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Let the (Arctic Winter) games begin!
Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games opening ceremonies tonight, followed by a week of competitions, culture and connections
Teams have arrived in Whitehorse for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, with more than 2,000 athletes, coaches, cultural performers, and officials from across the circumpolar North primed for a week of competition, culture, and connection.
CKLB is at one of the North’s largest international sporting events, held on traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, whose partnership say organizers, has been foundational to the planning and delivery of the event.
Athletes at the games are representing: Yukon; Northwest Territories; Nunavut; Alaska; Northern Alberta, Nunavik (Northern Quebec); Sápmi (cultural regions in Scandinavia); and Greenland (Team Kalaallit Nunaat).
Team NT on Sunday announced that curler Reese Wainman and futsal player Kingston Torindo will lead the Northwest Territories’ contingent into the opening ceremony in the evening at 7:30 pm at Shipyards Park.
Wainman, who is Gwich’in and Inuvialuit, and Torindo will each take part as flagbearers.
“I’m super excited to start curling and I hope we just have some good games,” said Wainman, from Inuvik, at her third Arctic Winter Games.
Curling coach Nick Saturnino stated Wainman,: “Is the leader of the team.”
Torindo, of Yellowknife, stated: “I’m excited to represent the NWT and show everyone what we can do.”
Roger Vail, a member of the futsal coaching staff, stated: ”I have had the pleasure of coaching Kingston for three games. He has grown amazingly as an athlete. He has done everything for the team.”
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- Some Team NT members arriving Sunday at the Canada Games Centre in Whitehorse, the facility seving as a key hub for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games from March 8 to 15. The Centre hosts competitions in badminton, figure skating, futsal, hockey, and speed skating. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
Cultural programming, Indigenous sport, and community celebration will be woven throughout the week in recognition of the deep history and living cultures of this place.
Kwanlin Dün First Nation Chief Sean Smith stated in a AWG release: “Arctic Winter Games will bring communities across the north together to compete, challenge, share with others, build long-lasting relationships based on modern and traditional based sports and culture. To everyone, please enjoy your stay in our beautiful City of Whitehorse named Kwanlin in First Nation languages.”
Ta’an Kwäch’än Council Chief Ruth Massie stated: “These Games are a celebration of our youth — their strength, their determination, and their future leadership. Hosting the Arctic Winter Games alongside our partners reflects the spirit of cooperation that defines the North.”
Since 1970, the Arctic Winter Games have brought together young athletes from across the circumpolar world, creating a unique platform for northern sport, cultural exchange, and friendship.
Every sport and the cultural gala will be livestreamed.
Whitehorse has a proud history with the Games, having previously hosted in 1972, 1980, 1992, 2000, 2007, and 2012.
The city was also selected to host the 2020 Games, which were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week, the NWT Office of the Chief Public Health Officer issued an advisory for anyone travelling to Whitehorse for the Arctic Winter Games over increased cases of pertussis, also called whooping cough, in the Yukon.
The highly contagious infection is spreading, particularly in Whitehorse, through coughing, sneezing, or close contact.
Be immunized, wear a medical mask, or wash hands frequently if concerned.
TEAM NT:
Archery coaches Shawna Gilmour,, Yasir Nouri. Greta Kohle, Emily Gilmour, Liam Gour, Kaize Roach-Ashoona, Julieuna Mackenzie, Mika Mantla, Kijel Ulbricht, Ethan Rabesca.
Arctic sports coaches Lorna Storr, Alison Lennie, John Pascal. Deeandra Smith Benoit, Brooke-Lyn Bodnar, Cassandra Collison, Veronica McDonald, Byron Kotokak, Jim Day, Christopher Stipdonk, James Williams, Brian Ayalik-Pascal, Julianna Kay, Amy Tobac, Lorrisa Elanik, Tahira Pokiak, Alaina Noksana, Ross Felix, Trent Wolki, Zion Adam, Paden Elias, Leon Gruben-Mangelana.
Badminton coaches Jeffrey Watson, Julie Jeffery. Otja Riruako, Joanna Santhosh, Colton Landry, Easton Johns-Courtoreille, Shenika Sutherland, Vanessa Song, Jobe Paulette, Caleb Mobach.
Girls basketball coaches Aaron Wells, Tina Locke-Setter Mia Locke-Setter, Kaylie Locke-Setter, Sydney Galusha, Ella Skauge, Janescy Brown, Lexi Blandford, Giane Salem, K’ahlehmia Cazon, Kamryn Gallant, Avah Penney, Guila Casison, Shamah Nhengu.
Boys basketball coaches Jose Esteban, Laura Mayo. Trenton Mackay, Byron Obrien, Adam Mourtada, Tye Ovayuak, Emmett Allan, Owen Balmer, Leo Debogorski, Cole Avery, Zachary Mathison, Abraham Fontanilla, Tyson Hernandez, Joshua Castada.
Biathlon ski Kandace Groenewegen — coach Jeff Groenewegen — coach Devin Lyall — coach Aliana Lothian Jaxin Coombs James DeCoste Avery Groenewegen Amanda DeCoste Kason Coombs
Biathlon snowshoe Holly Jones — coach Charles Snowshoe — coach Addison Keevik Brooke Blake Lennie Liam Peterson Jack Lyall Jenny Murray Carys Lyall Diezel Blake Logan Doll
Cross-country skiing Stephen Dunbar — coach Jack Panayi — coach Clair Littlefair — coach Linnea Stephenson — coach Lila Townson Charlotte Hilton Aisha Benning Finn Marshall Jakob Sears Dylan Skelton Emily Lothian Sula Ray Toryn Wheler Jordi Casas Elias Enns Leah McShane Neve Mahon Anna Curran Nikolas Hawkins Benjamin Lothian Willem Kanigan Cultural Abbi Cockney-Raddy Henry Cardinal Ethan Kitolgitak Jolie Wolki Kyler Kitli Aubrey Bullock Tyren Kisoun — manager Danielle Rogers — manager
Girls curling Nick Saturnino — coach Brooke Smith Hayden Smith Emelia Maring Reese Wainman Boys curling Shona Barbour — coach Jasper Willkomm Atticus Willkomm Jett Etter Clark Nendsa
Dene games Shannon Cazon — coach Debora Heron — coach Justin Heron — coach Charlene Liske —coach Shayla Snowshoe Robyn McLeod Lisa Heron Victoria Heron Bryan Taneton Kennen Andre-Blake Jarmaine Betsina Al Johnny Catholique Abigail Arey Sifera Kenny-Takazo Mandie Miersch-King Tthen Catholique Hans Arey Kendyn McLeod Marlin Miersch-King Brody Chepelsky-Tetso
Figure skating Kimberly Wilkins — coach Jodi Brennan — coach Courtney Dalton Aven Ohokannoak Ritaj Sarah Hamad Dawoud Solenn Kikoak Ava Wyman Hannah Craig Vaani Jagpal Niobe Clinton
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- Athletes in Female U19 hockey during development drills Friday at the Multiplex during the second day of the Team NT 2026 Arctic Winter Games Trials in Yellowknife. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
Futsal U16 girls Jenny Thompson — coach Emmanuel Darku — coach Payton Bennett Ruth MacKay Aima Tabbaa Liliana Marrai Ayanna Darku Georgia Debogorski Akem Dzemua Sophia Regidor Avery Black
Futsal U16 boys Bronwyn Rutherford-Simon — coach Emmanuel Lamvu — coach Taggacho Jose Bowan Kent Sviatoslav Habrykevych Fynn Cuthbertson Keith Cuthbertson Liam Ryan Walsh Ravi Manickum Tynan Ramm Nattan Stefanos
Futsal U18 girls Ethan Knudslien — coach Kristal Gambler — coach Gombee Jose Emily Neglak-Voss Noa Jackson Grau Marie-Luna Langlois Rosa-Belle Langlois Beatrice Henry Giselle Deans Orlee Duru
Futsal U18 boys Roger Vail — coach Knox Makumbe — coach Blake Speed Joe Cox Jean Emiel Garceau Lucas Pedersen Kupakwashe Makumbe Solomon Berhe Kingston Torindo Quade Simms Jay Mapuvire
Gymnastics Claire Tincombe — coach Nyla Long Shanli Carlson Malia Williams Araliya Fox
Hockey U15 boys Stephane Millette — coach Curtis Rowe — coach Ashley Rivers —coach Kaden Koidhis Grayson Ruggles Bennett Millette Madden Jameson Benjamin Myrick Jacob Couture Kai Rivers Bodie Rivers Michael Murphy John Walsh Benjamin Mager Nathan Lalonde Ryder Lee Benjamin Bolstad Cian Segboer Will Avery Jacob Kotokak
Hockey U18 boys Christopher Opheim —coach Jeffrey Bowden —coach Kent Rose — coach Zachary McLeod Jacob Carroll Brock Lantz Jackson Fuller Joshua Chorostkowski Griffin Jones Harlen Lizotte Blake Rose Gavin Rose Cormac Stewart Peter Staples Luke Murray River Whitehead Zander Zorn Owen Bowden Nolan Dusome Grayson Mueller
Hockey U19 girls Ryan Nichols — coach Kaylee Grant — coach Abby Webster — coach Carolynn Fergusson Olivia Bolt Rylie Beck Blakely Beck Shelby Coakwell Kaiah Carter Paige Hawthorn Sarah MacKenzie Nora Boken Sophie Hawkins Juliet Goodman Allison Cane Khloe Whitehead Sadeé Walden Willow Whitehead Abigail Murphy Nevaeh Dusome
Snowboarding Mandi Parkes — coach Hawke Williams Ellis — coach William Pain — coach Caelyn Caris Leah Stephenson Kobe White Frederick Pain Kade Hysert Jack Penney
Speed skating Valerie Gendron — coach Alexander Brodeur — coach Kerry Egan — coach Austin Miller — coach Mia Hardisty-Atkins Ember Sibbeston Lindsey Stipdonk Leah Wood Ivan Raska Russell MacKay Yuma McEachern Felix Belanger Journey Bergman Brigid Murphy Kara Nelson Morgan Nelson Peter Mahon Seiya McEachern
Table tennis Neilson Vandell — coach Akiko Iwase — coach Karissa Sadowick Kathleen Cai Calin Landry Kaleb Sabourin Cooper White Giordano Dacorte Volleyball
U19 girls Heather Coakwell — coach Darren Horn — coach Danika Coakwell Madyson Schaub Avaia Ashton Rylee Robillard Rebecca Pol London Black Emily Hutchings Syesha Bandong Ria Rogers Selena Hernandez Christy Ndoro Hailey Young
U19 boys David Heron — coach Rebecca Plotner — coach Lucas Tutcho Leland Daniels Jaqaun Blythe Trey Wallington Cooper Jenks Jay Bretana Erik Manuel Aiden Widow Jordin Stroeder Ethan Bran Cobie Schram-Desjardins James Freake
Wrestling Monique Smith — coach Jared Tordoff — coach Jade Omingmak Brody Kuneluk Tessa Nendsa Corbin Alonak Emma Pedersen Kyle Thibault Hunter Kitekudlak
