Health & Wellness
The NunatuKavut Community Council offers a range of health and wellness supports to our members and citizens, grounded in community care and Inuit values. Some programs are delivered directly by NCC for NunatuKavut Inuit, while others are offered in partnership with external agencies – or provided independently, but available to our members.
Whether delivered by us or in collaboration, these programs aim to support the well-being of our people across all stages of life.
ikajuKatigek Medical Transportation Program
The ikajuKatigek (ik/ga/you/hot/de/geek) Medical Transportation Program (MTP) provides financial support to eligible NCC members to help alleviate some of the travel costs incurred to access specialized insured medical services. Translated from Inuttitut, ikajuKatigek means helping one another and is reflective of NCC’s vision of governing ourselves, providing and caring for one another, our families and our communities while nurturing our relationship with our lands and waters.
The maximum amounts annually are up to $5,000 per patient and up to $7,000 per patient with escort(s). These amounts are renewed as of April 1 each fiscal year, budget permitting.
This program is open to full members of NCC.
This program is extended until March 31, 2026.
Read more:
Contact Information
Lisa Rumbolt
Medical Transportation Program Officer
- 1-709-702-8116
- lrumbolt@nunatukavut.ca
Cynthia Burt
Medical Transportation Program Officer
- 1-709-702-8100
- cburt@nunatukavut.ca
Jenna Penney
Medical Transportation Program Coordinator
- 1-709-702-8117
- jpenney@nunatukavut.ca
NunatuKavut Wellness Initiative
The “Understanding People, Place, and Culture: A NunatuKavut Inuit Mental Wellness Initiative” is a multi-year research project that endeavours to strengthen mental wellness resources in NunatuKavut. It includes the design, pilot, evaluation and implementation of a culturally appropriate mental wellness program.
Community members are invited to share their experiences and expertise through storytelling, photovoice, and theatre. It involves local expertise from diverse people including patients, families, health care providers, and community leaders.
Mental Wellness Survey – Project Update
NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC), in partnership with Memorial University, is leading a five-year, community-driven research project focused on mental wellness. The goal is to deepen our understanding of NunatuKavut Inuit experiences and to help strengthen culturally relevant wellness supports across our territory.
A key part of this work involved a member survey, which has now closed. We thank everyone who participated. Your responses have been analyzed and are helping shape meaningful, community-informed mental wellness programming.
The survey results are now available for download.
Community Freezer Program
The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) Community Freezer Program supports food security, wellness, and cultural connection by ensuring access to nutritious and traditional foods for those who need it most. Rooted in the values of sharing and community care, the program has steadily grown in recent years and continues to give back to NunatuKavut Inuit in meaningful ways.
The program is open to NCC members who are unable to participate in the communal fishery, including seniors (65+) and those with disabilities. By helping to maintain access to culturally important foods, the program contributes to physical well-being, mental health, and the preservation of food traditions that support our identity as Inuit.
Community freezers are currently available in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Cartwright, Black Tickle, Charlottetown, Port Hope Simpson, Mary’s Harbour, Lodge Bay, St. Lewis, Labrador West, and The Straits, with access provided to surrounding areas where possible. Each freezer offers a limited seasonal supply of items like bakeapples, redberries, Arctic char, cod, salmon, and moose meat – shared until inventory runs out.
Availability
Open in each area for pickup on Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
* Please call ahead to ensure there is staff available to share food from the freezer on other days and times *
Contact
NunatuKavut Community Council has been receiving positive feedback from our members regarding the quality of fish and other food items they receive. If you are looking for items from our community freezer, please contact:
Central Labrador
200 Kelland Drive
1-709-702-7848
Labrador West
Indigenous Service Centre
610 Tamarack Drive
1-709-702-8118
Cartwright
Email Samantha at srumbolt@nunatukavut.ca
or call Roxanne at 1-709-702-8105.
Port Hope Simpson
Contact Roxanne Notley
1-709-702-8105
Charlottetown, Pinsent’s Arm and Norman Bay
Contact Roxanne Notley
1-709-702-8105
St. Lewis
Contact Roxanne Notley
1-709-702-8105
Mary’s Harbour and Lodge Bay
Contact Roxanne Notley
1-709-702-8105
The Straits
Contact Roxanne Notley
1-709-702-8105
Air Daffodil
In partnership with Provincial Airlines – Innu Mikun Airlines, the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) offers transportation support through the Air Daffodil Program. The Air Daffodil Program is for cancer patients who live in Labrador and need to travel for a cancer related appointment under the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan (MCP). The Society will provide the following:
Three return flights, per patient per year. These flights can be split between the patient and an escort if one is required (e.g., 3 return flights per patient, 1.5 flights for the patient and 1.5 flights for the escort, or 2 flights for the patient and 1 flight for the escort).
Note: The escort is not eligible to receive more flights than the patient as the escort must be with the patient to receive the flight.
For any further information about the Air Daffodil Program, please contact:
Phone: 709-753-6520
Toll-free: 1-888-753-6520
Fax: 1-709-753-9314
Email: airdaffodil@nl.cancer.ca
The criteria are as follows:
- Must live in Labrador;
- Have a scheduled cancer related appointment outside of Labrador but within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador;
- Clients must provide an appointment verification letter from their physician that confirms cancer related appointment(s) to the Canadian Cancer Society;
- The escort must travel with the patient receiving treatment, to and from their cancer related appointment, to be eligible for coverage;
- The return flight is booked after the cancer related appointment is completed unless return date is known in advance.
The Air Daffodil program is offered based on funding received from generous donors and the CCS continue to provide the service as funds allows.
Provincial Medical Transportation Program
The Medical Transportation Assistance Program (MTAP) provides financial assistance to beneficiaries of the Medical Care Plan (MCP) who incur substantial out-of-pocket travel costs to access specialized insured medical services which are not available in their immediate area of residence and / or within the Province.
MCP beneficiaries required to travel for specialized insured medical services may be eligible to apply for financial assistance under MTAP for airfare (and related eligible taxi fares); private vehicle usage; purchased registered accommodations (and related meal allowance); busing and use of ferries based on program criteria (deductibles may apply).
Claims must be submitted to:
Medical Transportation Assistance Program
Department of Health and Community Services
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
P.O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL
A1B 4J6
For more information about the Medical Transportation Assistance Program, call 1-877-475-2412 or visit website.
Liz's Walk
Liz’s Walk is a cause started by Guy Poole over 13 years ago to raise money for Diabetes Canada. Guy does this in memory of his wife, Elizabeth (Liz) Poole, who lost her life to complications from diabetes. Each year, he walks approximately 300 kilometres in different parts of Labrador and on the island of Newfoundland to raise awareness and money for diabetes research and to help find a cure.
NCC is inspired by Guy’s dedication to this cause and has supported Liz’s Walk since its inception, dedicating financial and human resources every year since. As a result of our many contributions, NCC was the recipient of the 2016 Provincial Outstanding Partnership Award from the Newfoundland and Labrador Region of the Canadian Diabetes Association (now Diabetes Canada).
Elder Support Initiative
The Health and Community Services Department are happy to announce the launch of the Elder Support Initiative, a community-focused program dedicated to providing household and social support for Seniors (60+) and vulnerable members within our communities.
By strengthening local, practical supports, the Elder Support Initiative aims to enhance wellbeing, safety, and connection for those who need it most.
Community Support Coordinators
Community Support Coordinators have been hired to deliver a wide range of services, including but not limited to:
- General assistance, such as pickup and delivery of groceries, supplies, mail, and items to/from clinics and pharmacies
- Delivery of essential services, including fuel, water, and firewood
- Basic snow shoveling, such as clearing doorways and walkways
- Support for social activities for seniors and other vulnerable community members
- Promotion of safe and healthy communities
- Support for traditional hunting and fishing practices
- Gathering information and supporting generational knowledge transfer activities
- Other duties as required to meet community needs
These positions and services are now available and will be in place until March 27, 2026.
Through the Elder Support Initiative, we are strengthening community care, honouring traditional knowledge, and ensuring seniors and vulnerable individuals receive the support they deserve to live safely, with dignity and connection.
Please see below list of Community Support Coordinators:
- Upper Lake Melville
Jackie Penney-Chaulk & Beverly Webber - Cartwright
Jenna Elson - Black Tickle
Esther Keefe - Charlottetown, Pinsent’s Arm, Port Hope Simpson, Mary’s Harbour and St. Lewis
Sherry Turnbull - Labrador Straits
Clara Campbell
Have questions, or wish to connect with the Community Support Coordinator for your area? Please contact:
Cindy LeQuesne, Manager
Department of Health and Community Services
E: clequesne@nunatukavut.ca
T: 709-702-8097
Links to Other Health and Social Resources
Newfoundland and Labrador HealthLine: 811 (VoIP: 1-888-709-2929 or TTY: 1-888-709-3555)
Pediatric Telephone Advice Line (Toll-Free): (709) 722-1126 or 1-866-722-1126
Poison Control Centre (24 Hour)(Toll-Free): (709) 722-1110 or 1-866-727-1110
Children’s Protection Services (24 Hour): (709) 752-4619
Kid’s Help Phone (24 Hour): 1-800-668-6868
Libra House (Emergency Women’s Shelter): (709) 896-3014
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (24 Hour): (709) 726-1411
Mental Health Crisis Line (24 hour): 1-888-737-4668
Gambling Help Line (Toll-Free): 1-888-899-HELP (4357) or 1-800-363-5864
Smokers Help Line (Toll Free):1-800-363-5864
Pap Screening or the Cervical Screening Initiatives Program (Toll-Free): 1-866-643-8719
Lifewise Peer Support Warm Line (Toll-Free): 1-855-753-2560
Mental Health and Addictions System Navigator: 1-877-999-7589
Hope For Wellness (Toll-Free): 1-855-242-3310