Nunavut athletes rack up 26 medals at 1st Avannaa Arctic Games in Greenland

Inuit culture and games were on full display in Ilulissat, Greenland, at the inaugural Avannaa Arctic Games – where, according to Sport Nunavut, Team Nunavut earned 26 medals. 

Ilulissat Mayor Palle Jeremiassen said the games started out as a little idea after the community hosted another event four years ago. 

"It was an impossible mission, but I had to make it possible," said Jeremiassen. 

And he was "very happy" with how it turned out. Almost 70 athletes from Greenland, Alaska, Nunavut and Nunavik came to the town of about 5,000 people and competed in more than a dozen events between Feb. 8 and 13. 

Jeremiassen said it was an opportunity for athletes to work on their skills, make new friends and build connections. 

'Everyone here is very excited'

Andrea Andersen, originally from Makkovik, Labrador, but now living in Iqaluit, said she tried out for games on a whim. She was surprised when she was picked for Team Nunavut. 

She said the team decided to compete in as many games as possible – so she ended up in 11 in total. She won a bronze medal after competing in airplane for the first time. 

The game, which involves being carried by one's feet and spread arms by three people, is typically played by men only. Andersen said she and other women were excited to have the chance to compete in it. 

"We actually had no real gauge of how well anyone was going to do," she said. "I think we were just happy that a lot of us even just got off the ground." 

Speaking to CBC News from the competition, Andersen said the games were super welcoming. 

"Everyone here is very excited that we are here from different nations and even the participants from the different countries, they're eager to give pointers or tips.

"It's amazing having everyone here on Inuit homeland and competing in Inuit games and then Dene games."

Cultural programming part of event that seeks to grow

The games were also an opportunity to learn about other communities' cultures. There were displays and discussions around things like Inuit tattooing, drum dancing and throat singing. 

Local hunters also provided country food that elders then prepared for athletes.

"The food is amazing," Andersen said. "They have been cooking local Inuksuit so we have been eating extremely well. Food such as cod, salmon, seal, local lamb."

Cultural co-ordinator Nukannguaq Mathiesen said the theme of the games was storytelling – and that people were excited to listen to stories about what Inuit have experienced through generations. 

"I'm sure it also affected the energy as well in a good way and the connection," said Mathiesen. 

Another co-ordinator, Riikki Jensen, said the games weren't expected to get as big as they did – but that the entire town came out to support the athletes from all four regions. 

Jensen hopes the event builds strong bonds between Inuit regions throughout the Arctic and that they can hold it every two years. 

"We want to keep it growing." 

Jensen hopes the games will inspire more Inuit youth to participate in traditional games, and that more communities will participate at the next one. 

"I'm a little bit excited already."