Arctic Winter Games
The Arctic Winter Games are a biennial multi-sport and indigenous cultural event involving circumpolar peoples residing in communities or countries bordering the Arctic Ocean.
Arctic Winter Games Logo | |
| First event | 1970 in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada |
|---|---|
| Occur every | 2 years |
| Last event | 2023 Arctic Winter Games held in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo |
| Purpose | Sports for the Arctic |
| President | John Flynn[1] |
| Website | arcticwintergames.net |
History
The Arctic Winter Games were founded in 1969 under the leadership of Governor Walter J. Hickel of Alaska, Stuart M. Hodgson, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, and Yukon Commissioner James Smith. The idea to "provide a forum where athletes from the circumpolar North could compete on their own terms, on their own turf" came from Cal Miller, an advisor with the Yukon team at the 1967 Canada Winter Games.
In 1970 in Yellowknife, Canada, 500 athletes, trainers and officials came together for the first Arctic Winter Games. The participants came from the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alaska. Since then, the Games have been held on 15 occasions in different locations in the Arctic region, with participation steadily growing. The games in 2002 were the first jointly hosted Arctic Winter Games, by Nuuk, Greenland, and Iqaluit, Nunavut. During the 2023 games, Prince William, heir to the Canadian throne, spoke virtually with nine participants.[2]
Contingents
Since 2004 the same nine contingents have participated in the Arctic Winter Games. Another four contingents have taken part in the games throughout the games' history: Russia, Magadan, Tyumen and Chukotka. In the table below is an overview of each contingent's appearances throughout the games.[3][4][5] Prior to the 2000 Arctic Winter Games Nunavut was part of the Northwest Territories. After division in 1999, Nunavut competed as separate contingent.
| Contingent | Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 72 | 74 | 76 | 78 | 80 | 82 | 84 | 86 | 88 | 90 | 92 | 94 | 96 | 98 | 00 | 02 | 04 | 06 | 08 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 23 | |
| Alaska | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Northwest Territories | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Yukon | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Nunavik | — | X | X | X | — | — | — | — | X | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Alberta North | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Greenland | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Russia | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Magadan | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tyumen | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Chukotka | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nunavut | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Sápmi | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Yamal | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | — |
Host cities
Host cities have been in Canada, the United States, and Greenland.[6]
| Year | Host City | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Yellowknife | Canada | |
| 1972 | Whitehorse | ||
| 1974 | Anchorage | United States | |
| 1976 | Schefferville | Canada | |
| 1978 | Hay River/Pine Point | ||
| 1980 | Whitehorse | ||
| 1982 | Fairbanks | United States | |
| 1984 | Yellowknife | Canada | |
| 1986 | Whitehorse | ||
| 1988 | Fairbanks | United States | |
| 1990 | Yellowknife | Canada | |
| 1992 | Whitehorse | ||
| 1994 | Slave Lake | ||
| 1996 | Chugiak/Eagle River | United States | |
| 1998 | Yellowknife | Canada | |
| 2000 | Whitehorse | ||
| 2002 | Nuuk | Greenland | |
| Iqaluit | Canada | ||
| 2004 | Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo | ||
| 2006 | Kenai Peninsula Borough | United States | |
| 2008 | Yellowknife | Canada | |
| 2010 | Grande Prairie | ||
| 2012 | Whitehorse | ||
| 2014 | Fairbanks | United States | |
| 2016 | Nuuk | Greenland | |
| 2018 | Hay River/Fort Smith | Canada | |
| 2020 | Whitehorse (cancelled) | ||
| 2023 | Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo | ||
| 2024 | Matanuska-Susitna Borough[7] | United States | |
| 2026 | Whitehorse | Canada [8] | Canada |
| 2028 | Northwest Territories | Canada | |
| 2030 | Nunavut | ||
| 2032 | Yukon |
Hodgson Trophy
The Hodgson trophy for fair play and team spirit is awarded at the end of every games. The trophy is named for Stuart Milton Hodgson, former Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.[9]
The past winners of the trophy are:[9]
| Year(s) | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1978 | Alaska |
| 1980–1988 | Yukon |
| 1990 | Alaska |
| 1992 | Northwest Territories |
| 1994 | Greenland |
| 1996 | Northwest Territories |
| 1998 | Yukon |
| 2000 | Nunavut |
| 2002 | Greenland |
| 2004 | Nunavut |
| 2006 | Alaska |
| 2008 | Nunavut |
| 2010 | Alaska |
| 2012 | Nunavut |
| 2014 | Greenland |
| 2016–2018 | Alaska |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2023 | Greenland |
Arctic Winter Games International Committee
The Arctic Winter Games International Committee consists of the following people[1]
- John Flynn - Yukon, President
- John Rodda - Alaska, Vice President/Treasurer
- Ian Laegraee - Northwest Territories, International Director
- Leigh Goldie - Alberta, Secretary
- Marie Cairns - Yukon, director
- Karl Davidsen - Greenland, director
- John Estle - Alaska, director
- Gary Schauerte - Northwest Territories, director
- Kyle Seely - Nunavut, director
- Les Skinner - Northwest Territories, director
- Don Wilson - Alberta, director
- Moira Lassen - Yukon, Operations Coordinator
- Lindsay Smith, Technical Coordinator
Sports disciplines
A total of 29 sports have been represented at the Arctic Winter Games. Arctic Sports, badminton, cross country skiing, ice hockey and volleyball are the only sports to be featured in all editions of the Arctic Winter Games.[10]
The table below shows the sports and the years in which they have been a part of the Arctic Winter Games programme.
| Sport | Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 72 | 74 | 76 | 78 | 80 | 82 | 84 | 86 | 88 | 90 | 92 | 94 | 96 | 98 | 00 | 02 | 04 | 06 | 08 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 23 | |
| Alpine skiing | — | X | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | — | X | X | X | X | — | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | — | P |
| Archery | — | — | X | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | P |
| Arctic sports | d | d | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | P |
| Badminton | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 13 | X | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Basketball | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | P |
| Biathlon | — | — | X | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | — | X | X | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | P |
| Boxing | X | — | X | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Broomball | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cross-country skiing | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | P |
| Curling | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | P |
| Dene games | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | P |
| Dog mushing | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | 6 | — |
| Figure skating | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | — | X | X | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | — | 13 | P |
| Freestyle skiing | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Futsal | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | P |
| Gymnastics | — | — | X | — | — | — | X | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | 6 | P |
| Ice hockey | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | P |
| Indoor soccer | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — |
| Judo | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shooting | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Short track speed skating | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | — | 20 | P |
| Snowboarding | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 20 | P |
| Snowshoe biathlon | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | — | X | — | X | X | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | P |
| Snowshoeing | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | P |
| Swimming | — | — | d | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Table tennis | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | — | X | X | X | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | P |
| Volleyball | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | P |
| Winter triathlon | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wrestling | — | X | X | X | X | X | — | — | — | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | P |
- X = The sport was featured in this Arctic Winter Games.
- 12 = The sport was featured in this Arctic Winter Games. The number indicates the amount of medal-giving events in that sport.
- d = Demonstration sport with no medal-giving events.
- P = The sport is planned to be a part of an upcoming edition of the Arctic Winter Games.
- — = The sport did not feature in this edition of the Arctic Winter Games.
Arctic Winter Games alumni
- The Governor General of Canada, Michaëlle Jean, presented Aisa Pirti, a 19-year-old Inuk from Akulivik, Nunavik, with the National Aboriginal Role Model Award during a ceremony at Rideau Hall. Aisa has received 30 medals and five trophies for Inuit games in regional and circumpolar competitions, such as the Arctic Winter Games and the Eastern Arctic Summer Games.
See also
- World Eskimo Indian Olympics
- Nalukataq - traditional blanket toss celebrations
References
- ^ a b "Arctic Winter Games International Committee". Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ Davison, Janet (February 12, 2023), The royals have their causes, but how much difference can they make?, CBC News, retrieved June 4, 2023
- ^ Arctic Winter Games International Committee (2006). . Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-01.
- ^ "50th Anniversary of the Arctic Winter Games" (PDF). arcticwintergames.net. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ "About the Arctic Winter Games". arcticwintergames.net. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ "Games and Galleries". Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ Arctic Winter Games 2024 to be hosted in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska
- ^ [originally to be hosted by Yamal-Nenets, Russia, but withdrawn by committee due to war against Ukraine]
- ^ a b "Hodgson Trophy". Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ "ULU News Gallery". Arcticwintergames.org. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
External links
- Arctic Winter Games Official Website
- Arctic Winter Games Archived Site