The Nunatsiavut Government is extending congratulations to two employees who have been recognized for their contributions to the mining and energy sectors.

Jamie Hewlett, Regional Energy Coordinator, is the recipient of a 2022 Luminary Award (Partnership Award) presented by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Newfoundland Power.

As a key ally in Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro’s work with Labrador Inuit communities.

Jamie helps deliver projects and programs that not only save energy, but also suit the needs of the communities where they operate.

The partnership award recognizes the outstanding delivery of energy efficiency solutions, services or education by an organization, individual or not-for-profit.

Claude Sheppard, Director of Renewable Resources, is the recipient of the Canadian institute of mining, metallurgy and petroleum (CIM) Newfoundland and Labrador – 2022 Geoscientist of the Year award.

Winners are determined by the awards committee and are announced as part of the Mineral resources review conference, which is taking place in St. John’s this week.

The overall fishery in Nain and Makkovik Nain and Makkovik turned out really well despite the scallop fishery in Nain.

Keith Watts is the General Manager of Torngat Fish Co-operative in Goose Bay.

He says it was a good fishing season this past summer, and that it was a great boost.

Watts added the fish products was shipped out on the Kamutik W when the fishery completed.

And that this year they have enough smoked char till maybe March, like before.

Click here to hear Watts talk more about the overall fishery on the two north coast communities.

Two more people have died due to COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador in the last week, according to the provincial government.

One person was 80 years old or older, while the other was in their 70s.

One was living in the Eastern Health region and the other in the Western Health region.

The total deaths in the province due to the virus since the pandemic began in March 2020 is now 258.

Nine people are in hospital due to COVID-19, the same as last week and the week before, two of them in critical care.

The province is also reported 205 new cases over the last week, but the numbers don’t reflect the true prevalence of the virus, as the provincial government counts only cases found by testing done by the regional health authorities.

The Provincial Government will be providing a one-time Cost of Living Relief to all Newfoundland and Labradorians.

On October 5, 2022 the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, announced an additional measure to help residents with the high cost of living.

This one-time cheque up to $500 will be provided to residents of the province who have reached the age of 18 years old as of December 31, 2022 and who filed there 2021 tax return with an adjusted income of $125,000 or less.

This cheque, which will be provided to approximately 392,000 residents in the province.

Those with adjusted income of less than $100,000 will receive $500 and those with adjusted income between $100,000 and $125,000 will receive a partial payment ranging between $250 and $500.

No application is required.

This one-time cheque will be handed out to NFLD and Labradorians next week.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will issue cheques beginning later in 2022 to eligible individuals based on 2021 income tax return filings with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Residents who have not yet filed their 2021 tax return may do so up until December 31, 2022 to be able to receive this benefit.

For more information, please email taxpolicy@gov.nl.ca or phone 709-729-3166

A new Inn opens for Indigenous people travelling to St. John’s for medical treatment.

Indigenous people in Newfoundland and Labrador have a new place to stay when travelling to St. John’s for medical care, with the opening of the Lunar Inn on Quidi Vidi Road.

The Inn is operated by the non-profit organization First Light, whose goal is to help urban Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities alike.

With the Lunar Inn, the organization has a place for Indigenous medical patients to stay when they need to.

“It can be overwhelming to take time away from work and family at home to travel for days, weeks or months at a time.” Said Julia Andersen, the Inn’s guest services coordinator.

Patrick Nagle was well known by many radio audiences where he worked as the CBC’s Nunavut Radio Manager.

He retired after 33 years on Thursday, October 6 this year.

Nagle was interviewed by CBC about the work he did up north and else where, he was also in Nain with OKalaKatiget Society, about the time when the station was first incorporated.

Click here to hear the interview that was done by CBC last September, stay tuned won’t you.

The Inuit Community Government in Nain and Hopedale are looking to recruit a Labrador Winter Games Coordinator to train, select and manage their team according to your community.

These positions are on a volunteer basis.

The 2023 Labrador Winter Games will be in Happy Valley Goose Bay from March 12-18, 2023.

Duties include:
Train athletes for mandatory and optional events
Fundraise for necessary expenses
Participate in planning meetings with the LWG Committee and your team
Select athletes for competition
Travel with athletes to the games
Support athletes during the games

Each participate must have an acceptable Certificate of Conduct and participating in the Labrador winter games in the past is an asset

Anyone in Hopedale can call the town manager, Christine Foltz-Vincent at the town office by Friday, November 4 and call 933-3864

For Nain, anyone can apply in writing or to find more information by the Town Manager, Benigna Ittulak at the Nain Inuit Community Government by Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 922-2842.

The Provincial Government to replace St. Clare’s Hospital.

Premier Andrew Fury announced today, that the provincial government will a new hospital and replace St. Clare’s in St. John’s.

While the site of the new hospital has not been finalized, the site of the former Grace Hospital is being considered.

Consultations will be engaged this fall to begin the planning.

Recognizing the childcare challenges faced by health professionals, partly with shifts during irregular hours consideration for early learning and childcare services resources will be part of the planning process for the new hospital.

The replacement is in addition to the construction of the new adult mental health and addictions office, that is currently under construction at Health Science Centre. The new Mental and Addictions hospital is expected to be complete in late 2024.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure also issued a tender earlier this year to improve and expand the emergency department of Health Science Centre on the development of 2,230 square feet meters of the current space and the construction of the new 2,690 square meters of extension.

The new infrastructure will help realign the delivery of the acute care services on the Northeast Avalon, increase access to healthcare and ensure the appropriate infrastructure is in place to meet the healthcare needs.

Courtesy Eastern Health.

The Nunatsiavut Government is planning to build a new certified airport for the community of Nain.

An information session on the project will be held tomorrow Wednesday, November 2nd this year at the NG Administration boardroom from 6:30-8pm.

The new airport will replace the existing infrastructure that is currently under stress from the impacts of climate change.

Studies have determined that the existing runway is unsafe and cannot be expanded or upgraded.

This project is presently at the stage of feasibility studies, which are expected to be completed by June 2024.

A total of 12 feasibility studies will be conducted, of which three have been completed.

This information session will provide a brief presentation of past, current and future studies completed around the project and will allow time for the public to ask questions.

There have been quite a few issues raised in our communities along the coast.

Lela Evans is the MHA for the Torngat Mountains District.

She says one of the things that she’s been working on is the online courses in our school system.

She recently attended a protest at the Nain Jens Haven Memorial School along with some parents in the community.

Evans adds that issues happening in our communities have a lot to do with our mental health.

Click here to hear more from MHA Evans on the issues she’s been dealing with.