Congratulations on being named to Team Alberta North for the 2020 Arctic Winter Games. Your hard work, commitment and skill has earned you a spot as part of Team Alberta North. You should be extremely proud for being selected to compete against the best athletes from across the circumpolar region.
The information presented will give you an idea of what to expect at the Games and help prepare you for the magnitude of an international multi-sport event. You will also meet some of the other athletes, coaches, cultural participants and mission staff on Team Alberta North. We hope you begin to realize just how special an experience you will have at the Games.
Whitehorse and the Host Society have spent years planning and organizing to ensure you have a memorable Games experience. Please show your appreciation during the Games to the thousands of volunteers needed to make the Games happen. Team Alberta North’s participants are great ambassadors for our province and will make all Albertans proud.
Keep training hard over the next several weeks and stay healthy as you prepare for a tremendous performance in Whitehorse, Yukon! If you have any questions or need help leading up to or during the Games, remember your Team Alberta North Mission Staff is there for you and they look forward to supporting and cheering you on at the Games.
See you in Whitehorse!
Michelle Deering
The Arctic Winter Games is/are an international multi-sport festival bringing together athletes from Alaska, Greenland, Sapmi (the indigenous people of Norway, Sweden and Finland), Northern Alberta, Northwest Territories,Nunavik (Northern Quebec), Nunavut, Yamal (Russia) and Yukon.
The concept of the Arctic Winter Games was developed as a direct result of the experiences of northern athletes at the 1967 Canada Winter Games. Representatives of the Yukon and Northwest Territories realized that their teams were at a disadvantage due to relatively small athlete pools, lack of facilities and infrequent training opportunities. Therefore, the concept of an event specificially designed for northern athletes was born.
The first Games were staged in 1970 in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and these Games have occurred every two years since, alternating among the participating contingents. Team Alberta North joined the Arctic Winter Games in 1986.
Whitehorse is host of the 50th anniversary of the Arctic Winter Games in 2020.
The International committee logo consists of three interlocking and unbroken cones, which reflect the continuing commitment to the social exchange, cultural demonstration and athletic competition of the people making up the circumpolar regions. The background of these circumpolar cones is the unique wave seen in the aurora borealis, (often seen in this region during the month of March, while the Games are in progress) called the Northern Lights. The aurora is also a representative of the unique qualities in the people and Games of the circumpolar region.
Team Alberta North's colours are royal blue and white. The blue represents the vast prairie skies, while the white symbolizes winter. The snowflake portrays winter while the lightning bolt shows the power and electricity that Team Alberta North athletes will possess in Whitehorse. The lightning creates the shape of an evergreen tree, in the middle of the "A", symbolizing Alberta's many forests.
Däch'äw, is the mascot of the Whitehorse 2020 Arctic Winter Games. The name Däch'äw comes from the Southern Tutchone word for porcupine.
The AWG International Committee presents the distinctive trophy, a piece of Inuit artwork, to the contingent whose athletes best exemplify the ideals of fair play and team spirit. A narwhal tusk decorated with scrimshaw stands as the trophy centerpiece. A walrus is carved into the soapstone base and wraps itself around the tusk. Near the top, a soapstone bear clings to the tusk symbolizing reaching for the top in competition and fair play.
During the Games, a Fair Play Pin is awarded to athletes, coaches, officials and others from all contingents that strive towards the Games objectives of fair play and team spirit. AWG International Committee members, Host Society Board members, Officials, Chef de Missions and Mission Staff award these pins at their discretion.
The Alberta North Mission Staff mainly act as a liaison between their assigned sports, the Host Society and Team Alberta North. Mission Staff members also assist assigned sports prior to and during the Games.
Mission Staff | Sport Responsibility |
---|---|
Michelle Deering | Chef de Mission |
Steven Patrick | Assistant Chef de Mission, Culture |
Cam Berwald | Archery, Figure Skating |
Katie Biberdorf | Arctic Sports, Volleyball (F) |
Janet Fairless | Badminton, Hockey (M) |
Jerry George | Snowshoeing, Wrestling |
Dave Hurta | Medical Liaison |
Pat Lechelt | Hockey (F), Curling |
Sean McConnell | Alpine Skiing, Biathlon-Ski |
James Phillips | Dene Games, Volleyball (M) |
Liz Tinworth | Cross Country Ski, Speed Skating |
Michelle Toner | Futsal (F), Snowboarding |
Ashleigh Wills | Futsal (M), Gymnastics |
Walk Out Jacket and Pants, Hoodie, Long Sleeve Shirt, Toque and Backpack
Travel TO the Games - Saturday, March 14 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Flight | Departure From | Departure Time | Arrival Location | Arrival Time |
101 | Fort McMurray | 8:05 am | Grande Prairie | 9:15 am |
102 | Grande Prairie | 10:00 am | Whitehorse | 11:00 am |
131 | Grande Prairie | 9:05 am | Whitehorse | 10:00 am |
Travel FROM the Games - Saturday, March 21 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Flight | Departure From | Departure Time | Arrival Location | Arrival Time |
101 | Whitehorse | 8:00 pm | Grande Prairie | 10:50 pm |
102 | Grande Prairie | 11:35 pm | Fort McMurray | 12:40 am (Sun., Mar. 22) |
131 | Whitehorse | 8:30 pm | Grande Prairie | 11:15 pm |
Remember to bring travel documents. Athletes under 16 require a minimum of Alberta Health Care card and anyone over 16 requires Government Issued Photo ID or Passport.
Please leave electronics and valuables at home. If you don't need it, don't bring it!
Security is strict on what you can and cannot bring on the plane. Be careful what you pack. You’re allowed to bring liquids, gels and aerosols in your carry on if the items are packaged in containers not more than 100 ml/100 g (3.04 oz), and that they fit in one clear, closed and re-sealable plastic bag no bigger than one litre.
Team Alberta North participants will receive Games luggage tags at the airport in Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray. Luggage tags will be identified by colour and related to accommodations.
Remember to clearly label all personal belongings and luggage.
Luggage limit per person:
One checked bag (maximum 50 lbs), one carry on and one sport equipment bag (if required).
Put your name and address inside your luggage too!
You’ll receive your accreditation from your Mission Staff when you arrive in Whitehorse. You must wear the tag at all times. You’ll need it to enter accommodation, the cafeteria and sport venues.
Team Alberta North participants will be housed in six schools, based on gender, sport and contingent. Classrooms will be set up with bunk beds. Each participant will receive a sleeping bag.
Accomodations | |
---|---|
School | Sport |
Elijah Smith Elementary | Figure Skating, Hockey (M), Speed Skating |
FH Collins Secondary | Hockey (F), Volleyball |
Jack Hulland Elementary | Archery, Badminton, Cross Country Ski, Wrestling |
Porter Creek Secondary | Culture, Dene Games, Futsal |
Selkirk Elementary | Alpine Skiing, Curling, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing |
Vanier Catholic Secondary | Arctic Sports, Biathlon-Ski, Gymnastics |
Security is on site 24 hours/day
Shower Schedule
Showers at the schools are limited so some sports will be required to shower at their sport venue.
The cafeteria is located at Yukon College.
A grazing style menu including soups, sandwich bar, pizza and pasta stations is available from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Specific meal times are:
Breakfast | 6:00 am – 9:00 am |
Lunch | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm |
Dinner | 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm |
Bags and sport equipment will not be allowed in the cafeteria. Food and beverages can not be taken out of the cafeteria.
Lunch at Sport Venues
For athletes, coaches and managers not able to return to the Athletes’ Village for a meal due to competition, a light meal or a snack box at the sport venue may be available for your sport. Check with your Mission Staff if your sport is eligible.
Click here to see a map of the venues.
School | Sport |
---|---|
Alpine Skiing | Mount Sima |
Archery | Yukon Convention Centre |
Arctic Sports | Vanier Catholic Secondary School |
Badminton | Yukon College |
Biathlon – Ski | Grey Mountain |
Cross Country Ski | Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre |
Culture | Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre / Yukon Arts Centre |
Curling (F-M) | Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre |
Dene Games | Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre / Shipyards Park |
Dene Games | Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre / Shipyards Park |
Figure Skating | Canada Games Centre |
Futsal (F-M) | Porter Creek Secondary School |
Gymnastics | Vanier Catholic Secondary School |
Hockey (F-M) | Takhini Arena / Canada Games Centre |
Snowboarding | Mount Sima |
Snowshoeing | Shipyards Park / FH Collins Secondary School |
Speed Skating | Canada Games Centre |
Speed Skating | Canada Games Centre |
Volleyball (F-M) | Canada Games Centre |
Wrestling | Canada Games Centre |
Athlete Entertainment Lounges
Each accommodation venue will have an Active Lounge (gym or cafeteria open 10:00 am – 10:00 pm) for participants to socialize and interact with team members and meet youth from other contingents from the circumpolar north. Sport equipment may also be available.
The Quiet Lounge at each accommodation venue will have activities such as board games, reading, pin trading, yoga and crafts. Workshop/activities (6:00 pm – 10:00 pm) at the schools may include karaoke competitions, rhythm drumming, and movie nights. The same workshops/activities will take place at each school but scheduled on different days.
Note: Only participants accredited for that specific accommodation can access Lounges and activities scheduled within that school.
Swimming
The Aquatic Centre at the Canada Games Centre will host two dedicated AWG swims for Games participants only:
Tuesday, March 17 | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm |
Friday, March 20 | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm |
Games participants will have free access to the Aquatic Centre throughout the Games during public swim times.
Shipyards Park Fun Day
Enjoy sledding, team games and kick sledding demonstrations. Warm up by the fire sipping on hot chocolate or hot apple cider.
Saturday, March 21 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm | Shipyards Park |
Bus Loops at the Games operate 5:30 am to 11:00 pm.
Every bus will stop at Yukon College.
Alpine Skiing, Biathlon-Ski, Snowboarding and Hockey will have dedicated bus routes.
All accredited participants will also have free access to city transit.
Event | Location | Date | Time |
---|---|---|---|
Opening Ceremonies | Takhini Arena | Sunday, March 15 | 6:30 pm |
Closing Event | Canada Games Centre | Saturday, March 21 | 5:30 pm |
The Arctic Winter Games Performing Arts Gala featuring cultural participants from each contingent will be held at the Yukon College Arts Centre on Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20. A ticket is required to attend. Athletes will have access to a dress rehearsal on March 19, should their schedules permit.
Polyclinic
The Polyclinic is located at Yukon College and is open daily 8:00 am - 10:00 pm.
The Polyclinic is available for athletes, coaches and managers for basic assessment and treatment by physicians and nurses. Other on-call services will be available, e.g. dentists.
Athletes must be accompanied by a coach, manager, or mission staff on their initial visit. A physician’s referral is required for all services offered at the Polyclinic. Services are available on a first come first serve basis.
No preventive tape will be provided. Each team will be responsible for taping their own athletes.
Medical Services at Sport Venues
Medical coverage at the sport venues is based on the risk assessment of each sport. If more than basic first aid is required, participants will be sent to the hospital. A coach or mission staff must accompany a participant to the hospital and an athlete must show their accreditation in order to register. Participants requiring emergency care will be transported via ambulance.
Medical Liaison
Dave Hurta is Team Alberta North’s Medical Liaison. He is the link between the Host Society and Team Alberta North. Although Dave will not be allowed to treat athletes, he will offer expertise and observe athletes if necessary.
SportsCanada.TV will be webcasting the following events at AWG 2020:
Team Alberta North
Follow us and share your experiences leading up to and at the Games.
2020 Arctic Winter Games
Don’t be surprised if you’re approached by the media in Alberta or Whitehorse. You are named to Team Alberta North and that is a big news story, especially in your hometown. The media is interested to find out more about you and your team. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you are interviewed.
Be Positive – No one likes someone who is complaining about things, such as the way that you think things were organized. No matter how you feel, think of something positive to say in every situation.
Sight Bites – Someone who makes an embarrassing or inflammatory gesture or remark is liable to become a sight bite. The cameras and microphones are always on you and you do not want to do or say something that could embarrass you or your team.
Difficult Situation – If you run into a difficult situation, saying nothing is the worst thing that you can do. It gives the media the opportunity to assume the worst and say or write whatever they want. Whether you get your message across or on a written statement, press conference, or in an interview, know your message, deliver it, and then move on. If you don’t, the difficult situation could become worse.
Be Brief – Answers should be short, to the point and colourful. Long answers are boring, difficult to follow and may offer the media more information than you want to.
Things to avoid – Avoid dating your responses with words like tonight, tomorrow and today. Try not to say –yes or –no. Don’t use slang or swear words or say –um, -you know or –like.
Inventory of Stories – If you or your team wins an ulu then you can predict which questions you will be asked. There are many issues and stories that will come up which you can relate to and have many great quotes ready.
Tickets
Super passes, Opening Ceremonies and Gold medal hockey games tickets are now on sale at awg2020.org. Cultural Gala tickets will only be sold through the Yukon Arts Centre and 2020 AWG office.
Accommodation & Visitor Information
Visit awg2020.org
Chef de Mission | Michelle Deering | 587-989-4023 |
Assistant Chef de Mission | Steven Patrick | 587-989-4037 |
Medical Liaison | Dave Hurta | 780-518-2278 |
Team Alberta North Email | alberta@canadagames.ca | |
Team Alberta North Website | albertasport.ca/team-alberta/arctic-winter-games | |
Host Society Website | awg2020.org | |
AWG International Committee Website | arcticwintergames.org |