News Briefs

Remembering Rebekah Williams, former deputy commissioner and Quttiktuq’s first MLA

The Nunavut Legislative Assembly is mourning the passing of former MLA and deputy commissioner of Nunavut Rebekah Uqi Williams.

“I was saddened to learn of the passing this weekend of former member of the legislative assembly and deputy commissioner of Nunavut Rebekah Uqi Williams,” wrote Tony Akoak, Speaker of the House.

Williams represented the Quttiktuq riding during Nunavut’s first legislative assembly, from 2000, to 2004.

“Ms. Williams had a distinguished career of public service and made many significant contributions to her community and the territory as a whole. On behalf of all members of the legislative assembly, we extend our condolences to her family,” Akoak added.

The legislative assembly’s community flags for Arctic Bay, Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay have been placed at half-mast in honour of her passing.

Seismograph stolen from Iqaluit construction site

On April 12, Iqaluit RCMP received a report of a theft near 297 Siku Crescent (Lower Iqaluit) off of a construction site and are seeking assistance.

The item stolen was a seismograph used to monitor vibrations from daily explosive con- struction blasting from a Pilitak Enterprises Ltd. construction site.

The seismograph was stored in a small, hard plastic case labelled ‘“storm case”.

The RCMP have also noted the item is of no value to any person unqualified to use it but is essential for the construction crew.

The item has the labels “Unit #80-131 Supergraph, Nomis” and the serial number 11092 on it.

Anyone who has any information regarding this item are asked to call the Iqaluit RCMP at 867-979-1111.

Senior management changes announced Nunavut

Premier P.J. Akeeagok announced changes to the Government of Nunavut’s senior management team last week.

Jimmy Noble, Deputy Minister of Environment, retired after more than 25 years in the public service. Akeeagok praised Noble’s distinguished career as a public servant working in wildlife and environmental protection in Iqaluit and other Nunavut communities.

“Mr. Noble has spent his career serving Nunavummiut and our territorial interests. His experience and knowledge of our territory’s regulatory affairs are a loss for our government, but we are thankful for his contributions and assistance over the past months in developing a succession plan. We wish him the best in his retirement,” stated Akeeagok in a news release.

Yvonne Niego will also now serve as Deputy Minister of Environment. Niego has been Deputy Minister of Family Services since 2017 and was previously Assistant Deputy Minister of Justice and worked for decades with the RCMP.

Her expertise working with communities and in law enforcement will help provide guidance on the management of Nunavut’s lands and wildlife, stated the release.

Effective April 24, Jonathan Ellsworth will serve as Deputy Minister of Family Services on a six-month term. Ellsworth is currently the Assistant Deputy Minister of Courts and Justice Services with the Department of Justice. He has worked in the justice field for 25 years, with many years of experience supporting those who are working to protect Nunavut’s most vulnerable residents.

Government advises flu on the rise

Nunavut

The Department of Health is advising Nunavummiut of an increased risk of respiratory illnesses, including infections such as Influenza B across Nunavut.

The best way to protect yourself, your family and your community is to get the flu vaccine, stated the GN in a news release April 14.

“Vaccines help reduce the risk of getting a virus, severe illness or death,” wrote the GN. “The flu vaccine can be given at any time during the flu season. Unlike other vaccines that give lifetime immunity, the flu vaccine must be taken annually.”

The GN also provided these suggestions to limit the spread of respiratory illnesses: stay home when you feel sick; cough or sneeze into your sleeve; wash your hands often; avoid touching your face; throw used tissues in the trash right away; keeping distance from others when out and about; don’t smoke indoors or around others, especially babies; get vaccinated.