UP HERE IN THE NORTH 

Inuvik-born artist Karis Gruben will have her work featured in a graphic novel that brings anthropological research on major river deltas to light. The Inuvialuit artist is one of several contributors from around the world. The project is led by Franze Kraus from the University of Cologne in Germany. Gruben will have two stories in the graphic novel. One celebrates the value of community connection, while the other tells the legend of the muskrat. (CBC)
 

Nunavut is planning on easing COVID-19 restrictions to start treating it more like the flu. Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Michael Patterson announced the changes on Tuesday, during a public briefing. Restrictions will start to ease next week for 10 communities. (CBC)
 

But with that being said, Iqaluit recently detected its first case of the Omicron subvariant BA.2. “Although this strain spreads more easily than Omicron, it does not appear to be any more likely to cause serious infection,” Dr. Patterson said at the Tuesday briefing. (Nunatsiaq News)
 

In January, Canada saw food prices soar by 6.5 per cent, making it the largest increase in more than a decade. Not surprisingly, that problem is worse in Nunavut, where food insecurity already affects 57 per cent of households. Luckily, local organizations are doing what they can to help by teaming up with local hunters. (CBC)
 

The office of Governor General Mary Simon is reminding the public that they can’t dissolve the government by contacting her. "The Office of the Secretary of the Governor General is aware that misinformation encouraging citizens to contact the Governor General or our office to register votes of no confidence is circulating on social media," the statement by Rideau Hall reads on Twitter. "This information is not correct. No such registry or process exists." (CBC)
 

A Hay River couple recently launched a business called Northern Greens. Nicolinea Minakis and Chris Shaver grow micro greens on indoor shelves and then sell them to local businesses and residents, saying it adds “a nice little kick” to practically any meal. (CBC)
 

Iqaluit residents will have a new option for their next vacation this summer. Canadian North Airlines announced Wednesday that as of June, it will offer direct flights between Iqaluit and Toronto. The flight is expected to operate every Friday and Sunday between June 3 to September 30. (CBC)
 

After two months of sending expectant parents to Edmonton to give birth, NWT’s Stanton Territorial Hospital is reopening the obstetrics unit. Health minister Julie Green made the announcement on Tuesday. However, Nunavut residents who were previously sent to Yellowknife will still have to go to Edmonton for the time being. (Cabin Radio)
 

Yukoner Graham Nishikawa will be a part of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games to guide a decorated athlete. Nishikawa, along with Russell Kennedy, will be nordic skier Brian McKeever’s guides in the March games. (Yukon News)
 

A Yukon prospector is set to be the first Black person to be inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. Peter Risby began working as a miner in the 1950s and spent much of his life advocating for greater inclusion within the industry. Born in 1931, his family originally fled to Canada from Kansas to avoid persecution by the KKK. Because he was a person of colour, he was forced to attend residential school, but managed to escape at seven years old. He eventually moved up to the Yukon from BC in 1957 and quickly fell in love with the North. Risby died in 2011. (Yukon News)

Iceland is axing all COVID-19 restrictions, both domestically and at the border. Health minister Willum Thor Thorsson said on Wednesday it is needed for “herd immunity.” However, he still cautions people to be careful and to take time off of work if they have symptoms. (Eye on the Arctic)
 

Explosions rained over the Ukraine capital Thursday, while gunfire rattled and sirens blared. Traffic was heavy as residents of Kyiv tried to flee the city as Russian troops invaded by land, air and sea. "This is a war of aggression,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter. “Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now." (CBC)

However, Russian president Vladimir Putin threatens action against other countries that try to interfere with his military campaign. Putin implied he could launch nuclear weapons against any country that tries to fight within Ukraine. (CBC)