WHITEHORSE - Lights drift across a black stage as two characters discuss the ins and outs of theatre. A backing rock band jams behind their couch, playing in time with a ticking typewriter.

After some time, a familiar figure takes the stage, clad in a glittering dress. She barks, screeches, grunts, and coos - otherworldly noises mixed with electronic rhythms.

Nunavut Floor Master Philip Ningeongat strikes a pose while Bjorn Simonsen and Christine Lamothe work on their footwork during the Gathering of Northern Nations, a part of the Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse. Lamothe says the group may be changing its name soon. - Natalie Dunleavy/NNSL photo

Many in Cambridge Bay and across the North know her as Tanya Tagaq Gillis, but here, she is identified only as Tagaq, and she is clearly the star of the show.

Tagaq is one of many Nunavummiut collaborating and creating in the fertile soil of the Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse, both as feature performers and as role players.

Outside of ATCO Place, far from the spotlight, Iqaluit sculptor Ruben Komangipik works diligently on a massive 20 foot-high snow sculpture, a collaborative effort put together by artists from around the world, invited for the Games.

"I have to represent the colours," he says with a smile, pausing to point at his blue and red Team Nunavut jacket before continuing to form a seal out of the snow.

He shows off his new knife, a shining, hand-made piece given to him by a Whitehorse knife maker.

"So I gave him a gold ring," he says. Seems fair.

Across the street, a shiny white tent houses a full-to-bursting festival-within-a-festival, the Gathering of Northern Nations. Here First Nations representatives promote their regions and performers celebrate the combined heritages of the Yukon, NWT and Nunavut.

On this day, three members of the Nunavut Floor Masters, Philip Ningeongat, Bjorn Simonsen and Christine Lamothe, all from Iqaluit, take the stage. The break dancing troupe formed nearly a year ago in Iqaluit, and has since toured various communities and the south as well, mixing traditional Inuit culture with urban dance.

"I want to go everywhere, learn different cultures and mix them in with break dancing," Ningeongat says of the group's mandate.

The stage wasn't properly set up for the dancers with rough grip for icy shoes, something that had Ningeongat grimacing throughout his performance.

"No pain, no gain," he says with a laugh.

Once affiliated with the Canadian Floor Masters in Ottawa, Lamothe said the group is planning to branch out on its own.

"Name to be changed," her business card reads.

Back at the massive Yukon Arts Centre, a series of films celebrate the North. Called Cinematic Territories, the festival features artists from the Yukon, NWT and Nunavut/Nunavik.

Representing the Nunavut side of things was the debut of Zacharias Kunuk's latest documentary, Kiviaq vs. Canada, the tale of an estranged Inuk in Edmonton, fighting for his right to be recognized as an aboriginal under Canadian law.

Originally from Igluligaarjuk/Chesterfield Inlet, Kiviaq (formerly David Ward) was moved to Edmonton by his RCMP step-father. He grew up to be a Golden Gloves boxer, an Edmonton Eskimos player, an Edmonton city councillor and radio host, and finally, Canada's first Inuk lawyer.

Suffice it to say, it was an amazing story, told through the charismatic words of Kiviaq himself. The piece drew fierce applause from the audience and words of praise and hope that word of Kiviaq's legal battle would be heard.

Back at the cultural festival, the Kugluktuk traditional dancers gave it their all for an enthralled crowd.

Afterwards, elder member Doris Nancy only had this to add:

"Hey to everyone in Nunavut!"

So there you have it.