Inuit Nunangat Stories

Laboratory in Eureka, Nunavut, studies ozone depletion and the effects of climate change. A $5-million government grant will allow it to remain in operation.

Published on May 12, 2013

The winds blowing 30 clicks from the south. Wind chill was steady at -15. So Yzabell and Abigail grabbing their sled, after eating green eggs and blueberries and went zooming down the Rankin Inlet Nunavut hills. Laughter and giggles echoed throughout the hills. Again.... again....

Leo Kaludjak took top spot in the Senior Division, while Ross Tatty took the Master's (40 and older) Division and Tristen Dias captured the Junior flag.

Tatty, who also helps co-ordinate the event, said the number of racers was about the same as in 2012.

He said the races are often close in each division, which makes the event fun for racers and fans alike.

"You get the odd race, for a number of reasons, that may not be that close, but, overall, most of them are pretty close," said Tatty.

"The racers take this event very seriously.

"Some go all out with brand-new machines, while others, basically, make a snowmobile out of scraps just to be able to enter the races."

The races follow international snowmobile rules.

Nothing larger than 600 cc is allowed, and every machine's tether cord must be operational.

The Arviat students took home medals in the categories of TV/video production (Innosar Issakiark and Shelton Nipisar coached by Gord Billard), baking (Vayda Kaviok and AnneRenee Angalik coached by Susie Johnson), cooking (Ramon Kaviok and Jonathan Kigusiutnak coached by Mike Johnson), hairdressing (Gwen Ishalook and Gabai Kaludjak coached by Celeste White and Kimberley Dymond), esthetics (Sherilyn Sewoee and April Kablutsiak coached by Annette Atkinson) and photography (Avis Mukyungnik and Amanda Pingushat coached by Steve Penney).

Issakiark and Nipisar were invited to the national in TV/video production, while Vayda was invited for baking.

Billard said the number of participants at this year's Nunavut event was lower than usual.

He said there were only 41 competitors in 10 categories, both down significantly from past years.

"There was only one team in four different categories, so, by default, they received a gold medal," said Billard.

"Our TV/video production entry was one of those, but our little team produced a video good enough to qualify for the national, so I'm tickled pink.

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APTN National News
The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut just passed some major changes to their Integrity Act.

The changes make it difficult for senior civil servants to blow the whistle on politicians who behave unethically.

APTN’s Kent Driscoll has the story.

The students asked Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield 12 questions in the 10-and-a-half minutes the station was in range.

The educational program was delivered by volunteers with the amateur radio on the International Space Station (ARISS).

The organization ARISS Canada aims to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math through amateur radio communications opportunities.

ARISS is an international working group of delegations from nine countries, including Canada, Japan, Russia, the U.S. and several European countries.

The organization is run by volunteers from national amateur radio organizations and the Radio Amateur Satellite Corp. from each country.

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