Arctic Winter Games
The Arctic Winter Games (AWG) is the premier high-profile circumpolar sport and cultural event for northern athletes. Held biennially since 1970, the Games provide a competitive stage for participants from across the North, including Alaska, Northern Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, Greenland, and the Sápmi region of Scandinavia.
Key Components:
- Athletic Competition: Traditional sports like ice hockey, skiing, and snowshoeing are featured alongside unique Arctic Sports and Dene Games (such as the One-Foot High Kick and Finger Pull), which preserve and celebrate Indigenous athletic traditions.
- Cultural Exchange: The Games are as much about heritage as they are about medals. Each event includes a major cultural program featuring performing arts, traditional crafts, and social exchange between diverse northern cultures.
- Youth Development: The primary focus is on developmental-level athletes, fostering leadership, sportsmanship, and cross-cultural respect among the next generation of northern leaders.
The Arctic Winter Games remain a vital symbol of northern unity, resilience, and the celebration of life in the world’s most demanding climates.
Director, Videographer and Editor: Andy Rutter
Andy Rutter 