Kivalliq News – April 20, 2022 edition

ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᑦ ᐃᓅᖃᑎᒌᑦᑎᐊᕈᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓂᑉᓕᐅᑎᓖᑦ ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖃᑕᐅᔪᑦ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓇᖅᑐᒃᑰᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᑲᔪᕆᐊᖃᑦᑕᕈᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᒃᑯᓪᓗ ᖃᓄᖅᑑᕈᑎᒃᓴᓂᒃ

Kivalliq News WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022

Vol 28 No 17

$1.00

Nunavut's Award Winning Voice of Kivalliq

Youth open up on wellness Teens in Rankin Inlet take part in programs teaching crisis intervention and mental health first aid

Coordinated efforts on mental health

Community ᒪᓕᒐᖅᑕᖃᙱᓪᓗᓂ ᐸᑲᓪᓚᖕᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ

Unrestricted Pakallak Tyme on the way News ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᐅᓯᕝᕕᒃᓴᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᕙᓪᓕᐊᓕᕐᒥᔪᖅ

Long-term care facility construction back on track Photos ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥᐅᑦ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᑐᓂᖅ ᑕᐃᒻᒥ ᓵᓚᒃᓴᑲᑕᒃᑐᑦ

Publication mail

7

Contract #40012157

71605 00500

3

Xzavier Kubluitok, coordinator at Rankin Inlet’s drop-in centre, praised the mental health programming offered to more than 20 youth and volunteers with the Rankin Inlet Fire Department this month. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Kivalliq racers clean up at Toonik Tyme

A2 Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Kivalliq News

www.nnsl.com

Youth take part in a mental health training weekend at Rankin Inlet’s drop-in centre, organized by the hamlet and Helen Roos, president of the ilinniapaa Skills Development Centre. Photo courtesy of Helen Roos

Youth learn crisis intervention Mental health training session sees high interest

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Rankin Inlet

Xzavier Kubluitok, 18, said it’s important for youth to be happy and engaged. He suggested more arts and crafts, baking and physical programs. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Dealing with substance abuse and mental health crises aren’t just conceptual for youth – it’s often their lived experience – and that was why a mental health training program in Rankin Inlet focused on addressing the unfiltered truth of the challenges young people face.

“These are the day-to-day realities that we live with in our communities, especially in the North, and they’re not separate from it,” said Helen Roos, president of the ilinniapaa Skills Development Centre.

“The youth are living it. And the one message that they indicated was that nobody is talking to them. Nobody is asking them to see where they need help with. That came out loudly and clearly.”

She facilitated a weekend training program early April at the community’s drop-in centre,

where participants earned skills in two certificate programs: non-violent crisis intervention and mental health first aid.

“The program was awesome,” said Xzavier Kubluitok, coordinator of the drop-in centre and participant. “I learned a lot of new things.”

The non-violent crisis intervention taught him how to deal with aggressive people and calm them down, he said.

Roos added that the training helped youth distinguish between what they can deal with themselves and when they need to involve higher authority like the RCMP. “It gave them a better understanding of where they fit,” said Roos.

Discussion also addressed when peers express suicidal thoughts and how youth can assess those situations.

“It was a very safe space but there were a lot of disclosures about how much youth are wanting this information, how some families or some youth are really struggling,” said Roos.

The group also discussed shatter, a concentrated form of cannabis, which Roos said participants found “riveting.”

Kubluitok agreed that it was good to learn about.

“That stuff is really dangerous and it can really mess with you at a very young age,” he said.

More than 20 youth took part in the program, with training also provided to volunteer firefighters with the Rankin Inlet department.

“We think that they shouldn’t hear this information for their ages, but the reality is youth are already using this stuff,” said Roos. “They’re experiencing much more, and they’re not isolated. And the more that we help them as youth, the better their mental health will be.”

Coun. Lynn Rudd was also present for the workshops, along with community wellness coordinator Christina Best.

Roos said that thanks to the positive feedback, more training sessions are planned in Rankin Inlet.

Pakallak Tyme coming back in full glory Other communities invited, no Covid restrictions

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Rankin Inlet

Rankin Inlet’s iconic spring festival is coming back in full glory, with other communities invited, Ski-Doo races, dances, games and, finally, zero pandemic restrictions.

“Our winters are long enough, but the two years without enjoying spring was even longer,” said Deputy Mayor Martha Hickes.

“We’ve waited two long years for it. We’re excited about the celebrations coming up.”

The event is scheduled to start Monday, April 25, and run until Sunday, May 1, kicking off with a community feast in the rec hall, followed by ‘fear factor’ and a square dance.

On Tuesday, April 26, an Elders breakfast and games will open the day, with bingo in the afternoon, a mini Ski-Doo race on Williamson Lake, target shooting at the shooting range and a teen dance to finish the night.

Scavenger hunts, a Scrabble tournament, more square dances, community games and a kid’s carnival will precede the opening of the adult Ski-Doo races in the Kivalliq Snow Challenge, set to begin Friday, April 29.

“The whole town goes down to the sea ice,” said Hickes about the snowmobile races. “That’s the funnest time.”

Bobby Misheralak, president of the

Kivalliq Snow Challenge, said he’s looking forward to seeing racers have a good time competing. There are five race categories this year: ladies, juniors 18 and under, seniors 19 and over, masters 35 and under and veterans 50 and under, plus children’s races on Williamson Lake.

“We know competition will be going on right from the first race,” said Misheralak. “It will be intensive as always with all the categories.

Anything can happen - breakdowns and wipeouts are always factors.”

There are always medics on site and the committee tries to ensure the races are set up in the safest way possible, he said.

“Good luck to all who are joining the races this year,” said Misheralak.

And finally again, those in surrounding communities are welcome and invited.

“We’ll be able to see our friends, be able to see our family from across the region, and not have to treat each other as if we’re poisonous if we go near each other,” said Darren Flynn, senior administrative officer with the hamlet.

He thinks people are going to enjoy the festivities this year as things finally get back to normal.

“We still know that we have Covid, but we’re now learning how to live with it as it goes on,” said Flynn.

“This is going to be just great for everybody. It’s a complete departure from the last two years. Everybody’s looking forward to it.”

ᕿᑎᒃᑕᐅᓲᑦ ᐸᑲᓪᓚᒃᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐃᓗᐃᑦᑐᕈᖅᓯᒪᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ 2022-ᒥ.

The full schedule for 2022’s Pakallak Tyme events. Image courtesy of the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet

Kivalliq News

www.nnsl.com

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) 645-3223 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.

Wednesday, April 20, 2022 A3

ᓄᓇᖅᑲᑎᒌᒃᑐᑦ ᑲᑎᑦᑐᑦ ᑕᓯᓐᓈᕐᒥ ᐸᑲᓪᓚᒋᐊᓕᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ 2021-ᒥ. ᐅᑭᐅᖑᔪᖅ ᐃᓚᓐᓇᕇᑦ ᐃᓚᒌᓪᓗ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂᙶᖅᓯᒪᔪᖃᕐᓗᓂ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᑐᙵᓱᒃᑎᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ.

í±ØÍ≤ÒáíÔÄ?

Ulukhaktok

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 Naujaat Ç„·√∏≥î Gameti ∂¬∂ĉÖͬü áÀ∏∂ÒπêÖÊçí.

Around Kivalliq Behchoko

’e

with Stewart Burnett

Sanikiluaq

Community members gather at Williamson Lake for the start of Pakallak Tyme in Rankin Inlet in 2021. This year friends and family from surrounding communities will be welcomed back to join in the festivities starting April 25. File photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak

ᐸᑲᓪᓚᖕᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᓗᐃᑦᑐᕈᖅᓯᒪᔪᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᑦᑐᐊᓘᓗᓂ ᐊᓯᖏᑦ ᓄᓇᓖᑦ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᖁᔭᐅᔪᑦ, ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᒪᓕᒃᑕᒃᓴᖃᙱᓪᓗᓂ Const. Zac Roy of the Rankin Inlet RCMP briefed hamlet council on hunters and trappers organization concerns brought to the detachment about littering of beer cans and wine bottles on the land at the April 11 meeting. Roy said the detachment has been patrolling those hot spots to deter any misconduct. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Team Nunavut comes sixth

Quebec Team Nunavut finished sixth of six teams in the 2022 Futsal Canadian Championships in Gatineau, Quebec last weekend.

Playing in Group B, Nunavut lost their opening match against Sporting Montreal 30-1.

They improved from there, losing 12-0 against Callies FC from Alberta in their second match.

In the last match to decide fifth place, Nunavut lost a closer one 4-0 against Pioneers FC from Manitoba.

Montreal went on to win the tournament over Toronto Idolo Futsal 6-3 in the final, with Callies FC finishing third.

Applicants sought for healing programs

Rankin Inlet Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. is seeking applications for its cultural and healing program.

The program offers Inuit a chance to apply for project funding for programs that address the harms and intergenerational effects of residential schools; traditional on-the-land programs; or the teaching of Inuit history, culture, languages and traditions.

Individuals, groups and organizations are eligible for up to $25,000 toward any of the above listed programs.

Nunavut residency is not a requirement, but approved projects must target a minimum of 75 per cent Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement.

The application period is open until May 6.

Northern News Services

ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᒋᔭᐅᓪᓚᑦᑖᓲᖅ ᐅᐱᕐᖔᒃᑯᑦ ᐸᑲᓪᓚᖕᓂᖅ ᐃᓗᐃᑦᑐᒃᑯᑦ ᐅᑎᕐᓂᐊᓕᖅᑐᖅ, ᐊᓯᖏᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂᙶᖅᑐᑦ ᖃᐃᖁᔭᐅᓯᒪᑉᓗᑎᒃ, ᓯᑭᑑᒃᑯᑦ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ, ᒧᒥᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ, ᕿᑎᒃᑎᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ, ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᒪᓕᒃᑕᒃᓴᖃᙱᓪᓗᓂ. “ᐅᑭᐅᕆᔭᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᑯᓂᐊᓘᖃᑦᑕᕐᒪᑦ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᓂᒃ ᐅᐱᕐᖔᒃᑯᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᖅᑎᑕᐅᙱᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐊᑯᓂᐅᓂᖅᓴᐅᔫᔭᖅᓯᒪᔪᖅ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᒪᐃᔭᐅᑉ ᑐᖏᓕᖓ ᒫᑕ Hᐃᒃᔅ. “ᐅᑕᖅᑭᓕᕋᑉᑕ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᓂᒃ ᐊᑯᓂᐊᓗᒃ. ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒃᑐᒍᑦ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂᐊᓕᕐᒥᒐᑉᑕ.” ᐸᑲᓪᓚᒋᐊᕈᒫᖅᑐᑦ ᓴᓇᑦᑕᐃᓕᐅᕌᓂᒃᐸᑦ, ᐊᐃᕆᓕ 25-ᒥ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑲᔪᓯᓂᐊᖅᖢᓂ ᓴᓇᑦᑕᐃᓕᒧᑦ, ᒪᐃ 1-ᒧᑦ, ᐱᒋᐊᕈᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᓄᓇᖅᑲᑎᒌᑦ ᓂᕆᕕᒡᔪᐊᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᐱᙳᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥ, ᑕᐃᑲᙵᓪᓗ ‘fear factor’–ᖁᕕᐊᓲᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᖢᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᒧᒥᓕᕐᓗᑎᒃ. ᑐᒡᓕᐊᓂ, ᐊᐃᕆᓕ 26-ᒥ, ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᐃᑦ ᐅᑉᓛᕈᒥᑕᖅᑎᑕᐅᔪᒫᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᕿᑎᒃᑎᑕᐅᓕᕐᓗᑎᒃ, bingo-ᖅᑎᑕᐅᓗᑎᒃ ᐅᑉᓗᒃᑯᑦ, ᓯᑭᑑᕋᓛᓖᓪᓗ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᓗᑎᒃ ᑕᓯᓐᓈᕐᒥ, ᖁᑭᖅᓴᒡᒎᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᑦ ᒧᒥᖅᑎᑕᐅᓗᑎᒃ ᐅᓐᓄᖓᓂ. ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᕿᓂᖅᑎᑕᐅᓂᐊᕐᒥᔪᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ ᒪᓕᒡᓗᑎᒃ, Scrabble-ᒎᓐᓂᐊᕐᒥᔪᑦ, ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᓪᓗ ᒧᒥᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓗᑎᒃ, ᓄᓇᖅᑲᑎᒌᑦ ᕿᑎᒃᑎᑕᐅᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᑕᖅᑲᑦ ᕿᑎᒃᑎᑕᐅᓗᑎᒡᓗ ᑕᐃᑲᙵᓪᓗ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᕆᐊᓕᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᓯᑭᑑᒃᑯᑦ ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥᐅᑦ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᕈᑎᒋᔭᒃᑕᖓᒍᑦ, ᐱᒋᐊᕋᔭᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᓪᓕᒻᒥᕐᒥ, ᐊᐃᕆᓕ 29-ᒥ. “ᓄᓇᖅᑲᑎᒌᑦ ᑕᒪᕐᒥᓗᒃᑖᖅᑲᔭᑦ ᓯᑯᒧᙵᐅᓲᑦ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᑕᐅᑐᒋᐊᖅᑐᖅᖢᑎᒃ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ Hᐃᒃᔅ. “ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᑕᒡᕙ ᖁᕕᐊᓇᕐᓂᖅᐹᖅ.” ᐸᐱ ᒥᓯᕌᓛᖅ, ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᕆᔭᐅᔪᖅ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᖅᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᓐᓂᒃ, ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒃᑐᕉᖅ ᑕᐅᑐᒍᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᕋᒥ

ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᖅᑎᓂᒃ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒃᑐᓂᒃ. ᑕᓪᓕᒪᐅᔫᖕᒪᑕ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᔪᒃᑯᑦ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᑕᒡᕙᓂ ᐅᑭᐅᒥ: ᐊᕐᓇᐃᑦ, ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᑦ 18-ᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᓖᑦ ᑐᖔᓂᓗ, ᐃᓐᓇᐃᑦ 19-ᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᓖᑦ ᐅᖓᑖᓂᓗ, ᐃᓐᓇᐅᓂᖅᓴᓪᓗ 35-ᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᓖᑦ ᑐᖔᓂᓗ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᐃᑦ 50-ᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᓖᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑐᖔᓂ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᑕᖅᑲᑦ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᑕᓯᓐᓈᕐᒥ. “ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔪᒍᑦ ᐱᒡᒍᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᕐᓂᐊᕐᒪᑕ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᒋᐊᑲᐅᑎᒋᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᒥᓯᕌᓛᖅ. “ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐊᓘᓂᐊᕐᒥᔪᖅ ᑕᒪᐃᓐᓄᑦ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᖅᑐᓄᑦ. ᖃᓄᐃᑦᑐᖃᕈᓐᓇᕐᒪᑦ – ᓯᖁᒥᔾᔨᓲᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᕐᕈᓗᐊᕿᓲᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᐅᖃᑦᑕᕐᒪᑕ.” ᑐᐊᕕᕐᓇᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᐅᖏᓐᓇᓲᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᕋᓛᑦ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᕐᕕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᒥᒃ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓯᑦᑎᐊᖅᓯᒪᓇᓱᓲᑦ ᐊᑦᑕᓇᖅᑐᖅᑕᖁᓇᒍ, ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ. “ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓴᖃᑦᑎᐊᖁᕙᒃᑲ ᑕᒪᕐᒥᒃ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᐅᑭᐅᖅ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᒥᓯᕌᓛᖅ. ᐅᖃᒃᑲᓐᓂᖅᐳᖓᓗ, ᑕᒪᕐᒥᒃ ᓄᓇᓖᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᐅᑉ ᓯᓚᑖᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᑦ ᑐᙵᓱᒃᑎᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᖃᐃᖁᔭᐅᔪᓪᓗ. “ᑕᑯᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᓕᕐᒥᔭᖅᐳᑦ ᐃᓚᓐᓈᖅᐳᑦ, ᐃᓚᕗᓪᓗ ᑕᑯᓗᒋᑦ ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥᐅᑕᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓅᖃᑎᒌᑦᑎᐊᕈᓐᓇᕐᓗᑕ ᐅᖓᓯᒌᒃᑑᑎᐊᓗᙱᓪᓗᑕᓗ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᑎᐅᕆᓐ ᕕᓕᓐ, Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑐᑭᒧᐊᒃᑎᑦᑎᔨᖓ. ᐅᑭᐅᖑᔪᖅ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᐊᖅᑰᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᓅᓯᕆᓚᐅᖅᑕᑉᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᐅᑎᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓕᕋᑉᑕ. “ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔪᒍᑦ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅᑕᖃᕐᒪᑦ ᓱᓕ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐃᓕᑦᑎᕙᓪᓕᐊᔪᒍᑦ ᖃᓄᖅ ᐃᓅᓂᐊᕐᒪᖔᑉᑕ ᐱᑕᖃᕋᓗᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᕕᓕᓐ. “ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᑦᑐᐊᓘᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᒪᐃᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᖕᓄᑦ. ᐊᕐᕌᓂᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ ᐊᔾᔨᖃᔾᔮᙱᑦᑐᖅ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᓂᒃ ᖄᖏᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ. ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᒍᓱᒃᑐᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᑉᑎᓐᓄᑦ.”

ᐃᒡᓚᒪᔭᒃᑐᑦ ᕈᓇ ᐃᖅᑯᒃᑎ, ᓴᐅᒥᖅᖠᕐᒦᑦᑐᖅ, ᐃᒥᐅᓪᑕ ᑲᓪᓚᒃ–ᑕᑎ, ᓚᕆᓴ ᑲᓪᓚᒃ, ᔭᑕ ᑐᓗᒐᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓕᐅᐊᕋ ᐃᒃᑲᕐᕆᖅ ᕿᑎᒃᖢᑎᒃ ᐴᖃᑦᑕᒃᑯᑦ ᓈᙱᔭᖅᑐᑦ ᑕᓯᑦᓈᕐᒥ 2016-ᒥ ᐸᑲᓪᓚᒃᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ. ᕿᑎᖕᓂᐊᓕᕐᒥᔪᑦ ᒪᕐᕉᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᒃ ᐱᐊᓂᒃᓯᒪᓕᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᕿᑎᒍᓐᓇᐃᓪᓕᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ.

Watch out for fox traps

Kivalliq The Government of Nunavut is warning Nunavummiut to be careful of fox trips on the land, lakes and sea ice, especially when it comes to dogs and small children.

Trappers are asked to avoid setting traps where people walk and spend time. The Wildlife Act and Nunavut Agreement establish that right of access for trapping does not include any place within 1.6 km of any buildings, structures or other facilities.

“It is your responsibility to keep your pets and children safe,” stated the GN. “If you let your dog off its leash, you do so at your own risk.”

The release also noted that it is illegal to spring or interfere with set traps.

Anyone concerned about traps near their community should contact the local wildlife office.

Laughs abound as Rhona Irkootee, Emelda Kadlak-Tatty, Larissa Kadlak, Jada Tulugak and Leora Ikakhik, from left, compete in the sack hop on Williamson Lake during the 2016 edition of Pakallak Tyme in Rankin Inlet. NNSL file photo

A4 Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Kivalliq News

Real life, finally?

Kivalliq News Nunavut's Award Winning Voice of Kivalliq

Nunavut's award-winning voice of Kivalliq – Published Wednesdays ¥∂‡ç Ä¿Ω‰ÕÇœÀé´ú æƒúΩÇπÖÊíÇπØÀÒ ≤ሠï·∆¿Í´ – ÇÔ¿∞°úΩÖ¿ÖÙ·çâÒ áˆîπÍ´ NNSL Media, a division of Black Press Media

Whether a blip in the misery or return to normal, let’s enjoy it

Publishers of: • Nunavut News/North • Inuvik Drum • Kivalliq News • Yellowknifer • NWT News/North • Hay River Hub

Northern News Services

All week, I had planned to cover the Rankin Inlet Fire Department’s Easter egg hunt the morning of Saturday, April 16.

But the day before the event brought a resumption of cold temperatures, and double-checking Facebook for any postponement update, I wondered that Saturday morning, who would actually be waking up before noon and going outside to this, as fun as it may seem?

Especially the day after a holiday, when I figured people would rather be sleeping in.

Turns out, almost everybody was eager to take part. There must have been more than 250 people on the ice when I arrived. One resident I talked to explained it well, saying something along the lines of ‘Yeah, it’s freezing, but we’ve been waiting for these community events.’

The Government of Nunavut finally ended the public health emergency on April 11. I was surprised to attend council that afternoon

Member of: • Manitoba Community Newspapers Association • Canadian Community Newspapers Association Kugaaruk

Naujaat

Editor: Stewart Burnett 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 Group Publisher: Mike W. Bryant mike.bryant@nnsl.com Coordinating Editor: Alyssa Smith alyssa.smith@nnsl.com Kivalliq Advertising Representative: advertising@nunavutnews.com Call collect: (867) 873-4031 Fax: (867) 873-8507

www.nnsl.com

and find everyone still wearing a mask. I wondered if I had missed a hamlet rule and was going to get chastised for being so naked.

But people can take whatever approach they feel comfortable with in the post-emergency pandemic world, and there’s no shame in continuing to mask up. Some may go slower toward embracing the old normal, and many think masking is simply a good idea to cut down on the spread of all sorts of junk coming out of our mouths.

Talking about Pakallak Tyme, council almost thought about bringing in restrictions again and requiring masks at larger indoor events, but thankfully it was a fleeting notion.

Coun. Megan Pizzo-Lyall put it succinctly that creating new rules on the day the old rules ended might not go over well with the

public, and Coun. Michael Shouldice noted that square dancing in masks sounded rather miserable.

That said, it’s not foolish to continue being mindful of the virus. The whole pandemic has been a story of dashed hopes and extended timelines, as “two weeks to stop the spread” turned into two years. It may well surge again or take on a different form.

It’s hard to know if you’re at the of the hurricane or just in its stewart end eye. burnett For now, we have this window of normality with a traditional Pakallak Tyme coming up, complete with full-capacity events and invites to out-of-towners.

Obviously, people want their old lives back, and I look forward to seeing Rankin Inlet celebrating the way it’s supposed to.

Long-term care centre on track for 2023 finish

Sanikiluaq

Publishing Office: Box 2820, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2R1 Phone: (867) 873-4031 Fax: (867) 873-8507 Email: nnsl@nnsl.com Website: www.nunavutnews.com

ᓴᓇᔭᐅᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᑦ ᐅᖓᓯᒃᓯᒋᐊᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᒋᑉᓗᒍ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᑲᔪᓯᑦᑎᐊᖅᑐᖅ, ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᐅᓯᕝᕕᒃ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᐱᐊᓂᒃᑕᐅᓯᒪᓕᕋᔭᖅᑐᖅ ᐅᑐᐱᕆ 2023-ᒥ.

ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᔪᓕᕆᔨ: ᑯᑎ ᐸᓐᑐᕐ 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: Mike W. Bryant – mike.bryant@nnsl.com ᑲᒪᔨ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑎ: ᑯᕆᒃ ᒋᐅᐳᑦ Alyssa Smith – alyssa.smith@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

Contents copyright. Printed in the North by Canarctic Graphics Limited. No photos, stories, advertisements or graphics may be reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the written approval of the publisher.

Subscriptions One year mail $70 Online (entire content) $50/year Send us your comments You can email us at kivalliqnews@nnsl.com; mail to Box 2820, Yellowknife X1A 2R1; or drop your letter off at our office at 5108-50th Street.

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

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

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

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

We acknowledge Nous reconnaissons the financial support l'appui financier du of the Government of gouvernement du Canada.

Canada.

Construction has been delayed by Covid, but all going well, the long-term care centre in Rankin Inlet should be complete by October 2023. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Rankin Inlet’s utilidor system needs to keep up, however

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Rankin Inlet

Pandemic restrictions delayed progress on construction of Rankin Inlet’s long-term care centre in 2021, but the facility is on track to be completed in 2023.

“I think the council and certainly everybody is looking forward to seeing it finalized,” said Darren Flynn, senior administrative officer for the hamlet.

“It’s a new facility, it’s going to provide a service that’s desperately needed, and the real spin-off is that it will have a huge economic impact on the community because it will create the employment that’s needed to be able to properly look after and service those clients.”

The facility will include two houses, each comprising 12 beds, plus a common area with shared

spaces for multi-faith worship, traditional healing, a beauty salon and barber shop.

Suleikha Duale, communication specialist with the Department of Community and Government Services, stated in an email that the current approved budget for the centre is $59.35 million, with construction forecast to complete October 2023.

“Construction progress was limited in the 2021 season due to Covid-19 and the 2021 construction season closed with a few activities deferred to 2022, including piling, access vault (utilidor) work and structural steel,” stated Duale.

“The existing state of the Rankin Inlet utilidor system is at capacity and in need of repairs. This challenge is being addressed with an appropriate level of effort to ensure this does not impact the delivery of this project.”

Mikim Contracting Limited is the company appointed for the project and the target Inuit

employment percentage is 35 per cent.

“The contractor confirmed that there are no foreseen delays that will impact the project completion date scheduled for October 2023,” stated Duale.

Martha Hickes, deputy mayor of Rankin Inlet, said the care home has been discussed for many years in the town’s council chambers.

“We’re very happy that it’s happening,” she said.

“It’s important to keep our ever-growing population of Elders in the Kivalliq and Nunavut at home, close to their family, friends and relatives.”

As well, Inuit grow up on country foods, so when Elders are sent south for care, they are often craving for the sustenance they know so well and need, added Hickes.

“We waited a long time and it’s a much-needed place for our Elders to feel right at home,” said Hickes, adding that the project will provide employment for community members as well.

Kivalliq News

www.nnsl.com

ᐊᑯᓐᓂᖓᓃᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᐊᒡᓂᒍ ᐃᒍ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔮᕐᕕᖓᑕ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᕐᕕᒡᔪᐊᑉ, ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᓐᓇᐅᓯᕝᕕᒃᓴᖅ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑑᑕᐅᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᐱᐊᓂᒃᑕᐅᓯᒪᓕᖅᐸᑦ.

Wedged between the Agnico Eagle Arena and Kivalliq Health Centre, Rankin Inlet’s long-term care centre will serve much-needed Elder support once completed. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Wednesday, April 20, 2022 A5

ᐊᑕᐅᓯᖅ ᐅᖓᓯᒃᓯᒋᐊᕈᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᓐᓇᐅᓯᕝᕕᒃᑖᕋᔭᕐᓂᖓᓄᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᖅ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᑉ ᖃᓄᖅ ᓱᑉᓗᓕᖏᑦ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᓇᔭᕐᒪᖔᑕ ᐃᒪᖅᑖᑦᑎᐊᖃᑦᑕᖁᑉᓗᒍ, ᒫᓐᓇᐅᔪᖅ ᓈᒻᒪᒍᓐᓃᖅᓯᒪᖕᒪᑕ. ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂᒃ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓂᒡᓗ ᐱᔨᑦᓯᕋᖅᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓇᖅᑑᔪᖅ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᐅᕙᓪᓕᐊᖕᒪᑦ ᐊᒃᑐᖅᓯᖁᓇᒍ ᑕᒪᑐᒧᙵ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᒪᔪᒧᑦ.

One snafu the long-term care centre in Rankin Inlet could face is the community’s ability to service it with the town’s utilidor system, which is already stretched to maximum capacity. The Department of Community and Government Services told Kivalliq News that this challenge is being addressed to ensure it does not impact the delivery of this project. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᐅᓯᕝᕕᒃ ᓇᑉᐸᖅᑎᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᓕᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ 2023-ᒥ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᓱᑉᓗᓖᑦ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᐅᑦᑎᐊᖏᓐᓇᕆᐊᓖᑦ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂᓕ

Northern News Services

ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᒪᓕᒃᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᓖᑦ ᐅᖓᓯᒃᓯᒋᐊᕈᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᓇᑉᐸᖅᑎᖅᑕᐅᓇᔭᕐᓂᖓᓄᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᓐᓇᐅᓯᕝᕕᒃᓴᖅ 2021-ᒥ ᐱᒋᐊᖅᖢᒍ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐱᐊᓂᒃᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ 2023-ᒥ. “ᐃᓱᒪᔪᖓ Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑕᒪᕐᒥᒃ ᓇᓗᓇᙱᑦᑐᖅ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑕᑯᔪᒪᔪᑦ ᐱᐊᓂᒃᓯᒪᓕᖅᑐᒥᒃ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᑎᐅᕆᓐ ᕕᓕᓐ, ᑐᑭᒧᐊᒃᑎᑦᑎᔨᒋᔭᐅᔪᖅ Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᓐᓂᒃ. “ᓄᑖᖑᓂᐊᕐᒪᑦ, ᐱᔨᑦᓯᕋᕐᕕᐅᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᐊᕐᒪᑦ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᓪᓚᑦᑖᖅᑐᓄᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᕚᓪᓕᕈᑕᐅᓪᓚᑦᑖᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᒫᓂ ᓄᓇᑉᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᓴᓇᔭᒃᓴᓂᒃ ᓴᖅᑭᑎᑦᑎᓂᐊᕐᒪᑦ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᐅᑦᑎᐊᕈᓐᓇᖁᑉᓗᒋᑦ ᐱᔨᑦᓯᕋᖅᑕᐅᑦᑎᐊᕈᓐᓇᖁᑉᓗᒋᑦ ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᐃᑦ.” ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᐅᓯᕝᕕᒃ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᐃᒡᓗᖃᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ, ᐊᑐᓂ 12-ᓂᒃ ᐃᒡᓕᖃᕐᓗᑎᒃ, ᓴᓚᐅᓱᕝᕕᒃᑕᖃᕐᓗᓂᓗ ᑲᑎᕝᕕᐅᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᒥᒃ ᑐᒃᓯᐊᕐᕕᐅᔪᓐᓇᕐᓗᓂ, ᐃᓕᖅᑯᓯᑐᖃᑎᒍᑦ ᒪᒥᓴᕐᕕᐅᔪᓐᓇᕐᓗᓂ, ᐱᐅᓴᕐᕕᒃᑕᖃᕐᓗᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑭᐱᔭᐅᕝᕕᒃᑕᖃᕐᓗᓂ ᓄᔭᐃᔭᖅᑕᐅᔪᒪᔪᓄᑦ. ᓱᓕᒃHᐊ ᑐᐃᓪ, ᑐᓴᐅᒪᖃᑦᑕᐅᑎᓕᕆᔨ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂᒃ

ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓂᓗ ᐱᔨᑦᓯᕋᖅᑎᒃᑯᖏᓐᓂᒃ, ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᖅᑲᒃᑯᑦ ᒫᓐᓇᐅᔪᕉᖅ ᐊᖏᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᖅ ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᐅᓯᕝᕕᖕᒧᑦ $59.35 ᒥᓕᔭᒦᑦᑐᖅ, ᓇᑉᐸᖅᑎᖅᑕᐅᕌᓂᒃᓯᒪᓕᕋᔭᖅᑐᖅ ᐅᑐᐱᕆ 2023-ᒥ. “ᓇᑉᐸᖅᑎᖅᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐱᕕᒃᓴᖃᓗᐊᓚᐅᙱᒻᒪᑕ 2021-ᒥ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅ ᐱᔾᔪᑕᐅᑉᓗᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓱᑉᓗᓕᓕᖅᑕᐅᕝᕕᖓᓂᒃ ᑲᒪᑉᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓴᕕᓕᖅᑐᐃᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᑐᙵᕕᒃᓴᖏᓐᓂᒃ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᑐᐃᓪ. “ᒫᓐᓇᐅᔪᖅ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᓱᑉᓗᓕᖏᑦ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᖅᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᕐᒪᑕ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᓱᓕᓯᒪᖕᒪᑕ. ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓇᖅᑑᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᐅᔪᖅ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᓗᒃᑖᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᒃᑐᖅᓯᖁᓇᒍ ᑕᒪᑐᒪᙵ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᒪᔪᒧᑦ ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᐅᓯᕝᕕᓕᐅᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ.” ᒥᑭᒻ ᑳᓐᑐᕌᒃᑏᑦ Mikim Contracting Limited-ᑯᑦ ᑲᒻᐸᓂᒋᔭᐅᔪᑦ ᑎᒃᑯᐊᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᑕᒪᑐᒧᙵ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᓴᓇᑎᑕᐅᓇᔭᖅᑐᑦ ᑐᕌᒐᕆᔭᐅᔪᖅ 35%-ᒦᖦᖢᓂ. “ᑳᓐᑐᕌᒃᑎ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᐅᖓᓯᒃᓯᒋᐊᕈᑕᐅᓇᔭᖅᑐᓂᒡᒎᖅ ᐱᑕᖃᙱᑦᑐᖅ ᐊᒃᑐᖅᓯᓇᔭᖅᑐᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᐊᓂᒡᕕᒃᓴᕆᓇᔭᖅᑕᖓᓄᑦ

ᐅᑉᓗᖓᓄᑦ ᐅᑐᐱᕆ 2023-ᒥ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᑐᐃᓪ. ᒪᑕ Hᐃᒃᔅ, ᒪᐃᔭᐅᑉ ᑐᖏᓕᖓ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ, ᐅᖃᖅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᐅᓯᕝᕕᒎᖅ ᐊᑯᓂ Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᐅᖃᑦᑕᖅᓯᒪᓕᕐᒪᑦ ᐊᒥᓱᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᓂᒃ. “ᖁᕕᐊᓱᑦᑎᐊᖅᑐᒍᑦ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᐅᓕᕐᒪᑦ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ. “ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐊᓘᖕᒪᑦ ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᑯᓗᒃᐳᑦ ᐊᒥᓱᙳᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᓄᓇᕗᒥᓗ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᐅᒪᑎᑦᑕᕆᐊᖃᕋᑉᑎᒍᑦ, ᐃᓚᒥᓂᒃ ᖃᓂᓪᓗᑎᒃ, ᐃᓚᓐᓈᕐᒥᓂᒡᓗ.” ᐊᒻᒪᓗᑦᑕᐅᖅ, ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐱᕈᖅᓴᖃᑦᑕᕐᒪᑕ ᐃᓄᒃᓯᐅᑎᓂᒃ ᓂᕆᕙᒃᖢᑎᒃ, ᑕᐃᒪᐃᒻᒪᑦ ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᐃᑦ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᖅᑎᑕᐅᔭᕌᖓᑕ ᖃᑉᓗᓈᑦ ᓄᓇᖓᓄᑦ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᐅᔭᖅᑐᖅᖢᑎᒃ, ᓂᕆᔪᒪᓪᓕᖃᑦᑕᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᓄᒃᓯᐅᑎᓂᒃ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᑦᑎᐊᖅᑕᒥᓂᒃ ᓂᕆᖃᑦᑕᕆᐊᖃᖅᑕᖏᓐᓂᒡᓗ, ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᒃᑲᓐᓂᖅᖢᓂ Hᐃᒃᔅ. “ᐊᑯᓂ ᐅᑕᖅᑭᓕᕋᕐᑕ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᑖᕆᐊᖃᓪᓚᑦᑖᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᑯᑎᑯᓗᒃᐳᑦ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᐅᒪᔪᓐᓇᖅᓯᖁᑉᓗᒋᑦ,” ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ Hᐃᒃᔅ, ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂᓗ ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᓴᓇᔭᒃᓴᖅᑕᖃᕐᓂᐊᕐᒪᑦ ᓄᓇᖅᑲᑎᒌᖕᓄᑦᑕᐅᖅ.

Mask mandate considered for Pakallak Tyme Pelagie Papak, planning and lands administrator with the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet, briefs council on work toward mapping out the town’s community plan at the April 11 meeting. Incorporating checks and balances to make sure the utilidor capacity can keep up, the document will plan for Rankin Inlet’s growth over the next 20 years. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

“I think we should encourage people to keep masking, but not make it mandatory.

I think we would be very criticized publicly to create rules that were just lifted (on April 11),” Coun. Megan Pizzo-Lyall said.

Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Council shoots down idea almost as quickly as it arises

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Rankin Inlet

On the day of territorial Covid-19 restrictions lifting, Rankin Inlet council briefly considered implementing masking requirements ahead of Pakallak Tyme.

“For the most part, I believe that it should be optional,” said Coun. Justin Merritt at the April 11 council meeting.

“I still think Covid’s out there. I still would like to keep the masks in place for recreation events like Pakallak Tyme.”

Coun. Daniel Kowmuk agreed, noting outdoors should still be optional for masks.

Coun. Michael Shouldice threw some cold water on the idea, though.

“I think it would be such a rotten time to square dance wearing a mask and trying to breathe and sweat,” he said. “I just can’t see anybody pleased or motivated to do that.”

That seemed to turn council’s feelings away from the original suggestion.

“We can let people have a choice if they want to or not – good?” suggested deputy mayor Martha Hickes.

“Easier for us,” responded Darren Flynn, senior administrative officer.

Coun. Kelly Lindell said she would still probably not want to attend a square dance with 400 or 500 people without masks, but agreed that it should be optional and enforcement would be difficult.

“It’s like having a peeing section in a swimming pool,” said Flynn in response.

Coun. Megan Pizzo-Lyall agreed with the hesitation about attending a large indoor event and said, “I think we should

encourage people to keep masking, but not make it mandatory. I think we would be very criticized publicly to create rules that were just lifted today.”

The rest of council agreed that making mask use optional but encouraging it seemed the best fit.

Merritt and Kowmuk asked that the hamlet thank the residents of Rankin Inlet for their diligence in following public health orders throughout the pandemic.

Preparing for summer fun

Council is looking at its policies for controlling some of the impacts of potential increased alcohol usage as summer approaches.

“Now that we do have a (beer and wine) store, I know we will see people with beer and wine going up the road during summer,” said Merritt, suggesting that the hamlet meet with protective services and see what is possible about setting up checkstops at the entryway to town.

Shouldice clarified with Merritt that he meant checkstops for impaired driving, and not simply carrying alcohol, which is legal.

“As long as we’re clear about what level of authority,” said Shouldice, which Merritt agreed with, suggesting the hamlet discuss the issue with protective services and the RCMP. Lindell also suggested the hamlet determine its policy on bonfires and making sure bottles and other waste aren’t left from them.

A6 Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Kivalliq News

www.nnsl.com

Kivalliq shows out at Toonik Tyme race Jarvis Towtongie takes top spot

Rock Kakuktinniq placed fourth in the race.

Joseph Curley gave him an honourable mention for putting in a lot of time and effort helping other racers. Photo courtesy of Laisa Kilabuk

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Iqaluit

It might have been an Iqaluit event, but snowmobile racing is clearly in Kivalliq blood.

Toonik Tyme’s premiere race – dubbed the Iqaluit Circuit Race Finals after a season of competition in the capital – saw 12 racers compete in 22 laps on a 2.7 kilometre track. Jarvis Towtongie came out on top, with Tugaaq Netser in second, Joseph Curley in third and Rock Kakuktinniq in fourth.

Curley and Gabe Choquette hosted the races, which were an extension of the Iqaluit circuit races Curley was helping run throughout the latter half of winter.

Early in the season, weekend circuits in the capital weren’t quite taking off as many competitors hoped, so Curley stepped in and created lap sheets and a points system for racers to accumulate points throughout the year, starting in February. It gained popularity in the capital as racers and fans enjoyed seeing the statistics side of it. The success of the

Jarvis Towtongie finished first place in the Iqaluit Circuit Race Finals, a 22-lap battle that saw 12 competitors compete during Toonik Tyme.

Photo courtesy of Laisa Kilabuk

Tugaaq Netser finished second in the Toonik Tyme race. Photo courtesy of Laisa Kilabuk

season was due to the group effort between organizers and racers, said Curley.

In the season points, Arthur Bouchard of Iqaluit claimed first, with Joshua Kilabuk second and Rankin Inlet’s Rock Kakuktinniq in third.

“The Weekend Warrior circuit races slowly progressed into something the city looked forward to every weekend, spectators and racers alike more and more, as restrictions started lifting,” said Curley. “The atmosphere was amazing for the year-end race.”

He gave a shout out to some of the younger guys such as Netser, Amaujaq Groves, Aiden Williams, Terence Veevee and Reagen Niakrok as strong new faces in the scene.

“They all did a great job,” said Curley.

Now, he’s looking forward to keeping the competitive spirit burning and seeing all his family and friends he grew up racing with for Pakallak Tyme.

“It’s a special time for the community,” said Curley, who also hopes to start his own committee for racing in Iqaluit and continue to grow the sport in the capital.

Joseph Curley placed third in the competition and hopes to continue growing the Iqaluit racing scene. Photo courtesy of Laisa Kilabuk

Rankin Inlet takes home Inlanders Cup Players from Gjoa Haven, Whale Cove make Ski-Doo trip to play

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Baker Lake

The 2022 Inlanders Cup winners from Rankin Inlet. Back row, from left are Israel Maktar, Sandy Tattuinee, Wager Tatty, Kobe Tanuyak, Jon Gibbons, Mike Nukapiak and Chad Taipana. Front row, from left are water boys Carter Nukapiak and Josie Connor Taipana, and then Wayne Quliit Kusugak, Piqut Nukapiak, Wendel Kaludjak, Pujjuut Kusugak, Brett Fotheringham and goalie Preston Kaludjak. Photo courtesy of Freddie Oovayuk

The end of pandemic restrictions came late in the spring, but Kivalliq communities made full use of it, with teams coming from all over for the Inlanders Cup hockey tournament in Baker Lake April 7 to 9.

Players from Gjoa Haven and Whale Cove even braved the elements to attend the tournament by snowmachine.

Kathy Okpakok loved watching her sons Joseph and Jeremy compete from Gjoa Haven.

“I am so happy and thankful my two boys got to meet family and new friends,” she said.

Rankin Inlet took home the cup in the end, with some dominating performances and a 7-0 shutdown in the gold medal game against Baker Lake.

“This tournament was fun, was good to finally

get out somewhere and play different people, not just playing against only Rankin teams,” said Piqut Nukapiak, part of the winning Rankin Inlet squad.

“My team turned out good. We were rolling lines and having fun.”

They hadn’t played as a team all year and used the first few games to get used to playing together.

Nukapiak was particularly glad to play with his older brother Mike Nukapiak.

“I have never played with my older brother before,” he said. “He was so happy to play with me and winning the Inlanders Cup.” He said the people of Baker Lake were very welcoming, all saying hi and wishing them a good time.

Nukapiak also thanked Terrance McLean for lending the team a truck for the weekend so players could check out Baker Lake outside of the games.

wu6ymlt5 kNyst5bsoQ5.