The province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health will hold an availability today Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. to discuss the province’s shift to Step 2 of its reopening plan.

Originally, Step 2 was expected to arrive as early as August 15—dependent on continued low case counts and at least 50 per cent of eligible residents having received two doses of vaccine. Both have been accomplished as of this week.

The move will further relax pandemic restrictions, allowing larger gatherings, lifting of store capacity limits, and another shift in travel restrictions.

Dr. Janice Fitzgerald has previously indicated that a review of the province’s mask regulations may be conducted should epidemiology warrant it.

The availability will be broadcast live on air on 590 VOCM at 2 p.m.

We’ll give you more update on Monday, August 2, 2021.

Nain and Makkovik fishery is going really well this summer.

Keith Watts is the General Manager of Torngat Fish Producers Coopeartive.

He says the crab fishery is ongoing in Makkovik, and the turbot fishery is expected to start mid August.

Watts says the char and scallop fishery is also ongoing in Nain.

He says the fish products are being sent to Goose Bay’s Head Office on the Kamutik W.

Stay tuned to AtjiKangitut today to hear Watts give more information.

He says he didn’t have the fish products prices on hand, so we got the prices of the fish to buy from the fishplants.

Smoked Char- $16.50 lb, Scallop Meats $19.00 a lb.
Snow Crab – Ten pound case ranges from $180 – $260.

The TaKuaKautik Food Bank will be holding their monthly giveaway this evening.

We spoke with Patricia Johnson-Castle, who is one of the volunteers at the Food bank.

She says the giveaway will be this evening from 6-8 pm at the Warehouse.

If you have Food Bank bags, please return them to the yellow container on the steps at the Warehouse.

You must wear a mask during pick-ups.

Both fish plants in Makkovik and Nain are into full swing for the past month.

Angel Chaulk is the Clerk at the Makkovik Fish plant.

She says to date a total of 246,042 lbs of snowcrab has been landed.

Employees are still working on doing crab secondary, while waiting for the boats to arrive with their catch.

Chaulk says they have 22 employees plus 6 summer students, and they now have two crab boats left.

In Nain, Deidi Kohlmeister is the Supervisor of the plant.

She says a total of 14,614 lbs of char has been landed.

Green scallops landed are 21, 870 lbs, and 213 lbs of meats.

Kohlmeister says there are 31 employees, including 3 summer students and the shuckers.

There are 8 local commercial char licensed fishermen.

There’s been an increase in the price of most fuels this week across the province.

Gasoline will cost about a cent more per litre while diesel is up by a cent and a half.

Furnace and stove oils are each up by about 1.3 cents a litre while propane inches down by just three-tenths of a cent.

The largest change is in Labrador West and Churchill Falls, as the PUB has set new interim price cap increases as part of its ongoing review of the pricing model in Labrador.

Both areas have seen an eight-cent increase in the maximum price of gasoline and a 7.2-cent increase in the price of diesel.

The Provincial Government released a new way to release School Transcripts to students.

On July 19, 2021, Students High school transcripts, including final marks, are now available to students throughout the province.

In an effort to reduce waste, this year’s transcripts are available digitally through the PowerSchool portal, which all students can access here.

Here is the link provided: https://nlsis.powerschool.com/public/home.html

Ninety-seven per cent of this year’s eligible graduates have met the requirements for graduation.

For more information on accessing transcripts, please contact the High School Certification Office at 729-7919 or 729-7918.

Plans for the 250th Anniversary Celebrations for Nain is in the works.

Harry Dicker is the Community Economic Development Officer for the Nain Inuit Community Government and he is the main organizer for the Anniversary events.

Dicker says that celebrations will be held from August 13th to the 15th.

So far they have confirmed a community breakfast that will be sponsored by SmartIce.

A parade around the community

A community feast is being sponsored by the Ulapitsaijet Committee.

A slide show of pictures will be shown about the history of Nain.

Demonstrations of Inuit games.

Dr. Tom Gordon is a professor for the Emeritus School of Music with Memorial University, who will be in Nain for organist and pianist training and they will be performing for the 250th anniversary.

The Nain Moravian Church will have their regular church service on Sunday and the Nain choir will be performing.

A fireworks display is also planned if the fireworks arrive in time for the celebrations.

There will also be door prizes sponsored by SmartIce.

Dicker is also looking for musicians, so if you are interested in performing please contact Harry and volunteers are needed for the events, and if you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact Harry Dicker at the NICG Office at 922 2842.

Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement will decide on September 13th whether or not to amend the Labrador Inuit Constitution to allow dates of elections for President, Ordinary Members and Inuit Community Government’s to be changed in case of emergencies.

A Bill, setting out the amendments, entitled Nunatsiavut Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2021, received second reading in the Nunatsiavut Assembly on June 9th by unanimous vote.

However, in order for the Bill to receive assent, as per part 1.2.1 of the Labrador Inuit Constitution, a referendum of Inuit 16 years of age or older must be held, and the Bill must be approved by more than 50 per cent of those who vote.

Beneficiaries in the Constituency of Canada will be able to vote by mail. Advanced polls will be held in all other constituencies on September 3rd.

The Youth Employment program with SmartICE started last month, June 23rd, and ended yesterday, July 28, 2021

We interviewed one of the student trainees Aaron Lampe about what happened during the Smart Ice programs.

Stay tuned to the AtjiKangitut show to hear more from Lampe on SmartICE.

The OKâlaKatiget Society has an employment opportunity for a full-time permanent Radio Producer.

Under the supervision of the Senior Radio Producer, the Radio Producer prepares news, current affairs for daily broadcast on the Society’s radio network.

The salary will be dependent on qualifications.

The closing date has been extended until the position is filled.

You can send your applications by email to yvonne.lyall@oksociety.com or eva.obed@oksociety.com, or call our office at 922-2955, and our fax number is 709-922-2293.

Applications can also be forwarded to:

OKâlaKatiget Society
P.O. Box 160
Nain, NL
A0P 1L0