The Government of Nunavut has a webpage where people can contact the government with comments, questions or suggestions. About 45 per cent of the messages the government got this year were spam. But some people reached out with ideas (for a polar-bear jail) and one Grade 2 class had a few questions for people in the territory. (Screenshot from the Government of Nunavut)
COVID-19 queries, job applications, spam made up majority of submissions to GN's 'contact us' webpage
From questions about COVID-19 vaccine requirements to requests for Nunavut flags to suggestions to build a polar bear jail, people wrote some interesting messages to the Government of Nunavut in 2022. Seven-hundred and seventy-five messages to be exact, between Jan. 2 and Aug. 30, questions and suggestions that users submitted through the GN’s Contact Us...
About 25 kids take to the ice at Agnico Eagle Arena in Rankin Inlet on Oct. 21 for a free skate. After a few minutes of skating around haphazardly, they gathered at one end of the rink and skated to each line while returning to the starting position, until they reached the other end. (Photo by David Venn)
Iqaluit residents deck their home out in decorations
Lorna Kalluk and her daughter, Cassandra Palluq, decorate the front of their house at the entrance to Happy Valley for Halloween on Wednesday morning. The decorations are borrowed from a friend, Mike Murphy, and the pair have a lot to put up. “This is just the beginning,” Kalluk said with a laugh. She said last year, the decorations scared some of the kids who came trick-or-treating at their house, so Kalluk and Palluq are trying to make one side a little more approachable this year. “We want the kids to be happy and smiling,” Kalluk said. (Photo by David Venn)
Patrick Nagle’s last day at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation will be Thursday
Patrick Nagle poses with Iqaluit Mayor Kenny Bell Tuesday evening after receiving a local hero award. Nagle spent the last 33 years as CBC North’s station manager in Iqaluit and will work his last day on Thursday. (Photo by David Venn)
About 50 people gathered to eat cake, throw frisbees and mingle
About 40 people gather in Iqaluit Square Friday afternoon to eat cake, throw frisbees and talk about programs and job opportunities with the Canadian Coast Guard. This year is the federal agency’s 60th anniversary and it held two events in Iqaluit to celebrate — Friday’s open house as well as an environmental cleanup exercise Thursday at the Iqaluit breakwater. (Photo by David Venn)
Canadian Forces members travelled near Qikiqtarjuaq, formerly known as Jenny Lind Island, by helicopter on Aug. 17 for Operation Nanook-Nunakput. The Arctic Response Company Group was scouting the area surrounding the island, which is about 100 kilometres from Cambridge Bay. Operation Nanook-Nunakput continues until Aug. 29 near Cambridge Bay, Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay and Qikiqtarjuaq. (Photo by Bdr. Julia Currie, Canadian Forces)
A painter applies a fresh coat of white paint to the outside of Nakasuk Elementary School in Iqaluit on Wednesday. The new paint job is part of the ongoing preparations to welcome Pope Francis, who is expected to arrive Friday afternoon and make a public address in front of the school after meeting privately with Indigenous residential school survivors inside the school. (Photo by Madalyn Howitt)
Preparations continue Wednesday for Friday’s arrival of Pope Francis at Nakasuk Elementary School in Iqaluit. Workers from NCC Development Ltd. erected a stage with lights and a fenced barrier at the front entrance to the school, where the Pope is expected to make a public address Friday afternoon after first privately meeting with Indigenous residential school survivors. Pope Francis is scheduled to travel to Quebec City on Wednesday, the second city on his tour after Edmonton, where he delivered an apology for the abuses that many Indigenous children experienced at Canada’s residential schools. (Photo by Madalyn Howitt)
Workers from NCC Development Ltd. build a wooden wheelchair-accessible ramp outside Nakasuk Elementary School in Iqaluit early Monday. The temporary ramp is to accommodate Pope Francis when he arrives Friday to meet with survivors of the residential school system once run by the Catholic Church. It’s estimated 150,000 Indigenous children attended those schools during the 1800s up to the 1990s, many of whom suffered abuse there. Organizers of the papal visit say the 85-year-old pontiff will use a wheelchair during most of his Canadian visit due to his “advanced age and physical limitations.” In Iqaluit, Francis will also hold a public event Friday afternoon. (Photo by Madalyn Howitt)
Crystal Nutarak buys a roll of veggie sushi and rainbow cupcakes from Molleen Anaviapik at Pond Inlet’s flea market May 21. The flea market begins most Saturdays at 3 p.m. at the community hall while supplies last, which normally isn’t long. On this Saturday, Anaviapik sold out of her sushi, cupcakes and fruitcake in 10 minutes. (Photo by David Venn)
Winner of 500-km race will be announced during awards ceremony
Pond Inlet musher Lee Inuarak is hoisted in the air as he celebrates after finishing the 500-km Nunavut Quest in Igloolik Wednesday evening. Inuarak was the first musher out of a dozen to cross the finish line after 10 days of racing, followed by Igloolik’s Jonah Qaunaq. Inuarak, however, may not be the winner of the race. That will be announced Thursday during the awards ceremony. (Photo by Dustin Patar)
Two-year-old Constance Ettuk wanders through the middle of C Hall in Arctic Bay’s community centre the evening of April 16 while, from left , Leeta Qaunaq square dances with Jonah Qaunaq and George Satuqsi dances with Celina Satuqsi. (Photo by David Venn)
