Nunavut News - Feb. 20, 2023

ᐅᓪᓗᖓᓂᒃ

Stephen Williamson-Bathory, centre, holds up a Nunavut flag alongside speed skaters Lucassie Young, left, and Eliyah Laird, right. Iqaluit held a parade on Feb. 11 to welcome back competitors from the 2023 Arctic Winter Games. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

ᓘᑲᓯ ᔭᖕ, ᓴᐅᒥᐊᓂ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓚᐃᔭ ᓚᐅᑦ, ᑕᓕᖅᐱᐊᓂ. ᐃᖃᓗᖕᓂ ᐱᓱᒋᐊᖅᓯᒪᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᕕᕗᐊᕆ 11−ᒥ ᑐᙵᓱᒃᑎᑕᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐱᙳᐊᖃᑕᐅᔪᑦ 2023-ᒥ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᐱᙳᐊᕕᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᒥ.

Rankin Inlet cabin winner thrilled and grateful

Bitter cold poses challenges for shelter, clients

Back on the ice in Cambridge Bay

Nunavut schools get ready for Pink Shirt Day

Education minister encourages all Nunavummiut to take a stand against bullying

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Nunavut

This year, Feb. 22 is Pink Shirt Day in Canada. A day to challenge bullying and to help inspire others to do the same.

Across Nunavut, schools are planning to take part in Pink Shirt Day, and Education Minister Pamela Gross welcomes all Nunavummiut to also take part.

“I am planning to wear a pink shirt and I encourage Nunavummiut to also wear a pink shirt. To show they won’t be tolerant of bullying anywhere and that they’re willing to take a stand against bullying,” she said.

Gross added bullying can take various forms – in-person, online, physical, social, psychological – and added they all must be discouraged and opposed.

“Inuit Qauimajatuqangit is all about respecting others in every relationship and caring for people,” she said, saying it is a great opportunity to remind ourselves of traditional Inuit knowledge.

“We feel everyone deserves to feel safe.

Pink Shirt Day reminds us of who we are as a people.”

There are various resources for students and teachers to help educate people on bullying in schools. That includes the Ajunngittugut Pink Shirt Day resource guide, designed to help support student engagement and to build awareness against bullying.

“Activities in this resource guide can also help our students to start positive relationships, to speak up and stand together and stop bullying,” said Gross.

The Department of Education also worked with the Canadian Red Cross on its bullying prevention book guide, also available in schools. It gives an overview of bullying, what it is and isn’t as well as what forms it takes.

A newer resource for the department, according to Gross, is a pride guide, which is designed by youth, for youth to help those who are experiencing gender-based violence in schools.

“We have (also) developed, alongside our school operations and the Nunavut Teachers Association, our safe school

committee. This committee is based on guidelines for school emergency preparedness and crisis response,” said Gross.

The committee also intended to help guide a preventative and proactive response to keeping the school environment safe for everyone.

The greatest way however to take a stand against bullying said Gross, is to be visible in your support and by raising awareness, taking part in Pink Shirt Day is one such way.

“I think the best way to address bullying in schools is to raise awareness,” said Gross. “But also equipping our school leaders, staff, students and our families with the tools that they need to nurture a safe and caring school.”

Pink Shirt Day originated in Berwick, N.S., where in 2007 two Grade 12 students handed out 50 pink shirts after another Grade 9 student in Cambridge, NS was bullied for wearing a pink shirt on his first day.

Since then, Pink Shirt Day has spread across the nation with schools in every province and territory taking part.

ᐅᓪᓗᖓ ᐃᖅᑲᐃᓯᔾᔪᑎᒋᕙᕗᑦ ᑭᓇᐅᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᐃᓅᑎᓪᓗᑕ, ᐅᖃᖅᑐᖅ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᖓ ᐹᒥᓚ ᒍᕈᔅ.

we are as a people,” says Nunavut Education Minister Pamela

NNSL file photo

“We feel everyone deserves to feel safe. Pink Shirt Day reminds us of who

Gross.

Lift each other up on Pink Shirt Day

Moments of kindness, empathy and understanding matter

It happens within the blink of an eye. One moment, you’re holding your freshly swaddled baby, hearing their coos for the first time, and the next, you’re wondering if they’ll be okay as you wave goodbye to them on their first day of kindergarten class.

With the arrival of school, parents face a new set of challenges: the loss of control over their child’s circle of influence. While one does what one can to prepare their children for school, bullying is sadly a part of life. Thankfully, bullying is something that can be prevented and stopped.

This is just what happened when in 2007, Grade 12 students David Shepherd and Travis Price of Nova Scotia took matters into their own hands after a fellow Grade 9 student, Chuck McNeill, was bullied for wearing a pink polo shirt on the first day of school. Students began directing homophobic remarks at McNeill, which didn’t sit well with Shepherd or Price.

In an interview with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Price explained that he and Shepherd came up with the idea for their schoolmates to wear pink shirts as a way of standing up for the bullied student. He and Shepherd then went out and purchased 75 women’s tank tops and pink pre wrap rolls to make headbands and wristbands.

Next, they contacted their school’s administration with their idea. The school warned the boys about possible fights that may break out and let them know that it was on them if expulsion occurred. Undeterred, Price thought, “this will be the best fight I’m ever going to fight.” He and Shepherd posted on MSN Messenger, an online instant messenger, asking students to join them in wearing pink shirts.

As the Shakespearan saying goes, “though she be but little she is fierce.” More than 750 students went to school the next day wearing pink shirts. In a school of 1000, their power was shown in numbers.

Price, who had also been bullied, saw McNeill as a kid just like himself. As the older student, he was inspired to be a good leader and take a stand for younger students and others who experienced bullying. Little did Price and Shepherd know just how astronomical this event would become.

In 2007, before going viral was a thing, this is just what happened, as the following week, students not only in Nova Scotia but all across Canada began wearing pink shirts. Eventually, Pink Shirt Day was formed as an anti-bullying initiative. It takes place each year on the last Wednesday of February.

Understanding Bullying

None of us have been untouched by bullying, whether we’ve been the bystander, the victim or the bully. With previous research suggesting 1 in 5 children have been bullied, Safe Canada estimates that around 1 in 3 children are bullied, with 47% of parents in Canada having one of their children bullied.

This number is low, too.

Over half of the victims do not report the bullying incident to a teacher, according to the Canadian Red Cross.

Bullying is repeated hurtful actions towards a child, whether to their face or behind their back, that cause physical or psychological harm, making it increasingly difficult for the bullied child to cope. This includes things like name-calling, teasing, spreading rumours, gossiping, excluding others and making threats, as well as physically aggressive behaviour, such as shoving, hitting, kicking and punching.

Bullying happens where there is a power imbalance, where one child dominates over another, or so it may seem for the victimized child.

Aside from physical injuries, there are other signs children may display when bullied: low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, losing interest in activities they once enjoyed, isolating themselves, being hungry after school and dealing with

stomach aches or headaches, to name a few.

Signs a child might be the perpetrator of bullying events include anger against others, witnessing aggression from other adults or older siblings, or children who have difficulties standing up for or empathizing with others.

This domination doesn’t only happen in the physical world either. Not only are children dealing with the effects of bullying at school but also in places where they should be safe, such as at home. With phones in so many of our children’s hands and pockets, cyberbullying occurs anywhere and everywhere.

Understanding Cyberbullying Cyberbullying has the same psychological effects, where individuals use technology –such as social media, texting and emailing – to harass, threaten, exclude or humiliate someone. Cyberbullies can often remain anonymous while rapidly spreading hurtful pictures or messages to a large majority of people.

Parents should be hyper-vigilant in ensuring their child’s online safety by monitoring their phone and online usage and teaching them how to be safe online. Below is a list of some of the cyberbullying behaviours that can occur:

Catfishing – creating a fake identity and then trying to get the victim to engage in a relationship with them

Cyberstalking – when a cyberbully monitors the victim’s computer activity and “follows” them online

Denigration/Dissing –spreading damaging information, rumours or gossip about an individual

Doxxing – sharing someone’s personal information

often it happens, how long it’s been happening, where it occurred and how it’s affected the child.

Adults should also encourage children with low self-esteem (a sign of bullying) by enrolling them in activities they can thrive in, therefore feeling good about themselves. For children who bully, adults should take advantage of their leadership skills by having them teach a new skill to someone else.

Being a healthy role model and demonstrating appropriate behaviour is also essential and speaks volumes to kids. Praise children when inclusivity and kindness are shown and set boundaries when bullying occurs. Teaching kids about empathy and making amends with others are important skills for children to learn and understand.

As for cyberbullying, there are simple steps you can take to ensure your child’s online safety, such as:

-Use nicknames online

online in order to harass them (such as their home address, where they go to school or their social security number)

Exclusion – leaving a child out of a group, such as a group text thread

Flaming – posting hateful content online about a victim in hopes of getting them to fight back

Fraping – accessing someone else’s social media account and posting harmful content in order to ruin their reputation

Impersonation – impersonating a victim by posting inappropriate things about them online

Trickery – tricking a victim into confiding their secrets with them, then publicly sharing the information

Trolling – posting rude or hateful comments online about an individual

Ways to prevent bullying

According to the Pink Shirt Day website, “most bullying incidents stop within 10 seconds if a bystander intervenes.” PREVnet, a Canadian national research network, explained the importance of rehearsing words or phrases with children so they know effective ways to intervene, such as being confident in saying the word “stop.” Kids are encouraged to walk away and report the bullying to an adult right away. Aggression should not be used as it can further aggravate a bullying incident.

Adults should be active listeners when a child comes to them about being bullied–something that may take extraordinary courage for a child to admit. According to PREVnet, adults should give their full attention to a child who reports bullying and ask them questions such as how

-Children should never send or receive nude photos of themselves or someone else

-Make sure your child knows to immediately tell an adult if someone they met online wants to meet in person

-Children should log off if a situation causes any form of harm or fear and inform an adult

Children should never engage with a cyberbully and let a trusted adult know when they’ve experienced or witnessed cyberbullying. Adults should keep a record of cyberbullying incidents in case it needs to be shown to parents, teachers, or the authorities. Many other resources are available for children, youth and adults, some of which can be found on the Pink Shirt Day website.

A simple step in bullying prevention is reminding children that they are important and loved.

-Never share personal information (like where you live, go to school or work)

This year’s event is on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Wear a pink shirt and engage with your children about the stand you can take against bullying.

By Kim Kimberlin Northern News Services

Pink Shirt Day is Feb. 22.

Job fair brings opportunities to Kitikmeot community

Nine employers seeked to fill positions at a job fair in Kugluktuk

Felix Charron-Leclerc Local Journalism Initiative

ᐃᓚᒌᓄᑦ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᖅᑎᒃᑯᓐᓂ.

Tanya Ongahak, left, and supervisor Miranda Atatahak with Career Development-Family Services. Picture courtesy of Tanya Ongahak

Nine employers were recruiting at the Colin Adjun Hall during a job fair on Jan. 31 in Kugluktuk, which brought a variety of work opportunities to the community.

“We had a booth there along with the Hamlet of Kugluktuk, Economic Development and Transportation department, Family wellness division of family services, Sabina gold and silver co., Kugluktuk housing association, Kitikmeot corporation, Northern store and Adult educators with Nunavut Arctic College,” said Tanya Ongahak, the representative for the career development division of family services in Kugluktuk.

Senior high classes Grade 10 to 12 attended the fair to gain insights on career opportunities. The rest of the crowd was “combined of young and older adults,” said Ongahak.

The community is experiencing a work-

force shortage, like many others across Canada.

“Some departments are always in need of new employees, for example the Kugluktuk Hamlet and quite a few divisions of the Government as well. We’re definitely in need of more wellness and frontline workers,” said Ongahak.

The employers offered a variety of job opportunities and “a few people had the opportunity to gain employment,” added Ongahak.

Although this is Ongahak’s first time co-organizing the fair, she said there are more to come.

“We want to bring the job fair back at least every year,” said Ongahak.

Preparations for the next fair scheduled a few months from now are already underway:

“We are looking into organizing a bigger job fair event with a lot more insight into careers, skills, certification and education opportunities around March,” said Ongahak.

ᔮᓇᑦ ᑲᓪᓗᓐ

Helping guide the career path Super hockey dad following son’s hockey journey

one tourney at a time

By Darrell Greer Northern News Services

Dave Wiseman of Rankin Inlet has become somewhat of a super hockey dad as he follows the blossoming career of his 16-year-old son, Gregory.

Gregory was somewhat of a late bloomer in the sport, starting to play at the age of 10 and not taking to the game immediately.

However, with hockey being so big in Rankin Inlet (Hockeytown), all of Gregory’s friends were involved in the sport and he decided he was willing to put in the extra time needed to catch up to his friends skill-wise.

Dave built a rink at the side of his home and Gregory and his brother, Simon, went at it day and night to hone their skills and caught up to the other players within a year.

Gregory played three years in Rankin before following the path several young Rankin players had previously taken and suited up the following year for the Norman North Stars, a AAA midget squad based in Thompson, Man.

David said he’s never missed a tournament his son has participated in since he began playing and that’s come with a somewhat hefty price tag.

He said he caught some slack the first year, being Gregory’s coach, which allowed him to travel mostly free to all the tournaments.

“It cost us $46,000 a year with him

playing away the first year and I went down there to live for three months, and I also went down every time he played in a tournament to watch him,” said Dave.

“This Arctic Winter Games (AWG) tournament was a little crazy as Gregory is only 16 playing with and against kids 19 years and under.

“We flew to Winnipeg from Rankin but, once there, anyone who knows me knows I hate to fly, so we drove the 17 hours to the AWG at Fort McMurray. It, pretty much, matched the cost of flying once we got there.

“With the car rental, hotel, food and gas you’re looking at $5,000 for a sixday tournament but it was well worth it – priceless, as I like to say, no matter the travel time and the cost involved.”

Dave said he’s been told by numerous coaches that Gregory is a natural goal scorer with a real love for the game.

He said this past year a national tournament was held in Cape Breton, N.S., and he and his other son, Simon, drove from Winnipeg, Man., all the way down to the event.

“That was fun,” said Wiseman. “It was a very expensive trip but it was worth every dime we spent to get to see Gregory play with kids from different provinces.

“The coaches Gregory has had the past couple of years have all said that he’s a natural goal scorer, sees the ice very well and gives 110 per cent a full 99 per cent of the time.

“Gregory also has a great work ethic,

loves being on the ice, loves playing the game hard and he truly respects the game. That’s a big thing for him.”

Dave said the family’s not quite sure where Gregory is going to play next year. After the AWG he still has two weeks left with the North Stars in Thompson, then he moves on to the junior team that picked him up for its last six remaining games then the playoffs.

He said the junior team is currently in first place and both he and Gregory are excited about the upcoming playoff run.

“We’re gonna wait and see about next year. I want to make the decision over the summer. I think wherever he’s most happy at is probably the best place for him to play. It’s not just my decision. It will be his too.

“When it comes to the hockey scene in Rankin, I’ve never seen a place like it that’s so dedicated. And that’s not just the kids but some of the parents, the workers and the coaches.

“I’ve lived in a lot of communities over the years from Toronto to Nova Scotia and, obviously, different parts of Nunavut.

“Rankin has got to be one of the highest-ranking places I’ve ever seen for dedication, fundraising, and hard-working coaches and parents who are involved with the entire process.

“Following the AWG Simon and I will be travelling to Prince Edward Island to watch Gregory play in the Canada Winter Games.”

A job fair took place in Kugluktuk on Jan. 31. Picture courtesy of Tanya Ongahak

Hockey dad Dave Wiseman, left, congratulates his son, Gregory, on Team Nunavut’s advancement to the U19 gold medal game at the Arctic Winter Games in Wood Buffalo, Alberta, on Feb. 2. Photo courtesy Dave Wiseman

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Clyde River seeks longer moratorium on Arctic oil exploration

ᐅᖃᖃᑦᑕᖅᓯᒪᕗᑦ ᐊᐃᑦᑖᕈᓱᖕᓂᕋᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᒐᕙᒪᑐᖃᒃᑯᓐᓂᑦ ᐅᖓᕙᕆᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᑐᐃᓐᓇᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᓄᖅᑲᖅᑎᑦᑎᓯᒪᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᐅᖅᓱᐊᓗᒃᓴᖅᓯᐅᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐳᓪᓚᒃᓴᓯᐅᕐᓂᕐᒥᒡᓗ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᒥᒃ ᐊᑕᐅᓯᕐᒥᒃ.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l'appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

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By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Clyde River

The Municipality of Clyde River expressed its disappointment in the federal government on Feb. 9 over only getting a limited renewal on its moratorium on Arctic oil activity, extending it for one year in late December last year.

The order suspends existing Arctic offshore oil and gas activities and also freezes active exploration licences of which there are currently 11 in the Beaufort Sea as well as their nine-year terms.

Clyde River Mayor Alan Cormack said oil activity will actively harm the direction they want their local economies to go, and that’s not in oil and gas.

“We’ve always depended on the sea for most of our food. Right now we’re trying to develop community fisheries,” said Cormack. “We want improved hunter support, to get more of our residents out on the land hunting.”

He added there are other factors currently affecting the land and sea, including increased cruise ship traffic and the Mary River Mine.

“Right now, it’s too risky. If there was a big spill from a tanker or an oil well blow-out,

we can’t put our way of life and our marine animals and environment at that much risk,” he said.

The moratorium was imposed by the federal government in 2016 following a legal battle between the Clyde River Municipality and Petroleum Geo-Services to stop seismic surveys. It was announced at the time that it would be reviewed after five years.

A July 2019 report by the Nunavut Impact Review Board found the moratorium should remain in place until gaps in knowledge and baseline data in the Baffin Bay and Davis Strait regions be addressed.

B2Gold buys Sabina’s Back River project in Nunavut for $1.1 billion

By Derek Neary Northern News Services

Vancouver-based international mining company B2Gold announced Monday morning that it is taking over Sabina Gold and Silver’s Back River gold district and all related assets in the Kitikmeot for $1.1 billion.

B2Gold is paying the equivalent of $1.87 per share to acquire all of the shares of the junior venture. Sabina’s shares closed at $1.58 on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Friday.

“B2Gold has strong northern construction expertise and experience to deliver the fully permitted Goose project and the financial resources to develop the significant gold resource endowment at the Back River Gold District into a large, long life mining complex,” the company stated, noting its experience commissioning two mines in Russia when it was formerly known as Bema Gold.

It also committed to honour the existing framework agreement that Sabina signed with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association outlining renewable 20-year benefit and land tenure agreements.

“B2Gold looks forward to continuing the positive and strong relationships with the community that Sabina has established through meaningful engagement,” the news release reads. “B2Gold recognizes that respect and collaboration with the KIA is central to the license to operate in the district and will continue to prioritize developing the project in a manner that recognizes Indigenous input and

concerns and brings long-term socio-economic benefits to the area. Consistent with how it develops all its projects around the world, B2Gold is committed to ensuring that its operations leave a lasting and positive legacy and to minimize environmental impacts.”

The new owner of Back River has operating gold mines in Mali, Namibia and the Philippines and exploration and development projects in Mali, Colombia, Finland and Uzbekistan.

B2Gold expects to produce between 1,000,000 and 1,080,000 ounces of gold in 2023.

The Goose Mine in Nunavut — 400 km southwest of Cambridge Bay — is expected to begin produc-

ing an average 223,000 ounces of gold annually beginning in 2025, with a mine life of 15 years.

“Upon completion of the transaction, it is anticipated that B2Gold would develop the Back River Gold District without further equity dilution to B2Gold shareholders,” the company stated.

Clive Johnson, president and chief executive officer of B2Gold said, “The acquisition of Sabina represents an exciting opportunity to develop the significant gold resource endowment at the Back River Gold District into a large, long life mining complex. B2Gold has strong construction expertise and experience to successfully develop the fully permitted Goose

project and unlock considerable value for the shareholders of both Sabina and B2Gold. The Back River Gold District has multiple high-potential mineralized zones, which remain open, and we are confident that the district has strong untapped upside with numerous avenues for resource growth.”

Bruce McLeod, president and chief executive officer of Sabina said, “We are tremendously proud of the work we have done to advance the first mine on what we believe will be a multi-generational mining district at Back River. The execution of the Goose project by Sabina did not come without risk to Sabina as a single asset, junior development company with capital constraints. With a two-year construction period until first gold production, we believe that additional value can be unlocked by participating as shareholders of a major gold producer with the northern experience and financial resources to optimize the Goose project and this prolific belt. shareholders will also benefit from exposure to B2Gold’s continued growth and healthy dividends.

“We would like to thank our land-owners, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and the constituents of the Kitikmeot Region for all their support in advancing this project.

I am confident that, when completed, this agreement means an ever-brighter future for the Back River Gold District. B2Gold will bring to Nunavut a wealth of international mining experience built upon a proven track record of project success.”

The Municipality of Clyde River has expressed it’s dissapointment in the federal government for only extending its moratorium on Arctic oil and gas exploration by only one year. Photo courtesy of Andy Jay Iqalukjuak

The assets associated with Sabina Gold and Silver’s Back River project in the Kitikmeot region are changing hands to B2Gold Corp. Photo courtesy of Sabina Gold and Silver

Not

direction we want to go, says Clyde River mayor

We must hold on to a healthy way of life

UPLUKKUT INUIT. INUGIAHIJUQ IQALUKTUUTIAMI. QUNGNIAKTITIJUT. QABLUNAATLU INUINNAITLU TIKIHIMAJUT. QUANA PULAAKTIQAQTURUT. HILA QAIJUQNAQTUK. HIQINIQ ALIANAQTUQ QULVAKPAKMAN. INUIN NAAMAINNAQTUT. ANGNAT MIQHUJAKPAKTUT PITQUHIRNIQMIIKKUNI. ATIGILIUKTUT PINNITAKTUT. ILIHAKVIIT UMIKHIMAJUT NUTAQQAT AIHIMAJUN AUDLAKHIMAJUT ILIHAIJIIT KATIMANGMATTA IQALUNNI. HALUQQUGUT INUNGNUN HUMILIKIAK. NAAMAKLUHI.

CAMBRIDGE BAY

mainland. Long ago, in the old days, our families and ancestors all had dog teams. It was the best way to travel on the land. There were no snowmobiles, trucks, all-terrain vehicles — only a few airplanes operated by the US Air Force for the DEW Line and some commercial airlines hauling food and bringing people in and out. I remember when the DEW Line planes would come because my late Father Tologaknak and many other Inuit worked with them. They were always bringing in fresh food from Winnipeg.

Welcome to the sunny and cold country on Victoria Island, land of the Inuinnait. Weather is very cold this time of year, so not much happens outdoors, other than collecting ice for delicious tea. Then when it’s that cold, the ice is easy to axe and cut in blocks for Elders and tea drinkers.

The sun has been giving a nice bright few hours during this winter season. The moonlight still shines down through the night darkness, looking spectacular and beautiful and amazing. You can watch lights from far away for those snowmobiling or travelling on the land. You can hear dogs barking if there is wildlife close by like foxes and wolves — not many polar bears come close to town, it’s very rare.

Few caribou come close to town either. They mainly roam the island and towards

My dad would hop on the plane to Winnipeg just to have a quick short holiday and go shopping for us kids and Mom. We always had nice new clothes, because my dad loved ordering from the Simpson Sears and Eaton’s catalogues and shopping in Winnipeg. We were well dressed children. Mom was such a good seamstress so we had beautiful parkas, kamiks and mitts. Always dressed in beautiful handmade clothing, made warm for the cold winters up here. I sure miss them.

Food was always shipped by airlines or by ships, the annual sealift was exciting every summer, knowing we got lots of food for the next year in the stores. Shelves were always well stocked by the Hudson’s Bay Company, and Co-ops were built in the North later. Nunavut has one of world’s highest food prices and cost of living, and still is, it never ends. But this is our home. Someday maybe things might change for the better, but in my lifetime it has not been changing in terms of more affordable food and other

necessities. The federal government has a program called Nutrition North, not sure how that works. We Inuit still love food from the land and sea. It is our life — without country food we would be sick.

We must plan for the future and for generations to come to ensure that the caribou, fish and country foods never run out and become extinct. Some places have set quotas on wildlife to ensure this never happens. Our Elders rely on country food every day of their lives, and we must provide and make sure they have it. Let us look after each other so that we don’t get sick and can be happy and healthy.

Keeping the belief alive

Elder promotes shamanism as a major part of Inuit cultural identity

By Darrell Greer Northern News Services

Inuk Elder Piita Irniq, 76, still travels extensively to speak on Inuit culture and traditions and shamanism often plays a central role in the conversation.

Irniq, who has written several articles on the subject, grew up with shamanism in his family with both his father (Angutitaq) and brotherin-law being shamans in the 1950s and 1960s.

The well-spoken Elder still goes on Facebook now and then to talk about Inuit shamanism, even addressing the topic at Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit about a quarter-century ago.

He also taught the subject to Inuit students at the Inuit Cultural Institution in Clyde River because, as he puts it, it’s a major part of Inuit cultural identity.

Irniq said his brother-in-law was a doctor/ healer who tried to heal sick people in his family with help from his spirits (tuunngait).

His father, who passed away in 1971, had two spirits that he remembers, an owl and a ptarmigan.

“To fly as a spirit is very scary,” said Irniq. “Ptarmigan, especially, fly all over the place, turning here and turning there, often feeling like you were going to hit the side of a hill.

“My father would never admit that he was a shaman but he always seemed to know where the caribou (tuktu) were.

“He would fly as a spirit to see where the tuktu were and, a day or two later, would go there

while hunting. He always managed to get one or two of the animals.”

Inuit didn’t use shamanism every time they got sick or needed help. Shamanism was respected and used only as a last resort. It was the custom of Inuit to pay a small item to a shaman if they wanted their sick relative to be cured or

healed. An item could have been a snow knife for building an iglu or a caribou-skin parka, for example.

Irniq said he was told by a friend of his, who writes about Canadian social history, that, during the depression in Saskatchewan, people often paid their doctors and clergy with eggs,

Some exciting news: the old arena is finally open, and to celebrate the opening, the department of healthy living had an open skate for all ages. We hope kids will enjoy rest of the season for the arena sports such as hockey, skating, etc. It is so important to have healthy activities for our youth, especially living in an isolated community in the North. Quana to the hamlet for making sure the arena is open again.

We hope you all enjoyed your visit to our wonderful and friendly community of Cambridge Bay for the Kitikmeot Trade Show. It is a busy little community. Stay well.

God Be With You, Son.

chickens or something from their gardens – to Irniq, this shows Inuit and European beliefs may have more in common than most people realize.

He said one of his brother-in-law’s spirits was his mother, who he would ask to drive away the bad spirits causing terrible sickness to someone in his family.

“I experienced this personally when I became extremely ill when I was five or six years old in Naujaat. My brother-in-law, a semi-strong, powerful shaman, healed me.

“I believe to this day my brother-in-law saved my life, so, of course, I strongly believe in the power of shamanism.

“I also remember Inuit from other families consulting with him to see if he could help heal them.”

Irniq said a growing number of today’s Inuit youth have a new-found interest in shamanism.

He said, as well, more-and-more people want to know what life was like before the arrival of Christianity, so he will continue to talk and write about it until the end of his life.

“I do get opposition about shamanism from some people and how they perceive it to clash with Christianity.

“Their negative comments are designed to scare and embarrass me but they don’t, because it’s a major part of our cultural identity.

“Without shamanism, Inuit would never have survived.

“I will continue to tell of my personal experiences and knowledge of shamanism for as long as I live.”

The arena has finally reopened in Cambridge Bay after years. Youth put on their skates and happily got on the ice. Navalik Tologanak/NNSL photo

Piita Irniq, fourth from left in the front row, was saved from almost certain death by a family shaman while living in Naujaat as a five- or six-year-old boy in the late 1940s. Photo courtesy of Piita Irniq

TEA TALK with Navalik Tologanak email: helent@qiniq.com

Iqaluit congratulates AWG athletes with parade

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Iqaluit

Iqaluit showed its appreciation for it’s Arctic Winter Games athletes with a parade on Feb. 11, honouring the athletes who won a total of 51 medals for Nunavut from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4.

The parade took off from Iqaluit Square (near NorthMart), went through downtown Iqaluit before turning at the Four Corners and ending at the Arctic Winter Games Arena where there was a meet and greet with the Team Nunavut athletes and coaches

“It’s great to be back, (the Arctic Winter Games) was a good time but it was exhausting by the end,” said Peter Ban Strien, the coach for the Team Nunavut boys curling team.

“It took a couple of days to recover but it’s nice to see people who are very appreciative of the efforts of these athletes.”

Strien added despite the boys’ curling team being fairly new, they fared well given its experience.

“All of our guys were very new, it was their first year curling except for one of them. We have a ways to go but we played pretty good for their level, we got years to go so hopefully we can get to where we’re winning some games there,” he said.

The athletes were also excited to come back home following the games.

“I really feel the love from the community and the support,” said Maiya Nadrowski, who was a part of the female ice hockey team. ”I feel like everyone’s proud of not only me but every athlete that competed,” she said, adding this was her last AWG. “It was a really good one to end it with.”

“We’re all really proud of them and it’s good to see the community being proud of them,” said Strien.

ᔅᑏᕙᓐ ᕕᓕᐊᒻᓴᓐ-ᐸᐅᑐᕆ, ᕿᑎᒡᕕᐊᓂ, ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ

ᑎᒍᒥᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᖅᑎᓂᒃ ᓘᑲᓯ ᔭᖕ, ᓴᐅᒥᐊᓂ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓚᐃᔭ ᓚᐅᑦ, ᑕᓕᖅᐱᐊᓂ. Stephen Williamson-Bathory, centre, holds up a Nunavut flag alongside speed skaters Lucassie Young, left, and Eliyah Laird, right. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

ᓚᐃᓚ ᐅᐃᓪᒪᓐ, ᓴᐅᒥᐊᓂ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᓯᓐᑎᐊ ᕼᐅᓇᓯ, ᑕᓕᖅᐱᐊᓂ, ᒪᓪᓕᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᐅᑭᐅᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᙳᐊᕕᒡᔪᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ.

ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᐱᙳᐊᕕᔾᔪᐊᖅᑏᑦ

ᐊᒻᒪ ᑲᒪᔨᖏᑦ ᑲᑎᖃᑎᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ

ᐃᖃᓗᒻᒥᐅᓂᑦ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᐱᙳᐊᕕᔾᔪᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᕼᐋᑭᕐᕕᒻᒥ.

AWG athletes and coaches meet with Iqaluit residents at the AWG Arena. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

photo

The Iqaluit Airport Fire Department leads the AWG parade on Feb. 11. Trevor Wright/ NNSL photo

Nipi Pilakapsi smiles while taking part in the Arctic Winter Games Parade. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

Layla Wilman, left, and Cynthia Joanasie, right, wave during the Arctic Winter Games Parade. Trevor Wright/ NNSL photo

Iqaluit city counsellor Kyle Sheppard waves at the crowd during the AWG parade. Trevor Wright/NNSL

Winter sun and travel feature prominently in this week’s On The Land photos.

ᐅᑭᐅᒃᑯᑦ ᓯᕿᓐᓂᕐᓂᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᕐᓂᖅ ᓴᖅᑭᔮᑦᑎᐊᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᑕᒪᑐᒪᓂ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᕐᒥ ᓄᓇᒥ ᐊᔾᔨᓕᐅᖅᑕᐅᔪᓂᒃ.

ᓵᓚᖃᖅᑐᖅ! ᑕᑦᑕᑐᐊᐱᒃ ᐆᖔᓐ ᕕᓕᑉ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᔾᔨᒥᑦ ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᖕᒥᑦ, ᐱᔭᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᐆᙳᓐ

ᑎᓯᐱᕆ 20, 2022−ᒥᑦ.

Wonderful weather shots

ᐊᐃᒥᓈᖅ ᐊᒪᕈᖅ ᖃᒪᓂᑐᐊᕐᒥᙶᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᐊᔾᔨᓂᒃ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ, ᐊᔾᔨᓕᐅᖅᑕᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᕕᕗᐊᕆ 7, 2023−ᒥ 10:30−ᒥ ᐅᓐᓄᒃᑯᑦ.

ᐱᐊᕆ ᐃᑲᒃᕼᐃᒃ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᐊᔾᔨᒥᑦ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂᑦ, ᖁᕕᐊᓲᑎᖃᖁᔨᓪᓗᓂ, ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥᑦ ᕼᐋᑭᖅᑏᑦ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐸᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᒎᓗᑖᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ.

ᓯᐅᕆ ᐃᓐᓱᓪ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᐊᔾᔨᒥᑦ ᑎᑭᕋᕐᔪᐊᒥᑦ, ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖅ ᑎᑎᕋᐅᔭᒐᒥᑦ

ᓯᓚᑖᓂᙶᖅᖢᓂ ᐊᓄᕆᒨᖅᑐᒥᑦ -55 C−ᒥᑦ ᔮᓄᐊᕆ 28−ᒥᑦ.

ᓇᐃᔫᒥ

ᐅᓪᓛᒃᑯᑦ ᔫᓂ 2, 2020−ᒥ.

ᒪᒃᑭᑦᑐᖅ ᓂᑉᑕᐃᔪᖅ ᑖᔅᓱᒥᖓ ᐊᔾᔨᙳᐊᒥᒃ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ, ᑐᒃᑐᓕᐊᖅᓯᒪᑎᓪᓗᑕ 300+ ᒪᐃᓕᓂᒃ ᐅᖓᓯᖕᓂᓕᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᓪᓗᑎᒃ, ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᑉ ᑲᓇᖕᓇᖓᓂ.

WINNER! Tatatoapik Oingonn Phillip sent us this photo from Arctic Bay, taken by Oingunn Tatatuapik on their last fishing trip from Arctic Bay to Ikpikituarjuk on Dec. 20, 2022.

Ami’naaq Amaruq sent us this image from Baker Lake, taken on Feb. 7, 2023 at 10:30 p.m.

Naomi Inuksaq sent us this photo from Naujaat, taken while playing out in the morning on June 2, 2020.

Makkituq Niptayuq sent us this image, taken during a caribou hunting trip 300+ mile round trip, southeast of Gjoa Haven.

Shirry Insole sent us this photo from Whale Cove, a self portrait of a northern travel nurse, taken outside Whale Cove Health Centre at windchill -55 C condition on Jan. 28.

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

Pierre Ikakhik sent us this image from Arviat, A call for celebration, when the Nunavut hockey team got the first gold medal.

Federal government announces $2 million for Pond Inlet shelter/wellness centre

Hamlet hopes to have shelter completed within 1.5 years

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Pond Inlet

The federal government is investing in health and wellness in a Northern community.

On Feb. 15, federal Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced a little over $2 million to go toward a new men’s shelter and wellness centre in Pond Inlet.

The new facilities will be housed in two exist-

ing structures, which will be renovated and updated to reduce energy and water consumption.

Pond Inlet CAO David Stockley thanked the federal government for supporting social programming and environmentally-friendly building practices.

“The funding is making it possible to establish a much needed mens shelter and wellness centre in our remote Arctic community. The shelter will provide a safe haven where men can participate in activities such as on-the-land hunting and fishing; and counselling with Elders and

professional counsellors,” said Stockley.

The mens shelter is expected to have five rooms, similar to a women’s shelter currently under construction in the community.

The wellness centre will also provide mothers in the community life skills such as cooking classes, sewing, counselling services and cultural programming.

Once completed the hamlet will be running both buildings, said Stockley,

“There is just a huge need. There’s a lot of men in the community and they need help from

time to time,” said Stockley. He added that the new facilty is going to help in a lot of different ways, noting that the wellness centre includes a double kitchen once its completed.

“It’s going to help out a lot of people in the community along with the counselling services and so on,” he said.

Setting up the shelter is expected to take about a year and a half. The Hamlet hopes to have all the needed materials by this September during sealift season. Afterwards they hope to have it built within six to nine months.

New online education service proposal for Northern universities

Uarctic is proposing a new online education plan to connect Northern universities

“Uarctic,” a non-profit organization created in Finland in 2001, is going to be presenting a new online education service proposition to help connect and serve remote Northern colleges and universities.

“Our proposal will be made at the Arctic Assembly. We want to create a collaborative online international learning (COIL) experience, a form of a virtual education system that would connect Northern Universities around the circumpolar north by using tools such as zoom and teams,” said Izzy Crawford, representative for Uarctic.

The idea is to get students from

different countries and perspectives to work as one on global problems, therefore bringing new solutions to the table.

“Uarctic collaborations between students of various northern universities could be the key to solving problems affecting the north,” said Crawford.

“Universities and organizations could offer their specialty classes online for other students to access,” explains the representative. Three universities have currently shared their interest in participating: Robert Gordon University (Scotland), the University of Eastern Finland and Southern Maine University.

“For the proposal, we will present the idea of a web-based resource that

is user-friendly and inclusive along with examples on how to do COIL projects,” said Crawford.

Online schooling is an accessible solution for Nunavummiut, who represent the territory with the lowest higher education rate of any province or territory in Canada. Only 14.3 per cent of people aged 25 to 64 had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2016, according to a Statistics Canada report.

The courses taken from any participating arctic university by a student in Iqaluit at the Arctic College, for example, would be embedded into the student’s university record by gaining credits and there is also the option of providing separate certificates for specific formations, according to

Crawford.

With the risk of future pandemics around the corner, Crawford explained other benefits of online education:

“It’s carbon-neutral, students don’t have to travel, limiting risks of having to pause education through Covid for example. Students participating will obtain transferable skills valuable to enter the workforce, but also intercultural sensitivity,” said Crawford.

The service is also being organized to not bring additional fees to students’ school tuition.

“The goal is to offer free programs and projects. We already have some projects which after lots of trial and error have come to fruition in Finland,” said Crawford.

UArctic−ᑯᑦ ᑐᒃᓯᕋᖅᐳᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᒥᒃ ᐊᔪᕐᓇᙱᓐᓂᖅᓴᐅᓕᖁᓪᓗᒍ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᓄᑦ ᑲᑎᖅᓱᐃᔪᓐᓇᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᔭᐅᕙᓪᓕᐊᔪᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ ᓯᓚᑦᑐᖅᓴᕐᕕᒡᔪᐊᓂᒃ.

UArctic is proposing a plan that will make it easier for students to gather online credits from international universities. Photo courtesy Pixabay

Felix Charron-Leclerc Local Journalism Initiative

Youth leaders share experience after winning $100,000 to fund project

Arctic Inspiration Prize winners from the Nunavut Youth Creative Collective Youth team share their plans on making their project happen

Seven teams from across Canada’s North were awarded a share of over $2.7 million for their inspiring “by the North and for the North” projects.

One of the recipients is the Nunavut Youth Creative Collective, which was awarded $100,000 to develop their agency, which works as a social enterprise to increase Inuit representation in advertising, media and other digital forms like social media and website design.

“The idea to create NYCC came to me when I was doing my co-op in my final year of graphic design school. I had noticed that there was a lack of quality imagery and graphics that represented Inuit that I could access. Our idea is to curate a database of quality imagery and graphics that really represents Inuit and Northerners,” said Mac Pavia, team leader.

The NYCC board consists of three people: Pavia, Saaki Nuna and Alassua Hanson as well as an advisor/mentor to help ensure the success of this project.

The collective would also look to the communities to hire creative talent among youth community members that cannot find meaningful work in their chosen field without having to leave their homes.

“We are at the stage where we need to lay the foundation of NYCC. That is building business plans and working as a team to best figure out the way we can approach getting these images and graphics in a fair and respectful manner,” said Pavia.

It’s been months of waiting since they filed their application in Oct. 2022, but Pavia said the buildup to the ceremony was worth it.

“The air was absolutely electric. It was so awesome to see so many northerners who are passionate about a difference in the arctic and to see many youth involved in that too,” said Pavia. “If I had to pick one highlight I think it was my team and I walking across the stage. The feeling is indescribable being in front of so many people and having premier P.J. Akeeagok and Harry Flaherty hand my team the check for $100,000.”

“When the territories or provincial or federal government puts out a program, it is in a box; there are parameters. This program (the

Arctic Inspiration Prize) allows the community to bring forward their ideas, what is truly important to them at the community level and see through with their project as they see fit,” said Wally Schumann, chair of the Arctic Inspiration Prize Charitable Trust.

The main prize of a million dollars was awarded to Pilimmaksaijuliriniq Project, whose goal is to build additional mental health competencies and Inuit wellness traditional teachings to support the delivery of community-based programming across Inuit Nunangat. “This project will support community organizers, champions, activists and trainers who deliver community-based programming with the goals of fostering, protecting and building the resilience of all community members,” stated the Feb. 8 release from the Arctic Inspiration Prize.

Lessons from our Elders won $450,000 for their initiative to engage high school students in identifying historic artifacts cited in stories told by community Elders. Over a one-year period, this project will take place in ten different communities to produce a virtual exhibition presenting newly found artifacts and stories most northerners have never heard.

Shäwthän Näzhì: Recovery Support Program was awarded $500,000 to provide intensive and on-going after care support following attendance at treatment programs. This three-year project will include capacity building within the Yukon Indigenous wellness practitioner community, an intensive recovery support program and model sharing combined with train the trainer implementation.

Nunavik organizations and communities have united to create a new research governance organization, named Atanniuvik, which will advance Nunavik Inuit self-determination in research. This project won $500,000 to focus on building the human capacity at the heart of Atanniuvik’s operations, including ensuring that Atanniuvik is run by and for Inuit.

In the Youth category, three projects demonstrated a commitment to making a difference in their communities.

N’’tsaÜw Chu’ Kedts’edán

Kù Traditional Camp was awarded $100,000 to build a traditional camp on the Porter Creek Secondary School campus, helping the school and the greater community

engage in authentic cultur-

programming. The camp will build capacity in educators and help students see themselves and their cultural teachings as valued.

While preparing for a large Circumpolar Northern Games event in Inuvik, and in light of mental health and

spiritual crisis in many northern communities, Northern Games Youth Collaboration, Inuvialuit Piuyausiq, won $100,000 to hold a Northern Youth Development program in Tuktoyaktuk, helping the next generation of leaders promoting healthy activity and cultural connect-

edness by focusing on mentoring youth and highlighting volunteerism.

The Arctic Inspiration Prize wasy founded by Arnold Witzig and his wife in April 2012 when he saw a need for investment to support communities and their initiatives. He and his wife

donated $50-60 millions in trusts and formed the Arctic Inspiration Prize. The trust now comprises the original donation along with fundings from around 30 different organizations and corporations right across Canada’s Arctic, said Shumann.

The Nunavut Youth Creative Collective on stage at the Arctic Inspiration Prize 2023. From left, Mac Pavia, Premier P.J. Akeeagok, Saaki Nuna, Alassua Hanson and Harry Flaherty. Photo courtesy of Mac Pavia to

al

Felix Charron-Leclerc Local Journalism Initiative

Newfoundland and Nunavut agree on future collaboration

Shared priorities include healthcare, housing, climate, fisheries

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Ottawa, Ontario

Nunavut is planning to collaborate more closely on partnership and development with Newfoundland and Labrador

On Feb. 8, the governments of Nunavut and Newfoundland and Labrador signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), during the Northern Lights Conference in Ottawa.

According to Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, this is based on a shared maritime history and common values.

“This partnership allows us to work together to diversify our economies in areas like fisheries, tourism and modern internet connectivity,” said Akeeagok.

Part of the MoU is an agreement to establish a cooperation and implementation committee, to be co-

chaired by the Labrador Affairs Secretariat, which is to represent the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Nunavut’s department of executive and intergovernmental affairs will be co-chairing.

There are also shared personal, cultural, social and economic relationships between the people of the two jurisdictions, which will assist in partnering to address shared problems, said Nunavut deputy premier Pamela Gross.

“Through this memorandum of understanding, our governments can work to bolster social development and reduce homelessness and food security,” said Gross. “Together, we can strengthen our skilled labour force by partnering in education and training that is relevant and accessible to our remote communities.”

Other shared priorities include healthcare, climate change, fisheries, tourism, internet and emergency preparedness.

Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, second from left, and Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Andrew Furey shake hands after signing the MoU. Also on hand are Nunavut deputy premier Pamela Gross, left, and Newfoundland and Labrador Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Lisa Dempster, right. Photo courtesy of Beth Brown

Nunavut premier P.J. Akeeagok and Newfoundland and Labrador premier Andrew Furey sign an MoU on future collaboration between the two jurisdictions. Photo courtesy of Beth Brown

ᒨᑐᒥᑦ. ᐊᒻᒪᑦᑕᐅᖅ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎᐅᑉ ᑐᒡᓕᐊ ᐹᒥᓚ ᒍᕈᔅ, ᓴᐅᒥᐊᓂ,

New business course tours communities

ᑯᕆᔅᑕᕝ ᑲᐅᕐᓵ, ᓴᐅᒥᐊᓂ, ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎᒋᔭᐅᕗᖅ ᐱᖓᓱᓂᒃ ᐃᓄᖕᓄᑦ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᕐᕕᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᑲᑭᕙᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᓕᓵᖅᑕᖓ ᐊᑐᕐᓗᒍ, ᐱᒋᐊᕈᑎᖓ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᓂᐅᕕᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖁᑎᖏᓐᓄᑦ

ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᑎᓪᓗᒍ, ᓄᕕᐱᕆ 2022.

A new course to help small businesses obtain government procurement contracts is making the rounds of small communities.

The course was due to start in Pond Inlet from Feb. 14 to 16, then in Pangnirtung from Feb. 20 to 23, and ends in Iglulik from March 21 to 23.

“We had a pilot delivery in November, with three Inuit-owned businesses present. It went very well, observers from the Government of Canada administration were present to see what this course was all about,” says Glenn Cousins, manager of partnership and planning with Kakivak Association. The project was created from a partnership with Indigenous Services Canada, which aimed to help businesses build capacity around federal, provincial and territorial government procurement.

“That is how discussions started, we wanted to honour article 24 to assist more Inuit businesses to pursue government opportunities,” said Cousins.

The goal of article 24 is explained on Nunavut Tunngavik’s website as follows: “The government of Canada and the territorial government shall provide reasonable support and assistance to Inuit firms in accordance with this Article to enable them to compete for government contracts.”

This initiative is also due to the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee, created in 2017 between the Trudeau administration and the president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

Kristof Karcza will be leading the course as a business instructor. “Kristof has many years of business and economic development experience. He has personally delivered workshops in a few communities across Nunavut in the past as well,” said Cousins.

When asked what could a small business owner expect to learn from the course, Cousins said “The goal overall is an

Introduction to Government Procurement for Inuit Businesses in Nunavut, during the pilot delivery, November

introduction to government procurement; giving information on procurement, seeing it as something that might be good or bad for their business, where to register for the various registrations or permits, anything that touches federal and provincial/territorial government really,” said the manager.

The course is three days long, starts in the morning and ends in the evening. “It takes a bit of time to go through everyone’s questions and all the troubleshooting of the specific registrations each individual business needs,” said Cousins.

The course is given in English and Inuktitut and will soon

be available online as well.

“The online course is not ready yet, but once it is, it will be available in English and four different dialects of Inuktitut. One of our goals was to eliminate any barrier from accessing the course, making it available online is definitely a step in the right direction. Having the different dialects available, not only written but also narrated, took a fair amount of effort, but it was really important to get that done for us.

Cousins advised any Inuit-owned business interested to sign up for the course as there are still places available.

ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ,

Kristof Karcza, left, leads three Inuit businesses through Kakivak’s new course,

2022. Photo courtesy of Glenn Cousins

Felix Charron-Leclerc Local Journalism Initiative

Teaches Inuit small business owners how to obtain government procurement contracts