Man stabbed stopping fight

A 24-year-old man was stabbed four times while trying to break up a fight between a man and a woman near McMahon Frame Lake Trail on Monday evening.

The victim came upon two people fighting around 7 p.m. at the junction of the trail and Gitzel Street. When the victim intervened, police say the man cut him four times with a small knife. The suspect then fled the scene with the woman, according to a RCMP press release.

The victim walked to the hospital for treatment and was released soon after.

The suspect is described as an aboriginal male, approximately 20 years old, 6'3", wearing a blue T-shirt and jeans. The woman is described as aboriginal, approximately 30 years old, with dark hair in a pony tail, wearing a black top, white mini-skirt and white shoes.

- Nicole Veerman

Alberta fires send smoke

The smoky haze over Yellowknife on Sunday and Monday stemmed from fires in Northern Alberta, according to a GNWT official.

Judy McLinton, community affairs and communications officer for the Department of Environment and Resources, said an NWT daily forest fire situation report should be up later in the week and will be updated "until we run out of weather."

- Nicole Veerman

New chief health officer

Dr. Lorne Clearsky of Calgary, Alta., was appointed chief public health officer for the NWT by the Department of Health and Social Services on Monday.

Dr. Kami Kandola acted in the role for about two years and she will now return to her former position as deputy chief public health officer, which was a move she wanted to make so she could spend more time with family, according to the Department of Health and Social Services.

- Katherine Hudson

Old Town overlooked

Winners of the Great Places in Canada contest were announced Monday, and Old Town, which was among 10 other Canadian spots in the Great Neighbourhoods category, did not make the top three.

The contest, sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Planners, gave prizes for the top three Great Streets, Great Neighbourhoods, and Great Public Spaces.

- Nicole Veerman

Hanging with the Train

Nashville/Rankin Inlet - A group from Rankin Inlet gave it everything they had while cheering on the Predators against their rival Vancouver Canucks in Nashville, Tenn., earlier this month.

Among the group were Nashville winger Jordin Tootoo's dad, Barney, his sister, Corinne Pilakapsi, and best friend, Troy Aksalnik.

As hard as the Rankin fans cheered for the Tootoo Train and his Nashville teammates, they eventually fell to the Canucks in six games.

For the complete story on their visit to Nashville, please see the May 25 edition of Kivalliq News.

MP visits

Coral Harbour - Students at Sakku School in Coral Harbour received a visit from Conservative MP Leona Aglukkaq in the heat of her federal election race on April 29.

Aglukkaq dropped by the school to spend some time with the kids during their Student Vote program.

Sakku also held a number of career afternoons for its high school students in April and May.

Among the personalities who took the time to speak to the students were MLA Johnny Ningeongan, nurse Joanne Gerrard, RCMP officers Const. Juanita Chaisson, Const. Guy Larose and Cpl. Paul Zandi, and Human Rights Tribunal manager Marion Love.

Race winners

Arviat - Listed below are the top finishers in the two divisions of the Sam Napayok Memorial Challenge snowmobile race in Arviat earlier this month.

Junior Division:

1: Nathaniel Issaluk, Chesterfield Inlet, $3,000

2: Brandon Oolooyuk, Rankin Inlet, $2,000

3: KJ Putulik, Chesterfield Inlet, $1,000

4: Tristen Dias, Rankin Inlet, $750

5: Thor Ittinuar, Chesterfield Inlet, $500

Senior Division:

1: Brian Tanuyak, Chesterfield Inlet, $5,000

2: Jordan St. John, Arviat, $4,000

3: Albert Netser, Iqaluit, $3,000

4: Tony Dias, Rankin Inlet, $2,000

5: Romeo Kuglugiak, Chesterfield Inlet $1,000

Worker promoted

Baker Lake - Vince Pattunguyak of Baker Lake, who refers to himself as being in his late 20s, was recently promoted at the Meadowbank gold mine.

Pattunguyak started his employment with Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. at Meadowbank as a night watchman years ago. He was promoted to the occupation of driller operator earlier this month.

For more on Pattunguyak, please see the May 25 edition of Kivalliq News.

Fishing derby

Rankin Inlet - Residents of Rankin Inlet and surrounding communities are reminded the annual Rankin fishing derby gets underway this coming weekend from May 20 to 23.

This year's event will have a 50-mile boundary for areas that can be legally fished for the derby. Cash prizes will be awarded to the 10 biggest fish in both the trout and cod categories. Sponsored prizes will also be available, as will special prizes for kids 13 years of age and younger. Measuring will take place at the community hall on May 24, beginning at 1:30 p.m.