SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Nunavut News/North rose to the top of the General Excellence and Best Front Page categories in its circulation class at the Canadian Community Newspaper Awards.

The judges were thoroughly impressed with what they saw: "This paper stood out as a winner even before you pick it up. A very strong front page that is clean and crisp, complemented by great photography," one judge wrote. "The inside pages reveal interesting content accompanied by photography that tells a story as well as any written article. The challenge of offering content in more than one language does not seem to affect the overall layout and design. (Nunavut News/North) is a great example of adapting to new ways of newspaper presentation very well. "

The paper was also given a blue ribbon, which signifies that it is among the top third of all newspapers in its circulation class across Canada.

Kivalliq News, another Northern News Services publication, took third place for Best Feature series for editor Darrell Greer's examination of an outfitter having his licence revoked by the Government of Nunavut.

NWT News/North earned a blue ribbon.

Editorial cartoonist Norm Muffitt was awarded first place for his depiction of a pelican coated in oil at the Inuvik Petroleum Show. The judge described it as a "timely topic" with relevance both locally and internationally; "A light-hearted jab at a heavy subject."

Yellowknifer finished in second place for Best Business Writing for a feature on the closure of video stores by Guy Quenneville.

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