Mushers descend on Igloolik for mini race and country food ahead of Nunavut Quest

The weather was windy and the sun was out when the mushers started their mini race, the first event of the 2026 Nunavut Quest’s opening ceremonies.

Country food is put out ahead of a community feast before the 2026 Nunavut Quest opening ceremony in Igloolik on Monday. (Photo by Jennifer Quassa, special to Nunatsiaq News)

This year’s race runs from Igloolik to Pond Inlet and covers approximately 500 kilometres.

Participants include Jinneal Nanuraq Uttak, who first competed in the Nunavut Quest two years ago and has won the last two races; Roland Taqtu, who is racing for the first time; and Natalino Piugattuk, the oldest musher in the race at age 77.

Also racing are Lee Inuarak of Pond Inlet, Tom Naqitarvik of Arctic Bay, Peter Henry Arnatsiaq of Igloolik, Owen Jaworenko of Pond Inlet, Daniel Inuarak of Pond Inlet and Donovan Qaunaq of Arctic Bay.

Although it was a bit chilly to stay outside for long, dozens of people gathered on the sea ice near Igloolik to watch as nine mushers took off and then slowly returned, roughly two hours later. It was a good experience to watch Nanuraq Uttak come in first-place.

Following the mini race on the ice, we all went up to the community hall to have a community feast, which the students helped prepare. As community members began to arrive, there was a strong scent of country food, especially from the fermented narwhal.

Following the feast, Igloolik-based performance group Artcirq took to the stage for an awe-inspiring show with juggling, comedy and acrobatics. It was very entertaining to watch. The performers were very good, and there were many smiles and laughs because it was a very good show.

When the lights in the community hall came back on, it was time for the opening ceremony. After a handful of welcoming remarks, the Nunavut Quest mushers were introduced in the order that they finished the mini race.

Jack Attagutsiak, a support driver for Tom Naqitarvik, feeds a dog team following the Nunavut Quest mini race in Igloolik on Monday. (Photo by Jennifer Quassa, special to Nunatsiaq News)

Results of the mini race:

1. Jinneal Nanuraq Uttak – $500
2. Lee Inuarak – $400
3. Tom Naqitarvik – $300
4. Peter Henry Arnatsiaq – $200
5. Natalino Piugattuq – $200
6. Owen Jaworenko – $200
7. Daniel Inuarak – $200
8. Roland Taqtu – $200
9. Donovan Qaunaq – $200

After introductions for both mushers and their support teams, which included a little about each of them and where they’re from, the mushers drew for their race pinnie numbers, which dictate the order in which they will start.

The crowd had fun yelling out their guesses for each musher’s number.

Starting order on race departure day:

1. Lee Inuarak
2. Tom Naqitarvik
3. Owen Jaworenko
4. Natalino Piugattuq
5. Jinneal Nanuraq Uttak
6.  Roland Taqtu
7. Donovan Qaunaq
8. Daniel Inuarak
9. Peter Henry Arnatsiaq

As soon as the formalities were done, the room broke out in square dancing, followed by games for the youth. As dancing and games unfolded in the community hall and night descended over Igloolik, racers met to discuss a start time.

Marie Naqitarvik, a Nunavut Quest committee member, had posted in the Nunavut Quest Facebook group that the race would be “postponed until further notice” and that the mushers would meet Tuesday to discuss a new starting date. The delayed start was due to weather conditions.

On Tuesday afternoon, it was announced that the race would commence on Thursday with the snowmobile drivers departing at noon, followed by the mushers an hour later.

Meanwhile, it was very nice to see old and young people play the games at the opening ceremony.

There was so much joy going around the community hall, the time we all had was very enjoyable and very social, but it was a bit tiring at the end because there was so much work to do.

We were all a bit exhausted from the work we did but it was worth it at the end of the day. It took nine hours for some of us to help with the youth but the best part was there weren’t any complaints; everyone was patient with the helping and cleaning.

The food was delicious and everyone enjoyed their traditional meal. It was also nice to see elders eat their traditional meals together, so much joy and happiness went around.

People from Igloolik are very outgoing and friendly. So many welcomed the Nunavut Quest participants, especially the people who aren’t from here. We feel so welcomed and we’re thankful for the people who let some of the participants stay at their place until we leave for Pond Inlet.

We’re very excited to see who wins first place among the Nunavut Quest dog mushers and we wish everyone good luck, especially to the dog mushers.

This year’s prizes are as follows:

1. 1st Place – $20,000
2. 2nd Place – $15,000
3. 3rd Place – $10,000
4. 4th Place – $5,000
5. 5th Place – $2,500
6. 6th – 10th Place – $2,000