PRESS RELEASE
KUUJJUAQ, QC – March 5, 2018 – Ivakkak 2018 is the 17th edition of the Nunavik dogsled race. This
year’s route will head north along the western coast of the Ungava Bay starting in Tasiujaq on Monday
March 19, 2018 and will end in Kangiqsujuaq. The race will make village stops in Aupaluk, Kangirsuk
and Quaqtaq. If all goes well the race is expected to end on March 28, 2018.
Thanks to new Ivakkak sponsorship, each village stop along the route will host activities. The
Nunaturlik Landholding Corporation and the Northern Village of Kangiqsujuaq are working hard to
plan special activities for the finish line celebration.
New to Ivakkak this year is a Facebook contest. When one shares the contest post they automatically
enter themselves into the draw for a chance to win a trip to Kangiqsujuaq to attend the Ivakkak finish
line. It includes accommodation for three nights and food allowance. This is open to Quebec residents
over the age of 18. The contest ends on Friday March 9, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. For more information,
please visit the URL: https://www.ivakkak.com/contest/
The 2018 Ivakkak Coordinator is Andrew Epoo, while Charlie Alaku is the Trail Coordinator and
Johnny Oovaut is the Race Marshal. This of course includes Ivakakk officials, a veterinarian, scouts
and support crew members who all make sure the race participants are safe and that the race is fair.
“We have one additional team this year and there are newcomers to the race. Some of our veteran
racers did not register this year. The newcomers to Ivakkak 2018 illustrate that many Nunavimmiut are
building teams and raising dogs. We grow prouder every year as we have brought back this tradition
that was nearly lost decades ago. I am proud to see the support we are getting from our partners as this
is an important annual event and we hope we can continually grow and expand Ivakkak,” said Andy
Moorhouse, Vice-President of Makivik Corporation responsible for Economic Development (including
Ivakkak).
Last year’s Ivakkak winners were Aisa Surusilak in first place, Peter ‘Boy’ Ittukallak in second place
and Willie Cain Jr. in third place. Live tracking for the race will be made available through our website.
For this year’s race, there are 14 teams registered from across Nunavik. They are:
Team 1: Allen Gordon and Johnny ‘Mangi’ Kootook of Kuujjuaq
Team 2: Johnny Jr. May and Jacob Cain Snowball of Kuujjuaq
Team 3: George Kauki and Ronald Ningiuruvik Turner of Kuujjuaq
Team 4: Aloupa Kauki and Jimmy Kauki of Kuujjuaq
Team 5: Matthew Arngak and Pauli Qisiiq of Kangiqsujuaq
Team 6: Sandy Jaaka and Peter P. Qisiiq of Kangiqsujuaq
Team 7: Willie Cain Jr. and Ken Lebbe of Tasiujaq
Team 8: Aisa Surusilak and Aipillie Qumaluk of Puvirnituq
Team 9: Jani-Marik Beaulne and Peter Novalinga of Puvirnituq
Team 10: Paulusi Beaulne and Mustafa Dedeci of Puvirnituq
Team 11: Novalinga Novalinga and Juani Uqaituk of Puvirnituq
Team 12: Harry Okpik and Mathew Airo Okpik of Quaqtaq
Team 13: Peter ‘Boy’ Ittukallak and Eric Ittukallak of Puvirnituq
Team 14: Edua Lucassie and Steven Airo of Kangirsuk
For more information, contact:
Andrew Epoo
Ivakkak Coordinator
Makivik Corporation
Tel. 819-964-2925 x 239
aepoo@makivik.org
www.ivakkak.com
Makivik Corporation is the land claims organization mandated to manage the heritage funds of the Inuit
of Nunavik provided for under the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement. Makivik’s role includes
the administration and investment of these funds and the promotion of economic growth by providing
assistance for the creation of Inuit-operated businesses in Nunavik. Makivik promotes the preservation
of Inuit culture and language as well as the health, welfare, relief of poverty, and education of Inuit in
the communities
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