13 people admitted to hospital in most reporting period.

Newfoundland and Labrador have recorded 3 more deaths due to COVID-19 since the last provincial update,

The Provincial Health Department on Wednesday announced two deaths in the most recent reporting period, which covers May 21 to June 3. But regional and age data on the government’s website reveals that there have been three deaths attributed to COVID-19 since the update two weeks ago.

Two people who died were in their 70’s and one was in their 40’s.

The province is also reporting 13 hospitalizations over the two-week period, including one person who was placed in critical care.

The number of deaths raise Newfoundland and Labrador’s total to 348 since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Jens Haven Memorial School will be distributing free life jackets to students.

Juanita Skanes is the Vice Principal with the JHMS School.

She says the Canadian Armed Forces distributed to the Jens Haven Memorial School in November 2022.

Skanes says everyone who was enrolled into school last year will be receiving free life jackets tomorrow.

Students from grades 1 to grade 12 will be given a life jacket each, this includes last years grad students.

She adds students were given a memo regarding this for all parents and caregivers.

Skanes says only parents or guardians are allowed to pick up the life jackets for their child/children.

The distribution will take place at the K-12 school parking lot tomorrow from 3:30 pm to 4:30 and again from 6:30-8 pm.

She adds that each student was measured for sizing last year.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the life jacket distribution, you can contact the school.

Leah Blake is the new Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership Counsellor out of Nain, and we had a brief update from her today on the latest LATP safety courses.

Leah says that their Safety Training that was supposed to be held this week in Nain has been postponed because the location that they booked was unavailable at the last minute and they could not find another location to hold the training. They rescheduled for June 26, but their trainer had other commitments for that week, so their tentative date is July 10-14 and are hoping it won’t be delayed again as some of their applicants will be working. So, the people who are on the waiting list will be notified if spots become available.

The location is yet to be determined. DMC is currently looking for a location to hold the training. Once she gets any information from them, she will inform all applicants.

She also says that all 15 seats are filled, and she has started a waiting list. She’s hoping that if there are enough people interested, they can hold another one in the future.

Their trainer is DMC Training (Dallas Mercer Consulting), coming from St. John’s. And they are hopeful that the weather cooperates and that there are no more delays.

Leah would also like to add that if anyone is interested in safety training, if you are unemployed or underemployed (on EI or Income Support) to go and pick up an application at her office at 2 Morhardt Road or email lblake@latp.ca. Like she said, you will be on a waiting list and if spots become available, you will be notified. She would like to thank you for your interest in LATP and enjoy your day!

National Indigenous People’s Day is June 21, 2023.

We spoke with Mental Health and Addictions Worker, Rutie Lampe for a brief update on what will be happening in Nain, Nunatsiavut for this special day.

Rutie is hopeful that they will be able to serve soup and panitsiak with char fish and brewis for this day.

Some events that will happen on this day will include cultural activities like Best Dressed in traditional wear, Inuit games, entertainment night and more.

The planning process is still ongoing, but they are hopeful of receiving enough char to serve people char fish and brewis for this day.

For more information, you can contact Rutie Lampe at 922-2126 ext. 231.

Hopedale will be hosting an open house on Monday, June 12, 2023, taking place at the Nunatsiavut Assembly Building Court Room at 7 pm.

This open house is for beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement and are welcome to join and meet with the President and Members of the Nunatsiavut Executive Council.

Refreshments will be available and provided.

NG still strongly encourages people to keep physical distancing, use a non-medical face mask, and sanitize your hands upon arrival of the building.

For more information, contact Edna Asivak at 1-866-922-2942.

June 5 was Inuvialuit Day.

This marks 39 years since the signing of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, the first comprehensive land claims agreement, north of the 60th parallel and only the second of its kind in Canada.

Pauktuutit, Inuit Women of Canada says, “It is a time to learn and celebrate the Inuvialuit Settlement.”

Inuvialuit is a testament to a rich cultural heritage, and enduring spirit, and an inspiring journey. A few days ago; they celebrated the Inuvialuit Community. Their strength, their wisdom, and their contributions that continue to shape their society.

There will be a project that will be happening in the month of July and the dates are set for July 10th to the 14th and this project is aimed for students entering grades 8, 11 and 12 in the Fall of 2023.

We spoke with McKenzie Hutchings who is the camp coordinator for Labrador lands and Waters who is based in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

This project is a 5-day session for any students who are interested in learning about science, Labrador lands and waters.

Stay tuned to AtjiKangitut to hear more from Hutchings.

MHA for the Torngat Mountains District, Lela Evans, recently wrote a letter to the Minister of Transportation in response to Labrador Marine regarding the delay with the Kamutik W.

According to the Labrador Marine Inc., press release, the opening of the marine ferry service to the Northern Labrador communities of Rigolet, Makkovik, Postville, Hopedale, Natuashish and Nain is delayed until June 18, 2023, due to ice conditions.

Evans is trying to schedule passengers to travel via airline Air Borealis until the ferry can begin its regular schedule to the north coast communities.

This delay of ferry service creates multiple hardships.

None of our communities have road access and therefore are dependant on this marine service for bulk food shipments, building materials, vehicles including trucks and off-road vehicles, household goods, and many other essential services for our communities.

Until the ice moves off and the Kamutik W can sail north, we must ensure that passengers are accommodated.

We will have another update on this once it becomes available.

Multiple forest fires are underway in the Quebec region.

We spoke with Jeff Motty, the Provincial Duty Officer for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Motty says the forest fire is in Quebec, 255 kms away from Labrador.

He adds that the province is sharing resources to combat the multiple fires.

Right now, they have road closures in Quebec and restricted access from Quebec to Western Labrador.

Motty says due to the forest fires they had to evacuate in Sept-Iles, Quebec for safety reasons.

All the Canadian fire fighters and the provinces are all helping with their resources, they have another 50 military personnel showing up to help with the fires, and help and resources from the United States.

The provincial 811 Healthline number is currently experiencing technical issues.

Anyone seeking medical advice or experiencing a mental health crisis is asked to call (709)702-0890 until the 811 Healthline is restored.

Please note that you must dial all 10 digits regardless of where you are located in the province.

For individuals in need of mental health services normally accessed through 811 Healthline, the following resources are also available:

-911: For emergencies, including community-based crisis intervention services provided by trained mental health clinicians on Mobile Crisis Response Teams

-Talk Suicide Canada: Connect to a crisis responder to get help for yourself, or if you’re worried about someone else. Call 1-833-456-4566 toll free 24/7 every day of the year or text 45645.

-Kids Help Phone: Available to people of all ages 24/7, call 1-800-668-6868 or text ‘CONNECT’ to 686868.

Visit www.kidshelphone.ca and click “Tap to chat” from 7:00 om to midnight daily, or send a message to Kids Help Phone via Facebook Messenger app.