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In 1967, Cal Miller was in Quebec City for the first Canada
Winter Games and he could not hide his disappointment.
The financial advisor to the Yukon team had just seen
the more experienced southern athletes outplay his athletes
from the North.
It’s a sentiment shared by Stuart Hodgson, the Commissioner
of the Northwest Territories, who watched his team
participate also.
They lamented their teams’ dismal performance when
Miller got an idea – “the best idea since the invention of
“7-Up,” he recalled in a CBC Radio interview.
Miller suggested creating their own games for the
North. It would
provide a forum where athletes from the “circumpolar North”
could compete on their own terms, on their own turf.
After some discussion and a few phone calls, Hodgson
and Smith, as well as Canadian Minister of Indian Affairs
and Northern Development Arthur Laing, loved the idea.
A phone call later and the Governor of Alaska Walter
Hickel was on board.
Commissioner James Smith (Yukon), Commissioner Stuart
Hodgson (Northwest Territories) and Governor Walter Hickel
(Alaska) began the Arctic Winter Games in 1969.
All three men were concerned about the lack of
competition to which our northern athletes and coaches had
access and the fact that they were frequently exposed to
lopsided scores when they participated in the Canada Games
and other national events in the south.
Recognizing the differences of each Government and the
various goals that the Arctic Winter Games may have within
each jurisdiction, the Arctic Winter Games Corporation was
formed with a mandate to act as the guardian of the Games
and to ensure that the Games continued into the future.
The formation of the Corporation also provided a
mechanism for the member jurisdictions to provide political
input but keep politics away from the day-to-day operations
of the Arctic Winter Games.
The first Games were held in Yellowknife, NWT in 1970 with
the three contingents coming from Yukon, Northwest
Territories and Alaska.
In the next sixteen years there were some “observer”
teams from Greenland and northern Quebec.
Northern Quebec first participated in 1972 and
actually hosted the Games in Schefferville in 1976.
In 1980, 1982, and 1984, however, the Games were back
to the three original contingents. After the 1984 Games in Yellowknife the AWG Corporation felt that the games had lost much of their appeal and excitement and that it was time to add another contingent. This would make the competitions more engaging and ensure that Ulu medals were not handed out for just showing up. Queries were made to see if there was any interest from northern British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. There were only two replies, one from the Sport and Recreation Branch in British Columbia and one in Alberta. B.C. was not able to obtain the support of their government to participate. Northern Alberta did and was invited to send an “observer team” to the 1986 Games in Whitehorse and assess if they would like to join in the future. They sent about 40 athletes to these games.
Fairbanks was the only community from Alaska to bid on the
1988 Games and enthusiasm was somewhat measured.
In addition, there seemed to be limited support for
these Games from the State of Alaska.
With the games rotating every two years between
Whitehorse, Fairbanks and Yellowknife, there was less
enthusiasm to host the Games, diminished corporate support,
volunteer burnout and indifference on the part of the
participants who had seen it all before.
Fairbanks hosted a credible set of Games in 1988 but there
were organizational problems and a lack of enthusiasm and
support in the community as a whole.
The state was cutting back sharply on spending and
did not actually commit funds for the games until October
1987, only six months before the games.
On the positive side, Alberta sent 75 athletes to
Fairbanks and because their participation was achieving a
number of northern sport development goals, they were
invited to become a permanent partner in 1988.
During the 1988 Games, the Corporation convened a meeting
with the Government partners.
In attendance were the Honourable Gordon Wray (NWT),
the Honourable Piers MacDonald (Yukon), the Honourable Norm
Weiss (Alberta), The Honourable Lieutenant Governor Steve
McAlpine (Alaska), the Honourable Dave Nikerson (Government
of Canada, MP Western Arctic), Legislator Steve Frank
(Alaska) and Legislator Nillo Koponen (Alaska).
After much discussion on all aspects of the Games,
the Corporation was charged with developing a report
identifying and making recommendations on the major issues
facing the Games and report back on these within six months.
The Honourable Piers MacDonald agreed to host a
follow up meeting of political representatives to discuss
the report.
The meeting was held in Dawson
City, Yukon on August 25, 1988.
At this meeting it was unanimously agreed that the
Arctic Winter Games were an important event and positive
experience for the participants and the host communities in
all contingents.
Some of the commitments made at this meeting were:
The 1990 Games in Yellowknife were
considered a great success due to the support of the
Honourable Gordon Wray, the Government of the Northwest
Territories and the major support of the City of
Yellowknife. The
decisions put in place from the Dawson City meeting produced
the following immediate and positive results:
·
Team competition was enhanced
·
The excitement of having Greenland and Russia participate
enhanced corporate fundraising and volunteer recruitment
·
Magadan had some participants in Arctic Sports and some
cultural participants
·
CBC carried the Games highlights on the national network for
the first time
·
A highlight package also appeared on CNN and was seen across
the United States and in some other countries.
The 1992 Games in Whitehorse saw
the first sport participants from Russia (Magadan) with the
assistance of the Government of Yukon.
It was a challenge for everyone to ensure their
participation at these games.
Their participation, however, helped attract national
media, both print and television, to cover the Games.
The Whitehorse Host Society also had increased access
to corporate sponsorship due to the added attraction of the
Russians participating.
In 1993, the name of the Arctic Winter Games Corporation was
changed to the Arctic Winter Games International Committee.
The Arctic Winter Games logo was also changed at this
time. Greenland
officially joined the International Committee as a full
partner in September 1993.
In 1994, the Government of Alberta received approval to
bring participants from the province of Tyumen in Russia to
help build upon the economic exchange programs between the
two governments.
After the 1994 Games, it was decided that the Russian teams
would have to fund themselves completely if they wished to
continue to participate in future Arctic Winter Games.
At the elected officials meeting
in 1994 two key decisions were made:
1)
It was agreed that if there was not at least three
jurisdictions competing in a sport category during the Games
that the sport would be eliminated.
Up to that point there had been times when only two
jurisdictions entered a particular sport resulting in a less
than entertaining and meaningful competition.
2)
The International Committee was requested to assess the
impact on the Arctic Winter Games of the NWT splitting into
two territories in 1999.
The 1996 Games in Chugiak Eagle
River were also pivotal Games.
The Host Society did an enormous amount of promotion,
attracted some major sponsors and had expanded media
coverage throughout Alaska.
Their games ended with a substantial surplus and as a
result were able to establish several legacy funds in the
state. During
the elected officials meeting, the Arctic Winter Games
Strategic Plan was also approved.
It was also during this meeting that the addition of
Nunavut was approved and that the 2002 Games would be hosted
in Nuuk, Greenland and/or Iqaluit, Nunavut.
The political leaders also approved a move to a youth
focused Games.
The 1998 Games in Yellowknife included fewer adult
categories. By
2000 the only adults included were in Culture, Arctic Sports
and Dene Games.
Chukotka, Russia was invited to participate in the 2000
Games to be held in Whitehorse, Yukon.
The 2000 Whitehorse Games were significant as the Host
Society was able to attract large private sponsorship and
significant media coverage for the Games.
CBC became a significant sponsor in both television
and radio.
At the request of the political leaders, the Arctic Winter
Games International Committee approved a split venue Games
in 2002. Nuuk,
Greenland and Iqaluit, Nunavut hosted the first split
community, split country Games.
Although the games were unique and exciting it was
realized that the resources required for such an event, both
human and monetary, were stretched to the limit.
In June of 2002, at a Ministerial meeting hosted by the
Government of Alberta, the government partners approved a
new Games Strategic Plan.
The eighteenth Arctic Winter Games was held in the Regional
Municipality of Wood Buffalo In Northern Alberta.
The Games featured two new guest units, the Sami
People from Northern Scandinavia and Province of Yamal,
Russia who replaced Chukotka for these Games.
The 2004 Arctic Winter Games was a success for the
participants, spectators and the Municipality of Wood
Buffalo. These
Games had the largest Media presence ever with television,
radio and print media from all the participating countries. The Kenai Peninsula Borough in Alaska hosted the nineteenth Arctic Winter Games in the municipalities of Homer, Kenai and Soldatna. This was the first time in Alaska history that a games as large as the Arctic Winter Games has been held outside of the major cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks.
The 2006 Host Society made the 2006 Games a truly State
event with the assistance of the three community hosting
sites, the City of Anchorage and both the State and Federal
Government. Much
of the private sector business community who supported and
sponsored the Games were state businesses whose offices were
in Anchorage, Alaska.
The 20th Arctic Winter Games was celebrated in
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, the home of the first
Arctic Winter Games.
Many past participants joined in the birthday
celebration as they cheered on our northern youth sharing in
the spirit of the Arctic Winter Games.
Five generations of our young people have come
together sharing our sports, culture and friendship.
The opening ceremonies was attended by Prime Minister
Harper and featured the AWG torch being passed from
generations of past participants to one of the Fathers of
the Games, Commissioner Stuart Hodgson, who lit the 2008
Arctic Winter Games Flame.
These Games were a significant celebration for all
participants.
The 2010 Arctic Winter Games in Grande Prairie, Alberta
welcomed 2000 Athletes, Coaches and Mission Staff as a new
community joined the Arctic Winter Games family.
An Economic Impact Study done by the Government of
Alberta concluded that more than 182 person years of
employment and $7.29 Million in income was generated by the
operational and visitors’ expenditures associated with the
Arctic Winter Games in the Grande Prairie Region in 2010.
Whitehorse had the privilege to show case their facilities and an
abundance of great volunteers as they hosted the 2012 Games.
It was the first Games where all the results were done from
each venue. Every hotel space in the city was filled for the
Games.
Fairbanks, Alaska hosted the Arctic Winter Games in 1988 and did not get
the opportunity to host again for 26 years. The community
came together and went all out to host the 23rd Arctic
Winter Games in 2014. The AWG is the world’s largest
circumpolar multi-sport and cultural event. It is a
celebration of athletic competition, culture, friendship and
cooperation between circumpolar (northern) contingents.
Athletic competition features sports that enjoy worldwide
popularity alongside traditional Arctic Sports and Dene
Games.
Fairbanks showcased a significant cultural component featuring visual
arts, dance, ceremonies and galas with participants from
across the circumpolar region. The 2014 Arctic Winter Games
Torch is a significant legacy for the community and was paid
for with donations of $2014.00 by citizens of Fairbanks and
the Fairbanks North Star Borough. It includes engraved
plaques with the history of the Arctic Winter Games in
Alaska and personal engravings of all the citizens who made
the $2014.00 donation to build the torch.
The 2016 Arctic Winter
Games were held co-operatively between Nuuk, Greenland and Iqaluit, Nunavut.
It
was the biggest event of its kind in the history of Greenland. Fourteen
sports were held in Nuuk with the hockey competition being held in Iqaluit,
Nunavut. The Host Society faced
challenges early on in the week as weather caused delays in transporting
participants on a flight bridge from Kangerlussuaq to Nuuk and some sport
schedules required adjustment. Participants reported having a positive
adventure of their experience in Kangerlussuaq.
Once all the participants were
on the ground in Nuuk, it was a successful Arctic Winter Games which
provided all the participants an opportunity for a unique sport and cultural
experience.
The South Slave Region was the home for the 2018 Arctic Winter Games.
The region is made up of seven communities and the two largest
communities, Hay River and Fort Smith were the host locations for the sports
and cultural events of the 25th edition of the Games.
Organizers of these Games worked closely with the International
Committee to meet the challenges of hosting a Games in two communities
situated 270 km apart. Local
volunteers including members of the Canadian Rangers came forward and worked
diligently to ensure the success of the Games.
Participants were housed in both communities and attended the Opening
Ceremony and Closing Ceremony in Hay River.
Fort Smith, as well as hosting a number of sport competitions, was
the home of the cultural participants for the week.
The Cultural Gala held in the Fort Smith Cathedral was truly a
celebration of the collaborative work of the cultural participants and a
showcase of northern cultures. The 2020 Arctic Winter Games which were to mark the 50th anniversary of the Games and hosted in Whitehorse, Yukon were cancelled following the recommendation of the Yukon Chief Medical officer due to public health concerns surrounding the Corona Virus (COVID 19). The announcement was made March 7th, 2020 (Opening Ceremonies were scheduled for March 15, 2020). Four days later, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a world wide pandemic. The 2020 Arctic Winter Games Host Society was the first in AWG's history to be required to decommission a Games which did not happen. In the days that followed the announcement Volunteers and Staff came together with heavy hearts to do the work that needed to be done. Although the 2020 Games did not happen, the planning and preparations brought this community together. The relationships forged with nearby communities and the bridges built will remain as a legacy to the 2020 Games. The AWGIC awarded the 2020 Hodgson Trophy to the 2020 Arctic Winter Games Host Society Volunteers and Staff to recognize their journey and dedication to the Arctic Winter Games.
The focus of the Arctic Winter Games is still the same today as it was in 1970, to involve as many participants as possible either in the Games themselves or in the team selection trials, and to provide a forum of competition for those other than elite athletes with competitive opportunities in the south. The cultural component of the Games adds the unique opportunity for fellowship for the participants and host communities. One of the most important functions of the AWGIC is its responsibility for nurturing and protecting the extraordinary impact that the Arctic Winter Games have on the north. The Games achieve these results because they bring together, in one community, a multitude of visiting athletes, coaches, cultural participants, volunteers, media, visitors, officials and community leaders from around the circumpolar and northern world for seven days of athletic competition, cultural exchange and social interaction. The success of the Games is directly related to a program that combines athletic competition, cultural exchange and social interaction. Athletic competition features sports that enjoy worldwide popularity alongside exciting northern and traditional Aboriginal events. In combination with the selection trials run by each contingent, the Arctic Winter Games are a significant part of northern sport development. Cultural programming at the Arctic Winter Games includes participants from all contingents who come together to learn from one another and to celebrate and demonstrate their unique artistic talents. Combined with the important opportunity provided for performing and visual artists from the host region to showcase their talents to the world, the Games are a significant part of northern cultural development.
The Arctic Winter Games promote an
atmosphere of social interaction that strengthens cultural
awareness and understanding, increases community pride,
enhances self-esteem and promotes volunteerism. The Games
also help develop stronger economic, political and social
ties and provide international exposure to the community in
which they are hosted. Every thing about Arctic Winter Games is available on our website at www.arcticwintergames.org This includes, Hosting Manuals, Sport Selection Criteria, reports, studies (economic and social) and the history of the Games.
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