For the first time in over 25 years, a one-of-a-kind youth development camp was held in Tuktoyaktuk.
From July 19 to 24, the Northern Games Youth Summit helped youth aged 30 and under to improve their physical, social and cultural knowledge.
““It makes the soul feel good to see the kids are proud of their cultural heritage,” said Northern Games Society executive director Donald Kuptana. “It’s a really unique set of sports and we want to continue that. We’re seeing the change from the first day to the last day. Kids are just so happy, learning new skills and becoming more confident. They’re challenging themselves to become more involved in the games, so it’s great to see.
“It’s a really great feeling. We’re so happy the youth are taking such interest.”
Kuptana said approximately 80 youth from across Canada and beyond came out to improve their skills and reconnect with their culture, including from Tagish, Whitehorse and Taco River Yukon, Yellowknife, Edmonton, and a youth even made his way up from Dante, California for the event.
Aside from learning and developing skills in traditional Northern Games such as the one foot high kick, muskox push, airplane and many others, youth also practised traditional social games, joined storytelling circles with Elders and enjoyed nights of dancing.
Bringing youth together to develop friendships spanning the North was as much a goal as improving athletic prowess, noted Kuptana.
“We want the youth to build resiliency and go home to play the games for the rest of their lives,” he said. “We had a lot of good interactions with our Elders and our peak athletes. The youth were able to learn more about the history of the games from our story telling and to learn about being a good man or good woman from the skills that come from the land.
“Youth were able to hear lots of good stories from our Elders from all of our Beaufort Delta communities.”
With the first run at running a Northern Games Summit a resounding success, Kuptana said the society was eager to put on more. Planning is already underway for the Circumpolar Games in Inuvik as well as another Youth Summit.
Time is of the essence. Kuptana said it was important for Elders to share their knowledge with youth while they’re still able.
“This is our first annual youth games and we plan to continue this,” he said. “It’s our responsibility to pass on the history and proper technique to youth. Not all of us are going to be around forever and we want to make sure the traditions are passed on to the youth so they can start taking over.
“We can’t stop now. We’re building capacity and resiliency for our youth.”
Noel Cockney officiates as Tiegan Taptuna presses hard during the muskox push. He finished third overall. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Chassidy Kasook soars as she completes a one foot high kick. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Rihanna Ruben of Paulatuk gets some air time. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Jacob Kotokak of Yellowknife makes this look easy. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Braydan Olifie flexes his might. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Keith Wolki of Paulatuk stretches out to hit the target. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Leon Gruben-Mangelana brushes up against the target. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Ayden Nogasak of Inuvik leaps to kick the target. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Ross Felix Jr., also known as Man Man, delivers a mighty kick. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Malkin Panaktolok of Tuktoyaktuk breaks his own records and redefines fashion at the same time. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Zion Adam focuses on
his form. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Brian Ayalik-Pascal represents Yellowknife during the one foot high kick. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Josh McDonald, Northern Games Society member attempts the butt kick as Northern Games Society president Gerry Kisoun looks on. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Northern Games Society president Gerry Kisoun demonstrates the butt kick — his own invention. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Marshall Bodner came all the way up from Edmonton to compete. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Myra Kendi came up from Whitehorse to compete. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Dante Ruben, Jaylynn Franson, Emery McLeod and Jessa Kirby give it all they have during the Tug ‘o War. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Nora Ruben of Paulatuk takes to the air. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Natalie Avik focuses on her form. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Lucas Kitekudlak aims for a personal best as one of two 15-18 year olds to compete in the one foot high kick. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Alison Kuneluk connects during the one foot high kick. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Chase Wolki from
Paulatuk shows off her skills at the one foot high kick.
Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Joe David Nasogaluak, Tianna Gordon Ruben, Natalie Noksana, Nathan Kuptana and Kolten Gordon Ruben give it all they have during the tug ‘o war. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Keegan Ruben, Samuel Green, Nora Ruben, Wendy Ruben and Garrett Ruben form team Paulatuk during the tug ‘o war event. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Tianna Gordon Ruben from Paulatuk
laughs as she presses against her opponent in the muskox push. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
Gina Slevinsky came out from Tagish, Yukon to compete. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
