Gratitude for the Nunavut Quest committee

By NUNATSIAQ NEWS

I am writing this letter to praise the tireless and motivated volunteers of the Nunavut Quest Dog Team Race Committee members of Arctic Bay.

In 1999, for the celebration of the new Nunavut territory, the Nunavut Quest committee was formed in Arctic Bay to help continue the Inuit tradition of qimuksirniq (dog sledding).

Since then, the participating communities, Pond Inlet, Clyde River, Igloolik and Hall Beach, have become a major part of this volunteerism. Communications and co-operation have created solidarity among these communities with one common goal, to keep one of our cultural traditions alive and active by travelling in vast distant locations by dog team.

This sets a great example for the newest territory in Canada, as this Nunavut Quest is not solely funded by the government of Nunavut or any body of an organization, but by a group of volunteer fund-raisers that has expanded to other participating communities.

Volunteers have ranged from fund-raisers, Ski-Doo drivers, timekeepers, dog team assistance, cooks, the list goes on. It has shown how well people can work together although in various remote communities.

International Volunteer Day is on Dec. 5, 2001. I want to take this opportunity to write this letter, since they deserve recognition, and to thank them for helping me see the pride, strength and wisdom our culture has.

Let’s continue to support all the volunteers in our communities by recognizing them and thanking them.

Anna Qaunaq
Arctic Bay

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