SmartICE is in partnership with the Nain Research Centre and the Nunatsiavut Government.
Shawna Dicker is the Northern Logistics Coordinator with the Smart ICE in Nain.
Rex Holwell is the Northern Production Lead, and Todd Perry is the Youth Support Worker.
She says they have hired 7 youth from the community and they are:
Dennis Merkuratsuk
David Kohlmeister
Susie Kohlmeister
William Abel
Starr Webb
Antone Harris
Margaret Obed
Right now they are all working with the smart buoys.
For the first time in the province’s history, residents of northern Labrador communities are able to drive their vehicles onto the ferry and continue their travels to their destinations.
Dennis White is the Vice president with Woodward’s Oil Limited.
He says the MV Kamutik W arrived in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on Sunday evening and will begin transporting passengers, vehicles and freight to the north coast today.
The fully accessible, seven-year-old roll on, roll off vessel will travel weekly to Rigolet, Makkovik, Postville, Hopedale, Natuashish, and Nain and replaces the 48-year-old MV Astron and the 33-year-old MV Northern Ranger.
Rates have also been lowered approximately 60 per cent for passengers and approximately 40 per cent for freight.
The vessel can transport 250 passengers, up to 200 vehicles, a maximum of nine tractor-trailers, and 125 units of freight.
In addition, the vessel can dock and unload bow or stern first, has ramps more compatible with docks on the north coast, is 1A ice class certified, is capable of operating to standard in heavy sea ice conditions, and has a full service cafeteria and modern washrooms.
Reservations can be made by visiting Labrador Marine’s website at lmsi.woodwardgroup.ca or calling the reservations line 1-855-896-2262.
Click here to find out more about the new ferry service.
Service NL will be traveling to Hopedale tomorrow to give services to the community.
Donna Flowers is the Acting Town Manager at the Hopedale Inuit Community Government.
She says the driver examiner will be in Hopedale weather permitting tomorrow July 9, 2019 at 9am.
The driver examiner will be providing the following: written tests, road tests and to do photo IDs.
The location will be at the Nanuk Center.
Flowers says there is no fee to do your written test, but once you pass your written test you are asked to pay the $60 fee.
Forms can be picked up at the HICG.
To get your photo ID done by the driver examiner there is a $25 fee charge, and to complete your road test you must pay $78.
For more information you can contact the HICG at 933-3864.
The Labrador Interpretation Centre in North West River is busy this summer.
Mina Campbell-Hibbs is the Curator for the centre.
She says they will have an Exhibit on July 16, and the name of Exhibit is called, “I went to Hebron once”.
She adds she will be showing slide shows of the beach festivals like from 30 years ago.
Click here to AtjiKangitut to hear more from Campbell-Hibbs later on today.
The Division of Tourism with the Nunatsiavut Government are looking for speed boat charters from Nain to Hebron this summer with camp supplies and at times Nunatsiavut staff during the weeks of July 15th, 22nd, 29th, August 12th, 19th, and the 26, 2019.
They are asking interested beneficiaries to submit the following:
• The size of their boat and motor
• Safety equipment such as GPS, Sat Phone, Life Jackets, etc.
• Your knowledge and experience of travelling to Hebron as well as expertise in navigating and living off the land
• If you will have an assistant or laborer with you, they will need their name and knowledge of the land
• Your full name and best way to contact you if you are a successful candidate
The Nunatsiavut Government will pay the following per trip from Nain to Hebron:
• $250 for boat rental with driver, excluding gas and lube
• $75 for the assistant or laborer
If you are interested, please have the above information submitted to Jillian Larkham at jillian.larkham@nunatsiavut.com.
The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is currently accepting applications from Labrador youth for the Girl Quest 2019.
We spoke with Kathryn Hong who is the Coordinator for Outreach Activities at the Memorial University in St. Johns NL.
This is an amazing opportunity for young girls to discover their talents in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This Quest has been going on since the year 2012, and has been successful each year.
She says that there are 8 spots available for the Girl Quest 2019. Right now they have 7 applicants from Nain, and are still seeking one more.
To apply, girls must be 9-12 years old, have a love of Science and be able to travel to St. Johns on Sunday, July 21, and will be returning on Saturday, July 27. Preference will be given to those who have not attended a Girl Quest in the past.
They have one Chaperone from Nain so far but they still need one more chaperon. Chaperones must be at least 19 years of age and provide references and a recent Criminal Record Check.
She would like to remind the applicants for the Girl Quest and for the Chaperone that all costs are covered, so there is no worry for that.
3 local groups will all be staying together; and also 3 staff will be staying together as well.
The programs will begin during day from 8:30am-4:30pm, and they will have their breakfast at the dining hall, and during lunch they will be at the Memorial University Cafeteria.
All the girls will be going home with a lab coat. They will be decorating their coats themselves at the end of the day when they have the free time.
Memorial University’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science would like to thank the Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. for their generous contribution to the Girl Quest program.
For a complete application package or for more information on getting involved, please contact; Kathryn Hong who is the Coordinator for Outreach Activities at Memorial University at 709-864-3108 or you can email her at khong@mun.ca.
The Nunatsiavut Government are providing an opportunity to have people travel from the North West Territory to teach how to clean moose hide.
Brianna Brown is the Moose Hide Workshop Coordinator with the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
She says the 10 day Moose Hide Workshop that was supposed to go ahead on Wednesday, July 10 is moved to Thursday, July 11, 2019.
She says they are still looking for a middle aged to an elder from along the coast to teach anyone how to clean seal skin in exchange for cleaning moose hide.
This will be held at Joey Angnatok’s cabin at Sâttusuak, food and accommodations will be paid for.
So, anyone wanting to join in this workshop would still have a chance to put your name in as soon as possible and can contact Brianna at the Nain community Freezer at 922-2380 or can email her at Brianna.brown@nunatsiavut.com.
There will be a free Summer Literacy Camp for children starting tomorrow, July 9 until July 26th, 2019.
Katherine Desjardins is the Literacy Camp Counsellor from Montreal.
She says the camp is to help present the loss of skills and knowledge during the summer.
It will be for children ages 5-12 and will be held from 9:30 to 3:30.
Snacks will be provided for mornings and afternoons from 9:30 to 12 and 1 to 3:30.
Any parent who would like to register their children to this camp can pick up a form or drop by the Primary School.
They will also be having a meet and greet on Thursday, July 11th from 6:30 to 8th at the Primary School.
They are also looking for any guest speakers and/or artists that would want to hold a workshop sometime and do some reading or any other activities.
Anyone interested can drop by the school or call them at 922-1270.
The LATP will be having an underground training program on July 19th and will have another one starting in September.
Keith Jacque is the Executive Director with LATP.
He says right now, they are recruiting individuals for the programs and are still doing some simulator programs throughout the summer.
He also said that their previous NG Councillor is on maternity leave but has another contact name and place that you can reach.
Ocean Lane would be the contact and can be reached at the Makkovik arena.
Click to hear more on what Jacque has to say on the LATP update.
Vales new Inuit Employment Coordinator went to Hopedale and Nain to hold the first visit recruitment initiative for the north coast.
Trent Pottle is the Inuit Employment Coordinator with the Aboriginal Affairs Department with Vale.
Pottle started his position in October of 2018.
He says so far he traveled to Hopedale last week and just recently traveled back from his visit in Nain.
The community visits is a great way to meet people, interact with people to give support and feedback about what Vale positions are available and to support and obtain employment to our beneficiaries.
Pottle can also help update resumes and he can also forward resumes for positions with Vale and to other contractors.
He plans to travel to Makkovik and Postville in the upcoming weeks to hold more recruitment initiatives.
Sheila Freake is with the Aboriginal Affairs she also traveled to Rigolet for the same reason, to keep people aware of what’s happening with Vale.
Vale is planning to hold more community visits to the north coast for employment opportunities and for Training opportunities.
If you would like to get in touch with Pottle you can contact him by calling: (709) 922-4326 or by email at: trent.pottle@vale.com