KRG: 2019 Eastern Arctic Summer Games

August 14, 2019- Over 235 athletes from five communities of Nunavik participated in the 2019 Eastern Arctic Summer Games (EASG) hosted in Kuujjuaraapik. The Kangiqsujuaq, Inukjuak, Umiujaq, Kuujjuaraapik and Kuujjuaq teams gave it their all throughout the 19th edition of this event, as did the Cree team from the adjacent community of Whapmagoostui.

Four staff members of the Recreation Department of the Kativik Regional Government (KRG) provided support throughout the Games to Ryan Angatookalook, the event’s coordinator. The KRG staff assisted with the set-up of sporting venues and the opening and closing ceremonies. They also acted as officials, contributed time to gathering statistics and compiling results, transported athletes and equipment between venues, and helped with medal ceremonies. The KRG also provided $25,000 in sponsorship for the Games.

Team sports included basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, floor hockey, canoe races and other exciting events. Individual sports were also highlighted including skeet shooting, target shooting, marathons and a triathlon. Arctic sports were particularly competitive especially the head pull, arm pull, two-foot high kick, one-foot high kick and Alaskan high kick competitions, to name but a few.

The Eastern Arctic Summer Games include both traditional and contemporary sports to encourage communities north of the 55th parallel to stay active and to compete. They set the stage for the upcoming 2020 Arctic Winter Games that will be held in Whitehorse, Yukon, next March.

NT5