Kivalliq News, Feb. 26 Edition

ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᒥᐊᓗᒃᑖᕐᕕᒃᑖᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ Wine and beer store for Rankin Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Vol 26 No 9

$1.00

Nunavut's Award-Winning Voice of Kivalliq

Polar Bear Plate champions

Austin Caza, from left, andrew Pearce, Peter Akavak and Kavin Kullualik of the Baffin Blizzard accept the Polar Bear Plate championship trophy after Baffin defeated Rankin Inlet 3-2 in overtime at the new Rankin arena on Feb. 23, 2020.

Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

ᐊᒥᓱᓪᓚᕇᑦ ᐃᑎᕈᑏᑦ Hᐊᑭᑦᑐᓄᑦ ᓂᐅᕕᖅᑕᐅᔪᑦ

Community ᐱᐅᓯᕚᓪᓕᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᖅ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂᒃ, ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᔪᑦ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ

ᓄᑖᖅ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔮᕐᕕᒃ ᐃᓂᖃᑦᑎᐊᖅᑐᖅ, ᐊᒥᓲᓂᖅᓴᑦ ᑕᐅᑐᒋᐊᖅᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ Hᐊᑭᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᐊᒥᓱᑦ Hᐊᑭᑦᑐᓄᑦ ᐃᑎᕈᑎᓂᒃ ᓂᐅᕕᕆᐊᖅᓯᒪᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓂᐅᕕᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᖅ ᐊᐅᓪᓛᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᖅᓴᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᓇᓄᙳᐊᕐᒥᒃ ᓚᐃᓴᓐᓯᒥᒃ Hᐊᑭᕕᒡᔪᐊᕈᑎᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᕕᕗᐊᕆ 20-ᒥ 23-ᒧᑦ. ᓇᓄᙳᐊᕐᒥᒃ ᓚᐃᓴᓐᓯᒥᒃ Hᐊᑭᕕᒡᔪᐊᕈᑎᖃᕐᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᑦᑕ ᐅᖃᖅᑎᖓ ᑳᓐᑕᔅ ᒍᕆᔭᒻ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ 800 ᐅᖓᑖᓃᑦᑐᒡᒎᖅ ᐃᑎᕈᑏᑦ ᓂᐅᕕᐊᖑᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᕕᕗᐊᕆ 20-ᒥ. ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᓄᑖᖑᓕᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍᒎᖅ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔮᕐᕕᒃ ᐊᒥᓲᓂᖅᓴᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᓕᐊᕈᓐᓇᖃᑦᑕᖅᓯᔪᑦ ᑕᐅᑐᒋᐊᖅᑐᕐᓗᑎᒃ, ᑕᐃᑉᓱᒪᓂ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᓕᐊᕌᓗᖅᑳᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᓇᓗᓇᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᕐᒪᑦ ᑕᐅᑐᒋᐊᖅᑐᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᕋᓗᐊᕐᒪᖔᕐᒥᒃ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᒍᕆᔭᒻ. "ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᖑᖕᒪᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᑉ ᓄᙳᐊᓂ ᐃᑎᕈᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᓂᐅᕕᐊᒃᓴᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᑕ ᑕᐅᑐᒋᐊᖅᑐᕈᑎᒃᓴᓂᒃ Hᐊᑭᑦᑐᓄᑦ, ᑕᐃᒪᐃᒻᒪᑦ ᐃᓕᑦᑎᔾᔪᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᐅᕙᑉᑎᓐᓄᑦ. "ᐅᖃᖅᓯᒪᓚᐅᙱᑦᑐᒍᑦ ᖃᑉᓯᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᓂᐅᕕᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᕐᒪᖔᑕ ᐃᑎᕈᑎᓂᒃ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᔾᔨᕐᓇᓚᐅᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᓂᐅᕕᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐊᑐᕆᐊᖃᖅᑕᐃᓐᓇᕐᒥᓂᒃ. "ᐅᖃᕈᔾᔨᔪᖓ ᓇᓄᙳᐊᖅ ᓚᐃᓴᓐᓯ Hᐊᑭᕕᒡᔪᐊᕈᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᖃᕈᓐᓇᙱᑦᑐᒍᑦ ᑎᐅᕆᓐᔅ ᑐᑐ ᐃᖅᑲᐅᒪᑉᓗᒍ Hᐊᑭᕕᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒫᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇᑦᑕᐅᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᒫᕐᒪᖔᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᓐᓄᑦ" ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒍᓐᓃᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᕐᒪᑕ ᓇᓄᙳᐊᕐᒥᒃ ᓚᐃᓴᓐᓯᒥᒃ Hᐊᑭᕕᒡᔪᐊᕈᑎᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐃᑎᕈᑏᑦ ᓂᐅᕕᐊᒃᓴᐅᓕᕌᖓᑕ ᓯᖐᑦᑐᖅ ᐱᙳᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥ, ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐊᐃᕙᓕᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ, ᐃᓄᐃᓪᓗ ᕿᕐᓗᑎᓇᓱᒃᐸᒃᖢᑎᒃ, ᐃᓚᖏᑦ ᐃᑎᕈᑎᓂᒃ ᓂᐅᕕᖅᐸᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᑭᑐᓂᖅᓴᒃᑯᑦ ᓂᐅᕕᐊᒃᓴᖃᕈᒪᓗᐊᒧᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᑉ ᓄᙳᐊᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ 100-ᖏᓐᓃᑦᑐᑦ ᑕᐅᑐᒍᒪᔪᑦ ᓄᖑᕈᔾᔭᐅᕙᒃᖢᑎᒃ ᑎᑭᑕᐅᖅᑳᕋᑎᒃ.

ᒍᕆᔭᒻ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᒡᒎᖅ ᑐᐊᕕᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᑎᕈᑎᓂᒃ ᓂᐅᕕᕆᐊᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᓄᑕᐅᙱᑦᑐᒥ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔮᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᒐᒥᒃ ᐊᒥᒐᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᑎᕈᓐᓇᖅᑐᑦ 503-ᒦᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ. ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᒫᓐᓇᐅᔪᕐᓕᒎᖅ 1,000-ᒦᓕᑦᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐃᑎᕈᓐᓇᖅᑐᑦ, ᑐᐊᕕᙱᓐᓂᖅᓴᐅᓕᖅᑐᑦ ᓂᐅᕕᐊᒃᓴᖃᕐᓇᐅᓕᕌᖓᑦ. "ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ Hᐊᑭᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᑕᐅᑐᒋᐊᖅᑐᕋᔪᖕᒪᑕ ᑕᒪᐃᓐᓄᑦ ᐱᙳᐊᖃᑎᒌᒃᑐᓄᑦ ᐱᙳᐊᕕᒡᔪᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ, ᑕᐃᒪᐃᒻᒪᑦ ᐊᒥᓲᖏᓐᓇᕈᔫᓲᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᑉ ᓄᙳᐊᓂ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ. "ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒥ ᐅᓐᓅᔪᒥ (ᕕᕗᐊᕆ 20-ᒥ) ᐅᖃᕈᓐᓇᖅᑐᖓ 700-ᖏᓐᓃᓚᐅᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔮᕐᕕᖕᒥ 5:00-ᒥ ᐅᓐᓄᒃᓴᒃᑯᑦ 10:00-ᒧᑦ ᐅᓐᓄᒃᑯᑦ. "ᑕᐃᒪᐃᒻᒪᑦ, ᓄᓇᒃᑰᕈᑎᓄᑦ ᓄᖅᑲᖅᑕᕐᕕᒃ ᐅᐃᒪᔮᕐᓇᖅᓯᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᐃᑲᓂ Hᐊᑭᐊᓂᒃᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ 500-ᖑᔪᑦ 700-ᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐊᓂᓇᓱᒃᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐊᑕᐅᑦᑎᒃᑯᑦ." ᒍᕆᔭᒻ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᓄᑖᒥᒎᖅ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔮᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᐃᖢᐊᖅᑐᐊᓘᖕᒥᔪᖅ ᐃᓂᑭᓪᓕᐅᖃᑦᑕᙱᒻᒪᑕ ᑕᐅᑐᒋᐊᖅᑐᖅᓯᒪᓲᑦ, ᐃᑎᕈᑏᑦ ᓄᖑᑕᐅᓯᒪᓕᕋᓗᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ. ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐊᓂᖅᓵᖅᑐᑦᑎᐊᕐᓇᖅᑐᐊᓗᒎᖅ, ᐃᑎᕈᑏᑦ ᓄᖑᑕᐅᓯᒪᒐᓗᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ. "ᐃᒃᓯᕚᕐᕖᑦ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᐃᒃᓯᕙᒍᕕᑦ ᓯᕗᓂᖕᓂ ᐊᑕᐅᓯᕐᒥᒃ foot-ᒥᒃ ᑕᑭᓂᓕᒃ ᓯᕗᓂᖕᓂ ᐃᓅᖃᑎᒋᔭᕐᓄᑦ. "ᐃᓂᖃᕐᓂᖅᓴᒻᒪᕆᐊᓗᒃ ᒫᓐᓇᐅᔪᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᒃᑐᐊᔾᔪᑎᐊᓗᒡᓗᑕᐅᔪᓐᓃᖅᑐᖅ. "ᓄᑕᐅᙱᑦᑐᒥ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔮᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᐊᒃᑐᐊᔾᔪᑎᓐᓇᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᕐᒪᑦ ᓯᕗᓂᖕᓃᑦᑐᒥᒃ ᑐᓄᖕᓃᑦᑐᒥᒡᓗ. "ᑕᐃᒪᐃᒻᒪᑦ, ᐃᖢᐊᖅᑐᐊᓗᒃ ᐃᓂᖃᕐᓂᖅᓴᐅᓕᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᑎᕈᑏᑦ ᓄᖑᓯᒪᓕᕋᓗᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ."

Improving attendance, participation in Arviat Opinion ‘Edmonton Eskimoᑯᑦ’ ᑕᐃᒎᓯᖓ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑐᐃᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ Putting the 'Edmonton Eskimos' issue to rest

"I get the feeling the overwhelming majority of people in Rankin are ready for this and, personally, I've always supported it."

– Former Kivalliq Inuit Association executive director Gabe Karlik on the wine and beer store coming to Rankin Inlet within the next 12 months, page 2.

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Huge ticket sales for Polar Bear Plate

New arena offers higher capacity, fan comfort for hockey tourney

by Darrell Greer

Behchoko

Northern News Services

AROUND Kivalliq

Rankin Inlet

with Darrell Greer

photo courtesy of Kristof Karcza

Mary Tagalik of the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) and consultant Shane Camirand, right, staff the KIA information table at the Kivalliq Community Opportunities Fair in Baker Lake on Feb. 21.

Opportunities fair

Baker Lake A number of organizations took part in the Kivalliq Inuit Association's (KIA) Kivalliq Community Opportunities Fair held in Baker Lake on Feb. 21.

The fair was aimed at those looking for employment, students looking for funding and/or support, anyone looking to run a cultural program, parents looking to invest in their children's future education and those wanting to start or extend their own business.

Among the entities scheduled to participate in the fair were the KIA, Sakku Investments, Qulliq Energy Corp., Skills Canada – Nunavut, Arctic Co-operatives, Pilimmaksaivik/CanNor and the Government of Nunavut.

Course grads Baker Lake Three students completed the Inspire Nunavut Entrepreneur program in Baker Lake: Buddy Mautaritnaaq; Jade Kudloo; and Robin Avaala.

The program merges traditional business models and social entrepreneurship while integrating Inuit culture and values, aimed specifically toward youth in Nunavut.

Red Amautiit Arviat The Red Amautiit project's Inuit women’s sewing circle for families and friends of those impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls will be at Padlei Inns North in Arviat on March 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Organized and delivered by the Manitoba Inuit Association, the project provides a culturally sensitive way to grieve through art therapy.

The Red Amautiit project will visit all seven Kivalliq communities during its tour, which is expected to see the completion of 13 different red amautiit during the next 18 months.

Junior Canucks Kivalliq These are the players selected to the Kivalliq Junior Canucks atoms team: Airo MacLean; Braylon Ayaruak; Connor Eetuk; Piu Piu Kusugak; Don Ikakhik; Tyler Pameolik; Robert Dion; Cooper Shimout; Charlie Benoit; Thornton Kaludjak; Gilbert Pameolik; Nick Matoo; Yvon Ikakhik; Carson Nukapiak; and Kennedy Nakoolak.

The team is set to compete in a major atoms tournament in Winnipeg during the coming month.

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, =}KxE 26, 2020

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Ticket sales were off the charts and the buying process ran a lot more smoothly during the popular Polar Bear Plate (PBP) junior/juvenile hockey tournament in Rankin Inlet from Feb. 20 to 23.

PBP committee spokesperson Kandace Graham said more than 800 weekend passes were sold on Feb. 20 alone.

Sanikiluaq She said having the new arena definitely opens the doors for more people to travel to Rankin Inlet again to watch the highly rated tournament.

"Only having a maximum capacity of 503 in our previous arena deterred people from coming to Rankin to attend big tournaments because, even after travelling all that way, there was just no guarantee that you were going to be able to get in and watch a hockey game," said Graham.

"This was our first big weekend when we were actually selling passes to get into the arena for a tournament, so, ultimately, it was a learning process for us.

"We had no maximum allowable number of tickets a person could buy this time and we found people were only buying the number of passes that they needed.

"I'm speaking solely for the PBP and there's no guarantee that the people on the Terence Tootoo Memorial committee will do things the same way for that tournament."

The situation could get tense when PBP tickets went on sale at the old Singiituq Complex arena, with arguments breaking out, people trying to jump the line, some buying tickets solely to scalp at higher prices during the weekend and hundreds of fans leaving disappointed when tickets ran out before their position in line was reached.

Graham said everybody rushed to buy tickets for the PBP at the old arena because everyone knew there weren't going to be enough tickets to go around with a capacity of only 503.

She said now that there's a capacity of

ᐸᕐᓂ ᑐᑐ ᑕᑯᑎᑦᑎᔪᖅ Hᐊᑭᑦᑐᓄᑦ ᐃᑎᕈᑎᒥᓂᒃ ᓇᓄᙳᐊᕐᒥᒃ ᓚᐃᓴᓐᓯᒥᒃ Hᐊᑭᕕᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᕕᕗᐊᕆ 21-ᒥ.

Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Barney Tootoo displays his weekend pass bracelet for the Polar Bear Plate junior/juvenile hockey tournament in Rankin Inlet on Feb. 21. more than 1,000, things are much more relaxed during the selling process.

"Fans in Rankin are pretty good for attending almost every game during a tournament, so having large crowds are the norm throughout a tournament weekend," she said.

"The first night (Feb. 20) I would say there were near 700 people in the arena constantly between five and 10 p.m.

"In fact, the parking lot was a little crazy at the end of the night when you had between 500 and 700 people in a mad rush to leave the arena all at once."

Graham said another great thing about the new arena is that it's not as crowded for the fans, even when a game is a sellout.

She said it's nice to actually have some breathing space, even when the new arena is sold to capacity.

"The way the bleachers are set-up in the new arena, there's a minimum of a one-foot gap between you and the person in front of you.

"There's a lot more space now and we're not packed-in like sardines anymore.

"In the old arena you were always touching the person in front of you and behind you.

"So, it's nice to have a little more comfort and a bit of personal space now in the new arena even when, as usual, every game in the tournament is a sellout or near to it."

Rankin to get beer and wine store Nearly 75 per cent of voters in May 2017 plebiscite were in favour of the retail outlet

by Darrell Greer

Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet

Rankin Inlet will have a beer and wine store within the next calendar year, Finance Minister George Hickes confirmed in the legislative assembly on Feb. 18.

Hickes was responding to a question from Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet MLA Cathy Towtongie.

Almost 75 per cent of those who cast ballots in a community plebiscite in May 2017 voted in favour of the retail outlet.

Former Kivalliq Inuit Association executive director Gabe Karlik said the wine and beer store has been a longtime coming for Rankin.

Karlik said the retail outlet will be a positive for the community.

He said at the time the

plebiscite was held, the community was clear in its support of an outlet being opened in Rankin.

"Everybody else in Canada has it and it's time we do too," said Karlik.

"There will be at least one more community consultation before it opens for anyone concerned, but, again, Rankin's been waiting for this for a long time. I get the feeling the overwhelming majority of people in the community are ready for this and, personally, I've always supported it.

"The store will also bring 20, I believe it is, jobs to Rankin Inlet and the timing is right with everything else that's happening in the next four or five years because Rankin is going to become a very busy community."

Nunavut's capital, Iqaluit, has had a wine and beer store

for almost three years and during that time, the GN notes hard liquor orders in that community have dropped by more than 50 per cent.

That's a point not lost on Troy Aksalnik of Rankin Inlet.

Aksalnik supports having the retail outlet, even though he has not had a drink in fiveand-a-half years.

He said having a wine and beer store in Rankin won't tempt him to drink again and he sees the store as a positive development for the community.

"A lot of my friends waste so much money by flying in beer every week," said Aksalnik.

"Now that they’ll be able to get it here, I don’t think it should cost them as much.

"We already have a Legion open four nights a week here and I’ve set foot in there about three or four times for special

NNSL file photo

Former Kivalliq Inuit Association executive director Gabe Karlik fully supports the arrival of a wine and beer store in Rankin Inlet. occasions like the Stanley Cup final or the Super Bowl.

"I just drank pop and that didn’t bother me at all."

The Nunavut Liquor Commission’s regional distribution centre is located in Rankin Inlet.

KIVALLIQ NEWS, Wednesday, February 26, 2020

community

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r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, =}KxE 26, 2020 3

Arviat hoops program off to hot start Little NBA aimed at school attendance, sports participation

by Darrell Greer

Northern News Services

Arviat

A new initiative aimed at boosting school attendance and increasing the number of youths participating in organized sports was launched in Arviat earlier this month.

John Arnalukjuak High School (JAHS) principal Don Peters said the Little NBA Basketball Academy runs on Saturday evenings between 5:30 to 9 p.m.

He said the academy is open to male and female students in all three Arviat schools and is being run by Qitiqliq Middle School teacher Ryan Barbeau.

"Basically, it's another one of our programs to increase attendance," said Peters.

"We began a pilot project on Feb. 15 that attracted more than 50 kids of all different ages on our first two weekends.

"We don't have a lot of baskets – we have to get at least two or three more – but we're teaching them the skills of basketball rather than just having them play games.

"We're also having a tournament on March 1 for all basketball players who want to participate. We already have five teams registered and, hopefully, we're going to bring Baker Lake in so our

high school team will have a chance to play."

Peters said the interest in basketball is growing fairly quickly in Arviat.

He said, hopefully, more kids will be interested in the academy after both the male and female basketball teams representing Nunavut at the Arctic Winter Games (AWG) come to the community the weekend after their tournament for some last minute practice before the AWG get underway on March 15 in Whitehorse, Yukon.

"It's exciting here now with the various programs we have running and our efforts have really helped revitalize basketball in our community," he said.

"The sport has taken off like crazy and our basketball academy is mostly being driven by interest from the kids.

"Our JAHS basketball team is also helping Ryan (Barbeau) run the academy, which is a real reach-out-to-the-otherschools program.

"We're very proud that we're over 80 per cent attendance at JAHS. The kids are here and a lot of it has do with the programs we're running that are devised to bring the kids to school."

Barbeau said the kids participating in the Little NBA are currently all from JAHS

photo courtesy of Ryan Barbeau

Participants in the Little NBA proudly display the new playing outfits they received from Canada Basketball in Arviat on Feb. 22. and Qitiqliq Middle School.

He said a friend in his hometown of Belleville, Ont., who runs a Junior NBA in that community, put him in touch with a contact at Canada Basketball who was able to supply the court uniforms they received in Arviat this past week.

"They sent us up about 50 pairs of Raptors shorts and a bunch of reversible jerseys from different teams," said Barbeau.

"They're all brand new,

made of very nice material and look absolutely awesome.

"Right now, because of the numbers involved, we're having the kids come out to the academy and dividing them by talent for the session.

"Consistency wise, we're trying to figure out which kids are going to continue coming every week so we can place them into groups they're going to stay with, but, for now, we're placing them in groups based on their overall talent levels."

Barbeau said the tourna-

ment this coming weekend promises to be a lot of fun.

He said he's hoping to have six to eight teams compete and they're also holding an all-star three-point shootout on Saturday (Feb. 29) evening.

"Don (Peters) and I both do our open-gym programs and Don has his Taekwon-Do Club, which are all nights that get the kids out doing some positive.

"There's a lot of interest in the sport among the kids right now so, hopefully, attendance

for our Little NBA program will continue to grow.

"Kids at school are really starting to build a love and appreciation for basketball, so whatever we can do to help grow that here is what we're going to try.

"We haven't had a kid from Levi Angmak Elementary School sign-up for the program yet, but it's open to them and, hopefully, we'll see a few of the younger kids from that school sign-up as the program continues along."

4 KIVALLIQ NEWS, Wednesday, February 26, 2020

sports & recreation

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r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, =}KxE 26, 2020

Polar Bear Plate championship claimed by Iqaluit

Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

PLATE WEEKEND IN RANKIN

Philip Ugjuk happily buys his weekend pass bracelet for the Polar Bear Plate junior/juvenile hockey tournament in Rankin Inlet on Feb. 21, 2020.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK Îé∏≤Ò ÖÀ∏Ú≤ÒåÒ á∂ªÖÊπÍ´ Austin Caza, from left, Andrew Pearce, Peter Akavak and Kavin Kullualik of the Baffin Blizzard accept the Polar Bear Plate championship trophy after Baffin defeated Rankin Inlet 3-2 in overtime at the new Rankin arena this past Sunday, Feb. 23.

Nip Rankin Inlet 3-2 in overtime to cap classic championship game between longtime rivals

by Darrell Greer

Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet

DON IKAKHIK Nunavut's Award-Winning Voice of Kivalliq

Community: Arviat Sport: Hockey Age bracket: Atoms Don is this edition's player of the week for being named Best Defenseman at the Arctic Atoms tourney in Rankin Inlet on Feb. 16. Way to take care of business in your own end, Don!

Austin Caza dented the twine with a beautiful overtime marker to give the Baffin Blizzard (Iqaluit) a thrilling 3-2 win over Rankin Inlet to claim the 2020 Polar Bear Plate (PBP) juvenile/junior hockey championship in front of a sold-out crowd at the new Rankin Inlet arena this past Sunday, Feb. 23.

Team Rankin Inlet had fought back from a 2-1 deficit to tie the game and force the overtime session.

Rankin got past Coral Harbour 3-2 in their semifinal, while Iqaluit took it to Whale Cove 8-1 in theirs to set-up the championship tilt.

Coral Harbour defeated Whale Cove 6-5 to claim bronze at the event.

Also competing were Naujaat, Rankin Rock, Arviat and Baker Lake.

The top three scorers (goals/ assists/points) at the tourney were Baffin's Austin Caza 11-10-21, Baffin's Andrew Pearce 9-8-17 and Whale Cove's JC Ollie 7-7-14.

Iqaluit head coach Todd Gardner was behind the bench for his ninth PBP tourney this year.

Gardner said it was exciting to be part of the first PBP held at Rankin's new arena and the team was very happy to claim this year's title.

He said the final was an incredible hockey game that could have gone either way.

"They (Rankin) were all-over us for a good part of the overtime period and could have very easily won that game," said Gardner.

"We got a lucky bounce at the end to get free in their zone and that was the difference."

Iqaluit cruised through the round-robin segment of the PBP and Gardner said that's not always a good thing.

He said Iqaluit was definitely in the weaker of the two divisions, and he knew not really being challenged during the round robin would become a problem at the end of the playoffs.

"Rankin had a pretty good team with lots of speed but, in the end, our guys pulled it off and we claimed the final game.

"Our goalie in this tournament, Seth Ningeongan of Rankin Inlet, called me this past year and wanted to play with the Iqaluit team because he wasn't able to play with the Rankin team.

"I just want to see guys play. I don't want guys to be sitting out and not playing, especially a goalie with his talent.

"He wanted to play with us again this year, so we took him on and he was named best goalie of the tournament."

Gardner said the new arena in Rankin is a beautiful building.

He said it's a lot of fun to play in the new building, but he still has a soft spot for Rankin's old arena.

"I really liked the atmosphere in the old place.

"The big crowds, people hanging over the glass and the loud music created a really special atmosphere in that building.

"But this is a nice, modern, beautiful new arena that was really needed by this town, which loves hockey so much.

"So I'll be really excited to keep coming back here for years to come."

KIVALLIQ NEWS, Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Nunavut's Award-Winning Voice of Kivalliq

Nunavut's award-winning voice of Kivalliq – Published Wednesdays ¥∂‡ç Ä¿Ω‰ÕÇœÀé´ú æƒúΩÇπÖÊíÇπØÀÒ ≤ሠï·∆¿Í´ – ÇÔ¿∞°úΩÖ¿ÖÙ·çâÒ áˆîπÍ´ NORTHERN NEWS SERVICES LIMITED 100% Northern owned and operated Publishers of: • Nunavut News/North • Inuvik Drum • Kivalliq News • Yellowknifer • NWT News/North • Hay River Hub Member of: •M anitoba Community Newspapers Association • C anadian Community Newspapers Association Kugaaruk

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Editor: Darrell Greer Associate Editor: Jean Kusugak Box 657, Rankin Inlet, NU X0C 0G0 Phone: (867) 645-3223 Fax: (867) 645-3225 Toll free: (855) 447-2584 Email: kivalliqnews@nnsl.com Website: www.nnsl.com/kivalliqnews Founder (1934-2018): J.W. (Sig) Sigvaldason Publisher, CEO: Bruce Valpy valpy@nnsl.com Chief Financial Officer: Judy Triffo Managing Editor: Mike W. Bryant bryant@nnsl.com Kivalliq Advertising Representative: advertising@nunavutnews.com Call collect: (867) 873-4031 Fax: (867) 873-8507 Publishing Office: Box 2820, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2R1 Phone: (867) 873-4031 Fax: (867) 873-8507 Email: nnsl@nnsl.com Website: www.nunavutnews.com ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᔪᓕᕆᔨ: ᑎᐊᕈ ᒍᕆᐅ ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑑᓕᕆᔨ: ᒪᐃᑯ ᓛᐃᓐᕼᐊᓐ Box 657, ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᖅ, ᓄᓇᕗᑦ X0C 0G0 ᐅᖃᓘᑎᖓ: (867) 645-3223 ᓱᑲᔪᒃᑯᑦ: (867) 645-3225 ᐊᑭᖃᖏᑦᑐᖅ: (855) 447-2584 ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᒃᑯᑦ: kivalliqnews@nnsl.com ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᒃᑯᑦ: www.nunavutnews.com ᓇᓂᓯᔨᐅᔪᖅ (1934-2018): J.W. (Sig) Sigvaldason ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓂᒃ ᓴᖅᑭᑎᑎᔨ ᑐᑭᒧᐊᒃᑎᑎᔨᓪᓚᕆᐅᑉᓗᓂᓗ: Bruce Valpy – valpy@nnsl.com ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᔭᓕᕆᔨᒻᒪᕆᒃ: Judy Triffo ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᔪᓕᕆᔨᓄᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖄᖅ: Mike W. Bryant – bryant@nnsl.com ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᐅᐃᕆᓴᐅᑎᓂᒃ ᓂᐅᕕᐊᒃᓴᓂᒃ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᕆᔨ: ᑎᐅᕆ ᑖᐱᓐ – advertising@nunavutnews.com ᑲᓕᒃᑳᕈᓐᓇᖅᐳᓯ ᐅᕗᖓ ᐊᑭᖃᖏᑦᑐᖅ: (867) 873-4031 ᓱᑲᔪᒃᑯᑦ: (867) 873-8507 ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓂᒃ ᑎᑎᕋᕐᕕᒃ: Box 2820, ᔭᓗᓇᐃᕝ, ᓄᓇᑦᓯᐊᖅ X1A 2R1 ᐅᖃᓘᑎᖓᑦ: (867) 873-4031 ᓱᑲᔪᒃᑯᑦ: (867) 873-8507 ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᒃᑯᑦ: nnsl@nnsl.com ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᒃᑯᑦ: www.nnsl.com

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opinions ᓄwhmK5

Laying an issue to rest Northern News Services

Whether you voted for the man or not, you have to admire the steel it took to stand up in the legislative assembly and applaud the Edmonton Eskimos for deciding to keep their team nickname. To tell those who were offended by the Eskimos nickname to relax and take a Valium and announce to the world that he's darn proud to be a "true Eskimo."

Such was the scene in the legislative assembly when Rankin Inlet South (and Nunavut cabinet minister) MLA Lorne Kusugak addressed the situation last week.

I don't hesitate for one second to say I was proud of the man for what he said and how he said it – open, honestly and direct – knowing full well there would be some in the North who would try to make him Sanikiluaq look bad for it.

Hopefully, this is the last we'll hear of the issue, but somehow I doubt it. Those offended by anything these days seem to have a whole lot of free time on their hands, the desire to remain offended for very long periods of time and the need to let everyone know about it.

I have written in this space about 44 times a year for the past 22 years and have never once succumbed to the imagined level of self-importance required to speak on behalf of Inuit.

No need to. Inuit have their own voice, they're the only ones truly

BIRTHDAY BOY Glen Brocklebank cuts the first piece from his 'Daddy' birthday cake while celebrating his special day in Chesterfield Inlet on Feb. 13.

Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

SEND US YOUR COMMENTS

You can email us at kivalliqnews@nnsl.com; mail to Box 2820, Yellowknife X1A 2R1; or drop your letter off at our office at 5108-50th Street.

All letters submitted must be signed with a return address and daytime telephone number so that we can confirm it came from you.

Not all letters will necessarily be published. Preference is given to short letters of broad interest or concern. We particularly encourage new contributors as we attempt to publish a cross-section of public opinion.

Letters of more than 200 words, open letters and those published elsewhere are seldom used. We reserve the right to edit for length or taste and to eliminate inaccurate or libelous statements.

We may also choose to use a letter as the basis for a story.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, =}KxE 26, 2020 5

In addition to Kusugak addressqualified to speak to the Inuit condition – either positively or negatively ing the situation in such an honest and direct manner as a "true – and they're the best in the world Eskimo," another positive in the at it. affair's undercurrent is how many That being said, it was tough for bright young Inuit minds me to keep mum as Inuit shared the sentiment of Tapiriit Kanatami presihaving bigger fish to fry. dent Natan Obed (a man I And, I never got the truly respect and admire) impression from one of kept hammering away at them that they were belitthe issue for years, trying tling or dismissing out of (let's be honest here) to hand the stance Obed and create the impression that a relatively small number this was a major bone of like-minded individuals contention and source DARRELL of took on the issue. of controversy for many, GREER Respect for each many Inuit. other's right to express I can look any person in the eye and say over about a three- their opinion runs deep in Inuit culture. year period, I asked many, many What they did see was a lot of Inuit from Rankin Inlet and every time and energy being spent on an other Kivalliq community if they issue that could have been far betwere offended by Edmonton's CFL team being nicknamed the Eskimos ter served addressing one of the many challenges still facing Inuit and not one single, solitary person and all Nunavummiut as our terriresponded in the affirmative. Not tory still finds its way moving forone! ward.

In fact, the vast majority I asked And for that, I applaud them. claimed to be proud of the fact At the end of the day, the issue because the Eskimos nickname has run its course. The matter is, or in football represented toughness, at least should be, put to rest. strength and the burning drive to So, to share a sentiment, there overcome any obstacle put before are far bigger fish to fry in the form them.

There was, during this whole pro- of far more complex and pressing cess, a definite disconnect between issues in need of solutions.

Hopefully, everyone can shake Inuit of the south and Inuit of the hands, accept the Eskimos outNorth. come and turn their attention to I humbly apologize to anyone those. offended by that statement, but I Food for thought. believe it is the truth.

6 KIVALLIQ NEWS, Wednesday, February 26, 2020

STREET talk with Glen Brocklebank

alternatives

ᐊᔾᔩᑦ

kivalliqnews@nnsl.com

íÇÒπÇéÀ∏∂Òê î

What did you enjoy most about the Valentine Pancake Breakfast at Victor Sammurtok School?

Andrea Aggark: "I really liked having breakfast with my family."

Charlie Issaluk: "The entire breakfast was great and I had a lot of fun."

David Issaluk: "The cupcakes and being with my family and friends.

Kayalaaq LeishmanBrocklebank: "Having a great breakfast with my sister and friends at school."

Lorna Kreelak: "Having breakfast with my Cupid."

Ryder Simik: "Eating and giving candy grams to my friends."

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, =}KxE 26, 2020

Horoscopes Date ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you are seeking success but are frustrated by a lack of results. Explore some new ways to approach your goals and your mood can improve.

TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, sometimes the road you are traveling on has an unexpected detour. Rather than get frustrated by the situation, enjoy the new scenery that comes along the way.

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, the more research you do, the more secure you will feel with your decisions. You may have to delve a little further into a decision in the days to come.

CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Your career is about to take a unique turn, Cancer. However, you may have to devote some more of your personal time to be able to handle the new responsibilities.

LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Whatever problems have cropped up around the house can be easily remedied, Leo. There is no need to stress about them. Instead, get a new perspective.

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Friendly and approachable is what you need to be this week, Virgo. Someone may be watching you carefully and you need to be mindful of perceptions.

LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, you've all revved up and ready to go but really have no solid destination. Don't fret. Some inspiration will soon come to you and guide your path.

SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Pay attention to all of the small details, as they help complete the bigger picture, Scorpio. This involves dotting every 'I' and crossing every 'T'.

Follow up on all loose ends.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, express how you are feeling, even if all of your beliefs aren't popular with everyone.

Don't worry; there are many people who are in your corner.

CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Don't be intimidated by other people who think they have all of the answers. Be bold and your assertive attitude will soon lead to positive results.

AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Taking each day as it comes without thinking too much about where you are going could be a great strategy right now, Aquarius. Overthinking things could be a recipe for trouble.

PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 It is one thing to have big ideas, but quite another to put plans into action, Pisces. You are ready to step up this week and make things happen.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS FEBRUARY 23 Josh Gad, Actor (39) FEBRUARY 24 Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Boxer (43) FEBRUARY 25 Sean Astin, Actor (49)

Ä¿∏≤ÖÒé≤ ÖÀ∏Ú≤ÒãÇÀÒ á∂ªÖÊπÍ´ KAYALAAQ LEISHMAN-BROCKLEBANK

Community: Chesterfield Inlet School: Victor Sammurtok School Kayalaaq is this edition's student of the week for both her strong academic standing and her enthusiastic participation in numerous school projects and programs. Keep up the great work, Kayalaaq!

OFF THE HOOK

photo courtesy Jason Todd

Evelyn Okoktok displays the tuna she landed while on vacation with Jason Todd of Rankin Inlet in Cancun, Mexico, on Feb. 16, 2020.

Student of the week

KIVALLIQ NEWS, Wednesday, February 26, 2020

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, =}KxE 26, 2020 7

8 KIVALLIQ NEWS, Wednesday, February 26, 2020

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, =}KxE 26, 2020