KUGLUKTUK/COPPERMINE - Two weeks of warm weather may have made for soggy iglu-building, but it didn't dampen community spirit during the Nattiq Frolics in Kugluktuk last month.

Lance Nivingalok has fun during Nattiq Frolics in Kugluktuk on April 26. - photo courtesy of Lashawna Taipana

Manager of community development and event organizer Miranda Atatahak said warm weather leading up to the week-long annual Nattiq Frolics forced her and organizers to cancel some of the events, including iglu-building.

"We had a big thaw for two weeks before the Frolics started and the snow just wasn’t right for making an iglu because it was all slushy and turning into ice," she said.

A Ski-Doo hill climb race was also cancelled because of lack of snow.

"The hill climb we had to change; we substituted that with the island run because the hill didn't have any snow left," she said.

Despite a few weather-related setbacks, Atatahak said the week was a hit.

"I think it was very successful," she said. "It was safe, all the races were safe, and that's all we could hope for."

The most popular events were the Ski-Doo races and a MuchMusic Video Dance held at the recreation complex, which even elders checked out, she said.

"The hall was packed and there were people from all different ages," Atatahak said. "We even had a whole bunch of elders come and hang out for the evening."

Elders' opinions on the dance varied.

"I had one old guy tell me that he was having a good time, then there was another old guy who said 'It's too loud I'm going home,'" Atatahak said. "But it was fun."

Kugluktuk High School student Keisha Westwood said the dance definitely attracted a range of community members.

"It wasn't like any other dance we've had before," she said. "There were people there that aren't usually at dances; it brought out more people."

MuchMusic staff also put on an assembly for students, Kugluktuk High School principal Gary Kennedy said.

"In the afternoon they delivered what they call a Motivational Media Assembly," he said.

Kennedy said students were talking about the dance long after it was over.

"I thought it was a really fun thing to create a buzz during Frolics for the youth," he said.

"I think it was a good event for the community and for the youth."

Westwood said she would definitely attend another video dance.

"It was a different dance and I just wish it could happen again in the community because it was really big and fun."