Nunavut Quest 2024 – Meet the Mushers of the Nunavut Quest

Youth from Igloolik are on hand in Arctic Bay in anticipation of the Nunavut Quest. During the lead up to the race, the youth with support from QIA staff were able to interview the mushers.

#1 David Oyukuluk – Arctic Bay
Snowmobile Drivers – Moses Oyukuluk and Zipporah Oyukuluk

David has been running dog teams since 2016. He started learning about dog teaming while serving as his father’s helper, joining him on numerous Nunavut Quests. David has participated in numerous Quests as a musher since 2016 and is also a past winner! David is a bus driver for the Innuja School in Arctic Bay. When he’s not running his team or at work he does winter weekend maintenance at the Arctic Bay Airport. David is looking forward to challenging the new teams in different communities. He enjoys spending time with the other dog team owners and hopes everyone has fun and most of all stays safe.

#2 Lee Inuarak – Pond Inlet
Snowmobile Drivers – Daniel Inutiq and Elizabeth Inuarak

Lee Inuarak has been running dog teams for the past 15 years, he’s also participated in the Nunavut Quest since that same year, 2010. Lee is a full-time hunter, who enjoys spending time on the land harvesting food for his family and his dog teams. Lee is looking forward to spending more time with the other dog teamers and he’s especially excited to get home to Pond Inlet.

#3 Qiliqti Ivalu – Igloolik
Snowmobile Drivers – Patrick Ijjangiaq and Candie Issigaitok

Qiliqti Ivalu has been running his dog team since 2016. He got his start by being gifted 5 puppies by the late Luke Airut. This is Qiliqti’s second time running in the Nunavut Quest, he first participated in the race in 2022. Qiliqti is quite busy with work, currently he is employed at the middle school in Igloolik, works as a dog catch, and as a mechanic at the Northern Store. When he’s not at work, Qiliqti likes being out on the land and playing video games. Qiliqti is looking forward to seeing how fast the other dog teams are, he’s heard the ones from Arctic Bay are especially fast and wants to see how his hold up in comparison.

#4 Donovan Qaunaq – Arctic Bay
Snowmobile Drivers – Darryl Levi and Corey Naqitarvik

Donovan Qaunaq has been a musher since 2016, he got into the practice through his brother. This is currently Donovan’s 3^rd year participating in the Nunavut Quest. He loves taking care of his dogs all winter. Donovan is looking forward to all the fun that is had on the land during the race.

#5 Daniel Inuarak – Pond Inlet
Snowmobile Drivers – Daniel Inuarak and Charlie Inuarak

Daniel Inuarak isn’t usually running a dog team, in fact for 3 years he’s participated in the Nunavut Quest as a snowmobile driver. However, this is the first time he’s joined the Quest as a musher, his brother asked if he wanted to join this year and he accepted. Daniel is a full-time hunter and enjoys spending time on the land.

#7 Jeremy Koonoo – Arctic Bay
Snowmobile Drivers – Daniel Koonoo and Joseph Kilabuk

Jeremy has been running dogs for 3 years now. He started mushing when his older brother lost interest in the practice, and he took over the team. This is the fourth time he’s participated in the Nunavut Quest as a musher. Jeremy is always busy with his team, when he’s not running the dogs, he’s out on the land hunting for them. Jeremy is looking forward to participating in this years race.

#8 Tom Naqitarvik – Arctic Bay
Snowmobile Drivers – Martin Barnabas and Bradley Ejangiaq

Tom possibly has the most experience of the mushers on the Nunavut Quest this year, he’s been running his team for 18 years. He took over the team when his father no longer could. Tom has mushed in 15 Nunavut Quests. Tom is currently self-employed as a Polar Bear hunter. He spends plenty of time on the land, even when he’s not running the dogs, he’s out hunting for the dogs’ food. Tom hopes that younger dog teamers participate in the Nunavut Quest, he wants to see the practice grow. He also cares about keeping pure Inuit Husky dogs.

#9 Nanuraq – Igloolik
Snowmobile Drivers – Daniel Koonoo and Joseph Kilabuk

This is Nanuraq’s (Jinneal Uttak) first time participating in the Nunavut Quest, he only started running a dog team 2 years ago. Nanuraq enjoys spending time on the land, harvesting food and is a skilled butcher. Nunaraq is looking forward to being out on the land and enjoying the incredible landscape around Arctic Bay.

#10 Owen Jaworenko – Pond Inlet
Snowmobile Drivers – Andrew Jaworenko  and Calvin Jaworenko

It was always Owen’s dream to be a dog musher. This is his third team now, he’s had two others previously, but this new one came together 2 months ago. This is his very first time participating in the Nunavut Quest. Currently, Owen is employed with QIA as a Nauttiqsuqtiit. Even when he’s not on the land for work, Owen likes to go out hunting. He’s looking forward to getting back home to Pond Inlet.

#11 Apak – Arctic Bay
Snowmobile Drivers – Tamen Willie and Ashley Taqtu

Apak (Adre Philip Taqtu) has ben running dog teams for 3 years now. He got started when his cousin gifted him 3 dogs. This is Apak’s third time participating in the Nunavut Quest. Apak teaches traditional skills to young people. He takes teenagers out on the land, teaching them to hunt and make tools. When he’s not running the dog team, he’s often found out on the land harvesting food for them. Overall Apak, says it’s fun to participate in the Nunavut Quest, that it’s a form of healing for him, and that it’s fun to finish the race.

Note: # 6 Michael Qaunaq decided to drop out of the race due to personal reasons.