Lisa Scott
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Aug 15/05) - Without the support of volunteers and fans from the community, the annual Kitikmeot Summer Games wouldn't have been so great.

The fans who spurred on the nine-member teams from each of the communities, coming out for the popular high kicks and watching elders compete in bannock making and tea boiling, helped make the Aug. 2-6 event a success.

Attima Hadlari, head official from Cambridge Bay, watches over competitors Maria Totalik and Robin Peetooloot of Taloyoak as they face each other in the arm pull. Each Kitikmeot community brought a team to this year's summer games in Cambridge Bay.

Co-organizer Julie Clements says the help from the approximately 15 volunteers, mostly from Cambridge Bay, made her job easier.

"They went very well. We had a lot of help from the community," she said last week.

"We had a really good fan base for almost all of the events," she said.

Head officials Paul Emingak and Attima Hadlari from Cambridge Bay had their plates full, volunteering their skills at each event and getting there early to set up and supervise the warm-ups.

Hadlari, who has been to many sets of Summer Games, said it was no easy task as an official this year.

"I took it as it came, that's what I did," he said.

The highlight of his games was the traditional outdoor events, featuring elders from each community.

Clements and Courtney Robert starting putting the games together months before the August event.

Participants qualified from each community through leagues, with the final teams chosen by each recreation co-ordinator.

"One of our goals this year was to make it very traditional," said Clements.

The Ladies of Nunavut from Cambridge Bay cooked up bannock and country foods to feast on, while drum dancers entertained the crowds.

The Nunavut Performers from Gjoa Haven showed off their square-dancing moves.

"They fundraised for their own tickets and came over on their own," said Clements.

The organizers brought Olympic sledge hockey player Paul Rosen in from Toronto to talk to the junior and senior participants.

"We talked about believing in your dreams and overcoming obstacles," said Clements.

Rosen made the rounds of each event, stopping to talk to athletes, fans and youth along the way and doing workshops for youth.

When the last seal was kicked and fish filleted, awards were handed out for special recognition to some of the participants.

The junior male athlete of the year was Brian Tinashlu of Kugaaruk, while Andrew Atatahak of Kugluktuk took male athlete of the year in the senior division.

Trina Aklok of Kugluktuk won for female athlete of the year in the junior division and Anna Aaluk of Gjoa Haven won for the seniors.

In the traditional events, Alicy Ayalik of Kugluktuk was the best woman and Bob Konana of Gjoa Haven the best man.

The location for next year's Kitikmeot Summer Games has yet to be chosen.