The Arctic Winter Games are a biennial multi-sport and indigenous cultural event involving circumpolar peoples residing in communities or countries bordering the Arctic Ocean. Background The Arctic Winter Games were founded in 1969 under the leadership of Governor Walter J. Hickel of Alaska, Stuart M. Hodgson, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, and Yukon Commissioner James Smith. The idea to "provide a forum where athletes from the circumpolar North could compete on their own terms, on their own turf" came from Cal Miller, an advisor with the Yukon team at the 1967 Canada Winter Games. In 1970 in Yellowknife, Canada, 500 athletes, trainers and officials came together for the first Arctic Winter Games. The participants came from the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Alaska. Since then, the Games have been held on fifteen occasions in different places and with ever more participants from more and more places within the Arctic region. The games in 2002 were the first jointly hosted Arctic Winter Games, by Nuuk, Greenland and Iqaluit, Nunavut. Contingents Since 2004 the same nine contingents have participated in the Arctic Winter Games. Another four contingents have taken part in the games throughout the games' history: Russia, Magadan, Tyumen and Chukotka. In the table below is an overview of each contingent's appearances throughout the games. Prior to the 2000 Arctic Winter Games Nunavut was part of the Northwest Territories. After division in 1999, Nunavut competed as separate contingent. Host cities Host cities have been in Canada, the United States, and Greenland. Hodgson Trophy The Hodgson trophy for fair play and team spirit is awarded at the end of every games. The trophy is named for Stuart Milton Hodgson, former Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. The past winners of the trophy are: Arctic Winter Games International Committee The Arctic Winter Games International Committee consists of the following people John Flynn - Yukon, President John Rodda - Alaska, Vice President/Treasurer Ian Laegraee - Northwest Territories, International Director Leigh Goldie - Alberta, Secretary Marie Cairns - Yukon, director Karl Davidsen - Greenland, director John Estle - Alaska, director Gary Schauerte - Northwest Territories, director Kyle Seely - Nunavut, director Les Skinner - Northwest Territories, director Don Wilson - Alberta, director Moira Lassen - Yukon, Operations Coordinator Lindsay Smith, Technical Coordinator Sports disciplines A total of 29 sports have been represented at the Arctic Winter Games. Arctic Sports, badminton, cross country skiing, ice hockey and volleyball