Final Report Team Nunavik–Québec Arctic Winter Games 2006 Prepared by: Frankie Gordon Chef de Mission 1 Table of Contents Page General Unit Management............................................................................................. 3 Accommodations ........................................................................................................... 3 Banquets......................................................................................................................... 3 Catering...........................................................................................................................3 Ceremonies and Awards ................................................................................................ 3 Communications ............................................................................................................ 4 Cultural Program............................................................................................................ 4 Facilities and Equipment................................................................................................ 4 Financial Support........................................................................................................... 4 Forms and Publications.................................................................................................. 5 Insurance........................................................................................................................ 5 Media ............................................................................................................................. 5 Medical Services............................................................................................................ 5 Team Booklet................................................................................................................. 5 Registration and Accreditation ...................................................................................... 5 Results............................................................................................................................ 5 Security ...........................................................................................................................6 Social Activities............................................................................................................. 6 Sports ............................................................................................................................. 6 Transportation.................................................................................................................6 Welcome and Send-off .................................................................................................. 7 Arctic Winter Games International Committee ............................................................. 7 Team Selection Process ................................................................................................. 7 AWG Unit Involvement Summary –2006 Games........................................................ 8 Summary of Revenue and Expenditures........................................................................ 9 2 General Unit Management The Kativik Regional Government (KRG) Recreation Department has been responsible for the administration, co-ordination and participation of Team Nunavik–Québec at the bi-annual Arctic Winter Games (AWG) since 2000. On these four occasions (2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006), Team Nunavik–Québec has participated as a guest unit. The most recent AWG were held in Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Once again, the region received the financial backing of provincial, regional and federal organizations, including the Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions (municipal affairs and regions), the Secrétariat à la jeunesse (youth secretariat), the Makivik Corporation, the Saputiit Youth Association, and the Canadian government’s new Inuit Relations Secretariat. For their part, the Kativik School Board allowed school gym facilities to be used for training and contributed certain human resources, while many municipalities in the region provided support for their local athletes. Accommodations The accommodations provided were comfortable. The ‘beds to heads’ system allowed our Team to make roommate arrangements in advance and it also allowed for interaction with other contingents. Athletes and coaches appreciated the easy access to cafeterias, including the fact that special guests were welcomed in the main cafeteria. With respect to sleeping quarters, it might have been suitable for security personnel to check for cleanliness. Perhaps a system could be put in place for the next AWG. Two other recommendations would be to separate the cafeteria from the sleeping quarters and to have the dedicated male/female showers closer to the male/female sleeping quarters. Finally, it would have been more convenient if the mission headquarters, accommodation and meeting room were located within walking distance from accommodations. Banquets AWG banquets always provide delicious finger foods and desserts. This year in Alaska, the banquets were no different given the excellent selection of salmon and king crab. In the future, Team Nunavik–Quebec mission staff intend to be more present at these invitation-only events. Catering At the cafeterias, catering services were well organized and the food was plentiful. We had no complaints this year concerning opening and closing hours. Team Nunavik– Québec didn’t require many box lunches; there were always food venues at or near the event sites. Our compliments go to the food services at the outdoor venues. Ceremonies and Awards The opening ceremonies were well organized and were able to harness the excitement of participants. The mix of guest speakers, youth dancers and cultural performances was entertaining. Hobo Jim of Alaska did an especially good job with the theme song. 3 The closing ceremonies (speeches and entertainment) were planned to take into account the charter departures of the various contingents. Organizers did a good job making sure all participants made it to their designated buses. It was also a very good idea to give special guests and VIPs an opportunity to present awards. However, if this is repeated in the future, it would be helpful to keep the special guests and VIPs informed of event times since some events do not closely follow their scheduled times. Communications The mission headquarters was well equipped with the necessary communication technologies and volunteer staff were always available to provide assistance to mission staff and coaches. The cell phones provided were especially helpful. Cultural Program The cultural program organizer was very enthusiastic and succeeded in bringing out the best in all participants. In fact, cultural performers were perhaps the luckiest of all participants; because they had to travel to many different locations, performers had a chance to experience a mix of Alaska’s scenic beauty and cultures. Team Nunavik–Québec’s cultural coach expressed some concern about the similarity of performances delivered by another contingent. She recommended that programs (which is to say the songs to be performed) be scheduled at least a day in advance to allow all performers time to properly prepare. Facilities and Equipment The facilities used for the Inuit Games were very well co-ordinated. Coaches and athletes had no complaints. As for the Dene Games, the facilities were very handy as both indoor and outdoor games were located within walking distance of athlete accommodations. The same comment applies snow-shoeing events. The close distance between event venues and accommodations helped to keep most competitions on schedule. All the equipment provided worked well and all volunteers were very helpful. With respect to snow-shoeing in particular, Team Nunavik–Québec would like to extend a thank you to coaches from the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. We greatly appreciated their assistance both with equipment and coaching for our athletes and coach. This was the first year that Team Nunavik–Québec participated in the snow-shoeing event. The experience has taught us that further training needs to be developed and proper equipment purchased prior to the next AWG. Financial Support As was the case for the AWG in 2004, Team Nunavik–Québec received financial support from the KRG, the Makivik Corporation, the Saputiit Youth Association, Nunalituqait Ikajuqatigiitut Inuit Association, the Québec government’s Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions (municipal affairs and regions) and its Secrétariat à la jeunesse (youth secretariat), as well as the Canadian government’s new Inuit Relations 4 Secretariat. The airlines Air Inuit and First Air also provided discount fares for travel to regional trials held in 2005 and to Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Forms and Publications The annual reports of three major Nunavik organizations provided accounts of Team Nunavik–Québec’s participation at the AWG in2004 in addition to publicizing the 2006 AWG. Two promotional posters were produced to publicize Nunavik’s regional trials and the AWG. The annual calendar produced by the KRG Recreation Department to announce recreation and social events also underlined the upcoming AWG. Finally, the Eastern Arctic Summer Games hosted in Kuujjuaraapik–Whapmagoostui showcased potential AWG athletes. Insurance As in other years, Team Nunavik–Québec purchased its insurance from Québec Blue