Nunavut Quest ends with weeklong party in Pond Inlet

Last week’s closing ceremony for Nunavut Quest brought various representatives from the Quest committee, Hamlet of Pond Inlet, and Qikiqtani Inuit Association to speak about the origins of the race and their hopes of young people continuing the tradition of Inuit dogsledding.

The 10 mushers who participated in this year’s race were proudly presented by Pond Inlet Junior Canadian Rangers. Each team’s support drivers, race elders, guides and officials were also presented in front of a packed community hall.

The race began in Arctic Bay on April 16 and finished in Pond Inlet on April 25. Nanuraq Uttak, a first-time musher in the race, took the first-place prize after all the participants’ daily times were calculated.

Igloolik youth from the Nunavut Quest Field Course, sponsored by QIA’s Ilagiiktunut Fund, each spoke about their experience completing the big journey from Igloolik to Arctic Bay and then Arctic Bay to Pond Inlet following the Quest.

Final running times and standings of the race were announced by timekeeper Shanshan Tian. The crowd cheered and congratulated each musher’s completion of the 370-kilometre race over seven days.

Race elder Charlie Inuarak announced with excitement that the 2025 Nunavut Quest will begin in Pond Inlet and finish in Igloolik by presenting the Iparauti, or dog team whip, to the winner Uttak’s father Teman Avingaq.

The highly anticipated hukki, or square dance, competition was April 24 and 25. The participants filled the hall with joy and laughter. Many came dressed in their best suits, dresses and dancing shoes. Some were dressed in sealskin and ceremonial outfits.

The winners of the April 24 hukki competition are:

• 1st place, $1,600 each – Hailey Amarualik (Pond Inlet) and Michel Oolateeta (Pond Inlet)
• 2nd place, $750 each – Grace Simonee (Pond Inlet) and Pauloosie Iqqaqsaq (Arctic Bay)
• 3rd place, $650 each – Jillian Kyak (Pond Inlet) and Robert Aglak (Pond Inlet)

The winners of the April 25 hukki competition for out-of-towners are:

• 1st place, $1,600 each – Marie Naqitarvik (Arctic Bay) and Tristan Sangoya (Clyde River)
• 2nd place, $750 – Angela White (Newfoundland) and Andy Hainnu (Clyde River)
• 3rd place, $650 – April Taqtu (Newfoundland) and Michael Apak Irngaut (Igloolik)

There was also a Miss Nunavut Quest Beauty Pageant on April 27 that concluded the celebrations. Thirty-one participants took part in the competition.

This year’s Miss Nunavut Quest title was awarded to Erin Enook from Pond Inlet winning $3,000. Runner up was Horizon Willie from Arctic Bay, winning $2,000, and 3rd place Cheryl Tilley from Arctic Bay, winning $1,000.

The weeklong celebration of Nunavut Quest started April 23.

The celebrations kicked off with a welcome feast, games and hukki. The Pond Inlet community hall was packed with community members and visitors.

This article and the accompanying pictures are the result of a partnership between Nunatsiaq News and Igloolik youth participating in the Nunavut Quest Field Course, a project sponsored by QIA and the Ilagiiktunut Fund.