Inuksuk Drum Dancers headed for stage at Arctic Winter Games
Six students to participate in 2-night cultural gala in Whitehorse next month
The six members of the Inuksuk Drum Dancers who are planning to perform in Whitehorse during the Arctic Winter Games in March are, from left: Brogan Savard, Brianne Sulurayok, Mia Pitseolak, Jaia Healey Akearok, Lucy Kwan, and Maeve Bermann. Together, they have close to 15 years of experience with the troupe. (Photo by Daron Letts)
Updated on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at 11 a.m. ET.
Six members of the Iqaluit-based Inuksuk Drum Dancers are preparing for their time in the spotlight at the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse next month, but they’re not sure yet which songs will be on their setlist.
“They’re going to be representing Nunavut and cheering on our Nunavummiut athletes,” dance troupe leader and teacher Mary Piercey-Lewis said of the potential song choices.
“We haven’t even decided what we’re taking with us. We have a long repertoire.”
Approximately 2,000 athletes, coaches and cultural delegates are expected to participate in the Games from March 8 to 15.
In addition to Nunavut, teams from Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavik, northern Alberta, Greenland, the Sápmi region of Scandinavia and Alaska will compete in 20 sports including hockey, futsal, badminton and wrestling.
The drum-dancers are Brianne Sulurayok, Mia Pitseolak, Jaia Healey Akearok, Lucy Kwon, Maeve Bermann and Brogan Savard, all students at Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit.
They are preparing to drum-dance and sing from the stage at the Yukon Arts Centre as part of the Games’ two-night cultural gala on March 12 and 13.
“It’s very exciting that we were chosen to go,” said Pitseolak. “I feel honoured that we get to meet people from all over the world.”
With little more than a month left to prepare, the artists are thumbing through their repertoire of more than 50 songs — a fraction of the more than 200 songs Piercey-Lewis has amassed throughout her 25 years spent teaching in Iqaluit.
One that’s certain to make the cut is Immaqaali, with lyrics that include a spoken-word introduction led by drummer Savard. The dramatic choreography sees the artists use their drums to create the silhouette of a two-metre inuksuk.
“That’s a crowd pleaser, for sure,” said drummer Healey Akearok.
Savard and his teammates aren’t worried that they haven’t finalized their setlist yet.
“When we’re on stage, we’re going to make the audience excited, happy and entertained by spreading our culture,” he said.
Correction: This story has been updated to correct the name of the group.
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