Residents of Postville are dealing with an oil spill issue within their area.

We spoke with MHA of the Torngat District, Lela Evans about this issue.

She says pictures from the area show oil on the water and surrounding coastline amid reports of a strong smell throughout the community.

Both Lela Evans and Glen Sheppard are very concerned about the impact to human health and the impact to the environment.

AngajukKâk Glen Sheppard of Postville states that no one is taking responsibility for this oil spill.

The greatest issue for the community is that Postville is an area that is rich in fish and wildlife.

Freshwater meets salt water so the area is rich habitat for birds and fish species, char, trout, smelts.

This is all in addition to the safety and health issues posed to the people in the community due to exposure to the vapors that is emanates throughout the community.

We had a interview with Lela about the concerns with this oil spill, so stay tuned to our AtjiKangitut program tomorrow as Evans will give us more information.

Pauktuutiit Inuit Women of Canada has been disappointed in the delay of the Missing and Murdered Inuit Women and Girls Inquiry’s Final Report.

Rebecca Kudloo is the President of Pauktuutit.

She says the Inquiry was delayed by the Federal Government and will not be ready this month during COVID-19.

Kudloo says it’s a disappointment especially when a lot of families took part in the Inquiry last year.

She says Pauktuutit is asking the Federal Government if that can be done this year before December.

Click here to hear Kudloo give you more information.

As the province moves to Alert Level 3 today, OKâlaKatiget Society is going back to normal summer hours.

The radio department’s hours are from 9 am to 3:30 pm.

But the host for the 3 to 4 pm show will still be on the air until 4 pm.

The TV Department’s hours will be 9-12 and 1-4:30 pm.

The OKâlaKatiget Society office is still locking its doors to the general public for precautionary measures.

This means there will be no visitors and no written requests or announcements from the public except by phone, fax or email.

Until further notice we will have our main door locked at all times.

You can email your requests to our work email at okradio@oksociety.com or by phone.

Phone numbers to reach the OK Society are as follows:

922-2187, 922-2896, 922-2955 or 922-2957 or 922-2958 or our toll free number which is: 1-855-922-2955.

Our Fax line number is: 709-922-2293.

RCMP would like to remind the residents of Hopedale about the highway traffic act.

Summer season is here and they would like to make sure that all drivers are aware that road traffic is important and the rules of the roads are followed.

When road safety products are utilized correctly or efficiently, they can help save lives, prevent accidents and injuries, and avoid lawsuits!

RCMP will be stopping people to make sure motorists have the following:

– A valid driver’s license
– Registration
– Insurance coverage
– ATV’s/motorcycles must also be registered and insured

The Hopedale RCMP would like to thank you for your cooperation, and if you have any questions or concerns please contact your local RCMP detachment at 933-3820.

Yesterday Newfoundland and Labrador announced that there were no new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The total number of confirmed cases in the province remains at 261.

The regional breakdown of the 261 cases is as follows:

• Eastern Health – 243
• Central Health – 8
• Labrador-Grenfell Health – 6
• Western Health – 4

Fifty-two per cent of cases are female and forty-eight per cent are male.

One person is in hospital due to the virus.

256 people have recovered.

There have been three deaths from COVID-19.

To date, 13,335 people have been tested.

Newfoundland and Labrador has officially moved into Alert Level 3, and the first day of further relaxed public health measures is bringing with it a myriad of changes as many businesses re-open and more people return to work.

The changes arrived Monday, after the province marked a weekend with no new cases of COVID-19, extending the absence of a positive test to a 10-day streak.

Retailers and services that have been closed for weeks are now welcoming people back into their spaces, although health and safety procedures governing everything from getting a manicure to mall shopping mean increased sanitation is top of mind.

Public servants, the bulk of whom have been working from home since mid-March, are trickling back into offices across the province.

While no exact returning employee numbers have been given to the union that represents the bulk of those workers, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE) says buildings will be operating at a staffing level of about 20 per cent.

OK Radio will have more coverage once it becomes available.

The Nunatsiavut Government wishes to advise that effective today, June 8, it will relax its position on non-essential travel to the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area from anywhere within Newfoundland and Labrador.

However, those who have been directed to self-isolate or self-monitor for symptoms of the coronavirus COVID-19 are still being asked to not enter the region.

Those travelling from outside of the province are still being asked to self-isolate for 14 days before entering the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area.

The Nunatsiavut Government continues to remind all travelers to practice generally-accepted public health protocols to help prevent potential exposure and spread of COVID-19.

Click here to hear more from First Minister of the Nunatsiavut, Tyler Edmunds.

The Nunatsiavut Government wishes to advise that, effective Monday, June 8, it will relax its position on non-essential travel to the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area from anywhere within Newfoundland and Labrador. However, those who have been directed to self-isolate or self-monitor for symptoms of the coronavirus COVID-19 are still being asked to not enter the region.

Those travelling from outside of the province are still being asked to self-isolate for 14 days before entering the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area. “The status of travel within Nunatsiavut and the rest of the province can change at any time,” notes First Minister Tyler Edmunds. “We have to be prepared to respond and adapt accordingly to changes as they arise. We have been advised by provincial health officials that the risk of COVID-19 is currently low, but that the situation could change quickly. In light of the current situation, we are comfortable with travel to and from any of our communities by individuals within Newfoundland and Labrador.”

By easing its position, the Nunatsiavut Government is hopeful projects and developments, such as Vale’s Voisey’s Bay mine, can begin ramping up operations – providing much-needed employment for Labrador Inuit.

“We have been in discussions with Vale and are confident that all efforts will be made to minimize potential exposure to COVID-19 for workers at the mine site,” adds First Minister Edmunds. “In consultation with health officials, the Nunatsiavut Government is comfortable with workers from our communities traveling to and from Voisey’s Bay.”

On June 3, the Nunatsiavut Government gave notice that it would no longer be requesting people to not travel between Labrador Inuit communities, unless they have been directed to self-isolate or to self-monitor for symptoms COVID-19.

The Nunatsiavut Government continues to remind all travelers to practice generally-accepted public health protocols to help prevent potential exposure and spread of COVID-19.

The Tuvaq is traveling up the north coast to delivery fuel to the communities. The Tuvaq is being escorted by the CCG icebreaker George R Pearkes. The icebreaker will clear up the harbours and break up the ice, leaving an open track for the Tuvag and the Kamutik W.

The freight office in Goose Bay will start accepting freight at 8 am, Monday, June 8th.

The Kamutik W will depart Goose Bay at 2 pm on Sunday June 14th.

The ferry will be traveling all ports north, carrying both freight and passengers.

All passengers MUST call in advance to make reservations now. Everyone can phone to make reservations, including during times when the ferry is traveling on the north coast – no more lining up at the dock in the middle of the night to see if you can get a reservation.

Due to Covid-19 health requirements, the ferry will be carrying less passengers. Maximum capacity is set at 53 passengers.

Also, health and Safety protocols will be enforced. Measures will be taken for anyone violating the protocols, including loss of travel privileges (banned from future travel).

Dock improvements are taking place in Makkovik and once completed, repair work will shift to the Nain dock.

The Kamutik W will do south runs to Rigolet, Cartwright, and Black Tickle.

There will be 2 runs each month in July and August; the first run is scheduled for July 13th and 1 run in September and October.

Yesterday, Thursday, June 4, Newfoundland and Labrador has no new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The total number of confirmed cases in the province remains at 261.

The regional breakdown of the 261 cases is as follows:

– Eastern Health – 243
– Central Health – 8
– Labrador-Grenfell Health – 6
– Western Health – 4

Fifty-two per cent of cases are female and forty-eight per cent are male.

By age, there are 22 people 19 years old and under, 38 between 20-39, 39 between 40-49, 58 between 50-59, 57 between 60-69, and 47 people who are 70 years old and above.

One person is in hospital due to the virus.

Two hundred and fifty-six people have recovered.

There have been three deaths from COVID-19.

To date, 12,819 people have been tested.