Arctic Sports could be included in the 2027 Canada Winter Games

The Canada Winter Games could include Arctic Sports like the high kick and the knuckle hop — that's if Whitehorse is chosen as the Games' next host city.

Members of the Canada Games Council's bid evaluation committee were in Yukon's capital assessing the territory's bid to host the games in 2027.

The bid, launched in Sep. 2021 by the City of Whitehorse and the Government of Yukon, proposed including Arctic Sports and Dene Games in the Games lineup. 

This would be the first time the northern sports are part of the Games' 55-year history. 

Gael Merchard, the executive director of the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle, said it's important to include northern sports at the national level.

"All these games and sports have very unique cultural roots," he said. "And very strong social values that are really positive for the entire Canadian society and it's a very good tool for reconciliation."

Reconciliation is one of the three principles of the bid, alongside connection and resilience.

Anthony Everett, the chair of the bid evaluation committee, said the Yukon has a compelling story to share if it were to be chosen as the next host city.

During the committee's three-day visit, members of the committee met with First Nations leaders and viewed an Arctic Sports demonstration at the Canada Games Centre.

"I think we have some more questions to ask around how other territorial governments and other provinces will engage and bring athletes forward to compete in those events," said Everett.

"But I'm very encouraged because it looks like an exciting opportunity for athletes to try new sports and they look like a lot of fun."

The committee's visit, known as a comprehensive review, is the second phase in assessing the bid. The first phase, a