Roy Ipana honoured in Inuvik

Hundreds of people filled Inuvik's arena on February 19, as it was renamed the Roy Sugloo Ipana memorial arena.

Ipana died in December after a long battle with diabetes. He is survived by his family which includes 10 children and 21 grandchildren.

A traditional hunter and whaler, he is remembered as the host of Inuvik's Muskrat Jamboree as well as an advocate of arctic and other sports.

Ipana also played for the Old Dogs hockey team in Inuvik. On February 19 his hockey jersey was revealed in a glass frame. It will be preserved in the arena that now bears his name.

Speakers paid tribute to Ipana's enthusiasm for sport, as well as his good humour and campaigns for community activities such as the Northern Games and Muskrat Jamboree.

The renaming of the arena was the highlight of this year's Inuvialuit Regional Corporation hockey tournament, which draws visitors from throughout the western arctic.