Pulaarvik Kablu fishing derby returns to Kivalliq this weekend

Big or small, char or lake trout — all that matters is the speed of the catch, in the second annual Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre’s Kivalliq fishing derby this weekend.

Organized by the friendship centre’s mental health department staff, the derby runs Saturday from 1 until 3 p.m. in Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Naujaat and Whale Cove.

Naujaat residents take part in the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre’s Kivalliq fishing derby in 2024. The derby is back in all Kivalliq communities this weekend. (Photo courtesy of Christina Best)

In Rankin Inlet, the derby will be held Sunday afternoon instead due to a scheduling conflict with family events at the Agnico Eagle Arena on Saturday.

“They all start fishing at the same time and the first four fish caught [in each community] win the prizes,” said Christina Best, manager of mental health at the friendship centre.

Co-op store gift cards and bundles of household products are among the prizes.

“They’re very simple, basic prizes just to get people together with family out and about doing something that’s very simple,” she said. “It’s just for people to enjoy each other’s company and to get out and about and have a reason to get together.”

The friendship centre’s community counselling co-ordinator in each hamlet will announce the fishing locations by Friday. Pre-registration is not required.

“Just go to the location with your rod,” Best said.

The friendship centre operates in each of the seven hamlets, providing services such as counselling for addictions and spousal abuse and a men’s program focused on skill building and mental health awareness.