Nunatsiavut Government offices are closed today Monday, March 28, as Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Association mark the 47th anniversary of the Labrador Inuit Association.

First formed in October 1973, the LIA was officially recognized on March 26, 1975. On December 1, 2005, the LIA transitioned into the Nunatsiavut Government, following ratification of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement.

Referred to as LIA Day, March 26 each year is a designated statutory holiday – a time to pay homage to previous Inuit leaders and the work that was done leading to the formation of the Nunatsiavut Government.

Today, Newfoundland and Labrador have forty people that are now in hospital due to COVID-19, an increase of seven in the past few days. That’s the highest number of hospitalizations at any one time since the pandemic began. Seven of those who are in hospital are in critical condition.

Two more people have died from the virus.

There are 248 new confirmed cases of the virus today. There were 539 new cases on Sunday and 370 on Saturday.

The Northern Production Lead here in Nain are looking for a Northern Youth Support Intern.

Rex Holwell Jr. is the Northern Production Lead.

Holwell Jr says they need somebody here in Nain to do the Smart Kamutik runs to deploy and retrieve the Smart BUOYS.

Click here to hear more of what Holwell Jr got to say about the job posting.

Nine new COVID-19 related deaths are being reported in Newfoundland and Labrador since Wednesday, March 23, 2022.

That’s the highest number reported at a single time.

The number of hospitalizations has also hit a new high of 33, with six of those in critical care.

There are 507 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 cases reported today, with 454 confirmed on Thursday.

You can see the report on latest government page.

The IlinniaKatigennik Program is a radio contest that airs every Tuesday afternoon from 3-4pm.

We are looking to record any Inuktitut stories about Spring season; for example, stories about hunting or fishing.

We are also interested in hearing different traditional recipes if anyone has any to share.

Any recordings are done in person or over the phone and will be aired on OKâlaKatiget Society.

You will be compensated for your time of $50 for adults and promo for children.

This is for anyone along the North Coast and in the Canadian constituency.

For more information you can contact Robyn Martin at 709-922-2051 or email her at robyn.martin@nunatsiavut.com.

It’s the 3rd night for the Gracie Flowers Memorial Hockey Tournament.

Today, Friday, March 25, starting at 3:30pm, the Atom/Peewee division will be playing.

At 6pm, the Redcats will play against the Warriors, and at 8pm, will be Dicker Team vs. the Redcats.

Tomorrow, Saturday, March 26th, the tournament will be going ahead all day.

Starting at 10am, it will be the Dicker Team vs. the Warriors.

The Warriors will go against the Redcats at 1pm.

At 3pm, will be the semi-finals where the second-place team will go against the third-place team.

The Championship game will start at 5:30pm.

Yesterday, March 24, 2022, Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, announced $22,355,503 in funding to bring high-speed Internet to more than 1,000 households in rural areas in Labrador.

Funding will be allocated to the Nunatsiavut Government for a project benefiting the communities of Rigolet, Postville, Makkovik, Nain, Hopedale and Natuashish. The network will be built and operated by Bell Canada.

In February, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Government of Canada announced a historic plan to connect all remaining households in the province to reliable high-speed Internet. Funding of up to $116 million will come from the Government of Canada through the Universal Broadband Fund, and up to $20 million will come from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Yesterday’s announcement builds on the Government of Canada’s progress toward making sure that 98 per cent of Canadians have access to high-speed Internet by 2026.

Since the last update on March 21, COVID-19 activity continues in Nain, Hopedale, Postville, and Rigolet; there is no known COVID-19 activity in Makkovik.

While all provincial restrictions have been lifted, including capacity limits, masking, and proof of vaccination requirements, public health officials with the Nunatsiavut Government continue to urge residents in all communities to remain vigilant in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The virus that causes COVID-19 will likely continue to present itself in all Labrador Inuit communities, and that activity may or may not be documented or reported.

Individuals with symptoms with no known exposure to the virus should contact 811 or complete the online assessment tool on the COVID Assessment and Referral home – NLCHI page to determine if testing is required.

For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.

Also, there are 40 (plus 12 since last update) confirmed active cases of COVID-19 in Voisey’s Bay.

There are 57 (plus 33 since last update) close contacts in isolation. All positive cases and close contacts are in isolation.

The next update will be on Monday, March 28.

Newfoundland and Labrador will be doing a briefing on COVID-19 update today.

The briefing will be live on the GovNL’s Facebook page from Newfoundland for an announcement on changes to the Corporations Act to support newcomers.

The briefing will start at 2pm today.

The Nunatsiavut Construction has now slowed down with construction in the communities.

Tom Lyall is the Executive Manager for Nunatsiavut Construction.

He says the work started winding down this month.

Lyall adds that the repairs will be started again in the communities of Nain and Hopedale in May.

Click here when Lyall gives you more information.