Derek Neary
Derek Neary has been reporting on developments in the North for 18 years. When he's not writing for Nunavut News, he's working on Northern News Services' special publications such as Opportunities North, NWT & Nunavut Mining, Construction and Degrees of Success. Derek's passion lies in human interest stories and he's indebted to those who share their struggles and triumphs. He has won more than a dozen journalism awards and has a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of King's College.
Pond Inlet man charged with second-degree murder
A 57-year-old Pond Inlet man has been charged with second-degree murder after RCMP investigated a sudden and suspicious death outside the community on Feb. 26.
The deceased was located approximately 45 km east of Pond...
Kenojuak print commands 10 times the estimated value at auction
A 1986 lithograph print by the late Kenojuak Ashevak of Cape Dorset recently defied the odds by fetching 10 times more than what appraisers figured it was worth on the open market.
Bountiful Bird, by...
GN looking at restoring bid adjustment cap as NNI policy is reviewed
The territorial government is analyzing potential changes to the Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti (NNI) policy, which is intended to give an advantage of Inuit-owned companies bidding on government contracts.
Among the changes being contemplated is a...
Fight against domestic violence scales up
Facing startling statistics pertaining to violence against Inuit women, it appears that additional resources could be in the offing.
Inuit women suffer from gender-based violence at a rate 13 times higher than women elsewhere in...
MLA skeptical over devolution timeline; premier says it’s a goal
The Government of Nunavut’s expectations to complete a devolution agreement with the federal government in two years and have all powers transferred within five years seems a little hasty to Iqualuit-Manirajak MLA Adam Arreak-Lightstone.
The...
Towtongie clarifies ‘two spirited’ remarks that she says were lost in interpretation
MLA Cathy Towtongie says she wants no harm to come to two-spirited people and in no way did she intend to hurt parents in her Inuktitut remarks made in the legislative assembly on Thursday,...
Towtongie reignites controversy over two-spirited people’s acceptance in Inuit culture
A concerned Nunavummiuq is calling for a reprimand of MLA Cathy Towtongie after Towtongie again questioned whether people of all sexual orientations are accepted in Inuit society.
“As Inuit, we pride ourselves on being a...
Small pool of qualified interpreters a challenge for courts, Justice minister admits
While the Department of Education’s quest to find 450 Inuktut teachers has received much publicity, the Department of Justice is also striving to keep up with demand for fluent speakers of the Inuit language...
MLA Tony Akoak critical of income support
Gjoa Haven MLA Tony Akoak condemned the Department of Family Services practice of clawing back winnings from bingo and lotteries from income support, echoing the sentiments expressed earlier in the week by MLA Cathy...
Premier, MLA congratulate Rebekah Williams on deputy commissioner role
Premier Joe Savikataaq and Quttiktuq MLA David Akeeagok applauded Rebekah Uqi Williams on Monday for her appointment as Nunavut’s deputy commissioner.
Rebekah Uqi Williams, a former MLA, and deputy minister Family Services and Justice, received...
Bring back Inuit special constables, Qamaniq and Qirngnuq say
Two MLAs say they want to see Inuit special constables back on the job in Nunavut.
“We need more Inuit Royal Canadian Mounted Police members working in our communities,” says Tununiq MLA David Qamaniq.
photo courtesy...
Cambridge Bay breakfast program could use more hands
Pam Langan recently took over preparing weekday breakfasts for students.
This is a look at what breakfasts can include at Kiilinik High School in Cambridge Bay.
photo courtesy of Pam Langan
The meals are offered at Kiilinik...
Nunavut Housing Corporation plans to educate tenants
With the majority of Nunavummiut renting their homes, the Nunavut Housing Corporation is working on a tenant education toolkit to help individuals become more knowledgeable about numerous aspects of living in a home.
The Nunavut...
Small communities need resources to prevent suicide, MLA Mila Kamingoak says
Kugluktuk MLA Mila Kamingoak had some grim news to share with her colleagues in the legislative assembly on Monday.
“Since the last summer my community of Kugluktuk has lost more than a handful of people...
Bring Iqaluit daycares together under one roof; make early childhood educators GN employees, among...
High turnover of daycare staff and long wait lists for daycare spaces were among the concerns that Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu MLA Pat Angnakak raised with Education Minister David Joanasie in the legislative assembly on Monday.
The not-for-profit...
MLAs probe health minister on coronavirus emergency plans
What is the GN going to do if the coronavirus starts spreading in the territory, a couple of MLAs wanted to know on Monday.
Qikiqtani General Hospital, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay have isolation rooms...
Minister surprised when she heard bingo winnings deducted from income assistance
Family Services Minister Elisapee Sheutiapik admitted that she was surprised when she first heard that income assistance clients received fewer dollars from the territorial government if they won at bingo or other lotteries.
Minister of...
No constituents happy with airline merger, MLA Joelie Kaernerk says
Since the Nov. 1 merger of Canadian North and First Air, Amittuq MLA Joelie Kaernerk said he hasn’t heard from one constituent who is satisfied with the airlines joining forces.
“The airline is the one...
Impaired driver jeopardizes his work at mine, judge rules
An Arviat man who pleaded guilty to impaired driving will lose his driver’s licence for one year even though it will prevent him from doing his job as a haul truck driver at a...
Kivalliq MLAs want better grasp of caribou sales: ‘They are seeing caribou as cash’
MLAs Cathy Towtongie and John Main are appealing to Environment Minister Joe Savikataaq to improve tracking of caribou sales among Kivalliq hunters.
Main said the Department of Environment indicated that harvesters can fetch between $300...