Kivalliq News – April 21, 2021 Edition

ᐊᕐᓇᐃᑦ Hᐊᑭᖅᑏᑦ ᐱᕈᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᑦᑎᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᑎᑭᕋᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Vol 27 No 17

$1.00

Nunavut's Award-Winning Voice of Kivalliq

Women's hockey team flourishes in Whale Cove

photo courtesy of Victoria Kidlapik

Members of Whale Cove's first women's hockey team show off their new jerseys in the dressing room. They are: Caitlin Uklaagak, left, Anita Panika, Mary Anguk, Shufly Nattar, Crystal Okalik, Pearl-Ann Kriterdluk, Deirdra Ulurksit, Barbara Ulurksit and goalie Nicole Ulurksit.

News ᐊᒡᓂᒍᒃᑯᑦ ᑕᓯᕐᔪᐊᕐᒧᑦ ᐋᖅᑭᒋᐊᕈᑎᖏᑦ ᓴᖅᑭᑎᑕᐅᔪᑦ ᐃᓄᖕᓄᑦ Agnico's Meliadine amendments presented

News ᓯᑭᑑᒃᑯᑦ ᔭᓗᓇᐃᕝᓕᐊᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᖁᔭᓈᖅᑐᑦ ᐱᖅᓯᓕᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ Ski-Doo adventure to Yellowknife derailed by blizzard

"The chitter-chatter and the laughter is so nice to see."

– Community wellness co-ordinator Christina Best shared photos from a recent Elder's lunch in Rankin Inlet, page 6.

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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 April 20

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ï·∆¿Í´ ≤áflúòî ÖÚÊéÔÒπØflî Ç≤úõ¿Ö≤ú Ö±Ø ÖéÍ≤ú áîéÖ≤Í´ú. íØêØ Äƒù‚ ÖÚÊéÔÒπØ≤Ò Ä¿íÒπÕ‰ÖÔÍ≤Í´ú í±ØÒíÇÀ≤ú Ö±Ø ÜÒïùÖÒπ¿Í≤Ò. íò∏≤Ê›î í±ØÒπØÀ´ú ï·∆¿Ò ≤áfl≤, ÇÔ¬∆¬éî Çflˆ (867) 645-3223 Ö±Ø ÇÔÍ›ùÀجü ÜÒïúªÄ«, Ç„·√∏≥î Ô‰íÇÕúòî Kugaaruk ééËͬéî Çflˆ kivalliqnews@nnsl.com. ÜÒïùÖ˪∏≤ÖÒíflî Ç„·√∏≥î ∂¬∂ĉÖͬü Naujaat Gameti áÀ∏∂ÒπêÖÊçí.

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Around Kivalliq

Active cases: 33 Confirmed cases: 428 Recovered cases: 391 Total persons followed: 7,493 Current persons followed: 254 Completed tests in Nunavut: 10,549 Total deaths: 4 Total vaccine doses given: 25,675

Confirmed cases by community Iqaluit: 31 (31 active) Kinngait: 2 (2 active) Arviat: 339 (338 recovered) Whale Cove: 23 (all recovered) Rankin Inlet: 19 (all recovered) Sanikiluaq: 2 (all recovered) Source: Government of Nunavut Department of Health

with Darrell Greer

ᓯᑭᑑᒃᑯᑦ ᔭᓗᓇᐃᕝᓕᐊᕋᓱᒃᑑᒐᓗᐊᒃ ᖁᔭᓈᖅᑑᒃ ᐱᖅᓯᓕᕐᒪᑦ

Sanikiluaq

Hᐊᑉ ᐃᓴᓗᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᐃᓕ ᓇᑯᓛᖅ ᐊᔪᓕᐅᖅᑲᓯᒪᓚᐅᖅᑑᒃ ᓈᓴᐃᕝᕕᖕᒥ ᐃᒡᓗᕋᓛᕐᒥ ᑲᖏᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ ᐊᕐᕕᓂᓕᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᓂᒃ.

photo courtesy of Susan Hickes

Nanauq Tanuyak holds up the catch that earned his wife, Iris Tatty-Tanuyak, a tie for second place during the Rankin Inlet fishing derby of May 19, 2020. The Hamlet of Chesterfield Inlet is in the midst of planning their own fishing derbies for May.

Hop Issaluk and Willie Nakoolak were stuck in a survey cabin on the Thelon River for six days.

After school programs open Chesterfield Inlet With the warm weather on the horizon Chesterfield Inlet has decided to close its arena down for the year.

"The rink will likely be shutting down in a few weeks," explained SAO Paul Sammurtok. "We got a lot of wind and snow but it hasn't been that cold so we've had a hard time making ice."

The good news is that with the easing of restrictions being lifted for the Kivalliq, the community's gym is finally opening up after being closed for months.

"We've been cooped up but now we're allowed 25 people in the gym."

The community is also in the midst of trying to plan fishing derbies in May.

KIA elects new vice-president Arviat The Kivalliq Inuit Association elected David Kuksuk of Arviat as its new vice-president after he received 35 per cent of the votes cast in the region on the April 12 election.

Voter turnout was just 13 per cent across all seven Kivalliq communities.

Heather Malliki was elected director for Naujaat with 45 per cent of the votes cast.

Two other director positions in Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove were filled by acclamation with Hamish Tatty becoming director in Rankin Inlet and Guy Enuapik assuming the role in Whale Cove.

Elders vote from home in Baker Lake liquor plebiscite Baker Lake Elections Nunavut was planning to operate a mobile poll on the day of the advance vote for the liquor plebiscite in Baker Lake on April 19.

The returning officer was taking requests from people who are unable to attend the advance poll or the regular polls on plebiscite day, and then scheduled home visits on the morning of "Poll workers will visit each home on the schedule with ballots and a ballot box for voters in the home to participate in the Plebiscite," reads an email from Elections Nunavut. "During these visits, and at regular polls, poll workers will follow guidelines set-out by the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer for the community, including physical distancing, and the use of facemasks and hand sanitizers."

The April 19 mobile poll was the only scheduled opportunity for people to vote at home.

"However we want to encourage people in Baker Lake to participate in the plebiscite, and will attempt to be flexible to offer opportunity to those who want to vote."

photos courtesy of Hop Issaluk

ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᖅᑎ ᓄᓇᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᕋᓱᒃᑐᖅ ᒪᐃᔭᒋᔭᐅᔪᕐᓗ ᓴᓪᓕᓂ ᑕᐅᕗᙵᐅᔪᓐᓃᖅᑑᒃ ᓯᓚ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᒋᑉᓗᒍ, ᓯᑭᑑᖓᓗ ᓯᖁᒥᒻᒪᑦ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᖅᑎ Hᐊᑉ ᐃᓴᓗᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓴᓪᓕᓂ ᒪᐃᔭᒋᔭᐅᔪᖅ ᐅᐃᓕ ᓇᑯᓛᖅ ᓄᓇᒃᑯᑦ ᔭᓗᓇᐃᕝᓕᐊᕆᐊᓚᐅᖅᑑᒃ ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒥ ᑕᐅᕗᙵᐅᓇᓱᖕᓂᐊᓚᐅᖅᑑᒃ ᐅᑎᒧᓪᓗ ᖁᓕᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᓂᒃ. ᑭᓯᐊᓂᓕ, ᑕᐃᒪᐃᒐᔪᖕᒪᑦ ᓄᓇᒥ ᐱᖅᑐᖅ ᑎᑭᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ. "ᑕᐅᕗᙵᐅᓇᓱᒃᖢᑕ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓇᖅᑐᒃᑰᕈᔪᐃᓐᓇᓚᐅᖅᑐᒍᑦ. ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᑦᑐᐊᓘᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑦᑐᒃᑰᕈᓘᔭᓚᐅᕋᓗᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᑕ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᓴᓗᒃ. "ᑕᒡᕙᙵᑦ ᐃᒃᐱᖕᓇᓪᓚᕆᒃᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᓄᓇᒥ

ᐃᒃᐱᒍᓱᑦᑎᐊᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᑉᑎᓐᓄᑦ." ᔭᓗᓇᐃᕝᓕᐊᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖅ ᐸᕐᓇᒃᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᓴᓗᖕᒧᑦ, ᐸᕐᓇᒃᓯᒪᓚᐅᕐᒪᑦ ᐊᐃᒃᐱᕐᓂᐊᖅᖢᓂ ᐴᑲᖅᑕᕈᑎᒥᒃ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᓯᑭᑐᖅᑎᓂᒃ ᑰᑦ ᓖᒃ, ᐃᐅᐳᑕᒥ. ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓯᓯᒪᓚᐅᖅᑑᒃ ᐴᑲᖅᑕᕐᕕᑦ ᓯᑯᒃᑯᑦ ᔭᓗᓇᐃᕝᒧᑦ ᑎᑭᑎᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᖢᑎᒃ, ᐃᓴᓘᑉ ᓇᑯᓛᑉᓗ ᐊᐃᓂᐊᓚᐅᖅᖢᓂᒋᑦ. ᐃᓴᓗᒃ, ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᖑᔪᖅ ᐃᓄᖕᓂᒃ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᖃᑕᐅᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᔪᙱᑦᑐᕐᔪᐊᓂᒃ ᖃᑉᓗᓈᑦ ᓄᓇᖓᓂᒃ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ, ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᓂᕆᐅᒃᑐᕉᖅ ᑎᑭᑎᑦᑐᒪᑉᓗᓂᒋᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐴᑲᖅᑕᕈᑏᑦ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅ ᓯᑭᑑᒃᑯᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒥ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᖃᑦᑕᓕᖁᑉᓗᒍ.

Hᐊᑉ ᐃᓴᓗᒃ ᑕᑯᑎᑦᑎᔪᖅ ᖃᕝᕕᓚᐅᖅᑕᒥᓂᒃ ᐃᒡᓗᕋᓛᕐᒥᓚᐅᖅᑳᖅᖢᓂ ᑲᖏᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ ᐊᕐᕕᓂᓕᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᓂᒃ.

Hop Issaluk shows off a wolverine he shot after being stuck in a survey cabin on the Thelon River for six days.

"ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐊᒥᓱᑦ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᔭᓲᑦ ᓄᓇᑉᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᒋᔭᖃᓕᕋᔭᕐᒪᑕ ᐊᔪᙱᑦᑐᕐᔪᐊᑦ ᐊᑐᖃᑦᑕᖅᓯᒪᔭᖏᓐᓂᒃ." ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ. ᐱᒋᐊᓕᓵᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐊᔪᕐᓇᖅᓯᑲᐅᑎᒋᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᓴᓗᒃ ᖁᓕᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᓂᒃ ᓴᓇᔾᔮᓚᐅᙱᒻᒪᑦ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᕋᑎᒋᖅᑳᕐᓂᐊᓚᐅᖅᑕᖓ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᕈᓐᓇᐃᓪᓕᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᖃᓕᑳᓪᓚᖕᓂᕐᒧᑦ. ᓇᑯᓛᖅ ᑐᓴᕋᒥ ᐃᓴᓘᑉ ᒥᒃᓵᓄᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᑦᑐᒃᑰᕐᓂᖓᓄᑦ ᐃᑲᔪᕈᒪᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ. "ᐅᕙᒻᓄᙵᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᑲᔪᕈᒪᓂᕋᖅᖢᓂ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᓴᓗᒃ, ᖃᖏᐊᖓ ᓇᑯᓛᑉ ᐃᕐᓂᖓᓂᒃ ᐅᐃᖃᕐᒪᑦ. ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᕐᒥ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᒃᑲᓐᓂᐅᑉᓗ ᓇᑉᐸᖓᓂᒃ ᐸᕐᓇᖅᑳᖅᖢᑎᒃ, ᓇᑯᓛᖅ ᓯᑭᑑᓂ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᖅᑎᓚᐅᖅᑕᖓ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᖅᑎᓕᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒧᑦ ᒫᑦᓯ 27-ᒥ. ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒃᑯᑦ ᐅᔾᔨᕐᓇᖅᓯᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᓯᕗᒻᒧᐊᑦᑎᐊᑦᔮᙱᑦᑑᔭᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒧᑦ ᑎᑭᓐᓇᒥᒃ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᓂᒃ ᓯᓚᓗᓕᑲᐅᑎᒋᓚᐅᕐᒪᑦ. ᓯᓚᑦᑕᕈᕐᒪᑦ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᓕᓚᐅᖅᑑᒃ ᑲᖏᕐᔪᐊᒃᑯᑦ. ᐃᓴᓗᒃ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᑕᐅᕘᓈᖅᖢᑎᒎᖅ ᓯᓚᓗᒃᑐᐊᓘᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᓇᐅᒃᑰᕐᕕᒋᔭᖓᓗ ᓈᒻᒪᖃᑦᑕᙱᖦᖢᓂ. "ᒪᓂᕋᐅᙱᑦᑐᐊᓘᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ. "ᐊᐱᓯᒪᔪᐊᓘᑉᓗᓂ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᒻᒪᑦ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᔭᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᑐᒍᑦ 20 ᑭᓛᒥᑕᓂᒃ ᐃᑲᕐᕋᑕᒫᑦ." ᑎᑭᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᒪᕐᒥᒃ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᐃᕝᕕᖕᒧᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᕋᓛᕐᒧᑦ ᑲᖏᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ, ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᓕᖅᖢᑎᒡᓗ ᑕᐃᑲᓂ ᑕᖕᒫᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᓐᓄᖓᓂᒃ. ᑭᓯᐊᓂᓕ, ᐱᖅᓯᓕᒃᑲᓐᓂᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᐅᓐᓅᔪᒥ. "ᐊᑕᐅᓯᕐᒥᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᕐᒥᒃ bflA m2WZ6

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Agnico Eagle water licence ruling expected Mining company seeks to increase the amount of total dissolved mineral concentration solids it can release into Meliadine Lake

by Cody Punter

Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet

The Nunavut Water Board is expected to hand down its decision on a proposed amendment to Agnico Eagle's water licence for its Meliadine gold mine in the next few weeks after the final round of public consultations wrapped up in Rankin Inlet last month.

Agnico Eagle is asking the Nunavut Water Board (NWB) to amend the company's water permit for Meliadine Lake to increase the total dissolved

mineral concentration solids (TDS) limits to 4,500 mg/L, up from the current limit of 1,400 mg/L. The company had originally requested for the limit to be 5,000 mg/L but ended up lowering the number based on feedback from Environment and Climate Change Canada, according to an email from Carl Charest, communication general supervisor for Agnico Eagle.

According to Sergey Kuflevskiy, technical advisor in charge of the Meliadine file for the NWB, more than

100 people attended the meetings in person over the course of two days, with another 50 tuning in online via Zoom.

"The numbers were actually record breaking compared to other public hearings," Kuflevskiy told Kivalliq News.

Most of the concerns voiced during the two days of meetings were related to the impact that the changes would have on the water quality at Meliadine Lake. The TDS going into Meliadine Lake are mostly composed of natural occurring salts such

as chloride, which accounts for approximately 50 per cent of its contents.

According to Kuflevskiy one member of the public who attended the meeting asked if it is visibly noticeable if you have 3,500 mg of dissolved solids in a water sample.

In an interview with Kivalliq News, Kuflevskiy explained that the tap water you drink has roughly 400 to 500 mg of TDS. "And this is water that is purified and that is clean," he said, adding that ocean water

can have as much as 35,000 mg/litre of TDS. "When we compare ocean water and lake water, you're not going to be able to see the difference in TDS." According to Kuflevskiy, another member of the public at the meeting asked if heavy metals are included in these calculations.

"The answer is no," he said. "The heavy metals have their threshold and those are not being changed with this application."

Following the meetings, the Kivalliq Inuit Associa-

tion said all its concerns were addressed.

“All KIA concerns were addressed, this includes the community based monitoring program,” wrote Jonathan Pameolik, KIA's manager of communications, in an email.

The water licence Agnico Eagle currently holds was approved by the Nunavut Impact Review Board in 2016 and allows the company to discharge rainwater and accumulated snow from the mine site into Meliadine Please see Last, page 4

ᓯᓚᓗᖕᓂᖓᓄᑦ ᐊᕐᕕᓂᓕᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᓂᒃ ᐃᒡᓗᕋᓚᕐᒦᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐅᐃᓕ ᓇᑯᓚᖅ ᑕᑯᒋᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᒻᒪᕇᒃᑯᑎᒥᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᒥ ᐊᔾᔨᓕᐅᖅᑕᐅᑉᓗᓂ Hᐊᑉ ᐃᓴᓗᖕᒧᑦ. ᑖᑉᑯᐊ ᒪᕐᕈᒃ ᐊᖑᑎᒃ ᓯᑭᑑᒃᑯᑦ ᔭᓗᓇᐃᓕᐊᕆᐊᓚᐅᖅᑑᒃ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᖁᔭᓈᓕᓚᐅᖅᑑᒃ ᐱᖅᓯᓕᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐊᕐᕕᓂᓕᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᓂᒃ.

Willie Nakoolak checks his GPS on the land while Hop Issaluk takes the photo. The two men attempted to snowmobile to Yellowknife from Rankin Inlet but ended up having to abandon their mission due to a six-day blizzard. photo courtesy of Hop Issaluk

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ᑕᐃᑲᓃᑐᐃᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᕋᓱᒋᓚᐅᖅᖢᑕ ᐊᕐᕕᓂᓕᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᓂᒃ ᑕᐅᕙᓃᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᒍᑦ." ᐊᕐᕕᓂᓕᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᓂᒃ ᐊᔪᓕᐅᖅᑲᓯᒪᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᕋᓛᕐᒥᒃ ᐃᓴᓗᒃ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᒐᓱᕈᓘᔭᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᑐᒡᒎᖅ ᐸᑦᑕᙳᐊᖅᐸᒃᖢᑎᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᖁᑎᖏᑦ, ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᑉᓗᒍ ᐃᑯᒪᓅᕈᑎ, ᖃᓄᐃᙱᑦᑎᐊᖅᑎᓐᓇᓱᒃᖢᒋᑦ. ᐊᒃᓱᓪᓘᓐᓃᑦ, ᐱᖁᑎᓕᔭᑦᑎᐊᓚᐅᕐᒪᑎᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑐᒃᑐᖃᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᓇᑯᓛᑉ ᑐᒃᑐᓚᐅᖅᑕᖓᓂᒃ ᑲᖏᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ ᐱᖅᓯᓕᖅᑳᖅᑎᓐᓇᒍ. "ᐸᑦᑕᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᑐᒍᑦ ᓯᒡᒐᓖᓄᑦ. ᓯᑯᑕᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᖢᑕ. ᐊᒃᓱᓪᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐅᖁᖅᓴᐅᑎᖃᓚᐅᕋᑉᑕ. ᖃᑯᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᖃᒧᑎᕗᑦ ᓯᑭᑑᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᐳᑕᐃᔭᐃᕙᒃᖢᒋᑦ. ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᑲᑕᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᑐᒍᑦ ᐃᑯᒪᓅᕈᑎᑉᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᐅᓪᓛᖏᓐᓇᕈᓐᓇᖁᑉᓗᒍ. ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᖃᓗᑲᑕᐃᓐᓇᖅᖢᑕ ᐃᓚᑉᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᙱᑦᑐᓐᓇᖁᑉᓗᑕ." ᐃᓴᓗᒃ ᖃᑉᑎᕆᔨᐅᖃᑕᐅᔪᖅ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᐅᑉ ᖃᑉᑎᕆᔨᒃᑯᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᕿᓂᖅᑎᓂᒡᓗ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᔪᖅ, ᐅᖃᓕᒫᑲᑕᐃᓐᓇᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᑎᑎᕋᕐᕕᐅᕙᒃᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᒡᓗᕋᓚᕐᒥ. "ᑎᑎᕋᐅᑕᐅᔪᑦ ᑕᐃᑉᓱᒪᓂᒥᙶᕐᒪᑕ ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᓕᕆᓗᐊᖅᑳᖅᑎᓐᓇᑕ. ᐅᔾᔨᕐᓇᖅᓯᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐃᓄᓯᖃᕈᒥᓇᕐᒪᑦ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ, ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂᓗ ᑕᒪᕐᒥᖅᑲᔭᑦ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᖅᑕᖏᑦ 1970-ᓂᙶᖅᓯᒪᑉᓗᑎᒃ. "ᐃᖕᒥᓂᒃ ᒥᑭᓪᓕᑎᕐᓇᖅᑐᖅ. ᐃᒃᐱᖕᓇᖅᑐᕐᓗ ᐃᓅᓯᖃᓚᐅᕐᓂᑉᑎᓐᓄᑦ Facebook-ᖃᖅᑳᕐᓇᓂ ᑎᑎᕋᐅᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᓕᓚᔪᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᕐᓂᑉᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᕙᓪᓕᐊᓐᓇᖅᖢᓂᓗ ᐃᓅᖃᑎᑉᑕ ᖃᓄᐃᑦᑐᒃᑰᕐᓂᕆᓯᒪᔭᖏᓐᓂᒃ." ᐱᖅᓯᕈᓐᓃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ, ᐃᓴᓗᒃ ᓯᑭᑑᒥᓂᒃ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᖅᓯᔪᓐᓇᐃᓪᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ. ᐊᖑᑕᐅᖃᑎᒌᒃ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᓯᑎᑦᑎᓇᓱᓪᓚᕆᓚᐅᖅᑑᒐᓗᐊᒃ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓘᖕᓂᒃ, ᐅᓕᐊᓗᖕᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᓯᑭᑑᓂ ᖄᓕᖅᓯᒪᓪᓗᒍ ᐱᖓᓱᓂᒡᓗ ᓱᐴᔫᕐᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᓯᑭᑑᒥᒃ ᐊᐅᒃᓰᓇᓱᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ. "ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓘᖕᓂᒃ ᐱᓕᕆᓚᐅᖅᑐᒍᒃ ᐊᐅᓪᓛᓕᖅᑎᖦᖢᑎᒍᓪᓗ,"

ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᓴᓗᒃ. ᐃᓴᓗᑉ ᓯᑭᑑᖓ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᓕᑕᐃᓐᓇᕐᒪᑦ ᑐᓴᖅᑎᑕᐅᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᔭᓗᓇᐃᕝᒥ ᓯᑯᒃᑯᒡᒎᖅ ᐊᑉᖁᑎᖓ ᒪᑐᔭᐅᓕᕐᒪᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᑕᐃᑯᙵᐅᔾᔮᕈᓐᓃᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ. ᐅᑉᓗᕆᔭᖓ ᓈᒻᒪᙱᑦᑐᐃᓐᓇᐅᓚᐅᙱᑦᑐᖅ ᐃᓴᓗᒃ ᓇᑯᓛᕐᓗ ᑐᒃᑐᕙᒋᐅᓚᐅᕐᒪᑎᒃ. ᑕᐅᕘᓇᓂᖏᑦ ᐃᓱᓕᙱᒻᒪᑦ ᓱᓕ. ᓯᖁᒥᒍᑎᒃᑲᓐᓂᖅᖢᑎᒃ 8-ᓂᒃ ᑭᓛᒥᑕᓂᒃ ᐅᖓᓯᖕᓂᖃᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᓈᓴᐃᕝᕕᖕᒥ ᐃᒡᓗᕋᓛᕐᒥ, ᐃᓴᓘᑉ ᓯᑭᑑᖓ ᐃᑯᒫᖅᑎᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ. ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓯᔪᓐᓇᔾᔮᙱᓐᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᐅᔾᔨᕈᓱᓕᕋᒥᒃ ᐅᖃᓗᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᒪᐃᒃ ᓄᑲᑉᐱᐊᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑲᐃᔪ ᓇᑦᓯᕐᒧᑦ ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒥ, ᐃᓚᒃᓴᕐᒥᒃ ᐊᔾᔭᖅᓯᕝᕕᐅᔪᒪᑉᓗᑎᒃ. ᐅᑉᓗᕐᒥᒃ ᐅᑉᓘᑉ ᓇᑉᐸᖓᓂᒡᓗ ᐅᑕᖅᑭᔭᕆᐊᖃᓚᐅᖅᑑᒃ ᑎᑭᑕᐅᑉᓗᑎᒡᓗ, ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᓄᑲᑉᐱᐊᑉ ᓯᑭᑑᖓᑦᑕᐅᖅ ᓯᖁᒥᖦᖢᓂ. ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᑲᑕᖅᑳᖅᖢᑎᒃ, ᓯᑕᒪᐅᔪᑦ ᐊᖑᑏᑦ ᐅᑎᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒧᑦ. "ᕿᒪᐃᔭᕆᐊᖃᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᒍᑦ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᖃᒧᑏᖕᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᒪᐃᒃ ᓯᑭᑑᖓᓂᒃ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᓴᓗᒃ, ᐃᖕᒥᓂᒃᑕᐅᖅ ᓯᑭᑑᒥᓂᒃ ᕿᒪᐃᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᖢᓂ. ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥ ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᙱᑦᑐᒃᑰᕈᓘᔭᓚᐅᕋᓗᐊᖅᖢᑎᒃ, ᐃᓴᓗᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓇᑯᓛᖅ ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒧᑦ ᑎᑭᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ 5:30-ᒥ ᐅᑉᓛᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᐃᕆᓕ 10-ᒥ. ᐅᑎᖅᓯᒪᓕᖅᖢᓂ, ᐃᓴᓗᒃ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐅᖃᖃᑎᖃᖅᓯᒪᓕᖅᑐᕉᖅ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᓯᑭᑑᖅᑎᓂᒃ ᐃᐅᐳᑕᒥ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐴᑲᖅᑕᕈᑏᑦ ᑎᖕᒥᓲᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑭᑎᑕᐅᔪᒫᕐᓂᐊᓕᖅᑐᑦ. ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓯᓇᓱᒃᖢᓂᓗ ᓯᑭᑑᓂ ᑎᑭᑎᑕᐅᖁᑉᓗᒍ ᖁᓕᒥᒎᓕᒃᑯᑦ. ᐃᓴᓗᒃ ᑐᕌᕐᕕᒋᓇᓱᒃᑕᒥᓄᑦ ᑎᑭᐅᑎᓚᐅᙱᒃᑲᓗᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ, ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᐅᕗᙵᐅᓂᕆᓚᐅᖅᑕᖓᒎᖅ ᐳᐃᒍᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔾᔮᙱᑕᓂ. "ᐃᓛᒃ ᐃᑲᔫᑕᐅᔪᖅ ᐃᓱᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᕈᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᒃᑯᑦ, ᑎᒥᒃᑯᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ

ᐅᒃᐱᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ. ᐃᓅᖃᑎᒌᒃᑐᒃᑯᑦ ᐅᖓᑖᒍᐊᓗᒃ ᓇᐅᒃᑰᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ," ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ. "ᐃᓱᐊᓂ ᖁᕕᐊᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑦᑐᒃᑰᖅᓯᒪᓂᒃᑯᑦ. ᖁᕕᐊᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᓱᓕᒻᒪᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᕐᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑦᑐᒃᑰᓚᐅᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ." bf l A Snowmobile m4WZz 10

4 kivalliq news, Wednesday, April 21, 2021

news

ᓄá·∆¿ÖÀî

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, wSD 21, 2021

Last amendment was in 2020 Agnico, from page 3

Lake as long as it meets the NWB's guidelines.

Last year Agnico Eagle received approval from the NWB for an emergency amendment because of unexpectedly high precipitation levels.

The temporary change to Agnico's water licence allowed the company to increase its discharge of TDS to 3,500 mg/L of from Containment Pond 1 to Meliadine Lake through the Meliadine Lake outfall diffuser between April 29 and October 31.

That permit was approved as a temporary measure because Agnico did not have enough time to submit a full application in time for the spring melt.

Following the approval of last Spring's temporary amendment, Stephanie Autut, executive director of the NWB wrote an open letter in which she explained why the approval was necessary.

One of the points she made was that the additional discharge was urgently required to lower water levels and avoid permanent damage to the pond and associated water management infrastructure at the site.

"If the excess water in CP1 could not be discharged to Meliadine Lake during the spring freshet in 2020, damage to the pond and infrastructure could result, which increased the potential for uncontrolled releases or other negative impacts on Meliadine Lake," she wrote.

As part of the emergency application the water board told the mine they needed to submit a permanent application to the board, which is why it is currently submitting its current application.

By law, the NWB has nine months to process the application, whether it's approved or not.

"Some people ask why it's such a rush and why can't it take two years. The legislation says that's the way it must be," said Kuflevskiy.

A confusing aspect of the current application is that Agnico is currently seeking two separate

amendments to its water licence, said Kuflevskiy.

The one currently being discussed is being heard by the NWB as it pertains to inland fresh water.

The other, which is seeking permission to build two pipelines to carry water from the mine to Melvin Bay, falls under the jurisdiction of the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), as the NWB doesn't have jurisdiction over the ocean.

That application is still in progress and public consultations still need to be held before it can be reviewed by NIRB. "It's a very complex project and it's even more complex because there's two applications and people are always confusing the two," explained Kuflevskiy. "We receive feedback about the pipeline but it's not related. I understand that it's really confusing to members of the public."

"The NIRB is going to have its public hearing and its community round table where people will be able to ask questions about the pipeline but it's a separate process."

Once the NWB hands down its ruling on the Meliadine Lake amendment, it will be submitted to the federal Department of Crown-Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

The federal government then has 45 days to make its final decision on whether or not to approve the amendment.

The Nunavut Water Board is expected to hand down its decision on a proposed amendment to Agnico Eagle's water licence for its Meliadine gold mine in the coming weeks. The NWB recently wrapped its final round of public consultations in Rankin Inlet.

NNSL file photo

kivalliq news, Wednesday, April 21, 2021

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opinions

ᓄwhmK5

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, wSD 21, 2021 5

Baker's liquor vote a chance to set the record straight Low voter turnout and lack of consultation with Elders issues raised with 2018 vote Northern News Services thought Elders were not properly In a democracy it can sometimes notified ahead of the vote while feel like your vote doesn't count. polling stations weren't properly However, when an election is won accessible for people with limited by just a single vote it makes you mobility. realize that one person can make a The fact that 135 residents, difference. including a large contingent of That is exactly what happened youth, signed the petition for a the last time Baker Lake held a new plebiscite shows that there plebiscite on the way is enough concern about alcohol should be regulatalcohol consumption to ed in the community, just warrant a new vote. over three years ago.

When enjoyed responAt the time Baker Lake sibly alcohol can be seen was a restricted communas a way to relax, unwind, ity – one of three posor enjoy social gatherings.

Sanikiluaq sible designations under But the excessive conNunavut's liquor act. The sumption of booze often plebiscite to open Baker results in poor decisions. up to a freer flow of alco- Cody Sometimes those decihol was brought forward sions are harmless and Punter by community members have no major consewho thought the system quences. was too paternalistic and On the other hand, controlling. In the end their motion alcohol is often a factor in violent carried the day with 178 in favour crimes, especially domestic abuse of removing restrictions and 119 and sexual assault. against, pushing the vote just over Even when violent crimes are not the 60 per cent threshold required an issue, alcohol can also enable by law. self-destructive behaviour and in While the vote was legally bindthe worst cases, suicide. ing, some community members felt This begs the question: to what that it was not representative of the extent can restricting access to community's will. alcohol help solve these kinds of One of the reasons for that was problems. the low voter turnout. Just 32 per According the wording of the cent of eligible voters cast a ballot April 26 plebiscite, if the communin 2018. As Mayor Richard Aksawity votes in favour of bringing back nee pointed out to Kivalliq News, restrictions, it would reinstitute a the people who came forward with local alcohol education committee the petition for a new plebiscite which would be "responsible for

promoting alcohol awareness and education as well as regulating the purchase, sale and import of alcohol in the community."

One thing that is interesting about the way the plebiscite is worded is that it doesn't mention specific limits on the purchase of alcohol.

In theory, since no limits are mentioned in the plebiscite the creation of an alcohol education committee would allow for some latitude in the way the community puts restrictions in place. Perhaps there could be a creative way to come up with regulations that give people the freedom they want while discouraging excessive drinking.

History has shown that prohibition never works. It only serves to increase secrecy and fuel the black market. That said, each community deserves the right to determine how it regulates the sale of alcohol.

If the people vote in favour of its creation, an alcohol education committee seems like the most fair and democratic way of resolving issues around the sale and abuse of alcohol in a way that best suits the needs of Baker Lake.

When the people of Baker Lake go to the polls next week, they will get their say on what they thing is best for the community. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, everyone who is eligible to do so should cast their vote. After all your single vote could just end up deciding the election.

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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.

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photo courtesy of the GN

As of April 15, due to the Covid outbreak in Iqaluit, schools in the capital will move to Stage 4. Rankin Inlet, Arviat and all Qikiqtani schools will move to Stage 2. Schools in Coral Harbour, like Sakku school, pictured, Naujaat, Chesterfield Inlet, Baker Lake and Whale Cove will remain open and at Stage 1.

news Briefs Iqaluit Covid-19 cases affects some school schedules Rankin Inlet/Arviat The discovery of new Covid-19 cases in Iqaluit means that school schedules will be changing in Rankin Inlet.

According to the Chief Public Health Officer, as of April 15 the following stage changes will apply to Nunavut schools: all schools in Iqaluit will move to Stage 4; all schools in Rankin Inlet and Arviat will move to Stage 2; All schools in the Qikiqtani region, with the exception of Sanikiluaq, will move to Stage 2.

Schools in Coral Harbour, Naujaat, Chesterfield Inlet, Baker Lake, and Whale Cove will remain at Stage 1.

All students will attend school full-time, five

days per week.

According to an email from the department of education, under Stage 2 middle and high school students will have a blend of in-school and remote learning. Students will attend school two to three days per week. Specific schedules will be determined by each school's Stage 2 action plan.

Meanwhile elementary students in Rankin Inlet and Arviat will attend school full-time, five days per week.

6 kivalliq news, Wednesday, April 21, 2021

news

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, wSD 21, 2021

ᓄá·∆¿ÖÀî

Frances Ford, left, Rolanda Innukshuk, Catherine Airut, and Maryann Tattuinee enjoy traditional food during a lunch for Elders in Rankin Inlet.

Gathering Feature

ᑕᑯᔭᒃᓴᐃᑦ Northern News Services

photos courtesy of Christina Best

Timothy Akerolik, left, celebrated his 82nd birthday with fellow community members, Violet Innukshuk, Tommy Tudlik, and Jack Kabvitok during the Elders lunch.

A group of 20 Elders got together to enjoy lunch and some games last week thanks to Rankin Inlet's community wellness program.

Christina Best, the community wellness co-ordinator for Rankin Inlet, said this is the second lunch they have hosted this year, with more planned for the coming months. She said it was great to see the smiles on people's faces after not being allowed to get together for so long due to Covid-19.

"They had a really good time. A lot of them hadn't seen each other in a long time," she said. "The chitterchatter and the laughter is so

by Christina Best Rankin Inlet nice to see. They are genuinely appreciative. It makes it so worthwhile."

Local community members were hired to make tuktu soup and bannock as well as some desserts. There was also pipsi, frozen char, caribou and muktuk on offer.

Due to limits on capacity indoors the wait lists to attend the lunches are long due to high demand.

For future lunches, Best said Elders who haven't had the chance to attend yet will be given priority.

"The word is getting around," she said. "The people who have never gone before get priority just to be fair."

– text by Cody Punter

kivalliq news, Wednesday, April 21, 2021

photo story ᓄphoto stories

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, wSD 21, 2021 7

Elders lunch in Rankin

Elalie Schweder, left, Tommy Tudlik and Alma Ulayok were all smiles are Rankin's Elders lunch.

Timothy Akerolik and Tommy Tudlik relax after lunch.

After lunch was served Elders have the chance to play some games.

Jack Kabvitok, left, Rolanda Innukshuk, Martha Kanayok, Marie Tiktak and Mora Kablalik enjoy some tea after lunch.

Jack and Aline Kabvitok and Martha Kanayok at Rankin Inlet's Elders lunch.

8 kivalliq news, Wednesday, April 21, 2021

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, wSD 21, 2021

kivalliq news, Wednesday, April 21, 2021

sports & recreation Îé¯≤ú & ÄÎÖ∏ÙÄÕÍ≤Ò

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, wSD 21, 2021 9

Whale Cove's first ever women's hockey team makes it official

photo courtesy of Victoria Kidlapik

Members of Whale Cove's first women's hockey team shows off their new jerseys. The team hopes to wear the jerseys when inter-community tournaments are allowed once again. They are, back row from left: Cpl. James Charles, Corrine Okalik, Adina Panika, Mary Anguk, Nicole Ulurksit, Victoria Kidlapik, Anita Panika with her daughter Hannah Okalik, Barbara Ulurksit and Roxanne Misheralak. Front row, from left: Crystal Okalik Katrina Buote, Shufly Nattar, Wendy Okalik, PearlAnn Kriterdluk and Cadence Okalik.

Team has new jerseys after two years of playing together, group is looking forward to a tournament in 2022

by Cody Punter

Northern News Services

Whale Cove

Whale Cove's men's hockey teams have won their fair share of tournaments in the Kivalliq over the years.

Now a newly formed team of women is hoping to make a name for themselves in regional competitions once the end of Covid-19 restrictions makes such events possible again.

The community's first ever women's team, which has been playing together for two years, was founded by Victoria Kidlapik when she moved from her hometown of Naujaat to Whale Cove for work in 2019.

Given that "ladies hockey is big in Naujaat," Kidlapik was surprised to find out the community of 400 didn't have a team. So she asked local women if they'd be interested in starting one.

"It started with just three of us and it started to grow," said Kidlapik.

Shufly Nattar, who was one the team's first members, has been playing hockey since she was 10 years old. However, growing up the 18-year-old always had to play on boys bantam or pewee teams or men's senior teams.

Nattar said getting to play with

other women was refreshing.

"I was excited because I hadn't played with women. I had only played with men and boys," she said. "It's easier to get along with women."

As more people joined, they started setting their sights on the Young At Heart women's hockey tournament in the spring of 2020.

Due to Covid-19 that tournament ended up getting cancelled.

The women were disappointed by the news but they looked at it as an opportunity to practice more for the following year.

As they prepared for the 2021 tournament, the women decided they wanted to have their own jerseys so they could feel more like a team.

Kidlapik said she contacted RCMP officer James Charles to see if they could access funding.

"I submitted a proposal and we got funding through the family violence initiative fund," she said.

After getting approved for $5,000 they set started brainstorming ideas for the logo and how they wanted the jerseys to look.

They ended up reaching out to Maxine Anguk, whose grandfather played on Whale Cove's first ever men's team.

"It's a sentimental story," explained Kidlapik. "It has the very

first senior men's logo is in the background and just to add something unique for the ladies our designer did some additional things."

Nattar said it was such a welcome change to have proper jerseys.

"Having all different kinds of jerseys, it was hard to tell who was on each team. It's better than how it used to be."

Unfortunately, despite having their new jerseys the tournament was cancelled yet again this year due to continued restrictions related to Covid-19.

The team may not have had the chance to play against other communities yet but they have been practising regularly thanks in part to the

help of John Voisey, who has been coaching them in his spare time.

Their roster currently has 10 fulltime players and a few others who join from time to time. One of the biggest problems in attracting more players is the lack of equipment.

"It's hard to get more women on the team because there isn't enough gear in the community," explained Nattar.

Kidlapik said that because not a lot of ladies own their own equipment, they are borrowing gear from their brothers, uncles or other male relatives.

Although their season wrapped up last week, the team is currently looking to secure more equipment

for next year and is seeking funding opportunities as well as donations of used gear.

Kidlapik recently left Whale Cove, but she stays in close contact with her former teammates through a group chat.

"The team is still fundraising and they're still going," she said.

Although Kidlapik won't be lining up beside them when the time comes to compete, Nattar said she and her teammates are grateful for everything she did to support women's hockey in Whale Cove.

"We think of her a lot because I wouldn't be here if she didn't come here and organize a girl's hockey team."

The ladies are on the ice in their new jerseys. Although their season wrapped up last week, the team is currently looking to secure more equipment for next year and is seeking funding opportunities as well as donations of used gear.

10 kivalliq news, Wednesday, April 21, 2021

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r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, wSD 21, 2021

ᓄá·∆¿ÖÀî

Hᐊᑉ ᐃᓴᓗᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᐃᓕ ᓇᑯᓛᖅ ᖃᒪᓂ'ᑐᐊᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᑎᓚᐅᖅᑑᒃ ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒥᖅᑕᖅᐳᑦ ᒪᐃᒃ ᓄᑲᑉᐱᐊᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑲᐃᔪ ᓇᑦᓯᖅ ᐃᑲᔪᕆᐊᖅᑐᓚᐅᕐᒪᑎᒃ ᐃᓴᓘᑉ ᓯᑭᑑᖓ ᐊᔪᓕᕐᒪᑦ ᑲᖏᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ.

photos courtesy of Hop Issaluk

Hop Issaluk and Willie Nakoolak ended up making it back to Baker Lake thanks to the help of Mike Nukapiak and Kyle Netser who came to help them after Issaluk's sled broke down on the Thelon River.

Snowmobile adventure to Yellowknife derailed by blizzard Rankin Inlet freestyle snowmobiler's plans for cross-country trek cut short due to weather, equipment breakdown

by Cody Punter

Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet

When freestyle snowmobiler Hop Issaluk and Coral Harbour Mayor Willie Nakoolak set out on a crosscountry trek to Yellowknife from Baker Lake they hoped to make it there and back in 10 days.

However, as often happens on the land Mother Nature had other plans.

"It was definitely one of those adventures that pushed your buttons all the way through. I enjoyed it despite all the circumstances," said Issaluk. "My biggest takeaway is to respect nature."

The trip was organized by Issaluk, who had planned to pick up a large jump ramp from two snowmobilers from Cold Lake, Alta.

They had arranged for the ramp to be delivered up the ice road form Yellowknife, where Issaluk and

Nakoolak would meet them.

Issaluk, who is the first Inuk to race on the professional circuit in southern Canada, said his hope in bringing the ramp back to Rankin Inlet was to one day bring freestyle snowmobiling into Nunavut.

"That way we could have a lot of local riders turn their hobby into a profession." he told Kivalliq News.

Rough start Issaluk had already booked off 10 days from work when his original partner for the trip had to back out due a work obligation. When Nakoolak read about Issaluk's situation online he reached out.

"He actually approached me saying he is willing to help me," said Issaluk, whose niece is married to Nakoolak's son.

Nakoolak said he always jumps at the opportunity to travel anywhere he

ᒪᐃᒃ ᓄᑲᑉᐱᐊᖅ, ᓴᐅᒥᖅᖠᕐᒦᑦᑐᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᐃᓕ ᓇᑯᓛᖅ ᐊᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᓇᓱᒃᑑᒃ ᓯᑭᑑᕐᒥᒃ ᐱᖅᓯᕈᓐᓃᕐᒪᑦ.

Mike Nukapiak, left and Willie Nakoolak try to repair Issaluk's snow machine after the blizzard ended.

can on the land.

"We got the best country," he told Kivalliq News.

After a week-and-a-half of preparations, Nakoolak had his sled shipped to Rankin Inlet and the two men set off for Baker Lake on March 27.

The first sign that things might not go their way came when they arrived in Baker and got snowed in for two days.

Once it cleared the two men set off along the Thelon River. Issaluk said the conditions along the way were awful.

"It was rough as heck," he said.

"All the snow drifts were almost a foot high so we were doing less than 20 km/hour."

They ended up making it to the water survey cabin along the Thelon River, where they decided to unpack and stay for the night. However, that night another blizzard rolled through.

"What we thought was going to be one day ended up doing six days or so."

Snowed in for six days For the six days they were stuck in the cabin Issaluk said they did their best to keep busy by playing cards and making sure their gear, including a diesel generator, was in working order. Luckily, they had lots of supplies and fresh caribou thanks to Nakoolak who shot one on the Thelon right before the blizzard hit.

"We gambled a few cigarettes here and there. We went down to the water to chisel ice. We were fortunate to have a diesel heater. Every so often we could clear off the snowmobiles and qamutiik.

We did a lot of maintenance on the generator just to keep that going.

And we made a lot of phone calls to family members just to make sure we were OK." Issaluk, who is a volunteer with the Rankin Inlet Fire Department and Search and Rescue, also spent a lot of time reading the journal that is left in the cabin.

"Just the fact that most of the journals are pre-social media. It just puts you back on your feet and makes you realize life should be like that," he said, adding that most of the entries he read were from the 1970s.

"It makes you feel humbled. And it makes you feel there was a time before Facebook where things were

written down and you got to dive down into someone's experiences."

By the time the blizzard finally cleared, Issaluk couldn't get his snowmobile started. The two men did their best to get it working for two days, with canvas tarps slung over the sleds and three Coleman stoves to try and thaw the machine.

"We spent a good two days working on everything until everything was running," said Issaluk.

Once Issaluk's sled finally started up they received an update from Yellowknife that the ice road was closing so they made the decision to call off the trip. The day wasn't all bad though as both Issaluk and Nakoolak were able to shoot their first-ever moose. Still, their journey was far from over.

Another breakdown Just eight kilometres from the water survey cabin, Issaluk's sled seized up. Once they realized they couldn't fix the sled themselves they called up Mike Nukapiak and Kyle Netser in Baker Lake, asking them to deliver a part to them.

It took them a day-and-a-half to arrive, during which time Nukapiak's sled also broke down. After lots more repairs and rearranging of equipment, the four men regrouped and started making their way slowly back

ᐅᐃᓕ ᓇᑯᓛᖅ ᐊᔾᔨᓕᐅᖅᑕᐅᔪᖅ, ᐸᑦᑕᖃᑎᖃᖅᑐᖅ Hᐊᑉ ᐃᓴᓗᖕᒥᒃ ᐊᕐᕕᓂᓕᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᓂᒃ ᐃᒡᓗᕋᓛᕐᒥᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᒃ ᑲᖏᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ.

Willie Nakoolak, pictured, plays cards with Hop Issaluk during the six days they were snowed in at the survey cabin on the Thelon River.

to Baker Lake.

"We had to leave two qamutiik behind and Mike's snowmobile," said Issaluk, who also had to leave his machine behind.

Nakoolak said the sleds breaking down was the only bad part of the trip.

"It was awesome but some things like this anything can happen," he said. "Travelling in our country is never bad."

After all the ordeals they had to go through, Issaluk and Nakoolak finally pulled in to Baker Lake at around 5:30 a.m. on April 10.

Since returning, Issaluk said he has spoken with the two snowmobilers from Alberta, and he plans to have the snowmobile jump delivered by cargo. He is also trying to make arrangements to have his snowmobile recovered by a survey helicopter.

Although Issaluk wasn't successful in achieving his original mission, he said the trip was an experience of a lifetime.

"It's one of those things that helps you grow mentally, physically, spiritually and physically. Much more than what society makes you go through," he said.

"In the end you're happy you went through it all. You're pleased it's over and you're pleased you got to go through it."

amazing on-the-land stories ᑲᔾᔮᕐᓇᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᒥ ᐅᓂᒃᑳᑦ

kivalliq news, Wednesday, April 21, 2021

ᐊᑭᓯᔪᖅ: ᕆᔅᓱᑦ ᐸᐃᑕᓐ ᐅᒥᐊᙳᐊᑉ ᖃᖏᖅᑐᖓ, ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕ 2, 2021. ᓯᑭᑑᕋᔭᖅᖢᑕ ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ, ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᖃᓂᒋᔭᖓᓂ.

ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, r?9o3u iWK5, W1ZJx8i,wSD wSD21, 2021 11

On the land

Do you have an amazing story from your adventures on the land? Tell us your story and show us your photos for a chance to win $100. Submit your story and photo to our Nunavut News Facebook page, editor@nunavutnews.com, or by mail to Nunavut News, PO Box 28, Iqaluit, NU, X0A 0H0.

Entries will be placed on our Facebook page. They may also appear in this newspaper and other Northern News Services publications. The story and photo with the most combined likes and shares at the end of the week wins.

This week's winner is Richard Paton. Congratulations!

ᐊᕐᓇᓚᒃ ᐊᓕᑲᓱᐊ ᑕᖅᑭᕆᒃᑐᖅ ᒫᔾᔨᒥ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂᑦ.

ᐊᕐᕕᐊᑦ

WINNER: Richard Paton Iqaluit

Tarr Inlet, April 2, 2021. Out Ski-Dooing for the day near Iqaluit, NU.

ᑭᐅᕆᓐ ᓇᓄᖅ

ᑕᓗᕐᔪᐊᖅ

ᓇᑦᓯᓕᒃ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᕕᖕᒧᑦ ᐸᓯᖓ ᑕᓗᕐᔪᐊᓂ ᐊᒡᔭᖅᓯᔪᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᓱᕈᓯᕐᓂ ᖃᒡᒋᕐᒧᑦ ᑕᕆᐅᑉ ᓯᑯᖓᓄᑦ.

Kieren Nanook Taloyoak

Netsilik School Bus in Taloyoak taking school children to the Qaggiq out on the sea ice.

ᓖᕙᐃ ᑐᓐᓄ

ᑭᙵᐃᑦ

ᑲᑉᑕ ᓕᐊ ᓂᕕᐊᑦᓯᐊᒃ

ᑕᓗᕐᔪᐊᖅ

ᑕᖅᑭᕆᒃᑐᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑕᖅᑭᐅᑉ ᓇᑉᐸᓪᓗᐊᖓ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᖃᖅᑲᐃᑦ ᐅᒥᖕᒪᒐᓱᖕᓂᕐᒥ ᐅᓪᓗᒃᑯᑦ, ᐅᓪᓗᓕᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓕᖅᐳᖅ!! ᒪᑭᕝᕕᐊᓂ meteorite hits–ᓂ. ᓈᑦᑎᖑᔭᖓᓂ ᐅᓪᓛᒃᑯᑦ ᑕᓗᕐᔪᐊᑉ ᖃᓂᒋᔭᖓᓂ.

Leevai Toonoo

Kaptah Leah Neeveacheak Kinngait

Full moon and half moon and all the mountains of meteorite hits.near Iqaluit, NU.

wu6ymlt5 kNyst5bsoQ5.

Taloyoak

Muskox hunting during the day, dawn was coming!!

Easter Sunday morning near Taloyoak.

Arnalak Alikaswa Full moon in March in Arviat.

Arviat

12 kivalliq news, Wednesday, April 21, 2021

r?9o3u iWK5, WzJx8i, wSD 21, 2021