The Torngat Fish Producers Co-operative Society Limited in Makkovik are now accepting names for the 2023 fishery season.

We contacted both the Nain and Makkovik Fish plant offices for an update.

Angel Chaulk is the Clerk at the Makkovik Fish plant.

She says currently they have 10 employees.

And no date yet for when the crab season will start.

But currently they are accepting names for work.

Anyone who plan to work at the Makkovik fish plant must have their own accommodations.

Chaulk says if anyone is interested in working at the Makkovik fish plant and you are the age 14 or older, you can call please call 709-923-2230.

In Nain, we spoke with John Ikkusek the Manager at the Nain fish plant.

He says today they hired a few people to hook up the waterlines at the fish plant.

Ikkusek says they will start clean up next week, and he adds they hope to have the char and scallop fishery season up and running middle of July.

The Nunatsiavut Assembly Sitting took place in Hopedale.

Roxanne Barbour is the Minister of Language, Culture and Tourism with Nunatsiavut Government.

Barbour adds there are some changes in their staff department from their last assembly.

The Tourism staff will also visit all the communities along the coast this summer to meet with the community members.

Stay tuned to our AtjiKangitut show to hear more from Barbour on the updates with the Assembly sitting.

The US Coast Guard is sending it’s deepest condolences to the families and friends of the five men on board the Titan – a submersible that went missing Sunday morning while on descent to the Titanic wreck – after debris, consistent with a “catastrophic implosion” was located yesterday, Thursday, June 22.

US Coast Guard Rear Admiral, John Mauger provided the update yesterday afternoon.

An ROV from the Horizon Arctic located the tail cone of the Titan yesterday morning approximately 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic.

More debris was subsequently found scattered on the ocean floor.

To now, no bodies were located and Mauger was unable to say whether or not recovery was possible.

He calls the sea floor an “incredibly unforgiving environment.”

He says a search will continue, but he was unable to provide any answers at this tis time as to the prospects of locating or recovering the remains.

Story courtesy of the VOCM news.

The Nain Youth Center will be holding events for youth for this years Canada Day event.

This is for ages 12-18 years of age.

Keryn Andersen is the Regional Youth Program Coordinator.

Starting at 10 am on July 1, there will be a full day fishing contest for those who return to Youth Center with the longest fish.

You must have your own fishing gear and judging will start at 6pm.

A photo scavenger hunt will also go ahead.

This will only be done by foot.

You must have your own camera, there will be a 1st, and 2nd place winners.

They will have a Canada Day outfit contest with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

There will also be a best decorated bike, along with a quick bike race around town for the fastest rider. There will be an awesome prize for the fastest bike rider.

For more information place contact the YC Staff Keryn Andersen, and Amy Maggo at 709-922-1458.

We were in contact with each of the north coast communities on what they had planned for this years 2023 National Indigenous People’s Day events.

In Postville, they celebrated their event yesterday at the KippoKak Community Centre, due to poor weather conditions.

A community feast was held, and they had a meal of caribou soup, chilli with homemade rolls, and some fresh homemade bread.

Planned activities were a scavenger hunt, a soap stone traditional contest made from bar soap, and the best traditional dress up and the first prize was a seal skin pelt.

They also had games, live entertainment, and were listening to indigenous music.

The Nunatsiavut Government in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Development in Nain held their National Indigenous People’s Day Event, and we have the results.

We spoke with Edna Winters who is the Team Leader with DHSD.

Winters said there was a good turn out, and a lot of people showed up.

There was a meal served of Fish N’ Brews, Partridge Soup, Ducks eggs, Panitsiak, Hot dogs, and a cake.

She says they had adult and children’s Inuit games, entertainment by local performers, square dancers, throat singing, drum dancers, and a traditional dress show, along with much more.

There were prizes given out: 10 people won $25 gift cards that were donated from the Nigivik Center.

And 10 people won $25 Northern gift cards donated from DHSD, 5 individuals won $100 vouchers for Franks donated by Nigivik, the prize draws were drawn by tickets in a bag for the traditional dress show.

Winters adds that everyone and the staff all enjoyed it, and she would like to thank everyone for participating and putting out such a good event, and she also said that all winners for the ticket draws were contacted.

Yesterday, Thursday, June 23 was the last day of school for all students.

Last evening the JHMS held their Cap and Gown ceremony for the high school graduates.

Vice principal Juanita Skanes, and Ms. Julie Dicker gave out the awards.

The first award was an Honour Roll for students from grades 7-12 with a total of 36 students.

The top academic, average in core subjects and most improved sponsored by NGC was given to Chloe Moores, and Maiya Harris in Grade 7, Savannah Ivany and Tyriekah Semigak in Grade 8, and Peyton Dicker and Faye Leo in Grade 9.

The Leadership Award went to Garnet Nochasak and Peyton Dicker.

The JR High Music Award went to Darcel Lidd, and a Fine Arts, Visual Art Award went to Chloe Blake.

Best all-around JR High sponsored by CSSD Award was for Peyton Dicker, and Dwayne Townley. The most improved high school student was Menzel Lidd.

The Senior High Merit Award who shows most effort and determination in their studies was awarded to Josephine Jararuse.

The top athletes in JR high were Aiden Kalleo, Peyton Dicker. In SR high, Tristan Denniston and Serenity Ivany. The SSNL most sportsmanlike was Ian Dicker and Peyton Dicker.

NLTA Merit Awards in JR high was for Chloe Moores and in SR high it was Serenity Ivany.

Best efforts in Inuktut award went to Jaycie Kalleo, and Tristan Denniston, and the Beatrice Watts Award went to Garnet Nochasak for best effort and highest potential speaking Inuktitut.

Top level awards went to Geraldine Andersen, Kaysha Hay-Jenkins, and Tristan Denniston.

Calvin Andersen was awarded a fishing kit, and Donovan Pijogge was awarded a camping kit.

Community Leadership and Volunteer Award wen to Parker Harris and Raine Andersen.

The northern student achievement award went to Zack Dicker, Dione Kohlmeister, and Karen Henoche.

Garnet Nochasak was awarded the Trent Wyatt award in recognition of the youth involvement award.

Tristan Denniston was awarded the Jason Webb award in pursuit of excellence award.

And the top graduation student attending post-secondary went to Tristan Denniston.

The Nunatsiavut Assembly passed a new Bill that provides the Nunatsiavut Government legislative authority and oversight with respect to the collection of access fees from fishers.

We spoke with Todd Broomfield who is the Director of Renewable Resources for NG.

He says on June 14, 2023, during the Nunatsiavut Assembly sitting they passed the bill for the access fee and on the amount of fish resources landed under designations.

The monies collected from the access fees are allocated to the Nunatsiavut Commercial Fisheries Fund, which was established to hold funds for the purpose of growing and promoting the commercial fishery in the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area.

Click here to find out more about this new bill.

The OKalaKatiget Society has a job opening for a receptionist. This is a full-time permanent position.

Under the supervision of the Administrative Accountant, the receptionist co-ordinates the front end reception area.

In this position the receptionist performs the following functions:
• Answers phones and transfers calls
• Takes requests and delivers to the appropriate employee area
• Greets and directs guests to the appropriate employee area
• Performs administrative duties as required
• Posting News Briefs to webpage and Facebook
• Recording and archiving of OKalaKatiget’s audio and visual materials
• Other duties as required

The successful applicant should have some knowledge of Microsoft Word Programs.

Willingness to learn features of the security cameras and monitor surveillance videos if required.

Good communication skills is a requirement.

Fluency in English and Inuktitut is a definite asset.

Rate of pay starting at $18.00 per hour with a 35-hour work week.

Deadline for Applications is today, June 23, 2023, at 4 pm.

For more information call the OKalKatiget Society at (709)922-2955.

Or send application with resume to:

Yvonne Lyall
OKalaKatiget Society
P.O. Box 160
Nain, NL
A0P-1L0

Email: Yvonne.lyall@oksociety.com

The Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership in Hopedale held their open house on Monday.

We spoke with Georgia Abel the Nunatsiavut Career counselor for LATP.

She says it was a big success, with 30 participants in attendance.

Abel says they had Tim Hortons as refreshments, and door prizes were won.

A lot of individuals are now aware of what LATP are funding with programs and are now applying for eligible programs offered by LATP.

Abel would like to inform residence that they are still accepting clients for the 2023 year and applications are now open.

The door prizes won during the open house were Spruced-up Labrador soaps, two big bags of assorted mini chips, hydro gloves, and a LATP promotional tote bag.

For more information regarding the LATP office in Hopedale you can contact Georgia Abel by calling her office line: at 709-933-3367 or by email gabel@latp.ca.