Coastal DHSD Updates

OKâlaKatiget Radio contacted the coastal community Department of Health and Social Development’s for updates.

In Rigolet, we spoke to Lisa Palliser and Jennifer Michelin, Community Health Workers.

Tomorrow, August 9, there will be a diabetes supper in the evening.

On the 17th, there is a community kitchen, the 18th is a community salad bar, during lunch hour.

On the 21st there is an abstinence group event planned around a firepit, and on the 22nd there is a community square dance.

The 28th is a women’s event, and the 29th is a senior’s bingo for seniors 55+, in the evening starting 6:30pm, and a men’s cooking program on the 30th starting 6pm.

Every Wednesdays, they hold a food demo at 3pm, and every Thursday’s evening they have a youth group for grades K-3 from 6-7:30pm.

In Hopedale we spoke with Hilda Hunter, Community Health Worker.

Thursday, August 10, there is a card game night.

Once a month they hold a diabetes bingo and give out diabetes vouchers.

Hunter adds that there are more events for DHSD, so we will get more updates when it becomes available.

In Makkovik we spoke with Kim Andersen, Team leader.

The DHSD has partnered up with the 34th Annual Trout Festival.

Andersen says that they are busy with the festival this week, and that there are no other current plans.

In Postville and Nain, The DHSD’s has no events planned at the moment.

Coastal ICG Updates

We were in contact with each of the Angajukâk in Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik and Nain for an update within their communities.

Marjorie Flowers is the Angajukâk for Hopedale.

She says there is not a whole lot going on, they are still short staffed, very limited on programming at the Nanuk Center.

Flowers says the Capital work projects are ongoing, they are in the second stage of upgrading the distribution building pump house, this project should be done this fall and they are also doing the mechanical part.

Right now, they are putting water and sewer in at the town garage and there is opportunity for Woodwards and hydro to connect to sewer line, they are also putting another bay in the town garage, this will be put on hold until next year, but the tender is gone out.

Flowers would like to say a big thank you to the Rhubarb committee for their hard work and dedication.

Right now, they have 5 summer students hired on, 2 with the recreation department, 2 doing clean ups around town and 1 as an office assistance.

Angajukâk would like to inform Hopedale residence that they apologize about programming at the Nanuk Center, they are hoping to get the positions filled soon, there is still programming but not as much as it should be.

At the Postville ICG, we spoke with Angajukâk Diane Gear.

She says right now in their community freezer, they have a few bags of smelts and a few char but they have some food items from Shepards Variety.

Gear adds that with their Capital work projects, they are hoping to have something on the go this summer: the geological study on their sand pit and the break water engineering study, they are doing some work on the board walk, they started the project last year and are hoping it will be done in the fall.
She adds there are no make works projects.

Gear adds right now they have full staff, Tanya Osmond is their chief administration officer, Brandy Jacque town clerk and Pamela Webb is the assistant town clerk. They also have one summer student with the recreation department,
Gear would like to wish everyone a happy summer.

In Makkovik we spoke with Barry Andersen Angajukâk of Makkovik.

He says right now with the Capital works projects, the north sewer outfall was completed by Budgells in late July. They are waiting on the contractor to install the playground equipment in early September.

Andersen says right now they have 8 summer students hired on: 1 with the garage crew, 6 are with the Makkovik recreation and 1 with the Town office.

We also spoke with Angajukâk Joe Dicker of Nain for an update.

He says there is not much on the go as of yet, they are doing cemetery work and the building of the bridge, and they are waiting to hear back from the auditors this week.

Dicker says they got the colonization system at trouser lake built into the system inside and needs to be separated, a new generator at the water tank, more updates will be available next week.

Construction on the new bridge is underway, and should be starting soon, funding came from Nunatsiavut Government.

They will start tearing down the bridge and hopefully by this month there will be a new bridge put in place.

Angajukâk Dicker would like to inform Nain residence to not use the wooden bridge as they need the area until the work is completed on the new bridge.

We will have another update from the Angajukâk of Rigolet, Chesley Sheppard once available.

34th Annual Makkovik Trout Festival Day 3

Yesterday we aired day 3 of the Makkoviks 34th Annual Trout Festival.

Today, Tuesday, August 8, from 1-2:30pm there is a water mania at the museum grounds for all ages, you must bring your own towel.

From 3-4pm, there’s a toddler time bouncy castle at the arena for ages 5 and under.

Trout Festival Bingo cards and tickets are for sale at the arena from 3-5pm, and bingo starts at 6pm.

From 6-7:30pm there is a kids movie night at the youth center for all ages with free admission, and snacks and treats will be for sale.

Ages 4 and under must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and pick up is at 7:30pm.

On Wednesday from 12-1:30pm there is a sand sculpture contest at Ranger Bight, with a $100 prize winner. Food and drinks will also be for sale.

We will air the rest of day 4 events tomorrow.

MR & CYN Volley Ball Tournament(Audio)

This year marks the 13th annual Mr. & CYN Volleyball tournament in Nain.

We spoke with Gwen Dyson, the Afterschool program supervisor and one of the organizers.

She says this year the tournament will start Friday August 18, 2023, starting at 6pm and ends on August 20, 2023.

Dyson says right now they have 7 men teams registered and 6 female teams registered.

Click here to find out more about the 13th annual Mr. & CYN volleyball tournament.

Brass Band (Audio)

Mark Turner and Terry Howlett are instructors in the Brass Band Workshop that gets held in Nain, Hopedale and Makkovik.

Turner and Howlett came together in 2011, under a film called “Till we meet again” that Tom Gordon got people together for.

Click here to hear Turner and Howlett speaks a little on the Brass Band Workshops coming soon, for Nain, Hopedale and Makkovik, stay tuned.

Nunatsiavut Housing Commission

The Nunatsiavut Housing commission is pleased to announce their new Furnace and Oil tank repair program for 2023-2024.

They are accepting applications for the communities of Rigolet and Makkovik.

Many homes in Nunatsiavut rely upon oil and wood burning furnaces for heat, yet there is a lack of locally available furnace technicians and specialists to respond to necessary repairs.

A qualified technician will travel to each community to perform inspections on the furnaces and oil tanks of selected applicants.

Nunatsiavut Housing commission will contract repair services to perform the recommended repairs up to the maximum value of $15,000 per home.

This program will begin in the fiscal year of 2023-2024.

With a maximum of two communities per year, 20 homes per community, and will repeat in the other communities each fiscal year until all five communities have been reached, with the possibility of renewal depending on demand and need.

In order to be eligible for this program, applicants should meet the following conditions: Be a beneficiary of the Labrador Inuit land claims agreements, reside in Nunatsiavut, meet residency requirements, be the homeowner or if not, provide proof from the homeowner of consent for repair work, must not have received repairs on the furnace in question through another Nunatsiavut housing commission repair program, or a Nunatsiavut government program in the last 5 years.

Applications for the communities of rigolet and Makkovik are now open until Thursday August 10, 2023, at 4pm.

For more information you can contact Brenna Jarrar, Director of Nunatsiavut Housing commission at 709-899-4706 or by email at brenna.jarrar@nunatsiavut.com

Makkovik Trout Festival

Makkovik is still celebrating the 34th annual trout festival with fun events, for all ages.

Todays Trout Festival Schedule update for August 7, 10:30am-12pm, the Gym was open for children all ages. 1:30-2:30PM is the senior’s crafts and card games at the community hall for ages 55+. 3pm is the Men’s and Women’s swimming race at the dock. There is a $10 entry fee of each category, winner takes all, this is for ages 15+ and you’re asked to bring your own towels and life jackets. 6pm they will parade around the community, there is a $100 prize for best decorated vehicle or ATV, starting at the arena, and ending back at the Arena. 7pm this evening they will have DHSD’s mental wellness radio bingo, and end today’s fun events with fireworks at 10pm, weather permitting.

August 8, at 10:30am-11:30am:
Bike Rodeos/Obstacle Course at the Arena, this is for ages 12 and under, the child must be able to ride without training wheels. They are sending a remember to take your safety gear of helmets, elbow pads, knee pads.

Nain Art Studio

John Terriak is the instructor for the art studio in Nain, under the Nunatsiavut Government.

Terriak gave us a general update for the art studio today, he says the hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am till 11:30am, Tuesday and Thursday is 1:30pm till 4:30pm.

Terriak instructs a lot of members from the community with guidance on making jewelry, such as rings, bracelets, broaches to name a few, he also assists people in making ullus, harpoon heads, and he adds that is anyone wanted to try something new he will try his best to assist.

Some equipment, and materials he have available to put to use are silver, copper, flix, sodder, Labradorite, propine torches, Fortum’s, Dimond Burs and a whole lot more.

Terriak take orders for jewelry such as rings, earrings, bracelets, broches and other items as well.

Terriak always reassures safety, and strongly advise to use eye, and ear protection at all times, and will take every measure for other safety gear, if using bigger equipment.

Terriak also mentioned that when tourists visit Nain by plane, or boat, people from the community can do and set up a display of their art work to sell. John said this is most successful once a crew ship gets to Nain.

If you have any questions, or want to check out the Art Studio with John Terriak, he’s located at 15 Ikkautauvik, and his contact number is 709 922 2045, he also mentioned you can reach him on Facebook under the name “Lukas John Terriak”

Salmon Festival

This year marks the 26th annual Rigolets Salmon Festival.

Here is the schedule for the Salmon Festival, they started the day with events of a cake walk, the volleyball tournament, and the cardboard boat race registration.

Today, August 4th from 1-2:30pm will be the adult 120 card game for 18+. $5 per player and this is held at the seniors building.

There’s 1st 2nd 3rd boogy prizes to be won.

At 3pm they will hold registration for the Fear Factor and will find 1 winner for both male and female for heat strong competition.

They will also have a timed event for flip the tire.

And at 6:30pm tonight they will start the adult games, with 3 high darts, $5 per player, money ring toss, bean bag throw with 1st place winner, the mummy wrap, this is a timed event or whoever gets the tissue roll empty the fastest and end off with the Elephant March.

On Saturday, August 5th is filled with multiple events happening, starting at 10am with a full day of fun activities.

Nunatsiavut Housing Commission

The Nunatsiavut Housing commission is pleased to announce their new Furnace and Oil tank repair program for 2023-2024.

They are accepting applications for the communities of Rigolet and Makkovik.

Many homes in Nunatsiavut rely upon oil and wood burning furnaces for heat, yet there is a lack of locally available furnace technicians and specialists to respond to necessary repairs.

A qualified technician will travel to each community to perform inspections on the furnaces and oil tanks of selected applicants.

Nunatsiavut Housing commission will contract repair services to perform the recommended repairs up to the maximum value of $15,000 per home.

This program will begin in the fiscal year of 2023-2024.

With a maximum of two communities per year, 20 homes per community, and will repeat in the other communities each fiscal year until all five communities have been reached, with the possibility of renewal depending on demand and need.

In order to be eligible for this program, applicants should meet the following conditions: Be a beneficiary of the Labrador Inuit land claims agreements, reside in Nunatsiavut, meet residency requirements, be the homeowner or if not, provide proof from the homeowner of consent for repair work, must not have received repairs on the furnace in question through another Nunatsiavut housing commission repair program, or a Nunatsiavut government program in the last 5 years.

Applications for the communities of rigolet and Makkovik are now open until Thursday August 10, 2023, at 4pm.

For more information you can contact Brenna Jarrar, Director of Nunatsiavut Housing commission at 709-899-4706 or by email at brenna.jarrar@nunatsiavut.com