Kivalliq athletes off to Regina
Team Nunavut athletes competing in five sports at North American Indigenous Games in Regina
Candace Thomson
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, July 23, 2014
KIVALLIQ
Athletes from the Kivalliq are in Regina this week competing as part of Team Nunavut at the North American Indigenous Games.
Iqaluit's Molly Ell, a member of the Inuksuk Drum Dancers, marches into the opening ceremony of the Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks, Alaska, March 16. Some of the Team Nunavut athletes are competing at the North American Indigenous Games this week in Regina, Sask.
- NNSL file photo |
There are 70 participants in total including athletes, coaches, youth ambassadors and cultural performers. Along with badminton, this year both male and female volleyball and basketball teams are heading to the competition. Shuana Seteenak and Nicole Hachey of Baker Lake will be giving cultural performances, along with performers from across Canada and the United States, including concerts with aboriginal artists like A Tribe Called Red from Ottawa.
Brandon Kreelak of Baker Lake, Tristen Dias from Rankin Inlet and Brett Tuktudjuk from Repulse Bay are part of the men's volleyball team for Team Nunavut while Jillian Kaviok of Arviat and Rankin Inlet's Alayna Ningeongan are on the women's team. Armand Tagoona of Baker Lake is on the territorial basketball team and on the women's side, there is Mahasi Nateela of Arviat, Megan Hackey of Baker Lake and Chantel Emiktowt of Coral Harbour representing the Kivalliq. The athletes were in transit last week heading to Regina for the start of the games on July 20, but Kivalliq News was able to get words of encouragement for the athletes from residents in Rankin Inlet through the community Facebook page.
"Good luck to all the participants, especially the ones that will be going from Rankin Inlet, Alayna Ningeongan and Tristan Dias, also to Jacintha Howard's daughter, remember to have fun and good luck!" wrote Charlote Pilakapsi.
Pilakapsi, Roger Sr. Anowtalik and Peter and Melinda Tatty from Nova Scotia all wrote "Let's go Team Nunavut!"
Rose Tootoo wished luck to all of the athletes from the Tootoo family and on behalf of Rankin Inlet's NHL hockey player Jordin Tootoo. "Much luck to all of you - you can do it!" Tootoo wrote.
"Go Nunavut go!" wrote Mary Naitok. "Remember we are all cheering for you and God bless."
"Good luck to all the athletes! Enjoy your experience, we are all proud of you," wrote Doug and Karen McLarty.
