Iqaluit to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day despite pandemic restrictions
Most events limited to 25 people, others to be held remotely
As part of the City of Iqaluit’s festivities for National Indigenous Peoples Day, there will be a free skate at Arnaitok Arena from 6 to 7 p.m. (Photo by David Venn)
Skating, swimming, pop-up servings of country food, a variety of contests and a scavenger hunt — the City of Iqaluit has a slate of events planned for National Indigenous Peoples Day, on Monday, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most events will be limited to 25 people, while others will be held remotely to abide by COVID-19 restrictions, said city spokesperson Ainiak Korgak.
“In previous years … there were no restrictions,” Korgak said. “The more people we had, the happier we were.”
There will be free public skate from 6 to 7 p.m. at Arnaitok Arena and the turf at Arctic Winter Games Arena will be available from 7 to 8 p.m., said Korgak.
Both events are limited to the first 25 people, masks are mandatory and participants are asked to stay six feet apart.
At the city pool, from 7 to 8 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m., there will be free lane swimming.
“This year and last year, of course, are different because [of] COVID-19,” Korgak said. “We have to be mindful of how many people we can allow to be together at any one time.”
Two contests will be judged by a panel — a hunting-themed baking contest and a beading contest where participants can make either bracelets, necklaces or earrings.
The event is remote and each participant will have to send in a picture and description of their work to the city.
The winners will be announced on Wednesday, Korgak said, and will receive a gift card.
There will also be five pop-up stations throughout the city from 1 to 5 p.m. that will serve country food as supplies last.
Korgak said the locations will be posted on the city’s Facebook page when the stations appear.
At 2:15 p.m., there will be a moment of silence for the 215 children’s bodies that were discovered at an unmarked grave at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.
Howcome people coming into canada from another country isolate for 3 days but inuit who did not vaccinate have to isolate for 2 weeks?
Southern news sites do stories of how people in their own province felt about isolation and all the bad food. Why havent nunatsiaq news and news north done the same?
First off it’s not just Inuit that have to isolate you’re trying to create a divide to give the false appearance that the system is racist. All those entering Nunavut who are not vaccinated have to isolate two weeks.
Second Nunatsiaq has released multiple articles on the isolation hubs and their conditions. Everything from coverage on how people say it impacts their mental health to the food. You probably are not seeing anymore since there’s been no change in how those isolation hubs operate. It would just be putting the same article up again.
You’re right. This is just another example of systemic racism plaguing this country.
You’re wrong, and making things up. All people, regardless of ethnicity have to isolate.
Out of country tests before leaving for Canada, tests after arriving in Canada, three days in isolation in one of Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver and depending on destination up to 14 days isolation at home. You also have to PAY for everything yourself.
If you are going to compare please include everything not just one item.