Pin Trading, the Unofficial 21st Sport of the Arctic Winter Games

Across all the festivities that come with the Arctic Winter Games, one stands out. With no age, gender, athletic ability, or position required, pin trading has swept through Whitehorse, Yukon this week. First introduced to the Arctic Winter Games in 1972, official game pins have been a mainstay since with each instalment becoming a must-have for the athletes, spectators and volunteers alike.

I spoke with Lewis Taman, the National Events Coordinator at The Pin People who create and supply each year’s pins for the AWG. They have been in the pin business for over forty years but have never experienced anything like these events. “The trading is borderless, you see people trading from six to sixty years old... on stairways and in the stands, it’s everywhere.” This is Lewis’s first time at the Games; he was impressed with just how many people were here to trade and collect pins without having any ties to the Games themselves.

Walking through the halls of any venue hosting the Arctic Winter Games, you are bound to see a table of pins open for trade. One collector at this year’s Games is twelve-year old Jesse Thibault, who is attending his first Games with two goals in mind; cheer on his brother and get as many pins as possible.

So far, his favourite part of the pin trading has been seeing just how many different kinds there are and how old they can be. Jesse has used his pins to meet new people and learn more about the different circumpolar regions and their cultures. He will be sure to bring the pins he takes home to every event he goes to afterwards.

Pin trading isn’t a competition; there is no winner or ulus awarded. It is a way for generations to cross paths, sharing stories alongside artwork in the form of pins. Whitehorse has been a kind host to the unofficial 21st sport of the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, and there’s no sign of it slowing down for the next.

By Kaiden Raney