Rankin Inlet installs solar panels on arena
Rankin Inlet was set to become the largest independent power producer in Nunavut thanks to the installation of solar panels on the community’s new arena.
The hamlet planned to develop the system as part of Qulliq Energy Corporation’s Commercial and Institutional Power Producer program (CIPP), which was designed to allow existing commercial and institutional customers to generate electricity using renewable energy systems and sell it to the corporation.
“Rankin can now pride itself to not only be the first to take part in the CIPP but also the largest solar system in Nunavut,” said Klaus Dohring the president of Green Sun Rising Inc., which installed the panels.
Once up and running, the system was expected to be capable of generating a total of 110 kilowatts.
Five Kivalliq cousins signed to Manitoba AAA hockey team
Five Kivalliq cousins were heading south to play for the same Manitoba-based AAA hockey team in September.
Justin Issakiark, Kadin Eetuk, Prime Paniyuk, Kobe Tanuyak and Koby Connelly all made the Norman AAA Northstars after going down to try out for the team at the end of August.
Kivalliq Canucks goaltender Connor Faulkner, who joined them for support during the tryout, said they have made their home communities proud.
“They all went 110 per cent this weekend and gave it everything they had to crack the squad,” Faulkner wrote in a Facebook post.
All the players hail from Rankin Inlet, with the exception of Prime Paniyuk, who is from Coral Harbour. Sandy Tattuinee also attended the tryouts but broke his ankle while playing.
SC Johnny Karetak’s memorial unveiled in Arviat
RCMP Special Constable (SC) Johnny Karetak was honoured at a special ceremony in Arviat. Karetak died in June 2017 at the age of 87 after serving with the police force for 25 years.
“He built a bridge between RCMP and the community,” Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr. told Kivalliq News. Karetak was born in St. John’s, N.L. but moved to Arviat at the age of three and lived there until he passed away.
Although he was buried in 2017, plans to hold a special ceremony in his honour were on hold until this past summer.
The cross for Karetak’s grave was made from the mast of his Peterhead fishing boat. It has since had a specially engraved gravestone added in front of it.
Rankin Inlet getting tougher on trash
Rankin Inlet joined Baker Lake as the second community in the Kivalliq to vote in favour of banning single-use plastic bags.
The third and final reading of the bylaw, which passed unanimously without comment from councillors, took place on Sept. 13.
The new bylaw, which prevents businesses from providing, selling or distributing single use-plastic bags to customers, was set to come into effect starting July 31, 2022.
It also included a provision stating that businesses can apply to request a five-month exemption from the date the bylaw takes effect.
Flynn pointed out that this would give business ample time to comply with the new measures.
“We have to give our retailers the ability to wear down their inventories,” SAO Darren Flynn told Kivalliq News.
Coast Guard’s search and rescue teams wrap up fourth season in Rankin Inlet
The Canadian Coast Guard’s inshore rescue boat station wrapped up another successful season in Rankin Inlet.
The program began four years previous as a way to serve communities as far north as Chesterfield Inlet and as far south as Whale Cove, while encouraging Indigenous students from across Canada to get experience working for the Coast Guard.
The Rankin Inlet team was made up of two crews of four, a total of eight students, six of whom are Indigenous, including two Inuit.
“Those students have been very important in teaching Inuktitut,” said Emma Moore, senior officer with the Coast Guard’s Search and Rescue program.
This summer the station was operational from June 16 to Sept. 7. The students completed pre-season training in Perry Sound from May 3 to May 30 before relocating to Rankin Inlet, where they received electronic navigational training, medical training and courses on local knowledge.
Arviat teacher honoured with Council of the Federation Literacy Award
When Nunia Anoee decided to move from Sanirajak to Arviat for a teaching job in 1999, she thought she’d only be there for two years.
More than 20 years later, Anoee was recognized for her accomplishments and commitment to education with Nunavut’s Council of the Federation Literacy Award.
The award was presented to a teacher in each province and territory to celebrate exceptional achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy.
“After my two years I asked if I’m going back to Hall Beach or am I staying. I ended up buying a house, having a child and having a baby. So this is home now,” said Anoee.
On Sept. 13, then-Premier Joe Savikataaq recognized Anoee’s accomplishments in the legislative assembly