As part of a proposed out-of-court settlement with the Nunatsiavut Government (NG), representatives from Big River Camps (2012) Ltd. will be in Makkovik Monday, July 31, 2023 to offer a public apology for trespassing on Labrador Inuit Lands.
This stems back to 2017 when NG filed a lawsuit against the company for starting work, without proper authorization, to expand and improve vehicle access to its sports-fishing camp on the Big River.
The public is invited to attend the event where the formal apology will be made.
Monday, July 31, 2023 located at the Arena Multi-Purpose Room, Makkovik at 11 am

The Nunatsiavut Government extends congratulations to Labrador Inuit athletes on taking home six medals from the 2023 North American Games, held in Nova Scotia July 15-23, 2023.

Wining gold were Olsen Ford of Makkovik Badminton Singles 16U Male, Brooklyn Wolfrey, and Sierra Wolfrey of Rigolet in Badminton Doubles 16U Female, and Sierra Wolfrey and Olsen Ford in Badminton Doubles 16U Mixed.

Silver medals were won by Brooklyn Wolfrey for U16 Badminton Mixed Doubles, and Clear Brooke Blake-Pottle and Ella Jacque of Rigolet for 19U Badminton Doubles. Clear Brooke Blake-Pottle secured the only bronze medal in 19U Badminton Singles.

“We are proud of all the athletes that represented Nunatsiavut at NAIG this year.” said President Johannes Lampe. “Attending these games is a great way for Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit land Claims Agreement to showcase their skills on a national level, and to represent their culture and homeland.”

The following athletes represented Nunatsiavut at NAIG 2023: Clear Brooke Blake-Pottle, Tristan Denniston, Jacob Dyson, Jesse Ford, Sidney Goudie, Shannon Holwell, Ella Jacque, Hanson Jacque, Keisha Kajuatsiak, Marin Lane, Olsen Ford, Aaron Porter, Cole Shiwak, Grace Tuglavina, Eris Webb, Aidan Wheeler, Jackson Winters, Kendra Winters, Shane Winters, Brianna Wolfrey, Brooklyn Wolfrey, and Sierra Wolfrey.

These athletes were part of the delegation that made up Team Indigenous NL. In total, the team took home 40 medals with 10 gold, 14 silver and 16 bronze, finishing ninth overall.

The Nunatsiavut Government contributed $10,000 to Team Indigenous NL, through the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle of NL, to assist Beneficiaries who are participating in the Games.

Ashley Abel and Sybil Hunter are the Community Health Workers for Hopedale, under Nunatsiavut Department of Health and Social Development.

Abel updated OKaalaKatiget with information on a Senior’s 55+ outing to the Local Little Bay Lodge Camp, from August 18 to 20, 2023.

Abel says they are still searching for cooks, and boat guides, but has planned to take any Senior 55+ who may be interested in joining Ashely and Sybil on this camping trip.

Abel says if there is anyone interested, or for more information, you can go to Hopedale’s DHSD building to Ashely or Sybil, or call in to Ashely at 709 933 3894, or you can also comment on the Facebook post that’s posted in the Hopedale News Group.

Kisigilinik, which means to work with seal has a kamek making workshop in Nain.

We spoke with Veronica Flowers, and Kim Pilgrim.

They have funding from Ulnooweg for a summer program, and they offered a kamek making workshop.

Pilgrim says that they are looking for someone who is skilled at cleaning seal, cooking, contributing the seal to the group etc., and you will be financially contributed for your time.

Click here hear Flowers and Pilgrim’s kamek making workshop in Nain in Inuk.

The Nain TaKuaKautik Food Bank will hold their Food give away tomorrow.

The TaKuaKautik is available to anyone in need, with one bag per family, and are open once a month, on the last Thursday of the month.

This month’s distribution will be held tomorrow, Thursday July 27, 2023.

The food bank is run 100% on volunteers and donations.

Donations are always helpful to keep food on their shelves to be able to feed our community.

If you have any food donations, the food bank is always accepting donations to keep the food bank open.

For more information or to donate you can message any committee member on Facebook or email TaKuaKautik@gmail.com.

Brenna McIntyre is the regional coordinator for the Summer Literacy Camp.

McIntyre sent OKaalaKatiget some information, in regards to open spaces for each community.

There are still open spaces in every community expect for Hopedale. Parents or Guardians can still register their child, but they will be waitlisted.

This program is ongoing until August 11, 2023.

Any community member, who would like to visit camp as a guest speaker can reach out to Brenna McIntyre, or their local staff through email:
bmcintyre@unitedforliteracy.ca or unitedforliteracy.ca

Registrations can take place through, summerliteracycamps.ca/Nunatsiavut

The Nain Department of Health and Social Development Community Health Workers are holding an outdoor scavenger hunt today.

This will take place on today, July 26 starting 6-8pm at the DHSD office in Nain.

We spoke to Wilma Hay Jenkins, Community Health Care Worker.

The scavenger hunt is open to anyone ages 31-54 and those who reside in Nain.

The scavenger hunt is more of a riddle, so this hunt will be a riddle you need to solve.

Jenkins says that you can walk or use a vehicle for this event.

There are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes available, all based on points, and the scavenger hunt is around the community.

Geoff Greene is the founder and the expedition leader of Students on Ice.

Greene says each year, the Students on Ice Expedition is a little unique.
Youth from across the world gather to expedite different places of the planet, each year, a different location.

Click here to hear what Greene has to say.

Registered nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador will be getting a 2% annual raise, $2K bonuses in the new collective agreement.

N.L. nurses vote to ratify contract, which raises pay and provides new perks to 5,800 members.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s registered nurses are getting a $2,000 bonus and a two per cent annual pay bump under a new collective agreement that was announced Monday.

Registered nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador will have more money and flexibility in a new contract that was officially ratified Monday, according to the Department of Health and Community Services.

The agreement between the Registered Nurses’ Union and the provincial government was struck on July 1, and members have been voting on the deal throughout the month.

On Monday, the province released some contract details, including two per cent pay raises each year from 2022 to 2026, and a one-time bonus of $2,000 for each of the union’s 5,800 members.

The new contract also includes:
• Increased travel allowances for employer business.
• Flexibility to celebrate non-Christian holidays by substituting statutory holidays.
• Paid family violence leave.
• Addition of a mentorship program.
• Enhancements to preceptorship program.
• Operational improvements to shift scheduling.

Here is an update with the Makkovik Fish plant.

The Turbot season just opened.

Angel Chaulk is the Clerk at the Makkovik Fish plant.

She says right now they have 24 employees.

And 2 crab boats just landed a total of 35,607lb of snow crab.

Due to shortage of workers, crab season is now over.

There is one active turbot boat with about 44,000lb of turbot aboard.