Mangilaluk School Wins

Toby Stefure and youth from Tuktoyaktuk are making us proud with their achievements in Sports!

Mangilaluk School was one of the 5 schools that won in the “Drop the Pop NWT Challenge”. 1920 students made the pledge to Drop the Pop for 5 days, staying away from overly high-sugared drinks by having nutrition presentations and making fun drinks like smoothies! They won $2000 and will be using the money to buy healthy eating and active living equipment.

On March 17th to the 19 th , Loretta Elias and Byron Kotokak attended a “Building Bridges to Prevention” workshop in Fort McPherson. It was aimed at suicide prevention and Loretta said it was “well worth the trip.” James Ross from McPherson will come to Tuktoyaktuk as the first guest speaker.

Spring is the time to celebrate Tuktoyaktuk! Our youth are doing really well in sports; Congratulations to Tuk for winning the IRC Hockey Cup this year! Their sponsors were TCC and EGT. Erwin Elias was the MVP! In Whitehorse, the Tuk and Aklavik team (combined) placed 2 nd out of 18 teams. Kelly O was the top scorer! On the March 3rd weekend we had a minor hockey tournament. The Gwich’in cup was held in Inuvik, Pee Wees came in 2nd place and Midgets placed second too! The Old-Timers had a 3-on-3 tournament too, the winners were Jason Nasogaluak, Roland Kuptana, Elvis Raddi and Gary Gordon.

From April 14 th to the 17th , there will be a lot of excitement and cheering at the Beluga Jamboree here. Some of the most anticipated contests are the jigging contest, singing contest, log sawing, foot races, relay races and needle and thread contest. Everyone’s fixing and tuning up their skidoos for the many skidoo races. The 75 Mile Skidoo Race is the last event of the Jamboree. Overall winners from the male and female contestants will be given prizes too! April 21st to the 23rd is the Kid Carnival weekend. All children will get involved!

The TCC board meeting was held April 13th , and an Elder’s meeting held April 11th . There was a lunch for elders on the 12th

At the youth centre, youth who helped out with the recycling depot went to Inuvik for a day and swam for the afternoon, had access to the jungle gym and ate some KFC! Brighter Futures approved the following for funding: Breakfast Program, Minor Hockey 2006, Music and Square Dance Lessons, Infant and Toddler Program (Rent/Wages) and JJYC Youth Assistant and Program Administrator. We’re looking forward to how our youth will continue to grow with new opportunities.

Eddie Dillon and Rosemary Lundrigan attended the Beaufort Delta Regional Council meeting in Inuvik from March 20 th to 23rd . There were discussions on staff shortage in the health sector, surgeries that were once performed in Inuvik now have to be done in the Yukon. Financial roles and the budget were also discussed. It was said that millions will be spent to boost education in Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik, and on training oppourtunities, early childhood education, special needs and kindergarten. Resolutions were also made about toursim, transportation, energy (increased fuel ryder), human resources, housing, income support, infrastructure, census and self-government (continue to support).

Happy Birthday to the following people!

March Birthdays: Richard Teddy, Virginia Kotokak, Brayden Teddy, Dolly Loreen, Nathan Kuptana, Cherise Felix, David Lucas and Gernie Kotokak.

April Birthdays: Lesley Nasogaluak, Millie Elias, Gilbert Katigagyuk, Sherry Gruben, Pat Kuptana, Sukie Ovayuak, Jared Thrasher, Dawn Anderson, Phillip Mangelana, Fred Kuptana, Jackie Jacobson, Violet Kikoak.

May Birthdays: Jonathon Elias, Caroline Loreen, Willy Carpenter, Sarah Krengnek, Shayle and Matilda Debastien, These Voudrach, Gloria Iatridis, Nellie Pokiak, Emmanuel Felix Jr., Mavis Arey, Gayle Gruben, Brandon Voudrach, Kevin Krengnektak, Preston Dillon, William Nasogaluak.

What glad tidings! Pete Keevik and Melanie Kikoak are getting married at 1pm on April 14th ! Happy anniversary to the following: Lucy and Donald Kuptana – March 31st , Bully and Lucy Cockney, Bobby and Jean Gruben on May 1st and Eddie and Lucy Dillon on May 2 nd !

Special thanks to Lucy Dillon, Loretta Elias, Sarah Krengnektak and Dolly False for their help in providing information for this report. Most of this information can also be found in UUVA! Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation’s newsletter!