Eddie Arey

Hall of Fame

A natural builder of Arctic Sports, Eddie Arey was born at Whitefish Station in northern Yukon in 1949. It’s close to Hershel Island and because his parents were born on Barter Island, Alaska, Eddie’s identity is Invpiat (formerly Alaskan Eskimo).

He was an inquisitive young athlete and learned Arctic Sports in Aklavik and Inuvik in part by watching other athletes and elders. 

Eddie took up the reigns of coaching in 1980 and coached consistently for 14 years. He attended eight Arctic Winter Games as an athlete and a coach, and won over 40 medals. Arctic Sports competitions took him to the Northern Games in Inuvik, McPherson and Aklavik, the World Eskimo Olympics, and the 1990 North American Indigenous Games in Edmonton. The highest profile competition he participated in was the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria.

Both young and mature athletes Eddie’s coach respect Eddie and his legacy. Arctic Sports has developed throughout the entire territory due to Eddie’s hard work, consideration and dedication. Sport Yukon will always appreciate his immense contribution to our communities.