A male polar bear had to be killed in self-defense over the weekend.
Heather Angnatok of Nain was a license holder since March 2nd, so the polar bear was turned over to her.
Angnatok says that polar bear was 8 foot 8 inches long.
The polar bear was killed at Port Manvers by Green Construction.
Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe today issued the following statement in recognition of International Women’s Day during a virtual sitting of the Nunatsiavut Assembly:
On this International Women’s Day, it is important to acknowledge the tremendous role Labrador Inuit women play in our society and in our government.
Labrador Inuit women have always played a critical role in decision-making, whether at the political or community level and within family structures. The responsibilities of Inuit women within our culture are equally as important as those of men. That level of respect, I believe, is the reason why, traditionally, so many of our women continue to become actively involved in public life.
Although still outnumbered by their male counterparts, women, at least in Nunatsiavut, are having an impact on our political landscape. Labrador Inuit women are adding new voices to many important issues such as job creation and social and economic growth.
As a point of interest, more and more Labrador Inuit women are pursuing post-secondary educations. Many of these women, because of their higher levels of education and training, will eventually find their way into leadership roles and, quite probably, the political world.
It is important that we encourage, through our statements and actions, more women to take on leadership roles and to provide opportunities that will foster a competitive environment that promotes and supports equality in politics.
In an effort to provide gender equality in the Nunatsiavut Government election process, reasonable steps must be taken by the President to ensure female candidates are nominated in each of our constituencies. In other words, if there are no female candidates in a constituency, I have the ability to approach individuals and ask them if they would consider putting their names on the ballot.
Those of us in elected positions, as I see it, have a responsibility to reach out to others in leadership roles in advocating for more female candidates to offer themselves up for election. The reality is that women still face challenges that men do not, and raising awareness and promoting gender equality in politics is critical.
Inuit women have always been the movers and shakers in their communities. They have been the ties that have bound our social affairs and maintained our cultural values, which is probably why many of our women are more likely to be involved in the educational, social and health sectors.
Over the past several years the Nunatsiavut Government has partnered with various universities for the delivery of various degree programs, including nursing, education, social work as a second degree, as well as the regular social work degree. In all programs, all of the students were women, and many will become future leaders.
In conclusion, Labrador Inuit women have come a long way in a relatively short time, demonstrating the willingness and ability to break down barriers and take on even greater responsibilities aside from our traditional roles within our communities. While there is still a ways to go before we achieve gender equality in politics, I do believe we are on the right track.
The Nunatsiavut Government will be getting 100 caribou and 25 musk ox from an Outlet in Rankin Inlet.
Greg Flowers is the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources for the Nunatsiavut Government.
He says that details are being worked on now to have the meat shipped to Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Minister Flowers says that once the meat is received in Goose Bay they will then start to distribute them to the communities on the coast.
We will be speaking with Minister Flowers later in the AtjiKangitut Program to find out more.
The OKâlaKatiget Society has a job opening for a Television Producer.
This position is a full-time permanent position.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Identifying story ideas and conducting research
• Operating camera, lighting and audio equipment
• Planning and conducting interviews and sources
• Outlining and writing scripts for editing
• Transcribing
• Digitally editing film on Avid software
This position is open until filled.
Applicants are preferred to be bilingual in Inuktitut and English as well.
You can send in your resumes by email at arlene.ikkusek@oksociety.com or Sarah Abel at sarah.abel@oksociety.com.
For more information, you can contact the OKâlaKatiget Society office at 922-2955.
TODAY, Friday, March 5th, Newfoundland and Labrador has 1 new confirmed case of COVID-19.
The 1 new confirmed case which is connected to previously announced cases are as follows:
In the Eastern Health region:
• 1 between 40-49 years of age;
The new case in the Eastern Health region is a close contact with a previous known case.
Contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway. Anyone considered a close contact has been advised to quarantine.
There are no new or outstanding presumptive positive cases.
There are 113 active cases of COVID-19.
The regional breakdown of the 113 active cases is as follows:
• Eastern Health – 110
• Central Health – 0
• Labrador-Grenfell Health – 2
• Western Health – 1
There have been 9 new recoveries in the Eastern Health region. This means 880 people have recovered.
There are seven people in hospital.
To date, 114,211 people have been tested.
First Light, the Aboriginal Friendship Centre in St. John’s, has a new Executive Director.
Stacey Howse got the new position on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.
Susan Onlik is the Chairperson for the Centre.
She says Howse has worked with First Light for 13 years in various roles, starting as a Youth Worker and working her way up through the organization to her previous role as Director of Programs.
Onlaik says Howse has developed a strong knowledge of all aspects of First Light; and is very well connected to the community. And has built strong relationships with community partners.
Personal development is very important to her and she has taken several leadership courses to enhance her leadership skills.
She is currently completing a Master of Business Administration at the University of Fredericton.
Onalik says Howse has acted as Interim Executive Director on two separate occasions and is very committed to First Light and is ready to take on her new position.
She added on behalf of the Board of Directors they wish her all the success in her new role.
The Nunatsiavut Assembly will sit virtually next week for the first time, with the proceedings being streamed live at Nunatsiavut Government – Assembly Meeting (livemeetings.ca) and on the Nunatsiavut Government Facebook page.
The sitting, which will be simultaneously translated in both Inuttitut and English, will also see the swearing-in of newly-elected Ordinary Member for Canada, Susan Onalik of St. John’s, as well as the presentation of the Nunatsiavut Government’s 2021-22 budget.
A Special Standing Order passed last fall allows for the Nunatsiavut Assembly to hold sittings virtually under extenuating circumstances.
“In order to conduct the necessary business of the Assembly, and in light of the fact that we are still in the midst of a global pandemic with public health orders in place and restrictions on travel, we were left with very little choice but to invoke the Special Standing Order,” says the speaker of the Nunatsiavut Assembly, Marlene Winters-Wheeler. “I believe this sitting will be the first time the public will be able to view the Assembly proceedings in real time, so hopefully all goes well.”
The sitting is scheduled to take place on Monday and Tuesday, from 9am to 4:30pm.
International Women’s Day is on March 8th, 2021.
The Nunatsiavut Government’s Department of Health and Social Development is holding a campaign for this occasion.
DHSD is accepting nominations of women or girls that are of an inspiration.
All entries and those that nominate will be entered to win a gift.
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality.
You can go to the DHSD Nain Facebook page to enter your nomination.
Moose hunting season in Nunatsiavut started in the month of September 2020.
Todd Broomfield is the Director of Renewable Resources for Nunatsiavut Government.
He says there was a total of 23 moose licenses given to the respected communities along the coast.
The end date for the moose licenses will be this coming Sunday, March 7th, 2021.
Out of the 23 moose licenses, 15 of them were filled.
Individuals who have the license will be able to keep the license until Sunday, March 7th, 2021.
Multiple variants of COVID-19 have been documented in the United Kingdom, United States mainly in California, South Africa and globally.
Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time.
Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear, other times, new variants emerge and persist.
Meghan Hudson is a Public Health Nurse with the DHSD in Nain.
She says that a variant from the United Kingdom B117 was detected in the St. John’s area and this virus is more contagious.
Hudson also urges everyone to adhere to the Chief Medical Officers guidelines and continue to wash your hands, use sanitizer and wear a mask.
We will be speaking with Meghan Hudson later in the AtjiKangitut Program to find out more about these variants.