The Arctic Winter Games is the world's largest multisport and cultural event for young people of the Arctic. The Games is an international biennial celebration of circumpolar sports and culture held for a week, each time with a different nation or region as the host. AWG celebrates sports, social interaction and culture. The Games contributes to creating an awareness on cultural diversity, and develops athletes to participate in the competitions with the focus on fair play. The games bind the Arctic countries together and include traditional games such as Arctic sports and Dené games.[2]
Organization
The 2023 Games took place in Wood Buffalo in Northern Alberta, Canada. Nicole Clow was the general manager of the games.[3]
Marketing
The mascot of the 2023 games is a lynx named Nitotem. The name translates to "my friend" in the Cree language. The mascot was designed by Sadie Antoine from Fort McMurray, after she won a design contest.[4]
Participants
Eight contingents are set to participate in the 2023 Arctic Winter Games.[5]
Twenty sports were held at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games. Archery made its debut in the modern games, having appeared only once before in the 1974 Arctic Winter Games. Alpine skiing returned to the games after not appearing in 2018. Dog mushing was removed from the program and did not appear. Four skiing sports were held, with alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. Two snowshoe events were held, with snowshoe biathlon and snowshoeing. Two racquet sports were held, with badminton and table tennis. Two skating events were held, with figure skating and short track speed skating. Team sports that were held were basketball, futsal, ice hockey, volleyball and curling. Traditional Inuit sports were also held, with Arctic sports, Dene games, and wrestling, the latter also including events for traditional wrestling. Also scheduled were gymnastics and archery.[7]
The Arctic Winter Games celebrates culture and creates in the participants an awareness of cultural similarities and dissimilarities. Cultural exchange and social interaction are important parts of the Games. Each participating contingent contributes with performances in dance, song, music, plays or art. These cultural events reflect the traditional as well as the modern cultures of the Arctic.[8]
Hodgson Trophy
At each Arctic Winter Games, the AWG International Committee presents the Hodgson Trophy to the contingent whose athletes best exemplify the ideals of fair play and team spirit. Team members also receive a distinctive pin in recognition of their accomplishment.[9]
Yukon Jonathan Aine Xien Amador Angelo Caringal Nathan Hirsch Arlow James-Walker Luke John Palapal Benjamin Edwad Doran Perreault Miguel Portea Gage Sweeney Karl Tesoro
Alberta North Skyler Broughton David Chijioke Seth Dayondon Joshua Eligado Kaden Gravengard Crai Rushfeldt Kurt Tristan Saluna Sai Shankar Tyson Wohlgemuth Colby Wood
Northwest Territories Nathan Dayman Nicholas Dayman Gabriel Fillion Brendan McAllister Jozuard Ashton Mercado Jack Nevitt Dwayne Raddi Francesco Stefanos Justin Stewart Rex Steele Turner
Girls
Alberta North Dani Cadieux Avery Gnam Hannah Haas Tyla Hammermaster Alexis Lee Josie Lund Kadison McLeod Olivia Rozinsky Ciera Schoenroth Laurel van der Giessen
Yukon Arian Batallones Zoe Benitah Willow Berkman Rue Charchun Jaidan Rodica Curteanu Maya Heebink Grace Isabella Machtans Robyn Mueller Sarah Svoboda Mya Alexandria Warren
Northwest Territories Saia Brown Jaci Dusome Jillian French Lily Lloyd Kaylie Locke-Setter Mia Locke-Setter Abigail Elise Kodzin Nevitt Lily Helenrose Newberry Katherine Smallwood Taya Michele Straker
Curling
Event
Class
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Boys
2004
Alberta North Varyk Doepker Carter Furgeson Robert Nelson Cortland Sonnenberg
Alaska Coleman Martin Dylan Skaggs Tyler Skaggs Jimmy Evans
Yukon Carlos Magsucang Nathan Iskra Roman Snider Charles Snider
Nunavut Max Ammaq Koby Connelly Kadin Eetuk Micah Emiktowt Chase Harron Justin Issakiark Russell Matoo Steven Nowdlak Jimmy Ollie Prime Paniyuk Terence Pilakapsi Ray Pudlat, Jr. Tucker St. John Kobe Tanuyak Sandy Tattuinee Garren Voisey Gregory Wiseman
Alaska Brock Barth Sam Bigalke Griffin Lucas Hall Sam Hemmen Mason Holler Sterling Knipper Colin James McCarthy John McElmurry Brody Melocik Joseph Radiff Daniel Jacob Ragsdale Matfey Reutov Jacob Reuben Simek Tanner Bobby Thomas Joe Joe Tapley Riley Young
Northwest Territories Telly Banksland-Stefure Bradley Bartlett Ethan Alan Bowerman Braden Brenton Dylan Bernard Gilles Cummings Tyler Gordon-Bahr Riley Hodder Desmond Hutchings Carson Impett River McQueen Spencer Miller Gavin Pellissey Owen Pettipas Harrison Simmons Noah Valpy Michael Van Metre Conor Wilkins
Boys
2007
Northwest Territories Jacob Carroll Nolan Dusome Nate Harris Ryan Harris Mario Hernandez Griffin Jones Louis Frederick King Carter Kuchta Deacon Stanley Lantz Callum MacLean Grayson Mueller Hayden Murray Jack Pettipas Blake Rose Rylan Scarfe Corwin Simmons Ryder Wicks
Alberta North Ben Antonio Josh Barore Spencer Behnsen Cash Brebant Ethan Collins Hunter Colombe Grayson Conrad Alex Dubrule Kai Ducharme Damian Hill Jonas Lillo Cy Nelson Trinden Noskey Noah Parker Rylan Ross Jake Simmons Linden Zaichkowsky
Nunavut Nate Dialla Michael Donovan Connor Ejetsiak Isaiah Harron Darren Ikakhik, Jr. Luke Joy Ryley Komakjuak Regan Kopak, Jr. Blake Kusugak Nolan Nakoolak Joseph Netser Liam O'Dell Richard Pameolik Kylan Saviakjuk Liam Tattuinee Nathan Thompson Keenen Uluqsi
Girls
2003
Alberta North McKenna Bowers Taylor Breen Jordan Brown Brianna Davis Carolyn Head Aydin Hebert Jamie Hensch Skylar Hill Anna Jeffs Avery Johnson Macy Robinson Kaitlyn Senkoe Hailey Shura Elly Stone Théa Thompson Karsyn Utz Victoria Willsey
Northwest Territories Jersey Ashton Rylie Nicole Beck Emma Carey Jenna Demarcke Kamilah Gostick Brooklyn Helyar Julia Heron Kelsey Paige Impett Chandelle Leonard Ellie Loutitt Abby McDonald Adrena Isabel McDonald Kyra McDonald Hélène McKay-Ivanko Zoey Remo Scarlet Tourangeau Emma Wicks
Yukon Taylor Bierlmeier Maya Bulmer Cassie Cebuliak Evan Cyre Alia Drummond Sophie Drummond Ella Johnston Rachel Kormendy Sophia Emerald Leas Zoe Jade Leas Jordan Macdonald Kasey McKenna Heidi Nash Kennedy Debra Lynn O'Brien Callie Quaile Emery Twardochleb Alix Walchuk
Volleyball
Event
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Boys
Alberta North Hudson Forbes Reece Hutchison Aneesh Jhanwar Caiden Kim Trysten Kim Carson King Tino Kwatara Jackson McGillivray Cooper Paulovich David Villiger
Yukon Malakai Alatini Mark Alfaro Ben Bonilla Gabby Cuenza Pier De Leon Kurt Rubio Krish Sharma Ethan John Stoker Sebastian Tajonera Samuel Thorn
Northwest Territories Ashton Catholique Joel Catholique Fraser Dumont Sean Clayton Grandjambe Trey Granter Landin Zakary Thomas Jewell Jacob Mitchener Hamza Mourtada Roald Peters John Voudrach
Girls
Alberta North Indira Germain Reese Holman Alandra Humbke Savannah Lambert Sam Langdon Natasa Maric Katelyn Mazurkewich Emma Park Tess Weber Evangeline Zeyha
Alaska Emma Christiana Beck Maggie Herschleb Masen Victoria Holmes Anika Jensen Raegan Kingry Shelby Denise Nukwak-King Vanessa Schachle Jade Elizabeth Sharky Ruby Tansy Mallory Aroha Welling
Alberta North Arnhem Bayly Finn Bayly Olivia Bennett Fielder Bishop Alex Campbell Madison Cardinal Omayja Cardinal Brooke Evans Marcus Karpiak Ian Simms Darien Smith Dominik Stewart
Yukon Liam Gishler Jaymi Hinchey Lia Hinchey Harlan Keefer Leah Elizabeth McLean Kaleb Parry Gabriel Racine
†Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic ††Originally to be hosted by Yamal-Nenets, Russia, but withdrawn by committee due to war against Ukraine. Yellowknife declined to host the games that year and Whitehorse stepped in.
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