Connection to the land and the people through performances at the 2024 AWG Cultural Gala

One of the things that makes the Arctic Winter Games truly unique is sharing the cultural traditions of each region, and the Cultural Gala held on March 15 at the Glenn Massey Theater was an opportunity to showcase of diverse youth talent from across the circumpolar north.

“You are about to see the performances of really talented young culture bearers…they worked really hard on their pieces for weeks before coming here, and this week, they worked especially hard,” said Erin Tripp, co-Director of the Gala

“We are so grateful to them (the performers) for their creativity and passion.”

The Gala featured performances from the regions that participated in the AWG, including Powwow dancing from Driftpile Cree Nation and Chateh Dene Tha’ First Nation dancers from Alberta North, Inuksuk Drum Dancers performing traditional Inuit music from Nunavut, and a cultural performance from Nunavik that including performers on stilts, silks, and juggling, and a solo performance from Junnama Ole Mahtte who told stories of the Sapmi through yolking. All of the acts told stories of the lands and people, and were meant to evoke emotions from those in attendance.

“We’ve always been interested in knowing the cultures of Alaska. It broadens our perspective and knowledge of the cultures,” said Joyce Lund, Principal of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School in Wasilla, who attended the matinee Cultural Gala with her husband Karl.

Lund says that she and her husband had previously attended the AWG in Yellowknife and the Cultural Gala was their first opportunity to see part of the AWG as her school had been working the concessions at the Menard Center during the AWG.

“What a wonderful idea this is. We see a lot of it here because we see the Yupik and Inupiat, but I don’t think most people understand how we’re connected. People should really see how there is such a spiritual connection to what they’re doing, and I think we sometimes forget about that when we see these artists.”

When asked what performance she was most looking forward to, she said that she couldn’t pick any one specific act, but instead pointed to the circumpolar map in the program.

“It shows the Arctic participation, and we forget about that in terms of how we are all interconnected. We need to recognize and acknowledge the cultures of the Northern region.”

Connection was what the Tripp and co-director Rio Alberto wanted guests to take away from the Gala performances.

The performers entertained the audience during the Gala, and while some performed in languages native to their land and culture, the lyrics and melodies in the songs, the emotions in their dances, and the passion all the performers displayed could be felt by everyone in the audience.

“We hope you feel that sense of connection from the performances, hear the voices lifted and the drums beating.”