Rod Pilgrim is known for his mechanical knowledge, but especially for his kindness.

He moved to Nain in 1974 and worked with Newfoundland Hydro for over 39 years before retiring.

Serving on the Canadian Rangers for 12 years, also heavily involved with the Nain Recreation Committee back in the early days when activities were primarily at an outdoor rink.

Pilgrim serves with the Nain Volunteer Fire Department since 1975, continues to serve with the Nain Torngat Housing Committee for over 15 years and is a long-serving Director of the Martin-Martin Group Home.

He fixes appliances that otherwise would have to be replaced at cost to residents such as fridges, stoves, washers, dryers, and furnaces.

Your hard work and dedication in helping the residents of Nain does not go unnoticed.

The Nunatsiavut Government’s Executive Council met in Nain on November 26th, 2020.

Johannes Lampe, President of The Nunatsiavut Government, says that many items were on the agenda, including: essential travel for elected members to the Nunatsiavut communities, the importance and continued programming for each department, and other agenda items.

We will be speaking with President Lampe later in the AtjiKangitut program to find out more.

Today, Monday December 7, 2020, Newfoundland and Labrador reported no new cases and two more recoveries of COVID-19.

The province now has 28 active cases.

As of Sunday, the province had seen 351 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic hit in March, with 64,354 people tested.

There have been 317 recoveries. No one is in hospital due to the virus.

For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.

Eight new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the province over the weekend, bringing the total number of active cases to an even 30.

Five of the cases are in the Eastern Health region, while the other three are within Central Health’s jurisdiction — with two of them in the town of Harbour Breton, where the source has yet to be identified.

One of the eight cases also involves a female under the age of 19 in the Eastern region, but officials say there is no risk to any schools.

Officials say all eight people—four male and four female—are said to be self-isolating and contact tracing is being carried out.

No one is currently in hospital due to the virus.

Meanwhile, the province’s regular COVID-19 briefing is scheduled for this afternoon, and VOCM will carry it live, starting at 2 p.m.

Story Courtesy of VOCM News.

Labrador Marine Inc.’s Kamutik W departed Goose Bay last Monday enroute to ports north to Nain. This voyage will conclude the 2020 coastal shipping season. All freight and other cargo destined for the north coast will have been delivered at the conclusion of this trip.

The 2020 shipping season was a success, with a 17% percent increase in shipments over 2019. LMI carried 14,538 tons in 2020, compared to 12,358 tons in 2019, an increase of 2,180 tons.

Although COVID-19 impacted operations and resulted in a 21 percent reduction in passenger numbers in 2020, LMI still carried 3,154 passengers to and from the coast. The company followed all public health regulations and operated safely.

The arrival of the Kamutik W in 2019 introduced drive on-drive off service to owners of private vehicles. Coastal residents are taking advantage of this feature. 504 private vehicles were transported to and from the coast this season, a 40 percent increase from 2019.

Service Marine in 2020 LMI made several investments in 2020 that enhanced service to coastal communities.
• Construction of a concrete ramp at Makkovik to facilitate loading and unloading of the vessel.
• Fabrication of special skids for safe and damage-free snowmobile transport.
• Community bins to provide safe and seamless transport of small packages.
• iPads provided for passenger use onboard the vessel.
• Development of a freight tracking system that allows shippers to track shipments through a unique customer shipping code.
• Successful development of new computer systems for freight, reservations, and ticketing.
• Upgrades to the warehouse at Goose Bay with installation of racking that increased capacity and allowed for better organization; upgrading of the warehouse with full heating added.

LMI President and CEO Peter Woodward commented on the importance of these investments. “We provide an essential service to one of the last remaining areas of the province without road connections,” he said. “We strive to provide top-notch service with on-time delivery. These investments help us achieve that goal.”

Woodward also acknowledged the extraordinary effort that it took to operate safely in 2020. “Operating the service during a worldwide pandemic has challenged everyone. But our management and crew, our partners at Nunatsiavut Marine, and the public have been supportive in ensuring that we operated safely. And all of that has made this exceptional year possible.”

Labrador Marine Inc. began preparations for 2020 immediately when last season ended. That preparation, which included input from stakeholders such as the Nunatsiavut Government, Inuit Community Governments, and the Innu Nation, allowed for an early and successful start to this season. Preparations are already underway for the 2021 season and will include consultation with local government officials and users of the service.

For further information, contact Peter Woodward, LMI President and CEO at 709-896-2041.

The Nain Department of Health and Social Development will be doing their Christmas activities virtually this year.

Edna Winters is the Team Leader with the Nain DHSD.

She says this Wednesday, they will start getting ready for the annual Christmas dinner for the seniors, it will be delivered by the DHSD staff and Recreation staff.

The Community Health Workers, Jane Merkuratsuk, Lisa Dicker and Alice Okkuatsiak will be doing draws for the Gingerbread House Making on December 16th.

There are ten draws for families to get a chance to win prizes.

On December 21st, there will be a Best Christmas Decorated Window with three draws for prizes.

On December 22nd, they will select five draws for families or their children to post pictures online for a one to five chance on winning Christmas stockings.

Families can post their pictures onto the Nain DHSD Facebook Page.

The Provincial Government has put together a vaccine logistic team in anticipation for the roll-out of COVID-19 as early as this month.

The man in charge of logistics for the distribution of the Pfizer vaccine across the country Canadian Forces Major–General Danny Fortin has informed the provinces and territories to be ready to accept the vaccines by Monday, December 14.

Premier Andrew Furey made the announcement last Friday that the provinces vaccine logistics team will be made up of government officials including Health Minister, John Haggie and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald.

He says the military is the key player and the effort will be led by Commander David Botting and Minister responsible for Labrador Affairs and Indigenous Affairs, Lisa Dempster. Premier Furey says they will be ready to start administering the vaccine to the provinces most vulnerable as soon as it becomes available.

The production program with SmartICE for youth is now completed till next summer.

Rex Holwell Jr. is the Northern Production lead.

He says they are waiting for the ice to form to deploy the six SmartBUOYS.

Holwell Jr. is waiting for the Rigolet Inuit Community Government to get their permission to train their operator.

Stay tuned to AtjiKangitut to hear more updates with SmartICE coming from Holwell Jr.

Today, Friday, December 4th, Newfoundland and Labrador has 3 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The first case is a male, aged 40-49 in the Eastern Health region. The case is travel-related.

The individual is self-isolating and contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway.

The second new case is a male, aged 30-39 in the Eastern Health region. The source of infection for this case is currently under investigation by Public Health.

The individual is self-isolating and contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway.

The third new case is a female, aged 30-39 in the Eastern Health region. The source of infection for this case is currently under investigation by Public Health.

The individual is self-isolating and contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway.

Newfoundland and Labrador has 27 active cases of COVID-19.

There has been 5 new recoveries, and in total, 312 people have recovered.

No one is in hospital due to the virus and to date, 63,839 people have been tested.

The press conference is ongoing and we will keep you up to date.

The Nunatsiavut Government is currently accepting applications for a housing repair for 2021.

The Housing Repair Program is being made available to all Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement residing in the Inuit communities of Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik and Rigolet.

Applications can be picked up from community Liaison Officers in the following communities:

– Nain, Rutie Dicker at 922-2942
– Hopedale, Ethel Hunter at 933-3777
– Postville, Betty Vincent at 479-9880
– Makkovik, Carol Gear at 923-2365
– Rigolet, Paula McLean-Shepperd at 947-3383

Application is also available online at www.nunatsiavut.com.

Completed applications must be submitted to your Community Liaison Officer by 4pm on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

For additional information, please contact Brian Lyall in Happy Valley-Goose Bay at 709-896-8582.