Communities to spread holiday spirit with Christmas events

As Nunavut rolls into the holidays, the territory will be livened up by the seasonal Christmas games scheduled to take place throughout many communities.

“I think the Christmas games are important so that the community comes together at this time of year,” Iqaluit city event planner Victoria Coman told Nunatsiaq News.

Christmas games happen each year in Nunavut’s communities during the Christmas holidays.

On top of getting the community involved, it’s an opportunity to have fun and be active, Coman said.

“Every year it’s a tradition to do these games,” she added.

“Whether that’s throat singing, drum dancing … high kick, knuckle hop, [games] like that are traditional to this area.”

In Iqaluit, games will take place from Dec. 23 to 30, though no activities will be held on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Coman said.

In addition to the games, the schedule will include gathering food donation bags for families who need them on Dec. 26. On Dec. 28, a band will perform and on Dec. 30 there will be grand prize draw.

But the most popular event tends to be the square-dancing night, where the competition will see who can square dance the longest and the best, Coman said.

In Rankin Inlet, the games start Dec. 21 and end on Jan. 1. Before Christmas Day, events in Rankin Inlet include a community feast and square dance.

On Christmas Day, there will be contests for cake decorating, Christmas lights, and snow sculptures. After Christmas Day, events will include a square dance competition and scavenger hunts for both kids and adults.

The games are something people can look forward to, said Rankin Inlet’s recreation co-ordinator A.J. Curley.

“People get to enjoy something special during the holidays…[and] enjoy family and friends,” Curley said.

Scavenger hunts for both children and adults are some of the most popular games played, he added.

Games are occurring throughout Nunavut’s other communities as well.

The hamlet of Pangnirtung recently said on social media it was looking for volunteers for its Christmas games this year.

In Grise Fiord, the hamlet posted its Christmas schedule on social media and it includes a community feast, Christmas games, a candy toss and a parade with snowmobiles and vehicles.

But not all communities will be able to celebrate, as a combination of different sicknesses have forced some hamlets to cancel activities.

One of those communities is Kugluktuk, where the hamlet posted on social media Tuesday that Christmas events will have to be cancelled with the exception of food hampers and the outdoor parade.

Igloolik has also said it will postpone some of its regular Christmas community events due to illness.