Prizes, barbecues, traditional games planned across territory for Nunavut Day

The 25th annual Nunavut Day is being celebrated Tuesday with events planned across Nunavut to mark the day.

Here is a selection of activities people can take part in.

Arctic Bay is hosting a barbecue as well as offering games and prizes near the community hall, according to a representative from the hamlet office.

In Igloolik, the local alcohol education committee is organizing a breakfast from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. After that, there are outdoor games from 1 to 6 p.m. followed by indoor games from 6 p.m. onward. A barbecue is also planned for the hamlet at 6 p.m.

All events will be either inside or outside the community hall, said Qumangaapik Arnatsiaq, the hamlet’s recreation co-ordinator.

Rankin Inlet is planning to celebrate Nunavut Day at the AEM Arena from noon to 4 p.m. with a barbecue, kids’ activities and a live performance. There will also be giveaways and prizes, according to a post on the community’s Facebook page.

Cambridge Bay’s celebrations kick off at 1 p.m. at Municipal Heritage Park and run until 5 p.m. There will be lots of food including hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, juice and fruit.

As well, the hamlet is planning giveaways and prizes, according to a post on the community’s Facebook page.

The Hamlet of Kinngait will start its celebration by setting aside time just for elders on Tuesday. An elders’ community feast is scheduled from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m., where Arctic char and other country food will be served.

Door prizes will also be given out from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m, said Janice Mathewsie, assistant senior administrative officer for Kinngait.

From 12:30 to 2 p.m. there will be a community feast for the rest of Kinngait, with door prizes.

Due to wet weather in the forecast, outdoor games in Kinngait are cancelled, but indoor games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. until about 10 p.m. Participants can win cash prizes.

Nunavut Day will come to a close in Kinngait with a dance featuring local band Sikusiilaq providing tunes.

In Pond Inlet, there are plenty of games scheduled including a boat-making and mitt-making game, as well as a contest for the best amauti, or parka, made out of a plastic bag.

There will be boating at the pond and a Mr. and Ms. Nunavut contest scheduled for 9 p.m., among other celebrations. The hamlet’s events were posted to a local Pond Inlet Facebook page on June 25.

The Hamlet of Pangnirtung is organizing a scavenger hunt from 1 until 5 p.m., according to a post on its Facebook page. A list of items to search for will be available at a barbecue hosted by the hamlet at 1 p.m.

A cake decorating contest is scheduled from 3 until 3:30. And at 5:30 p.m. people can drop by the community centre to enjoy a kids’ tie-dye T-shirt event.

Naujaat’s Nunavut Day celebrations include a fishing contest at 1 p.m. at Old Water Lake for participants aged 16 and older. The first 10 anglers to catch a fish will win $100 each, according to an announcement posted to Naujaat’s local Facebook page.

A fishing contest for participants aged 15 and under is scheduled once the first contest is finished. At 2 p.m., people can take part in a bannock-making contest and fire-lighting contest near Old Water Lake. Indoor games are scheduled to start at 8 p.m.

People in Kugluktuk are invited to a fashion show on Tuesday, followed by draws at the Kugluktuk Community Complex, according to a Facebook post on the hamlet’s community news page. Prizes include Coleman lanterns, tents, camping mattresses and gas vouchers.

In Iqaluit, July 9 is also the final day of the Alianait Arts Festival.

Activities are planned at the Big Top Tent in the Nakasuk Elementary School parking lot from noon until 4 p.m.

From 1 to 3 p.m., musical guests will include Monica Qattaik, throat singers Iva and Angu, Rosalie and Felix Pissuk, JoEllen Pameolok and the band Not Even.

In addition, there will be a barbecue, kids’ activities and giveaways and prizes.