The Nunatsiavut Government is offended and disappointed that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues to include the NunatuKavut Community Council in the consultation process for the pre-feasibility study on establishing a road link connecting Labrador’s north coast with the TransLabrador Highway.

“The NCC is not a collective entitled to Indigenous rights and, therefore, should not have any say whatsoever when it comes to developments within the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area,” says Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe. “We are insulted that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues to dismiss our concerns by insisting an outside settler group claiming to be Indigenous be consulted on matters that have nothing at all to do with them.”

A media release issued by the provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure on Thursday notes that “Indigenous land use, harvesting, and cultural and ecological values will be considered in all aspects” of the pre-feasibility study.

Allnorth Consultants Limited, a partner with NCC’s economic development arm, Nunacor, has been contracted to complete the pre-feasibility study.

“While we are pleased to finally see this work begin, we are upset that NCC and Nunacor will be involved,” says President Lampe. “This is wrong, immoral and a step back for reconciliation on the part of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The Department of Language and Culture got some exciting programs for the public in the coming days.

Shirley Jararuse is the Language Program Coordinator with NG.

She says they are continuing with the language resources for promotional items and for some of the organizations in Nunatsiavut, as well as for children living outside of Nunatsiavut.

She adds that they are hoping to start a Tupik Program in the Spring where people can go and do programs related to language and culture.

Click here to hear more from Jararuse on her programs.

Seven male nurses made history for charge nurse, Mona Molloy when her shift was staffed by an all-male team for the first time at the St. John’s Health Science Centre this month.

Molloy said it was the first time she led an all men team on floor 4NB at the Health Science Hospital.

She said, “boys we have to get a picture. I’ve been at the Health Science Centre since 1997, but in my 32 years I never had a complete all male staff for a whole entire shift.”

Ryan Spear, one of the nurses on staff that night said it’s a sign that more men are entering the industry.

He added “when I first started on 4North B, I believe there were 3 or 4 of us, it’s just growing. More and more males are going, and within nursing school as well, you see more men,” he said.

Courtesy VOCM News.

Them Days Inc., a non-profit organization which preserves and promoted the history of, folklore, and culture of Labrador has received the first $100,000 installment of Provincial Government commitment towards the protection of the group, halves rich and varied archival collections.

The Honorable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, said a total of $200,000 has now been provided to the organization to construct an archival unit that is fireproof, climate controlled and wheelchair accessible.

“This province was made to ensure Them Days has incredible archival material, genealogical records, maps, newspapers, personal stories audio tapes, photographs and more. Half will be preserved to generations to come,” said Jackman. This unique collection serves as resource material to the quarterly Them Days Inc. Magazine, and to people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Honorable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs said that the further development of Labrador tourism and culture is one of the eight themes identified in the Provincial Government, Northern Shrimp Plan released last year.

“Support for Them Days Inc. and the development of a Labrador archives is among specific objectives noted in the plan,” Minister Hickey said. “This investment in the preservation of the Them Days collection is an excellent example of how various Provincial Government departments are working together to maintain and strengthen the cultural integrity of Labrador.”

Susan Felsberg, Chair of the Board of Directors for Them Days Inc. said the funding is significant factor in preserving and protecting the history, heritage and culture in Labrador.

“The collection of Labrador material is considered by some to be amongst the best in the world, and bring the archival unit to reality,” Felsberg said.

Lela Evans, MHA for Torngat Mountains District is pleased that the government has finally awarded contract to the pre-feasibility study on the of a road connecting to the Trans Labrador Highway to the communities in her district in Northern Labrador.

“I am pleased to see the pre-feasibility study finally awarded, instead of just another re-announcement of the same funding allocation without action. Since 2016 I have calling to this to happen, because my district suffers to a lack of transportation when compared to the rest of the province. This particular government kept promising that there would be a study for three budgets in a row.”

She added “It is about time. To me it is about fairness. The lack of a Trans Labrador Highway connection prevents my people from travelling when they need to. They get stuck with long weather delays and often cannot book a flight even if the weather is good cause there are not any flights available. Government claims they have spent billions of dollars on the highway in Labrador, but not a single dollar has been spent in in connecting my district yet we suffer the greatest gaps in transportation.”

“The poor transportation services have impacted the cost of living dramatically. People cannot afford to fuel their snowmobiles and boats to travel. It is also impacting their ability to fish and hunt, which means they cannot offset the high price of food. They cannot heat their homes cause the cost of heating fuel has gone from $250 to $500 a drum. They cannot afford to travel to cut wood to heat their homes.”

Evans said government’s removal of the freight boat in 2018 is having a large impact on access to goods and service.

The Provincial Government is moving ahead with a pre-feasibility study on the construction of a road connecting the Trans-Labrador Highway to communities in northern Labrador.

A $269,350 contract has been awarded to Allnorth Consultants Limited to complete the study, which will undertake consultations in Labrador and will consider:

· The advantages and disadvantages of potential routes;
· The cost of constructing necessary infrastructure;
· Post-construction road maintenance;
· Weather conditions and climate change impacts; and
· Socio-economic and environmental impacts.

Indigenous land use, harvesting, and cultural and ecological values will be considered in all aspects of the study, as informed by consultations with the Nunatsiavut Government; five Inuit Community Governments of Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik, and Rigolet; Innu Nation; Mushuau Innu First Nation; and Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation; the NunatuKavut Community Council; the Town of North West River; and the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

A report on the study is due in late 2023. More details on the procurement of the study are available on merx.com.

The pre-feasibly study is the next step in improving transportation in Labrador. It follows more than 1,100 kilometres of paving on the Trans-Labrador Highway between the Labrador Straits and Labrador West, which was completed in July 2022. Nearly $1 billion has been invested to build and pave the highway since 1997, including more than $230 million since 2016.

The traditional young Men’s and Young Women’s’ day celebration will be taking place in Hopedale tomorrow Saturday, January 28, 2023.

We spoke with Augusta Tuglavina who is the volunteer for this year’s festival.

She says they are currently looking for any donations for the Young Men and Women’s Day; which will be held at the Nanuk Centre at 9am.

Tuglavina says this was a very short notice to plan and prepare, but she do know how much this special day means for the young generation in her community.

They will have their breakfast between starting at 9am, and the first church service will be held at 10am, dinner will be served at 12 noon, they will walk to the church for the 3pm service, and supper at 5pm.

She adds that they will have games and activities planned for this day such as sporting games, cards, board games, and watch movies.

They will also have a best dressed traditional clothing contest with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for male and female prizes.

So, if anyone would like to send a small money donation to help ease the cost for their young men and women’s day, you can email money transfer Augusta by email at augustatuglavina@hotmail.com.

The Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership decided to extend the position of Manager of Program Development and Learner’s Support.

Keith Jacque is the Executive Director.

He says they’re hoping to reopen their office in Nain, Hopedale, Natuashish, and Sheshatshiu, and have people in place to get their operations running.

The deadline to apply is on Monday, January 30, 2023.

Click here to hear more on LATP with Jacque.

The IlinniaKatigennik Program is a radio contest that airs every Tuesday afternoon from 3-4pm.

We are looking to record Inuktitut any stories about Winter season; for example, stories about hunting or fishing.

We are also interested in hearing different traditional recipes if anyone has any to share.

Any recordings are done in person or over the phone and will be aired on OKâlaKatiget Society.

You will be compensated for your time of $50 for adults and promo for children.

This is for anyone along the North Coast and in the Canadian constituency.

For more information you can contact Robyn Martin at 709-922-2051 or email her at robyn.martin@nunatsiavut.com.

The Postville Inuit Community Government got wild meat to give out to the community.

In their community freezer, they have whole cod fish and moose meat.

There is a limited amount to offer, so each person is asked to take one piece each of cod or moose.

Anyone can pick up at the town office during work hours.