Nunavut News - May 29, 2023

ᓴᓇᖑᐊᖅᑎᖓ ᑎᒃᑯᐊᖅᑕᐅᕗᖅ

Kinngait artist nominated for award

ᓂᕕᐊᖅᓵᓄᓪᓗ

ᐅᓪᓗᓕᖅ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᓕᓵᖅᑐᓄ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᐹᕐᒥᒃ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᕐᓂᖃᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ, ᑭᕙᓪᓕᖅ ᒪᕈᒃ ᓄᓇᓕᒃ

ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑑᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥᒃ. ᐊᔪᕐᓇᖏᒻᒪᖓᑦ ᐅᒃᑐᕐᓗᑎᒃ

ᐅᓪᓗᓕᒪᖅ ᐃᓕᓂᐊᓕᓵᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᑦᒥ

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Whale

ᐅᒃᐱᕈᓱᒃᐳᒍᑦ ᑐᓂᓯᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᓕᓵᖅᑐᓄ ᐃᑲᔫᑎᒃᓴᓂᒃ ᐱᕙᓕᐊᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᓕᕆᓂᒃᑯᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᖄᑦ ᐃᖃᓇᐃᔭᖅᑏᑦ, ᐃᓚᖏᓪᓗ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᖃᔪᒥᖁᓪᓗᒋᑦ. ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᐸᒪᓚ ᑯᕈᔅ - ᒪᐃ 15. ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᓕᓵᖅᑐᑦ ᐱᑯᓇᓵᖅᑐᑦ ᑕᑯᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᓇᓄᖅ ᐃᓕᓂᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ ᐊᑐᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᖃᓂᐅᔭᖅᐸᐃᑐᑦ. ᐊᑐᖅᖢᑎ ᒪᓂᒪᔪᓂᒃ.

ᐅᑭᐊᒃᓵᖅ, ᕕᑕ ᓴᒧᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᕕᒃ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᕐᓂᖃᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ

ᐱᓕᕆᐊᕐᒥᒃ ᐱᔪᑎᖃᖅᖢᒍ ᐅᑯᓂᖓᑐᕋᖓᔪᓂᒃ - ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᐃᔨᖃᕆᐊᖃᕋᔭᕐᓂᖏᓂ ᐊᑐᓂᒃ, ᐅᑭᑐᔪᓄᓪᓗ ᓄᑕᖑᕆᐊᖅᑕᐅᔪᒃᓴᓄᓪᓗ. ᒐᕙᒪ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ. ᑯᕈᔅ, ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎ ᐲᔨ ᐊᕿᐊᖁᖅ, ᓄᓇᕗᑦ, ᓂᐊᖁᙴᓪᓗ ᐃᓕᓂᐊᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨᖏᑦ ᑲᑎᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᓇᓄᑉ ᐃᓕᓂᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ ᓂᐊᖁᙴᓂ ᑕᕿᕆᓵᖅᑕᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᓄᑕᖑᖅᑎᒋᐊᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ, ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᓕᓵᖅᑐᓂᒡᓗ ᑕᑯᖁᔾᔨᓪᓕᑎᒃ ᐱᓇᔪᖕᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ.

ᑖᓐᓇ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᓂᐅᔪᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖅ ᐃᓗᓕᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐅᑯᓂᖓ; ᐃᑲᔫᑎᒃᓴᓂᒃ ᐃᓕᓂᐊᓕᓵᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᓂᒃ, ᐃᓕᑦᑎᕙᓕᐊᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᖃᐅᑕᒪᖅ ᐃᓄᓯᐅᑉ ᐊᑐᐊᒐᖏᓐᓂᒃ, ᖃᓄᕐᓗ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᖅ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᑎᐊᖃᓗᐊᕐᒪᖓᑦ ᐊᑑᑎᓕᖕᓄᑦ, ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᒌᑦᑎᐊᕋᓗᐊᕐᒪᑕᖓᕐᓗ. ᒐᕙᒪ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ.

ᐊᑯᓂᐅᓂᖅᓴᒃᑯᑦ, ᑎᒥᐅᔪᖅ ᑕᑯᒋᐊᕐᓂᖃᕐᓂᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᑭᓱ ᐊᒃᑐᐃᓂᖃᕐᒪᖓᑦ ᑭᓱᓪᓗ ᐊᑐᑎᖃᕐᒪᑕ ᐃᓄᒃᑐᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑐᕋᖓᔪᓂᒃ ᐱᖁᑎᓂᒃ. ᑖᓐᓇ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᕐᓂᐅᔪᖅ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᓕᓵᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐅᒃᑐᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᐃᓕᓴᐃᔨᓂᒃ, ᐃᓚᒌᖕᓂᑦ. ᖃᐅᔨᓴᕐᓂᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᖃᓄᖅ ᑐᖃᑦᑕᖅᑎᐊᕐᒪᖓᑕᔨ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᓕᓵᖅᑐᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥᑦ.

Full-day kindergarten to be tested in two Kivalliq communities

Whale Cove, Chesterfield Inlet will participate in pilot project

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Whale Cove and Chesterfield Inlet Local Journalism Initiative

Schools in Whale Cove and Chesterfield Inlet will be participating in a pilot project to test the feasibility of implementing full-day kindergarten across Nunavut.

“We believe in the value of offering full-day kindergarten to support development and early language acquisition for our students, and to increase the options and opportunities for working parents and families,” stated education minister Pamela Gross in a news release May 15.

“It was great to see kindergarten students at Nanook School drawing Inuktitut syllabics during our visit using one of the many Inuktut resources available.”

Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield Inlet and Inuglak School in Whale Cove are among the five schools that will be running the pilot project this fall. The others are Nanook School in Apex, Jimmy Hikok Ilihakvik in Kugluktuk and Qaqqalik School in Kimmirut.

The schools were chosen for the pilot based on the amount of capital renovations each would need to support the program and to represent each region, according to the government.

Gross, Premier P.J. Akeeagok and members of the Nunavut district education authorities and Apex District Education Authority met at Nanook School in Apex earlier this month to see recent renovations made to support full-day kindergarten.

The purpose of the pilot project includes confirming departmental resources needed to support a full-day kindergarten program, testing of the program, learning how the program stands up to real-life scenarios, making improvements to the program prior to full roll-out and ensuring buy-in from relevant stakeholders, stated the government.

In the longer term, the department will also be looking at the impact of the full-day kindergarten program on Inuktut language acquisition and early years language learning. The success of the full-day kindergarten pilot will be measured through feedback from educators and families. This feedback will determine if there will be a phased roll-out of full-day kindergarten across the territory.

Chesterfield Inlet’s Victor Sammurtok School will be testing full-day kindergarten starting this coming fall. NNSL file photo

Restaurant, hotel closed after fire

Unclear yet how long Whale Cove will be without its sole accommodations

By Stewart Burnett Northern

A fire that started in the kitchen of Whale Cove’s Tavanni Inns North has left the community without a hotel or restaurant for the near-term future.

“Until we’re granted access, we’re certainly not in any position to speculate about the full extent of the damage, so at this point we consider the hotel to be basically closed indefinitely,” said Duane Wilson, vice-president of stakeholder relations with Arctic Co-operatives Ltd.

The fire began the evening of May 23, and was extinguished without injuries. The Co-op worked with the community to rehome seven guests who were forced to leave from the fire.

Wilson said his staff have not yet been able to access the premises to fully assess the extent of the damage, but based on photos of the scene, he anticipates a staggered return to service.

“We’re pretty sure that the extent of the

damage outside of the kitchen and dining room is limited to smoke damage, so in the near term we’re looking at things we can do to remediate the smoke damage and make those rooms habitable for guests,” he said.

“At the same time, we need to have an alternative for food service for them, because anticipating that the return to full service for the restaurant is probably going to be a little bit longer.”

Wilson said he couldn’t speculate about a timeline just yet, but was hopeful that the fact it’s early in the summer sealift season would help Arctic Co-operatives ship any equipment that would be needed.

Wilson said he recognizes that the hotel is an important staple in the community, where it serves as the only hotel and restaurant.

“That’s not lost on us,” he said about the impact the business has in the community.

He called it very important to provide those services in Whale Cove.

“I have no doubt that we will move as quickly as possible to ensure that those services are reinstated,” he said.

First responders arrive to the scene of the Tavanni Inns North as a kitchen fire spreads Tuesday, May 23. Photo courtesy of Dayna Igviksaq

Fire and smoke damage in the restaurant is seen here. The extent of the damage or time to repair the structure is not yet known. Photo courtesy of Duane Wilson

A fire started in the kitchen of Whale Cove’s Tavanni Inns North restaurant the evening of Tuesday, May 23. Photo courtesy of Duane Wilson

News Services Local Journalism Initiative Whale Cove

32 ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑏᑦ ᓇᖏᖅᐆᑦ 2023

ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓴᕗᑦᒧᑦ

By Tom Taylor Northern News Services Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

ᐊᔨᒌᖕᖏᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᐃᒃᐱᒍᓱᓴᖅᐳᒍᑦ

ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᓂᒍᐃᓂᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐊᓂᒍᐃᖕᒪᑕ

ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑕᕐᒥᖕᓂᒃ. ᐋᕿᒃᓱᐃᔨ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ

ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓴᕕᒃ, ᓂᑯ Hᐊᓐᒡ.

ᑲᑎᖓᓂᖃᖃᖅᑎᑎᓪᓕᒋᑦ ᐊᔾᔨᒋᖏᑦᑐᓂᒃ

ᐃᒃᐱᒍᓱᓈᖅᐳ ᐃᓕᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᓱᓕᒃᑎᒪᑕ. ᐊᖅᕿᒃᓱᐃᔨ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᓂᑯ Hᐊᓐᒡ ᐊᑐᕚᒥᐅᑕᐅᓕᖅᑐᖅ, ᖃᒪᓂᑦᑐᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᒃᓴᔭ. ᓄᓇᕗ ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓴᕗᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕈᓐᓇᖃᑦᑕᖅᑎᑎᓱᖑᕗᖅ ᐊᑕᐅᓯ ᐅᕝᕙᓗᓐᓂ ᒪᕐᕈᒃ ᐊᕋᒎᖕᓂ. ᐊᔪᕈᓂᓴᐃᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᒪᑯᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᕗᒥᐅᓂᑦ. ᐃᓕᓴᖅᓂᖃᓱᖑᕗᖅ ᐅᑯᓂᖓ ᐃᓗᓕᓕᒃ: ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᐊᖏᕈᑎ, ᕿᓂᕋᓱᐊᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᕿᒥᕈᔪᓇᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ, ᐊᒪᓗ ᑲᑕᔭᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ. ᐊᓂᒍᐃᓂᖅ ᐃᓕᓂᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᓇᓴᓇ ᐊᑦᔅ ᐃᒡᓗᖁᑕᓂ ᒪᐃ 18-ᒥ. ᐱᕕᖃᓴᖅᐳᑦ ᐅᖃᓪᓚᖕᓂᕐᒥᒃ, ᑭᒐᑐᐃᔩᑯᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐊᕿᒃᓱᐃᔨᑦ ᐊᒪᓗ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᒐᕙᒪᑦ. ᑕᑯᕋᓐᓈᖅᑎᑎᓗᑎᒡᓗ

ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑕᒥᓂᒃ ᐊᓂᒍᐃᕗᑦ.

’ᐅᖃᓪᓚᑕᐊᖅᑐᖃᖃᑦᑕᓵᖅᐳᖅ’.

ᐊᒪᔭ ᐊᖑᑎᐊᓗ ᓇᖏᖃᑕᐅᓵᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓱᓕᑦᑎᔪᓂᒃ.

ᓴᓪᓕᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ, ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᐅᓯᔪᖅ, ᐊᕋᓂ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᓚᐅᖅᖢᓂ ᖃᕋᓴᐅᔭᒃᑯᑦ. ᖃᑕᖑᑎᒋᑯᓗᒃ

ᑲᑎᖓᕗᑦ ᐊᑐᕙᓂ. ᐱᓇᔪᖃᑦᑕᖁᔨᕗᖓ ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᓂᒃ, ᐃᓕᑦᑎᕙᓕᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᓄᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᒪᓗ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ

ᒐᕙᒪᖓᓂ.

ᑕᑯᔪᒪᕗᕐᓗ ᓯᕗᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐱᑕᖃᖁᓪᓗᒍ

ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᕕᑲᓐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂ.

32 ᐃᓕᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᓱᓕᑦᑎᓴᖅᐳᑦ, 22 ᐊᕋᒍ

ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ 10 ᐃᓱᓕᑦᑎᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᕋᒍᓂ

ᒪᕉᖕᓂᒃ. ᑭᓯᐊᓂᓕ ᐊᒥᓱᔪᑦ ᐊᕋᒍ 2022-

ᒥ ᖃᕋᓴᐅᔭᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᓕᓂᐊᓴᕐᒪᑕ ᓄᕙᓇᕐᔪᐊᕐᓂᖅ

ᐱᔾᔪᑎᒋᒻᓗᖑ. Hᐊᓐᔅ ᓂᕆᐅᒋᔭᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓱᓕᑦᑎᓵᖅᑐᓂ ᐃᓱᒪᑭᑦ ᐃᓗᓪᓕᖅᓱᑦᑎᐊᖅᓯᒪᖁᓪᓗᒋ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᓴᖅᑕᖕᒥᖕᓂ.

ᐱᖕᒥᖕᓂ Hᐊᓐᔾ ᐃᓱᓕᑦᑎᓯᒪᒐᒥ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓴᕕᖕᒥ ᐊᕌᒍ 2015-ᖑᑎᓪᓗᒍ.

ᑐᑭᓯᕗᖓ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᖃᓄᖅ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ, ᒐᕙᒪᑯᓂᓗ

ᐊᒪᓗ ᑎᒥᖃᖅᑎᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᖃᓄᖅ ᐃᖏᕋᓱᖑᖕᒪᖓᑕ

ᖃᐅᑕᒪᓪᓗ ᐊᑐᐊᒐᓂ ᐃᓄᓯᐅᑉ. ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐱᒃᑯᒍᓱᒃᐳᖓ.

ᐃᓕᖕᓂᑦ ᐱᑯᒋᓕᖅᐊᓕᕈᓐᓇᖅᐳᑎᑦ,

Nunavut Sivuniksavut students graduate with ‘a better sense of self’

32 achievers take the stage at 2023 graduation ceremony in Ottawa

By Tom Taylor Northern News Services

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

There were “a lot of different emotions” at this year’s Nunavut Sivuniksavut graduation ceremony, according to Nicole Hachey, the school’s second year coordinator.

“You could tell some of the students were a little bit nervous, but also excited,” said Hachey, who was born in Baker Lake but now lives in Ottawa, where the post-secondary institution is based.

“There were some students that were happy; they were crying on stage.”

Nunavut Sivuniksavut offers one and twoyear programs designed to empower Inuit youth. The curriculum covers everything from land claims and research methods to throat-singing and drum-making.

This year’s graduation ceremony for 32 students occurred at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre on May 18. It featured speeches from students, faculty, representatives from Inuit organizations and the Government of Nunavut, a video presentation from a student trip to Haida Gwaii and some post-ceremony square dancing.

“The atmosphere was good,” Hachey said. “It was a good celebration. A lot of the speeches were really good.”

Amauyak Angootealuk was one of the students to take the stage inside the National Arts Centre. Originally from Coral Harbour,

she later moved to Rankin Inlet, where she completed her first year with NS remotely.

This past September, she moved to Ottawa to complete her second year in-person – with her fiancee and daughter in tow.

“I really enjoyed it,” she said. “I enjoyed meeting new friends, and the staff at NS were very helpful.

“I would recommend it. It teaches you a lot about yourself and it teaches a lot about your territory.”

Angootealuk enjoyed her time in Ottawa too, admitting she will miss the friends she made there and her morning walks to college. However, she would like to see NS open a second location in the North in the future.

“Maybe in the future NS should be in Nunavut,” she said. “Although I like Ottawa myself, we travelled all this way to come and learn about our territory in the capital of Canada.”

This year, 22 graduates completed their first year while 10 finished their second – and Hachey, who has worked for the school since 2022, has high praise for the entire group.

“A lot of the students did online learning the last few years because of the pandemic, so for a lot of them it was their first time in school in-person,” she said. “That being said, they are so adaptable and so resilient. They’re so good at advocating for themselves. They’re a really good bunch of students.”

Hachey expects big things from this year’s graduating class, and is well-positioned to

ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓴᕗᖕᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦ

speak on such things as an NS alumna herself. She finished her first year in 2014 and her second in 2015.

“I have a better understanding of a lot of the personal issues that Inuit go through today in Nunavut, in terms of how the government and Inuit organizations are run, and in terms of the impacts of intergenerational trauma,”

she said.

“But I also have a better understanding of why it’s such a good feeling and a celebratory thing to be Inuk.

“You get a better sense of self, and you get that pride in your Inuit identity. I hope that resonated with a lot of the Inuit that graduated this year.”

From foreground, Basil McAtasney and Lazarus Aqatsiaq lead a procession of students at the 2023 Nunavut Sivuniksavut graduation ceremony in the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Photo courtesy of Nunavut Sivuniksavut

Staff, students, and family members look on at the Nunavut Sivuniksavut graduation ceremony in the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on May 18. Photo courtesy of Nunavut Sivuniksavut

the hole.

Paul Pissuk smiles as he successfully hooks a prize.

Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo

Mary Anne Tattuinee takes a shot in the putting challenge.

Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo

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Successful hunters

Successful hunters

Eyeing opportunities at national municipal conference

Iqaluit poised to improve housing, address climate change and water issues

By Darrell Greer Northern News Services

Iqaluit deputy mayor Kyle Sheppard was full of optimism as he left the capital this past week to attend the annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference in Toronto from May 25-27.

Sheppard said the conference is a time to liaison with other municipal leaders from across the country.

He said leaders from the provincial and federal governments also attend, and there are a number of workshops held relating to issues being faced every day at the City of Iqaluit.

“Mayors, councillors and senior administrative officers from across the territory attend this, which is the largest gathering of municipal leaders in Canada,” said Sheppard.

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“It’s a really good time to meet with other municipal leaders to brainstorm ideas and attend workshops on funding programs and solutions to the challenges that cities and hamlets face.

“My calendar was booked solid for the entire event, from morning ‘til night. There are some workshops that really target housing programs and offer some solutions to the housing challenges that municipalities are facing, which are, obviously, acute in Nunavut.

“There’s also some federal programs that are being designed to help with that.”

In addition to housing, Sheppard said he was also attending the conference with a strong focus on climate change infrastructure. He said FCM actually has its own funding programs, including a new one being developed on resilience for climate change.

“Everything we do now is facing climate change challenges, so, to help develop a program like that, where they’re going to be able to supply funding to help us address those challenges, is really very valuable.”

Sheppard said today’s Iqaluit is like A Tale of Two Cities, with the best of times and the

worst of times.

He said with the federal funding secured to address the city’s water supply, there is a feeling of optimism surrounding the capital.

“Once that’s in place, we’re estimating 2026, it will really help us alleviate a lot of the challenges we face, particularly around housing.

“Once that water supply is in place, we’re going to be able to have complete, unfettered land development — the ability to develop new land, new housing, new commercial space and new industrial land.

“So that’s, kind of, a lynch pin that’s really going to brighten our future. With additional housing comes additional tax revenue and more funds for the city to do other things it has on its radar.

“The ability to attract and retain staff for the municipality, the Government of Nunavut and Iqaluit businesses all hinge on our ability to provide housing.”

Sheppard said the expansion of the water sup-

ply and the replacement of some of the aging infrastructure is really going to help the city address the root cause of many issues the capital faces.

He said further to that, the downside is that absolutely everything Iqaluit does right now costs way more than the city anticipated.

“Inflation has hit us very, very hard.

“We had a $84-million capital plan this year and absolutely everything, every project being bit on, is coming in 50 per cent to 100 per cent over estimates.

“We’re really starting to nail down priority areas, realizing that water and our solid-waste facility are big priorities for us to be able to do what we can with the funds we have.

“Money is tight. There’s no question when inflation has hit us as hard as it has. Our housing shortage is leading to increased costs for businesses to provide services to the city. It’s about doing what we can right now, until we get our water supply expanded, and then I’m very confident that there’s bright days ahead.”

Cambridge Bay seal hunters David Kavanna, left, and Chris Sarasin put their skills to work during the 2023 Umingmak Frolics Seal Hunt on May 15. Kavanna poses with his entry caught near Long Point, outside of Cambridge Bay. Sarasin stands with the seal he brought in from Kingakyok, in the Cape Colbourne area. Both men shared their seal meat with community members. Photos courtesy of the Municipality of Cambridge Bay

Iqaluit deputy mayor Kyle Sheppard sees bright future with expanded water supply, old infrastructure replaced. Photo courtesy Kyle Shepard.

Iqaluit hosts women and girls wellness program

Program targeted for other Nunavut communities after Iqaluit debut

By Tom Taylor Northern News Services Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Government of Nunavut’s first women and girls wellness program wrapped up in Iqaluit last week, and there could soon be other events like it in communities across the territory.

The program, which ran from May 20-23 in the city’s Sailijaaqvik boarding home, was a collaboration between the Departments of Health, Culture and Heritage, Family Services, and Education, as well as the Nunavut Arctic College.

It was created in response to “the unique set of health and wellness challenges” faced by women and girls in the territory, according to Deputy Minister of Health Megan Hunt.

“This was really an opportunity to empower women and girls to be in a safe space and to talk about and experience sessions that really meet their needs,” she said.

The program was free and open to Nunavummiut who identify as women or girls. It began with a prayer and ceremonial lighting of the qulliq by local Elder Natsiq Kango, and continued with information sessions covering a range of topics including mental health, safe sleep, menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, birth control, motherhood, breast cancer, sexual violence, and eating disorders. Activities like beading, sewing and craft-making were also integrated into the schedule. There were interpreters on site for the duration to ensure information was relayed clearly.

Dr. Terri Aldred, a B.C.-based Indigenous physician who specializes in women’s health,

was the facilitator for the program. She sought to cultivate an atmosphere of “cultural safety and humility” throughout.

“I really wanted to tailor [the program] to meet the needs of the people who were there,” Dr. Aldred said. “People have said that they learned quite a bit.”

“There was certainly no shortage of questions. The first day we ran over by half an hour because people were so engaged and had so many things they wanted to ask.” Hunt, who was in attendance for the duration of the Iqaluit event, is pleased with the way it went, but is adamant that it was “a starting place not and ending place.”

“This is our first approach with this series,” she said. “Our goal would be to take this throughout the territory to other locations. It can be a barrier for folks, traveling and those kinds of things, so we really want to meet people where they’re at and bring health care providers and other departments more locally.”

Dr. Aldred shares that opinion, noting that there is still much work to be done in terms of womens health in Nunavut.

“When we’re talking about health inequities in Canada, the disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people is quite stark and not in keeping with what we would consider appropriate with an industrialized nation,” she said. “Due to the impacts of colonialism and racism, indigenous women and children –including those in Nunavut –do have higher rates of illness.”

“I think opportunities for knowledge translation and for people to come together and ask questions and to learn in this way is really important.”

Iqaluit Housing Authority ends lockout, invites employees back to work with revised offer

Employer raises wage increase to 7.25 per cent over five years

By Tom Taylor Northern News Services Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Iqaluit Housing Association (IHA) has ended its lockout and presented a revised offer to the Nunavut Employees Union (NEU) in hopes of resolving an ongoing labour dispute with staff.

The strike began on Friday, March 17, when 13 IHA employees walked off the job in hopes of securing better wages and working conditions.

Those employees, part of the NEU, were locked out by the IHA the following Sunday.

“The IHA remains committed to negotiating a fair and competitive agreement with the union,” Kendra King, acting manager of IHA, said in a May 24 news release. “We want to resolve this labour dispute and are ready and willing to resume bargaining.”

“On May 18, 2023, the IHA provided a revised proposal to the union and invited them back to the bargaining table.”

Per the release, the IHA’s revised proposal

includes a 7.25 percent wage increase over a five-year period ranging from 2020-2024 and “an additional lump sum payment of 3.5 percent on ratification to address annual inflation.”

In late April, the IHA offered the NEU a seven percent increase over the same five-year period and a one-time 2.8 per cent lump sum payment to counteract inflation. That offer was declined.

Thursday’s release adds that the IHA would also transition to the Nunavut Northern Allowance, at the Government of Nunavut Iqaluit rate. IHA is currently one of the last local housing organizations on the former VTA/ housing/settlement allowance system.

This change will benefit roughly 85 percent of current IHA employees, according to King.

“The IHA values its employees and we want to see them return to work. To show our commitment to our employees, we ended the lockout,” she said. “We believe that our revised proposal is fair and competitive and hope to resolve this labour dispute soon.”

The NEU has not yet responded to IHA’s decision to end the lockout, or the new offer.

The unionized workers of the Iqaluit Housing Authority have been picketing for larger wage increases and better working conditions since March 17. From left, Heela Kango, Keeny Enuaraq, Joanasie Kilabuk, Paul Gordon, Ken Braun (kneeling), Daniel Kolola, NEU President Jason Rochon and Tracy Curley. NNSL file photo

Health supplies were distributed to participants of the women and girls wellness program in Iqaluit. Photo courtesy of the Department of Health

Participants at the womens and girls wellness program make crafts. Photo courtesy of the Department of Health

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Hop Issaluk sent us these photos from Rankin Inlet. These pictures were taken of Hop back in 2010–2014, a few kilometres outside of Rankin Inlet.

Isa Kidlapik sent us this photo from Naujaat.

Madeline Issakiark sent us this picture from Arviat. Beautiful sunset in Arviat, taken on May 17, 2023.

Peah Natsiapik sent us this photo from Qiqiktarjuaq. Peah took this on a walk with friends.

Richard Kakk sent us this photo from Kugaaruk. Richard harvested this wolf just a couple of days ago after seeing it eating a young muskox!

Sabina Nartok sent us this image from Kugaaruk. Sabina saw this ice that looks like a couple of geese kissing back in August 2021!

Stacey Kadlun sent us this image from Kugluktuk. Sunday evening in Kugluktuk, with happy campers on the way back to town before the fog rolls in.

Suzanna Krejunark sent us this photo from Kugaaruk. Suzanne’s one-year-old daughter Dominique was sitting in the back of the sled on the way home from a fishing trip on May 16, 2023.

Trista Qaggutaq sent us this image from Kugaaruk. A photo of the cross and sunset.

WINNER! Ann Rose sent us this photo from Taloyoak. Ann snapped this photo of her daughter Kannaaq with a 41-inch trout that she caught in Tahinayuuq over the weekend!

Elisa Avva sent us this image from Iglulik. Elisa took this picture in mainland Melville Peninsula on a day trip searching for caribou back in late March.

Jarloo Jarloo sent us this image from Grise Fiord. Here Jarloo shows the view from camping in Harbour Fiord, near Grise Fiord.

Kerry Anne sent us this image from Arviat. Taken in Arviat on May 17, 2023.

Samantha Pattunguyak sent us this picture from Baker Lake. Samantha snapped this photo of drying caribou (or nipku) outside, since spring is here! This was taken just outside of Baker Lake on May 14, 2023.

Dorothy Sateana sent us this photo from Rankin Inlet. Dorothy took these two photos 10 years apart, showing how warm it was this year compared to then!

Mark Ethan Pangon sent us this image from Kugluktuk, Nunavut. Here Mark and his 13-year-old son are hunting in a goose blind, 25 miles north of Kugluktuk on May 13, 2023.

Bernard Maktaaq sent us this photo from Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet). Bernard shows us the midnight sun.

Deena Toomasie sent us this image.

Knowledge of the land helps find the best fishing holes

Cathy Towtongie, trout master, is seen surrounded by family after winning three prizes for top trout in the 2023 Rankin Inlet fishing derby. On the left is Uvinik Issakiark and daughter

Maliayak, with Cathy’s husband

Harry Towtongie in the brown cap. On the right is Jarvis

Towtongie in blue, Neco Towtongie and son Neco Jr.

Towtongie. Cathy’s great-granddaughter Piuyuliaq

Towtongie Taylor is in front, with Darren Flynn photobombing in the back. Photo courtesy of Cathy Towtongie

Cathy Towtongie takes home three spots in top eight for trout

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Local Journalism Initiative Rankin Inlet

Cathy Towtongie tapped into some ancient knowledge to help her reel in three monster trout in the 2023 Rankin Inlet fishing derby.

“I was going to win four times, but one of my big fishes was eaten by a fox,” said Towtongie, adding that another one was lost as she brought it to the surface.

Still, the three she was able to take home earned her second, third and eighth in the contest, totalling $7,250 in winnings. Her biggest fish was 40 and 5/8 inches. The top place trout was Tyeya Subgut’s, coming in at 41 and ¼ inches.

Few went trout fishing this year, as an early spring brought warm temperatures and mushy conditions on the land, so many preferred to stick close to town and cod fish on the bay.

“It’s a June sun,” remarked Towtongie about the weather. “That’s the troubling part.”

She relied on her husband, Harry Towtongie, to navigate the land and find the best fishing spot.

“You have to know how to go,” she said about travelling in those conditions. “You just don’t go in the middle of the snow. You go on the edge where there’s pieces of rock or land. If you go straight into the snow, you’re going to sink into the soft snow.”

Harry, she said, has learned well from brother David Ooloyuk about how to scout the land and lakes, as well as from Lewis Voisey.

When Harry finds a location he likes, he looks around for rocks and markers to determine where the fish might be, explained Towtongie.

“He doesn’t just drill all over the lake,” she said. “He drills where the pointers are telling him to drill and he will measure his steps. It’s like reading a lake.”

She called herself fortunate to have Harry’s guidance.

“I trust my husband and I believe him,” she said. “He’ll tell me, ‘This is not where to drill, this is not the area.’ I’m often amazed.”

Towtongie even revealed one of her top tips: that big trout often swim in pairs.

“So if you get a big one, you should put another hook in right away,” she said. “I wonder if I should be giving you these secrets!”

Among her tackle box was a special gift she had requested for her birthday, May 14 – an ivory hook made by John Tatty. The hook works well because it goes up and down slowly, she said, as well as being single-pronged instead of three – the latter of which can sometimes mean big fish spit them out.

Some cod disposed of

Though the fishing derby is a weekend of family fun and generous prizes, a hiccup in the pleasure is seen in the number of cod that end up being disposed of after measuring.

“I really do not waste fish,” said Towtongie when asked for her thoughts on fish that are thrown in the garbage after measurement.

She said the trout skin can make for fantastic fish bags.

“People can make mitts out of them,” she added. “They’re the best waterproof mitts if done properly.”

In terms of the cod that ended up in the garbage, Towtongie pointed to the town’s sewage heading into the ocean where people fish.

“It’s that open sewage on the ocean,” she said. “We never used to have open sewage before. That’s a factor. We can eat cod, but we’re used to fresh cod. You can fry them, boil them, but not the ones from Johnston Cove. The human debris is too close.”

Martha Hickes, deputy mayor, said cod that are caught farther away from the pump area are put to use, but the ones in the bay are not good for consumption.

“And if they’re caught since Friday, the fish are too soft to eat too, so most will throw them out, but not all,” she added, referencing the fact that measurement doesn’t take place until Monday, meaning some fish go bad in the time between.

Asked if she saw any ethical issues with the fishing derby if fish are being disposed of after measurement, Hickes said, “It’s a yearly event, so we have no problem.”

She added that the winters are long, dark and cold, with spring being the time to enjoy the weather and family.

“We love our families,” she said. “Spring is

the time to enjoy each other, and fishing has been part of our lives, whether we win or lost, it will continue for years to come. Like the saying goes, lots of fish in the ocean.”

Final results

Trout

1st — Tyeya Subgut, 41 ¼ inches

2nd — Cathy Towtongie, 40 5/8 inches

3rd — Cathy Towtongie, 37 7/8 inches

4th — Michelle Kaludjak, 37 1/8 inches

5th — Hannah Pilakapsi, 37 inches

6th — Noel Kaludjak, 36 ¼ inches

7th — Linday Alogut, 36 inches

8th — Cathy Towtongie, 35 ¼ inches

Cod

1st — Arlene Alagalak, 25 3/8 inches

2nd — Hyka Gordon, 24 ½ inches

3rd — Dianna Kaludjak, 24 inches

4th — Catherine Airut, 23 13/16 inches

5th — Robert Tagalik, 23 ¼ inches

6th — Mary Jane Aggark, 23 1/8 inches

7th — Kailee Karlik, 23 1/16 inches

8th (tie) — Monica Pissuk and Iris Tatty

Tanuyak, 23 inches

Source: Hamlet of Rankin Inlet

Anna Okalik smiles while having her cod measured Monday, May 16. Stewart Burnett/ NNSL photo

John Ussak passes a fish to recreation director David Clark for measurement. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

No reason cod need to die

Fishing derby reveals unfortunate practice

Before I start, a warning: this is all going to be a very southerner, pearl-clutching column. I don’t like to do that, but I like fish more, and what I saw last week disturbed me.

As I was watching fish brought to the measuring table and assessed during the Rankin Inlet fishing derby, I noticed one person bag up their fish, head toward the green garbage bin next to me, ask generally if this was the place to put them, and then dump the fish in the garbage. Dumbfounded, I continued watching as several more people went directly from the measuring table with their cod to throwing them in the garbage.

I wanted to give the benefit of the doubt that maybe the bin was going to

be sorted through after and the cod used for something. It was filled with other trash, so I recognized that would be an odd method for collecting them. I returned the next morning and saw the bins still full.

Through talking to people, I learned that fish are often disposed of during the derby for a couple of reasons: one is when fish go bad in the time between being caught and measured, as there could be a couple of days elapsed; the other reason is that cod caught in the bay, where many people were fishing, are said to not be fit for consumption because of the town’s sew-

STEWART BURNETT

age spilling into the area. At a foundational level for both points, I hope people can agree that fish don’t deserve to die for a contest, and if they are dying purely for a contest, then there should be changes made to avoid that. I am not a conniosseur of fish derbies, but I understand that life loss is rather common during them, so it’s not an issue related exclusively to Rankin Inlet. But though cod caught in the bay may not be fit for consumption, that doesn’t explain why it’s okay to kill them for a fishing derby. I grew up on the ocean, fishing every and all summer, and I absolutely love

Showing you really care

minute for each year of age is a good rule.

• Tell her how much you enjoy being with her.

fish. I have caught and eaten many fish from the west coast of Canada, and I have seen the effects of overfishing and lack of respect first hand.

So when I saw these cod being thrown out, I was truly heartbroken. Catching fish just to measure to try to win a contest is no reason to take a life. It shows a disregard for wildlife, the environment, the land, Mother Nature. Just because we can’t eat those fish doesn’t mean they deserve to die.

If changes to the derby in the future are possible to avoid this, that would surely make it a more humane event. Fishing is perhaps the best family time of all and it’s a fantastic thing that people are encouraged to fish here. If we could have that family time while avoiding undue loss of life, everyone would win.

Parents need to know about ways to help themselves calm down when things get stressful. We all get a bit overwhelmed from time to time. That is why it is a really good idea to figure out some ways to handle problems with your child rather than lash out at her.

Give some serious thought to ways to handle these difficult times. Each time one of these difficult times comes up, you can learn ways to handle it better the next time. These situations give you a chance to try new ways to handle tough times. Each new situation gives you a chance to try a new way of handling the problem.

Here are some examples, but there are many others you can use. Try new ones and learn which works the best for you:

• Press your lips together and count to 10 or 20.

• Put your child in a time-out chair, but remember not to overdo it; one

• Take a hot bath or splash cold water on your face.

• Turn on some music.

• Phone someone who will listen to what you are going through.

• If someone else can watch your children, go outside and take a walk.

• Try using do instead of don’t. Children respond more to do. Try asking for things to be done rather than things not to be done. For instance, “Let’s put all the toys here,” not “don’t put them there.

Remember ways you can show your child you care. Ways include things like the following:

• Say “love” often.

• Try to meet her needs.

• Apologize when you make a mistake.

• Remember she needs love most when she deserves it least.

• Be honest with her.

• Listen to her.

• Keep promises you make to her.

• Don’t make fun of her.

There are dozens more ways to show your child you care. Make a list of them so you can use them in the future. Remember to stress the good in your relationship with your child. You are setting an example for her to learn how to deal with difficult situations. You are also helping her build a positive image she can have of herself.

The other thing you are doing is teaching her how to discipline her own children in the future.

With all these learning possibilities, your skills continue to develop. Figure out which issues are most important to her. Remember, your child learns by watching.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which published newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents.

There are dozens more ways to show your child you care. Make a list of them so you can use them in the future, advises Cynthia Nixon. Julia M. Cameron/Pexels photo

Heading in the right direction

Finance minister says Nunavut making progress despite the challenges it keeps having to overcome

Nunavut Finance Minister Lorne

Kusugak is optimistic about the direction the territory is headed, despite the annual budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year he tabled back in February showing an $8.2M operational deficit for the year.

It should be pointed out, however, that the $8.2M operational deficit being the actual number is dependent upon whether the Government of Nunavut (GN) has to totally use the $50 million Kusugak set aside for unanticipated costs popping-up throughout the year.

Kusugak’s deficit budget follows the GN approving the highest capital budget ever tabled this past October of 2022, which came in at $338 million. A full one-third of that was gobbled-up by the Nunavut Housing Corporation.

Kusugak said in preparing the budget, it wasn’t a matter of not realizing it was going overboard because the GN knew it had to.

“It is a deficit budget but, at the end of the day, we have a fair chunk of surplus and we have to dip into those years of surplus in order to start making things happen,” said Kusugak.

“I’m grateful that we’ve had years and years of surpluses built up. It allows us

to say we’re not going to get caught-up in the housing shortage, which is the cause of so much pain and struggle in Nunavut, if we keep building the number of houses we have built. So we had to get into a deficit situation to do that.”

Kusugak said another issue designed in the budget is to help address the ongoing situation with Nunavut’s elders.

He said Nunavut has to have elder facilities constructed in each region.

“We’re still sending our elders as far away as we can,” Kusugak said with more than a little incredulation in his voice.

“During their finest of times, when our elders should be as close as they can be to us, they’re in Ottawa and Edmonton, places away from home. And that’s just not right. We’ve started with building an elders facility in Rankin Inlet and the plans are to build one in each of the regional centres — plus, also, upgrade and maintain the existing facilities we have here in Nunavut and that costs money.”

Kusugak said when the GN was going over its plan, a full caucus of MLAs took part in identifying its priorities for this term of governance.

He said when all was said and done, the priorities were very clearly outlined as housing, elders, education and health care.

“On that premise, we’ll keep doing what we’re doing to maintain, but we

needed to dip into our surplus to start advancing forward and putting-in more infrastructure.”

Kusugak said there’s a major difference between the provinces and Nunavut when it comes to the overall effect of money being spent on infrastructure.

“That money really helps drive their economy – the timber, all the steel, the furnaces, boilers and flooring – because they buy it all within their own provinces.

“In Nunavut, we have to buy 100 per cent of our material from outside the territory and then ship-it-up here.”

“None of the shipping nor the material is ours. We don’t get two kicks at the same buck as the provinces do. It becomes that much more expensive for us because our dollar is not going that far.

“So we definitely get hurt that way.”

Kusugak said when the GN asks the federal government for more money for health, education and housing, it keeps saying that the provinces and territories need to start spending some money from their surpluses.

“Having been the health minister when Covid hit – that was a very challenging experience – the many other ministerial positions I’ve held and now with finance, it gives me a different perspective. It’s like looking at the overall picture through a different set of lenses that not many people get to do. It’s tough.”

Finance Minister Lorne Kusugak has put in a lot of time with the territorial government, and he says Nunavut is on the right path despite operational deficit and largest capital budget in history. Darrell Greer/NNSL file photo

By Darrell Greer Northern News Services

Taking the reins

Municipality association making solid progress with new executive director, solid board

The Nunavut Association of Municipalities (NAM) has received a solid boost since Marla Limousin took over as its executive director in April of 2022.

NAM represents the municipalities, as well as elected officials and municipal administrators in the territory.

Based out of Iqaluit, Limousin has more than 40 years of experience in municipal government, including being a senior administrative officer and chief administrative officer with a number of Nunavut communities. She has also spent time as a community planner and consultant in the North. Limousin said after spending such a long period of time in the trenches of municipal government, it’s been a nice change of pace to be able to help out at a higher level and see that everyone has, pretty much, the same issues in the municipalities.

She said with a strong NAM board behind her, progress has been “light speed” during the past year.

“What we’ve been doing is really all about reidentifying NAM’s role as an organization, and finding out what the membership wanted to do and how they wanted to go about it,” said Limousin.

“We’re working to establish the three pillars of NAM, which are advocacy, collaboration and capacity building.

“Once we had those identified with the board, we basically looked at what would happen under each — what was being done and what wasn’t being done.

“Then we just started to build out the vision from there.”

Limousin said she comes from a longtime in municipal government, and, possibly, the past administrator (Tony Bird) didn’t come to NAM with a municipal perspective, whereas his predecessor, Brian Fleming, did.

She said NAM being effective is all about collaboration with the members over direction, plus building relationships with outside entities, not just Community and Government Services which is the mother ship of the municipalities.

“We’re going out and building lots of relationships, so that we have lots of partnerships for a lot of the projects that we want to undertake.

“When we established the advocacy piece, we looked at our relationship on a federal level, territorial level, and within communities and other organizations such as our regional Inuit associations and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

“We started to look at advocating on behalf of municipalities, so we were in the Prime Minister’s Office and, kind of, talking about climate change and waste management, and doing it at a higher level.”

Limousin said this year is an election year for municipalities in Nunavut for another four-year term, and, what NAM’s surveys have shown is that the territory may have a lot of new elected officials this year.

She said NAM is getting ahead of that and looking at how it can be stronger within its role of trying to help create strong municipal governments.

“It’s about education, right? So we’re going to start in June with one campaign on the importance of voting. Like, don’t just sit back and criticize.

“Understand who you’re voting for, why you’re voting and what your role is as a community resident in having good governance in your municipality.

“You need that voter turnout and you need them making decisions that are going to actually shape the future of the community, not just going-in blind.

Things have been looking up since Marla Limousin took over as the executive director of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities just over a year ago. Photo courtesy Marla Limousin

“Then we’re going to have a second campaign about shaping your community’s future, which is about encouraging and inspiring residents to take that active role in running for mayor or some other public seat, but understand what you’re getting into before you actually dive in.” Limousin said NAM is going to provide resources and guidance to make a responsible decision when residents want that challenge.

She said NAM will talk about the impact holding a public seat will have on someone’s personal and family life, as well as running a campaign against friends and family members, creating goals and the empowerment of public service.

“The biggest thing we heard about during Covid was people getting trashed on social media, and a lot of the mayors and elected officials had a hard time dealing with that.

“It’s something they want to understand; how to lead and deal with the press, using the press as a positive resource and not getting caught-up in the other side of it, which they sometimes create.

“When I came on board we had no website, for example, so people didn’t even know we existed. Now we have a good website and we’re getting calls from all kinds of people who want to make connections with the association now because they know we’re representing 25 municipalities.

“We’ve also signed up with Canoe, which is a procurement company that services all the associations and municipalities across Canada, so now we can do a kind of bulk purchasing for our municipalities at a cheaper rate, so we’re definitely making solid progress.”

By Darrell Greer Northern News Services

Living life with these steel hands

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services

It’s been more than a year since Ernie Eetak was trapped on the land outside Arviat for five days during a blizzard, a scene that ended in his frostbitten hands needing amputation, but thankfully his life intact.

His dire week happened late 2021, when he was tracking caribou outside of his community and temperatures dropped to below 50 with the wind chill.

Now with his prosthetic arms, Eetak is living life and enjoying the land again.

Ernie Eetak using his prosthetic arms to hold binoculars just outside of Arviat.

Ernie Eetak rides a dirtbike around Arviat in May.

Ernie Eetak in his full traditional clothing, complete with Inuit sunglasses and his new steel hands. Photos courtesy of Ernie Eetak

Sports & Recreation

SPORTS HOTLINE • JAMES MCCARTHY

Phone: (867) 873-4031 • Email: sports@nnsl.com • Fax: (867) 873-8507

A net full of memories

Baffin coach looks back at more than a decade of leading team to top hockey championships

It has been a wild ride of fond memories, great hockey, championship banners and lasting friendships for Todd Gardner of Iqaluit, since becoming the head coach of the Baffin Blizzard hockey teams more than a decade ago.

Gardner has coached bantam-, midget- and junior-aged teams over the years, competing at the Polar Bear Plate midget-juvenile tournament, the Challenge Cup junior C championship, the Arctic Winter Games and the Maritime-Hockey North junior C Championship in the East.

Gardner recently led his team to two Polar Bear Plate tournaments in Rankin Inlet (One to makeup for a Covidmissed year and one for the 2023 championship), claiming the first banner this past December of 2022, and losing to the home squad this past March of 2023.

The passion is evident in Gardner’s voice as he speaks of both the Polar Bear Plate – which he claims is the best tournament in the North –and the now discontinued Challenge Cup junior C championship.

Gardner said the Challenge Cup had to be discontinued about five years ago due to the extreme travel cost associated with the event.

He said Hockey Nunavut stopped helping to fund the event and to fundraise in the North to travel from Iqaluit to Rankin or vice versa, and then to the Maritime championship was a draining task.

“Donald (Kivalliq Canucks junior C coach Donald Clark) and myself just kind of gave in because you can’t fundraise that kind of money year after year,” said Gardner.

“What we did during the junior C’s final year was we selected 10 players from the Kivalliq and 10 from the Baffin, which Donald and Steve Faulkner took down to the Maritime-Hockey North tournament in 2018, I believe it was.”

Gardner took up coaching

duties in Iqaluit in 2011, leading Baffin to his first Polar Bear Plate. He’s been taking the Baffin team to the event every year since (Covid years excepted).

He also led the Baffin team to every Challenge Cup event and was the head coach for Nunavut’s only victory at the Maritime-Junior C championship in Prince Edward Island in 2016.

“The Polar Bear Plate is the best tournament by far in the North and, to play the Challenge Cup right after it, is almost like you’re facing the same players again.

“You don’t get the opportunity too often to go down and compete at a tournament like that in the Maritimes and to win it is even better. The players loved every minute of it.

“The Kivalliq team made the gold medal game one time before that but they lost, so we were the only Nunavut team to win it. But, in all fairness, I picked-up six players from the Kivalliq team and they played a major role in us winning that tournament.”

Gardner’s time competing for the Challenge Cup and Polar Bear Plate was made even more special by having his two sons, Matt and Nathan, on the team for seven years.

He said while the compete level was always high at the two events, the players grew to respect each other on and off the ice and many long-lasting friendships were developed, especially after many of them pulled on the same Nunavut jersey to compete at the Arctic Winter Games.

“Before my time, there may have been some coaches in the Baffin who really – I don’t want to say didn’t like the Kivalliq players or fans – just wanted to go to Rankin as the Baffin team, get in and get out and try to win.

“Donald (Clark) and I didn’t work that way. We always chatted together and had good times together. We developed a good friendship then and we still have that today. They were great times competing for the Challenge

Cup and it’s too bad it had to end.

“There are no friends when you’re on the ice, but, over time, when they were off the ice, the players started hanging out together. We’d stay at a staff house and some of the Kivalliq players would come over and meet with us and vice versa when they were in Iqaluit. A lot of them are lifelong friends now and that’s really good to see.

“That bond started at the 2011 or 2012 Arctic Winter Games when a number of players from each side – Bafffin and Kivalliq played with each other – and the respect and friendship really started to grow from there. It’s been quite the ride and I wouldn’t change a thing about anything.”

Hockey coach Todd Gardner has a number of championship banners hanging on his wall from leading the Baffin Blizzard squad to the best tournaments in the North for more than a decade. Photo courtesy Todd Gardner

By Darrell Greer Northern News Services

If you could look into the eyes of generations yet to come, you would be there.

Because immortality lies not in the things you leave behind, but in the people that your life has touched, for good or bad. By including the Canadian Cancer society in your will, you can have a powerful effect on those who come after you.

You see, cancer can be beaten. The survival rate for cancer patients is already over 50% in Canada.

You'll be leaving behind a legacy of life for others. And that is a beautiful way of living forever yourself.