Kivalliq News – March 17, 2021 Edition

ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᒃᓴᑦ ᖃᓱᒋᐊᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Vol 27 No 12

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Nunavut's Award-Winning Voice of Kivalliq

Lockdown lifted at last After 118 days, restrictions are being eased in Arviat

Lights over the Kivalliq

photo courtesy of Oscar Camano

photo courtesy of Samantha Tootoo

The aurora is a spectacular sight anywhere across the Northern skies. Left: Oscar Camano captured this photo of the lights dancing around the full moon above Rankin Inlet Feb. 28. Right: Samantha Tootoo caught these lights near her home in Baker Lake, Sept. 26, 2020.

Community ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᒃᑐᑦ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᕐᕙᒐᓱᖕᓂᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ

Baker Lake prepares for first bowhead whale hunt

News ᐃᑯᕐᕋᒃᑯᑦ ᓂᕿᑖᕐᕕᖓ ᐊᒥᓱᓂᒃ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᐸᒃᑐᖅ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᓂᒃ

Ikurraq Food Bank helps many in Rankin

"Perhaps the Inuit organizations will submit bids with proper budgets in their bids."

– Economic Development Minister David Akeeagok's response to the GN partnering with regional Inuit organizations on large infrastructure projects, page 7.

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2 kivalliq news, Wednesday, March 17, 2021

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news

kivalliq news, Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Did we get it wrong?

Kivalliq News is committed to getting facts and names right.

With that goes a commitment to acknowledge mistakes and run corrections. If you spot an error in Kivalliq News, call (867) 6453223 and ask to speak to the editor, or email kivalliqnews@nnsl. com. We'll get a correction or clarification in as soon as we can.

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fact file Nunavut covid-19 situation as of March 15

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Ulukhaktok

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Behchoko

Around Kivalliq

Active cases: 2 Confirmed cases: 383 Recovered cases: 380 Total persons followed: 6,997 Current persons followed: 328 Completed tests in Nunavut: 9,466 Total deaths in Nunavut: 1

Arviat A man, woman and teenaged boy were found deceased at a cabin five kilometres from Arviat on March 7, RCMP said.

A subsequent investigation revealed nothing of a criminal nature. The police believe the family succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning due to a poorly vented fuel-powered generator being placed close to the cabin's entrance.

Autopsies have been ordered.

At room temperature, carbon monoxide is an odourless and colourless gas. Symptoms experienced at low levels include tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath, muscle weakness and partial or total loss of function of a body part.

At high levels or at prolonged exposure to low levels individuals may experience dizziness, chest pain, poor vision, difficulty thinking, convulsions, coma or death.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) cites research by the National Institute of Standards and Technology which shows that health effects from portable generators can possibly be experienced even at 4.5 metres (15 feet) from an enclosed shelter. It states that more research is required.

"You should keep your generators outdoors and as far from the house as possible, and certainly away from any doors or windows," the CDC advises.

Candidates in place for KIA elections Kivalliq Two of four Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) scheduled elections will take place April 12.

There are six people seeking the office of vice-president: Donna Adams, Barnie Aggark, Harry Aggark, David Kuksuk, Airo Pameolik and Tom Sammurtok.

Also being contested is the seat for a director in Naujaat. Seeking that role are Helena Malliki, Steve Mapsalak and John Ell Tinashlu.

The KIA directors in Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove were acclaimed.

Hamish Tatty will serve in Rankin Inlet while Guy Enuapik will represent Whale Cove.

Advance polls are set for March 29.

RCMP draws attention to high incidence of impaired driving Rankin Inlet There were 18 residents facing criminal charges for impaired driving when the Nunavut Court of Justice convened in Rankin Inlet on March 8.

One 29-year-old accused has been charged in relation to four incidents of drinking and driving, police said.

"The RCMP wants to encourage people to drive sober and not 'blow' away their chances of a clean criminal record, certain types of employment and/ or the freedom and ability to travel internationally," a Wednesday news release from the Mounties stated.

"Of greater consequence in Canada, on average four people die every day and many more are injured in motor vehicle collisions involving alcohol and or drug use. The mandatory sentence for a first instance of impaired driving is a $1,000 fine and a one-year driving prohibition.

"The RCMP would like to encourage people to keep reporting impaired drivers. Residents can call the local RCMP detachment at 867-645-1111."

Those struggling with alcohol addictions or substance abuse can contact the Pulaarvik Kablu Support Line at 1-844-645-3580, the Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut Helpline at 1-800-265-3333, or visit nunavuthelpline.ca

Confirmed cases by community Arviat: 339 (336 recovered) Whale Cove: 23 (all recovered) Rankin Inlet: 19 (all recovered) Sanikiluaq: 2 (all recovered) Source: Government of Nunavut Department of Health

with Derek Neary

Three people found dead, believed due to carbon monoxide poisoning

Total vaccine doses given: 16,318 First doses: 10,279 Second doses: 6,039

'ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᖅᑕᒃᑲ ᑕᒪᕐᒥᒃ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᑦ'

Sanikiluaq

ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ ᒪᐃᔭᒋᔭᐅᔪᖅ ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᖅᑐᖅ ᓄᓇᖅᑲᑎᒌᖕᓂᒃ ᓴᙱᔫᓯᒪᖕᒪᑕ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᓕᕆᕐᔪᐊᖅᓯᒪᖕᒪᑕ ᐊᓂᑦᑕᐃᓕᔭᕆᐊᖃᓚᐅᕐᓂᖏᑦ ᐃᓱᓕᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ ᐃᓱᓕᑦᑎᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ 100 ᐅᖓᑖᓃᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᓂᒃ ᐊᓂᑦᑕᐃᓕᔭᕆᐊᖃᓚᐅᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ, ᒪᐃᔭᒋᔭᐅᔪᖅ ᔫ ᓴᕕᑲᑖᖅ ᓄᑲᖅᖠᖅ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᓄᓇᖅᑲᑎᖏᒡᒎᖅ ᐅᐱᒋᔭᐅᔭᕆᐊᓖᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᑦᑎᐊᓚᐅᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅᑕᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐱᒋᐊᓪᓚᒃᓯᒪᓚᐅᕐᒪᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᑭᒃᓴᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᓗᖕᓂᖏᓐᓄᓪᓗ. "ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᕈᒪᔭᒃᑲ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᑦ ᖃᓄᓗᒃᑖᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᑦᑎᐊᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ. "ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓇᖅᑐᒃᑰᓪᓚᕆᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᓄᓇᖅᑲᑎᓂ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᑉᓗᒋᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᖅᑕᒃᑲ ᑕᒪᕐᒥᒃ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓕᐅᓚᐅᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ. ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᕆᓚᐅᖅᑕᖅᐳᑦ ᑕᒪᕐᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᓪᓚᕆᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ, ᑕᒪᒃᑯᐊ ᑕᒪᕐᒥᒃ ᐃᓄᖕᓄᑦ ᐊᑦᑕᓇᖅᑐᒦᖁᔨᙱᓐᓂᕐᒨᖓᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓕᐅᒃᑲᓐᓂᕆᐊᖃᕋᔭᕐᓂᕈᑉᑕ, ᓱᓇᑐᐃᓐᓇᑦ ᐊᑐᓚᐅᖅᑕᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᓯᔾᔨᕋᔭᙱᑕᖅᐳᑦ." ᑐᒡᓕᐊᓂ, ᐃᖢᐊᖅᓴᐃᔨ ᒪᐃᑯ ᐸᑐᓴᓐ, ᓄᓇᕗᒥ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᕐᔪᐊᖅ, ᑐᓴᖅᑎᑦᑎᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᕆᔭᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖕᓂᒃ ᒪᑐᐃᖅᑕᐅᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᓗᒍ ᕿᑎᐊᓂ. ᐸᐃᕆᕝᕕᑦ ᒪᑐᐃᒃᑲᓐᓂᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᓴᓗᒻᒪᖅᓴᖅᑕᐅᑦᑎᐊᖅᓯᒪᑉᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᕕᑦ ᑐᙵᓱᒃᑎᑦᑎᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᐱᖓᔪᐊᒍᑦ ᒪᓕᒃᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᓯᒪᔪᒃᑯᑦ, ᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᑐᑭᖃᖅᑐᖅ ᒪᑐᐃᖓᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᐊᕐᓗᓂ ᐅᑉᓘᑉ ᐃᓚᐃᓐᓇᖓᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᒥᖅᑳᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕈᑎᒥᓂᒃ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᖃᑦᑕᕐᒥᓗᑎᒃ. ᓯᓚᒥ ᑲᑎᑦᑐᓐᓇᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ 25-ᖑᔪᓐᓇᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᒥᓲᓂᖏᑦ. ᐃᓗᐊᓂ ᑲᑎᑦᑐᓐᓇᖃᑦᑕᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᕆᔭᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᑕᓪᓕᒪᐅᔪᓐᓇᕐᓗᑎᒃ, ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᓗᒋᑦ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᓖᑦ. ᑭᓯᐊᓂᓕ, ᐊᑐᓕᖁᔭᐅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᕐᒥᐅᑦ ᒪᕐᕉᓕᖓᔪᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᒥᐅᖃᑎᒌᒃᑐᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᖃᑦᑕᖁᑉᓗᒋᑦ, ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐸᑐᓴᓐ. ᒪᑐᐊᖅᓯᒪᐃᓐᓇᖃᑦᑕᕆᐊᓖᑦ ᑕᒪᕐᒥᒃ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐊᓃᕌᖓᒥᒃ ᐃᒡᓗᖓᑕ ᓯᓚᑖᓂ. ᑭᓇᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅ–19– ᑕᖃᖅᑐᖅ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᐅᓗᕆᐊᓇᖅᑑᓇᔭᕐᓂᖓᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᕝᕕᖕᒦᑦᑕᕆᐊᓕᒃ, ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᖅᑕᕐᓂᖅ ᑎᑭᑦᑕᕐᓂᕐᓗ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᖅᑐᖅᓯᒪᐃᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ. "ᖃᑉᓯᑲᓪᓚᖕᓂᒃ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᖃᖅᖢᑕ ᑕᒪᑐᒥᙵ ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᕈᑎᖃᖅᓯᒪᔪᒍᑦ. ᓇᓗᓇᐃᔭᐃᓯᒪᒐᑉᑕ ᓇᑭᙶᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅᑕᖃᓕᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ, ᓴᓇᔩᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᐃᔪᓐᓇᖃᑦᑕᕐᒪᑕ ᓇᑭᙶᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ ᐱᕕᒃᓴᕆᔭᐅᔪᒃᑯᑦ

100 ᐅᑉᓗᑦ ᐅᖓᑖᓃᑦᑐᑦ ᐃᓱᓕᒻᒪᑕ, ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᓂᑦᑕᐃᓕᔭᕆᐊᓖᑦ ᐃᓱᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᑕᐃᒪᐅᔪᑦ ᓱᓕ ᒪᓕᒃᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᓖᑦ.

photo courtesy of Pooka Kolit

After more than 100 days, a Covid-19 lockdown has ended in Arviat but some restrictions still remain. ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᓇᖅᑲᑎᒌᒃᑐᓂᙶᕐᓂᖓ (ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᓯᒪᙱᑦᑐᒃᑯᑦ) ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᙱᒻᒪᑦ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐸᑐᓴᓐ. "ᐊᒻᒪᓗᑦᑕᐅᖅ, ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᕈᖅᑎᑕᐅᓯᒪᓕᖅᖢᓂ ᑲᐴᑎ ᑕᒪᐃᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᓐᓇᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒥ, ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᒃᑐᖅᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᖅ ᒥᑭᓪᓕᕚᓪᓕᖅᓯᒪᓕᖅᖢᓂ. ᐱᒋᐊᖅᑳᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᖅ, ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᒐᑉᑕ ᑲᐴᑎᓕᐊᖅ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᔪᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᒃᑐᖅᓯᓂᖃᕋᔭᕐᓂᖓᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒥᐅᓄᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᒋᐊᕈᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᖅᓯᓂᐊᕐᓂᖓᓄᑦ. "ᒫᓐᓇᓕ ᖃᓱᒋᐊᖅᓯᔪᓐᓇᖅᓯᔪᒍᑦ ᒪᓕᒃᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᓕᖕᓂᒃ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᑲᔪᓯᓂᖃᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑕᒪᕐᒥᒃ ᒪᓕᒃᑎᐊᖏᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᖅᐸᑕ ᒪᓕᒐᕆᔭᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᖃᑦᑎᐊᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᓴᓇᔨᖏᓐᓂᒃ. ᑲᐱᔭᐅᓯᒪᙱᒃᑯᕕᑦ ᓱᓕ, ᑕᑯᔭᐅᔪᒪᓗᑎᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓂᐊᖅᐳᑎᑦ. ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᒌᒃᑯᑉᑕ, ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅᑕᖃᕈᓐᓃᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ."

20–ᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᓱᓕ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅᑕᓖᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᒥ ᒫᑦᓯ 12-ᒥ, ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᓴᕕᑲᑖᖅ. ᒪᐃᔭᒋᔭᐅᔪᖅ ᖃᓱᔾᔫᒥᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᒪᓕᒐᕆᔭᐅᔪᑦ ᖃᓱᒋᐊᖅᑕᐅᖕᒪᑕ 118 ᐅᑉᓗᑦ ᐱᐊᓂᒃᓯᒪᓕᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐊᓐᓇᐃᓕᔭᕆᐊᖃᓚᐅᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗᑦᑕᐅᖅ ᑐᐊᕕᕐᓇᖅᑐᖃᓚᐅᖅᖢᓂ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᕐᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ

ᖃᑉᓯᑲᓪᓚᐅᖃᑦᑕᓕᓚᐅᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᖃᑉᓰᑲᓪᓚᒃᖢᑎᒃ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᓖᑦ. "ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᑕᖅᑭᔭᐅᖏᓐᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᐊᒥᓱᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᖕᓄᑦ ᐊᓂᑦᑕᐃᓕᓯᒪᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥᓂᒃ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ. "ᐊᑯᓂ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓕᐅᖅᓯᒪᓕᕋᑉᑕ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᓗᕆᐊᓇᖅᓯᓯᒪᖃᑦᑕᖅᓗᓂ ᐃᓱᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᙱᑦᑐᒪᒐᓗᐊᖅᖢᓂ ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᓗᕆᐊᓇᖅᑑᖕᒪᑦ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐅᓗᕆᐊᓇᕐᓂᖅᓴᐅᑉᓗᓂ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ. ᑭᒡᓕᒃᓴᒥᒃ ᐱᑕᖃᕆᐊᓕᐅᒐᓗᐊᖅ." ᓴᕕᑲᑖᖅ ᐅᐊᕋᔮᕈᓱᒃᑐᖅ ᒪᓕᒃᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᓖᑦ ᑕᒪᕐᒥᒃ ᓄᖑᑎᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᓕᕈᒫᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅ ᑕᑯᑎᑦᑎᓪᓚᕆᒃᓯᒪᖕᒪᑦ ᐊᒥᓱᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᓂᒃ ᐃᒡᓗᑭᒃᓴᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓇᖅᑐᒃᑰᕈᑕᐅᖃᑦᑕᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ, ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐱᒋᐊᓪᓚᒃᑎᑦᑎᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᓈᓴᐅᑎᖏᓐᓂᒃ." "ᐊᑭᕋᖅᑐᐃᓯᒪᙱᑦᑐᒍᑦ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᖅᑐᓕᕆᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᒪᓕᒃᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ, ᒪᓕᑦᑎᐊᖅᑕᖅᐳᑦ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᓗᓂ. "ᐃᒪᓐᓇᐃᒻᒪᑦ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅᑖᕈᓐᓇᖅᑐᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᐅᖕᒪᑕ ᐃᒡᓗᑭᒃᓴᕐᓂᖅ ᐃᒡᓗᒋᔭᐅᔪᓪᓗ ᐃᓄᒋᐊᓗᐊᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᖏᑦ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᒋᑉᓗᒋᑦ." bf l A I commend m4WZz 5

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4 kivalliq news, Wednesday, March 17, 2021

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Black Press Media acquires NNSL, Canarctic Graphics Deal, in works for months, closes March 31

by Natalie Pressman

Northern News Services

After almost 40 years of independent publishing, Northern News Services Limited (NNSL Media)'s six newspapers will soon be under Black Press Media's ownership.

After months of negotiations, Black's purchase of NNSL and its printing subsidiary, Canarctic Graphics, will close April 1.

A B.C based publisher, Black operates more than 170 community newspapers and news sites across Canada, as well as Hawaii, Alaska and Washington State.

News of NNSL/Black Press negotiations surfaced last month though no agreement to purchase had yet been reached.

"I don't expect that there will be any

change whatsoever beyond what we've always done, which is report the news and express our opinions about what's going on locally," NNSL Media publisher and CEO Bruce Valpy said after addressing the companies' employees.

Owing to the public health limits brought on by the pandemic, Black purchased NNSL without a site visit, a new experience for the publisher.

Karen Sigvaldason is president of NNSL and Canarctic and the daughter of founder Jack "Sig" Sigvaldason, who passed in 2018.

"My father, Sig, believed passionately in the strong role of NNSL and Canarctic in serving the people of the North," she said.

"I am confident that Black Press Media will

continue that tradition."

Included in the deal are NNSL's two weekly Yellowknifer newspapers, Nunavut News, Kivalliq News, the Hay River Hub, Inuvik Drum, News/North and the NNSL.com and Nunavutnews.com websites.

Black Press Media president and CEO Rick O'Connor said the group has had a favourable experience with community papers in Canada's North following their 2013 purchase of Whitehorse based Yukon News.

"We look forward to supporting these newspapers, their associated digital operations and printing plant as we move forward out of the pandemic," O'Connor said. "These papers and digital platforms provide an extremely valuable service across the North."

Jack Sigvaldason launched the Yellowknifer newspaper in 1972 after being fired from News of the North, the now 75-year-old weekly paper servicing the territory. Starting the Yellowknifer from his kitchen, Sig later bought the paper that fired him in 1979 and acquired Canarctic Graphics 10 years later.

While Valpy emphasized that the editorial focus won't be changing with the new ownership, he said that NNSL would be able to offer a larger market to advertisers under Black Press's improved digital capabilities.

"It's a digital world out there. People love reading newspapers, but they also like going on their phones, tablets, and home computers," he said. "We'll be in all of those places, with more muscle."

ᐸᓛᒃ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐅᖅᑎᓄᑦ ᓯᐊᒻᒪᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᖅ ᓂᐅᕕᖅᐳᖅ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓕᒥᑎᑦ ᓯᐊᒻᒪᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑳᓐᐋᒃᑎᒃ ᑎᑎᖅᑐᒐᕐᓂ ᓴᓇᔭᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᐸᓛᒃ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐅᖅᑎᓄᑦ ᓯᐊᒻᒪᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᖅ, ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑎᐅᔪᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᒃᓴᓂ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂ ᐃᑭᐊᖅᑭᕕᖏᓐᓂ ᐳᕆᑎᔅ ᑲᓚᒻᐱᐊᒥ, ᐋᓪᐴᑕ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᔫᑳᓐᒥ, ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐱᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓕᒥᑎᑦ ᓯᐊᒻᒪᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ, ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑎᐅᔪᑦ 8– ᖑᔪᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᒃᓴᓂ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂ ᐃᑭᐊᖅᑭᕕᐅᔪᓂ ᑐᙵᕕᖃᖅᑐᓂ ᓄᓇᑦᓯᐊᕐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ. ᖄᒃᑲᓐᓂᐊᒍᑦ, ᐸᓛᒃ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐅᖅᑎᓄᑦ ᓂᐅᕕᕐᓂᐊᕆᕗᖅ ᑳᓐᐋᒃᑎᒃ ᑎᑎᖅᑐᒐᕐᓂ ᓴᓇᔭᐅᓂᖓᓂ, ᑕᒪᒃᑭᐅᒪᔪᒥ-ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖃᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑎᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᑐᙵᕕᓕᖕᒥ ᔭᓗᓇᐃᕝ, ᓄᓇᑦᓯᐊᕐᒥ. ᕆᒃ ᐅ'ᑳᓄᕐ,ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᔨᒻᒪᕆᐅᔪᖅ ᐸᓛᒃ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐅᖅᑎᓄᑦ ᓯᐊᒻᒪᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒥ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓈᒻᒪᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐆᒥᖓ ᓇᒃᓴᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐸᓛᒃ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐅᖅᑎᓄᑦ ᓯᐊᒻᒪᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ. "ᖁᕕᐊᓱᑦᑎᐊᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᓂᐅᕕᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᑯᓂᖓ ᑲᒻᐸᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᑐᖁᔫᑉ ᕿᒻᒪᑯᖏᓐᓂ ᑲᒻᐸᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓇᓂᓯᔨᐅᔪᒥ, ᔮᒃ (ᓯᒡ) ᓯᒡᕚᓪᑕᓴᓐ. ᐊᑐᕐᓂᑯᒋᔭᕗᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᒃᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂ ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᖓᓂ ᐱᐅᕐᔪᐊᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ 2013–ᒥ ᓂᐅᕕᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᔫᑳᓐᒥ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᖁᕕᐊᑉᐳᒍᑦ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᓱᐃᓂᕐᒥ ᐅᑯᓂᖓ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᒃᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂᑦ, ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᒥ ᖃᕋᓴᐅᔭᑎᒍᑦ

ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑕᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᐅᔪᒥ, ᓯᕗᒻᒧᑦ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᑎᓪᓗᑕ ᐊᒥᓱᓄᑦ ᖃᓂᒻᒪᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ." ᑭᐊᕆᓐ ᓯᒡᕚᓪᑕᓴᓐ, ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖅ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓕᒥᑎᑦ ᓯᐊᒻᒪᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑳᓐᐋᒃᑎᒃᒥ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ "ᐊᑖᑕᒐ, ᓯᒡ, ᐅᒃᐱᕈᓱᕐᔪᐊᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓴᙱᔪᒥ ᐊᑐᕐᓂᖃᐅᑎᖓᓂ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓕᒥᑎᑦᑯᓐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑳᓐᐋᒃᑎᒃᒥ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓄᖕᓂ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ. ᐅᒃᐱᕈᓱᑦᑎᐊᖅᐳᖓ ᐸᓛᒃ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐅᖅᑎᓄᑦ ᓯᐊᒻᒪᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᖅ ᑲᔪᓯᑎᑦᑏᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᑕᐃᔅᓱᒥᖓ ᐱᖅᑯᓯᑐᖃᐅᔪᒥ." ᑕᐃᕕᑦ ᐸᓛᒃ, ᐸᓛᒃ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐅᖅᑎᓄᑦ ᐃᒃᓯᕙᐅᑕᖓ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᓄᓛᖑᔪᓂ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᖅᑎᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ, "ᖁᕕᐊᓱᕐᔪᐊᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᐱᓂᕐᒥ ᐅᑯᓂᖓ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᒃᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑕᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᓂᖓᓂ, ᓈᒻᒪᑦᑎᐊᕐᒪᑕ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑕᐅᓂᖓᓂ/ ᖃᕋᓴᐅᔭᑎᒍᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᒍᑎᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᑐᖅᐸᒃᑕᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐊᒥᓱᓂ ᐃᓄᑭᑦᑐᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᓇᖕᓇᕐᒥ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ." ᐸᓛᒃ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐅᖅᑎᓄᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᖃᖅᐳᑦ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᒃᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂᑦ ᐱᔭᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᓪᓚᕆᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐋᔩᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᒪᕐᕉᔪᓄᑦ ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ. "ᐅᑯᐊ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᒃᓴᐃᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᖃᕋᓴᐅᔭᑎᒍᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᐅᔪᑦ ᑐᓂᓯᓲᖑᕗᖅ ᐱᓪᓚᕆᕐᔪᐊᖑᔪᒥ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ

ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᓕᒫᒥ, ᑲᑎᑎᕆᔪᒥ ᖁᙱᐊᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᑎᑦᑎᔨᐅᔪᓂᑦ ᑕᒪᒃᑭᓂ," ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐅ'ᑳᓄᕐ. "ᑲᒪᕐᔪᐊᖅᓯᒪᕗᒍᑦ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓕᒥᑎᑦ ᓯᐊᒻᒪᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᖁᕕᐊᑉᐳᒍᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᖃᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᓄᑦ ᓯᕗᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂ." ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᒃᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂᑦ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᒥ ᐅᑯᐊᖑᕗᑦ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂ/ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ, ᔭᓗᓇᐃᕗᕐ, ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᕐᒥ ᓄᙳᐊᓂ, ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂ, ᑭᕙᓪᓕᖅ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂ, Hay River Hub, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓅᕕᖕᒥ ᕿᓚᐅᑎ ᐃᑭᐊᖅᑭᕕᖕᓂ NNSL.com ᐊᒻᒪᓗ Nunavutnews.com ᐸᓛᒃ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐅᖅᑎᓄᑦ ᓯᐊᒻᒪᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᖅ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᕗᑦ 80–ᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᒃᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂ ᐃᑭᐊᖅᑭᕕᖕᓂ 9 ᖃᐅᑕᒫᒥ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᒃᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂs ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂ ᐃᑭᐊᖅᑭᕕᖕᓂ Washington state, ᐊᓛᔅᑲ, ᐊᒻᒪ Hawaii–ᒥ. ᐸᓛᒃ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐅᖅᑎᓄᑦ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᕆᕗᑦ Central Web–ᒥ, ᑎᑎᕋᐃᓲᖑᔪᒥ ᐊᒥᓱᓂ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᒃᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᓂᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᓕᐊᓂ ᐃᐊᑦᒪᓐᑕᓐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑭᐅᓪᒍᕆᒥ, ᐃᓚᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᐳᓚᕋᖅᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑕᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂ ᓴᖅᑭᑕᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓕᒥᑎᑦᑯᓐᓂ. ᐱᓕᕆᔭᐅᕙᓪᓕᐊᔪᖅ ᒪᑐᔪᒃᓴᐅᑕᐅᕗᑦ ᒫᔾᔨ 31–ᒥ.

'I commend every single Arviammiut' news ᓄá·∆¿ÖÀî

kivalliq news, Wednesday, March 17, 2021

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Arviat mayor thanks residents for their bravery and sacrifice as lockdown ends

by Ezra Black

Northern News Services

Arviat

As Arviat marked the end of more than 100 days in lockdown, Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr. says residents deserve praise for pulling

together amid a pandemic that was worsened by overcrowded and inadequate housing.

"I'd like to thank Arviammiut for everything they have done," he said.

"They made a lot of sacrifices for the sake of their community and I

ᐊᕐᕕᐊᑦ ᒪᐃᔭᖓ ᔫ ᓴᕕᑲᑕᖅ ᓄᑲᖅᖠᖅ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᒪ ᓕ ᒃ ᑕ ᐅ ᔭ ᕆ ᐊ ᓖ ᑦ ᖃᓱᒋᐊᖅᑕᐅᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ 118 ᐅᑉᓗᑦ ᐱᐊᓂᒃᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐊᓂᑦᑕᐃᓕᔭᕆᐊᖃᓚᐅᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᒥ ᑐᐊᕕᕐᓇᖅᑐᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᑳᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᕐᓂᒃ.

Arviat Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr. was relieved restrictions would be easing after a 118-day lockdown as well as a local state of emergency for two weeks. photo courtesy of hamlet of Arviat

commend every single Arviammiut for that. Everything that we did was necessary, it was all for public safety, and if we would have to do it again, we'd do everything the exact same."

On March 9, Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut's chief public health officer, announced businesses and workplaces would be reopened in Arviat starting March 10.

Daycares reopened with enhanced cleaning and schools welcomed students at stage three, which means being open part-time and rotations of in-class learning and home schooling.

Outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people are allowed. Indoor gatherings in homes are restricted to five people, plus those living in the home.

However, it's recommended that Arviammiut create bubbles of two households, said Patterson.

Masks are still mandatory for everyone when they are outside of their homes.

Anyone who has Covid-19 or has been identified as a high-risk

contact is still required to isolate, and travel in and out of Arviat will continue to be restricted.

"A number of important factors informed this decision. We have identified links within this outbreak in Arviat, staff are able to do contact tracing in an appropriate timeframe and there is no evidence of community (or uncontrolled) transmission," Patterson said.

"Additionally, the vaccine has been made available to all adult residents of Nunavut, making the impact of Covid-19 much less than it was before. From the onset of this pandemic, we said the vaccine would play an important part in Nunavut's path.

"It is time to begin easing some measures within Arviat, but this works best if everyone continues to follow the public health measures and co-operates with public health staff. If you have not yet been vaccinated, please make an appointment.

"If we work together, we can bring the Covid-19 case count to zero."

There were still 20 active cases in the community as of March 12, said Savikataaq.

The mayor was relieved restrictions would be easing after a 118day lockdown, in addition to a state of emergency for two weeks and several outbreaks of the virus.

"It's long overdue for the many people who've been locked up inside their homes," he said.

"We've been in this for a long time and the (threat to our) mental well-being is just as dangerous or if not even more dangerous than the virus itself. There's a line that has to be made."

Savikataaq is looking forward to the day when the restrictions are eased up completely but said that the pandemic has laid bare the community's decades-long housing crisis, which "exploded the numbers."

"We have not gone against any of the health orders, we abide by them," he said. "It's just that Arviat is a perfect breeding ground for Covid to happen due to lack of housing and extreme overcrowding."

ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒥ ᐊᖑᓇᓱᒃᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐃᔪᑦ ᓄᓇᖓᓂᒃ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒥ ᐊᕐᕙᒐᓱᒃᑎᑦᑎᓂᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ 'ᐅᐱᓐᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᓄᓇᓪᓚᑦᑖᕐᒥ ᓄᓇᖁᑎᓖᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑦᑐᓕᕆᓇᓱᖕᒪᑕ,' ᑲᑎᒪᔨ ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ

ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒥ ᐊᖑᓇᓱᒃᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐃᔪᑦ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᕐᕙᒐᓱᖕᓂᐊᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᐅᔭᖅ. "ᐱᒋᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᔪᒪᒐᑉᑕ ᐊᕐᕙᒐᓱᒍᓐᓇᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᕕᓕᐱ ᐳᑐᒥᕋᖅᑐᖅ, ᑲᑎᒪᔨᐅᖃᑕᐅᔪᖅ ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒥ ᐊᖑᓇᓱᒃᑎᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᑎᒃᑯᐊᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᑉᓗᓂ ᑲᒪᔨᐅᓂᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒥ ᐊᕐᕙᒐᓱᖕᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᓂᒃ, ᐅᖃᒃᑲᓐᓂᖅᖢᓂᓗ, "ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᑲᔪᓰᓐᓇᕐᒪᑦ." ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᖅ ᓄᓇᕗᒥ ᓄᓇᖁᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᑑᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᓄᓇᓪᓚᑦᑖᕐᒥ ᓄᓇᓕᑑᖕᒪᑦ ᐊᕐᕙᒐᓱᒃᓯᒪᙱᑦᑐᓂᒃ. "ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓕᐅᕋᓱᒃᑐᒍᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒥ

ᐊᕐᕙᒐᓱᖃᑦᑕᓕᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐳᑐᒥᕋᖅᑐᖅ. ᐸᕐᓇᐃᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔫᒐᓗᐊᑦ ᐅᐱᕐᖔᖑᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔪᖅ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅᑕᖃᓕᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᑲᔪᓯᓚᐅᙱᒻᒪᑦ, ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐳᑐᒥᕋᖅᑐᖅ. "ᐊᓯᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ, ᐊᑯᓂᕈᔫᒐᓗᐊᖅ, ᑲᑎᒪᒐᔪᒃᓯᓚᐅᕋᑉᑕ. ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᒪᓕᒃᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᓖᑦ ᖃᓱᒋᐊᖅᑕᐅᖕᒪᑕ, ᐊᔭᐅᖅᑐᐃᒃᑲᓐᓂᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᒍᑦ ᐊᖑᓇᓱᒃᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᓪᓗ." ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᒪᓕᒃᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᓖᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᐅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒥ ᖃᓱᒋᐊᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᑦ, ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᐆᒪᔪᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᑦ

ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒥ ᐊᖑᓇᓱᒃᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐃᓚᐅᖅᑑᒐᓗᐊᑦ ᐊᕐᕌᓂ ᐅᐱᕐᖔᖑᓚᐅᖅᑐᒧᑦ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂᓕ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅ ᐊᒃᑐᖅᓯᓂᖃᓚᐅᕐᒪᑦ ᑕᐃᑉᑯᓄᙵ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᓄᑦ.

The Baker Lake HTO was planning this hunt last spring, however Covid-19 impacted those plans.

ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔨᓯᒪᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᑲᔪᓯᒋᐊᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᑉᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᕐᕙᒐᓱᒍᓐᓇᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ. "ᖃᐅᔨᒪᓚᐅᙱᑦᑐᒍᑦ ᑲᔪᓯᓂᐊᕐᒪᖔᑦ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐊᖏᖅᑕᐅᑐᐊᕋᑉᑕ ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ, ᐱᓕᕆᓪᓚᕆᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᒍᑦ, ᑮᓇᐅᔾᔭᒃᓴᕋᓱᓕᖅᖢᑕ, ᐸᕐᓇᓕᖅᖢᑕᓗ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ. "ᐱᓕᕆᕐᔪᐊᕐᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᐱᒋᐊᓕᓵᖅᖢᑕ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐅᐱᓐᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᓄᓇᓪᓚᑦᑖᕐᒥ ᓄᓇᖁᑎᓖᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑦᑐᓕᕆᓇᓱᖕᒪᑕ. "ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᓪᓚᕆᒃ ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᓄᑦ." bf l A Baker m4WZz 8

6 kivalliq news, Wednesday, March 17, 2021

community

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Mayor wants work to start on a new municipal garage in Naujaat The project has sat neglected on the community's wish list for several years and Mayor Alan Robinson thinks it's time to make it a reality

by Ezra Black

Northern News Services

Naujaat

The Hamlet of Naujaat is seeking to build a new municipal garage to protect its small fleet of municipal vehicles from the elements.

"At the moment we've got four," said Mayor Alan Robinson. "One is a recently new gravel truck that we just got a couple of years ago. The same thing with our sewage truck."

Robinson said the garage has sat neglected on the community's wish list for several years, but he thinks it's worth the time and effort to make it a reality.

The onetime journeyman carpenter, who said he spent most of his career working outside before entering municipal politics, sees it as an opportunity to preserve the value of the community's vehicles.

"We have the land," he said. "It's right next door to the power plant and the tank farm. It's in an ideal location."

The garage could serve as both a mechanical repair facility and training centre, he said, allowing for salvageable vehicles to be rescued from the dump, repaired and put back to work.

"What I really would like to do if I can get this garage built is set it up as a training centre for apprentices," said Robinson. "There's one gravel truck in the dump that can be repaired and put back to use.

There's a front-end loader that has a bit of a problem that can be repaired and restored."

Last year, municipal officials discussed the need for a new garage in Naujaat at the Kivalliq Mayors' Forum, he said.

"We did everything we possibly could (to get the project funded)," said Robinson.

"We sent the drawings down, we sent lot locations, I sent every piece of paper I could get and guess what?

That was a year ago and nothing has happened whatsoever.

"Worst case scenario I'd

like to try and do it ourselves," he continued.

Effectively out of space A 2018 letter from former Naujaat mayor Solomon Malliki to the Department of Community and Government Services states the hamlet had "effectively run out of garage space," and the construction of a new four-bay garage was "vital to our operation going forward."

"I understand the need for collaboration on this issue and that is why this letter is being sent for your review as soon as possible so that decisions can be made and funds committed as soon as possible," it reads.

Naujaat is also dealing with another infrastructure problem, said Robinson. The community's freezer has been out of commission since a breakdown occurred in September 2020.

"It stopped working right at the tail end of summer," he said. "We lost half, if not twothirds, of our frozen foods

Former Naujaat mayor Solomon Malliki, pictured, sent a letter in 2018 to the GN Department of Community and Government Services detailing the community's need for a new garage. Now Mayor Alan Robinson says a year after he sent required paperwork there has still been no movement on the file. photo courtesy of Lloyd Francis

for the winter at the worst possible time, when we were right in the middle of the

coronavirus."

"We're still trying to get enough money to get the

thing fixed," he added. "We'll get there eventually but it's going to take time."

news

kivalliq news, Wednesday, March 17, 2021

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with Derek Neary

Netser then asked about the budget that the GN has to fulfill the communities' marine requirements.

The minister replied that the study is valued at $2.2 million. The information collected will be used to solicit funds from Transport Canada's Oceans Protection Plan, which has close to $94 million remaining for safety, equipment and basic marine infrastructure, according to Akeeagok.

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Naujaat

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 Coordinating Editor: Craig Gilbert craig@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 ᑲᒪᔨ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑎ: ᑯᕆᒃ ᒋᐅᐳᑦ Craig Gilbert – craig@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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GN 'working diligently' on Whale Cove water treatment plant Design-build tender documents are in development for Whale Cove's new water treatment plant, Community and Government Services Minister Jeannie Ehaloak said on March 10.

In the interim, the GN has installed a "filter box" that acts as a seasonal treatment plant to reduce frequent boil water advisories in the community.

John Main, who represents Whale Cove as MLA, asked for a date when the new treatment plant will be constructed.

Ehaloak reiterated that her department is "working diligently" to meet a March 2024 target date.

"Until then the department is working with the filter box system," she said. "There were delays in sending some of our water treatment samples to Winnipeg, but with the assistance of the Department of Environment, we have been using their testing, their capabilities within the wildlife office to ensure that the testing is done on a regular basis."

Sanikiluaq

"The people of Chesterfield Inlet don't want this to be delayed for a long time because Chesterfield Inlet has been forgotten," said Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet MLA Cathy Towtongie.

Kivalliq MLAs make push for infrastructure Chesterfield Inlet has been "forgotten," said Cathy Towtongie, the MLA who represents the community, in the legislative assembly.

Addressing Economic Development Minister David Akeeagok on March 10, Towtongie said she understands Covid-19 has added to hold ups in planning for a new air terminal building for the hamlet, but any further delays would be unacceptable, she said.

"After the planning has been done, even though the pandemic is still going on, will this project be on time? We don't want this to be delayed again. The people of Chesterfield Inlet don't want this to be delayed for a long time because Chesterfield Inlet has been forgotten," she said. "For many years now, there have been no new developments in Chesterfield Inlet. In 2021 we still have to leave our suitcases outside at the airport terminal."

Akeeagok acknowledged that the funding is in place – $30 million in total – for five airport terminal buildings. The other four will be located in Naujaat, Whale Cove, Kugluktuk and Kimmirut. But uncertainties still exist.

"It will be built, but I'm just not quite sure how yet, and it will take two years," he said. "Now, through this tendering process, we don't have any idea how much the actual costs will be until bids are submitted. If the bids are too high and surpass the budget, then we would have to deliberate on our options. The costs may be different from the funds previously authorized in this house that were set aside for the five airport terminal buildings. There are five communities, and we have to ensure that the costs don't go past the amounts we receive from the federal government as they have provided a large amount for this project."

Aivilik MLA Patterk Netser suggested that it would make for better "optics" if the GN partnered with regional Inuit associations to construct infrastructure projects such as these.

Akeeagok didn't back away from the tendering process, however.

"Perhaps the Inuit organizations will submit bids with proper budgets in their bids," the minister said.

Delayed Rankin Inlet beer and wine store should open by summer: Hickes The Government of Nunavut's ransomware woes and Covid-19 have been obstacles to opening a beer and wine store in Rankin Inlet, but the business should be in place by early to mid-summer, Finance Minister George Hickes said in the legislative assembly on March 10.

Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay residents voted strongly in favour of establishing beer and wine stores in their communities in May 2017.

Arviat North-Whale Cove MLA John Main asked what effects the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission is expecting the liquor outlet to have on neighbouring communities, some of which prohibit alcohol.

Hickes acknowledged that the beer and wine store will create another opportunity for criminals to smuggle alcohol into dry communities but "at the end of the day, that is still against the law, no matter where they're purchasing the alcohol from."

The minister added that "the first and foremost objective is to reduce the hard liquor consumption and the binge drinking habits that people need to work on their own personal lives."

Main agreed that regardless of the source, bootlegging is still breaking the law, but he said it's conceivable that the liquor outlet will lead to an increase in offences.

He inquired as to the tracking that will occur to monitor impacts on outlying communities after the beer and wine store opens.

Hickes replied that the Department of Justice and the RCMP compile statistics on that level and related impacts.

"We'll absolutely be continuing to monitor that information," he said.

Marine infrastructure study to be done by summer, minister says Aivilik MLA Patterk Netser pressed Economic Development Minister David Akeeagok for an update on small craft harbours for Naujaat and Coral Harbour on March 8.

Akeeagok said pandemic measures have slowed down a territory-wide marine infrastructure scoping study, but he's hopeful the report will be complete by summer.

However, the minister said plans for him to visit all the communities have now been scuttled.

Netser seemed taken aback.

"He is saying they won't be visiting all the communities they slotted.

What about the communities that expected them after discussions? How many communities then will not be visited?"

Akeeagok said he didn't have the specifics, but he assured Netser that he, as minister, will receive a summary of all communities' needs and "these projects will commence in all of the communities identified as being part of that study."

photos courtesy of the legislative assembly

Aivilik MLA Patterk Netser sought updates on small craft harbours for Coral Harbour and Naujaat in the legislative assembly on March 8.

8 kivalliq news, Wednesday, March 17, 2021

news

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, ᒫµ5y 17, 2021

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Average GN salary rises to $96K Inuit and women, however, continue to earn less

by Derek Neary

Northern News Services

Nunavut

The territorial government's workforce expanded by 132 positions in 2019-20 and the average salary reached $95,984, up by $384 from 2018-19.

The average annual salary for Nunavut Inuit, who continue to comprise half of the public service, was $86,478. For nonInuit it was $106,997.

Female employees, who comprise 65 per cent of the territorial government's staff, earned an average of $94,841 while male employees were paid $98,634 per year, on average.

"The differences between salaries can be attributed to employment categories, because Nunavut Inuit and female employees hold fewer profes-

sional and management positions than their non-Inuit and male counterparts. The GN is making every effort to ensure this imbalance is addressed through various career development training programs targeted at Inuit employees," states the 2019-20 Public Service Annual Report, which was tabled in the legislative assembly earlier this week.

In total, salaries cost the GN $418.2 million.

Overtime added another $27.2 million.

However, 1,471 of the total 5,142 GN positions were vacant as of when the report was published.

The Qikiqtaaluk region hosted the most government jobs: 3,188.5. The Kivalliq came next at 1,189, while the Kitikmeot

region is home to 739.5 GN positions.

At 2,112, Iqaluit remains the community with the most territorial government jobs. Rankin Inlet was second at 526 positions.

The average length of service for public service employees was 8.6 years.

Two hundred casual employees moved to indeterminate status in 2019-20, with 101 of them being Inuit. Of 61 direct appointments, 60 were Inuit.

In 2019-20, the average time to fill a position was approximately 154 days, rising from 141 days the previous year.

The GN was named one of Canada's Top Employers for the third consecutive year, specific to young people and recent graduates.

The Government of Nunavut's 201920 Public Service Annual Report reveals that regular salaries, overtime, Northern allowance, pensions, other benefits and compensation, housing allowance, bilingual bonuses and payments to the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission added up to almost $642 million. image courtesy of the Government of Nunavut

Baker Lake HTO planning first community bowhead whale hunt 'It's surprising that an inland community is trying something like this,' board member says

by Trevor Wright

Northern News Services

Baker Lake

The Baker Lake Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO) plans to host its very first bowhead whale hunt this upcoming summer.

"We want to try and get a bowhead whale hunt going," said Phillip Putumiraqtuq, a board memeber with the Baker Lake HTO who has been appointed to look after Baker Lake's bowhead whale hunt, adding, "It's ongoing."

With Baker Lake being Nunavut's only inland community it was the only community that hasn't yet had a community bowhead whale hunt.

"This is our first time trying something like this since the bowhead whale hunt opened in Nunavut," said Putumiraqtuq.

There were plans being laid out last spring, Putumiraqtuq

said, however it was interrupted by the onset of Covid-19.

"It did change (it), it took a while, most of the time we were having technical meetings.

Once the pandemic (lockdown) was lifted in our community, we started to push it from there with our HTO board members."

With various public health measures in and around Nunavut being eased, the Kivalliq Wildlife Board gave the go ahead for the community's plan to begin a hunt.

"We weren't too sure it was going to go ahead but as soon as we got the OK from the regional board, we started to work fast from there, fundraising, preparing," he said. "A bit of hard work in the beginning but it's surprising that an inland community is trying something like this.

"It's a very first for Baker Lake."

ᐊᕐᕙᒐᓱᒃᑐᑦ ᓴᖅᑭᒐᔪᖕᒪᑕ ᓄᓇᕗᒥ, ᓲᕐᓗ ᐅᕙᓂ ᐊᕐᕙᒐᓱᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐸᖕᓂᖅᑑᓂ. ᑕᓪᓕᒪᓂᒃ ᐊᕐᕙᒐᓱᒍᑎᓂᒃ ᑐᓂᓯᕙᒃᑐᑦ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᑕᒫᒃᑯᑦ – ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒧᑦ ᕿᑭᖅᑖᓗᖕᒧᓪᓗ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᑕᐅᓯᕐᒥᒃ ᕿᑎᕐᒥᐅᓄᑦ. ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒥ ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᑦ, ᓄᓇᓪᓚᑦᑖᕐᒥᐅᑕᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ, ᐱᓇᓱᒃᓯᒪᔪᑦ.

photo courtesy of David Kilabuk

Bowhead whale hunts are a semi-regular occurrence in Nunavut, such as this successful hunt in Pangnirtung. Five tags are granted yearly – two each to the Kivalliq and Qikiktani regions and one to the Kitikmeot. This is the first time Baker Lake, an inland community, has attempted the feat.

photo story ᓄphoto stories

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Thousands of pounds of food donated by Ikurraq Food Bank Spokesperson says demand has increased significantly since pandemic began

Hamlet SAO Darren Flynn, left, Tommy Sharp and John Kabvitok helped set up a drive-thru food bank in Rankin Inlet.

The Ikurraq Food Bank teamed up with the hamlet to give out about 17,000 pounds of fish, chicken and caribou meat at a distribution event on March 6.

bank teamed up with the hamlet to donate thousands of pounds of food, some of which were leftovers from a hefty donation of chicken from Foodbanks Canada just before Christmas.

“We did a distribution in the first week of December, so we had enough to be able to do it again,” said Fredlund. “I think we gave out about 17,000 pounds of fish, chicken and caribou meat. There were about six or seven hundred boxes of chicken, five pallets of caribou and four of Arctic char.”

The longtime volunteer – who first got involved in the food bank because his mother Mary Fredlund “was looking for help with the paperwork end of things – said there was “a fairly good crowd,” at the event.

About 350 to 500 families picked up boxes of food, said Fredlund, thanks to a “good team of volunteers that we definitely rely on a lot,” who helped sort, pack and distribute meals to those in need.

Ikurraq has received additional funding from the federal and territorial governments this year, said Fredland, which has

allowed the organization to distribute more food.

“We didn't have to spend as much fundraising because of that – penny sales and bingos and those kinds of events – of course we couldn't do those kinds of events anyway,” he said.

In the next five weeks Ikurraq will be teaming up with the popular Slapshot Canteen located in the Rankin Inlet arena to distribute more than 400 pizzas to families in need, said Fredlund.

“We're not exactly sure how we're going to be distributing them quite yet but we're making things happen,” he said.

As the number of cases starts to trend down and the territory begins relaxing Covid-19 restrictions, Fredlund worries heightened food security concerns could last well into the future.

“It's a little bit of a concern that we're having that the demand might not have gone down because there are obviously still active Covid cases in the region,” he said. “We're hoping that we can keep on plugging along.”

photos courtesy of David Fredlund

by Ezra Black

Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet

The coronavirus is still in the North and so is hunger, highlighting the food security issues that have long dogged many people in Rankin Inlet.

And now, in a worrying sign of the times, a spokesperson for the Ikurraq Food Bank says that demand has increased significantly since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Over the last year, the food bank in Rankin Inlet has been providing food to about 50 to 65 families (of about four individuals) each week, said spokesperson David Fredlund. Before the pandemic struck, Ikurraq had an average weekly distribution of food to 30 to 45 families.

“With our regular clients, it was above and beyond our usual things that we would do,” he said.

The food bank has also stepped up the number of special distribution events, like the one on March 6, when the food

About 350 to 500 families picked up boxes of food at a drive-thru event hosted by the Ikurraq Food Bank and the town.

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Hockeytown rides again Rankin Inlet hosts youth tournament for U10 and U13 age groups

by James McCarthy

Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet

So about that pandemic stopping sports in its tracks … you knew it wouldn't affect hockey in Rankin Inlet, right?

Hockeytown, Nunavut hosted another youth tournament, this time for the U10 and U13 age categories from March 5 to 7. The age group would normally have been for the Powerful Peewees but that tournament isn't happening, much like the other annual tournaments that have been given the hook for this season due to Covid-19.

The players were divided up into four teams with the U10 division fielding its own all-star team while an all-girls team featured in the tournament.

Robert Kabvitok, who's helped to get things going event-wise this year,

said the girls team idea came from second, the Jets in third and the Rockettes in fourth.

Pujjuut Kusugak.

Kabvitok, who coached the "We have quite a lot of girls playing this season and Pujjuut sug- Wheat Kings, said the loss to Qavgested they have their viit in the round-robin own team," he said. was a good learning experience for his "We thought that was a team. great idea and so they "We had a one-goal entered." lead and they scored The girls outfit went in the last minute to by the Rockettes moniker while the U10 team tie the game," he said. was known as the Jets.

"We lost it in a shootout The other two teams in and I told the kids that the tournament were it was good for them known as the Wheat to get that loss early – Robert Kabvitok Kings, in honour of the because it would build namesake playing out them up. I coach junior volleyball and I tell of the Western Hockey them if you're going to lose, you League in Brandon, and Qavviit.

The round-robin saw Qavviit fin- have to lose early so you can fix ish atop the standings with a perfect what you need to." record – three wins out of three In the playoff round, the Wheat – followed by the Wheat Kings in Kings beat the Jets in their semi-

"The highlight for me on the weekend was how well those girls played."

final to advance to the final but the other semifinal wasn't a cakewalk by any means for Qavviit as they were taken to the limit by the Rockettes.

Sudden-death double overtime, to be exact, before Qavviit was finally able to overcome that challenge and move on.

"That game felt like a final," said Kabvitok about that contest. "The highlight for me on the weekend was how well those girls played. You could see them getting better every game and this helped them, like it did everyone."

In the final, the Wheat Kings would emerge victorious and exact a bit of revenge on Qavviit for the round-robin loss as they won by a score of 5-2 to claim the gold medal.

Kabvitok was a little worried before the final, though.

"I went into the dressing room and they were really quiet," he said.

"I wanted someone to say something or make a noise, something to ease their minds, but they were just focused."

The Jets won the bronze medal game by beating the Rockettes.

Next up is a planned senior tournament which Kabvitok said will incorporate the senior men's league, oldtimers, junior C, U18 and U16 teams in the community.

He said that should be a huge weekend.

"Everyone's excited for that," he said. "We're so lucky here to have hockey and (recreation co-ordinator) David Clark has done such a great job. We're lucky to have him. There are other places around the country where you either can't play or it's really limited and here, we're able to have games and tournaments. We just have to make sure we don't mess things up."

Walter Gretzky was, and always will be, Canada's hockey dad Northern News Services

Walter Gretzky is perhaps the most famous hockey dad in history. There are others who are well-known but few could hold a candle to this man's class.

Walter Gretzky was everything you could ever want in a sports parent: understanding, supportive, tough when he had to be. But at the end of the day, he was a father who wanted his kids to be successful.

He died on March 4 and the hockey world gave him the send-off he so deserved: sticks out and a fond farewell to a man who was beloved by everyone who got the chance to know him. I wasn't one of the lucky ones who had that chance, unfortunately.

Even his hearse procession had a true hockey tribute with hundreds of people lining the route to tap sticks, hockey's version of a standing ovation.

Wayne Gretzky delivered the eulogy and did it as plainly as it could have been because that's who his dad was. His father never went looking for the limelight because he never wanted it. He knew he was a parent and that was it. Walter Gretzky wasn't the type of parent who thumped his chest and demanded the world look at him jumping up and down like a toolbag.

The way Walter Gretzky coached his son was told by Wayne in his biography. He said his talents weren't Godgiven, they were Wally-given. with James McCarthy One of the passages which sticks out is when Walter would quiz Wayne about what to do while out on the ice, smart hockey as Wayne described it. When the Soviets impressed Canadians in 1972 with their style of hockey, Wayne said he wasn't impressed because he'd been doing that with his dad from the age of three.

I can believe that.

Walter was the proud dad who invited everyone in to have a look around the house at everything his famous son had done. People have talked about how they got try on The Great One's jerseys from every team he ever played for, including the Winter Olympics. Walter Gretzky didn't care that his son was famous. He was just proud and wanted everyone to see how proud he was.

We learned that he hadn't been doing well in his final days – he was suffering from Parkinson's Disease after being diagnosed with it in 2012 – and the family gathered en masse at his bedside to simply talk to him, tell him stories and just be there. That's what you're supposed to do when someone isn't well.

Many people have gone through that – I did when my

Sports Talk

ᐅᐊᓪᑐᕐ ᒍᕋᑦᔅᑭ ᐃᓅᔪᓐᓃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᒫᔾᔨ 4–ᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᕿᒪᐃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔭᐅᓛᖑᔪᒥ ᕼᐋᑭᒧᑦ ᐊᑖᑕᐅᔪᒥ.

Walter Gretzky died on March 4 and left a country without its most famous hockey dad.

Wikimedia Commons photo

grandfather was in his final days – and it's both comforting and sad all at once.

Had it not been for the pandemic, the Anglican church in Brantford, Ont., the city where the Gretzkys called home, would have been packed. It literally would have been standing room only with a procession to end all processions in southwestern Ontario. And it would have been both fitting and proper for someone who was as simple as any human being could have been.

An example of how popular Walter Gretzky was in Brantford was his own parking spot at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre. It has a caricature of Walter with the words "Reserved for Mr. Walter Gretzky, the Lord Mayor of Brantford." I highly doubt anyone would even think of stealing that parking spot lest you either wanted your car towed or looking a little worse for wear. You'd have better luck stealing a

handicap-reserved spot, an equally despicable move.

Wayne Gretzky eulogized his father as someone who was as proud a Canadian that there ever could be and of that, there was no doubt. He was a Canadian treasure, someone who you could never say a bad word about if you tried and if you did, it was most likely in jest. You know you're respected when the worst thing someone can say about you is done in a jocular fashion. I wish.

They say that people will live on forever and, in a way, Walter Gretzky will live on forever. He's part of a statue set out front of that same sports centre with his hand on Wayne's shoulder – Wayne wearing the No. 9 jersey of Gordie Howe, his favourite player growing up – and his wife, Phyllis, who died in 2005, holding Wayne's hand. So, yeah, Walter will always be there.

Brantford would have it no other way.

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