The community of Postville already did their Christmas vouchers, but the community of Hopedale will expect hampers over the weekend.

Pam Webb is the office assistant with Postville Inuit Community Government.

Webb says the office already gave out vouchers to families to get their essential foods from Sheppard’s Variety last week on Friday, December 8.

Sarah Jensen is one of the Lay Ministers with the Moravian Congregation Church.

Jensen says these hampers will be for seniors, low-income families and single mothers.

Hampers will be given out to the community on Saturday, December 16, 2023.

Sarah would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Moravian Congregation.

On Sunday, adults in the community of Nain had a Christmas Ugly Sweater Party up to the Jeremias Sillitt Community Centre (JSCC)

Adults 16 years and older had a night of games, dancing and winning prizes from 7 to 10pm.

Gwen Dyson is the After-School Program Supervisor.

There were prizes awarded for first, second and third for the ugliest Christmas sweater in the category of outrageous or naughty. First place went to Sarah Semigak Lidd, Jimmy Dyson got second and Sherry Dicker Lidd placed third.

There were also prizes of first, second and third for the Most Festive for having a Christmas, nice or traditional theme. Alice Sillitt got first place, second place went to Boas Bennett and Rose Jararuse came third.

Micheal Semigak won the ticket draw of $800 worth of frozen food or cash.

Today, Seniors in the community had their Christmas dinner up the JSCC during dinner hour.

Sarah Ponniuk is an elder who lives in Happy Valley Goose Bay. Sarah was born in Nutak Labrador.

We spoke with Sarah about her childhood and things they used to do when she was a child. She talks about what they used to do during Christmas, Advent and nalujuks.

Stay tuned to our PiusituKavut show to hear what she had to say.

Santa Claus will once again be on OKâlaKatiget Society Radio on Wednesday, December 20th, 2023 and will be from 3-4pm.

Children 12 years and under will be able to call Santa.

Children in town who wish to talk to Santa with their Wish List can call our station at 709-922-2955.

Out of town children can also call on our toll-free number at 1-855-922-2955.

Santa and his Elves are very busy at this time of the year, so, children get your Wish List ready to tell Santa what you want for Christmas.

Just a reminder to parents or guardians: children are asked to keep it short as possible, so that other children get a chance to talk to Santa.

Once again, Santa will be on OKâlaKatiget Radio on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 from 3-4pm.

Please remember to TURN DOWN YOUR RADIO when calling in.

The quick stop in nainare selling tickets for a box of goodies for $5.00 each. The winner will win a box of stocking stuffers. This is valued at $120.00

The Northern store in nain has a bingo where they win a gift card, They are also having an in-store raffle for healthy horizons, people can make a donation and get a chance to win a $250.00 gift card.

A $2.00 donation gives you a chance to wina Christmas wagon.
A %5.00 donation gives you a chance to win a Christmas stocking, and a $100.00 donation gives you a chance to win a PS5 bundle.

The clouring contest will end on December 23 at 2:00 pm, and there will be other draws at the same time.

The last bingo will be from the 20th to the 24th with a chance to win a $250.00 gift card

NDP delivering dental care that saves families in Newfoundland and Labrador around $1,300

On Wednesday, Canada’s NDP candidate for St. John’s East and party president, Mary Shortall, joined former NDP MP Jack Harris to discuss how the new NDP national dental care program will help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

The dental plan New Democrats forced the Liberal government to deliver through their Supply and Confidence Agreement is based on a motion Harris brought forward in 2021 which both Conservatives and Liberals voted against.

“No senior or child in this country should have to live in pain because the cost of dental care is too high,” said Shortall. “New Democrats know that’s unacceptable and that’s why we’ve been fighting for years to help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians get the care they need. Shamefully, Trudeau’s out-of-touch Liberals and the cut-and-gut Conservatives voted against giving Canadians dental care when our very own Jack Harris brought the proposal forward. Jagmeet Singh and the NDP didn’t give up on getting people the help they deserve and now this program is becoming a reality.

“While Conservatives are voting to cut services hardworking people need, New Democrats are helping millions of Canadian seniors, kids under 18 and people living with a disability get dental care.”

The national program will start by covering 4.5 million seniors, people with disabilities, and children under 18 who don’t have private insurance and make under $90,000. By end of 2025, it is estimated that 9 million eligible Canadians can benefit from this program. An average family could save around $1,300 per year.

“Times are tough for people. The cost-of-living remains high and Canadians need some relief,” said Harris. “Politicians like Pierre Poilievre who have had access to tax-payer funded dental care for the last 20 years have no business telling families in our province they should have to scrimp and save to get their children or aging parents the oral health care they require,” said Harris. “The dental care New Democrats have finally delivered will make a huge difference for people in this province. Because of New Democrats, families across Newfoundland and Labrador will be able to get to the dentist, save money and keep their loved ones healthier.”

For more information, please contact: NDP Media Centre: 613-222-2351 or media@ndp.ca.

The Jens Haven Memorial School will be holding their annual Christmas Concert this afternoon.

The JHMS Primary students from kindergarten to grade 3 will be having their concert at 1:30 today.

We had one of our radio producers there to record the concert.

K-3 students will be dismissed at 3pm from the Primary school.

Stay tuned to our Sugusivut show today to hear the kindergarten to grade 3 Christmas concert.

The Nunatsiavut Government is pleased to announce that data collection phase of the Qanuippitaa? National Inuit Health Survey (QNIHS) has been completed in all five Labrador Inuit communities.

QNIHS is an Inuit-owned and Inuit-determined national survey taking place in every community across Inuit Nunangat.

The design and implementation of the survey, along with the analysis, dissemination and use of its results, are intended to contribute to short and long-term changes that ultimately improve the health and well-being of Inuit over time.

A total of 574 surveys were completed in Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik and
Rigolet making up a total of 97.8 per cent of the overall goal.

The QNIHS team will now analyze the data and prepare the findings to be presented back to communities for advocacy, education, and to help improve programs.

“We are so thankful to those who took the time to complete these time consuming, tedious, and sometimes triggering surveys,” said Gerald Asivak, Minister of Health and Social Development.

“This information will go a long way in helping shape our future programs, and we are grateful to the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami for spearheading this
initiative.”

The Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership (LATP) is still accepting applications for any interested individuals for a list of eligible programs.

Keith Jacque is the LATP Executive Director.

Jacque says they are looking for an instructor to hold another camp attendant training. When they find one, they will post around the community to let people know when the training will start.

There is also a three-day exposure program that give clients an idea what an underground mine looks like and what it’s like working underground.

Stay tuned at 2:30pm in the AtjiKangitut to hear more programs with the LATP Executive Director, Keith Jacque.

The Nunatsiavut Government is holding an additional virtual public meeting on the proposed Strange Lake Earth Mining Project, for beneficiaries who might not have been able to attend the previous virtual and in-person meetings.

Beneficiaries can attend the virtual meeting via Microsoft Teams, tonight from 7pm to 9pm.

Attending the meeting does not require a Microsoft Teams account. People using a phone, or a tablet might be required to download the application.

Comments can also be provided in person or on the phone to the Community Liaison Officer at your local NG Office or by email at environmentalreviews@nunatsiavut.com. Please note that comments received in writing will be made publicly available.

If you have any questions, please contact Environmental Assessment Manager, Frederic Dwyer-Samuel at by email or call 709-899-6702