Naujaat firefighters were called to extinguish a fire that started around 7:45 p.m. on Aug. 12. The blaze was put out approximately 1.5 hours later and had to be monitored throughout the night. “NCC [Development] materials and supplies were set on fire, arson. Police are still investigating, however, there are five youth suspects,” said hamlet senior administrative officer Chantal Pelletier. Winter Fedyk, a spokesperson for the Nunavut Housing Corporation (NHC), said the fire damaged a portion of the construction materials that had been delivered for a new 8-plex public housing project. “NHC and the project contractor, NCCD, are continuing to assess exactly what materials were lost and the value of the damage,” Fedyk said. “At this stage, it is too early to determine how the fire will affect the overall construction schedule. The project had been targeting substantial completion in June 2027. “NHC is working with NCCD to determine how quickly the damaged materials can be replaced and whether any adjustment to that timeline will be required,” Fedyk added. “Importantly, the project is continuing. Once the damage assessment and replacement plan are finalized, NHC will have a clearer understanding of any impacts to the construction schedule.” Pelletier said the fire was attended by five firefighters, three water trucks and two loaders. The loader operators were able to move materials out of the way so the firefighters could access the blaze quicker. She added that much of the material owned by the Nunavut Housing Corporation was salvaged. Chesterfield Inlet to host joint search and rescue exercise A joint search and rescue exercise is scheduled to take place in Chesterfield Inlet on Aug. 27, bringing together participants for a Canadian Coast Guard Arctic training exercise. The coast guard has prepared a briefing package for those taking part in the exercise, including participants, players and live actors. The document outlines planned timelines, activities and other details intended to help personnel prepare. Planning for the exercise remains ongoing and details are subject to change. The event is being coordinated through the Canadian Coast Guard’s Arctic Search and Rescue Exercising Program. For more information, contact Hillary Beauvais, acting senior search and rescue program officer at Hillary.Beauvais@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or search and rescue program officer Sarah Hugo at Sarah.Hugo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Rankin Inlet flea market planned for Embrace Life Week Rankin Inlet residents will have a chance to shop for locally-made goods during a flea market being held as part of Embrace Life Week. The market is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Rankin Inlet Community Hall. Local artists, bakers and crafters are invited to take part, with tables available at no cost. Everyone attending the market will also receive a ticket for a chance to win draw prizes. Those interested in booking a table can contact organizers at 867-645-2378 or ssaumik@inuusiq.com. No fireworks at midnight The Hamlet of Baker Lake is reminding residents that fireworks are not permitted after midnight within the community. The municipality is asking residents to ensure all fireworks activities are finished before midnight, noting late-night fireworks can disturb children, Elders and others who may be sleeping. The municipality added that careless use of fireworks should be reported to the RCMP. Baker Lake launches Adopt-a-Spot cleanup campaign Baker Lake residents are being encouraged to help clean up the community through the hamlet’s 2026 Adopt-a-Spot campaign. Participants can choose an area they would like to clean, take before-and-after photographs of their work and submit the pictures to the hamlet at cwc@bakerlake.ca. A winner will be drawn each Friday until Oct. 2, with weekly winners receiving a $100 gift certificate. A Canadian North flight voucher will be awarded as the campaign’s final prize. The cleanup is open to individuals, families, schools, businesses and community groups. The campaign poster features characters imagined by three Nunavut students and illustrated by Karena Watson. The initiative encourages residents to take responsibility for areas they care about while showing pride in their community. Qamani’tuaq Aniarvik hosting community walk Qamani’tuaq Aniarvik is encouraging Baker Lake residents to lace up their walking shoes for a community walk promoting health and physical activity. The event is scheduled for Aug. 26, weather permitting, beginning outside the community hall at 3 p.m. Participants will walk from the hall to Peters Expediting. Residents are encouraged to have some fun with the event by dressing up or decorating their walking shoes to make them unique. The event also highlights the importance of walking in Inuit history and culture, when people travelled on foot to hunt, gather, migrate and move from place to place, including during the era of dog teams. The community walk is being organized as a health promotion initiative encouraging residents to get active while celebrating a traditional form of daily movement. Artistic endeavours wanted Inuit artists and illustrators are being invited to submit artwork for a contest celebrating Inuit traditions, health and movement. The Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle is seeking artwork under the theme ‘Inuit Traditions: Guiding Health and Movement.’ The winning artist will receive $1,000 in gift cards, including $500 in Co-op gift cards and $500 in Northern gift cards. Artwork must be submitted electronically by Wednesday, Aug. 26. For more information or to submit an entry, contact Joan Killulark at 867-793-2110 or jkillulark@gov.nu.ca.
Construction timeline for new housing uncertain after building materials burn in Naujaat
