Northern winter games

There are also some very unique games exhibiting the traditional Inuit competitions. And, since there is no real summer up in the northern regions, the Arctic Winter Games also feature indoor basketball, badminton, volleyball, soccer and wrestling. For most of the spectators, it's the Inuit competitions that are the most entertaining. These were developed by the aboriginal inhabitants of northern Canada, Greenland, Alaska and northern Siberia as a form of entertainment as well as a way to keep fit during the long, dark winter days.

Most of the games were to help develop skills that at the time were essential to survival. They could also be played with little or not equipment in limited spaces or inside an igloo. Participation and self-improvement were stressed over competition. It was unusual for someone to actually get hurt during these games. Both men and women participate in the Arctic Winter Games which include pulling, twisting, kicking, reaching and sheer endurance. It can be quite painful to watch!

This contest includes jumping up and kicking an object usually a wad of sealskin that is suspended at a certain level. The height level keeps increasing. The even doesn't refer to the distance in height the competitors must jump. Ironically, it refers to how they land! In the one-foot competition the contestant must take off on both feet, kick the target with one foot and then land on this same foot while not touching the floor with the other foot. In the two-foot competition, they must jump with both feet, kick the object and land on both feet.

The "Alaskan High Kick" requires so much strength, coordination and balance it defies description. In fact, most of these Inuit games require agility and extraordinary arm and hand strength which were at one time skills that were necessary for hunting and harpooning, for jumping from one ice floe to the next, as well as out maneuvering wild animals to survive. In the Musk-Ox Fight , women get down on their hands and knees, place their heads side by side and push against one another's shoulders in much the same way the female musk-ox does in the wild.

Check the schedule. Master Schedule Feb 07 Update. Hey everyone! Jinny from ArtisticIncidents will be doing a 10 person art workshop during the games for interested students! Time to be announced. Skip to content. Home About. What I learned while at the Jr. Games Posted on April 23, by northernwintergames. Here is a list of things I observed while organizing and participating in the Jr.

Games: 1. The staff at St. Pascal School are hard-working, dedicated and industrious! The North has many amazing kids who are talented in many different areas! The funders were very generous! Team Alberta North Horizontal Logos. Black — JPG. Color — PNG. Color — EPS. Team Alberta North Vertical Logos.

Team Alberta North also received 11 ulus for team sport or team competition and ulus were won by individuals, doubles, or relays.