Kativik Regional Government responds to AWG cancellation
“We are disappointed that the event was cancelled but relieved that precautions were taken”
Junior Lingard from Kuujjuaq (in the white cap) and Justin Jones from Kuujjuaraapik competed in the Dene Games pole push on Nov. 10, during tryouts in Kuujjuaq to determine who would represent Team Nunavik-Québec at the next Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon, in March. On March 7, a week before the games would begin, they were called off due to the threat of the coronavirus. (Photo by Isabelle Dubois)
Less than a week before Nunavik athletes, coaches, performers and mission staff were set to parade through the streets of Kuujjuaq before flying off to Whitehorse for the Arctic Winter Games, the circumpolar sporting event was called off.
The threat of the coronavirus has seen stock markets tank, mandatory quarantines put in place, and limitations enforced on travel within countries such as Italy.
As a result, Catherine Elliott, Yukon’s acting chief medical officer, said the risk was too great for the Arctic Winter Games to go on.
“It is with a heavy heart that I’ve had to make this recommendation,” Elliott said during a news conference in Whitehorse on Saturday, March 7.
“It is the responsible recommendation and it is very unfortunate.”
Nine teams from Alaska to Norway were ready to face off at the games in Whitehorse, including approximately 2,000 participants.
Canada was represented by teams from Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta, Nunavut and Nunavik-Quebec.
From Nunavik, 62 athletes and coaches, along with three cultural performers and seven mission staff were set to meet in Kuujjuaq on March 13 for a parade and rally.
The team would then fly to Whitehorse the following day on a charter flight, staying from March 15 to 21.
Athletes from both the Hudson and Ungava coasts were ready to compete in five different events, both Arctic Sports and Dene Games.
“We are disappointed that the event was cancelled but relieved that precautions were taken to protect our athletes and other team members,” said Jennifer Munick, chairperson of the Kativik Regional Government.
“Minimizing the risk and exposure to all participants is very important for everyone involved.”
Of the recommendation to cancel the games, Elliott said there are no cases of COVID-19 in the Yukon at present, but the situation with the virus is changing rapidly around the world.
“In a setting like the Arctic Winter Games, even a suspected case would be devastating…. While the situation may change in the next week, it’s not going to get better,” she said.
There are also currently no known cases in Nunavik, and the risk is low, Minnie Grey, executive director of the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, told Kativik Regional Government councillors on Feb. 27. But the board is taking precautions nonetheless.
Postpone the meetings for now. Take a break. The virus is likely to show itself within the groups that do non stop meetings. Advise on other ways to greet, rather than handshake. The virus will show up soon anyway, but minimize the spread by taking theses precautions.
Bad news safety first tho