Tootoo bids adieu
Nunavut
Longtime Nunavut politician Hunter Tootoo announced on July 30 that he will not be running in the upcoming federal election.
Tootoo was a member of Nunavut's Legislative Assembly from 1999 to 2013, and a Member of Parliament from 2015 to 2019.
Tootoo, who has strong ties to the Kivalliq region, thanked his family, friends and political colleagues for helping him through a difficult time in his life.
“I encourage anyone who suffers from addictions, mental illness or trauma to seek the help they need to heal. Remember, you are not alone,” Tootoo stated in a news release.
“During my time as an MP, I contributed to positive change for Nunavut. Here we have consensus government — a group of elected individuals who work together to do the right thing for all the people of Nunavut.
“Coming from that work ethic, I was able to work with members of all political stripes, as well as my cabinet colleagues, and I am proud of all the things I accomplished.”
Fish feedback needed
Rankin Inlet
The Kagniqliniq Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO) is looking for feedback from the community of Rankin Inlet on an important restoration project.
The Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) has been approved for funds to conduct some coastal restoration projects, and the Rankin HTO has recommended that coastal restoration activities be focused on allowing Arctic char to climb the Sulukpaugalik River once again.
The work would be done mostly by local Inuit over the course of two weeks in 2020, with some preliminary work that could also be completed in a few weeks.
The restoration work would be a collaborative project between the HTO and KIA.
Learning schedule
Rankin Inlet
Listed below are the dates and subjects for the final three sessions in the Learn To program hosted at the Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park near Rankin Inlet.
The Learn To events are focused on getting members of the public out to the park to learn something new.
The sessions get underway at 1 p.m. and are free to attend:
- Aug.10: Learn how to make bannock and prepare traditional tea.
- Aug. 17: Learn how to play traditional Inuit games.
- Aug. 24: Learn how to collect a qulliq wick and how to properly light the qulliq.
Volunteers needed
Rankin Inlet
The Rankin Inlet branch of CIBC has put out the call for local volunteers to help plan its annual Run for the Cure event in Rankin this September or October.
Money raised during Run for the Cure are donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.
The Rankin branch of CIBC will host a preliminary volunteer meeting Aug. 7, beginning at 5:30 p.m.