There will be a Torngat Mountains Caribou Information Sharing Session this evening, February 26th in Nain.

In March and April 2020, a third survey to estimate the abundance of Torngat Mountains caribou will take place as part of an ongoing monitoring program.

There will be a brief presentation on the results of past monitoring, followed by an open discussion on caribou distribution, methodologies and issues.

Please come join us to discuss caribou monitoring, and provide input on this year’s survey design.

A translator will be present to assist with communication and all are welcome.

This will be held at the Nunatsiavut Government Boardroom starting at 7 pm.

For more information, please contact Meredith Purcell at 896-6780 or email her at meredith.purcell@torngatsecretariat.ca.

Residents in Labrador were experiencing issues with Bell Aliant Internet services on Saturday, February 22nd, 2020.

We spoke with Isabelle Boulet who is the Media Relations with Bell Aliant.

She says this was an unknown issue which may still be ongoing, but they are out there doing an investigation.

Boulet says they received numerous phone calls from customers with Bell Aliant in concerns with the internet issues.

She adds that she was able to get some detail pretty quickly yesterday afternoon as it turns out.

Boulet says some customers along the coast of Labrador may have been experiencing slow Internet speeds.

Technicians were able to fly into Mulligan this morning to complete repairs, and full service has now been restored.

If you are still experiencing any difficulties with your internet with Bell Aliant, you can call the direct service repair toll free number at 1-866-425-4268.

The Traditional Girl’s Day Celebrations will be taking place in Nain on Friday, March 6th, 2020.

This year there are three captains, Maria Dyson, Trudy Dicker and Lavinia Jararuse.

The first girl’s day meeting went ahead last evening at the Nain Fire Hall.

The meeting began at 6 pm, with 4 young girls in attendance.

If any young girls between the ages of 15 years and older would like to have their day this year, you can contact one of the captains for more information.

Traditionally every young girl who celebrates their special day must have the following clothing items to take part; the girls would need a red or pink church cap, a red or pink dress, a red or pink ribbon, a pair of seal skin boots, and a blazer.

If there is anyone in the community who have access to any of the following clothing items and who are willing to lend out please get in contact with either one of the three captains.

Whether it’s a dress, blazers, a church cap, seal skin boots or ribbons which would be greatly appreciated.

They will be handing out letters to organizations about donations to help with their day.

They are also looking for helpers, cooks, and cooks helpers to help out on this day.

The fee for first timers is $15, and for second timers it’s $25.

Another girl’s day meeting is scheduled for this evening at 6 pm at the Fire hall.

Some of the male students from along the coast have attended the Newfoundland and Labrador Volleyball Association Tournament in Clarenville, Newfoundland.

We spoke with Shane Morgan who is the principal in the Lake Melville School in North West River.

There were 8 male students from Labrador that consisted of two from Nain, two from Hopedale, one from Makkovik, one from North West River and one from Charlottetown and it is the first time to bring a male division to the tournament.

The tournament was last weekend on Friday, February 21st to 22nd 2020.

Morgan says that Trevor Dicker from Nain got the Most-Spirited award.

Morgan adds that there will be a volleyball tournament for the girls’ teams next weekend in Corner Brook.

The students have done a good job to represent each community in Labrador.

The Town of Happy Valley Goose Bay held a meeting with the Municipal Enforcement Department and the Grand River Snowmobile Club.

According to the Press release they want to help raise awareness about the Snowmobile Safety and the Municipal Snow Vehicle Regulations.

On Sunday, February 23rd, 2020, the town and the Municipal Enforcement officer Larry Baker, along with Greg Wheeler of the Grand River Snowmobile Club conducted a Safety Checkpoint to help raise awareness on the importance of the snowmobile safety and the value or having a trail pass.

Violations and complaints received are mostly, related to individuals operating snowmobiles on the municipal roadways, exceeding the 15 km/hour speed limit for the purpose of accessing the nearest possible train and crossing a highway where the operator has less than 100 metres visibility.

Individuals who do not comply with the snow vehicle regulations could be subject to a $100-$500 fine for the first offence and a $500 to $1000 fine for the second offence.

The town’s priority is the safety of its residence; they are encouraging members of the public to help increase snowmobile safety by reporting any snow machine violations to the Happy Valley Goose Bay RCMP detachment at 896-3383 or the Towns Municipal enforcement department 896-3322.

The Combined Councils of Labrador held their 48th annual meeting in Lans Au Claire, Labrador South this year.

Joe Dicker is the AngajukKak for the Nain Inuit Community Government.

He says the meetings were held from Thursday, February 20 to the 22 nd.

Dicker says agenda items included: transportation, Nain Airstrip, road link to Trans Labrador Highway, Hydro increases.

He says there was some good feedback on some of the issues brought forward within other councillors, the MHA Lela Evans and MP Yvonne Jones.

There will be more information at a later date as to how work or business goes.

Click here to hear AngajukKak Dicker talk more of the issues around Nain.

The 2020 Cains Quest Snowmobile Endurance Race is fast approaching.
On March 7th, 2020, teams from across the world will be competing.
We spoke with Sarah Hensgens who is with the administration for Cain’s quest racing company.

She says that’s two teams have arrived so far, they are the team Wild Nordic from Finland and Team Villains who is from Nova Scotia and from the States.

We also have the schedule, which is:
– On Wednesday March 4th, there will be the Racers’ Check-in at the White Wolf Snowmobile club from 9 am-12 pm and 1-4 pm.
– On Thursday March 5th, from 1-4 pm is the ski-doo drop for gear checks at the Labrador Arena and from 6-8 pm is the “Fan Night” at the Arena.
– On Friday March 6th, everyone will meet at the Royal Canadian Legion to do the Start Line Position Draw at 8:30 am to 9 am and from 9 am-11:30 am is the Racer’s Meeting.
– There will be a Open breakfast at the White Wolf Snowmobile Club will be from 6-8 am, the Racers will line up from 8:30-9 am and the race will start at 10 am on Elm Street Labrador City.
– On March 14th will be the Award Presentations and entertainment from 5 pm to 2 am at the Labrador Arena.

Hensgens adds to look on their website to see who the racers are and where they are from and will be an interesting race.

As required under Inuit Law, the Member Services Committee (MSC) of the Nunatsiavut Assembly is expected to consult and seek feedback from the Inuit before the Nunatsiavut Assembly agree to salary and benefits for its Members.

The MSC would like to advise Inuit of the following proposed changes:

• Members of the Nunatsiavut Assembly residing in the Inuit Communities will receive $7,550 (up from $5,805) if they have dependents and $3,775 (up from $2,905) without dependents;
• In Upper Lake Melville, Members of the Nunatsiavut Assembly with dependents will receive $5,350 (up from $4,100) and $2,650 (up from $2,050) without dependents.

The proposed changes are in line with those being applied to the Nunatsiavut Civil Service.

Please submit comments in writing on or before 4:30 pm (Atlantic Standard Time), Friday, March 6th, 2020 to:

Edward Blake-Rudkowski
Speaker
Nunatsiavut Assembly
Hopedale, NL A0P 1LO

Email: Edward.blake-rudkowski@nunatsiavut.com
Phone: (416) 209 4788

The Northern Lights 2020 and Trade Show took place in Ottawa, Ontario couple weeks ago.

This is now Canada’s #1 Arctic & North Showcase and is held every two years.

Tyler Edmunds is the newly elected First Minister for Nunatsiavut Government.

He says the conference was held from Wednesday, February 5 to the 8th this year.

There were a lot of invited guests from different governments, businesses and artists.

Edmunds adds that there were a lot of issues covered in those few days.

Click here to hear Edmunds give you more detailed information.

The residents of Nain are invited to attend to the Jens Haven Memorial School Grade 8 Heritage Fair.

The Heritage Fair will be going ahead tomorrow, Tuesday, February 25th, 2020.

Kristine Nolan is the Intermediate Teacher at the Jens Haven Memorial School.

She says this year the theme is, “Our Environment: Past and Present”.

This will take place at the 4-12 gym from 1-3 pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend; come out and show your support to the Grade 8 classes.

She adds to please use the door facing Joe Webb’s.