Nunavik’s Ivakkak dog team race takes off March 13

Minnie Ningiuruvik, the only woman participating in Nunavik’s 2011 Ivakkak dog team race, poses with one of her dogs in Puvirnituq just before the start of the race. Ningiuruvik is back for the 2012 Ivakkak race. (FILE PHOTO)

(updated March 11)

Twelve dog teams — all driven by Nunavik Inuit — will sprint off March 13 (a day later than originally planned due to weather) from the community of Kangiqsualujjuaq, east of Kuujjuaq on Nunavik’s Ungava Bay, to arrive about 10 days later in Kangirsuk, a 650-kilometre journey up the coast.

This year’s race, the 12th held by Makivik Corp. to encourage Nunavimmiut to revive the practice of dog sledding, takes place only months after Quebec signed an agreement acknowledging the dog slaughters, which took place in Nunavik in 1950s and 1960s, and their impact on the Inuit culture and way of life.

That agreement gave Makivik $3 million to protect and promote the Inuit language and culture as well as plaques for each of Nunavik’s 14 villages, commemorating the dog slaughter.

Since March 8 Air Inuit charters have been arriving in Kangiqsujalujjuaq for the start of the race March 13, which will see dog teams going as fast as they can from Kangiqsualujjuaq to Kangirsuk.

For Ivakkak 2012, speed and skill will count even more than in previous races.

That’s because mushers will no longer race in timed segments, requiring them to stop the end of each day and camp out together at predetermined checkpoints.

And this year, except for mandatory layovers in Kuujjuaq, Tasiujaq and Aupaluk, mushers will manage their own schedules and make their own decisions on how to pace their dog teams, a March 9 Ivvakak news release said.

The first musher who makes it to Kangirsuk will win the race and receive the coveted Ivakkak Cup.

The champion also stands to receive a $12,000 gift certificate from the federation of co-operatives of northern Quebec, a $12,500 cash prize from the Makivik, a pair of return tickets to Montreal from First Air and a gift certificate for a stay at the Quality Inn Suites in Montreal.

The second and third place teams will also receive cash and prizes.

This year’s teams incude:

• Harry Okpik and Junior Tukkiapik, Quaqtaq;

• Allen Gordon and Willie Ningiuruvik, Kuujjuaq;

• Willie Kulula and Gabriel St-Cyr, Quaqtaq;

• Johnny Arnatuq and Adamie Michaud, Quaqtaq;

• Noah Ningiuruvik and Minnie Ningiuruvik,Kangirsuk;

• Billy Cain and David Nayumik, Tasiujaq;

• Willie Cain Jr. and Willie Cain Jr. Jr., Tasiujaq;

• Peter Kiatainaq and Peter Kiatainaq Jr., Kangiqsujuaq;

• Peter Ittukallak and Juani Nutaraaluk, Puvurnituq;

• Novalinga Novalinga and Johnny Sivuaraapik, Puvurnituq;

• Junior May and Tommy Kooktook, Kuujjuaq; and,

• Johnny “Aakutaa” Angnatuk and Sammy Angnatuk, Tasiujaq.

The Ivakkak website plans to post race updates throughout the race.