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News Briefs: Monday, August 22, 2011
Meetings set on fuel barges
Transport Canada has set the dates for two public outreach sessions in the NWT on the practice of storing bulk fuel in barges frozen in ice in the North.
The first session will be held in Inuvik on Sept. 11, while the other will be in Hay River on Sept. 20.
The review will analyze existing regulations and practices, and hear concerns of territorial governments, communities and aboriginal groups.
- Paul Bickford
Let there be new lights
Hay River town council will vote Aug. 22 on a recommendation from town administration to reallocate $27,750 to buy and install more money-saving LED lights at the arena.
The money is currently targeted to be spent on a sander, wood chipper and dozer blade.
- Paul Bickford
Cellphone vote in legislature
An amended act that will ban the use of cellphones while driving in the NWT entered a clause-by-clause review at the legislative assembly on Wednesday. If
passed, Northerners who use their cellphones for calling or texting while driving will face consequences.
It is expected that members of the assembly will vote on the prohibition today, said Doug Schauerte, the assembly's deputy clerk.
The proposed cellphone ban would put the NWT on the map as one of the last Canadian jurisdictions to make driving and talking on a cellphone against the law, leaving only Nunavut.
Back in October 2009, Transportation Minister Michael McLeod said that the territorial government was not going to look at a cellphone ban because 22 of the NWT's 33 communities did not have cellphone service.
- Sarah Ferguson
Funding boost for energy efficiency
The GNWT's Energy Efficiency Incentive Program was expanded Aug. 1 and now includes more rebates for people purchasing eco-friendly products.
Donald Andre, regional energy project co-ordinator for the Mackenzie Delta and Beaufort communities, said he hasn't seen an increase in rebate applications yet.
"The capital costs are so high," he said, but added that there is still a payout over the long-term.
The program was created to help with the cost of items like wood pellet stoves, boilers and furnaces, low-flush toilets and newer, more efficient refrigerators.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Workshops at Smith museum
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Two workshops are being offered at Fort Smith's Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre.
Both will be instructed by Joan Irvin of the Alberta College of Art & Design.
Do-it-yourself survival tips for artists will be offered on Aug. 23 & 24.
Workshop participants will be shown how to build a survival toolkit, covering topics such as a portfolio, potential customers, networking, consignment, galleries, commission, and critiquing.
The workshop, which will be held from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on the two evenings, is being presented in association with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. The fee is $15 per participant. Another workshop will be presented on cold connections - how to make jewelry without soldering.
The workshop for jewelry makers and mixed media artists will be held Aug. 27 and 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Participants will explore different options on connecting elements to make jewelry, including rivets, tabs and folds, wrapping, crimping, stitching and even the use of commercial connectors such as nuts and bolts.
Participants are encouraged to bring their favourite beads, stones and other interesting items to incorporate into their jewelry.
The fee for the workshop is $95.
- Paul Bickford
Ferry closure
Tetlit' Zheh/Fort McPherson
The Peel River cable ferry at Eight Mile, just outside Fort McPherson, was closed Aug. 14 at 11 a.m. because of high water and floating debris in the river.
It didn't reopen until the morning of Aug. 15, after water levels went down and crews were able to rebuild the landings. The ferry is now running on its regular schedule from 9:15 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Sachs still boiling water
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Sachs Harbour was still under a boil water advisory last week because of ongoing problems with the hamlet's water treatment plant.
The precautionary advisory was first put in place more than two months ago, on June 14, after the plant's intake pipe plugged.
In 2009, residents observed an eight-month-long advisory after the water treatment plant's chlorination pump broke.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Display of newspapers
Hay River
A new display on newspapers has begun at the Hay River Heritage Centre.
The display began Aug. 20 and will run to the end of the month.
It will feature old equipment once used to put together a newspaper.
In addition, there will be copies from 1962 of The Mackenzie Press, which was Hay River's first newspaper.
- Paul Bickford
General assembly held
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
The 28th Gwich'in Annual General Assembly wrapped up in Tsiigehtchic earlier this month.
Delegates from the four Gwich'in communities - Fort McPherson, Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic and Aklavik - attended the assembly.
In addition to passing proposed bylaw changes to the Gwich'in election process, reports were tabled by different tribal council departments and organizations.
Fred Koe was appointed chair of the assembly and Peter Ross acted as co-chair. Meetings were held at the gymnasium of Chief Paul Niditchie School.
The hamlet's Canoe Days, which were originally scheduled for the Aug. 13-14 weekend, were moved to last weekend.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Pool to close for maintenance
Hay River
The Hay River Aquatic Centre will be temporarily closed for regular maintenance beginning late this month.
The pool will be closed from Aug. 29 to Sept. 12.
As in previous years, the swimming pool and hot tub will be drained and scrubbed.
The dressing rooms, water slide and windows will also be cleaned.
Plus, there will be other maintenance, such as the replacement of some lights.
If the regular maintenance is finished early, the Town of Hay River will advise the public.
- Paul Bickford
A day full of sports
Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
A staff member with the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the NWT was expected to be in Jean Marie River on Aug. 20 to run a multi-sport camp for youth from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The youth and elders centre is open daily from 1 to 9 p.m. with different activities taking place throughout the day.
The Protected Areas Strategy working group for the Lue Tue Sluia, Five Fish Lakes, began meeting at the band office on Aug. 16 and was expected to conclude its meeting on Aug. 18.
Jamboree held
Paulatuk
The 25th annual Ikhalukpik Jamboree was held in Paulatuk recently to celebrate the return of the Arctic char.
Events ran from Aug. 12 to 15 in the coastal community and were scheduled to include canoe and longboat races, feasts of traditional foods, Good Man and Woman competitions, an old-time dance and the crowning of a jamboree king and queen.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Firefighter competition
Kivalliq
Eleven firefighters from across the territory were in Rankin Inlet earlier this month to compete for a spot in the Aboriginal Firefighters Competition in Winnipeg.
The winners of the competition were: George Aksadjuak of Rankin Inlet, Cody Evalaukjuk of Coral Harbour, Troy Innikshuk of Rankin Inlet, Jollie Enoogoo of Pond Inlet, Randy Idlout of Resolute Bay and Norman Qavvik of Kugaaruk. The six men represented Nunavut in the national competition, which ran from Aug. 15 to 21.
To compete, firefighters must have their Level 1 firefighter training, must be 18 years or older and must be an active member of a municipal fire department.
-Nicole Veerman
School gets new carpeting
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
Classrooms and hallways at Netsilik School in Taloyoak are set to get new carpet on Aug. 19, replacing the nearly 20-year-old one, said the principal.
Gina Pizzo said the new carpet will replace the floor covering installed in 1992.
"Actually, the old stuff was pretty rugged," she said. "It wore very well, actually, considering the number of years. But it will be nice to have a fresh look."
- Jeanne Gagnon
RCMP, Sanikiluaq council meet
Sanikiluaq
Representatives from the RCMP and two airlines met with Sanikiluaq hamlet council on June 29 to discuss the problem of drugs and alcohol being illegally transported into the community.
Insp. Gerry Kerr of the Iqaluit RCMP attended the meeting held in the hamlet office along with Steve McVarnock, chief superintendent of V Division. Kerr said she was impressed with the efforts of the airline companies in attendance - Air Inuit and Kivalliq Air - and the council members to work towards a solution.
- Terrence McEachern
School bus coming by sea
Iglulik
Iglulik is expecting a new school bus on its sealift this year to replace the ones destroyed when the municipal garage caught fire in January.
When the sealift barge arrives Aug. 24 or 25, it will also bring four large trucks - dump, water, sewage, garbage - three pickups, a gravel and sand screener as well as a trailer to transport heavy equipment, said Brian Fleming, the hamlet's senior administrative officer.
He added the amount of cargo is bigger this year due to the fire.
"It's quite the sealift in terms of vehicles and heavy equipment. It's probably one of the biggest we've had in a long time, that's for sure," he said.
Materials to replace the burned garage and to renovate the old health centre into a new hamlet office will also be on the sealift, said Fleming.
"Once the stuff comes in, I am sure the community will be excited," he said.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Volunteers needed for family fun day
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The Hamlet of Rankin Inlet is looking for volunteers to help out with the Agnico-Eagle family fun day Aug. 27.
The event will have all kinds of fun activities, like fire truck rides, cupcake decorating, mural painting and a bouncy room. There will also be musical acts by the Arviat Band, Charlie Panigoniak, Shauna Seeteenak and the Jerry Cans.
If you're interested in lending a hand, call Lori Tagoona at the hamlet office.
- Nicole Veerman
Pop supply runs dry
Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord
Grise Fiord has enough supplies to last until the sealift barge reaches the hamlet on Aug. 31 with one exception - pop.
"People are a little anxious on that end," said Larry Audlaluk, municipal liaison officer for the hamlet. He added that the hamlet's co-op flew in additional pop supplies after first running out a couple of months ago. "We were very fortunate we were able to get a good price. The maximum the price got was $5 a can."
-Terrence McEachern
Hinterland Who's Who rained out
Iqaluit
Filming for the Hinterland Who's Who Nunavut-based public service announcements may resume in the fall or the spring after overcast and rainy weather hampered filming two weeks ago in Iqaluit.
Annie Langlois, program co-ordinator for the Canadian Wildlife Federation, the organization responsible for the public service announcements, said the film crew, including hosts Jody Gienow and Louis-Rene Senechal, left Aug. 12 after arriving four days earlier with most of the filming completed for a future public service announcement on tundra and another one on narwhals.
Langlois said it hadn't been decided yet if the crew would return to Iqaluit or go to Pond Inlet to finish the projects either this fall or next spring.
- Terrence McEachern
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