Nunavut News - May 1, 2023

Training opportunities paramount to ensure Inuit participation in mining industry, says RIA representatives

Inuit need to take pride in work, says Kivalliq Inuit Association COO

By

Wright

Up to 10,000 young Nunavummiut are expected to enter the workforce in the coming years. A common theme for two panel discussions which took place at the Nunavut Mining Symposium on April 26.

The first panel discussion on this topic took place between Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated vice-president Paul Irngaut, Qikiqtani Inuit Association vice-president Levi Barnabas and Kivalliq Inuit Association chief operating officer Gabriel Karlik.

The president of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association Robert Greenly was slated to also speak, however he was unable to attend due to flight delays coming into Iqaluit.

“We need to look at the youth and prepare them,” said Irngaut.

Nunavut’s youth are expected to be tomorrow’s leaders in Canada’s youngest territory and the speakers emphasised the need to get them ready.

“The biggest thing we see at KIA is that education and training can be the biggest aspect of our territory. We’re such a young territory where the majority are our youth,” said Karlik. Housing, education and training opportunities are paramount in this regard, he adds, saying people have to be proud of what they’re doing in order to encourage more to come on board with training.

“Take that next step, allow them to take pride in what they’re going to do and then nurture it some more.”

“Nothing is given to you, you have to work hard for it. People who are working hard, we have to promote them up,” said Karlik, and to allow these hard workers to help others who are falling behind.

“We’re trying to build youth capacity,” adds Irngaut, saying people learn faster with on the job training.

It’s not just education in people that need nurturing, but also the education system itself, says the QIA vice-president, who worked with the education transition team during Nunavut’s creation in 1999.

Barnabas added Nunavut’s training landscape was hindered during the creation of Nunavut, with programs falling to the side as the two governments were seeking a debtfree transition.

“We started an (Inuktitut) educational program from grade seven to grade 12 and then transition happened,” said Barnabas, “at that time I remember both governments, NWT and Nunavut, didn’t want any deficits.”

Programs available before were no longer available after Nunavut was created, to get back from this, Barnabas advocated the return of different school boards such as health or language to advocate for better programming in these areas as well as to encourage training in careers such as mining.

When it comes to mining, said Irngaut, he said companies need to keep in mind that Inuit still largely get their food from the land, through hunting, fishing and trapping. Particularly the times when they can’t afford food at the local grocery stores.

Despite ongoing issues around Nunavut’s education system and training Inuit for the workforce, Irngaut remains optimistic for today’s young people, who he says are very smart and are always learning new things.

“These little kids are playing with phones that, when I was growing up, never existed. Even though they might not be fully educated, they have that technology. I’m really hopeful for the future even though we need to be training more young people.”

Nunavummiut need to take pride in their work before encouraging other to do the same, said Kivalliq Inuit Association COO Gabriel Karlik. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

QIA vice-president Levi Barnabas advocated for the return of various school boards to advocate for better programming. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

NTI vice-president Paul Irngaut says he is hopeful for today’s young people despite Nunavut needing more education and training opportunities. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

Trevor

Northern News Services Iqaluit

More training opportunities needed, says Nunavut mining industry panel

Invest in Inuit, says NAC dean of trades and technology

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Iqaluit

One of the major themes for the first full day of the Nunavut Mining Symposium on April 26 was training, and discussions centred around training Nunavummiut and Inuit for the workforce and introducing them into one of the territory’s fastest growing sectors.

This was the topic for an industry panel featuring representatives from the Government of Nunavut, Baffinland, Agnico Eagle and Nunavut Arctic College.

“There’s a very uneven formal education in Nunavut,” said Robert Clift, director of the career development division under Nunavut’s department of family services.

Around a third of the divisions development budget goes toward adult education programs, which Clift says provides a view into Nunavut’s education system.

“Some communities you might have a good math and science teacher, others you don’t. All these things contribute to the uneven level people come to us with.”

“We need to meet Nunavummiut where they are,” said Clift, when asked about getting more Nunavummiut into minnig.

In a traditional career development setting, he says, you enroll in a program, you either suceed or you find another one.

That system doesn’t quite work for Nunavut. Clift says despite some success stories, a different approach is needed.

Literacy, numeracy training and work readiness training are all a part of the programs family services is funding through third parties for Nunavummiut.

“As of this past fall, we’re in the house-buliding training business, in partnership with NCC as part of the Nunavut 3000 project,” said Clift.

Other solutions are also being explored, one example being a pilot project for a dual credit program in Rankin Inlet, where Albert Nester, Nunavut’ Arctic College’s dean of trades in technology currently works.

“Seeing that we have 10,000 youth getting ready for the workforce, we have a lot of potential there,” said Nester, also speaking on the panel.

Making people more aware of the opportunities mining present is also very important, says Guillaume Bigue, manager of people with Agnico Eagle Mines, and formerly responsible for human resources and training at Agnico’s three Nunavut operations.

“We have to make sure kids know about mining opportunities. We have plenty of jobs out there for these youth. But we have to make sure they know what mining is about,” said Bigue, who added it’s already happening through school visits, career fairs and school visits to mines. The mine visits, says Bigue gives a good, hands-on experience for young Nunavummiut.

Mining, and the revenue from mining is key toward making Nunavut self-sufficent, says Paul Quassa, special advisor to the president of Baffinland Iron Mines, Brian Penney, as well as former Nunavut premier and one of the chief negotiators of the

Special advisor to Baffinland president Brian Penney and former Nunavut premier Paul Quassa said Inuit need to be respected in Nunavut. Trevor

Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

However mining companies have to have “meaningful and attainable principles from the start”, and to meet and respect Inuit where they are in their territory.

This can range from training, to employees learning Inuktitut words, even if it’s just starting out with basic greetings such as ullaakkut (good morning), unnusakkut (good afternoon) or unnukkut (good evening).

“The majority of our population up here is Inuit, therefore we do have a certain value that we all have to respect in order for us to work together. Reconciliation is one of the strongest words that we hear, everything that happens up here must be connected to reconciliation.”

“We have to be guided by respecting Inuit knowledge and traditional values,” said Quassa.

Robert Clift, director of career development at Nunavut’s department of family services, says you have to meet Nunavummiut where they are, in terms of training. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

Albert Nester, dean of trades and technology with Nunavut Arctic College in Rankin Inlet, says investment in Inuit is needed in order to develop Nunavut. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

Wright/NNSL photo

A helicopter passes over excavation equipment at the Mary River exploration camp, the site of a proposed iron mine on northern Baffin Island, Aug.17, 2006. The owner of an iron ore mine on the tip of Baffin Island says it needs to again increase production to prevent job losses, and several federal cabinet ministers are calling on a Nunavut environmental assessment agency to prioritize the request.

Canadian Press/ Vinne Karetak

Baffinland requests further production increase at Nunavut iron ore mine

The owner of an iron ore mine on the tip of Baffin Island says it needs to again increase production to prevent job losses, and several federal cabinet ministers are calling on a Nunavut environmental assessment agency to prioritize the request.

Baffinland Iron Mines Corp. wants to increase the amount of ore it’s allowed to truck and ship from its Mary River mine to six-million tonnes, from 4.2 million, for both 2023 and 2024. It says the increase is needed to ensure a stable supply of iron ore to customers and that if it’s not granted, it will have to scale back operations, including reducing employment.

The company is also requesting that, beyond the six-million tonnes, it be allowed to ship ore that was stranded at the Milne port last year, as well as any that could be left behind at the end of this year’s shipping season due to “unexpected circumstances.” It said that last year, large volumes of early sea ice in Milne Inlet resulted in shipping operations having to end several weeks early.

Baffinland has asked the Nunavut Impact Review Board to make a recommendation on the request by August.

In a letter sent to the review board last week, Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, alongside other relevant federal ministers, said Baffinland’s timeline was “reasonable” and the request should be made a priority.

Baffinland was previously granted approval to extract, transport and ship up to six-million tonnes of ore from the mine in 2018, while it awaited a decision on a separate proposal to increase production to 12-million tonnes as part of long-term expansion plans at the mine. The temporary production increase was extended until the end of 2021.

When Baffinland requested a further extension in 2022, it said it would have to lay off nearly 1,200 employees once the limit of 4.2 million tonnes was met. When the extension was granted in October, the company said it was rescinding all termination notices. The following month, federal ministers rejected Baffinland’s request to double production at the mine to 12-million tonnes, in line with a recommendation from the review board, citing concerns about potential negative environmental and socio-economic impacts.

Baffinland’s long-term expansion proposal included plans to build a 110-kilometre railway north from the mine to the port at Milne Inlet.

The company has said it is now considering constructing a railway south from the mine to Steensby Inlet. A proposal for that project was approved in 2012, but Baffinland did not pursue it due to funding concerns.

Several governments and organizations have written to the Nunavut Impact Review Board in response to Baffinland’s recent request to increase shipping to six-million tonnes until the end of 2024.

The Nunavut hamlets of Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet and Sanirajak, as well as the International Union of Operating Engineers and the Ikajutit Hunters and Trappers Organization in Arctic Bay, have indicated they support the proposal.

A letter from Arctic Bay states the proposal is “essentially the status quo” and expresses concern that any reduction in Baffinland’s ability to raise capital for a southern railway could result in reduced benefits for the hamlet.

“The Hamlet of Arctic Bay has many residents working at the Mary River Mine. Anything and everything that could result in loss of employment to our residents could cause great economic impact on having local people trained and local people employed,” the letter states.

The Municipality of Igloolik and the Sanirajak Hunters and Trappers Association said they would also support the proposal if a baseline study is completed for marine and terrestrial wildlife around Steensby, communities affected by shipping are given additional benefits, and communities are consulted.

—By The Canadian Press. This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The

Nunavut News presents the Amazing On-the-Land contest, generously sponsored by NCC Investment Group Inc., visit www.nccig.ca today. Send in your entry to Nunavut News by Facebook messaging.

Ami’naaq Amaruq sent us this photo from Baker Lake. It was captured on April 23, 2023 at 8:30 p.m.

Peter Aqqaq sent us this image from Taloyoak. Good fishing in Qamaninayuk, 105 miles north of Taloyoak.

Janet Ishalook sent us this photo from Arviat. At Maguse Lake called Padlei, Northwest of Arviat Nunavut on Saturday April 15, 2023. Didn’t need to use ice auger to make a fishing hole, it’s an open water, just needs chisel to make fishing hole.

WINNER! Naimie Kopalie sent us this image of an iceberg taken near Qikiqtarjuaq.

Jutanie Pillaktuaq sent us this image from Nunavut.

Bernard Maktaaq sent us this photo from Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet). View from a gazebo.

Published Mondays

Office: 626 Tumiit Plaza, Iqaluit, NU

Box 28, X0A 0H0

Reporter: Trevor Wright

Translator: Ruth Kadlutsiak

Advertising:

Phone: (867) 979-5990

Fax: (867) 979-6010

Toll free: (855) 447-2584

Email: editor@nunavutnews.com

Website: www.nunavutnews.com

Kivalliq office: Box 657, Rankin Inlet, NU, X0C 0GO

Phone: (867) 645-2862

Email: kivalliqnews@nnsl.com

Hello spring and goodbye winter

CMCA AUDITED

Website: www.nnsl.com/kivalliqnews

Production facilities: Box 2820, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2R1

Phone: (867) 873-4031

Fax: (867) 873-8507

Email: editorial@nnsl.com advertising@nunavutnews.com circulation@nnsl.com

Website: www.nnsl.com

FOUNDER (1934-2018): J.W. (Sig) Sigvaldason GROUP PUBLISHER

Mike W. Bryant – mike.bryant@nnsl.com

MANAGING EDITOR

James McCarthy – james.mccarthy@nnsl.com

ACCOUNTING: receivables@nnsl.com

Sophie Wu

EDITORIAL BOARD:

Mike W. Bryant • James McCarthy

Derek Neary

NEWS EDITORS

James McCarthy • Sean Murphy

EDITORIAL PRODUCTION: editor@nunavutnews.com

Sports: sports@nnsl.com

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION

Production manager: Jennifer Reyes

ADVERTISING advertising@nunavutnews.com

All departments: advertising@nnsl.com

National: James Boylan

Classified Advertising: classifieds@nnsl.com

Director of product development: Laura Whittle

Admin ad controller: Liezrie Maala

CIRCULATION – circulation@nnsl.com

Circulation Director: Edison Mathew

Circulation clerk: Bill Hutchinson

Subscriptions: One year mail $75

Online (entire content) $50/year

NNSL Media, a division of Black Press Media

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

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l'appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

Member of the Ontario Press Council. The Ontario Press Council was created to defend freedom of the press on behalf of the public and press alike and to consider specific, unsatisfied complaints from readers about the conduct of the press in gathering and publishing news, opinion and advertising.

Complaints should go to: The Ontario Press Council, 2 Carlton St., Suite 1706 Toronto, Ont., M5B 1J3

Email: Info@ontpress.com Fax: 1-416-340-8724 www.ontpress.com

SEND US YOUR COMMENTS

Email us at: editorial@nnsl.com; mail to Box 28, Iqaluit, NU, X0A 0H0; or drop your letter off at our office at 102 Tumiit Plaza. 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. 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.

HALLUU INUIN HUMILIKIAK. HILA ALIANAQHIJUQ. INUIN AUDLALUGAKTUT TUKTUHIUKTUTLU UMINGMAKHIUKTUTLU IQALIQIVAKTUTLU. ALAPAAQNAIKMAN ANIIKNAKHIJUQ. NUTAQQAT ANIIGAKPANGNIALIQMIJUT. ULAPQINAHUAT IQALUKTUUTIAMI MAY 1522, 2023MI. HOGALUKLU KITKUTLLU IKAJUQNAHUAT IHUAKHAINAHUAT HUMIKLU QANUQLU ULAPQIJAMI. PINGUUKNAHUATLU. ULAISIKNAHUATLU SIKITUUT INUIT. HUMIKLU PINAHUAT. IKAJUGUMAGUVIT UPAINNARIALIQ HOGALUKMUN TITIRAKVIANI.

Hello spring and goodbye winter. Yes, spring is on the way and warmer weather. It is the best time of year when everyone spends more time outdoors after a long cold winter. Many residents will go out hunting and fishing out on the land and ocean, lakes and go to their cabins. Time to get your sunglasses out and especially for children so they don’t get snow blind. Just ask the Transglobal Car Expedition crew who once again travelled on ice and land with all their vehicles. Checking out the ice conditions was their main daily event while on the trip. Last year, they flew in their vehicles to Yellowknife and then travelled towards Cambridge Bay and then up to Resolute Bay. Drove back to Cambridge Bay to store their equipment for a year, and back on the land and ice and this time went to Boothia Strait and spent few days in Taloyoak and to meet with the HTO Board and explain about the drowning of one of their vehicles nearby Taloyoak. Transglobal was able to lift out the truck out of the water/ice last

CAMBRIDGE BAY TEA TALK

with Navalik Tologanak email: helent@qiniq.com

year with a helicopter. It was stressful wondering of the vehicle would leak fuel/gas into the ocean and cause pollution. The meetings went well, and now kids and adults alike have got to tour and hop on the yemelyas. It was quite popular with children visiting the crew and talking and asking questions. It was great to know that the expedition went well and safely. When events like this happen, all things are possible. Quana Omiik and crew! Will see you again next year. The reason for this trip and expedition was 15 days long with testing and training on water crossing and pressure ridges. Andrew Comrie-Picard quotes that “there will be no room for error or time for extra training on our expedition to the geographic pole next year, so we have to be ready!” With climate change happening and changes to our weather land and waters and skies, it is important to find ways to cope with changes, and our Elders have observed and living this happening now days.

Once again, the Omingmak Frolics are happening in May. Plans are being finalized to schedule the annual spring festival May 15-22, 2023 in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. All the snowmobile racers will be fixing up their machines, lots of prizes to be won and as always the number one rule is safety. A couple of times in the past the racetracks had to be adjusted or changed due to not enough snow on the land. We hope everyone will have a safe festival and the organizers are always looking for volunteers and donations of prize items. Go and see Tracy at the wellness centre if you want to volunteer. Don’t forget your sunglasses and cameras. Enjoy spring everyone. Be safe. Take good care.

God Be With You Son.

Northern News Services

Kids having fun visiting the Transglobal Car Expedition in Taloyoak, Nunavut. Here is Andrew Comrie-Picard one of the main expedition member giving tours of the amphibious yemelya’s. Photo courtesy of Transglobal Car Expedition

The majesty of the mountains amid the sun shining down on the nuna makes for scenic travel for members of the expedition. Photo courtesy of Transglobal Car Expedition

On the road, heading along the ice trail from Cambridge Bay to Gjoa Haven then Taloyoak with the Russian yemelyas of the Transglobal Car Expedition. Photo courtesy of Transglobal Car Expedition

Welcome to Taloyoak! Here is Transglobal Car Expedition arriving into Taloyoak, Nunavut on a nice spring day. Residents watching on the ice these unique and different vehicles. Photo courtesy of Transglobal Car Expedition

Hunters from Taloyoak look at maps with Transglobal representatives as to which route is the best to take. Here is Inuk Aiyout and George Aklah of the hunters and trappers organization in Taloyoak. Photo courtesy of Transglobal Car Expedition

When you travel out on the land as a visitor, it’s always best to have Inuit knowledge and guides to keep you from getting lost and being safe and warm the Inuit Way. Here is Andrew Comrie-Picard, a member of the Transglobal Car Expedition, with George Aklah and Inuk Aiyout of the Spence Bay Hunters and Trappers Association discussing the possible routes for Transglobal Expedition. Photo courtesy of Transglobal Car Expedition

On air in Taloyoak at the local radio station explaining to residents about the expedition with Jeannie Ugyuk interpreting for Andrew Comrie-Picard, listening and accompanying Andrew is Joe Ashevak - Chairperson of Spence Bay HTO Taloyoak, Jimmy UllikatalikManager, Spence Bay Hunter’s & Trapper’s Association and Rita Epelon on switchboard.

Photo courtesy of Transglobal Car Expedition

A Nunavut sundog arches across the sky along the trail from Cambridge Bay to Taloyoak with Transglobal Car Expedition. Photo courtesy of Transglobal Car Expedition

Inuktitut fashion show wows

Event part of Inuktitut Language Month at Leo Ussak Elementary School

By Stewart Burnett

Adorned in the creations and gifts of family members and loved ones, students at Leo Ussak Elementary School showed off their cultural attire at a fashion show held Friday, April 21.

“You get to show what your family members had made, who made it, and it’s just to show pride,” said Inuktitut teacher Charmaine Okatsiak.

“It’s a physical, visual thing to show our Inuit culture.”

Students received cheers as they walked the gymnasium runway one at a time.

Okatsiak said she could tell the youth were proud while preparing to walk out, telling teachers, ‘Look who made this’ or ‘My grandma made that.’

“It shows pride in who they are as Inuit,” said Okatsiak. “And one student even told me, ‘This is my great-great-greatgreat-great-grandma’s.’”

Okatsiak, along with Appolina Makkigak and Mona Tadayon helping with the fashion show, held events all month for students, such as a day focused on Inuktitut names.

“They got to write their name in Inuktitut and Roman orthography,” said Okatsiak. “Within their class, they could talk about who they were named after. That’s really important.”

She was glad to see the pride in students’ faces.

“We need to communicate with our grandparents, our parents and everybody in our community,” said Okatsiak, asked about the importance of the language.

“When we speak Inuktitut, our community members are really happy. We need to keep it strong. When they learn it at school, they bring it home.”

Evangeline Pupupuuq Pissuk walks the runway. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Northern News Services

Local Journalism Initiative

Rankin Inlet

Keshawn Ayaruak struts. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Teresina Waldland shows off a vintage look. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Rylee Eecherk smiles to the crowd. Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo

Jacob Kappi waves to the audience. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Malaiyah Kabluitok gives a wave. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Maybelline Adams smiles down the runway. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Reid Eecherk catches a look down the runway. Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo

Pituaq Okalik laughs amid cheers. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Melissa Arualak carries her doll. Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo

Red Dress Day march for missing and murdered women to take place in Iqaluit

Inuit women and girls experience rates of violence

14 times higher than national average

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Iqaluit

The Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council, alongside the Agvik YWCA, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada and the Government of Nunavut are hosting a march in Iqaluit together on May 5, Red Dress Day.

The day is an annual event in memory of

Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, with the red dress symbolizing the missing women and girls. The march will be taking place 3 p.m. Friday, May 5 starting with a small ceremony at the Qulliit office (building 978B), then ending at the Iqaluit Centennial Library around 4 p.m.

“Inuit women experience violence at a rate 14 times higher than the national average. Indigenous women are more likely to experience

physical or sexual abuse during childhood then non-Indigenous women,” said Cate Macleod, executive director of the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council. She adds non-Indigenous people need to understand the higher frequency of gender-based violence against Inuit and Indigenous women and girls must be understood in the context of colonization and the way it changed traditional ways of life.

“It is vital that non-Indigenous people understand colonization and the role governments played in creating these injustices,” said Macleod.

“It is our job to listen, learn and understand that solutions and healing must be led by Indigenous People.”

Qulliit is currently planning to launch a yearlong artistic initiative to honour Nunavut’s missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and will provide more detail in a future update.

The Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council, alongside others, will be hosting a march in honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women on Red Dress Day, May 5. From left, carrying the Qulliit banner in Iqaluit last year, Qulliit president Sileema Angoyuak, Nunavut Law Society President Sandhya Chari and RCMP Officer Cpl. Tammy Keller. NNSL file photo

Kugluktuk celebrates 42nd annual Nattiq Frolics

Festival dedicated to return of sun

return of the sun ran from April 17 to 23.

Snowmobile races, fishing, community feasts and more formed the celebrations for community members.

The 42nd annual Nattiq Frolics in Kugluktuk was celebrated in April.

The annual spring festival dedicated to the

Joining community members in this celebration were Nunavut premier P.J. Akeeagok and Kugluktuk MLA Bobby Anavilok.

Janet Kadlun and John Kaiyogana smile for the camera while serving the public burgers at a Sabina Gold and Silver sponsored event. Photo courtesy of Beth Brown

Kugluktuk residents attend a community feast, serving left to right, Kugluktuk MLA Bobby Anavilok, RCMP wife Lynn Moreau and Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok. Photo courtesy of Beth Brown

Cakes made by the residents of Kugluktuk in celebration of the 42nd annual Nattiq Frolics.

Photo courtesy of Beth Brown

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Kugluktuk

Baffin Fisheries seeks to expand to internatonal markets with Baffin Seafood

Nascent fisheries in eastern Nunavut continue to grow

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Qikiqtaaluk

Baffin Fisheries has launched a new brand for its products in hopes of reaching more international customers, the company announced on April 25.

Baffin Seafood, debuting at the Seafood Expo Global 2023 in Spain will be acting as a broker for the international sale of seafood products from the Qikiqtaaluk (also known as Baffin) region. Along with the debut, a satellite office has also been established in Denmark to ensure connectivity with international markets.

“We are proud to launch new options for brokering premium seafood products globally and, most importantly, bringing increased economic

benefits to the people and communities right here at home,” said Rick Lambe, the new CEO of Baffin Seafood.

Lambe previously served with Baffin Fisheries first as a sales director in 2015, then the chief operating officer since 2017.

Lambe hopes the company’s offices in Denmark as well as Newfoundland and Labrador, two large seafood distributors, will yield positive results in reaching new markets for Nunavut products.

Baffin Fisheries is owned by the Iqaluit, Pangnirtung, Kimmirut, Pond Inlet and Clyde River hunters and trappers associations (HTAs).

The future is bright for the company, says Lambe. With a new trawler under construction in Turkey expected to be delivered mid-2024 and the creation of Baffin Seafood.

One less thing to worry about

Ikurraq Food Bank/Deacon’s Cupboard raises $150 for Sila Rainbow

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services

Ikurraq Food Bank/Deacon’s Cupboard raised $150 for Sila Rainbow in Arviat through an outreach program.

Donna Adams, coordinator at the food bank, travelled to Arviat with six containers of clothing from the thrift store. Calm Air provided a pass to take the containers to Arviat so Adams could hold a $5-abag sale, with the proceeds going to community organization Sila Rainbow.

“My goal is for women to have one less thing to worry

about,” said Adams. “Women, mothers have their plates full so at least helping them with clothing is a great support. All kids love getting new or decent clothes.”

Adams said the food bank and thrift store wouldn’t be able to do things like this without generous donations from all over Canada and especially from residents of Rankin Inlet.

“We will continue sending more containers to the rest of the communities,” said Adams.

“Rankin is so fortunate to have a weekly foodbank and secondhand thrift store.”

ᓕᐴᑎ ᑭᒍᓯᐅᑦᓈᖅ, ᑎᓴᒪᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᓕᒃ ᐊᑭᓕᖅᓱᖅᑕᐅᙱᖦᖢᓂ

ᐱᓕᕆᔪᖅ, ᐃᑲᔪᖅᐸᒃᐳᖅ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᓐᓄᕌᓂᒃ ᑭᐳᒥ

ᐊᔾᔨᓕᐅᖅᑕᐅᔪᖅ ᑖᓇ ᐋᑕᒻᔅ

Baffin Fisheries has spun off a new company, Baffin Seafood, in hopes of expanding the market for Nunavut fish. Photo courtesy of Baffin Fisheries

Community members gather as Ikurraq Food Bank/Deacon’s Cupboard hosts a thrift sale in Arviat to raise money for a local organization. Photo courtesy of Donna Adams

Liberty Kigusiutnar, a four-year-old volunteer, helps set up clothing on tables during the event. Photo courtesy of Donna Adams

Arctic Bay’s David Oyukuluk winner of 2023 Nunavut Quest

Iqaluit’s Jovan Simic recieves honourable mention

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Qikiqtaaluk

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association, one of the sponsors for the Nunavut Quest, has announced the winners of this year’s Nunavut Quest on April 21.

This year, 12 participants and their dog teams took part in the quest, taking off on a journey from Iglulik to Arctic Bay, trekking roughly 422 kilometres over nine days. The winners of this year’s Nunavut Quest are as follows:

- First place: David Oyukuluk, 41:01:31

- Second place: Terry Uyarak, 42: 24:28

- Third place: Joshua Hauli, 45:13:19

- Fourth place: Donovan Qaunaq, 46:29:23

- Fifth place: Lee Inuarak, 48:27:42

- Sixth place: Jonah Qaunaq, 49:26:17

- Seventh place: Jeremy Koonoo, 51:56:47

- Eighth place: Michael Inuarak, 53:24:20

-Ninth place: Apak Taqtu, 55:51:15

- 10th place: Owen Willie, 59:40: 34

- 11th place: Christopher Piugattuk Jovan Simic, a non-Inuk dog musher from Iqaluit, in-eligible for the main competition, received an honourable mention, with a time of 40:16:36.

“The ongoing legacy of the Nunavut Quest embodies the perseverance and abilities Inuit have harnessed and perfected since time immemorial,” said QIA president Olatuk Akesuk.

“Each completed quest proves the (Qikiqtani Truth Commission) milestones are being reinforced and accomplished.”

QIA sponsorship included a country food feast, prize money, gas and oil support for snowmobiles, camp and dog food as well as veterinary services and a snowmobile support team.

Next year’s Nunavut Quest will be taking place from Arctic Bay to Pond Inlet.

The 2022 Nunavut Quest started in Arctic Bay and ended in Iglulik, where Jonah Qaunaq was declared the winner. The 2023 winner was David Oyukuluk. Photo courtesy of Lisa Amarualik

An impactful date

Love for racing and love for lost father combine in memories of Pakallak Tyme

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Rankin Inlet Local Journalism Initiative

For Hop Issaluk, Rankin Inlet’s Pakallak Tyme brings up a difficult but grounding memory.

April 30th, 2009, Issaluk remembers racing Jason Todd’s snowmobile in his first-ever Pakallak Tyme cross country race as a junior. After four or five laps, his snowmachine had a malfunction.

“I continued as long as the sled would go until it could no longer drive,” said Issaluk.

He got to Todd’s truck feeling down, when Todd told him to lighten up and that it was just a race.

But Issaluk had a gut feeling at the time something more was going on.

As the day went on, Issaluk returned to Todd’s place after lunch, when Todd received a phone call for Issaluk.

“I answer and the only words I hear are, ‘You need to go to the hospital,’” recalls Issaluk.

When he arrived, his sisters were outside crying.

His father, Luke Issaluk Sr., had died from a heart attack that day while competing in the dog mushing race.

“My dad passed away doing what he loved,” said Issaluk.

Every year since, Pakallak Tyme has been an emotional event for Issaluk.

“I wish all the participants of the races nothing but the best,” he said.

“Love each and every one of you. Many of you don’t know it, but your smiles and eagerness to race keeps me motivated. Keeps me from falling on my knees.”

News Briefs

Qilaut winners announced

Qilaut 2023 will take place in the fall.

viduals for extraordinary contributions to the development of sport in Nunavut.

Nunavut

After going through more than 30 submissions and judged by a peer-panel based on originality, creativity, melody and lyrics, the top 10 winning songs of the Government of Nunavut’s Qilaut 22 contest were announced.

The winning songs are:

1st - Jocelyn Ukutak Malla- Kajjaarijara

2nd - Rosalie Pissuk Siqiniq- Qaumalirivuq

3rd - Rosalie Pissuk- Tariurmi Sukkaitumik Kaggaaraqtuq

4th - Shawna Seeteenak- Malinnga

5th - Abraham Eetak- Takugakkit

6th - Eva Okatsiak- Anaanaga tuksiaqpuq

7th - Jocelyn Arreak- Kajjaarijakka

8th - Abraham Eetak- Quvianaqtuq

9th - Joanasie Aglak- Inuusivut Aksurungnaqtuq

10th - Eli Qaqqasiq-Taqtu Upinngaarainnuk

The judges included Leena Evic, Mary Poisey and Jo Ellen Pameolik. The theme for 2022 was Kajjaarijara.

The top three winners receive $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500 respectively, and the seven runners-up receive $500 each. All 10 songs will be professionally recorded, and a CD will be released featuring the winning songs.

Nominations open for sport awards

Nunavut

The Department of Community and Government Services’ Sport and Recreation Division is accepting applications and nominations for the sport and scholarship awards. For sport awards, nominations are open to recognize indi-

For the scholarship program, Nunavut students pursuing a post-secondary program in the field of physical education, kinesiology, sport administration, sport sciences or recreation at a recognized college or university may be eligible to apply for a scholarship.

Applications are due Friday, May 5, 2023. For an application/ nomination package, contact: srinfo@gov.nu.ca

Avaatalaaq Kaluraq and Karl Muckpaloo spend an afternoon sliding in Baker Lake. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Louisa Issaluk, left, sits with Luke Issaluk Sr. Issaluk Sr. passed away during Pakallak Tyme in 2009. Photo courtesy of Hop Issaluk

For more employment advertising, from all Northern News Services newspapers go to our website at: jobs.nnsl.com