Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games and Northwestel Unveil Official Mascot: Michael Jay
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2025
Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games and Northwestel Unveil Official Mascot: Michael Jay
WHITEHORSE, YT — The Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society, in partnership with Northwestel, proudly unveiled Michael Jay as the official mascot of the 2026 Games during a celebration at Northwestel’s new retail store at Chu Níikwän Place.
Michael Jay, a spirited character from the popular northern TV series Northern Tails—which follows life in the boreal forest—has officially been named Games Ambassador. After completing a rigorous “Mascot Bootcamp,” captured in a fun and fast-paced video produced by Shot in the Dark Productions, Michael Jay is now ready to bring the energy and enthusiasm of the Arctic Winter Games to communities across the North.
As the presenting sponsor of the AWG mascot program, Northwestel hosted today’s launch event, which included opening remarks, Michael Jay look-a-like cupcakes by Baked Cafe, digital activations, and a live reveal of Michael Jay. The celebration also marked the grand opening of Northwestel’s modern new retail space, designed with community, accessibility, and sustainability at its core. Visitors can enjoy an open concept layout with private consultation tables, interactive demo areas, and on-site parking.
“Michael Jay represents the playfulness, courage, and heart of the Arctic Winter Games,” said Tracey Bilsky, President of the Whitehorse 2026 Host Society. “Thanks to Northwestel’s generous support, we’re able to bring this character to life and share the Games’ spirit with families, participants, and fans throughout the region.”
As a Legacy Sponsor of the Games, Northwestel has deep ties to the AWG movement. In addition to sponsoring the mascot program, they are also the presenting sponsor of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, underscoring their long-standing commitment to youth, culture, and community connection across the North.
“We’re really excited to partner with the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games as a Legacy Sponsor and Arctic Champion of the Games,” said Curtis Shaw, President of Northwestel. “Michael Jay is more than a mascot—he’s a symbol of northern creativity and community. As we celebrate this exciting milestone at our new retail space, we’re also celebrating the spirit of the Games and the deep connections that bring us together across the North.”
Want to meet Michael Jay in person?
The mascot will be touring Yukon and the surrounding regions leading up to the Games. Community groups, events, and schools can book an appearance by visiting www.AWG2026.org/culture.
Enter for a chance to win a 65” TV!
Catch Michael Jay in action? Don’t miss your chance to win a 65” LG Nano 75 TV—generously donated by Northwestel! Just snap a photo with Michael Jay and post it to Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #MeetMichaelJay
About the Whitehorse 2026 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 across Northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Sápmi, and other circumpolar regions to compete in 20 sports and showcase their cultures and traditions.
About Northwestel
Northwestel is the largest telecommunications provider in Canada’s North, serving 97 communities across the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, British Columbia, and Alberta. Beginning in 2020, Northwestel’s Every Community Project significantly improved broadband services for northern residents, governments, and businesses using the latest fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technologies. Now, over 95% of homes in Yukon and NWT have access to high-speed, unlimited fibre-powered internet, either fibre to the home or fibre to the neighbourhood. Northwestel is proud to provide service on the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples across Canada’s North. In 2024, Sixty North Unity, a consortium of Indigenous organizations, announced its plans to purchase Northwestel and make it a wholly Indigenous-owned company, which will make it the largest Indigenous-owned telecommunications company in the world.
Media Contacts:
Paolo Gallina
Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games
867-332-1463
paolo.gallina@AWG2026.org
Northwestel Media Relations
867-455-4209
media@nwtel.ca
Autres mises à jour récentes
Megan Cromarty on the CBC Yukon Morning show
Our General Manager sat down with CBC on June 5, 2025 to chat all things AWG2026 — from volunteers and planning milestones to what’s coming next! Listen to the full interview on CBC On Demand:
#whatwearemadeof #AWG2026
VIDEO: 2026 Arctic Winter Games host society gets new home in downtown Whitehorse. Watch the news coverage highlighting our new office space!
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6787556
L'annonce de la tombe 50/50 de l'AWG 2026 !
Préparez-vous à gagner tout en soutenant les Jeux d'hiver de l'Arctique à Whitehorse 2026 ! Our tombola 50/50 in ligneyou you you the chance of the silver to the house all in we aidate to that a inoubliable fêter the sport and the culture.
🎟 Billets ne sont disponibles qu'en ligne à Boîte à tombola. You devez être 19 ans et plus et un résident du Yukon (votre carte de crédit doit être correspondant à un code postal du Yukon). Selon notre licence, the imprimés imprimés seront dépensés par la poste après la clôture de la tombola. You you be a billet by email as preuve d'achat immédiatement après votre achat.
Date du tirage : 25 mai 2025
Lieu : Bureau de la société hôte AWG 2026
Hours : Joignez-vous à nous en ligne pour un tirage direct à 12 h
Le fonds recueillis sert à créer des opérations pour les artistes et les collectivités du Nord. Ne manquez pas cette occasion - prenez vos billets AUJOURD'HUI ! #whatwearemadeof
Yukon Jeu Licence #2025 -038
Whitehorse 2026 AWG Business Mixer Generates Strong Sponsorship Support
With one year to go until the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games, over 30 businesses and organizations have stepped up to pledge their support at tonight’s Business Community Mixer at Coast Mountain Sports. This milestone event marks a significant moment in the lead-up to the Games, reinforcing the momentum and excitement surrounding this international celebration of Arctic sport and culture.
"The Arctic Winter Games are about more than just competition—they’re about capacity building and celebration for athletes, coaches, cultural contingents and volunteers across the North," said Tracey Bilsky, President of the Whitehorse 2026 AWG Host Society. "The Games provide an opportunity for young athletes to compete at a high level while also learning valuable life skills and sharing important cultural traditions. Volunteers, officials and cultural performers gain experience that strengthens sport development in their communities. The strong business support we’re seeing today helps ensure that these Games create a lasting legacy."
Tonight’s event showcased the growing corporate support behind the Games, with businesses committing financial sponsorships and value-in-kind contributions to help bring the Games to life. Amanda Deuling, Co-Chair of the Sponsorship Committee, highlighted the success of the sponsorship campaign:
"The momentum behind the Arctic Winter Games continues to build. With significant cash and in-kind contributions pledged or confirmed, we’re in a strong position to meet our sponsorship targets. This allows us to grow our focus in working with sponsors on meaningful activation that will enhance the athlete, participant, volunteer, and spectator experience."
As one of the Arctic Winter Games' longest-standing supporters, Northwestel has played a crucial role in connecting northern communities through sport, culture, and technology. Their ongoing commitment to the Games ensures athletes, volunteers, and spectators have access to essential telecommunications services, helping to create an inclusive and well-connected experience.
“Northwestel is honoured to continue our tradition of being a Legacy Sponsor of the Arctic Winter Games in our partnership with the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games host society at the highest sponsorship level—Arctic Champion. Over our 55-year partnership with the Games, we have deeply valued the moments when our northern communities across all territories and beyond unite to celebrate the vibrant cultures that define our regions. We are thrilled to welcome all the Games’ participants and spectators to Whitehorse in 2026, where we will celebrate athletic excellence and our shared Northern spirit,” said Northwestel President Curtis Shaw.
The following sponsors have pledged their support for the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games:
Arctic Champions
- Northwestel
- Northern Vision Development
Arctic Heroes
- Yukon Energy
- Yukon Development Corporation
- Dakwakada Capital Investments
- Northerm
- Castle Rock Enterprises
Arctic Supporters
- Connected North
Official Suppliers
- Karbon Clothing
- Air North – Yukon’s Airline
- Mammoth Marketing & Design Agency
- CKRW – The Rush
- Yukon News
- Yukon Brewing
- Taku Sport Group & Coast Mountain Sports
- Domino’s Pizza
- Kimik IT
BSC Golf Classic – Hole Sponsors
- Arcrite/Dairy Queen
- Ketza Construction
- Lamarche Lang
- Duncans Ltd
- Arctic Backhoe
- Budget Plumbing and Heating
- SDC
- Kobayashi and Zedda
- HVACTech Systems
- Terence Tait Realty
- BSC/Dune Engineering
- Greenwood Engineering
- Ice Fog Analytics
- Floors at Capital Builder Flooring
Games Contributors
- Pepsi and Northland Beverages
- Arctic Star Printing, Inkspirationz & Green Screen Printing
As sponsorship momentum continues to grow, the Host Society will enhance efforts toward community engagement, and finalizing operational plans.
For more information on how to support the Games or get involved, visit AWG2026.org.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Paolo Gallina
Manager – Marketing & Sponsorship
Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society
P: (867) 332-1463
E: paolo.gallina@awg2026.org
AWG2026.org