Nunavut News - March 6, 2023

ᐊᖏᔪᒥᒃ ᐊᓯᔾᔩᓂᖃᖅᑐᑦ

Women making a big difference

Readers’ photos from the land ᐅᖃᓕᒫᖅᑏᑦ ᐊᔾᔨᙳᐊᖏᑦ ᓄᓇᒥᙶᖅᑐᑦ

Joy of the game

ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖏᓐᓂ.

ᐸᐅᒃᑑᑎᑦ

ᓂᕈᐊᖅᐳᑦ ᑯᒪᒃᓯᐅᑎᒃᓴᒥᑦ, ᐊᔪᕆᖅᓱᐃᔨᕐᔪᐊᒥᑦ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᑕᒫᖅ ᐊᕐᓇᓄᑦ

ᑐᓂᕐᕈᓯᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ

ᓂᑭ ᑯᒪᒃᓯᐅᑎᒃᓴᒃ ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒑᕐᔪᖕᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ

ᐸᐅᒃᑑᑎᑦ ᐃᓅᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᕐᓇᐅᓂᖓᓂᒃ ᕿᑎᖅᑰᑕᐅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᒪᓚᐃᔭ ᐱᓴᑉ, ᐃᖃᓗᖕᒥᐅᑕᒃᓴᔭᐅᔪᖅ, ᓂᕈᐊᖅᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᒡᕕᖕᒥ ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᓄᑦ ᐃᓅᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᕐᓇᐅᓂᖓᓂᒃ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᒥ. ᑯᒪᒃᓯᐅᑎᒃᓴᖅ ᑐᑭᒧᐊᒃᑎᑦᑎᔨᐅᔪᖅ ᑐᖕᖓᓱᒋᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ, ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ

ᐱᖓᖕᓇᖓᓂ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᖅ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐊᑐᖅᑐᒃᓴᓄᑦ ᑐᑦᑕᕐᕕᖓ ᐅᐃᓂᐹᒡᒥ. “ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᑦᑎᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᓄᖕᓄᑦ ᑕᐃᑲᓂ ᐊᑐᖅᐸᒃᖢᓂᐅᒡᓗ ᑐᑭᓯᐅᒪᔭᒥᓂᒃ ᖃᓪᓗᓈᓂ ᐃᑲᔪᕈᒪᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᐃᓄᖕᓂᒃ ᓅᑉᐸᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᓕᐸᐅᔭᕐᒧᑦ,” ᒪᓕᒃᑐᖃᖅᖢᓂ ᐸᐅᒃᑑᑎᓂᒃ. “ᓂᑭ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᑎᑦᑎᕗᖅ ᖁᕕᐊᒋᔭᖃᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐃᓕᖅᑯᓯᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᐃᓕᓴᕐᓇᐅᑎᒥᓂᒃ. ᑲᑕᔾᔭᕆᐅᖅᓴᔨᐅᕗᖅ, ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᕙᒃᖢᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐱᐅᓯᑐᖃᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓕᖅᑯᓯᖓᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐆᒻᒪᑎᒃᑯᑦ

ᑎᑕᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᖁᙱᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᔨᐅᓪᓗᓂ,” ᐸᐅᒃᑑᑎᑦ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᓂ.

“ᓂᑭ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑦᑕᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᖃᔅᓯᑲᓪᓚᖕᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᓕᒫᒥ

ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᕙᒃᑐᓄᑦ, ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᐃᓪᓗᓂ ᒪᓂᑑᐸᒥᒃ

ᐃᓄᖕᓂᒡᓗ 1996−ᒥ ᐊᑦᓛᓐᑕᒥ ᐱᙳᐊᕕᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᒥ

ᐊᐅᔭᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓗ, 2015−ᒥ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᑳᖅᑐᑦ ᓂᔾᔭᐅᓯᔭᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ

ᑐᓐᓂᖅᑯᑕᐅᕙᒃᑐᑦ ᐅᐃᓂᐹᒡᒥ.

ᐃᒃᓯᕋᕐᔪᐊᕋᕐᔪᐊᖅ ᐃᒫᓂ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑎᐅᕗᖅ ᒥᕐᙳᐃᖅᓯᕐᕕᖕᓄᑦ

ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐃᒪᐅᑉ ᐃᖅᑲᖓᓂ ᐃᑦᑕᕐᓂᓴᓕᕆᔨᓄᑦ,

ᑲᒪᒋᔭᖃᓪᓗᐊᑕᖅᖢᑎᒃ HMS Erebus ᐊᒻᒪ HMS Terror

ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐃᑦᑕᕐᓂᓴᖃᕐᕕᒃ ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᑉ ᖃᓂᒋᔮᓂ.

“ᖃᐅᔨᓴᓲᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐅᔾᔨᕆᓯᒪᔭᖏᓐᓂᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐅᐊᑦᑎᐊᕈᕐᓂᓴᕐᓂᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑕᐅᓂᑯᓂᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᖃᖃᑦᑕᖅᑐᑦ − ᐊᒻᒪ ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᐃᔪᓂᑦ − ᓄᓇᓕᓐᓂᑦ ᑖᒃᑯᐊ ᓂᐱᖏᑦ

ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᒐᓗᐊᕐᒪᖔᑕ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᕈᑕᐅᔪᓂᑦ ᐊᑦᑐᐃᓂᖃᖅᑐᓂᑦ

ᓄᓇᓕᖏᓐᓂᑦ,” ᐸᐅᒃᑑᑎᑦ ᐅᖃᖅᑐᖅ. “ᒪᓚᐃᔭᐅᑉ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᓕᕆᖃᑦᑕᖅᓯᒪᓂᖓ ᐃᓚᓕᐅᔾᔨᕗᖅ

ᐊᔾᔨᒌᙱᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᐱᔾᔪᑕᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᐃᓱᒪᑐᔫᓪᓗᓂ, ᐆᒻᒪᕆᒃᖢᓂ, ᐊᑲᐅᙱᓕᐅᕈᑎᓂᒃ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓯᔪᓐᓇᖅᖢᓂ, ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ

ᐊᒻᒪ ᑕᐅᑐᒃᖢᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐱᐅᓯᖏᓐᓂᒃ.

ᓯᓚᑦᑐᖅᓴᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᐊᔪᕈᓐᓃᖅᓴᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ

ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐃᓚᐅᑎᑦᑎᕙᖕᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᕕᖃᕐᓂᕐᒧᓪᓗ− ᐃᓕᑦᑎᓂᕐᒥᒃ. ᒪᓚᐃᔭ ᐱᔭᕇᖅᓯᓕᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᓴᓇᙳᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥᑦ

ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᓂᕐᒥᑦ

ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᖁᓪᓗᒍ ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᓗᓂᓗ

ᓴᖅᑭᔮᖅᑎᓐᓂᐊᕐᓗᒋᑦ ᐃᒪᐅᑉ

ᐃᖅᑲᖓᓂ ᐃᑦᑕᕐᓂᓴᓕᕆᓂᕐᒥᑦ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᐅᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᓪᓗ

ᐊᖅᑲᐅᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᓂᑦ. ᖁᕕᐊᒋᔭᖃᑦᑎᐊᖅᑐᖅ

ᓈᓚᖕᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐅᓂᒃᑳᓂᒃ ᕿᓂᕐᓂᕐᒥᒡᓗ ᐃᒪᐅᑉ ᐃᖅᑲᖓᓂ

ᐃᑦᑕᕐᓂᓴᖃᕐᕕᐅᑐᐃᓐᓇᕆᐊᓕᖕᓄᑦ,” ᒪᓕᒃᖢᒍ ᐸᐅᒃᑑᑎᑦ, ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᑮᓇᐅᔾᔭᒃᓴᕋᓱᐊᖅᑎᐅᙱᑦᑐᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᑦ ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᐃᓪᓗᑎᒃ

ᑕᒪᐃᓐᓂᒃ ᐃᓄᖕᓂᒃ ᐊᕐᓇᓂᒃ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ.

“ᑖᒃᑯᐊ ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᔾᔪᓯᐊᑦ ᐃᓕᓴᖅᓯᕗᑦ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᔪᓂᒃ

ᐃᑲᔪᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑲᔪᖏᖅᓴᐃᓪᓗᑎᒃ

ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᐃᓄᖕᓂᒃ ᐊᕐᓇᓂᒃ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᔨᐅᕆ ᓵᑉ, ᐸᐅᒃᑑᑎᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖓ. “ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᓪᓗᑕ, ᐅᒃᐱᕈᓱᒃᐳᒍᑦ

ᓴᙱᒃᑎᒋᐊᕐᓗᒍ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎᐅᔪᓐᓇᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐊᕐᓇᐃᑦ, ᐱᓗᐊᖅᑐᒥᒃ ᑕᐃᒃᑯᐊ ᐊᕐᓇᐃᑦ ᐱᑕᖃᙱᓐᓂᐅᔪᑦ

ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐃᒪᐅᑉ ᐃᖅᑲᖓᓂ ᐃᑦᑕᕐᓂᓴᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᒌᑦ, ᓂᕈᐊᖅᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᐸᐅᒃᑑᑎᑦ ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᓄᑦ ᐃᓅᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᕐᓇᒧᑦ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᒥ.

ᑐᓐᓂᖅᑯᓯᐊᑦ ᐃᓕᓴᖅᓯᕗᑦ ‘ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒃᑎᑦᑎᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᖕᓄᑦ ᐊᕐᓇᓄᑦ,’ ᐸᐅᒃᑑᑎᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖓ ᐅᖃᖅᑐᖅ

Malaya Bishop, an underwater research technician for Parks Canada’s Underwater Archaeology Team, has been chosen as Pauktuutit’s Young Inuk Woman of the Year.

Pauktuutit selects Komaksiutiksak, Bishop for annual women’s awards

Awards recognize the ‘inspiration they provide to other Inuit women,’ says Pauktuutit president

By Derek Neary Northern News Services

Nikki Komaksiutiksak from Chesterfield Inlet was announced as Pauktuutit’s Inuk Woman of the Year on Feb. 23 while Malaya Bishop, originally from Iqaluit, was chosen as the organization’s Young Inuk Woman of the Year.

Komaksiutiksak is the executive director of Tunngasugit, Western Canada’s first Inuit Resource Centre in Winnipeg. She’s “an active member of the Inuit community there and uses her understanding of the south to assist other Inuit moving to the big city,” according to Pauktuutit.

“Nikki demonstrates a passion for her cultural identity. She is an experienced throat singer, teaches Inuit history and culture and is a heartfelt musical performer,” Pauktuutit stated. “Nikki has participated in several international events, including representing Manitoba and Inuit at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Summer Games and more currently, the 2015 Indigenous Music Awards in Winnipeg.

Bishop is an underwater research technician for Parks Canada’s Underwater Archaeology Team, focusing on the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site near Gjoa Haven.

“She researches Inuit observations and historical data and works with — and advocates for — locals to ensure their voices are included

in decisions that impact their communities,” Pauktuutit stated.

“Malaya’s educational background encompasses an array of subjects that spark her interests in creativity, being active, problem solving, community engagement, and observing human behaviour. She completed college training in media production before earning her bachelor of arts in psychology with a certificate of community engagement and service-learning.

Malaya then went on to complete a master of arts in Northern studies and her commercial scuba diving certification.

“Now, she advocates for diving to be recognized and acknowledged as a valid and legitimate career in Nunavut waters. She enjoys connecting with Inuit community members and schools to present on underwater archaeology and commercial diving careers. She has a passion for listening to stories and searching underwater for potential archaeological sites,” according to Pauktuutit, a national non-profit organization representing all Inuit women in Canada.

“These awards recognize the important contributions recipients are making within their communities and the inspiration they provide to other Inuit women,” said Gerri Sharpe, Pauktuutit’s president. “As an organization, we believe in strengthening the leadership capacity of Inuit women, particularly those who are bridging the gap for women across Inuit Nunangat and Inuit Nunangiit (urban).”

ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᐱᖓᖕᓇᖓᓂ

Chesterfield Inlet’s Nikki Komaksiutiksak is the executive director of Tunngasugit, Western Canada’s first Inuit Resource Centre in Winnipeg. She has earned Pauktuutit’s Inuk Woman of the Year Award, the organization announced on Feb. 23. Photo courtesy of Pauktuutit

Up to 80 Inuit expected to receive construction training this year Nunavut

Government working with NCC Development

on developing training program

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Nunavut

The Government of Nunavut (GN) is seeking to train more Inuit in construction over the course of its Nunavut 3,000 plan to address Nunavut’s housing crisis.

As part of this plan, the Government of Nunavut is cooperating with the Inuit-owned NCC Development Limited (NCCD) to train up to 80 Inuit in construction over the course of this year.

This plan, outlined by Finance Minister Lorne Kusugak during the Nunavut Budget Address on Feb. 23 has a goal to “create lasting capacity and a sustainable supply chain of housing for the future.”

The GN’s Department of Family Services is the department working with NCCD on construction training.

The recruitment of trainees in Nunavut’s various communities will coincide with scheduled housing construction in communities to help leverage investments in housing to create training opportunities.

For 2023-24, this means NCCD will be look-

ing to recruit trainees in Arctic Bay, Iqaluit, Arviat, Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak. NCCD expects to recruit eight to 12 trainees in each community.

Each trainee will go through an initial boot

camp of sorts to ensure basic skills and knowledge to work safely on housing construction projects. This initial training will be from May to June this year and will be done in the community itself whenever possible.

Family services will be working with NCCD

to identify those who would be suited for an apprenticeship once training is done.

“Those that are not suited for, or do not choose the apprenticeship route will then be guided through a structured on-the-job training program that will result in them earning certification as a building trades technician,” wrote Tony Canny, communications specialist with Family Services.

Through this certification, the GN hopes this will help stop the practice of contractors only hiring Inuit for helper or general labour positions. The NCCD expects to continue employing some of these trainees in their home communities to maintain NCCD properties.

“DFS will be placing tutors in each of the project communities to work with trainees on improving their math, science and English skills, should they choose to do so,” Canny added.

Some of the instructors are expected to come from Nunavut Arctic College – adult educators or trade instructors – while other instructor positions will be contracted from other northern and southern organizations. The on-the-job training portion is expected to start July 2023.

ᓴᔅᓕ ᕗᐊᑦ ᐱᖃᑦᑕᖅᑐᖅ ᒪᒃᑖᕐᒥᒃ ᓕᕖᓂᐊ ᐳᕋᐅᓐᒥᒃ. ᕗᕋᐅᓐ ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᖅᑐᒻᒪᕆᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᑯᕐᕋᖅ ᓂᕿᓂᒃ ᓄᐊᑦᑎᕕᒻᒧᑦ, ᐃᖃᓗᓕᕆᕕᒻᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓂᕿᓕᕆᕕᒻᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᑭᓕᖅᓱᖅᑕᐅᒐᑎᒃ ᐃᑲᔪᖃᑦᑕᖅᑐᓄᑦ, ᐅᖃᖅᑐᑎᒃ ᒪᒪᖅᑐᒻᒪᕆᐅᓚᐅᕐᒪᑕ.

Chesley Ford retrieves some maktaaq with Levinia Brown. Brown gave a big thank you to the Ikurraq Food Bank, fish and meat plant and all the volunteers, saying it was a wonderful gift of delicacies. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

A delivery of soul food

ᓕᓐᑕ ᐸᓂᔪᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓈᓐᓯ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᕆᔭᖓ ᑎᒍᒥᐊᕐᒪᑎᒃ ᐊᑭᖃᓐᖏᑦᑐᒥᒃ ᒪᒃᑖᕐᒥᒃ ᑐᓂᐅᖅᑲᐃᓂᐊᕐᕋᒥᒃ ᐃᑯᕐᕋᖅ ᓂᕿᑖᕐᕕᐅᑉ ᓵᖓᓂ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ, ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᐃᖃᓗᓕᕆᕕᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓂᕿᓕᕆᕕᒃ, ᓯᕙᑖᕐᕕᒃ, ᕖᕝᕗᐊᕆ 25.

Lynda Paniuq and Nancy Commandant hold up some of the free maktaaq they’re handing out in front of the Ikurraq Food Bank in Rankin Inlet, thanks to the Kivalliq Fish and Meat Plant, Saturday, Feb. 25. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Construction takes place in Rankin Inlet in April 2022. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

ᓯᕗᓪᓕᐅᔪᒥ ᑕᓪᓕᒪᓂ

ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᒍᑎᖓᓐᓂ. ᐱᐊᑦ ᐳᕋᐅᓐ, ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑎ

ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ

ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᐃᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᒃᓴᓂ ᐋᔩᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐅᐱᒋᔭᖃᕐᓂᕐᒥ

ᐱᖅᑯᓯᑐᖃᖅᑎᒍᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔭᖏᓐᓂ ᑲᑎᙵᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᔪᒥ ᕕᕗᐊᕆ 20−ᒥ.

ᑲᑎᒪᓂᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᑐᓂᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᒃᓴᖏᓐᓂ

ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎ P.J. ᐊᕿᐊᕈᕐᒧᑦ, ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ

ᐊᑕᐅᓯᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᒥ ᐅᖃᖅᑕᒥᓂ ᑲᑎᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᖃᖅᓯᒪᔪᒥ, “ᐅᑎᒧᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᐅᒪᕙᒃᐳᖓ. ᐃᔨᖃᖅᐳᒍᑦ;

ᐃᔨᕗᑦ ᐊᑐᕐᓗᒋᑦ. ᓯᐅᑎᖃᖅᐳᒍᑦ; ᓯᐅᑎᕗᑦ ᐊᑐᕐᓗᒋᑦ.

ᓄᑭᖃᖅᐳᒍᑦ; ᓄᑭᕗᑦ ᐊᑐᕐᓗᒋᑦ. ᐅᑯᐊ ᐱᖓᓲᔪᑦ

ᐊᑐᕆᐊᖃᖅᑕᕗᑦ. ᐃᓄᑐᖃᐃᑦ ᑕᐃᔅᓱᒪᓂ, ᐃᓅᓯᐅᔪᖅ

ᐱᐅᓂᖅᐹᖑᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐅᓗᕆᐊᓇᕈᑎᑐᐊᖑᔪᖅ ᐅᓗᕆᐊᓇᕈᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᕐᓕᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᖃᓂᒪᓇᐅᔪᒥ. ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓇᖅᑐᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ, ᑲᑎᖃᑦᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐅᖃᓪᓚᖕᓂᕐᒧᑦ – ᑕᐃᒫᒃ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᖃᓱᑎᑦᑎᒋᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐆᒻᒪᑎᒧᑦ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ.” ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᑐᕌᕋᓱᐊᖅᐳᑦ ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒥ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᑎᒃᓴᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᒥᒃ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓄᑦ ᐊᔪᕆᖅᓱᐃᓂᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᕆᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᑐᓂᓯᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᐃᑦ ᐃᓅᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᕐᒪᑕ ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᓂ ᐅᐱᒋᓂᖃᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐸᖅᑭᔭᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂ, ᖃᓂᓐᓂᖃᐅᔮᕐᔪᒃᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐃᓚᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ.

ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ, ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐸᐅᔪᒥ ᑕᓪᓕᒪᓂ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᑲᑎᓐᓂᐅᔪᓂ

ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᕗᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᑖᑕᑦᑎᐊᕗᑦ ᐊᓈᓇᑦᑎᐊᕗᑦ ᐃᓐᓇᕈᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐃᓗᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᑦᑕᓇᔾᔭᐃᖅᓯᓯᒪᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥ.”

ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂ ᐅᖃᖃᑎᖃᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐸᕐᓇᒃᑕᐅᕗᑦ ᐅᐊᖕᓇᒥ ᕿᑭᖅᑖᓗᖕᒥ, ᓂᒋᕐᒥ ᕿᑭᖅᑖᓗᖕᒥ, ᕿᑎᕐᒥᐅᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐋᑐᕚᒥ. “ᐱᓕᕆᑎᓪᓗᑕ ᒪᑐᐃᖅᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᑯᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᔭᐅᕝᕕᒃᓴᓂ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᖅᑎᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ, ᖃᐅᔨᒪᕗᒍᑦ ᐃᓚᑰᓂᖃᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᓱᐃᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᑦᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᐅᕙᓃᑦᑐᓂ ᒫᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᕿᐊᕈᖅ. “ᐅᓇ ᐸᕐᓇᒍᑎᐅᔪᖅ ᕿᓂᕐᓂᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᓂᕐᒥ ᐱᑕᖃᖅᐸᒌᖅᑐᓂ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᓱᐃᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᑲᔪᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᑐᓂᔭᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓂ, ᐃᓄᐃᑦ

Elder advice on action plan

First of five consultations gathers Kivalliq Elders in Rankin Inlet

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Local Journalism Initiative Kivalliq

Kivalliq Elders shared messages of communication and honouring traditional Inuit knowledge at a gathering in Rankin Inlet the week of Feb. 20.

They were meeting to give their input on a Government of Nunavut Elder’s strategy.

Beth Brown, press secretary for Premier P.J. Akeeagok, relayed one Elder’s quote from the meetings that said, “I always think back. We have eyes; use our eyes. We have ears; use our ears. We have muscles; use our muscles. These are the three things we must use. The Elders back then, that life was the best because the only threat they had was the threat of starvation or sickness. When there was hardship, they would get together to talk – it is the only way to relieve hardship or heartache.”

The GN aims to develop a strategic action plan for Elders that will guide decision-making related to programming and service delivery

so that Elders can live their last years with dignity and care, while being closer to family in Nunavut.

Last week, the first of five regional gatherings of Elders took place in Rankin Inlet. “Nunavummiut who are aging deserve to see improvements in their daily experience,” stated Akeeagok in a news release about the initiative. “This starts long before the need for specialized care. Guided by our Katujjiluta mandate, our government will work to ensure our parents and grandparents are able to age in comfort and safety at home.”

Other consultations are planned for the North Qikiqtaaluk, South Qikiqtaaluk, Kitikmeot and Ottawa.

“While we work to open long-term care centres to bring our Elders home, we know there are also gaps in service and supports for our Elders who are here now,” stated Akeeagok. “This strategy will look to coordinate existing supports in communities and help Elders navigate programs and services delivered by the GN, Inuit organizations, municipalities and non-profits.”

ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᐃᓐᓇᐃᑦ ᑲᑎᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ

Kivalliq Elders meet in Rankin Inlet late February. Photo courtesy of Beth Brown

The meeting was part of the Government of Nunavut’s consultation process for an Elder’s strategy in the territory. Photo courtesy of Beth Brown

Sports & Recreation

SPORTS HOTLINE • JAMES MCCARTHY

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

The future of Nunavut hockey compete

U13 Powerful Championship pits eight teams in fight for gold

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Rankin Inlet

Eight teams from the Kivalliq and Iqaluit squared off in the 2023 U13 Powerful Championship in Rankin Inlet Feb. 24-26.

Gold 3-2 for the gold medal, with Salliq taking bronze.8-ᖑᔪᑦ ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᑦ ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥᙶᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᖃᓗᖕᓂ 2023-ᒥ U13-ᒥ ᓵᓚᒃᓴᕋᓱᑦᑎᐊᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ ᕕᕗᐊᕆ 24-26-ᒥ.

ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖏᓐᓂ, ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ ᒎᓕᒥᒃ 3-2-ᒥᒃ ᒎᓗᑖᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ, ᓴᓪᓕᖅ ᑲᓐᓄᔭᐅᔭᖅᑖᖅᖢᓂ.

Bruce Matoo Netser cheers as Iqaluit takes a 3-2 lead in the finals. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Loron Sharp removes his helmet during closing ceremonies, as his team faced a 3-2 loss in the finals to Iqaluit, earning them silver in the tournament. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo ᓗᐊᕋᓐ ᓵᑉ ᓇᓴᕐᒥᒃ ᓇᓴᕐᒥᒃ

ᐲᖅᓯᕗᖅ ᒪᑐᕙᓪᓕᐊᓕᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ, ᑖᒃᑯᐊ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᒋᔭᖏᑦ ᓵᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖃᓚᐅᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ 3-2-ᓂᒃ

ᐊᓯᐅᔨᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᓂ ᐃᖃᓗᖕᓄᑦ, ᓯᐅᕗᑖᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᐱᓂᑭᓴᐅᑎᔪᓂ.

Iqaluit players embrace each other at the final buzzer, cementing their 3-2 win over Rankin Rock Gold. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Edith King streaks down the ice as Arviat takes on Naujaat. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑐᓕᕆᔩᑦ

ᐃᖃᓗᖕᓂ ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᑦ ᑐᑭᓕᕇᓕᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᒪᑐᓕᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᖁᕕᐊᓲᑎᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ U13-ᒥ ᓵᓚᒃᓴᒃᑲᐅᓛᖑᓇᓱᒃᑐᑦ ᓈᑦᑎᖑᔭᒥ, ᕕᕗᐊᕆ 26-ᒥ.

Stewart Burnett/NNSL

ᑲᐅᓴᓐ ᓄᑲᑉᐱᐊᖅ, ᑕᓕᖅᐱᐊᓂ, ᓇᖏᖃᑎᖃᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᐃᕕᑦ ᑲᓛᒃᒥᒃ ᑐᓂᔭᐅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᓴᐳᔾᔨᔨᑦᑎᐊᕙᐅᓛᒥᒃ.

ᑲᓐᓄᔭᐅᔭᕐᒥᒃ ᐅᔭᒥᒃᑖᖅᖢᑎᒃ.

Recreation director David Clark says some closing words at the end of the tournament. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Salliq players cheer after scoring a goal en route to a bronze medal win. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Carson Nukapiak, right, stands with David Clark while being presented with the best defenceman award.

photo

Iqaluit players line up during closing ceremonies of the U13 Powerful Championship Sunday, Feb. 26. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Red Bull tops Freaks in futsal final Tournament sees seven teams face off

By Stewart Burnett

Team Red Bull edged out the Freaks 7-6 in the final match of the Feb. 17-19 co-ed futsal tournament.

“It was a really good game,” said Red Bull player Keisha Aliyak, also one of the organizers of the tournament, which had seven teams participating. “Both teams really wanted first

place. It was a really close, good game.”

She said the weekend went well and she was glad there were no serious injuries.

Aliyak credited Bull player Nolan Sammurtok for his impact over the games.

“He carried us practically the whole weekend,” said Aliyak, adding everyone played well. “He’s a really good player.”

James Merritt on the Freaks called the final game intense.

“The Red Bulls all day played pretty good,” he said. “It was a fun game.”

Players take Rankin Inlet sports seriously, and there can be strong emotions shown on the field.

“Sports is really big in Rankin, no matter what sport,” said Aliyak. “Everyone always plays their hardest every game, even if it’s just a local tournament.”

Merritt thanked all the organizers and everyone who helped out on the weekend.

Awards:

Female most goals: Amy Kaludjak (Freaks)

Male most goals: Nolan Sammurtok (Red Bull)

Chosen by refs:

Most Sportsmanlike: Alyson McKay (Pick Ups)

Female MVP: Tanisha Tanuyak (Black)

Male MVP: Uujuq Pilakapsi (Black)

Top Forward: Maximus Ammaq (Freaks)

Top Defence: Seamas Ayaruak (Black)

Top Goalie: Lukisha Tatty (Red Bull)

Hardest Working: Xzavier Kubluitok (Pick Ups)

Team Red Bull, winners of the tournament, consisting of Kelsie Kaludjak, back left, Panilaaq Tartak, Nolan Sammurtok, Kalaa Tartak, Ray Pudlat Jr and Michael Illnik, with Lukisha Tatty and Keisha Aliyak in front. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

James Merritt slaps hands with teammates on the way to the bench. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Xzavier Kubluitok receives a hardest-working award from Keisha Aliyak. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Kelsie Kaludjak watches the play ahead of her. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Tanisha Tanuyak receives female MVP award from Keisha Aliyak. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Amy Kaludjak receives the top scorer award for women from Keisha Aliyak. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Justin Issakiark prepares for the kick. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Maximus Ammaq receives the top forward award from Keisha Aliyak. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Chad Graham high fives Freaks teammates. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Northern News Services Rankin Inlet Local Journalism Initiative

Panilaaq Tartak takes a breather during a break in the finals against Freaks. Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo

ᑲᐅᕈ ᐅᑮᕕ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᑖᔅᓱᒥᖓ ᐊᔾᔨᙳᐊᒥᒃ ᓇᐅᔮᓂᑦ, ᐅᒥᐊᖅᑐᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᓄᕕᐱᕆ 2022−ᒥ.

Evening skies dominate On the Land

ᔫᐱ ᐃᓄᒃ ᐊᔭᕈᑕᐃᓐᓇᖅ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑖᔅᓱᒥᖓ ᐊᔾᔨᙳᐊᒥᒃ ᓴᓂᑭᓗᐊᕐᒥ,

ᑖᓖᓐ ᓄᓗᒃ ᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑖᔅᓱᒥᖓ ᐊᔾᔨᙳᐊᒥᒃ ᓇᐅᔮᓂᙶᖅᑐᒥᒃ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂᒃ ᐊᓛᓯᓂᒃ ᐱᔭᐅᓚᐅᖅᑑᖕᓂᒃ ᕕᕗᐊᕆ 2−ᖑᑎᓪᓗᒍ.

ᓘᒃᓇᐅᓪᓚᖅᓇᒃᓯᐅᔾᔨᕕᒋᓚᐅᖅᑖᑎᒍᑦ ᑖᔅᓱᒥᖓ ᐊᔾᔨᙳᐊᒥᒃ ᐃᖃᓗᖕᓂᑦ.

ᒫᑦᓯ 2021−ᒥ.

Nunavut News pre sents the Amazing On-the-Land contest, generously sponsored by NCC Investment Group Inc., visit www.nccig.ca. The post on our page with the most reactions each week will win $100. Send in your entry to Nunavut News by Facebook messaging.

WINNER! Amelia Mathieu sent us these photos from Arviat. Kyle Kablutsiak took these pictures on a spring trip in March 2021.

Darlene Nuluk sent us this photo from Naujaat of two rabbits captured on Feb. 2.

Luc Nowdlak sent us this photo from Iqaluit.

Karl O’keefe sent us this photo from Naujaat, taken while boating in Nov. 2022.

Juupi Inuka Ajarutainnaq sent us this photo from Sanikiluaq, taken on Feb. 15, 2023 when they went polar bear hunting.

Clifford Jr Natakok sent us this photo from Coral Harbour, 39 miles out for fishing with a full moon on Feb. 6.

How Black Mothers Say I Love You a success on Iqaluit stage

Both shows sell out

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Iqaluit

The Nunavut Theatre Company hosted two readings of How Black Mothers Say I Love You at Iqaluit’s Black Heart Cafe on Feb. 24 and 25, bringing a modern classic to the Northern stage.

The story features a Jamaican immigrant family, with mother Daphne, who left Claudette and Valerie for six years of their childhood to pursue a better life in the United States, remarrying and having another daughter during that time.

Later on in life, with Daphne dying, Claudette confronts her mother about her anger and abandonment issues in life.

Both nights of the play were a resounding success, according to the team, with both shows selling out their 50 seats on both nights.

“When we did it the first night, I forgot the play was actually very funny, people were laughing,” said Alexandre Michaud, the director of How Black Mothers Say I Love You

The smaller, more intimate setting of Black Heart Cafe as well as the stage reading format lent itself well to the play.

“I really feel like it brought a quality of acting for the actors,” said Murielle Jassinthe, production member and creative consultant for the play. She added the intimate setting helped the actresses zero in and focus on their voices, facial expressions and how they express emotions.

The audience also really helped bring their performances to life, said the actress who played Daphne.

“Whenever the audience reacted, it just made us play the part better, even stronger for us. We were nervous going in but they made us all calm down,” said Jalane Manderson.

The story, with themes of the immigration, LGBTQ and black experience also resonated with audiences as well as the cast and crew.

“For me personally, I really identified with the themes of queer and LGBTQ side be-

cause I am married to a woman,” said Jennifer Lane, who played Claudette in the play. “My mother’s family comes from Barbados so my mother also had very similar lived experiences to my character.”

Lane, coming from a mixed-race family, with a black family on her mother’s side, said she felt her character to the point where she didn’t need to act at times.

“It wasn’t acting. When I was crying I felt it, you feel that character,” said Lane. Jassinthe added the play presents a partial lived experience for most people representing themes that many can relate to, at least a little bit.

“People really felt for the topic and the cast, female, afro-descent, LGBTQ, etcetera. People felt so compelled,” she said.

“To be represented in our realities, that was so important, I think that’s why it was so powerful. To see these women on stage, bring it, the wider public was like wow. It was like finally being seen.”

“We had such a great showing in the black community at this play, you could feel it in the laughter, the sadness and the mmhmms you could hear in the audience,” added Lane

What stuck out to Michaud was how relatable it was overall.

“What spoke to me as well is there’s no perfect ending, it’s not a beautiful, amazing, everything is perfect ending, it’s still a little bit messy. That to me, so close to reality, drew me to it.”

The director added everyone was very much excited to be a part of the play.

“Everyone wanted to be a part of it so much, everyone was very careful and cautious and tuned the material very carefully with all the attention that it needed because it’s such a precious play in itself,” said Michaud.

While the intention was to have the play during February, Black History Month, Michaud said “the play would still be as relevant as it is now regardless of whatever time you did it. I think the themes resonate with not only black people but anyone.”

ᓴᐅᒥᐊᓂ, ᓛᖓ ᓂᓕᐊ ᕿᓚᐅᔾᔭᖅᑐᖅ, ᔪᐊᓐ ᐅᐊᒥᑎ, ᔭᓚᓐ ᒫᓐᑐᓴᓐ, ᑯᕆᔅᑐᓪ ᒫᑎᐅᔅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᔭᓂᕗ ᓚᐃᓐ.

Manderson said she didn’t have any intentions or ambitions of becoming an actor before taking part in this play, but now it’s all she can think about.

Lane also said she has changed over the course of doing this play.

“It was life-changing for me especially, it made me feel like a part of a community that I’m a part of but kind of on the outside,” she said.

“My family is black, my mother’s family is

black. I just am white, it’s common for people to cast you as the qallunaat.”

“It’s been a privilege to direct a play with four amazing black women and it was great to see the community showing up for it,” Michaud said.

“As someone said to me, always go for painting a picture. Not to give it to you but to tell a story that would draw you in because you had to pay attention because it was nothing but four amazing actors saying lines.”

The cast of How Black Mothers Say I Love You at Iqaluit’s Black Heart Cafe on Feb. 24, there was another showing the next night. From left, Langa Nleya playing the drum, Joan Wamiti, Jalane Manderson, Krystal Matthews and Jennifer Lane. Photo courtesy of Nunavut Theatre Company

Amittuq MLA wants Iglulik elementary school mould addressed

Parents not sending kids to school because of it, says Amittuq MLA

By Trevor Wright Norhern News Services Iglulik

Amittuq MLA Joelie Kaernerk is wondering when the Government of Nunavut is going to fix the mould problem at Iglulik’s Ataguttaaluk Elementary School.

It was a problem he and others noticed when the federal government and Nunavut’s education minister visited the community in November last year to announce $10-a-day childcare for the territory.

“When we were in the community,

the (elementary) school smelled like mould,” said Kaernerk, adding there are some parents in the community who are hesitant to send their kids to school because of it.

He asked whether or not it’s on the GN’s radar during a Feb. 27 session at the Nunavut legislature.

“We are looking into the situation with regards to the elementary school,” responded education minister Pamela Gross, saying the department is “aware of the issues at the school.”

She said she has received correspondence with the Iglulik district education

authority about the problem, but added other schools throughout the territory also have needs.

Addressing the Iglulik elementary school’s mould problem isn’t currently in the capital process and may take some time due to others who are also waiting for funds.

“I wish there was enough money to ensure all the schools’ needs out there right now, but they do take time. But it will be on the list in the future,” said Gross.

“I don’t have a date as to when it will be (in the queue) but I can provide that when the information is available.”

Human Resources minister reports more Inuit getting staff housing

Over 50 units allocated to Inuit GN employees between Oct. 2022 to Jan. 2023

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Nunavut

Nunavut’s Minister of Human Resources Margaret Nakashuk reported on Feb. 27 more government staff housing was successfully allocated to its Inuit employees. The Staff Housing Allocation Committee, consisting of representatives of assistant deputy ministers from the departments, Nunavut Arctic College, Legislative Assembly

and Nunavut Housing Corporation, implemented various changes to improve efficiency of allocation.

This includes removing duplicate positions from the housing wait list, removing previously allocated units vacant for more than six months and increasing the percentage of units available at lower job levels.

“The committee also developed new criteria for the staff housing wait list, which led to allocating over 50 units to Inuit employees between October 2022 and January 2023,” stated Nakashuk at the Nunavut Legislative Assembly.

RCMP compose sketch of Kimmirut robbery suspect

Crime committed at Northern store on Jan. 26

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Kimmirut

Kimmirut RCMP have put

together a composite drawing for a suspect involved in a Jan. 26 armed robbery at the community’s Northern store. The suspect’s description is

as follows:

- Inuk male

- Late 20s to early 30s

- Brown eyes

- Dark brown hair - Clean shaven

Nunavut Human Resources Minister Margaret Nakashuk reported they have successfully reallocated more staff housing to Inuit government employees.

Clothing:

- Blue cloth mask with black piping

- Black toque or cap

- Old faded green pull-over

parka with lighter coloured fur, chest pocket, pointed hood Anyone with any information related to this robbery can call 867-939-1111

Iglulik’s aging Ataguttaaluk Elementary School currently has a mould problem, says Amittuq MLA Joelie Kaernerk. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

Kimmirut RCMP have put together a sketch of a suspect involved in a Jan. 26 robbery of the community’s Northern store. Drawing courtesy of RCMP

Photo courtesy of the Legislative Assembly

Tuberculosis in Pangnirtung grows slightly

Outbreak in east Baffin community ongoing

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Pangnirtung

Nunavut’s Department of Health issued an update on the Pangnirtung tuberculosis (TB) outbreak.

As of Feb. 27, 2023, there have been 39 individuals with active tuberculosis and 167 individuals diagnosed with latent tuberculosis in the community since Jan. 2021.

In a previous May 26, 2022 update, there were 31 with active TB and 108 with latent TB, representing an increase from earlier

last year.

An outbreak in the community has been declared since late Nov. 2021 to manage cases amid growing numbers of those with tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is a treatable disease with medications available. Residents in the hamlet who may have been exposed to an active tuberculosis case or have active symptoms are asked to go to the health centre for screening.

The symptoms of active TB include, an extended cough lasting longer than three weeks; feeling very tired; loss of appetite; and fever or night sweats.

The tuberculosis outbreak in Pangnirtung is still ongoing.

Nunavut government creates new associate deputy minister positions

Role designed to increase Inuit representation at executive levels of government

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Nunavut

The Government of Nunavut is looking to increase Inuit representation in higher levels of government through the creation of the associate deputy minister positions for Nunavut’s departments and agencies.

The new role is structured to help enable qualified Nunavut Inuit to assume senior level

responsibilities over time and the position can be assigned for up to three years.

“Mr. Speaker, I’m excited to demonstrate our government’s commitment to Inuit employment at the highest levels of the public service,” said Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok in the legislature on Feb. 27.

The role of the assistant deputy minister will not change and the associate deputy minister will work alongside them, it is to help increase

leadership capacity for the Nunavut government’s various departments. This is part of a commitment by the current government’s Katujjiluta mandate to have a representative public service.

A Sept. 30, 2022 public service report, Towards a Representative Public Service , identifies overall lower representation of Inuit at the executive levels of public service in Nunavut.

Pixabay photo

Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagokk hopes the new associate deputy minister position will increase Inuit representation at higher levels of government. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

Senator speaks on developing transportation routes and facilities in Nunavut

Grays Bay Port and Road an important project

By Dennis Patterson

Nunavut Senator Dennis Patterson recently spoke on the past and future of transportation in the region, including the Grays Bay Port and Road project. This is the first part of his speech delivered at the Kitikmeot Trade Show in Cambridge Bay.

Over my long career, I’ve always looked at the Kitikmeot as a region whose leaders have shown great vision and innovation throughout the years.

There was Peter Kamingoak, who represented this region at the founding meeting of ITC (Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, which later became Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami); Bobby Kadlun and Simon Taipana, who represented the Kitikmeot in land claim negotiations and asserted Inuit occupation of lands south of here to Contwoyto Lake and beyond … and dealt with the Dene to carve out the western boundary of Nunavut. Helen Klengenburg, who broke a glass ceiling to become the first Inuk regional director and then was an educational pioneer in getting her MBA (masters degree). I think of Kane Tologanak, who created the Kitikmeot region and moved the regional centre from Fort Smith to Cambridge Bay and initiated the first Northern Preference Policy when he was NWT Minister of Government Services.

I think of Red Pedersen, trader and pioneer businessman who helped keep the Kitikmeot in

Nunavut when we were settling the boundary and later became Speaker of the Legislature and Peter Taptuna, an outstanding Premier of Nunavut. I think of Leona Aglukkaq, who became the first Inuk senior cabinet minister, and as I said last night, I think of Wilf Wilcox, Stephen King and the late Syd Glawson, who represented this community so well in successfully pitching Cambridge Bay as the best home for CHARS (Canadian High Arctic Research Station).

This visionary approach to investments and projects meant to bolster the Kitikmeot has manifested itself in recent history in the field of transportation and business and I want to applaud the Inuit and corporate leaders of this region for continuing to have the vision and foresight to support transformative change in the region.

This past October, I had the pleasure of working alongside Inuit partners to host the Arctic Sovereignty and Security Summit in Iqaluit with NORAD modernization on the horizon. Every speaker from academics to Nunasi, Nassituq, to NTI (Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated) and finally Natan Obed said the same thing: we need to make bold investments in support of the people of our territory, their communities and Inuit.

More than once we heard about the importance of multi-purpose, multi-user legacy infrastructure that would not only lead to better de-

fense capability in the Arctic, but would support local entities and build strong, healthy communities throughout the North.

‘Visionary advocacy’

In the Kitikmeot, the long-talked about Grays Bay Port and Road is one such project; it is the continuation of a decades-long trend of visionary advocacy first for the Bathurst Inlet Port and Road Project (BIPAR, I think of Charlie Lyall and his brothers in that connection) — and now its new route to the natural deep water port at Grays Bay in the Coronation Gulf.

It’s easy to think about this project as simply a road and port to service the resource sector. However, it’s so much more. I’m excited about this project because of what it means to community resupply. An all-weather road that, once connected to its sister project in the NWT, would be Nunavut’s first connection to Canada’s highway system, makes this a truly nation-building project up there with the Dempster Highway now going all the way to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic coast. It would be the first deep water port in Canada’s western Arctic coast, meaning better year-round access to essential goods, breaking the reliance of Kitikmeot communities on cargo planes

that can have limited capacity and barges that are increasingly having trouble navigating the Mackenzie River due to climate change and don’t always make it to the Arctic Coast as you folks here in Cambridge Bay know well.

I truly believe that this project is timely right now because building an all-weather road to the Coronation Gulf beginning in Yellowknife will be a catalyst for the development of the rich mineral resources, both current deposits and future, from the very rich Slave geological province at a time when critical minerals are priorities for our federal government. It is this road and port that will be the vehicle for unlocking Nunavut’s ability to support a current priority of our federal government to supplying critical minerals through Canada’s critical minerals strategy. It is this strategy which could support production of critical minerals in Nunavut. Sometimes we have to move when, as they say, the ducks line up. Critical minerals needed for the green revolution and electric vehicles everyone is talking about is a card we can play in the Kitikmeot. Nunavut News will publish the second half of Patterson’s speech next week.

Senator Dennis Patterson gave a speech at the Kitikmeot Trade Show discussing the history of transportation development in the region. Photo courtesy of Dennis Patterson

wake up to a world of new career opportunities with the “Northern Jobs” section of the classifieds.

Check out new listings every week.

Find jobs in your own area of expertise or set out on a new career path. You’ll also find information about area employment agencies and career management centers, whose services can simplify your job search. So, don’t delay; turn to the classifieds and get started today!

www.nunavutnews.com

Tenders on the Web

All tenders advertised in the current editions of Inuvik Drum, NWT News/North, Nunavut News/North, Kivalliq News and Yellowknifer are also available on the NNSL website.

For more information on how to access them, contact circulation@nnsl.com

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This message has been reproduced with the kind permission of the American Cancer Society and this space is contributed as a public service.