June 15, 2011 - For the third consecutive year, hundreds of bicycle helmets, supplied by BHP Billiton, are being distributed by the GNWT throughout the Northwest Territories to encourage children and youth to wear their helmets while cycling.
The donations support the GNWT’s Use Your Head campaign under the Healthy Choices Framework. The campaign promotes the use of helmets by youth and adults as another Healthy Choice that will prevent brain and spinal injuries for bicycle, motorcycle, ATV, and snowmobile riders and skateboarders in the NWT.

Transportation Minister Michael McLeod says BHP Billiton’s contribution is a reflection of the company’s strong commitment to wellness and safety for NWT residents. “Recreation activities such as biking and ATVing are an important part of our lives, and helmets are necessary to help ensure well-being,” he said. “BHP Billiton’s support helps ensure that our children and youth can enjoy all that the NWT has to offer.”

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs Robert C. McLeod says children and youth are particularly vulnerable to head and spinal injuries, but he notes there are encouraging signs. “More and more young people are recognizing the value of wearing helmets when participating in sports and recreation activities,” he said. “That positive change is coming about, in large part, because people are setting good examples.”

Health Minister Michael Miltenberger says helmet safety is an important choice that can be made to stay healthy and safe. “We are seeing a great deal in the news about concussions and other preventable brain injuries,” he said. “We are working with our partners to help NWT residents understand that the best ways to prevent head and spinal injuries is to wear your helmet as a key part of a Healthy Choices lifestyle.”

BHP Billiton’s Head of Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Karl Schubert, said “Cycling can be fun, healthy, and a great form of independence, but it’s important to keep safety as the core value in any activity you and your family choose to do. A properly fitting bike helmet could help avoid head injuries, and could ultimately save a life.”

The campaign also supports the GNWT Building Our Future strategic initiative. Through this initiative, the Government is working to make significant investments in prevention and the long term well-being of NWT residents by encouraging healthy choices and increasing safety, particularly among our young people.

Since 2008, BHP Billiton has donated more than 1,400 child and youth bicycle helmets for distribution in communities outside Yellowknife. These donations are in addition to the hundreds of helmets the company provides annually for distribution in Yellowknife.

More information on the Use Your Head campaign can be found on the Healthy Choices website at www.choosenwt.com.

The Use Your Head campaign helps address the priority of the 16th Assembly for healthy people by promoting healthy choices and lifestyles.

For further information, please contact:
Earl Blacklock
Manager of Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Transportation
867-873-7712
867-445-3494 (Cell)
earl_blacklock@gov.nt.ca

Deana Twissell
Superintendent of Community and External Affairs
BHP Billiton EKATI Diamond Mine
867-669-6107
deana.twissell@bhpbilliton.com