With the North having a geopolitical moment, Sunday’s Arctic Winter Games opening ceremony in Whitehorse featured the prime minister, a fighter jet flypast and a lengthy circumpolar list of dignitaries.
It also starred nearly 360 members of Team NT as they paraded through the Yukon capital’s downtown to the outdoor ceremony in about -10C.
The NWT competes at the Arctic Winter Games alongside Alaska, Yukon, Northern Alberta, Nunavut, Nunavik, Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) and Sápmi.
The Games last for a week and span about 20 sports. Participants are primarily (though not exclusively) youth.
From 1970 till now, the Arctic Winter Games has been on a two-year cycle except for a five-year gap created by the pandemic. Starting after this edition, it’ll move to a three-year cycle with the next event in 2029.
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Below, check out some of our favourite shots from the 2026 Games’ opening night.
Flagbearers Reese Wainman, left, and Kingston Torindo. Ollie Williams/Team NT
Wrestler Hunter Kitekudlak has come from Ulukhaktok to take part. Ollie Williams/Team NT
Drummers and the flags of multiple Indigenous nations were represented in the Team NT ranks and those of other contingents. Ollie Williams/Team NT
Some sports like hockey, futsal, basketball and curling began on Sunday. Most get under way on Monday. Ollie Williams/Team NT
The opening ceremony was broadcast live and is a big draw for circumpolar media. Ollie Williams/Team NT
This was the first Arctic Winter Games ceremony staged outdoors since a significantly colder closing ceremony in Fort McMurray three years ago. Ollie Williams/Team NT
A novel feature of this year’s ceremony was a parade through Whitehorse to the venue, with NWT fans among those lining the route. Ollie Williams/Team NT
A ceremony that ran for about 75 minutes included the marching-in of the athletes, performances and speeches, including a video message from Prime Minister Mark Carney. Ollie Williams/Team NT
By 9:30pm, most athletes were back at the schools they’re using as accommodation – where a pizza party took place. Ollie Williams/Team NT
