The Nunatsiavut Government’s Nanilavut project has received funds to create gravesite/park plaques in locations outside and within Nunatsiavut for those that went away for Tuberculosis (TB) treatment, and never returned to their home communities. The plaque will be based on a concept design by the chosen artist.

Nanilavut’s primary goal is to help bring closure and begin the healing process, for Inuit families (and communities) who have been searching for lost loved ones from the TB epidemic of the 1940s-1960s.

Interested artists can submit a proposal to Nanilavut project manager, Cathy Ford, by email to cathy.ford@nunatsiavut.com.

Proposals must include:

• Artist name/s, location and contract information
• Plaques information, such as dimensions, materials used
• Concept/background story for the design of the plaque
• Any images or drawings of proposed work that would go on the plaque
• Any words that you would like on the plaque
• Artist fees for design and any expenses related to the work

Location and plaque specifications:

• Various communities such as: St. Anthony, Cartwright, Goose Bay, North West River, and the communities in Nunatsiavut
• Plaque and base will be displayed outside
• Dimensions and size of the plaque will be up to the artist
• Ability to work alone, or with a group
• Nunatsiavut Government Nanilavut will erect the base for each of the plaques

The deadline for proposals is extended to August 23, 2022.

The first annual William Tuglavina Memorial Volleyball Tournament will begin this week.

Kendra Winters is one of the organizers.

The tournament will start on Friday, August 12th, 2022 at the Nanuk Community Centre.

The teams will consist of a minimum of four players and a maximum of seven, with a fee of $20 per player.

Wednesday, August 10th is the deadline to register your team for the tournament.

Last week, some harbour seals in the Bas-St-Laurent region of Southern Quebec, have been found to have tested positive for avian influenza virus (bird flu).

The seals were breeding on islands with many sick and dead eider ducks infected with avian influenza. No bird deaths due to avian influenza have been reported in Nunavik, so the risk of seals getting infected here is low.

Although, it is extremely rare, humans can get infected with bird flu from animals.

Report any cases of dead birds or birds presenting strange behavior, twisting of the neck or difficulty moving and for seals, report unusual behaviour, uncommon death or sickness.

You can contact Barrie Ford or Géraldine Gouin at the Nunavik Research Centre at (819) 964-2925.

Take precautions when handling bird.

Environment and Climate Change Canada officials are investigating reports of dead and dying seabirds showing up in a number of locations along the northeast coast of Newfoundland and parts of Labrador.

Department officials says while the exact number of affected birds is not confirmed, reports from tens to hundreds at various locations.

Reports of dead or dying turres and dovekies have been received from Southern Labrador including Mary’s Harbour and some unconfirmed reports from Black Tickle.

More birds have been reported in the area of White Bay including Seal Cove and Hampton and along the northeast coast from Fogo Island, Twillingate, Dead Mans Bay and Cape Freels.

The Department said it will take several more weeks to conduct the necessary test to determine the what’s killing the seabirds. Samples are being sent to outside agency labs to narrow down the potential cause of deaths.

In the meantime, the department is advising dead, injured or sick seabirds should not be touched and should be immediately reported to the Wildlife Emergency number at 685-7273.

The Artist Studio in Nain is open to the public with only a knock on the door.

Lucas Terriak is the owner of the studio.

He says the studio is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for anyone who would like to craft or carve.

Terriak adds that he will do what he can to help others.

Click here to hear more from Terriak on the Nain Jewelry Studio.

The Aqpik Jam Music Festival is the largest music festival in Nunavik.

After 3 years of the spread of COVID-19, it will finally be going ahead in Kuujjuaq.

It is held during the second week of August to coincide with the ripening and harvesting of the wild berry called Aqpik.

The festival lasts four days with a full-slate of performances every evening from 7:30pm to early in the morning.

The music festival will be starting next week, Tuesday, August 9 until the 12th, 2022 and will be held at the Kuujjuaq Forum.

It is a special opportunity for many Northern musicians to perform for the public, one of them this year being the Flummies.

To name a few, William Tagoona will be performing, as well as Riit, Kathy Snowball, and Elisapie Isaac.

In addition to nightly concerts, day-time activities are organized during Aqpik Jam.

Each year, for example, there is an aqpik berry-picking contest to see who can pick the most berries. That special person is recognized with a trophy and holds exclusive berry-picking bragging rights for the following year.

Other day-time activities include a canoe race, as well as golf, dart, cribbage and poker tournaments. A community feast is also held every year at some point during the week’s celebrations.

OKâlakatiget Society has contacted each of the coastal community freezers along the coast to see what they have in their community freezers.

The Nain community freezer has Seal meat, Fish, and Partridge.

The Hopedale community freezer has caribou meat, Musk Ox meat, caplin, premium plus crackers, gold fish, and tea bags.

The Postville community freezer has salmon, and cod.

The Makkovik community freezer has char, and smoked char.

It has been a week since the community of North West River have been celebrating their Come Home Year for 2022.

Melanie Blake is part of the organizing team.

Today, Friday, August 5, elders 50 years of age and older can go to the Community Centre at 2pm to have some teatime.

Adults 19 years of age and older will have a dart tournament tonight at the Community Centre starting at 7pm.

Tomorrow, Saturday, August 6, the community can go to the Lester Burry Memorial Park for the Folk Festival and “Come Home and Craft” Marketplace and Vendor Exhibit from 12 noon to 9pm.

There will also be a contest for the “Best Raspberry Pie in Northwest River” at the park, with judging starting at 4pm.

On Sunday, August 7, the closing ceremonies for the Come Home Year will begin at 6pm until 9pm at the Community Centre.

Pauktuutit, Inuit Women of Canada says Inuit women have both the right to access the right to choose.

The government must uphold these rights and enable the return of traditional midwifery practices to Inuit communities.

The return of sustainable and traditional Inuit practices and education programs is one of Pauktuutit’s top priorities.

It’s your right! – Contact your elected representatives at all levels of government and ask for the return of midwifery services and education programs in your community.

Also, Pauktuutit want to hear from you.

Take the National Inuit Survey to share your perspectives on cannabis and its use in the communities.

Complete the survey for your chance to win a $50 gift card at www.surveymonkey.com/r/inuitcannabissurvey.

AnânauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women’s Association would like to welcome everyone in the one-time event “For the love of Grace” show.

This show is a Tap, Contemporary, & Drum dance show in memory of Grace Voisey.

We spoke with Salome Jararuse who is the Project Lead for this event.

She says the first performance will be held tonight August 5, in HVGB at the Lawrence O’Brien Art Center at 7:30pm.

Jararuse adds they will be travelling to the north coast this Monday to perform.

Click here to find out more about this one-time event in memory of Grace Voisey.