Dettah ice road expected to close Monday

The Department of Transportation expects the Dettah ice road to close on Monday at 10 a.m., according to Earl Blacklock, manager of public affairs and communications for the department. Blacklock added the ice crossing at the Mackenzie River near Fort Providence is expected to close on Saturday at 10 a.m. for low clearance vehicles and at 10 a.m. on Tuesday for all vehicles.

Blacklock said the Merv Hardie ferry is expected to be running about one month after the road closes, but he added that people should plan for a longer closure, depending on the water levels when the ice clears.

- Terrence McEachern

RCMP warns of scam

The Yellowknife RCMP is warning residents of an Internet "phishing" scam in the form of an e-mail impersonating the Canada Revenue Agency, according to an April 6 press release.

The scam attempts identity theft via a website which asks for personal information to process a tax refund.

The Canada Revenue Agency does not ask for personal information from a taxpayer by e-mail.

- Terrence McEachern

Aviation career scholarships

The Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for eight Aviation Career Development Program scholarships, each valued at $5,000, according to an April 4 press release.

The scholarships are open to NWT residents interested in careers involving airport operations and the airline industry. Six of the scholarships are funded by the GNWT and the other two are each funded by Adlair Aviation and Discovery Air.

The deadline for applications is July 29, 2011.

- Terrence McEachern

Open House at YWCA

The Yellowknife YWCA is inviting the public to an open house event today to launch its second annual Turn Up the Heat on Homelessness fundraising campaign, according to a press release.

The Rockhill facility is home to about 30 families in the YWCA's emergency and transitional housing programs. The events runs from noon until 1 p.m. at the Rockhill facility at 4905 54 Ave.

- Terrence McEachern

Ice crossings in final weeks

There's a strong possibility the Mackenzie River ice crossing will close earlier than normal according to transportation officials.

Because of warmer weather the crossing is expected to close by sometime next week, said Earl Blacklock, spokesperson with the Department of Transportation, on April 5.

Over the past 10 years the crossing has had an average closing date of April 16.

Restrictions are expected to be put on the crossing by the end of the week to help it last as long as possible, said Blacklock.

The restrictions will include either or both nighttime travel only and no low clearance vehicles, he said.

In contrast, Greg Whitlock, the regional superintendent of transportation for the Deh Cho, said the Liard River and N'dulee ice

crossings are holding together well with minimal melting on the surface.

As long as current weather conditions continue the crossings should make it to their five-year average closure dates of April 22 and 21 respectively, he said.

Federal candidates forum in Fort Providence

Deh Gah School is hosting an all-candidates forum for the federal election.

As of April 5, both the Liberal and Green candidates, Joe Handley and Eli Purchase respectively, for the Western Arctic had confirmed their participation in the forum that will take place in Fort Providence on April 19.

The time and location of the forum haven't been confirmed yet, said Christopher Carson, a senior high teachers organizing the event.

The candidates will have the opportunity to speak with the senior high and adult education classes at the school before entering into the forum. Candidates will take questions from a panel made up of community representatives as well as from the public, Carson said.

Acclamations to Acho Dene Koe First Nation boards

The three available seats on two Acho Dene Koe First Nation boards were filled by acclamation when not enough candidates stepped forward to hold the scheduled March 23 election.

Janna Deneron, Manny Vital and Frank Kotchea Sr. were acclaimed to the ADK Business Board. Molly Duntra and Cathy Kotchea were acclaimed to the ADK Investing Board. The individual who was acclaimed to the third seat on the board stepped down after being appointed.

Crackdown on overdue property taxes

The village is making some headway in collecting outstanding property taxes.

Since the beginning of the year, $32,000 in outstanding property taxes have been paid leaving the village with $595,000 to collect, said John Ivey, the village's senior administrative officer.

The collected figure isn't large but it is a good start, Ivey said.

None of the 15 people who owe the highest amounts have paid yet but some have made solid commitments towards payment plans, he said.

Councillors will be discussing, in a committee meeting, whether the village should lower the two per cent per month compounded interest rate it charges on overdue accounts.

Arrears and the interest that has already accrued can't be forgiven but the interest rate could be lowered in the future to help people pay down their principal, Mayor Sean Whelly said.

Both Whelly and Ivey said the village tries to collect outstanding property taxes every year and is simply being more aggressive this year to ensure the village gets that revenue.

Signs indicate an early break-up

Both the Liard River ice crossing closure and break-up are likely to come early this year according to an official.

At the request of the village, Roger Pilling, a hydrometrics supervisor with Water Survey of Canada, attended the council meeting on April 4 to tell councillors about indicators for this year's break-up.

A few factors point to an early break-up, Pilling said. The Liard River froze low in the winter at 2.6 metres compared to the normal 3.5 metres.

This means the water level in the river only has to rise higher than 2.6 metres for the ice to start floating, he said.

Additionally, water levels in the Liard and Mackenzie Rivers over the past eight or nine years have traditionally started to rise on April 1. This year, levels were already increasing by March 29, said Pilling.

Traditionally the river in front of Fort Simpson breaks at the end of the first week of May.

In recent years the event has moved closer to the beginning of the week. This year there's a good chance break-up could happen in late April, said Pilling.

"The indicators are good but things can change," he said.

Council considers effects of Prairie Creek Mine

The village will be asking representatives from Canadian Zinc to provide the council with an update on the Prairie Creek Mine.

The request stemmed from a discussion from a March council meeting.

Mayor Sean Whelly asked council if it had or wanted to decide on a position about the mine.

Public hearings have been tentatively proposed for late May in the village as part of the environmental assessment of the mine.

Coun. Tom Wilson said the village's position should not be in favour or in opposition of the mine but to get as many benefits for the community as possible if it's opened.

Wilson admitted that over the years he never though that the mine would get off the ground.

"We've been diddling with this for what 15, 20, 25 years," Wilson asked.

Wilson said if the mine is opened the village would have to look at its airport facilities to determine if it could handle shift changes coming out of the mine.

Coun. Stella Nadia questioned the preparedness of the health centre.

When the pipeline was built the centre saw increased traffic and the nurses were over worked, she said.

Premiers to visit Fort Simpson

Premiers from six provinces and territories will be celebrating Aboriginal Day in Fort Simpson.

This year the territory is hosting the annual Western Premiers' Conference in Yellowknife.

As part of the conference the premiers are expected to take a one-day tour of the Deh Cho on June 21 that will include an aerial tour of the Nahanni National Park Reserve and a stop in Fort Simpson for the festivities.

On March 28, Mayor Sean Whelly attended a planning meeting about the visit.

The visit is expected to be a low-key event that will allow the premiers from provinces that don't have Aboriginal Day to experience it, Whelly said.

"We'll do our best to make sure the world sees Fort Simpson the way we want them to see it," he said.

Emergency measures to be updated

The Village of Fort Simpson will be updating its emergency measures plan bylaw.

The bylaw hasn't been updated in so long that there are parts of it that are outdated including the list of equipment that the village has access to in the case of an emergency, said Mayor Sean Whelly, at a March council meeting.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is also trying to make new emergency measures methods common practice.

This is a whole system that can be incorporated into the bylaw so the village's responses are compatible with the territorial government's, Whelly said.

Despite having recommended at a committee of the whole meeting to tender out the work to update the bylaw councillors debated if the work should be done by John Ivey, the village's senior administrative officer, with possible help from the emergency services sub-committee.

Seeking support for community gardening

Coun. Celine Antoine wants the mayor and other community leaders to champion the cause of community gardening.

Antoine presented a draft proposal to council at the end of March asking to hold an organic community gardening workshop.

Antoine said she was unable to attend the workshop conducted in the middle of March in the village because it was held during work hours and she would like to see a workshop held on a weekend.

The price of food and gas is increasing and gardening is good for people's health, she said.

Antoine's proposal includes getting funding from the federal and territorial governments to purchase soil and lumber for garden boxes especially for low-income families.

Put your moccasins back on

Pehdzeh Ki/Wrigley

The Pehdzeh Ki Moccasin Spring Carnival, that was to be held on March 31 to April 4, has been rescheduled for April 8 to 10.

A chief and council meeting is being held on April 14 at 1 p.m. followed by a Dehcho First Nation's negotiations meeting at 2 p.m.

There will be a Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) meeting in the community on April 8 at 10 p.m.

Eager anglers

Tthenaago/Nahanni Butte

Students at Charles Yohin School are looking forward to their annual grayling fishing trip to Kakisa. Eight Nahanni Butte students along with some Kakisa students will be fishing for grayling from April 25 to 29.

The students will also be participating in a count organized by local fishermen to see how many graylings are being caught. The count will be repeated in two years to judge the effects of the Deh Cho Bridge opening the area to anglers from Yellowknife during the grayling run.

Get your bait ready

Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard

The annual Fort Liard fishing derby is starting this weekend. The derby will take place from April 9 to 10 and April 16 to 17 on Fisherman Lake as long as people can still safely cross the Liard River.

A number of categories for adults and youths will be organized around jackfish and pickerel.

Stock up on candles

Ka'a'gee Tu/Kakisa

On April 7 from 1 to 5 p.m. there will be a planned power outage in Kakisa.

Tina Gargan and Shirley Lamalice with Dehcho Health and Social Services served a stew and bannock lunch on April 5 in the community and gave a presentation on the grieving cycle.

Happy birthday to Sadee Simba who celebrated on April 6.

No more long drives

Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake

Trout Lake was cut off from road access when its winter road closed on April 1.

Belated birthday wishes go out to Ruby Jumbo on March 26, Madison Jumbo on March 27, Tanya Jeanbo and Bettilyn Jumbo on April 2 and Kaechoa Jumbo-Rocque on April 6.

Happy birthday to Tyler Jumbo on April 8.

Showing their pride

Samuel Hearne Secondary School sports teams are looking for contributions from local businesses towards new school jerseys.

"There's a real need up here," said vice-principal Lorne Guy. "Our kids want to show a lot of pride in our schools and in themselves."

Guy is hoping to raise $3,000 to purchase these multi-use jerseys and in return for a donation, businesses will get their logo on the backs of the garments.

"Any drop in the bucket would be sincerely appreciated," Guy said.

Loppet winner

The 43rd annual Top Of The World Cross-Country Ski Loppet went off Sunday, April 3 "without a hitch," said organizer Brian Terry.

Some 37 people - 20 males and 17 females - came out and participated as dozens more cheered them on.

Terry said everyone did well, and of the 37 racers in seven different categories, 29 finished the race and were awarded medals.

The fastest time for the 10 kilometre race was a tie between 16-year-old Annah Henthorn and Dave Helpine, who both completed the course in 36 minutes.

The grand prize - a ticket for two from Canadian North from Inuvik to Edmonton estimated at $2,500 - was given out at the dinner held at the Legion later that night. The winner was Leonard Plunkett of New York, whose wife lives in Fort McPherson. Any help in bringing them together is nice, Terry said.

Run for the homeless

Ultra-marathon runner Alicja Barahona is running the ice road from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk and back from April 6 to 10 to raise money for the Inuvik Homeless Shelter.

The Inuvik Run Club is still looking for people to run the last 30 km to Inuvik on April 10. To do so and raise money for the homeless shelter, pick up a pledge sheet and raise $1 for every km you run.

Greenhouse jam

With hundreds of seedlings already sprouting at the Inuvik greenhouse, the time seems right for a garden-side jam.

Former Inuvik resident and songstress Carrie Young has returned for a small stint at the greenhouse to help start up the plants for this year's crops, and wants to celebrate the season with a musical jam this weekend.

On Saturday, April 9, everyone is invited to the upper level of the greenhouse to eat snacks and listen to or play music. Young said everyone is invited to bring an instrument and join in under the greenhouse skylights.

"We'll set up some chairs and play some music until it gets too cold," Young said.

The jam begins around 6:30 p.m. and will go until everyone is content.

Jamboree this weekend

Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River

The final preparations for the annual Arctic Red River Mackenzie Jamboree are underway and organizers have their work cut out for them.

Jamie Cardinal says the ice surface on the river is being plowed in anticipation for the community event.

Aside from snowmobile races on the river, a site is being set up as well for the rifle shooting events.

Cardinal said she hasn't heard the final verdict on prizes and categories for the snowmobile races but confirmed the snow drag races would happen.

The opening feast on Friday night will start at 6 p.m. at the community gym.

Because there were no contestants for the King and Queen competition, the focus will be on the younger generations competing for prince and princess.

For those looking to start their days with a good breakfast, check out the free pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. during the weekend.

Always a good idea to plan ahead

Tuktoyaktuk

The Beluga Jamboree is still more than a week away, but the people in Tuktoyaktuk could hold their party tomorrow if needed.

With most planning done in advance for the April 16 to 18 festival, there are only a few tasks remaining.

Organizer Glenna Emaghok said the snowmobile race tracks still need to be plowed on the harbour.

"We usually have the tracks plowed out the week before the races," said Emaghok.

A drum dancing exhibition is planned for the opening ceremonies. Emaghok said a competition is also being planned for the weekend, with teams going head-to-head for best drum dance group.

Aside from the drum dancing, the annual jigging contest is expected to bring in competitors from all across the region.

Emaghok said a traditional dog sled race is also part of the festivities.

Waiting for the right time

Paulatuk

Tony Green is one of the hunters in Paulatuk who is patiently waiting for his next chance to head out on the land.

Green said he hasn't been out hunting yet this season but knows other hunters who have braved the early hunting season.

"The weather has been nice recently," said Green.

He said the community gets doused in ice fog almost daily but it clears before late afternoon.

Right now, there are people who have come back from trips to hunt caribou, but Green says they're travelling out 40 km south of Paulatuk.

While hunting may wait a few weeks, fishing is already a popular pastime for the coastal community.

While he is waiting for his chance to strike, Green said he is busy in town with his own dog team.

While the weatherman might call for a certain forecast, Green said experience will prove the science wrong most of the time.

"You can't trust the forecast anymore," he said. "The weather changes without warning."

Hockey pucks and Easter Eggs

Ulukhaktok/Holman

Hamlet recreation co-ordinator Joanne Ogina said the community is watching local hockey with bated breath.

The annual senior men's hockey tournament is in its semifinal stage now, with four teams fighting for pond supremacy.

"The current teams are tied one to one right now," said Ogina.

She said there are five more games before the final bracket begins next week.

Once the tournament is over, the full attention of the community will shift to Easter weekend celebrations.

She said a selection of indoor and outdoor games for the family are being looked at, with a list to be released soon with a schedule.

A drum dancing exhibition is also planned, with members young and old showing their skills.

"The special events committee is still planning, so there are things we aren't sure of yet," said Ogina.

Soccer players prepare for Yukon tournament

Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson

A group of nine youth are wrapping up their final practice sessions before an upcoming trip south for a soccer tournament.

A senior boys team from Fort McPherson will be attending the event held by the Yukon Soccer Association.

Chief Julius School physical education teacher Dan Surette said the team is prepared and hopes the best for them during the playdown.

The group leaves on Wednesday, April 13 and returns Friday.

An RCMP officer who is also their coach will be accompanying the team, along with Surette and another chaperone.

To help the team prepare, Surette has them working twice a week to hone their skills before getting on the plane south.

"Our next practice is on Monday, April 11," said Surette.