The Inuit Nunangat Food Security Strategy (INFSS), introduced today by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, sets the foundation for ending hunger in Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland in Canada. It advances Inuit-driven solutions for improving food security and creating sustainable food systems in Inuit Nunangat.

The high prevalence of food insecurity among Inuit is among the longest-lasting public health crises in Canada. It is impacted by several interrelated drivers, including poverty, high cost of living, climate change, inadequate infrastructure and systemic racism.

The INFSS lays the groundwork for transformational change in the food supply dynamics that directly contribute to food insecurity. The vast majority of foods Inuit consume are shipped thousands of kilometers by air and sea, while a tremendous volume of food leaves the region through commercial export.

The Strategy calls for coordinated actions and investments to address these imbalances, by supporting harvesting activities and Inuit wildlife management decision-making, subsidizing and regulating food transportation, improving food processing infrastructure locally, and supporting regional food production through the development of local food markets.

It identifies measurable objectives within five priority areas: research and advocacy; food system and wellbeing; legislation and policy; programs and services; and knowledge and skills. Implementation will take place through the collaborative structure of the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee, for which food security has been a shared priority area since the ICPC was created in 2017.

This strategy was developed by ITK, together with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Makivik Corporation and the Nunatsiavut Government, as well as the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, and the National Inuit Youth Council.

RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating a young woman reported missing in Labrador.

Twenty-two-year-old Faith Rich was last seen June 15. On July 11, police received a report indicating that Rich was last known to be travelling between Natuashish and Happy Valley-Goose Bay and has not been heard from since.

She is described as 5’5″ tall, approximately 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Faith Rich is asked to contact the RCMP at 709-896-3383 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The Provincial Government scaled the COVID-19 briefings down on Wednesday, June 30 for the month of July.

The live COVID-19 briefings were scaled down to one every two weeks which was started this month, with a re-evaluation for the end of the month for August.

The last live briefing was on Wednesday, July 7, and the next briefing is set for the 22nd of July.

That will change if and when circumstances changes.

Yesterday we aired part one of part two of an interview MHA Lela Evans about the work she has been doing with her constituents.

She says she has been working with the Department of Transportation about the number of seats available to travel on the Kamutik W.

MHA Evans has also been working with the Minister for CSSD, AES and for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing.

Evans says that there are numerous homes on the north coast that has been vacant for some time, and the homes need to be repaired so that other family members who need housing can move in.

She adds that there have been many people that has been cut off through AES and she is trying to assist those people to get their income supplement back.

Stay tuned to AtjiKangitut today to hear Part 2 of MHA Evans later in the program.

Cathryn Andersen of Nunatsiavut has been appointed as Memorial’s first vice-president (Indigenous) on June 28th, 2021.

The position focuses on continuing to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and advancing Indigenization.

Ms. Andersen has served as special advisor to the president on Indigenous affairs since 2015 and led the creation of the first Strategic Framework for Indigenization.

Stay tuned to Labrador Memories later on today to hear what Andersen has to say about becoming the vice-president for MUN.

Are you someone who likes to promote or encourage others to speak Inuktitut? Are you willing to help make a video?

The Language & Culture division, partnered with Nicolas Castel (filmmaker) is creating a video to encourage people to speak Inuktitut more comfortably and freely. This project is for all Nunatsiavut beneficiaries who would like to send in a video clip.

The video can be of yourself or of you and your family speaking or teaching Inuktitut. The video must be 15-30 seconds long and recorded horizontal on your mobile device.

This is for Nain residents only; to book an appointment with Nicholas, you can call 922-2051/2052.

There is also a short list of encouraging Inuktitut phrases that you can use if you are interested.

All participant names will be entered for a prize draw and entries can be sent to robyn.martin@nunatsiavut.com, and rita-ann.dicker@nunatsiavut.com.

If you need help with your translations for your video, please contact Robyn Martin or Rita-Ann Dicker.

The deadline to submit your videos is Friday, July 23, 2021.

The Nain Community Literacy Program would like to remind our listeners that if you have any questions or concerns, you can email frontiercollegenain@gmail.com.

Their work hours are from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and the programs run from 1 to 4pm, Monday through Friday with age groups alternating.

They would also like to remind everyone that even though you fill out an application for your child, it does not guarantee that they’ll be able to attend every activity that they hold.

Application forms can be picked up when you drop off your child(ren) to the Jeremias Sillitt Community Centre.

This is a first come-first serve basis, and they only need the forms filled out for emergency reasons.

Today’s age group is 5-7.

The Nunatsiavut Government is providing an update on travel restrictions to the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area (LISA), in accordance with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s recent change in travel restrictions.

On June 23, The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador removed isolation and testing requirements for travelers coming from the other Atlantic Provinces. Due to the current epidemiology in Atlantic Canada and the high immunization coverage in Nunatsiavut communities, no further travel restrictions are required for travelers from Atlantic Canada.

As of July 1, Non-essential travel to Newfoundland and Labrador from within Canada is permitted. Fully vaccinated Canadians have no testing or isolation requirements while partially vaccinated Canadians must present a negative test result or self-isolate until receipt of a negative test result. Unvaccinated Canadians must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.

Those travelling to Nunatsiavut communities who meet the provincial requirements for isolation should continue to complete self-isolation and testing before entering LISA, which includes the Inuit communities of Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik, and Rigolet.

The Nunatsiavut Government’s “isolation hub” in Happy Valley-Goose Bay continues to be available for travelers from outside of the province who plan to travel to LISA.

All travelers are asked to call (709) 896-8149, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for more information, or to book a room at the isolation hub.

MHA Lela Evans has been very busy working with her constituents.

She says she was in Makkovik and is looking forward to traveling to Nain and Natuashish.

She met with the Department of Transportation, the Minister of Health, and arranged some things with the P.U.B. on the prices of gas.

With the upcoming special occasions such as weddings, Evans would like to add that if it’s a formal wedding function at the bar, you’re allowed to dance. But if it’s a regular bar business or any other function, you’re not allowed to.

Stay tuned to AtjiKangitut today to hear Part 1 of MHA Evans later in the program.

Today (Friday, July 9), Newfoundland and Labrador has no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last public advisory.

There are two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 aboard the ship anchored in Conception Bay. This brings the total of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases to 14 crew members. The province continues to work closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Eastern Health. Testing of all crew has taken place aboard the ship. All are isolating and there is no risk to the community. The ship and crew are following Public Health orders as directed by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

There have been no new recoveries in the province and 1,375 people have recovered. There is no one in hospital due to COVID-19.

There are 16 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the 16 active cases is as follows:

· Eastern Health – 16
· Central Health – 0
· Labrador-Grenfell Health – 0
· Western Health – 0

To date, 162,451 people have been tested.