The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) extends best wishes to Team NT as they prepare to proudly represent communities across the Northwest Territories at the 2026 Arctic Winter Games (AWG) in Whitehorse, Yukon, from March 8 to 15, 2026. This year’s delegation highlights representation from small and remote communities and the introduction of Team NT’s first formal Eligibility Policy, implemented to ensure fairness, transparency, and safety in team selection.

Team NT includes 356 participants, including approximately 275 youth, along with coaches, cultural managers, and mission staff. The delegation represents communities from across the territory, including Aklavik, Behchokǫ̀, Colville Lake, Délı̨nę, Fort Good Hope, Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik, Norman Wells, Tsiigehtchic, Tuktoyaktuk, Tulita, Ulukhaktok, and Yellowknife.

Team NT participants will compete in a wide range of Arctic Winter Games sports, including Archery, Arctic Sports, Badminton, Basketball, Biathlon Ski, Biathlon Snowshoe, Cross Country Skiing, Cultural, Curling, Dene Games, Figure Skating, Futsal, Gymnastics, Hockey, Snowboarding, Speed Skating, Table Tennis, Volleyball, and Wrestling.

Cultural delegates will accompany the sport participants, showcasing the talents of NWT youth musicians and performers while sharing their traditions and arts with participants and audiences from across the circumpolar world. Their presence reinforces the AWG’s longstanding objective of celebrating both sport and cultural excellence.

This year also marks the introduction of Team NT’s first formal Participant Eligibility Policy, which sets clear minimum requirements for athletes, cultural participants, coaches, cultural managers, and chaperones. The policy strengthens fairness, transparency, and consistency in team selection by standardizing core criteria across all roles, such as NWT residency, minimum age, and mandatory background checks for adults, along with a clear exemption process for exceptional circumstances.

This year’s Team NT roster features women coaching across every sport, marking strong progress toward gender equity in leadership and reinforcing the territory’s commitment to achieving coaching parity in future multisport delegations. This year’s contingent also reflects the GNWT’s focus on inclusion, with women, men, and non‑binary coaches represented across several sports, creating space for youth from all regions to see themselves reflected in the leaders who support and inspire them.

The GNWT also acknowledges the invaluable partnership of the Sport North Federation and TSOs, whose ongoing commitment, expertise, and leadership have been essential in preparing Team NT for the 2026 AWGs and supporting athletes across the territory.

Quotes

“Team NT showcases the North at its finest, with youth and leaders from all regions of our territory competing proudly, supporting one another, and sharing our diverse cultures with the circumpolar world. I am especially pleased that Team NT’s leadership group – including coaches, cultural managers, and mission staff – reflects our commitment to gender equity and inclusion. This ensures that youth from every region see themselves reflected in the adults who support and inspire them. To every athlete, coach, cultural participant, and mission staff member: you have already made us proud. Travel safe, compete hard and fairly, support one another, and enjoy every moment in Whitehorse.”

  - The Honourable Vince McKay, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs

Quick Facts

• Team NT consists of 356 members, including athletes, cultural participants, coaches, cultural managers and mission staff.
• Approximately 275 youth participants will represent the NWT across 19 Sports and Cultural Disciplines.
• Participants come from 19 communities across all five regions of the NWT.
• Team NT’s leadership roles, including coaches, cultural managers, and mission staff, comprise women, men, and non-binary leaders, supporting GNWT’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Across this leadership group, 48.8 percent identify as women, 48.8 percent as men, and 2.4 percent as non‑binary,
• Cultural performers will represent northern arts and traditions through music and performance during the AWGs.
• Mission staff provide essential operational, safety, and logistical support to the full Team NT delegation.

Related Links

• Sport North Federation – Team NT: https://www.sportnorth.com/teamnt
• Team NT – 2026 Arctic Winter Games Participant Eligibility Policy
• Team NT Sport Integrity Policy
• Arctic Winter Games: https://www.arcticwintergames.org

For media requests, please contact:
Peter Tah
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
Peter_Tah@gov.nt.ca
867-767-9162 ext. 21012