Nunavut News – April 4, 2022 Edition

ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎ ‘ᐊᐃᑦᑖᕌᓗᒃ’: ᒪᓃᑦᑐᖅ ᑖᒻᑉᓴᓐ

ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᓴᐱᓕᖅᓯᒪᔪᖅ 20,000 ᐊᑎᓕᐅᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓈᒻᒪᙱᓗᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᓯᔾᔩᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᔭᐅᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᓂ

Volume 76 Issue 48

MONDAY, April 4, 2022 $.95 (plus GST)

$214 million announced for Iqaluit water infrastructure

Elder care plan ‘a shame’: former MLA

Manitok Thompson frustrated 20,000 signatures not enough to change course from regional care facilities

Bringing home the gold

Publication mail Contract #40012157

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71605 00200

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Fire razes Government Building in Gjoa Haven

Photo courtesy of Paula Cziranka-Crooks

April Wadland gets her first bear with one shot

Lightstone gives up portfolios after integrity investigation

News North Nunavut

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ï·∆¿Í´ ≤áflúòî ÖÚÊéÔÒπØflî Ç≤úõ¿Ö≤ú Ö±Ø ÖéÍ≤ú áîéÖ≤Í´ú. íØêØ Äƒù‚ ÖÚÊéÔÒπØ≤Ò Ä¿íÒπÕ‰ÖÔÍ≤Í´ú í±ØÒíÇÀ≤ú Ö±Ø ÜÒïùÖÒπ¿Í≤Ò. íò∏≤Ê›î í±ØÒπØÀ´ú ï·∆¿Ò ≤áfl≤, ÇÔ¬∆¬éî Çflˆ (867) 873-4031 Ö±Ø ÇÔÍ›ùÀجü ÜÒïúªÄ«, Ç„·√∏≥î Ô‰íÇÕúòî ééËͬéî Çflˆ editor@nunavutnews.com.ÜÒïùÖ˪∏≤ÖÒíflî Ç„·√∏≥î ∂¬∂ĉÖͬü áÀ∏∂ÒπêÖÊçí.

News Briefs ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔭᖅᑐᖅᑐᑦ ᐳᓚᕋᖅᐳᑦ ᐃᒃᓯᕋᕐᔪᐊᕌᐱᖕᒧᑦ

ᕚᑎᑲᓐ ᓄᓇᓕᐸᐅᔭᖅ ᒫᔾᔨ 28–ᒥ, 7–ᓂ ᐃᓄᖕᓂ ᑲᑎᒪᔭᖅᑐᖅᑐᓂ ᐃᓚᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑕᐱᕇᑦ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ (ITK) ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖓᓂ ᓇᐃᑕᓐ ᐆᐱᑦᒥ ᑕᑯᔭᖅᑐᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐃᒃᓯᕋᕐᔪᐊᕌᐱᒃ ᕗᕌᓐᓯᔅᒥ ᕚᑎᑲᓐᒥ, ᖃᐃᖁᔨᓂᖃᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᐃᒃᓯᕋᕐᔪᐊᒥ ᑐᒃᓯᐊᕐᕕᖓᓂ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐅᖓᕙᕆᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓴᐃᒻᒪᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᐃᓗᐊᓂ. ᒪᒥᐊᓐᓂᓪᓚᕆᐅᔪᒥ ᑐᒃᓯᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᐃᓄᖕᓄᑦ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐊᑕᐅᓯᐅᕗᖅ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑦᑐᒥ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗᑦᑕᐅᖅ ᑐᒃᓯᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᖃᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐸᓖᓯᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᕆᓂᖃᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐆᒪᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᖅᑎᑕᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕆᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᕙᓚᐅᖅᑐᓄᑦ. ᐱᓗᐊᖅᑐᒥ, ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑕᐱᕇᑦ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᖃᐃᖁᔨᓂᖃᖅᐳᑦ ᕚᑎᑲᓐᑯᓐᓂ ᐊᔭᐅᕆᓂᕐᒥ ᕗᕌᓐᔅᒥ ᐃᒃᓯᕋᕐᔪᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᒃᓯᕋᕐᔪᐊᖓᓐᓂ ᔪᕼᐋᓂᔅ ᕆᕕᐅᕐᒥ ᐃᖅᑲᖅᑐᖅᑕᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ. ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᕐᒥᔪᖅ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᓚᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᕐᙲᓐᓇᑲᐅᑎᒋ ᐊᑭᓖᓂᐅᔪᒥ $25 ᒥᓕᐊᓐᓂ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓄᑦ ᐊᓯᐅᔨᔭᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐅᑎᖅᑎᕆᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᖅᑎᑕᐅᕙᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕆᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐆᒪᔪᓄᑦ ᓱᓕ ᒪᓕᒡᓗᒍ ᐊᓪᓚᓄᑦ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᖅᑎᑕᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕆᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᕙᓚᐅᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐊᖏᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ. ᐆᐱᑦ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑐᒃᓯᐊᕐᕕᒃ ᐱᓕᕇᓐᓇᖅᐳᑦ ᓴᒡᓗᓪᓗᑎᒃ “ᑎᑭᐅᑎᙱᓐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐱᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᑎᑦᑎᔪᒥ ᐅᕘᓇ 2006-ᒥ ᐊᐅᔾᓚᖅᑎᑕᐅᕙᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕆᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᖏᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᖅᑎᑦᑎᔪᒥ ᑐᒃᓯᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐅᖓᕙᕆᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓴᐃᒻᒪᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ. “ᐊᑯᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓴᐃᒻᒪᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᑯᓇᓂ ᐃᓄᖕᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑐᒃᓯᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᑎᑭᐅᑎᔭᐅᔪᓐᓇᖅᐳᖅ ᐅᕘᓇ ᐊᖏᐸᓗᒃᑐᒥ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᑐᕌᖅᑎᑕᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑎᓕᔭᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᐃᒃᓯᕋᕐᔪᐊᕌᐱᒃ ᕗᕌᓐᓯᔅᒧᑦ.” ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᑲᐅᑎᒋᔪᒥ ᖁᙱᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᒃᓯᕋᕐᔪᐊᕌᐱᐅᑉ ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖑᔪᒥ ᑲᑎᒪᖃᑎᖃᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᑕᒪᒃᑭᓂ ᐃᓄᖕᓂ, ᐊᓪᓚᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᓪᓚᖓᔪᓂ ᑲᑎᒪᔭᖅᑐᖅᑐᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐅᓪᓗᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅ, ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕ 1–ᒥ ᐱᒋᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕ 6 ᐅᓪᓛᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᓇᖕᓇᕐᒥ ᓯᕿᙳᔭᖓᓂ (12 ᐅᓐᓄᓴᒃᑯᑦ ᕿᑎᖅᐸᓯᐊᓂ ᔫᕋᑉᒥ ᓯᕿᙳᔭᖓᓂ). please see Inuit, page 11

ᑐᐊᕕᕐᓇᙱᓐᓂᐅᔪᖅ ᕼᐋᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᕐᕕᖏᓐᓄᑦ

ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᖅ, ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒑᕐᔪᒃ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᖅ ᐅᐊᖕᓇᒥ-ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒑᕐᔪᒃ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎ ᐋᓕᒃᓵᓐᑐᕐ ᓴᒻᒧᖅᑐᖅ ᐊᐱᖅᑯᑎᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓇᑉᐸᖅᑎᕆᓂᕐᒥ ᓄᑖᒥ ᕼᐋᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᕐᕕᖓᓂ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ. “ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᐅᑉ ᑲᑎᙵᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐊᑐᖅᐸᒃᑕᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᔪᓐᓇᖁᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᒪᑭᒪᔾᔪᑕᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᖓ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᕗᖅ ᒫᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᕼᐋᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᕐᕕᖓ ᓇᑉᐸᖅᑎᕆᔭᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ 1969–ᒥ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᑦ 50 ᐅᖓᑖᓂ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓴᒻᒧᖅᑐᖅ. ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᒐᕙᒪᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᓗ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᖅᑎᐅᔪᓂ ᑕᐃᕕᑦ ᔪᐊᓇᓯ ᑭᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖓ ᐱᔭᕇᖅᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᕆᔭᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᕼᐋᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᕐᕕᖓᓄᑦ 2019–ᒥ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐸᕐᓇᐃᓂᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᒧᑦ ᒫᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᖅᑲᖓᑎᑕᐅᓚᐅᑲᒃᐳᖅ ᒪᓕᒃᑐᒥ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᐅᓂᖓᓂ. ᓴᒻᒧᖅᑐᖅ ᐊᐱᕆᓚᐅᕆᕗᖅ ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇᑦᑕᐃᓐᓇᖅ ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒑᕐᔫᑉ ᑎᑎᕋᕐᕕᖓᓂ, ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓇᑉᐸᖅᑎᕆᔭᐅᓚᐅᕐᓂᖓᓂ 1985–ᒥ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐊᑐᖅᐸᒃᑕᖏᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᔪᓐᓇᖁᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᖓᓐᓂ, ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖃᖅᖢᓂ ‘ᐊᑲᐅᙱᓕᐅᕈᑎᕐᔪᐊᖑᔪᓂ ᒫᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᒥ’ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᑕᐅᔪᒥ ᕼᐋᒻᓚᒃᑯᓐᓂ. ᔪᐊᓇᓯ ᑭᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᑐᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᑦ ᐊᖏᔪᒥ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᓂᖃᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᑭᑐᔫᑎᓂ ᐱᔭᕆᐊᓕᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᑭᒡᓕᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᔪᓐᓇᕐᒪᑕ, ᐃᓚᒋᐊᖅᓯᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᖏᕐᓂᖃᕈᓐᓇᙱᓚᖅ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᔭᕇᖅᑕᐅᓇᔭᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᓄᑖᖑᔪᒧᑦ ᕼᐋᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᕐᕕᖓᓄᑦ ᑕᐃᑯᖓ. please see No, page 11

Monday, April 4, 2022 A3

fact file Nunavut Covid-19 situation as of March 29 Active cases: 78 Confirmed cases: 3,472 Recovered cases: 3,389 Deaths: 6

Vaccine uptake: 33,463 first doses/ 95 per cent 28,825 second doses/ 82 per cent 14,373 third doses/ 49 per cent Source: Government of Nunavut Department of Health

ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᖓ ᓄᖑᑦᑎᐊᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᑭᑦᑐᒧᑦ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᖓ ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᔾᔪᑎᓄᑦ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᓂ ᑐᓂᔭᐅᔪᓂ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂ, ᐃᓄᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂ. ᐃᑭᑦᑐᒥ ᓄᖑᑎᑦᑎᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᒥ ᒫᔾᔨ 26–ᒥ.

The Government Building in Gjoa Haven hosted motor vehicles services and programs provided by the departments of Health, Family Services and Justice. Fire consumed the building on March 26. Photo courtesy of Verna Kayuqtuq

ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᖏᑦ ᐋᖅᑭᒋᐊᖅᑕᐅᕗᑦ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᖅ ᐊᓯᐅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐃᑭᑦᑐᒧᑦ Northern News Services

ᖃᐅᒪᔪᒥ ᐊᐅᐸᔮᖓᔪᒥ ᐃᑭᑦᑐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᕿᕐᓂᖅᑕᒥ ᐳᔫᕐᔪᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᓴᓇᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᕐᔪᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᒥ ᒫᔾᔨ 26–ᒥ ᐃᑭᑦᑐᒥ ᓄᖑᑎᑦᑎᑦᑎᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᑉ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᖓᓂ. “ᐱᐅᙱᑦᑐᐊᓘᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ,” ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᒥ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎ ᑑᓂ ᐊᑯᐊᒃ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᐃᑦᑖᕈᓱᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᖅᑐᒥ ᐱᓂᕐᓗᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ. “ᐊᐃᑦᑖᓘᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑕᑯᓂᕐᒧᑦ.” ᑭᖑᓂᐊᒍᑦ ᑐᐊᕕᕋᓚᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᑎᑦᑎᓂᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓚᖏᓐᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᖃᒪᒋᔭᐅᕙᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ 6,400-ᑭᑉᐹᕆᒃᑐᒥᐃᓯᒐᓪᓗᐊᓂ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᒥ ᐊᓯᔾᔩᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᔾᔪᓯᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᓯᖏᑦ ᐱᔨᑦᕋᕐᓂᐅᔪᑦ ᓄᖅᑲᖅᑎᑕᐅᓚᐅᑲᒃᓯᒪᓪᓗᑎᒃ. ᐃᑭᑦᑐᖅ ᐱᒋᐊᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓯᕙᑖᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᐅᓐᓄᒃᓴᖓᓂ. ᖃᑦᑎᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖓ ᕼᐃᐊᒃᑐᕐ ᓇᒡᔭᖅ ᐃᓄᓕᒫᓄᑦ ᑐᒃᓯᕋᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᑎᐅᔪᓂ ᐅᐸᒃᑕᐃᓕᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᑭᕐᔪᐊᖅᑐᐊᓗᖕᒥ ᐊᑭᓕᖅᓱᖅᑕᐅᓇᑎᒃ ᖃᑦᑎᕆᔨᐅᔪᑦ ᐅᑕᖅᑭᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᖓᑕ ᐅᖅᓱᐊᓗᖃᐅᑎᖓᓐᓂ “ᐃᑭᙱᔾᔪᒥᓕᕐᓂᖓᓂ.” ᓇᒡᔭᖅ ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐅᓐᓄᐊᖓᓐᓂ ᐃᑭᑦᑐᖅ ᖃᒥᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᙱᓐᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᑭᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᑎᑕᐅᓂᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔨᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᖃᑦᑎᕆᔨᕐᔪᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑎᖓᓐᓂ. “ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔭᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᐃᒃᓯᓐᓇᑐᐃᓐᓇᖁᔭᐅᓪᓗᓂ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ, ᐃᓚᒋᐊᖅᓯᓪᓗᓂ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐸᓖᓯᒃᑯᑦ ᑐᓂᓯᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐅᓐᓄᐊᓕᒫᒥ ᓇᐅᑦᑎᖅᓱᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓂᒋᔭᖓᓂ. ᐊᑯᐊᒃ ᐅᐱᒋᔭᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᖃᑦᑎᕆᔩᑦ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ. “ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒍᑎᖃᖅᐳᖓ ᖃᑦᑎᕆᔨᓄᑦ … ᐃᑭᑦᑐᒦᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐃᑲᕐᕋᑦ 12 ᐅᖓᑖᓂ. ᑕᖃᓯᒪᕐᔪᐊᖅᑐᒃᓴᐅᕗᑦ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ. “ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᖅ ᓴᐳᑎᔭᐅᔪᓐᓇᓚᐅᙱᓚᖅ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐊᒃᓱᑦ ᑭᒃᑯᓕᒫᓂ ᐊᑦᑕᓇᔾᔭᐃᖅᓯᓯᒪᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ.” ᒪᐃᔭ ᒪᐃᒋᓐ ᐳᐊᑕ ᐅᐱᒋᓚᐅᕆᕙᖏᑦ ᑭᒃᑯᓕᒫᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ “ᑕᖃᔪᐃᑦᑑᓪᓗᑎᒃ.” “ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᖃᑦᑎᕆᔨᕗᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᕼᐋᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᖏᑦ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᐱᓕᕆᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᑦᑎᐊᕋᓱᐊᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᐃᑭᑦᑐᒥ, ᖃᔅᓯᒐᓚᐃᑦ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕈᕋᓗᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖅ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᓯᐅᔨᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓚᐃᓪᓕᕿᓂᕐᒥ. ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐸᓖᓯᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᕼᐋᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᑲᔪᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ ᓄᓇᖓᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᐋᔩᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᓂᐊᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔨᓂᐅᔪᓂ, ᕼᐋᒻᓚᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᖏᑦ, ᐊᑭᓕᖅᓱᖅᑕᐅᓇᑎᒃ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑎᐅᔪᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓂᐅᕕᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᓱᐃᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ ᓂᕆᔭᒃᓴᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓂᐅᖅᑲᕐᓂᐊᖅᑕᒥᓂᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐃᓂᐅᔪᓂ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓄᓕᒫᓄᑦ ᒪᓕᑦᑎᐊᖏᓐᓇᖅᑐᓂ ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔭᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐅᐸᒃᑕᐃᓕᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᐱᕆᔭᐅᒐᒥᒃ, ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ,”

ᐳᐊᑕ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ. “ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᖅ ᐊᑐᒐᒃᓴᐅᔪᓐᓃᑦᑎᐊᕋᓗᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ, ᓄᓇᓕᕗᑦ ᑲᑎᖃᑎᒌᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐱᔭᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᐃᓱᒪᒋᓇᒍ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖅ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᑲᐅᙱᓕᐅᕈᑕᐅᔪᓂᑦ. ᑕᒪᒃᑭᑦᑎᐊᖑᔪᓯ ᐅᐱᒋᕙᔅᓯ. ᐃᓅᔪᓐᓃᖅᑐᖃᓚᐅᙱᓚᖅ, ᐋᓐᓂᖅᑐᖃᕐᔪᐊᓚᐅᙱᓚᖅ.” ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᖅ — ᒪᒃᐱᖅᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ 1999–ᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓂᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᕿᑎᖅᐸᓯᐊᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ, ᖃᓂᒋᔭᖓᓂ ᖁᑦᑎᒃᑐᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᓐᓂᑭᑕᕐᕕᖕᒥ — ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᕐᕕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ 10–ᓄᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᔾᔨᒌᙱᑦᑐᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ “ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓄᑦ ᑕᐅᖅᓰᕝᕕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ,” ᐃᓗᓕᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᒥ ᕙᐃᐸᒧᑦ ᑲᑎᙵᓂᖃᕐᕕᓪᓗᐊᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ, ᑭᐳᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ, ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑕᐅᓂᑯᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᒃ, ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᕖᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᐅᖃᓘᑎᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᖃᕋᓴᐅᔭᑎᒍᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᐅᖃᐅᓯᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓂᓪᓗ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᖅᑎᒃᑯᓐᓂ (CGS). ᒫᔾᔨ 28–ᒥ, ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓂᓪᓗ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᖅᑎᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᖓ ᑕᐃᕕᑦ ᔪᐊᓇᓯ ᑐᓂᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᖁᔭᓕᓂᖓᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᔪᓄᑦ ᐅᑎᖅᑎᕆᓂᕐᒥ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᒥᐅᑕᓄᑦ “ᑲᔪᓰᓐᓇᖅᑐᒥ ᓴᖑᓴᕋᐃᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᑕᒪᑐᒪᓂ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓇᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ.” ᐃᓚᒋᐊᖅᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᖄᒃᑲᓐᓂᐊᒍᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᑲᔪᕈᑎᒃᓴᓂ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔭᐅᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓄᑦ. ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐃᓗᐊᒍᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓯᓚᑖᒍᑦ ᔭᒐᐃᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᑎᑕᐅᓂᖓᓄᑦ ᐃᑭᑦᑐᒧᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓴᖅᑭᑎᑦᑎᔪᒪᕗᖅ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᕐᓂᕐᒥ–ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᓂ, ᕿᓚᒻᒥᐅᔪᒃᑯᑦ, ᐅᖃᐅᓯᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᒧᑦ. ᓄᓇᓕᐅᑉ ᐸᖅᑮᓐᓇᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖓᓂ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᓚᐅᑲᖕᓂᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᕆᔭᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᐅᔪᒥ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑕᐅᓂᑯᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᐅᓂᖓᓂ. ᑲᓱᖃᑎᒌᒃᓯᒪᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᓂᖓ ᓂᕆᐅᒋᔭᐅᕗᖅ ᓴᖅᑭᑎᑕᐅᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᒫᔾᔨ 31–ᒥ ᓄᓇᓖᑦ ᐊᑐᖅᐸᒃᑕᖏᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᔪᓐᓇᖁᓪᓗᒋᑦ, ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᖅᑎᐅᔪᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐅᑎᖅᑎᕆᓂᕐᒥ ᓂᕆᐅᒋᔭᐅᕗᑦ ᓴᖅᑭᑎᑕᐅᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕ 1–ᒥ, ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓂᓪᓗ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᖅᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ. ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖓᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᖓᓂᖓᓂ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᐃᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᖓᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑎᓯᐱᕆ 22, 2017–ᒥ, ᐅᖃᐅᓯᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓂᓪᓗ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᖅᑎᒃᑯᓐᓂ. ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓂᓪᓗ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᖅᑎᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᖃᑦᑎᕆᔨᕐᔪᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᕐᕕᖓ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᑭᑦᑐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᒃᓴᓕᐅᕈᒪᙱᓚᐅᑲᒃᐳᑦ ᐱᔾᔪᑕᐅᑐᐃᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᒫᔾᔨ 30–ᒥ. ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᒫᔾᔨ 28–ᒥ ᓄᑖᙳᕆᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᖃᖅᓯᒪᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᖃᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᓐᓂ ᓴᖅᑭᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᕿᓚᒻᒥᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᑭᑦᑐᒧᑦ ᓇᐅᑦᑎᖅᓱᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᑕᒪᒃᑭᓄᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᕕᖕᓄᑦ, ᐱᒋᐊᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᒫᔾᔨ 28–ᒥ.

The legend of ‘One Shot’

A4 Monday, April 4, 2022

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April Wadland shoots first polar bear of her life, on the last tag of the season ᐃᐳᕈ ᐅᐊᑦᓚᓐ, ᑕᓕᖅᐱᕐᒦᑦᑐᖅ, ᐊᔾᔨᓕᐅᖅᑕᐅᔫᒃ ᐊᓂᓂᓗ ᕋᓐᑎ ᐃᑦᓯᖅ ᐊᔾᔨᒦᑦᑐᖅᑕᐅᖅ ᓇᓐᓄᒋᐅᕈᑎᒋᓯᒪᔭᖓ – ᓇᓐᓄᒍᑎᒃᓴᓂᒃ ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖅ.

April Wadland, right, poses with brother Randy Eecherk and her first – and last – polar bear. Photo courtesy of April Wadland

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet

Rankin Inlet’s April Wadland will forever go down as ‘One Shot’ after hunting her first polar bear on the last tag of the season with a single, perfectly placed bullet.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Wadland. “I can say I did it, and I never want to do it again.”

She had tried hunting a bear about a decade ago with no luck, which made her swear off the pursuit for years. Last fall, her husband threw her name in for a tag right at the Oct. 31 deadline.

Wadland had the last tag of the season, with the dates of her hunt to be March 14 to 17.

Her brother, Randy Eecherk, took her by snowmobile in the direction of Whale Cove on March 15. They saw a bear close to the water, but they weren’t able to hunt it at the time, so they returned home after a long day of travel – about 215 km in total.

The next morning, “I was tired, I was grumpy, I was done,” said Wadland, barely wanting to get out of bed.

They enlisted friend Fabian Tatty to join them that day and this time went toward Marble Island off of Rankin Inlet, something Wadland was very concerned about, as she didn’t want to go near the floe edge.

“I told my brother, ‘I don’t know how to swim,’” she said.

Still, they found evidence of a bear going into seal dens and knew one was close.

“At first, I was really scared and I kept crying,” said Wadland. “The further we got from the land, getting closer to Mar-

ble Island, I kept crying and was like, ‘God I promise I’ll never put my name in for a bear ever again. Don’t let me go on Marble Island.’”

They continued to follow the bear tracks and then finally spotted one, a large female in the distance.

Wadland grabbed her husband’s gun and looked to Eecherk for guidance – he decided they needed to get much closer and hit the gas on the snowmobile.

“I was telling him to stop,” said Wadland, recounting the soaring adrenaline rush. “He said just one more mile. My brother’s a racer, so he has no fear. I was holding on for dear life and here he is, holding two guns and going really fast.”

Now parked and ready to shoot, Wadland followed instructions and put the barrel of her gun on the windshield to steady it. “(Eecherk) said as soon as you see the bear, just shoot,” recounted Wadland. “I never said a word. I saw the bear and

I just shot. I instantly started crying, like oh my God, I shot a bear. And I was telling my brother to take the gun, and he was just laughing. He was like, ‘One shot! You killed it with one shot!’”

Through her tears and adrenaline, Wadland remembers her brother yelling “One shot!” repeatedly.

After cleaning the predator’s carcass on the land – during which they were approached by a younger male polar bear that they had to chase off – the group brought the three-metre (nine-foot) female bear home and prepared it for taxidermy.

In about one year, it’ll make for a very special new rug.

Wadland has recovered from the excitement and doesn’t plan to do it again, but the legend of her aim will surely live on.

“We keep saying if we had cancelled our trip that day, I’d never have caught a bear,” she said. “And me and my brother, that was the best experience we’ve ever shared together.”

ᐊᕐᓇᐃᑦ ᑲᑎᑦᑐᑦ ᓴᓗᒻᒪᖅᓴᐃᔭᖅᑐᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᓇᓄᕋᕐᒥᒃ ᐃᐳᕈ ᐅᐊᑦᓚᓐ ᓇᓐᓄᒋᐅᕈᑎᒋᔭᖓᓂᒃ. ᓴᐅᒥᖅᖠᕐᒥ, ᓖᓴ ᐊᐃᕈᑦ, ᑲᓂ ᑲᓪᓗᒃ, ᔫᑎ ᐃᑦᓯᖅ, ᐃᔅᑕ ᐸᐅᓪ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓇᑕᓕ ᑎᐊᓐ.

Women gather to clean the pelt of April Wadland’s first polar bear catch.

From left, are Lisa Airut, Connie Kalluk, Judy Eecherk, Esther Powell and Natalie Dion. Photo courtesy of April Wadland

ᐱᖓᓱᓂᒃ ᒦᑕᓂᒃ ᑕᑭᓂᓕᒃ (ᖁᓕᖏᓗᐊᖅᑐᓂᒃ footᓂᒃ ᑕᑭᓂᓕᒃ) ᓇᓄᕋᖅ ᐃᐳᕈ ᐅᐊᑦᓚᓐ ᓇᓐᓄᓚᐅᖅᑕᖓ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᖅᑎᑕᐅᔪᖅ ᕿᑐᓕᓴᐃᕝᕕᖕᒧᑦ ᐃᐊᑦᒪᓐᑕᓐᒥ.

The three-metre (nine-foot) polar bear April Wadland shot has been sent to a taxidermist in Edmonton. Photo courtesy of April Wadland

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Monday, April 4, 2022 A5

Federal government announces $214M for Iqaluit’s water infrastructure Project will be taking place over the next four years, says Iqaluit mayor

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Iqaluit

Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, right, Iqaluit Mayor Kenny Bell, centre, take part in a federal government funding announcement on Friday morning with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the TV in the background.

Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

The Government of Canada announced $214 million in funding Friday to address long-term water sustainability for Iqaluit.

The planned project will involve the excavation of a new water reservoir next to Lake Geraldine.

Mayor Kenny Bell said the initiative is going to take about four years to complete and it will be a staged approach.

“It’s obviously going to be a lot of work.

This announcement is really going to put the city on the map,” he said.

Coun. Kyle Sheppard tweeted after the announcement: “This $214 million federal investment in Iqaluit water infrastructure is a world-changer for our city. This partnership will make a real difference in our lives and our economy.”

The funding, through the Disaster and Mitigation Adaptation Fund, comes in response to an application the City of Iqaluit made to Infrastructure Canada, which was then expedited by Ottawa.

“We actually turned it around in a relatively short amount of time. We work closely with territories, cities and Indigenous nations,” said

Northern Affairs Minister Daniel Vandal.

The new infrastructure will be designed to mitigate current and future impacts of climate change, said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking virtually from the south.

“Clean drinking water has always been a top priority for us,” said Trudeau.

Vandal repeated that the federal government promised safe drinking water for Indigenous communities in 2015 and will continue to commit to that.

Premier P.J. Akeeagok said this project is a step in the right direction, however, there is more work to do.

“Nunavummiut have struggled to gain this basic right for far too long,” the premier said.

“Improving water infrastructure will be essential for paving the way for more homes to address Nunavut’s growing housing gap.”

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated President Aluki Kotierk agreed that this is a good step towards reconciliation.

“We appreciate the great commitment that the federal government has made to the capital city of Nunavut. We know that water is vital to all of us around the world, to be able to live and have a good life,” said Kotierk. “I’m filled with great hope today and excited the City of Iqaluit has been provided the federal financial support.”

Statistics Canada looking to bring on more Nunavummiut for data collection Federal agency reports good response to 2021 territorial census

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Nunavut

Statistics Canada will be conducting a number of post-census surveys throughout Nunavut from May to October and they’re looking to bring on more Nunavummiut to collect information on the ground.

“The biggest, most important one is the Indigenous Peoples survey that’s coming out in the summer,” said Sri Kanagarajah, assistant director of operations for the western and northern regions, census, operations and informatics field, with Statistics Canada.

There will also be a disabilities survey also coming out in the same time period.

The response rate for Stats Canada surveys and the census is tied to having a physical presence in the places where they are collecting the information.

“If I knock on your door, you’re more likely to talk to me than if I was phoning in from Ottawa,” said Kanagarajah.

Statistics Canada is looking to hire roughly 80 people for all three territories and approximately 50 interviewers in Nunavut, who will be supervised by at least five data collection supervisors.

While Covid-19 has made an impact on operations, the longform census for Nunavut still saw a majority of people take part.

“When you think about the pandemic and what we went through, the census was excellent. We have a 98 per cent response rate, 90 per cent for Nunavut. It’s been an excellent job by the people of Nunavut,” he said.

In his visit to Iqaluit, Kanagarajah met with officials from the Government of Nunavut and City of Iqaluit to help promote recruitment opportunities with Statistics Canada.

“I don’t want to send travel teams from down south to spend money,” he said, “I’d rather have our Canadians from local areas like people from Nunavut.”

This is particularly important with Nunavut’s small towns and hamlets, he said, where more people speak Inuktitut and more in-community knowledge is needed.

“The hamlets are very important for us to have staff in those locations. To have locals provide work there for us and also collect data, they know the community, they know the dwellings, they know where to go.”

Efforts have been made to integrate Nunavut’s Inuit languages into Stats Canada’s forms, however not all of the surveys are translated, which makes hiring Inuit in Nunavut all the more

ᓇᓗᓇᐃᒃᑕᒥᒃ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᑉ ᓯᓚᑖᓂ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᑭᓪᓕᓯᓂᐊᖅᑎᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᕗᖅᓴ ᐋᑐᕚᒥ ᐅᓪᓗᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅ, ᒫᔾᔨ 12, 2021 –ᒥ . ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᑭᓪᓕᓯᓂᐊᖅᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᒪᔨᒋᔭᐅᔪᑦ 2021 –ᒥ ᓇᐃᓴᐃᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓕᑕᒃᓴᖅᑕᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᔨᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᒥᓱᓄᑦ ᖃᓂᒻᒪᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᓇᐃᓴᐃᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᓂ ᑭᖑᓪᓕᕐᒧᑦ ᓇᐃᓴᐃᓂᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᒥ .

A sign outside a building at Statistics Canada is seen in Ottawa. Statistics Canada reports a 90 per cent response rate to the 2021 long-form census in Nunavut. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang important.

“We have translated (the Canadian Census) into two languages, Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun, but the questionnaires are not all in the system,” Kanagarajah said.

The census is used to help collect data to build infrastructure, address emergency response efforts, calculate taxes, pensions and to inform policy decisions, it is also particularly important in calculating the amount of money Nunavut gets every year.

“How much money will be grabbed by the Nunavut government is determined based on the (population) count. It’s very important to have the accuracy of that data so the money transfer is very easy. The federal government transfers the money over, if we don’t do a good job they get less money,” said Kanagarajah.

Anyone who is interested in working with Statistics Canada can check out the Government of Canada’s jobs website, under which they click on search and type in ‘interviewer’.

A6 Monday, April 4, 2022

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‘It’s a shame,’ former MLA says of GN’s approach to Elder care

Manitok Thompson helped collect 20,000 signatures on a petition for Elders to access care in their communities, but she’s doubtful that the GN will listen

By Derek Neary Northern News Services Nunavut

Manitok Thompson’s voice shakes with frustration as she discusses the possibility that the 6th Legislative Assembly may not veer away from a regional approach to Elder care, a model endorsed by the previous assembly.

“I don’t think they have the will to change the plan from regional centres to smaller, three-bedroom, four-bedroom Elder care in communities,” said Thompson, who spearheaded an online petition last October that amassed 20,000 signatures in favour of keeping Elders in communities when they lose the ability to live independently.

“When they build those regional centres (in Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit and Cambridge Bay), they’re going to say we have enough (long-term care) beds, we can’t build in your communities. It’s going to shut down any ideas the communities may be thinking of.”

Thompson, a Kivalliq MLA from 1995 to 2004, said it’s feasible for municipalities to partner with the local housing organization and the GN to identify a suitable building in each community to convert into a home for Elders who do not have complex care needs.

“It seems like the deputy ministers have a lot of pull in making things happen … the government does not trust the local person or the local communities,” she said. “I’ve talked to a lot of Elders saying, you know we really thought we have Inuit politicians now, we have Inuit ministers now, something’s going to change and the Inuit mindset will be ruling. But no, it’s been a disappointment … It’s a shame. It is a shame.”

She’s also exasperated that the GN keeps promoting Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles but yet won’t commit to allowing Elders to age in their communities.

“They want to die in their communities,” she said, adding that she recently heard an Arviat Elder speaking of the spiritual importance of burying Inuit where they were born.

In the Legislative Assembly on March 14, Aivilik MLA Solomon Malliki inquired about creating long-term care facilities in every Nunavut community instead of just regional hubs. Health Minister John Main replied, “We currently don’t have any plans for a project along those lines.”

“ ᐱᔪᒪᓂᖃᖅᑰᙱᒻᒪᑕ ᐊᓯᔾᔨᖅᓯᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᒥ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖕᓂ ᒥᑭᓐᓂᖅᓴᐅᔪᓄᑦ, ᐱᖓᓱᓂ -ᐃᒡᓗᕈᓯᓕᖕᓂ, ᑎᓴᒪᓂ -ᐃᒡᓗᕈᓯᓕᖕᓂ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐ ᓄᑦ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ,” ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎᐅᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᒪᓃᑦᑐᖅ ᑖᒻᑉᓯᓐ, ᐅᓇᑕᖅᓯᒪᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖅ ᓄᓇᖏᓐᓃᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᑕᐃᑯᖓ ᑐᖁᓂᐊᕐᓂᖓᓄᑦ ᐅᓪᓗᖓᓄᑦ, ᐊᔪᕐᓇᙱᒃᑳᖓᑦ .

“I don’t think they have the will to change the plan from regional centres to smaller, three-bedroom, four-bedroom Elder care in communities,” says former MLA Manitok Thompson, who has been fighting for Elders to remain in their own communities until their dying day, whenever possible. Photo courtesy of Manitok Thompson aligns very closely with the concepts of Inuit Recruit more home-care workers: MLA Three days later, Tununiq MLA Karen Nutarak Qaujimajatuqangit,” said Nutarak. “I recognize and Iqaluit-Sinaa MLA Janet Brewster pressed that not every community is currently able to Main on improving Elder care in communities. offer home-care services and I do appreciate that Nutarak emphasized the need for home and some of our Elders may have complex medical community care to keep Elders in their own conditions and that an individual with dementia may require a higher level of care. residences for as long as possible.

“However, I am concerned that for Elders “Having this kind of care available for our Elders in the community, with caregivers speak- who are sent away from their homes, the risks ing Inuktitut and being near family and friends of developing complex medical issues or the

ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᔮᓐ ᒪᐃᓐ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᒫᔾᔨ 28 –ᒥ 8–ᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥᐅᑕᓂ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᐋᑐᕚᒥ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᖅ -19 –ᖃᖅᑐᓂ .

onset of dementia may increase as a result of their relocation.”

Main noted that the latest statistics from his department indicate that there are 1,402 home care clients in Nunavut.

“So the demand is definitely there and the trend is up year over year in terms of the home care demand for services,” he said, adding that prior to the pandemic, the Department of Health worked with Nunavut Arctic College to deliver 10-day courses to numerous communities and “that was part of making sure that our workforce is available to deliver the services needed.”

He expressed hope that those sorts of courses may be able to resume soon with the pandemic easing.

“Elder care is much more than facilities and long-term care. There is a lot of importance around services and keeping Elders where they are the most comfortable, in their own homes, maybe next door to one of their family members,” said Main. “In that line, it’s something that I anticipate will be included as part of the development of that strategy and rightly so because it’s very important.”

Brewster’s focus was primarily on assurances that the Inuit perspective is not overlooked.

“There is no denying that the voices of our Elders and their family members are not being adequately taken into consideration with respect to Elder care,” Brewster asserted. “I strongly believe that decisions with respect to Elder care, in both an individual context and in the context of the broader population, must be informed from an Inuit perspective.

I recognize the expertise of our health professionals in delivering healthcare, however we cannot exclude the importance of culture when we determine how that healthcare will be delivered.”

Brewster asked Main to ensure that the GN’s long-term Elder Care Strategy will require that Inuit cultural representatives have input in that legislation “and that their voices will be heard and reflected in the final strategy document.”

“Yes, I can commit to that,” Main replied, adding that Elder care involves other government departments as it also pertains to “purpose-built housing, prevention of Elder abuse, cultural considerations and benefits for low-income seniors.”

Elders in Ottawa diagnosed with Covid-19 Embassy West says cases are contained to one floor

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Nunavut

Minister of Health John Main announced on March 28 that there are eight Nunavut Elders in Ottawa who have Covid-19. NNSL file photo

Nunavut’s Health Minister John Main announced on March 28 there are eight Nunavut Elders who have Covid-19 at Ottawa’s Embassy West Senior Living facility.

“I know this is concerning for everyone, especially those with family members at the facility,” said Main.

The department of health has been in contact with Embassy West and said it has implemented

strict Covid-19 protocols to limit visitors, as well as increasing testing and screening among staff and clients. All cases at the facility are contained to one floor with additional Covid-19 protocols and air filtering systems in place.

“At this time, I am confident Embassy West Senior Living is doing everything it can to stop the spread of the virus and care for those who are sick,” Main added.

Main says there are Inuktitut interpreters onsite and the Elders understand the situation.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and offer any support we can to aid our Elders.”

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Monday, April 4, 2022 A7

‘ᐊᐃᑦᑖᖑᒐᓗᐊᖅᐳᖅ,’ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᑐᕌᒐᕆᔭᖓᓂ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᒪᓃᑦᑐᖅ ᑖᒻᑉᓯᓐ ᐃᑲᔪᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑲᑎᖅᓱᐃᓂᕐᒥ 20,000–ᓂ ᐊᑎᓕᐅᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂ ᑐᒃᓯᕋᐅᑎᒥᒃ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᖃᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᓇᓕᖏᓐᓂ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐅᒃᐱᕈᓱᙱᓚᖅ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᓈᓚᖕᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ Northern News Services

ᒪᓃᑦᑐᖅ ᑖᒻᑉᓯᓐ ᓂᐱᖓ ᓴᔪᒃᐳᖅ ᓴᐱᓕᖅᓯᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ 6– ᖓᓂ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᑲᑎᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓴᖑᙱᑐᐃᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᙱᓐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑐᕌᒐᕆᔭᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᐆᒃᑐᕋᐅᑎᐅᔪᑦ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᓯᖅᑕᐅᔪᒥ ᓯᕗᓂᐊᓂ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᓄᑦ. “ᐱᔪᒪᓂᖃᖅᑰᙱᒻᒪᑕ ᐊᓯᔾᔨᖅᓯᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᒥ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖕᓂ ᒥᑭᓐᓂᖅᓴᐅᔪᓄᑦ, ᐱᖓᓱᓂ-ᐃᒡᓗᕈᓯᓕᖕᓂ, ᑎᓴᒪᓂ-ᐃᒡᓗᕈᓯᓕᖕᓂ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑖᒻᑉᓯᓐ, ᐱᒋᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ ᖃᕋᓴᐅᔭᑎᒍᑦ ᐊᑎᓕᐅᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂ ᑐᒃᓯᕋᐅᑎᒥᒃ ᐅᒃᑐᐱᕆᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ ᑲᑎᖅᓱᐃᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ 20,000–ᓂ ᐊᑎᓕᐅᕆᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᓯᒪᐃᓐᓇᕈᒪᔪᓂ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐃᓄᑑᓗᑎᒃ ᐃᒻᒥᒃᑯᑦ ᐆᒪᔪᓐᓇᐃᓪᓕᔭᕌᖓᒥᒃ. “ᓴᓇᒑᖓᒥᒃ ᑕᐃᒃᑯᓂᖓ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᐅᔪᓂ (ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ, ᐃᖃᓗᖕᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥ), ᐅᖃᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᓈᒻᒪᒃᑐᓂ (ᐊᑯᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᔭᐅᓂᕐᒧᑦ) ᐃᒡᓕᖅᑕᖃᕐᒪᑦ, ᓴᓇᒃᑲᓐᓂᕈᓐᓇᙱᑦᑐᒍᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᔅᓯᓐᓂ. ᒪᑐᓯᓂᖃᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐊᖑᔪᓂ ᓄᓇᓖᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᖃᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ.” ᑖᒻᑉᓯᓐ, ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ 1995–ᒥ 2004–ᒧᑦ, ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᑲᐅᓈᕐᓂᐊᕋᓗᐊᕐᒪᖔᑕ ᖃᓄᖅ ᐊᔪᕐᓇᙱᑎᒋᓇᔭᕐᓂᐊᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᖃᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐃᒡᓗᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓈᒻᒪᒃᑐᒥ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᒥ ᐊᑐᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᒥ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᑕᐅᓗᓂ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒃᓴᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᓗᐊᖅᑐᓂ ᐸᖅᑭᔭᐅᓂᖃᓗᐊᙱᑦᑐᓄᑦ. “ᒥᓂᔅᑕᐅᑉ ᑐᖏᓕᖏᑦ ᐊᔭᐅᕆᓂᖃᕐᔪᐊᕈᓐᓇᖅᑑᔮᖅᐳᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ… ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᐅᒃᐱᕈᓱᙱᓚᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐃᓄᑐᐃᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᑐᐃᓐᓇᐅᔪᓂ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ. “ᐅᖃᖃᑎᖃᖅᓯᒪᕗᖓ ᐊᒥᓱᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᐅᖃᖅᑐᓂ, ᐃᓛᒃ ᒫᓐᓇ ᐃᓄᖕᓂ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᕐᔪᐊᖃᕋᑦᑕ, ᐃᓄᖕᓂ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᖃᓕᖅᑐᖅ, ᐊᓯᔾᔨᕆᐊᖃᖅᑐᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᓂᕆᔭᖓᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᓂᐊᖅᐳᑦ. ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐋᒃᑲ, ᐊᐃᑦᑖᖑᕐᔪᐊᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ … ᐊᐃᑦᑖᓗᖔ, ᐊᐃᑦᑖᓗᖓ.” ᐊᑲᐅᒃᓴᙱᕐᔪᐊᖅᓯᒪᒋᕗᖅ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᖁᕝᕙᖅᓴᐃᖏᓐᓇᖅᐸᖕᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔭᑐᖃᖏᓐᓂ ᑐᙵᕕᒋᔭᖏᓐᓂ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐊᖏᔾᔮᙱᓚᑦ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᐃᓐᓇᕈᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ

ᑐᓄᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᑎ ᑭᐊᕆᓐ ᓄᑕᕋᖅ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᒋᐊᓪᓚᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᔭᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖅ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᖓᓃᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᓕᒫᖓᓐᓂ. “ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑦᑐᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᑦᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ, ᐸᖅᑭᔨᖃᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᐅᖃᓪᓚᓲᓂ ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓚᒥᓂ ᐱᖃᓐᓇᕆᔭᒥᓂᒡᓗ ᖃᓂᒃᓴᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᑐᑭᓕᐊᕐᓂᖃᑦᑎᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᖃᓂᑦᑐᒻᒪᕆᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᐅᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔭᑐᖃᖏᓐᓂ ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ .

ᓄᓇᓕᖏᓐᓂ. “ᓄᓇᓕᖏᓐᓂ ᑐᖁᓛᕈᒪᕗᑦ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ, ᐃᓚᒋᐊᖅᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᒫᓐᓇᓕᓴᐅᔪᒥ ᑐᓴᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᒥ ᐅᖃᓪᓚᒃᑐᒥ ᐅᒃᐱᕐᓂᖏᑕ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᐃᓗᕕᖅᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᓄᖕᓂ ᐃᓅᕝᕕᒋᓚᐅᖅᑕᖏᓐᓂ. ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᒫᔾᔨ 14–ᒥ, ᐊᐃᕕᓕᖕᒥ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎ ᓵᓚᒪᓐ ᒪᓕᑭ ᐊᐱᖅᑯᓯᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓴᖅᑭᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᑯᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᕕᒃᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᑐᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᑐᐊᖑᙱᑦᑐᓂ. ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᖓ ᔮᓐ ᒪᐃᓐ ᑭᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ, “ᒫᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᒃᓴᖃᙱᑦᑐᖓ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᐅᔪᒥ ᑕᐅᕘᓇᒐᓚᒃ.” ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᑖᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥᐸᖅᑭᔨᐅᔪᓂ: ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎ ᐅᓪᓗᐃᑦ ᐱᖓᓱᑦ ᐊᓂᒍᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ, ᑐᓄᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎ ᑭᐊᕆᓐ ᓄᑕᕋᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦᓯᓈᓄᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎᖓ ᔮᓂᑦ ᐳᕉᔅᑐᕐ ᐊᔭᐅᕆᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᒪᐃᓐᒥ ᐱᐅᓯᒋᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᓂ. ᓄᑕᕋᖅ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᔭᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖅ ᐃᒡᓗᖓᓃᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᓕᒫᖏᓐᓂ. “ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑦᑐᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ, ᐸᖅᑭᔨᖃᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ ᐅᖃᓪᓚᒍᓐᓇᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓚᒥᓂᑦ ᐱᖃᓐᓇᕆᔭᒥᓂᒡᓗ ᖃᓂᒃᓴᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᑐᑭᓕᐊᕐᓂᑦᑎᐊᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᐅᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔭᑐᖃᖏᓐᓂ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓄᑕᕋᖅ. “ᐃᓕᓴᖅᓯᕗᖓ ᓄᓇᓕᓕᒫᑦ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᖅᑐᓂ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᖃᑐᐃᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᕐᒪᑕ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓄᖕᒥ ᐃᖅᑲᐃᙱᑦᑕᐃᑎᓕᖕᒥ ᖁᑦᑎᖕᓂᖅᓴᒥ ᑭᒡᓕᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᔭᐅᓂᖃᕆᐊᖃᕋᔭᕐᒪᑦ. “ᑭᓯᐊᓂ, ᐃᓱᒫᓗᒃᐳᖓ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᖅᑎᑕᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᖏᓐᓂ, ᐅᓗᕆᐊᓇᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᑎᑦᑎᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᓇᓗᓇᖅᑐᒥ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᕐᓇᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᑲᐅᙱᓕᐅᕈᑕᐅᔪᓂ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᐃᙱᑦᑕᐅᑎᓕᖕᒥ ᐊᖏᒡᓕᒋᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐱᑎᑕᐅᔪᒥ ᓅᑎᑕᐅᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ.” ᒪᐃᓐ ᐅᔾᔨᕆᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖑᔪᒥ ᑭᓪᓕᓯᓂᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖓᓂ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᕗᖅ 1,402–ᓂ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᔾᔪᔾᔭᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ. “ᑕᐃᒫᒃ ᐱᔪᒪᓂᖅ ᑕᐃᑲᓃᓪᓚᕆᒃᐳᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᓂᐅᕙᒃᑐᒥ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᓕᖕᒥ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᔪᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ, ᐃᓚᒋᐊᖅᓯᓪᓗᓂ ᓯᕗᓂᐊᓂ ᐊᒥᓱᓄᑦ

ᐊᑕᐅᓯᕐᒥ ᐊᒥᓱᓂ ᕿᐱᓂ ᓴᓇᔭᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᑕᓗᕐᔪᐊᒥ .

Tununiq MLA Karen Nutarak emphasized the need for home and community care to keep Elders in their own residences for as long as possible. “Having this kind of care available for our Elders in the community, with caregivers speaking Inuktitut and being near family and friends aligns very closely with the concepts of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit,” she said. NNSL file photo

ᖃᓂᒻᒪᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ, ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᓯᓚᑦᑐᖅᓴᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᑐᓂᓯᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᓪᓗᓂ–10-ᓂ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᖃᔅᓯᒐᓚᖕᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ “ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᖁᑎᕗᑦ ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᑐᓂᓯᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᔭᕆᐊᓕᖕᓂ.” ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓂᕆᐅᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑦᑐᓂ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐅᑎᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᒥᓱᓄᑦ ᖃᓂᒻᒪᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᖃᓱᒋᐊᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᖓᓂ. “ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᖏᓂᖅᓴᐅᕗᖅ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᑯᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ. ᐱᒻᒪᕆᕐᔪᐊᖅᑕᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓃᑎᑕᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐃᓗᐊᕆᓛᒥᓂᑦ, ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖅ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᖏᓐᓂ, ᐃᒻᒪᖄ ᓴᓂᓕᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᒥᓂᑦ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᒪᐃᓐ. “ᑕᐃᑲᓂᑦᑕᐃᓐᓇᒐᓚᒃ, ᓂᕆᐅᒋᓂᕆᔭᕋ ᐃᓚᓕᐅᔾᔭᐅᓂᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐃᓚᒋᓗᓂᐅᒃ ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᑎᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑕᐃᔅᓱᒥᖓ ᐸᕐᓇᒍᑕᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓪᓗᐊᖅᖢᓂ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᕐᔪᐊᖑᖕᒪᑦ.” ᐳᕉᔅᑐᕐ ᑕᐅᑐᒃᑕᑐᐊᖃᑲᐃᓐᓇᕐᓂᖓ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒥ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᖏᓐᓂ ᐳᐃᒍᖅᑕᐅᙱᓐᓂᖏᓐᓂ. “ᓇᓗᓇᙱᑦᑎᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᓂᐱᐅᔪᑦ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓚᖏᓐᓂ ᓈᒻᒪᒃᑐᒥ ᐃᓱᒪᒃᓴᖅᓯᐅᕆᔭᐅᙱᓐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ,” ᐳᕉᔅᑐᕐ ᐅᖃᕆᐊᓪᓚᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ. “ᐅᒃᐱᕈᓱᑦᑎᐊᖅᐳᖓ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐊᖑᔪᑦ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᓕᖕᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ

ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᑕᒪᒃᑭᓂ ᐃᓄᑐᐃᓐᓇᕐᒧᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒥᓲᓂᖅᓴᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᒋᐊᖑᔪᓂ, ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔭᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᓂᕆᔭᖏᓐᓂ. ᐃᓕᓴᖅᓯᕗᖓ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᓂᕐᔪᐊᖑᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔨᕐᔪᐊᖑᔪᓂ ᑐᓂᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑐᓂᔭᐅᓂᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐃᓚᐅᙱᑎᑦᑎᔭᕆᐊᖃᙱᑉᐳᒍᑦ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᐃᓕᖅᑯᓯᒥ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᕆᑎᓪᓗᑕ ᖃᓄᖅ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑐᓂᔭᐅᓂᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ.” ᐳᕉᔅᑐᕐ ᐊᐱᕆᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᒪᐃᓐᒥ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᑯᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᕐᓇᒍᑎᖓᓂ ᐱᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᐊᕐᒪᖔᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐃᓕᖅᑯᓯᖓᓐᓂ ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᐃᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᒃᓴᕆᔭᖏᓐᓂ ᑕᐃᑯᖓ ᐱᖁᔭᒃᓴᐅᔪᒥ “ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓂᐱᖏᑦ ᑐᓴᖅᑕᐅᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᑎᑕᐅᓗᓂ ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖑᔪᒥ ᐸᕐᓇᒍᑎᒥ ᑎᑎᖅᑲᖁᑕᐅᔪᒥ.” “ᐄ, ᐊᖏᕈᑎᒋᔪᓐᓇᖅᑕᕋ,” ᒪᐃᓐ ᑭᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ, ᐃᓚᒋᐊᖅᓯᓪᓗᓂ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᐸᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓚᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂ ᒐᕙᒪᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᖃᕐᒪᑦ “ᐱᔾᔪᑎᒃᓴᐅᔪᒥ– ᓴᓇᔭᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᒡᓗᒃᓴᓄᑦ, ᐱᑎᑦᑎᑦᑕᐃᓕᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᐋᓐᓂᖅᓯᕆᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᐃᓕᖅᑯᓯᒧᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᒃᓴᖅᓯᐅᕈᑎᒃᓴᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐱᕚᓪᓕᕈᑎᓂ ᐊᑦᑎᒃᑐᒧᑦ–ᑮᓇᐅᔾᔭᒃᓴᔪᓄᑦ ᐃᓐᓇᐅᓂᖅᓴᐅᔪᓄᑦ.”

Taloyoak volunteers help support community during lockdowns Quilting packages replace weekly tea parties to keep minds busy

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Taloyoak

One of the many quilts made by the Elders of Taloyoak. Photo courtesy of Cindy Dhillon.

Two community volunteers sought to make a difference when lockdowns took place in Taloyoak, ensuring Elders and those struggling with addictions make it through tough times during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cindy Dhillon of Northern Canada Mini Projects and Mary Sutherland, Taloyoak’s wellness coordinator, sponsor weekly tea parties and sewing sessions in Taloyoak, however when those could not take place, they made sure there was something to do.

“Mary and I plotted out dropping off packages of fabric and supplies on doorsteps so those with addictions, had no family or really had nothing else to or occupy their minds still could expend their energy in something constructive and fun,” said Dhillon.

In addition to Elders, packages were also went to youth.

One of they projects they did during this past year were Every Child Matters quilts. When Elders finish their quilts they either drop it off to Sutherland at the hamlet office or she stops by the house herself.

“Mary has put an endless amount of work hours into what she does and does an amazing job,” said Chuck Pizzo-Lyall, mayor of Taloyoak.

“She always has time to help everyone in any way she can. We are truly blessed to have a hard working, determined, helping individual like her,” he adds.

Sutherland is also a Canadian Ranger and has helped out in search and rescue efforts in the past.

“She does her very best in what she is doing and never hesitates when called upon,” said Pizzo-Lyall.

Dhillon also contributes kindness in the community, receiving packages of food and clothing from down south for distribution to residents, in addition to organizing Christmas toy drives for children and helping out with school supplies.

“It helps a lot of people in need as our prices up here in the North are very ridiculous for food and clothing,” the mayor said, adding that it makes a lot of people happy knowing they don’t have to worry so much about their next meal.

“I can’t say enough how thankful we are in Taloyoak to have such a kind and generous person who helps people she doesn’t even know.”

A8 Monday, April 4, 2022

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ᐆᓇᖅᑐᒥ ᐃᒪᓕᒃ ᒥᑭᑦᑐᒻᒪᕆᑯᓗᖕᒥ ᐳᐃᔾᔪᕋᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᕐᓂᕐᓘᑎᖃᕐᓂᖅ ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᔾᔪᑎᒋᓇᓱᐊᕐᓗᒍ ᓴᖅᑭᓵᓕᓂᖅᓴᐅᓲᖑᕗᑦ ᐃᓄᑭᓐᓂᖅᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᓄᒋᐊᖕᓂᐅᔪᓂ - ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᓚᐃᑦᔅᑑᓐ ᑭᓱᒥᒃ ᐊᔾᔨᒋᙱᑕᖓᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᓪᓗᐊᓚᐅᖅᐸ?

Northern News Services

ᒥᓂᔅᑕᐃᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᒋᔭᐅᔪᖅ ᐋᑕᒻ ᓚᐃᑦᔅᑑᓐ ᐃᒻᒥᓂᒃ ᓇᓂᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᑲᐅᙱᓕᐅᕈᑕᐅᒐᓛᒃᑐᒥ ᑕᖅᑭᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ ᖄᖏᖅᓯᒪᔪᒥ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᐅᖃᑎᖏᑦ ᐱᒋᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᓇᕘᑉ ᐅᒃᐱᕆᔭᐅᔪᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑲᒥᓴᓇᖓᓄᑦ ᐱᑕᖃᑐᐃᓐᓇᕆᐊᓕᖕᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᕐᓂᕐᓘᑎᖃᕐᓂᖅ ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᔾᔪᑎᒋᓇᓱᐊᕐᓗᒍ ᓴᖅᑭᑕᐅᔪᒥ ᕿᓚᒻᒥᐅᔪᒥ ᑎᒃᑯᐊᖅᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖓᑕ ᐃᓗᐊᓂ. ᓚᐃᑦᔅᑑᓐ ᐊᖏᖅᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑎᒃᑯᐊᖅᓯᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᓕᐊᖓᓂ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᒧᑦ ᑐᒡᓕᕆᔭᐅᓚᐅᑲᖕᓂᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᐅᓪᓗᓄᑦ ᑕᓪᓕᒪᓄᑦ, ᐱᔭᕇᖅᓯᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᐅᑉ ᑐᒡᓕᐊᑕ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᖅᓯᒪᔪᒥ ᕿᑲᕐᓂᖓᓄᑦ ᐅᒃᐱᕆᔭᐅᔪᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑲᒥᓴᓇᐅᑉ ᑲᑕᕆ ᐲᑐᓴᓐ ᐅᓂᒃᑳᕆᓚᐅᖅᑕᖓᓂ “ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᖃᙱᓗᐊᒃᑲᐅᓂᖓᓂ” ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖓᓂ. ᒥᓂᔅᑕᐅᑉ ᑐᒡᓕᐊ ᐃᓱᓕᑦᑎᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓚᐃᑦᔅᑑᓐ ᓄᓕᐊᖓ ᓈᒻᒪᓛᖑᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓇᖏᖅᓯᓚᐅᑲᖕᓂᖓᓂ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᖃᖅᑐᒥ “ᓴᙱᔪᒥ ᐊᔪᙱᓐᓂᕆᔭᖏᓐᓂ, ᖃᐅᔨᒪᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᑐᕐᓂᑯᖏᓐᓂ,” ᐊᒻᒪ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐱᑦᑕᐃᔨᒪᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓚᐃᑦᔅᑑᓐ ᓄᓕᐊᖓᓂ ᑐᕌᖓᓂᓕᖕᒥ ᐅᐸᖃᑎᖃᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᒧᑦ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᑲᐅᙱᓕᐅᕈᑕᐅᔪᓄᑦ. ᓚᐃᑦᔅᑑᓐ ᑕᐃᒪᙵᓂ ᐃᒻᒥᓂᒃ ᓴᓂᕐᕙᐃᓯᒪᕗᖅ, ᓴᒃᑯᐃᑦᑎᓪᓗᓂ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᐅᑉ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᑕᖏᓐᓂ “ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᖃᖓᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᕐᕕᒃ ᐱᕕᒃᓴᖄᓂᒃᑯᓂ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓯᓪᓚᑦᑖᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐆᒥᖓ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᒥ ᒪᓕᒃᑐᒥ ᑐᓂᓯᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᒃᐱᕆᔭᐅᔪᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᐅᔪᒥ,” ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ.

ᐲᑐᓴᓐ, ᑲᒪᒋᔭᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᐃᓕᖅᑯᓯᖃᑦᑎᐊᕋᓱᖕᓇᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᐃᓪᓗᓂ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᕐᕕᖕᒥ, ᐃᒪᐃᖁᔨᓇᔭᖅᐳᖅ ᒪᔨᒐᓕᐅᖅᑏᑦ ᐃᓂᖅᑎᕆᓗᑎᒃ ᓚᐃᑦᔅᑑᓐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎ ᐃᓄᓕᒫᓄᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓗᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᖓᓂ. ᑭᓯᐊᓂ, ᓴᒃᑯᐃᑦᑎᔭᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᐅᑉ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᑕᖏᓐᓂ ᐱᓪᓚᑲᐅᔭᕐᓂᐅᔮᖅᐳᖅ, ᑕᒪᒃᑭᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ. ᐲᑐᓴᓐ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓚᐃᑦᔅᑑᓐ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᐃᓱᒫᓘᑎᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᑎᒃᑯᐊᖅᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᓈᒻᒪᒍᓱᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᐅᑉ ᑐᒡᓕᖓᑕ ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔨᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑐᓂᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᑎᓕᐅᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᖏᕐᓂᖓᓂ. ᓱᓕᒐᓗᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐃᓚᖏᓐᓂ ᐅᔾᔨᕆᙱᓐᓂᖃᓚᐅᕐᓂᖓᓂ, ᐱᓗᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᓚᐃᑦᔅᑑᓐᒥ ᓴᐳᔾᔭᐅᓂᖓᓂ “ᑭᒃᑯᓕᒫᑦ (ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑏᑦ) ᖃᐅᔨᒪᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ” ᐊᐃᑉᐸᖃᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᑐᖁᔭᐅᓇᔭᖅᑕᒥ ᑎᒃᑯᐊᖅᑕᐅᓇᓱᐊᖅᑐᒥ, ᐱᑕᖃᙱᓗᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐱᔪᒪᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓴᐅᑐᐃᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖑᔪᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᔪᕐᓇᖅᑐᒦᑎᑦᑎᓯᒪᕗᖅ. ᐲᑐᓴᓐ ᑭᐅᓂᖓ ᐃᒪᐃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ “ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᒃᓴᖃᒃᑲᓐᓂᓚᐅᙱᓚᖅ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖑᔪᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᓂ ᐃᓗᓪᓕᖅᓯᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐆᒥᖓ ᐃᓂᐅᔪᒥᒃ.” ᐊᖏᓛᖑᔪᖅ ᐊᑲᐅᙱᓕᐅᕈᑕᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᓇᐅᙱᓚᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᕐᓂᕐᓘᑎᖃᕐᓂᖅ ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᔾᔪᑎᒋᓇᓱᐊᕐᓗᒍ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᓇᒍ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓚᐃᑦᔅᑑᓐ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᖃᓚᐅᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᕿᒥᕐᕈᔭᐅᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᖏᖅᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᒥᒃ ᓈᒻᒪᒋᔭᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ ᑕᒪᒃᑭᓄᑦ ᐃᕐᙲᓐᓇᑲᐅᑎᒋᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ, ᐋᔩᖃᑎᒋᔭᐅᓚᐅᙱᓚᖅ ᓈᒻᒪᒃᑐᒥ, ᐃᓗᐊᒍᑦ ᓯᓚᑖᓂᓪᓘᓐᓃᑦ.

ᐊᕐᕕᐊᑦ-ᓂᒋᕐᒥ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎ ᔫ ᓴᕕᑲᑖᖅ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓴᖅᑭᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ “ᓇᐃᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ” ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᖃᓄᐃᑉᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ. ᐅᒃᐱᕆᔭᐅᔪᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑲᒥᓴᓇᖓ ᐃᓱᐊᓂ ᓇᓂᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ “ᑕᐃᒫᒃ … ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᓚᐃᑦᔅᑑᓐ ᑕᒻᒪᓚᐅᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᕆᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᑦᑎᐊᕋᓱᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑐᙵᕕᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔨᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑐᓂᔭᐅᔪᒥ ᑕᐃᔅᓱᒪᓂ … ᑎᒃᑯᐊᕆᔪᒪᕗᖓ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᓂᖃᙱᓐᓂᖓᓂ ᐱᕋᔭᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᓱᓕᙱᑦᑐᒥ, ᓈᒻᒪᙱᑦᑐᒥ ᐱᕚᓪᓕᕈᑕᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐱᕋᔭᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᑎᓕᐅᕈᑕᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ ᐅᑯᓇᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ. ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᓂᖃᓚᐅᙱᓚᖅ ᐅᖓᕙᕆᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᒻᒥᒎᖅᑐᒥ ᐱᔪᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᒧᑦ, ᓄᓕᐊᖓᓄᑦ ᐊᓯᖓᓐᓂᓪᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐃᓄᖕᒧᑦ.” ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᕐᓂᕐᓘᑎᖃᕐᓂᖅ ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᔾᔪᑎᒋᓇᓱᐊᕐᓗᒍ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᙱᑎᑕᐅᒃᓴᐅᙱᑲᓴᒃᐳᖅ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑦᑐᒥ ᑳᓐᑐᕌᒃᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᒃᓴᐅᔪᓂ – ᑭᒃᑯᓕᒫᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᕗᑦ ᑭᒃᑯᓕᒫᓂ; ᐃᓚᒌᖑᔪᑦ ᐅᓄᖅᑑᕗᑦ; ᐊᖏᔪᒥ ᓇᒦᕈᓘᔭᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓛᓐᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᕐᓂᖅᓴᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᖃᓪᓗᓈᓂ–ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᐱᔪᓐᓴᖅᑎᑕᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂ. ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓴᖅᑭᑎᑦᑎᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᖅᑲᖅᑎᑦᑎᔪᓐᓇᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐆᒥᖓ ᐊᑲᐅᙱᓕᐅᕈᑕᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᒋᐊᓚᐅᖅᑳᕋᓂ ᑎᓯᐱᕆᒥ – ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᑯᓂᖓ ᐅᖃᓪᓚᖕᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐅᕙᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᓴᐳᔾᔨᓲᖑᕗᑦ ᐃᓗᐊᙱᑦᑐᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᖓᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᕐᕕᖕᒥ. ᐃᓱᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᕿᓚᒻᒥᐅᔪᒥ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᖅᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᙱᑉᐳᖅ ᐱᔪᒪᔪᓂ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᔪᓂ ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔭᐅᓯᒪᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ.

Hot water in a very small pool

Conflicts of interest arise more easily in our smaller populations – what could Lightstone have done differently?

Peterson, who oversees ethics on behalf of the Legislative Assembly, Cabinet minister Adam Lightstone has recommended that legislators found himself in a bit of a pickle this reprimand Lightstone and that the past month when colleagues instiMLA publicly acknowledge his congated an investigation by Nunavut’s duct. integrity commissioner over a potenHowever, having to give up his porttial conflict of interest sparked by a folios seems to be a bit of an overreaction, all circumstances considered. temporary appointment within his Peterson stated that Lightstone department. initially had concerns regarding the Lightstone had approved the appointment of his spouse as acting appointment but he accepted the deputy minister of Human Resourcdeputy minister’s advice and gave es for five days, to cover off the his signed approval. deputy minister’s scheduled holidays While it is true that there were in what the integrity commissioner some oversights made, especially in Katherine Peterson describes as a Lightstone’s defence that “everyone “chronically understaffed” depart(senior staff) knew” about his relament. tion to the recommended appointee, The deputy minister concluded the lack of interest from other potentially available senior staff apthat Lightstone’s spouse was best pears to have put him in a bind. suited to fill in for her due to her Peterson’s rebuff was that “there “strong skills, knowledge and experience,” and steps were taken to avoid was no canvas of other departments Lightstone’s spouse being in direct to determine whether a senior staff contact with the minister regarding member could fill this role.” work issues.

The biggest problem isn’t even that Lightstone has since stepped aside, there was a conflict of interest, but relinquishing his portfolios “until that despite doing what Lightstone such time as the Legislative Assem- considered due diligence and apbly has the opportunity to formally proving a plan that was agreeable resolve this matter in accordance to all immediate parties, it was not with the provision of the Integrity communicated appropriately, internally or externally.

Act,” the premier said.

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Arviat-South MLA Joe Savikataaq was among those to bring up the “smell test” or the perception of the chain of events.

The integrity commissioner ultimately found that “although …

Minister Lightstone made an error in judgment made in good faith and on the basis of advice received at the time … I wish to point out that there is no evidence of any collusion, corruption, inappropriate benefit nor nefarious actions or directions associated with these circumstances. There was no evidence of the advancement of a private interest of the minister, his spouse or other person.”

Conflict of interest is nearly unavoidable in a such a contracted labour pool – everyone knows everyone; families are large, sprawling and sometimes more complicated than southern-style governance allows for.

Transparency and disclosure could have stopped this issue in its tracks in December – written proof of these conversations is what saves many of us from uncomfortable situations in the workplace.

A perception cannot be hastily formed when interested parties are informed.

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Omingmak Frolics returning!

Northern News Services

HALUUQQAFFI IQALUKTUUTIAMIT. HILA QAIJUKNAIQTUK. HILA ALIANAQHIJUK. HIQINIQLU ALINAQHIJUQ QULVAHAINNAKPAKTUK UPLANNUAMI. QAUMALIQMAN INUIN ANILUGAAKTUT NUTAQQATLU ANILIGAAKTUTLU. INUIN AUDLAAKLUGAAKTUT NUNAMI IQALIQIVAKTUT AUDLAATILUTIKLU KUVJALIQIVAKTUTLU. AUJAVINGMUNGNAUVAKTUTLU APUTAIJAQNAQHINGMAN. ULAPQINIAKMIJUN MAI 16-23, 2022 IQALUKTUUTIAMI OMINGMAK FRALIKNAHUAN QUANA. KATIMANIAQMIJUN AQARUANI QANUQ PINAHUAN. HOGALUTKUT HAVAKVIANI UPAKLUGU IKAJURUMAGUVIT. INUIN NAAMAINNAQTUT. INIKNIIT MIQHUKPAKTUT PITQUHIRNIQQUNNI. IPAKHANI TUNNGAVIKKUT KATIMAJUN IQALUKTUUTIAMI. QUANA TUUKMIAN INUINLU PULAAKTUT. PITIAQPAKLUHI. ILANI AJUQNAKHIVAKTUT ILAIJAGAGNATTA. QINIQPAKLURIT ILATIT. IHUMAALUKPALAAKHIMAITTUMIKLU. NAAMAINNAQHUNGNUJUTIN. AJUQNAQMAN ILANI. AKHUUKPAKLUHILU. Welcome to the land of the Inuinnait, a beautiful spot on the southern trip of Victoria Island, where the laughter of kids and dogs barking can be heard for miles.

Snowmobiles, airplanes and loud vehicles and the loud power house built in the 1950s can still be heard as you come to town. Years ago it was silence, all you hear are dogs and footprints in the hard frozen snow, listening as the crunch of each step hits the hard snow that just blew all over after a snow storm, making it so pure and white on the land and sea.

The moon shines brightly and the village looks like a Christmas town with all the lights lit up.

Today they have street lights that automatically go on when it starts to get dark outside, in the old days before the town was built, all the light we had was the sun and daylight, and at night we had the moonlight.

Today there are snowmobiles, ATVs, trucks, heavy equipment, boats, motors, airplanes, helicopters and more. In the olden days, if you heard an airplane, everyone went out to meet it, to see all the goodies being unloaded or to see if our relatives were coming home from the hospital in Edmonton or elsewhere.

Spring season is coming up fast, with more warmer days ahead, and this year we are all excited that there will be our annual spring festival: Omingmak Frolics.

Yes this year due to opening up from Covid restrictions, our village, our beautiful home will get to celebrate frolics again.

It is scheduled for May 16 to 23 in Cambridge Bay. The Recreation Department at the Hamlet office is busy planning frolics, and have an organizing committee to help plan activities for the fun events for residents. To ask questions or comment con-

Monday, April 4, 2022 A9

Cambridge Bay Tea Talk with Navalik Tologanak email: helent@qiniq.com

ᐅᐱᓐᓇᖅᐳᓯ ᐃᓄᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᐅᔪᓄᑦ ! ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᓯᓚᑦᑐᖅᓴᕐᕕᖓᓂ ᖁᕝᕙᓯᖕᓂᖅᐹᖑᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᒧᑦ (BSW) ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑏᑦ ᑲᑎᖃᑎᒌᒃᐳᑦ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᓂᕐᒥ ᓱᓕᓂᕋᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔨᕐᔪᐊᖑᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒍᓴᐅᔪᒥ, ᐱᔭᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓯᕗᓂᐊᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒥᓂᒃ ᐱᔭᕆᐅᖅᓴᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑎᑭᑉᐸᓪᓕᐊᔪᒥ ᐅᑭᐊᒃᓵᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᖓᓂ. ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒍᑕᐅᔪᖅ ᓴᓇᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᓯᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᖁᕝᕙᓯᖕᓂᖅᐹᖑᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᓕᒪᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓕᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᒃᐱᒍᓱᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓕᖅᑯᓯᖃᑦᑎᐊᕋᓱᖕᓇᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔨᕐᔪᐊᖑᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᖏᓐᓂ. ᐅᕙᓂ ᐊᔾᔨᖃᖃᑕᐅᔪᑦ ᐅᑯᐊᖑᕗᑦ ᓴᐃᒥᖕᒥ ᑕᓕᖅᐱᖕᒧᑦ ᐋᓇ ᕘᓪᑭ ᑕᓗᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ, ᓕᓐᑕ ᐅᕕᓗᖅ ᐃᒡᓗᓕᖕᒥᐅᑕᖅ, ᕙᓂᓴ ᑑᑕᓕᒃ ᑕᓗᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓗᐊᕋ ᓱᐳᕋᓄ ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ. ᐊᔾᔨᖃᖃᑕᐅᙱᑦᑐᖅ ᐹᓖᓐ ᐸᐅᓗᓯ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓴᕐᓕ ᓯᑲᓚᓚ .

Congratulations social work students! Nunavut Arctic College Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students gathered to take part in their Pledge of Professionalism Ceremony, a requirement before they can begin their field practicum in the upcoming fall semester. The ceremony is designed to mark the entrance of BSW students into social work practice and to instill a sense of their ethical and professional responsibilities and obligations.

Pictured left to right are Anna Wolki of Taloyoak, Linda Uvilluq of Iglulik, Vanessa Totalik of Taloyoak and Larrie Soberano of Cambridge Bay. Not pictured are Pauline Pauloosie and Charles Zikalala. Navalik Tologanak/NNSL photo tact Tracy Okhina at the Wellness Centre. Way to go everyone, see you at the frolics.

Stay safe everyone, it is nice to see the community of Cambridge Bay have zero cases at the moment of the Covid virus.

Residents are asked to continue to practice safety and continue wearing masks and keep washing your hands. Stay well. Look after each other. Next week I hope to have a nice story about Cambridge Bay’s Boys Club happening.

ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᒃᑲ: ᓂᕆᐅᖕᓂᖅ ᓄᑖᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᕈᒪᓪᓗᓂ Northern News Services

ᐅᐱᕐᙶᒃᓴᙳᓕᖅᐳᖅ. ᐊᑯᓂ ᓯᕿᓐᓂᖃᑦᑕᓕᖅᖢᓂ ᐆᓇᖅᓯᕙᓪᓕᐊᓪᓗᓂᓗ ᓂᕆᐅᓇᖅᐳᖅ ᓄᑖᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ. ᓄᓕᐊᕋᓗ ᐊᖓᖓᓂᒃ ᐱᖃᑎᖃᖅᖢᑕ ᐊᖁᓚᐅᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᔭᓗᓇᐃᒥᑦ ᐃᑦᒪᓐᑕᒧᑦ ᐊᑯᓂᐅᒐᓗᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᓂᕗᑦ, ᖃᐅᔨᕚᓪᓕᕈᑎᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᑐᑭᓯᕙᓪᓕᕈᑎᖃᖅᓗᑕᓗ. ᑲᔾᔮᕐᓇᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᔾᔨᒌᖏᑦᑐᓂᒡᓗ ᐆᒪᔪᓂᒃ ᑕᑯᖃᑦᑕᖅᖢᑕ ᑕᒪᒃᑯᐊ ᑐᒃᑑᔭᐃᑦ ᐃᒻᒧᒃᓯᐅᒐᐃᓪᓗ ᐊᒻᒪ ᕿᒻᒥᔾᔪᐊᑦ. ᓄᑕᐅᖏᑦᑐᑐᖃᓂᒃ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᕕᓂᕐᓂᒃ ᑕᑯᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᐳᖓ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐅᖅᓱᐊᓗᖕᓂᒃ ᒥᓗᑲᐅᑎᓂᒃ ᒥᓗᑲᖅᑐᑦ ᐅᖅᓱᐊᓗᖕᒥᒃ. ᐊᒻᒪ ᓲᖃᐃᒻᒪ ᓄᓇᓯᐅᑎᑕᖃᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᒥᓱᓂᒃ, ᑕᒪᒃᑯᐊ ᐊᖏᔪᑦ ᓄᓇᓯᐅᑎᑦ ᐅᓯᑲᑦᑕᖅᑎᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᖏᓂᖅᓴᐃᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᒥᑭᓂᖅᓴᐃᑦ ᓄᓇᓯᐅᑎᑐᐃᓐᓇᐃᓪᓗ.

ᓄᖅᑲᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᖢᑕᓗ ᐅᖅᓴᒋᐊᖅᑐᖅᖢᑕ ᓂᕆᔭᒃᓴᑦᑎᓐᓂᒡᓗ ᐱᖃᑦᑕᖅᖢᑕ. ᐊᔾᔨᐅᖏᑦᑑᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓅᓯᕆᖃᑦᑕᖅᑕᑦᑕ ᓴᓂᐊᒍᑦ ᑎᒥᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᒃᑯᓪᓗ ᐊᔾᔨᐅᓚᐅᙱᖦᖢᓂ. ᑕᖃᓚᐅᖅᖢᑕᓗ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐃᓱᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᑕᖃᐃᖅᓯᓚᐅᖅᖢᑕ. ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐊᖁᖦᖢᓂ ᑕᒪᐃᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᖕᓄᑦ ᐊᑐᒐᒃᓴᐅᖏᑉᐳᖅ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇᐃᒍᓐᓇᕋᓗᐊᖅᖢᑕ ᓄᓇᑦᑎᓐᓂ. ᐊᒥᓱᓂᒃ ᐃᒡᓗᐊᓛᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᒥ ᐱᑕᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᑐᐱᕐᕕᒃᓴᓂᒡᓗ ᓯᓚᑦᓯᐊᖑᕙᓪᓕᐊᓕᕐᒪᓪᓗ ᐊᓃᕋᔭᖕᓂᖅᓴᐅᒋᐊᖃᓕᖅᐳᒍᑦ. ᓄᓇᒥ ᐊᐅᓪᓛᖅᓯᒪᓪᓗᓂ ᐃᖢᕐᕆᔮᕐᓇᖅᐳᖅ, ᑕᖃᐃᖅᓯᖅᖢᓂᓗ ᓴᓐᖏᓕᖅᑎᓴᓪᓗᓂᓗ. ᐊᒃᓱᕈᖅᑎᑕᐅᖏᓐᓇᐅᔭᖃᑦᑕᕋᑦᑕ ᐃᓅᓯᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᑕᖃᖃᑦᑕᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕋᓱᐊᓗᐊᒧᑦ. ᐊᐅᓪᓛᖅᓯᒪᓕᖅᖢᓂ, ᐃᒡᓗᐊᓛᒧᐊᖅᓯᒪᓪᓗᓂᓗ ᓄᑖᖑᖅᑰᔨᓐᓇᖅᖢᓂ. ᑏᑐᖅᖢᓂᓗ ᐸᓚᐅᒑᖅᑐᖅᖢᓂᓗ

ĪØùÕúò∆¿ ᕼᐊᐅᓕ ᒪᒃᓴᒐᖅ ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᔭᕋᖕᓂᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᓄᓇᐅᑦ ᐃᓗᐊᓂ ᐅᔭᕋᖕᓂᐊᖅᑎᐅᕙᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᐃᑲᓂ ᓗᐱᓐᑯᑦ ᒍᓗᓯᐅᕐᕕᕕᓂᖓᓂ. ᑖᓐᓇ ᑲᑎᑎᑕᐅᓯᒪᓕᖅᑐᖅ 43-ᓂᒃ ᐊᕐᕋᒍᓂᒃ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑕᓪᓕᒪᓂᒃ 5 ᕿᑐᖓᖃᖅᓱᓂ, 28-ᓂᒃ ᐃᕐᖑᑕᖃᖅᓱᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ

ᓯᑕᒪᓂᒃ ᐊᒪᐅᖃᐅᓕᖅᓱᓂ.

ᐃᓱᒪᓇᖅᑕᖃᕐᓇᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᕆᔭᐅᒋᐊᖃᖅᑐᒥᒃ ᑐᐊᕕᕐᓇᖅᑐᒥᒃ ᓇᒧᙵᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᖦᖢᓂᓗ ᓱᒋᐊᖃᕐᓇᓂᓗ ᐃᒻᒥᓂᒃ ᐱᒍᒪᔭᕐᓂᒃ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᕐᓇᖅᐳᖅ. ᐃᓅᓯᕗᑦ ᕿᓚᒥᐅᖃᑦᑕᕐᒪᑦ ᑕᒪᒃᑯᓂᖓ ᖁᕕᐊᓇᖏᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᕆᐊᒃᓴᖅ ᓱᕙᓕᑭᐊᖑᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᑲᐅᓂᖅᓴᒥᒃ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᖅᓴᐅᒋᐊᖃᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᑕᖃᐃᖅᓯᕐᓇᕐᓂᖅᓴᐅᖕᒪᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᒧᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕐᓂᐊᕐᓗᓂ. ᖃᓄᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᑐᐊᕈᕕᑦ, ᓄᓇᑦᓯᓐᓂ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᓚᐅᐱᓪᓚᒍᓐᓇᕈᕕᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᑉ ᓄᙳᐊᓂ ᓲᕐᓗ ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᑲᔾᔮᕐᓇᖅᑐᒥ ᓄᓇᒦᓚᐅᐱᓪᓚᒍᓐᓇᖅᐳᑎᑦ.

In my view: Hopes for new adventures Northern News Services

Spring is in the air. The length of sunlight and temperatures rising boosts our hopes to new adventures.

My wife and I were privileged in accompanying her niece in a drive from Yellowknife to Edmonton and although it was a long ride, it was eye opening. We enjoyed beautiful scenery along with different wildlife including mule deer as well as cows and horses. I saw some old buildings from earlier years of occupancy and the small oil rigs pumping oil. And of course there was

traffic, big rigs and It is difficult for all more big rigs and of us to make a trip regular pick-ups and like this but we can cars. still do this locally.

Harry Maksagak is a Cambridge Bay resident, former underground We made several There are many cabminer at the Lupin gold mine, now pit stops for refuelins and tent frames retired from the Government of in our vicinity and ing and picking up Nunavut. He has been married for 50 years and has five children and now that the weather snacks. It certainly numerous grand- and great-grandis warming we need was a change of children. to get out more. scenery physically There is something as well as emotionabout being out on ally and mentally. the land that is comforting, relaxing and reWe were tired physically but had some rest emotionally and mentally. juvenating. There are so many pressures on

In my View

us that make us feel slumped over and tired.

Once you go out, the short trip to the cabin is refreshing. A hot cup of tea and a chunk of bannock reminds you that there is no schedule or agenda or appointments other than puttering around.

Life is too short to be bogged down with negative aura and we need to find ways of being positive in helping us to relax in preparation for the up-coming week ahead of us.

In whatever way you can, see if you can get out of town for the week-end and enjoy the beauty of the land.

A10 Monday, April 4, 2022

News North Nunavut

www.NunavutNews.com

Lightstone drops ministerial duties following integrity commissioner investigation Appointment of spouse as acting deputy minister resulted in perceived conflict of interest: report

By Derek Neary Northern News Services Nunavut

Adam Lightstone stepped aside as Finance and Human Resources minister on March 28 after Nunavut’s integrity commissioner concluded an investigation that found he was embroiled in a perceived conflict of interest.

Katherine Peterson, who oversees ethics on behalf of the Legislative Assembly, has recommended that legislators reprimand Lightstone and that the MLA publicly acknowledge his conduct.

The minister wound up at the centre of controversy when former premier Joe Savikataaq and former Finance minister George Hickes asked a series of questions in the House about a minister — unnamed at the time — appointing an acting deputy minister from within his own household.

Savikataaq and Hickes said that would raise the spectre of a conflict of interest.

It turns out it was Lightstone who approved the appointment of his spouse as acting deputy minister of Human Resources for five days.

Premier P.J. Akeeagok responded to the questioning in the House by stating on March 8 that he would refer the matter to Peterson, whose 17-page report was turned over to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on March 24.

Lightstone’s spouse was employed as the director of employee relations and job evaluation for the Department of Human Resources when he appointed her acting deputy minister. Although Lightstone’s spouse had tendered her resignation, she was still to remain in that position until late January, well after the Dec. 16 to 21 period that she served as acting deputy minister.

Peterson noted some discrepancies in the way Lightstone and Akeeagok recalled whether Lightstone mentioned that his spouse was serving in a senior position in the Department of Human Resources at the time of the Nov. 17 leadership forum, when portfolios were being assigned.

“Suffice it to say that at the time the acting deputy minister appointment was approved by

Minister Lightstone and brought to the attention of the premier, the premier was aware of the relationship and the perception of conflict of interest in the matter,” Peterson wrote.

The integrity commissioner pointed out that Lightstone attended a standard briefing on integrity provided to MLAs and was issued a handbook, but when Peterson offered to meet individually with MLAs to help them better understand the Integrity Act, 20 of 22 MLAs took her up on that — Lightstone wasn’t one of them.

She stated that he failed to advise any senior staff in the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs of his spouse’s senior role in the Department of Human Resources because he indicated that “everyone knew.”

Outside of the appointment of his spouse as acting deputy minister, the overlap of Lightstone serving as Human Resources minister and his spouse’s key role within the department already posed complications because human resources concerns brought to MLAs couldn’t be relayed to Lightstone if his spouse was involved, the integrity commissioner stated.

The appointment of Lightstone’s spouse as acting deputy minister, Peterson noted, was recommended by the deputy minister, who was going on vacation. The integrity commissioner described the Human Resources department as “chronically understaffed” and there were several vacancies within the senior management level. Other candidates were approached to act as deputy minister, but they declined.

“However, there was no canvas of other departments to determine whether a senior staff member could fill this role,” Peterson wrote.

‘Error in judgment’ The deputy minister concluded that Lightstone’s spouse was best suited to fill in for her due to her “strong skills, knowledge and experience.” The deputy minister devised an alternate reporting hierarchy to avoid Lightstone’s spouse being in direct contact with Lightstone regarding work issues.

“ ᐅᓇ ᓱᓕᓂᕋᕈᑦ ᐅᕙᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᑕᑯᓂᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᕙᓪᓕᐊᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐆᒥᖓ ᑕᐅᑐᙳᐊᖅᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᒧᑦ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓗᑕ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᑦᑎᐊᕐᓗᑕ. ᐱᐅᓂᖅᓴᐅᓕᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑎᑭᐅᑎᓂᖅᓴᐅᓂᐊᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᑲᑎᙵᓗᑕ ,” ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᓗᑭ ᑰᑦᑎᖅ, ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖑᔪᖅ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᑐᙵᕕᒃᑯᓐᓂ .

ᐋᑕᒻ ᓚᐃᑦᔅᑑᓐ , ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎ ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ - ᒪᓂᕋᔭᖕᒧᑦ , ᓴᒃᑯᐃᑦᑎᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᐅᑉ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᑕᖏᓐᓂ ᒪᓕᒃᑐᒥ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐅᒃᐱᕆᔭᐅᔪᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑲᒥᓴᓇᖓᓐᓄᑦ .

Adam Lightstone, MLA for Iqaluit-Manirajak, has given up his Human Resources and Finance portfolios following an investigation by Nunavut’s integrity commissioner. Photo courtesy of the Legislative Assembly Peterson stated that Lightstone initially had concerns regarding the appointment but he accepted the deputy minister’s advice and gave his signed approval.

“He did not give thoughtful and timely consideration of the possible conflicts of interest associated with his spouse being employed in the department over which he had oversight, nor with respect to the acting appointment of his spouse as deputy minister,” Peterson wrote.

“In addition, although I am able to find that Minister Lightstone made an error in judgment made in good faith, and on the basis of advice received at the time … I wish to point out that there is no evidence of any collusion, corruption, inappropriate benefit nor nefarious actions or directions associated with these circumstances.

There was no evidence of the advancement of a private interest of the minister, his spouse, or other person.”

Akeeagok was later alerted to the conflict by a senior manager and he instructed that another

GN, NTI sign agreement to strengthen working relationship

By Derek Neary Northern News Services Nunavut

“This declaration will see us working towards this vision with determination and coordination. We are better and will achieve more together,” says Aluki Kotierk, president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. Photo courtesy of Aluki Kotierk

person be found to take on the responsibility.

The deputy minister was ultimately forced to cut short her vacation and resume her duties earlier than expected.

Akeeagok thanked the integrity commissioner last week for reviewing the matter promptly.

“Minister Lightstone has stepped aside until such time as the Legislative Assembly has the opportunity to formally resolve this matter in accordance with the provision of the Integrity Act,” the premier said.

Lorne Kusugak has assumed the Finance portfolio while Margaret Nakashuk has taken on responsibility for Human Resources as well as Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commision board.

The integrity commissioner’s’s report is expected to arise within the first 10 days of the spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly, which is scheduled for May 27 to June 10.

Lightstone did not reply to a request for comment prior to publication deadline.

The Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) have signed a declaration to create a Nunavut Partnership Committee in the interests of improving the working relationship between the two bodies.

“I am pleased to take another step towards our ongoing efforts to strengthen the Government of Nunavut’s working relations with NTI,” said Premier P.J. Akeeagok, who’s a former president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. “This partnership declaration follows this week’s release of the Katujjiluta Mandate, which was developed in collaboration with Nunavut’s Inuit organizations. I know that working together, we have the joint resolve and resources to tackle

Nunavut’s historic inequities and to make our territory a better place for all Nunavummiut.”

NTI President Aluki Kotierk added, “The Nunavut Agreement created Nunavut as a place for Inuit economic, social and cultural well-being. This declaration will see us working towards this vision with determination and coordination. We are better and will achieve more together.”

The overarching goal of this partnership is to foster Inuit prosperity by fostering a unified approach and “identifying solutions, providing guidance and addressing challenges,” according to a jointly issued statement by the parties on Friday afternoon, Past agreements between the GN and NTI include the Clyde River Protocol in 1999, Iqqaanaijaqatigiit in 2004, Aajiiqatigiinniq in 2011 and the Katujjiqatigiinniq Protocol in 2020.

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Inuit delegation visits the Pope

Vatican City On March 28, seven Inuit delegates including Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) president Natan Obed met with Pope Francis at the Vatican, calling on the Catholic Church to take specific actions to advance reconciliation within Canada.

A formal apology from the Church to Inuit in Canada is one such action requested, as well as for the Church to work with police in bringing justice to survivors of residential schools.

In particular, ITK is calling for the Vatican to start pressuring France to bring in Catholic priest Johannes Rivoire to stand trial in Canada. Rivoire is accused of sexually abusing Inuit children in multiple Inuit communities across the North.

Also among the listed actions include the immediate payment of $25 million in financial restitution to residential school survivors as per the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

Obed said the Church has continued to act in bad faith by not “fulfilling its obligations under the 2006 Residential School Settlement Agreement, which obligates the Church to undertake specific actions to advance reconciliation.

“Lasting reconciliation between Inuit and the Church can only be achieved through substantive actions led and directed

by Pope Francis.”

Apology issued Pope Francis has formally apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system during the last of this week’s meetings on Friday.

He said he was “deeply grieved” by the stories he heard from delegates, particularly stories related to the residential school system.

He said he felt “sorrow and shame for the role that a number of Catholics, particularly those with educational responsibilities, have had in all these things that wounded you, and the abuses you suffered and the lack of respect shown for your identity, your culture, and even your spiritual values.

“I ask for God’s forgiveness, and I want to say to you with all my heart: I am very sorry.”

In a press conference following the meeting, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed, who led the Inuit delegation, said that the apology was “long overdue,” and that “individual survivors and intergenerational survivors all will have very different feelings and perspectives about today.

“There is much more to do, and so an apology is part of a much larger picture.”

– Trevor Wright, Ian Down

Sewing program congratulated

Arviat Minister of Justice David Akeeagok commended a sewing program organized by a community justice outreach worker in the legislative assembly March 21.

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“Participants learned traditional skills and made 23 parkas for school children who need warmer outdoor clothing for the winter,” said Akeeagok through interepretation.

“This program promoted and supported productive lifestyles and the tradtional knowledge and values that are important to healthy living.”

The program, organized with the Hamlet of Arviat, began in December.

– Stewart Burnett

ᐅᐱᕐᙶᖅ ᖁᖓᑎᑦᑎᔪᖅ “ ᐊᔾᔨᓕᐅᙵ ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓯᑎᕆ ᐄᓴᓗᑦ, ᓇᖏᖅᑐᒥ ᓯᕿᓐᓂᖅᑐᒥ ᒫᔾᔨ 21 –ᒥ ᐅᓐᓄᒃᓴᖓᓂ , “ ᑲᔾᔮᕐᓇᖅᑐᒥ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ .”

City keeps WSP to consult on water treatment plant upgrades

Iqaluit The City of Iqaluit has decided to keep the same consulting company, WSP, that they contracted with during the water crisis of early 2022. This was decided at a March 29 special city council meeting regarding additional water treatment plant upgrades.

“In this case, it makes sense entirely to do so, WSP’s familiarity with our systems, the work they’ve done throughout this water crisis, there’s nobody better positioned to do it,” said councillor Kyle Sheppard.

WSP will be the company who will be consulted when the City is deciding on a replacement for its fuel tank.

“They know the water treatment plant very well,” said Sumon Ghosh, director of engineering and public works.

– Trevor Wright

Man charged with attempted murder

Iqaluit An Iqaluit man is facing charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault, RCMP announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Adam Kopalie, 23, is next scheduled to appear in court on May 3.

In a news release, the Iqaluit RCMP referenced a March 24 local building fire where a badly injured male was located and was cared for by emergency services until he was taken to the hospital and subsquently medevaced to Ottawa for further care.

The police stated that a court-imposed publication ban has been put in place therefore no further information will be released.

– Derek Neary

No rush on hamlet offices

Rankin Inlet, Chesterfield Inlet Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet MLA Alexander Sammurtok asked about constructing a new hamlet office in Rankin Inlet.

“Rankin Inlet’s Integrated Community Infrastructure Sustainability Plan indicates that the current hamlet office was constructed in 1969 and has been in use for over half a century,” said Sammurtok.

Spring bringing smiles

“Take my picture,” said Ester Issaluk, posing on a sunny March 21 afternoon, “of beautiful Rankin Inlet.” Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo Minister of Community and Government Services David Joanasie responded that his department completed a business case for the hamlet office in 2019, but said planning for the project is currently on hold pending fiscal availability.

Sammurtok asked the same about the Hamlet of Chesterfield Inlet’s office, which he said was constructed in 1985 according to the community’s infrastructure plan.

“The municipality has identified a number of serious problems with the current facility,” said Sammurtok.

Joanasie replied that every community has a great list of capital needs and the Government of Nunavut can only do so much, adding that he can’t commit to whether a business case would be completed for a new hamlet office there.

– Stewart Burnett

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Gjoa Haven’s Government Building razed by fire ᐃᓅᔪᓐᓃᖅᑐᖃᓚᐅᙱᑦᑐᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐋᓐᓂᖅᑐᖃᓚᐅᙱᓚᖅ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᖓ ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᒥ ᐃᑭᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᓄᖑᖦᖢᓂ ᒫᔾᔨ 26 –ᒥ . ᑭᓯᐊᓂ, ᖃᔅᓯᒐᓚᖕᓂ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᐅᔪᑦ ᓄᖅᑲᖅᑎᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ .

No lives were lost and no injuries reported when the Government Building in Gjoa Haven burned to the ground on March 26. However, several government services have been disrupted. Photo courtesy of April Stevens

GN services adjusted after key community facility lost to flames

By Derek Neary Northern News Services Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven

Bright orange flames and a thick plume of black smoke made for a dramatic scene in Gjoa Haven on March 26 as fire destroyed the community’s Government Building.

“It looked bad,” Gjoa Haven MLA Tony Akoak said of the devastating emergency. “It was awful to see.”

The ensuing scramble has caused some GN services that were formerly hosted in the 6,400-square-foot building to alter procedures while other services are temporarily suspended.

The blaze started on Saturday afternoon. Fire chief Hector Nargyak made a public plea for residents to stay away from the intense fire as the volunteer brigade was waiting for the building’s fuel tank to “calm down.”

Nargyak informed the community that night that the fire was out of control and it would be left to burn on the advice of the assistant fire marshal.

“We were told to just let it go,” he stated, adding that RCMP would provide overnight security at the site.

Akoak offered praise for the firefighters’ efforts.

“I’m so happy with the firefighters … they were at the fire for over 12 hours. They must be pretty tired,” he said. “They couldn’t save the building but at least they kept everybody safe.”

Mayor Megan Porter also applauded everyone who worked “tirelessly.”

“Our local fire department and municipal service staff worked so very hard to control the blaze, even though a number of them are dealing with their own personal situations of loss and grief.

To the RCMP and hamlet staff who assisted with ground control, communications and evacuation notices, the hamlet staff, volunteers and the Northern store who assisted with meal and beverage preparations, and the public for diligently following the guidance to avoid the area when asked to do so, thank you,” Porter stated.

“While the building may be a total loss, our community came together in a time of need, regardless of our individual situations and indifferences. I’m very proud of each and every one of you.

No lives were lost, no serious injuries sustained.”

The building — opened in 1999 and located in a central part of the community, near the high school and arena — was a workplace for 10 employees in various GN departments and was a “telecom-

munications hub,” containing Gjoa Haven’s main fibre connection, workstations, community data centre, servers, and telephone and video conferencing services, according to Community and Government Services (CGS). On March 28, CGS Minister David Joanasie extended his gratitude to employees working to restore services and to residents for their “continued flexibility during this challenging time.” He added that additional staff and resources would be sent to the community.

The GN was assessing the internal and external losses as a result of the blaze last week and would introduce work-from-home measures, where possible, in the interim, according to the minister. The community’s continuing care centre will temporarily act as a home for the primary data centre. Network operations are anticipated to be re-established by March 31 while infrastructure, servers and backup restores are anticipated to be re-established by April 1, CGS noted.

The last condition assessment on the Government Building was performed on Dec. 22, 2017, according to CGS. CGS stated that the Nunavut Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire and has no comment on a possible cause as of March 30.

The GN’s March 28 update stated that the Department of Education would partner with the district education authority to establish a temporary fire watch for both schools, beginning on March 28.

Fact file

Affected services Department of Economic Development and Transportation: - In-person motor vehicles services in Gjoa Haven are suspended, including the issuing of drivers licences, general identification cards, and driver examinations.

- Residents of Gjoa Haven can visit www.gov.nu.ca/motorvehicles or email MotorVehicles@gov.nu.ca regarding drivers licence renewals, general identification card renewals and vehicle registration renewals; requests for driver’s abstracts, vehicle searches and accident reports.

Department of Health: - The Community Health Centre will operate with some service reductions due to landlines, fax machines and digital services such as Meditech being unavailable. The department is sending laptops and data sticks to reconnect staff to Meditech and other digital services.

- Staff will continue to provide services and respond to community needs using cellphones and paper charts.

- Diagnostic imaging continues, but there may be a delay in physician review until digital services are restored.

Department of Education: - Devices previously distributed to Gjoa Haven school staff for use during Covid-19 lockdowns will be available for staff to access GN email and the Student Information System.

Department of Justice: - Delays may be expected for some services, including financial processing, legal aid application and legal aid approval processes.

Department of Family Services: - To access the Family Wellness division in Gjoa Haven, please call 867-222-3906 to connect with a social worker on-call or 1-844392-4453 to connect with the territory-wide contact.

- To contact an income assistance worker in Gjoa Haven, please call 867-202-4194 or 1-800-661-0845 to reach the regional office.

- Beginning in April, income assistance will return to regular assessments. Clients can come to the Income Support Office to speak to staff and complete the necessary documents. Payments will be issued remotely from the regional office and will be available direct-to-store.

Source: Government of Nunavut

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Transglobal Car Expedition reaches Resolute Bay

Monday, April 4, 2022 A13

ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᒥ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᓇᓯᐅᑎᓂᒃ ᐊᐅᓪᓛᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᕿᒪᐃᕗᑦ ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥ, ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᓕᐊᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓪᓗᑎᒃ. ᐊᐅᓪᓛᕐᓂᐅᔪᖅ ᕿᒪᒃᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥ ᒫᔾᔨ 18 –ᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑎᑭᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᕐᒧᑦ ᒫᔾᔨ 22 –ᒥ .

One vehicle lost while returning to Cambridge Bay due to rapidly shifting ice

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Nunavut

The Transglobal Car Expedition has arrived in Resolute Bay after completing a 2,200 kilometre overland journey from Yellowknife.

Sixteen people from Ukraine, Canada, Iceland and Russia took part in the trek using three 2021 Ford F-150 trucks and four Yemelya amphibious vehicles. Support also came from British, Icelandic and German experts

and scientists along with Brandon Langan, a guide from Cambridge Bay to help with ice and polar bears.

The Swiss non-profit organization GoodGear sponsored the expedition.

“This is a major achievement on a very difficult route,” said Vasily Elagin, an mountaineer, explorer and team member from Russia.

Residents in Northern communities have been welcoming, said Andrew Comrie-Picard, a Canadian professional driver who took part in the expedition.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with interest and support from so many people along the route, from the Indigenous communities to the residents of Yellowknife, Cambridge Bay and Resolute,” he said. “The people of the North are exceptionally passionate and imaginative, and they seem to intuitively understand the thing that drives our passion in this expedition.”

While the expedition itself went well, one vehicle was lost in the process of returning the vehicles to Cambridge Bay due to rapidly

shifting ice. This, according to the adventurers, will help inform safety measures for future travel in the context of climate change.

This is just the first part in planned 202324 complete circumnavigation of the planet through both poles, serving as the Canadian test. The plan is to cross both poles primarily relying on vehicles and no flights. Ships will be used to cross the North Atlantic from Greenland to Denmark, Turkey to Egypt, South Africa to Antarctica, Antarctica to Argentina and Colombia to Panama.

The Transglobal Car Expedition leaves Cambridge Bay, destined for Resolute Bay. The Expedition left Cambridge Bay March 18 and arrived in Resolute on March 22. NNSL file photo

Kivalliq Trade Show returns Event hasn’t been held in person since 2019

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Kivalliq

On the long list of pandemic postponements was Rankin Inlet’s iconic Kivalliq Trade Show, but the annual networking and business event is finally coming back to its in-person glory this September in the Agnico Eagle Arena.

“It’s arguably one of the largest events in Rankin, for sure in the Kivalliq,” said Megan Pizzo-Lyall, president of the trade show society.

The last trade show was held in 2019, before the new arena opened. Since the pandemic, the society has offered virtual events, including a winter speaker series this March that has seen keynotes on renewable energy in the region and the future of the Kivalliq workforce. The last one was set for

Wednesday, March 30, and will feature a discussion about the pandemic and adapting to the new normal.

Pizzo-Lyall said up to 400 people come in and out of town during the trade show week, with lots of delegates from the territorial and federal government, as well as 40-odd booths for exhibitors and a day set aside for the public.

Included with the trade show, but running as a separate initiative, is the Kivalliq Entrepreneur Program.

That program will bookend the trade show this summer. It teaches existing or potential entrepreneurs how to start a business, what supports are available and how to keep it running. It includes discussions on networking, financing and bookkeeping.

“It’s a very in-depth program and it’s been successful,” said Pizzo-Lyall, adding that it’s been run in other Kivalliq communities as well.

Rankin Inlet has seen several entrepreneurs pop up during the pandemic, from dental services to cabs and restaurants, something Pizzo-Lyall applauds.

“It’s a whole movement,” she said. “People want to be their own bosses. They want to do what they love and they want to make it successful.”

One underserved need in Nunavut businesses is bookkeeping, she added.

“It’s one of those things that start-ups and existing businesses need to have to be successful,” she said. “They need to have good bookkeeping and they need to be filing with the government in a timely fashion and properly.”

The 2022 Kivalliq Trade Show is scheduled for Sept. 26 to 28. Pizzo-Lyall suggests booking accommodations early. More information on the trade show and winter speaker series can be found at kivalliqtradeshow.ca.

ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᓄᑦ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᑎᑕᐅᓂᖅ ᑎᑭᓐᓂᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᐸᒃᑕᐅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᑕᒪᒃᑭᐅᒪᔪᒥ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓯᒪᓂᖓᓂ ᑕᒪᑐᒪᓂ ᓯᑎᐱᕆᐅᔪᒥ. ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒥ, ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᓂᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᒡᓂᑯ–ᐄᒍᓪ ᐊᓐᓂᑭᑕᕐᕕᖓᓂ, ᐱᙳᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥᐅᙱᑦᑐᖅ, ᐅᕙᓂ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᔪᒥ .

The Kivalliq Trade Show is coming back to Rankin Inlet in its in-person, full-scale form this September. For the first time, it will be held at the Agnico Eagle Arena, instead of the old community hall, as shown here. Photo courtesy of Kivalliq Trade Show

A14 Monday, April 4, 2022

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Northern youth program FOXY/ SMASH releases new single Video features Kugluktuk youth

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Kugluktuk

FOXY/SMASH, an arts-based mental and sexual health program for youth in all three territories, has released a new single, It’s Not a Bad Life, Just a Bad Day, helping address gender-based violence and show access to community supports.

Recorded by Vancouver’s Monarch Studios, the song was written by Kugluktuk youth. It features Kendrick Bolt as lead vocalist, writer and guitar player, Kenton Loewen on drums, Pete Schmitt on bass and sisters Tiffany Ayalik and Inuksuk Mackay providing backup vocals.

Bolt is also a travelling peer facilitator for the SMASH (Strength, Masculinities, and Sexual Health), he says he wants to help raise awareness on gender-based violence.

“We wanted to write a song that talks about the effects of violence on us and our peers and ways to cope that are healthy and healing,” said Bolt.

According to the Government of Can-

ada, as of 2016, 2,707 people were victims of some sort of violence, with the majority experiencing it being women at 64 per cent.

Ayalik also produced the accompanying music video. She said it was great to see community-minded artists working together.

“Seeing young emerging Inuit artists be supported in putting their work out there, especially when it relates to community wellness, is reconciliation in action,” said Ayalik.

Nunavut experiences higher suicide rates compared to the rest of Canada.

According to a study by the Government of Nunavut, there were more than 1,000 violent incidents in Nunavut’s schools during the 2019-20 school year.

Editing, additional footage and special effects for the music video were delivered by Reel Youth.

This single is a part of a bigger Consent is SMASHing campaign by FOXY/ SMASH. The track can be found on YouTube, Soundcloud, Bandcamp and the SMASH website for free.

ᐃᓅᓯᕐᓘᑕᐅᙱᓚᖅ, ᐅᓪᓗᑦᑎᐊᕙᐅᙱᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᓇᓂᔭᐅᔪᓐᓇᖅᐳᖅ ᔫᑑᑉᑯᑦ, SMASH ᐃᑭᐊᖅᑭᕕᖓᓐᓂ , Bandcamp ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ SoundCloud.

It’s Not a Bad Life, Just a Bad Day can be found on YouTube, the SMASH website, Bandcamp or SoundCloud. YouTube screen capture

x0p31Axy N4ystdJxl4

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Sports & Recreation

Monday, April 4, 2022 A15

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Nunavut wrestlers make the podium at Alberta Open ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐅᓇᑕᙳᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᑦ ᐋᓪᐴᑕᒥ ᒪᑐᐃᖓᔪᒥ ᐃᐊᑦᒪᓐᑕᓐᒥ ᑕᖅᑭᐅᑉ ᓄᙳᐊᓂᐸᓗᒃ ᐅᑯᐊᖑᕗᑦ, ᓴᐅᒥᖕᒥ, ᑭᐋᓇ ᐃᒃᐸᑯᕼᐊᒃ ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ, ᔫᓯᐱ ᑎᒦᑐᕆᒃ ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ, ᑳᔪ ᐋᕆᐊᖅ ᐃᖃᓗᖕᒥᐅᑕᖅ, ᑕᐃᕕ ᐊᑲᑦ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ, ᐄᑮᓗᐊᖅ ᐊᕙᓚᒃ ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ, ᐊᔪᕆᖅᓱᐃᕙᒃᑐᖅ ᑯᕆᒡᑯᕈᒃᔅ ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ, ᓵᔅᑎᑎ ᓴᐃᓐᑦ ᔮᓐ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᔫᓇ ᑰᓂᓘᓯ ᐸᖕᓂᖅᑑᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ .

Nunavut Wrestling’s crew at the Alberta Open in Edmonton late last month consisted of, from left, Kiana Ekpakohak of Cambridge Bay, Jusipi Dimitruk of Cambridge Bay, Kaaju Arreak of Iqaluit, Davey Akat of Arviat, Eeekeeluak Avalak of Cambridge Bay, coach Chris Crooks of Cambridge Bay, Chasity St. John of Arviat and Jonah Kunilusie of Pangnirtung. Photo courtesy of Paula Cziranka-Crooks

Group of seven hit the mats in Edmonton, claim two silver and one bronze medal

By James McCarthy Northern News Services Nunavut

Nunavut Wrestling had another road trip in recent days and you know that meant a good chance at something resembling a medal would be coming home as part of the return goody bag.

They didn’t disappoint.

A group of seven athletes from Cambridge Bay, Arviat, Iqaluit and Pangnirtung hit the mats at the Alberta Open in Sherwood Park, Alta., on March 19 and 20 and there were three brand new pieces of neckware sported following the competition. Two of those medals came courtesy of Cambridge Bay’s Eekeeluak Avalak, both of them silver. Avalak competed in two divisions — senior men’s 61-kg and junior men’s 57-kg — and ended up falling just short on both occasions to the same opponent in each gold medal contest: Talon Hird of the Edmonton Wrestling Club out of the University of Alberta.

Chris Crooks, Nunavut Wrestling’s head coach, said the silver medals were a great result, considering Avalak was moving up into an older age category.

“I knew about the level of competition before going into it,” he said. “I put Eekee in both the junior and senior categories to give him some competitive matches, something we don’t get a lot of up here. We talked about it and the goal wasn’t to go out and win it but he got some real good experience and some tough matches.”

The third medal was won

by Davey Akat of Arviat, who scored himself a bronze medal

in the boys U19 110-kg category.

It was his first big competition outside of the territory and Crooks said he looked real good.

“He would’ve been on our 2020 Arctic Winter Games team but that got cancelled, of course,” he said. “He was our biggest wrestler and had some tough opponents, some real big guys. What impressed me was how quick his feet were for a big guy.”

There were also several close calls, including Kaaju Arreak of Iqaluit, who was fourth in the junior men’s 79-kg weight class.

Kiana Ekpakhoak of Cambridge Bay also just missed the podium as she was fourth in the girls U19 61-kg division while Chasity St. John of Arviat was another fourth-place finisher in the girls U19 73-kg weight class. Jonah Kunilusie of Pangnirtung was fifth in the boys U19 55-kg category and Jusipi Dimitruk of Cambridge Bay had a top-10 result in the boys U17 60-kg weight class.

Before the meet, Crooks took the crew down for a week’s worth of training at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, which was a mixture of on-mat work and fitness.

“It was a chance for them to get into shape, especially for the wrestlers from outside Cambridge Bay,” he said. “They really haven’t had a chance to get into a gym and work out whereas in Cambridge Bay, our kids are on the mat as often as we can get them out. It was rough at the start but they came around.”

That showed in each of their matches, he added, as there were no shutouts at all.

“They were scoring points and

that gives them confidence,” he said. “We did the best we could to get them in shape and you could tell the confidence was there once they started scoring.

You can’t replicate practice but everyone’s coming along. People still don’t believe me when I tell them Eekee has had about 50 proper matches in his five years in the sport.”

Something else Crooks had was an apprentice coach in the form of Jonah Haulli from Iglulik, someone who’s been involved in the sport in Nunavut for several years and who is a former pupil of Crooks.

“I coached him at the Arctic Winter Games in 2018,” he said.

“I’m trying to get more coach-

es into the system because I’m getting long in the tooth but I’ll support them as much as I can and give them chances.”

When they weren’t wrestling, the athletes got the chance to take a tour of the University of Alberta and learn about the Transition Year Program, which is for Indigenous students looking to make the jump into university.

“Every time we travel, I always try to set up some sort of excursion and I thought this would be a good way for them to see what options are open to them for education,” said Crooks. “We had an Indigenous tour guide and they got to see everything that’s here for them.”

ᐄᑮᓗᐊᖅ ᐊᕙᓚᒃ , ᑕᓕᖅᐱᖕᒥ, ᐸᕐᓇᒃᓯᒪᔫᔮᖅᐳᖅ ᕿᒡᒋᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᑭᕋᒥᓂᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐋᓪᐴᑕᒥ ᒪᑐᐃᖓᔪᒥ ᐃᐊᑦᒪᓐᑕᓐᒥ ᒫᔾᔨ 20 –ᒥ .

Eekeeluak Avalak, right, looks as if he’s ready to pounce against his opponent during action at the Alberta Open in Edmonton on March 20. Photo courtesy of Paula Cziranka-Crooks

A16 Monday, April 4, 2022

News North Nunavut

www.NunavutNews.com

Pandemic won’t dull this blade Wayne Quliit Kusugak riding out restrictions with big dreams in mind ᐅᐃᓐ ᖁᓖᑦ ᑯᓱᒐᐅᑉ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔭᐅᑎᓂᒃ ᐃᐱᒃᓴᕐᕕᖓ ᐊᒡᓂᑯ ᐄᒍᒃᑯᑦ ᓯᐊᕐᕆᔮᕐᕕᒃᑖᓵᖓᓂᒃ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᐅᙱᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᐊᒥᓱᐃᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᕼᐋᑭᓐᓇᔭᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᖁᔭᓈᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓂᒃᑯᑦ. ᖁᔭᓕᔪᖅ ᖃᑉᓰᓐᓇᐅᔪᒃᑯᓪᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᕼᐋᑭᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᐊᕐᒪᑕ ᕼᐋᑭᕐᓇᐅᔫᑉ ᐃᓱᐊᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑕᐃᒪᑐᕉᖅ ᐊᕐᕌᒍ ᐃᓗᐃᑦᑐᒃᑯᑦ ᒪᑐᐃᖓᔪᓐᓇᖅᓯᔪᒫᖅᐳᖅ.

Wayne Quliit Kusugak’s skate sharpening business at the Agnico Eagle Arena has suffered amid the many cancellations that have come with Covid. He’s thankful for these last few tournaments to end the season and hopes for a full hockey year come fall. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet

Wayne Quliit Kusugak got a taste for skate sharpening as a child, and he couldn’t get enough.

“It’s always been my passion,” said Kusugak, who opened Quliit Skate Sharpening at the Agnico Eagle Arena in 2019.

“It started when I was eight or nine years old. My uncle Lorne had a hunting and fishing-slash-hockey business. He sold hockey sticks and he had an electric skate sharpener. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked.”

When Rankin Inlet got its new arena, he opened his skate sharpening and equipment shop on the side while still working a day job.

He sharpens skates, repairs blades, sells equipment and keeps a hefty stock of hockey accessories – and that’s where he has his real fun.

“For me growing up, it was always about new things coming out, where I really needed to have it for hockey,” reminisces Kusugak. “That’s the fun part, having people come and say, ‘Ah you got anything new?’ Because I know how it feels. As a hockey player, wherever you go, different city, different town, you go to the skate shop, see what they have.”

But he didn’t get to run his shop for long when Covid shut everything down in March 2020.

He had been stocking up for upcoming tournaments at the time, so his shop was full of tape, laces, water bottles and more.

“I made a pretty big order for the tournaments that

were coming up, and we were shut down,” he said.

That stock had to sit unused for months, until the arena opened again briefly later in the year, before continuing on a stop-and-start schedule due to pandemic restrictions.

Covid hasn’t just impacted his ability to open and serve tournaments, but also his ability to buy from suppliers.

“The people who normally order sticks and equipment off me, I couldn’t order them,” said Kusugak, adding it wasn’t just a problem for Rankin Inlet. “The supplier was saying, ‘I got nothing.’ CCM, nothing.

Bauer, nothing.”

Tournaments are Kusugak’s bread and butter for his business, so capacity and travel restrictions have put up a real roadblock on his growth.

“Where I make my money is the sharpening part,” said Kusugak. “It’s $10 a sharpen. You think about it, there’s 17 to 20 players per team, two divisions. You add that all up, it’s quite a bit. I’m not a math guy or anything, but it is up there.”

A major tournament like the Terence Tootoo Memorial could net him in the range of $5,000, he estimated. All that money goes into future stock and building up his business for the next tournament, and so on and so forth.

Eventually, Kusugak dreams of opening a full-scale, year-round sports store in Rankin Inlet. He’d love to have equipment for soccer, volleyball, softball, badminton and every other sport played in the region.

“I want everything to go back to normal,” said Kusugak. “My plans are very big, but I have to do it step by step.”

By jove, Canada did it and I’ll admit - I didn’t think they ever would Northern News Services

Something happened on March 28 that hasn’t happened in 36 years.

It was the day Canada’s men’s national soccer team finally qualified for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and did so in rather emphatic fashion, beating Jamaica in Toronto by a score of 4-0 to grab one of the automatic qualification spots up for grabs in the CONCACAF region (that’s North America, the Caribbean and Central America because they couldn’t find a smaller acronym than one where it appears a child was playing with a keyboard). It’s the second time Canada has managed to get in on the big dance following qualifying for the 1986 event in Mexico.

I will admit — I never thought they would ever get back there again and I was wrong when I told people they never would. All of those years of embarrassment losing to teams which had populations smaller than Brantford, Ont., all those years of looking like a second-rate bunch, all those years of just not playing well … all gone now. Here I thought winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000 would have been the brightest light this country would ever have on the international soccer scene and even that was a fluke. Had they lost the coin toss to South Korea that year, we would still be talking about how we’re the country that never was.

1986, to me, was the greatest moment in Canadian men’s soccer simply because it was so momentous. A bunch of guys who mostly played indoor professionally in the U.S. because there was no professional outdoor league in Canada at the time. Colin Miller was perhaps the biggest name on the team — he played for Rangers in Scotland at the time. Randy Samuel was with Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Paul James played in Mexico but that was it.

They managed to win CONCACAF by beating Honduras, 2-1, in St. John’s in September 1985 and the party was on.

It didn’t go the way we would have liked: lost all three group games and couldn’t score a goal but we got a taste of what it was all about.

Then came the 1994 qualification cycle, the

SPorts Talk James McCarthy is the sports editor at NNSL Media. Reach him at sports@ nnsl.com

year I thought was the last, best chance we had.

That team had some serious firepower: Miller, Alex Bunbury (still my favourite Canadian soccer player ever), Frank Yallop, Craig Forrest as goalkeeper and several others who had outdoor professional experience. All we needed to do was beat Mexico at Varsity Stadium in a win-and-in game and we would be back. I was there that summer day in 1993 and the atmosphere was something you would expect at a Stanley Cup game. It was raucous and we were ready for a party.

Of course, Mexico had to go and ruin the party by winning, 2-1. You could literally hear the deflating sound being let out of Varsity.

Mexico qualified and we didn’t. That was a long train ride home. Sure, the guys still had a chance through the intercontinental route but that fell flat as we lost to Australia in a two-leg series. The game against Mexico killed the team because they had put everything into it.

This current bunch, under the lead of John Herdman, came together and really looked like the best team in CONCACAF from the start.

Cyle Larin has become the offensive star of the team and Milan Borjan has been a wall between the pipes in goal but the big difference is the team itself.

In Herdman, the men’s team got someone who understands Canadian soccer. After all, Herdman had coached the national women’s team to great success — two Olympic bronze medals and a Pan-American Games gold medal among his resume. He took over the men’s program in 2018 and it’s turned into the best decision Canada Soccer has made in a long time. He’s been the boss for 40 games, winning 29, drawing four and only losing seven.

But here’s the big thing: players finally want to play for the national team. That’s not how it

ᑲᓇᑕᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᑲᐃᔪᓪ ᓕᐊᕆᓐ (17) ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒍᑎᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓯᖅᑎᑕᒥᓂ ᕆᑦᓯ ᓛᕆᐊᒥ ᐅᑯᓇᓂ ᔭᒪᐃᑲᒥ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᖓᓂ ᓇᑉᐸᖓᓂ CONCACAF ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᒥ ᐊᕿᔭᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᖅᑐᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᑐᕌᓐᑐᒥ ᓈᑦᑎᖑᔭᕐᒥ, ᒫᔾᔨ 27, 2022 –ᒥ . ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᓵᓚᖃᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᑕᐃᑲᓂ ᐅᓪᓗᖓᓂ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ FIFA ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᒥ ᐃᕐᙳᓯᖓᓐᓄᑦ ᖃᑖᕐᒥ ᖃᖓᒃᑲᓐᓂᖅ ᑕᒪᑐᒪᓂ ᐊᕐᕌᒎᔪᒥ .

Canada’s Cyle Larin (17) celebrates his goal with Richie Laryea against Jamaica during first half CONCACAF World Cup soccer qualifying action in Toronto on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Canada’s win that day sealed qualification for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette used to be because anyone who was any good and was eligible to play for Canada found a way to play for a country not named Canada.

Borjan could have chosen to play for his birth nation of Croatia, Alphonso Davies could have made the decision to represent Ghana — where he was born — and even Ike Ugbo, who had a choice of either England, where he was born, or Nigeria, where his parents are from.

But they chose to stay and even if they thought cracking the national team here would have been easier than somewhere else, they could have gone and probably have success.

Why play for a team that can’t do anything on

the international scene? Why bother showing up when we know what the result will most likely be? But they stayed and that’s how we’ve arrived to this point.

So the men’s team will take their sword (yes, they travel with a sword … neat idea, actually) to Qatar and will be a thorn in the side of more than one team. The attitude will be different because they know they can hang with the best.

And besides, we’ve got one up on Italy. Italy cannae dae it ‘cause they didnae qualify! Hey! (I’ve always wanted a way to work in Ally’s Tartan Army into Sports Talk … Andy Cameron, you legend.)