Dancing, fashion show highlight Nunavut Quest closing ceremony

After eight days of racing through blizzards and other weather delays, Nunavut Quest mushers, their support teams and Nunavummiut celebrated the end of the roughly 500-kilometre dogsled race at Saturday’s closing ceremony.

The ceremony in the Pond Inlet community hall was a proud moment for the mushers and snowmobile drivers, who were sitting onstage in front of a crowd.

Student photographers saw their work documenting the race displayed for the crowd as well.

Jinneal Nanuraq Uttak finished in first place, getting the top prize of $20,000, while Tom Naqitarvik was in second place, winning $15,000. Lee Inuaraq was the third-place finisher, earning the $10,000 third-place prize.

The mood was good in Pond Inlet with feelings of pride among young support staff who travelled with the Quest.

There were hukki dancers, or square dancers, from different communities — Igloolik, Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet.

Their dancing was very awesome. Igloolik dancers let others join in, and then taught them how to dance. Arctic Bay dancers were amazing because their dance was very different from the other communities. Pond Inlet dancers involved children and teens who were good at dancing.

There was a fashion show in the community hall. Their clothing was made by their people and some others wearing sealskin, caribou skin, polar bear kamiks. They all had numbers and were trying to win a prize and were walking along a red carpet.

Toby Attagutak won first place, which came with a $2,000 gift card to the Northern store. Arnajuaq Naqitavik, whose outfit was sewn by Valeria Qaunaq, took second place and a $1,000 Northern gift card. Third place and a $750 gift card went to Sharon Ootook, who showcased a creation made by her grandmother.

Justin Eenoogoo, who sewed his own outfit, won a draw for a round-trip flight with Canadian North.

This year’s race started April 9 in Igloolik and ended April 16 in Pond Inlet.