Inuvik's Sunrise festival kicked off Jan. 3 with opening ceremonies at East Three School. Three days of celebrations welcomed back the sun as residents welcomed guests from across Canada to join in the celebrations.
Theland Kicknosway sings a song he wrote to open up the night before treating the crowd to his signature L.E.D. Hoop Dance.Inuvik-Twin Lakes MLA Lesa Semmler shares a laugh during the taste of Inuvik during the opening ceremonies.Deputy Premier Diane Thom welcomes the crowd during the opening speeches.Musical backdrop was provided by virtusos Eric Blake on guitar, Ryley Blake on bass guitar and Michal francis on the fiddle.Edmonton Eskimo Ryan King serves out Reindeer stew during the Taste of Inuvik. King came up last fall for a tour of the region and loved it so much he came back for more.Edmonton Eskimo David Beard signs his autograph for Kendra Bulldog during the opening ceremonies.A long-exposure shot of Thelend Kicknosway performing his art during the opening ceremonies of the Inuvik Sunrise Festival Jan. 3.Lillian Elias raises her hands up during a drum dance to cap off the opening ceremonies.Payton Inglangasuk clasps her hands during a drum dance.Jade Inuaslurak holds a pose during a drum dance to cap off the opening ceremonies of the Inuvik Sunrise Festival.Visiting from Ulukhaktok, Alainna Carpenter raises her hands during a drum dance.Larsen Nasogaluak shouts ouit and holds a pose during a drum dance to cap off the evening festivities of the Inuvik Sunrise Festival opening ceremonies Jan. 3.Debbie Gordon-Ruben sings and dances as the drums beat on.Ross-Martin Pascal practices his moves under the guiddence of his mother, Janeta Pascal.Reuben Bullock of Reuben and the Dark performs at the Igloo Church Jan. 3 as part of the opening festivities.
Deputy Premier Diane Thom welcomes the crowd during the opening speeches.Edmonton Eskimo David Beard signs his autograph for Kendra Bulldog during the opening ceremonies.Reuben Bullock of Reuben and the Dark performs at the Igloo Church Jan. 3 as part of the opening festivities.A massive bonfire was lit Jan. 4 at Twin Lakes in the leadup to the fireworks. Burning at the top of the stack of pallets is a sign saying 2019 to put the last year to rest.Residents gather around the annual bonfire at Twin Lakes Jan. 4. The hot fire created a sphere of warmth in a -35C night.Fireworks light off over the fire during the second night of the Inuvik Sunrise Festival.Fireworks over Inuvik during the Sunrise Festival, Jan. 4.Fireworks over Inuvik during the Sunrise Festival, Jan. 4.Fireworks over Inuvik during the Sunrise Festival, Jan. 4.Leo Cherniwchan-Heller, 2, examines on a paper lantern he helped his mother construct during the lantern making workshop Jan. 4.Philip Gosselin, who came all the way up from Canadian Forces Base 4 Wing near Cold Lake, Alta. assists in a pancake breakfast with Coun. Dez Loreen and Lorna Jones-Martin of the Inuvik Ladies Auxilliary on Jan. 4.Gwich'in Grand Chief Bobbie Jo Greenland answers questions alongside actors Shafin Karim and Mozhdah Jamalzadah following a screening of the upcoming film Red Snow, a story of a Gwich'in warrior in the Canadian Army who gets caught up in the lives of locals under Talliban oppression. The movie held two screenings and was met with standing ovations both nights.Snow sculptor Joe Nasogaluak etches out a carving of Mario in preparation for the snow carving workshop he hosted Jan. 4. He noted he was thankful for the plumber, as a new Mario game for his family finally got the kids off Fortnite.Karlene Green works on a sculpture during the Snow Carving Workshop Jan. 4. She said she was working on a Minon.Free dogsled rides were given out for the kids during the late afternoon down in Twin Lakes Dec. 5. (Eric Bowling / NNSL Media)Theland Kicknosway explains some technique to Mackenzie Cockney during the Hoop Dance workshop Jan. 5.Mackenzie Cockney shows off a 'Earth' he put together using hoops during the Hoop Dance workshop Jan. 5.Leo Cherniwchan-Heller enjoys some maple candy at the Parks Canada tent throughout the festival. Boiled maple syrup in snow makes for a delicious wintertime snack, but he's already figured that out.It's a me! Mario! Joe Nasogaluak's sculpture of the world-famous plumber overlooks the utilidor system. Mama mia!Karlene Green's sculpture of a Minion seems calm. A little too calm. What's this guy up to?Hannah Prestage holds a Warrior pose during the self-guided Snow Yoga to kick off the third day of the Inuvik Sunrise Festival on Jan. 5.Amanda Beveridge throws a pass during the Edmonton Eskimos toss to win contest Jan. 5, where residents took a shot at knocking down pins and won signed CFL footballs for their effotrts. Just behind her is Ryan King signing autographs for the kids.Lillian Elias raises her hands up during a drum dance to cap off the opening ceremonies.Payton Inglangasuk clasps her hands during a drum dance.Jade Inuaslurak holds a pose during a drum dance to cap off the opening ceremonies of the Inuvik Sunrise Festival.Visiting from Ulukhaktok, Alainna Carpenter raises her hands during a drum dance.Larsen Nasogaluak shouts ouit and holds a pose during a drum dance to cap off the evening festivities of the Inuvik Sunrise Festival opening ceremonies Jan. 3.Debbie Gordon-Ruben sings and dances as the drums beat on.Ross-Martin Pascal practices his moves under the guiddence of his mother, Janeta Pascal.
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