Premier Furey attended the closing ceremony of the Lab. Winter Games and had these words for those in attendance.

“For the first time in four years, athletes, coaches, families and communities from across the Big Land came together in Happy Valley-Goose Bay to participate in the Labrador Winter Games.

Congratulations to the athletes, the board of directors, the event organizing committees, and more than 400 volunteers who delivered a fabulous event. A huge shout out to sponsors for their valued support.

Our government understands the benefits of activities that promote our mental and physical wellness, and the value of preserving our heritage. We are proud to be the primary funder of the Labrador Winter Games.

Before the Premier officially closed the Games and athletes started returning home, planning for the next Games had already begun.”

The pre-budget spending and announcement just kept coming yesterday, with news that a tentative deal had been reached with the province’s doctors on a new pay option.

So called capitation is voluntary and designed independent community family practices. It pays doctors a set annual fee for each of their patients, plus a reduced fee services each time they see that patient.

Medical Association president, Kris Luscombe says it will also allow family doctors to focus on the needs of individual patients instead of the number of patients visits.

Health Minister, Tom Osborne noted the result becomes a team effort rather than a download of duties on one doctor. He says there will be expectation of more timely access to doctors, including after hour’s availability. The tentative agreement also includes 21% pay increase for doctors under such a scenario.

The NLMA says will hold virtual consultations with its member doctors before finalizing the agreement.

It has come to attention of the Department of Lands and Natural Resources that there is some confusion on where and when a Nunatsiavut beneficiary can harvest plants and animals.

As defined under chapter 12, section 12.3.1 of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims agreement, beneficiaries have the right to harvest wildlife and plants, under the terms of this chapter, throughout Labrador Inuit Settlement Area and Labrador Inuit Lands at all times of the year, subject to Inuit Laws, a restriction on seasons, Federal laws on firearms control.

In Nunatsiavut, there is no restrictions on seasons imposed currently where you can harvest plants and animals. It should be noted that there are licenses needed for Polar Bear, moose, and salmon. The harvesting of caribou is not permitted in any area in Nunatsiavut outside of the Torngat Mountains National Park.

If have any questions, you may contact your local Conservation Officer in your community.

As you all know, this year’s Cain’s Quest Snowmobile Endurance race was cancelled this year.

Cain’s Quest board of directors is excited to announce an early resumption of the toughest snowmobile endurance race in the world.

An immediate release was released on March 22, 2023, by the Cain’s Quest Board of Directors.

In the wake of Cain’s Quest cancellation this spring with no winner declared, the board of directors decided to host the next race in 2024, rather than 2025 as would be typical of the bi-annual race.

The decision to host a 2024 race will be contingent on the approval of the essential Federal, Provincial and local funding as well as community and business partnerships all of which are necessary for successful race operations.

The cancellation of the 2023 race due to weather and safety conditions on March 7, 2023, the cancellation resulted in no winner being named for the prize purses of $500,000 for the first-place winner, $30,000 for the second place participant and $20,000 for the third place team.

The board of directors collaboratively discussed options for distributing the purse and the board decided anyone still in the race as of 1:29 am on March 7 would split the entire prize pot, the prize purse has already been split between racers, which the board hopes will help offset costs associated with racing in the next Cains Quest.

Story courtesy of the Cains Quest Website.

The Nunatsiavut Government Economic Development is inviting the business community within Nain to join their business development officer this Thursday.

Mary Binky Andersen is the Business Development officer for Nunatsiavut Government.

She says she will be holding a Community Engagement in Nain this evening to discuss what their division is doing and about programs and services they are offering.

Click here to find out more from Andersen.

To remember some stories of what happened in Nain back then, is something most of the residents will remember.

Gordon Obed is a senior of Nain and remembers when the gas station pump caught on fire.

He says he dressed up and ran over to where the fire was, and that some people were there already and shoveling snow.

Click here to hear more from Obed later in the program.

The Qanuippitaa National Inuit Health Survey is hosting an open house in Rigolet tomorrow March 23rd at Strathcona House at 5pm.

This event is a celebration of the start of data collection for the survey in Rigolet.

The Nunatsiavut Government welcomes the community to this public even to introduce the QNIHS Fieldworker team.

There will be light refreshments and a meet and greet with the QNIHS Team.

Data collection started in Rigolet on March 13 and will continue throughout the coming weeks.

Participants is an excellent opportunity for Inuit to have their voices heard on what matters to them in the areas of health.

To learn more, visit nationalinuithealthsurvey.ca or nuntsiavut.com/qnihs.

The Public Utility Board (PUB) has released the list of issues to a considered part as part of the province’s Petroleum Products Pricing review.

Phase one of the review has concluded and the second phase is now underway.

Issues identified include whether changes to the benchmark data be made, whether the prescribed benchmark data do not reasonably reflect product cost in some zones and whether the benchmark prices should continue to be calculated on a seven-day average.

A report by R Cube Economic Consulting Incorporated, the Board’s consultation for Phase II is expected to be filed by this spring.

The PUB advises there will be another opportunity for those interested to provide their views before the second phase concludes in the fall.

Story courtesy of VOCM news.

The Robert C. Lyall Community Award was created by Robert’s Grandchildren to honor their late Grandfather and to acknowledge others for their dedication and generosity to their communities.

The Robert C. Lyall award will be presented to an individual in recognition of their service work, their contributions to their community, and upholding the values of our organization “to enrich the lives of the Indigenous Peoples of Labrador”, as Robert Lyall did.

Robert was active in many different organizations; President of the Lion’s Club; President & Board Member of Labrador Friendship Center; President of Labrador Legal Service. He was also involved on several boards: Melville Native Housing; involved with the creation and establishment of the Labrador Correctional Centre; LIA Vice President; & OKâlaKatiget Society.

Robert is a life-time honorary member of the National Association of Friendship Centres, and on June 11, 1992, the Labrador Friendship Centre Building in Happy Valley-Goose Bay was named The Robert C. Lyall Building. Robert was also proud to be a Chapel Servant at the Moravian Church for more than 60 years, a task that he enjoyed to the fullest.

For his generous contributions to these organizations and associations, he received recognition from various provincial, national, and international associations:

• He was the proud recipient of the Queen’s Golden (2002) and Diamond (2013) Jubilee Medals
• He was the recipient of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador in March of 2020

Robert C. Lyall leaves behind some invaluable life lessons:

• Help those who are in need
• Be kind to people
• Love and support one another

The OKâlaKatiget Society is looking to hire a full-time permanent Executive Director.

Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director co-ordinates all administrative and policy activity to ensure that the OKâlaKatiget Society meets its goals and objectives.

The successful applicant should have:

• A degree in Journalism or related education and work experience
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• High degree of self-motivation and interest in current Labrador issues
• Ability to speak and understand Inuttitut a major asset

The salary range will start at $57,000 and will commensurate with experience.

If anyone is interested in applying, you can send your resumes to:

OKâlaKatiget Society
PO Box 160, Nain NL
A0P 1L0

Or by email at rutie.dicker@nunatsiavut.com.