Inuit wrestling match brings all ages to the mat in Ulukhaktok, N.W.T.

An Inuit wrestling match brought community members together in Ulukaktok, N.W.T. last week. 

Mats were laid out outdoors near the centre of town on Wednesday, with people of all ages attending as spectators and participants.

Monique Smith, who works with the N.W.T. Amateur Wrestling Association, helped organize the event. 

"We're having a cookout, we're having dancers, we're going to have an elder speak to what Inuit wrestling's like and it's just an opportunity to connect," she said.

She spoke to CBC News from the event site, before it began. 

Some kids were already running around on the mats.

"They're very excited and they keep saying 'Can I wrestle? Can I wrestle?' So yeah, we're looking forward to seeing some kids wrestling," Smith said. 

"We're also looking for adults, and I know I'm going to compete myself," she said.

Smith is a former school counsellor who worked in several communities, and also a freestyle wrestler on her own time. Given her skills and connections, she wanted to help the wrestling association start up a branch for Inuit wrestling.

"I thought, you know, I might as well volunteer and start up a wrestling program," she said.

The program has been a success, she said. She's trained other school staff to become wrestling coaches, including Jacob Klengenberg at the school in Ulukhaktok. He hosts regular wrestling practices throughout the year. 

Klengenberg spoke to CBC News the morning after the event.

Inuk wrestling is a traditional sport he said, adding that as part of the opening ceremony for the tournament an elder spoke about its history – some of which Klengenberg relayed to CBC.

"They played for practical items, like clothing, hunting tools, even things like one arrow," he said.

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