Nunavut Quest hits starting line after weekend of celebration
Mushers, support teams, family members arrive in Pond Inlet for start of annual dogsled race
Mushers who will compete in this year’s Nunavut Quest dogsled race pose in the Pond Inlet community hall after their starting order for the race was determined. From left are Jinneal Nanuraq Uttak (1); Tom Naqitarvik (2); Daniel Inuarak (3); Donovan Qaunaq (4); Isaac Irngaut (5); Lee Inuarak (6); Joshua Qiliqti Ivalu (7); Aidan Qaunaq (8). The annual race will cover approximately 500 kilometres from Pond Inlet to Igloolik. It’s scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Tuesday. (Photo by Shanshan Tian, special to Nunatsiaq News)
With spring in the air, sunny days and warmer weather, Nunavut Quest’s opening celebrations took place in Pond Inlet over the weekend.
The annual dogsled race runs from Pond Inlet to Igloolik this year. The route covers approximately 500 kilometres and is staged with seven checkpoints.
For the next week, eight mushers and their dog teams are expected to travel on sea ice with segments of hard packed snow and rough ice, climb numerous rolling hills, and weave through valleys with deep, soft snow.
Elder Charlie Inuarak shows Nunavut Quest mushers and support teams the intended trail and checkpoints for the 500-kilometre dogsled race. This year’s race runs from Pond Inlet to Igloolik and is scheduled to start Tuesday. (Photo by Kylie Imaruittuq Angutimarik, special to Nunatsiaq News)
Mushers, sled dogs, support teams and families from Igloolik and Arctic Bay travelling by snowmobiles to the starting point rolled into Pond Inlet at the end of last week.
The competing mushers this year include last year’s champion Jinneal Nanuraq Uttak from Igloolik as well as first-time participant Aidan Qaunaq from Pond Inlet.
Lee Inuarak from Pond Inlet and Tom Naqitarvik from Arctic Bay are longtime Nunavut Quest competitors. Isaac Irngaut from Igloolik, who was once the youngest musher to join Nunavut Quest at the age of 16, returns to the race after a hiatus.
Joshua Qiliqti Ivvalu from Igloolik, Donovan Qaunaq from Arctic Bay and Daniel Inuarak from Pond Inlet, who placed 5th, 7th and 9th in 2024, respectively, are back looking for competitive results in this year’s race.
The Hamlet of Pond Inlet was vibrating with excitement during the weekend’s opening celebrations. The events began Friday evening with games and hukki dancing (or square dancing) and continued into Monday evening.
Nunavut Quest musher Tom Naqitarvik and Lee Inuarak dance with community members at the Pond Inlet community hall during the opening ceremony for the annual dogsled race Saturday night. The race will run 500 kilometres from Pond Inlet to Igloolik this year. It’s scheduled to start Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Shanshan Tian, special to Nunatsiaq News)
A mini-race was held Saturday afternoon, drawing a big crowd of spectators of all ages. The results of the mini-race determined the order the mushers drew their racing pinnie at the opening ceremony later that evening.
Elder Charlie Inuarak, who was one of the founding members of Nunavut Quest, opened the evening with a prayer. Community hunters provided country food for the feast.
Pond Inlet Mayor Joshua Arreak, Qikiqtani Inuit Association community director for Pond Inlet Joshua Katsak, and Tununiq MLA Karen Nutarak spoke at the opening ceremony.
The ceremony continued with games, prizes, and hukki dancing in a community hall packed with community members and out-of-towners.
QIA’s Qikiqtani Truth Commission provided $100,000 for prize money, celebrations, gas, food, and dog food for this year’s Nunavut Quest. Sponsors of this year’s race also include $10,000 cash and in-kind donations from Oceans North and $4,000 in-kind donations from Nunavut Arctic College.
The racers are scheduled to depart Pond Inlet on Tuesday at 1 p.m.
The results of Saturday’s mini-race were:
1st — Donovan Qaunaq (#4) – Arctic Bay
2nd — Isaac Irngaut (#5) – Igloolik
3rd — Jinneal Nanuraq Uttak (#1) – Igloolik
4th — Lee Inuarak (#6) – Pond Inlet
5th — Tom Naqitarvik (#2) – Arctic Bay
6th — Joshua Qiliqti Ivalu (#7) – Igloolik
7th — Daniel Inuarak (#3) – Pond Inlet
8th — Aidan Qaunaq (#8) – Pond Inlet
Animal cruelty for cash prizes masquerading as revitalization of traditional lifestyle. brought to you by QIA, Oceans North and Nunavut Arctic College.
How insultingly racist and demeaning your comment is. Your comment should be deactivated.
Silence the heretic!
Is anything more detestable than one who cries ‘racist’ when confronted with an opinion they don’t like?
heretic?
You’re an intelligent person, Jay. You know what this means…
Heretic: a person holding an opinion at odds with what is generally accepted.
It was unclear where you were coming from. And, words require context.
is all…
It is a disgusting comment that should not have been allowed. Shame on those who let it go through and shame on you for supporting it.
I support the right to say unpopular things. True or not.
I don’t support racism, however, but don’t see anything racist here. That you do is a curious thing. Tell us more?
The impulse to silence a view you don’t agree with and, I would bet, don’t understand, is the true shame here.
Shame on you…
Yaay
Qimutsirtiit sivummut ingirrassiaritsi!!! Huit huit!! 🙂
These husky dogs are well fed and cared for and used not only for racing but also for working and hunting, healthy life style for both.