Company, a leading retailer of food, products and services to rural communities in Canada, and First Air, Canada's largest northern airline - to establish Canada Goose Resource Centres in Canada's Arctic, where traditional 'sewers' will access free fabrics and materials to make their own outerwear, a strong tradition of northern Canada.

Specifically, the partnership will provide local, traditional sewers with free fabrics, buttons, zippers, Velcro and supplies to support the established practice of making jackets and clothing for members of the community. This partnership originated in May 2007, when two highly skilled sewers from Pond Inlet, Nunavut, came to Toronto to collaborate with Canada Goose to create a uniquely Canadian jacket that celebrated the best of Canada.

"Canada Goose counts on the iconic imagery of the Canadian North when we sell our brand around the world, and this is our way to say thank you," said Kevin Spreekmeester, Vice President of Marketing for Canada Goose. "Canada Goose Resource Centres give us the opportunity to recycle high-quality fabrics and premium materials that have been discontinued. Northern sewers often have to cobble together odds and ends to create their designs; hopefully, this will help. Thankfully, we are able to work with tremendous corporate partners like The North West Company and First Air whose generosity helps make this initiative come to life."

Jennifer Roncadin, CSR, Community Support and Events Manager of The North West Company explained, "As proud community members of Pond Inlet and Iqaluit, The North West Company has seen generations of sewers produce intricate and detailed projects from scraps of fabric and hide. Our hope is by supporting this resource centre we can inspire the passing of these skills for generations to come."

Founded in 1946 as Bradley Air Services, First Air is Canada's largest Arctic airline providing scheduled passenger and cargo service between 26 northern communities with connections to Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Ottawa.

The North West Company is a leading retailer of food, everyday products and services to rural communities and urban neighborhoods in Canada, Alaska, the South Pacific and the Caribbean.

Canada Goose proudly supports Polar Bears International as well as a number of charitable organizations and outdoor ventures that provide even further commitment to Arctic stewardship and the environment. 
 
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