Minister Dempster Names 2026 Labrador Winter Games Board of Directors and Announces Increase in Funding Support

Press Release

September 19, 2024

The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced the members of the Board of Directors for the 2026 Labrador Winter Games at an event held on September 11 in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area.

Minister Dempster also announced a contribution of $800,000 from the Provincial Government to support the 2026 Labrador Winter Games, an increase of more than 50 per cent from a base level of $500,000.

The funding, which is administered by the Department of Labrador Affairs, covers costs associated with organizing and delivering the Games. Some of the additional funding will be used to advance the concept of a regional games in remote areas in the months leading up to the next Games.

The board is chaired by Pauline Russell of Mary’s Harbour, the first female to chair the board of directors. She is joined by:

Joan Hibbs and Devon Ryan (Labrador West)
McKinley Winters and Julie Dicker (Labrador North)
Donna O’Brien (Labrador South)
Chief Eugene Hart and Andrew Battcock (Labrador Central)
Mina Campbell and Rex Goudie (culture and tourism)
George Russell, Jr. (Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle of Newfoundland and Labrador)

The board is supported by ex-officio members:

Lt.-Col. Colonel Aleem Sajan of 5 Wing Goose Bay
Michelle Watkins of the Department of Labrador Affairs;
Randy Letto of Destination Labrador
Andrew Wright of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation.

A director from the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay will be named at a later date.

Biographies of the board members are provided in the backgrounder below.

The Labrador Winter Games, which are generally held every three years, are known as the “friendship games” for their portrayal of friendly competition and a focus on traditions and cultural heritage. More than 300 participants from communities across Labrador traditionally participate in the week-long event.

The official dates for the 2026 Labrador Winter Games will be determined by the board of directors.

Quotes
“I am proud to thank and acknowledge people for their commitment to sport, recreation and community and for their willingness to serve as members of the Board of Directors for the 2026 Labrador Winter Games. The board members will work closely with the Department of Labrador Affairs and community partners to put the planning and foundation in place for the next games in 2026.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“It will be a pleasure to work alongside people who have a long association with this special event known as the “friendship games”. The Labrador Winter Games reflects our culture and traditions and rekindles friendships. These games bring together Labradorians as one.”
Pauline Russell
Chairperson, Board of Directors, Labrador Winter Games

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Provincial Government Bolsters Financial Support for the Labrador Winter Games

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BACKGROUNDER

Biographies of 2026 Labrador Winter Games Board of Directors
Pauline Russell
Pauline Russell is a long-time community volunteer who served as community coordinator for eight Labrador Winter Games from 1989 to 2010, and most recently served on the board for the 2019 and 2023 Labrador Winter Games. She has held positions on the Mary’s Harbour Recreation Committee and served as chair of the Mary’s Harbour Crab Festival. Ms. Russell was a school board trustee with District #2 (Northern Peninsula / Labrador South) and volunteered with the Kids Eat Smart Program, the Circle of Friends Resource Centre and Harbourview Manor. Ms. Russell served for 20 years as an Anglican licensed lay minister and most recently was the recipient of the 2023 Nakummesuak Award from NunatuKavut for her contributions and volunteering with communities.

Andrew Battcock
Andrew Battcock is a retired educator of 30 years where he worked as a program specialist for many years before moving into a position as school health promotion liaison consultant for the Labrador-Grenfell region of the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District. Mr. Battcock was provincial director of the Canadian Intramural and Recreation Association for three years, chairperson of the Provincial Intramural Student Leadership for four years and has been involved in sport at all levels and capacities. He works with Mamu Tshishkutamashutau Innu Education as a curriculum development coordinator for land based/outdoor education. Andrew previously served on boards for the 2006, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019 and 2023 Labrador Winter Games.

Mina Campbell
Mina Campbell is an Inuk woman born and raised in North West River, Labrador. She was raised by her grandparents which created roots for her strong cultural/heritage background. Ms. Campbell has been the curator at the Labrador Interpretation Centre since 1998. She has served with the Labrador Inuit Association and the Nunatsiavut Government. Ms. Campbell was also a member of the Nunatsiavut Government Assembly, Speaker of the Nunatsiavut Assembly and a councillor with the Town of North West River. Her enthusiasm to protect Labrador’s culture and history led her to serve on the boards of the Labrador Heritage Society and Them Days. Ms. Campbell describes herself as a hunter and fisher, crafter and cultural teacher.

Julie Dicker
Julie Dicker was born and raised in Nain, Labrador. She is an educator and is the first female Inuk school principal at Jens Haven Memorial in Nain. She completed a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor and Master of Physical Education from Memorial University and has now begun her PhD in Arctic and Subarctic Futures at Memorial. Ms. Dicker is the first female Inuk to teach physical education, first at John Christian Erhardt Memorial in Makkovik, Nunatsiavut, and in her home community of Nain. When Jens Haven Memorial faced a two-year gap without a permanent Inuttitut teacher, she took on the role of teaching Inuttitut. In 2023, Ms. Dicker was the recipient of ITK Award for Inuit Excellence. She continues to serve as a teacher and a volunteer for youth sports and in 2017 served as assistant coach of the Newfoundland and Labrador boys under 18 volleyball team at the North American Indigenous Games and served as the team manager at the 2023 event.

Chief Eugene Hart
Chief Eugene Hart is the newly elected Chief of the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation and previously served as Chief from 2015-2023. In the late 1990s he became a classroom assistant at Peenamin McKenzie School, beginning a 16-year career with the Innu education system in Sheshatshiu. During this time, he held a number of key positions, including guidance counsellor assistant and community school liaison. He served as Innu vice-principal for a period of four years. Chief Hart was a manager at the Charles J. Andrew Youth Treatment Centre and employed as a community service worker with the Department of Children, Youth and Family Services. To support his community activism, Chief Hart received a leadership certificate in community management from the Faculty of Business at the University of Prince Edward Island. He was elected to the board of the Innu Nation in 2012 and 2014 and served as chair of the finance committee.

Joan Hibbs
Joan Hibbs of Labrador City is an active member of her community. She has played and coached on numerous teams in Labrador West and is a certified coach and referee. Ms. Hibbs has served as northern director of female hockey from 2012-15 and previously served as female director of the Labrador West Minor Hockey Association. Ms. Hibbs is also a coach and executive member for Special Olympics in Labrador West and served on the 2023 board of the Labrador Winter Games.

Rex Goudie
Rex Goudie was born and raised in L’Anse au Clair. He is currently chief executive officer of the Goose Bay Airport Corporation and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Memorial University and a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University. Previously, Mr. Goudie worked as manager of field operations with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in Newfoundland and Labrador, served as Assistant Deputy Minister with the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, served as coordinator of the Comprehensive Labrador Agreement and as chair of the agency’s Indigenous Economic Development Working Group. Mr. Goudie has more than 30 years of experience in the coordination, delivery, and design of economic/social development programs for Labrador. He has been actively involved in community-based organizations in Labrador since the 1980s, including the Grenfell Foundation, Rotary Club of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, International Grenfell Association, Amaruk Golf and Sports Club and the Labrador Winter Games.

Donna O’Brien
Donna O’Brien was raised in L’Anse au Loup. She devoted 33 years to teaching and community service and played a key role in Participation Nation, an after-school program. A lover of the Labrador Winter Games, Ms. O’Brien managed her hometown’s winter games team for two years and was also a games athlete for one year. An outdoor enthusiast, she delights in snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and hiking. Her passion for the great outdoors is rivaled only by her commitment to nurturing a sense of community.

George Russell, Jr.
George Russell, Jr. is a native of Williams Harbour and has been living in Happy Valley-Goose Bay since 2001. Mr. Russell is the director of environment and natural resource with NunatuKavut and has more than 20 years of experience working on environment, community and Indigenous initiatives in Labrador. Mr. Russell has a strong connection to community, sports and recreation and has been involved with the Labrador Winter Games since 1992 as a competitor and a volunteer. In his most recent role, he served as a director on the 2019 and 2023 boards. Mr. Russell serves as chair of the Board of Directors for the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle of Newfoundland Labrador and has been the president of the men’s softball league in Happy Valley-Goose Bay since 2008. He helps organize sporting events in the area and coaches minor sports.

Devon Ryan
Born and raised in Labrador City, Devon Ryan has developed a deep connection to the region and its vibrant culture. With a passion for sports and community, he has competed in the Labrador Winter Games, showcasing athleticism and determination in various events. Specializing in snowshoe races and the Labrador run, he reached the podium seven times, earning recognition and respect among fellow competitors. The Labrador Winter Games hold a special place in Mr. Ryan’s heart, as they unite communities, fostering camaraderie and sportsmanship. Each competition is not just about winning – it’s about celebrating the spirit of Labrador and the friendships formed along the way. He cherishes the memories he has of the games. The guidance and encouragement Mr. Ryan received from his late coach, Dennis Drover, played a pivotal role in shaping his athletic journey. Mr. Drover’s belief in his athletes and his passion for sport inspired many, creating a lasting legacy within the community. Mr. Ryan is grateful for the lessons learned under coach Drover’s mentorship and carries those values into every competition, ensuring his spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew him.

McKinley Winters
McKinley Winters was born and raised in Hopedale, where he currently lives with his wife, Darlene, and three children. Sports has been a constant in his life – as an athlete and volunteer – and believes that an active lifestyle at any age is an important part of one’s life. He enjoys spending time at the cabin and on the land hunting, fishing and berry picking. Mr. Winters is working towards a Master of Theology degree at Queen’s College along with his wife Darlene. They love to travel, read the Moravian daily text, and share the word of God.

Randy Letto
Randy Letto resides in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and has been executive director of Destination Labrador for more than 17 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economic Geography from Memorial University and has more than 30 years of experience in community economic and business development, and 28 years of experience in the public and private tourism sector. Mr. Letto has a proven track record of award-winning and innovative approaches to community and tourism development and has managed numerous innovative projects and events. He is president of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Rotary Club and a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Geographical Names Board. Mr. Letto served on the 2019 and 2023 boards.

Lt.-Col. Aleem Sajan
Lt.-Col. Aleem Sajan was born in Iringa, Tanzania, and emigrated to Canada in 1993. He enrolled in the Canadian Air Force in 1998 as an Aerospace Engineer and holds a Bachelor of Science and Masters in Defense Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada and a Master of Public Administration degree from Dalhousie University. Through his 25-plus years of service, he has been fortunate to have numerous opportunities to serve, including a role as a United Nations military observer in the Sudan and an advisor to the Afghanistan Airforce supporting Canada’s contribution to the NATO Training Mission. He has served as an aircraft maintenance services officer with 14 Air Maintenance Squadron (AMS), a Senior Aircraft Maintenance Officer with 405 Squadron, an Air Maintenance Standards Officer at 1 Canadian Air Division A4 Maintenance Directorate and as the CC177 Globemaster weapon system manager and senior design engineer. In June 2023, he concluded a posting as commanding officer for 14 AMS and considers himself extremely fortunate to assume command of 5 Wing Goose Bay. With his spouse, Amy, and daughter Anaya, they are delighted to have the opportunity to experience all the Big Land has to offer.

Michelle Watkins
Michelle Watkins has served in various social and economic development volunteer capacities in Labrador since the 1990s, including president of the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce and president of the Melville Mantas Swim Club. Ms. Watkins also served on the 2019 and 2023 boards and was arts and culture chair/volunteer for past Labrador Winter Games. She is currently Assistant Deputy Minister for the Department of Labrador Affairs.

Andrew Wright
Andrew Wright is the acting director of the Recreation and Sport Division for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Mr. Wright has held several management positions with the Provincial Government for approximately 15 years. Most recently, Mr. Wright was the manager of policy and planning for Celebrate NL. Prior to his work with the province, which included roles in the Department of Justice and Public Safety, Municipal Affairs and Tourism, Culture and Recreation, he was a senior director for Tennis Canada and executive director of Tennis Newfoundland and Labrador. Mr. Wright sits on the board of the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s in an observer role for the Provincial Government, and is a co-chair of SPARC (Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council), which is a federal -provincial-territorial collaboration advancing sport matters in Canada.

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