News quiz July 19 | Digging, hunting and celebrating

The sun never sets these days and the news keeps happening. So test yourself on a few of the latest developments out of the North. Let’s go!

1. Community and Government Services Minister David Akeeagok announced earlier this month he won’t be running in the Quttiktuq riding in the next territorial election, scheduled for Oct. 27, but he’s not retiring. What are his plans?

A. He’s writing a memoir.
B. He plans to run again, but this time in an Iqaluit-based riding.
C. He actually didn’t specify. Instead he said to stay tuned in September to find out what his plans are.

2. Contractors in Iqaluit discovered something when digging a new culvert for Queen Elizabeth Way. What did they find?

A. The spine of an ancient duck-billed dinosaur called a hadrosaur
B. A buildup of water, indicating a possible water main break
C. A soapstone carving wrapped in an old Lululemon bag

3. The Amaruq Hunters and Trappers Association held its annual summer celebration July 12 in front of Nakasuk Elementary School in Iqaluit. The future is bright for the association, said chairperson Jimmy Akavak, because so many youth are learning to hunt. How many did he say are going out with their elders?

A. 80 per cent
B. 85 per cent
C. 90 per cent

4. Harvard researchers recently released a study calling China’s involvement in the Arctic “highly exaggerated.” The study cites a number of failed enterprises, including a sale that the federal government rejected in 2020. What did China want to buy?

A. The Erebus and Terror
B. Axel Heiberg Island
C. Hope Bay gold mine complex

5. Nunavut Parks hosted a celebration last weekend at Sylvia Grinnell Park. What activity was not on the itinerary?

A. A caribou stew cook-off
B. A scavenger hunt
C. Square dancing with Parks Canada’s beaver mascot named Parka

Geese await distribution during the Amaruq Hunters and Trappers Association’s 50th seasonal gathering in Iqaluit. (Photo by Daron Letts)

Answers

1. C — David Akeeagok is keeping his plans for the territorial election under wraps until September.
2. B — A suspected water main break was expected to delay work on Queen Elizabeth Way last week.
3. B — As many as 85 per cent of Inuit youth are learning to hunt, says Amaruq Hunters and Trappers Association chairperson Jimmy Akavak.
4. C — Chinese-state owned Shandong Gold Mining Co. wanted to buy the Hope Bay gold mine complex but the federal government rejected those plans in early 2020.
5. A — There was caribou stew on the menu, but no competition for the best recipe.