The Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, will visit the Arctic Winter Games in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, United States of America, from March 9–12, 2024, according to a statement made today by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The Governor General will meet with Indigenous leaders, support athletes, take part in traditional events, and advocate for global reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples while in Alaska.
One of the biggest multi-sport cultural events in the area, the Arctic Winter Games attracts over 2,000 participants, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. A wide range of events showcasing the various cultures of the North will be on display, including workshops, performances, visual art displays, modern sports, traditional Arctic sports, and Dene games.
“Her Excellency’s participation in the Arctic Winter Games will be a wonderful chance to honor Indigenous traditions and advance inclusivity and rapprochement. I’d like to congratulate all athletes on their achievements and wish them luck in showcasing their abilities.”
— The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister
Fast Facts
- The Arctic Winter Games, a biennial multi-sport and cultural event held by contingents in the Arctic area, foster mutual understanding and cross-cultural engagement among the region’s various Indigenous groups. The dates of the 2024 Arctic Winter Games are March 10–16. Go here to find out more about the Games.
- In 1970, Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories, hosted the inaugural Arctic Winter Games.
- The Canadian government provides financial assistance to athletes from Canada who wish to compete in the Arctic Winter Games.
- The Northwest Territories, Northern Alberta, Nunavut, Nunavik, and the Yukon are the five regions represented by the Canadian participants. Athletes from Greenland, Denmark; Alaska, United States of America; and the Sápmi region, which includes Finland, Sweden, and Norway, are also competing in the Games.
- At the prime minister’s request, the Governor General travels abroad on official business to further the diplomatic, trade, and international foreign policy goals of the Canadian government.