Games Kick Off with a Party
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POWERED BY THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCTIC WINTER GAMES MARCH 19, 2018 Games kick off with a party Yukon athlete aims to break record The Arctic Winter Games flame is lit Team profiles of Nunavut and Alberta North Thorsten Gohl photo 2 ULU NEWS, Monday, March 19, 2018 ULU NEWS, Monday, March 19, 2018 3 Let the Arctic Winter Games begin TJ Kaskamin of Fort Good Hope carries the NWT flag into the March 18 open- ing ceremony in Hay River for the 2018 South Slave Arctic Winter Games. Paul Bickford/NNSL photo Arctic Winter Games launched with ceremony in Hay River by Paul Bickford Winter Games Host Society, Lynn Napier-Buckley of Fort Winter Olympics in Pyeong- Olympic Games." The entertainment for Northern News Services recalled the region's failed Smith, Chief Roy Fabian of Chang, South Korea – wel- The late Pat Bobinski, a the evening included the After years of planning attempt to obtain the games K'atlodeeche First Nation and coming the athletes to his Hay River volunteer who was Hay River Filipino March- and work, the 2018 South for 2008. Kristy Duncan, the federal hometown. instrumental in developing the ing Band, The JBT Jiggers Slave Arctic Winter Games "With renewed vision and minister of Sport and Persons "I'm proud to say that sport of biathlon in the NWT from Fort Smith's Joseph Burr officially kicked off with a a lot of determination we bid with Disabilities. I'm an Arctic Winter Games and a long-time member of the Tyrrell School, the Tuktoyak- flashy opening ceremony on on the 2018 games, and here Hay River's Olympic biath- alumnus," he said. "For me, Arctic Winter Games family, tuk Siglit Drummers and March 18 in the brand-new we are today," he said. lete Brendan Green also sent it led to a career in sport was also honoured with a spe- Dancers, and the K'atlodeeche recreation centre in Hay River. Rowe also especially a message – recorded at the as well as three Winter cial tribute. Drummers. Close to 1,900 athletes thanked the Town of Hay from across the circumpolar River and its recreation board world gathered in Hay River for its support, and the town's for the opening ceremonies, construction of its new recrea- including about 800 compet- tion centre which opened just ing in Fort Smith who were days before the games began. bussed in just for the event "This spectacular facility and returned after it was over. is one of our greatest legacies Nine teams – from Canada, of the games," he said. Alaska, Scandinavia, Green- In a video message, Pre- land and Russia – marched mier Bob McLeod noted that in one-by-one to the cheers Hay River and Pine Point of Hay River residents and had hosted the Arctic Winter fellow competitors. Games in 1978. At the end of the cere- "Now 40 years later the mony, Jens Brinch, the presi- games are back in the South dent of the Arctic Winter Slave region where I know the Games International Commit- communities of Hay River, tee, declared the 2018 games Fort Smith and K'atlodeeche officially open. First Nation will serve as tre- "To all the athletes and mendous hosts and show all participants, I say do your that this region has to offer," best in the competitions and he said. performances," he said. McLeod challenged the On behalf of the Arctic athletes to use the games to Winter Games International help develop their characters, Committee, Brinch also and become more confident, thanked the people who responsible individuals and worked to make the games leaders in their communities. possible – volunteers, spon- "To Team NWT athletes, sors and members of host you are our ambassadors. Rep- society. resent your team and our ter- Prior to the declaration to ritory with honour and pride," open the games, there was a he said, adding they should do fast-moving ceremony featur- their best and always compete ing music, dancing and num- with fairness and integrity. erous inspirational messages. Welcome messages were Greg Rowe, the president also played from Mayor Brad of the 2018 South Slave Arctic Mapes of Hay River, Mayor 4 ULU NEWS, Monday, March 19, 2018 After the lighting of the Hay River cauldron for the 2018 South Slave Arctic Winter Games, four youngsters, left to right, Nikhlin Kipling, Emrys Kipling, Carlyn Monkman and Annalee Monkman gathered for a photo. ULU NEWS, Monday, March 19, 2018 5 Arctic Winter Games flame lit Numerous people, including many families, posed for pictures with the cauldron for the 2018 South Slave Arctic Winter Games. One of the families consisted of, left to right, Emiliana Poitras-Dewar, David Dewar, Emmanuelle Poitras-Dewar, Emmy- lou Poitras-Dewar and Sarah Poitras-Dewar. Marie-Eve Larocque, the social media chair for the 2018 South Slave AWG, takes a photo at the lighting of the Hay River cauldron for the games. At the lighting of the Hay River cauldron for 2018 South Slave Arctic Winter Games were its builders, left to right, Jason Coakwell of Aurora Manufactur- ing; Shawn Demarcke, a gasfitter with Stittco Utilities; Rodney Burrows of Aurora Manufactur- ing; and Riley Boden of Mayor Brad Mapes oversaw the lighting on March Aurora Manufacturing. 16 of the Hay River cauldron for the 2018 South Slave Arctic Winter Games. CEREMONY Feature by Paul Bickford Northern News Services The ceremony was organized by Peter The flame for the Arctic Winter Games was Magill, the tourism and economic develop- lit on March 16. ment co-ordinator with the Town of Hay River. Actually, there were two flames – one in Magill said the flame will burn for the dur- Hay River and the other in Fort Smith. ation of the Arctic Winter Games. The cauldrons were designed as two identi- “And then these two cauldrons will be left cal halves of one united flame, representing the behind as a legacy piece for the two commun- two communities co-hosting the international ities,” he said, adding it will be a reminder of sporting event from March 18 to March 24. the 2018 games like the inukshuk is a reminder In Hay River, a crowd gathered to see a of the 1978 games co-hosted by Hay River and cauldron – the left side of the flame – lit next Pine Point. to the fire hall. At the same time as the lighting of the Mayor Brad Mapes officiated at the light- cauldron in Hay River, Fort Smith Mayor Lynn ing of the cauldron, which stands over three Napier-Buckley was overseeing the lighting of metres high. the cauldron in her community. 6 ULU NEWS, Monday, March 19, 2018 WATCHFUL EYE Yamal figure skating coach Alfia Babenko supervises her skaters during scheduled free time on Sunday after- noon before heading to Hay River for the opening ceremonies. Paul Bannister/NNSL photo ULU NEWS, Monday, March 19, 2018 7 Volleyball to debut at new curling club Dylan Short/NNSL photo Taylor McDonald looks to beat the block during a Team Alberta North practice. The Hay River Curling Club is set to serve as the venue for volleyball at the Arctic Winter Games. New venue described as ‘a little cold,’ but ‘amazing’ by Dylan Short tournaments. Centre. “The curlers were a little also has a really beautiful new to town say the venue Northern News Services Volleyball will be the first While many feel it would upset,” said volleyball chair venue.” is already providing a great The Hay River Curl- sport played in the newly- have been ideal to open with Steve Campbell, “but they While some curlers may atmosphere. ing Club is set to open this constructed, curling-specific curling in the new curling understand that although have been hesitant to give up Team Alberta North’s week as it hosts the junior facility, within the brand club, Fort Smith is hosting that Hay River would love to their facility to a new sport, men and women’s volleyball new Hay River Recreation sport. host every event, Fort Smith some athletes and coaches Please see page 8 8 ULU NEWS, Monday, March 19, 2018 'I’m really excited to be playing in the same venue that the food is in' Continued from page 7 are already enjoying the venue, the space is a little more Miller, outside hitter for Team Alberta North’s junior female cramped than a standard court. Normally, there are three volleyball team. “It’s a little cold but I think that it will be junior female volleyball squad practised Sunday morning to metres of free space on either side of the court’s boundaries, nice when we’re playing.” the beat of DMX and the Black Eyed Peas in front of close but AWG athletes will only have two metres to work with Miller also mentioned some upside. to 50 spectators. this year. “I’m really excited to be playing in the same venue that the “It’s amazing!” Erin Henning, the team’s coach, said of the But for those that have already practised on the court, food is in,” she said. building. “We didn’t know how they were going to set it up, the challenges of the new venue haven’t put a damper on the The first game in the new club will see the Team North- so it’s better than we expected.” excitement. west Territories play Team Yukon on the men’s side on Mon- Campbell said that while athletes, coaches and spectators “It’s not really bothering me that much,” said Stephanie day at 9 a.m.