Dog Teams arrive in Quaqtaq to prepare for the big day


Quaqtaq’s dog population has now increased by over a 150 Inuit huskies, as all the dog teams registered in this year’s edition of Ivakkak have now arrived in this community located where the western coast of the Ungava Bay meets with the Hudson Strait, and from which they will be heading off first thing in the morning, Monday, March 5. Except for the three local dog teams already in Quaqtaq, all other participating dog teams coming from seven other communities in Nunavik –Kangiqsualujjuaq, Kuujjuaq, Tasiujaq, Kangirsuk, Kangiqsujuaq, Puvirnituq and Inukjuak– were brought in by plane, courtesy of the region’s airline, Air Inuit, which transported the mushers and their dogs to Quaqtaq this past Thursday and Friday. All together,a total of close to 200 huskies are now settled on Kingulik Lake behind the community, howling to one another, anxious to get going on this great journey. Meanwhile, their owners and racing partners, as well as a small crew of snowmobile drivers who will act as a safety patrol on the trail, are busy getting ready for the big day.

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More news tomorrow…

Rank Racer Time Total Time
1. Daniel Annanack & Leevan Etok N/A N/A
2. Junior May & Aqikki Kooktook N/A N/A
3. Sandy Saunders & George Kritik Jr. N/A N/A
4. Willie Cain Jr. & Joseph Cain N/A N/A
5. Johnny & Sammy Angnatuk N/A N/A
6. Etua Lucassie & Stanley Tukkiapik N/A N/A
7. Harry Okpik & Billy Keleutak N/A N/A
8. Willie Kulula Sr. & Gabriel St-Cyr N/A N/A
9. Johnny Arnatuk & Johnny Tukkiapik N/A N/A
10. Peter Kiatainaq & Peter Qisiiq Jr. N/A N/A
11. Juusipi Qisiiq & Tuniq Koneak N/A N/A
12. Noah & Elijah Annahatak N/A N/A
13. Tamusi & Johnny Sivuaraapik N/A N/A
14. Novalinga Novalinga & Poasi Kenuajuak N/A N/A
15. George Nunga & Jackusie Alashuak N/A N/A

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The return of the Inuit Dogs

At the end of the last century, the pure-breed Husky dog was nearly extinct in Nunavik. Nowadays, Inuit people mostly travel by snowmobile. Yet, the memories of another time when dogs were man’s most reliable partners are not so far behind. Long known to be man’s best friend, dogs were once essential to the survival of Inuit in the merciless arctic environment. In fact, only a few decades ago, sled dogs were a foundation of the Inuit nomadic way of life.

These brave allies were central to seasonal Inuit movements, especially in the winter.Strongly built with a thick fur, huskies can withstand bitterly cold temperatures and are capable of lugging their share of supplies during long hours travelling across the endless tundra. Harnessed to a sled or simply keeping pace alongside their master, dogs made it possible for Inuit to cover great distances in their search for game to provide for their families, and to transport heavy loads (...).

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