Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau is drowned out by opposition MPs on Tuesday, March 19, as he tries to deliver the government’s budget address. On Tuesday afternoon, the Trudeau government tabled its 2019 budget, offering Inuit communities $286 million in funding for suicide prevention, support for a new Inuit-led post-secondary education strategy, money to preserve and revitalize Inuktitut, and more equitable health services for Inuit children.
The government made a commitment to support the construction and operation of a treatment facility in Nunavut, though no funding was announced. Similarly, Ottawa says it will explore the creation of a new marine conservation area in the High Arctic, or Tuvaijuittuq. Read more budget news tomorrow at nunatsiaq.com. (Image courtesy of CPAC)
In the wake of last week’s massacre of Muslims in New Zealand, Abdoul Ibn Houssein of Iqaluit’s mosque speaks on Tuesday afternoon to a diverse group of Iqaluit residents. His message: “We must all stand together against Islamophobia. We must all stand united in our actions against racism in all its forms: whether it is when our Indigenous sisters go missing or are murdered, or in the fight for social justice for our Inuit brothers and sisters, or in the fight against the killing of black people.” Read more later about the event on nunatsiaq.com. (Photo by Jane George)
Nunavut Arctic College’s Sean Guistini and Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre’s Gwen Healey Akeorok, both of Iqaluit (third row, second and third from the left) stand on the steps of Finland’s presidential palace during the week which they recently spent in Finland with other Fulbright Arctic fellows. “We had high-level meetings with officials working in Arctic affairs, including meeting with the president’s office at the presidential palace in Helsinki, the MP for Lapland at the Finnish parliament, and a reception with many working in the embassies of Arctic countries with representation in Finland,” Healey Akeorok said. They also attended a panel discussion on emerging issues and innovations with Saami representatives, government officials, climate scientists and the senior Arctic official for Finland to the Arctic Council. From Helsinki, they then travelled to the Arctic city of Oulu where, among other activities, they participated in an “Innovation in business and the Arctic” session with entrepreneurs. The Fulbright Arctic program annually brings together a network of scholars, professionals and researchers from the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden for a series of three seminars and a Fulbright exchange. (Photo courtesy of Gwen Healey Akeorok)
Sixth-grade Umimmak event finalists Juana Gordon (left) and Aiva Lingered have a showdown at Jaanimmarik School’s March 7 Inuit games in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik. Lingard came out victorious, winning one of many games at the all-day event. (Photo by Isabelle Dubois)
Go, go, go! Four women race together at Kuujjuaq’s Winter Carnival, moving with their feet tied to boards. The race was one of many games and contests at the March 2 event, which also featured a treasure hunt, fishing contest and, if participants brought their own gun and bullets, target shooting. (Photo by Isabelle Dubois)
From left: Lizzie Hubloo, Nicole Tukkiapik and Ida Gordon serve tea and bannock in a tupik at Kuujjuaq’s Winter Carnival, held March 2. Organized by the local youth committee, the carnival offered a day of fun and games for the community. (Photo by Isabelle Dubois)
The creators of a new nonprofit focused on gender in the Arctic say that women's issues affect the entire community — and should be taken more seriously.
Members of a new Inuksuk Journalism Club at Iqaluit’s high school attend the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, March 6. The club was started up in January by Iqaluit journalist Thomas Rohner, pictured left. From right are club members Jacob Winford, Gr. 9, Jimmy Onalik, Gr. 11, and Simon Leblanc, Gr. 9. After question period was over the group spoke with cabinet minister Lorne Kusugak, who worked previously as a reporter with the CBC. (Photo by Beth Brown)
Fourth grade finalists go for the win at Jaanimmarik School’s Arm Pull event in Kuujjuaq, during part of the school’s all-day Inuit games on March 7. The left pair is Sakgaliasi Koneak (front-facing) and Matthew York, who took first and second place respectively. On the right are Christopher May (on the floor) and Gulucky Grist, who took third and fourth place. (Photo by Isabelle Dubois)
Kuujjuaq celebrated its Winter Carnival on Saturday, March 2, when residents met at Stewart Lake for a day of fun and treats organized by their local youth committee. Six tupiks housed activities and treats, including storytelling, live music, tea and bannock, and maple taffy. Each tent also had a wood stove to keep people toasty, while games and contests brought people outside. (Photo by Isabelle Dubois)
