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Nunavut speed skater Akutaq smiling with her skates

Celebrating the next generation: these speed skaters prove keeping a positive mindset is everything

When Akutaq started speed skating, she discovered a feeling of total freedom where all that matters is the moment, her movement, and keeping a positive mindset.

“I don’t think I’d be as strong as I am now both mentally and physically if it weren’t for speed skating” shares Akutaq. “Skating feels freeing, and I can forget about the rest of the world. It’s just me and the ice and I can focus on what my goals for that practice are.” 

The first time the 17-year-old speed skater from Iqaluit, Nunavut tried the sport at the age of 7, she had no idea that 10 years later she’d still be lacing up her skates week after week.

Akutaq continues to chase competition medals and personal bests, but it’s the lessons and skills that she can apply to her daily life that keep her returning to the ice each year. 

It’s the freedom Akutaq feels, and the way speed skating pushes her to never stop improving and learning, that she loves most. “I’ve discovered what my strengths and weaknesses are, and how to maintain endurance. A lot of people think speed skating is about getting first place, but as you get older you realize it’s more about improving your individual time. You’re competing against yourself, and this helps you become the strongest version of yourself.”

 

Akutaq speed skates past the camera

Akutaq zips by on the ice.

Individual sports like speed skating are helping young girls break barriers and change the world’s perspective on what female athletes can accomplish in sport.

“I’ve been in competitions where a guy may tease and say they’re going to beat me, but I’d just laugh and get racing. Then I’d beat them and say, ‘look who's talking now!’ But I try not to get stuck on stereotypes because they’ll push me down. I focus on my own positive mindset.”

Through the Nunavut speed skating association skaters like Akutaq are inspiring younger generations to follow her lead. 

Brea, who is seven years old and in her first season, fell instantly in love with speed skating. She started out in figure skating but realized what she wanted most was to skate fast like her older brother in the Iqaluit speed skating program. 

 

Brea smiles at the camera while holding her skates

It's Brea's first season on the ice, but she fell in love with it instantly. 



“We do a lot of laps in practice and it’s my favourite thing to do. My friends and I will play and chase each other on the rink, so I try to go faster and faster” says Brea.

After Akutaq ages out of the Iqaluit program, she’s determined to keep skating in some way or other. “I want to keep this community that we’ve grown, and I want young girls to feel the same way I did when I first sped down the ice.”

 

Brea and Akutaq stand side by side on the ice in their speed skating uniforms

Brea and Akutaq: Speed skaters breaking down barriers with a (masked) smile



The Nunavut Speed Skating Association provides an opportunity for youth ages 4 to 19 to experience and excel at short track speed skating. Northwestel helps the association with the cost of skating suits and sponsors the Learn to Speed Skate program for levels 1 to 5. 

Break the Bias

For International Women’s Day 2022 (IWD) we’re celebrating women and girls involved in sports programs supported by Northwestel’s Community Investment program.

By sharing these stories and celebrating girls’ achievements in sport, we hope to inspire the next generation of northern female athletes and contribute to this year’s IWD goal to #BreaktheBias. Check out these other stories about women and girls who are breaking the bias in their own hometowns:

Did you miss last year’s IWD stories? Read our 2021 IWD community articles featuring some of Northwestel’s powerhouse female employees:

Tags: Community