The region buckles down for the pandemic, work starts on Inukjuak’s hydro project and the main internet provider nearly hits capacity
In a year that was dominated by news of a global pandemic, Nunavik was largely spared. The region was able to keep COVID-19 out — except for a few dozen mostly isolated cases — by restricting travel and keeping schools closed for several months.
22-year-old Kangiqsualujjuaq man cut own throat during August arrest
Water vapour rises off the freezing Koksoak River near Kuujjuaq on the morning of Dec. 17. (Photo by Isabelle Dubois)
Mark Blair has worked for Ilagiisaq since 2001
Children in Kuujjuaq play hockey at an outdoor rink in the middle of town on Dec. 9. (Photo by Malaya Qaunirq Chapman)
Kuujjuaq residents gather in front of the northern village office for the lighting of Christmas trees on Dec. 21. (Photo by Isabelle Dubois)
Santa Claus and his helpers distribute candies and other presents — such as hats, gloves and mitts — during a tour around Kuujjuaq on a municipal flat bed truck dubbed Rudolph on Sunday, Dec. 20. (Photo by Isabelle Dubois)
Santa Claus, his helpers and the Grinch paid a visit to Kuujjuaq on Sunday, Dec. 20. (Photo by Isabelle Dubois)
A Canadian North flight takes off from Kuujjuaq late in the afternoon of Dec. 16. (Photo by Allen Gordon)
Volunteers help pack up food baskets in Kuujjuaq on Thursday, Dec. 17. Over the last decade, community organizations like Nayumivik Landing Corp., Makivik Corp. Kuujjuamiut Inc. and the Northern Village of Kuujjuaq contribute to the hampers, which were delivered to just over 700 homes in the Nunavik community this week. (Photo by Allen Gordon)
Region maintains indoor gathering maximum of 10 people and 250 people for outdoor events
Oolai Qaunirq retreives ptarmigan, or aqiggiq, he caught along Kuujjuaq’s Ippialuk Road on Sunday morning, Dec. 13. (Photo by Malaya Qaunirq Chapman)
“Everyone is free to choose to be vaccinated or not”
Selena Whiteley holds two fish she pulled out from her fishing hole at False River, outside of Kuujjuaq, during the weekend of Dec. 5. (Photo by Malaya Qaunirq Chapman)
“We’re trying to understand what kind of curriculum we have and what we can improve on”
But Nunavimmiut with more “social and community support” tended to report more binge drinking
Saimmajualy Ekomiak fishes through a hole in the ice he made at False River, outside of Kuujjuaq, during the weekend of Dec. 5. (Photo by Malaya Qaunirq Chapman)
“They’re working on it. But it’s not fast enough.”
Victoria Grey looks out the window of a helicopter while anticipating her arrival at her fishing cabin at False River, outside of Kuujjuaq, during the weekend of Dec. 5. (Photo by Malaya Qaunirq Chapman)
Significant contacts have been put in isolation, says Nunavik’s health board
“Everyone deserves the same protection from COVID-19, no matter where they are”
“We knew from the get-go that it would be a challenge delivering service in a region that is served by satellite”
A new bridge was installed across the river near Inukjuak on Dec. 5, as part of work on 7.5-megawatt run-of-the-river hydro project that’s expected to be complete by late 2022. The bridge will connect to an access road on the far side of the river. The power project is expected to provide nearly all the electricity required for the nearby community of 1,800, which currently relies on diesel. (Photo by Sylvain Paradis)
Individual tested positive for virus in Tasuijaq but has since left community
Smoking still poses big risk to lung health of Nunavimmiut
