The spirit lives in Iqaluit and Nuuk

The sound of more than 1,000 cheering athletes and their anxious supporters raised the roof of Iqaluit’s new arena during the opening ceremony for the Arctic Winter Games on March 17.

The parade of athletes was an emotional sight, with some participants carrying teammates on their shoulders. The event kicked of a week-long celebration held jointly by Iqaluit and Nuuk, Greenland.

Iqaluit’s standout events were the Arctic sports and Dene games, including the snow snake (go snake go!), the airplane, one-arm pull and two-foot high kick.

Cultural events also played a big part in the week’s success, with performances by Nunavut’s Lucy Idlout and tribal-hop band Reddnation of Alberta.