Parent-child duos enjoy the chance to compete together at Arctic Winter Games

The new open category for some sports in the Arctic Winter Games (AWG) is giv‐ ing parents and their chil‐ dren the opportunity to be teammates.

Lennie Charlie, from Car‐ macks, Yukon, said watching his son, Jasper Charlie, win a gold ulu in the stick pull was one of his proudest momen‐ ts.

"It was amazing and my voice is lost because of him screaming for him," he said.

But Lennie isn't just there to watch, he's also on Team Yukon competing in the Dene Games open male division.

For Jasper, 15, it was great to play a game that he can practise with his father.

"It feels great to have someone around to kind of teach me and guide me and give me money and it's just wonderful," he said with a laugh.

"It's what really carries it along throughout the genera‐ tions."

The pair weren't the only parent-child duo competing in the games.

Chris Stipdonk says he is the oldest competitor on team NT, while his daughter Lindsey Stipdonk is the youngest.

"It's like great experiences for like, father, daughter time," Lindsey said. "I get to watch him and he can watch me. It's really awesome."

Chris is the world record holder for the knuckle hop, he had initially said last years' AWG would be his fi‐ nal. But he decided to attend the games in Mat-Su where he had the chance to com‐ pete alongside his daughter.

Chris said in two years he hopes to make the team and compete at Arctic Sports again.

Lindsey is competing in snowshoeing, she won a bronze ulu in the relay com‐ petition.

Chris also won a bronze ulu in one hand reach and set a personal best. One hand reach is an Arctic Sport that involves balancing on one hand while reaching for an object.

"I'm so proud of myself and proud of my daughter, it's pretty cool that we have something hanging around our neck here," he said.