Team Nunavik now permanent member of Arctic Winter Games

After participating in the Arctic Winter Games for more than 50 years, Nunavik will soon officially become a permanent member of the Games international committee. 

On June 20, after the Arctic Winter Games international committee held its annual general meeting, it announced that Nunavik would change from being a guest participant to a permanent member, effective Jan. 1, 2025. 

The Arctic Winter Games is a circumpolar sports and cultural event for young athletes from Alaska, Northwest Territories, the Yukon, Nunavut, Greenland, Nunavik, northern Alberta, Norway, Sweden and Finland. 

Nunavik participated in the Games in 1972, 1974, 1976 and 1986. They have since participated in every bi-annual Games since 2000. 

“For so many years, Kativik Regional Government has requested to become a full member,” said Hilda Snowball, KRG’s chairperson, in a phone interview.

She called being a member a “great opportunity” for discussion with the international committee. 

By becoming a permanent member of the committee, Nunavik will have the chance to “potentially host the Games,” Snowball said. But she added that hosting will not be possible before 2030. 

As a guest member, Nunavik could not take part in the decision-making process for the events, meaning it had no input on what sports the athletes would compete in, or how many athletes Nunavik can send to competitions, Snowball said.

The change also makes Nunavik eligible to play in team sports, such as volleyball and hockey.

“In the coming years, we could potentially add another sport for Team Nunavik,” she said.

This change could happen for the 2026 Games, which are taking place in Whitehorse. 

“In the coming years, we will grow more athletes and push them to have a good representation during the Arctic Winter Games,” she said. 

In a news release, international committee president John Rodda said he is “thrilled to welcome [Nunavik-Quebec] as a permanent member.” 

“This marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Arctic Winter Games, and further amplifies the voice and participation of Northern Indigenous communities.”