Stephanie McDonald
Northern News Services
Monday, July 30, 2007

IQALUIT - Johnny Issaluk knew he would be better at coaching Inuit games than competing when "the boys" started jumping higher than him at competitions.

Since January of this year, Issaluk has been teaching and practising Inuit Games with two other Iqaluit residents every Wednesday night at Atii Fitness Centre.

The three are vying for spots in the 2008 Arctic Winter Games, but first must pass muster in the territorial tryouts in Chesterfield Inlet this August.

While Issaluk is here to teach, he is also here to learn. His father used to tell him, "I can show you how to hunt one way. Another hunter will show you another way. You may get the same result, but one way will work better for you."

Originally from Chesterfield Inlet, Issaluk has been involved in Inuit Games since the age of 16. His first coach, Tim Angotingoar, helped inspire his love for the games.

"Tim showed me that you need that oomph. There's one chance and you need to take it," Issaluk said.

He has competed in two Arctic Winter Games, winning a couple of gold medals in the head pull. Added to the collection are numerous medals from summer games.

With 10 years experience under his belt, Issaluk turned to coaching in his new home of Iqaluit. While the class is open to all, the two regular students are Issaluk's friend Brian Tanuyak and newcomer to the sport, 18-year-old Alamie Pillakquaq.

"He is very determined. He has been to every one of the classes," Issaluk said of Pillakquaq. "It is a good feeling to see someone so eager to learn."

Pillakquaq heard about the classes at school and thought he would try them out.

"My first kick was up to here," Pillakquaq said, holding his hand two feet above the ground. Now, after seven months of practice, his attempt at the one-foot kick is vastly improved.

The games are 80 percent mental and 20 per cent physical, Issaluk said. He stresses this to his two students as they try to jump higher, pull harder, and go farther in each event. This lesson seems to have resonated with Tanuyak, who defeats Issaluk, a former gold medallist, at the head pull after what seems like minutes of determined struggle.

"Last week he couldn't beat me and this week he can," Issaluk said.