The Labrador Winter Games Coordinators in Nain and Postville are practising for the games.

It will be held from March 12-18 in Happy Valley Goose Bay this year.

Kelly Edmunds is the Coordinator for Team Nain.

She says that the team has been picked and will be using the school gym and the Jeremias Sillitt Community Centre gym to do their practices and drills.

She also says they didn’t have as much support in fundraising, but are still trying to reach their budget goal, and out of town athletes in the team are doing their own training and fundraising.

Edmunds adds Team Nain would like to thank those who helped support and couldn’t do it without them with their funds.

Kayla Andersen is the coordinator in Postville.

She says they have nine males and nine females on their team including Andersen.

The team have their practices once a week. The Recreation Department are very accommodating to the athletes.

They have sports in the evening so they can practice playing volleyball, badminton, table tennis and darts. Team members out of town are practicing on their own time.

Outdoor sports can be practiced on their own free time or go to scheduled practices assigned by Andersen as well.

They had their clothing and registration sponsored by the Inland Resource Trust fund and the Postville Inuit Community Government sponsored their vehicle rent.

In the next few weeks, they will start doing their fundraising.

We will have Hopedale, Makkovik and Rigolet Coordinators next week.

Gerald Mitchell known as “The Labrador Balladeer” died yesterday afternoon, January 19, 2023.

Born on January 17, 1937 at Makkovik, Labrador, Mr. Mitchell entertained many over the years and contributed greatly to the Labrador songs that remain in the hearts of Labradorians.

As a recording artist, composer, and performer he inspired many other successful Labrador artists.

In 2012, the Folk Arts Council of N&L bestowed a “Lifetime Achievement Award” to Mr. Mitchell for his outstanding contributions to folk arts in N&L.

And stated, “In addition to his musical contribution to the cultural fabric of the province Gerald is also a celebrated and accomplished visual artist.”

We send Heartfelt Condolences to his family, friends, relatives and many fans.

There are moose and polar bear licenses available for Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement.

Todd Broomfield is the Director of Renewable Resources for the Nunatsiavut Government.

He says household draw licenses for moose is valid for 14 days, and if it is not filled, a new draw ill take place for the next hunter.

The moose hunting season opened last September and will close in March.

Broomfield adds that application forms for the polar bear licenses must be filled out and submitted to local Conservation Officer by February 1st and hunting season opens on February 2nd of this year.

Click here to hear more on these licenses with Broomfield.

The Nunatsiavut Government is seeking information regarding the availability of one or more staff housing units in the Inuit Community of Nain for leasing a duration of 12-24 months. The size of the units could range between 1-3 bedrooms.

Businesses or individuals who have housing units that may be available for leasing in Nain should provide the following information to the Nunatsiavut Government:

• Street address of the property; and
• The full name of the legal owner(s) of the property; and
• A written summary of the size and condition of the property including the number and size of any existing bedrooms, living areas, washrooms etc.
• An estimated price for which the owner is prepared to lease the property.

Interested people should submit the information by email no later than 4pm on February 3rd, 2023 to:

Nunatsiavut Government (Staff Housing Committee)
Colin Gilbride, Director of Infrastructure and Planning
Email: colin.gilbride@nunatsiavut.com
PO Box 92, Makkovik, NL A0P 1J0
Telephone: (709) 923-2007

The Nunatsiavut Government is not currently seeking to enter into a lease for the housing units and the NG is not obligated to enter into a lease with people who submit information in response to this call for information.

The Nunatsiavut Government say they’re working with the provincial Department of Fisheries and Land Resources and Environment and Climate Change Canada to monitor for the presence of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or HPAI in wild birds.

They go on to say that wild birds, especially waterfowl, are natural carriers of influenza viruses. They are not always affected by the disease but can still transmit it to other wild birds and vulnerable domestic birds. On rare occasions, Avian influenza viruses, such as HPAI, can cause disease in humans. Careful cleaning practices such as washing hands, clothing, equipment, etc. will reduce the risk of disease and spread of the virus.

As of January 18, 2023, no confirmed cases of HPAI have been reported since the last update in May 2022. All sampled birds have tested negative.

People who encounter birds acting strangely or dead are encouraged to report sightings directly to their local conservation officer. Signs that a bird may have HPAI include nervousness, tremors, or lack of coordination, swelling around the head, neck and eyes, lack of energy or movement, coughing, gasping for air or sneezing, diarrhea, or sudden death. People should not handle dead or sick or birds some of which may be exhibiting strange behavior. If contact with wild birds is unavoidable, wear gloves or use a doubled plastic bag and avoid contact with the animal’s bodily fluids and feces. Wash your hands with soap and warm water as soon as possible.

It’s considered safe to hunt, handle, and eat healthy game birds. However, exposure to Avian Influenza can occur when handling wild birds. The evidence does not suggest that properly cooked game birds are a source of Avian Influenza infection for people. Wear gloves when preparing harvested birds. Thoroughly clean contaminated surfaces on tools, work areas, and clothing. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling raw or other game products.

To report a sighting or dead bird, please contact:

– Simon Kohlmeister in Nain at 922-2942
– Ian Winters in Hopedale at 933-3337
– Samantha Jacque in Postville at 479-9763
– Errol Andersen in Makkovik at 923-2365, and
– David Wolfrey in Rigolet at 947-3383

A new pilot project launched yesterday will offer enhanced initiatives and supports for participants receiving Income Support who begin a new job and/or maintain and increase their hours of work.

Co-developed with Choices for Youth and Stella’s Circle, the Employment Support Stability Pilot Project benefits participants by allowing them to keep more of their earnings and immediately experience increased financial benefits from working. Some of the key supports and incentives include:

– A new earnings exemption formula that allows participants to retain higher earnings and that results in higher overall monthly incomes;

– Employment continuation bonuses to provide escalating financial rewards for continuous employment and to increase experience working. Bonuses are $250 at six months, $500 at 12 months and $1,000 at 24 months; and

– Supports offered by Choices for Youth and Stella’s Circle to gain life-skills and experience needed to manage financial responsibilities and navigate life and employment challenges.

The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development officially launched the pilot yesterday. Minister Abbott was joined by collaborating partners Sheldon Pollett, Executive Director, Choices for Youth and Laura Winters, Chief Executive Officer, Stella’s Circle.

Currently, there are 86 participants enrolled in a preliminary soft-launch of the pilot project, and over 10 of these participants already no longer need Income Support to supplement their earnings. By working more, participants who have engaged in the workforce or increased their hours of work now have higher overall monthly incomes.

Funding for the pilot project is being provided in part through the Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Workforce Development Agreement. The project is part of the department’s focus on early intervention and prevention.

The pilot project will undergo an independent evaluation to determine next steps and inform future changes to the province’s Income Support Program.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Health had 25 hospitalizations for COVID-19 over the first two weeks of this year, according to new numbers released Wednesday by the Provincial Health Department.

Of the 25 hospitalizations from Jan 1-14, three cases required critical care. Over the final 2 weeks of 2022, the province had 35 hospitalizations, including 5 in critical care.

The provincial government’s COVID-19 data hub says there were two deaths due to COVID-19 over the 2 weeks, but according to the regional and age break downs on the hub, there were actually 4 deaths.

According to the age breakdown, three of the deaths were people age 80 and up and one death was a person in their 50s. According to the breakdown by regional health authority, one death was in the Eastern Health area, one was in Central Health and two were in Western Health. CBC News has asked the provincial government to explain the discrepancy.

The data hub also said 24.2% of the province’s population is up to date on vaccinations, defined as having had their first two doses or a booster shot within the 6 months.

Residents between the age of 70 and 79 has the highest vaccination rate, at 56.2%, while children 6 months to 4 years have the lowest rate 6.4%, up from 5.3% since the last update.

The Health Department also reported 176 new COVID-19 cases from Jan1-14, but that number does not reflect the entirety of the pandemic cases in the province, as it represents only positive PCR tests completed by the health authorities and not rapid tests done by the public on their own.

The Nain ICG has some plans for this year and some ongoing projects that need to be done from last year.

Joe Dicker is the AngajukKak.

He says the housing development on the North side is finished and will have a company called “All North” that will be doing the south side this fall.

Dicker adds that they had some money from the Nunatsiavut Government and the province to repair and replace some sewer sheds around town.

Click here to hear more from AngajukKâk Dicker on the Nain ICG Projects.

The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay’s 50th Anniversary Committee would like to thank the Montreal Canadians Alumni Team for visiting their community this past weekend and putting off two spectacular games for the residents.

The Committee also thanks the 13th Council for its support of this event, both financial and in-kind.

Events such as this would not be possible without the assistance of their amazing Town staff. From making phone calls to picking up donations or supplies, creating the program or guiding traffic, providing security and to clearing up the facility, every effort helped and was very appreciated.

A huge thank you to the business community and service organizations for their tremendous support by providing sponsorships, donations and provisions of services. The Alumni Team stated that the hospitality was beyond their usual experience something to be proud of indeed!

The Town would like to thank the residents and visitors who attended both game from all accounts a good time was had by all.

The 50th Anniversary Committee looks forward to bringing more events to their community during the year.

The two hockey was held on Saturday, January 14 at 7pm and again on Sunday, January 15 at 2pm at the E.J Broomfield Arena.

The Department of Health and Social Development in Nain will be holding a wooding program next week.

We spoke with Rutie Lampe, the Mental Health and Addictions worker.

She says depending on the weather, they’re planning to go on Tuesday, January 24 of this year.

So far, there are three youth interested and two guides, but they can take two or three more participants, depending how much space are available as there are limited seats.

The location will be determined by the guides, but by the ice, they’re assuming they’re going up to Saltwater Pond.

Lampe added that she’s excited to start up the program knowing that there are elders and people in the community who can’t have access to wood.