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Sewage trouble shuts Iqaluit middle school

Sewage issues close Iqaluit middle school on Monday, Tuesday morning

Iqaluit’s Aqsarniit Middle School will remain closed this morning, after its sewage line froze on Monday, causing kids to be sent home early in the afternoon.

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Bank of Canada governor kicks off Nunavut Mining Symposium

Stephen Poloz, the governor of the Bank of Canada, kicked off the Nunavut Mining Symposium in Iqaluit on Monday, April 1, with a speech about the challenges faced by the Canadian economy. “You are already feeling the impact of climate change here, and it will affect almost every aspect of life in the North. Lowering barriers to trade could certainly help mitigate these economic impacts,” he said. That includes trade barriers between the provinces and territories, said Poloz: “In a time of slow economic growth, this is too good an opportunity to pass up.” Poloz didn’t offer many hints where interest rates are headed. His next interest rate announcement will be on April 24. Members of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce and Nunavut-NWT Chamber of Mines gathered for the speech. (Photo courtesy of the Bank of Canada)

Pond Inlet youth appear on Hockey Night in Canada

Sixteen players from the Pond Inlet Narwhals Peewee hockey team returned home on Sunday, March 31, after a week-long trip to Toronto. While there they made an appearance on Hockey Night in Canada, seen here, while attending a Toronto Maple Leafs game. Their visit was part of an exchange with the Mimico Canadiens Major Peewee Hockey Team, which will visit Pond Inlet in late April. (Screen capture)

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Morning glow

Thomas Angoshadluk captured the sunrise outside of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, on March 21. (Photo courtesy of Thomas Angoshadluk)

Nunavut mourns Joe Enook, speaker of territory’s legislature

Flags in front of the Nunavut legislature in Iqaluit are at half-mast on Sunday morning in Iqaluit to honour Speaker Joe Enook, who passed away March 29 in Ottawa. A statement from Nunavut Premier Joe Savikataaq reads: “On behalf of the Government of Nunavut, I extend our sincere condolences to Joe Enook’s family and constituents. I had the honour of serving with Joe for a number of years and can attest to his commitment and dedication to the well-being of our territory. Rest easy, my friend. You will be missed by us all.” A book of condolences will be hosted at the Legislative Assembly. Deputy Speaker Simeon Mikkungwak also issued the following statement: “It is my sad duty to announce the passing of Speaker Joe Enook, who left us yesterday following a short illness. My colleagues and I take comfort in knowing that his beloved wife, Mary, was with him at the end. Speaker Enook served his constituents with passion, and represented our institution with dignity. Our thoughts are with Joe’s family and the entire community of Pond Inlet.” Enook, born in 1957, had represented the constituency of Tununiq since September 2011. (Photo by Jane George)

Montreal drop-in centre thanks community with open house

Wayne, left, stands with his polar bear carving and Lucasie, right, holds an inukshuk he made (no last names were provided). Both shared their artwork at The Open Door’s open house on Saturday, March 16. The Montreal drop-in centre, which provides services to the homeless and those with low-income, and often serves Inuit clients in the city, recently relocated its facilities and used the open house to thank community members. A post on the centre’s Facebook page said: “The move has been an incredible success and we are overwhelmed with the support from the community!” (Photo courtesy of The Open Door)

Gjoa Haven Elders go hands-on

Participants in a Gjoa Haven Elders’ Committee project—from left, Simon Aaluk, Johnny Porter, Saul Aksalok, Jonah Kununak and Kirby Tungilik—show off the seal-hunting tools that they made on March 21. Elder Aksalok taught the young men tool making, and the importance of each tool, as a way to pass on knowledge. The program gives the younger generation a sense of belonging and self-esteem and teaches the importance and purpose of the equipment used by their ancestors through elder instruction. (Photo by Helen Tungilik)

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Nunavut language conference ends on a high note

Jerry Puglik of Cambridge Bay dances with others from around Nunavut at the closing gala of the Inugatta Inuktuuqta language conference. The three-day conference, which looked at Inuktut-language revitalization, ended with an evening of entertainment and a keynote address from Nunavut Commissioner Nellie Kusugak, saying “it’s not too late” to act. More later on Nunatsiaq.com. (Photo by Jane George)