Nunavut News, Aug. 14, 2023 edition

Inspired youth

The Nunavut News team

In light of the Online News Act, Meta has removed Canadian journalism from Facebook. While our time on that particular platform has ended, we’re not going anywhere.

Our collective passion and commitment to bring you the news that matters most is unwavering.

Fires. Crime. Elections. Community Events. Sports team wins. Birthdays. Volunteering and grass-roots movements. Through it all, we’ve been there to chronicle all that our community has been and all that it can be.

When you need us, we tell the stories that inform and hopefully share something new about your community you didn’t know before.

So how can you stay informed?

• Sign up to local newsletters, delivered right to your digital doorstep. Use the QR code below for quick signing up.

• Add us to your phone’s home screen. This way, in one easy click you’ll find endless local news everyday.

• Help us spread the word. Share this messaging with friends and family so they know how to find relevant local news.

We thank you for supporting the work we do.

cut through

Get local news straight from the source

Scan the QR code or visit our website:

www.nunavutnews.com

Decorated speed skater aims to inspire the next generation as she sets off for university

Multiple-time gold medal winner will take her skating career to the next level in Calgary, and plans to coach in Nunavut in the future

By Tom Taylor Northern News Services

Local Journalism Initiative reporter

It has already been an extremely busy year for Iqaluit’s Akutaq Williamson Bathory, but the 18-year-old from Iqaluit is just getting started.

In the span of eight months, she won three gold medals for Nunavut in short-track speed skating at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games in Alberta, smashed several Nunavut speed skating records at the Canada Winter Games in PEI, and graduated high school with a $100,000 scholarship from the Loran Scholars Foundation — enough, in sum, to earn quite a bit of media attention.

Come September, she will add another accomplishment to the list when she flies south to begin studying sociology at the University of Calgary.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” she said of the move. “I know it will be a huge adjustment mentally, physically and emotionally, but it’s going to be rough no matter where I go for the first few weeks or months. I’m looking forward to the whole adventure of it, because what’s excitement without a little bit of fear.”

While much of Williamson Bathory’s time will be spent studying and socializing with new friends, she will also continue speed skating.

She will train six days a week, on and off the university’s

Olympic Oval. That will include a four-hour session on Saturday mornings — much longer than the one and two-hour sessions she’s grown accustomed to in Iqaluit.

“That’s going to be a huge adjustment,” she said. Despite all she’s achieved as a speed skater, Williamson Bathory still has some big goals in the sport. For starters, she aims to skate 500 metres in less than 50 seconds.

“I really want to achieve that and I know that I will,” she said. “I know I can push myself.

“I know I’ll get stronger over the years.”

Many of the 18-year-old’s goals have other Nunavummiut youth at heart: she aims to inspire that up-and-coming generation.

“I want to beat my personal records and continue to be a role model for the younger kids to show them that they have these great opportunities, and show them that they have the ability to take advantage of those opportunities and continue thriving on this beautiful land that we’ve been raised on.”

As an established athlete and coach with the Nunavut Speed Skating Association, Williamson Bathory sees particular potential in the territory’s young athletes, and hopes to have opportunities to teach and motivate those athletes in the future, just as her longtime coach Kyle St. Laurent has done for her since she started skating as a young girl.

“I’m definitely planning on coming back and continuing coaching, because speed skating has been such a big thing for me,” she said. “I really hope that I can come back to my community and help give that feeling to other kids.

“Nunavut has such strong, beautiful athletes and it’s amazing. I can’t wait to see what more there is to come for Nunavut athletes.”

The territory’s young athletes will have to do without Williamson Bathory’s mentorship while she is pursuing her degree in Calgary, but the 18-year-old was happy to share some advice with anybody who seeks to follow in her footsteps.

“Be confident in yourself and be brave and push forward,” she said. “To be from Nunavut is so beautiful. Be proud of who you are and where you come from.

“Some kids might feel isolated, and like they might not have support, which is another struggle in Nunavut, but take the tools that you have in front of you, and strive for great things in life.”

Iqaluit’s Akutaq Williamson Bathory practices with the Nunavut Speed Skating Association. The 18-year-old, who has already earned three gold medal in speed skating and a $100,000 scholarship this year, will soon head to the University of Calgary to study sociology. She plans to return to Iqaluit and coach younger speed skaters in the future.

Akutaq Williamson Bathory with her Arctic Winter Games gold medal in February. NNSL file photo

Photo courtesy of Akutaq Williamson Bathory

15-year-old figure skater sets off to Winnipeg for a year of training

By Tom Taylor Northern News Services Local Journalism Initiative reporter

It’s not easy to succeed as a figure skater in Iqaluit.

Kaniq Allerton has learned that the hard way, but will have an opportunity to take his career to the next level when he moves to Winnipeg for a year of intensive training—at just 15 years old.

“I am really excited,” he said just a few days before his departure.

Allerton has been figure skating since he was nine years old, and loved the pastime from the moment he first stepped onto the ice.

“It’s a beautiful sport,” he said. “I love watching figure skating when they glide gracefully on the ice, and I love the feeling the weightlessness when I jump.

“I like the feeling of cool air hitting my face while I skate, and I love spinning around the arena.”

Despite his affection for the sport, Allerton quickly began to encounter challenges. Chief among them was the limited ice time in Iqaluit. He and the other athletes on the city’s small figure skating club were only able to practice at the older, downtown arena, which is considered inferior to the Arctic Winter Games Arena across town. They had to find openings in a schedule dominated by hockey teams and the local speed skating association.

When Allerton and his training partners were able to get time on the ice, the surface was often in bad shape from previous use, which can lead to mistakes and even serious injuries. His coach has gone so far as to cancel practices due to poor ice conditions.

“The ice quality is not that great,” he acknowledged. “We can still skate on it, but it’s unsafe ice, I would say.”

Dealing with isolation

Being a figure skater in Iqaluit is also somewhat isolating. There are only a few other skaters in town, and even fewer male skaters.

All of this contributed to Allerton’s decision to move to Winnipeg.

In the Manitoba capital, he will have access to Skate Winnipeg’s experienced coaches, and more importantly, increased access to superior ice.

He will also be surrounded by skaters his age. He has already met some of them during previous competitions in Winnipeg, and has enjoyed getting ice cream and Vietnamese food with them in the city.

Allerton has also connected with the Manitoba Inuit Association and its CEO Nastania Mullin, who will be able to provide important support, should he need it.

The move to Winnipeg, of course, comes with some trepidation. The 15-year-old will be living with a host family, and starting at a new high school. He also admits he’s “a bit sad” about leaving his family.

There may be tough days, particularly in the early going, but Allerton will ultimately return to Nunavut a stronger, more ex-

perienced skater.

While he still has plenty of his own competitive goals, he hopes he can one day share his experience with the next generation of skaters in the territory as a coach. In fact, he’s dreaming even bigger than that. After some encouragement from his social studies teacher, Cory Allen, at Inuksuk High School, Allerton is considering opening his own figure skating school in the city some day.

He’s off to a good start in that regard. While he’s not yet qualified to coach older kids, he recently had the chance to teach a three-year-old boy, whose parents are from Zimbabwe and South Africa, how to skate for the first time, and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“I do like teaching children,” he said. “Honestly, I love it. I love teaching children the sport I do and love.”

Kanniq Allerton will have access to better facilities and support in Manitoba capital

From left, Skate Winnipeg head coach Dana McKee, 15-year-old athlete Kaniq Allterton and Skate Canada coach Tina Chen pose for a photo at a competition in Winnipeg in November 2022. Photo courtesy of Laura Thompson

Kaniq Allerton, 15, practices his figure skating in Iqaluit. Allerton will soon head to Winnipeg for a year of training. He ultimately hopes to become a certified Skate Canada coach.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Milosavljevic

KINDLY SPONSORED BY INVESTMENT GROUP INC.

Nunavut News presents the Amazing On-the-Land contest, generously sponsored by NCC Investment Group Inc., visit www.nccig.ca today.

The post on our page with the most reactions each week will win $100. Send in your entry to Nunavut News by Facebook messaging.

Oscar Tan Camano sent this image from Rankin Inlet. Taken on Aug. 2, 2023 at 9:30 p.m. as he walked through the Inuksuk and saw somebody cleaning some trash/garbage around. It made me proud for the people in the community, hoping also that vandalizing the area should stop and respect the Inuksuk, and they realize the significance of the place.

Delilah Abigail sent us these pictures from Naujaat.

Bernard Maktaaq sent us this photo from Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet). Close-up shots of qaqsau (loon) and qaqullu (Northern fulmar).

Chloe Kalluk sent us this image from Iqaluit. The scene when Chloe went out for fresh air on June 20, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

Daniel Michael Tapatai sent us this picture from Baker Lake. At the dock on June 9.

DarJason Metuituk sent this image from Kugluktuk. Daughter Tanisha when they were spring camping, her firsttime trying binoculars and she stayed in this spot for long time looking all over.

Gwendolin Angutingunirk sent us this image from Kugaaruk. Family’s nighttime snack — fresh piffi, beluga (caught by husband) and caribou.

Kathy Oogak sent us this photo from Gjoa Haven. Beautiful night of fishing in the Arctic Ocean taken on Aug. 1, 2023.

Madeleine Qumuatuq sent us this photo from Pangnirtung. One fine sunny day.

Nancy Aqqaq sent us this photo from Taloyoak. In the camp of Inukhulik, they went on a boat ride with calm water, little fog and a beautiful sunset.

Sandra Taqqaugaq sent this photo from Naujaat. Captured on Aug. 2, clam digging at Nuvuarjuk during low tide.

Mollie Apiana sent us this picture from Gjoa Haven. Her adoptive granddaughter who’s enjoying the sound of the river flow; she even laughed when I put her on the rock to take the picture at Swan Lake (a fishing lake half an hour walk from Gjoa Haven).

Published Mondays

Office: 626 Tumiit Plaza, Iqaluit, NU

Box 28, X0A 0H0

Reporter: Tom Taylor

Translator: Jeannie Angilirq

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

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

James McCarthy

Food and beverage industry on the mend as tourists return to Iqaluit

Nunavut Brewing Company and The Chartroom Lounge

struggled to survive the pandemic

By Tom Taylor Northern News Services Local Journalism Initiative reporter

This is the fourth installment in a multi-part series on the tourism sector in Nunavut post-pandemic.

On the morning of Thursday, August 10, Nunavut Brewing Company general manager Jason Oldham welcomed a group of customers who had just disembarked a cruise ship that was docked in Iqaluit.

Such a thing would have been unthinkable during the pandemic, when tourists vanished from the city and wider Nunavut completely.

NEWS EDITORS

• Derek Neary • 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.

“It seems like a lot of tourists are stopping by, or people from out of town at least,” Oldham said. “Business is bouncing back. We’re recovering, and we’re looking forward to hopefully a much better few years coming up with no shut-downs.”

Oldham joined Nunavut Brewing Company, nicknamed NuBrew, in September 2020, right around the time that the first lockdown of the pandemic ended.

The end of that initial lockdown saw a small amount of local customers return to the NuBrew taproom, which Oldham said is responsible for at least 50 per cent of the company’s business.

Still, the business was hindered by strict restrictions on capacity, and continued to struggle with similar rules for the remainder of the crisis.

“It was good to get people back in, but there were no tourists, and on top of that, we were limited to capacity with closures throughout,” he said. “We were closed for two or three months for three years in a row with no taproom revenue coming in.”

“It was hard.”

NuBrew made it through the pandemic, and did so without having to make significant layoffs.

Oldham credits the financial support programs that were available through the territorial and federal governments for the business’ survival.

“We were able to take advantage of some of the relief funding that was available,” he said. “We didn’t want to lay people off, so we used that money to help cover wages for people we had on full time, and help some of the operating costs that we had.”

“It would have been nice to see more [funding], but it was helpful, the funding that we did get. If we didn’t have that funding source, the brewery probably would have been nonexistent at this point.”

NuBrew was not the only business in Iqaluit’s food and beverage sector to suffer during the pandemic.

The Chartroom Lounge, the city’s only sports bar, also saw a big drop-off in business as tourists and visitors from other Nunavut communities disappeared.

“I’d say about a quarter of our business is from out of town—if not more,” he said Josh Dickson, the bar’s general manager . “A lot of people from small communities love coming to The Chartroom.

“It was very difficult,” he added. “We were shut down for months on end. I lost a lot of good staff due them not being able to work.

“Once we did open, only being able to open to 25 per cent capacity, and all the Covid restrictions and stuff made it really tough.”

‘Sit and wait and pray’

The Chatroom did not receive much in the way of relief funding from the Government of Nunavut or Canada, according to Dickson.

“It was kind of just sit and wait and pray that we were able to re-open,” he said. “I definitely would have liked to see something [in terms of funding].”

Things got so bleak, he said, that the owners briefly debated closing the bar down—just a few years after its 2019 opening.

“It was considered, but at the same time, a little money is better than no money,” he said. “We were able to least keep our head above water when we were open, and it gave the patrons something to look forward to. When the restrictions did lift, they

did have that reassurance that we would be open.

“It was very crippling,” he added. “Trying to establish your brand and establish your name in town, and then to have this happen, it definitely hindered what we were trying to do.”

The good news for Oldham and The Chartroom is that business is bouncing back—even if it’s yet to return to previous levels.

“It’s definitely coming back,” he said. “It’s definitely slower than it was pre-pandemic.”

“We’re drawing larger crowds. That’s really nice to see.”

With the pandemic behind us, and visitors returning, Iqaluit’s food and beverage industry has recovered enough that new businesses have begun to open.

One such business is Perrault Food Truck, a popular, rolling restaurant that serves burgers, hotdogs, and a popular buffalo chicken poutine, among other things.

Mathieu Perrault, one of the three owners of the truck, which opened last August and operates in the summer months, gave a positive assessment of the city’s food and beverage industry.

“People are getting to know us and the food more and more, especially on the sunny days,” he said.

Perrault could not provide firm numbers as to how much of his business comes from out of town, but said he would love to see the municipal and territorial governments do as much as they can to attract tourists to the city.

More visitors, after all, means more potential business.

“Of course,” he said when asked if he’d like to see more tourists in his queue. “We’re set up for a line-up all day long. If the line-up doesn’t stop, we’re happy with that.”

The interior of The Chartroom Lounge, a popular sports bar in Iqaluit. Josh Dickson, the bar’s general manager, said the disappearance of out-of-town visitors during the pandemic was ‘crippling’ for business. Photo courtesy of The Chartroom Lounge

The exterior of Iqaluit’s Nunavut Brewing Company in the winter. Jason Oldham, the brewery’s general manager, said the business would likely not have survived the pandemic without government support. Photo courtesy of Nunavut Brewing Company

Low-scoring finals in midget tournament

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services

The Braves came out on top of a three-team midget baseball tournament in Rankin Inlet in late July, capped with a low-scoring finals as the Braves overcame the Dodgers.

ᐳᕋᐃᕝᔅᑯᑦ ᓵᓚᖃᖅᐳᑦ ᒥᑭᓐᓂᖅᓴᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᐊᓇᐅᓕᒑᖅᑎᑕᐅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᓂ ᔪᓚᐃᒍᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ, ᓵᓚᖃᕆᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᑖᔪᑯᓂ.

ᐳᕋᐃᕝᔅ

Alyson McKay receives her gold. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo ᐊᓕᓯᓐ ᒪᑮ ᑰᓗᔾᑖᖅᐳᖅ

Catcher Kadin Eetuk is given his gold medal. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Kayden Mercer pitches for the Braves. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

The Braves give themselves and their opponent a cheer. Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo

Deryk Voisey smiles as he looks toward the dugout. Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo

top spot in the U16 slo-pitch tournament. Back row, from left, are Eddie Angootealuk, Isaiah Harron, Kingston Emiktowt, Jeff Taparti, Robert Dion, Nolan Nakoolak, Richard Pameolik and coach Charlie Nakoolak. Front row, from

are Janne Nakoolak, Ruby Ningeocheak and Ashlynn Nakoolak.

Coral Harbour takes home trophy

By Stewart

Six teams competed and Coral Harbour came out on top of the 2023 U16 Kivalliq Slo-Pitch Tournament held in Rankin Inlet Aug. 4-6. They defeated the Rankin Giants 16-11 in the

finals, as Rankin attempted to make a comeback in the late stages to bring the score closer but was thwarted by Coral Harbour’s strong defensive play.

Arviat took home third spot with Whale Cove in fourth.

Rankin Giants players line up to receive their silver medal. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Coral Harbour takes home

left,

Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Craig Aulatjut and Ryley Komakjuak share a moment while heading back to the dugout. Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo

A close play at the plate in the championship game as the Giants look to come back on Coral Harbour late. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Coral Harbour celebrates after the final out in the gold-medal game. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Burnett Northern News Services

Edwin Oklaga makes his way back to the dugout. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Makayla Kaludjak and Robert Dion are the top female player and top pitcher of the tournament, respectively. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Don Ikhakhik gives a thumbs up after receiving bronze for Arviat. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Connected in Ulukhaktok

Unique Internet network ready to launch in community

by Darrell Greer Northern News Services

Years of hard work and training will come to fruition the week of Aug. 14 when the small community of Ulukhaktok goes online with its own community network.

The project was made possible with the aid and backing of the Internet Society, a global non-profit organization with a mission of ensuring that the Internet is for everyone.

Part of achieving that mission is supporting community-led efforts to get fast, affordable and reliable Internet.

Internet Society spokesperson Natalie Campbell said the creation of community networks is, basically, a community developing its own Internet service-provider solution in a way that puts them in the driver’s seat.

She said the approach allows them to develop a solution that meets their own specific needs, rather than having to rely upon what the incumbent telecommunications operator has to offer.

“The Internet Society supports these kinds of solutions in every region of the world, usually through partnerships and technical training, as well as, at times, helping with seed funding and technical equipment,” said Campbell.

“Back in 2018 we hosted an indigenous connectivity summit, which is basically gathering indigenous-owned community-network operators.

“These are people who have solutions on how to promote more indigenous-led community networks, and who believe that Indigenous communities need to have faster, more affordable and reliable Internet.”

Campbell said the summit was held in Inuvik and the society partnered with the Inuvialuit Regional Corp. (IRC) to discuss how it could potentially set-up one of these community networks in Ulukhaktok with its population of about 400.

Following that, she said, the society held a community network training session in Ulukhaktok in 2019 .

“The only reason we were able to start this at all was because of the development of these partnerships.

“Partnerships are key in any community network and we had a good one with IRC, and the Hamlet of Ulukhaktok, itself, so folks in the community were really key to help host the technical training we did.”

The Internet Society helped explore different solutions for the community network, such as low-Earth-satellite-orbit solutions.

Additional partner

But, like so much across the globe, everything was, more or less, put on hold when Covid happened with all its restrictions, such as society members being limited in terms of travelling in and out of the community.

Campbell said, this year, the University of Washington was another partner that come into the mix with the project.

She said the network will, in fact, be finished using a low-Earth-orbit-satellite technology.

“If all the technical stuff goes well the week of Aug. 14th, the network will be set up and ready to give access to folks in the community through their cell phones.

“The society won’t have specific numbers on the network’s speed until it completes the final setup.

“Its early research does indicate, however, that it should be faster than the access the community currently has through its incumbent provider.”

Campbell said she was really inspired by the commitment and patience shown by the community of Ulukhaktok.

She said communities across the Northwest Territories have heard a lot of promises for cheaper and faster Internet from different companies for a very long time.

“I’m very inspired by their patience to work with us as we looked into these different back-haul solutions, and how we are going to get the Internet access and make it accessible in the community.

“They’ve been determined to find their own solutions and really own this. Covid sucked for everyone and it was especially critical to have Internet access at that time.

“One of the reasons as to why the determination remains, I believe, is because Covid showed everyone around the world, especially those who take it for granted, how critical the Internet is to our daily lives and literal survival.

“It helped keep the determination of everyone involved going in order to get to this initial solution.”

Campbell said what the society anticipates with bandwidth, download speed, etc., is all going to hinge on how the actual deployment goes on the week of the 14th.

She said they have their best guesses, but they’re not going to know until they’re in Ulukhaktok and it actually happens.

“The ISU is really key in making this community network exist, as well as the Ulukhaktok Community Corp. They’re still determining what that business model looks like but we do know that it is going to give free access, and be faster and more reliable that what they currently have.

Continued on Page A13

Excitement is mounting in the community of Ulukhaktok as it prepares to launch its own community Internet network this coming week. Photo courtesy Internet Society

From Page A12

“When I was up there last, I was really struck by two instances that happened. I was knitting while on the plane and somebody asked me where I had learned to knit and I said I had learned on YouTube.

“She replied by saying that she had to choose between using YouTube and buying groceries.

“I mean, you know there’s a problem but, when people put it in those terms, it’s like oh my God.”

‘Another OMG moment’

Campbell said the second instance involved a young man selling carvings.

She said they were discussing pricing when she told the young man she had no cash.

“I asked him to let me go to whatever bank machine was there.

“He told me it was OK, that he’d sell it cheaper because he needed to pay his Internet bill and I had another OMG moment.”

Campbell said the benefits to having their own system are numerous, including new learning opportunities from sites like YouTube to better connections to educational resources.

She said it can also benefit craftspeople who go from trying to sell their crafts to whomever ends-up in their community, to selling them on the Internet for the prices that their work is actually worth.

“It’s going to be incredible for economic development, creating even more tourism opportunities and opening avenues to share their culture with the world.

“We know when communities get access to the Internet, it’s not just about faster access. It’s about better educational opportunities, better job and entrepreneur opportunities, and better access to telehealth and government E services.

“It’s also about staying connected with friends and loved ones. Social media was all we had during the Covid pandemic lockdown.

“I think it’s going to be pretty epic once the network is deployed, and I look forward to seeing all of the innovative ways that the community comes up with to make the most of it.”

Campbell said the Internet was meant to be open and accessible to all and not have high barriers to access.

She said the community networks are one way to lower those barriers and empower people who want to be able to access the Internet to be able to do so.

“We see examples of these community-led indigenous networks across North America that have done what telecommunication companies promised and failed to do for decades.

“It’s really a beautiful thing to see.

“I can’t underscore enough the importance of partnerships to make this a reality. As well, the persistence and dedication of our partners and the Hamlet of Ulukhaktok to stick with us while we working towards this solution.

“IRC and the University of Washington were incredible in helping us to get where we are now. I hope we can potentially expand this pilot to even more communities across the Arctic, should we be successful here.”

x0p31Axy N4ystdJxl4

People in Ulukhaktok celebrate the Internet Society kicking-off the community network training for its own Internet network in 2019. Photo courtesy Internet Society

An unidentified drum dancer leads local students in a celebration of the Internet Society kicking-off the community network training for its own Internet network in 2019. Photo courtesy Internet Society

‘ᐃᓄᐃᑦ

ᐅᖃᐅᓯᐊᓂᒃ ᐱᓯᒪᑎᐊᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ’

ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᓴᓂᑭᓗᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᐄᓚ ᒪᕆ ᑲᒡᕕᒃ ᒥᑭᔪᒃ

ᐊᕐᕋᒍ ᐊᓂᒍᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᑐᓂᖅᓴᐃᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᕋᒍᑕᒪᑦ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᓲᖑᓕᖅᑐᖅ ᔫ ᐊᑕᒍᑦᑕᓗᒃ ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖅ ᐱᓯᒪᑦᑎᐊᕋᓱᐅᕐᓂᖅ

ᓇᓗᓇᐃᑯᑕᕐᒥᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ 12 ᐃᓱᓕᑦᑎᔪᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑕᒥᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᐃᓗᐊᓂ ᑐᓐᓂᖅᓴᖅᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ.

ᓇᓗᓇᒃᐃᑯᑎ ᐊᑦᑎᖅᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᑦᑎᑦ-ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᕆᔨᒋᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔭᖓ, ᐱᔾᔪᑎᖓ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᖃᑎᖃᕐᓂᖅ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᑎᑦᑎᔪᓇᕐᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᐱᔪᒪᓂᕐᒥᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖅ ᐱᓯᒪᑎᐊᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ.

ᐋᖅᑭᒃᑕᐅᓯᒪᖁᔭᐅᔪᒃᑯᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᑯᑕᖅ ᐃᓚᖃᖅᖢᓂ $2000 ᑮᓇᐅᔭᒃᓴᒥᒃ.

‘ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕋ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᒐᑦᑎᐊᕋᒃᑯ ᐱᑖᖃᑕᐅᕗᖓ, ᐊᓯᐅᔨᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔾᔮᖏᖦᖢᒍᓗ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕋ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᔪᓐᓇᕈᒪ ᓄᑲᖅᖠᐅᓂᖅᓴᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᔪᙱᒃᑯᒪ,’ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᓴᓂᑭᓗᐊᕐᒥᐊᑕᖅ ᐄᓚ ᓚᕆ ᑲᕕᒃ ᒥᑭᔪᒃ, ᓂᕈᐊᖅᑕᐅᖃᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᑯᑕᖅᑖᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ.

ᑲᕕᒃ ᒥᑭᔪᒃ, ᐊᖑᓇᓱᒃᑎᒻᒪᕆᖑᕈᒪᔪᖅ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑕᒥᓂ ᐃᓱᓕᑦᑎᒐᒥ, ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂᓗ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᒋᓂᖅᐹᕆᒐᒥᐅᒃ ᓴᐳᑎᔪᒪᓪᓗᓂᐅᒡᓗ ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ ᓱᖃᐃᒻᒪ ᐃᓐᓇᐅᔪᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕆᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᕙᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᐊᓯᐅᔨᓂᑰᖕᒪᑕ.

‘ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᖕᒪᑦ ᓲᖃᐃᒻᒪ ᐅᕙᖓᐅᒐᒪ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑖᓐᓇᐅᖏᓇᐅᔭᕈᒪᓪᓗᖓ ᐃᓅᓯᓕᒪᓐᓂᑦ,’

ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ. ᐃᓐᓇᖅᐳᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕆᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᕙᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᐊᓯᐅᔨᓯᒪᖄᑎᕐᒪᑕ, ᐃᓚᖏᑦ ᐊᓯᐅᔨᑦᑎᐊᒻᒪᕆᒃᓯᒪᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕐᒥᓂᒃ.

‘ᓲᕐᓗ ᐃᓅᓯᒐ ᐊᓯᐅᔨᓪᓗᒍ, ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᒋᕙᕋ.’

ᐅᑯᐊ 2023 ᔫ ᐊᑕᒍᑦᑖᓗᒃ ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖅ ᐱᓯᒪᑦᑎᐊᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᖅᒧᑦ

ᓇᓗᓇᐃᑯᑕᕐᒥᑦ ᓵᓚᒃᓴᖅᑐᑦ:

− ᒑᒥ ᐅᖄᓪᓚᓐ, ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃ

− ᔭᐃᑦ ᐸᓂᓗ, ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᖅ

− ᔭᐃᒥᓯ ᖃᐅᓐᓇᖅ, ᐊᐅᔪᐃᑦᑐᖅ

− ᓵᓕᑦ ᐊᖑᒑᑦᑎᐊᖅ, ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒃ

− ᑭᐅᕈᓕᓐ ᐃᖃᓗᒃ, ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ

− ᑯᕆᔅᑎᓐ ᑎᒥᓚ, ᑭᒻᒥᕈᑦ

− ᔮᓐ Hᐊᕈᑦ, ᑭᙵᐃᑦ

− ᓅᓕᓐ ᑯᓗᒍᒃᑐ, ᐸᖕᓂᖅᑑ

− ᓲᓯ ᓴᐃᒧᓂ, ᒥᑎᒪᑕᓕᒃ

− ᐊᔅᑕ ᐃᓪᓚᐅᑦ, ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᖅ

− ᑯᓘᕆᔭ ᓇᖕᒪᓕᒃ, ᓴᓂᕋᔭᒃ

ᐊᑕᐅᓯᖅ ᓱᓕ 13-ᒋᔭᐅᓪᓗᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᑯᑕᖅᑖᓗᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᕐᔪᐊᕐᓂ

ᐊᕌᒍᒋᔭᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᑐᓂᔭᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ.

‘ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐅᑯᑕᕐᒥᒃ ᐋᕿᒃᓯᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᔫ ᐊᑕᒍᑦᑖᓗᑉ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᕆᕙᓚᐅᖅᑕᓂ

ᐊᒃᓱᕈᖅᖢᓂ ᑕᖃᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᖏᑦᑐᖅᑎᑐᑦ ᐱᓯᒻᒦᓐᓇᕋᓱᒃᖢᓂ ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕐᒥᒃ,’ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᑕᖓ ᑐᓴᖅᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᕆᐅ Hᐊᑉᑭᓐᔅ. ‘ᓇᓗᓇᐃᑯᑕᖅ

ᕿᓂᓲᖅ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓂᖃᕈᒪᓪᓗᓂ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᓄᑦ, ᐱᕕᒃᑐᓄᑦ ᑕᐃᒃᑯᓄᖓ ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ

ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕐᒥᒃ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᒍᓱᒃᑐᓄᑦ.

ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᖃᑎᖃᒃᑲᓂᕈᒪᕗᑦ ᐊᕌᒍ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅ ᑎᑭᐅᑎᖕᒪᑦ ᔫ ᐊᑕᒍᑦᑖᓗᒃ

ᓇᓗᓇᐃᑯᑕᕐᒥᒃ ᑐᓐᓂᖅᓴᐃᓂᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑲᔪᓯᑎᑕᐅᔪᒪᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᖏᓐᓇᕐᓗᓂ ᑭᖑᒻᒧᑦ.’

ᐊᐅᔪᐃᑦᑐᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᐃᓱᓕᑦᑎᔪᖅ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑕᒥᓂᒃ ᔭᐃᒥᓯ ᖃᐅᓇᖅ ᐊᔾᔨᓕᐅᖅᑕᐅᕗᖅ ᔫ ᐊᑕᒍᑦᑖᓗᒃ ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᑯᑕᖅᑖᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᑎᒍᒥᐊᖅᖢᓂ. ᖃᐅᓇᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓱᓕᑦᑎᖃᑕᐅᔪᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᑯᑕᖅᑖᖃᑕᐅᒋᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ $2000 ᑮᓇᐅᔭᒃᓴᕐᒥᒃ. ᐊᔨᖁᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᖅ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑐᔨᖃᑎᒌᒃᑯᑦ

Sports & Recreation

SPORTS HOTLINE • JAMES MCCARTHY

Phone: (867) 873-4031 • Email: sports@nnsl.com • Fax: (867) 873-8507

Kettlebell lifts her up

ᐅᕿᖏᑦᑐᒥᒃ ᑭᕕᒃᓯᕗᖅ ᖁᒻᒧᑦ

Rankin Inlet woman trying out for national team

ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᑦ ᐊᕐᓇᑦ ᐆᒃᑐᖅᐳᑦ ᐱᙳᐊᕕᒡᔪᐊᖅᓂᕐᒧᑦ

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services

If you’d have told a young Lynette Didur that she’d be a fitness instructor and competing in athletic competitions, she would have laughed.

“I always tried to do the least as possible,” said the now-fitness instructor and kettlebell competitor about gym class.

But later in high school, a bodybuilding friend introduced her to fitness. She got involved in different types of dances like belly, ballroom and Zumba.

“Everything pretty much from the end of high school onwards was physical activity,” said Didur. “A blur of gym and fitness and just becoming a healthy-minded individual.”

She taught her first fitness class at 19 and said it’s been a great ride of learning from clients and engaging in different activities over 20-plus years.

Didur has been leading fitness classes for 10 years in Rankin Inlet, trying several activities such as kickboxing and boot camps, and now doing kettlebell.

“For a non-competitive person, it was more attainable,” said Didur, comparing it to dance and having to hit certain numbers.

Competitive kettlebell marathons can last for 30 or 60 minutes, doing a set number of repetitions with the correct form, she said.

“As a pharmacy tech, I love numbers,” said Didur, who originally came to Rankin Inlet in that profession and has since started a young family here.

“I love doing formulas in my head. I love the science behind it. Kettlebell sport, you have numbers, you have coefficients, you have to hit certain repetitions per minute. That’s all up my alley.”

It’s like her dance world, but better.

The hardest part is the mentality, she said, and not zoning out during the long performances. Didur likes to feed on the crowd’s energy and smile around at competitions.

On Aug. 12 in Toronto, Didur will compete for a spot on Team Canada for Kettlebell Sport. She’s doing a half-marathon and a onearm long cycle with a 16 kg kettlebell. It’s all strength and endurance training, she says, and it will be the first time she can compete in-person instead of online.

“To be able to go in-person, they’ll actually see how well you perform under pressure, see how well you perform with other people on the side of you,” said Didur.

“Because if you do end up going to Europe to compete in the worlds, they have competitions all the time at different times so one person could be doing a five-minute, you could be doing a 10-minute and there could be a marathon beside you, and you need to be able to show that you can keep to your lane, do what you need to do, remember what you’re doing, work with your nerves and represent Canada the best possible way.”

If she makes it on the national team, she has a year from August to attend a world’s competition.

Kettlebell has exploded in popularity in the last decade, she said, adding that women tend to enjoy it because it’s endurance-based cardio that builds strength.

As a fitness instructor, her specialty is inclusivity. She’s adamant that no matter one’s circumstances, whether it’s impairment or injury, there’s a way they can work out their body positively.

“I can’t be told no,” she said.

Anyone can start small, after all.

“There is no competition in fitness,” said Didur. “You’re being the best that you can be and there’s nobody else competing with you.”

ᐃᖃᐃᓕᓴᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓴᓚᖃᕋᓱᖃᑕᐅᓂᖓᓂᒃ, ᐃᓚᑐᐃᓇᕋᔭᖅᑐᖅ. ‘ᐱᓇᓱᒃᐸᒃᑲᒪ ᐊᒃᓱᓗᐊᖑᖏᑦᑐᖅ,’ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᖃᐃᓕᓴᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓴᓚᖃᕋᓱᖃᑕᐅᔪᖅ ᐊᕐᓇᓄᑦ ᐅᕿᖏᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᑭᕕᒃᓯᓂᖅ.

ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐅᐊᑎᐊᕈᒃᑲᓐᓂᖅ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᖓ, ᐱᖃᓐᓇᕆᔭᕋᕐᒪ

ᐱᔪᒪᓕᖅᑎᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᖕᖓ ᐃᖃᓇᐃᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᑎᒥᑯᑦ ᐊᑐᕐᓗᒍ.

ᒧᒥᖅᑎᐅᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᒋᓪᓗᓂ. ‘ᑭᓱᑐᐃᓐᓇᕐᒥᑦ ᐅᒻᒪᕇᓇᐅᔭᕋᒪ,’ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᑎᑐ. ᐃᖃᐃᓕᓴᕆᐊᖅᐸᒃᖢᖓ ᐃᓱᒪᖃᑦᑎᐊᕐᓕᓗ.’ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᑎᑦᑎᒋᐅᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᐃᖃᐃᓕᓴᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ 19-ᓂᒃ ᐅᕌᒍᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐊᒪᓗ ᐃᓕᐊᓇᐃᒋᓪᓗᓂᐅᒃ ᐃᓕᑦᑎᕙᓕᐊᖏᓇᕐᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑕᒥᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑕᐅᕈᓘᔭᖅᐸᒃᖢᓂ ᑭᓱᑐᐃᓐᓇᕐᓂᒃ

ᐱᓕᕆᑎᑦᑎᕈᓗᔭᖅᖢᓂ , ᓐᓇ ᐅᕿᖏᑦᑐᓕᕆᓕᖅᑐᖅ. ‘ᓴᓚᖃᕋᓱᓗᐊᖅᐸᖏᓐᓇᒥ ᐊᓯᒥᓂ, ᐃᓚᐅᑐᐃᓐᓇᓚᐅᕋᒥ,’ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᑎᑐ., ᒧᒥᕐᓂᑎᑐ ᑕᐅᑐᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᖢᓂᐅᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓇᐅᓴᐅᖏᓇᕆᐊᖃᖅᖢᓂ. ᐅᕿᖏᑦᑐᓕᒋᓂᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᐃᓐᓇᕐᓗᓂ ᐃᑲᕐᕋᖅ ᑎᑭᑦᑐᓐᓇᕐᒪᑦ, ᒪᓕᑦᑎᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᕐᓗᒍ ᒪᓕᒋᐊᓕᒃ, ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ. ‘ᓂᐅᕕᖅᑎᐅᓪᓗᖓ, ᓇᐃᓴᐅᓯᓕᕆᓂᖅ ᖁᕕᐊᒋᒐᒃᑯ,’ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᑎᑐ, ᑎᑭᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᓄᑦ, ᑕᐅᑲᓃ ᓄᓇᖃᐃᓐᓇᓕᖅᖢᓂ ᖃᑕᖑᑎᖃᓕᖅᖢᓂᓗ. ᓇᐃᓴᐅᓯᕆᓪᓗᖓ ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᒋᔭᕋ. ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᓗ. ᐅᕿᖏᑦᑐᓕᕆᓂᖅ ᓇᐃᓴᐃᓐᓇᖅᑐᖅ, ᐃᑲᔪᕐᓂᖃᖅᑐᑎᑦ, ᓇᐃᓴᐃᖏᓇᕆᐊᖃᕐᓇᖅᑐᖅ. ‘ᐱᔪᒪᔭᑯ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ.’ ᒧᒥᕐᓂᖅ ᓱᕐᓗ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᓐᓂᖅᓴᖅ.

ᐊᔪᕐᓇᓛᖅ ᐃᓱᒪᒧᑦ, ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ, ᐃᓱᓗᓗᐊᖏᓪᓗᖓ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑕᐅᓂᓐᓂ.

ᑎᑐ ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᐅᐃᒪᔮᒃᖢᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᖁᖓᑲᑕᕈᓘᔭᖅᖢᓂ.

ᐋᒍᓯ 12-ᒥ ᑐᕌᓐᑐᒥ, ᑎᑐ ᐃᓚᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᑲᓇᑕᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᓱᕐᓗᓂ ᐱᖑᐊᕆᐊᖅᑐᕐᓗᓂ ᐊᕐᓇᓄᑦ ᐅᕿᖏᑦᑐᓕᕆᓂᖅ. ᓴᖏᓂᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᔪᒪᓂᖅ ᑕᒡᕙᐅᖤᕈᓂ, ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ, ᐅᖃᕆᓪᓗᓂ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᕆᓂᐊᕐᒪᔾᔪᒃ ᐱᖑᐊᕕᒡᔪᐊᖃᑕᐅᓂᖅ ᖃᕆᓴᐅᔭᑰᖏᑦᑐᖅ.

‘ᐃᓚᐅᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᑦ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᒋᓪᓗᒍ ᖃᓄᖅ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕈᓐᓇᕐᒪᖔᖅᐱᓗ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑕᐅᓐᓇᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᖑᐊᖃᑎᒋᔭᕐᓂᒃ.’ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᑎᑐ.

‘ᓱᖃᐃᒻᒪ ᐃᓚᐅᓯᑳᓚᕋᔭᕐᓂᕈᕕᑦ ᑕᕆᐅᑉ ᐊᑭᐊᓂᙵᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ ᐱᖑᐊᖅᑎᓂᒃ ᐱᓕᒻᒪᒃᓴᓪᓚᑦᑖᖅᐸᖕᒪᑕ ᐱᕕᒃᑐᒻᒪᕆᖕᒥᑦ ᐱᖑᖅᐸᒃᖢᑎᒃ. ᑕᑯᑎᑦᑎᔪᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᕐᓇᕐᒪᑦ ᒪᓕᑦᑎᐊᕋᓗᐊᕐᒪᖔᑦ ᐱᔭᕆᐊᓕᖕᓂᑦ, ᐱᔪᓐᓇᖅᑕᓕᑦ ᐊᑐᕐᓗᒍ, ᑲᓇᑕᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᑦᑎᐊᕐᓗᒍ.’ ᐃᓚᐅᓂᐊᕈᓂ ᐱᖑᐊᕕᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐊᕋᒍᖃᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᐳᖅ ᓴᓚᖃᕋᓱᒃᑐᓄᖓᐅᓂᐊᕈᓂ.

ᐅᕿᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᓂᖅ ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᒋᔭᐅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᐱᖑᐊᖅᑕᐅᓪᓗᓂ, ᐅᖅᐳᖅ, ᐊᕐᓇᑦ ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᒋᓪᓗᓂᒡᔪᒃ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓇᕋᒥ.

ᐃᖃᐃᓕᓴᕐᓕᕐᒥᒃ ᐃᓕᓴᐃᔨᐅᓪᓗᖓ, ᖃᓄᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅ ᐅᒃᐱᕆᔭᖃᕋᒥ. ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᖃᓄᐃᒃᑲᓗᐅᕈᕕᑦ, ᐊᓐᓂᖅᑐᒃᑯᑦ, ᐊᕿᒍᑎᒃᓴᖅᑕᖃᖅᐸᖕᒪᑦ ᑎᒥᓂ ᐊᑐᑦᑎᐊᕈᒪᓪᓗᓂᐅᒃ. ‘ᐅᖃᐅᔭᐅᔪᓇᖏᑐᖓ

Lynette Didur has been living in Rankin Inlet for 10 years and recently competed in Ilitaqsiniq’s strongest person contest, finishing second on the women’s side. Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo ᓕᓂᑦ ᑎᑐ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᓂ

ᐊᕐᕌᒍᓄ 10-ᓄᑦ

ᓄᓇᖃᖅᓯᒪᓕᖅᑐᖅ

ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᓂ

ᐃᓱᓕᑦᑎᖃᑕᐅᓵᖅᑐᖅ

ᓴᙱᓛᖑᓇᓱᖃᓴᐅᔪᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ, ᑭᖑᓪᓕᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᕐᓇᓄᑦ ᓴᙱᓛᓄᑦ.

Lynette Didur is competing for a spot on Canada’s national kettlebell team. Photo courtesy of Lynette Didur

Ghostly Northern tales wanted for new television program

A new television program created by Carey Bray and Andrew Silke called Paranorthern Encounters is looking for residents from the NWT and Nunavut to contact them with any supernatural or ghostly stories they can feature on the show. Image courtesy of Paranorthern Encounters Facebook page

Residents of NWT and Nunavut invited to share paranormal encounters

By Jill Westerman Northern News Services

Who doesn’t love hearing a good ghost story to raise their spirits?

Yellowknifers Carey Bray and Andrew Silke are among them.

And because they enjoy ghoulish tales, the duo has been reaching out to hear from Northerners willing to share their stories of unexplained happenings or supernatural occurrences for a new television show that Bray and Silke are developing.

Called Paranorthern Encounters, the program aims to tell stories of eerie encounters and mystical moments experienced by people who have had the feeling that something highly unusual happened to them.

The goal is to film a pilot episode and have further episodes air on cable and streaming networks in the USA.

“It is common for shows to tell paranormal stories in a way that is exaggerated for dramatic effect. Our goal is to focus on the humanity behind these stories, while investigating and treating any entities with dignity, giving them an opportunity to use us and our technology as a portal to maybe pass on a message to someone,

allowing them the opportunity to finally move on,” stated Bray in a press release.

The program will not only be an avenue for local history and folklore to be heard, but also will connect NWT and Nunavut communities with what the duo describe as “a rapidly growing international community of like-minded paranormal enthusiasts.”

While such stories of the unexplained are sure to arouse curiosity among those intrigued by otherworldly occurrences, Silke stated that there is another important element in telling these stories beyond the entertainment value.

“Paranorthern Encounters is also about the real people who share the stories, and own these properties, so reputations and livelihoods need to be respected,” he stated in the release.

“It is not always ideal in small communities where everyone knows everyone to make public these types of stories, which is why we also have the option of featuring your stories anonymously in the show, changing names and likenesses, and not revealing exact locations.”

To encourage Northern residents to share their stories — be it pertaining to a ghostly person, place or thing — Bray and Silke have created a Facebook page called Paranorthern Encounters, where people are welcome to chat and discuss

their otherworldly topics.

“This community-driven show is more than just a hopeful TV project; it’s a journey into the

enigmatic and exciting world of the paranormal, with our very own communities at its heart,” the release stated.

EMPLOYMENT, LEGAL NOTICES & TENDERS

OPPORTUNITIES IN RANKIN INLET, NU

Department of Human Resources

Territorial Health and Safet y Officer

This employment oppor tunity is open to all applicants

Salar y Scale: $101,265 to $114,917 IQ ALUIT, NU

Ref #: 04 - 507945 Closing: August 25, 2023

Job Evaluation Analyst (2 Indeterminate Positions)

This employment oppor tunity is restricted to residents of Iqaluit only

Salar y Scale: $93,582 to $10 6,208 IQ ALUIT, NU

Ref #:

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES Supervisor Family Wellness

Starting Salary $105,342 - $119,511 Ref. #: 17-507918

August 18, 2023

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORTATION

Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Development

Starting Salary $135,710 - $193,872 Ref. #: 15-507921 Closing: September 1, 2023

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Regional Laboratory Technologist

Starting Salary $89,998

Ref. #: 10-507589

Open Until Filled OPPORTUNITIES IN BAKER LAKE, NU Nunavut Northern Allowance: $24,381

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Mental Health and Addictions Youth Program Facilitator (Re-Advertisment)

Starting Salary $74,018 Ref. #: 10-507919 Closing: August 18, 2023

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Sport and Recreation Development Officer

Starting Salary $93,582 - $106,208

Ref. #: 14-507892 Closing: August 18, 2023

Apply to:

Department of Human Resources, Government of Nunavut

P.O. Box 899, Rankin Inlet, Nunavut X0C 0G0.

Fax: (867) 645-8097. Phone: (867) 645-8065.

Toll-free: 1-800-933-3072. E-mail: kivalliqhr@gov.nu.ca

Ref #: 14 - 507943 Closing: September 8, 2023

Job descriptions may be obtained by fax or e-mail or online. Employment in some positions requires an acceptable criminal record check. Possession of a criminal record will not necessarily disqualify candidates from further consideration.

GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT

Havaktilluagakhanut

Havak tilluaqniaqtait Nunavunmi Inuinnauyunut.

Nunalingni Kavamatkunillu

Pivikhaqautikkut

Igluqpainni Havakti

Hamna havaakhaq angmaumajuq

tamainnut uukturumajunut

Havaangit pigiaqaqtun talvani Kangiqlinirmi (1)

Iqaluk tuut tiamilu (2) Nunavunmi Naunaiyailutin

titiraqhimayangnik titiraqtan nayugaangit

uuk tuluagumayanganik

Akiliuhiakhanut Ihuaqhautit: $97 372 talvunga $110 510

Nunavunmi Ukiuktaqtumi Akiliuhiakhaa: $18 517

talvunga $20,891

Naunaitkutaa Nampaa: 14 - 507943

Umik vikha uplua: Apitilir via 8, 2023

Ilihimaluhi tamaita Iqalungni- tunnganiqaqtuni havaakhat

pijaaqtun uumunga Nunavunmi Ukiuqtaqtumi Ikajuuhiakhait

imaatun $16 0 08 atauhirmi ukiumi kihiani naunaijaqtaukpat.

Titigaqvigilugu Tamna: Havaktuliqiyitkut

Kavamatkut Nunavut, Titigaqaqvia 1000, Station 430,

Iqaluit Nunavut X0A 0H0 Fax-kut: (867) 975 - 6220

Hivayauta: (867) 975 - 6222 Akiittuq: 1- 888 - 668 -9993

Qagitauyakkut: Iqaluit Applications@gov nu ca

(Ilaliutilugu tamna NAUNAITKUTA # titiqqanut titiqqilugu qaritaujakkut titigaqtarnut )

Havaakkut tukihid utait pijaut taaqtun kajumik tukkut qaritaujakkulluunniit titiqqidjutikkut qaritaujakkulluunniit Havaakhat ilanginni havaani piqaqtukhat nakuujumik ihuinaaqhimanikkut naunaitkutimik Pihimaniq ihuinaaqhimanikkut naunaitkutimik taimaaqtitaulimait tuq uuk tuqtunun talvannga ihumagijauffaarnirmin

Naunaiqhimalugu atugianganik masculinenik naunairutiqaqtuq taima titiraqhimayunik ayungnaitumik taigugianganik

https://gov nu ca/in/human-resources-in

NNSL Media news editors collect the latest news and photos readers want to see — police & court stories; what hamlets, town halls and schools are doing; big and small government; sports, arts, business and community heroes.

NNSL Media gathers the news, and streams it along all our Northern digital information rivers and trails — nnsl.com, nunavutnews.com, five Facebook Pages, one Instagram feed and a Twitter feed — where it all lands in our newspapers. We do the same with our advertisers — Northern businesses and governments — getting their information to the widest possible audience, online and offline, across the NWT and Nunavut.

CALL FOR TE STIMONIALS: OBL ATE SAFEGUARDING COMMISSION

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING RELATES TO SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS THAT MAY BE DISTRESSING TO MANY READERS. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate Lacombe have appointed Justice André Denis, a retired judge of the Superior Court of Quebec, to lead an independent review of historical allegations of sexual abuse against Johannes Rivoire in present-day Nunavut.

The goal of the commission is to better understand how past allegations of abuse were addressed and to identify any improvements to Oblate policies and processes that can better safeguard children and ensure a high-level of accountability

Listening to victims is our priority.

Justice Denis will be in Rankin Inlet from August 21 to August 23 to hear from victims, their families, and other witnesses.

If you wish to contribute by providing a testimony, please contact Justice André Denis: j.andredenis@icloud.com. All testimonials will be collected and treated confidentially.

The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer immediate support and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.

For further information: