Weekend event in Ottawa sports Inuit culture, games
Tungasuvvingat Inuit to host the event with some hopefuls coming from Toronto to compete
Gold, silver and bronze medals will be up for grabs at the inaugural Southern Ontario Inuit Games being held in Ottawa on Saturday. Men and women between the ages of 18 and 29 will compete for medals in each of the four traditional Inuit games of one-foot high kick, arm pull, airplane and kneel jump. (Photo courtesy of Tungasuvvingat Inuit)
The inaugural Southern Ontario Inuit Games will kick off Saturday in Ottawa.
So far, 15 would-be competitors have registered to try out including four who are coming in from Toronto. As well, walk-ins will be allowed to try out to compete on the day of the event, said Eleanor Partridge, communications manager for the games host Tungasuvvingat Inuit.
Workshops will be open to Inuit aged 10 and older to learn the various competitions at the games, which are the one-foot high kick, arm pull, airplane and kneel jump.
However, to be selected as a competitor a person must be between the ages of 18 and 29. Men and women will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in each event, with gift cards and other prizes also available.
In addition to the competition and workshops, 10 Inuit vendors will be on site selling various cultural items.
“People are excited,” said Partridge, calling it “a fun little thing for the kids to try the games out.”
The games are being held at TD Place Arena, at 1015 Bank St. in Ottawa.
The event is free to attend. Doors open at 10 a.m. and festivities will start with a traditional qulliq lighting led by elders. Events begin at 11 a.m.
Competitors will be served lunch midday. The arena operator, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, generally does not allow outside food to be brought in but made an exception for the Inuit games so that country food could be provided to the competitors, said Partridge.
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