C Y K M

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Alberta North’s Kihei Parke competes in the Slopestyle Juvenile Male event at Mount Sima March 5.

Photo credit: VINCEWhitehorse FEDOROFF STAR

2 The Daily Hype: Games News...6 published by From The Podium: Results... 10 Games Cultural Beat...

C Y K M 2 ULU News Tuesday, March 6, 2012 • 2012 Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games • Tuesday, March 6, 2012 ULU News 3 THE DAILY HYPE TOP AWG NEWS AND UP & COMINGS Winning TWEETS the Hodgson @Reba_Salty Trophy is ... the Wahoo cassidy taylor BY THE scored! Keep going NUMBERS culmination of ladies! #awg2012 having a really DENE GAMES @flyairnorth Let’s take a brief glance good program, The Arctic Winter Games at some of the important 2012 Song Relay video with excellent has now been officially numbers that make up the released. Check it out! Dene Games at the 2012 leadership from http://youtube/Q7qW8q Arctic Winter Games. INUIT SCULPTURE the Mission Staff teJw4 #awg2012 1990 – year Dene Games and the Coaches @cbcRobynBurns were introduced as an #awg2012 team Arctic Winter Games sport CAPTURES GAMES SPIRIT – John Estle takes the first throw of by GLENDA KOH snow snake http://lockerz 159.89 – the current male Snow Snake record in .com/s/189863681 Fame is fleeting, and so is youth, and also one of the three founding ager for the Host Society. won it a second time in 2010, it was metres set by Sandy Annanack from but a 6-foot narwhal tusk is forever. members of the Games. Through these many perspec- over the top. Winning the Hodgson is Re: Team Nunavut midget Quebec in the Junior Men After all the Ulus have been In its first few years, the Hodgson tives, a winner emerges. In 2010, a feeling that every AWG participant category at the 2008 AWG handed out, pins traded, and sports Trophy travelled to the winning con- Team Alaska took the honour. would love to experience.” boys defeat Team Alaska 5-4 drink bottles swept into the recycling tingent’s homeland and was returned As Estle says, “When we won And for anyone who thinks the 69.04 – the current female @leonaaglukkaq Snow Snake record in bin, the Inuit sculpture known as the to the Games after two years, only to in 2006, on home turf, it was really spirit of sport and fair play is just a metres set by Rita Masty Hodgson Trophy is where spirit and make the move immediately on to the a great feeling. If we’d never won consolation prize, think again; in 2010, Nunavut midget boys from Nunavik Quebec in memories of the Games lives on. next winning contingent’s homeland. again during my time as Chef, I’d Team Alaska took home nearly a third win, 5-4! #awg2012 the Juvenile Female The honour is presented at the Even a durable narwhal tusk is not have been perfectly happy. When we of the 811 Ulus awarded. Play on! category at the 2010 AWG THE FIVE RINGS’ GLAMOUR SHINES closing ceremony to the team that fit for the rigours of modern travel. Af- @YukonPremier 10 – number of seconds best demonstrates the ideals of fair ter being held up at the border in 1982 the offensive player has to OVER GREY MOUNTAIN play and team spirit. The Hodgson while making its journey to Alaska, @leonaaglukkaq straighten his opponent’s Trophy is the most coveted prize of the decision was made to provide the What did you think of arm in the Finger Pull Open Two former Canadian Olympians coach and mentor ’s snowshoe biathletes the Games for many participants–ath- trophy a stable place to call home. the awesome officiating Male category by THOMAS SCHOENEICH letes, coaches and organizers alike. For approximately a decade, the in the hockey game? 6 – approximate length in John Estle, long-time Chef de trophy lived at the Prince of Wales The game was great metres of the pine pole used When it comes to competitions like 45-year-old was also inducted into after a few months with Boyde as their But Boyde says that with a smile on Mission for Team Alaska, says, Northern Heritage Centre in Yellow- from ice level! in the Pole Push Open and the Arctic Winter Games, for athletes Sport Yukon’s Hall of Fame for her coach they can tell that nothing beats his face. What he really expects from “Winning the Hodgson Trophy is the knife. In the mid-1990s, it was moved AWG Daily on TV (cable channel 9) and a YouTube Junior Male categories hardly anything is as calming and self- contribution as an athlete in the sport of his experience. his team, reminds the listener of a true greatest experience that a Chef de to a more permanent display at the @rezboi39 assuring, as experience. cross-country skiing. “He gives you the steps and you Olympian’s attitude. 5 – number of events the Mission can have at the Arctic Winter Sport Yukon Hall of Fame. The trophy @leonaaglukkaq And even though the 2012 Arctic “Even though my background isn’t go along. He tells you what to do and “I have vivid memories of going Dene Games include (the Games. It’s the culmination of having can be viewed during business hours at congrats Nunavut :) Winter Games is the first international , it’s still sport and competi- it works out pretty well,” says Francis to a Czechoslovakian-Russian hockey Stick Pull, Finger Pull, Pole a really good program, with excellent the Hall of Fame located at Sport Yu- #awg2012 u must b Push, Snow Snake and event for some of Team Yukon’s snow- tion,” Vincent says. “So (part of my Reid, who will compete in the Juvenile game in Grenoble on a day off,” he Opening Ceremonies leadership from the Mission Staff and kon (4061-4th Avenue) in Whitehorse. proud!! #CanadaPride Hand Games) shoe biathletes, there is a lot experience role) is to share some of my experi- Male category. says. “And I saw a big banner behind the Coaches, not to mention leader- The winning contingent will re- Snowshoeing 4 – number of players on a in their team that they can rely on when ences with the athletes. Again, not nec- “And when you’re moving your me in the Czechoslovakian rooting sec- ship from key athletes.” ceive a framed colour print of the Cross Country Skiing Hand Game team they hit the trails of the 2012 AWG bi- essarily shooting tips, but maybe some sights, he knows exactly how much tion. It read “Do your best” and I think The trophy itself is composed of a trophy. Each member of the winning @Jtootoo22 athlon venue Grey Mountain. visualization and some pre-race tips. they need to move,” Pelly Vincent- they beat the Russians that day.” narwhal tusk with a carved soapstone contingent will receive a Hodgson @leonaaglukkaq if you 3 – in both Finger Pull and Jim Boyde is the team’s coach. The “It’s a nice flashback for me to the Braun says. Pelly is Jane Vincent’s son 2012 AWG competitions in snow- Stick Pull, the winner is walrus at the base and a bear clambering Trophy pin. follow me you can send declared following a “best of 68-year-old was a member of the 1968 times when I competed. It’s nice to re- and also a competitor in Juvenile Male shoe biathlon take place on Grey up the tusk. The plaque on the trophy With all the activity that goes on me a private MSG. Thanks three” competition format Canadian biathlon team at the Olympics member those little things,” she adds. category. Mountain from Monday, March 5, to explains, “The soapstone bear located during the Games, and the many mo- @leonaaglukkaq would in Grenoble, France, where he competed “A very nice flashback was going to get The two boys show some good Friday, March 9, except Wednesday. toward the top of the narwhal tusk sym- ments of victory and defeat, determin- it be possible to get me 2 – sets of drummers recom- in the Men’s individual 20 km race. our team uniforms. I certainly haven’t confidence going into their first Arctic Results Update: Francis Reid won mended to accompany Dene bolically represents ‘reaching for the ing the winner is not an easy task. intouch with the coaching And just recently Jane Vincent had that in a number of years. That was Winter Games. Even Boyde expects the Bronze Medal for the 3.0 km In- Games. In particular the Hand top’ in athletics and sportsmanship.” Votes are tallied from Mission staff of both the midget joined the team as a chaperone. She certainly exciting.” nothing but “a split gold” between his dividual Juvenile Male with a time of Games are accompanied by The sculpture was donated to the Staff, coaches, major officials, AWG and bantam team. I competed for in cross-country The team of five young snowshoe two young athletes – a notion not so 28:37. Pelly Vincent-Braun came in a drum beating Arctic Winter Games Corporation in International Committee members, would like to send a MSG skiing at the 1992 Olympic Games biathlon athletes started training for unattainable, as Pelly and Frances al- mere 26 seconds later with a time of 1978 by Stuart Hodgson, then-Com- registered media, and the President, in Albertville, France. In 1997 the the 2012 Games last November. And ready once tied in a race. 29:03. missioner of the General Manager, and Sport Man-

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flyairnorth.com 205 Black Street • 668-5555 4 ULU News Tuesday, March 6, 2012 • Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games • Tuesday, March 6, 2012 ULU News 5 BOREALIS: THE PLAYERS “I WILL BE Q?A ULU GETS TO KNOW YOU THE WHO’S WHO OF THE GAMES EVERYWHERE” by Brigitte Parker by INDRA KLEY Dancer Paxton Bruce of Fort McMurray, part of ’s Have you met Borealis already? The cultural contingent, took some time MUSIC ON MY SKIS tall furry pal with the pink shoes and to speak to the Ulu News. Team Yukon’s Sam and Timmy Schirmer the custom hockey jersey? He is the What’s on your iPod? 2012 Arctic Winter Games mascot – eye both a career in music and winter sports My favourite song right and without a doubt, its cuddliest par- now is “Marilyn” by G-Easy. by THOMAS SCHOENEICH ticipant. Ulu News reporter Indra Kley On Monday morning, when Sam “It would have been fun down had a chance to talk to the busy Husky. What is your goal for (14) and Timmy Schirmer (13) hit the there but I liked playing a lot.” Borealis – that sounds pretty the AWG? slopes at Mt Sima, the alpine ski and The next morning, Sam had cool. Where are you from? I want people to get excited snowboard venue of the 2012 Arctic swapped his guitar for some ski poles Well, during those last few mo- about our performance Winter Games, drumsticks and guitar and was preparing for the Juvenile ments of the 2007 Canada Winter and our type of culture. riffs were a thing of the past. A mere Male Giant Slalom, his very first Arc- Games here in Whitehorse, when the We are presenting a mix twelve hours before that, it had been tic Winter Games appearance. cauldron was extinguished, the chil- of jazz, hip-hop and the exact opposite. “It’s a great feeling representing dren of the north lit lanterns from the contemporary dance. It is While all their Yukon teammates the Yukon at the Arctic Winter Games. embers and sent them into the north- very exciting! were getting ready to walk into the I’m just looking forward to skiing. It’s ern sky. And I was born! It is in me Canada Games Centre for the opening my home ski resort, so there’s defi- that the friendship and excellence in What do you do in your ceremony, the two brothers–Timmy nitely some home advantage.” sport live on. down time to relax? competes for Yukon in snowboard- Being asked whether he’d prefer You look like a sporty guy. We shop! I relax at home ing, Sam in – were get- to become a professional musician and drink David’s tea. What’s your favourite sport? ting ready backstage. or a professional skier, he opted for (David’s tea is a Canadian I have a lot of hockey gear, but As part of the Whitehorse youth the former. “First of all, as a musician brand.) band Zipline, winner of the “Battle of it’s not cold out there,” he said with a I’m not very good on skates yet. I the Bands” contest at Whitehorse’s huge smile on his face. “And with the just have to continue practicing, I What are you currently Frostbite Music Festival, they were audience, it’s just a great feeling.” guess. And maybe one day I’ll win a reading? medal myself... asked to perform at the ceremony. Timmy, one year younger than his The Bean Trees, about a The crowd of more than 3,000 ath- brother, and nicknamed “Timmy Two What are your tasks as the Of- girl who grew up in a letes and spectators was the largest Turns” for his astonishing 720s hasn’t “I don’t know (whether I would ing is the adrenaline rush. He has be a slide indication which direction ficial Mascot? poor family. She leaves they had ever played in front of. made that decision yet. He competed prefer to become a musician or a been doing the sport since the age of he’s leaning towards. I have the best job of all! I am her family to go to school “It was great, it was a huge crowd. in the Juvenile Male Slopestyle on snowboarder). I like both the Half three, but he has also been playing For a day or two he’d like to be visiting all the sporting events and I and on the way she stops All the lights were shining on us. I was Monday and will also start in the Pipe and the stage,” Zipline’s drum- the guitar for seven years. Shaun White, the two-time snow- take pictures with the winners. I also at a gas station. When a bit nervous but it was just cool,” gui- banked slalom and the half pipe this mer said. And even though he didn’t men- boarding Olympic gold medalist, he visit all my friends at their schools, she comes out of the gas tar player Sam Schirmer said. Tuesday and Wednesday. What he loves about snowboard- tion it in plain words, there might said. which is a lot of fun! I take strolls in station she finds a baby Games in their homes back in Green- the city and meet so many nice peo- in her car. land, Alaska, Northern Alberta, Nu- ple. And I am invited to all the gala navut, Nunavik, NWT, Northern Rus- Do you have any rituals or events! I just hope I won’t stumble sia, Sápmi and, of course, the Yukon. superstitions? when I walk the red carpet... KEEPING THINGS CLEAN & TIDY So I am happy about the fact that every As a group, we always by BRIGITTE PARKER If people want to meet you, participant and spectator can take one hold pinkies and buzz-in. where can they find you during of my little brothers instead as a souve- (Check out the video on AWG 2012 Facebook page.) When thousands of community ducted a waste audit of its Canada they are filled; Spectator Services, the Games? nir of this fantastic week. Just imagine residents, fans and participants Games Centre (CGC) as the facility AWG volunteers and janitorial con- I will be everywhere! Just watch there will be little Borealis’ running out for me, it’s difficult to miss me. around in ! Or in Russia! Or What do you think of come together to enjoy an event would act as the central hub for AWG tractors are regularly emptying the the AWG? such as the Arctic Winter Games events and activities. The City identi- indoor bins every hour, and especial- And if anyone has an exciting event in Nunavik! Isn’t that amazing?! they want me to attend, they can email This is our first time here (AWG), a tremendous amount of fied a need for increased bins along ly during lunch time. What are your plans for after the me at [email protected]. and it has been great waste is generated. with proper signage to ensure the During day one of the AWG, our Games? Will you get into dog meeting people from Waste such as food scraps, plas- recycling, garbage and compost bins volunteer cleaners report that the recy- sledding? If you take a look around the mer- different nations. I lived tic cups, food soiled paper such as are used properly. cling bins for bottles and cans are be- chandise store there seem to be First, I will rest and sleep for a in NWT and moved away plates, napkins and cups, beverage The City expected an increase ing used properly but the compost bin quite a few copies of you float- week, I guess. And then I might con- 10 years ago. Today, we containers, paper, clothing and even in thousands of visitors, spectators, is being contaminated with garbage. ing around. But you are unique, tinue working on my hockey career... walked with participants blankets tend to accumulate at spe- athletes along with the regular users So, we invite you to Play Your aren’t you? just because I am a Husky, it doesn’t from NWT and I recog- cial sporting events. of the Centre’s facilities. As a result, Part. Take a moment to sort your Look at me, sure I am unique! mean I have to go into dog sledding. Paxton Bruce (2nd from right) links pinkies with co-members of Team nized some old friends In preparation for hosting the the outdoor dumpster bins are being trash in the proper bins and help make We are thankful for our great team of volunteers who are keeping on top of Unfortunately, I won’t be able to visit We can all be anything we want to be, Alberta North’s cultural contingent. ULU News gets to know Paxton in the from school! Games, the City of Whitehorse con- emptied twice a day by CGC staff as these games as green as can be! the waste cleanup! all the new friends I make during the as long as we believe! Q&A sidebar to the right.

Xerox Canada Ltd. yukon energy keeping tradition in play salutes the athletes of The Arctic Winter Games C Y K 6 ULU News Tuesday, March 6, 2012 • Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games • Tuesday, March 6, 2012 M ULU News 7 THE VIEW FROM UP HERE CLOSE-UPS & SNAPSHOTS NEWS FROM THE PODIUM YOUR PHOTOS More photos available on the AWG Flickr website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/awg2012/ QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Apparently, Greenland is the team to watch in soccer.”

Overheard between two police officers

The final results for Monday, 2012 Arctic Winter Games March 5th are: RECAP: SNOWSHOE, Biathlon – Snowshoe 3 km Individ- MEDAL COUNT ual Juvenile Female As of 7:00pm Monday, March 5 1st – Erin Hoehn, Yukon (28:42) CROSS COUNTRY & 2nd – Michaela Crook, Northwest Territories CONTINGENT TOTAL 3rd – Mariya Gilliland, Alaska BIATHLON •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• by HEATHER LEDUC & KAREN KEELEY • Placing 4th and 5th were Cassandra Fran- cis, NWT and Hannah Romberg, AK Alaska 8117 26

Biathlon – Snowshoe 3 km Individ- •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Snowshoeing – Cross Country ual Juvenile Male Yukon 675 18 The American, Canadian and Russian anthems were played in Ship- 1st – Alex Kilby, Alaska (23:58) yards Park Monday as Ulus were awarded to the 2.5 km and 5 km cross 2nd – Kjel Crook, Northwest Territories •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• country medal winners. 3rd – Francis Reid, Yukon Yukon came out on top in the 2.5 Juvenile Female category with Kate • Placing 4th, 5th and 6th were Pelly NWT 255 12 Vincent-Braun,YT, Taylen Drybones, Londero winning gold, Carolyn Sam of Alaska receiving the silver Ulu, •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• and Celina Wapachee of Nunavik Quebec taking the bronze. Yukon’s NWT, and Dyland Jones, AK Alberta second gold Ulu went to Logan Roots in the 5 km Junior Male race. Yu- Biathlon – Snowshoe 5 km Individ- North 622 10 kon’s Aidan Bradley earned the bronze, while Yamal’s Dimtrii Vasilev ual Junior Female •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• took bronze. 1st – Zoey Grenier, Alaska (39:49) Alaska’s Riley Moser won the 2.5 Juvenile Male gold Ulu, followed 2nd – Destiny Robert, Northwest Yamal 522 9 by Yukon’s Samuel Joseph Bonar and third place Oleg Mamaev of Ya- Territories •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• mal. Mamaev’s teammate Eugeniia Shiliaeva won gold for Yamal in the 3rd – Jay Wright, Northwest Territories 1 Cross-country skier competes in the 5km 5 km Junior Female category, with Sara Burke-Forsyth of Yukon taking • Placing 4th was Caitlin Tozier, AK Nunavut 112 4 race. (Photo by Omaar Reyna) silver, and Rachel Zafren of Alaska taking bronze. Biathlon – Snowshoe 5 km Individ- •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2 Alaska and Greenland face off at indoor Nunavik soccer. (Photo by Vince Fedoroff, Whitehorse Star) ual Junior Male 103 4 Biathlon – Snowshoe 1st – Kieran Halliday, Yukon (33:17) Quebec 3 Team Yukon’s junior male team The drive up Grey Mountain Road was spectacular under a bright 2nd – Clell Crook, Northwest Territories •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• gets a pep talk (Photo by Ruth Borgfjord) sunny sky. Vehicles parked along the road showed the strength of spec- 3rd – Brennan Firth, Northwest Greenland 102 3 4 Team Sápmi gets some audience support Territories tators that had come for the Biathlon – Snowshoe event. At Monday’s (Photo by Ruth Borgfjord) event, spectators shouted, “Go, Alaska!” followed by the rigorous ring- • Placing 4th, 5th and 6th were Lucas •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 5 Arctic Sports takes place at Vanier Catho- ing of a cow bell. Hepler, AK, Vincent Tomalonis, AK, Sàmpi 000 0 and Sam Rees, YT lic Secondary School

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C Y K M 8 ULU News Tuesday, March 6, 2012 • Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games • Tuesday, March 6, 2012 ULU News 9 TALENT & SKILL DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES? THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOOD AND GOLD by BRIGITTE PARKER Why is it that some athletes per- current success to sports psychol- earned her spot to compete at the ju- “Athletes realize that they can form perfectly prior to a competition ogy. According to Bilksy, the young nior world championships! only think of one thing at a time, so but fall apart at the competition? Ac- athlete wanted to rank so badly that Bilsky explains that sports psy- it is best to concentrate on what is cording to Yukon Sports Psycholo- her thoughts began playing tricks on chology is a mental training which going on internally and avoid be- gist Tracey Bilsky a little mental her. She began feeling intimidated complements the physical training ing distracted by external elements. training gives athletes the edge they by opponents and doubting whether undergone by athletes. Then you are present and can com- need to be champions. she would rank at the trials. “The common factor among the pete successfully.” She offers three tips for AWG So Beatty did a little mental best athletes in the world is that they The use of sports psychology athletes: training and learned to focus on her are able to compete like it doesn’t tools and exercising is increasing 1 Stay present and in the moment. race instead of the event. She also matter,” says Bilsky who is also in popularity and giving athletes the 2 Focus on what is relevant. disciplined herself to remain com- AWG Yukon Chef de Mission. “The edge needed to succeed. Training 3 Compete like it doesn’t matter. posed and focus on her feelings and key for competitors is not to focus athletes to focus on what they are do- Why should you take her advice? breathing rather than irrelevant ex- on the end result. Instead, the brain ing in the moment; on staying com- Because it works. ternal factors like spectators or other needs to be focused on the starting posed, thinking positively; and not Current cross-country ski junior competitors. point of the competition so it can tell taking themselves too seriously can world championship competitor and The result: Beatty came in first the body what to do during the com- make the difference between a good Yukoner Dahria Beatty owes her place in her first race at the trials and petition. performance and winning gold!

GUINEA PIG: THE NEED FOR SPEED by THOMAS SCHOENEICH

Speed skating is one of the fast- Rapids Club. As Team the blades carry me around it. Thus I est sports at the Arctic Winter Games. Yukon’s speed skating coach he will probably take some good 30 seconds One more reason for our fearless re- also lead a team of ten young athletes or even more for one lap, but twenty porter to get himself on the ice. into the Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Win- minutes into my speed skating career Just nice and slow, I keep telling ter Games. that seems way safer to me. myself, just nice and slow. I don’t “For speed skating, one needs Also my blades make a not-so- want to embarass myself two minutes a good aerobic base and also some nice screeching noise almost every into my speed skating career by going strength,” he had explained to me ear- time they touch the ice. Compared down nose-first. lier. “Once you get to a certain speed, to that, the boys and girls around me So I keep close to the rink’s boards, you gotta have the strength to hold seem to glide. ready to grab them any second. I try those corners because there’s quite a What calms me down a bit is that to kneel down a bit, keep my weight bit of force involved.” Hoffman said it would take three or a little further than the middle of my It doesn’t take long for me to re- four years to really become proficient foot and push the skates’ blades out to alize what that means. Hoffman’s at the sport. So maybe there’s still my left and to my right. Just as Phil fastest skaters only need between ten some hope, maybe not. But despite Hoffman told me a minute ago. and eleven seconds for one lap. Some being wobbly on my first attempt as However, in a slight alternation of world class athletes could get below a speed skater I had fun and would try Shakespeare’s famous line in his play nine seconds, Hoffman says. it again. MacBeth, my style is not “bubble, When the Team Yukon speed skat- If you want to catch some speed bubble, toil and trouble” but looks ers reach a corner, they cross over and skating at the Arctic Winter Games, more like “wobble, wobble” and still hardly seem to lose speed – if they make your way to the Canada Games a lot of trouble. do at all. When I reach a corner, I Centre. Competition takes place Mon- ULU reporter Thomas Schoeneich tests his skills and wits at speed skating. Hoffman coaches the Whitehorse stop skating, bend my ankles and let day, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Looks easy, right?

Northern Cross (Yukon) Limited is a proud sponsor of the Arctic Winter Games and welcomes the athletes and their supporters to Whitehorse. Northern Cross wishes everyone a memorable and successful competition. Northern Cross (Yukon) Limited is an exploration company evaluating petroleum and natural gas resource opportunities at Eagle Plain. The first phase of exploration drilling is expected to get underway in the next several months and continue until the Spring of 2013.

Please visit us at our booth at the Arctic Winter Games Mining and Resource Youth Expo which is located in the Yukon College Gymnasium on NORTHERN CROSS March 9 between 1 pm and 6 pm and on March 10 between 10 am and 4 pm Fuelling Yukon’s Future

NWI_4066_AWG_Ulu_News_Thank_You_Finance_Ad.indd 1 12-02-10 4:18 PM 10 ULU News Tuesday, March 6, 2012 • Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games • Tuesday, March 6, 2012 ULU News 11 CULTURAL BEAT YOUR DAILY DOSE OF AWG CULTURE THANK-YOU GET PINNED The 2012 Arctic Winter Games would not PIN OF THE DAY be possible without the following sponsors!

One of the pins thought to cause a stir at the Games is the Theme Song Relay pin. It was a hot item Partners at the Pin Centre all Funding/ Community day on Monday, and with its rotating centre and unique design, the early speculation GAMES GEAR is proving to be bang In the Dene Games Snow Snake event, the essential piece of equip- ment is a stick approximately four feet long and an inch in diameter with

on. The pin com- esenting Legacy a sharpened tip. Partners

PINSANITY Klondike memorates a journey A pin trading primer for the 2012 Games Snow Snake consists of throwing the stick underhand as far as you Pr through the circumpo- by JESSE DEVOST can along the surface of the snow. Traditionally, this technique was used lar north through for hunting caribou and animals lying on the ground. The stick travels The race is on to be the most dec- in their element at the Games, but approximately 10-50 metres along a trough in the snow. song, sound and Gwìch’inat Eenjit orated participant at the Games, and what about people who have never Snow Snake sticks vary between regions. Although the competition images, raising aware- Gàdatr’igwijìlcheii Gidilii

for many people, that means pins, not done it before? Where does one ctic sticks are generally hardwood, traditional sticks can be made of any type Gwich’in Tribal Council ness of the Games Ulus. start? of tree, and are not necessarily straight as an arrow. Ar Gwich’in Development Corporation and its international Small, inexpensive, and unable “The best way to start collecting is As Chris Martin of Kuujjuaraapik, QC, coach of Nunavik’s Dene heritage while sharing to transmit text messages or control to concentrate on a theme you like,” Games team explains, “It just depends on what type and size of trees the message of video games (as of yet), these simple, said Pasterfield. “Collect countries, grow in your region. A lot of ours are made of pine.” often beautifully designed items serve sports or sponsors for example. Also circumpolar friendship Competitors each bring their own sticks to the Games. Although as an unofficial currency, internation- remember to treat it as a business there is no standardization among the sticks, an even playing field is with the world. al conversation starter, and for some, deal, because that’s what it is. Be po- ensured as immediately prior to each event, competitors vote on which an obsession. lite, and, most of all, enjoy the social stick will be used. The same stick is used by every athlete in that par- eal Athletes, sponsors, staff and volun- activity of pin trading because that’s ticular event. teers have arrived en masse with their what it’s all about.” According to Martin, Snow Snake athletes tend to prefer a tradi- Bor own pins and pin collectors have start- At almost every Games, there are a tional stick over a store-bought one because it is wider at the front and ed to get a little wild. It is estimated few pins, or perhaps one in particular tapered to the back, giving more weight at the front end. The sticks are that about 100,000 pins will come into that stand out as the ultimate prize for typically sanded and varnished to make them slide along the snow. circulation at the Games and this will collectors. It’s often tough to predict Other equipment essential to the Snow Snake event? Well, on a create a frenzy – the friendly type. beforehand which pins will become sunny day on the banks of the Yukon River, a warm parka and a decent “People get the pin fever because the most popular. Pasterfield explains pair of sunglasses. they know the Games are only so that it’s an organic function of democ- long,” said Chris Pasterfield of Laurie racy and supply/demand economics Artiss Ltd – a company with 30 years that dictates which pins become the Design is a big part of what makes friendships.”

in the pin business and major supplier most coveted. a pin popular. Designed by talented Which is why pin trading is such ficial at the Games. “They’ll hear of a pin But when pressed for his predic- artists who only have a small piece of a popular activity to accompany the Of Check out this pin and that’s really hard to get and they’ll tions on what will generate the most metal to work with, it takes a special Games. Suppliers many more at the Pin make that their quest to get it, and if hype, he had a couple of thoughts: the skill to make something meaningful. The epicenter of pin activity is at Centre at the Canada they haven’t gotten it by the end of the Theme Song Relay pins, which fea- Chris Pasterfield puts it best. the Pin Trading Centre next to the Of- second or third day, they’ll go crazy. It tures a rotating centre and the Team Games Centre. “Everybody’s got pins – they’re ev- fical Merchandise Store in the Cana- happens all the time.” Yukon pin which features a bobble- erywhere. They serve as a memento, da Games Centre. It is open each day Veteran pin collectors are already headed Husky. a gift and as a way to create new from 10 am to 8 pm.

THE 2012 ARCTIC WINTER GAMES HOST SOCIETY INVITES YOU TO THE FIRST-EVER: Polar AWG Mining & Resource Youth Expo Friday, March 9 – 1 to 6 pm Lackowicz & Hoffman

Saturday, March 10 – 10 am to 4 pm NORTHERN CROSS Yukon College Gym – Whitehorse

• Staples • Wildland Fire Management • Super Save Propane Part trade show – part career fair – don’t miss this exciting event highlighting the • Business Development • Yukon Chamber of Mines Bank of Canada • Yukon Gold Mining Alliance • Kiwi Contracting • Physio Plus • Yukon Geological Survey Yukon’s modern face of mining and resource development. • Acme Analytical Labs • Challenge Community • ALS Minerals • Bank of Montreal • Yukon Government Department • Victoria Gold Vocational Alternatives • Kluane Drilling Enjoy hands on interactive displays, music, contests, prizes and more. • Northerm of Education • Medicine Chest Pharmacy • Northern Trailer • First Nations Bank • Vandelay Systems •Yukon Government Economic • Easy Home • Manitoulin Transport • Arctic Construction Games • Northern Tales • Centennial Motors • Yukon Government Highways

Admission is free and everyone is welcome. For details, • Integraphics Development Friends of the Games please visit www.awg2012.org Supporters • Jacob’s Industries Ltd. • MacKay LLP and Public Works March 9 & 10 • Yukon-Nevada Gold • Yukon Federation of Labour • Walmart • G-P Distributing • Meadia Solutions C Y K M 12 ULU News Tuesday, March 6, 2012 • Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games

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