1,000 Inuit and non-Inuit scientists and researchers are meeting in Toronto this week to talk Arctic science at ArcticNet’s 18th Annual Scientific Meeting to share their experience, insights and learning to address some of the most pressing challenges of the Arctic region.

One of the largest Arctic research gathering in the world, ASM2022 is the hub for Arctic and northern research excellence and knowledge sharing in Canada.

Renowned researchers from all fields of northern research will showcase results, projects and lessons learned: 29 world-class plenary speakers, 61 topical sessions, 230 oral presentations and over 300 research posters. Presentations come from a range od academic, government, Northern, and Indigenous and Inuit researchers and experts.

The Canada-Inuit-Nunangat-United Kingdom research program also held their inaugural annual science meeting here during which research teams from Canada and the UK explained each of their 13 funded projects.

Those projects, located in all four regions of Inuit Nunangat, explore many topics such as lung health and housing in Nunavik, North Baffin sea ice monitoring, and how climate change is impacting mental health in Tuktoyaktuk.

ArcticNet also hosted Inuit Culture Night on Monday, where Nunavut Sivuniksavut students performed songs, told stories and demonstrated Inuit games. Greenlandic mask dancer Najattaajaraq Joelsen also entertained the crowd.

The Nain Recreation Department got some Christmas activities at the Jeremias Sillitt Community Centre.

On Thursday, December 8, seniors 65 years of age and older will be having a Christmas Dinner and a merchandise bingo sponsored by the Recreation Department, Labrador Grenfell Health, and Vale.

If any seniors require a ride to the dinner, call the Seniors’ Van line at 922-2944 before 12 noon.

There will be a Christmas Ugly Sweater Party for adults 16 years of age and older from 7-10:30pm on Sunday, December 11.

Adults will get a chance to win a meat food order valued at $800, a free bingo voucher, or cash prizes.

Prizes will be awarded for the Ugliest Christmas Sweater that could be outrageous or naughty in first, second, or third place, and for the most festive sweater with categories of Christmas, nice or traditional themed in first, second, or third.

A giant Christmas bingo will be held next week with a jackpot of $5000, $1,000 mini jackpot, and $200 a game, and 50/50 tickets for $1 each.

Cards will be sold for $100 each from 9am to 4:30pm at the JS Centre and bingo starting at 6pm.

Youth will have Mary Browns for their annual Christmas Supper on Wednesday December 14 starting at 5pm, weather permitting.

This will be for anyone up to the age of 30 years of age, and children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, you can contact the Nain Recreation Department at 922-2690 or 2691.

The Hopedale Recreation Department and DHSD partnered together for their Christmas activities this year.

Georgia Abel is the Recreation Director.

Abel says there will be a Christmas bingo next week, Tuesday, December 13.

There are prizes of an iPhone 12 mini, cash prizes, a round trip ticket from Air Borealis, and more.

Click here to see what Christmas activities the Hopedale Recreation have for their community.

Torngat Fish Producers Board of Directors attended their annual Fall meeting last week.

Keith Watts is the General Manager.

He says the agenda items included financial statements, summer fishing, and two fish plant operations in Nain and Makkovik.

Watts added that the board of directors approved the annual Christmas Hampers for each of the 5 north coast communities.

Click here as Watts talks about the fall meeting.

The Happy Valley-Goose Bay campus of the College of the North Atlantic will be offering a few different programs starting September 2023.

They are accepting applications now and if you are interested in the carpentry program you can apply now. They are expecting a large number of applications for this program so interested students should apply now.

They are not accepting applications Mental Health and Addictions for the 2-year diploma yet, however, for more information as entrance requirements, program descriptions, etc. will be available soon.

If you are interested in any of the Mental Health and Addictions program of the revised CAS Trades program, give them a call at 709-896-6300 and request the information to be sent to you.

They will have more information to follow on a couple of different trades for 3 semesters, a program similar to CAS Trades on orientation.

Demand for the Gathering Place has ballooned in the past few months.

The facility offers meals and a 30-bed emergency shelter to vulnerable people experiencing homelessness or struggling with mental health or addictions.

Executive Director, Paul Davies said the numbers related to occupancy rates and length of stay and the number of people who are turned away because they are at the capacity has changed dramatically since the spring.

Davies said since April their occupancy rate has increased from 85 to 95% while the average length of stay in a shelter, only intended for a night or two has increased from 19 to 24.

In the spring they were turning away about 16 people a month because they were full, but in the month of November that skyrocketed to 62 people they had to turn away.

Pauktuutit, Inuit Women of Canada said members of the Inuit-Crown Partnership met in Ottawa on December 1, to advance shared priorities intended to create a more prosperous Inuit Nunangat through meaningful collaboration.

Inuit leadership and federal ministers marked another milestone in that relationship through the endorsement of Inuit-Crown Co-Development Partnerships. The principals are intended to be implemented and adhered
To by Inuit and all federal partners engaged in co-development initiatives.

The principal are premised on respect and support for Inuit rights to self-determination and participation in decision making affecting Inuit and are consistent with and intended to help implement the Inuit Nunangat Policy and United Nations Declaration on indigenous people.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Honorable Mark Miller, Minister of Crown Relations and Natan Obed President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, also focused on ongoing ICPC work related to Inuit Land Claims Implementation, the implementation of the Inuit Nunangat Policy and Inuit Revitalization, members endorsed the committees Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy Implementation plan, as well as the International Inuit priorities workplace.

The ICPC advances work on shared priority areas between Inuit and the federal government. The Committee reflects a shared commitment to a renewed Inuit Crown.

The Rigolet Inuit Community Government got some plans for Christmas for their community.

Chesley Sheppard is the AngajukKâk.

Sheppard says starting this week of every Wednesday will be a ham and turkey bingo.

Last Friday, December 2nd, the community had their tree lighting, and had donuts and hot chocolate come in on the plane from Tim Hortons.

Employees of the town office will be having their Christmas staff supper on Friday, December 16.

They will have their community parade on December 17, children will be having their Christmas parties on December 22nd, and Santa will be giving out gifts to children on Saturday, December 24.

The fire brigade will also be hosting a ham and turkey bingo for the community.

There was an atigik making workshop that took place in Nain last week on Friday, November 28th.

We spoke with April Williams who was the instructor.

She recently held the workshops in Nain and Hopedale and says she will also be travelling to Rigolet and Makkovik in the new year to instruct an atigik making workshop.

Click here to hear more from Williams on the atigik making workshop.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety is kicking off a holiday fire safety campaign to provide tips on how to help you protect yourself and your family this holiday season.

Once a week during the month of December, the department will issue a Public Advisory to ensure residents keep fire safety top-of-mind as you celebrate the holidays.

As you begin to ‘Deck the Halls,’ remember that while the lights of the holiday season bring a festive and warm atmosphere to trees, boats and homes, you should take these steps to help manage lights safely:

• Purchase the appropriate lights and accessories for the job. Only use lights and extension cords designated for indoor or outdoor use in their proper setting, and ensure extension cords have a rating that meet your needs.
• Never use lit candles to decorate your tree;
• Purchase the proper clips and hangers for your lights. Avoid using nails, screws and staples;
• Inspect light strings and extension cords before use. If there is any sign of damage to the cords or light sockets, they should not be used;
• Never overload electrical outlets;
• Avoid stringing different light types together. For example, do not plug a string of new LED lights into an older, incandescent one; and
• Never pinch extension cords by running them through doorways or windows.

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