Nunavut News

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the March 25, 2022 edition of The Hill Times. It is reprinted with permission.

The onset of climate change, bringing gradual change to average weather patterns across Canada each year, is having a big impact in Nunavut and the wider Arctic.

The fact that caribou numbers are declining sharply despite efforts to either slow the losses or, with luck, increase the numbers of the vulnerable species is one of the biggest challenges we face in light of a changing climate and economic advancement.

After two years of cancellations, the Nunavut Quest is set to return on April 18, bringing the long-awaited dog sled race back to the territory.

On April 10, Iqaluit RCMP arrested Vincent Jeffrey, 33 after they found 3,000 grams of cannabis, what is believed to be 450 grams of magic (psilocybin) mushrooms and $1,600 during a traffic stop for a possible impaired driver.

The predominant colleges that serve the Northwest Territories and Nunavut continue their march toward degree-granting programs, although the pandemic has posed complications in delivering some courses.

The National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) are back after two years of cancellations due to Covid-19 and that means Team North is also back.

During his visit to Iqaluit, Northern Affairs Minister Daniel Vandal held a public appearance alongside Nunavut premier P.J Akeeagok, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) President Aluki Kotierk and Iqaluit mayor Kenny Bell to reaffirm the federal government’s partnership with them to work on Nunavut housing.

On April 13, Eva Aariak, the Commissioner of Nunavut announced the opening of nominations for the 2022 Nunavut Commissioner Arts Award. This is the opportunity to help acknowledge artists within the territory who bring recognition to Inuit culture and support Nunavut’s economy.