The Nunatsiavut Government Department of Culture, Recreation and tourism is holding an OkKak 100 year Commemoration in September and are looking for the following:

• Bear guards
• Speed boat drivers
• Cooks/Cooks helper
• Cleaners
• Drivers for in town
• Billeting
• Interpreters/Translators
• Recorder/Minute taker
• Long liners

If you are interested in any of the following, please contact Brenda Jararuse at 922-2942 ext. 239 or email her at brenda.jararuse@nunatsiavut.com

The deadline to hand in your applications is on Friday, August 23, 2019.

After 6 long days of no internet and long distance for Nain and Natuashish, it was finally restored last evening.

The internet and long distant calls were restored about 5pm yesterday.

We have been in contact with Bell Aliant about the situation.

This issue began on Saturday August 3rd.

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

She says they are aware of the issue of the outages for Nain and Natuashish.

Outage was the result of an issue at one of our towers that connects Nain and Natuashish to our network.

Weather conditions had prevented us from flying in to the site until late yesterday afternoon when our crews were able to get in and complete repairs.

Services have now been restored.

SmartICE is in partnership with the Nain Research Centre and the Nunatsiavut Government.

Rex Holwell is the Northern Production Lead for Smart ICE.

SmartICE has completed their very first 8 week Pilot Project this summer.

During this 8 week program the students learnt how to make Smart BUOYS and also completed First Aid, WHMIS, Mindfulness, and more.

He will be speaking about what the Students completed in their 8 week program they just finished.

Holwell also mentions that they will be starting up the second SmartICE Pilot Project that will happen in September for 6 weeks.

Todd Perry is also a Youth Support Intern with SmartICE.

He speaks about how each student was successful in their 8 week project they’ve been doing.

Perry also mentions that this is a great opportunity for the community and he hopes to one day come back to this program.

click here to hear more on what Holwell and Perry has to say.

The Young Girls Empowerment & Personal Development is being postponed until further notice.

This was scheduled to take place in Nain this month on August 12-16, 2019.

Heather Angnatok is the Regional Youth Administrator.

She says this program was aimed for young girls ages 13-18 from all the Nunatsiavut communities and the Canadian Constituency.

The intent of the program is to educate and promote healthy lifestyles through informal discussions and interactions that will empower young girls with confidence, pride and self esteem throughout Inuit traditions and cultural practices.

Angnatok says there were a lot of names submitted but due to poor weather conditions and no long distance access herself and the planning committee could not make any selections.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Regional Youth Administrator, Heather Angnatok at the DHSD here in Nain at (709) 922-2126 extension 241.

Or by email at heather.angnatok@nunatsiavut.com

OKalâKatiget Radio will get another update once available.

The 22nd Annual Salmon Festival began yesterday August 7th and runs until the 10th in Rigolet.

Started 10am at the Net loft they was holding Booth Games, Face Painting, Puck Shot, and Axe Throwing.

12pm they had Money Ring Toss for ages 16 and up at the Net loft.

At 1pm they held Cardboard Boat Race Registrations, and started at 1:30pm they went along with the Cardboard Boat Race.

Located at the DHSD Building at 2:30pm they are holding events.

And at 7pm there will be Price Is Right located at the Community Hall.

Tomorrow they will begin with a Volley-Ball Tournament for ages 13+, with an admission fee of $10.

Okalakatiget Radio will have tomorrow’s events for the Rigolet Salmon Festival.

Today marks day 3 for the 29th Annual Trout Festival in Makkovik.

An Open House and storytelling was held at the Museum at 10 am this morning.

At 1pm was the Trout Festival Treasure Hunt for ages up to 6 followed by a Mug Up and a video display at the Community Hall at 1:30.

Bingo will be held starting at 6pm this evening with cards and tickets selling from 3-5pm at the Youth Centre with $100 games, 2 $1000 jackpots to go, along with tickets on items.

Starting at 9pm there will be the 1st Annual Albert Ford Memorial Dart Tournament for Singles Night, ages 19+, located at the Community Hall.

Tomorrow they will begin with an Amazing Plant Race with Erica Oberndofer.

Okalakatiget Radio will have more of tomorrow’s events on the Trout Festival.

The Nain fish plant is busy with Char.

Deidi Kohlmeister is the Officer Supervisor for the plant.

She says there are twenty three employees and four fishermen fishing char.

Kohlmeister says 11,645lbs of Char has been landed to this date.

She adds there are crab legs, cod fillets, smoked char and shrimp to sell at the fish plant if anyone is interested.

Today marks Day 6 without no Internet access and Long distance access.

According to a recent Facebook post by our MHA Lela Evans; she posted that the Bell Aliant chopper crew are holding up in Hopedale this morning.

Due to poor weather conditions the chopper could not make it in.

But the forecast is supposed to be looking better this afternoon.

OKalâKatiget Radio will have more information once available.

Another update that just came in from Lela.

She has not been able to get an official update from Bell Aliant but she did get in contact with a community member in Hopedale.

A community member told her that the helicopter is still in Hopedale and has not gone into the tower yet.

They also told her that the weather seems to be improving, so that is a hopeful sign.

Once she gets an official update she will post again.

Today marks Day 5 without any access to both internet and long distance phone calls in Nain and Natuashish.

The outage started around 5pm on Saturday, August 3, 2019.

Bell Aliant is having an issue at their tower site at Merrifield.

Our Senior Radio Producer had the opportunity to speak to our MHA Leila Evans through a satellite phone to get another update.

Leila says the Canadian helicopter left site this morning and on route to Merrifield.

She says this Canadian helicopter can fly around bad weather and can land where planes can’t.

Evans is hoping the helicopter can land and they should arrive by mid day today around 1 o’clock this afternoon.

Once Lela gets another update she will post it on her Facebook to notify others so they can also share her post.

She is also concerned about the phone an internet and about people who are without power.

She hopes this issue can be dealt with soon.

Evans is also concerned about people who are taking special medications who are also relying on planes to get medications in from the pharmacy.

The Nain Recreation Department are still looking for local performers to play during this month’s Music Festival.

The Music festival is scheduled for August 24 and August 25, 2019.

Lisa Ivany is the Recreation Director with the Nain Inuit Community Government.

The Recreation Department held a contest last month; Name the festival contest.

She says the contest closed on July 29 and they had about 15-20 different names submitted.

Ivany says the winner will be announced with a great prize to be awarded to the winner, but the date is yet to be determined.

But right now they have confirmed artists who will perform during the festival which are music artists such as David Hart, The Beardos and Saali Keelan.

The Nain Recreation Department are looking for local performers, so if you are willing to perform during this year’s music festival you can contact the Recreation Director Lisa Ivany or Recreation Assistant Mary Maggo 922-2690/2691.