Athletes, coaches and volunteers said goodbye to this year’s Arctic Winter Games at Saturday afternoon’s closing ceremony.
It was a busy week for athletes and attendees in Mat-Su Valley, Alaska, as youth from across the circumpolar North competed in a packed schedule of mainstream winter sports like hockey and cross-country skiing, along with traditional Dene and Arctic games.
Host team Alaska led the field in medals this year, picking up a total of 221 ulus. Yukon was In second place, followed by Alberta North.
Team Yukon also had the distinction of winning the Hodgson Trophy, which is awarded every Arctic Winter Games to the team whose athletes best exemplify the ideals of fair play, Northern co-operation and team spirit.
In the lead-up to the closing ceremony, attendees took advantage of the time remaining to buy some AWG merchandise or get in some last-minute pin trading.
Delegates joked around and enjoyed the time with their teammates as they got ready to enter the arena at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center, in Wasilla, Alaska.
Team Northwest Territories chose first-time AWG attendee Corbin Alonak, 14, as its flag-bearer for the closing ceremony. The young wrestler from Ulukhaktok, N.W.T., said his favourite part of the Games was meeting new people and making friends.
He said he definitely wants to attend the next Arctic Winter Games, in Whitehorse in 2026.
The closing ceremony started with some music and drumming as delegates filtered in.
During the event, athletes and coaches mingled on the floor of the stadium as officials from host jurisdiction Alaska gave speeches.
The night ended with a look forward to the next Arctic Winter Games in two years. The mayor of Whitehorse, Laura Cabott, gave a speech, saying the 2026 host city is already planning the next Games and inviting everybody to attend.
