What Games would be complete without a mascot? Certainly not the Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games (AWG)!

As a team, we searched far and wide to capture the essence of what these Games will represent to the people within the region and abroad. Through a region-wide contest, youth were invited to submit drawings with their vision of who could represent our region for the 2023 Arctic Winter Games!

The AWG Mascot Committee was delighted to receive over 50 entries from youth in Conklin to Fort Chipewyan. With such creative diversity, our youngest submission was from a highly imaginative four-year-old and our eldest submission was from a very artistic 16-year-old. Regardless of age, one thing was clear—our region has the most talented and engaged youth! While the Mascot Committee would have loved to see all submissions realized as mascots for the Host Society, there was the unenviable task to select just one submission who would make the cut and represent us in 2023.

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Through an online campaign, residents were asked to select their favourite submissions. With many ballots being casted, the Mascot Committee was pleasantly surprised at how engaged the community was in the process! Not only were residents excited to participate, but there was also fierce debate on who might be “the one”. After a two-week-long voting campaign, it was clear who the winner would be.

Meet Nitotem, the Lynx!

The character, envisioned by Fort McMurray’s own Sadie Antoine is a lovable Lynx. Nitotem’s back story is quite unique. Nitotem was born just north of Fort Chipewyan in the peaceful forests of Wood Buffalo National Park. The other animals in the boreal forest gave Nitotem his name, which means “my friend” in the Cree language.

What’s a mascot without a great partner?

Nitotem is very excited to be partnering with A.P.E Maintenance Ltd. Nitotem and APE Maintenance Ltd. have a lot in common, they both take a hands-on approach to participating in community life within the region.

“As a locally owned company, it’s important to us to give back to the community in which we work and live. We are proud to be part of the region and look forward to seeing Nitotem bring joy to people in Wood Buffalo,” said Melanie Antoine, A.P.E. Maintenance Ltd.

You may have seen Nitotem traveling across the region to meet the residents and visitors as he prepares for the Games. There is resounding support for Nitotem, and rest assured he is excited to meet as many residents and visitors as possible!

While we are all individual ambassadors for our region, Nitotem is honoured to be able to represent the diversity within the region, our province and our wonderful country.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to meet Nitotem, he looks forward to making your acquaintance soon! Don’t be shy, come on out and say “Hi!”.