Star power headlines Nunavut get active campaign

Young people in Iqaluit mixed it up with some of the best athletes in the world on Monday.

Three Olympic gold medalists were there as part ofCanadian Tire's Active at School program and the Project North campaign.

It's not every day students at Nakasuk Elementary school get to have gym time with Olympic athletes and for many it was a golden opportunity. They met hockey great and four time gold medalistHayley Wickenheiser, multiple goldmedalist speed skater Charles Hamelin, and bobsledder Kaillie Humphries who has twogold medals.

Wickenheiser said she wanted to pass on advice for Nunavummiut.

"You know just tell the kids here that sports can really open your life up and give you so many great things and so many options in life that you wouldn't otherwise have," she said.

Arctic Sports and Arctic Winter Games medallist Johnny Issaluk was on hand and participated in the event. He says it's important for children in Nunavut to see Olympic athletes in real life.

"Working closely with the medalist and actually playing with the kids, i really appreciate," Issaluk said.

The athletes,Canadian Tirealong with Project North presented100 bags of hockey equipment.

There was also a $100,000 donation to help Nunavut children be active.

CanadianTire president MichaelMedline said Nunavut is excited about getting kids active in the schools and increasing participation rights and he saidCanadian Tire wanted to help.

The athletes brought their gold medals with them to show to the children and perhaps inspire them to be in good physical shape.

Later the athletes got some high profile help from Prime Minister Stephen Harper who dropped in to play a quick round of ball hockey with some ofthe children.

Laureen Harper helped officiate by dropping the ball to start things off.