Iqaluit, Nunavut – April 22, 2021 – Today, QIA is adapting its support of the 2021 Nunavut Quest, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 situation in the Qikiqtani region and the formal cancellation of this April’s race.

“QIA and the race organizers did not come to these decisions lightly,” says QIA President P.J. Akeeagok. “We were eagerly anticipating being vocal fans of this year’s race, but the health and safety of Qikiqtani Inuit must be the number one priority of both sponsors and race organizers. We are all doing our part to flatten the curve and reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

Due to Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) recommendations to eliminate all non-essential travel, and the corresponding COVID-19 related restrictions, it was not possible for this year’s race to go ahead as planned.

QIA has modified its financial support to the following:

• Each of the 14 registered teams will be given $5,000 to cover some of the costs they may have incurred in preparation for the 2021 race.
• $10,000 will be allocated cover event organizing expenses already incurred and to support the committee to prepare for next year.
• $20,000 will be allocated to the QIA Qimmiit Revitalization Program, to increase our support of future races.

QIA would like to acknowledge all the 2021 race organizers who have put so much time and effort into this event.  Their contributions to the dog teaming community in our region do not go unnoticed. We look forward to the time when we can be together again and celebrate the revitalization of dog teams across the Qikiqtani Region.

For more information, please contact:

Will Hopkins,
Acting Director of Communications,
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
whopkins@qia.ca
867.975.8413/1.800.667.2742