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The town of Makkovik is located on the north coast of Labrador, about 210 kilometers northeast of Happy Valley - Goose Bay. It has a population of about 400. The people are mainly "settlers"; having ancestry that is a mixture of European settler and Inuit. In 1959, during the resettlement program, about thirty Inuit families were resettled here from Hebron when that community closed. However, many of those families have since moved back north or elsewhere.
Fish: an important resource: The main source of employment for the people of Makkovik is the fish plant that is owned by Torngat Fish Producers Co-op. It operates from June to mid-November and employs about 125 workers at peak periods, some from out of town.
Living off the land: Most people have a food license
and tend trout and salmon nets in their
spare time. Hunting is still carried on for ducks, geese, partridge, seal and the most important
meat source, caribou. Berry picking for bakeapples, blueberries, blackberries, and partridge
berries is a favorite pastime in the fall.
History: The community was founded in 1859 by a Norwegian named Torsten Kverna
Andersen and his wife, Mary Ann Thomas from Makkovik Bay (her father was from England
and her mother was a Labradorian). Together they settled in Flounder's Bight which, in time,
became better known as Makkovik.
Power: Diesel Power from Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
Water: full community water and sewer system
Fuel: Woodward's Oil Ltd. operates a fuel and gas station. Teachers can buy fuel
October or November and have the cost deducted from their cheques.
Air:
Makkovik has an airstrip. Air Labrador and Provincial Airlines fly into Makkovik from Sunday
to Friday. Return airfare from Goose Bay to Makkovik is $339.25 .
Marine:
Marine Atlantic has a
passenger boat (Northern Ranger) which, along with two freight boats, serve the coast from July
until mid-November.
Local: Most families own their own speedboat as well as one or more snowmobiles. The snowmobile is an important means of travel during the long winter since snow covers the ground from December until the end of May.
Media & Communication
Telephone:
Aliant Telecom - NewTel
Radio/T.V.: CBC; local radio station
Mail: Local post office Monday to Friday - A0P 1J0
Internet: The school has a public
Community Access Center. It operates daily.
Education: Makkovik has a new school, opened in 1993, with 100 students, from kindergarten to grade twelve. Some high school courses are done through distance education (two this year). English is the language of the majority of people in Makkovik. However, Inuktitut is taught as a subject in school.
Sports,
Recreation & Leisure: There is a gymnasium which the community uses in the evenings for recreation
programs. Makkovik has high caliber athletes in various sports, especially badminton, volleyball
and soccer.
The Arts: Makkovik is proud to have two recording artists, Gerald Mitchell and Gary
Mitchell. Gerald Mitchell was formerly known as the Labrador Balladeer. Besides singing
and playing guitar, he is talented at drawing and painting. Gary Mitchell has a cassette featuring folk songs of the area. His
daughter,
Jennifer, shows talent playing the accordion. They are regularly invited to
perform at community events and Creative Arts Festivals. Inga Andersen, born in 1914, has been a church organist for many years in the past and
still plays at occasional services. Joas and Susie Onalik are musicians who have traveled to many folk festivals to sing Inuktitut
songs. Joas plays guitar.
Crafts: The Makkovik Craft Center sells locally produced crafts which include parkas, mitts,
boots, slippers, sweaters, hats, embroidered cloths, carvings from wood, bone, caribou antler, and
soapstone; and more.
Museum: The White Elephant Museum Inc. is an old Moravian mission building which was
renovated in 1996 as a place to preserve relics of our past. There are many photos and artifacts
on display.
Medical: Health Labrador Corporation has a nursing clinic staffed by
one and sometimes two nurses. A doctor and dentist from Happy Valley - Goose Bay visit once
every month or so. The Labrador Inuit Health Commission also
employs a public health nurse in Makkovik. In case of emergency,
patients may be flown to a hospital (medivac).
Religion: There is one church, the Moravian Church. As there is no
minister, the chapel servants hold services
RCMP: Services are provided by
an RCMP officer stationed in the community. Two special constables assist
from the local community.
Retail Outlet: Food Town (a general store),
Skipper Gil's Variety and David's variety.
Accommodations: There is a duplex
as well as a 3 bedroom house and a 2 bedroom mini-home for teachers. Each duplex unit has two
bedrooms, is fully furnished and oil furnace heated. There is one hotel
and three bed and breakfast/boarding houses. The hotel (Adlavcik Inn) has a
restaurant and lounge and there is also a take-out.
Banking: All banking is done through Happy Valley, Goose Bay. Personal cheques are accepted at some outlets; Interac is available at 3 local businesses. There is a cash stop machine available at one business location.
Groceries: A wide variety of items are available. Fresh fruits and vegetables are flown in
once a week. Some teacher also choose to order
a bulk supply of dry goods and meats from Newfoundland. This can be done
within the first month of arrival. For specific details regarding where to
place orders contact the principal Mr. Rick Plowman at 709 923-2275.
Clothing: Warm winter clothing, snowpants and parka; warm cap, mitts and boots are essential in winter.
Mr. Rick Plowman, Principal, J.C. Erhardt School, 923-2275, 923-2145 (home) and 861-3990 (summer contact).