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Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor John Williams and Dale Bagley, president of the 2006 Arctic Winter Games HostSociety, receive a painting presented to them by Wendy Bilerou, AWG 2008 Yellowknife Host Society presidentand deputy mayor of Yellowknife.

Photo By Brian Keith

2008 Arctic Winter Games return tobirthplace in YellowknifeBy BRIAN KEITHUlu News

Like the salmon, the 2008Arctic Winter Games willreturn to their birthplace twoyears from now when they areheld where the games originat-ed in Yellowknife, NorthwestTerritories, Canada.

This will be a specialhomecoming, since it marks 40years since the inception of theGames, and the 20th time theyhave been held.

The original games werethe work of Stuart Hodgsonand James Smith, commission-ers of the Northwest Territoriesand the Yukon. After dis-cussing it with an enthusiasticGovernor of Alaska Walter J.Hickel, the first games wereborn in 1970 in Yellowknifewith 500 athletes and threecontingents: Alaska, Yukon,and the Northwest Territories.

“It’s going to be thebiggest homecoming...there’sbig excitement in Yellowknife,”said Tony Whitford, currentcommissioner of theNorthwest Territories during aNorthwest Territories 2008Arctic Winter Games HostSociety gathering at the KenaiVisitors and Convention

Center Thursday night.Many of the people in

charge of organizing the 2008games were present at the 2006games to shadow their Alaskacounterparts, as well asobserve the general procedureto help with planning.

“What the real benefit ofshadowing has done for us isto let us see how intimatelyeverything is interlocked in thewhole thing,” said CathieBolstad. “If one thing changes,then everyone has to adjust. Itwas seeing it real life, real time.We got to see how things oper-ate when they don’t go exactlyaccording to plan.”

A key speaker during theformal part of the night wasFloyd Rolland, Governor of theNorthwest Territories, who wascomplimentary toward theAlaskans who have participat-ed this year.

“Looking at the athletesshows me how well they’vedone,” said Rolland, acknowl-edging the hard work accom-plished by volunteers and oth-ers during this year’s Games.

The speeches were pre-ceded by a Dena’ina drumgroup, consisting of drummersWilliam Landry, LawrenceSaboorin, Kile Krutko and

Richard Elleze. The performerstreated the guests with a drumprayer, followed by “Circledance,” which received enthu-siastic applause.

Yellowknife, capital of theNorthwest Territories, is hometo about 20,000 residents, andits main economy is gold anddiamond mining.

Yellowknife was so namedbecause of the copper knives

used by the local Dene andChipewyan; pin replicas of theknives were given out by the2008 Host Society duringThursday’s event.

There are eight official lan-guages in the NorthwestTerritories, but the five that areevident in Yellowknife areEnglish, French, Chipewyan,Dogrib, and South and NorthSlavey.

Alaska:Gold: 77Silver: 62Bronze: 46Total: 185

Alberta North:Gold: 40Silver: 41Bronze: 35Total: 116

Greenland:Gold: 11Silver: 10Bronze: 8Total: 29

Northwest Territories:Gold: 26Silver: 38Bronze: 34Total: 98

Nunavik Québec:Gold: 13Silver: 6Bronze: 8Total: 27

Nunavut:Gold: 13Silver: 24Bronze: 36Total: 73

Saami:Gold: 5Silver: 6Bronze: 8Total: 27

Yamal-Nenets:Gold: 21Silver: 21Bronze: 7Total: 49

Yukon:Gold: 17Silver: 19Bronze: 43Total: 79

ForecastForecastForecastForecastForecastWeatherWeatherWeatherWeatherWeather

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Photo By Charles Pulliam

Two-year old Keely Burdine dances while SoldotnaElementary School students perform at halftime dur-ing a basketball game at Cook Inlet Academy.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

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Games involvement: Reasonsvary; success the sameBy JANICE HIGHUlu News

Arctic Winter Games gen-eral manager Tim Dillon likenshimself to a conductor, withhis orchestra made up of 2,800volunteers. And he says he’swell-aware that the motivesthat drove these people todevote their time to the Gamesvaried.

“Some really identifiedwith the spirit of the Games.Others maybe wanted some-thing to add to their resumes.Others did it because theirneighbors did. All those rea-sons are okay. Each member ofthis ‘orchestra’ had differentsheet music; the point is thatwe all ended up playing in har-mony.”

Orchestras and conduc-tors are not the words WillHightower uses to character-ize the Games’ volunteersmotive involvement.

“Doldrums,” he said. “It’sall about avoiding those winterdoldrums. The Games gave ussomething to do.”

For Hightower, that“something” was working as abus driver during the Games,sometimes as a relief driver,sometimes making the cityloop route. He’s been drivingfor the Laidlaw company forabut two years, and he’s happyto show his various licensesand endorsements that qualifyhim for the job.

Hightower spent 23 yearsas a lead offshore oil platformoperator in the oil fields, work-ing for both Amoco andUnocal. After retiring in 1999,he tried his hand at a variety ofjobs, from census taker tohotel night auditor—anythingthat was entertaining. Then hewas approached by theLaidlaw field safety supervisor.

“She told me, ‘Come onover. We’ll give you all theentertainment you want,’”Hightower recalled. “And it’sturned out to be that way.”

Hightower knows therewere some logistical problemsin putting on the 2006 Games,but doesn’t give it muchthought.

“It’s a success if peoplehave fun. It’s a success if we alllearn something from it.”

He doesn’t wax eloquentas to what the Games willmean in the long-term, sayinghe doesn’t analyze his experi-ences, he just enjoys them.And what about next year’sdoldrums, when the Gameswon’t be here to give us some-thing to do?

“Oh, we’ll think ofsomething. We always do.”

‘Release the Spirit Within’closing ceremonies to bean event to rememberBy CHARLOTTE NICOLETUlu News

The Closing Ceremonies ofthe 2006 Arctic Winter Gameswill mark the beginning of theend of an event that will last inmemories for years to come.

Unlike the OpeningCeremonies in which teamscame in under their own flagsand banners, the beginning ofthe closing ceremonies willhave the flags, team signs, ath-letes, coaches and performersentering the Soldotna SportsCenter together. Because therewill be trading of uniforms, itwill be hard to recognize indi-vidual teams, Arctic WinterGames 2006 general managerTim Dillon said at Friday morn-ing’s press conference.

“It is basically a celebra-tion, but it’s a little bit more

subdued. It is a happy time buta sad time, because as soon asthe games are over whenAWGIC (Arctic Winter GamesInternational Committee)President Gerry Thick declaresthe games closed, there will bepeople leaving and there havebeen some great friendshipsmade,” said Dillon.

The ceremonies areexpected to include a slideshow of the events of the pastweek, as well as entertainment.After brief speeches by Dillonand Host Society PresidentDale Bagley, the HodgsonTrophy will be presented to theteam whose conduct bestdemonstrates “the ideals of fairplay and team spirit.”

The AWGIC flag will bepresented to YellowknifeMayor Gordon Van Tighem.Yellowknife, located in the

Northwest Territories, as thehost of the 2008 Arctic WinterGames.

Van Tighem and Thick areexpected to give speeches dur-ing the closing ceremonies, fol-lowed by more entertainmentand the extinguishing of thetorch and final words.

When asked what hewas most proud of during thepast week Dillon replied: “I’dsay the spirit of the games. Thegrowth and the can-do atti-tudes of these communities aresecond to none. “That’s thething that I’m most proud of…

“When you have anorchestra everyone has a differ-ent sheet of music, the key isthat everyone plays in harmony.I feel pretty darn good aboutthe music that is coming out ofthe peninsula right now.”

ResultsResultsResultsResultsResultsMinuteMinuteMinuteMinuteMinuteUp to theUp to theUp to theUp to theUp to the

To get the current results of all the events, go to

www.awg2006.org.

To be qualified to drivefor the Games, WillHightower and otherLaidlaw drivers neededcredentials such as a CDLlicense with passengerendorsement, State air-brake certification, firstaid certification and amedical clearance.

Photo By Janice High



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Team Yukon rendezvouswith a comet; spacecraftstatus unknownBy ROBERT BELLUlu News

Twelve Team Yukon youthvolunteers rocketed into spacefrom the Arctic Winter Gamesleaving behind their Earth-bound comrades as theytoured the galaxies.

Embarking on a simulatedspace mission to rendezvouswith a comet, the crew—rang-ing from 12-17 –years-old—blasted off from the ChallengerLearning Center of Alaska onFriday. Their safe return to theGames is still in doubt, accord-ing to a Mission ControlCommunications officer whoasked to remain anonymous.

To begin their journey tothe stars, the young astronautsassembled in the orientationroom and received a short edu-cational presentation aboutcomets and the rendezvousmission from Flight DirectorsDale Hershberger and RonRussell.

They were then split intotwo groups; one proceeded tothe Mission Control Center,

while the other entered thespacecraft. Each individual wasassigned a duty to perform anda work station correspondingto their task. Each job is vital tothe survival and safe return ofthe members on the spacecraft.

Teamwork and communi-cation were two importantskills that were exhibitedbetween the two crews whiletrying to accomplish the fivemission goals. Scratchy radiocommunications and severalemergency situations madeboth outcomes challengingwith the crews under intensepressure to accomplish themission.

Near the halfway point ofthe mission, with alarms blar-ing and a flurry of commotion,the space travelers heard,“Space station, this is MissionControl. Over. We have a mes-sage for life support,” saidCommunications officer andInuit competitor Sam Reimer.

Continuing his directions,Reimer informed the crew: “Tosolve the low humidity emer-gency onboard the spacecraft

you need to touch the blackmetal bars at your station priorto touching the computer.”

“Repeat please,” said gym-nast and spacecraftCommunications officer AnnaRivard.

Repeating the directions,Reimers added to his now moreurgent call, “you need to dis-charge static electricity, over.Situation is imminent,” hevoiced through the mike.

“This is an emergency, thisis not a drill,” exclaimedReimer.

And with that, the crewsbroke out in laughter andalarms went silent with the dis-aster averted.

The Kenai center is one of53 Challenger Learning Centersin the U.S, with one in theUnited Kingdom, and one inToronto, Ontario.

Pending any further disas-ters, Team Yukon is expected tore-enter Earth’s atmosphereabout 6 p.m. tonight, and touchdown at the Soldotna SportsCenter at 7 p.m., in time for theClosing Ceremonies.

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Ulu News Editorsand Reporters

Co-EditorsJanice High

Gary J. Turner

Guest EditorsLori Evans

Zada Friedersdorff McKibben Jackinsky

Karalee RhotenPenny Valda

Kenai Peninsula CollegeStudent Journalists

Robert BellRamon CarreonBrett EncelewskiDawn FitzpatrickAkin FrancisconeJoleen Huffmon

Lee JohnsonBrian Keith

Rhonda LarsonKellie Massa

Star McGlassonCharlotte NicoletCourtney ProctorCharles PulliamAllan RudisillJáhnie Triplett

Katherine WellsMaggie WyattAaron Yankey

ContributorsJackie MichelsRon McGee

Kelly Springer�Printed by the PeninsulaClarion on behalf of theArctic Winter Games.

Flight Director Dale Hershberger assists Team Yukon fig-ure skater Kayla Hollonquist with important spacecraftmaneuvers during Friday’s space mission. Team Yukon isexpected to return from the galaxies prior to theClosing Ceremonies tonight.

Photo By Lee Johnson



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The ‘Spirit of the Games’ remains strongas closing ceremonies near

Knuckle hopping competition ‘seals’ end of Inuit Games

BadmintonSoldotna Middle School, Soldotna

9 a.m. Juvenile Mixed Medal Rounds9:45 a.m. Juvenile Male Doubles Medal Rounds

10:30 a.m. Junior Mixed Medal Rounds11:15 a.m. Juvenile Female Doubles Medal Rounds

1 p.m. Junior Male Doubles Medal Rounds1:45 p.m. Junior Female Doubles Medal Rounds2:30 p.m. Juvenile Female Singles Medal Rounds3:15 p.m. Juvenile Male Singles Medal Rounds

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8 a.m. Juvenile Female Bronze Medal Game9 a.m. Juvenile Male Bronze Medal Game

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1 p.m. Juvenile Male Gold Medal Game2 p.m. Into. Female Gold Medal Game

Sports ScheduleSports ScheduleSportsSports Schedule ScheduleSports ScheduleSaturdaySaturdaySaturdaySaturdaySaturday

By AKIN FRANCISCONEUlu News

Many people involved withthe Arctic Winter Games realizethat the Games are as muchabout kindness, honesty andhard work as they are aboutcompetition. Examples can befound nearly every day.

“After exchanging $600 incurrency, one young man losthis wallet. The wallet wasreturned with all of the moneystill in it,” said Tim Dillon, gener-al manager of the Games.

“Here’s another example.The Yaml-Nenents figure skat-ing team did not have enoughskaters to compete. So otherteams volunteered a skater toTeam Yamal so they could par-ticipate,” said Dillon.

When the vehicle trans-

porting Dylan Salvisberg’s dogteam from Yukon was derailedby a collision with a moose,members of competing teamsloaned Dylan some of their owndogs.

“This is just another amaz-ing event that really makes upthe spirit of the games,” saidDillon.

The dog team situation gar-nered a lot of media attention,which came as a surprise toDylan, his father, MarkSalvisberg, and coach ShawnFitzgerald.

“It’s part of our traditionand our culture. If someonecan’t compete, others give uptheir dogs. It comes from thenature of the sport,” said MarkSalvisberg.

“It’s a problem-solvingsport. Things happen on the

trail every single day. The dogsare like little ambassadors. Theydon’t know about nationalities,”said Fitzgerald.

“There is something veryspecial about the participants. Itdoes not matter where they arefrom; all of them have hugehearts,” said Dillon.

With the closing cere-monies approaching and thecauldron still burning, the spiritof the 2006 Arctic Winter Gameslives on in the hearts of all theparticipants, volunteers and allthe people who have helped tomake the games a reality.Everyone has transformed his orher vision of what can be donewith some positive energy, leav-ing everyone a winner. On thatnote, one could propose a toast,“Ulus to all.

By KELLIE MASSA

Ulu News

The Inuit Games came to a

close Thursday with the Open

Men’s knuckle hop competi-

tion. The final gathering of vol-

unteers, spectators and partic-

ipants all were in good spirits

as this part of the Arctic Winter

Games wound down.

The knuckle hop was at

one time a way to move across

the ice while hunting seal. As

in the past, the men stretched

out over the “ice” on their fist

and toes in a lowered push-up

stance, and then they hopped

across the gym floor. The

crowd cheered the men on as

they crabbed their way to see

who could go the farthest.

Team Alaska’s David S.

Thomas knuckle hopped 99’ 2”

to win first place and the Gold

Ulu.

Lots of firsts were

expressed by many; “First time

at the games, first time in the

U.S., this has been big excite-

ment. I’ve medaled in events

and met lots of new people,”

Sandra Ruben, a Nunavut ath-

lete said.

“The experience has been

fantastic; fun, busy, and the

athletes have been coopera-

tive and have followed and

been respective of the rules,”

said Debbie Tracy, security vol-

unteer.

The participants in this

year’s competition were

Alaska, Albert North, Nunavut,

Northwest Territory, Nunavik-

Quebec, Greenland, Yukon

and Yamal. Team Alaska’s Manuel Tumulak does the knuckle hop.Photo By Kellie Massa



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Team Yukon powers through longerperiods to ice hockey Gold UluBy STAR MCGLASSON Ulu News

Team Yukon’s bantamhockey team won the BronzeUlu in a playoff game againstNorthwest Territories with afinal score of 5-1 on Friday.

Fatigue and injuries wereevident during the game andcould be attributed to thelonger periods played duringthe medal rounds that haveNHL-length, 20-minute peri-ods compared to the normal15-minute periods played ear-lier in the week. As a result,these games are typically morephysically challenging andexhausting.

“Pretty tired” is howDarren Van Langen, Yukonassistant coach, described histeam after their bronze win.Van Langen is coaching in hisfirst Arctic Winter Games inhis first year of coaching.

“They hit hard, workedhard, never gave up,” said VanLangen about the NWT team.“I think we were in bettershape; we’ve played in quite afew tournaments over the yearand showed it by keepingstrong in the end,” added VanLangen.

“Call it a confidence thing,especially with the lack ofoffense and now two injuries,”said Gregg Rowe, NorthwestTerritories head coach,explaining his team’s upsettingloss to Yukon. “Yukon waspretty strong much of theweek,” he added.

“We didn’t have the inten-sity after losing a tough gameyesterday,” said Rowe, recall-ing how his team was up 3-1until the third period in agame against Team YukonThursday night when Yukoncame roaring back, scoringfour goals and winning 5-3.

Northwest Territories faces off against the Team Yukonhockey team Friday morning to determine the winner ofAWG Bronze Ulu in bantam men’s hockey

Team Alaska’s Kami Cabana skisto Gold Ulus…every dayBy KELLY SPRINGERUlu News

Kami Cabana didn’t set outto be an international skiingchampion; it was somethingthat came naturally to her, justlike her ability to shred theslopes.

Growing up in Girdwood,Alaska, home of the worldfamous Alyeska Resort, Cabananever showed the desire to ski.But her younger brother did,according to her mother, BariCabana.

So she enrolled both in theAlyeska “Mighty Mites” pro-gram for children, and that’s allit took. The younger Cabananow skis four and five days aweek in the winter and itshows. The teen has placedsixth in the state champi-onships for the giant slalomthis year, and third in theslalom.

Those were just practicesessions for Cabana, as shewon the Gold Ulu each day ineach event she competed in atthe 2006 Games: the slalom,giant slalom and the dualslalom.

Her drive to do her person-al best has carried her throughinjuries like a recent torn liga-ment in her thumb at thebeginning of the season. Hermother says she was in a bracefor six weeks and missed out onthe first three races of the sea-son, like the Coca-Cola Classic.

When Cabana is on the ski-ing slopes, it is easy to forgetshe is only fifteen. Off thecourse, however, her shy grinand short answers to questions

say that she is still not used tointerviews.

She had better practicethat along with her skiing,because as it has been provenbefore, Girdwood is the breed-ing ground of Olympic champi-ons like Tommy Moe and RoseyFletcher.

Kami Cabana just might bethe next athlete’s name addedto the list.

Photo By Star McGlasson

Photo By Kelly Springer

Photo By Kelly Springer

Event ResultsEvent ResultsEvent ResultsEvent ResultsEvent ResultsFridayFridayFridayFridayFriday

Due to the volume of finishing events onFriday, the Ulu News was unable to process

all of the event result information beforeour press deadline. For complete ArcticWinter Games event results please see:

www.awg2006.org

Inside Edge

Even

KMC Y

KMC Y

KMC Y

The people of the City of Soldotna are brought

together many times throughout the year by

participating in many of our community events.

During the 4th of July holiday,

volunteers of all ages painted our

fire hydrants red, white & blue.

Numerous American Flags were flown along the streets of Soldotna showing our patriotism.

Kenai Peninsula Winter Games is fun for the whole family & offers ice sculptures, games, a carnival,dog sled races and much more.

There are so many things to do in Soldotna, you’ll need 48 hours in

a day! Fish the Kenai River, camp in one of our scenic campgrounds

or relax at one of the lakes in the area. If you are into a little

exercise, take a hike on one of the many area hiking or canoe trails

or head out for a day of golf at the golf course.

Don’t forget winter activities: There is snow-shoeing, downhill or

cross country skiing and snowmachining.

Great neighborhoods and residential areas.

A great day of fishing on the banks of the

Kenai River near the Bridge in Soldotna.Taking time out for a truly special golfing experience

near Soldotna.

Enjoy peace & serenity while canoeing on one of the

many area lakes.

The long winter months will not slow down

our outdoor enthusiasts!

If what you’re looking for is campsites, the Kenai River,and a quiet setting, Centennial Park and Swiftwater Campground are the places for you.

Located in the forest that borders the Kenai River are the 40 campsites of Swiftwater Park.

Over the last decade, Soldotna has increasingly become

a hub of business and visitor activity. Several malls and

clusters of stores, banks, restaurants and offices form

the commercial district. Vacant land and undeveloped

property are available for business expansion and new

ventures within the area.

Excellent health care with many physicians and a new hospital

expansion.

The Soldotna Airport

Joyce K. Carver Memorial Library

Central Peninsula General Hospital

Soldotna Sports Center

Sweeney’s, one of the many locally owned

businesses in Soldotna.

Proud Host Community ofThe 2006 Arctic Winter Games!

The citizens of the Kenai Peninsula Borough are honored to host the Arctic Winter Games and wishes to thank the thousand of individuals who have joined together during the last four years to help make 2006 the best Arctic Winter Games ever!

Special thanks to the following individuals & organizations who went the extra mile in supporting the 2006 Arctic Winter Games:

� The Staff of the Arctic Winter Games

� The 2,700+ Volunteers

� The 2006 Arctic Winter Games Host

Society

� The Arctic Winter Games

International Committee

� The hundreds of individuals,

organizations and businesses that have

contributed their money, time, goods,

services and efforts in support of the

2006 Arctic Winter Games

� The U.S. Departments of Defense,

Homeland Security, Housing and

Urban Development, and the

Department of Transportation

� The State of Alaska

� Senator Ted Stevens

� Senator Lisa Murkowski

� Congressman Don Young

� Governor Frank Murkowski

� Senator Tom Wagoner

� Senator Gary Stevens

� Representative Mike Chenault

� Representative Kurt Olson

� Representative Paul Seaton

� Kenai Peninsula Borough

School District

� The City of Kenai

� The City of Soldotna

� The City of Homer

� The City of Seward

� The City of Anchorage

The Kenai Peninsula Borough

The City of Homer is pleased to participate

as a sponsor of the 2006 Arctic Winter Games.

Welcome to Homer – Where the Land Ends and the Sea Begins!

Enjoy your KENAI EXPERIENCE

welcomes

VISIT THE HISTORY OF THE ARCTIC WINTER GAMES

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PHONE (907) 283-1991 • (907) 283-2230 FAX

[email protected] • www.visitkenai.com

the2006ArcticWinterGAMES!

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District148 North Binkley StreetSoldotna, Alaska 99669

(907) 714-8888 www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us

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Kenai Middle School Mt. View Elementary SchoolSoldotna High SchoolSoldotna Middle SchoolRedoubt Elementary SchoolSears Elementary School Skyview High School

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Page 7Saturday, March 11, 2006




© 2006 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. wellsfargo.com

We Gladly GoThe DistanceOfficial Sponsor Of The 2006 Arctic Winter Games

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Last day to buy Alaska-made handiwork, artat AWG Craft FairBy RHONDA LARSONUlu News

While Alaskan-made craftsat their best have been avail-able at the Arctic Winter GamesCraft Fair since Thursday, par-ticipants and spectators betterhurry to get their souvenirsbefore departing for the farreaches of the circumpolarnorth after Saturday’s ClosingCeremonies.

Twenty booths line the fairexhibiting a wide array ofsuperbly made crafts, art andhandiwork. Featured itemsinclude beaded jewelry, hand-made scarves, fur hats, glovesand pillows, stained glass art,smoke-tanned moose hidemoccasins, intricately carvedwoodwork, along with a varietyof other items.

Alaskan Eskimo Artwork’sLenwood Saccheus is originallyfrom Elim, Alaska, “a check-point on the Iditarod,” he said.His beautiful Eskimo hunterspirit mask is made from soap-stone, whalebone, ivory,baleen, feathers and wood.Edna Saccheus’ lovely seal skindressed dolls with ivory facesare also available.

Alaska Tribal Cache ofSeldovia boasts an excellentselection of Alaskan picked andmade berry products.

“The blueberries andSalmonberries were exception-al this year,” said Kris Burt. A

sample of blueberry jelly

proved that to be true. They

offer gift boxes that include an

Alutiiq Berry Picker in a Bidarka

handmade ornament, Alaska

tea and a choice of berry prod-

ucts.

Games’ volunteers staff a

“Kid Zone” booth where

youngsters can color, do crafts

and play while parents shop. A

concession stand offers

refreshments and local musi-

cians entertain patrons

throughout the day. The fair

runs from 10 a.m-4 p.m. today

at the old Carrs Mall, near

Sears, in Kenai

History in the making: First-ever com-bined teams skate to Gold UlusBy COURTNEY PROCTERUlu News

Figure skaters from TeamAlberta North and Team Yamalproved they know what theArctic Winter Games areabout when they made historyThursday night.

Yamal’s two skaters joinedthe six athletes from AlbertaNorth to compete as a team inthe Team Competition. Notonly that, they walked awaywith the Gold Ulus.

“To my knowledge, this isthe first time something likethis has happened in the his-tory of the Games,” said KathyMoore, Figure Skating chair.“Two teams joining together

to make sure everybody cancompete.”

To compete in the teamcompetition, there must be atleast four, and no more thaneight skaters. Each team per-forms the same elements, andthe team with the overallstrongest scores wins. TeamYamal only had two skaters, sothey approached AlbertaNorth, who has six skaters,about joining together.

“All the teams agreed. Itmade the most sense,” saidDeborah Antypowich, TeamAlberta North’s coach.Despite the enthusiasm of theskaters, the decision to allowthe teams to combine restedwith head figure skating offi-cial, Pam Chislett. Chislett

agreed, and history was made.Both teams’ skaters had

become friends earlier in theGames. According to CherylLuken, a coach with TeamAlberta North, the skatersbegan to bond on the veryfirst day. “We have roomsacross the hall from the Yamalskaters, and the girls sat downin the hall together and got toknow each other.”

“Right after our arrival, weused gestures to get to knoweach other,” said TatyanaBorisova of Team Yamal. “Nowwe have taught them a littleRussian, and they taught ussome English.”

Skaters from Team Yamal and Team Alberta North joined together to capture theGold Ulu in the Team Competition. Back Row: Arcacia Miller and Kayla Spragg ofTeam Alberta North, and Tatyana Borisova of Team Yamal. Front Row: SuneetaWhiteside of Team Alberta North and Viktoria Lobanova of Team Yamal.

Photo By Courtney ProctorRick Scott carving a Woodduck at the Arctic WinterGames craft fair being heldat the at the old CarrsMall, near Sears, in Kenai.

Photo By Rhonda Larson



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Yukon girls, Alaska boys winBronze Ulus in basketballBy CHARLES PULLIAMUlu News

The Yukon girls basketballteam overcame foul trouble andinjuries to beat Nunavut 75-63 inthe Junior Female Bronze Ulugame at Cook Inlet Academy onFriday.

Also Friday, the Alaska boysnotched a bronze finish after aconvincing 118-64 win overNunavut.

“It’s a great finish to theseason and I think we are satis-fied with our play,” Yukon girls’player Janna Tait said.

Tait finished with 17 pointsfor Yukon while Noria Deaconpitched in 13 points in the win.

“We ran into foul troubleand then two players couldn’tplay because of ankle injuries,and another had a problem withher shooting hand,” Yukoncoach Mark Hureau said. “They[Nunavut] had some very goodshooters. After being tied at thehalf, I think our huge heightadvantage bailed us out.”

For Nunavut, MelissaAknaviagak finished with agame-high 24 points.

In the boys’ game, Alaskadrained 13-of-31 3-pointers enroute to a 2006 Arctic WinterGames basketball scoring highof 118 points while securing theBronze Ulu for Junior Malecompetition.

Alaska’s Kyle Fossmanpoured in 34 points in the victo-ry, including 12-of-13 free-throw

shooting and sinking four 3-pointers.

“Kyle (Fossman) was a greatleader…leadership was very bigfor us,” Alaska coach MikeAdams said. “All these boys havenever played together and onlytwo of them are from the samecommunity so to play togetherand not get frustrated is veryneat.”

Jonathan Mazzella scored24 points for Alaska and JeremyHead added 18 points in thewin.

Nunavut’s Sam Carter andPeter Ohokak paced Nunavutwith 17 points apiece.

Team Sami marks second Games bywinning Ulus, showing team spiritBy AARON YANKEYUlu News

This year marks just thesecond time the Sami peoplehave participated in the ArcticWinter Games and it likelywon’t be their last if team spir-it and the 16 Ulus—four ofthem Gold—as of Thursday, isany indication.

Sami people call northernScandinavia home and may livein Sweden, Norway, Finland orRussia. Their first appearancewas at the Games held inWood Buffalo, Canada.

This year they competedin sports such as cross countryskiing, snowshoeing andbiathlon. As they did at the2004 Games, they sent along acultural group this year as well.

The Sami culture groupwas at Skyview High School onFriday in Soldotna to cheer ontheir skiers. As their skierspassed the crowd, the groupwould drum and chant some-thing only their athletes wouldunderstand.

“It’s very nice and fun tobe here,” said Rolf Morten, oneof the Sami drummers. “I get tomeet nice people.”

Morten likes all the differ-ent people here and said “TheGreenlanders are very nice; welive in the same room.”

Lill Therese, also in theSami cultural group, participat-ed in the last Games and saysshe can appreciate this onemore because she’s older.

The housing situation isdifferent here than it was inWood Buffalo since they areliving with other cultural con-tingents and can interact withthem at Kenai Central HighSchool.

“It’s nice because we get

to meet all the other culturegroups,” she said.

The Sami may only have 41participants in the Games butthat doesn’t stop them fromshowing off tremendousamounts of team spirit andwinning Ulus, too.

Michael Pate of Team Alaskagoes up for a lay-up in frontof Nunavut’s Sam Carter.

Photo By Lee Johnson

Rolf Morten, a member of the Sami culture group,plays his drum at a cross country skiing event atSkyview High School on Friday.

Photo By Aaron Yankey



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An interview with GerryThick, President of theArctic Winter GamesInternational CommitteeBy Katherine WellsUlu News

Involved with the ArcticWinter Games since 1984, GerryThick, has been the presidentof the International Committeesince 1996, and has been over-seeing various responsibilitiesof the Games throughout theweek. The Ulu News was ableto catch up with him onThursday and asked him aboutthis year’s Games and what theymean to him.

Ulu News: Why are youinvolved with the Arctic WinterGames?

Thick: “Because it’s excit-ing.” He added that the Gamesgive people from across theNorth a chance to get involvedin the games competition andshare their cultures.

Ulu News: What has beenyour biggest challenge with the2006 Arctic Winter Games?

Thick: “That’s a hard ques-tion. Probably the biggest chal-lenge for me personally hasbeen the travel.” PresidentThick lives in Whitehorse,Yukon Territories, Canada. Hesaid if he were to fly here fromhome he would have to firstland in Seattle before flying toAlaska. “I end up choosing todrive here most of the time.That’s a long ways. We’ve beenhere about seven or eight timessince 2004. It’s a 15-16 hourdrive.”

Ulu News: What has beenyour biggest joy of the Arctic

Winter Games?Thick: “I have two joys.

One was when I saw all thoseyouth marching into the open-ing ceremonies. It was a goodopening ceremonies…a greatopening ceremonies. My otherjoy is going around to the dif-ferent venues and teams.Talking to these kids and seeingif they’re having a good time. Ihaven’t met any that have saidthey aren’t having a good time.”

Ulu News: What has beenyour biggest disappointment?

Thick: “I don’t really think Ihave any big disappointments.I only see and concentrate onwhat the results are. And theresults are that these kids comehere to this community andthey have a great Arctic WinterGames experience. The otherthing I like to see is that the vol-unteers have a good ArcticWinter Games experience. Theones I have talked to are all hav-ing a good experience. It’s allpart of the program.”

Ulu News: How will the2008 Games differ from the2006 Games?

Thick: “The 2008 gameswill differ because it’s a smallercommunity hosting the events.There won’t be as much travelin the community. The terrainand scenery are different.”

Ulu News: What has theInternational Society learnedfrom the 2006 Games?

Thick: There have been acouple of little things.Although the community has

done really well in the trans-portation area, the length oftime it takes to go to Alyeskaand the amount of time thosekids have to travel might be alittle long. In saying thatthough, those kids had a greatexperience on that hill. Andjust for an example: most of theAlpine Skiing is over Thursday,there’s only snowboarding hap-pening, and those skiers wantto go out skiing again on Fridaytoo. That tells you that evenwith the travel, it’s not thatbad.”

Ulu News: Why was theKenai Peninsula chosen for the2006 Arctic Winter Games?

Thick: “The KenaiPeninsula was chosen becausethey submitted the best bid forthe games. The biddingprocess in Alaska was that com-

munities submitted bids. Mycommittee evaluated the threebids and in that evaluationprocess my committee chosewhat they felt was the best bid.I think it was a good choice. Ithink it’s great that the gamesare on the Peninsula becausewe have been able to expandthe experience of the Arctic

Winter Games to Alaska. A lotof Alaskans previously didn’tknow about the games. Nowthat they’ve been involvedthey’re going to want their kidsto have the opportunity to par-ticipate in the Arctic WinterGames, whether its involve-ment in the trials, volunteeringor the actual games.”

Photo By Katherine Wells

President Gerry Thick and Frankie Gordon, Chef De Mission of Nunavik, Quebec,discuss the 2006 Arctic Winter Games on the Kenai Peninsula.



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Can-do spirit guides organizers of 2006 and 2008Arctic Winter GamesBy JANICE HIGHUlu News

As the organizers of the2006 Arctic Winter Games bringtheir duties to a close, the 2008team is eager to step forward.Both groups addressed chal-lenges during the closing daysof the current Games.

Friday morning’s cold tem-peratures—minus 20 degreesin Soldotna—resulted in frozenwater pipes at Sears ElementarySchool, one of the athlete resi-dent villages. To allow thoseyoung people the opportunityfor hot morning showers, theywere bused to Kenai CentralHigh School to use the facilitiesthere. Problem solved.

Not such a quick solutionfor a geography reality facingthe organizers of the 2008Games in Yellowknife,Northwest Territories. Thatreality is that Yellowknife sits inthe middle of expansive andbeautiful—but flat— tundra.Alpine skiing, one of the majorsporting events of the Gamesrequires mountains, or at leastbig hills. It was an issueaddressed at Friday’s mediabriefing by Cathie Bolstad,president of the 2008 GamesHost Society.

“Well, there’s never been achallenge too big to take on,”she said.

The details on how moun-tains would be brought to the

competitors or how competi-tors would be brought tomountains are yet to be workedout. Meanwhile, Bolstadfocused on the unique oppor-tunities Yellowknife can pres-ent.

“The vastness of our tun-dra landscape provides an

incredible scene. We’ll evenoffer nighttime dog sled ridesout on the tundra, for viewingof the aurora borealis. AndYellowknife is the diamondcapital of North America, sothere will be mines and polish-ing facilities to visit.”

Mountains and diamonds

are not, according to Bolstad,

the focus of the preparation for

the 2008 Games.

“We want to keep the

Games special, to remind us of

where we came from; our roots

in our sports, and our roots in

our culture.”



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