She said it’s not so bad, staying home with the family, and they all look forward to daily radio updates from Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr., who she refers to as “Jo-Jo.” “The kids … say, ‘OK, Jo-Jo is gonna go on in a few minutes,’” she said. “I’m remaining as calm as possible. It is not going unnoticed. Savikataaq said the hamlet plans to continue what it’s been doing up to this point in its fight against the virus, and that includes the delivery of food hampers that have been helping to keep everyone’s spirits high. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. The community's longest road was also important to residents during COVID-19, he said, because it gave families access to get out on the land this summer. "I went from the frying pan into the fire," the former deputy mayor and community conservation officer said of stepping in as the municipal leader when Arviat lost its beloved long-time mayor, Bob Leonard, who died in March. "That was very important as mental health is very huge, and that played a role in easing the minds of people for their mental well-being," he said. Arviat, Nunavut Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr. received a shot of the Moderna vaccine at the community hall on Jan. 13, 2021. They know how important their services are to the public. “As you know, there hasn’t been any visiting at all in our community for awhile now and that’s been really hard on many people. "There was an increase in water consumption. Savikataaq was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2013 election and represents the electoral district of Arviat South. “We’re being very cautious and very safety minded with everything we do. We’re happy for the people in Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet for having their outbreaks under control, but you can’t really compare the Covid-19 outbreaks in those communities to what we’ve been dealing with in Arviat. “I’m remaining as calm as possible. Arviat Conservation Officer Joe Savikataaq Jr. has not yet made an official public statement. If you combine the total of Rankin and Whale Cove, they’re nowhere near close to that but, yes, they seem to have stopped the virus. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. On Jan. 19, hamlet officials will pull five names, each of whom will win $2,000. He said that’s really helped keep the stress levels down for many families, knowing that their kids won’t be going hungry. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. I’d like to thank the people of Arviat for all their hard work. – Arviat Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr. on battling Covid-19 in Arviat as compared to Rankin Inlet, page 3. “It’s a lot easier to put out a campfire than it is a house fire.”. "It's to entice people to get inoculated," Arviat Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr. said. Premier Joe Savikataaq was selected by his colleagues in the 5th Legislative Assembly of Nunavut to lead Nunavut on June 14, 2018. The new cases bring the total number of cases in the territory since the start of the pandemic to 294. "It's very important because the kids have to have something to do. The road is resurfaced each year. The people of Arviat are amazing and everyone is doing their part. Circulated in all 25 Nunavut communities. Learn More{{/message}}. It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. As of Sunday, Arviat had 14 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and Rankin Inlet had two cases. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. "I'm remaining as calm as possible. Joe Savikataaq Jr. says it was never his plan to get into politics, and he definitely didn’t expect to be leading his community through a pandemic, but he's humbled to be doing what he can as Arviat's new mayor. At any given moment, we have six water trucks and six sewage trucks on the road. Despite the shipping delays of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, Premier Joe Savikataaq says that he has the federal government’s assurance that the doses promised to the territory will come. The municipality is encouraging residents to get vaccinated by offering cash prizes. “I’m remaining as calm as possible. Arviat’s mayor, Joe Savikataaq Jr., who is also the premier’s son, said it was “shocking” to hear of the first case in his community last week. Joe Savikataaq Jr. says it was never his plan to get into politics, and he definitely didn't expect to be leading his community through a pandemic, but he's humbled to be doing what he can as Arviat's new mayor. 3. Community. Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr. of Arviat, Nunavut, says offering cash prizes as an incentive for vaccination is a small cost compared with what the community has experienced since a # COVID19 outbreak began in November. His voice later shook as he addressed the media. Nunavut reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, all in Arviat. “We’re happy for the people in Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet for having their outbreaks under control, but you can’t really compare the Covid-19 outbreaks in those communities to what we’ve been dealing with in Arviat. We’re being very cautious and very safety minded with everything we do. The community purchased a metal shredder two years ago so it can process and bury metal from the dump — like old cars, which carry contaminates and take up space. Arviat’s mayor, Joe Savikataaq Jr., who is also the premier’s son, said it was “shocking” to hear of the first case in his community last week. “It’s a very small price to pay in order to get herd immunity here, in case we get a second wave.” There are currently no active cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut, where 266 cases have been confirmed to date. “In less than two weeks time, before Christmas, we hope to have delivered to each house what’s basically a mental-health kit for kids and adults to help keep them busy and occupied. We’ve been lucky so far in that the vast majority of our municipal workers have been showing up for work every day. The RCMP stopped offering the drivers exam service in communities a few years ago. It is not going unnoticed. The mayor of Arviat is Joe Savikataaq (Jr… We’ve been ready for this. “Before each shift change, we have a guy who sanitizes everything in the truck, right from the hose and nozzle to the door knobs, steering wheel and gearshift — everything is left very clean and sanitized for the next driver.”. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. The hamlet of Arviat is also offering an incentive; everyone who is vaccinated is entered into a draw. Your email address will not be published. As of Nov. 30, Arviat had 53 recoveries. “The numbers are fluctuating but they’re in a steady decline. “The people of Arviat are amazing and everyone is doing their part. Arviat remains under a strict lockdown, with schools and non-essential businesses closed and travel suspended. Savikataaq served in numerous political positions since entering politics. "I don't share her words to scare you, but I just want Nunavummiut to know how real and how hurtful … “I’d like to thank the people of Arviat for all their hard work. The pandemic also showed how strong Arviat's municipal infrastructure is, Savikataaq Jr. said. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). Arviat's mayor, Joe Savikataaq Jr., who is also the premier's son, said it was “shocking” to hear of the first case in his community last week. Breaking News; Municipality of Nunavut holds raffle for vaccinated residents. --- 12:30 p.m. Nova Scotia is reporting two new cases of COVID-19 and now has 11 active cases. "I got into this job in an unfortunate way where our previous mayor Bob Leonard passed away just when the pandemic was starting," said Savikataaq Jr. "It has been very challenging and very rewarding at the same time.". Arviat is the southernmost community on the Nunavut mainland and is close to the geographical centre of Canada. The numbers are fluctuating but they’re in a steady decline. "Everyone makes me feel so humble. CBC News caught up with Savikataaq Jr. in person in Arviat to talk about how the hamlet is supporting residents during COVID-19, and how existing community-focused projects are helping people with their mental health. Savikataaq Jr. said he doesn't know what the coming months will bring, but he is committed to doing whatever he can to help residents and to carry on the work Leonard was doing. # Arviat … The hamlet has been working to make the 75-kilometre road longer over the years, so people can travel to the lake and to their cabins and go boating and berry picking. Premier Joe Savikataaq, who is from Arviat and represents the community in the legislative assembly, had tears in his eyes as he listened to the woman's plea. They know how important their services are to the public. It’s the people leading the way in fighting this war, which we are winning battle by battle. As you know, there hasn’t been any visiting at all in our community for awhile now and that’s been really hard on many people. “And I’d like to thank everyone, no matter where on this planet they happen to be, for thinking about and praying for Arviat.”, Your email address will not be published. That's why Arviat pushed to have fishing derbies in the spring, so that residents could feel like they had a regular activity to do, even if it couldn't be done in groups, he said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a conference call with Savikataaq and other premiers on Thursday to discuss their response to … In Arviat, getting a COVID-19 vaccine means a chance to win a $2,000 prize. It will be moving into a bigger building soon that was just acquired by the hamlet, he said. “At any given moment, we have six water trucks and six sewage trucks on the road. Arviat's mayor, Joe Savikataaq Jr., who is also the premier's son, said it was "shocking" to hear of the first case in his community last week. He said the hamlet has been continually sending out positive messages to the public and they have been well received. Prior to that, Premier Savikataaq was first elected in the general election held on October 28, 2013, to represent the constituency of Arviat South in the 4th Legislative Assembly of … When the virus first hit, there were some who had to isolate, but we’re over that now.”. photos courtesy of Steve England. It’s the people who are actually doing all the work and being the heroes through all this,” said Savikataaq. Youth in the community benefited from the community's large sports park this summer. Publication mail 7. If you combine the total of Rankin and Whale Cove, they’re nowhere near close to that but, yes, they seem to have stopped the virus. "It's to entice people to get inoculated," Arviat Mayor Joe … OTTAWA — Seventy-six LGBTQ projects in Canada have received $15 million in federal money.The money follows up on a promise in the 2019 federal budget to set up a fund to encourage and support the development of LGBTQ organizations.Programs across the country are receiving money, including those … It means the hamlet can take care of its roads, and it's able to sell the gravel as a product, instead of ordering it from the South. In less than two weeks time, before Christmas, we hope to have delivered to each house what’s basically a mental-health kit for kids and adults to help keep them busy and occupied. This is especially important for those who need licenses for their jobs. As of Sunday, Arviat had 14 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and Rankin Inlet had two cases. It's mainly for their mental health, also to keep occupied, to have something to look forward to," Savikataaq Jr. said. So, in order for us to be able say that, we have to deliver more often, and it’s being shown to us that it’s working and people are washing more often now in Arviat because we’re pumping more water now than normal.”. The pandemic also showed how strong Arviat's municipal infrastructure is, Savikataaq Jr. said. He said they put everything else aside to make sure the community’s needs are being met, and that everything is being delivered on time and in a safe manner. With no underground water pipes, known as a utilidor, the community relies solely on trucks for delivering water and taking sewage from homes. 71605 00500. These have been trying times for the hamlet, considering Arviat has been one of the hardest hit communities per capita in the entire country. There are nine active cases in Arviat and 293 total recovered cases in the territory. They work about 14 hours a day with a shift change during the day. He said a motorcade brought the vaccine into town from the airport so everyone could celebrate its arrival. “We know firsthand what it is like to have a community outbreak in this community,” said Arviat Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr., who received … -Councillor, Joe Jr. Savikataaq -Councillor, Peter Shamee -Councillor, Martha Main -Councillor, Jamie Kablutsiak -Councillor, Donald Uluadluak was sworn in on 5. Comments are welcome while open. Joe Savikataaq Jr. says it was never his plan to get into politics, and he definitely didn't expect to be leading his community through a pandemic, but he's humbled to be doing what he can as Arviat's new mayor. And I’d like to thank everyone, no matter where on this planet they happen to be, for thinking about and praying for Arviat.”.