Community
Events, services, organizations and practical information for Nunavummiut.
Heavy-rain warning posted for Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet and Rankin region
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued yellow rainfall warnings for Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet and the Rankin region, including Whale Cove. The agency expects 25 to 45 millimetres of rain, easterly wind gusts up to 90 kilometres an hour, reduced visibility and possible local utility outages through Sunday, Sept. 27. Source↗
Sanikiluaq do-not-consume water advisory remains in effect, Nunavut says
Sanikiluaq remains under a do-not-consume drinking-water advisory, the Government of Nunavut confirmed Sept. 17. Water for drinking, cooking, infant formula, ice, washing produce and brushing teeth must come from the reverse-osmosis units installed in households or from store-bought water. Source↗
Igloolik boil-water advisory remains in effect, Nunavut says
Igloolik remains under a boil-water advisory first issued July 15 because of high turbidity, or cloudy water, the Government of Nunavut says. Water used for drinking, cooking, infant formula, ice, washing produce and brushing teeth must be brought to a rolling boil for at least one full minute. Source↗
Grise Fiord boil-water advisory remains in effect, Nunavut says
Grise Fiord remained under a boil-water advisory as of Sept. 17, the Government of Nunavut says. Residents must boil water used for drinking, cooking, infant formula, ice, washing fruit and vegetables, and brushing teeth for at least one full minute. Source↗
Rankin Inlet boil-water advisory remains in effect after utilidor repairs
Rankin Inlet remains under a boil-water advisory issued Sept. 8 because of utilidor repair work. The Government of Nunavut’s current drinking-water page still lists the advisory. Residents must bring water used for drinking, cooking, infant formula, ice, washing produce and brushing teeth to a rolling boil for at least one minute. Source↗
Nunavut Quits lists text option for confidential quit support
Nunavut Quits now lists a text option alongside its phone service: people can text **NUQUITS** to **123456** for Quitline support. The Government of Nunavut service says the confidential, no-cost program is available 24 hours a day for people reducing or quitting smoking, chewing tobacco or vaping, as well as people supporting someone else. Source↗
Rankin Inlet airport terminal’s formal opening set for Sept. 28, with federal infrastructure announcement planned
Rankin Inlet’s new air terminal building will have its formal opening on Monday, Sept. 28. The building has handled airline check-ins, arrivals and departures since June 23, so the event does not mark the start of operations. The federal minister responsible for Northern and Arctic Affairs is also scheduled to announce infrastructure investments at the airport, but no amount or project details have been released. Source↗
Co-op Gold frozen chicken products recalled in Nunavut over undeclared egg
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says specified Co-op Gold frozen chicken burgers and maple-and-brown-sugar bacon-wrapped chicken bites are recalled because they may contain egg that is not declared on the label. The products were distributed in Nunavut. People and retailers should not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected packages. Source↗
Water-flow testing may temporarily discolour tap water in Lower Iqaluit
The City of Iqaluit says hydrant flow testing in Lower Iqaluit may temporarily make tap water look yellow or brown. Residents who see discolouration should run a cold-water tap for about 30 seconds, or until it clears. Source↗
Iqaluit Centennial Library reduces hours because of staffing shortage
The Iqaluit Centennial Library has moved to temporary reduced hours because of a staffing shortage. It is now open from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Government of Nunavut says regular hours will return once the library is fully staffed, but it has not provided a date. Source↗
Iqaluit opens tenders for road material and 26 Apex Cemetery grave plots
The City of Iqaluit has issued two new tenders: one for 4,000 cubic metres of road material and another to prepare 26 new burial plots at Apex Cemetery. Bids close Oct. 7 and Oct. 9, respectively. These are calls for bids, not contract awards or confirmation that work will proceed. Source↗
Free bassinet and newborn wellness-kit program now available across Nunavut
Nunavut’s Health Department says expectant parents in all three regions can now register through prenatal care for a free bassinet and newborn wellness kit. Registration is available at prenatal visits at Qikiqtani General Hospital or local health centres. Source↗
Clyde River foster-care rate rises to $94.25 a day; retroactive payments due Sept. 25
Clyde River foster parents are now eligible for $94.25 a day for each child in care, up from $65, under Nunavut’s 45 per cent foster-care rate increase. The higher rate took effect April 1, 2026. The Government of Nunavut says a lump-sum payment for the April-to-August increase is to be issued Sept. 25. Source↗
Agnico Eagle’s $5M breakfast-program renewal covers 22 schools in Kivalliq and Kitikmeot
Agnico Eagle says it has renewed a five-year, $5-million partnership with Breakfast Club of Canada to support daily nutritious breakfast programs for more than 5,000 students in 22 schools in the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions. The company’s public record confirms the amount, term, regions, school count and student estimate. It is private corporate funding, not a new Government of Nunavut program or a public funding award. Source↗
John Amagoalik asks Nunavut court to keep him in Iqaluit with funded care
John Amagoalik has filed court applications seeking to require the Government of Nunavut to fund his housing and care in Iqaluit while his case is heard. The applications, filed Sept. 16, challenge the government’s reported decision not to cover privately arranged housing and home-care costs after he returned from an Ottawa seniors’ facility. The case is pending, and no court ruling has been reported. Source↗
Team Nunavut’s Canada Winter Games registration opens Oct. 15
People selected to attend the 2027 Canada Winter Games with Team Nunavut will need to complete registration between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15, NU Sport Federation says. The requirement applies to athletes, coaches, managers, team staff and mission staff travelling to Québec City.
Nunavut reminds young parents under 18 about child-care help while they attend school
Nunavut’s Education Department is reminding young parents under 18 that the Young Parents Stay Learning program can help pay child-care costs while they attend a full-time school or study program in the territory. It is an existing subsidy, not a new benefit. Applicants must not already receive the Department of Family Services’ Day Care Subsidy. Source↗
Iqaluit’s first bowhead harvest since 2022 shared through city and food centre
Iqaluit hunters harvested a bowhead whale on Aug. 21 after an eight-day hunt, according to APTN News. Meat and maktaaq were then shared at the causeway, and Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre served portions with a weekday meal. The harvest is a completed community hunt, not a new food program or policy. Source↗
Nunavut resumes school toothbrushing in Arctic Bay and expands program to Gjoa Haven, Naujaat and Iqaluit
The Government of Nunavut says its school toothbrushing program resumed Sept. 1 in Arctic Bay and expanded to Gjoa Haven, Naujaat and Iqaluit. The program offers daily supervised brushing for kindergarten to Grade 7 students, while the government’s oral-health page says participating schools and licensed child-care centres receive labelled toothbrushes, toothpaste, storage holders and support from local oral-health coordinators. Source↗
Auyuittuq draft plan sets proposed 10-year direction for Inuit involvement, visitor safety and Northern Fiords access
Parks Canada has posted a 2026 draft management plan for Auyuittuq National Park. It proposes targets for Inuit employment, local business opportunities, visitor safety and research, while formally setting out zoning and visitor rules for the Northern Fiords. It is a draft plan, not a final approval or a newly announced closure. Source↗
RCMP investigate after two people found dead near Naujaat
Nunavut RCMP are investigating after two people were found dead in the Naujaat area. Police say there is no risk to public safety, but residents should stay away from locations still under investigation. The Nunavut Coroner’s Office is also involved. Authorities have not released the identities of the people or any findings about what happened. Source↗
Kivalliq Trade Show starts Monday in Rankin Inlet, with public market and trade-show hours planned
The 2026 Kivalliq Trade Show is scheduled to run in Rankin Inlet from Monday, Sept. 21 to Wednesday, Sept. 23. The organizer’s draft program lists a public art market Tuesday afternoon and public access to both the trade-show floor and art market Wednesday afternoon. Source↗
Pond Inlet income-assistance clients do not need reassessment for September payments
The Government of Nunavut says existing Income Assistance clients in Pond Inlet will receive September 2026 payments automatically through a continuous-assessment process and do not need to be reassessed. The notice remains relevant on Sept. 18 because it applies through the current payment month. Source↗
Iqaluit boil-water advisory remains posted for 12 addresses after Sept. 17 shutdown
The City of Iqaluit shut off water at 12 listed civic addresses from about 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 17 for water-infrastructure work. The City says affected residences were automatically placed under a precautionary boil-water advisory when pressure dropped. As of Friday, Sept. 18, the City’s current notices page does not show a lift notice for this group. Source↗
Nunavut health officials warn of recalled Alasko frozen raspberries over possible norovirus
Nunavut’s Department of Health issued a territory-wide public-health advisory on Sept. 17 warning people not to eat specified Alasko frozen whole raspberries recalled because of possible norovirus contamination. The affected 1-kilogram and 5-kilogram products should be thrown out or returned to where they were bought. Source↗
Coast Guard warns of unusually low water in Chesterfield Narrows
The Canadian Coast Guard has issued a navigation warning for Chesterfield Narrows after observed water levels were reported up to 0.5 metres lower than predicted. At low tide, water may fall as much as 0.1 metres below chart datum—the reference level used on nautical charts. Mariners are advised to use the observed tide-station levels and navigate with caution. Source↗
Nunavut says drinking-water advisories remain in effect in seven communities
The Department of Health says boil-water advisories remain in effect in Rankin Inlet, Grise Fiord, Chesterfield Inlet, Igloolik, Pond Inlet and Arctic Bay. Sanikiluaq remains under a do-not-consume advisory. The September 17 update is a current territory-wide status notice, not notice that any advisory has been lifted. Source↗
Baker Lake water treatment restored after reported fuel spill
Baker Lake’s water-treatment plant was temporarily shut down after the Government of Nunavut learned of a reported fuel spill on Aug. 25. The government says Health later confirmed it was safe to restart the plant, and water-quality monitoring and testing would continue. Source↗
Pond Inlet boil-water advisory remains in effect more than a year after it began
Pond Inlet remains under a boil-water advisory first issued July 17, 2025, according to the Government of Nunavut’s current drinking-water advisory list. The advisory is due to high turbidity, or cloudy water, and residents should boil water used for drinking, cooking, infant formula, ice, washing produce and brushing teeth. Source↗
Kitikmeot prenatal patients who would travel to Yellowknife now being redirected to Red Deer
The Government of Nunavut says prenatal patients from the Kitikmeot Region who previously travelled to Yellowknife for care will now be redirected to Red Deer, Alberta, because Larga Kitikmeot is experiencing high occupancy while a new boarding home is built. Patients will fly to Edmonton and stay at Ronald McDonald House near Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. Source↗
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