Northwestel is helping to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the City of Whitehorse by launching the Whitehorse Historical Film Retrospective on its cable television service.

Community Cable 9 has begun airing a series of films that focus on various aspects of Whitehorse throughout its history. A variety of episodes, each 1 ½ hours in length, will be shown on the community channel.

“Northwestel is proud to have our corporate headquarters located in such a fine northern city as Whitehorse,” said Paul Flaherty, Northwestel President and Chief Executive Officer. “Like so many other Yukoners, our company and our employees are enthusiastic about everything Whitehorse has to offer today and about its fascinating past. We are excited to give residents and visitors the opportunity to learn more about the city’s history through the films we are airing on Community Cable 9 this summer.”

The films being shown include documentaries and promotional films produced between 1959 and 1995 by various film-makers and producers. The films, from the WHTV collection, cover a wide variety of topics including mining, sports, transportation, recreation and policing throughout the history of Whitehorse. [See attached backgrounder.]

Daily shows can be viewed on Whitehorse Community Cable 9 at 12 noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Detailed information regarding the film schedule will be available at www.nwtel.ca/communitytv.

An expanded lineup of northern historical films will continue throughout the summer. More information about the continuing series of historical films will be available later in June. 

In 2009, Northwestel contributed more than $550,000 in cash and in-kind donations to many northern community groups. Throughout its history, Northwestel has played a key role in the economic, social and cultural development of the North. Northwestel is recognized as a key contributor to the well-being of northern communities through its community investment program and the volunteer contributions of its employees.

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions and entertainment services in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.