Team Nunavik-Québec represents region well at Arctic Winter Games

Press Release

Kuujjuaq, Québec, March 15, 2016 – After dealing with multi-day weather delays, Team Nunavik-Québec worked hard to represent the region well during the Arctic Winter Games in Nuuk Greenland from March 6-11. The region’s small team of 57 athletes earned 21 ulus (6 gold, 9 silver, 6 bronze) largely in Arctic Sports and Dene Games. Its cultural contingent, Puvirnituq’s Qulliq Band, also earned large cheers for their performance of Nunavik Inuktitut songs, as well as a mix of throat singing and hip-hop beatboxing dubbed “throatboxing” by the youth.

“The people of Nuuk were amazing hosts who were not only generous with their time, but also very curious about our Inuit region of Nunavik. We left Greenland with new friends and a better understanding of how both places are connected,” said Nancianne Grey, Team Nunavik-Quebec’s Chef de Mission for the games.

“This was my first games and it was truly an honour to watch our region’s athletes compete. All members of Team Nunavik-Québec conducted themselves in a manner that any Nunavimmiut would be proud of. The ambassadorship displayed by everyone here at the games is part of the reason we’ll keep working to increase the size of our team for future games,” said Jennifer Munick, Kativik Regional Government Chairperson.

Other highlights of the week include:

– Arctic Sports Open Female competitor Deseray Cumberbatch winning four ulus (Gold in Triple Jump, Silver in Arm Pull, Silver in One-foot High Kick and Bronze in Sledge Jump

– Team Elder Louisa Cookie-Brown attending the games, visiting with local Inuit elders while supporting TNQ athletes and increasing team morale.

Team Nunavik-Québec would particularly like to thank Glencore Raglan Mine, Hydro-Québec, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, Makivik Corporation, the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, all the Northern Villages and the KRG staff for their support and contribution to the team.

During the week, the team posted regular photo and video updates to its highly popular Facebook page and also kept the region informed through interviews in English and Inuktitut on local radio stations.

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Contact:

Jean-Philippe Dubois
Communications Officer
Kativik Regional Government
  media@krg.ca ; www.krg.ca

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