'Culture has a role just as big as sport' at the Arctic Winter Games

As athletes and participants at the Arctic Winter Games in Wood Buffalo, Alta., square off against each other in competitions, they're also finding friends and learning about the cultures of other teams.

The Games aren't just about sports — it's also a chance for Arctic peoples to come together and share their knowledge with each other.

This year, the 2023 Games have a full cultural gala set for Thursday and Friday, featuring singing, dancing, theatre and other performances. But participants have already feasted, danced and drummed during evening celebrations.

Noriko Tooktoo is with Team Nunavik. As soon as she arrived at the airport her first order of business was to dance. She’s self taught and says dancing is in her blood.<br>“My grandpa is Inuit dancer, my aunt is Inuit dancer, my biological mom is a hip-hopper.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/awg2023?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#awg2023</a> <a href="https://t.co/LUQFM2c5rb">pic.twitter.com/LUQFM2c5rb</a>

Taiga Las, a 15-year-old cultural delegate from Iqaluit, said she's excited for the upcoming performances.

"People think that different cultures are basically all the same, but they're not," she said. There are similarities, but there are differences, too.

"I've been learning a lot from other cultures as well."

On Tuesday evening, participants were welcomed to a feast. Alice Martin, an elder from Mikisew Cree First Nation in Fort Chipewyan, Alta., opened the feast with a prayer.

Culture is her passion, she said, and passing it along to youths.

"All the young people here, it's good to see them because some of us want to revive our culture, show them how important it is for us, and to share that with them," she said.

"For me, especially if you're going to