Meet the Nunavut family who competes in Arctic Sports together
Naja Pearce knows all too well what it is like to train – and compete – along with her sister.
“I think sometimes we spend a little too much time together and then we get a little bit annoyed with each other and then we are like, ‘OK. Whatever. It’s OK,’” Pearce said, laughing.
For these two athletes, Arctic Sports are a family affair.
Pearce and her sister Kayla Tikivik are both competing in Arctic Sports for Team Nunavut at the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse this week, one in the open category, the other in the U17 category.
Pearce first got into the sport because of her mother who was a longtime athlete and has been involved in the sport for over 33 years.
Tikivik got into Arctic Sports three years ago because of Pearce and at first, she wasn’t a fan.
“I forced her to go,” Pearce said, laughing.
Now, Pearce says her sister loves it and is even better than her at some games – especially the two foot high kick where Tikivik can kick up to six feet.
“She’s going above and beyond my personal bests,” Pearce said, with a touch of pride.
It’s ‘special’ being coached by mom
The sisters say they push each other to be better and so does their coach – and mother – Susie Pearce. Susie says she’s beyond proud to see the girls progressing and training so hard in a sport that she loves.
“Coaching them does make me a better coach because we bounce ideas off each other and are always looking for ways to improve their form,” Susie said.
After every try, Susie is often the first person the sisters turn to for advice and encouragement.
Naja says it’s “special” to be coached by her mother as Susie often helps ground her during competitions when she gets nervous, while also offering advice and encouragement.
“[After] all the attempts that I did, I went straight to her and [said] ‘OK what can I do, what did you see, how can I improve’ and she helped me,” Naja said.
Passing knowledge down to the next generation
Susie says for her, it’s all about sharing what she knows with her daughters.
“These games are meant to be passed down to the next generation,” Susie said. “I feel confident that if I pass it down to my family then they now have the skills and knowledge to possibly pass it down to their next generation.”
Already, the two sisters and one of their younger brothers train in Arctic Sports together in Iqaluit.
Right now, Naja says she hopes to encourage another brother to start training too. She recognizes just how special and lucky it is to do sports with your family.
“We always say it is a privilege for us to be competing with each other, to be teammates, to be related to each other, to be my sister and to be my mom,” Naja said. “It is such a special moment because… not a lot of people get to do that.”
A report written by Bianca McKeown
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