Radio Briefs

  Nain Grads Celebrate Their Prom on Saturday May 20, 2011, 2:45 PM Nain graduates are the next group of students to celebrate their prom this year. Six Jens Haven Memorial grads will take part in the celebrations Saturday. The celebrations begin with a graduation blessing at the Moravian Church that afternoon. Their ceremony takes place at the Jens Haven Memorial gym Saturday evening.

  Torngat Fisheries Ready for AGM May 20, 2011, 2:43 PM The Torngat Fish Producers Cooperative has wrapped up their community meetings and are now preparing for next week’s annual general meeting. Keith Watts is the General Manager. He says their AGM will take place in Postville on Wednesday. Financial reports, last year’s fishery and the upcoming season are all on the agenda. Another item up for discussion is the formation of a single fishing entity. Watts says they now refer to the venture as a Joint Fishery Partnership. Representatives from each Nunatsiavut community have been selected to attend the AGM.

  Gas Prices Take Another Tumble May 19, 2011, 3:52 PM Gas prices have taken another tumble as Nunatsiavut consumers continue to anticipate the lifting of the price freeze. The price of gasoline decreased by 5 to 5.1 cents per litre across the province today. Nunatsiavut consumers are now paying one cent more per litre of gasoline than our central Labrador counterparts. The decrease comes after this region spent the last couple of weeks paying the lowest prices for gasoline in the province. A decrease in the price of fuel is good news for this region as consumers wait for the price freeze to be lifted. The price freeze is lifted once fuels are able to be shipped into the communities when the ice breaks up. Nunatsiavut’s fuel prices will be adjusted at that time to come on par with the rest of the province. The price freeze was lifted last year on July 15. It was lifted as early as June 19 in 2008.

  Province Mulling Over Industrial Inquiry Report May 19, 2011, 3:50 PM The provincial government is reviewing the recommendations made in the Industrial Inquiry Commission’s report. The report examined the 18-month labour dispute between the United Steelworkers and Vale. Darin King is the Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. He says the report contains a number of recommendations. Minister King says it provides some great insight to government. He hopes the government can take the report and use the information gathered to avoid prolonged labour disputes in the future. Stay tuned to OK Radio to hear Minister King discuss the province’s take on the report.

  NICG May Have a Location for New Multipurpose Centre May 19, 2011, 3:46 PM The Nain Inuit Community Government may have found a location for the community’s new multipurpose center. Dasi Ikkusek is the Town Manager. She says the NICG is discussing a location in the sub-division near the road that leads to Trouser Lake. Engineers will be analyzing samples of the ground from the site to see if it is a suitable location to support such a large structure. The new facility will house a number of services such as space for elders to gather and a large kitchen to host community feasts.

  MP Peter Penashue Appointed Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs May 18, 2011, 2:47 PM Member of Parliament for Labrador, Peter Penashue, has been appointed the Federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the appointment in Ottawa this morning. Penashue has also been appointed the President of the Queen’s Privy Council. These appointments are two of many milestones for the newly-elected MP for Labrador. Penashue was sworn in as the first ever Labrador Innu MP. He is also the first Conservative to represent the Labrador riding since 1968. The swearing in ceremony is taking place at Rideau Hall in Ottawa today.

  Minister Discusses Department of Health and Social Development  May 18, 2011, 2:46 PM The newly-appointed Minister of Health and Social Development for the Nunatsiavut Government, Patricia Kemuksigak, has been very busy with her new portfolio. The Ordinary Member for Upper Lake Melville was given the post in March. Kemuksigak says one of the biggest issues her department is currently dealing with is a deficit left from delivering non-insured health benefits. The Nunatsiavut Government currently has a deficit of $2.1 million from the delivery of those services. They are currently in talks with Health Canada to help cover the debt left from the provision of services such as prescriptions and travel. The minister says the department is also preparing to take over the services offered through Child, Youth and Family Services in Nunatsiavut. The government plans to take over the delivery of those services by 2014. Stay tuned to OK Radio to hear Kemuksigak provide a detailed updat...

  Executive Elected for AnanauKatiget Tumingit May 18, 2011, 2:37 PM AnanauKatiget Tumingit has elected their first ever executive board members during their annual general meeting. The regional women’s association’s AGM is being held in Nain today. Carol Gear was elected as the association’s President. Frances Williams will serve as the Vice-President. Kim Campbell-Mclean was elected as the Treasurer. The Secretary for AnanauKatiget Tumingit is Elizabeth Zarpa. The AGM of the women’s association finishes today.

  Assembly Building in Hopedale to be Completed in June May 18, 2011, 2:35 PM The Assembly Building in Hopedale is on track to open next month. Brian Flowers is the Property Manager for the Nunatsiavut Government. He says the facility will house a caucus room, assembly room, court house and reception area. The projected completion date for the Assembly Building is at the end of June. An official opening hasn’t been planned for the new facility as of yet.

  Boil Water Orders in Effect in Three Nunatsiavut Communities May 17, 2011, 2:47 PM Three communities in Nunatsiavut currently have boil water orders in place on their fresh water supplies. Nain, Hopedale and Rigolet residents are being advised to boil their fresh water. Those communities are among over 160 from across the province currently ordering residents to boil their water. The majority of those orders are in place due to the community’s chlorination systems. The three Nunatsiavut communities with the orders in place all have different reasons. Nain has had a boil water advisory in place since yesterday. The Nain Inuit Community Government believes the state of the drinking water is due to the spring runoff along the newly-constructed road to Trouser Lake. Nain’s AngaujkKak, Tony Andersen, says NICG staff flushed the water lines yesterday. He says there has been some improvement in the quality of the water. The NICG is hoping to have the water back to normal in the next cou...

  Sikumiut Crossings Remain in Place May 17, 2011, 2:44 PM The crossing bridges along the Umiak 1’s track remain in place since the last time shipping vessel made its trip into Voisey’s Bay. The bridges are placed by Sikumiut Environmental Management Limited as a safe crossing for snowmobilers. Ron Webb is one of Sikumiut’s partners. He says the crossings are located at Tabor Island and Tattuk. The crossings would usually be removed once the ship’s track has frozen over again. This spring’s warm temperatures have prevented the track from freezing over. Webb says the Umiak 1 is scheduled make a trip into Edward’s Cove again on Sunday. Sikumiut is currently deciding whether or not to put the crossings in place again after the ship departs.

  NICG Swearing in New Councilor May 17, 2011, 2:43 PM The Nain Inuit Community Government will swear in a new councilor this evening Dasi Ikkusek is the Town Manager. She says Sarah Leo will be sworn in during the NICG’s regular meeting. Leo was one of two new councilors appointed last month. Henry Broomfield was sworn in during the last meeting of the NICG.

  Fire Claims a Home in Nain May 16, 2011, 2:49 PM A fire claimed a home in Nain over the weekend. Sergeant Cal Barter is with the RCMP Detachment. He says they responded to the blaze shortly before 3 a.m. on Saturday. The local Volunteer Fire Brigade arrived on the scene shortly after. The house was completely engulfed in flames by the time the firefighters arrived. The lone occupant of the home managed to escape the blaze with minor smoke inhalation. She was treated and released from the local clinic the same day. The cause of the fire was determined to be a lit candle. Electrical causes were easily ruled out because the person who owned the home did not have electricity. The house was completely claimed by the flames once the blaze was brought under control. Barter says there was some threat to the surrounding homes. Fortunately, the weather conditions were favourable that morning for fighting the blaze. Barter says he would like to commend the local Volunteer Fire Brigade on sa...

  Randy Edmunds is the Liberal Candidate for Upcoming Provincial Election May 16, 2011, 2:47 PM Randy Edmunds will run as the Liberal Candidate for the Torngat Mountains district in the upcoming provincial election. The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador made the announcement yesterday. Edmunds is the owner and operator of the Adlavik Inn in Makkovik. He is the nephew of the last Liberal to hold the seat, former MHA Wally Andersen. Edmunds took the nomination by acclamation. The provincial election takes place on October 17.

  Possible Strike for Canadian Union of Postal Workers May 16, 2011, 2:44 PM A strike may be on the horizon for members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Anick Losier is the spokesperson for Canada Post. She says a strike could happen as early as May 25. Canada Post has been in negotiations with the union since last October. Members of the union voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike. Nearly 95 percent agreed with the strike action. Losier says a strike vote doesn’t necessarily mean a work stoppage. The union has held a strike vote during previous negotiations without any disruptions taking place. Canada Post is optimistic that a deal will be reached before May 25. Stay tuned to OK Radio to hear Losier provide the details of the negotiations and the possibility of a strike.

  Nain Moves Up a Position in Ultimate Fishing Town Contest May 16, 2011, 2:38 PM Nain has moved up one position in the Ultimate Fishing Town contest. Nain was listed as number 16 with 260 votes on the World Fishing Network’s website as of this morning. There are still 15 days left to cast your vote for one of the top 20 nominees in the final round of voting.

  Russell Not Requesting a Recount May 13, 2011, 3:16 PM Outgoing Member of Parliament for Labrador, Todd Russell, will not request a recount of last week’s federal election results. According to CBC, Russell feels the margin is too large to request a recount. The possibility of a recount was being considered by the outgoing MP this week following the publication of revised election results by Elections Canada. The revised results showed a margin of 79 votes between the Liberal candidate and Conservative Peter Penashue. That was a big difference from the initial results which showed a 231 vote lead for Penashue. According to CBC, Russell is now searching for a job.

  Province Releases Second Phase of Industrial Inquiry Report May 13, 2011, 3:15 PM The province has released the second phase of the Industrial Inquiry Report into the labour dispute between Vale and the United Steelworkers. The first phase of the report was released in January. It examined two of seven items contained in a terms of reference. The second phase of the report examines the remaining items. Local, provincial, national and international matters that may have contributed to the dispute, the disputes possible effects on labour-management relationships and the ramifications and cost of the dispute to the province and the parties involved were all addressed in the report. The factors that led to the labour-relations climate at the site during the dispute and options to improve it were also addressed. The inquiry made a number of recommendations in their report to avoid similar labour disputes to the 18-month strike at Voisey’s Bay. One of those recommendations was that the...

  Gas Prices Tumble as Shipping Season Approaches May 13, 2011, 3:13 PM Fuel prices took a tumble across the province yesterday as the shipping season approaches. Gasoline decreased by 3.4 to 3.5 cents per litre yesterday. Residents of Nunatsiavut are still paying the lowest prices in the province despite yesterday’s decline. Consumers on the Avalon Peninsula, who generally pay the lowest prices in the province, are still paying nearly half a cent more per litre of gasoline than people on the North coast. The price of stove oil witnessed a steep decline yesterday as well. The price of the fuel decreased by nearly seven cents per litre across the province yesterday. The decrease in fuels comes as consumers in this region begin to anticipate the lifting of the price freeze. The price freeze is lifted once fuels are able to be shipped into the communities. It was lifted last year on July 15. 2008 saw the price freeze lifted on June 19.

  Voisey’s Bay Operations Back to Normal May 13, 2011, 3:12 PM Operations at the Voisey’s Bay site are back to normal following the strike which concluded several months ago. Bob Carter is the spokesperson for Vale in Newfoundland and Labrador. He says the employees who were on strike have returned to work. The workers have gone through orientation and more training since arriving back on site. Carter says a date is being set to carry out annual spring maintenance at the site. The site will not operate during the maintenance period. Carter adds Tom Paddon, the General Manager for Labrador Operations with Vale, is resigning from his position soon. An appointment will be made to fill the soon-to-be vacant position. Stay tuned to OK Radio to hear Carter provide an update on operations at the Voisey’s Bay site.

  B.L Morison’s Prom Happening This Weekend May 13, 2011, 3:05 PM Prom season is officially upon us. The first community to see their graduates don their tuxedos and dresses is Postville. B.L Morrison is sending four graduates into the world this evening. Joanne Jacque is a member of the grad committee. She says the celebrations will begin with a banquet this evening at the school’s gym. The theme for this year is ‘Atsuni takotilagivugut’ or ‘Never Say Goodbye’. MHA for the Torngat Mountains District, Patty Pottle, will serve as the ceremonies special guest speaker. A dance for the graduates will follow the banquet.

  Massive Ice Island Making Its Way Down Labrador Coast May 11, 2011, 2:55 PM A massive ice island is making its way down the Labrador coast. Dan Frampton is the Superintendent of Ice with the Canadian Coast Guard. He says the ice island calved off of Greenland’s Peterman Glacier last August. The island is now making its way down the Labrador coast. It was located 120 nautical miles north of Nain as of Tuesday. Frampton says they call it an ice island because of its massive size and formation. The ice formation is tablet-shaped and very flat. He says the 12-kilometre long ice island only reaches a height of 10 metres above the water’s surface at some of its highest points. The route of the ice island is being tracked using satellites and a beacon that has been placed on the ice formation. Stay tuned to OK Radio to hear about the massive ice island in detail.

  B.L Morrison Falcon Takes Bronze at Badminton Provincials May 11, 2011, 2:50 PM The B.L Morrison Falcons put on a good show at the provincial badminton competition. School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador badminton provincials took place in Stephenville last weekend. The girls made it to the semi-finals in the competition. Jessica Sheppard took the bronze medal in the individual competition. The eight athletes arrived back home to Postville last Sunday.

  Nain Makes the Cut for Second Round of Ultimate Fishing Contest May 11, 2011, 2:49 PM Nain has made it into round two of the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing contest. The top 20 towns were announced on the WFN’s website yesterday. Nain now needs your support to become the next Ultimate Fishing Town. Nain is currently in 17th place with 52 votes. There are 20 days left to cast your vote in the contest.

  Postville Residents Making the Trek to Hopedale May 11, 2011, 2:44 PM A group of walkers from Postville are well on their way to Hopedale. Nearly 40 Postville residents are taking part in the Third Annual Healthy Challenge Walk. Pauline Manak is Postville’s Recreation Director. She says the challenge began in early April. The group has set this year’s goal to 108 kilometres, the estimated distance from Postville to Hopedale. The distance translates to 756 laps around the school’s gym. The group gathers for the walk every weekday morning at the B.L Morrison School’s gym. They will do so until May 27. The challenge is sponsored by Nunatsiavut’s Department of Health and Social Development.

  Todd Russell May Call a Recount May 10, 2011, 3:04 PM A recount of last week’s federal election results may be on the horizon following the publication of revised election results. Elections Canada recently posted revised election results on their website. The new results show that Conservative Peter Penashue now only leads Liberal Todd Russell with 79 votes. The initial results showed Penashue leading with 231 votes. An automatic judicial recount would have been called with a 10 vote margin between the two leading candidates. The option of calling a recount is still available to Russell. We contacted Todd Russell in Ottawa Tuesday morning. He says he’s discussing the recount now. Russell plans to make a decision by tomorrow. A request for a recount must be made within four days of the validation of the results. Russell must request a recount by the close of business day on Thursday.

  Alleged Nain Stabber’s Bail Hearing Set for Next Week May 10, 2011, 3:02 PM The Nain man who allegedly stabbed three people will appear before a provincial court judge for a bail hearing next week. 46-year old David Aggek’s bail hearing is set for Monday. Aggek is facing three charges of aggravated assault. The charges stem from an incident in Nain early Sunday morning. Three people were found with obvious stab wounds when RCMP arrived on the scene. All were treated for non-life threatening injuries at the local clinic and released the same day. Aggek initially fled the scene of the alleged crime. He was located by local RCMP around noon the same day. Aggek is being remanded at the Labrador Correctional Centre until his bail hearing on Monday.

  Participant Discusses Last Week’s Heritage Forum May 10, 2011, 2:57 PM Last week’s Heritage Forum in Hopedale is being considered a success. Frances Williams of the Nain Heritage committee took part in the forum. She says there were a lot of issues raised by the different organizations in attendance. Heritage buildings, the Inuksuit project, Them Days Magazine and the new Torngasok Cultural Centre were among the topics discussed during the forum. The old way of Moravian Church Elders acting as the main authority in a community was also discussed. Stay tuned to OK Radio to hear Williams discuss the details from last week’s forum.

  NG Minister of Natural Resources Discusses IBA Information Sessions May 9, 2011, 2:44 PM An update on the Voisey’s Bay Impacts and Benefits Agreement was presented to each of the Inuit communities last month. Glen Sheppard is the Nunatsiavut Government’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. He says the information sessions are held annually to update beneficiaries on the IBA. The sessions are done in partnership between Vale and the Nunatsiavut Government. The Minister says the main issues people raised were related to aboriginal employment, donations and scholarships provided by Vale. January’s tailing spill at the site was also a common issue raised by attendees. Stay tuned to OK Radio to hear Minster Sheppard provide the details from the community sessions.

  Nain Man to Appear Before Courts Today in Relation to Multiple Stabbings May 9, 2011, 2:38 PM A Nain man is scheduled to appear in Provincial Court today following alleged multiple stabbings in the community over the weekend. Sergeant Cal Barter is with the Nain RCMP detachment. He says local RCMP responded to a disturbance in progress during the early hours of Sunday. RCMP discovered three people with obvious stab wounds upon their arrival. Barter says the alleged victims were two females and one male. Their injuries were non-life threatening. All three were treated at the local clinic and released the same day. The suspect had already fled the scene when RCMP arrived. He was arrested around noon that same day. The 46-year-old man is scheduled to appear before Provincial Court today. He is facing three charges of aggravated assault.

  Board Members Selected for AnânauKatiget Tumingit May 9, 2011, 2:36 PM AnânauKatiget Tumingit now has a board in place for their upcoming annual general meeting. Jennie Williams is the Coordinator of the regional Inuit women’s association. She says Fran Williams and Caitlyn Baikie were selected as Nain’s board members following last week’s local election. They will be joined by Janice Connors and Justine Obed of Happy Valley-Goose Bay on the board. Kim Campbell-Mclean will represent North West River. Gertie Palliser was chosen to represent Rigolet. Palliser will be joined by Sophie Pamak of Hopedale on the association’s board. And Brenda Colbourne will represent Postville. Williams says a youth and elder were also selected to attend their upcoming AGM. Jane Shiwak of Rigolet was selected as the Elder. And Elizabeth Zarpa of Happy Valley-Goose Bay will represent Nunatsiavut youth. The first ever AGM of AnânauKatiget Tumingit is scheduled to begin next Monday.

  Torngat Fisheries Beginning Community Meetings Next Week May 6, 2011, 2:42 PM The Torngat Fish Producers Cooperative will be conducting community meetings next week in preparation for their upcoming Annual General Meeting. Keith Watts is the General Manager of the Cooperative. He says their first meeting will be in Hopedale next week. TFPC will be visiting each of the communities to discuss last year’s fishery and what they have planned for the upcoming season. The election of two delegates for their AGM will be held during the each of the community visits. The election of board members will also take place if needed. The Torngat Fish Producers Cooperative’s AGM will take place in Postville on May 25. Stay tuned to OK Radio to hear Watts discuss what each community can expect from the meetings.

  Changes Made to Air Foodlift Subsidy Program May 6, 2011, 2:31 PM The provincial government has made changes to the Air Foodlift Subsidy program. The Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs made the announcement today. The list of eligible food items under the subsidy has undergone some changes. Some items have been removed from the list and others have been added. The changes are being made to coincide with the new eligibility requirements introduced by the new federal Nutrition North Canada program. The Air Foodlift Subsidy program now has the same eligibility list as Nutrition North. An 80 percent subsidy will be provided on items that fall under the new eligibility list after the Nutrition North subsidy has been applied. Fresh milk will be subsidized 100 percent after the federal subsidy. Another change to the Air Foodlift Subsidy program is that it will now operate all year on the North coast. The subsidy was only provided during the winter months in previous years whe...