We spoke to Mary Simon who is the President for Inuit Tapaariit Kanadami.

Simon says she attended the first ministers meeting in Ottawa last week and she met with the Prime Ministers, Premiers and Territorial Premiers.

She says the discussions was about the upcoming federal budget that will be announced tomorrow January 27th-2009.

Simon says the purpose of ITK was to be there for the needs they have in the Arctic and the needs that the Inuit have in the Arctic is for more housing or other infrastructure development, education and skills training and those are some of the things that ITK would like to see the in stimulus package.

She adds this meeting they held with the Prime Ministers and Premiers was not a meeting to make a decision, it was meeting where they can present their priority for the upcoming federal budget and the kind of investment they would like to see in the North and Arctic.

OKâlaKatiget spoke to two instructors at the College of the North Atlantic on the north coast, to find out how many adult students are enrolled in their community.

Gerry Hapgood is the instructor for Adult Basic Education in Nain.

He says there are eight students in his class this year and they are taking level three courses.

He says there were two students who graduated last year, and one will graduate very soon.

Hapgood adds for anyone who would like apply for CONA there are four seats available and you can contact him at (709) 9222-2985.

We also spoke to John Rickson who is the instructor for Hopedale.

Rickson says there are seven students in the Adult Basic Education or ABE classes.

He says three adult students will graduate in few months.

Rickson says the students are working hard and moving on good and will be completing their credits.

He adds the College of the North Atlantic receive fundings from Inuit Pathways for the programs.

He says they were very busy preparing their duties at the Canadian Embassy prior to the historic moment.

As newly annointed President pasted the Canadian Embassy, they honoured his presense with a royal solute.

Lyall says he did not get to meet the President, because like all previous inaugurations, the president was surrounded by FBI and CIA agents, and military personnel.

He mention he did see famous actors and singers in the likes of Michael J. Fox, Bruce Springsteen and Mary J. Blidge.

Judy Decker is the Angajukak in Hopedale and said she got the call around 3:00 am this morning about the fire.

She said the only thing left of the community hall and the radio station are the exterior walls and when we talked to her it was still smouldering.

The roof and interior of the building is gone along with everything that was in the building.

It contained all the youth and children equipment including all the band equipment, tv's, games, computers, ski's, a new pool table and much more.

Decker says she's very upset and doesn't know where the youth are going to go now. She would like to thank all the community members that came out to help with the fire last night.

Martin Basto is the Fire-chief with the Hopedale Fire Department.

He says they got a call saying the Community Hall was on fire, sometime after 2 AM.

Basto says nine firemen responded to the fire and they were able to get water fairly quickly but it took sometime to put the fire out.

He says even when they put the fire out it flared-up again but they were able to put it once more.

A few people from Hopedale did get out of bed to see the fire.

Basto would like to thank the fire-men and all those who came to help out during the fire.

Joan Andersen is the Chair of the NL Moravian Church.

She says the idea of re-newing the translations of the original 7 testaments from 1871 came about quite a few years ago.

The idea to make a change in the written language was that so people can read the Bible in Inuktitut better.

She says the translators who did an excellent job include: K. Naeme Tuglavina of Nain, Amos Onalik of Hopedale, Sophie Tuglavina of of Makkovik, Hilda Lyall, Andrea Webb, Sarah Townley of Happy Valley and also Sabina Hunter who was the co-ordinator of the project.

The church held a public meeting in Nain last evening, and the issues discussed was update on new minister staff and training, Heritage issues on the Moravian Church Buildings, and what was lost in the fire when the Nain Manse burnt down.

Andersen says even though some artifact written scripts was lost in the fire, they are happy because there was no loss of life.

She is also happy to say that during one of Dr. Hans Rolhman trips to Nain, he had made a visit to the Manse and came across some of the artifacts, and from there had decided to photograph some of the pieces, except that he regret not to have taken photos of all the past autographs on what the visitors wrote from the past.

Andersen says the board wants to purchase a fire proof cabinet for the Church archives and to act now, and to send a written proposal letter to the Tessiujatsuak Trust Fund to build a new Manse in Nain.

The exhibit is a joint production by the Torngâsok Cultural Centre and the Rooms Corporation, are recognizing Uncle Jim Andersen's 50 plus years of photography.

Mina Campbell-Hibbs is the curator at the Interpretation Center

She says because of limited space in the centre, they can only display 20 of the 80 large photographs of Uncle Jim's photos.

The remaining 60 will be displayed via slide show, and a DVD presentation on Uncle Jim, surrounding his accomplishments.

Campbell-Hibbs says the exhibit will last approximately two hours.

She included Nunatsiavut Governments Ben Ponniuk the Minister of Culture, Tourism & Recreation will be a guest speaker.

After Ponniuks speech, there will be live entertainment, in which Uncle Jim himself, with Natalie Fost will perform.

Campbell-Hibbs says he will also provide a little speech.

She says food and beverages will be served, and thinks they'll have a very good turnout.

Campbell-Hibbs says the exhibit will be available for public viewing until April 26, afterwards, it will be visit in all of the Nunatsiavut communities to exhibit.

This year it's happening on January 25^th.

We spoke to Richard Haye who is the second captain.

He says Elias Obed is the first captain this year.

Haye says ten young men will celebrate this year, including four who will participate for the first time.

And if others are interested they can call or see him in person to have their day.

Haye says he asked the Nunatsiavut Government and Big Land Grocery for donations so far and he will ask other organizations as well.

He says Joey Angnatuk has donated caribou and seal meat for the feast so far.

Sue Maggo and Maria Ikkusek will be the cooks and the servants will be Maggie Kohlmeister and Jerry Tuglavina.

The first timers pay a fee of $15.00 and others have to pay $20.00 to join.

We will contact Hopedale to find out when young men's day happens in the community.

The Minister of Culture, Tourism and Recreation and his Deputy Minister were in Nain last week to hold a departmental meeting and get together with businesses and interest groups in town. 

Minister Ben Ponniuk says they met with NG's Interpreters/Translators and received quite a lot of suggestions on how to improve translations in their division.

He says they also met with Parks Canada about tourism initiatives and the town's AngajukKâk to talk about possible land lots for the new Torngasok Cultural Center.

Kristy Sheppard is the Director of Tourism.

She says in terms of the Nunatsiavut tourist business they have been more involved in training at a world class level.

Sheppard says there has been more development in the Tourism division and funding for one year secured for a 2^nd Tourism Division position.

She added they hope to search for more funds for this position for upcoming years.

Wayne Newell is the Media Relations officer with the RCMP in St. John's.

He says an investigation was conducted by two RCMP officers from St. John's who flew into Nain to hear witnesses statements and complete a report on the incident.

He said the report is finished and has been sent to the Department of Justice for review.

Newell says this is to ensure transparancey in the investigation.

The Department of Justice will make a recommendation on the probability of a conviction in the case and it will be sent back to the RCMP.

However, the ultimate decision on whether charges will be laid is up to the RCMP in St. John's.

Newell says this is to avoid any political influence in the process.

He says the process usually takes two to four weeks to complete, so we'll keep you updated.

Melva Williams is the Community Development Officer for the Rigolet Inuit Community Government.

She says that the project is going quite well, and they have approximately four to five more weeks left before the project is over.

At the moment, Williams says they have four people working. One supervisor and three defleshers.

They all work the same hours as their ICG, from 8:30 to 4:40, Monday to Friday.

So far, she says they've purchased 78 skins, and they hope to purchase the maximum amount of 200 skins before the project finishes.

She says there was a large turn-out last night at the gym and the ten students that participated did really well.

Townley says the first place winner was Mary Andersen of Nain.

She won $500.00

The second place winner was Georgia Abel of Hopedale and she won $250.00.

The third place went to Roxanne Andersen of Nain and she won $100.00.

Townley says the students had the privilege to speak in Inuttitut about whatever they wanted to.

The title is “Magical Mystery Tour, Canada's Nunatsiavut Coast”.

Kristy Sheppard is the Director of Tourism for the Nunatsiavut Government.

She says Michelle Valberg, a photographer for the magazine, was on the Adventure Canada cruise ship last September.

After Valbergs visited the coast and took photos, Above & Beyond wanted to do a photographic spread of Nunatsiavut.

Sheppard says the government was then approached by the magazine last December.

Above & Beyond wanted to partner with Nunatsiavut to do the article.

And she says her division agreed because they wanted to contribute to an awareness campaign.

She believes the article will increase Nunatsiavut's profile as a destination, in both Canada and across the Arctic.

Nunatsiavut's title is at times confused with Nunavut, and Sheppard says this article will help clear up this confusion.

She says their awareness campaign is working on circulating the Nunatsiavut name and trying to formalized a product to market and sell.

Sheppard says they are quite pleased with the article, because it includes Hebron and Rigolet, the two locations the Adventure Canada cruise ship stopped at last summer.

She says they look forward in continuing their tourism activities.

The Above and Beyond article can be found at www.arcticjournal.ca, or if you'd like an email copy, email a request at tourism@nunatsiavut.com.

James Goudie is the Wildlife Manager for Nunatsiavut.

He says a total of 6 polar bears can be taken from Fish Cove Point in Gros Water Bay to Cape Chidley.

Goudie says this includes towns from Rigolet, Postville, Makkovik, and Hopedale, hunters are allowed one bear for each community.

And in Nain two polar bears are allowed to be taken.

He says the bag limit is one polar bear of either sex, except that female bears accompanied by cubs may not be taken.

Nor will the bears be taken in a den and active dens shall not be disturbed in any way, which includes polar bears equipped with radio transmitters or collars.

We'll have more information from Goudie about polar bears on a national scale this week.

It's all over the news, television, radio and the internet.

There's no doubt, this is an historic moment in history.

Nain's own Terry Lyall is at the ceremony in Washington DC right now, so if you're watching the news keep an eye out for his red RCMP uniform.

Tomorrow or Thursday OK radio will get Lyall to tell us all about his experience at the inauguration ceremony.

So stay tuned to OK radio and congratulations to the new President of the United States.

We spoke to Constable McBride who is with the RCMP detachment in Nain.

He says Judge Joy is presiding, Gordon Balkin is the Crown Prosecutor and Cindy Starkes is the Defense Lawyer.

McBride says today there will be five or six people who will face the Judge.

He says the charges include assault, sexual assault, breach of probation and disturbing the peace.

McBride adds the next court circuit will be on February 18^th.

Sheldon Baikie is the Deputy Minister of Culture, Recreation and Tourism for the Nunatsiavut Government.

He says they haven't started construction yet because they still haven't decided where the location will be.

Baikie says NG has partnered with Parks Canada and the Nain Inuit Community Government for this project.

He says they've hired a Project Manager to develop a concept, also to together the possible cost of building and work with their partners to decide on a location.

In other Nunatsiavut news, Baikie says a $500 grant is available for communities to apply for special projects.

He says this funding can be used for community events, and recreation.

The fund is small but in the coming years may be expanded, the purpose being to help communities who need extra monies.

The new modernized version of the Inuttitut Language Bible was started in 2005 and translations were completed in May of 2007.

The final print was finished in 2008.

Joan Andersen is the Chair of the Newfoundland Moravian Churches.

She is happy to say the launch of the Inuttitut Bible is happening now and is very thankful to all of the translators.

Andersen says the new modernized Inuttitut Bible includes all parts of the bible in one book.

She says there used to be 7 Testament Books printed.

The new bible is titled: “Gudip OKausingit”.

Andersen says there are many different people who contributed to the bible invited to the launch.

She says representatives from the Canadian Bible Society who did the printing will be there along with north coast community Chapel Servants and translators of the Bible.

As well, Reverand Brian Burrows of Hopedale will attend along with the Moravian Church board.

Andersen says a Liturgy Book church service will take place at 2 pm tomorrow in Goose Bay, with Rev. Brian Burrows saying the sermon.

The Happy Valley choir will be singing and there will also be speeches from the Moravian Church Board, Canadian Bible Society, translators of the Bible and an elder.

She says at 3pm, they will go the Annex to hold the bible launch ceremony where one of the translators, Hilda Lyall, will light the Kullik.

This will be followed by speeches from the Canadian Bible Society, and a welcome message to the delegates.

Andersen says there will be displays including Moravian books from the 1790's, the first school text book printed in Inuttitut done by a German Missionary.

Also, a dictionary made by the late Rev. Fred W. Peacock and more printed pages from past Ministers.

Andersen added a Holy Communion service is also scheduled for tomorrow night at 7 pm.

In other NL Moravian Church news, a public meeting will be held in Nain on January 21^st at the Community Hall.

Andersen, will be in attendance, accompanied by Bishop Paul Graf and Loren Gendro (Labrador's Representative on the Board of World Mission.)

The meeting will be an information session for the public about the Provincial Board and any other Church issues.

There will also be a question and answer session during the meeting.

Other issues that may be discussed include how the church can get more involved and do more for the youth, or do you have any questions about Heritage Buildings?

She says she hopes the public attends the information session on January 21^st so they can find out how the community feels and discuss ways to move forward.

Margie Fox is the Chairperson for the TRHA.

She says they are looking for a minimum of five, and a maximum of nine committee members for each community, from Rigolet to Nain.

Each member will sit on the board for a two year term.

Fox says in order to be qualified, you must be of 19 years or older, not be seeking housing assistance, not be in arrears with the association and not be an employee or contractor with TRHA or be a spouse of an employee or contractor.

She says that public notices have been put up around the communities where the specifics are explained.

Fox concluded by encouraging people along the coast to volunteer their time to be on the committee for their town.

For more information, please contact your local Inuit Community Government.

Last week we spoke to Sarah Townley who is the Inuit Program Coordinator for the Labrador School Board.

She says 10 students from Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik and Rigolet will participate in the event tonight.

Townley says the students will have the privilege to talk in Inuttitut for three to five minutes.

She adds that she would like everyone to come out and listen to the students this evening at 7pm in Hopedale.

After the Speak-off tonight, OK radio will be asking the winner to read their speech on air for us, so stay tuned.

This morning we contacted Karen O'Neill, senior communications advisor for Newfoundland Hydro.

She says there were some mechanical issues with one of the diesel units and right now they have a mechanic on site investigating the problem.

Once the source has been located, O'Neill says the necessary repairs will be done.

She says she was in contact with the Goose Bay division who told her there is still an adequate supply of energy for customers in Nain.

O'Neill says if residents have any questions they can contact her at 709-737-1427.