On the first day of February, the Moravian churches remained closed due to COVID-19 and all traditional festive days were aired on OK Radio.

February 2nd, the polar bear hunting season opened with 12 bears to be harvested; 3 each in Nain and Hopedale, and 2 each in Postville, Makkovik, and Rigolet.

February 8, the Jeremias Sillitt Community Centre and Nain Husky Centre opened its doors for programs and activities after the community being on lockdown.

February 10, rabid foxes were roaming the communities of Nain and Hopedale.

February 14, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald announced that restrictions were loosening in the province where capacity limits were increased to 50 percent and there was no longer a formal alert level system.

February 15, one of Sikumiut members stated that the ice had formed at 2 and a half feet over the winter and Christmas holidays.

Also on the same day, the girls had their first meeting for their Young Women’s Traditional Day which was planned for March 6th, 2022.

February 18, online organ classes were being held for the North coast communities by Professor of Music at MUN, Tom Gordon.

February 22, the Federal Government announced $300,000 in funding to help address homelessness in Goose Bay, $200,000 was provided to NG to support the emergency shelter, and $100,000 went to the Labrador Friendship Centre to complete gaps in services required.

February 27, the Nain Moravian Church held a new graveyard blessing; there were 10 members from the church that attended, prayers were read by the Lay Minister, the four corners of the new graveyard was blessed, and closed the event with a hymn called, “Sivolilaurit”.

February 28, NL took on another step in easing COVID restrictions where capacity limit went from 50 percent to 75 percent, gatherings went from a limit of 20 to 25, dance floors were permitted, and all border restrictions were dropped.

Here are some ways you can remain safe during the New Year’s celebration:

– If you’re going out, please remember to dress according to weather conditions
– Remember to turn off your Christmas tree and lights
– Remember to turn off your stove
– Don’t leave candles unattended
– Keep food stored in proper containers and refrigerated, when in doubt throw it out
– If you are going out to celebrate, please don’t drink and drive. Have in place a designated driver.

Wishing you all a wonderful safe and prosperous New Year!

Registration forms for Nain Minor Hockey are now available if any youth would like to sign up.

They can be picked up at the Nain Husky Centre from 1-5pm or 6-9 pm Monday-Friday.

Any children that need hockey gear or want to swap their old gear, you can also drop by the arena with the times listed above.

If you have questions or concerns, you can call William Flowers at the Nain Husky Centre at 922-2879.

Today, Friday, December 30th, 2022 is the last day of the year that OK Radio will be on air from 1-3pm.

OKâlaKatiget Radio will be airing the Memorabilia Service, Taiguivik in Nain tomorrow, December 31st at 7pm.

We will also air the 2023 New Years Church Services at 10:30am and 5pm closing service, Suraisiut.

OK Society will be closed on Monday, January 2nd for New Years holiday, and will be back on air on January 3rd to January 5th with regular shows from 1-4pm.

On Friday, January 6, Nalujuit Day, we will once again be off the air but will air the Church Service at 10am and 5pm, Closing Service.

We will be back to regular work hours on Monday, January 9, 2023.

There will be a New Year’s Eve Dance on Saturday, December 31st starting at 7pm at the Jeremias Sillitt Community Centre, featuring the Beardos (tentative).

There will be a door prize of an Apple iPhone 14 for adults 13 and up, and a door prize of a Firestick tablet for children ages 12 and under, and the draw will take place at 9:30pm

Hotdogs/juice will be served, and cash prizes of $100, $50, and $25.

Top hats, tiara’s, caps, horns, noise makers, leis, and glow supplies will be given out to the first 100 people.

Fire works to follow at 12 midnight sponsored by the Recreation Department / Nain Volunteer Fire Department.

Come and enjoy a night of dancing & games for the whole family.

For more information contact Recreation Department at 922-2690/922-2691.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety continues its ‘Tis the Season to Practice Fire Safety campaign, providing tips on how to protect yourself and your family this holiday season.

The holidays are known as ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ and sharing in cooking and baking makes it that much better.

Safe practices while cooking this holiday season include:

• Keep anything flammable at a safe distance from sources of heat;
• Do not leave your stovetop or oven unattended when in use;
• Use a timer to help you keep track of your cooking or baking;
• Do not cook if you are impaired by alcohol or drugs;
• If using a deep fryer, only use a thermostat-controlled fryer to ensure the fat doesn’t get too hot;
• Always use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire. Never use water;
• When choosing a fire extinguisher, look for the label of an independent testing laboratory such as ULC or UL. A multi-purpose extinguisher for class A-B-C- fires is a great choice;
• If food catches fire in your oven, turn off the heat and ensure the oven door remains closed;
• Keep a lid nearby when cooking in case it is needed to smother a very small grease fire. Cover the pan, turn off the stovetop, don’t move it and leave it alone until it cools; and
• If you have any doubt, get out, stay out and call 911.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety wishes all residents a safe and happy holiday season.

Here is the year end review for January 2022:

On January 9, the Nunatsiavut Government discouraged all non-essential travel to, from and between Labrador Inuit communities.

January 12, Newfoundland and Labrador reported 502 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

January 13, the federal government announced that it has secured an additional 20-million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine against COVID-19.

January 17, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, advised that the province will remain in the modified Alert Level 4.

January 18, the Ground Search and Rescue members in Postville measured the newly formed ice around their community and measured from 9-14 inches.

January 20, K-12 students, teachers and staff return to in-person classes on Tuesday, January 25 and rapid tests were to be used before heading into school.

January 21, Public Health is making changes to a number of isolation requirements to coincide with the return to school, and isolation requirements have also been changed for travellers entering the province.

January 25, Men’s Traditional Day, Widow’s Day, Married Couples Day, and Young Women’s Day were postponed due to COVID-19 that occurred in Nain.

January 26, the Nunatsiavut Assembly held their first virtual sitting in Nain.

January 27, the Nunatsiavut Government announced that a small number of visitors at a homeless shelter in Happy Valley-Goose Bay have tested positive for COVID-19.

January 28, NLVaxPass and NLVaxVerify apps were required for individuals to view their proof of vaccination for travel.

People throughout central and coastal Labrador have been grappling with warmer than expected temperatures this year, and Environment Canada warns this is looking like the new trend.

Holwell, manager of Nunatsiavut Operations with SmartICE, said so far this year, he hasn’t seen the signs of freeze-up.

An Environment Canada researcher says this warmer start to winter is a double whammy: a product of both climate change and a warm air system currently settling across eastern North America.

“This specific event is just a response to the atmospheric circulation at the moment. It’s just kind of pumping this warm Atlantic air, keeping it over eastern North America,” said Chris Derksen, a research scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The warmer system means higher day-to-day temperatures on top of the long-term warming of climate change.

When it comes to the sea ice, Derksen said “land-fast” ice forms and grows off the coast of Labrador and joins with ice plates that form in the Davis Strait area off Baffin Island. The Davis Strait ice is forming well this year, but so far there’s no land-fast ice yet, he said.

Holwell is also taking more precautions himself and recommending others do the same. He said people have faster snowmobiles than in previous decades and are taking more risks on the sea ice as a result.

Story courtesy of CBC News.

The Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development is planning a trip to the coast of Labrador to discuss housing needs in the region.

John Abbott, who’s also the Minister responsible for NL Housing, acknowledges the special housing needs in the area.

The cost of construction is astronomical compared to the rest of the province, due largely to the coast of bringing in materials and the relatively short construction season.

Abbott plans to visit the region shortly after Christmas to meet with the Nunatsiavut Housing Commission and others to discuss their needs and what role NL Housing can play.

OKâlaKatiget Radio will be airing the third recorded Christmas greetings from a few elders and businesses.

Click here to hear our respected elders from Nain, President of ITk, Natan Obed, and a few more.