After successful Kivalliq Summer Games, organizers eye event’s future
‘The Games need more funding all over Nunavut,’ says Chesterfield Inlet Mayor Simionie Sammurtok
Chesterfield Inlet’s recreation co-ordinator Russell Mullins is planning to host the 2027 Kivalliq Summer Games if he has to. First he is inviting leaders in the region’s six other hamlets to take a turn as host. (Photo by Daron Letts)
The competitions are over and the medals handed out, but Kivalliq Summer Games organizers are not finished working. They have already committed to bringing the event back to the region next summer.
“It shouldn’t be only here,” said hamlet recreation co-ordinator Russell Mullins, who organized the first Kivalliq Summer Games in 12 years.
The event brought two dozen athletes from Arviat, Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove to Chesterfield Inlet to compete in 14 traditional Inuit competitions from Friday to Sunday.
Victor Sammurtok School principal Jacques Theriault said he would like to see the event grow.
“It allows the children to value traditional games and it also allows them to highlight their strengths,” he said. “I see a lot of kids who are very happy with competing and making new friends over lunch and making bonds with young people in other communities.”
If none of the other six Kivalliq hamlets agree to host next year, Chesterfield Inlet will do it again, Mullins said Monday during an interview in his office in the arena.
Chesterfield Inlet Mayor Simionie Sammurtok agrees the Games should be annual. He also called for other regions to follow his hamlet’s lead — and for more money to make it happen.
“The Games need more funding all over Nunavut,” he said.
For this year’s event, Mullins turned to Nunavut Sport Federation operations manager Scott Schultz, who took care of “everything” behind the scenes, he said.
Schultz secured funding from Sport North, the athletic arm of the Government of Nunavut, but Mullins did not say how much the agency contributed. Kivalliq Inuit Association kicked in more than $30,000.
Schultz also organized the flights and other logistics in the lead up to the event, Mullins said. Once the athletes arrived in Chesterfield Inlet, Mullins took over the volunteer organizing role on the ground.
“It was a long weekend,” Mullins said. But he’s ready to do it again.
As for funding?
”We’ll take whatever the hell we can get.”
Kevin Kriterdlik of Whale Cove competes in the men’s one-foot high kick on Sunday night, during the Kivalliq Summer Games in the Chesterfield Inlet community hall. (Photo by Daron Letts)
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