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Hundreds of narwhal harvested near Pond Inlet

The humane harvest of over 500 trapped narwhal continued last week near Pond Inlet.

Local hunters were culling and tagging the animals, which had become trapped beneath the ice with only a handful of shrinking breathing holes.

The number was much higher than what was initially estimated by officials.

"The only time we know of with such a large entrapment was back in the 1920s, as far as the records go," said Keith Pelley, area director of the department of fisheries and oceans.

The cull represents about two per cent of the population of narwhal in that area, which is estimated to be about 21,000, according to Pelley. As it is classified as an act of nature, the hunt won't affect the community's annual quota.

The extra maktaaq will make its way to Christmas feasts in a number of other hamlets as well as Pond's.

"We just ordered 350 pounds through their co-op," said Qiatsuq Qiatsuq, the economic development officer for Cape Dorset. "We're hoping to get a couple sack of fermented walrus meat as well."

- Karen Mackenzie

Okalik awarded for achievements

Paul Okalik, Nunavut's first premier, has been named one of 14 recipients of the 2009 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards.

This year's recipients will be honoured at the 16th annual event on March 6 at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Okalik will be recognized for facilitating the development of Nunavut as a new territory, for his efforts to protect Inuit languages and for becoming the first Inuk lawyer in the history of both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

The awards, which are an initiative of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, recognize the outstanding career achievements in various fields of First Nation, Inuit and Metis people.

- Carolyn Sloan

Premier announces deputy minister appointments

Premier Eva Aariak announced last week deputy minister (DM) assignments for a number of departments.

The choices were made in consultation with ministers and senior government officials, according to a release Nov. 24.

Markus Weber leaves his post as DM of justice to serve as DM of executive and secretary to cabinet.

Koovian Flanagan, who previously held the human resources DM post, will take Weber's place.

Aluki Rojas will remain as DM of human resources, while David Omolgoitok continues as DM of intergovernmental affairs.

Simon Awa will become DM of environment. He had previously served in the position from 2004 to 2008, before former premier Paul Okalik shuffled him to intergovernmental affairs last June. These assignments were effective as of Nov. 25.

- Karen Mackenzie

Kakivak visits

Cape Dorset

At the invitation of the hamlet, representatives from the Kakivak Association visited Cape Dorset last week to educate the community on accessing various educational, entrepreneurial and social programs.

Kakivak representatives were stationed at the hamlet chambers from Nov. 26 to 28 where they provided information on training and employment programs, childcare, youth and disability programs and business development programs.

The association also made presentations at the Nunavut Arctic College and at the high school for the Grade 10, 11 and 12 classes, as well as met with hamlet councillors.

The community is grateful to Kakivak and to the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce for approving a number of small tools grants, including sewing machine grants, to local residents.

"They have been a big help to our community," said Qiatsuq Qiatsuq, the hamlet's economic development officer, adding that the grants have helped boost the economy five-fold.

"Thank you on behalf of my community."

- Carolyn Sloan

Officer for five minutes

Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay

A group of elementary school students from Arctic Bay had a taste of life as a Mountie Nov. 20.

RCMP Const. Emma Delisle visited Monty Snook's Grade 3/4 class, and gave each student a chance to don a tiny bullet-proof vest and cap for five minutes.

"We talked about what policing is all about, and they're very young, so we addressed the fact that police officers are friends to them, that they can come to us anytime," Delisle said.

"They were also very interested in every single tool I had on my belt," she added with a laugh.

- Karen Mackenzie

Bear troubles

Arviat

The people of Arviat continue to deal with the problem of polar bears making their way into the community this month.

Two bears were shot and killed in Arviat this past week; one that was rummaging for food close to a person's home, and another that reportedly chased two teenaged sisters who were walking to their grandmother's home after school.

The two took shelter in a nearby home to avoid the bear.

Residents have been conducting nightly bear patrols in the community for the past three weeks.

The quota for the Western Hudson Bay area was set at eight bears this year, of which three tags now remain.

- Darrell Greer

Cadets get set for biathlon training

Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet

Pond Inlet cadets have been busy training for an upcoming biathlon competition early this month in Whitehorse.

Darlene Amarualik, Joyce Mucktar, Junice Aksarjuk, Guluviaq Maktar, Joanasie Mucktar and Johnny-Lee Qanjaq will be competing in the 2008 Northern Region Cadet Biathlon Competition beginning Dec. 3.

"They're really excited," said civilian instructor Ezrah Kasamak. "We've been preparing for weeks now."

The four-day event will also be an opportunity for cadets and staff to train in all levels of the biathlon, as well as leadership, physical fitness, firearms safety and teamwork.

The Pond Inlet cadets will join a group from Arctic Bay as well.

Zachary Natanine, Mickey Iqaqrialu, Rickey Iqaqrialu, Jennifer Taqtu, Tiffany Kalluk, Leslie Oyukuluk and T.J. Nungaq-Akpaliapik will represent the army cadet corps from their community.

- Karen Mackenzie

Small business boost

Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven

The Hamlet of Gjoa Haven recently welcomed John Rankin from MacKay Financial Services Ltd to conduct a five-day workshop in the community.

On Nov. 17 and 18, the facilitator addressed small business start-ups and on the following two days, he taught participants how to use Simply Accounting with payroll software.

The software has been installed on 12 laptop computers that were purchased by the hamlet with a portion of the Small Business Development funding they receive from the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.

The laptops are available for use by community for resume and proposal writing, as well as for other business and employment - related purposes.

- Carolyn Sloan

School closed

Igluligaarjuk/Chesterfield Inlet

Victor Sammurtok school in Chesterfield Inlet was closed for four days two weeks ago as a bad cold and flu virus played havoc with residents of the community.

A number of teachers, as well as students, were ill during the week.

- Darrell Greer

Hunters prepare for community feast

Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung

Hunters in Pangnirtung went out this week for food for an upcoming feast.

The hamlet will host the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce's community economic development week Dec. 4.

A day of trade show and Skills Canada activities will be followed by a celebration for the whole community, according to recreation co-ordinator Peter Evic.

"The hunters are going out for caribou, char and seal," he said.

The event will take place at the Attagoyuk school gym, which can hold more people.

"We usually get a big turnout," Evic said.

Aside from the trade show, the hamlet is busy with preparations for upcoming holiday events, he said.

- Karen Mackenzie

Sundown in Resolute

Qausuittuq/Resolute

The sun was seen in Resolute for the last time for a while on Nov. 7.

While there may still have been some light the rest of the week, cloudy skies made it difficult to determine whether the sun was up or down.

Leading up to the months of darkness, the community has been preparing itself, completing any outdoor projects.

Even in the dark, however, the hunting out on the floe edge continues. As the hunters stick to familiar trails, they require little light to find their way.

- Carolyn Sloan

Science fair

Repulse Bay/Rankin Inlet

Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay held its annual science fair on Nov. 19, while the three schools in Rankin Inlet have announced their science fair will be held on Nov. 27 at Maani Ulujuk high school.

The students will be competing to represent their schools at the Kivalliq Regional Science Fair and possibly earn a trip to the 2009 Canadawide Science Fair.

- Darrell Greer

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