Nunavut athletes dribble and dogsled at Yellowknife tourney

Some members of the Cambridge Bay Kalviks basketball team prepare for a dogsled ride during a recent trip to Yellowknife for the annual Cager tournament. From front to back: Aatami Dimitruk, Nathan Maksagak, Mala Maksagak, Jayden Maksagak and Carter Lear. (PHOTO BY KELCEY WRIGHT)

Special to Nunatsiaq News

CAMBRIDGE BAY — A group of young Cambridge Bay basketball players got more than a full-court press at the annual Cager tournament the second week of February.

In fact, the good times went well beyond the gymnasium.

“I think it’s important for northern kids to participate in sports but I also think it’s important for them to continue to learn about their culture,” said Nathan Johnson, one of two coaches for the Kalvik team.

During their Feb.10 to Feb.16 trip, they did just that.

“We decided to take them dogsledding when we went to Yellowknife,” Johnson said. “It’s something that’s not available right now for them and we wanted to take advantage of the opportunity we had.”

As part of the experience, the boys watched a short film beforehand so the Grade 5 and Grade 6 students could learn about the history of the practice, who still uses dog sleds, and why.

The dogsledding tour itself took about an hour. The nine-person basketball team had to ride in two shifts with five eager boys piled into the sleigh at a time, each pulled by 12 sled dogs.

“I loved dogsledding,” said 11-year-old Carter Lear. “We learned that it is a cool way to travel and it is quick, but you have to dress really warm.”

The players enjoyed their time on the basketball court as well.

The Kalviks went undefeated in their first two games Feb.12, pulling out a close win with a score of 35-29 over the Range Lake team.

“We’ve seen so much improvement with the boys since last year,” said Rebecca Rowan, another coach. “Our performance in game one was a little sloppy due to some jitters but they worked them out and in our second game, they played really great.”

The Kalviks finished fourth overall in the tournament.

And before each of their five games, the team decided to share something special with their opponents: Range Lake, Inuvik, Weledeh and the home team Yellowknife.

Since the Kalviks were the only Nunavut team, they brought small Nunavut flags to give to each team captain.

“It was great because it showed them that we appreciate the opportunity they are giving us,” said basketball player Lear. “It is great to give something that is important to us, to others.”

But that’s not all they gave away.

That’s because each player from Kullik Ilihakvik elementary school receives a one-dollar coin for good luck during a pep rally at the school before they leave for the tournament.

“The ‘lucky loonie’ thing is kind of a tradition with the elementary school,” said Rowan, who once represented the school in basketball. “It’s nice to know that the people and schools [are supportive of what we’re doing.”

It’s then up to the players to decide what to do with the good luck charms once the tournament is over.

This year, athletes gave their loonies to homeless people in Yellowknife so they could get a warm meal on a cold night.

“Our team is so generous and kind,” said Johnson. “It was really moving to see the kids helping out other people with the [loonies]. It was a great way to use the school’s tradition to better others and they loved the whole experience.”