Team Nunavik athletes’ passports approved ahead of Games
Arctic Winter Games run March 10 to March 16 in Mat-Su Valley, Alaska
Aloupa Watt of Team Nunavik attempts the triple jump at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games in Wood Buffalo, Alta. After some delays, all Team Nunavik athletes heading to the 2024 Arctic Winter Games in Mat-Su Valley, Alaska, now have their passports approved, organizers said on Wednesday. (Photo by Madalyn Howitt)
All Nunavik athletes have the documents they need to attend this year’s Arctic Winter Games in Alaska.
“Everyone got their passports done on time,” said Philippe Chiasson, the Team Nunavik chef de mission, on late Wednesday.
The weeklong 2024 Arctic Winter Games, which kick off March 10, will take place in Mat-Su Valley, Alaska. All Canadian athletes require passports to cross the U.S. border.
Organizers for Team Nunavut and Team Nunavik said in late February they were still waiting for 29 passport applications to be approved in time for the contingents to fly to Alaska.
Organizers and Nunavut MP Lori Idlout said Nunavummiut faced language barriers filling out application forms, difficulties getting passport photos taken in remote communities and that Service Canada centres in Nunavut don’t process expedited passport applications.
This led to Service Canada staff setting up passport clinics in Iqaluit and Kuujjuaq to fast-track incomplete applications for processing in Ottawa and Montreal.
Chiasson said all 81 Team Nunavik athletes and staff will be receiving their passports in hand by Thursday as they gather in Kuujjuaq for the full team send-off on Friday.
Idlout announced Wednesday that all Nunavut athletes have their passports approved ahead of the team departure for Alaska. Nunavut is sending 300 team members to the games, which run March 10 through March 16.
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