Muskrat Jamboree

By Shafia u sman

none of the contestants in the race for King and Queen could remember the last time 6 couples ran for the crown. But that is exactly what happened at this years’ 54th annual muskrat Jamboree — six couples raised a remarkable $79,000 from a small community of 3,500 people. in the words of gerry Kisoun, a long time Jamboree volunteer himself: “it just goes to show what a number of committed volunteers can get done in this community.” fundraising requires a lot of hard work and is instrumental to the success of the Jamboree. this year we asked 5 couples, who ran for King and Queen, why they took on the challenge and what were some of their strategies.

Erin Simon & Riley Maring-Blake

Dance instructors raising money for a good cause

Erin Simon was fussing over last minute details right before her Merchandise Bingo fundraiser when I arrived at Ingamo Hall for our meeting. The immediate impression that Erin made was that she’s serious, diligent and the one to look out for in the race for King and Queen. I felt like I had dragged her away from her tasks so that we could talk – but only briefly, of course, because she was anxious to get back to work.

Erin’s companion in the race was Riley MaringBlake, a shy but active high school student and soccer player. Both Erin and Riley are dance instructors with the Inuvik Friendship Dancers. They partnered together to raise money for the Muskrat Jamboree simply because they wanted to help out. When asked if competition was fierce Erin replied, “We’re just focusing on what we’re doing. We see it as a good fundraiser.”

But fundraising takes more than just the will to help a good cause. Erin and Riley are steadfast and enterprising. They organized a flea market, jail-and-bail, luncheon and auction to raise money. Together they raised over $23,000 which earned them 2nd place in the King and Queen race. Erin also advised, “you have to be gung-ho to do this, very motivated, energetic, friendly.” Erin had brought that friendly energy to their bingo event that night.

Maureen Keevik & Roger Anderson

A flourishing friendship

Every couple running for King and Queen were so different. Maureen Keevik and Roger Anderson were a riot. As we sat down at the department of public works conference room, straightaway Maureen started to make fun of Rogers’ hair while Roger pretended to be insulted and defended his hairstyle.

Maureen is a veteran fundraiser for the Muskrat jamboree. She was a contestant four times before and won the crown twice. This year she asked her friend Roger, who moved here from Toronto a year ago, to join her.

“This time we’re going to lose pretty bad,” Anderson made a self-deprecating prediction. Apparently, both Maureen and Roger were pressed for time and unable to organize big fundraisers. Roger is a project manager at the Department of Public works who travels a lot and Maureen is conducting field research for the ICC. But still, they sold tickets, held a 50-50 at the dome, and had a chili and doughnut sale.

Roger initially agreed to join Maureen in this endeavor because they were friends. Usually they have a great time playing darts and hanging out. “I said ‘why not?’ Maureen has always been good to me.” Plus, Roger likes to take any opportunity to strengthen his northern experience.

Maureen pointed out that Roger was the first black man to run for King in 54 years. “He made history,” she boasted. Roger is already planning to run again next year and the second time round he is going to be competitive. “I’m going to work really hard,” he pledged. “I have to make history by becoming king next year”

But all was not lost this year. These two friends still hung out and shared some laughs while making some extra cash for the Jamboree.

Chelsy Arey & Edward Cardinal High school Sweethearts looking for a Challenge

Chelsy Arey and Edward Cardinal were probably the shyest contestants in the race this year. But they raised $15,000 for the Jamboree. “We don’t care if we place or not,” said Chelsea. “Its just for fun. Something to keep us busy and out of trouble.” Yet they still managed to raise bucket loads of money and placed third in the competition.

Chelsy and Edward secured sponsorships from places like Bob’s Welding, IRC, Home Hardware, and Delta Cabs. They held 50-50 draws, merchandise bingos, and bake sales. But they confessed that Edward’s mother, Loretta, worked really hard to help them out.

Fundraising was a welcomed challenge and Chelsy found that this experience has helped her come out of her shell a bit. “At first I was really shy,” explained Chelsy, “Now I’m just out there [saying] ‘Buy tickets! Help support Muskrat Jamboree!’”

Chelsy and Edward said they appreciate the Jamboree because its’ “good for the community to come together, spend time with each other.” It is reassuring and refreshing to see such young people making a commitment to the idea of community.

Clara Elias & Pete Smith Beginning Anew

It has been two years since Clara Elias and Pete Smith triumphed over some very serious health issues. They also recently got engaged. Now that Clara and Pete have another shot at a healthy life, they don’t want to waste any precious moments. Clara explained that joining the King and Queen race was their chance to step out in the community and “show the people and the region these two people are healthy again…body, mind, and spirit.”

They started out very motivated to raise money by selling traditional crafts from Ulukhaktok, tickets and doing some 50-50 draws. Pete believed that Clara’s smile and personality was vital to fundraising, “She’s just got that personality that brings people towards her.” A few weeks into their fundraising endeavors Pete took a job that he loves at Northwind Industries. But working 12-hour shifts put a halt to their fundraising efforts.

Pete and Clara were content with the money they did raise for the Jamboree. However, true to their sweet and friendly nature, they also continued to support the Jamboree by attending fundraising events hosted by the other contestants. “I’m not out to be king and queen,” Pete explains, “We’re already king and queen here.” After all, the chance at a new beginning is a great privilege in and of itself.

Sallie & Richard Ross

Dedicated Soccer Parents Give Back

“We are definitely fundraising people,” said Sallie Ross as we talked in her living room on a Sunday afternoon. She looked pretty relaxed considering the fundraising events she and her husband had lined up for the week ahead of them.

Sallie is energetic, a nurse, and is a coach for the Delta Heat girls soccer team in Inuvik. Richard Ross has a mellow personality compared to his wife but is just as personable. He works for the GNWT public works and is also a skilled carpenter who built the house that they live in. Together they make a resourceful fundraising tag team.

Sallie talked eagerly about their fundraising strategies for the Muskrat Jamboree. Among them was an audacious fundraiser called “Jail-and-Bail.” People paid Richard and Sallie to have their unsuspecting friends, co-workers, or spouses “arrested” by an offduty RCMP officer. Among the jail-birds was Gerry Kisoun, a retired RCMP constable. After Kisoun was arrested, he had his mugshot taken and coughed up the $20 “bail” fine before he was let free.

“Being aggressive works well when it comes to ticket sales. But being innovative brings people in,” said an enthused Sallie. “By having different events, and trying to put a different spin on them. That’s what draws people in.” Another one of Sallie and Richard’s innovative events was a Chinese Luncheon at Ingamo Hall. It drew a huge crowd of people on a Saturday afternoon. While waiting in line the crowd made jokes and cheerful exchanges despite a 30-minute delay.

The night before the luncheon the Ross’ had two medical emergencies in their family that kept them awake until the morning. But Sallie and Richard are not the type to be held back. They fried up a storm on the morning of the luncheon and filled Ingamo hall with the smell of ginger beef and served a colorful lunch of coconut shrimp, chop suey, and spring rolls.

While Richard and Sallie are tenacious fundraisers they acknowledge that they could not have done it without the help of their sisters, cousins, and mothers. Their key advantage was their supportive family network.

Sallie and Richard have a lot of fundraising experience behind them. They founded and coach the Delta Heat Soccer team for girls in Inuvik for the last 5 years. Every year the team raises money to attend Ernie’s Rock-Around-the-Clock soccer tournament in Grand Prairie Alberta. Many of the girls have flourished in spirit and skill. In the past, the Muskrat Jamboree has contributed monies to their soccer team.

This year it was Sallie and Richards turn to give back to the Muskrat Jamboree and they raised over $26,000 and took the title of King and Queen. Also, they did it all while simultaneously fundraising for Delta Heat soccer – which just speaks to their tenacity.