Kivalliq News - Dec. 15, 2021 Edition

ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᖃᑦᑕᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᖅ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᒋᑉᓗᒍ ᐊᑕᐅᓯᖅ ᐊᖑᑎ Hᐊᑭᒍᓐᓇᐃᓪᓕᔪᖅ

Rankin Inlet’s vaccine mandate ending one man’s hockey dreams

Kivalliq News WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021 Vol 27 No 51

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News ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖓ ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᑎᑦᑎᔪᒪᔪᖅ ᐅᒃᑳᓕᕆᓂᒃᑯᑦ – ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᓕᕆᓂᒃᑯᓪᓗ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᓇᓱᒃᑐᒥᒃ

Nunavut's Award Winning Voice of Kivalliq

Keeping culture in the classroom

KIA president hopes to advance fibre-link project Community ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᒥᑭᔪᓂᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᓂᒃ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᔪᓐᓇᖅᓯᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ Small engine repair workshop hosted by Inuit instructors Photos ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥᐅᑦ ᒥᖅᓱᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ ᓴᓇᔭᐅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ ᓂᐅᕕᐊᒃᓴᖃᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ Rankin holds annual craft fair

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Natuk Paniyuk cleans a seal skin while others look on, as part of culturally relevant classwork at Sakku School in Coral Harbour. Photo courtesy of Simone De Gannes

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Wednesday, December 15, 2021 A3

fact file Nunavut COVID-19 situation as of Dec. 13

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Naujaat

Gameti

Active cases: 2 Confirmed cases: 676 Recovered cases: 670 Deaths: 4

Vaccine uptake: 29,914 first doses – 93 per cent over age 12 24,483 second doses – 82 per cent over age 12 Source: Government of Nunavut Department of Health

Around Kivalliq Behchoko

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with Stewart Burnett

Alan Everard plays Santa Claus during the 2018 toy drive.

This year Leonie Sammurtok’s initiative got a $10,000 boost from the Agnico Eagle Mines Charity Ball program and the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet. Photo courtesy of Leonie Sammurtok

Charity ball doles out $50k

Rankin Inlet The Agnico Eagle Mines Charity Ball program, along with the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet, handed out $50,000 in donations to community organizations this year.

The RCMP Christmas hamper program received $10,000 to go toward offering a Christmas hamper to those who need it most during the holiday season.

The Ikurraq Food Bank received $10,000 to help make sure the community is fed.

The Rankin Inlet toy drive, organized by Leonie Sammurtok, got a $10,000 boost to make sure children in the community receive a toy and enjoy the Christmas spirit.

The Kangiqliniq spay and neuter clinic was awarded $7,500 to fund and make improvements to its veterinary clinic.

The Kangiqliniq Hunters and Trappers Organization received $7,500 to help purchase needed equipment.

Finally, Rankin Inlet Women’s Soccer received $5,000 to help fund and host their local soccer tournament.

Food hamper scheduled

Baker Lake The Hamlet of Baker Lake wants you to call them if you won’t be in the community from Dec. 20 to 25.

That’s because Christmas food hampers are scheduled to be sent to every household in Baker Lake that week.

“We appreciate your assistance and would like to wish everyone a very safe and merry Christmas and hope that this hamper brings some comfort to you and your family this holiday season,” wrote Deputy Mayor Paula Hughson in a news release.

Anyone who won’t be in the community that week should call 867-793-2874.

Capacity limits increased

Rankin Inlet On the heels of implementing a municipal vaccine passport, the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet announced increased capacity limits in the Singiituk Complex and Agnico Eagle Arena.

Effective Dec. 10, the Singiittuq Community Hall can now hold 200 people at once, while the Agnico Eagle Arena has capacity for 400 people.

Access to these buildings requires proof of full vaccination, and a face mask is required at all times inside.

Parks committee members sought

Rankin Inlet The Government of Nunavut is accepting nominations for a Community Joint Planning and Management Committee for the Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga park in Rankin Inlet.

Individuals who have knowledge and experience in parks, Inuit culture, heritage and tourism are encouraged to apply with a resume and cover letter.

To apply, email acooper1@gov.nu.ca by Dec. 23.

‘ᓱᖕᒪᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᖅᓱᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᕋ ᐲᖅᑕᐅᕙ?’

Sanikiluaq

ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᓯᒪᔭᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᖅ ᓴᕕᒃ ᕗᐊᑦᒧᑦ ᐃᒪᓐᓇᐃᓕᖓᑎᑦᑎᓕᖅᑐᖅ Hᐊᑭᒍᓐᓇᐃᓪᓕᑎᑦᑎᔪᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᑕᕋᒥᓂᒃ Hᐊᑭᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᑕᐅᑐᒍᓐᓇᐃᓪᓕᑎᑦᑎᑉᓗᓂ Northern News Services

ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᓯᒪᙱᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᐃᑎᖅᑎᑦᑎᑦᑕᐃᓕᓕᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᒪᓐᓇᐃᓕᖓᑎᑦᑎᓕᖅᑐᖅ ᐊᑕᐅᓯᖅ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ Hᐊᑭᒍᓐᓇᐃᓪᓕᑎᑕᐅᓯᒪᓕᖅᑐᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᑕᕋᖏᑦ Hᐊᑭᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᑕᐅᑐᒋᐊᖅᑐᕈᓐᓇᐃᓪᓕᑎᑕᐅᑉᓗᓂ. “ᓄᑕᕋᒃᑲ ᕿᑎᒃᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᑕᐅᑐᒋᐊᖅᑐᕈᓐᓇᙱᓐᓂᕋ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓇᖅᑐᖅ, ᐅᕙᒻᓄᑦ ᓄᑕᕋᒃᑲᓄᓪᓗ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓯ ᓴᕕᒃ ᕗᐊᑦ, ᑲᐱᔭᐅᓯᒪᙱᑦᑐᖅ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ. ᓄᕕᐱᕆ 30-ᒥ ᐱᒋᐊᖅᖢᒍ, ᑭᓯᒥ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᖅᑖᖅᑕᐃᓕᒪᓂᒃᑯᑦ Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᑎᕈᓐᓇᖅᑎᑕᐅᓯᒪᓕᕐᒪᑕ ᓲᕐᓗ Hᐊᑭᕝᕕᒃᒧᑦ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔮᕐᕕᖕᒧᑦ. “ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᑲᔪᕈᓐᓇᙱᓐᓇᑉᑭᓪᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐊᓐᓄᕌᖅᑐᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ Hᐊᑭᖅᑳᖅᑎᓐᓇᒋᑦ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔪᕈᓐᓇᕐᓇᒋᑦ Hᐊᑭᒋᐊᖅᑳᖅᑎᓐᓇᒋᑦ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᕗᐊᑦ, ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔨᒋᐊᖃᑦᑕᓕᖅᑐᖅ ᓄᑕᕋᒥᓂᒃ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᖅᓯᒪᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᓱᓕ. “ᑐᑭᓯᑎᒋᐊᓚᐅᖅᑕᒃᑲ ᓄᑕᖅᑲᒃᑲ Hᐊᑭᓐᓂᖅ ᑕᐃᒪᐅᖏᓐᓇᔾᔮᙱᒻᒪᑦ. ᖃᑕᙳᑎᒋᔭᒃᑲᓄᑦ, ᑲᑎᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᖅ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᓂᖅᓴᐅᖕᒪᑦ.” ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒥ, Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᕈᑎᖓ “ᓂᙵᒍᑎᒋᓚᐅᖅᑕᕋ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᕗᐊᑦ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᑕᐃᒪᙵᓂ ᓈᒻᒪᒋᑐᐃᓐᓇᓕᖅᑕᖓᒎᖅ. “ᓈᒻᒪᒃᓯᔪᖅ Hᐊᑭᖅᑎᐅᔪᓐᓃᕋᒪ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ. “ᓯᕗᒻᒧᐊᒃᐸᓪᓕᐊᓯᒪᓕᕋᒪ, ᓂᙵᐅᒪᔪᓐᓃᖅᑐᖓ ᑐᓴᓵᖅᖢᖓ ᓂᙵᐅᒪᓚᐅᖅᑐᖓᐅᒐᓗᐊᖅ.” ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐊᑭᕋᖅᑐᙱᑦᑐᕉᖅ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᖅᑖᖅᑕᐃᓕᒪᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᐳᖅᑕᐅᔾᔪᑎᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᒃᐱᒍᓱᑦᑎᐊᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᓯᒪᔭᖏᑦ. “ᓂᕈᐊᖅᓯᒪᒐᒪᓕ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᔪᒪᙱᓐᓂᕐᒧᑦ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ. “ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᓂᕈᐊᖅᓯᓯᒪᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᑐᖓ, ᑕᐃᒪᐃᒻᒪᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑐᐃᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᖓ. ᑕᒪᓐᓇᓘᓐᓃᑦ, Hᐊᑭᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᖅ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᑎᓗᐊᙱᑕᕋ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᕈᒪ. ᐃᒪᓐᓇᐃᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᑐᖅ, ᓱᖕᒪᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᖅᓱᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᕋ ᐲᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᕙ?” ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔭᖃᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇᑦᑕᐅᖅ ᐃᓱᒪᔪᓂᒃ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓚᖏᑦ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᓯᒪᓕᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᔪᒪᙱᓚᐅᕋᓗᐊᖅᖢᑎᒃ. “ᐅᕙᒻᓄᓪᓕ, ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᑕᒻᒪᖅᑐᑦ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ. “ᖃᓄᑭᐊᖅ ᑕᒻᒪᖅᓯᒪᔫᔭᖅᑐᑦ ᑕᒪᒃᑯᐊ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑏᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔨᓯᒪᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᑉᑎᓐᓄᑦ.” ᕗᐊᑦ ᐃᓱᒫᓗᒃᑐᖅ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᒍᓂ ᑎᒥᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᖓᓕᕋᔭᕐᒪᖔᑦ. “ᑕᒪᑦᑕᓗᒃᑖᖅ ᐊᔾᔨᒌᙱᑦᑑᑕᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᖃᖅᓯᒪᒐᑉᑕ ᑕᒪᑐᒪ ᒥᒃᓵᓄᑦ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ. “ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐃᒪᓐᓇᐃᑦᑐᒪᒃᐸᑕ, ᐃᓱᒪᖅᓱᕐᒪᑕ, ᐃᖅᑲᖅᑐᙱᑕᒃᑲ. ᐱᐅᓂᖅᓴᐅᙱᓐᓇᒪ ᐃᓅᖃᑎᒻᓂᒃ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇᕐᓚᒃ. ᐃᖕᒥᓂᒃ ᓂᕈᐊᖅᖠᖅᓯᒪᖕᒪᑕ ᑲᔪᓯᑐᐃᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᖅᑐᒍᑦ. ᑐᓴᖅᓯᒪᔭᒃᑯᓪᓕ, ᑎᒥᒃᑯᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᖓᓕᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᖏᑦ – ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑦᑐᓗᒃᑖᖑᔪᓐᓇᙱᑦᑐᑦ – ᐃᒪᓐᓇᐃᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᑐᖅ, ᐅᕙᖓᓕ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓇᔭᕈᒪ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᖅᑳᖅᑎᓪᓗᖓ?” ᑕᐅᑐᕐᕉᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᒪᑐᒪ ᓈᒻᒪᒋᔭᐅᙱᓐᓂᖓ ᑕᐃᒪᐅᓂᐊᕐᒪᑦ ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓴᒥ. “ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᔪᑦ ᐃᓅᓯᕆᓚᐅᖅᑕᑉᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᐅᑎᕈᒫᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᑉᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᔾᔮᙱᑦᑐᖅ, ᑕᐃᒪᐃᔾᔮᑎᓪᓚᕆᒃᑐᖅ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᕗᐊᑦ. ᑭᓯᐊᓂᓕ, ᐅᔾᔨᖅᑐᕋᓱᒃᑐᖅ ᐃᓚᒌᑯᓘᑉᓗᑎᒃ ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓴᖏᓐᓂᒃ, ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒐᓱᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᓗᑎᒃ ᓈᒻᒪᖕᒪᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐃᖕᒥᓂᒃᑕᐅᖅ ᐅᒃᐱᕐᓂᖃᕐᒪᑕ. “ᖁᔭᒋᔭᕋ ᓱᓕ ᓄᓇᒋᔭᕋ, ᐱᓕᕆᐊᕆᔭᖏᓪᓗ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ. “ᓄᓇᕗᒥ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᙱᖁᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᑕᒃᑲ.” ᑎᐅᕆᓐ ᕕᓕᓐ, Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᕐᕕᖓᓂᒃ ᑐᑭᒧᐊᒃᑎᑦᑎᔨ, ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᒪᓐᓇ “ᐃᓐᓇᐅᑉᓗᓂ ᓂᕈᐊᖅᖠᕐᓇᖃᑦᑕᕐᒪᑦ. Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᑦ ᐅᕙᖓᓘᓐᓃᑦ Hᐊᑭᖃᑦᑕᕈᓐᓃᖁᔨᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᖃᖅᓯᒪᔮᙱᑦᑐᒍᑦ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕈᑎᓂᒃ. ᐃᓄᒃ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᖅᐸᑦ, ᐃᖕᒥᓂᒃ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᓲᑦ, ᐅᕙᒍᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᖅᑎᑦᑎᖃᑦᑕᙱᑦᑐᒍᑦ.” ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂᓗ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐃᓅᑉᓗᑎᒃ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᐅᑎᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᔪᑦ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᓯᒪᙱᓐᓂᕐᒧᑦ “ᐃᓱᒪᙱᑦᑑᔭᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᓅᖃᑎᖏᑦᑕᑦᑕᐅᖅ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᐅᑎᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᐃᓅᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᑦᑕᓇᖅᑐᖃᙱᑦᑐᒥᒃ.” ᓯᑕᒻᒥᕐᒥ, ᑎᓯᐱᕆ 9-ᒥ, Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑐᓴᖅᑎᑦᑎᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᓯᖐᑦᑐᖅ ᐱᙳᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᒡᓂᒍ ᐃᒍ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔮᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑎᑦᑐᓐᓇᖅᑐᖅ

ᓴᕕᒃ ᕗᐊᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᖅᓯᒪᖕᒪᑦ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᔪᒪᓇᓂ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᔾᔪᑎᒃᑯᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᓯᓯᒪᓕᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᓯᒪᙱᑦᑐᑦ Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᑎᖅᑎᑕᐅᑦᑕᐃᓕᒪᔭᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ, ᐃᒪᓐᓇᐃᓕᖓᓕᖅᑐᖅ Hᐊᑭᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᖓ ᐃᓱᓕᑦᑐᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᑕᖃᖏᑦ Hᐊᑭᖅᑎᓪᓗᖏᑦ ᑕᐅᑐᒋᐊᖅᑐᕈᓐᓇᐃᓪᓕᓪᓗᓂᒋᑦ.

Savik Ford has chosen not to be vaccinated against Covid-19, and because of the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet’s policy barring unvaccinated people from municipal buildings, that means his hockey career is over and so is his ability to watch his children play.

ᐃᓚᒋᐊᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᓕᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ. “ᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᑐᑭᖃᖅᑐᖅ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᖕᓇᒥ ᕿᑎᒃᑎᑦᑎᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᓕᖅᑐᒍᑦ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒥ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᓂᒃ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᖢᓂ ᕕᓕᓐ. “ᑐᑭᖃᖅᖢᓂᓗ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔮᕐᕕᒃᐳᑦ ᐃᓐᓄᖃᑦᑕᕈᓐᓇᖅᓯᓂᐊᓕᕐᒪᑦ Hᐊᑭᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᑕᐅᑐᒍᒪᒃᑲᐅᔪᑦ ᖃᐃᖃᑦᑕᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᓕᕐᒪᑕ! ᑕᒪᒃᑯᐊ ᐃᓚᒋᐊᖅᑕᐅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᖃᐃᖃᑦᑕᕈᓐᓇᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓅᓯᕆᓚᐅᖅᑕᑉᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᐅᑎᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᔫᔭᓕᕐᓂᖅᓴᐅᑎᓪᓗᑕ, ᑲᑎᒪᔩᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᕈᑎᖓ ᓴᐅᓐᓂᐊᖅᑕᐅᔫᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᑐᖅ.” ᑎᓯᐱᕆ 6-ᒥ, Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ ᒪᓕᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥᐅᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐊᖓᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᑐᓕᖅᑎᑦᑎᑉᓗᑎᒃ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᓯᒪᔪᐃᓐᓇᖅ ᐃᑎᕈᓐᓇᓕᖅᖢᑎᒃ Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖏᓐᓄᑦ. ᐊᐱᕆᔭᐅᖕᒪᑕ ᓄᓇᕗᒥ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᕐᔪᐊᖅ ᐃᒪᓐᓈᖅᑐᐃᓚᐅᕐᒪᖔᑦ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᕐᒥᐅᓂᒃ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥᐅᓂᒡᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᕆᓇᔭᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ, ᑯᕆᔅ ᐳᒡᓕᐊ, ᑐᓴᐅᒪᖃᑦᑕᐅᑎᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖑᑲᐃᓐᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᖏᓐᓄᑦ, ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᖏᑦ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᓂᖃᓚᐅᙱᒻᒪᑕ ᑕᒪᐃᓐᓂᒃ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᕈᑕᐅᔪᓂᒃ.

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Where is your line?

Let’s change the Covid vaccine narrative from division to support Northern News Services

Welcome to the world after Covid: where nuance has gone to die, and asking questions puts you on the naughty list.

During a widely-publicized mental health crisis that has claimed many lives in the territory, the hamlets of Rankin Inlet and Arviat have decided to limit the freedoms of citizens who have chosen not to get vaccinated.

The other side of the story is that we are in an even-more publicized virus crisis. It’s reasonable for people to ask for restrictions that are beyond the ordinary. “Limit the freedoms” can also be “protect the wider community.”

That’s the idea behind vaccine passports, anyway: like with masks, they may not be perfect, but the more adoption in society, the safer everyone is. That is probably true, at least regarding Covid in a vacuum.

The subjective part is where is your line in the context of a world Sanikiluaq that has many competing needs and risks?

I took the vaccine because I watched the stats during the roll out and could see that the benefits

force – to have a outweighed the costs. permanent, physical The risk of compliaction performed cations was very low, on you is inherently and the risk of a seria little disturbing. ous case of Covid-19 The language about was much higher. people who refuse to Likewise, I could participate in this is see that the vacat best condescending cinated were still and at worst violent. contributing to the Communication dicspread of Covid.

In Yukon, where I tates our world and lived, the first real need to be careful stewart we wave occurred right about how we talk burnett about people. after opening for vaccinated travellers.

Obviously, there A second wave in are all sorts of vacthe fall saw Yukon’s government cines we have taken before, and introduce its vaccine passport sys- we receive medical treatments we don’t understand and contain risks tem ahead of schedule, despite a 90-per-cent vaccination rate, along of their own. Reservations from the newness is understandable, with a circuit breaker lockdown. but so is trusting the people and To me, it looks like vaccines, masks and distancing all play organizations who make a career of studying these subjects. major roles in getting through the It doesn’t need to be a “sides” pandemic, but each alone isn’t thing, but it has turned into one. enough.

It’s almost like we’re at war with One difference is the vaccine our own people. Governments and is a much more intrusive public health measure than the other two. media have done a stand-up job of ripping us away from each other Being forced – and I do think during the pandemic, changing the threat of losing the ability our allegiances from family and to travel anywhere besides the community to authority. local grocery store is essentially

Although government action is necessary during a crisis, this road is fraught with darkness. We must ask questions along the way to ensure we are steering ourselves down the best path for all.

Mental health is as big or a bigger crisis in Nunavut than Covid.

In terms of loss of life, it is beyond the impact of Covid. We recognize that community and social connections, as well as general acceptance of people with differences, are necessary to maintain our mental health.

So in light of that, how comfortable are you in ostracizing members of the community who don’t want to get vaccinated? Do we sometimes need to break a few eggs to make an omelette?

For me, I’m vaccinated, so I’m all good. If you aren’t vaccinated, I’m not worried about how it might affect me, and it’s not my business. I’d be more worried about you, but that’s your problem.

If we can turn the narrative from separation, division and contempt to acceptance, support and empathy, we can continue to work together as people and find our way through these challenges in life.

ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᓐᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥᐅᑦ ᐊᑭᖃᙱᑦᑐᒃᑯᑦ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᕈᔾᔭᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᔪᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᔨᑦ ᒥᑭᔪᓂᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᓂᒃ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᔨᐅᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕈᑎᒥᒃ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᑲᑎᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᒃᑯᑕᖅᑖᖅᖢᑎᒃ. ᑐᓄᐊᓂ, ᓴᐅᒥᖅᖠᕐᒥ, ᔭᓕ ᐹᕐ, West Baffin ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᓐᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ; ᔨᕗᓴᓐ ᕿᓕᖅᑎ, ᑐᓄᓂᖅ ᓴᐅᓂᖅ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᓐᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ; ᓴᐃᓚᔅ ᐃᑦᑐᖅ, ᑕᖅᑯᑦ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᓐᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ; ᐲᑕ ᓄᑲᖏᖅᖠᖅ ᐊᑦᑖᑦᓯᐊᖅ, ᓴᓇᕝᕕᒃ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᓐᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ, ᓯᒃᑲᑎ ᖃᑉᓗᑦᓯᐊᖅ, ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒃ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᓐᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ; ᓴᓐᑎ ᖃᐅᓐᓇᖅ, ᑐᓄᓂᖅ ᓴᐅᓂᖅ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᓐᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᔨᒥ ᐃᕙᓕᒃ, ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᖅ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᓐᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ; ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᕋᐱ ᐊᒡᓘᒃᑲᖅ, ᓇᐅᔮᑦ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᓐᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ. ᓯᕗᓂᐊᓂ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᔩᑦ ᔭᐃᒥ ᓇᑲᓱᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᔮᑭ ᓇᐅᓪᓚᖅ ᐸᓐᓂᖅᑑᖅ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᓐᓂᕐᒥᐅᑖᒃ.

Participants and instructors of the small engine repair course in Rankin Inlet gather with their certificates. From left to right, back row are Jolly Parr, West Baffin Co-op, Jefferson Killitkee, Tununiq Sauniq Co-op, Silas Etuk, Taqqut Co-op, Peter Jr. Atatsiak, Sanavik Co-op, Scott Kadlutsiak, Igloolik Co-op, Sandy Kaunak, Tununiq Sauniq Co-op, Jimmy Evalik, Ikaluktutiak Co-op, Robbie Aglukka, Naujat Co-op. In front are instructors Jamie Nakashuk and Jackie Nowdluk from the Pangnirtung Co-op. Photo courtesy of Sherry Smadella

ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒥ, ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᔩᑦ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᒥᑭᔪᓂᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᓂᒃ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᓂᕐᒧᑦ Northern News Services

ᐊᒥᓱᑦ ᓯᑭᑑᑦ ᓯᑕᒪᓖᓪᓗ ᐊᑭᖃᙱᑦᑐᒃᑯᑦ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᖅᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ 8-ᖑᔪᓄᑦ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᑦ ᓴᓇᔨᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒥᐅᑕᓄᑦ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᑉᓗᒍ ᒥᑭᔪᓂᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᓂᒃ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᔪᓐᓇᖅᓯᔪᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕈᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ. “ᓴᕆᒪᒋᑦᑎᐊᖅᑕᒃᑲ ᑖᑉᑯᐊ ᐊᖑᑎᑦ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᓯᐅᕆ ᓯᒪᑎᓚ, ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕈᑎᒥᒃ ᑲᒪᔨ ᐃᓚᒌᒃᓴᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ. ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕈᑎ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕈᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᖁᑉᓗᒍ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂᒃ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᑯᒪᓕᕆᔨᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᒃᑲᓐᓂᕈᓐᓇᖁᑉᓗᒋᑦ ᐱᕚᓪᓕᕈᑎᒃᓴᒃᑯᑦ ᓴᓇᕝᕕᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᓕᕆᔨᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂᒡᓗ. “ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥ ᐃᓄᖕᓂᒃ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᔨᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᖅᑐᒍᑦ, ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐊᓗᒃ ᑲᔪᓯᑎᓯᒪᔭᖅᐳᑦ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᓯᒪᑎᓚ. ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᔨᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᔭᐃᒥ ᓇᑲᓱᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᔮᑭ ᓇᐅᓪᓚᖅ, ᐸᓐᓂᖅᑑᑉ ᑯᐊᐸᖓᓂᕐᒥᐅᑖᒃ. “ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᒋᐅᖅᖢᑎᒡᓗ, ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᖅᑕᒃᑲ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᕋᓚᐅᕐᒪᑎᒃ ᓴᓇᔨᑖᒃᑲᓐᓂᕈᓐᓇᖁᑉᓗᑕ ᐃᓄᖕᓂᒃ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᔨᒃᓴᓂᒃ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑕᐃᒪᑐᖅ ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓴᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᖃᑦᑕᒃᑲᓐᓂᕈᒫᖅᑎᓪᓗᑕ, ᐃᓕᑦᑎᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ

ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᖃᑕᐅᔪᖃᖃᑦᑕᕈᒫᖅᐳᖅ.” ᒪᕐᕉᒃ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᑦ ᓴᓇᔨᖏᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖃᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑑᒃ ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥᐅᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑑᒃ: ᐲᑕ ᓄᑲᖅᖠᖅ ᐊᑦᑖᑦᓯᐊᖅ ᖃᒪᓂ’ᑐᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᕋᐱ ᐊᒡᓘᒃᑲᖅ ᓇᐅᔮᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ. ᐊᑦᑖᑦᓯᐊᖅ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᑦᑐᐊᓘᓚᐅᖅᑐᕉᖅ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᓕᑦᑎᕙᓪᓕᐊᑉᓗᓂ ᐊᔾᔨᒌᙱᑦᑐᑕᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᓂᒃ “ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓯᓚᐅᖅᑐᒍᑦ ᐃᒻᒪᖄ 15-ᓂᒃ 20-ᓄᑦ ᓯᑭᑑᓂᒃ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᑉ ᐃᓗᐊᓂ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐅᑎᕋᒥ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥᓄᑦ ᖃᒪᓂ’ᑐᐊᕐᒧᑦ. ᐊᕐᕕᓂᓕᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᓂᒃ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥᐅᑦ ᓯᑭᑑᒥᓂᒃ ᐊᔾᔭᖅᑐᐃᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᐅᔪᒧᑦ, ᐃᓛᓐᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᐳᐊᕐᕆᔭᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᐱᖅᓯᖅᑳᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᐅᓕᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᕐᒥᒃ ᑕᐃᑲᓂᑦᑕᐃᓐᓇᖅ, ᐃᑯᒪᓕᕆᔨᓄᑦ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᐅᓂᐊᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᔨᑦ ᒥᐊᓂᖅᓯᔨᖏᑦ ᑕᐅᑐᒃᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ. ᐊᑐᓂ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᔪᑦ ᐃᓕᑕᕆᔭᐅᔾᔪᑎᑖᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕌᓂᒃᑲᒥᒃ. ᓯᒪᑎᓚ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕈᑎ ᑐᙵᕕᖃᕐᒪᑦ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᑦ 7-ᖑᔪᒃᑯᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᖏᑦᑎᒍᑦ: ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᒃᑲᓐᓂᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᖅ. ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐊᓘᖕᒪᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᓴᓇᔨᖏᑦ ᐃᑯᒪᓕᕆᔪᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ, ᓯᑕᒪᓕᖕᓂᒃ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᔪᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᒥᑭᔪᓂᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᓂᒃ ᐊᐅᓪᓛᕈᑎᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ. “ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒃᑐᑦ ᑕᑯᑉᓗᒋᑦ ᐃᓕᑕᕆᔭᐅᔾᔪᑎᑖᕌᖓᒥᒃ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᓯᒪᑎᓚ. “ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐊᓗᒃ ᐃᓕᑕᖅᓯᖃᑦᑕᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᑉᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᐱᐊᓂᒃᓯᔪᖃᕌᖓᑦ.”

‘Why take my freedom?’ www.nnsl.com

Kivalliq News

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 A5

Rankin Inlet’s vaccine passport means Savik Ford can no longer play hockey or watch his children play

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Rankin Inlet

The Hamlet of Rankin Inlet’s decision to bar unvaccinated people from municipal buildings means one resident’s time on the ice is over and he won’t be able to watch his children play either.

“Not able to go see my kids play (and) practise is pretty hard, for both me and my kids,” said Savik Ford, who is unvaccinated.

Since Nov. 30, only people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 can enter municipal buildings such as the hockey arena.

“It’s pretty hard not to help them dress up or just give them tips for the ice,” said Ford, who now gives his four children advice from home. “I already explained to my kids (that) hockey won’t always be around. For my family, it’s more important to be together.”

At first, the hamlet’s decision “ticked me off,” admitted Ford, but he said he’s since come around to accepting it.

“It’s OK now that I’m not in hockey,” he said. “I already moved on, so I’m not angry as I was in the beginning.”

He said he’s not against the Covid-19 vaccines and respects everyone’s views on the issue.

“I choose not to take it,” he said. “It’s just my choice, so I’m sticking to it. Even this, the hockey game isn’t even important to me if I have to take the vaccine. That’s like, why take my freedom?”

He knows other people in the same situation as him, and some who have bowed to pressure and taken the vaccine against their wishes.

“To me, that’s totally wrong,” he said. “Somehow it just feels wrong for these leaders to say we have to take it.”

Worries of side effects are why Ford hasn’t been vaccinated.

“We all have different types of views on it,” he said. “Whatever people choose to do, that’s their choice, and I’ve got no judgement on them. I’m not better than them or anything like that. It’s their choice and we just move on. From the stuff I’ve been hearing, the side effects – not everyone’s going through it – it’s just, what if I’m one of them that has the side effects?”

ᐱᒋᐊᖅᖢᒍ ᓄᕕᐱᕆ 30-ᒥ, ᑭᓯᒥ ᐃᓗᐃᑦᑐᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᐱᔭᐅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅᑖᖅᑕᐃᓕᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᑎᕈᓐᓇᖅᑎᑕᐅᓕᓚᐅᕐᒪᑕ ᓲᕐᓗ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔮᕐᕕᖕᒧᑦ. ᑎᓯᐱᕆ 9-ᒥ, Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑐᓴᖅᑎᑦᑎᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᓯᖐᑦᑐᖅ ᐱᙳᐊᕐᕕᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᒡᓂᒍ ᐃᒍ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔮᕐᕕᒃ ᐃᓐᓄᖕᓂᖅᓴᐅᔪᓐᓇᖅᓯᖕᒪᑎᒃ, Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑐᑭᒧᐊᒃᑎᑦᑎᔨᖓ ᑎᐅᕆᓐ ᕕᓕᓐ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᖕᓇᒥ ᐱᙳᐊᕈᓐᓇᖅᓯᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓕᐅᕈᓐᓇᖅᓯᒋᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᓂᒃ ᖄᖏᖅᑐᓂᒃ.

Since Nov. 30, only people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 can enter municipal buildings such as the hockey arena. On Dec. 9, the hamlet announced increased capacity limits at the Singiittuq Community Hall Complex and Agnico Eagle Arena, which SAO Darren Flynn says will allow the community to host its Christmas games for the first time in two years. Photo courtesy of Green Sun Rising Inc.

He envisions this conflict extending well into the future.

“Everyone’s expecting everything to get back to normal and that won’t happen, definitely won’t happen,” said Ford.

Instead, he’s focused on his family’s future, staying positive and knowing that it’s OK for people to have different beliefs.

“I still appreciate my community, what they’re doing,” he said.

“I just hope for the best throughout Nunavut.”

Darren Flynn, senior administrative officer with the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet, said in an email that “life as an adult is all about choices. Neither the hamlet council nor I have forced anyone to quit hockey or any other activity. If someone makes a choice, that’s their choice, not ours.”

He said people citing human rights for not taking the vaccine “seem to summarily dismiss everyone else’s human right to live in safe environment.”

On Thursday, Dec. 9, the hamlet announced increased capacity limits at the Singiittuq Community Hall Complex and Agnico Eagle Arena.

“This will mean we will have the ability to hold Christmas games for the first time in two years,” wrote Flynn. “It also means the arena will have the ability to offer our incredible hockey fans the ability to watch live hockey! Given these increased capacity limits and the ability to move this community closer to normal, I see no reason to defend council’s decision any further.”

On Dec. 6, the Hamlet of Arviat followed Rankin Inlet and enacted its own municipal vaccine passport.

Asked if Nunavut’s chief public health officer had advised either Arviat or Rankin in making their decision, Chris Puglia, acting manager of communications with the Department of Health, said the Government of Nunavut was not involved in either decision.

A6 Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Kivalliq News

www.nnsl.com

Tattuinee welcomes new cabinet, hopes to advance fibre-link project

Minister has concerns project will balloon into a mega-project ‘due to planning and budgeting issues’

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Kivalliq

The Kivalliq Inuit Association is hoping to advance the hydro-fibre link with the newly elected Government of Nunavut.

“One of our most important priorities is the Kivalliq hydro-fibre link,” said President Kono Tattuinee.

“We look forward to advancing our work on this project and other priorities with the newly elected government.”

He congratulated Premier P.J. Akeeagok on his position and all of the newly elected members of cabinet, saying KIA is looking to work with the government to advance Nunavummiut interests.

He also thanked previous premier Joe Savikataaq for his support of KIA’s initiatives during the last term.

On a phone call with the new premier, Tattuinee reiterated the desire for support from the government to make the Kivalliq hydro-fibre link a reality.

“The Kivalliq hydro-fibre link is such an important project for our region,” he said. “One thing it does is it fights climate change, and it brings in fibre. So, there’s two birds with one stone. That’s something we want to fight hard for in this region.

It’s long overdue.”

The project aims to connect Manitoba with the Kivalliq region through an energy infrastructure corridor that will bring high-speed internet to the Kivalliq while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Government of Canada announced $151 million in funding for the undersea fibre optic cable project in 2019, with the Government of Nunavut contributing $30 million.

However, not all in the new government have seemed optimistic about the project’s feasibility.

John Main, now minister of health, whose Arviat-Whale Cove constituency sits along the project’s route, previously expressed concerns about the scope of the initiative.

“I’m concerned that it’s a mega-project and I’m concerned that it could end up being a bit of a project that is larger than we believe due to planning and budgeting issues around this,” he said in the September legislative sitting.

He also suggested the GN consider taking on partners in the initiative, such as other Inuit organizations or a private-sector entity to free up more funding resources.

Construction costs were hoped to be known by January 2022, as the project’s future lays in the hands of a new government.

Kivalliq Inuit Association President Kono Tattuinee stands with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Aluki Kotierk at the KIA annual general meeting in October. Photo courtesy of KIA

www.nnsl.com

Arviat brings in vaccine passport ‘We have a duty to protect the safety of everyone,’ says mayor

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Arviat

On the heels of Rankin Inlet, the Hamlet of Arviat has now implemented a vaccine passport system for municipal buildings in the community.

“We went through what no other community in Nunavut went through,” said Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr., referring to the Covid-19 outbreak in Arviat that stretched from fall 2020 to spring 2021.

“We had the highest numbers in the whole territory, and it was six months of very hard lockdown measures that we followed.

The community abided by everything that was asked of them.”

With that experience in mind, the hamlet decided to introduce a municipal vaccine passport system to further protect the safety of the community, the mayor said. The bylaw applies to everyone 12 and over. Unvaccinated people can still use hamlet services, but they need to book appointments ahead of time.

Kivalliq News

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 A7

Entering municipal buildings in Arviat now requires proof of vaccination. Photo courtesy of Omar Ernesto Caneo “No one’s being forced to get the needle,” said Savikataaq.

“It’s just a way of keeping people safe. It’s not for control. It’s not to go after people. It allows us a little bit more flexibility on keeping our people safe.”

He compared it to rules around wearing helmets on snowmobiles in that people may not like the laws, but they exist for a reason.

Savikataaq said he hosted three radio shows to discuss the idea of a vaccine passport before the hamlet made the decision.

“Every caller was for it,” he said. “This wasn’t a standalone decision. The community decided that.”

However, it appears not every resident fully supports the new bylaw.

One community member, who chose to remain anonymous, said he finds the situation upsetting considering how high Arviat’s vaccination rate already is and how few cases there have been since the major Covid-19 outbreak. He reported that a youth had been denied access to the youth centre because of this new bylaw and expressed concern for mental health challenges the bylaw could impose.

“Nunavut has the largest suicide rate among teens in the entire nation, by a considerable margin,” said the resident. “The youth drop-in centre was opened to specifically give the youth somewhere to go after school hours. In a town of about 3,000 people in the middle of the Arctic, there are not many options for the youth here, so the few places they do have become even more important. It’s like the rug has been swept out from under them, at an age where they are trying to discover their place in this world. These children do not need more hurdles in life.”

He says he can see the arguments for the vaccine passport but worries the disadvantages of it may outweigh the benefits, saying it disrupts society at a time when people are already on edge.

“It also goes against everything the world was pushing towards just before Covid hit, with ‘my body, my choice’ being the headline for that movement.”

Those unable to become fully vaccinated due to medical reasons or any other grounds covered under the Nunavut Human Rights Act must make a request in writing for accommodation to senior administrative officer Steve England at sao@arviat.ca.

A8 Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Kivalliq News

www.nnsl.com

Crowds gather for Christmas markets

The Singiituk Complex is bustling as the community comes out to support the Christmas fair.

Nauya and David Fredlund pose with their work before the crowds come.

Annual fair raises funds for food bank

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Rankin Inlet

Monica Kaludjak displays her wares at the Christmas fair.

Artists, crafters, bakers and eager customers gathered for the annual Christmas fair at the Singiituk Complex in Rankin Inlet Saturday, Dec. 11. This year’s event raised $1,380 for the Ikurraq Food Bank. Photos courtesy of Sally Cormier-Ittunuar

Pelagie Sharp smiles behind a mask.

Shawna and Shanti Dias show their furs on display.

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Kivalliq News

www.nnsl.com

Co-op training means free repairs in Rankin

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 A9

ᐃᑯᒪᓕᕆᔩᑦ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᓐᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒥ ᑲᑎᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕆᐊᖅᑐᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᖃᓄᖅ ᒥᑭᔪᑦ ᐃᑯᒪᓖᑦ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᖅᑕᐅᖃᑦᑕᕐᒪᖔᑕ.

For the first time, Inuit instructors lead small engine repair course

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Rankin Inlet

More than a dozen snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles got free service from eight handy Co-op workers from around Nunavut as part of a small engine repair training program in Rankin Inlet last week.

“I’m really proud of these guys,” said Sherry Smadella, training co-ordinator with Arctic Co-operatives Limited.

The program is designed for existing Co-op mechanical staff to get added training to benefit them in their work and careers.

“This is the first time that we’ve used Inuk instructors, which for us is a great accomplishment,” said Smadella.

Those instructors were Jamie Nakashuk and Jackie Nowdluk, both from the Pangnirtung Co-op.

“It’s the first time they’ve ever delivered training, so I commend them for being willing to teach their colleagues from the other Coops,” said Smadella. “We’re so proud that we were able to recruit Inuit instructors, and I hope that for some of the other training I put on throughout the year, that there will be some

other very skilled Co-op employees who can help with the instruction.”

Two of the Co-op staff involved in the training were from the Kivalliq: Peter Jr. Atatsiak from Baker Lake and Robbie Aglukka from Naujaat.

Atatsiak said he enjoyed his time in Rankin Inlet learning about different machines “We fixed about 15 to 20 machines in a week,” he said after returning home to Baker.

The six-day course saw Rankin residents bring their machines to the shop, sometimes dug out of the snow during the blizzard that hit the same week, for the mechanics to work on under the instructors’ supervision.

Each participant received a certificate at the end of the course.

Smadella said the program is based on one of the Co-op’s seven principles: education and training. She said it’s important for community Co-ops to have staff with the expertise required to repair the kinds of snowmobiles, ATVs and other small-engine vehicles that are used in the North.

“The sheer joy you see on their face when they receive a certificate,” said Smadella. “It’s important to acknowledge their accomplishments.”

Mechanics from Co-ops across Nunavut gather in Rankin Inlet to learn the ins and outs of small engine repair.

Photo courtesy of Sherry Smadella

A10 Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Use SPOT devices on the land, says search and rescue chair

Kivalliq News

www.nnsl.com

Satellelite communication devices improve safety, according to Wesley Innukshuk

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Rankin Inlet

If you’re headed out on the land, the chair of Rankin Inlet Search and Rescue strongly encourages you to sign out a SPOT device.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re just going outside of the community for four kilometres just to check up on your cabin, take a SPOT device,” said Wesley Innukshuk. “You never know.

With wind conditions, it could get stormy out of nowhere.”

SPOT devices determine a user’s GPS location and send coordinates back to communication satellites.

The Rankin Inlet rescue organization has 20 on hand, and they’re free to sign in and sign out whenever residents need.

The devices come with buttons to indicate the user is either OK, they’ve had a breakdown or they’re in an emergency and need help. Pressing the SOS button will send a message to the Emergency Measures Orga-

One of the SPOT devices available to sign out from Rankin Inlet Search and Rescue. “It’s mainly used for emergencies, but they’re pretty handy,” says Wesley Innukshuk. Photo courtesy of Tarraq Innukshuk nization in Iqaluit, which will then be relayed to Rankin’s search and rescue team.

“It’s mainly used for emergencies, but they’re pretty handy,” said Innukshuk. “Before all this technology came out, we had trouble searching for missing hunters.”

Even on short trips, whether to visit a cabin or hunt near town, weather conditions or

other unforeseen circumstances can become dangerous, said Innukshuk, and there’s no harm in signing out a SPOT device just to make sure.

“I recommend anyone that’s going out to take a SPOT device,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re going for a week trip, a day trip or for a few hours.”

The devices can be signed out at 15-14 Inulik Street.

Qulliq Energy Corporation workers make sure the holidays feel like the holidays as they are seen here installing Christmas lights in Rankin Inlet Thursday, Dec. 9. Photo courtesy of the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet

Kivalliq News

www.nnsl.com

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 A11

Educating students in both worlds Students and instructors work with a fox on the land in Coral Harbour. Photo courtesy of Simone De Gannes

Students at Sakku School in Coral Harbour are constantly immersed in Inuit culture. Photo courtesy of Simone De Gannes

Sakku School in Coral Harbour puts focus on culture

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Coral Harbour

Jonathan Emiktowt teaches students how to skin a fox. Photo courtesy of Simone De Gannes

Susie Angootealuk keeps students engaged in learning their culture.

Photo courtesy of Simone De Gannes

For the principal at Sakku School in Coral Harbour, teaching culture is vital – and personal.

“I know what it is to lose a culture,” said Simone De Gannes, who has been principal at Sakku School for just over one year and is originally from the Caribbean.

“I know what it is to lose a language. I know very well once that is lost, no matter what you do, you cannot get it back. That is why one of my key objectives as principal is to conserve the culture, the tradition, the language, the way of life, and blend it into the school curriculum in everything we do.”

That goes right from classroom activities to on-the-land trips to staff meetings. Any meal served in the school must include local food, said De Gannes, both as a means to preserve the Inuit culture and also to help educational staff from the south assimilate into the Northern culture themselves.

In the classroom, students are educated in “both worlds,” meaning the academic side and the cultural and traditional side.

Elders play a major role in the school, where they show students how to skin, dress and clean animals that are caught in the community, as well as teach the language and involve students in Inuit games.

For almost every subject, students are taught in both languages.

If a teacher cannot speak Inuktitut, the school brings in someone who can to repeat the instructions the teacher says.

“We’re keeping the language vibrant and alive,” said De Gannes.

And the proof of this approach is in the pudding already. Sakku School is seeing higher attendance and fewer disciplinary issues since involving the culture more. De Gannes said the students are showing more compassion, respect and interest in school. She said attendance rates are upward of 90 per cent.

“Teachers are tired, and we’ll say, ‘Oh, my goodness, (the students) come every day,’” joked De Gannes.

Natuk Paniyuk cleans a seal skin while others look on, as part of culturally relevant classwork at Sakku School in Coral Harbour. Photo courtesy of Simone De Gannes She’s also seen an increase in reading levels. Her goal as principal is to develop the holistic individual.

“It’s the spiritual, the intellectual, the emotional, the creative and the social aspects of each child,” said De Gannes.

Going forward, De Gannes is looking to bolster the school’s on-the-land programming, aiming to have students on the land every month to engage in cultural activities.

A12 Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Coral Harbour among Toys for the North annual recipients

Kivalliq News

www.nnsl.com

ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐅᓇᑕᖅᑐᒃᓴᒃᑯᑦ ᑯᐊᐳᕈᓪ ᓘᒃ ᐱᐊᕆ, ᓴᐅᒥᖕᒥ, ᐊᒻᒪ Lt. ᔭᓂ ᒪᒃᑯᓴᒻ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᑲᑎᙵᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᖏᔪᒥ ᐅᓯᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᙳᐊᕐᓂ ᐃᖃᓗᖕᓂ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐸᓖᓯᒃᑯᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖃᕐᕕᖓᓂ.

Royal Canadian Air Force Cpl. Luke Barrie, left, and Lt. Jenny MacCosham were part of the team dropping off a large shipment of toys at Iqaluit’s RCMP Hangar.

Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

Pond Inlet, Iglulik, and Sanikiluaq also included in this 11th year of gifting

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Nunavut

As part of the 11th Toys for the North Campaign, the RCMP partnered up with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) who dropped off a plane full of toys in Iqaluit’s RCMP Hangar, which will be then distributed to various communities in Nunavut.

Every year the RCMP teams up with the RCAF and various toy companies to help bring toys to Northern children for Christmas, something V Division Commanding Officer Amanda Jones says she is thankful for.

“It’s a very exciting, a great initiative to bring toys up for young people up here in Nunavut, I think its just incredible,” said Jones. “The kids deserve it, they need a Christmas.”

This year the children of Iglulik, Sanikiluaq and Coral Harbour will be getting presents. Pond Inlet will also be getting a special set of gifts in the form of hockey gear. As of Dec. 7, officers and volunteers were still wrapping presents.

The RCAF and RCMP feel particularly warm about Toys for the North in Nunavut given how

much it costs to buy and ship goods to the territory.

“When you think of how much it costs to transport stuff here, if we could help out and get stuff here for free it’s great,” said Acting Deputy Wing Commander Jenna Simpell, who flew in with the toys being dropped off in Iqaluit.

For Simpell it was also a chance to see another part of the RCAF’s operations she doesn’t normally see.

“I’m a logistics officer so I don’t really get to see this side of stuff. For me it was really interesting to see the Air Force in action, doing good for Canada, it’s an interesting and unique experience,” Simpell said.

She later adds the RCAF is excited to take part in Toys for the North and to be a part of Operation LENTUS, the latter is to help purify Iqaluit’s river water as part of the ongoing water crisis aid.

Toys for the North has been bringing toys to remote Northern regions since 2010, and despite recent challenges presented by Covid-19, it continues to press on.

In addition to Iqaluit, other hubs to drop-off toys for Toys for the North include Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL and Thunder Bay, ON.

ᑎᓴᒪᓂ ᓇᑉᐸᓪᓗᐊᖓᓂᓗ ᐊᖏᔪᐊᓗᖕᓂ ᐴᖑᔪᓂ ᐃᖃᓗᖕᓄᐊᖅᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐴᖅᑲᖅᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑐᓂᐅᖅᑲᖅᑕᐅᓗᑎᒃ ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥᐅᓄᑦ.

ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐅᓇᑕᖅᑐᒃᓴᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᖅ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓯᖐᔭᐃᓂᕐᒥ ᐱᙳᐊᓂ ᐃᖃᓗᖕᓄᐊᖅᑕᐅᔪᓂ 11–ᖓᓂ ᐱᙳᐊᖑᔪᓄᑦ ᐱᙳᐊᑦ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒧᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᒧᑦ.

Four-and-a-half big pallets of toys were dropped off in Iqaluit to later be wrapped and handed out to young Nunavummiut. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

An RCAF member helps unload toys dropped off in Iqaluit for the 11th Toys for the North campaign.

Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

Kivalliq News

www.nnsl.com

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 A13

Iqalummiuq teen among group of students looking to lower the federal voting age Multiple federal parties allow in members as young as 14, according to litigants

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Nunavut

A group of 13 students from all across Canada have filed a court challenge to lower the federal voting age to be more in line with the major federal parties. The challenge is arguing the age of 18 set out in the Canada Elections Act is unconstitutional.

One of these students is 15-year-old Katie Yu of Iqaluit, who is not only the only student from Nunavut, but from all three territories.

She argues its important not only for youth in general to have a voice, but also Nunavummiut, given the younger population of the territory.

Yu got involved in the movement through UNICEF Canada’s Youth Advocacy program, which she described as sessions that taught youth about advocacy in government.

“Towards the end of the year we developed recommendations about issues we cared about and took a more active approach to ad-

vocacy,” said Yu. That active approach is culminating in filing a court challenge, with the students citing other countries such as Germany, Brazil, Austria, Argentina and a few others as examples of giving youth more of a voice.

“We want to not just give youth a voice in elections but to uplift the youth voice in society in general, because its such a fundamental democratic right,” Yu explained.

The Liberal, Conservative and Green parties each allow members as young as 14 to join their respective parties, while the NDP does not have a set minimum age at the federal level, according to a release from the group.

Yu is particularly passionate about climate change and mental health, issues which particularly impact youth in Nunavut.

“If youth had the right to vote then politicians would be more responsive to youth concerns because they have to serve their constituencies and we’re currently not part of the constituency that can vote,” she said.

She argues it would make politicians more reactive to these issues if youth were part of the electorate.

“I think elections would turn out differently and youth would be more encouraged to get involved and have a say,” said Yu. While Yu says she doesn’t expect all youth to vote if given the chance, it’s still “important to give them the opportunity to do so.”

The movement to lower the voting age has already reached the municipal level in some parts of Canada. In June, the City of Vancouver

officially endorsed lowering the voting age to 16 in municipalities across B.C. The P.E.I. provincial government also struck down an attempt to do so in April.

“We want our rights as citizens to be protected as youth,” said Yu. “Nunavut specifically, we are facing these issues in unique ways – Nunavummiut are often less represented in national conversations and discussions, I think its really important to uplift the youth voice in Nunavut and the voices of Nunavummiut in general.”

ᐃᖃᓗᖕᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᑲᐃᑎ ᔫ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᕗᖅ ᑲᑎᙵᓂᐅᔪᓂ 13–ᓂ ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᓂ ᑲᓇᑕᒥᐅᑕᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᖅᑐᐃᕕᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᕗᑦ ᓵᓚᖃᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᑦᑎᒃᓯᒋᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᒐᕙᒪᑐᖃᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᓂᕈᐊᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᑭᐅᖑᔪᒥ.

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. The final contest for the year will be posted Friday, Dec. 17, and will continue again in the new year.

This week’s winner is Brett Tiriraniaq. Congratulations!

Iqaluit’s Katie Yu is among a group of 13 young Canadians who have filed a court challenge to lower the federal voting age. Photo courtesy of Katie Yu

ᐳᕋᑦ ᑎᕆᒐᓂᐊᖅ ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᖅ

ᐊᖏᔪᒻᒪᕆᐊᓗᒃ ᐃᖃᓗᓚᐅᖅᑕᕋ ᑯᑲᒥ ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᖅ, ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᖃᓂᒋᔭᖓᓂ.

Brett Tiriraniaq

Gjoa Haven Caught this monster of a fish in Koka near Gjoa Haven, NU.

A14 Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Kivalliq News

Baker Lake man guilty of touching underage girl

www.nnsl.com

Patrick Pattunguyak awaits sentencing for 2018 crimes

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Baker Lake

Editor’s note: This story contains details that some readers may find disturbing.

A Nunavut judge has found Patrick Pattunguyak of Baker Lake guilty of sexually touching an underage girl in 2018.

The victim’s name is under a publication restriction, as she was 14 at the time. Pattunguyak was 24 and knew her age at the time of the incident.

The victim testified that she and her friend were drinking alcohol and scrolling Facebook on Oct. 21, 2018 and contacted Pattunguyak over the social media platform. He suggested they come to his place, but that first meeting didn’t materialize.

The next night, the victim testified to have been smoking weed and messaged Pattunguyak to see him in person. The victim testified that he was waiting outside his house, gave her a cigarette and asked if he could come closer.

“She did not know what to say and he kissed her on the lips,” wrote Justice Susan Charlesworth in her judgement.

According to the victim’s testimony, the two proceeded to go to his bedroom, but they only talked that night. The next night, the victim messaged Pattunguyak again and asked to come over. This time, he touched her over her clothes.

“She moved his hand and said he should not do that,” wrote Charlesworth in her summary of the victim’s testimony.

While the two watched videos on an iPod, Pattunguyak allegedly tried to put his hands down her pants again and asked for sex, to which she declined. He allegedly asked to pay her and she declined again before leaving.

The next day, the victim testified that she returned to Pattunguyak’s house.

“They kissed again and then he threw her on the bed and spread her legs while kissing her and touching her stomach,” wrote Charlesworth in her summary of the testimony. “She did not know what to do and told him no. Mr. Pattunguyak was inside her for about 10 minutes and then ‘went to the washroom or something.’”

At that point, the victim panicked and went to the washroom to find blood on her crotch.

She testified that she told Pattunguyak she was bleeding and went to her friend’s house.

That November, the victim tested positive for chlamydia. She reported having sexual contact with two people, one of them she listed as “Patrick Pattuk.” She testified that the other was a lie.

Charlesworth said she understood the victim purposefully misstated the defendant’s surname to save him from getting in trouble, as the victim’s mother was in the room at the time of the report being filed.

The victim’s mother testified that following the sexual contact, her daughter “became really angry and started drinking.” However, cross-examination showed that her daughter had been drinking and smoking cannabis before the encounters with Pattunguyak.

The victim’s father said he went to Pattunguyak’s home on the night of the incident and saw Pattunguyak coming down the hall with the victim’s arm over his shoulder while Pattunguyak was pulling up her pants.

Pattunguyak did not give any evidence in his defence, as is his legal right. His family testified that they never saw the victim’s father come into the home and they did not see Pattunguyak with any girl in the house. They added that members of the family were always in the home and Pattunguyak was never alone.

The defence argued that there were several reasons to doubt the victim’s case.

“First, it argues that the statement (the victim) gave to Const. McLaughlin of the RCMP on April 1, 2019 shows that (the victim’s) story has evolved considerably since it was first told,” wrote Charlesworth in her summary.

The defence also pointed out that the victim’s friend was not called as a witness, no Facebook messages were produced as evidence, the victim did not write Pattunguyak’s name on the health form after being treated for chlamydia, no one saw the victim at Pattunguyak’s home and her memories were muddied from intoxication.

In her decision, Charlesworth noted that the idea Pattunguyak was “never alone” in his home was exaggeration. She analyzed the discrepancies between the victim’s story and what she told the RCMP in 2019, but noted that the differences “do not raise a doubt within (the victim’s) evidence.”

Charlesworth found that the Crown proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Pattunguyak is guilty of touching the victim, who was under the age of 16, for a sexual purpose that included kissing and sexual intercourse. She also found him guilty of two counts of breach of recognizance.

His sentencing has not yet been determined.

ᔅᑳᑦ ᕿᔪᒃ

ᖃᒪᓂᑦᑐᐊᖅ ᐊᐳᑎᖃᓗᐊᖅᑐᐊᓗᒃ ᐊᖑᓇᓱᒋᐊᒃᓴᖅ ᑎᓴᒪᓕᒃᑯᑦ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐊᐳᑎᖃᙱᓗᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᐊᖑᓇᓱᒋᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓯᑭᑑᒃᑯᑦ ᑕᐃᒫᒃ ᓄᓇᓯᐅᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᖁᓚᐅᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᐅᓐᓅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓄᒃᓱᖕᒦᓚᐅᖅᐳᒍᑦ 4 ᑭᓛᒥᑐᐸᓗᖕᓂ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᒥ ᖃᒪᓂᑦᑐᐊ ᕐᒥ , ᕿᓄᐊᓵᖅᖢᑕ ᐅᑕᖅᑭᕗᒍᑦ ᐊᐳᑎᑖᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᖑᓇᓱᒋᐊᕈᓐᓇᖅᓯᓂᐊᕋᑕ .

Scott Qiyuk

Baker Lake There’s too much snow to go out hunting by ATV, but not enough snow to go out hunting by snowmobile so we went for a truck drive one evening and spent some time by an inukshuk about 4 kilometres from our hometown of Baker Lake, patiently waiting for more snow so we could finally go hunting.