Kinngait students from Sam Pudlat School and Peter Pitseolak School took part in a month-long walking challenge in June that helped the community earn the title of Nunavut’s Most Active Community through the 2026 ParticipACTION Community Challenge. (File photo by Madalyn Howitt)

Kinngait walked away from a Nunavut-wide competition as this year’s Most Active Community.

The hamlet won the 2026 ParticipAction Community Challenge, earning $10,000 for local recreation and physical activity initiatives.

“It is good for any community, but it was our first time registering for the program, so we were very pleased and very thrilled to hear that we won,” Mayor Jimmy Manning said in an interview.

The challenge took place in 385 communities across the country and tallied residents’ combined, walking distances in June. Quebec City was named Canada’s Most Active Community, while each province and territory had their own winner.

After watching Iqaluit claim the territorial title the last three years, Kinngait’s recreation department challenged residents “to bring down” the champs and “to bring home the money,” said recreation mentor Dawn Currie.

“We knew for a number of years [that] Iqaluit was the only one that’s ever won it,” Currie said. “Good on them. But this year, we stepped in to try and get the community jacked up a bit more for it.”

The community organized a month-long walking challenge throughout June, with residents tracking their steps using pedometers and weekly log sheets. About 200 students and teachers at Sam Pudlat School and Peter Pitseolak School led the effort.

“They’re the reason we won,” Currie said.

The $10,000 prize will help fund youth and elder recreation programs, after-school activities, sports tournaments, the second annual Tour de Kinngait bike race and activities at the community’s outdoor skating rink, Currie said.

Manning said he hopes the success of this year’s challenge will encourage even more residents, particularly elders, to participate next year.

Currie said the recreation department already offers elder programs three to five afternoons a week and has introduced strength-building exercises that involve seated pedal bikes, light balls and resistance bands.