Nunatsiavut Government Assembly Sitting went ahead under strict conditions amid concerns over COVID-19, in Hopedale on Tuesday, March 17th.

Edward Blake Rudkowski is the Speaker of the Assembly and Ordinary Member for the Canadian Constituency.

He says the sitting was about the Budget 2020-2021 for Nunatsiavut Government, where it is almost close to the end of the current fiscal year.

Blake Rudkowski says this years budget expires on Tuesday, March 31st.

And the budget has to be passed by the Nunatsiavut Assembly before April 1st.

Click here to hear the Speaker give you more details how the meeting came out.

The Air Inuit offers Special Easter and Christmas flights between Nain, George River and Kuujjuaq each year.

According to the Air Inuit reservation desk in Kuujjuaq, all special flights for Easter have been cancelled due to the corona virus outbreak.

If you have made reservations and already paid for your ticket to or from Nain, George River or Kuujjuaq, you will be refunded.

If you have any questions on this matter, you can call the reservation desk at 1-800-361-2965.

With the recent outbreak of COVID-19 the Amaguk Inn and the Franks stores along the coast are taking safety precautions to prevent the spread.

Patty Dicker is the owner of the Franks stores, the Nain Atsanik Inn and Hopedale Amaguk Inn.

She says the Franks stores will remain open with regular hours; the staff are disinfecting and cleaning everything.

The Atsanik Inn in Nain and the Amaguk Inn in Hopedale are closed to the public but will be doing takeout orders from the dining room.

Dicker would like to suggest everyone paying for their orders by debit or credit.

These closures are based on recommendations from Public Health, during this COVID-19 crisis situation.

She adds that the staff are cleaning and disinfecting every room in the hotel and practicing good hygiene.

The bar will also be closed until further notice.

The Nunatsiavut Government will close all of its office to the general public, effective March 18th, 2020. Exceptions will be made sure to ensure continued essential program and service delivery.

Members of the Nunatsiavut Civil Service will have the option to work from home with the approval of immediate supervisors. Those that report to their place of work will be required to ensure they follow generally-accepted protocols to prevent exposure to and the spread of COVID-19. These protocols include regular washing of hands with soap and water or hand sanitizers and maintaining a safe distance of 2 meters or more from others (social distancing).

All staff have also been advised that if they develop an symptoms (cough, fever or difficulty breathing) to stay home and to contact the Provincial Healthline at 811 for further instructions.

Cleaners will be permitted to enter offices after hours to ensure work stations are cleaned and sanitised on a regular basis.

These precautionary measures will be in effect for two-week period and re-evaluated on an ongoing basis.

It is important to note that there will be no break in essential Nunatsiavut Government programs and services.

The OKâlaKatiget Society would like to inform our listeners that there will be no IlinniaKatigennik radio shows until after Easter.

Due to the recent outbreaks of COVID-19, the OK Staff are taking precautionary measures to keep our staff and working place safe.

We would also like to remind the public that the OKâlaKatiget Society office is currently locking its doors to the general public until further notice.

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

The OK radio will also be closing at 3 pm starting today, March 18th, 2020.

So, anyone wanting to make requests can email your requests to our work email at okradio@oksociety.com or by phone.

Here is the list of phone numbers to reach the OK Society:

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.

We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause.

The Public Health Nursing staff with DHSD is working closely with regional nursing staff with LGH in each of the communities.

We spoke Sylvia Doody is the Nunatsiavut Director of Health Services.

She says the symptoms that we’re seeing are coughs, a fever, and difficulty breathing.

The corona viruses are spread from an infective person through either respiratory droughts, when you cough or sneeze, and also from close personal contacts.

Click here to hear Doody give you more of an update on the COVID-19.

The first game for the Gracie Jararuse Flowers Memorial Ice Hockey Tournament started at the Nain Husky Centre last evening at 7 pm.

William Flowers is the organizer for the tournament.

The Redcats and the Warriors played the first game, the Warriors won 5-4 against Redcats.

At 8:30 pm, the second teams game was the Amaguks vs the Old Timers and the Old Timers won with a score of 13 to 3.

The Warriors team game player was Chesley Dicker and Trevor Dicker for Redcats.

The player of the game for the Old-timers was Christian Obed, and the Amaguks Goalie was Gilbert Haye.

The teams played well for the beginning of Gracie Jararuse-Flowers Tournament.

Here is a schedule for the Gracie Flowers Jararuse memorial Hockey Tournament.

Thursday, March 12th, Torngat Mountains (Atom) vs NGC (Peewees) at 3:30 pm.
Chicks With Sticks vs Team Andersen at 4:30 pm.

Warriors vs Old Timers at 6 pm.
Amaguks vs Redcats at 7:30 pm.
Warriors vs Amaguks at 9 pm.

Friday, March 13th, 12 and under division:
Natuashish (Peewees) vs Makkovik (Peewees) at 3:30 pm.
Torngat Mountains (Atom) vs Natuashish (Atom) at 4:30 pm.
Makkovik (Peewees) vs NGC (Peewees) at 5:30 pm.
Natuashish (Atoms) vs Natuashish (Peewees) at 6:30 pm.

Opening ceremonies starts at 8 pm, with Joan and Sam Dicker singing Labradorimiut.
Followed by a game with the Mens Division.
Makkovik vs Redcats at 8:30 pm.

The OKâlaKatiget Society would like to notify our listeners that there will be no IlinniaKatigennik radio show on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 due to St. Patrick’s Day holiday.

We will be back on the air again on Tuesday, March 24.

Meanwhile, if anyone would like to tell stories or sing some Inuttitut songs, we would be happy to record anyone who is interested; all ages are welcome and you’ll be compensated for your time.

So, anyone wanting to record can call Robyn Martin at 709-922-2051 or email her at robyn.martin@nunatsiavut.com.

In the event of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada Annual General Meeting last month, discussions focused on next steps in the co-development of a National Plan to address violence against Inuit Women and Girls.

At the AGM the board and delegates unanimously passed a supportive motion, stating that the measure was essential for the safety and security of Inuit women and girls.

Pauktuutit is calling on the Federal Government to urgently provide $20 million towards the building of shelters and second stage transitional housing in Inuit Nunangat and Ottawa for Inuit Women and Children fleeing from violence.

“As Inuit Women continue to be 14 times more likely to become the victims of violence as compared to other women in Canada, we are hopeful that the Federal Government will recognize the urgent need for this infrastructure and respond favorably to our ask. It is a matter of life and death” said President Rebecca Kudloo.

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) last month, Monday, February 24th.

The Board of Directors held meetings, attended by the members of the board, invited guests, also several Cabinet Ministers and other special guests.

The agenda included regular business; discussions focused on the next steps in the co-development of a National Action plan to address violence against Inuit Women and Girls and featured a celebration of culture with Nunavut Sivunitsavut students performing, and a fashion show presented by Martha Kyak.

There were also elections held for 11 Board positions, and congratulations were extended for the returning members: Rebecca Kudloo was acclaimed as President for another term till 2023 AGM.

Kudloo expressed her appreciation for the ongoing support of the Board and her determination to represent the voices and priorities of all Inuit Women across Canada.

There was also nomination for Woman of the Year, with the recognition ultimately being given to Hanna Tooktoo from Kuujjuaq, Nunavik. She is an inspiration to all who meet her and the Pauktuutit Board of Directors.