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AROUND KIVALLIQ: Freezing blizzard

Residents of Rankin Inlet, Whale Cove, Chesterfield Inlet and Baker Lake had the worst of both weather worlds when a heavy blizzard and extreme cold temperatures rocked most of the Kivalliq region for three days this past week.

Heavy-equipment operators were put to the test when a three-day blizzard pounded Rankin Inlet from Jan. 13-15, 2019. Photo courtesy Noel Kaludjak
Heavy-equipment operators were put to the test when a three-day blizzard pounded Rankin Inlet from Jan. 13-15, 2019. Photo courtesy Noel Kaludjak

Schools were closed along with municipal and territorial government offices until mid-week, with residents of Rankin Inlet being asked to stay off of the roads with their vehicles for an extra day to allow the hamlet's heavy-equipment operators to clear the large amount of snow that came down in the storm.
At the same time, extreme-cold warnings were the norm the entire week as temperatures hovered consistently in the mid -50's C with the windchill, and often dropped below -60C.
The extreme conditions caused havoc most of the week in Rankin, with the extreme cold temperatures remaining steady until this past Sunday, Jan. 20.

 

Dart challenge
Rankin Inlet
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 169 will be hosting a one-day dart challenge to select four players to travel to Nova Scotia to represent Rankin (Nunavut) at a major darts challenge.
The Rankin challenge will be held this Saturday, Jan. 26, at Branch 169, with the first dart scheduled to be flung at 3 p.m.
The contest is open to all darts players in Rankin with an entrance fee of $20.

 

Game on
Arviat
Ten teams will be taking to the ice to compete in the annual JLM Calm Air Cup senior's men's hockey championship in Arviat from Jan. 24 to 27.
The Rankin A team will be competing with five other squads in the A Division. The Rankin players will be looking to increase their championship run to three straight at the JLM.
The hamlet of Arviat has also announced minor hockey teams from across the territory will be travelling to the community when it hosts the annual Nunavut Territorial Bantam Championship from March 15-19.

 

Activity day
Arviat
A special day of activities on Saturday, Jan. 26, has been scheduled to coincide with the large number of people in the community to attend the JLM senior men's hockey tournament this coming weekend in Arviat.
A special penny sale and bake sale will be held at the Mark Kalluak Community Hall from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., while a musical showcase featuring a strong lineup of local musicians will then take centre stage at the hall from 5 to 9 p.m.
The final event of the day is reserved for the majority of youth in the community as the hamlet hosts a teenage dance from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m.