Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit Iqaluit Tuesday, on a stopover following his planned trip to Paris and London to shore up economic relationships with long-standing trade allies. He departs for Europe on Sunday, a news release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday said.

It’s the first international trip for Carney, who was sworn in as prime minister on Friday, after winning the Liberal party leadership on March 9.

In Iqaluit, Carney is scheduled to meet with members of the Iqaluit Patrol of the 1st Patrol Group of the Canadian Rangers. The Rangers posted a callout to members Friday, encouraging them to muster in their black and red uniforms for the event, as well as to attend a dress-rehearsal to be held Monday.

Carney is scheduled to meet with Premier P.J. Akeeagok “to learn more about the evolving needs and priorities of Arctic and Northern communities,” the news release said.

“Canada was built upon a union of peoples – Indigenous, French, and British,” Carney said in the release. “My visit to Nunavut will be an opportunity to bolster Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and security, and our plan to unlock the North’s full economic potential.”

He will reaffirm his government’s support for strengthening the northern economy and emphasizing the country’s commitment to advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis throughout the country, the release said.

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is also in Iqaluit this weekend, where he toured the Qinnirvik Country Food and Bulk Store on Saturday afternoon alongside Nunavut MP Lori Idlout.

Singh and Idlout plan to meet with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association representatives Sunday.

In Paris, Carney is scheduled to meet with the French President Emmanuel Macron and in London he will meet with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Carney will also have an audience with King Charles while in London.

Carney succeeded former prime minister Justin Trudeau as Liberal party leader after winning the party’s leadership vote with nearly from nearly 86 per cent of party members last weekend.

Mark Carney will visit Nunavut on Tuesday "to reassert Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic" after trips to the United Kingdom and France, his office said.

"Very different from working nine to five." Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan proposed changes that would let nurses pursue their own collective agreements.

The hamlet's senior administrative officer Susan Christie said a local RCMP officer called her and informed her of the shooting at about 1 a.m. on Saturday.

Residents of Fort Providence say multiple people were shot in the community overnight. So far, there are few confirmed details. We'll update this report.

Gwen K. Healey Akearok (Submitted photo)

As Canada’s youngest territory celebrated its 25th anniversary, Nunavut continues to stand alone as the only jurisdiction in Canada without post-secondary education legislation outside of the Nunavut Arctic College Act.

This legislative gap represents a fundamental barrier to self-determination and a missed opportunity to harness the immense knowledge and capacity that exists within our territory.

For the past 19 years, the community-led Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre in Iqaluit has operated like a “mini university” — without the ability to grant a degree. In this time, Qaujigiartiit has brought more than $60 million in research and training funding into Nunavut.

The centre is independent and does not have any affiliation with a university or government. It does not even have core funding.

Despite chronic underfunding and a national granting system that privileges the ‘U15’ (the 15 largest research universities in Canada), Qaujigiartiit has been successful to date because of the spirit of collaboration across Nunavut to achieve what we as community members know in our hearts to be possible.

Our people are our greatest strength. Having more post-secondary options in our territory would help us harness that strength.

Nunavummiut deserve the best possible education from early childhood to graduate school. A university and degree-granting capability — simply having the ability to provide university credits for Nunavut-led education and training — are an important part of the learning continuum.

The absence of a post-secondary education act has created a paradoxical situation where community-led educational institutions must seek validation from southern universities to accredit programs that are deeply rooted in Inuit knowledge and teaching approaches.

This requirement for external validation runs counter to the very principles of self-determination that led to the creation of Nunavut.

Our territory possesses rich educational traditions and innovative approaches to learning that deserve recognition in their own right. Yet without proper legislative recognition, these valuable knowledge systems must continually seek legitimacy through southern institutions that may not fully grasp their significance.

The impact of this legislative void extends beyond philosophical concerns. Each year, many Nunavummiut who wish to pursue post-secondary education must leave the territory to do so.

This exodus of talent creates both personal and community challenges as students face the additional burdens of geographical displacement and cultural adjustment alongside their academic pursuits.

Nunavut Arctic College is our only post-secondary institution and has demonstrated innovation in delivering community- and culturally-relevant programs throughout the territory.

More institutions in Nunavut, like Qaujigiartiit, as well as Pirurvik and others, can provide both undergraduate and graduate-level training but are prevented from providing credits by the current legislative gap — unless a university outside of the territory is the partner.

The time has come for Nunavut to join every other Canadian jurisdiction in establishing comprehensive post-secondary education legislation. Such legislation would empower our institutions to develop and deliver programs that reflect our unique context and needs, validate our educational approaches such as land-based learning, and support the growth of home-grown academic.

This is not merely about administrative alignment with other Canadian jurisdictions — it’s about recognizing and enabling Nunavut’s capacity to shape our collective educational future.

As we look toward the next quarter-century of territorial development, establishing a post-secondary education act must be a priority. Our youth — our children and grandchildren — deserve the opportunity to pursue higher education that honours who they are while preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow, right here in Nunavut.

Gwen K. Healey Akearok, PhD was born and raised in Iqaluit, Nunavut, where she continues to live, work, and raise her family. She is the co-founder of the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre and has served as its executive and scientific director for the past 19 years.

Nunatsiaq News invites readers to submit letters to the editor for publication. They must be less than 500 words and signed by the writer. Please send them to [email protected].

If Inuit are going to run their public government for themselves and by themselves, Nunavut Sivuniksavut was a good place to start, literally and symbolically.

The Ottawa college, where Inuit students from Nunavut study between high school graduation and going to a southern college or university, was the setting March 8 for the renewal of the Nunavut Agreement, the 32-year-old deal that spells out Inuit rights in Nunavut.

Under the renewed deal, the federal government will provide $1.5 billion over 10 years to the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the Inuit rights-holding organization. That’s on top of $77.6 million a year in ongoing funding.

Coverage of that historic moment — the first time the implementation contract has been renewed — is our front-page story in this week’s print edition.

Employment training and education were two key aspects of the deal. Nearly half of the renewal funding — $600 million — is to go toward Inuit employment and training.

Nunavut’s long-term goal is for Inuit to be proportionally represented in the territory’s workforce, especially in the public sector. If Inuit represent 85 per cent of the territory’s population, they should hold 85 per cent of the jobs.

That target has been hard to meet, particularly in professional jobs, because Inuit haven’t historically had the opportunity to get higher levels of education or to receive job-specific training.

NTI president Jeremy Tunraluk said 10,000 Inuit want to work in government and 89 per cent of them are young people. Calling the renewal “the most significant commitment ever made for training in government positions,” he predicted Inuit will start moving into government jobs “in large numbers.”

That’s why Nunavut Sivuniksavut was a fitting backdrop for the Nunavut Agreement renewal announcement.

A lot of Nunavut’s future political, business and community leaders will come through what’s affectionately known by its short form, N.S.

Indeed, Premier P.J. Akeeagok spoke about his own days there during the announcement.

While they’re away from their homes in the North, Nunavut Sivuniksavut’s students are frequently out in public in Ottawa, representing their territory in Canada’s capital. They performed at the announcement. They were on stage at February’s Aqsarniit Trade Show and Conference. And they perform every November at the International Inuit Day celebration in an Ottawa park, not far from the Rideau Street school.

It wasn’t immediately clear why the federal government-GN-NTI deal was being announced at Nunavut Sivuniksavut — late on a Saturday afternoon. But it made sense.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree acknowledged the renewal agreement came together at the last minute, leading to what appeared to be a hastily convened announcement, signing ceremony and news conference. The deal had only come together 48 hours earlier, he said.

It was enough to make you wonder if the renewal was something the Liberal government wanted to check off its list before party members picked a new leader on Sunday. There has been speculation new Liberal Leader Mark Carney might call a snap federal election even before Parliament resumes on March 24.

Dissolving Parliament and plunging Canadians into a spring election campaign would put an end to any government business the Liberals have on the go.

The timing of the renewal agreement guarantees the Liberals get that item off their to-do list … and will get to take credit for it whether the election is next month or in October.

The owner of the NWT's Ekati diamond mine says it is letting around 35 workers go as part of a move from one open pit to another.

MP Michael McLeod announced $93 million in new federal funding to support Indigenous housing in the Akaitcho and Dehcho regions of the NWT.

It’s been more than a year since Joseph Akulujuk started living his dream.

For years, he watched planes come in an out of Pangnirtung. Then in 2023, he became a certified pilot himself.

Now, working for Canadian North, Akulujuk is flying all across Nunavut and is thinking of moving to Ottawa.

Recently, he talked to Nunatsiaq News to answer the Proust Questionnaire.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Spending time with family, friends and enjoying your time.

Good experiences with friends.

What is your greatest fear?

Not making any impact. I don’t want to be a nobody, you know?

Not making any type of impact on society.

Which living person do you most admire?

My mom. She’s gone through a lot, and every single time she did the best she could for her and her family.

What is your greatest achievement?

Flying with Canadian North. It’s been my childhood dream since I was a little boy, and now I did what I had to do. I got my pilot licence and now I’m flying in Nunavut.

What’s your current state of mind?

Lots of changes going on because I will be moving to Ottawa, so there’s a bunch of things going on.

I haven’t lived in Ottawa before and I’m just trying to keep level-headed about it.

When and where were you the happiest?

I think right now. I’m living my dream, making the best out of life, working a good job and flying around Nunavut.

Which talent would you like to have that you don’t already have?

I think I would like to learn how to play a bass guitar.

I do already have a bass but I have not used it, and I would definitely love to be able to play songs with good bass lines and solos.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I think it would be my lifestyle. Eating healthier, going to the gym. I guess I want to set a weekly routine for myself, but obviously with my schedule it varies.

Where would you like to live?

Maybe New Zealand? It has really nice cliff edges. Somewhere with great scenery.

I’m not saying that Nunavut doesn’t have great scenery, but I want to see more.

What is your greatest regret?

I’m pretty socially awkward and I definitely want to change that. So I think that would be one of my bigger regrets.

Not being as social.

Once in front of God, what would you tell him?

I guess I would be asking him why he doesn’t supposedly care as much about the Third World countries.

They are places like Gaza right now, they’re experiencing terrible turmoil. Why isn’t he doing something?

In North America, we have terrible situations but they’re not life-ending.

Nunatsiaq News is borrowing the old Proust Questionnaire parlour game to get to know people who are in the news. If you know someone in your community who our readers should get to know by taking this questionnaire, let us know by email: [email protected].

It’s been another busy week in the news — have you been paying attention? Let’s see for ourselves.

1. The federal government has extended Inuit Child First Initiative funding for one more year. What was remarkable about the way it was announced?

A. It came just days before the program was to expire.
B. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself.
C. The decision still needs approval by Mark Carney, the new Liberal leader and next prime minister.

2. Life is better for 47 school children in Kugaaruk thanks to this pilot project carried out by Nunavut’s Health Department. What is it?

A. A mobile dental clinic provided braces and pulled several teeth during a recent visit.
B. A mobile vision clinic tested kids’ eyes and provided some with glasses.
C. An anti-smoking program helped several youngsters kick the habit.

3. The future of Baker Lake’s only food bank is in jeopardy. What’s the problem?

A. Its longtime manager is retiring and no one has stepped forward to take over.
B. The food bank building was destroyed in a fire.
C. Black mould was discovered in the building.

4. The CEO of the company that plans to buy Canadian North airline explained recently how he hopes to improve service in the North. What did he say?

A. Better service will come by “tweaking the strategies” of the airlines it owns.
B. Laying off employees will reduce the company’s expenses and allow it to provide better service.
C. The company will offer better on-board meals, including two cookies instead of the current one per passenger.

5. The Terence Tootoo Memorial tournament attracted some of Nunavut’s best men’s hockey teams this weekend. Where is it being held?

A. Iqaluit
B. Rankin Inlet
C. Cambridge Bay

A Canadian North plane approaches Iqaluit in this file photo. Winnipeg-based Exchange Income Corp. announced in February its plans to buy the airline from Makivvik Corp. and Inuvialuit Development Corp. for $205 million. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)

Answers

1. A — The government left Inuit families dangling anxiously by announcing the program’s renewal just 23 days before it was scheduled to expire.
2. B — It tested 114 students’ eyes, provided 47 kids with glasses and found 11 children were legally blind without the glasses they received. Visits to several more communities are tentatively scheduled.
3. C — The discovery of black mould forced food bank operator Abluqta Society, which also runs a community soup kitchen and thrift store, to look for a new home despite a scarcity of available units in Baker Lake.
4. A — Mike Pyle, the CEO of Exchange Income Corp., said “tweaking the strategies of the airlines” — his company already owns others including Calm Air — will improve service. He also said the planned purchase is “not predicated on layoffs. It’s certainly not predicated on reducing the number of flights.”
5. B — The Tootoo tournament is being held in Rankin Inlet, from March 12 to 16.

A researcher who studies political violence said he was 'heartened' that leader of the opposition condemned acts of vandalism against NDP leader. He says other politicians have an important role in denouncing acts of political violence.

An N.W.T. MLA has brought forward a proposed bill for public discussion that would allow nurses to have their own bargaining unit when negotiating a collective agreement.

The non-profit has launched a petition calling for answers on why its been excluded from a government contract. Executive director Shannon Powell says they want equal access to continue processing community depot recycling.

An agreement to work together on funding drug treatments for rare diseases has been put in place by the Nunavut and federal governments.

In a news release Thursday, Mark Holland — who at the time was federal health minister but was replaced in the new cabinet Friday by Kamal Khera — and his territorial counterpart John Main announced a deal committing more than $7.3 million over three years to improve access for Nunavummiut to selected new drugs for rare diseases.

A list of drugs included in the plan can be found at Health Canada’s website.

“Through this additional funding, Nunavummiut will have greater access to new and emerging high-cost rare drugs,” Main said in the news release.

Some Nunavut students will be learning from a new academic curriculum starting this fall.

Education Minister Pamela Gross announced the rollout of the territory’s new kindergarten to Grade 6 curriculum on March 11 at the legislative assembly.

“This is an important milestone in supporting the vision of our elementary education system,” Gross said.

“The content developed in the made-in-Nunavut curriculum will help ensure that what students learn in schools is reflective of and applicable to the lived experiences and realities of Nunavummiut and responsive to students, families and communities.”

The new curriculum has been in the works since 2018.

Its development included consultations with Inuit elders, educators, language specialists and knowledge keepers, Gross said, without going into detail about what’s in the new curriculum.

In a March 13 news release, though, she said it’s “about preserving and revitalizing Inuktut while equipping students with the skills they need to succeed academically and culturally.”

Kindergarten and Grade 1 students will be the first to learn from the rollout this fall, with the other grades joining later as part of a multi-year project, Gross said.

Before that happens, some teachers will begin learning the new curriculum starting Monday in Iqaluit.

“Among these documents, the supporting educator handbooks will provide teachers with curriculum-informed teaching methods, appropriate resources, materials and assessment tools, thematic weekly plans and hands-on teaching strategies,” Gross said in the release.

Following the rollout, the Government of Nunavut is looking to have a new kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum implemented by 2036.

Several names familiar to northerners are returning as cabinet members under newly sworn-in Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Carney became Canada’s 24th prime minister Friday at a ceremony at Ottawa’s Rideau Hall, the governor general’s official residence. After being elected the Liberal party leader last weekend, he replaces Justin Trudeau who resigned as prime minister.

Without a firm mandate from voters and with no seat in the House of Commons, Carney is expected to call an election soon. He was asked about his plans during a news conference Friday, but didn’t elaborate.

Under Canada’s Elections Act, the next election must be held no later than Oct. 20.

Among the cabinet ministers sworn in Friday:

• Patty Hajdu will stay on as minister of Indigenous services;
• Gary Anandasangaree remains as minister of Crown-Indigenous relations and northern affairs, and gained two more portfolios — attorney general and minister of justice;
• Bill Blair returns as minister of national defence;
• Joanne Thompson is minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard;
• Terry Duguid is the minister of environment and climate change.

Carney’s cabinet is noticeably trimmer with 24 members, including himself, compared to Trudeau’s cabinet of 37 members.

Carney is an economist, Wall Street banker and former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. His lack of political experience wasn’t enough to stop him from winning 85.9 per cent of the votes cast at the Liberal Leadership convention last Sunday.

His next closest rival, Chrystia Freeland — who quit Trudeau’s cabinet as finance minister last year but returns as transport minister and minister of internal trade under Carney — garnered eight per cent of the vote.

“It is a solemn duty to serve as prime minister at this time of great consequence for our country,” Carney said after the swearing-in ceremony.

Asked about recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump that Canada should become the 51st American state, Carney said “we will never, ever, in any way shape or form be part of the United States.”

He said his two priorities are protecting Canadians from unfair trade and putting more money in Canadian’s pockets by cutting taxes, reducing spending and building millions of homes.

In a statement Friday, Premier P.J. Akeeagok said, “I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and his new cabinet, which includes ministers who have worked in partnership with Nunavut.

“We are at a critical juncture in Nunavut and Canada’s history.”

He also thanked Trudeau “for being a friend to Inuit and Nunavut, and for leading with an eye to reconciliation.”

The Mark Carney-led federal government announced the consumer portion of Canada's carbon tax will be immediately scrapped. The NWT's situation is more complex.

Local Kimmirut artists’ work is displayed beside the waiting area at the community’s new airport terminal which opened Friday. (Photo courtesy of Nigel Audla)

After more than two decades of using an aging airport terminal, Kimmirut has received a long-awaited upgrade.

The Government of Nunavut officially opened the community’s new air terminal building Friday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a community feast.

“The one we had was dilapidated, more than 20 years old,” said Nigel Audla, the hamlet’s community economic development officer.

“The GN made an agreement with the [federal government] to provide a few communities with a new airport terminal building. Luckily, Kimmirut made the list.”

The new facility is part of the GN’s larger effort to modernize Nunavut’s airport infrastructure. New terminals are also set to open in Chesterfield Inlet, Naujaat, Whale Cove, Kugluktuk and Rankin Inlet in the coming months.

“Kimmirut is the first of six air terminal buildings built under our government’s leadership, and I am very proud of the work we have done to make this a reality,” said David Akeeagok, minister of economic development and transportation, Friday in a statement.

“I thank the people of Kimmirut for celebrating this milestone — this facility belongs to you, and I know it will serve the community well for years to come.”

The total combined cost of the six new terminals is $75.5 million, split nearly evenly between the GN and the federal government.

Akeeagok had announced in October the five smaller terminals would be operational by the end of 2024 with the larger one in Rankin Inlet expected to be finished a few months later.

The openings were delayed due to supply issues with “key building components,” said Kathryn Devereaux, communications manager for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, in an email in January.

The new Kimmirut terminal includes a baggage claim area — an improvement from the old setup, where luggage was placed outside the terminal — and a display case showcasing local artwork and carvings.

The old terminal will be demolished this summer, though no date is set yet.

Community and Government Services Minister David Joanasie emphasized the importance of the project in the community.

“This more modern facility will serve my constituency for years to come. It is an honour that my department played a critical role in making it happen,” Joanasie said in a statement.

Nunavut’s other new terminal buildings are scheduled to begin operations throughout the spring and summer of 2025, the statement said.

The Northwest Territories Minister for Health and Social Services says the N.W.T. is expecting about $185 million as part of a national settlement with tobacco companies for the impact smoking has had on Canadians and its cost to the health system. 

Sevim İlgün was at the Quality Inn Hotel on March 6 with her friend when the incident happened. (Photo courtesy of Sevim İlgün)

A security company is apologizing to an Inuk woman for the “regrettable” way a guard treated her at a Dorval hotel that serves as an overflow facility for the Ullivik medical boarding home in Montreal.

Sevim İlgün, however, says she is “traumatized” from being pinned to the ground by an Ullivik-hired security guard who kicked her out of the hotel on March 6.

“I did not sleep for two days because I was in a lot of pain, I was having nightmares of that security sitting on top of me laughing,” she said in an interview.

İlgün, an Inuk woman living in Montreal, entered the hotel with a friend around 1:30 a.m. that morning. Her friend was staying at the hotel for her own medical appointments.

After a night out, they wanted to grab pyjamas for her friend, so she could sleep over at İlgün’s apartment.

“I was waiting for her in the lobby, on the couch,” İlgün recalled in a phone interview. They had been there less than 10 minutes when a hotel security guard approached her and asked her to leave.

“I started walking and I was on the phone trying to order an Uber, and another security guard, behind me, started pushing me,” she said.

There were two teams of security guards on site — one from the Quality Inn and another from Ullivik — which had hired Spartan Groupe Sécurité’s services.

İlgün accuses one Spartan guard of being physically violent with her. One other guard took her phone, she said, while the others stood by passively throughout the altercation.

She said the Spartan security guard touched after she’d gone outside to order an Uber.

İlgün called him out, and she was then surrounded by three security guards, two from Ullivik and one from the Quality Inn.

She said she started recording, pointing at all the security guards. One took her phone, deleted a recording, and cancelled İlgün’s Uber ride.

İlgün said one guard pushed her to the ground.

“I hit my body really hard, and I said, ‘You are hurting me,” she said, adding she tried to get free, but one of the guards put his weight on her back.

“I kept telling him to get off, but he kept putting his body pressure up and down like he was dry humping me.”

At some point during the altercation İlgün’s friend came back down to the lobby, saw what was happening, and went back to her room after receiving threats too, İlgün said.

İlgün pleaded for help to another Uber driver who had arrived, but the security guard pushed him away, saying it was “none of his business,” she said.

“I felt so helpless, I just started covering my face,” İlgün said, adding the security guard was laughing at her and uttering racial slurs.

Eventually the guard stood up and went inside. İlgün was then able to retrieve her phone and called 911.

When the police arrived, İlgün got into a cruiser and accepted a ride home. By then 40 minutes had passed and it was around 2:10 a.m.

Police are investigating the incident, said Jean-Pierre Brabant, a spokesperson for Montreal police. He said police who responded noticed “minor injuries” on İlgün and investigators are waiting for security camera footage of the incident.

Spartan Group Sécurité posted on the Your Voice On Nunavik Facebook page Monday, apologizing for the situation at the hotel.

“This incident in no way reflects the values and security standards that our company is committed to maintaining under all circumstances,” the statement said.

The security company added disciplinary measures were taken against the employee, but did not specify what those measures are.

Quality Inn management also did an internal investigation of the situation and found that one agent “acted inappropriately and did not adhere to the established protocols.”

Manager Nader Abdelnour wrote on Facebook that he apologizes for the “distressing incident.”

The behaviour displayed by the security guard was unacceptable, and that after a thorough investigation, “appropriate actions [were] taken,” the post said.

Ullivik director Rita Novalinga said as well that immediate corrective measures have been taken against its security guards involved.

“Security at Ullivik and the Quality Hotel exists to support and protect Inuit, not to intimidate or harm them,” she said in a written statement.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy for any for of violence or misconduct.”

Novalinga added that Ullivik has reinforced its expectations on all security staff with a strong reminder regarding Inuit history, culture and how they play a role in security interactions.

“We deeply regret this incident, and are taking firm, decisive action to prevent similar situations in the future,” she said.

Ullivik is still working with Spartan to provide security services at the hotel.

N.W.T. ministers and regular members are crediting the consensus process for a boost in housing money in the 2025/26 operating budget. The territory's $2.5 billion budget passed Thursday in a vote of 15-3.

Budget negotiations resulted in a new NWT housing commitment worth tens of millions of dollars a year. This is what we know about how the money will be spent.

Almost 100 participants from across the Inuvialuit settlement area and beyond were in Inuvik, N.W.T., this week for the Beluga Summit that ended Thursday.

A few months ago, Sandi Chan’s friend Matthew asked her if she had sourdough starter.

Chan was confused.

“Should I have one? Do I look like someone with sourdough starter?” she said in an interview on Monday.

Chan remembered that in 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic that ushered in an era of isolation and sourdough baking, another friend gave her some sourdough bread starter named Princess Doughanna II.

Back then, Chan didn’t bake with it.

“Everyone was making sourdough and I didn’t want to be part of the flour shortage,” she said.

Sourdough Club members exchange their starters during the club’s meeting on Monday. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)

But since that conversation a few months ago, Chan has become a proud bread maker.

“He recognized a sourdough baker in me,” she said of her friend Matthew.

Making sourdough requires a starter, which is a mixture of water and flour that ferments with yeast naturally found in the environment. Some bakers keep their starters alive for years.

Chan took her new love of sourdough to the community last month, forming a Sourdough Club mandated to “appreciate sourdough making in Iqaluit,” she wrote in the club’s first Facebook post on Feb. 6.

As of Tuesday, the Facebook page has 43 bread enthusiasts who share photos of their loaves and starters.

And on Monday, the club had its first official meeting at the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre with seven people attending.

Listening to a song, Make It with You by the American rock band Bread, attendees sampled different loaves and talked about the significance of this ancient recipe.

“It kind of feels like a wine tasting night,” Chan said.

Sourdough Club bread is on display at the Iqaluit Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre on Monday. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)

Along with her Princess Doughanna II, others brought their own starters with names like Preserved Oranges and Mr. Stifler.

The most passionate of the members also brought their books about bread, including Bread: A Baker’s Book of Techniques and Recipes, by Jeffrey Hamelman and Tartine Bread, by Chad Robertson.

“It’s my favourite book about anything ever,” Joseph Murdoch-Flowers, executive director of the food centre, said of the Hamelman book during the meetup.

Chan said she recognizes there’s a lot of pride in baking, so not everyone who comes to the club’s gatherings has to bring their own loaf.

“You can just be an enthusiast or an aficionado,” she said.

The club’s next meeting date is not yet set, but it will probably take place in April at the food centre, Chan said.

A rough diamond, aurora borealis and a former Bachelorette contestant. Here's how a Winnipeg man pulled off a dream proposal in Yellowknife.

Mark Carney becomes PM on Friday. A short-lived Fort Smith newspaper ran a notice welcoming him to the world on March 16, 1965. See what made the news that day.

The NWT's housing minister says the territory will join "all the other jurisdictions in Canada" by banning smoking in the social housing units it owns.

The NWT's Department of Justice is launching an award in honour of the late Bobbi Hamilton for people working in restorative justice and survivor support.

"The amount of work far exceeds the capacity here." Fresh legislation is designed to plug gaps and make the NWT more attractive to engineers and geoscientists.

Embleton House Bed and Breakfast has been an institution for travellers visiting Yellowknife. Its owners are ready to retire, but are having trouble getting a buyer who can afford the place.

The NWT government's 2025-26 budget was finalized, coming through the House in a 15-3 vote after more than $40 million in cash for housing was added.

The Yukon government approved three stewardship plans for its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program this week, giving organizations the go-ahead to start managing recycling later this year. The program is meant to shift the cost of recycling from governments and taxpayers to producers.