Team Nunavut’s small group ready for 2013 Canada Summer Games

Athletes at the 2013 Canada Summer Games will be housed on the campus of Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, Quebec. (HANDOUT PHOTO)

When the two-week-long Canada Summer games get underway Aug. 2 in Sherbrooke, Quebec, members of Team Nunavut will carry the Nunavut flag during the opening ceremonies.

Three Team Nunavut athletes — Sandy Saviakjuk of Coral Harbour, Arthur Siksik of Rankin Inlet and David Haulli Jr. of Igloolik — accompanied by coach Mike Soares of Cape Dorset, will compete in individual wrestling events next week.

“These young Nunavut athletes are the best in their age class and have trained hard to be able to compete at the 2013 Canada Summer Games. They have shown discipline, commitment and dedication to their sport and athletic development. Team Nunavut is proud to have them represent our territory at the national level,” said Jeff Seeteenak, Team Nunavut’s chef de mission.

They’ll be among 4,200 athletes competing in 20 sports in 20 different venues around Sherbrooke, a city of about 200,000 in the Eastern Townships region of southern Quebec.

Team Nunavut will also includes 11 “youth ambassadors” (Bruno Attagutsiak of Arctic Bay, Douglas Ollie of Arviat, Chelsea Tagoona of Baker Lake, Kert Depeuter of Baker Lake, Trent Aksawnee of Baker Lake, Trina Qaqqaq of Baker Lake, Amber Eleeheetok of Gjoa Haven, Chris Teiman of Iqaluit, Ipellie Ootoova of Pond Inlet, Lindsay Evaloajuk of Qikiqtarjuaq, and Annette Ray Boucher of Rankin Inlet) who were selected for their volunteerism and contribution to sport within their communities.

They’ll be volunteering at various sport and cultural venues around the games.

“Team Nunavut has assembled a team of dedicated, passionate and talented athletes, ambassadors and staff to showcase our territory’s talents on the national stage. All Nunavummiut will feel a great sense of pride when Team Nunavut raises our flag at the 2013 Canada Summer Games. We thank them for their contribution and wish them the best of luck in Sherbrooke,” said Lorne Kusugak, Nunavut’s minister of Community and Government Services, in an August 2 news release.

Mission staff includes Seeteenak, Mariele Depeuter as assistant chef de mission, Hilu Tagoona, Cody Prusky, Michel Rheault, Kimberly Masson and Lisa Krasky.

For more information on the Canada Summer Games, visit its website.