Performers from 9 northern regions showcase their culture at Arctic Winter Games gala
CBC
At the Arctic Winter Games cultural gala, the Nunavik delegation brought the constellations of their northern skies to life.
“Those constellations are almost connected to the north. In different regions you can see those stars and that’s something we have in common,” said performer Velesie Adams. “We’re connected with our Inuit.”
The Nunavik delegation was one of the many performers from across the circumpolar north, showcasing their stories, language, songs and culture at the Whitehorse gala on Thursday and Friday.
The gala featured performers from the eight contingents competing at the games, and those from one region not represented by athletes: Nunatsiavut.
The Labrador-Inuit delegation participated in the gala as a special guest and youth performers with songs from Teagan Michelin and Brooklyn Wolfrey-Allen.
“Our performance means a lot to me because if I'm correct, this is the first Nunatsiavut performance group to ever like to display their talents and stuff,” Michelin said. “So I'm really excited about that and it means so much to me to be able to be one of the first.”
Michelin is from Nain, N.L., and Wolfrey-Allen is from Rigolet, N.L., but lives in St. John’s, so the pair had to prepare for the gala virtually. Wolfrey-Allen said they sang together for the first time three days before their performance.
“It was hard getting on the same schedules and practicing virtually is not the same cause like you're not hearing your voice and her voice at the same time in the same spot,” Wolfrey-Allen said.
Despite the challenges leading up to their first performance, Wolfrey-Allen said she and Michelin were excited to show the gala who they are and where they come from.
Adams said one of the stories the Nunavik delegation performed was based on a constellation they call the three hunters.
“There's a myth that those three hunters went dog sledding and they came across a polar bear. So they tried to run away … as fast as they could and one of the hunters lost their mittens…. It's [about] - 60 C out, so the hunter had no choice but to go back and get his mitt.”
Nunavik performer George Johannes said he wanted to learn more about his own culture and other cultures around the north.
The Yukon delegation was made up of performers from the Heart of Riverdale, an arts-based community centre in Whitehorse.
The group performed a 10-minute routine that combined contemporary and break dancing styles, said dancer Aiden Mills.
Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. wants to expand the boundaries of its salmon farm off the coast of Brier Island, N.S., but there is fear an expansion could force out longtime lobster fishermen in the area.
From running a store that was considered the heart of a community, to forging friendships with neighbours that felt familial, those brutally harmed or killed by Allan Legere are remembered as much more than victims.
Toronto police have identified a 60-year-old woman as the city's fourth homicide victim of the year.
A candlelight vigil was held Friday evening in Montreal for Chong Woo Kim, the owner of a corner store who was murdered the day before while at work.
While calls are growing to ban paid plasma donations in light of donor deaths, not everyone agrees stopping it is the best option.
CBC's road trip series Land of Living Stories explores inspiring stories of community spirit from across Saskatchewan. In our latest visit, CBC-Radio Canada hit the road to La Ronge. This is the third of a multi-part series from that community.
Aleesha Baxter woke up in her three-year-old daughter's bedroom early Monday morning to the sound of loud bangs.
A new interactive safety map aims to help people navigate dating apps safely.
Alberta’s two largest river basins have become one, part of a suite of major updates to the province’s water rules that came into force this week.
A set of agreements signed last month between the federal government and the Musqueam Indian Band has sparked debate, confusion and political reaction across British Columbia.
The Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory (CSSL) has been operating for a year now. It's a nationwide project based at Western University, where data from scientists and engineers across the country are used to study extreme weather and help communities better prepare for future events.
Abby Chapman had to calm herself before she could send an email to her supervisor. Her hands were shaking too much to type.
Chief Jamie Moses of Pehdzeh Ki First Nation enthusiastically welcomed news on Thursday that Ottawa is supporting the Mackenzie Valley Highway. And he spoke of the potential it has to transform his community in Wrigley moving forward.