The Expo Labrador Organizing Committee is pleased to host an Artist Exhibition during the Expo Labrador Conference & Trade Show taking place from June 27-29, 2023.

The Artist Exhibition will take place from 9am-4:30pm on Wednesday, June 28.

We anticipate a significant turnout from business owners and professionals across the region, as well as visitors interested in the unique offerings of Labrador.

This opportunity is available for artists from Labrador only. If selected, travel allowances will be provided.

The deadline to complete this EOI is Sunday, April 23. They encourage artists of all talents and experience levels with their unique style to complete this form as it will undoubtedly capture attention of attendees and add a creative flair to the event.

To complete the EOI, you can visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/CXRWT5N.

Spring COVID-19 vaccination clinics are available across the province starting today.

The bivalent vaccine will be available to people 80 years of age and older, adult residents of long-term care facilities, adults who are immunocompromised, and those 65 to 79 with no known prior history of COVID-19 infection.

The booster is recommended for those eligible at least six months from their last dose. The boosters are coming out as Canadian officials predict a small bump in COVID infections this spring, due in large part due to the highly infectious XBB.1.5 variant—the dominant strain in circulation across Canada.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says COVID infection rates in the province remain steady, despite the fact that the new variant is better at getting around the body’s immune system.

She says while it may be easier to contract the new variant, vaccines, or previous infections, go “a long way to help prevent serious disease.”

She is encouraging people to get their spring booster.

Details on who is eligible and how to book your shot can be found at online at gov.nl.ca/covid-19/vaccine.

Meetings are meant to be a safe place for people to share experiences.

The inquiry into the treatment of Innu in Newfoundland and Labrador’s child protection system resumes Monday with community meetings in Natuashish.

The Mushuau Innu Healing Lodge is set up with chairs and spruce boughs for the three commissioners to listen to anyone who would like to share their experience.

“We’ve always said it’s important for people to be heard, voices to be heard, and so that is what my hope is, that people will come and share their stories,” said commissioner Anastasia Qupee.

The week started with an open house this morning, before community statement gathering begins this afternoon until Friday. People can share in community meetings or in private to the commissioners.

The inquiry’s three commissioners are investigating systemic issues with the child protection system and will make recommendations to improve the system.

The Inquiry Respecting the Treatment, Experiences and Outcomes of Innu in the Child Protection System began in Sheshatshiu with opening statements and testimony about history of the Innu late last month. Then community meetings in Sheshatshiu were cut short due to sudden deaths in the community.

Innu support and mental health workers are going to be on hand at the healing lodge in Natuashish.

“The healing support services are from the community and we have our healing support coordinator travelling with us as well,” Qupee said.

Translation services are also going to be available so people can speak in English or in Innu-aimun.

Story courtesy of CBC News.

Keepers of the circle is a non-profit Indigenous women’s organization.

We spoke with Johanna Tuglavina who is the Agency Lead.

She says they help to gather indigenous women from across Canada to use their strong voices.

Click here to hear more from Tuglavina about what their role’s are and what duties that have to be met.

Air Borealis is holding a photo contest until next month.

They would like to see how you enjoyed this winter in Labrador, and show them your best winter photos, whether it’s winter sports, activities, food or simply the beauty of the big land for a chance to win Round-trip for two with Air Borealis.

To enter, you must:

• Choose a photo of yourself enjoying the winter in Labrador.
• Post the photo on Facebook using the hashtag #Airborealis and tag @Airborealis.
• Use the text “Winter in the Big Land” in your post caption.

Winners will be randomly selected before May 20 and announced on Air Borealis’ social channels.

All Indigenous artisans are welcome to express interest to participate for the 2023 Atlantic Tourism Artisan Market.

This will take place at Marble Mountain Resort (Main Level) in Steady Brook, NL on May 10, and products should be indigenous made or designed.

Participants is free but may be limited by space and all selected artists will be notified via email.

The market will be hosted by Dragonfly Moons and will be actively promoted to participants of the Atlantic Indigenous Summit and local nearby communities.

Table size per artist will be 8 feet and artists can share table if they choose to do so, but table covering will not be provided.

The venue will be accessible for set up on Wednesday, May 10 from 9am-2pm.

All artists will be invited to also take part in the Atlantic Indigenous Tourism Summit Welcome Event on the second level of Marble Mountain Resort from 6:30-9pm.

If an artist would like to take part in the second day of the gala event on May 11th, you can do so by registering on the www.eventbrite.co.uk website.

Travel and accommodation recommendations for the Steady Brook and Corner Brook area can be found on the nlita.ca website.

As part of the Provincial Government’s continuing effort to enhance math education for students in primary and elementary schools, K-6 Mathematics Bursaries are available for eligible teachers again this year.

The Department of Education’s Mathematics Bursary Program is designed to encourage public school teacher participation in university level courses in mathematics content that is beneficial for the teaching of mathematics in K-6. The program is open for applications three times per year.

Mathematics Bursary Program application timeline by semester:

Spring, Intercession and Summer Applications opened on April 1, 2023 and closes on June 30, 2023.

Fall Applications opens August 1, 2023 and closes October 31, 2023.

Winter Applications opens December 1, 2023 and closes February 28, 2024.

Providing access to the necessary training is a key initiative and the department welcomes applications from administrators and teachers who work with K-6 students, including replacement and substitute teachers.

More information on the bursary program, including the application form, is available at www.k12pl.nl.ca.

Hopedale’s Easter events has been ongoing since last week.

We spoke with Recreation Director Georgia Abel on the Easter games, and Hilda Pijogge on the Ethel Memorial Dog Team Race.

Abel says they are supposed to have the target shooting at 4pm today but is postponed due to poor weather conditions.

Pijogge says the Ethel Memorial Dog Team Race takes place tomorrow, April 15 this year in Hopedale.

They have cash prizes for the winners, and a new award that they announced this year will be an annual award for upcoming Ethel Memorial dog team races in the future.

Click here to hear the English version of the interviews with Pijogge and Abel.

Since July 2022, the province has logged no new COVID-19 deaths for the first time in seven months.

Wednesday afternoon, covering March 26 to April 8, 2023, Newfoundland and Labrador reports no new deaths.

From March 12 to March 25, the Health Department consistently underreported six deaths that had actually been quietly added to the total.

The department says the discrepancy is due to deaths that have been reported since the last update, but before the latest 2-week reporting period.

There are 20 individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19, an escalation from 16 individuals just 2 weeks ago.

Newfoundland and Labrador have a total of 339 deaths, but 44 deaths for 2023.

Air Borealis announced a price differencing on April 1, 2023.

Any and all freight items will based on the actual dimensional weight for rating purposes as per terms and conditions.

Shipping rates will depend on whichever is greater, and there is no longer a flat rate fee.

The cube calculation will now be measured by the length, width, and height.