The first week for the participants of SmartICE is complete.

Rex Holwell Jr. who is the Northern Production Lead manager for the Nunatsiavut operations in Nain.

He says that this week they went through employment training, communication skills, computer efficiency, Quad Drangle, and social learning.

Holwell says that this cohort is for four weeks, and if the participants would like to continue after the four weeks is completed, they can decide to start building Smart Buoys for another two weeks.

With the rest of the weeks coming, they will focus on: First Aid training, online courses, a one day presentation with various companies about career paths.

Companies will include Labrador Aboriginal Training Program, College of the North Atlantic, and Trades NL.

Ever wonder what a beluga sounds like? Or a ringed seal? Wondering what marine mammals swim in our waters?

The Nunatsiavut Research Center in Nain will have a drop-in event on Saturday, September 23rd from 1-4pm at the Nunatsiavut Research Center.

Eva hidalgo-pla, Researcher with Scripps Institute of Oceanography, will share the exciting sounds they’ve picked up on their underwater microphone over the past two years.

This event is for all ages, and snacks, refreshments, even prizes are to be won.

OKâlaKatiget Radio reached out to the Coastal Department of Health and Social Developments for events for the remainder of September.

Gemma Pottle is the Mental Health and Addictions Worker in Makkovik.

There was an event set to begin on Friday, September 22nd starting 5pm for Take Back the Night, but due to unforeseen circumstances the event is postponed until sometime next month.

DHSD will have a walk and a fire pit to support Take Back the Night.

Marshmallows, wieners, sandwiches, smores and beverages will be provided along with gift prizes to be won.

We will contact the Makkoviks DHSD for updates on this event once it becomes available.

The Labrador Friendship center in Happy Valley Goose Bay will be holding a Men’s Connections group.

This will be held this Saturday September 23, starting at 8 to 11 pm location at the Labrador Friendship center.

There will be games and grub they will have multiple games to play and some snacks to enjoy.

This men’s group is scheduled for October and is yet to be released.

They will be holding a UFC fight night come out to watch some UFC and join in on the fun, this is open to all men and gender diverse individuals.

For more information you can contact Shane Earle, 709-896-8302 ext.: 205.

There will be prizes to be won.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is the National Representative Inuit Organization in Canada, and they will be traveling to Nain next week.

We spoke with Patricia D’Souza who is the Director of Communications for ITK.

They are traveling to Nain to hold their annual general meeting and they will also be handing out Canada Goose fabrics and lining and threads, coyote fur buffs and everything you need to make your own parka.

She adds that ITK will be holding a community feast serving caribou, this is open to the public of all ages.

Click here to find out more information about ITKs AGM.

The Department of Health and Social Development in Makkovik has a Sisters in Spirit event taking place next month.

On Wednesday, October 4th starting at 4:30pm there will be a walk, fire pit, and a supper. The fire pit will be lit to roast wieners and marshmallows; there will also be soup and sandwiches available through the window.

Per event you can get your name entered to get a chance to win prizes. You can place a red dress or shirt in your window or out by your house, and you can also post a candle or light on your window than you can post a photo in the comments under the Facebook Page, Makkovik DHSD Community Events.

If you have any questions please call Gemma Pottle at 709-923-2297.

Postville Nunatsiavut Department of Health and Social Development will be presenting a Child Development Program.

This will run from 1-3pm, twice a week, Monday’s and Wednesday’s, starting October 16, 2023.

This program will be for children ages 3-5 years of age, and your child must be potty trained to attend.

This will be the perfect place to play, learn and grow for your children.

For registration, or further information, you could call Glenda Sheppard, or Kayla Andersen at 709 479 9842.

September 26, 1943, John Broomfield (originally from Big Bay-between Davis Inlet & Hopedale), Gilbert Saunders (originally from Davis Inlet) and Thorwald Perrault (originally from Makkovik) settled with their respective families along the shoreline of the Hamilton River in a place that they initially called “Refugee Cove” and later “Hamilton River Settlement” and later would be known as “Happy Valley”.

80th Anniversary Celebrations Happy Valley Day will be held on September 23rd, 2023.

At 1pm there will be greetings from the mayor. 1:30 the Silver Wolf Band will be playing. There will also be a guest speaker, Joe Goudie.

There will be various activities including how to make your own seal skin keychains sponsored by MSWC. Drum demonstration by NDHSD. Scavenger hunt by Safe Alliance. Them Days slideshow.

Door prizes include a return trip with PAL airlines, and you must be present to claim the prize, draw will be at 5pm.

Here is an update with the Community freezers on the North Coast.

In Hopedale they have Caribou, Musk ox, Char and Cod in their community freezer.

Hours of operation is run from 9am to 12 noon and 1pm to 4:30pm.

Location is at the Hopedale Inuit Community Government.

In Postville we spoke with Tanya Osmond the Chief of Administrative Officer at the Postville Inuit Community Government.

Osmond says right now they have some char in their community freezer.

And hours of operation are run from 8:30am to 12 noon and from 1pm to 4:30pm.

She adds in their food bank they are regularly restocked, and right now they have ground beef, porkchops, chicken legs, burger meat, bread, fries, they also have Dry goods such as flour, can goods, milk, juice something for children, puddings.

At the Rigolet ICG in their community freezer they have no supplies now, but they plan to restock in the next couple weeks.

We will have another update for the Nain and Makkovik community freezers once it becomes available.

Today is day 3 for the Nunatsiavut Assembly sitting in Hopedale, Nunatsiavut.

Minister of Health and Social Development, Gerald Asivak gave his statements in yesterday’s sitting, speaking on Mental Wellness and Healing, and also Family Services.

Click here to hear the audio recording of Minister of Health and Social Development, Gerald Asivak’s statements