Flags Raised for 2026 Arctic Winter Games as Whitehorse Welcomes Circumpolar North

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2025

Flags Raised for 2026 Arctic Winter Games as Whitehorse Welcomes Circumpolar North

Whitehorse, Yukon — The Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society proudly hosted its Flag Raising Ceremony today at the Canada Games Centre, marking a major milestone in the final stretch toward the Games.

Flags from all eight competing contingents—Alaska, Alberta North, Greenland, Northwest Territories, Nunavik, Nunavut, Sápmi, and Yukon—were raised alongside the flags of the host municipality - Whitehorse - and the two host First Nations - Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and the Kwanlin Dün First Nation. The ceremony honoured the northern communities, cultures, and athletes who will gather in Whitehorse from March 8–15, 2026.

The event brought together representatives from the Arctic Winter Games International Committee, the City of Whitehorse, the Government of Yukon, the Government of Canada, and leaders from both host First Nations.

“Seeing these flags rise here today is a powerful symbol of everything the Arctic Winter Games stand for,” said Tracey Bilsky, President of the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society. “Each flag represents a northern community coming together in the spirit of sport, culture, friendship, and pride. With just over 100 days to go, our staff team and hundreds of volunteers are moving from planning into full operations, and we’re incredibly excited to welcome the circumpolar world back to Whitehorse.”

Bilsky noted that the Games build long-term legacies for the Yukon, from volunteer development and athlete pathways to infrastructure improvements and the sharing of Indigenous cultures and northern traditions.

Upcoming AWG 2026 Events

• Volunteer Paperwork Contest
  Deadline: December 15, 2025
  Volunteers who sign up and submit their Criminal Record Check + Vulnerable Sector Check are automatically entered to win one of two Air North flight gift certificates.
  
  
• Volunteer Open House
  December 4, 2025 — 3:00–6:00 p.m.
  AWG Office: 401 Main Street
  Drop-in event for volunteer support, paperwork help, uniform try on, and refreshments.
  
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About the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games

The Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games will take place from March 8–15, 2026, bringing together nearly 2,000 athletes and cultural participants, supported by 2,000 volunteers from across the Yukon and beyond.

Participants will represent eight contingents from the Circumpolar North:
Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alaska, Northern Alberta, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), Sápmi (cultural regions in Scandinavia), and Greenland.

The Arctic Winter Games celebrate sport, culture, and community — showcasing the incredible talent and spirit of northern youth while strengthening international friendships across the Arctic.

Whitehorse has a proud history with the Games, having previously hosted in 1972, 1980, 1992, 2000, 2007, and 2012. It was also selected to host the 2020 Games, which were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2026 edition marks the city’s seventh time welcoming the Arctic to its doorstep — a reflection of Whitehorse’s deep community pride and its proven capacity to deliver world-class northern events.

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Media Contact:

Paolo Gallina
Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society
paolo.gallina@awg2026.org
867-332-1463

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POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE
2 décembre 2025

Levée des drapeaux pour les Jeux d’hiver de l’Arctique 2026 alors que Whitehorse accueille le Nord circumpolaire

Whitehorse, Yukon — La Société hôte des Jeux d’hiver de l’Arctique Whitehorse 2026 a tenu aujourd’hui sa cérémonie de levée des drapeaux au Centre des Jeux du Canada, marquant une étape importante dans la dernière phase de préparation en vue des Jeux.

Les drapeaux des huit contingents participants — Alaska, Alberta du Nord, Groenland, Territoires du Nord-Ouest, Nunavik, Nunavut, Sápmi et Yukon — ont été hissés aux côtés de ceux de la municipalité hôte, Whitehorse, ainsi que des deux Premières Nations hôtes : le Conseil des Ta’an Kwäch’än et la Première Nation des Kwanlin Dün. La cérémonie a rendu hommage aux communautés nordiques, aux cultures et aux athlètes qui se rassembleront à Whitehorse du 8 au 15 mars 2026.

L’événement a réuni des représentants du Comité international des Jeux d’hiver de l’Arctique, de la Ville de Whitehorse, du gouvernement du Yukon, du gouvernement du Canada, ainsi que des dirigeant(e)s des deux Premières Nations hôtes.

« Voir ces drapeaux se lever aujourd’hui est un symbole puissant de tout ce que représentent les Jeux d’hiver de l’Arctique », a déclaré Tracey Bilsky, présidente de la Société hôte des Jeux d’hiver de l’Arctique Whitehorse 2026. « Chaque drapeau représente une communauté nordique qui se rassemble dans un esprit de sport, de culture, d’amitié et de fierté. À un peu plus de 100 jours des Jeux, notre équipe et des centaines de bénévoles passent de la planification aux opérations complètes, et nous sommes extrêmement impatients d’accueillir à nouveau le monde circumpolaire à Whitehorse. »

Mme Bilsky a souligné que les Jeux laissent des legs durables au Yukon, notamment en matière de développement du bénévolat, de parcours pour les athlètes, d’améliorations aux infrastructures et de mise en valeur des cultures autochtones et des traditions nordiques.

Événements à venir — JHA 2026

Concours pour les bénévoles — Documents obligatoires
Date limite : 15 décembre 2025
Les bénévoles qui s’inscrivent et soumettent leur vérification du casier judiciaire et leur vérification du secteur vulnérable seront automatiquement inscrits pour courir la chance de gagner l’un des deux certificats-cadeaux de vol d’Air North.

Portes ouvertes pour les bénévoles
4 décembre 2025 — 15 h à 18 h
Bureau des JHA : 401, rue Main
Événement sans rendez-vous offrant du soutien aux bénévoles, de l’aide pour les formulaires obligatoires, l’essayage des uniformes et des rafraîchissements.

À propos des Jeux d’hiver de l’Arctique Whitehorse 2026

Les Jeux d’hiver de l’Arctique Whitehorse 2026 auront lieu du 8 au 15 mars 2026 et réuniront près de 2 000 athlètes et participants culturels, soutenus par 2 000 bénévoles provenant du Yukon et d’ailleurs.

Les participants représenteront huit contingents du Nord circumpolaire :
Yukon, Territoires du Nord-Ouest, Nunavut, Alaska, Alberta du Nord, Nunavik (Nord-du-Québec), Sápmi (régions culturelles de Scandinavie) et Groenland.

Les Jeux d’hiver de l’Arctique célèbrent le sport, la culture et la communauté — mettant en valeur le talent et l’esprit remarquables de la jeunesse nordique tout en renforçant les relations internationales à travers l’Arctique.

Whitehorse possède une longue tradition d’accueil des Jeux, les ayant déjà organisés en 1972, 1980, 1992, 2000, 2007 et 2012. La ville devait également accueillir l’édition de 2020, annulée en raison de la pandémie de COVID-19. L’édition 2026 marque la septième fois que Whitehorse ouvre ses portes à l’Arctique — un reflet de la grande fierté communautaire de la ville et de sa capacité éprouvée à offrir des événements nordiques de calibre mondial.

Personne-ressource pour les médias :
Paolo Gallina
Société hôte des Jeux d’hiver de l’Arctique Whitehorse 2026
paolo.gallina@awg2026.org
867-332-1463

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2025

Arctic Winter Games 2026 and Yukon University Announce Partnership

Whitehorse, Yukon — The Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society is proud to announce a new partnership with Yukon University, officially celebrated today during the much-anticipated Student vs. Teachers Futsal Game on the Whitehorse Ayamdigut campus.

This partnership brings together two organizations dedicated to supporting northern youth, honouring cultural diversity, and strengthening community connections as Whitehorse prepares to welcome athletes, coaches, cultural participants, and supporters from across the circumpolar North in 2026.

“Yukon University is an essential partner in bringing the Arctic Winter Games to life. Their commitment to northern youth and community makes this collaboration a natural fit, and we’re thrilled to welcome athletes and cultural participants onto this vibrant campus in March 2026.”

— Megan Cromarty, General Manager, Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games

As part of this collaboration, Yukon University will play a central role in hosting the Games. The campus cafeteria will serve as the main meal site for all 2,000 participants, ensuring athletes, coaches, and cultural delegates are well supported throughout the week. The Ayamdigut Campus gym will also be the official futsal venue, bringing the excitement of competition directly to the university community.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all participants and highlights Yukon University as a vibrant hub of community pride during the 2026 Arctic Winter Games.

“We’re excited for the Yukon University Community to play a part in the Arctic Winter Games. Sport gives us an opportunity to work, learn and celebrate together.”

— Shelagh Rowles, Interim President, Yukon University

About the Arctic Winter Games

The Arctic Winter Games are the world’s largest multi-sport and cultural event for youth from the circumpolar North. Taking place in Whitehorse from March 8–15, 2026, the Games will welcome more than 2,000 participants from Northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Sápmi, and other circumpolar regions to compete in 20 sports and share their cultures and traditions.

For more information about the Games or partnership opportunities, please visit awg2026.org or follow @whitehorse2026 on social media.

Media Contact:
Larissa Winslade
Coordinator, Marketing & Sponsorship Activation
Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society
larissa.winslade@awg2026.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2025
Haines Junction, Yukon

Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Launch Two Exciting Community Programs

“With You at the Games” Fundraising Initiative and “Games On!” Pre-Games Activity Guide Now Live

The Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society is thrilled to announce the launch of two new community engagement programs designed to connect northerners and supporters from around the world with the spirit and excitement of the Games.

With You at the Games – Support a Participant Program

The With You at the Games program is a grassroots fundraising initiative that invites families, community members, and local businesses to directly support participants of the 2026 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse.

Contributions to this program help cover real participant costs such as meals, accommodation, and other essentials, ensuring that every athlete and cultural delegate feels welcomed and supported during their time in Whitehorse.

Donation levels include:

• $25 – Fuel an athlete with a hearty meal
  
  
• $50 – Meals for a full day
  
  
• $100 – Provide a comfortable bed for a night
  
  
• $250 – Support one participant’s full Games experience
  
  

Every contribution makes a difference — from small gestures to full sponsorships. Donations can be made online via the Arctic Winter Games website under the “With You at the Games” link. Charitable receipts are available for Canadian donations.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/with-you-at-the-games-support-a-participant-program 

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Games On! Pre-Games Activity Guide

Also launched today is Games On!, a resource package designed for schools, recreation groups, and community organizations interested in hosting their own mini Arctic Winter Games.

This fun and educational guide provides activity ideas, event templates, and preparation tips to bring the Games experience to local communities. Games On! will be distributed across Yukon and throughout the North, helping build excitement for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games while fostering a deeper understanding of the sports, cultures, and values that define the event.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-woNuKRD0vnrCk-F-9ahZbWtZ30raWzK/view?usp=sharing 

“The Arctic Winter Games are about more than competition — they’re about connection, community, and northern pride,” said Megan Cromarty, General Manager of the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society. “Through these programs, we’re inviting everyone to play a role in bringing the Games to life — whether that’s hosting a mini-Games in your school, or helping an athlete enjoy a warm meal and a good night’s rest. Together, we can make every participant feel the North’s spirit of hospitality.”

About the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games

The Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games will take place from March 8–15, 2026, bringing together nearly 2,000 athletes and cultural participants, supported by 2,000 volunteers from across the Yukon and beyond.

Participants will represent eight contingents from the Circumpolar North:
Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alaska, Northern Alberta, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), Sápmi (cultural regions in Scandinavia), and Greenland.

The Arctic Winter Games celebrate sport, culture, and community — showcasing the incredible talent and spirit of northern youth while strengthening international friendships across the Arctic.

Whitehorse has a proud history with the Games, having previously hosted in 1972, 1980, 1992, 2000, 2007, and 2012. It was also selected to host the 2020 Games, which were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2026 edition marks the city’s seventh time welcoming the Arctic to its doorstep — a reflection of Whitehorse’s deep community pride and its proven capacity to deliver world-class northern events.

Media Contact:
Larissa Winslade
Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society
larissa.winslade@awg2026.org
867-332-1948

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