Beverly Hunter is the Regionals Elder Coordinator with DHSD based out of Hopedale.
We spoke with Hunter in regards to the Seniors Gathering that was held in Makkovik this fall.
Hunter says that they have chosen seniors from Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik, Rigolet, Goose-Bay, and the Canadian constituency.
The gathering took place in Makkovik, NL, this fall from September 24th to the 29th.
click here to find out more about the Elders gathering.
The Afterschool Program in Hopedale will begin on October 9th, 2023.
Nadine Frieda, is the new afterschool program administrator.
This program is for children ages 5 to 12, and the hours will be from 3pm to 5pm and from 6pm to 8pm.
This program is offered free of charge for working parents with children and they being first priority.
Frieda says that she will be planning activities all this week, and getting the forms ready for parents.
She is able to only take 15 children, if there is a long list, she will figure out how to accommodate if needed!
Nadine is looking forward to working with the children!
Have a chance to win a grand prize, through sending a video.
In the video, you must promote Inuktitut, using Inuktitut language, or practicing your culture.
The video must be 30 seconds, and each person who enters receives a hoodie, or sweater and your name entered in for the grand prize.
The video must be horizontal, and HD 60.
The grand prize for this contest includes a dome tent, a coleman stove, a sleeping mat, a cooler, some fishing sticks and fishing hooks.
You can email your videos to Shirley Jararuse or Robyn Martin by email:
Shirley.jararuse@nunatsiavut.com
Robyn.martin@nunatsiavut.com
You can call 709 922 2942 for more information.
This year, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was marked the third official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it is a day when we remember the victims, honor the survivors and acknowledge our children, families and communities.
We wear orange shirts to honor their stories, and we are grateful for the work Inuit survivors did to bring the light to the truths of residential schools.
Reconciliation is not just about acknowledging past wrongs, It’s about taking steps to make them right. It’s about ensuring Indigenous people are afforded the respect and dignity they truly deserve.
The OKâlaKatiget spoke with Angajukâk, Joe Dicker this morning for an update.
Dicker mentions that he managed to get some projects done this summer around the community, and gives his thanks the Nunatsiavut Government for the funding.
Dicker mentions that it is a waiting game for a response from the Provincial Government for more projects to be done throughout the winter.
The programs they had this summer was with the towns own money, they got receipts from the Nunatsiavut Government, and it’s going to run out in a couple of days, and the money that they usually gets in the fall isn’t approved for another few weeks, or maybe months, from the provincial government, for more projects in this upcoming winter.
Dicker says they are limited to materials and other items for things in the winter, so craft makings, wooden boxes, and the lumber cost money, and the approval sit awaits.
Dicker gives his deepest thanks to the Nunatsiavut Government for giving the money for wanting things done around the community.
Dicker also mentions that, the fish plant workers didn’t make enough hours, and is advising anyone who needs hours would have to call into the Town Office, and hopefully there is enough money to cover all workers, as there is only so many dollars from the funding.
September 28, 2023 – Nain, Nunatsiavut, Julie Dicker is the winner of the 2023 ITK Award for Inuit Excellence.
As the first Inuk to hold the title of School Principal in Nain, and an enthusiastic supporter of Inuktut education and physical education, Julie exemplifies Inuit self-determination in education.
Dicker is an educator and school principal at Jens Haven Memorial, a kindergarten to Grade 12 school in Nain, the northernmost community in Nunatsiavut.
Dicker completed a Bachelor of Education, and Bachelor and Master of Physical Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) and has now begun her PhD in Arctic and Subarctic Futures at MUN.
Dicker has worked for the Labrador School Board for 14 years, becoming the first female Inuk to teach physical education, first at John Christian Erhardt Memorial in Makkovik, Nunatsiavut, and then in her home community of Nain. When Jens Haven Memorial faced a two-year gap without a permanent Inuktut teacher, Julie took on the role of teaching Inuktut as well.
“Julie’s dedication and leadership serve to inspire people across Nunatsiavut and Inuit Nunangat. Her support of sports and language programs contribute to Inuit strength, wellness and pride,” said Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. “We are pleased to honour her service to Inuit.”
The ITK Awards have been presented annually for more than 20 years. With the 2023 Award, ITK is moving from a slate of many recipients, to a single individual who has demonstrated excellence in an area that contributes to Inuit self-determination.
The 2023 winner was identified by an ITK selection committee from among 39 nominations. The next ITK Awards for Inuit Excellence will be presented in fall 2024.
The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and the Inuit Circumpolar Council of Canada (ICC) held their Annual General Meetings in Nain Last Week.
President of the Nunatsiavut Government Johannes Lampe says there were many agenda items that were discussed, issues that are similar across Inuit Nunangat.
Agenda Items included, policy for health, housing, food security, transportation etc.
There was also a press release made by the Nunatsiavut Government on September 27th, 2023.
Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe expressed his utmost disappointment over the decision of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to issue an apology this past Friday in Cartwright to residential schools survivors and their descendants, many of whom are members of the NunatuKavut Community Council.
This planned apology to an unrecognized Indigenous group precedes any apology to Labrador Inuit residential school survivors and their families – despite concerns expressed to the office of Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey and Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Lisa Dempster.
click here to hear President Johannes Lampe
Splash’N Boots is a Canadian children’s music duo consisting of Nick Adams and Taes Leavitt.
Adams and Leavitt formed Splash’N Boots in 2003 as a class project while studying at Queen’s University, in Kingston, Ontario.
They are a well-known duo on the famous channel Tree House.
They are currently on tour of the 5 Nunatsiavut communities, and they arrive to Hopedale for their first stop today.
They will start their performance at 4pm at the Nanuk Community Centre.
And tomorrow, September 29, 2023 they will arrive to their second destination, Nain, to preform one of their shows for all ages, young and old at the JS Centre starting at 5:30pm.
This is a great opportunity for you and your children to get out and enjoy an evening of dancing, singing and socializing.
Crystal Allen is the Illusuak Manager, and is currently working out of the Nain’s Nunatsiavut Government Administration building.
Allen is offering a public schedule for residents of Nain, to call and book in a space to use a sewing machine.
This program will be for those who would like to sew, but do not have the equipment to do so.
You just have to provide your own materials and call in to book a space.
You could contact Crystal Allen at 709 922 2942 ext. 252 to book your spot or email crystal.allen@nunatsiavut.com
September 27, 2023 The NG released that the Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe today expressed his utmost disappointment over the decision of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to issue an apology this Friday in Cartwright to residential schools survivors and their descendants, many of whom are members of the NunatuKavut Community Council.
This planned apology to an unrecognized Indigenous group precedes any apology to Labrador Inuit residential school survivors and their families – despite concerns expressed to the office of Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey and Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Lisa Dempster.
“An apology to an unrecognized Indigenous group in advance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an insult to survivors and to Labrador Inuit. This feels like the Province is telling us they do not respect Inuit – and it exposes the deep roots of colonialism still impacting us today.”
While some students who attended residential schools were non-Indigenous (as there were no other schools available for them to attend), Labrador Inuit led the way in having an apology delivered in 2017 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal government for Canada’s role in Labrador’s residential schools system.
“Labrador Inuit played a central role in the apology from Canada and, therefore, it is only right that any apologies from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador be given to them first,” notes President Lampe. “Instead, the Province has chosen to disregard the genuine suffering and historical injustices endured by our people. This is a stark reminder of how far we still have to go in our journey towards reconciliation.”
Given her affiliation with NCC, which is not recognized as Inuit by the Nunatsiavut Government and other Inuit in Canada, and her previous long-term employment with NCC, President Lampe is advocating for Minister Dempster’s immediate removal from her role as the Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation.
“Her apparent conflict of interest raises serious questions about her ability to carry out her duties in an unbiased manner. As long as she remains in her current role, we fear that achieving reconciliation will be challenging, if not impossible. She should be removed as Minister before more harm is inflicted on the true Indigenous peoples of our province.”