News Briefs A rare treat

Correction

The Arctic Bay graduation photo on page A5 of the July 10 edition of Nunavut News should have been credited to Const. Mark Long. Nunavut News regrets the error and any confusion or embarrassment it may have caused.

Aggravated assault investigation in Iqaluit

There was a stabbing in Iqaluit on the night of July 16.

Iqaluit

The RCMP responded to a call at 10:05 p.m. The victim at the scene was transported to hospital by ambulance and was said to be in stable condition.

Francois Jeffrey was arrested and charged with three offences under the Criminal Code: aggravated assault, failure to comply with a release order and failure to comply with a probation order.

Jeffrey is scheduled to appear in court next on Aug. 15.

RV Nuliajuk setting sail

Qikiqtaaluk

The Government of Nunavut’s research vessel (RV) Nuliajuk will be sailing around the territory this summer and fall.

“As part of our commitment to scientific exploration and environmental conservation, the vessel will visit various communities to conduct research and engage with community members,” a recent GN news release reads.

The vessel will be in Pond Inlet from July 28 to Aug. 14, Grise Fiord from Aug. 19 to 26, Qikiqtarjuaq from Sept. 2 to 12, Pangnirtung from Sept. 18 to October 9 and again from Oct. 11 to 17, and finally, in Iqaluit from Oct. 23 to 29.

Nunavummiut in those communities are invited to learn more about RV Nuliajuk and the research its crew is conducting by coming aboard for tours, activities and discussions.

The vessel will be open to people of all ages, but children under 16 will need to be accompanied by adults.

ICC meets in Nuuk

Greenland

The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) hosted its first in-person gathering since the pandemic July 17-19 in Nuuk, Greenland.

ICC normally holds a general assembly every four years, but the 2022 event was a hybrid meeting due to Covid-19 concerns. This year’s in-person gathering was called a delegates meeting and an opportunity to reflect on the organization’s progress, celebrate unity and further develop ICC work plans.

“ICC Greenland and the municipality of Avannaata Kommunia have been planning this for many years, and unfortunately the pandemic delayed the in-person event,” stated ICC chair Sara Olsvig. “Gathering as Inuit contributes to the original vision of unity across our Inuit homeland – Inuit Nunaat. We gain strength from meeting each other, from both our discussions and sharing our culture.”

Inuit from Chukotka were not able to attend in-person due to the Russian war in Ukraine.

The main themes for the meeting this year are internal ICC governance structure, marine governance, hunting and food security, infrastructure deficit and the international decade on Indigenous languages.

“Continuing the vision of our founders, we are bringing our voice to the international arena in many important areas – human rights, climate change, contaminants, international shipping, wildlife and health,” states Olsvig.

“Guided by the ICC 2022 General Assembly Declaration, which serves as our mandate throughout this four-year term, the gathering in Ilulissat will provide an important venue to further discuss our priorities and advocacy.”

Aviation scholarship available

The hits keep coming as the tuugaalik (narwhal) are evidently in Rankin Inlet, a rarity for the town. Tracey Ayaruak sent in this photo of Norman Okalik with his first narwhal this past weekend at Marble Island just outside of Rankin Inlet. She added a thank you to Chris and Sandy Papik, Blaine Chislett, Elliot Adams and Ray Pudlat and his sons for helping cut it up. Photo courtesy of Anulik and Tracey Ayaruak

Nunavut

Applications for the Simata Pitsiulak Aviation Scholarship are now open.

Any students who are going to school to train as a pilot, aircraft maintainer, flight attendant or studying airline or airport operations might be eligible. The scholarship is up to $7,500 per student to help pay for education costs.

Eligible applicants must be currently enrolled in school to train as a pilot, aircraft maintainer, flight attendant or in airline or airport operations; be a Nunavut Inuk or a full-time resident of Nunavut (two-year minimum residency); and plan to work in Nunavut after finishing their education.

Full-time online courses and commercial flight time-building will be considered.

The application deadline is Aug. 31, 2023.

For more information, please email edt@gov.nu.ca or call 1-888-975-5999.