National Indigenous Peoples Day is an opportunity for Labrador Inuit to promote and celebrate our cultural heritage and way of life, and to recognize the tremendous contributions made by those who have gone before us in helping us adapt to the ever-increasing changes in today’s modern society.

Labrador Inuit continue to struggle with the impacts of forced resettlement and residential schools, of maintaining our identity and our language. While we cannot change the past, or the negative consequences of historical oppression, we remain steadfast in our determination to control our destiny.

As a vibrant people, we have demonstrated repeatedly our creativity, resourcefulness, strength and determination.

These traits define us and allow us to remain connected to each other and to the land and the waters that have sustained us for generations.

While this day is set aside to reflect on the many contributions Canada’s Indigenous peoples have made, and continue to make, to our great country, it is also a time where we, as Labrador Inuit, celebrate our place in history.

I am proud to be a Labrador Inuk, of our past and the accomplishments we have achieved. While we will continue to face many challenges on the road to self-determination, I am confident we are heading in the right direction. The future is in our hands!

Over 40 artists from Nunatsiavut submitted their craft work for an exhibition to be held in Montreal in October 2019.

Dr. Heather Igloliorte is an Inuk scholar, independent curator and art historian from Nunatsiavut.

She is an Associate Professor of Indigenous art history at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec.

Igloliorte says that there were many variety of work that is included: grass work, embroidery, mitts, carvings, jewelry and many more.
She adds that within the next few days, selections of the products will be made and the artisans and craft producers will be notified whether their work has been selected.

Tune into next week’s AtjiKangitut when Ok Radio Speaks to Igliorte on the Art Exhibition.

The Nunatsiavut Communities are busy preparing events for Tomorrow, June 21st, National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Elsie Russell is the Mental Health and Addictions Worker for DHSD in Nain; she says that all events will be held at the JSCC.

Sunrise Ceremony will be held with a Community Breakfast starting at 7am with eggs, bacon, sausages, pancakes and fruits.

At 12 noon there will be Partridge soup and panitsiak.

There will also be a time after for crafters and artisans to sell their products.

Russell adds that there will be a bake off with traditional bake off desserts and any entries will be entered in for a random prize.

A puppet show will be showcased at 3pm with a community barbeque starting at 4pm, hotdogs and hamburgers will be served.

Russell says that there will be local musicians and entertainment, the Beardos will be performing. She adds that any youth participating in this event will also be entered for a random prize.

Anyone may also enter for a random prize when you dress in Traditional clothing.
National Ingenious Peoples Day T-shirts will also be given out, and anyone attending these events is asked to bring their own utensils, plates and a bowl, anyone bringing these will also have their name put in for a random prize.

The Nain DHSD adds that they would like to thank all their sponsors and volunteers.

In Rigolet the Department of Health and Social Development will be hosting events starting at 3pm.

Lorraine Allen is the Community Health Worker and she says that they will be meeting at the school and then walk to the net loft.

At the net loft there will be games, refreshments, music and much more.

Allen adds for those wearing traditional clothing, their names will be entered into a draw for a prize.

Any children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Jennifer Poole is the Recreation Director with PICG; she says that there will be food, entertainment and games to celebrate our heritage.

Dishes are welcome to be made out of Berries, fish, birds and other wild foods to be entered into a draw for a prize.

People are asked to wear something traditional, for example earrings, a hat or even socks.

Poole says that the celebration will start at 5pm at the ball field weather permitting and if the weather is not suitable events will be held at the community center.

National Indigenous Peoples Day events for the community of Makkovik will be incorporated with a town clean up starting on June 23rd -29th.

Linda Pottle the Team Leader for DHSD; she says unfortunately the DHSD office in Makkovik is experiencing some staff shortage so her department was unable to schedule events this year.

MICG will be providing the garbage bags and rubber gloves for the residents.

The Recreation Department of the HICG will be overseeing the National Indigenous Peoples Day events at the Nanuk Center.

Belinda Denniston is the Acting Recreation Director; she says a parade will begin at 5pm and residents who decorate their vehicles, bikes or other form of transportation will be entered into a draw to win a $200 cash prize.

She adds that a feast will begin at 5:30pm serving beef soup, fish and brewis, and hotdogs.

At 6pm there will be a women’s traditional face tattoo competition and there will also be a $200 cash prize.

Denniston says that there will be a Men’s snow goggle making competition, and a men’s silapak making competition along with $200 cash prizes for each category.

At 7:30 pm there will be a throat singing contest for kids and a $100 cash prize.
Inuit games will begin at 8pm for various age categories: 6 to 12 years, 13 to 25 years, 26 to 49 years, and 50 plus, for males and females.
Inuit games will include: seal crawl, monkey dance, owl hop and leg wrestle.

The Craft Shop here in Nain will be having a closing sale for the public.

Heather Angnatok is one of the volunteer Board members for the Torngats Arts and Crafts.

She says they will be having a sale from 4 to 5:30 and any crafts that are for sale will be reduced.

They have quite a variety of crafts such as chimo caps, mitts, slippers, carvings, and jewellery.

The commander cloth, duffle, and quilted lining will not be on sale but will still be available to purchase for a regular price.

Angnatok adds that anything else like leather, wool and rabbit fur will also be on sale.

She would like to notify the public that the doors will be open again sometime next week to continue the closing sale.

The polls are open today for nominations for the Nain Inuit Community Government candidates for the Community Councillor.

Karen Dicker is the Returning Officer at the Nain Inuit Community Government.

She says polls are open now since 8am this morning and will end at 8pm this evening for those who want to cast in your votes.

The votes can be done at the NICG meeting room for the Community Counsellor for Nain.

Dicker says the elected Community Counsellor will be on a 4 year term.

And the candidates are George Lyall and Duane Metcalfe.

Good luck to both who are running for the position of Community Counsellor.

The 2019 fishing licences are now available for Nunatsiavut beneficiaries.

Todd Broomfield is the Wildlife Manager for Nunatsiavut Government.

He says people have to renew their licences this year.

Broomfield adds that people can get their fishing licences from their local Nunatsiavut Government offices.

Click here to hear Broomfield speak more about the fishing licences.

The First Light Friendship Centre in St. John’s is busy with programs this summer.

Danny Pottle is the Executive Director for the centre.

He says they have programs on the go for the summer such as Child Care Centre, Family Resource Centre and Ilingavit, which is a program for Inuit who get together at the centre.

click here to hear more from Pottle on the First Light in St. John’s.

The 2019 fishing licences are now available for Nunatsiavut beneficiaries.

Todd Broomfield is the Wildlife Manager for Nunatsiavut Government.

He says people have to renew their licences this year.

Broomfield adds people can get their fishing licences from their local Nunatsiavut Government offices.

Stay tuned tomorrow to hear from Broomfield speaking about the fishing licences.

Katie Winters of Nain was born at Illusuattalialuk outside of Nain, but raised at Kammasuk as a child.

Winters moved to Nain when she was about 9 years old to attend boarding school.

She has many great memories about the bounty of traditional food in Kammasuk.
Click to find out more about her days at Kammasuk.

A Future Innovators camp will be held in Rigolet from July 2nd to the 5th.

Stephanie Morris is the Community Health Worker for the Department of Health and Social Development for the Nunatsiavut Government in Rigolet.

Morris is the main contact person for this summer program that will include children from the ages of 7 to 12 years old.

Morris says that there will be two instructors who are also students from Memorial University to teach children about science, technology, engineering and math.

She adds that this will involve robots, coding, discovery, electronics and many more.

Morris says that this is an annual event that has been going on now for 4 to 5 years and last year’s event involved 3d printing.

Morris adds that there is no deadline to apply for this program and she can be reached at the Rigolet DHSD office.