Kivalliq News - May 10, 2023

Gabe Choquette waves the flag as racers take off to Whale Cove from Rankin Inlet Thursday, May 4. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

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Bringing back a classic

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Ulukhaktok Gameti Behchoko

AROUND Kivalliq

with Cody Punter

Kugaaruk Naujaat

Elder, leader mourned

Naujaat

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. expressed deep sympathies to the friends, family and community of Naujaat’s Donat Milortuk, who passed late April.

“Donat’s life was filled with many accomplishments from which Inuit in Nunavut can take pride and inspiration,” stated NTI in a news release.

“He was an early leader and advocate in the efforts that, decades later, would culminate in the creation of Nunavut. He mounted this lifelong effort despite being one of the earliest students at the Sir Joseph Bernier residential school in Chesterfield Inlet. After surviving residential school, he returned to what would become Repulse Bay to help his parents live on the land.”

In 1969, Milortuk became the first Council Chairman of Repulse Bay. In the 1970s, his activism for Inuit rights and political undertakings spanned the community, regional and national levels and he became a land claim fieldworker for Inuit Tapirisat of Canada and then for the Land Claims Commission. Milortuk was a founding board member of Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut (TFN) and went on to help lead TFN as vice-president and president. The Elder was integral in establishing the negotiation team for the Nunavut Agreement.

“Donat continued this activism well into his later years, including speaking out in support of the protesters who shut down the Mary River Baffinland iron mine a few years ago,” stated NTI.

He won a council seat in his hometown in 2017 and again in 2019.

“Throughout his life, Donat’s main goal was to have Inuit rights fully recognized by the federal government,” stated the release. “He was a fierce advocate for Inuit management of wildlife and the land itself. Thirty years ago, the Nunavut Agreement was signed — an Inuit accomplishment that Donat fought hard to help realize.”

Seat to be filled on review board

The territorial government is looking to fill one of its seats on the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB).

The role of the board is to assess the environmental impact of projects on the Nunavut Settlement Area and applications are now being accepted. If you have knowledge or are familiar with environmental assessments in the territory, or know someone who is, you can submit an application form and resume to the Department of Environment either through e-mail or by fax.

The application form is available at the department’s website and the deadline to get forms in is May 19.

Sanikiluaq

Race to Whale Cove takes place for first time in three decades

By

Noel Kaludjak remembers racing in the Rankin Inlet to Whale Cove race 30 years ago, back when it was an annual event.

“It’s always exciting,” he said with a smile, just after 13 competitors took off from Rankin Inlet to Whale Cove and back on their snowmachines Thursday, May 4.

“I know what it’s like. For the young guys, it’s amazing. We’re all pumped up. Watching them take off like that, it’s just amazing.”

Conditions weren’t perfect – Kaludjak was hoping for a sunny day, but it was a little bit white out. Still, it was good enough to race, and the challenges of the elements and the route is what makes the long-distance race so compelling.

“Back in the early 1980s, all the races stopped around here because people were afraid, I guess — machines were too fast, all that, the safety equipment wasn’t there,” said Kaludjak about why the community-to-community race stopped for so long.

“But now we’re getting it back. We’re getting the safety equipment, following all the rules regulations, all that stuff now. It’s safer for the racers to race now, and it’s accepted again. The racing is finally coming back.”

The distance between the communities is just under 70 km. Jarvis Towtongie came in first place, completing the full loop in one hour, 18 minutes, 35 seconds. Four racers broke down and did not finish.

“First of all, your snowmobile has to be in good running order and fast,” said Kaludjak about keys to the race.

The next is managing the difficult terrain.

“The rocks and ice ridges are challenging,” said Kaludjak, adding that the trail was actually pretty clear this year, though that is not always the case.

But the speed competitors move at also adds an element of danger and difficulty to keep up.

“These guys are so fast,” said Kaludjak.

This year’s event was a trial run, he added, with hopes to make it even bigger next year if people support it.

“The main thing is the young people like to go fast and (it gives them) something to do,” said Kaludjak about why he and the committee brought the race back.

“Gives them something exciting to do. ‘I’m going to race tomorrow, I’m going to race next year, I’m going to get my snowmobile ready.’ Something for them to do besides other stuff. It’ll keep them away from trouble and all that. My dad always said, young people like to speed, give them the speed. Chase wolf, snowmobile race, go hunting, do it. Just do it.”

He added that he was thankful for the committee’s time and efforts to make the race a success. The race was sponsored by Combustion

Christine Maniituq Pamiulik shows off her Nunavut News amautik during the Pakallak Tyme Facebook dress-up games in Rankin Inlet. Photos courtesy of Christine Maniituq Pamiulik

Performance, Sigluaq Shop and Arctic Heating.

Members of the Whale Cove Race Committee gather. From left to right are Silu Autut, Noel Kaludjak, Taina Kubluitok, Moses Aupilardjuk, Gabe Choquette and Neco Towtongie.

Photo courtesy of Taina Kubluitok

Jarvis Towtongie is hoisted up after finishing first in the race with a time of 1:18:35. Photo courtesy of the Whale Cove Race Committee

Stewart Burnett Northern News Services

Local Journalism Initiative Rankin Inlet to Whale Cove

Racers take off two at a time to Whale Cove. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Daniel Jr. Panika was the last racer to leave Rankin Inlet, finishing sixth with a time of 1:32:23. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

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A common theme

Both soccer coach Geraldo Ferrari Jr. and Whale Cove Race Committee member Noel Kaludjak had very similar comments on why recreation initiatives are important.

In Kaludjak’s words, racing is “something for them to do besides other stuff,” and as Ferrari Jr. said, “if the kids kick the ball, that means they don’t do anything wrong on the streets.”

I’m not much of a racer myself, but I could see and feel the excitement, fist-pumping and wide eyes of the race committee and fans after competitors took off to Whale Cove Thursday. It meant something to them, and it was clearly fun.

Rankin Inlet, the Kivalliq and Nunavut as a whole suffer from few outlets and places for people to put their energy and passion into. A lot of volunteers work very hard to fill that gap with events like the Whale Cove race, soccer clinics and youth programs like the Outside Looking In dancing in Baker Lake.

Nunavut is desperate for that, and we need even more of it.

There are more opportunities in Rankin Inlet than many communities, but even here, other than local sports, there is just about nothing to do after work hours in town. There’s not even a restaurant open until normal restaurant hours. For many, that unfortunately leads to filling the time with partying or similar pursuits.

The people who provide these opportunities – at no financial benefit to themselves, but purely with an eye to a healthy community –deserve commendation.

If you’ve got a big race tomorrow, or a soccer game, or similar – you want to get to sleep on time the night before. You want to maintain healthy habits so you’re mentally and physically ready. And you want to hone your craft in the days and weeks leading up to the event. Having something to look forward to is core to thriving. It’s when we have nothing to look forward to that we begin to crumble.

The Whale Cove race looked like a success to me, so let’s hope that tradition continues, and hats off to the people who provide opportunities and things to look forward to here in Nunavut.

Likely a successful gambit

A lot of eyes probably went to Ilitaqsiniq’s job ads after the organization announced its four-day workweek pilot project.

The move was not one of those deals where staff work 10 hours on their four days, but a true four-day week where employees are paid their full salary while getting every Friday off.

A big part of the inspiration for that policy, said executive director Adriana Kusugak, was to help her organization compete for and retain staff.

These are the moves that organizations in Nunavut and Canada as a whole have to make to

keep up with the rapidly changing economy.

These days, no one wants to work, and for good reason. Salaries have not kept up with inflation, and there’s a general sense that money hardly matters anymore after the reckless federal spending during the pandemic.

It’s never been easier to be a bad employee. Employers can’t hire people, let alone worry about disciplining underperforming staff. Who could they be replaced with anyway? Just about every organization is short staffed due to this employment crisis and work is suffering across the board, including in the Government of Nunavut.

So, Ilitaqsiniq is properly adapting. Salaries have to go up, benefits have to go up and employers actually have to attract employees again. There’s no getting around it for employers, especially in Nunavut, and those who fail to keep up with the changing times will continue to operate skeleton crews and slowly peter away.

Ilitaqsiniq deserves props for recognizing the state of the labour market and innovating to address it.

Nursing couple loving the North

$50/year

Rankin Inlet pair Julia Swan and Winston Huynh embracing Kivalliq life

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Local Journalism Initiative Rankin Inlet

Early in the pandemic, couple Julia Swan and Winston Huynh – both registered nurses – saw a job ad for nurses in Nunavut.

“We thought to ourselves, ‘What an amazing adventure that would be to pick up our lives and relocate to the North,’” said Swan about the life-altering decision she and her husband Huynh were about to make.

That was three years ago and the pair are still here, along with a new, eight-month-old member of the family.

Both work in Rankin Inlet at the Kivalliq Health Centre.

“On our unit we care for patients from all over the Kivalliq region, from small newborn babies up to Elders and everyone in between,” said Swan.

She called nursing in Nunavut a rewarding experience and said she has formed many close friendships with colleagues and community members.

“It feels like one big family,” said Swan. The position has also allowed her to step outside her comfort zone.

“Every shift is different,” said Swan. “You have to be flexible and ready for anything. I genuinely do feel empowered by the impact I’m making here in the lives of our patients and their families.”

She called experiencing Inuit culture, the language and traditions an unforgettable and enriching experience.

“The land, the climate, vibrant people,” said Swan. “There are so many opportunities for personal and professional growth here in Nunavut.”

STEWART BURNETT

Derby weekend returns to Rankin

Trout, cod competitions take place at same time this year

By

Burnett

Rankin Inlet’s annual fishing derby is back in the hands of the hamlet.

This year, that means both the trout and cod derby will be taking place at the same time from May 12-14. Both fish offer the same prizes, with the top prize of $5,000 and prizes descending from there for the top eight fish of each category. The derby has a 50-mile boundary and no entry fee. People from out of town must register beforehand though. Cod smaller than 20 inches will not be measured, with measuring taking place 1:30 to 3 p.m. outside of the community hall Monday, May 15. Prizes will follow at 6 p.m. that evening.

Last year, Pelagie Kritaqliluk had the winning trout at 47.5 inches, while Cecile Panika earned top cod prize for her 26 and 5/8 inch fish.

Yvon Ikakhik carries his trout to the measuring table during the 2022 derby. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Many cod were caught, but only those 24” and above in size finished in the top 10 in the 2022 derby. Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo

Cecile Panika dons her new snowmachine for winning the 2022 cod derby. She’s flanked by the three organizers of the Rankin Inlet derbies, with Susan Hickes on the left, Amy Kaludjak next and Charlene Williams far right. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Stewart

Northern News Services

Travis Niviatsiak heaves his 44 1/16” trout, good for fifth place in the competition. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Jack Kabvitok shakes hands with derby organizers before receiving his cheque for fourth place in the 2022 derby. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Making their voices heard

Community members walk through Rankin Inlet in recognition of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Friday, May 5. The event was hosted by Victim Services. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Scholarships help five students pursue nursing careers

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services

The Government of Nunavut handed out five Queen Elizabeth II scholarships to top Nunavut Arctic College nursing students in Iqaluit April 24.

The award provides $3,000 toward students’ studies for second, third and fourth-year students in the nursing program.

The 2023 scholarship award winners are Hattie Pameolik, Evora Essoh, Charity Uche, Vayda

Kaviok and Nicole Boland.

“As Nunavut continues to work through the challenges of a global nursing shortage, it is encouraging to know Nunavummiut are training to fill these much-needed roles,” said Minister John Main in a news release.

“I am proud of my department’s continued support to train nurses locally, which helps develop a stronger, more culturally informed workforce.

I would like to congratulate all recipients of this year’s award for their dedication to their studies toward the future care of Nunavummiut.”

Award winners pose for a photo. From left to right are Evora Essoh, Charity Uche, Nicole Boland and Vayda Kaviok. Missing is Hattie Pameolik. Photo courtesy of the Department of Health