Team Nunavut presents 2016 Arctic Winter Games uniform and pin set
News Release
For Immediate Release
Team Nunavut presents 2016 Arctic Winter Games uniform and pin set
(IQALUIT, Nunavut) February 29, 2016 – Team Nunavut participants presented their official uniform and commemorative pin set for the 2016 Arctic Winter Games (AWG) at the Nunavut Legislative Assembly today.
Youth ambassador Robert Ikkidluak, drum dancer Tooma Laisa and athlete Jillian Kaviok made the presentation to Premier Peter Taptuna and Community and Government Services Minister Joe Savikataaq. The uniforms and pin set were designed with colours from the Nunavut flag and important symbols of Inuit culture.
"We are extremely proud of our Team Nunavut participants, and wish them luck as they represent us on the world stage at the 2016 Arctic Winter Games," said Premier Taptuna. "We are also very excited to partner with the Greenlandic Host Society to welcome hockey teams from Alaska, northern Alberta, Northwest Territories and Yukon to Nunavut during the Games."
The AWG are in Nuuk, Greenland, from March 6 to 11, 2016, with the bantam male and junior female hockey competitions taking place in Iqaluit from March 7 to 10, 2016. This is the first time that the City of Iqaluit has hosted AWG events since 2002.
Team Nunavut consists of 180 participants, including athletes, coaches, managers, mission staff and cultural performers from communities across Nunavut. The athletes, coaches and mission staff are participating in nine events: Arctic sports, badminton, basketball, Dene games, hockey, futsal (soccer), table tennis, volleyball and wrestling. The Inuksuk drum dancers from Iqaluit are participating in cultural events throughout the week.
"Team Nunavut participants are important leaders for youth in our communities," said Minister Savikataaq. "We want to recognize our territorial sport organizations that help our athletes develop skills as they compete in events, as well as the volunteers whose support makes it possible for Team Nunavut to participate in the AWG."
Team Nunavut’s flag-bearer for the opening ceremonies is Shelby Angalik, an accomplished wrestler from Arviat. Angalik is competing in the 50kg wrestling competition. She previously won two silver ulus from the 2014 AWG and three territorial championships in a row. In addition to wrestling, Angalik recently started a weekend reading program in Arviat called "Imaginations Destination" to help improve literacy in her community.
The world’s largest northern multi-sport and cultural event, the AWG involves participants from northern and Arctic communities across the world.
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NOTE TO MEDIA: A copy of the Team Nunavut roster can be provided upon request.
Media Contact:
Kris Mullaly
Policy Analyst/Communications Officer
Department of Community and Government Services
867-975-5342
Backgrounder
2016 Arctic Winter Games
o The sport and recreation division of the Department of Community and Government Services is co-ordinating special events, promotions, logistics and volunteer recruitment for the hockey events that are being hosted in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
o The hockey event is organized through co-operative agreements between the Greenlandic Host Society, the City of Iqaluit, the Government of Nunavut, the Iqaluit Amateur Hockey Association and the Iqaluit District Education Authority.
o The Arctic Winter Games formally began with the registration of the Arctic Winter Games Corporation under the Canada Corporations Act on January 18, 1968. In 1992, the Arctic Winter Games Corporation changed its name to the Arctic Winter Games International Committee to eliminate confusion with other organizations, and to reflect the increasing international flavour of the Games.
o As stewards of the Arctic Winter Games, the international committee promotes the values symbolized by the three interlocking rings of the Arctic Winter Games logo: athletic competition, cultural exhibition and social interchange.
o The Arctic Winter Games International Committee assists the jurisdictions to build effective partnerships to address the needs of host communities, participants and sponsors.