6 Unexpected Activities at Iqaluit Mass Registration

Iqaluit Mass Registration is an annual event that takes place in September. It is the destination for all things sports and rec. A gigantic trade show of activities, Iqaluit Mass Registration is a place to meet-and-greet those involved in sports clubs (e.g. basketball, volleyball, hockey), leisure clubs (e.g. choir, dance, cadets), community services organizations (e.g. Iqaluit Humane Society, Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank, Qayuqtuvik Society), and service organizations (e.g. Rotary Club, Piviniit Society, Alianait).

A lot of the activities are what you would expect of a tiny Canadian town: hockey, curling, and other things that involve ice. But this is Iqaluit, and we’re not your average small town. Here, we’ve rounded up our top 6 unexpected activities that you can find at Iqaluit Mass Registration.

1. Iqaluit T’ai Chi Club

The ancient internal Chinese martial art has found a new home in Iqaluit. The group brings a t’ai chi Master to Iqaluit every fall, and students have even taken their teachings back to the motherland:

 

2. Iqaluit Soto Zen Group

Get grounded on the tundra: Shogun (“Continuous Effort”) François Ouellette shares his knowledge of Zen Buddhism with Iqalummiut wishing to learn about and practice  meditation. Oullette is also an amazing artist whose work has been featured at the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum.

How timely. A Polarman Portrait. #youarewhoyoumeet (I guess that makes me a middle aged dude in a luchador mask who doesn't shower for fear of losing his super powers…)

A photo posted by Sara Statham (@saraashleygrant) on Mar 27, 2013 at 8:15pm PDT

 

 3. Iqaluit Broomball Association

We definitely had not heard of broomball until we moved to Iqaluit. For those of you who don’t know about this Canadian sport, broomball involves an ice rink, two hockey nets, a broom, a ball, grippy shoes, and a surprising amount of protective equipment (the Association  “requires” helmets and elbow pads and “strongly recommends” shin pads, knee pads, gloves, face masks, and support cups). Needless to say, we’ve heard that this is one of those sports where “it doesn’t matter if you win or lose” is a bold-faced lie. But you can’t blame players for trying to win epic trophies like THESE:

 

4. Iqaluit Tundra Tumblers

A gymnastics group that is super popular with the kids, so show up early for any chance of securing your tiny gymnast a spot. Adult gymnastics is also offered. Check out their Facebook page for more info! [ETA: Iqaluit Tundra Tumblers will NOT be at Mass Registration this year. Information on how to sign up will be posted to their Facebook page! Again, they will NOT be at Mass Registration.]

 

5. Iqaluit’s Glorious League of Ultimate Frisbee

Yes. That’s *actually* its name (props to whoever submitted that for publication).

6.Iqaluit Highland Dance

Now this one’s really unexpected: Just last year, a newcomer named Ashleigh Wells brought her love for highland dance and tartan to our town. Her table at Mass Registration drew so much attention, Wells found herself with over 50 students in no time – and more asking to join (including their parents!). Iqaluit Highland Dance now has a Facebook page, recitals, and proof that Iqaluit is a cultured mini-metropolis.

 

If you’re looking to get involved in some community action, be sure to check out Iqaluit Mass Registration 2014 this Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 11:00am at Inuksuk High School. Unless you have kids and need to sign them up for highly-coveted yet space-limited activities, save yourself the claustrophobia and roll in a bit later. And, if you are unable to make it to Iqaluit Mass Registration, you can check out your options in the 2014 City of Iqaluit Recreation Guide.

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