Ivakkak dog-team race to kick off March 22

Nunavik’s annual dog team race leaves from Quaqtaq this year on March 22.

The 9th edition of Ivakkak will travel down the Ungava Coast to the finish line in Kuujjuaq. The race usually takes one to two weeks to complete.

Ivakkak took a year off in 2008, but due to demand has returned as an annual event.

The 2009 race from Inukjuak to Ivujivik was delayed by bad weather for the first time in its history.

Last year’s champions, Puvirnituq’s Novalinga Novalinga and his partner, Aibilie Moses, completed the event in 12 days.

Ivakkak was first hosted by Makivik in 2001 to encourage the practice of dogsledding, a tradition that was almost obliterated by the husky slaughter which took place across the North in the 1950s and 60s.

Only Inuit are eligible to participate.