On Dec. 6th, the Cree Nation Government voted in favour of a ban on Cree hunters harvesting caribou of the George River Caribou Herd.
The Nigivik Centre held their first Mitt making workshop in Nain on Dec. 10.
Anne Budgell a re-tired CBC journalist released her new book called, “We all expected to die” on Dec. 11.
On Dec. 12, John Pisapio, who is the Senior Wildlife Biologist and works with the Resources Wildlife Division, held a George River Caribou Information Update Presentation in Nain.
The MV Astron and Northern Ranger made their final run up the coast to the communities in Nain on the week of Dec. 3-7.
On the weekend of Dec. 8 and 9 OKalaKatiget Society’s phone lines were down which caused no connection anywhere except by OK’s website and email. Eventually on Dec 13, two temporary phones were hooked up in the building where one of the Bell Aliant crew happened to be in town. The phone number 922 -2896 in the receptionist area worked well for people to call throughout this ordeal up to today.
On Dec. 10, the Inuit Tuberculosis Elimination Framework was released by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami as a next step in ongoing efforts to address staggeringly high rates of tuberculosis (TB) among Inuit living in Inuit Nunangat.
On that same day, December 10, the Federal Government announced changes to the Nutrition North Canada program that involved updating its list of subsidized food and increasing subsidy rates, including a targeted subsidy towards frozen fruits and vegetables, milk, infant food and infant formula.
Also on Dec. 10, the Vale Newfoundland and Labrador issued a shipping notice to the public that the summer shipping season for 2018 in Edwards Cove was completed.
On Dec. 11, the Quebec Government finally responded to calls from Indigenous Groups in Northern Quebec and closed the sports hunt of Leaf River Caribou that was effective February 2018.
Adamie Delisle Alaku who is the Makivik’s Vice-President of Environment, Wildlife and Research and who sits on the Roundtable said that the herd that once numbered more than 760,000 have shrunk fewer than 9,000.
A census carried out this summer 2018 estimates the herd is at 5,500 animals, a 38% decline from 2016. The results came back a shock.
Tony Andersen, who is the Land and Natural Resource Minister announced that the Nunatsiavut Government is pleased to see Indigenous Groups from Quebec agreeing with our Government’s call for a ban on all harvesting of the George River Caribou Herd on Dec. 17.
On Dec. 19, on behalf of their many clients, PAL airlines celebrates the spirit of generosity giving back to the communities they serve.
This year they donated $25,000 to local organizations that will directly benefit from the contribution and will support the betterment of the respective communities.
Also on Dec. 19, Randy Edmunds is the Member of House of Assembly (MHA) for Torngat Mountains District, spoke about the issues that he was working on during the meetings at the House were establishing winter trails extension, proposals for Medical Air Services for Medivac flights, more funds for Community Enhancement Programs, and a new airstrip for Nain.
On Dec. 20th, the TaKuaKautik food bank held their first distribution at the Nigivik Centre.
On that following day, Dec. 20, William Lucy who is the coordinator of Torngat Regional Housing Association announced that 3 of 4 homes were completed in Nain and Hopedale. In Rigolet, 1 out of the 3 new units was completed, one new home was completed in Makkovik, and most of the repairs on the homes were completed in Postville.
On Dec. 24, the 26th Annual Candle Light Service took place again in St. John’s.