Opening Ceremonies

January 29, 2023

Preshow: 6:30 p.m.
Program: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Legacy Dodge Baseball Stadium (MacDonald Island Park)

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The Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games Opening Ceremonies presented by Bouchier will include the lighting of the cauldron and the conclusion of the Torch Relay. This shining show takes place under the night sky. Dress warm and kick off Games week with high energy!

Shine on the Snye

January 30 & 31, 2023

Time: 4-8 p.m.

Location: Snye Point Park

The Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games will host, Shine on the Snye, a two-day evening event themed around the northern lights and northern living. Snye Point Park will come to life with the colours and light production based on the “Time to Shine” theme of the Games. The event features dog sledding tours with a public viewing, local Indigenous cultural tents/activations, Bannock on a stick, public skating, Cree and Dene language displays, night sky teachings, campfires with local storytelling and more!

Time to Shine Cultural Exhibit

The Time to Shine Cultural Exhibit will be curated to reflect the slogan of the Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games, Time to Shine. The exhibit will feature items from the participating cultural contingents, and the First Nations and Métis Nations located within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The exhibit will be located in Keyano Theatre & Arts Centre and will be open for viewing to the general public and AWG participants.

Missing, Murdered and Exploited Indigenous Peoples

Activation presented by Athabasca Tribal Council
MacDonald Island Park, February 1, 2023

As a part of the Games’ Culture Program and the Truth and Reconciliation Pin Series, the Host Society has committed to educating the public and participants on Missing Murdered Exploited Indigenous Peoples through the “Red Dress Pin” initiative.

Attendees are welcome to explore a pop-up art gallery of local Indigenous art created intentionally to represent the issues of Missing, Murdered & Exploited Indigenous Peoples. The gallery will be followed by a creative activity based on the information they experienced and will obtain the 2023 AWG Red Dress pin.

Seven Sacred Teachings

A roving exhibit detailing the Seven Sacred Teachings, will travel to various Games venues during the week of January 29 – February 4. In Indigenous culture, the Seven Sacred Teachings are an oral traditional teaching that are passed down through generations and are shared across the lands of our country since the beginning of history. These teachings honour the virtues necessary to live a full and healthy, happy, and balanced life.

The Seven Sacred Teachings:

Love – Love is the gift from the Eagle
Respect – Respect is the gift from the Buffalo
Courage – The Bear carries courage
Honesty – Honesty is carried by the Sabe
Wisdom – The Beaver carries wisdom
Truth – The Turtle carries truth
Humility – The Wolf carries humility

Braiding Our Worlds
presented by Athabasca Tribal Council

Residential School Activation
MacDonald Island Park, February 2, 2023

Attendees are welcome to experience the exhibition by the Legacy of Hope Foundation titled Generations Lost: Healing the Legacy of Residential Schools. The exhibition shares a 100-year timeline on the creation and implementation of the residential school system in Canada, as well as the steps towards healing including the 2008 apology by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and historical resilience of Indigenous peoples today.

Attendees are welcome to explore the exhibition then attend a creative activity based on the information they experienced and will obtain the 2023 AWG Orange Shirt pin.

Culture of the day

January 29 – February 4, 2023

Location: Suncor Community Leisure Centre

Visit the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo’s booth to learn more about a different culture each day of the week.

Pin Trading Post

January 29 – February 4, 2023

Times:

• Sunday – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
• Saturday – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: Suncor Community Leisure Centre (MacDonald Island Park)

Pin trading is, for some, an obsession and at the Arctic Winter Games, it’s an unofficial sport! Visit the Pin Trading Post during Games week to learn more about pin trading, meet and trade pins with other guests, and learn more about the Games and culture of other countries.

Closing Ceremonies

February 4, 2023

PRESHOW: 3:30 p.m.

PROGRAM: 4:00 p.m.

Location: Legacy Dodge Baseball Stadium (MacDonald Island Park)

The Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games Closing Ceremonies presented by Finning will conclude an exciting Games week. Dress warm as we celebrate a fun week of cultural and sporting events and say goodbye to our circumpolar North neighours.