Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

Whitehorse (Mar 13/00) - After an exhausting week of events at the 2000 Arctic Winter Games, the feeling among the 238 athletes, coaches, and cultural delegates who represented Nunavut seems to be one of elation.

Nunavut team leader, Chef de Mission Patrick Tagoona, said the contingent members were thrilled to represent their homeland in the Games.

"As a new team we weren't sure how we'd do, but overall we're very pleased with the results," said Tagoona.

"It's been quite an experience. I have a mission staff that has made my job easier but coordinating the movements and handling the unforseen obstacles that come with such a large team makes for long days."

He said the team had representatives from Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet as well as many of the smaller communities throughout Nunavut such as Coral Harbour, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, and Gjoa Haven.

"We have players from each of our regions and what has really charged up the athletes has been the overall team support from parents, family members and friends who came from Nunavut to cheer them on," said Tagoona.

The Arctic Winter Games International Committee, which is composed of appointed representatives from all participating jurisdictions except Russia and Nunavik-Quebec, oversees the long-term development of the Arctic Winter Games.

Tagoona said the committee has chosen a dual venue for 2002. Iqaluit and Nuuk, Greenland will host the next Arctic Winter Games. An Iqaluit host society has been in Whitehorse all week learning what it takes to host such a large event.

"(The Iqaluit host society) is seeing first-hand the coordination and logistics of hosting the Games and I think because of that we will be ready," said Tagoona.

He admits that Iqaluit has limited resources, but said with two years to plan they will be ready.

"At this point, we're just staying really positive. It's a huge undertaking but we feel it will be a successful event," said Tagoona.

Nunavut team men's basketball coach Mark Pearson admits his team struggled at the Games, but said he has no doubt they will have a stronger team by 2004.

"The Games were really well organized by Whitehorse and it's been a really competitive competition. Everyone on my team is really enjoying the whole experience," said Pearson.

He said by going head-to-head against so many other teams, they know what needs to be done to be more competitive in the future.

"Being a new territory, we now see what the competition is like and we know what we have to strive for," said Pearson.

"Basketball has to be brought up a level in Nunavut before the next games, and I'm confident we'll be able to do that. We have some excellent players, our biggest problem is lack of game experience."

Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell could be seen cheering her home territory athletes at every venue from dog mushing and arctic sports to basketball and volleyball.

"This is the first Arctic Winter Games since Nunavut became a territory so we're anxious to make our mark," said Karetak-Lindell, who had two sons, three nephews, one niece and "lots of friends" competing in the Games.

"I've been so proud of all of our athletes and I'm proud to be identified as an ambassador of Nunavut -- it's a great feeling to be a part of it."