Final Report

General Unit Management

The Kativik Regional Government (KRG) Recreation Department has been responsible for the administration, coordination and participation of Team at the Winter Games (AWG) since 2000. Since 2000, Team Nunavik Quebec has participated as quest unit with limited participation in selected events. The 2008 AWG were held in , . As in the past, the region received financial and manpower contributions from the provincial, and regional organizations; including the Minister of Education, Sports, and Leisure (Quebec Government), Makivik Corporation, Saputiit Youth Association, Kativik School Board, Cree School Board, Tullativik Hospital, and KRG. Local recreation and education facilities were used in many municipalities in the region to support, train, and encourage our youth.

Preparation for Yellowknife was brief, intense and successfully organized. At the “Games”, team Nunavik-Quebec was successful in many aspects. Mission staff, coaches and athletes were consistent in making strong efforts to respond to the many AWG tasks and challenges, while returning with many medals. The Chef de Mission presence and leadership of Jean Dupuis contributed a strong support and direction for all of the delegation. Planning and operations set up by Assistant Chef de Mission Jennifer Matchett, was instrumental in helping all team members focus their efforts on a successful participation. Administrative support and engagement by the KRG Executive and Council from beginning to end ensured that the plan worked.

Accommodations

Regional Trials During the regional tryouts, the perspective athletes were hosted by families in the villages where the trials were held. Prior to the games, the team members all resided in one common facility where catering, laundry, and transportation services were provided. This lodging facility was under an agreement with the Northern Village of Kuujjuaq.

Arctic Winter Games The accommodations at the AWG were comfortable and well organized by discipline and gender. Athletes and coaches resided in the same room for the duration of the games, and very few shared their rooms with other contingents. The only problem was that volunteers at the schools did not know where people were suppose to be, causing multiple moves, within the same school, for our athletes.

Finally, the final night in the schools was a bit chaotic. There was music and games in the gymnasium for the athletes who were departing in the middle of the night however it was very difficult for the contingents who were departing the next day to ensure their athletes were kept under control as they too wanted to attend the events in the gymnasium. Perhaps, if this type of event is to present itself at further games it would be helpful to have it held away from the accommodations venue.

2 Catering

Regional Trials During the regional trials, local caterers were employed to ensure that healthy breakfast and lunch options were available to all those involved.

Prior to departure for the games, a local caterer was hired to provide nutritious meals and snacks to the team members. The hours were posted at the accommodation facility and meals were served in the kitchen at the facility.

Arctic Winter Games The cafeteria for the 2008 games was well organized and the selections were endless. The food was great and everyone was able to enjoy a good meal each day. The box lunches were provided for some of the athletes who were competing during cafeteria meal hours. These were well prepared and available in advance daily. This made the transportation of these lunches fluid. Graffiti Wall is a must at the next games.

Ceremonies and Awards

Opening Ceremonies were well organized and truly captured the spirit of the games. The guest speakers and performers were dynamic individuals who were able to excite the crowds. It was a huge success.

The closing ceremonies were also well planned. The speakers and performers did a fantastic job to wrap up the games on an exciting and overwhelming note. The procedure following the closing worked very well and all our coaches, mission staff, and chaperones were well versed in what to expect and do following the closing; this in turn made it easier for the organization of the transportation of our athletes.

Due to last minute changes there was some confusion around the awards ceremonies. . , Some of our athletes were unable to attend their presentations because they were given the wrong information. The award ceremonies need to be more clearly organized with the times, places, and list names of those receiving the awards. This would help the mission staff to ensure that everyone is in attendance.

Communications

The mission headquarters was well equipped with all the necessary equipment for communication. The team employed two staff to continually monitor the office.

The host society provided cell phones for all the mission staff; these were essential for the office staff, chef and assistant chef to keep contact with the mission staff who, in turn, was keeping their athletes and coaches informed. The Communication tree worked well at these games.

3 This year, we had set up a team website with a message board so that Nunavummiut would have easy access to happenings at the games. Although, the message board was not used a lot, there were some issues with keeping the site updated daily. In the future this will become a priority for the office staff.

Each day the Team Nunavik Quebec office published a newsletter. For future games, it is intended to have these newsletters available on the website for all those at home.

Cultural Program

The cultural program was a huge success this year. The cultural group consisted of five dancers and two throat singers who performed a beautiful mélange of the new and the old. After their initial performance, they received an early invitation to AWG 2010 – , .

The group enjoyed their time in Yellowknife. They were able to perform at many venues across the city of Yellowknife. There were activities at the school available to them were in abundance. The cultural groups did not have an opportunity to watch each other. This is something that would be strongly recommended for future games, to have a cultural exchange where the different groups would be able to see one another perform and learn from one another. Also if there could be a second technical practice for the groups on the day of the second gala performance to be able to work out any problems from the night before would be a great. And finally, if the master of ceremonies could be present at the practice for the galas this would eliminate mistakes in the presentation of the cultural groups.

A discussion will have to follow over their possible participation to AWG 2010. With the early invitation for them to return, the group would have to make a strong committement to continue their training and be willing to work together for the next two years. They will be given priority for the 2010 AWG in Grande Prairie if they meet this commitment.

Facilities and Equipment

Regional Trials For the regional trials, the facilities used, in both communities, was fine for the events being held. However, for the Arctic Sports Events new High Kick stands need to be prepared to ensure adequate training.

Arctic Winter Games The facilities for the Games were a bit small and did not have enough room for spectators. The YK Arena, used for the One Foot and Two Foot finals, was great. There was ample room for the spectators and the athletes were center stage. This venue was great for the event. High Kick stands need to be upgraded.

4 Snowshoeing venue was good at the AWG. The course was well laid out and groomed. The recommendation that we would make is to ensure that there is a warm place for the athletes before and after their races, many of the athletes were too cold and the tents were not warm enough to get their body temperature back up. A strong recommendation is that the onsite medics be more prepared for emergency medical first aid. They had absolutely nothing to help out the kids when they were coming in with frostbite and in one case, hypothermia. In Fort McMurray they had blankets and hot chocolate available for the athletes as soon as they crossed the finish line. One medic for every 3 or 4 athletes, at different outdoor stations would be a strong recommendation.

Badminton venue was great at the AWG. There was ample room for the spectators and players. A suggestion for future games would be to have someone on site to restring rackets.

Dene Games had many venue locations. All of which fit the purpose of each sporting event. The two outdoor venues were located outside of the town, therefore not many spectators; despite this hurdle the energy at these events was high.

Financial Support

As in previous years, Team Nunavik Quebec received financial support from KRG, Makivik Corporation, Kativik School Board, Saputiit Youth Association, and the Quebec Government’s Minister de l’Education, Loisier, et du Sport.

Air Inuit and First Air were instrumental in providing discounted airfare for travel to regional trials and to the Arctic Winter Games. As well, all the municipalities supported their athletes through weekly allowances to their athletes and in some cases manpower for the games.

Forms and Publications

Two promotional posters were produced to publicize the regional trials in Nunavik. Press Releases were handled by the KRG Communications Department.

Insurance

Insurance was purchased through Quebec Blue Cross for the team, including VIPs. The coverage provided protection for all medical issues arise (including medivac) for the ten days while in Yellowknife.

Media

Nunavik’s regional radio was the main source of communication to the region. Updates were given by Maggie Emudluk, KRG Chairperson, while attending the games. Taqramiut Nipingat (TNI), the regional radio, was the major form of communication about the games.

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Medical Services

There were a few minor injuries during these games. Services received at the AWG Polyclinic were professional and all encompassing. Massage therapy, x-rays, and physiotherapy were all available.

Team Handbook

This year the development of the team handbook held all the critical information for the team to function. The handbook gave job descriptions, code of conduct information, appeal process, and consequences for major and minor misconducts. Formal information sessions were held for all participants twice: once immediately following the regional trial selections and a second one in Kuujjuaq prior to leaving for Yellowknife.

Registration and Accreditation

This year all registration was completed online. The entire team was registered through the recreation department and all photos were submitted following the head coach community tour. The deadlines for registration were very accommodating for all contingents. There was no on site accreditation required for Team Nunavik Quebec this year.

Upon arrival in Yellowknife, all the accreditation badges were available and the process flowed smoothly and quickly.

Results

The posting of results was once again satisfactory. We did encounter some technical problems with snowshoeing, and arctic sports however these were dealt with quickly through the mission staff and rectified.

The posting on the team website did prove to be a bigger issue. The results were not kept up to date. This will be re-examined for future games and resolved before the 2010 AWG.

Security

In the athlete’s village, there were some discrepancies with the security personnel. Some school did enforce the curfew and lights out rules that were set, however there were some that were not. Also, many of the security did not make rounds in the schools to ensure the security of the athletes.

Security services were not uniform at the accommodation venues. Some officers were enforcing the rules while others were allowing the teams to decide for themselves on curfew and quiet time.

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Security at the activity venues was very good. They were continuously checking accreditation and ensuring the safety of those in the buildings.

Social Activities

Athletes and Coaches were grateful for the evening happenings although they felt they should have been more publicity on these events.

Traveling to the games one day early also allowed our team the opportunity to explore Yellowknife prior to the games. They enjoyed shopping, driving the ice road, movies, and fast food.

Sports

For the 2008 AWG, Team Nunavik Quebec participated in Arctic Sports, Games, Snowshoeing, and .

Artic Sports included four age categories (Open Male, Open Female, Junior Male and Junior Female) and each age category participated in all sporting disciplines. Arctic Sports also had a few questionable decisions/moves by officials that were "discovered" by our coaches, to show all results and standing on a 'Score Board' as soon as events are done would eliminate confusion. It goes against the spirit of the games to question officials, and it's also very embarrassing especially as we are still a "guest" delegation. But, some of our athletes worked hard to get there and it's unfair for them if we don't question the process or rulings of some of the officials. To my knowledge, our delegation has always been respectful when questioning or pointing out shortcomings. Once officials discuss the situation amongst themselves, we always accept their final decision.

Dene Games had three age categories (Open Male, Junior Female, and Junior Male) and the team participated in all events. One issue that continued to arise was often there are decisions made by officials who are sometimes unaware of the Tech package info, or they sometimes overule Tech package, because of their regional application of rules according to the spirit of the games as they know them. They have a valid point, except that for athletes and coaches from far away, who are using the Tech package as a guide, it seems unfair to get the changes and adjustments during the competitions. It's stressful on officials, athletes and coaches alike

Badminton athletes were in the junior male and female categories.

Snowshoeing athletes were in the juvenile male and female categories.

Currently, the recreation department is working with the Kativik School Board to implement a number of sporting disciplines at the AWG into the physical education

7 programs at the schools throughout Nunavik. This collaboration between the two organizations will increase the interest and abilities of youth in the region.

Team Nunavik Quebec greatly appreciated that the AWG International Committee permitted the region an opportunity to continue their participation in the 2008 AWG. For 2010 AWG, Team Nunavik Quebec will be asking the AWG International Committee to maximize our participation in the above listed events, to allow participation in all individual events and some team events.

Transportation

The challenges posed by air transportation are always the same: distance and high costs. Nunavik comprises 14 isolated villages and as a result, we must rely on Air Inuit to first gather all participants at a central location in the region prior to the final departure to the AWG. This year, Air Inuit was responsible to get all the athletes to Kuujjuaq to prepare for their departure to Yellowknife, and First Air carried the team via charter to Iqaluit and by schedule flight to Yellowknife.

Both airlines offered superior service and excellent discounts to the team. The only issue the team encountered was the missing luggage. On the return home, 42 team bags were left in Yellowknife. First Air was able to get the bags to Kuujjuaq within four days however there were athletes who did not receive their luggage for one week due to the flight schedules to the villages.

Welcome and Send Off

Being the first to arrive and the last depart from Yellowknife was an area of concern. However, the host society handled it beautifully. The team was welcomed to Yellowknife by a happy group of volunteers.

The Send Off was well organized and prepared. The group received clear instructions on how to proceed and the team was transported to the airport with no issues.

Volunteers were great and did a wonderful job in these processes.

Arctic Winter Games International Committee

For the past five games, the AWG International Committee has welcomed Team Nunavik-Quebec as a guest unit. These five AWG have provided our region with a great opportunity to become acquainted with the all the policies and procedures for participation in the AWG. We are now optimistically awaiting an invitation to participate in the 2010 AWG in Grande Prairie Alberta.

The chairperson of KRG, the president of the Makivik Corporation, and the Chef de Mission attended a meeting with the president of the International Committee to discuss

8 increasing participation in future games to include team sports. Though no decision is final, we will continue to work towards that goal.

Team Selection Process

There were three major phases for recruiting athletes for the 2008 AWG. These included the Eastern Arctic Summer Games held in Kuujjuaq (summer of 2007) and the regional trials held in Kuujjuaraapik and Kuujjuaq in November 2007. At the Eastern Arctic Summer Games the recreation department scouted potential athletes who could be invited to participate at the regional trials.

Once the team was selected, all identification was photocopied and information for registration was collected to ensure that all athletes would be prepared for the departure. All athletes, not in possession of photo identification, were required to have a KRPF id card made.

AWG Unit Involvement Summary – 2008 Games

Participation Eastern Arctic Tundra Regional Trials AWG Summary Summer Games Trot Athletes 150 70 110 37 Coach/ Official 32 12 4 9 Mission Staff - 12 12 Cultural 8 21 (Competition 7 Early Nov.) Chaperones 11 20 2 Total 201 82 167 67

Communities 11 13 11 9 Involved Male Athletes 90 32 74 22 Female Athletes 60 38 36 22

9 2008 Arctic Winter Games Summary of Revenue and Expenditures

REVENUE

Kativik Regional Government (Nunavik Organization) 160 000 Makivik Corporation (Nunavik Organization) 100 000 Quebec Government (MELS) 30 000 Saputiit Youth Association 30 000 Air Inuit 80 000 First Air 60 000

Total 460 000

EXPENDITURES

Transportation: First Air 171 924 Air Inuit 30 000 Traveling Expenses 78 162

Uniforms / Equipment / Accessories 81 186

Membership / Registration Fees 5 000

Vehicle Rentals 3 189

Publicity and Promotion 6 100

Incidentals / Technical Staff 22 300

Consultant 52 500

Team Insurance 4 000

Total 443 361

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