Iqaluit, Nunavut – April 7, 2021 – The Qikiqtani Inuit Association is pleased to announce that the Nunavut Quest is taking place this year from April 26 until May 3.

This year the race runs from Arctic Bay to Igloolik.

QIA president, P.J. Akeeagok, said he is excited that the Nunavut Quest is taking place this year after it was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Nunavut Quest brings Inuit together from across the Qikiqtani Region to celebrate,” Akeeagok said. “We believe that contributing to the revitalization and celebration of dog team racing is an important step for healing across the region.”

In 2019, the Government of Canada formally apologized to Qikiqtani Inuit and acknowledged past colonial practices and policies which radically transformed the Inuit homeland and ways of life.

This historic apology was the result of many years of work by QIA and the Qikiqtani Truth Commission. The apology included an initial financial commitment to the QIA. With these funds, QIA has dedicated $100,000 each year for seven years for the Nunavut Quest.

Rhoda Natanine, vice-chair of the Nunavut Quest Committee, said the funding from QIA is a dream come true.

“I’m very excited for the race to happen, especially because it was cancelled last year,” Natanine said.

For more information, please contact:

Will Hopkins, Acting Director of Communications,

Qikiqtani Inuit Association

whopkins@qia.ca

867.975.8413/1.800.667.2742