Nunavut News - Feb. 6, 2023

ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎᖏᑦ

ᐊᔭᐅᖅᑐᐃᔪᑦ ᓴᙱᓂᖅᓴᒥᑦ ᑐᑭᒧᐊᑦᑎᑦᓯᓂᕐᒥᑦ

Focus on health: Minister talks staff shortages, funding needs and mental health ᒥᓂᔅᑕ

Men’s group leaders push for stronger direction

‘That’s my job as a man, making a trail, making footprints, giving our

ᐅᒃᐱᕐᓂᒃ ᐊᒥᖅᑳᖃᑎᖃᕐᓂᕐᓗ ‘ᐃᓕᖅᑯᓯᑦᑎᐊᕆᒃᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᓕᖅᑯᓯᖃᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ’

Making okpiks and sharing ‘beautiful culture’

Business

ᓄᑖᖅ ᖃᖓᑕᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᕕᖃᕐᓂᖅ

ᐱᖓᓱᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ

ᐅᑭᐅᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᙳᐊᕕᒡᔪᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ.

Kenojuak’s daughter reflects on mother’s legacy

ᐊᖑᑎᐅᑎᓪᓗᖓ, ᐱᓱᔪᒃᖢᖓ, ᑐᒥᓕᐅᖅᖢᖓ, ᒪᒃᑯᖕᓂᖅᓴᐃᑦ ᓂᕆᐅᖕᓂᖃᖅᑎᖦᖢᒋᑦ,’ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᑐᙵᓱᒃᑎᑦᑎᔨ

younger people hope,’ says host

Ashevak’s art makes tour stop in Toronto

Daughter ‘happy and grateful’ that her mother’s legacy endures

the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.

A travelling exhibition presenting the works of renowned Canadian Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak, among other artists, will make its next stop at Toronto’s Urbanspace Gallery, where it will run from Jan. 19 to March 25, 2023.

Ashevak was one of the first Inuit artists to create prints of her artwork in Kinngait after James Houston launched a program teaching Inuit drawing techniques and how to make prints in the 1950s.

Throughout her lifetime, Ashevak has worked with graphite, coloured pencils and felt-tip pens. She has also created a variety of carvings from soapstone and thousands of drawings, etchings and stone-cut prints. She has made designs for Canadian stamps and coins, and her work was displayed on a special edition of the Canadian $10 bill for the country’s 150th anniversary in 2017.

In 2004, she expanded the boundaries of her traditional techniques by creating the first Inuit-designed stained-glass window for the John Bell Chapel in Oakville, Ont. Her work is now part of many renowned art museums across the world: The University of Toronto, St. Lawrence University, the National Gallery of Canada, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum and

In the 1980s, she explained her creation process with Jean Blodgett, author of several books and essays on the artist: “I just take these things out of my thoughts and out of my imagination, and I don’t really give any weight to the idea of its being an image of something… I am just concentrating on placing it down on paper in a way that is pleasing to my own eye, whether it has anything to do with subjective reality or not.”

A word from the artist’s daughter, Pee Ashevak

In an interview with Nunavut News, Pee Ashevak said she was “happy and grateful” her mother’s work is still being shared with the world.

“As a teenager, my mother inspired me to start my own art career,” she said.

Ashevak is now following her mother’s footsteps. Her art creations are being sold at Dorset Fine Arts in Toronto.

“My husband also motivated me to start doing some artwork. My favorite things to draw are birds,” she said.

She noted that she’s grateful to be able to draw because it helps “putting food on the table.”

However, she added that she had stopped doing artwork since her daughter passed away.

ᐃᓚᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᖅᑎᐅᔪᓄᑦ.

ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᓂᕐᒥ ᐱᓕᒻᒪᒃᓴᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᖑᑎᓄᑦ

ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᑲᑕᒋᔭᖃᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ, ᒫᑎᓐ ᕿᓪᓚᖅ ᐃᖅᑲᐃᑎᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᖃᓄᐃᒻᒪᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᖓ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᓂᖓᓂ.

“ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐊᖑᑏᑦ ᐊᓯᐅᓯᒪᔫᔮᖅᐳᑦ, ᑐᕌᒐᖃᕈᓐᓃᖅᖢᑎᒃ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᕿᓪᓚᖅ, ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒑᕐᔪᖕᒥ ᐃᓅᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᖃᒪᓂᑦᑐᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᐅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᐅᓄᕐᓂᖅᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᓄᑦ

40−ᓄᑦ. “ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇᑎᑐᑦ ᐃᓄᒃᓱᒐᕐᒥ ᑕᐃᔅᓱᒪᓂᑐᖃᖅᑎᑐᑦ

ᐅᕙᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᑐᓂᓯᕙᓚᐅᕐᒪᑦ ᓴᙱᔪᒥ ᓇᒧᙵᐅᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂ, ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓐᓂᖃᓗᐊᕈᓐᓃᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᒫᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ.”

ᑕᐃᑲᓂ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᓕᒫᒥ ᐱᓕᒻᒪᒃᓴᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᕘᓇ ᐳᓛᕐᕕᑉ

ᖃᑉᓗ ᐃᓚᓐᓇᕇᖕᓂᐅᑉ ᒥᒃᓵᓄᑦ ᑲᑎᕝᕕᒃ, ᑐᓴᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᒪᕐᕉᔪᓂᒃ

ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥᐅᑕᓂᒃ ᐃᒻᒥᓃᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂᑦ.

“ᖃᓄᑭᐊᖅ, ᓄᖅᑲᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᖅ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᕿᓪᓚᖅ. “ᑐᕌᒐᒃᓴᖃᕈᓐᓃᕋᑦᑕ ᐊᖑᑎᓄᑦ ᒫᓐᓇ. ᐅᑎᖅᑎᑦᑕᕆᐊᖃᖅᐸᕗᑦ.

ᐅᑎᖅᑎᑦᑕᕆᐊᖃᔾᓚᕆᒃᐸᕗᑦ.”

ᐱᖅᑯᓯᕆᙱᑕᖓᓄᑦ ᐱᐅᓯᖃᓕᖅᑎᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑳᕋᑎᒃ,

ᐅᓂᒃᑳᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ, ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐊᖑᑏᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕙᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᑐᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᖅᑯᑎᖓᓐᓂ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᒪᒃᑯᖕᓂᖅᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᐅᓯᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᓂ ᓇᒧᑦ ᐱᓱᓪᓗᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ. “ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᕆᕙᕋ ᐊᖑᑕᐅᓪᓗᖓ, ᐃᒡᓕᓂᓕᐅᕐᓂᕐᒥ, ᑐᒥᓕᐅᕐᓂᕐᒥ, ᑐᓂᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᖁᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᓂᕆᐅᖕᓂᕐᒥ ᐱᐅᔪᒥ ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓴᖃᕐᓂᖓᓂ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᕿᓪᓚᖅ. “ᓄᓇᓕᓕᒫᖅ ᐱᕈᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᕗᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᖃᙱᒃᑯᑦᑕ, ᑕᑯᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᐊᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᐋᓐᓂᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᐱᓗᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᐅᔭᕋᖕᓂᐊᕐᕕᓂ ᑲᒻᐸᓂᑕᖃᕐᓗᓂ ᖃᒪᓂᑦᑐᐊᕐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ. ᐅᕙᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐊᒃᑐᐃᓂᖃᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᐊᖅᐳᖅ.”

ᕿᓪᓚᖅ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓄᖅᑲᖓᓕᕋᓗᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐃᒃᐱᒍᓱᒃᐳᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᖓ ᐊᖑᑕᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᓱᓕ ᐱᔭᕇᖅᓯᒪᙱᓚᖅ.

“ᓱᓕ ᐱᔪᒪᓂᖅ ᐃᓗᓐᓃᑉᐳᖅ, ᓱᓕ ᐱᔭᒃᓴᖃᕐᔪᐊᖅᐳᖓ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ. “ᑭᓱᑐᐃᓐᓇᐃᑦ ᐅᓐᓄᐊᖏᓐᓇᕐᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᔾᔮᙱᓚᑦ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐊᔪᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᑯᓘᔾᔮᙱᓚᑦ.”

ᐅᐸᒃᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᓕᒫᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᖑᑎᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᖃᖅᑎᓂ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᓂ, ᐃᓚᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᓖᕈᐊᐃ ᑯᒃᑭᐊᖅ ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒑᕐᔪᖕᒥᐅᑕᕐᒥ. “ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᕋ ᐊᖑᑎᓄᑦ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᓐᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᖅᓴᐅᓂᐅᔪᓂ, ᓄᓇᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᓂᖃᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ

ᑯᒃᑭᐊᖅ ᐱᓕᒻᒪᒃᓴᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖅ ᐱᔭᕇᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐅᓪᓗᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅ, ᔭᓄᐊᕆ 27−ᒥ. “ᐊᕐᓇᐃᓐᓇᒐᓚᐃᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᖃᕐᓂᖃᓲᖑᕗᑦ ᓄᓇᑦᑎᓐᓂ, ᑕᐃᒫᒃ ᐃᓱᒪᕗᖓ ᐊᖑᑏᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᖃᒃᑲᓐᓂᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᒥᓂᑦ. ᐃᓚᖏᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᒧᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᙱᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᑕᑯᔭᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᑦ. ᐃᓚᖏᓐᓂ ᐃᓄᖕᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᒐᒃᓴᖃᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᑦ ᑲᑕᒃᓯᒪᓗᐊᔾᔮᙱᒻᒪᑕ.”

ᓴᓇᕐᕈᑎᒃᓴᓂ ᓴᓇᓂᕐᒥ, ᐊᖑᓇᓱᖕᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓄᓇᒥ− ᑐᙵᕕᓕᖕᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᓂ ᐱᖁᔨᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᖑᑎᓂ ᐱᔭᒃᓴᖃᖅᑎᑕᐅᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ.

ᕌᔾᔪᕐ ᐱᓚᑲᑉᓯ, ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ, ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓕᑦᑎᕐᔪᐊᓚᐅᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᖃᓄᖅ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᓂᕐᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᒧᓂ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖅ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ.

ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑕᒪᒃᑭᑦ ᐊᖑᑏᑦ ᐃᓚᐅᔪᓐᓇᙱᓚᑦ ᐊᖑᓇᓱᖕᓂᕐᒥ, ᐱᔾᔪᑎᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᐱᑕᖃᙱᓗᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐃᑲᔪᕈᑎᒃᓴᓂ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐊᓐᓇᕌᑦᑎᐊᕙᓂᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᔾᔪᑎᓂᓪᓗ, ᑕᐃᒫᒃ ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑕᐅᔪᒪᓇᔭᖅᐳᖅ.

ᑕᑯᔪᒪᓇᔭᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓗᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐃᑲᔪᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐱᖅᑯᓯᖏᓐᓂ ᐆᒪᑏᓐᓇᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᖑᑕᐅᔪᓄᑦ.

“ᐃᓄᑐᖃᑦᑕᐅᖅ ᐃᓕᑦᑎᕙᓪᓕᐊᖏᓐᓇᖅᐳᑦ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᓚᑲᑉᓯ.

Arnaqu Ashevak, grandson of Kenojuak; Pee Ashevak, daughter of Kenojuak; and Kenojuak Ashevak. Photo courtesy of Pee Ashevak

‘Sunlit Owl’ by Pee Ashevak, 2022. Image courtesy of Pee Ashevak

ᐊᕐᓇᖁ ᐋᓯᕙᒃ,

Pee Ashevak at work on her art, a sphere in which her mother was trailblazer. Picture courtesy of Pee Ashevak

Funding, staffing remain core of Nunavut’s health concerns

Increased access to mental health services available, says Nunavut health minister

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Nunavut

Nunavut’s healthcare system continues to face a number of challenges in the year ahead, several of which stem from the Covid19 pandemic, such as the national shortage of healthcare workers, or the backlog caused by addressing Covid over the last few years.

“All the backlogs it has created in different areas whether it be surgeries, dental, eye care. Looking at the system across Nunavut we’re still being affected by the last few years,” said Nunavut Health Minister John Main.

The most extreme examples of Nunavut’s healthcare staff shortages, according to Main, come in the form of health closures.

Attempts by the department to address healthcare staff shortages include supplementing with virtual services and bringing in paramedics for emergency care. The healthcare staff shortage in Nunavut and across Canada also affects other healthcare services.

“Just because it’s not an emergency doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be addressed or looked at. When we see emergency-only status for communities for weeks at a time, that’s the impact of our staffing shortage,” said Main. “You’re creating a backlog of unmet needs. It’s not something we want to see in the territory at all.”

Main said the department continues to work in attracting healthcare professionals but so are others.

“All these jurisdictions are doing the same thing, they are looking for ways to attract and retain healthcare professionals. So we have to keep up, the staff does incredible work. We just have to take better care of them. In terms of protection from burnout, from stresses and making sure they’re being compensated,” said Main, adding “It does take a team to make a surgery go successful.”

Funding

A first ministers’ meeting between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canada’s premiers takes place on Feb. 7. It is focused on the federal health transfer, but the interest for Nunavut will be on other funding streams.

“The interest for us in Nunavut is the Territorial Health Investment Fund, or the THIF. That’s a fund that’s been around for over 15 years, it’s a source of funding from the federal government for the territories,” said Main.

The focus on healthcare is because of systemic nationwide problems such as the staffing shortages, he added, saying “some of these conversations are long overdue.”

Funding is at the heart of the concerns around replacing aging healthcare infrastructure across Nunavut.

“It’s important we have proper infrastructure for staff and for residents. It impacts the public

and it impacts the staff negatively,” said Main.

One example of aging infrastructure Main said needs replacing was the Qikiqtarjuaq health centre but it also a concern across the territory.

“It’s not just Qikiqtarjuaq, it’s Baker Lake, it’s Kugluktuk, it’s Arviat, the list goes on in terms of the communities that need better infrastructure.”

It goes beyond health centres, he added.

Mental health programming space and Elders homes are also needed in Nunavut’s communities.

Increase in respiratory illnesses

Following the holiday season a surge in respiratory illnesses occurred in the territory. This not only included Covid-19 but also the flu and RSV (respiratory syncyial virus). Main said lessons learned from the pandemic apply to more than Covid-19.

“It varies from community to community but we keep coming back to the recommendations we have,” he said.

Vaccination was at the top of these recommendations, be it for the flu, Covid-19 or other illnesses. Other recommendations include staying home when sick, wearing masks in public settings, using rapid tests when available if

symptoms present themselves.

Core healthcare infrastructure funding and staffing remain at the heart of Nunavut’s health concerns, said territorial health minister John Main.

“We learned through Covid just how powerful public health tools can be, we’re not just talking about Covid. RSV, flu, all these safe measures will work for these other illnesses.”

Main says the Nunavut government’s latest TB information sharing agreement signed with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated is the department’s “newest tool we have” in fighting respiratory illnesses in Nunavut.

Mental health

Main wanted to highlight mental health struggles, particularly among younger Nunavummiut.

He noted there is now increased access to virtual or remote counselling services, in addition to existing helplines.

“The healing by talking program that our department runs is really taking off,” said Main, which enables you to speak with the same counsellor as you have before virtually. Online or text-based services are also available.

From services in Inuktitut or youth-focused helplines, there are more tools now more than ever to talk to someone.

“We just need to continue talking about mental health and continue de-stigmatizing it,” said Main.

Potential future community-wide TB screening possible in Pangnirtung

Pangnirtung continues to be most affected by TB

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Pangnirtung

A community-wide screening clinic for tuberculosis may be held in the future in Pangnirtung, said Nunavut Health Minister John Main.

In an interview with Nunavut News, Main said the disease remains a concern for the department across the territory but “Pangnirtung continues to be the community most

affected by TB right now.”

A tuberculosis outbreak was declared in the community on Nov. 25, 2021.

In the latest Nov. 25, 2022 update, a total of 37 individuals since Jan. 2021 were diagnosed with active TB and 147 were diagnosed with latent TB.

The decision to proceed with a screening clinic won’t be made lightly, Main added.

“It’s something that hadn’t been done for a number of years in Nunavut. It’s quite logistically challenging and a large initiative,” he said.

Photo courtesy of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly

Sports & Recreation Hockey town represent

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services

The sport with the most vocal parents, hockey, can’t help but take centre stage for families from the Kivalliq and across the territory.

Many Nunavummiut made the trek to Fort McMurray, Alta., to support their child or relative at the Arctic Winter Games, and many were decked in jerseys of their family’s name or custom-designed parkas representing Nunavut colours.

No matter the division, the fans love their Team Nunavut hockey players.

Jesse Qiyuk gives a look from the bench during U19 women’s play. Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo

Jimmy Ollie shuts the door for Nunavut against Alaska. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Kadin Eetuk buzzes around the Alaskan net. Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo

Koby Connelly eyes down a defender in preliminary play for U19 hockey. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Max Ammaq fires a backhand at the Alaska goalie. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Fort McMurray, Alta.

Iqaluit’s Keenen Uluqsi watches play from the bench with the U16s. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Kobe Tanuyak cheers after a goal against Alaska Tuesday, Jan. 31. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Kylan Saviakjuk leads his U16 team down the ice. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Liam Tattuinee pumps his fist after a big goal against Team NT Wednesday, Feb 1. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Pangnirtung’s Nate Dialla eyes up a defender. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Garren Voisey patrols play from his position on defence for the U19 squad. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Skater brings home gold

Akutaq Williamson Bathory just proud of all the support

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Local Journalism Initiative Fort McMurray, Alta.

Iqaluit’s Akutaq Williamson Bathory was one of the first Nunavummiut gold medallists at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games, earning the top ulu for her run in the short-track speed skating 500m.

“I’m feeling so uplifted from all the support and love I’m getting from my family, friends, community and even from England, family from England,” said the 17-year-old, who competed in the Individual 2004 - 2008 Female category. “I feel so honoured to be representing Nunavut. This isn’t only a medal for me, it’s a medal for everyone that’s gotten me to where I am, so I feel absolutely amazing.”

She came out on top over Team NT’s Erika Pollard and Rebecca Messier.

“I was super nervous,” said Williamson Bathory. “The previous distance I had gotten disqualified, so I was nervous that would happen again. But my goal was to just get to the start, and just keep pushing forward. And my last corner I had almost slipped, so I was really nervous there, but I got right to the finish line and looked right at all my supporters on the side and it was amazing to see them all there for me.”

This is her second Arctic Winter Games – it would have been her third if not for the pandemic. Williamson Bathory has also competed in the Canada Games.

She said she has been enjoying the Games, and she lost her voice on opening ceremonies night from cheering so much. “Arctic Winter Games is just an overall amazing experience for youth and children within the community to just come and watch these beautiful athletes perform and bring some inspiration back to our communities,” she said.

The youth was looking forward to her upcoming races in the week and gives a message of perseverance.

“I know Covid was a tough time, especially for sports, where it’s like you need to be in person,” she said. “It was difficult for me too to continue pushing, but to be here and to see what you can accomplish is absolutely amazing. Little steps add up to big things. I believe in you all.”

Nunavut starts taking home medals

Dene games and speed skating opened the ulu results for Team Nunavut Jan. 30, with bronzes for Lloyd Willie in open male stick pull, Meliya Allain in girls short track speed skating 1000m and Igimaq Williamson Bathory in the boys competition.

The next day, Akutaq Williamson Bathory earned her gold in the 500m short track speed skate, while Lloyd Willie took another ulu home with gold in the open male snow snake. Horizon Willie also earned a bronze in the junior female snow snake.

On Feb. 1, the floodgates opened further, with Qajaaq Ittinuar taking home silver in the boys arm pull and Team Nunavut winning silver in both male and female Dene games.

As of press time, Team Nunavut’s U19 hockey squad was headed into semi-final play against Team Northwest Territories, whom they were tied in records with at 3-0-1 and had just beaten the evening before. Team Alberta North was also tied in that top heat, sitting at 3-0-1 as of Wednesday, Feb. 1

On the junior boys side, Team Nunavut was headed into semifinal play against Team Alberta North, whom they had beat 4-2 earlier in the tournament. Leading the U16 male division going into semifinals was Team NT with a 4-0 record, coming off a win over Team Nunavut 6-5 Wednesday, Feb. 1.

The women, on the other hand, were 0-4 after initial action, being outscored 36-5 in the process. Team Alberta North led their division with a 4-0 record.

Team Nunavut’s curling squads were taking some lumps, with both sitting at 0-4 after preliminary play.

Midway through the Games, Nunavut sat at nine ulus in last, with Yukon leading the way at 80.

Team NT hockey girls rally over Nunavut at 2023 Arctic Winter Games

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Local Journalism Initiative Fort

After the loss of star forward Kyra McDonald to injury during their Monday night game against Team Nunavut, captain Emma Wicks from Yellowknife and her Team NT girls hockey teammates rallied for their peer.

“We got that win for Kyra,” said Wicks, following an 8-1 shootout over Nunavut. “We won that for her.”

McDonald scored twice in the game but was forced to leave due to a shoulder injury. Team NT went on the following day to edge out the Yukon squad 1-0.

“It’s tough. She’s a huge asset and she’s a leader on our team that a lot of younger girls and myself look up to,” Wicks said of McDonald. “I think we’re just going to keep playing our game and we’re going to play for her and just try our best.”

Wicks put up two assists in the win over Nunavut while teammate Jersey Ashton potted two goals and four assists. Jeanine Nakashuk was the lone scorer for Nunavut, assisted by Maiya Ooloota Hanna Nadrowski.

“We came a long way,” said Nunavut player Jesse Qiyuk. “We woke up very early in the morning, and we left the village like four, five this morning, and we’ve been at the rink since. So I think we did pretty good for staying up and being this exhausted.”

She said the Nunavut team was still learning how to bond together, and as that grows, their performance should follow.

Charlotte Siksik said her Nunavut team performed well for being so young, though she was still disappointed in the loss Monday night. “Today is the hardest day just because we’re all really tired and overworked,” she said about the long day at the rink. “But I think tournament will get a lot easier now that we only have a game a day.”

Akutaq Williamson Bathory is thankful for the supporters who have sent their love and helped push her to new heights at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Team Nunavut girls basketball squad finetunes strategy ahead of AWG

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Fort McMurray, Alta. Local Journalism Initiative

The Team Nunavut basketball girls were satisfied with their first game of the Arctic Winter Games, despite falling to Team Yukon in a close contest Monday night.

“We’re really proud of the girls,” said coach Ashley Donkoh afterward. “They played their heart out. This is the first time we’re all playing together, and me and coach are really, really proud of them. They got back on defence; they hustled on offence.”

Yukon staked an early lead, but the Nunavut girls made a push to tie it up early in the third quarter. After a timeout, Yukon rallied to take back their lead and finished with a 54-45 victory.

“I think it went really well,” said Nunavut player Cassidy Devereaux. “It was our first time actually playing together as a team, and I think we work together very well.”

She enjoyed the loud crowd and upbeat atmosphere, saying the team learned what they’re going to be facing in the next games.

The Nunavut girls did not get much practice time together – just a few short ones squeezed in before the recent tournament in Rankin Inlet.

“It costs so much money to bring everybody together,” said Donkoh. “So we don’t have the opportunity that everybody else has. But you can see tonight, we do overcome that and we just try our best and do what we can.”

Baker Lake flagbearer Haley Hachey could be heard calling out plays on the court all game.

“I think it went pretty well, considering it was our first time playing together as a team,” she said. “(For) a lot of them, it was their first time playing in a major games, including myself. And the other team has been playing together for a lot longer and practising. There are some things we can improve on.”

Many players on the Nunavut squad have been active for years and were selected for the 2020 Games, cancelled

due to the pandemic, explained coach Olivia Ullyot.

“These girls have wanted it for a long time,” she said. “They’ve been wanting it since the 2020 Games, so this is a big deal for them. And basketball for them is their life. They’re on the court, they’re in the gym all the time. They are living, breathing basketball.”

Ullyot has been coaching in Baker Lake for six years. Several of the players on the team were there when Ullyot first began in her role.

Hachey has been playing basketball since Grade 6.

“I’m a competitive person,” she laughed, adding that she’s always trying to push herself past her limit to improve.

“I think I want to learn how to dribble the ball better, because it’s very bouncy. And I think we should focus on getting rebounds and playing hard D (defence), but also working on our plays again and trying to work as a team to score some more baskets.”

Devereaux said the team had some bonding experiences off the court, and it translated that onto the court.

“Getting more comfortable with the offence that we’re running, running a tight defence and working together well,” are the keys to moving forward, she said.

Donkoh agreed.

“The girls know that the momentum starts with the defence,” she said. “If we can get tight defence, get some steals off of that, that leads into offence. So that’s what we’re trying to work on for next game.”

Ullyot said she’s very proud to be at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games representing Team Nunavut with some exceptional young women.

Flagbearing was ‘overwhelming’

Hachey was also the Team Nunavut flagbearer during the opening ceremonies Sunday, Jan. 29.

“It was very overwhelming, but it was also an honour because I was representing all of Team Nunavut and leading them in the opening ceremonies,” she said. “I just think it was really nice to sort of be the face of Nunavut and lead them throughout the Games.”

Players battle it out as Team Nunavut and Team Yukon face off Monday, Jan. 30.

Coach Ashley Donkoh gives instruction to her players in their opening match again Team Yukon Monday, Jan. 30. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Cassidy Devereaux says the team has bonded off the court, so now it’s time to translate that onto the court. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Haley Hachey takes a shot. The Baker Lake athlete also served as Nunavut’s flagbearer during the opening ceremonies. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Haley Hachey scouts her passing options. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Players from across territory had little time to prep, needed to learn quick

Out and about in the cold

KINDLY SPONSORED BY INVESTMENT GROUP INC.

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

Sunsets, the Northern Lights and long nights feature in this week’s On the Land photo spread

ᑯᕆᔅᑏᓐ ᓂᕕᐊᖅᓯᐊᖅ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑖᔅᓱᒥᖓ ᐊᔾᔨᙳᐊᒥᒃ ᑕᓗᕐᔪᐊᓂᑦ, ᖁᒻᒧᐊᒃᑎᑦᑎᔪᓂᒃ ᖁᙱᐊᖅᖢᓂ ᔭᓄᐊᕆ 1, 2023-ᒥ 12:23-ᒥ ᐅᓪᓛᒃᑯᑦ.

ᑳᑎ ᐆᒐᖅ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᕕᒋᓚᐅᖅᑖᑎᒍᑦ ᑖᔅᓱᒥᖓ ᐊᔾᔨᙳᐊᒥᒃ ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᖅ, ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ. Clouds-ᑯᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖃᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᐳᑦ

ᐱᐊᕆ ᐃᑲᒃᕼᐃᒃ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᐊᔾᔨᒥᑦ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂᑦ. ᐅᓪᓛᑦᑎᐊᕙᖃᕐᖢᓂ ᓂᒡᓚᓱᒃᓗᓂᓗ -49 C (ᐊᓄᕆᒧᑦ).

ᐊᔾᔨᓐᖑᐊᒥᒃ ᑕᓗᕐᔪᐊᕐᒦᙶᖅᑐᖅ, ᓯᕿᓂᐅᑉ ᖄᖓᒎᖅᑐᖅ. ᔭᓄᐊᕆ 17, 2023−ᒥ ᐱᔭᐅᔪᖅ ᕙᐃᑦ ᐸᐅᓗᓯᒧᑦ.

ᓂᑰᓪ ᔮᒃᓴᓐ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᑖᒃᑯᓂᖓ

ᓂᐆᒥ ᓇᑯᓛᖅ ᑖᔅᓱᒥᖓ ᐊᔾᔨᙳᐊᒥᒃ ᐸᓐᓂᖅᑑᒥᙶᖅᑐᖅ, ᐱᓱᔪᖕᓂᖅ ᐊᓚᓂᖅᒧᑦ ᐱᖃᓐᓇᕆᔭᕗᓪᓗ ᐊᐅᔭᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ.

Niomi Nakoolak sent us this photo from Pangnirtung, hike to Alaniq with friends last summer.

Pierre Ikakhik sent us this picture from Arviat. Beautiful and cold morning with a temperature of -49 C (wind chill).

Christine Niviaqsiaq sent us this picture from Taloyoak, watching fireworks on Jan. 1, 2023 at 12:23 a.m.

Kathy Oogak sent us this image from Gjoa Haven, Nunavut. Clouds just covering the Great White North on Jan. 18, 2023.

Great White North-ᒥ

2023-ᒥ.

Angirualuk Ikaluk Pauloosie sent us this photo from Taloyoak, the cross on top of the sun. Taken on Jan. 17, 2023 by Faith Pauloosie.

Nicole Jackson sent us these images from Iqaluit. Northern light over Apex, taken by Nicole Jackson and Sean Brinkema on Jan. 12, 2023.

ᓵᓚᖃᖅᑐᖅ! ᐅᐃᓕᐊᒻ ᒥᑭᐅᓪ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᐊᔾᔨᒥᑦ ᓇᐅᔮᓂᑦ. ᕕᓕᐊᒻ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐱᖃᓐᓇᕆᔭᖏᑦ ᑕᐃᑦᑎᐊᒍᑕᓕᒃ ᑕᓯᕐᒧᐊᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᓯᑯᒥ ᐃᖃᓪᓕᐊᕆᐊᖅᑐᖅᖢᑎᒃ

ᓇᐅᔮᓂ (ᓇᐅᔮᓂ) ᐱᖃᓐᓇᕆᔭᖏᓪᓗ

(ᐱᖅᓯᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ). ᓯᕙᑖᕐᕕᖕᒥ

ᔭᓄᐊᕆ 21-ᒥ ᓯᕿᓐᓂᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ.

ᑖᔅᓱᒥᖓ ᐊᔾᔨᙳᐊᒥᒃ ᐸᖕᓂᖅᑑᒥᑦ. ᐱᐅᔪᒻᒪᕇᑦ ᐊᖅᓴᕐᓃᑦ ᐱᔭᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᔭᓄᐊᕆ 9, 2023−ᒥ.

ᑲᐃᓕ ᔫᓇ ᓇᐅᓪᓚᖅ ᑖᓐᓇ ᐊᔾᔨᓕᐊᕆᓚᐅᖅᑕᕗᑦ ᓴᓂᕋᔭᖕᒥᑦ, ᔮᓄᐊᕆ 16 ᐅᓐᓄᖓᓂᑦ.

ᑲᐃᓕ ᔫᓇ ᓇᐅᓪᓚᖅ

ᑕᐅᔭ ᑯᓯᐊᒃ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᕕᒋᑎᒍᑦ ᑖᔅᓱᒥᖓ ᐊᔾᔨᙳᐊᒥᒃ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥᑦ. ᐱᐅᔪᒻᒪᕆᒃ ᐊᖅᓴᕐᓃᑦ, ᑲᕕᕙᑯᓗᒃᑐᑦ.

(Kaylie Naullaq) sent us this photo from Sanirajak, taken on the night of Jan. 16.

Belinda Atagoota sent us this image from Pond Inlet, an iceberg close to town.

Elisapee Kisa sent us this photo from Pangnirtung. Beautiful Northern lights taken on January 9, 2023.

ᐅᐃᒪᙱᖦᖢᑎᒃ ᐱᖅᓯᓚᐅᙱᑎᓪᓗᒍ

ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ,

WINNER! William Mikhail sent us these photos from Naujaat. William and friends went out on Titittiagtalik Lake for some ice fishing in Naujaat (Repulse Bay) with some friends with a beautiful calm before the storm (blizzard) hit. It was taken on Saturday, Jan. 21 at sunrise.

ᑕᐅᔭ ᑯᓯᐊᒃ (Janis Tauya) sent us this picture from Qikiqtarjuaq. Beautiful aqsarnit, kavivakulujaaqtut.

Giving back to community

HALUQQARIT IQALUKTUUTIAMIT. INUIN HAMANI NAAMAKPIAQTUT. HIQINIQ ALINAQHIJUQ UDJIKMAN. QAUMALIKMAN QUANA NUNAKPUT. HILA NIGLAKPIAQTUQLU. NUTAQQAT NAAMAINAQTUTLU. ANGNAT MIQHUJAQPAKTUT ATIGILIUKTUT

QUANA. PINNIQTUT

ATIGIIT

ANGNAT PINNIHIJUT TAUTURIAMI

and is busy shining, giving us beautiful sunny days for a few hours each day. We are now getting more daylight each day and seeing the sun sure makes it nice and bright to take a cold brisk walk in our beautiful community. Our busy little fishing village has grown so much, and it is so busy.

CAMBRIDGE BAY TEA TALK

with Navalik Tologanak email: helent@qiniq.com

IQALUKTUUTIAMI. IPAKHANI ANGNUTIT KATIMAVAKTUT HANAJUTLU INGNIUKTUTLU QUNGNIAKTITIVAKTUTLU. IILA INUIN NAAMAINNAQTUT. INUINLU QABLUNAATLU

TIKIQATTAQNIAKMIJUT IQALUKTUTIAMUT QUNGNIAKTITINIAQMIJUT KITIKMEOT TRADE SHOWNAHUAT FEB. 15, 16, 17, 2023. QUANA

PULAAQTIQANIAQMIJUGUT. PINAHUAT KIILINIK ILIHAKVIANI. ANGMAKNAHUAK FRIDAY FEB. 17MI. HANAUJATITLU MIQHAITLU TIGUMIAKLUGIT.

Greetings from beautiful sunny Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Yes, the sun is back

Welcome home Hovak! We have our very own Hovak Johnston visiting and doing workshops with youth and residents on the messy book project with the Arctic Rose Foundation. The CALM (Community Artist Liaison and Mentor) youth workers run the program and Hovak is a guest artist for it.

Here is what she had to say about the initiative:

“I like to incorporate our culture into crafts.

“We have such a beautiful culture. I want kids to learn we can practice our culture in all forms, think outside the box and feel safe in creating and know we are capable of doing things.

“The latest craft I came up with is the Okpik. Okpiks have always been part of Inuit life and Inuit art, so this is something I wanted the kids to get excited about. We carry on traditions and see the beauty.

“I grew up learning to do art of animals and other beautiful things that surround us and I like to pass it on to the following generations.

“It’s such an honour to be home, to be able to do what I’m doing. I feel so lucky for this opportunity, as well as visit with family and relatives at the same time.

“I grew up with similar struggles and hardships as many go through in communities. It’s important for youth to see their own leading in positive ways to have hope and be inspired.

“I have so much respect for Susan Aglukark and the Arctic Rose Foundation. She was my biggest inspiration growing up and going to high school here. We even had one of her songs as our grad song. Now I work for her; it’s surreal and beautiful, anything is possible.”

Benefits from Games

Trade show coming up Cambridge Bay is hosting the 2023 Kitikmeot Trade Show Feb. 15-17, 2023 with this year’s theme, Reconnect-Reimagine-Rebuild. The trade show will be held at the Kiilinik High School gymnasium. The trade show will be open to the public on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, from 1-3 p.m. Please come and see what is happening and bring your resumes and bright ideas. Come and speak with exhibitors and learn about potential employment opportunities.

We hope everyone will feel welcome as usual and, please, for all delegates, dress warmly as Cambridge Bay still has very cold weather. See you at the trade show everyone. Even kids cannot wait for the trade show, which we have not had for the past couple of years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Stay safe everyone.

are numerous

Competition will grow independence among youth

In a territory with a dearth of options in the heart of winter, sports are a vital outlet. Writing off sports as any old recreational activity is easy, but not only do they help keep people’s bodies healthy, they also keep our minds sharp.

The athletes who attended the 2023 Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray, Alta., last week were lucky. Many adults likely watched with nostalgia-tinted glasses, remembering the sense of excitement and adventure to attend a youth tournament, and especially such a high-profile one as the Arctic Winter Games.

The territory spends a fortune on this. Just the flights and accommodations must be a massive bill, let alone all the ancillary work, training, coordination and so forth. But to give Nunavut youth something to work toward, look forward to and feel the thrill of is priceless. These events build independence, confidence and grit. Moments like these help develop youth on their path to becoming capable adults. They’re thrown into the frying pan of

schedules, training, commitments, responsibility and pressure. And no matter how they perform in the end, the youth will be better for it. That’s true even if the athletes shirk at times from the pressure. Every young athlete I talked to in the lead up to the Games admitted they were nervous. Sports can be very intimidating – no one wants to mess up a play when everything is riding on them, especially in front of dozens or hundreds of people. But just

as with winning, messing up and learning to get over it is a vital part of growing as a person.

Everything about the Arctic Winter Games is a good time: taking a chartered plane, staying in a hotel with your team, meeting new people and visiting a new city. I think a lot of us older folk are jealous of the sense of adventure these youth must be feeling.

Nunavut mission officials, sponsors, volunteers and multiple levels of government put in a lot of hard work to make these opportunities possible for our youth, and they deserve a massive thanks. Memories were made last week that will never be lost.

STEWART BURNETT

A selection of okpiks, one of the crafts that Hovak Johnston is teaching youth to make.

Photo courtesy of Hovak Johnston

Hovak Johnston, centre, is joined by Community Artist Liaison and Mentor (CALM) students, from left, Hazel Nahogaloak, Gretchen Jancke, Tori Evalik, and Emery Maksagak. Photo courtesy of Hovak Johnston

New airline flies to three Nunavut communities

Arctic Fresh Projects Inc

Felix Charron-Leclerc

Local Journalism Initiative

A new air transportation service has been created in Nunavut called “Arctic Fresh Projects.”

The company is a branch of “Arctic Fresh,” whose stated goal is reaching food security for Nunavummiut, building local capacity and empowerment of individuals and communities.

Arctic Fresh is now composed of four divisions; construction, aviation, food security and local and online food markets.

The company is turning to aviation to offer more affordable flights between communities to Nunavummiut.

“Our first flight to Iglulik was on Jan. 14, 2023 and our first flight to Clyde River was

services Sanikiluaq,

on Jan. 18, 2023. We are continuing to service Sanikiluaq as well, weekly on Thursdays,” says Ryan Haggan, director of sales and operations at Arctic Fresh Projects Inc.

The company is currently offering flights from Iqaluit to Clyde River for the price of $838.95. When asked how they are able to compete with Canadian North, which is the dominant player in the aviation industry in Nunavut, Haggan said the company isn’t profit-oriented.

“We have always been dedicated to offering the lowest cost we possibly can. We have been doing that with Arctic Fresh groceries for a number of years and would like to make the same commitment in our flights,” he said. Creating the new airline did not come with-

Iglulik and Clyde River

out hurdles: publicity/marketing and weather conditions were the hardest to overcome, according to Haggan.

“The biggest challenge is creating the awareness that we are offering these flights. We want all of our supporters to know we want to support their needs. A very close second would be the weather. As we all know the conditions in Nunavut can be harsh, though as we continue our efforts to connect communities, it is only more rewarding for us.”

The company was created after requests from communities to have access to a more affordable and reliable airline.

Although the airline currently flies to Sanikiluaq, Iglulik, Iqaluit and Clyde River, its goal for the upcoming years is to reach any

community in need.

“There aren’t any communities that wouldn’t be serviceable to our knowledge,” said Haggan.

Arctic Fresh Projects currently has three planes available through its partners, Panorama Aviation.

“We have two PC-12s and one Beechcraft 1900D. The PC-12s can seat up to nine passengers and the Beechcraft 1900D can seat up to 19 passengers. While we offer flight seats to the communities we service, we are also looking at cargo support where we can. We know just how challenging it is to receive necessities in the North,” Haggan added.

The airline is financially independent and is not subsidized or funded by the Government of Nunavut or Canada.

Panorama Aviation’s airplane in Sanikiluaq before flying back to Iqaluit. Panorama Aviation is a partner to Arctic Fresh Projects Inc. Photo courtesy of Arctic Fresh Projects Inc.

ᐸᓇᕈᒪ

ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖓ ᓴᓂᑭᓗᐊᕐᒥ ᐃᖃᓗᖕᓄᑦ ᐅᑎᓚᐅᙱᑎᓪᓗᒍ. ᐸᓇᕈᒪ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᓕᕆᔩᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᑦ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᓂᕿᑦᑎᐊᕙᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᓄᑦ.

Nunavut goalkeeper out with concussion at AWG

Nunavut’s Women hockey team netminder injured during Arctic Winter Game championship

The Women’s Nunavut 2023 Hockey team has been eliminated from the Arctic Winter Games after playing their fourth match of the tournament.

The team, composed of players aged 11-19 years old, competed against teams from North Alberta, Northwest Territories, Alaska and Yukon.

“Our first match was on Monday Jan. 30 at 8:30 a.m.,” said Cassiar Cousins, goaltender for the team. “I was not too excited about wak-

ing up at 4 a.m. for the match, but it was fun!”

It is the first time the girls were playing together as a team, although some of them had played in the same hockey league in Iqaluit in the past. The team was mentored by coaches Jaime Savikataak, Lauren Perrin and Chloe Norris.

Cousins said the other teams were talented, which had her doubling efforts in the net. “I received 53 shots just on the first game.”

During the first game, the goalkeeper got hit on the head with a hockey stick by a player from the other team. During the rest of the two first games, she was hit on the head twice

more by pucks shot at her.

“On Tuesday I was checked by a doctor who confirmed I had a concussion from the hits,” said Cousins.

The goaltender was not surprised, as she had been feeling side effects of the concussion already “The back side of my head hurts and I’m very sensitive to light and sound, which makes it hard to watch the other hockey games,” said Cousins.

The goalkeeper did not let that affect her presence at the following matches. “I got sunglasses and I went to cheer for the team,” said Cousins.

When asked who she thought would win the women’s hockey gold medal, Cousins said “probably Yukon or North Alberta would have the most chances.”

Now that the team was eliminated, they are spending the rest of their time in Alberta enjoying activities organized around the AWG, like cheering for the men’s Nunavut Hockey Team at the Fort McMurray Centerfire Arena.

“There is all sort of activities; we went to a puppy meet-up with dogs from the animal shelter and we also went to a drag bingo,” said Cousins.

Goalkeeper Cassiar Cousins and her teammate on Day 2 of the AWG. Photo courtesy of Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games

Felix Charron-Leclerc Local Journalism Initiative

Three craft fairs in a month for Iqaluit

Craft fairs are popping up one after the other, selling anything from local jewellery to homemade bath bombs and dog treats

Three craft fairs are taking place one after the other in the capital city of Nunavut. The first took place on Jan. 28 at the Aqsarniit Hotel.

“This is our first craft fair this year, we would like to start organizing them every few months. We’re trying to get more and more involved in the community by hosting these events and sharing our space here at the hotel and conference centre,” said Edward Mosher, sales and catering co-ordinator at Aqsarniit.

The event was organized by the hotel in collaboration with QIA, which helped to find craftswomen and craftsmen to fill the twenty-eight tables available at the venue. In the end, sixteen tables were filled up, free of charge for any land claim beneficiaries.

“There was a variety of products being sold: country food, seal skin, clothes, earrings and jewellery, handmade products,” added Mosher.

The second craft fair takes place on Feb. 4 and is organized by Naja Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell.

“Aqsarniit Hotel gave us the venue for free, which meant that participants don’t have to pay for a table, it’s good for all of us. They want to promote this sort of event for the community,” said Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell.

The craftswoman will have a table herself, selling jewellery, crochet and sewn products with her son. William Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell, eight-year-old craftsman and baker, is selling cookies and banana bread along with some sewn pieces he has made.

Attending craft fairs is something Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell has done all of her life. “I remember being very young and attending to be by my brother and sister’s side,” she said.

Thirty tables are available, again free of charge for elders and beneficiaries. Elders are invited to reserve tables in advance as they were given priority over the kiosques available.

Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell said these fairs are really appreciated as they help to put food on the table for people in need.

“They really come in handy for students. It’s not always easy to work and study at the same time, especially for the ones who have to take care of children at home,” she added.

A wide variety of products will be available on Feb. 4.

“We really have a bit of everything, from bath bombs, cooked foods, baked goods, mitts, sushis, even homemade dog treats,” said Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell.

Another craft fair takes place at the Inuksuk High School gymnasium on Wednesday, Feb. 15. The event is a gathering of Inuit educators from Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, Nunavut, Greenland, Alaska and Norway. Tables are available for $25 and interested sellers can contact Lisa Schellenberger to make a reservation.

Jewellery, crochet and sewn pieces sold at Naja Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell’s table. Picture courtesy of Naja Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell

Naja Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell. Picture courtesy of Naja Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell

William Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell, young baker at work. Picture courtesy of Naja Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell

William Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell’s loaves. Picture courtesy of Naja Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell

William Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell’s homemade buns. Picture courtesy of Naja Marie Ruhiyyih Fennell

It’Felix Charron-Leclerc

North Baffin celebrates return of the sun

Community members share photos

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Qikiqtani

As the weeks progress in January and February, Nunavummiut in North Baffin

communities have been welcoming back the sun. Resolute marked its return on Feb. 5 while Grise Fiord is expecting to see the orange glow again on Feb. 10, following a few months of its absence.

The sun in Pond Inlet as of Feb. 1. Photo courtesy of Bernard Maktaaq

Some brightness sneaks through to Pond Inlet on Jan. 26. Photo courtesy of Bernard Maktaaq

The sun rises in Iglulik on Jan. 19.

Photo courtesy of Daisy Tulujuk

The sun sets in Igulik on Jan. 15, it briefly shone on the community for an hour and a half that day, starting around 11:50 a.m. and ending around 1:20 p.m. Photo courtesy of Daisy Tulugajuk

News Briefs

Culprits behind QEC cyberattack still not publicly identified

The Qulliq Energy Corporation (QEC) says it continues to hear its customers’ concerns regarding a cyberattack on its systems on Jan. 15.

At the time, QEC asked customers to take steps to protect their personal information and to monitor any bank or credit cards for unusual activity.

This continues to be the advice from power corporation as of Jan. 27, according to an update from the company. No new details on the nature of the attack have been released since then.

The Nunavut RCMP is commending the quick reporting and response by QEC to the cyberattack.

“Reporting enables investigation and can even potentially help identify linages across other active incidents and investigations,” said Nunavut RCMP spokesperson Pauline Melanson. “The RCMP cannot comment on any details of any active investigation.”

QEC states that it has no further details to reveal publicly about the incident.

“At this time, we have no new information to share and therefore won’t be taking any additional media requests,” the company stated in an email to Nunavut News on Jan. 31.

As of Feb. 1, QEC customer care offices in Iqaluit, Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay were open and QEC was able to take credit card payments in-person, over the phone or online.

Kimmirut Northern Store robbed on Jan. 26

Kimmirut RCMP are seeking information in relation to an armed robbery that took place in the community late last week.

On Thursday, Jan. 26, around noon, police responded to a call of an armed robbery at the community’s Northern Store. The RCMP provided no further details.

If anyone has any information in relation to this incident, they are asked to call 867-939-1111. Nunavummiut can report suspicious activity by contacting their local RCMP detachment, or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or by submitting an online web tip to www.nwtnutips.com, or texting NWTNUTIPS and your message to 274637.

Ancient primate relatives fossils found on Ellesmere Island

A missing paragraph in the story of life has been filled by fossils discovered in the Canadian Arctic. Remains of a lemur-like primate ancestor dubbed Ignacius dawsonae dating back 52 million years were unearthed on Ellesmere Island and described in a study published Jan. 25 by Kristen Miller et al of the University of Kansas.

The Arctic monkeys lived in a time following runaway global warming fueled by a massive Carbon Dioxide spike called the Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum. At this time Arctic temperatures were warm enough for crocodiles to live in the Arctic circle.

Looking for the ace

Artist’s conception of Ignacius dawsonae surviving in the warm temperate ecosystem of Ellesmere Island millions of years ago. Image courtesy of Kristen Miller, Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, CC-BY 4.0

Benjamin Alivaktuk of Pangnirtung serves during boys volleyball action against Alberta North at the Arctic Winter Games in Wood Buffalo, Alta., on Feb. 1. Photo courtesy of AWG 2023