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CAMBRIDGE BAY TEA TALK: New arts studio on the horizon for this fall

Navalik Tologanak

UPLUKKUT IQALUKTUUTIAMIT. INUIN NAAMAINNAQTUT. QILAMINNUQ APUT TAMMALIQTUQ. IMMALIQTUQLU TARJUQ NUNAMILU. HILA ALINAQHIJUQ AUDLARIAMI. TINGMIAQHIUQTUTLU QUANA. INUIN NATTIQHIULIQPAKTUT UGJUNIKLU. QUANA INUIN NIRIVAKTUT NUNAMIN. ILIHAKVIIT UMIKHIMANNIAQTUT TAMNA AANIARUT TAUTUKMAGU MUNAQTIIT GAVAMAKKUNI. QUANA IKAJUQTUT NUNAVUNMI NAUNIAKTITIIJUT QANUQ MUNARIJAIT TAMNA AANIARUT. NAAMAQLUHI. TUHAQPAKLURIT TAPKUAT NAUNAIKTITIJUT INUNGNUT NUNAVUNMI. AUDLAAQTUT PITIAQPAKLUHI ILLAA. IMMALIQMAN NUNAKPUT.

Here is Mayor Pamela Hakongak Gross, left, and Aggiu Dimitruk, a board member of the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council, outside what will become the new arts centre for the community of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Monday, June 8, 2020. It will be named Ivitaaruq Hanaujarvik – Red Fish Arts Studio.
Navalik Tologanak / NNSL photo

Welcome to beautiful Cambridge Bay, the land of the ice and snow. Yes we still have ice and snow and it is now June. Weather is quickly changing so the sun comes out more often this time of year as we have 24 hour daylight now. In the evenings you will see a beautiful sunset, if there is no fog. We're finally getting sunshine here after having much white-out weather, snow and freezing rain. Many residents have been busy camping, ice-fishing, ice-fishing and ice-fishing some more up at the lakes. With many fishers out there we hope everyone is safe travelling on the ice on the ocean.

The Ekaluktutiak Hunters and Trappers Organization is always busy with programs and community and also with Search and Rescue group programs. A donation of $8,500 was donated from the Northern Stores in Cambridge Bay from the sales of plastic bags. The Search and Rescue volunteer group along with the Hamlet will meet at a later date to discuss what kind of equipment they need for future search and rescue operations around town.

The Ivitaaruq Hanaujarvik - Red Fish Arts Studio in Cambridge Bay is near completion, quana to the commitment from our Mayor Hakongak and her staff to ensure that this dream of an arts studio for Cambridge Bay will come true.

Building and renovations continue to move along, even during the pandemic. The building used to be the old Ikaluktutiak Co-operative garage and fish plant. The old garage was where our Co-op fishermen built their fishing boats out of aluminum. I remember Novoligak, Anavilok, Nakahok, Niptanatiak and many more who owned their own fishing boats with their names carved into the aluminum. The studio will have many programs in the building related to arts and crafts and also music. It will also be where the local radio station will be located now and a coffee, tea and gift shop.

The community always needs a place for artists, carvers, seamstresses to sell their products and now the Ivitaaruq Hanaujarvik will be the place to go. Finally a place to go to find great souvenirs, although you can still find souvenirs is at the Library and Co-op. The expected grand opening is scheduled for long weekend in September 2020. Please watch for details of the grand opening.

God Be With You Son.