ISSUE NO.1 / WINTER 2005 A History of the Arctic Winter Games he history of the Arctic Winter Games begins in 1967 at the T Canada Winter Games hosted in Quebec City. Stuart Hodgson and James Smith, then Commissioners of the Northwest Territories and Yukon, looked on while athletes from their jurisdiction were decisively bested in competition. The men realized that with a smaller pool of athletes, inadequate facilities and training, northern athletes couldn't effectively compete with their southern counterparts. Games Date Back to Alaska The idea for the Arctic Winter Games developed out of discussions between the commissioners and then Governor of the State of Alaska, Walter J. Hickel. Governor Hickel embraced the concept and the Arctic Winter Games Corporation, now the Arctic Winter Games International Committee, was formed in 1968. The First Games The first Games, held in Yellowknife in 1970, were attended by 500 athletes, participants and coaches. The 2004 Games were hosted in Wood Buffalo, Alberta and were joined for the first time by the Saami people of Sweden, Finland Yamal, and the combined Saami team An International Celebration million dollars into the Kenai Peninsula economy in March, a traditionally slow and Norway, making the Games a truly from Norway, Sweden and Finland. And now the Kenai Peninsula has time of the year for businesses. This circumpolar northern event. From its modest beginnings, the now been chosen to be a part of this money will be generated by the influx of Since the Games were first created, Games have evolved and grown to the international exchange. The games will Games participants (1900), special participating regions in the Games point that over 1,900 athletes, coaches, be an incredible boost to the economy guests (700) and spectators (3000+). have grown from Alaska, the Northwest mission staff, officials and cultural on a local level as well as the State of Territories and Yukon to include Northern performers will participate in the 2006 Alaska, as thousands of visitors attend Alberta, Northern Quebec, Greenland, Games while thousands of spectators the 2006 Games. It is projected that the Nunavut, the Russian province of cheer them on. week-long games will bring over five Meet the Mascot – The Arctic Winter Games Rascal the Raven International Committee Logo The Arctic Winter Games International Committee logo, consisting of three interlocking rings, symbolizes In October, 2004, Arctic athletic competition, cultural exhibition and social Winter Games announced interchange, which is the underlying philosophy a contest in which local behind the Games. The logo is enhanced with a graphic students could enter illustration of the aurora borealis, further emphasizing the northern character possible names for the of the Games. Although gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to 2006 mascot. The contest the athletes; the only trophy awarded is to the team that best displays the was open to all K-12th spirit and values of the Games during the week of competition. grade students on the Kenai Peninsula and was a great opportunity for those students to get involved with the upcoming games. Raven designed by Chris Jenness Local Kindergartner Wins Mascot Naming Contest The Host Society selected the name and closing ceremonies, plus $100 in from hundreds of entries they received apparel from the Raven’s Roost. during the "Name our Mascot" contest Relevance of the Raven this fall. “Rascal,” was the name chosen for the loveable raven. The name of the The AWG mascot is a costumed caricature mascot as well as the contest winner was of a Raven dressed in athletic attire, “As a tightly held secret. The contest winner the official mascot of the 2006 Arctic himself was unaware that his entry had Winter Games he will visit sport venues been selected until it was announced from Alyeska to Homer encouraging during a live radio broadcast at the athletes to soar to new heights of unity, Games Winter Arctic Official Sports of the 2006 The Raven’s Roost. The winner was 5-year-old sportsmanship and cultural exchange,” Xander Miller of Sterling. “He had no said Host Society General Manager idea. This was a big surprise for him,” Loren Smith. said Xander’s mother Joan Miller. “My Since ancient time the raven has been grandma gave me the idea for the name,” held in high esteem by the peoples of the said Xander, a kindergarten student at North and is noted by scientists for their Cook Inlet Academy. For winning the high intelligence. However, he is also name the mascot contest Xander won 4 known by storytellers as a prankster. The Super sport passes for the 2006 Arctic AWG Mascot has a name that reflects his Winter Games and 4 tickets to opening character and heritage. PAGE 2 2006 ARCTIC WINTER GAMES • ULU NEWS • WINTER 2005 Support the Arctic 5,000 Visitors Winter Games Today! 3,000 Volunteers It is a massive and exciting undertaking offer a great set of rewards, recognition to host the 2006 Games. The Kenai and sponsorship opportunities. This is 1,900 Athletes & coaches Peninsula 2006 Arctic Winter Games an outstanding program that will leave is truly inviting the world to join us in a lasting legacy for the Kenai Peninsula 100 Local sponsors March, 2006 for a celebration of youth, Borough, its communities and its competition and culture. residents. 20 Winter sports Fundraising Please visit the official website at 9 Cultural Events www.awg2006.org or call 907-262-2006 With a project of this size and scope, it to find out how our fundraising goals will take many contributions, large and 7 Countries are structured and who will be responsible small, to make the 2006 Games the best for raising those funds. Games ever! We need to raise $5.3 6 Days million in cash and in-kind donations Volunteer Opportunities for the 2006 Games. Besides the necessary monetary needs With a $5.3 million fundraising goal, of putting on an international event of 1 Opportunity to shine the 2006 Host Society has designed a this magnitude, support from volunteers series of contribution and sponsorship is crucial to the success of the games. Volunteer today. It's going to take a We need thousands of volunteers to make programs that fit every budget and that lot of help for the Kenai Peninsula to the Kenai Peninsula 2006 Arctic Winter Games a success. Host a team, work in host the top of the world. We need the store, supervise a sporting venue, thousands of volunteers to make the coordinate a reception or just ring a Kenai Peninsula 2006 Arctic Winter cowbell as athletes from seven nations cross the finish line. The opportunities Games a success. Support a team, are virtually unlimited. Sign up today by help at your favorite venue, welcome going to www.awg2006.org. special guests from around the world Thank you for your interest in how you or just ring a cowbell as athletes from or your company can support the 2006 Kenai Peninsula Arctic Winter Games on the Kenai seven nations cross the finish line. The 2006 Arctic Winter Games Marathon Road, Kenai, AK 99611 Peninsula. opportunities are virtually unlimited. P.O. Box 1659, Soldotna, AK 99669 Sign up today at www.awg2006.org (907) 262-2006 or call (907)262-2006. General Manager: Loren Smith Advertising: Shanon Hamrick (907) 262-9814 [email protected] Design and Production: Marketing Solutions (907) 569-7070 2006 ARCTIC WINTER GAMES • ULU NEWS • WINTER 2005 PAGE 3 Board of Directors SPONSOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT Kenai Peninsula 2006 Arctic Winter Games Due to the magnitude of both volunteer and monetary support that is needed in order to produce the Arctic Winter Games, it is especially important for us to take a look at those John Andrews • [email protected] Debbie Holle • [email protected] who are helping us make the games a success. This month, the spotlight is on an Dale Bagley • [email protected] Pam Howard • [email protected] extremely generous sponsor who is crucial to making all of this possible. Jennifer Beckman • [email protected] Bob Jones • [email protected] Jack Brown • [email protected] Tim Navarre • [email protected] Era Aviation David Carey • [email protected] Donna Peterson • [email protected] Era Aviation is the official airline of the Kenai Peninsula 2006 Arctic Andrew Carmichael • [email protected] Bill Popp • [email protected] Winter Games. Carl F. Brady started Jack Cushing • [email protected] Betty Glick • [email protected] the airline in 1948 when he first brought a Bell 47A helicopter to Alaska. By 1998, the airline had operations in several countries, Dave Feeken • [email protected] Rosalie Tepp fixed-wing service, and even flightseeing service. Era Aviation Becky Foster • [email protected] Colette Thompson • [email protected] now employs over 800 people and plays an important role in the petroleum-support industry. Most importantly, Era provides daily Kathy Gensel • [email protected] Connie Wirz • [email protected] air service from Kenai to numerous destinations statewide. Gary Hale • [email protected] Thank you Era for all you do to support the Games! Who Participates in the Games? The Arctic Winter Games Regional Spotlight: From that point on, the region was part Northern Alberta of major fur trading routes for both the Northwestern Company and the showcase the best athletes This month's spotlight is on Northern Hudson's Bay Company. Northern Alberta, located in Western Canada. from the circumpolar region. Alberta became the gateway to Northern Alberta has participated in Canada's Far North when it served every Arctic Winter Games since 1986 The Kenai Peninsula will as a transportation and construction and became a permanent member in hub for the Canol pipeline project host over 1900 athletes and 1988.