Ulu News

Throughout the Arctic Winter Games (AWG), Fair Play Pins have been awarded to athletes, coaches, officials and others from all contingents that strive towards the Games objectives of fair play and team spirit.

Fifty-six years after the first Arctic Winter Games, the 2026 edition ended today with a party on Whitehorse’s main street.

Adam van Koeverden’s first time on a snowboard this year was at Yukon’s very own Mt. Sima. Everyone who has lived in the Yukon knows it’s Canada’s hidden gem, especially when it comes to winter sports.

At age 16, Kathie Harrop (Cassleman) participated in her first Arctic Winter Games here in Whitehorse as a badminton player with Team Yukon. It was 1980 and Kathie was in grade 10 at F.H. Collins Secondary School. Now, forty-six years later, Kathie participated in her 17th AWG, this time as a badminton coach for Team Alberta North.

Short Track Speed Skating at the Arctic Winter Games produced an exciting week of fast times and record-breaking performances!

John Rodda, president of Arctic Winter Games International Committee, is sad the games are over. While reflecting on the week, after accepting the AWG flag from Tracey Bilsky, president of the host society—which is the official ritual to close the games—John told me he is so proud of the host society, athletes, volunteers, and officials. He said Whitehorse did a wonderful job making these very successful games happen.

If you’ve been to the Canada Games Centre this week, you might have noticed futsal games starting first thing in the morning and going late in the evening on the court at the far end of the building. All week this court was dedicated solely to futsal, a variation of indoor soccer.

As athletes compete at the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic WinterGames, Kids Help Phone (KHP) knows their smiles, cheers and wins are often obvious when they’re on the field. But the pressure, expectations and disappointments are oftenless obvious when they’re off the court. Keeping these experiences and feelingsin can affect your mental health and well-being…

Sponsoring the 2026 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse is a natural fit for us. The Games celebrate northern resilience, talent, culture, and connection, which are values that align perfectly with who we are and how we show up every day across the North. 

The most sought after volunteer today was Thorin, a big black Labrador dog touring with his handler Alison Harper

Friday the 13th wasn’t bad luck here in Whitehorse! Over 700 medals have been awarded this week, and we aren’t done yet.

The Canada Games Centre was buzzing with excitement on Friday as several sports reached final rounds of competition. And with morning temperatures shivering at the -35C mark it’s easy to understand why indoor sports are just as vital to northerners in winter as the ones outdoors on snowy mountains.

This year there are nine contingents participating over the two night event, including Team Nunatsiavut who were part of the Gala for the first time.

Day 5 is in the books along with 98 more medals.

Across all the festivities that come with the Arctic Winter Games, one stands out. With no age, gender, athletic ability, or position required, pin trading has swept through Whitehorse, Yukon this week.

It was all smiles and cheers as young women from Alaska, Alberta North, the Northwest Territories and Yukon received their gold, silver and bronze Ulus for individual events at the new Whitehorse Gymnastics Centre on Thursday.

Standard Bus is honored to be the official transportation provider for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Chris Stipdonk of Team Northwest Territories set both an Arctic Winter Games record and world record on Wednesday afternoon in the knuckle hop. Stipdonk, originally from Fort Simpson, NWT, now a Yellowknife resident, hopped 217 feet to claim the Gold Ulu for the event and set a new Games record.

During the Arctic Winter Games, the RCMP have been patrolling and keeping us safe. However, the Speed Skating committee had a more unconventional task for them on Thursday 12th March. They were asked to record how fast the athletes were going and were happy to oblige, sending Cpl. Spicer and PC. Verstegen with their speed gun to clock the athletes’ pace.

Wherever you go in Whitehorse this week, you’ll see volunteers in their bright blue coats and t-shirts. The Arctic Winter Games requires well over a thousand volunteers, and they’ve shown up with energy and enthusiasm.

You can follow Michael Jay on youtube@AWGSportsDen every day during the Games. The first series of the Northern Tails adventurers is available at youtube.com@NorthernTailsTV with their second series set to premiere at the Yukon Arts Centre on March 19 and a Family Fun Day planned with the whole crew in Whitehorse on March 21

On Tuesday morning, the Host Society held a celebration of Truth and Reconciliation Day. Elders, youth and guests from near and far gathered to honour survivors, reflect on shared histories, and strengthen relationships through ceremony and community.

We are now half way through the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, but that doesn’t mean we are winding down by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, more medals are awarded each day. On March 11th, day 4, 167 more medals were awarded to the fantastic athletes.

Inside the Atco rink, which is nearly at capacity with family, friends, athletes, and coaches from all across the circumpolar North, everyone is excited to cheer on their favourite skaters. Truly an electric atmosphere, the place is teeming with anticipation.

Behind every moment: Connecting the 2026 Arctic Winter Games

On the ice at the Curling Semi-Finals, the intensity was electric. The athletes’ quiet focus was interrupted only by bursts of high energy sweeping and urgent calls to teammates. The fans added enthusiasm with their cheers, cowbells, and flags. 

Hanne Ulrichsen (Norway), Nicolaj Harris (Denmark), Signe Burgstaller (Sweden), Hanna-Leena Korteniemi (Finland), and Auðbjörg Halldórsdóttir (Iceland) and in city for meetings and to take in Games events.

The 2026 Arctic Winter Games’ official theme song “All We Are (We Are Together)” has been playing prominently all week, providing a united cheer for all the participants, and uplifting the community in northern spirit. Now it’s time to take a look behind the music of the Games and what makes it an important part of the events.

Another 144 medals were awarded on March 10th. Alaska still has the lead overall with 83 total medals, Yukon has 70, Northwest Territories has 30, Alberta North is just behind with 29, Greenland has 20, Sapmi has 12, Nunavut has 10, and Nunavik has 4. Yukon is still ahead of Alaska in gold with 27 and 24 medals respectively.

After two full days of competition, 325 Dene Games and Arctic Sports participants gathered to attend the AWG Traditional Feast in the Longhouse in the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.

The cheers are loud, the pins are trading hands, and the North is showing up in full force.

Six former Arctic Winter Games athletes competed at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games last month. Two from Canada: Yukoners Nadia Moser (Biathlon - 2012 & 2014 AWG) and Sonjaa Schmidt (Cross Country Ski - 2016 AWG). Two from Greenland: siblings Ukaleq Slettemark (Biathlon - 2016 AWG) and Sondre Slettemark (Biathlon - 2018 AWG) who competed under Denmark’s flag and are coached by their parents. Two from the United States: Gus Schumacher (Cross Country Ski - 2012 AWG) and Kendall Kramer (Cross Country Ski - 2016 AWG).

Long before organized competitions or modern sporting events as we know them existed, Indigenous peoples of the North played games that tested strength, endurance, resilience, and leadership. Arctic Sports and Dene Games are more than competitions; they are the beating heart and soul of the Arctic Winter Games. They are powerful expressions of culture and reflect deep the connections northern peoples have with the land.

The cauldron prominently featured at Sunday night's Opening Ceremony was designed by local Whitehorse metalworks artist Brian Walker in collaboration with his son, Justin Smith, a moment that has been many years in the making.

Dakwakada Capital Investments, Northerm Windows and Doors, and Castle Rock Enterprises are honoured to stand together as Arctic Hero Sponsors of the 2026 Arctic Winter Games.

Day 2 is in the books here in Whitehorse! It was a busy day with nearly every sport competing. 

Speed skaters took to the ice in Whitehorse today for the U15 and U19 1000-metre races. The excitement included two new Arctic Winter Games records. Team Northwest Territories had a particularly strong showing, taking home 4 gold ulus. 

Up at the Grey Mountain Biathlon Range, athletes and volunteers alike were bustling in the chilly sun, the new Biathlon facility providing them with much needed warmth and a place to rest. This new venue has been ten years in the making, and now it’s apart of the Arctic Winter Games legacy.

Standing amidst the buzz of the Canada Games Centre, Olympic legend Catriona Le May Doan looks right at home. Though she is decorated with gold, her focus today isn’t on the podium, but on the unique heartbeat of the 2026 Arctic Winter Games.

Yukon Energy is proud to be the Volunteer Sponsor for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games.

Northern Vision Development (NVD) is proud to be an Arctic Legend sponsor of the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games — a celebration of youth, sport, culture, and northern pride on a world stage.

The City of Whitehorse plays a central role in hosting the Arctic Winter Games by providing high-quality facilities and operational support that enable a successful and memorable Games experience.

Sunday night the 2026 Arctic Winter Games launched on a beautiful evening in Shipyards Park by the banks of the Yukon River in downtown Whitehorse. Kids celebrated winter on huge snow piles surrounding the site—laughing and tumbling in the lingering sunlight. Luckily temperatures were warmer than the minus 30s of just a week ago but it was truly authentic weather for the ceremonies amidst thousands of colourful lights.

It was a great first day at AWG 2026! Although the Opening Ceremony wasn’t until 7:30, events started as early as 8 AM. Futsal, Basketball, Hockey, and Curling all kicked off their competitions.

The Kaleidoscope festival at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre brings together the community, artists, and visitors from around the world to celebrate culture, creativity and the spirit of the Arctic Winter Games. The Kaleidocope is a metaphor that describes diversity, resiliency and interconnectedness of different nations.

The Yukon Archives and Arctic Winter Games International Committee sign a declaration to preserve Arctic Winter Games memorabilia and history.

The 2026 Arctic Winter Games kick off in Whitehorse as athletes, coaches, and fans gather at the Canada Games Center for the first day of the competition.

Whitehorse Canadian Tire has long been more than just a retail store—it is a proud, Canadian business committed to supporting the people and spirit of the Yukon. Locally owned and operated by Mike and Pat Varley, Whitehorse Canadian Tire has built its reputation on community involvement, teamwork, and a genuine belief in giving back to the place we call home.