Football in the Canadian Arctic

Nunavut is one of the most remote, sparsely populated parts of the world. It is also where some young footballers call home

A film by Adrijan Assoufi for Copa90

Sports, like most aspects of life, are not easy in Nunavut, the largest and most northerly territory in Canada. The vast region is more than eight times the size of the UK, yet it only contains 38,000 people – one for every 25 square miles. The weather is extreme, with temperatures in some places falling below -50 at winter; alcohol is limited in some communities due to problems with addiction; and the suicide rate peaked at 10 times the national average a few years ago. But football is having a big impact on young people in the territory.

On my first trip to Nunavut a few years ago, I came across a kickabout in the remote community of Arviat, which has a population of around 2,600. I was amazed at how skilled the kids were with the ball. They had a distinctive style, which they developed by growing up playing and moving on the tundra. I knew I needed to capture this delight and share it.

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