Nunavut Quest competitors set off from Pond Inlet
Dog sled journey from Pond Inlet to Igloolik is expected to take one week
Eight mushers started the Nunavut Quest dog sled race on Tuesday – a journey from Pond Inlet to Igloolik that’s expected to take them each a week to complete.
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association uses revitalization funding from the Qikiqtani Truth Commission for the prize money for all eight mushers: this year the top prizes are $20,000 for the first place winner, $15,000 for second and $10,000 for third.
The participants this year are Donovan Qaunaq, Tom Naqitarvik, Isaac Irngaut, Joshua Qiliqi Ivalu, Jinneal Nanuraq Uttak, Lee Inuarak, Daniel Inuarak and Aiden Qaunaq. The race got underway at 1:30 p.m.
Quvvaqtaaq Inuarak is an elder helping out with the race this year. He’ll be guiding mushers from a snowmobile – a job he says is important.
With files from Eli Qaqqasiq-Taqtu
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Meet Kipper, the newest — and only — avalanche dog in Canada’s North, CBC News
Norway: Finnmarksløpet: Travelling with dogs is true freedom, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: The 2025 Iditarod starts on Saturday. Here’s what to know, Alaska Public Media
