Team Yukon heads to Northwest Territories for 2018 Arctic Winter Games

Approximately 265 athletes and six cultural participants, as well as coaches, mission staff and officials, are en route to the South Slave region of Northwest Territories for the 2018 Arctic Winter Games.

Athletes will compete in a range of events, including Arctic sports, Dene games, cross country skiing and hockey. The culture contingent is composed of six dancers who will be showcasing their talents alongside the other jurisdictions during the games, culminating in a gala performance.

This year’s games will jointly take place in the towns of Hay River and Fort Smith. Athletes were sent off at a pep rally held last night at the Yukon Arts Centre.

Yukon is filled with athletic and cultural talent, which were on display at last night’s pep rally. We are proud to support Team Yukon’s participation in the Arctic Winter Games, which brings people together to celebrate northern athletes. I hope each athlete competing at the Arctic Winter Games achieves a goal, beats a personal best, snags an ulu and has the time of their life.

Minister of Community Services John Streicker

The Arctic Winter Games are an important opportunity for Yukon athletes to enjoy sport, compete to their highest ability, make friends and experience cultures from across the Arctic. I am proud of each athlete representing Yukon, and would like to thank everybody – from coaches to officials to families – who has helped make this exciting event possible.

Team Yukon Chef de Mission Trevor Twardochleb

Quick facts 
  • Yukon athletes will participate in 20 events including the cultural program.

  • This year, the Team Yukon toques feature real wolf fur pompoms, sewn by volunteers in Haines Junction.

  • The Government of Yukon provided $450,000 to support Team Yukon’s attendance at the Arctic Winter Games.

  • In 2020, the Arctic Winter Games will return to Whitehorse. Last year, the Government of Yukon signed a contract with the City of Whitehorse agreeing to co-host the Games and act as a full financial partner.

Media contact 

Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca

Diana Dryburgh
Communications, Community Services
867-332-1237
diana.dryburgh@gov.yk.ca

News release #: 
18-059