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.

“It’s based off of Whitehorse. The first task we were given was to write about Whitehorse and then pick three key words and then make a dance out of those words,” he said.

Jackson Birss, another performer with the group, says the theme of their performance was connection. 

“If you go deeper into it, it’s the connection between the community and others around you,” he said. “That’s what it means to me.”

The Inuksuk Drum Dancers, Nunavut’s delegation, performed traditional Inuit music. It included throat singing and drum dancing.

The Mackenzie River Dancers represented the Northwest Territories.

Six dancers offered a performance of traditional jigging, which blends First Nations footwork with European step dancing.

Team Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) showcased an act about cultural identity, spirituality, and transformation. Performers Uilu Jakobsen, Nikku Kanuthsen, Ayla Larsen, Zoe, Løvstrøm Olesen, and Smilla Vahl each represented different aspects of humanity and the spirit world.

Mahtte Eira, Majkare Eira, and Matias Paltto with Team Sapmi showcased their culture through traditional music form “luohti.” They got the crowd pumped up by including the public in one of their songs.

The Tatitlek dancers, with four performers, represented Team Alaska. They performed different songs, reclaiming their culture that was once lost.

Meanwhile, Team Alberta North performed one of the creation stories.

Grand Prairie, Alta., performer Inti Burnham with six others delivered a high-energy, powerful Indigenous dance, appearing in striking regalia.

“It’s a really demanding dance, he said.”

“It’s really athletic. You need lots of stamina and lots of training. My regalia, it was all made by my parents and me. So my mom, she did all my applique … me and my dad, we made my bustles and roach, and spinners. It’s all made with love.”