Air North has signed on as the title sponsor for the Council of Yukon First Nations' (CYFN's) Project YFN 2010's What the Land Remembers show.

The announcement was made this morning during a press conference at the visitors information centre downtown.

The show, featuring 70 Yukon first nations performers, is first set to be presented on Jan. 10 at the Yukon Arts Centre. It will then head to Vancouver during the Olympics at the Four Host First Nation aboriginal pavilion on Feb. 21.

"It's a great opportunity to help put the Yukon on the map,” Air North president Joe Sparling told reporters.

While it was Air North's marketing department that dealt with the sponsorship negotiations, Sparling said he's pleased the airline will be part of the celebrations.

"Air North's Spirit in Action sponsorship supports the advancement of youth, education and culture,” he said in a statement.

"The YFN 2010 showcase of Yukon first nations culture and history is a remarkable project. We are pleased to be a partner in the success in bringing the show What the Land Remembers to Yukoners and worldwide audiences. We will be cheering these gifted, dedicated Yukoners on throughout the next months as they prepare for these future journeys.”

The 45-minute show, being directed by Alejandro Ronceria, features everything from traditional performances to contemporary, from storytelling to fiddling.

"It's really one of those shows people are just so proud of,” said Katie Johnson, the co-executive producer.

A list of the 21 individuals and groups in the program range from the First People's Performances/Dakka Kwaan First People's Performances of Carcross to actors Sharon Shorty and Duane Gastant Aucoin of Whitehorse.

Serving as a backdrop to the performances will be images of the Yukon, with the hopes that spectators will want to visit the territory, Johnson said.

The chemistry among the performers has been tremendous, as they have worked together over the last few months.

Both Johnson and Patti Balsillie, YFN 2010's director of communications, pointed out the performers, many of whom are producing CDs, will gain valuable exposure from the performances.

Each of the performers will also get a copy of the "high-end” press kit being developed for each and that could help in their own marketing down the road.

Who's to say, an excited Balsillie asked, what new products could develop from the legacy of the YFN 2010 initiative?

"It's freaky,” she said.

CYFN Grand Chief Andy Carvill also praised Air North's sponsorship of the show as well as the work of the performers and all those involved with it.

"They will wow the Yukon in January,” he said.

A day before the show takes to the stage in Vancouver, it will be Yukon Day at B.C. Place in Vancouver.

Air North will be flying a charter to Vancouver that day with tickets – at $420.10 for a round trip – for the events around Yukon Day.

The flight will leave at 7:30 that morning. Tickets will include the cost of the flight, which returns at midnight, a ticket for the Sky Train, a light lunch, walking tour and the wrap-up victory celebrations that evening before returning to the Yukon at midnight.

"It's going to be an action-packed day,” said Debra Ryan, Air North's director of marketing. The idea behind the flight is to give Yukoners performing during Yukon Day a "cheering section,” she added.

Tickets for the 120-seat charter flight will go on sale tomorrow.