Friday, February 26, 2010

Daffodil Place Update

Operations are going well at the Daffodil Place in St. John’s.

This is where cancer patients can stay when they have to leave their home community for treatment.

Scott Antle is the Acting Executive Director.

He says they’ve had hundreds of patients and guests from different communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Clients are happy.

They give good feedback.

And they call it a home away from home.

Olympic day in HVGB

Happy Valley-Goose Bay is celebrating the Olympics.

The fun begins at 7:00pm at E J Broomfield Memorial Arena.

There will be songs by the Flummies, Donna Roberts, and others.

At 10:30 there will be a screening of the Newfoundland and Labrador Victory Celebration.

Live from Vancouver.

There will be a family fun zone.

Including youth and adult hockey shoot-outs.

There will be Fireworks, prizes, and free hot chocolate.

Polar Bear Kill in Hopdale

A Polar Bear was killed near Hopedale yesterday.

John Lucy had the license.

He got the bear near IngiKanikuluk in the afternoon.

Ian Winters is the Conservation Officer for Nunatsiavut .

He estimates the bear to weigh about four hundred pounds.

Polar Bear licenses are valid from February 1st until the end of June.

Rigolet, Makkovik, and Postville can get one license each.

Nain can get two.

Life Skills Instructors PT2

Yesterday we gave an update on the three Life Skills Instructors on the north coast.

This morning we spoke to Pauline Dicker, the life skills instructor for Jens Haven Memorial School in Nain.

Dicker says for the first time this year, she started teaching life skills at the Primary School.

She says the students from K-3 are sewing teddy bears at the moment.

Pauline also teaches life skills at the high school.

The students in grade 4 are sewing canvas beaded bags.

Grade 5’s are making duffle purses.

The grade 6’s are making duffle beaded vests.

Cross stitching for grade 7’s.

Grade 8’s are rug hooking.

And students in grade 9 are making tea dolls.

Once the students are done with their item they take it home.

Jessie Lane is the life skills instructor for BL Morrison school in Postville.

She teaches her students how make dream catchers and art work.

They make silapaks, dickies, and fish bags.

Slippers and bead work too.

Students grades 9 and up go on an Outdoor Living event.

They go berry picking, and set rabbit snares.

They snowshoe, and learn to make a fire.

Last year the grade 9-12 students sewed a tent.

They still use it when they go out on the land.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Jennifer Throburn's Research

Jennifer Thorburn is a student from the Memorial University in St. John’s. She has been in Nain since February 5th doing interviews with people.

She’s been trying to find out what makes the use of the English language in Nain different from other parts of the province.

She has spoken to sixty people of different age groups
.
They were asked what lifestyle changes they have seen over their lives.

They were also asked if they thought their Inuktitut language was disappearing.

People in their twenties and thirties are saying they may understand some Inuktitut but can’t speak it.

Thorburn is heading back to St. John’s tomorrow. So she can listen to all the interviews. She will then write a report for the Nunatsiavut Government.

34th Annual Labrador Creative Arts Festival

Students from along the coast of Labrador are in Goose Bay this week.

It’s the 34th Annual Labrador Creative Arts Festival.

Martha Macdonald is the Chair of the Festival Committee.

She says this year the Festival is late.

Students were prohibited from traveling in November due to the swine flu pandemic.

The Creative Arts Festival and the Regional High School Drama Festival are taking place at the same time this year.

Martha Macdonald says it will be a ‘super’ festival.

The Festival kicked off last night with a play by the students of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Goose Bay.

Next was a play from the students of Amos Comenius Memorial School in Hopedale.

ACMS performed a play called ‘Going, Going, Not Gone’.

The play was about people being stuck in airports on weather-hold.

The audience could relate.

Most of them have been through it.

Most of the drama groups are not in Goose Bay yet.

Students will be adjudicated by Tim Borlase on their acting skills.

We will have another update from Macdonald about the Festivals next week, so keep tuning into AtjiKangitut .

Big Land Challenge Dog Team Race Cancelled

The Big Land Challenge Dog team race has been cancelled.

This is due to poor ice and snow conditions.

This is a yearly Event in Central Labrador.

It was suppose to take place in Goose Bay on Sunday March 7th.

Scott Hudson is the Youth Coordinator for the Labrador Friendship center in Happy Valley Goose-Bay.

Hudson says it would not be safe to proceed with the race.

He hopes next year is more favorable.

And he says it’s important to keep the "Labrador Traditions Alive".

OKâlaKatiget New TV Producer

The OKalaKatiget Society just hired a new Television Producer.

The position opened when Shirley Jarause left the Society to go back to school.

The new producer is Silpa Suarak of Nain.

Leah Ikkusek is the Executive Director of the Society.

She held interviews for the position this morning.

It was a hard decision, but Suarak came out on top.

She will start her new position tomorrow.

Congratulations to Silpa and welcome aboard from the OKalaKatiget staff.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Inuktitut Speak-Off Results

The Seventh Annual Inuktitut Speak-Off took place last evening in Nain at the Jens Haven Memorial school gymnasium.

Eight students participated in the event, two from four Inuktitut speaking communities along the coast.

Joan Dicker is the Inuktitut teacher for grades 4-12 at Jens Haven.

She says the Speak-Off started off with an opening prayer in Inuktitut by Chaim Andersen and Brianna Brown.

That was then followed by the JHMS Brass Band, they performed a hymn called ‘Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus’.

Dicker adds that Fran Williams and Nain AngajukKâk, Sarah Erickson were the guest speakers for the event.

The standings for the Speak-Off along with topics they discussed are as follows:

First place went to Mary (Binky) Andersen of JHMS; she spoke about her life and the challenges she faces. She won a laptop and a carving donated by the Nain Inuit Community Government.

Alicia Dicker came in second. Her speech was about the traditional religious celebrations. She won an iPod.

And last but not least, Germaine Onalik won $50 for 3rd place, her speech was about her last year in school, as well as her very first Inuktitut Speak-Off.

She says they will also be presented with plaques once they arrive.

Dicker says the audience gave a standing ovation for the students, she also adds that they done an excellent job.


She says the event closed off with the Community Brass Band performing the hymn ‘Jesus Tessiunga’.

We contacted Fran Williams, who was a guest speaker and judge for the Speak-Off to get more information...

St. John's Friendship Centre Update

Yesterday, we gave an update on the Labrador Friendship Centre in Happy Valley Goose Bay.

This morning Chris Sheppard from St. John’s, who is originally from Postville called OKâlaKatiget Society and gave us an update on the Friendship Centre there.

Sheppard says as of February 1st, he was hired as the Tungasuvvingat Inuit worker at the Friendship Centre.

He says this Project is called Inuit Youth Specific Program and it will run until March 31st.

He says this project is going very well and they are really busy with the programs.

Sheppard says they do cultural things such as making drums, snowshoe making, teach Inuttitut lessons and have traditional food as well.

He says Katie Dicker from Nain is the Aboriginal Patient Navigator. Sheppard says she is kept very busy with patients who travel to St John’s for medical reasons. He adds the people like what she does and are very comfortable with her.

Sheppard adds they are looking for more funding for next year’s Youth Program.

Life Skills Instructors

The Life Skills Instructors on the North Coast are keeping busy these days with their students.

We spoke to Nancy Barfoot, the secretary for Amos Comenius Memorial School in Hopedale.

Barfoot says there are three life skills instructors and they are Ben Winters, Thomas Tuglavina and Doris Boase.

She says the instruc
tors teach students from K-9. They make mitts, dream catchers, coats and Kamutiks.
Barfoot adds, once the students are finished with their crafts they take it home.

We also spoke to Blanche Winters, one of the life skills instructors at the John Christian Erhardt Memorial School in Makkovik.

Winters says she teaches Grades 4-9 students and they make slippers, mitts, dream catchers, pictures, key chains and do embroidery as well.

Winters adds once the students are finished with their crafts they also take it home.

In Rigolet, the Northern Lights Academy; we spoke to Wendy Pottle who is the Secretary for their school.

Pottle says Ruth Pottle is the life skills instructor for the Rigolet school.

She says the students make dickies, uppiks, they knit, do bead work and embroidery and they are ready to start caribou tufting as well.

Pottle says, once the students are finished with their crafts, they display their items and take them home as well.

Pottle adds the students go out for boil-ups, snowshoeing, and do cooking as well whenever the weather is good.

Labrador Winter Games Update

There are just 10 days remaining for the Labrador Winter Games to be held in Happy Valley on March 7th - 13th.

The Nain athletes for the 2010 Labrador Winter games are still in the process of fundraising.

Reggie Maggo is the coordinator for the Nain Team this year.

Maggo says they are now selling tickets on donated items to raise more money for the athletes.

These donated items are: an Inuit drum donated by Simon Kohlmeister, a 2010 LWG jacket donated by Labatt Brewery, Nalcor products donated by Nalcor Energy and a long sleeve shirt and a Torngat book donated by parks Canada.

All items are being sold by team members; the tickets are $2 each or 3 tickets for $5. Tickets will be drawn on Wednesday March 3rd.

He says the team is meeting today February 24th at the Nain husky Centre; all athletes must attend.

Maggo also adds that the team will be heading out to Goose Bay on March 6th.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Martin Martin's Writings

With the Moravian Church in Nain, having just recently had their church anniversary festival day, on February 19th.

The OKalaKatiget radio producers thought it might be a good idea to read once again from Martin Martin’s writings.

Martin writes about how missionaries first started to arrive to Labrador in the 1770’s.

Glenna Tasedan's Ordination

The Moravian Church in Labrador hasn’t had an ordained minister on the coast since Reverend Sam Propsom who left a number of years ago.

But that changed on Sunday, February 14th. Glenna Tasedan from Winston-Salem in North Carolina was ordained in the Happy Valley Moravian Church on that day. She and her husband George drove to Happy Valley from the States and arrived on Friday, February 12th.

Bishop Paul Graf who is from a Moravian Church in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin came to Labrador to do the Ordination.

Tasedan will serve out of Happy Valley but as far as she knows she will be available to travel to north coast Moravian communities if and when she’s needed. She will also be of support to Lay-leaders and Chapel-servants.

On Labrador memories this afternoon Tasedan will tell us more about her Ordination and what plans she may have in the coming years.

Labrador Friendship Centre Update

The Labrador Friendship Centre in Happy Valley Goose Bay have been very busy these days.

We spoke to Stanley Oliver, the Executive Director for the Centre.

Oliver says the Enhancement Transition Program started yesterday and this program is for single parents.

He says the renovations also started for all new sidings, windows, shingles and air conditioning at the Friendship Centre. The work will finish within eight weeks on March 31st.

He says the plan for Young Girl’s Day has started. The snow clearing program for seniors is still on-going.

He says they have meals for people who are in need every second week. The family centre will have a women’s day this coming Thursday as well.

Oliver adds they are starting to plan for programs for the summer.

VANOC Update

Morrall Blake is currently out in Whistler, B.C. as a Volunteer for the Olympics.

He has been sending us updates via email about what he’s been busy with during the Games.

Blake says since our last update he has been the escort for Olympic Gold Medalist for the Women’s Skeleton, Amy Williams of Great Britain.

He also has had the pleasure to meet Jon Montgomery of Canada! Olympic Gold Medalist for the Men’s Skeleton.

He has seen the band ‘Stereos’ perform in the control room, but didn’t have the opportunity to be acquainted.

Blake says that he had to escort the young men cross country skiers to an interview, as well.

He adds that the skiers had set some sort of Canadian Record.

That is all Blake had for us this time, but keep tuning into OKâlaKatiget radio for further updates of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver!

Girls' Day Update

The first girl’s day meeting was held in Nain yesterday Monday February 22nd 2010.

Katie Solomon is the Captain for the Nain Young Girl’s day celebration.

Solomon says she is planning another meeting tomorrow Wednesday February 24th 2010 at the Community Hall at 3:30.

She says 10 girls attended the meeting. There are 3 new comers.

There is a fee for the first timers of an amount of $15 and the other have to pay $25. All proceeds go to food and prizes for the activities.

List of items needed for the first timers: a red or pink dress, nasâtsuk/church cap, akulik, red or pink ribbon, blazer, kamiks and tights.

The 3 young ladies who are celebrating for the first time are Christa Angnatok, Lillian Pijogge, and Roxanne Andersen. The others are Elizabeth Dicker, Katie Solomon, Sandra Solomon, and Lizzie Okkuatsiak, Sarah Kohlmeister, Sherilyn Solomon, and Annie Solomon.

Solomon says she is hoping that everyone will show up tomorrow for the next meeting.

So far they have three volunteers. Sue Maggo and Kitty Flowers are the cooks and Jimmy Dyson is the pijik.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Cain's Quest Canceled

The popular snowmobile endurance race, Cain’s Quest has been canceled for this year.

We spoke with Todd Kent who is Co-chair of the race.

He says the race was canceled due to the current ice conditions along the coast.

Kent is disappointed that the race is not going ahead this year, but he feels that with the conditions of the ice, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

He will also explain what happens to registration fees now that the race is canceled among other particulars about the race.

Tune into AtjiKangitut today at 2:30 to hear more of what Kent has to say in regards to Cain’s Quest.

Polar Bear Hunt until June

The licenses for Nunatsiavut beneficiaries to hunt polar bears were open February 1st of this year until June.

The distribution of the 2010 licenses for each town in Nunatsiavut remains the same over the years: Nain….2 licenses and 1 each for the communities of Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik and Rigolet.

The guidelines for the hunt include; all hunting is to be conducted in accordance with the Order, the Wildlife Act and Wildlife Regulations.

Any license holder cannot transfer or assign to any other individual. Hunters have 3 days or 72 hours to hold the license and must have a valid fire arms license.

A polar bear of either sex can be taken,with the exception of a female accompanied by cubs or in a den and/or has satellite transmitters or radio collars.

The polar bears can be taken from Fish Cove Point up to Cape Chidley, the Northern tip of Labrador.

Successful hunter within 72 hours must have the bear skinned. Provide following specimen information to the NG within 7 days:
The skull or lower jaw residual molar-tooth taken from the bear, precise location, date and sex, all bears precise location seen, den sites observed during the hunt, other information and specimen as may be requested by the Regional Wildlife Biologist for Labrador.

If any holder violates the terms or conditions of the authorization or is convicted of an offence under the Order, the Wildlife Act or Wildlife Regulations will be automatically prohibited by Nunatsiavut Government from obtaining the license for 5 years from the time of violation or conviction.

A beneficiary residing outside of a settlement area who wishes to take part in the polar bear hunt, must travel to the community to which they are closely connected and place their name in the draw for that community Polar bear license.

Inuttitut Speak-Off Update

The 7th Annual Inuttitut Speak-Off will be held in Nain tomorrow February 23rd 2010 at the school gym at 7pm.

We spoke to Joan Dicker, the Inuttitut teacher for grades 4-12 at the Jens Haven Memorial School in Nain.

Dicker says there will be ten students who will participate in this event. Two students from Rigolet, Postville, Makkovik, Hopedale and Nain.

She says this is the second time that it will be held in Nain and says this event is getting bigger over the years.

Dicker says they encourage the students to take part as to maintain such a vital part of our cultural and our language.

They have a ceremony planned. The Nain brass band will be playing and they will have the Nunatsiavut anthem at the opening ceremony as well.

She says Mr. Karrie Obed will be the MC. The guest speakers will be AngajukKak Sarah Erickson and Frances Williams.

She says there will three judges, John Jararuse and Frances Williams of Nain and Bertha Ford from Makkovik.

Dicker adds children under the ages of ten will not be permitted at the gym. The age restriction is to prevent any disruptions to both speakers and judges, as noise levels in the gymnasium, as we all know, can at times be challenging.

First Girls Day Celebration in HVGB

The young girl’s festival day in Happy Valley Goose Bay will be celebrated for the first time in March 2010.

We spoke to Selma Jararuse, the Language Coordinator for InuKatiget UKausingit.

Jararuse says the Moravian Church did give approval for this celebration to take place at the Moravian Church.

She says the deadline for putting your name in is February 23rd 2010 for girls 15 years old and older. There are limited seats available. Jararuse says the girls will have a meeting on February 23rd from 1 to 3 PM to get an idea on what they want to do.

The first young girl’s day meeting will be on February 25th 2010 starting at 5 pm at the Labrador Friendship Center in the board room.

This Celebration will be on Sunday March 7th 2010; we advise that this celebration will be taking place the same day as the Labrador Winter Games.

She says this year the girls will meet at the LFC from10 am; then get ready to march to the 11 o’clock service at the Moravian church.

After the church service they head back to LFC for a dinner with family members and relatives.

Another church service will be at 4pm; after the 4pm service they will meet for tea and enjoy supper at the Moravian church.

Volunteers who are willing to help out can do so; Jararuse says they would really appreciate all the help they can get.

Call in now! Contact Selma Jararuse Jennie-Rose Campbell or Scott Hudson at the LFC at (709) 896-8302.

Girls Day in Nain

The Young girl’s day celebration takes place on Saturday March 6th 2010 here in Nain.

We spoke with Katie Solomon who is taking care of the celebration.

Solomon says they are having their first girl’s day meeting today February 22nd 2010 at the Community Hall at 3:30pm this afternoon.

She is looking for any volunteers who are willing to help; and this year the volunteers do not have to be confirmed in order to help.

For further information please contact Katie at (709) 922-1967

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Brigitte Schloss' 60 Years in Labrador

Brigitte Schloss is a well known Moravian Church minister living in St. John’s. Since she has been there she’s been visiting inmates in Her Majesty’s Penitentiary and patients who travel to hospital from Labrador.

It will be sixty years ago this summer when Schloss first came to Labrador from Switzerland as a teacher. During her years in Labrador as a teacher she had taught in Hopedale, Makkovik and Nain.

She was also very active within the Moravian Church and later became an Acolyte until her ordination in Nain in 1995.

Nain Moravian Church Holiday

The Moravian Church in Nain is having its Annual Church Anniversary Festival day tomorrow, February 19th.

The church in Nain was established 239 years ago in the year of 1771 but February 19th has always been a very significant festival day for the congregation.

On this day in 1776 the first Inuk who happened to be a shaman was baptised in the church. He was named Peter.

The Festival day church services will be as follows;

10 AM Festival Day Address

3 PM Love-feast for all

5 PM Inuktitut Liturgy

7 PM Holy Communion

Sikumiut Update

The weather has been very mild and it’s been raining for about two weeks now.

This may have hunters and travelers in Nain wondering about the ice conditions.

The Sikumiut Environmental Management LTD. members went out to check the ice last week.
We spoke to Gus A Dicker who works with Sikumiut.

Dicker says the ice is dangerous to travel on because the ice is very thin and soft.

He traveled with Ron Webb to Anattalâk and Sâttusuak to check the ice.

Dicker adds that tomorrow or Saturday, he and Webb will go out again to do some more measurements of the ice.

English in Nain Update

We spoke to Jennifer Thorburn last week about the project she is doing in Nain for Memorial University in St. John’s.

She is conducting interviews to try and find out what makes English in Nain different from English in other parts of the Province.

Thorburn says the amount of interviews she reached was 27 interviews with youth, adults and seniors.

She mentions that the staff at the Nain Inuit Community Government office has been really nice for providing space for the interviews.

She says those who participate receive $30 cash after the 1 hour recorded interview.

She is heading back to St. Johns Friday February 26, 2010.

Interviews are taking place at the Nain Inuit Community Government’s town council building.

You can reach Jennifer Thorburn at the NICG at (709) 922-2842.

Rigoley Safe House Update

The Safe House in Rigolet will be in operation, in a couple of more weeks.

We spoke to Charlotte Wolfrey, the Chair-person of the group: Rigolet Partnership Against Family Violence.

Wolfrey says they have hired a Manager. There are jobs advertised for people who might be interested to work there; so far they’ve had three applicants.

She says they are looking for casual workers as well.

She says there’s only one bedroom right now and they have to do more renovations this summer coming.

Funding came from the Tessiujatsuak Trust Fund to operate the safe house.

Wolfrey adds she is very happy that the safe house is will be open soon because they have been waiting for a long time for this to happen.

New Name for TV Series

The Television department at OKâlaKatigêt Society held a contest since January to look for a name for the new TV series to replace Labradorimiut.

We spoke to Olivia Edmunds, a TV producer and Leah Ikkusek who is the new Executive Director for OKâlaKatigêt Society.

Edmunds says they did extend the contest for a week.

She says they received 20 suggestions from all Nunatsiavut communities including the high school and the College of North Atlantic in Nain.

The OKâlaKatiget staff and one board member from OKâlaKatiget did a polling review for the 20 suggestions which were sent in.

The top 4 remaining names were: Labrador Spirit, Labrador Adventures, The pride of Labrador and Tamânevugut: we are here.

The winning entry chosen was Tamânevugut which means “we are here” in English.

The lucky winner is May Flowers of Nain she won herself a cash prize for her suggestion.

Edmunds and Ikkusek would like to thank everyone who participated in this contest. It was a very hard decision to pick the winner.

VANOC Report

OKâlaKatiget radio still has a radio producer out in Whistler, BC as a volunteer at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Morrall Blake will be out of the office here until March while he volunteers.

He has since been assigned a foreman type position for all the drivers for the Olympics.

As well, he has been given the task of picking up and dropping off Blu-Ray recordings to and from places like the CTV Olympic Consortium control room.

Since Blake has been to Whistler, he has had to build a ‘Wall of Whistler’, this is where people who work with them post their photos and name tags; so far 108 have been posted, with much more to come.

Some big highlights of Blake’s stay at Whistler are; meeting the lead-singer of Faber Drive and getting his autograph and he has also seen Bedouin Soundclash perform as well.

Blake says right now he works from 7:45am to 8:15pm, everyday. He also says “Hi” to everyone back home.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Labrador Springy Weather

We’re still waiting for winter in Northern Labrador and we may have a long wait.

To find out more about the mild conditions we have been getting for a while, we contacted the weather station in Gander.

Herb Thoms, a meteorologist says yesterday’s weather report said, for the next 31 days, the temperature will be above normal in NL.

So by the sounds of it, we will have warmer temperatures in Northern Labrador.

Cain's Quest Canceled

The popular Cain’s Quest Endurance Snowmobile Race has been canceled for this year.

It was announced yesterday that the race with the $65,000 grand prize was a no-go.

Poor weather and ice conditions make the race too risky to attempt.

Registered drivers are given an option of having their registration fees refunded or put towards the 2011 Cain’s Quest race.

We were unable to contact Todd Kent, co-chair of Cain’s Quest by air time to get an interview, but keep tuning in to AtjiKangitut to hear what Kent has to say about the race.

Richard Rich's Power Outage

A week ago Monday, February the 8th, just before 9 am, Richard Rich’s family in Rigolet was interrupted by a loud bang.

Richard Rich says this happened while he was out and his son was at home when their television blew up. They weren’t sure what happened but they ended up having no power for over a week.

With the weather being the way it is, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro finally got to Rigolet yesterday and restored their power.

Hydro had told Rich that a ground wire on a pole connected to his house had given out.

Rich added his radio and telephone also burned out along with his television.

Other appliances like his freezer and refrigerator seemed okay.

When asked if Hydro will reimburse him for his busted radio, telephone and television, Rich said he’s been told to take inventory of what was damaged.

Rich would like to thank the people of Rigolet for all their help in washing their clothes and for their family being able to go for showers.

Festival 500 Update(Nain Participants)

Festival 500 Sharing the Voices will be celebrated on February 18 - 21 at Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Jens Haven Memorial School in Nain is hoping to send students to participate in the event.

We spoke to Chris Guindon the Music Teacher for Jens Haven Memorial School.

Guindon says they had auditions in the beginning of January; and the turnout of participants was outstanding, with 26 students auditioning.

He says after the auditions it was a hard decision to make, but out of the 26, 5 students have been chosen to attend the festival.

The students from grades 7, 8 and 10 are Katrina Anthony, Mary Andersen, Alicia Dicker, Steven Maggo and Kendra Pain.

The songs the students are practicing in rehearsals are “You Raise Me Up” and “Can You Hear Me”, as well as the Magma Honor Song.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Pancake Breakfast

Today is National Pancake Day throughout Canada and Happy Valley Goose Bay took part in the celebration.

Stanley Oliver is the Executive Director of the Labrador Friendship Centre.

He says the centre fried pancakes which they sold for $5.00, and there was a good turnout of over 200 people who came for breakfast this morning.

Oliver says Mayor Leo Abbass came for breakfast, and was joined by Federal and Provincial Representatives, Mokami Status of Women’s Group, Joe Goudie an elder, and the Military Police.

He says they are fundraising and all the proceeds go to the homeless and to support affordable housing in our Province.

Oliver says the celebration took place at the centers multi-purpose room, started at 7 am and finished at 10am.

He would like to thank everyone who came and gave support especially to those who helped out.

LWG's Update

There are 24 communities in Labrador that are attending the Labrador Winter Games in Happy Valley Goose Bay March 8th to 13th.

Cyril Brennan is the Executive Director for the games.

Brennan says the chair committee will be having a meeting regarding a back up plan for the games on Thursday February 18th 2010.

The location where the dog team races are being held, which is dangerous due to ice conditions, will be one of the topics discussed.

We will have details on the outcome of the meeting on OKâlaKatiget radio in the near future.

Arena Update

The Nain Husky Center has closed all ice activities and events at the arena.

This is due to the very mild temperatures that we have been getting for two weeks which are making the rink ice melt.

Mary Bennett is the Recreation Assistant.

She says there is just too much water at the arena, so right now all the scheduled events which include hockey, broomball, general and family skating are cancelled, until further notice.

So keep tuning to AtjiKangitut for future updates.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Arctic Voices Fellowship

Are you a young woman or young man between 25 and 35 years of age?

Well, here is a program you might be interested in:

A new program called “Arctic Voices Fellowship” is expected to start up in June of 2010.

Nancy Karetak-Lindell a former Member of Parliament for Nunavut will be directing this program out of her hometown of Arviat in Nunavut.

She says they’re looking for twelve youth from the five Arctic regions, the Yukon, North West Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut.

Youth who are of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis ancestry are strongly encouraged to apply.

Karetak-Lindell says once these twelve are selected they’ll be known as “Arctic Voice Fellows”.

In this program the youth will be given the opportunity to research and develop policy ideas that they believe will benefit their communities and the north.

Once they start in June of 2010, each youth will be paid $25,000.00 over a two year span.

Labrador Inuit at Olympic Opening Ceremonies

The Opening Ceremonies for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics took place on Friday.

There was an audience of over 60,000 at BC place and millions tuned in to watch it on their television sets.

Among the performers taking part in the Opening Ceremonies were people from Northern Labrador.

From Rigolet, Ivy Campbell, Jennifer Michelin-Elson and Kerry Pottle were there. From Hopedale, now residing in Nain, was Boas Mitsuk.

All four people were seen on television by viewers.

Mitsuk was seen drumdancing with all the indigenous youth from across the country for hours on end.

He was also seen drumdancing behind Canadian singers Bryan Adams and Nelly Furtado!

Once they all return from Vancouver, OKâlaKatiget radio will contact them for an interview for our Teen Rockers show, so keep tuning in!

Festival 500 Sharing the Voices

The Labrador Region Festival 500 is taking place on February 19 - 20, 2010 in Happy Valley-Goose Bay at the Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre.

This year the concert 500 is featuring guest performing group Cadence, with Cameo performances by members of the Lady Cove Women's Choir.

Janet Wiseman is the Chair person for the festival.

Wiseman says this year there are 6 schools from the north coast attending the Festival.

The 6 schools are from Goose Bay, Northwest River, Labrador City, Nain, Makkovik, and Hopedale, weather permitting.

There are workshops on Thursday and Friday being held at the Mealy Mountain Collegiate School.

Wiseman says they have 2 choirs this year with 100 students and 50 adults so far.

She says the workshop and dress rehearsal for adults and youth are on Saturday at 7 pm at the Lawrence O’Brien Arts Center.

Anyone who would like to register for the adult or students groups can call 896-2906.

Tickets are available at the Lawrence O'Brien Arts Center Box Office, from Monday through Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm. Please call 896-4028 for more information.

Billy Quak Memorial Hockey Tournament Results

The Annual Billy Quak Memorial Ball Hockey Tournament took place in Makkovik during the February 5th and 6th weekend.

John Andersen is the Recreation Director in Makkovik.

He says unfortunately, this year, no teams from out of town played in the tournament.

He says this year’s standings are as follows:

1st place- Niuviffiliavunga
2nd place- Silent Assassin
3rd place- The Chad

The Top Goal Tender award went to Cory Pottle, while the Most Valuable Players were Dion Voisey and Holly Andersen.

Eric Andersen Jr received the Most Sportsmanlike Player Award, while Billy Andersen received the Paul Andersen Memorial Sportsmenship Trophy and Sybella Andersen received the Billy Quak Memorial Sportsmenship Trophy.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Vale Inco NL Update

Vale Inco NL has made 4 separate offers to the United Steelworkers Union employees of the Voisey’s Bay mine site. They have been on strike since August.

Bob Carter is Vale Inco NL’s Media Relations Officer.

He says the company has been trying to negotiate with USW in an effort to find a framework that can see a resolution to the strike in Labrador.

Carter says they met and had discussions with the Union in St. John’s in January and tabled the fourth offer, but disappointingly it was rejected by the bargaining team.

He says the day after negotiations broke down the company announced their intentions to re-start operations at Voisey’s Bay.

Carter says the company is always willing to go back to the negotiating table at anytime as long as the Union is prepared to go back to the table and talk in a constructive way on all issues.

Dialysis Machine in Goose Bay

Dialysis patients in Happy Valley Goose Bay are now getting treatment closer to home through the new satellite dialysis unit at the Labrador Health center.

Allan Bock is the Communications Manager for Labrador – Grenfell Health.

He says in the past there have been many Aboriginal patients who had to move far away from home and leave their families for a long time to have this dialysis treatment.

But since the implementation of the dialysis unit, Aboriginal clients and their families in Labrador can receive the treatment closer to home and their loved ones.

We’ll have more coverage about this at a later date, so keep tuning to AtjiKangitut.

VANOC Report

The opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics are taking place in Vancouver tonight.

And lucky for us here at OK radio, we have one of our employees out there at this very moment, running around preparing the site for this very historic event for Canada.

Morrall Blake is one of our radio producers and he is in Whistler BC, volunteering for CTV.

He contacted us via email yesterday to give us an update on what he’s done thus far for the Olympics.

Blake has been escorting media crews to and from the sports sites, located at various places within Whistler.

He says that starting today, he has very long days of work, starting at 8:30 am and not finishing until 11:30 at night.

He adds that he has met some pretty fascinating people such as Jermain Franklin of TSN, as well as Michael Lansberg, the host of ‘Off the Record’.

Blake says CTV (Sponsor for Morrall to volunteer) have joined up with other TV crews to make one big media team.

Some of the TV crews he is working with are TSN, Sportsnet, and Much Music.

Blake will continue to provide us with any updates he has, so keep tuning into AtjiKangitut for further updates of the 2010 Olympics.

Hopedale Power Outage

Some residents of Hopedale experienced an unexpected power outage on February 9th.

The power outage which only affected six customers to begin with, ended up affecting 80 out of the 227 customers in the town.

Karen O’Neil is the Senior Communications Advisor with Nalcor Energy.

She says the outage originally occurred because the recloser tripped causing the first of the outages.

When this was repaired the Operator from Hopedale attempted to restore the power, but the recloser tripped again and in turn one of the diesel units would not synchronize with the one that was in good working order.

O’Neil says customers of Hopedale were asked to conserve as much energy as possible and that during the conservation, power was rotated within the community.

She adds that on February 10th, power was restored to the whole community by 5pm.

To date, NL Hydro crews were not able to make it in to Hopedale due to poor weather conditions.

Moravian Ordination

Reverend Sam Propsom was the last ordained Moravian Church minister to be stationed in Labrador. After serving out of the community of Hopedale for five years, Propsom and his family left Labrador.

Since then there hasn’t been an ordained Moravian Church minister in Labrador. But that will change after this weekend.

Paul Graf is a Bishop from the Moravian Church in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

He says he and his wife Jane along with Loren Jendron, Labrador’s representative with the Board of World Missions, are in Labrador to ordain Glenna Taseden, who comes from Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Taseden will be ordained by Bishop Graf in Happy Valley on Sunday, February 14th at 11AM. Taseden, who recently finished training to be a Minister, will serve out of Happy Valley.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Combined Councils AGM

The Combined Councils of Labrador held their 38th Annual General Meeting in Wabush, Labrador City on February 3-6th, 2010.

Nick McGraw is the newly elected President.

He says it is sad that no delegates from the North coast communities attended.

McGraw says there were many issues on the agenda, which included tourism transportation, social issues, health care, training sessions, and the future of Combined Councils.

He added even though there were no delegates from Nain, issues related to the community that were talked about were the runway, water , sewer and waste management.

Another issue discussed was the low numbers of housing on the north and south coast.

Nain Network Project Update

The scientists running the Nain Networks Project (also called Akkunaptingni meaning “amongst us”), are greatly appreciative for those who did an interview for the project.

This project involves conducting interviews with people about what networks they use to help one another on certain issues like food, jobs, housing and health.

We spoke to Kirk Dombrowski, Professor of Anthropology, and Dr. Joshua Moses the Project Investigator, both with the City University of New York

Dombrowski says they just finished their one hundred and first interview today and plan to do 300 more interviews in the community of Nain.

So far they have provided 350 coupon referrals to the people that have already had interviews, and hope to see everyone come out for an interview.

Moses adds they hope this Network project is useful to those in the community.

He also mentions that if anyone that has any suggestions to please let them know.

Dombrowski says they are leaving and heading back home to New York in Mid May of 2010.

The Nain Networks Project is funded by the Arctic Social Science Program of the National Science Foundation of the United States government.

LWG's- Nain Team Announced

There are just a few more weeks left until the Labrador Winter Games in Goose Bay.

Reggie Maggo is the Coordinator for the Nain Amaguks Team.

He says all the athletes have been chosen along with which sports they are going to participate in.

The team consists of 17 athletes participating in 11 different sports, with each athlete playing a sport in which they do best.

The sports and athletes which have been picked are:

Snowshoe Race – Patrick Webb, David Dicker Jr., Arlene Ikkusek and Emma-Rose Murphy.

Volleyball(Co-Ed Team)- Patrick Webb, David Dicker Jr., Edward Barbour, Richard Maggo, Boas Mitsuk, Kristie Holwell, Rose Jararuse, Arlene Ikkusek, Roxanne Andersen and April Andersen.

Snowshoe Biathlon- Edward Barbour and Arlene Ikkusek

Target Shooting – Russell Barbour and Kristie Holwell

Cross Country Skiing- Edward Flowers and Mary(Binky) Andersen

Northern Games- Boas Mitsuk and Rose Jararuse

Table Tennis- Boas Mitsuk and Annie Solomon

Snowmobile Race – Patrick and Katie Harris.

Badminton- Kristie Holwell

Northern Triathlon – Edward Flowers

Labrathon- Russell Barbour

Good luck to all athletes at the Labrador Winters Games of 2010.

Hearts Off to JHMS Primary

The Jens Haven Memorial School and the Primary School have been raising money in support of the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s over the past 10 years.

Mr. Healy is the secretary for the JHMS Primary school.

He says the scheduled event that is taking place for today is Cultural Day; this is when the children dress up in traditional clothing.

Tomorrow is Crazy hat day where the children decorate their own hats; and they’ll have a bake sale at recess time from 10:30 -10:50.

Later there will be a bingo game in which the children will be asked to contribute 50 cents to donate to Janeway.

They are also inviting one family member to come and play; the parent or guardian has to contribute $1 to play; a note will be sent home with the children.

In addition, baked goods will also be on sale for 50 cents each.

Ms. Ada Healy is the Grade 1teacher at the primary school.

She adds that the teachers will have a meeting to configure the schedule of events for the Janeway.

OKâlaKatiget will get a follow up tomorrow from Mrs. Irene Webb of the upcoming events.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Heritage Forum Update

Different groups and organizations representing the five Nunatsiavut Communities, Upper lake Melville, Southern Labrador and the Province were in Nain for meetings last week.

They got together for two days on February 3rd and 4th to discuss heritage related issues.

Jamie Brake, an Archaeologist with the Nunatsiavut Government attended the meetings.

He says the meetings went really well and a lot of good things came out of it.

Brake says some of the things that were discussed were; the Provincial representative Paul Dicks commending the group, and saying the Labrador communities had the expertise when it came to addressing heritage related issues.

Another thing from the forum was that they want to make this an annual event and would look for funding to make this happen. They also said they want to find money to hire a regional coordinator.

Lawrence O'Brien Arts Centre Update

The Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre has been in full swing since it opened this past fall.

Acts like Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers have performed at the Centre just recently.

Martha Macdonald is the Chair for the Eastern Labrador Arts Alliance.

She says she is very pleased with how the Centre has been running since it opened. Macdonald says she is overwhelmed with how successful the Arts Centre has proven to be.

She adds that the Labrador Creative Arts Festival and the Drama Festival will take place on February 24th to the 27th, at the same time.

The Creative Arts Festival was originally scheduled to take place in the fall but was postponed due to the H1N1 influenza.

Macdonald says it will be great to have it all the one time, making it a “Super Festival”.

She says for anyone wishing to find out what’s on the agenda for the Centre they can visit the facebook page titled The Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre or go to their website at www.obrienartscentre.ca .

North West River Interpretation Centre Update

The Interpretation Centre in North West River is having a Snowshoe Exhibition today from 1-4pm.

The Centre also has exhibitions on Sunday afternoons.

OKâlaKatiget received an e-mail from Mina Campbell Hibbs, the Curator for the Interpretation Centre.

Campbell Hibbs says anyone who would like to learn about the art of snowshoe making from Elder Joe Goudie can attend this event.

Campbell Hibbs adds there also will be Story Telling and Musical Entertainment taking place on Sunday- February 21st, 2010 from 2-4pm.

Piguttuk Family Resource Centre Valentine's Party

The Piguttuk Family Resource Center had a family evening last night to celebrate Valentine Day’s for children and parents at the center.

Frances Kalleo is the Program Facilitator for the Family Resource Centre here in Nain.

According to Kalleo, the party, which went from 6 to 8 pm, had a great turn out, with 15 parents and 18 children attending.

She says the guests enjoyed the decorated cakes, cupcakes and Jell-o that was served to them.

They had Valentine treats and door prizes for children and parents and everyone had a great time.

Kalleo is very appreciative of the parents and children who attended the family evening Valentine’s party.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Charlie Panigoniak

There’s been quite a number of Inuit who visited Labrador from the North and some who came in the 1980’s.

Charlie Panigoniak is an Inuk from Iqaluit.

He says he came to Nain and did some performing in Inuktitut.

At that time he was working with Inuit Broadcasting Corporation or (IBC.)

Panigoniak recently broadcast an NHL game for the first time ever in the Inuit Language. The game was between Ottawa and Montreal.

He says he and Annie Ford travelled to Yellowknife to broadcast the game.

Mealy Mountains National Park Announced

On Friday February 5th, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that Labrador will have a new national park.

The Mealy Mountains, which are outside of Goose Bay will be our newest addition to the Parks.

Canada’s Environment Minister, Jim Prentice and Charlene Johnson, Minister responsible for Parks Canada says the park will protect 10,700 kilometres.

Along with establishing a new national park, it has also been announced that a waterway provincial park to protect the Eagle River will also be established.

Together, these parks will protect 13, 000 square kilometers, making this the largest national park in eastern Canada.

Keep tuning into OKâlaKatiget to hear more details of the new park.

Career Work Centre

There are many varieties of resource materials and services that are available at the new Career Work Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The Centre opened March 30, 2009 and the grand opening took place in August 2009.

This is a walk in center and is open from 8:30 am-4:30 pm Monday to Friday; it is located on 163 Hamilton River Road.

Shelly Bromfield is the Labour Market Development Officer for the Career Work Centre in Happy Valley.

Bromfield says if you are a job seeker, employer, post-secondary student, labour and industry group, human resource professional, or anyone looking for career and employment help, this is where you can go.

She says the staff will work with you to best determine how your specific needs can be met.

Computers, internet access, newspapers, magazines, audio and video, and other materials that support individuals looking for labour market, work and career information are all available resources in the center.

Bromfield says services that are available through the centre include:
Work search, resume writing, career planning, entrepreneurship, life skills, and workshops on labour market trends.

She adds that they assist employers by helping them with Human Resource planning, recruitment and training.
For more information please contact the CWC at: (709) 896-8846.

Monday, February 8, 2010

No More Labradorimiut

I guess a lot of people in Labrador have heard they won’t be watching Labradorimiut anymore.

Jean LaRose is the Chief Executive Officer of Aboriginal Peoples Television Network or (APTN).

He says the Labradorimiut program which OKalaKatiget Society’s Television crew has produced over 20 years will be replaced with a new series.

LaRose says the new shows will be focusing more on youth issues but will still tell stories about Labrador.

English in Nain

Jennifer Thorburn is doing a project about what makes English in Nain different from English in other parts of the province.

Thorburn is a student at Memorial University in St. John’s. She arrived in Nain February 1st and is here until February 28th 2010.

She says those who participate get $30 cash after the 1 hour recorded interview.

Thorburn adds that participant’s names and personal information will not be shared with anyone in the community.

However, a representative from the Nunatsiavut Government will hear parts of the interview dealing with Traditional Knowledge if they talk about that.

She says she has some interviews with youth lined up already, but would also like to speak with older members of the community.

Anyone over the age of 16 and up can participate.

She would also like to speak with people in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and to elders; all they need to do is to be willing to talk to her in English.

Interviews are taking place at the Nain Inuit Community Government’s town council building.

Thorburn says she can also go to people's homes if that's easier for them.

You can reach Jennifer Thorburn at (709) 922-2313 or at the NICG at (709) 922-2842.

OTT Update

The Orientation Technology Training Program for women in Happy Valley- Goose Bay started their classes this morning.

We spoke to Suzanne Charlton who is the Community Development Coordinator for Women in Resources Development.

Charlton says there are eleven Nunatsiavut women, three Metis and one Innu who are enrolled in this program.

She says the program includes trades, electrical, carpentry, heavy equipment operator, and forklift.

Participants will also be taking Academic Math courses.

The Coordinating Instructor will be Jillian O’Brien and Wanda Michelin is the Heavy Equipment Operator.

Charlton says the students will get a certificate for First Aid and CPR as well.

She adds that she is happy that this program has started.

Long Term Care Facility Update

The long term care facility in Happy Valley, Goose Bay is still under construction.

Allan Bock is the Communications Manager for Labrador Grenfell Health.

He says the new care facility will replace the current Paddon Memorial Home when completed.

Bock says the facility will include 50 beds for the clients who stay there.

He says according to Boyd Rowe the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Labrador Grenfell Health, the new care facility is slated to open in late spring this year.

Bock says at that time the residents of the Paddon Memorial Home will be moved into the new long term care facility.

He added that Colby Construction Ltd is the main contractor for the project.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Bachelor of Social Work Program

Sandy Kershaw is the Program Coordinator of the Bachelor of Social Work
(BSW) program that’s being held in Happy Valley Goose Bay this year.

BSW program is a 3 year program which is taking place at the College of North Atlantic.

The program is composed of Inuit Students whose goal is to go back into their own communities to do social work after graduation.

Labrador Society Update

The Labrador Society in Ottawa held their Annual General Meeting on January 3rd, 2010.

We spoke to Carolyn Rompkey who is the President of the Society.

Rompkey says she was re-elected as President for another year.

She says there are ten board members who are with the Labrador Society.

According to Rompkey, they are happy to be involved with the Moravian Church in Nain, and for the first time, have donated $1,500.00 towards the restoration of the building.

Rompkey adds that their next annual dinner dance will be in May, 2010.

Daycare Dance-a-thon

The Pigutsavik Daycare Centre in Nain will be hosting a dance-a-thon for the children.

All proceeds of the dance-a-thon go to the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s.

Nicole Dicker is the Daycare Operator.

She says the dance-a-thon is held for the children every year around Valentine’s Day.

Dicker says she registered the Daycare to take part in the dance-a-thon after she received a registration package in the mail from the Janeway.

She received the pledge forms along with tattoos and bookmarks for the children who participate.

Children will be taking home the pledge sheets to get their parents and other relatives to sponsor them for the dance-a-thon.

Dicker adds that this is her 4th year registering the Daycare for the dance-a-thon.

According to Dicker, they raised 362 dollars last year, and are hoping to top that this year.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

USW Meet In Nain

This past Monday, the United Steelworkers Union (USW) met in Nain regarding the latest proposal that Vale Inco had presented to them in St. John’s a week ago.

For an update, both Darren Cove and Boyd Bussey of the USW Local Union 9508 requested an OKâlaKatigêt Society Radio Producer to meet with them for an interview.

Quick on the gun, we sent a Radio Producer to the Atsanik Lodge where the meetings were taking place to speak with USW representatives and their members.

Upon arriving at the location, we spoke with both Cove and Bussey regarding the day’s meetings and what Vale Inco had proposed.

Both USW representatives explained the details, so to hear what was said and what happened after the interview.

LSB Cold Weather Policy

Have you ever wondered “when is it too cold and when is it not” for your child to go to school? Well the Labrador School Board has a guideline that answers that.

Jacob Larkin is the Principal at the Jens Haven Memorial School in Nain.

He says when it comes to cancelling school due to extremely cold wind-chills, this is the guideline that schools on the coast follow:

When the wind-chill is down to minus 45, there is no school for Grades K-3; minus 50- no school for K-7, and when it’s minus 55, no school for all grades.

So next time it’s really cold outside and until it warms up you may hear CBC radio tell us school is closed for certain grades.

Giant's Walk

Michel Andrew, otherwise known as Giant, has started his walk for awareness of diabetes and a healthy lifestyle.

Kat Piercey is Giant’s girlfriend.

She says Giant and a few others started the walk in Sheshatshiu on February 1st.

To date there are sixteen people walking to Sept. Iles, Quebec (their final destination).

She adds that so far they have walked a total of about 100 kms.

Amongst the group of walkers are six women, two of which just joined in Goose Bay.

Also in the group is Johnny Paul Rich, the father of the late Sebestian Rich, who died in a house fire in Sheshatshiu just recently.

Piercey says Rich decided to take part in the walk because it was his son’s dream to walk with Giant.
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As of 12 noon, Giant & friends have crossed the bridge on Cartwright road.

OKâlaKatiget will continue to track their journey, so keep tuning into AtjiKangitut for further updates.

USW meets in Nain

This past Monday, the United Steelworkers Union (USW) met in Nain regarding the latest proposal that Vale Inco had presented to them in St. John’s a week ago.

For an update, both Darren Cove and Boyd Bussey of the USW Local Union 9508 requested an OKâlaKatigêt Society Radio Producer to meet with them for an interview.

Quick on the gun, we sent a Radio Producer to the Atsanik Lodge where the meetings were taking place to speak with USW representatives and their members.

Upon arriving at the location, we spoke with both Cove and Bussey regarding the day’s meetings and what Vale Inco had proposed.

LSB Cold Weather Policy

Have you ever wondered “when is it too cold and when is it not” for your child to go to school? Well the Labrador School Board has a guideline that answers that.

Jacob Larkin is the Principal at the Jens Haven Memorial School in Nain.

He says when it comes to cancelling school due to extremely cold wind-chills, this is the guideline that schools on the coast follow:

When the wind-chill is down to minus 45, there is no school for Grades K-3; minus 50- no school for K-7, and when it’s minus 55, no school for all grades.

So next time it’s really cold outside and until it warms up you may hear CBC radio tell us school is closed for certain grades.

Giant's Walk

Michel Andrew, otherwise known as Giant, has started his walk for awareness of diabetes and a healthy lifestyle.

Kat Piercey is Giant’s girlfriend.

She says Giant and a few others started the walk in Sheshatshiu on February 1st.

To date there are sixteen people walking to Sept. Iles, Quebec (their final destination).

She adds that so far they have walked a total of about 100 kms.

Amongst the group of walkers are six women, two of which just joined in Goose Bay.

Also in the group is Johnny Paul Rich, the father of the late Sebestian Rich, who died in a house fire in Sheshatshiu just recently.

Piercey says Rich decided to take part in the walk because it was his son’s dream to walk with Giant.

As of 12 noon, Giant & friends have crossed the bridge on Cartwright road.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

LIDC Meeting

The Labrador Inuit Development Corporation (LIDC) met with the Inuit Capital Strategic Trust, Parks Canada, ACOA and Nunatsiavut Government (NG) and its Tourism Department.

The Consultant of LIDC’s Tourism Board also attended.

Henry Lyall is LIDC’s Office Manager in Nain.

He says the main issue they talked about, was the summer base camp located near Saglek.

In the past, Parks Canada was in charge of the site and now wants to pull away from being the operators of the camp.

Lyall says since then, the NG has asked LIDC to take over the campsite to pilot the project for the remaining year.

Then they will look elsewhere to find any interested persons or groups to take over.

Widow's Day

Today is the Moravian Church’s traditional Widow’s day in Nain.

One of our radio producers went down to the hall this morning to record some of the morning activities during the widow’s breakfast.

We spoke with one male servant, Joshua Jack, to find out what his chores were for today.

He said he will be assisting the cooks with whatever help they need.

Mary Dicker is an elder and a widow, and we had a chance to ask her what the meaning of Widow’s day is.

We also spoke with Gordon Obed who is the Lay Minister for the Nain Moravian Church.

Stay tuned at 2:30 to hear the three Inuit talk about this celebration on your PiusituKavut show today.

Caribou Monitoring Website

Over the past year or two, the Quebec Governments Wildlife department dealt with many issues surrounding their caribou monitoring website.

Issues such as hunters killing George River Caribou that wore satellite collars, in turn, it forced them to shut down their monitoring website.

Then their Government conducted a project to re-collar the George River Caribou herd and once again opened their website for monitoring.

For the past six month, this monitoring website has been up and running somewhat smoothly.

With the ‘somewhat’, was the site once again being shut down for public viewing.

This was during the whole controversy between the Innu caribou hunting protest up on the Trans Labrador Highway.

When we spoke with wildlife biologists of the website, they allegedly said this was not because of the protest hunt held by the Innu.

But in the land of the website called Satellite Telemetry Maps of Caribou Migrations, all is good again…for now!

Now, according to the latest weekly update from January 18th to January 25th, every George River Caribou wearing the satellite collar are moving towards Natuashish.

The next update was to be posted yesterday for the week of February 1st to February 8th, but is yet to be updated.

Hopedale Fire

Early Monday morning of last week, a house fire broke out in the town of Hopedale.

Sybil Hunter & Mike Goudie were staying in the house at the time.

Thankfully, no one was hurt and both people escaped the fire without any injuries.

Although the two escaped the fire, nothing from the house could be salvaged.

Lavinia Ford is the District Assistant for the Nain RCMP Detachment.

She says she received an email from Clara Winters of the Hopedale RCMP Detachment seeking donations.

Donations requested are: men’s and women’s clothing, groceries and various household items for the couple.

What they’re looking for in clothing size for women is: 30 for pants, 8 for boots and either medium or large sized shirts.

And for the men’s: size 29 for pants, 10 for boots and medium sized shirts.

Donations for food and household items such as blankets and kitchenware are also being accepted.

The same email that was sent to Ford was also forwarded onto all of the remaining RCMP Detachments in the Labrador District.

Now as to the how the fire started, Winters says the cause is still unknown.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Caribou Monitoring Website

Over the past year or two, the Quebec Governments Wildlife department dealt with many issues surrounding their caribou monitoring website.

Issues such as hunters killing George River Caribou that wore satellite collars, in turn, it forced them to shut down their monitoring website.

Then their Government conducted a project to re-collar the George River Caribou herd and once again opened their website for monitoring.

For the past six month, this monitoring website has been up and running somewhat smoothly.

With the ‘somewhat’, was the site once again being shut down for public viewing.

This was during the whole controversy between the Innu caribou hunting protest on the Trans Labrador Highway.

When we spoke with wildlife biologists of the website, they allegedly said this was not because of the protest hunt held by the Innu.

But in the land of the website called Satellite Telemetry Maps of Caribou Migrations, all is good again…for now!

Now, according to the latest weekly update from January 18th to January 25th, every George River Caribou wearing the satellite collar are moving towards Natuashish.

The next update was to be posted yesterday for the week of February 1st to February 8th, but is yet to be updated.

Hopedale Fire

Early Monday morning of last week, a house fire broke out in the town of Hopedale.

Sybil Hunter & Mike Goudie were staying in the house at the time.

Thankfully, no one was hurt and both people escaped the fire without any injuries.

Although the two escaped the fire, nothing from the house could be salvaged.

Lavinia Ford is the District Assistant for the Nain RCMP Detachment.

She says she received an email from Clara Winters of the Hopedale RCMP Detachment seeking donations.

Donations requested are: men’s and women’s clothing, groceries and various household items for the couple.

What they’re looking for in clothing size for women is: 30 for pants, 8 for boots and either medium or large sized shirts.

And for the men’s: size 29 for pants, 10 for boots and medium sized shirts.

Donations for food and household items such as blankets and kitchenware are also being accepted.

The same email that was sent to Ford was also forwarded onto all of the remaining RCMP Detachments in the Labrador District.

Now as to the how the fire started, Winters says the cause is still unknown.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Cain's Quest Meeting

Caines Quest, the snowmobile race, is coming through Nain next month.

The Inuit Community Government is making preparations for that day.

Sarah Erickson is the AngajukKak in town.

She says a meeting is taking place at 7pm at the Council Chambers tonight to prepare for the snowmobile racer’s layover and any other issues.

Erickson adds that the committee needs about 20 volunteers.

Torngasoks New Building

Just over a year ago, we reported that the Torngâsok Cultural Centre was looking into getting a new building in Nain.

This morning we spoke with Sheldon Baikie, Deputy Minister of Nunatsiavut Governments Culture, Recreation and Tourism.

He says they just recently hired Todd Saunders, a world renowned architect, through funds received from the Tassiujatsuak Trust.

The location they are looking at is near the shoreline behind the old OKâlaKatigêt Society building.

When asked about the foundation, Baikie says it shouldn’t be a problem, because Saunders and the engineers will work around that obstacle.

No monies will be allocated for construction until the design for the new Centre is created.

Last week, Baikie and their planning group met with Saunders via teleconference and will continue to do this on a bi-weekly basis.

He concludes that next month, Saunders will be in Nain and has requested to drop by our studio with updates and more information.

So keep tuning into AtjiKangitut for the latest developments.

Diabetes Trek

There will be a Diabetes Trek held in Goose Bay starting February 8th.

The trek will go from Goose Bay to Rigolet & back.

Jenny Elson is the Team Leader in Goose Bay.

She says participants will either walk, run or snow-shoe the distance of 314 km.

To join the trek, they must sign up, they will receive a water bottle and toque.

Participants use a pedometer to count their steps and keep a journal of the distance they have walked during the trek.

Elson says funding was made possible by Health Canada and that the chances of making it an annual event depend on whether they receive funding each and every year.

She says that the first three to finish the trek will receive a prize.

Elson adds that prizes will be related to promoting a healthy and fit life style.

The trek will go on until April 4th.

Widow's Day in Nain

Tomorrow February 2nd is widow’s day in Nain.

We spoke to Margaret Obed who is the AngijukKâk and her assistant is Maria Ikkusek.

Obed says there will be twelve or thirteen widows celebrating their day at the community hall.

She says Sue Maggo and Alice Harris are the cooks, and the female servants are Maggie Okkuatsiak, Gordina Obed, Kitura Solomon and Elizabeth Obed.

The male servants are Joshua Jack, Joe Solomon and Paul Obed.

Obed mentions that the widows received a donation of $200.00 from Ullapitsaijet and, will ask the Northern Store and Big Land Groceries for donations as well.

She says there will be three church services, at 10am, 3pm, and 5pm.

Obed adds that anyone who has any wild meat to give to the widow’s day can go and see her at the hall, and that they would really appreciate it, Nakummek.