A volleyball team from Labrador named NGC Sikumiut went to the NLVA Provincial Championship last weekend.

Bernard Obed was the coach for the team, and Susan Onalik was the chaperone.

He says the players were from Nain, Postville and Makkovik, and even though they never got to train together, they ended up bringing home a silver medal from the provincials.

Obed adds that in order to participate in the tournaments, you have to be a certified coach through NLVA.

Click here to hear more of the tournament with Obed.

The Inuktitut Terminology Workshop took place in Nain last week and one of our Radio Producers was invited to attend.

It took place from Wednesday, February 22nd to the 24th of this year and was a really good turnout.

There were elders and Inuktitut speakers from along the coast who attended the workshop, Bertha Holeiter and President Johannes Lampe for an example, who had a few words to say about our language.

Click here to hear what they have to say about our Inuktitut language.

As required under the Inuit Law, the Member Services Committee (MSC) of the Nunatsiavut Government is required to consult and seek feedback from Inuit before the Nunatsiavut Assembly can agree to salaries and benefits for Elected Officials.

When there have been chances to the Labrador Allowance, Travel Benefit, and other such financial allowances received by the Nunatsiavut Civil Service, the MSC has adopted these new rates for Elected Officials.

In the past, the MSC has sought feedback from Labrador Inuit for each individual change. The MSC is now requesting that Elected Officials automatically receive the same rate adjustments as the Nunatsiavut Civil Service whenever there is a change in the rate’ this will reduce the number of times that Labrador Inuit have to be consulted.

The Member Services Committee would like to advise Inuit of the following new policy statement:
Benefits for Members of the Nunatsiavut Assembly

Amounts for Labrador Allowance, Travel Benefit, Bilingual Allowance, and any other such financial allowances will match the amounts received by the Nunatsiavut Civil Service.

Comments must be received by Monday, March 6, 2023 at 4:30pm in order to be accepted.

Please submit comments in writing to Bryan Winters at bryan.winters@nunatsiavut.com or call him at 709-725-8871.

Temperatures have taken a plunge right across the province and NL Hydro said it’s ready to meet increased demand.

The temperature plunged to minus 15 in the metro region last week and is hovering in the minus double digits for most of the Island. In parts of Labrador, wind chills are in the minus 40-50 range.

The Vice-President of Regulated Operations with hydro, Scott Cosbie said they are ready to meet demand.

He said cold weather checks are no different than any other severe weather preparations they make and they’re run through all the status checks, with staff on hand. “We’re ready,” she said.

Story Courtesy of VOCM News

The TaKuaKautik giveaway will be going ahead tonight as it has been postponed last week due to cold temperatures.

The food giveaway will be from 5-7pm, and the Food Bank allows one bag per family. For example, you and your partner can have one bag, not one bag each.

If you live in a household with another family, you can get one bag each, allowing one bag per family.

When done with the bags, please return them to the Nigivik Centre or the container on the food bank steps.

The tributes, accolades and admiration for Gordon Pinsent continue to flood in from across the continent.

From Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, to A-list actors, to people in Pinsent’s home town of Grand Falls-Winsor, the outpouring of love for the man just keeps on coming.

Pinsent passed away in his sleep last Saturday, February 25 at the age of 92 at his home.

His film and TV credits ran the gamut, from the serious and personally poignant film Away From Her in 2007, to being the voice of Babar the Elephant on the popular children’s show.

Despite his age, actor Mark Critch said Pinsent’s death still came as somewhat of a shock, given his persona and continued zest for life.

Critch says even at the age of 92 it still feels like he was “cut down in the prime of his life,” adding while his death is sinking in, it represents a huge loss not just the Newfoundland and Labrador, but for the country.

Former Premier Danny Williams was “at the top of the heap” in the province, adding the word iconic is perfectly appropriate for someone who stood out as an international actor in the early days, helping blaze the trail for others who came after him.

Meanwhile, Grad Falls-Windsor Mayor Barry Manuel said residents feel immense pride that Pinsent was one of their own.

He added he was “our Native Son,” and the pride shows in the naming of a street and the Arts and Culture Centre after Pinsent, given everything the man for the town and the province.

Funeral plans for the late, Gordon Pinsent have yet to be announced.

Story Courtesy of VOCM News

The Nunatsiavut Heritage Forum will be going ahead this year.

We spoke with Lena Onalik is the Archeologist with Nunatsiavut Government.

She says the Heritage Forum will be held in Makkovik from Thursday, March 2nd to Sunday, March 5th.

There will be people from along the coast attending and will also be open to the public.

Click here to hear more from Onalik on the Heritage Forum.

In its 2020-2023 Strategy and Action Plan, ITK committed to the establishment of an ITK emerging leader’s program. Objective 6 of the Strategy and Action Plan relates to empowering Inuit through education, research and data and information access, ownership and dissemination. As such, ITK has a role to play in developing the experience and capacity of emerging Inuit leaders through mentorship and professional development.

This placement will run from May 2023 until August 2023. This experience will be dedicated to professional development, learning and training opportunities and focused on working on files related to your field of interest at ITK and contributing to the work of the organization.

This is an exceptional learning opportunity for Inuit youth who possess a willingness to learn and work as part of a team.
We are looking for Inuit 18-30 years of age who have:

• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Interest in conducting research
• Strong prioritization and time management skills
• The ability to coordinate and/or support project activities
• A willingness to problem solve and engage in training sessions

This opportunity is open to Inuit youth between the ages of 18-30 who are enrolled with one of the four Inuit Land Claim Organizations (Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Makivvik Corporation and the Nunatsiavut Government).

Deadline for applications is Friday, March 10, 2023.

Reimbursement of some travel expenses and living expenses for candidates who currently live outside of the Ottawa area. If you live elsewhere in Canada, please specify in your application. A portion of childcare costs for applicants will also be reimbursed.

As an initiative to promote the proper storage requirements and general firearm safety practices, Hopedale RCMP has acquired a quantity of trigger locks from the Canadian Firearms Program that are free for the taking.

Storing firearms safely is not only mandatory, it also greatly helps to prevent serious accidents from happening. When storing a non-restricted firearm, it should be unloaded with a secure locking device in place, such as a trigger lock. Alternatively, a non-restricted firearm can be locked inside a secure place such as a locked cabinet/container. The storage of restricted firearms requires both of these things, a secure locking device and that the firearm be secured in a locked cabinet/container.

All firearms must be unloaded during transport. In addition to this, when transporting restricted firearms or those that are prohibited, both of which require a specific PAL, the firearm must:

• have a secure locking device, such as a trigger lock
• be stored in a locked non-transparent container
• have the bolt/bolt carrier of automatic firearms removed (if removeable)
• have pre-authorization for transport (call 1-800-731-4000).

Remember, to own a firearm, you must posses a valid PAL or RPAL, which must be renewed prior to expiry.

Triggers locks, which were graciously donated by the Canadian Firearms Program, can be picked up at the Hopedale RCMP Detachment in person, while supplies last.

More information on the proper storage and transportation of firearms can be found at rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

The Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation has announced their Janeway and Children’s Miracle Network champion for 2023.

Eight-year-old Abigale Latoszek has been chosen as this year’s champion.

A special ceremony was recently held for her at her school, St. Mary’s Elementary.

She has been chosen because her story demonstrates the advances being made in health care in the province, and the personal journey of children and their families to overcome illness or injury.

At five years old, Latoszek was diagnosed with a form of leukaemia, and visited the Janeway over 210 times for treatment.

Staci, Abigail’s mom, says her daughter has proven how strong she is time and time again in making it to the finish line.

The young girl will be sharing her story at various events throughout the year, including Children’s Hospital Week in Florida.

The foundation is thanking 2022’s champion, Xavier Rodrigues, for his work over the last year.