Forerunner to the Games

Photo Randy Vanderveen Grande Prairie, Alberta 06/11/09 Dean Dreger mans the reins on a chuckwagon as Kelly Sutherland, a 10-time champion on the World Professional Chuckwagon Association circuit and at the Calgary Stampede respectively, carries the Olympic torch on its first leg through the City of Grande Prairie, Alberta. The torch is on a cross-Canada circuit as it makes its way to the opening of the Vancouver Olympics in February 2010.

The 2010 Vancouver Olympics torch run made its way through Grande Prairie as it heads to the Maritimes via cities in Canada's north.

While most people who live in north of Grande Prairie or even in the city, don't consider the community the North, it has been designated that way as it is above the 55th parallel.

In fact in March — positioned between the Vancouver/Whistler Olympics and the subsequent Paralympics — Grande Prairie will be hosting the world (or at least the world north of 55). Athletes from Canada's North, Alaska, Greenland, and Russia will come to GP as the community will be the southernmost host to the Arctic Winter Games.

While not as high profile as many games around the world, it is unique for two reasons — first it allows athletes from communities that are often isolated an opportunity to travel and compete with others in the same situation.

Second it also showcases traditional Inuit and Dene games as well as a full slate of other athletic endeavours.

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It was strange photographing Kelly Sutherland in a touque holding a torch instead of the reins. Usually when I have photographed him it has been him glaring out from his dark cowboy hat adorned with a feather as he urges a team of thoroughbreds around the barrels and through "a half a mile of hell".