Today (Wednesday, June 30), Newfoundland and Labrador has one new confirmed case of COVID-19. Contact tracing by Public Health is underway and anyone considered a close contact has been advised to quarantine.

The one new confirmed case is a female in the Eastern Health region between 20-39 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.

There has been one new recovery in the Labrador-Grenfell Health region and 1,370 people have recovered. There is no one in hospital due to COVID-19.

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

· Eastern Health – 4
· Central Health – 1
· Labrador-Grenfell Health – 0
· Western Health – 0

To date, 160,076 people have been tested.

Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe says he’s pleased with the recent appointment of Catharyn Andersen as Memorial University’s first vice-president (Indigenous).

“I am confident Ms. Andersen will play an integral role in building on the already strong relationship between the Nunatsiavut Government and Memorial University,” says President Lampe. “Throughout her career, Ms. Andersen has demonstrated her commitment to advancing Indigenous issues, and in helping to preserve and protect our unique Labrador Inuit language, history and culture. I am certain she will continue to do so in her new role.”

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Andersen served as special advisor to Memorial’s president on Indigenous affairs, and led the creation of the first Strategic Framework for Indigenization. She also served as director and Inuktitut Language Program coordinator with the former Torngâsok Cultural Centre in Nain, and helped develop and deliver various language, cultural and heritage initiatives. She is now just one of two to hold the position of vice-president (Indigenous) at a Canadian university.

“On behalf of the Nunatsiavut Government and Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, I’d like to congratulate Catharyn and to extend best wishes to her as she begins a new chapter in her career,” says President Lampe. “I am sure she will continue to be a tremendous asset to Memorial University in building stronger relations with Indigenous peoples throughout the province.”

The vice-president (Indigenous) is a five-year appointment, eligible for an additional five-year term. The position special advisor to the president on Indigenous affairs has been made redundant.

Canada Day is very different this year compared to previous years.

The Postville Inuit Community Government would like to inform the residents of Postville that due to the shortage of staff, and out of respect for the recent discoveries of hundreds of unmarked graves in the grounds of former residential schools, there will be no Canada Day celebrations taking place this year.

They would like to encourage residents to use this day to reflect and mourn these tragic events.

Given the recent news events regarding the residential school’s gravesites in western Canada, and given the fact they do not have a recreation department, the community of Makkovik will celebrate Canada Day this year by reflecting on the events from our west in each and everyone’s own way without parades or festival atmosphere.

The Makkovik ICG will still keep the flag at full staff to remind us all that we are a part of this great country.

AngajukKâk Barry Andersen says, “every country has a history, some with atrocities, wars and violence of all types. Those of us who do not learn from this history are doomed to repeat it, thus the more somber mood this year on this holiday.”

As for the communities of Nain, Hopedale, and Rigolet, Canada Day is cancelled in respect for the recent discoveries of hundreds of unmarked graves of former residential schools.

While people across the country will mark Canada Day in their own way this year, the Nunatsiavut Government is urging Canadians to use the day to reflect on what true reconciliation with Indigenous peoples really means.

The discoveries of the remains of 215 children and 751 unmarked graves near residential schools in Kamloops, British Columbia and the Cowessess First Nation in southeast Saskatchewan respectively, have opened up many wounds – even amongst Labrador Inuit.

As Canadians, we can all look back on how far we have come as a country, but we must also give serious thought to how much further we need to go before there is true reconciliation.

We encourage all Labrador Inuit, whether they plan to celebrate Canada Day or not, to wear orange instead of red and white this year as a sign of respect to those impacted by residential schools. We also encourage all Canadians – Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike – to take the time to read the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada including the Calls to Action, as well as the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Canada Day events in Nunatsiavut are organized by the five Labrador Inuit Community Governments. The Nunatsiavut Government will support each in whatever they choose to do this year.

The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, is advising that effective today, Wednesday, June 30, the child protection practice of sending birth alerts to hospitals will be discontinued in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The department’s discontinuation of birth alerts honors the recommendations in the report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action to end this practice. Birth alerts are known to disproportionately impact Indigenous and marginalized expectant parents and contribute to the individual being less likely to seek support in advance of birth for fear their baby may be removed.

As part of preparing to implement this new policy direction, the department consulted with Indigenous governments and organizations in this province on this practice and the Regional Health Authorities. All are supportive of this direction.

Early intervention and prevention services are critical to support children and families and to help expectant parents safely care for their newborns. Collaboration between the department, Indigenous governments and organizations, extended family, and health and other service providers will continue to be the focus of the new direction when expectant parents voluntarily seek support prior to the birth of their baby.

The discontinuation of birth alerts will not change the current legal requirement, known as the Duty to Report. Everyone has a responsibility to report concerns of child maltreatment and can do so by calling toll-free 1-833-552-2368 or contacting local police.

The Provincial Government will be winding down its COVID-19 briefings for the month of July.

The live COVID briefings will be scaled down to one every two weeks starting next month, with a re-evaluation at the end of July for August.

Today’s COVID briefing will take place at 1:30 pm.

The next briefing will be on Wednesday, July 7, and the next one will be on Wednesday, July 22nd.

That will change when circumstances changes.

The province is opening its borders to Canadian travelers starting on Thursday, July 1st.

Nunatsiavut Government is seeking proposals from proponents for installation of 4 Solar PV Systems on the north coast communities.

Nick Mercer is the Regional Energy Coordinator for NG.

He says these Solar PV Systems will be deployed on community buildings in Hopedale, Rigolet, Postville and Nain to reduce the use of energy.

Mercer says the deadline to submit proposals is no later than 5pm, Friday, July 23rd this summer.

Stay tuned to AtjiKangitut today when Mercer gives you more details on the request for proposals.

Today, Tuesday, June 29, Newfoundland and Labrador has no new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

There has been one new recovery in the Western Health region, 1,369 people have recovered, and no one person in hospital due to COVID-19.

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

· Eastern Health – 3
· Central Health – 1
· Labrador-Grenfell Health – 1
· Western Health – 0

To date, 159,699 people have been tested.

Labrador Marine Inc. (LMI) announced changes to the Strait of Belle Isle ferry service to facilitate increased travel as the province of NL reopens to travel with the rest of Canada on Tuesday, July 1st.

Passenger capacity on the ferry Qajaq W will be increased to 198. To facilitate maximum use of the upper and lower deck, upper deck pre-arrangements will be ended. Passengers requiring the use of the elevator will be accommodated.

The Strait of Belle Isle service will also be re-opening to your busses. LMI will accommodate two busses on each crossing with a maximum of 32 people on the bus.

While travel is open to the rest of Canada, COVID -19 travel rules remain in place. Passengers must wear a mask at all times while on the Qajak W vessel. To maintain physical distancing, families and groups, must sit together in the saloon area.

Only passengers with a confirmed reservation may travel.

LMI, General manager Captain Austin Daley says the changes strike a balance between maintaining public safety and meeting the demand for increased travel.

“With the province now opened up to the rest of Canada, there will be more people on the move” he says. “We have already fielded inquires from our tour operators and private travelers from outside the province we know that people will be travelling to and from Labrador. Labrador Marine wants to help people complete their travel plans, but we also have a responsibility to do that safely and ensure that we follow public health guidelines.”

Labrador Marine Inc advises passengers to monitor its website at www.labradormarine.com for the latest and public health information.

OKâlaKatiget Radio staff contacted the coastal community freezers on what they have to offer.

In Nain, they have capelin and chicken.

Hopedale has caribou, musk ox, scallops, and moose.

In Postville, they have seal meat, smelts, rock cod, and char.

In Makkovik they have char.

Rigolet has ground beef, pork chops, and beef roast.

They are open now from 1:15-3:45pm, and please note there is to be one meat per house hold, and this will be given out until all meat are gone.