Lesley Serkoak — volunteer recruiter

TAMARA MACPHERSON
AWG Host Society

IQALUIT — Lesley Serkoak will lead the recruitment of 800 volunteers for the 2002 Iqaluit Arctic Winter Games. This active community member and mother of two former Arctic Winter Games athletes — Meeka and Karla Serkoak — is a team player.

“When my daughters went to the Arctic Winter Games in Eagle River/Chugiak, Alaska, and Whitehorse, they were treated so well. Someone else’s parents were there to make sure that things ran smoothly. I am happy to do the same for someone else’s children here in Iqaluit,” she explains.

Lesley is known for her magic soccer earrings. “I wore them the entire time each of my girls were at the Games and never took them off,” she says.

Lesley attended all of the local soccer games with her cowbell in hand. She speaks of running the entire length of the soccer field with a flag in the wake of a goal a number of years ago. She was highly supportive of the participation of each of her daughters in the Arctic Winter Games and cherished nightly telephone updates that rang with excitement.

Lesley speaks volumes about the value of sport to her daughters. “It takes discipline to practice and to improve one’s skills,” she explains. “And then there is the value of the camaraderie shared amongst team members.”

“Playing in the 1996 Arctic Winter Games was the best experience ever,” says Meeka. “It’s about being with your friends, playing soccer and representing your territory.”

She adds that returning home with the silver for Junior Girls’ Soccer made it even better. Meeka went on to play soccer in the Canada Games in 1997.

“Even when she wasn’t there in person, our mom was with us at the Arctic Winter Games in spirit,” explains Meeka. “It meant a lot to have her rooting for us. We’re happy to see her involved as a volunteer with the Iqaluit games. She always supports the things that her girls are involved with.” And, both daughters look forward to helping their mom in her role as volunteer recruitment chair.

Lesley has been involved in many other community activities during her 12 years in Iqaluit. She recruited volunteers for Toonik Tyme in past years, is involved with literacy projects and fetal alcohol syndrome education, and teaches Sunday school. She is a Grade 2 and 3 teacher at Joamie School.

David Serkoak, Lesley’s husband, is the Cultural Committee Chair for the 2002 Iqaluit Arctic Winter Games “We are both very interested in doing things for the youth in our community,” explains Lesley. “As Iqaluit becomes a bigger place, we’d like to see it maintain its community feel.”

“Individuals interested in volunteering for the 2002 Iqaluit Games are encouraged to call the Arctic Winter Games office at 979-2002. A volunteer registration form will soon be available and a recruitment blitz will be held in the Fall of 2001,” explains Lesley.

If you have already submitted your name, you will be contacted shortly. “We need your help… there is a way for every person to get involved in a meaningful way.”

The 2002 Iqaluit Arctic Winter Games will be held in Iqaluit March 17-23, 2002. The Arctic Winter Games is the most prestigious multi-national, multi-cultural, multi-sport event in the circumpolar North.

The Games reach nearly a million people from communities across Canada, Greenland, Russia and the U.S., and they are second-to-none in having an ability to promote the history, culture and artistic traditions of the north — directly to millions of observers — for an entire week.

The Iqaluit Host Society is the non-profit organization responsible for staging the 2002 Games.