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News Briefs: Monday, November 14, 2011
Two Behchoko men charged with rape
Two Behchoko men have been charged with rape and indecent assault 32 years after the alleged incident took place.
Leonard Camsell and Jonas Bouvier are scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 20 to face their charges, which stem from an incident alleged to have occurred on March 1, 1979.
This marks Bouvier's second charge for a sexual offence. In 2007 he was sentenced to five months in jail after being found guilty of sexual assault.
Cpl. Ben Parry with the Behchoko RCMP said that a third suspect, who is now deceased, was also being investigated.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Ten upcoming elections
Council elections in 10 NWT communities are scheduled for Dec. 12.
The nomination deadline for those hoping to run in Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Enterprise, Fort Resolution, Fort Providence, Fort Liard and Tulita is today.
Anyone interested in submitting an application is encouraged to check the eligibility criteria in their community.
Further information, as well as candidacy forms, can be found at local hamlet offices.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Nominations for byelection
Nominations opened on Nov. 10 for a byelection for one councillor in Smith's Landing First Nation, which is centred in Fort Fitzgerald, Alta., just south of Fort Smith.
The call for nominations will close at 5 p.m. on Nov. 29.
The byelection is set for Dec. 13.
- Paul Bickford
Renovations at Town Hall
Renovations will take place at Fort Smith Town Hall from Nov. 15-21.
However, Mayor Janie Hobart said the building will remain open during the minor renovations, although there will be some adjustments to let the painting and carpet replacement proceed.
For example, council will meet in the basement of Mary Kaeser Library next door.
- Paul Bickford
Event for seniors and youth
Enterprise
An event will be held in Enterprise on Nov. 26 to bring seniors and youth together in the community, which will hopefully lead to them working with each other on future projects.
The gathering is called SAY Funshop - SAY means Seniors And Youth. Seniors are defined as anyone aged 55 and over, while youth are those aged 10 to 25.
The day of games, food, prizes and more is being sponsored by the NWT Seniors' Society.
The gathering, which will be facilitated by Enterprise resident Genevieve Clark, will be held at the Enterprise Community Centre from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 26.
- Paul Bickford
Mexican fiesta evening
Thebacha/Fort Smith
St. John's Anglican Church in Fort Smith will host a Mexican fiesta night on Nov. 19.
The event, which will feature food, music and a silent auction, will begin at 6 p.m. in the church hall.
There will be advance ticket sales only for the event. Tickets are available from church members.
Money raised will be used to support the ongoing ministry of the church.
- Paul Bickford
Express yourself
Enterprise
A new activity - Self-Expression Mondays - will be starting soon at the Enterprise Community Centre.
Brenda Bouvier, the event co-ordinator for the Hamlet of Enterprise, said it will be a time for community residents to express themselves in any way they want, including art, crafts, sewing, writing, knitting and cooking.
It will begin on Nov. 21 with a gathering just for families, and will continue the following Monday for adults only.
Bouvier said it will alternate weekly between families and only adults because some adults enjoy the quieter surroundings when no children are at an event.
Self-Expression Mondays are being presented with funding from the NWT Literacy Council.
- Paul Bickford
Peel River Ferry out
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
The Abraham Francis Ferry, which crosses the Peel River near Fort McPherson, is now closed for the season.
Its last day of operation was Nov. 7. The average closing date for the ferry is Oct. 24, although it closed on Nov. 5 last year.
An ice crossing is now open for vehicles weighing less than 4,000 kg.
The Department of Transportation is also asking drivers travelling on the Dempster Highway to check conditions before heading out. On Nov. 6, 7 and 10 the highway between Eagle Plains and Fort McPherson was closed due to high winds and heavy snow drifting.
The Louis Cardinal Ferry at Tsiigehtchic is also closed for the season.
Its last day of operation was on Oct. 30.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Culture and games in Tuk
Tuktoyaktuk
Residents of Tuktoyaktuk met at Kitti Hall on Tuesday evening to discuss the formation of a Drum Dance Society.
The goal of the group, according to recreation co-ordinator Charo Lloret, is to give unity to the drum dancing community, elect a board and find ways to fund artists.
A drum dancing workshop will also be held from Nov. 17 to 20 at Kitti Hall for anyone interested. Instructors will stress the three different skills needed - dancing, drumming and singing.
Following the workshop, on Nov. 20, a celebration of Inuvialuit culture and games will be held at 4 p.m. Participants in the workshop will be showcased, Lloret said.
In addition to these traditional activities, Zumba classes will start on Nov. 21 and adult games night on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday will continue.
In the near future, it is likely the hall will close for a few days for repairs, Lloret added.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Laying wreaths in Sachs Harbour
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Inualthuyak School hosted a Remembrance Day ceremony in Sachs Harbour on Thursday.
The school assembly, which was open to the community, was set to start at 10:30 a.m. A community lunch was to be held after the ceremony, according to principal Debbie Budgell.
In the past four years she has worked in Sachs Harbour, Budgell said the proceedings have always gone off without a hitch.
"We get a really good community response," she said.
Each student participated in presentations during the ceremony. Some read poems while others sang Amazing Grace in Inuvialuktun and played it on the recorder.
"All students participate in some way," Budgell said.
In the afternoon, residents of the community were welcome to lay wreaths or poppies on the cross at the front of the school.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Tlicho leaders to meet
Behchoko/Rae
Behchoko is set to host the 13th session of the second Tlicho Assembly from Nov. 15 to 17 at Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School.
Grand Chief Eddie Erasmus and Chief Clifford Daniels of Behchoko will make opening comments, and during the course of the assembly leaders will discuss the first amendment to the Tlicho government budget law, the latest financial report and the Wekweeti winter road.
Closing comments will be made by Chief Alfonz Nitsiza of Whati, Chief Edward Chocolate of Gameti, Chief Charlie Football of Wekweeti, as well as Erasmus and Daniels.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Time for mothers and daughters
Behchoko/Rae
St. Michael's Parish in Behchoko will be hosting a mother and daughter retreat on Nov. 18 and 19.
The event is for mothers and young women in Grades 9, 10 and 11.
Mass will continue to be held at 11 a.m. every Sunday.
For more information, contact Sister Diane at the parish.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Let the eggs fly
Iglulik
Some Iglulik high school students had to use their creativity to cushion an egg drop during a Skills Canada competition late last month.
Ataguttaaluk High School vice-principal Sean Broderick said Grade 10 to 12 students used four paper clips, string, tape, paper, a cup and four cotton swabs-each group of 10 was to devise a way to protect the egg when it was dropped. He added they started the egg drop at 1.2 metres (four feet) and worked their way up. Broderick said he believes the winning team went to two metres (eight feet).
"They had to design some way to either slow the egg down as it travelled through the air or cushion it when it fell," he said. "The kids had a great time and it was a great opportunity for them to show their creative problem-solving."
- Jeanne Gagnon
Schools still sharing space
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Test results have come in to aid in finding a solution for the situation at Alookie School in Pangnirtung, where students continue to pursue their studies at the high school until the elementary school is deemed safe to return to.
Alookie was first closed Sept. 20 after a fuel oil spill, and classes returned until Oct. 20 when hydrocarbon fumes were detected again. The two schools started sharing space Oct. 28.
"The results from the lab in Ottawa came back to Community and Government Services and are being reviewed," Qikiqtani School operations superintendent Paul Mooney said, adding a decision on what to do will be made when staff reach an understanding of the findings.
- Casey Lessard
Airwaves return to Pangnirtung
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Pangnirtung has community radio again after more than six weeks without the vital communications tool, economic development officer Madeleine Qumuatuq said.
Allaniq, the hamlet-owned radio station, went down in mid-September, and a technician arrived in early November to fix the problem.
"We're really happy to see it up and running again," Qumuatuq said. "We do the bingo and a lot of fundraising for people who have to go to funerals or for organizations raising money for sports events. It's a big part of the community."
The hamlet is looking into upgrading the system, which has been used since at least the 1970s, she said.
- Casey Lessard
Various awareness week activities
Kinngait/Cape Dorset
A parade, radio-talk and talent shows as well as games night are some of the activities planned in Cape Dorset to mark National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Week from Nov. 13 to 19.
Senior administrative officer Olayuk Akesuk stated via e-mail the week-long activities will promote healthy living as well as abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Activities include a parade, community feast, movie and games nights, radio and talent shows, education in schools and a teen dance, he added.
Akesuk stated the community is excited about the events.
"After a year of negative publicity and alcohol-related tragedies, the community has bonded together on an inter-disciplinary level to try to initiate some positive change," stated Akesuk via e-mail. "The only way the community could heal together is to work together and this shows the community leaders are working together."
Collaboration between Cape Dorset's mental health nurse, health representative, alcohol education board, suicide prevention committee, youth and youth justice committees, youth mentors, the elementary and high schools, the RCMP and the hamlet made the event possible.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Headed south
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
A total of 20 sealift containers of recyclables were put on the Camilla Desgagnes in Rankin this past month for transport to the south.
The hamlet of Rankin Inlet collected more than three million recyclable beverage containers during the Government of Nunavutfunded pilot project in the community.
Partnering to make the transport possible were the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet, Arctic Co-operatives Ltd., Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc., Kissarvik Coop, AgnicoEagle Mines, Nunavut Liquor Commission, Arctic Beverages and The Cooperators.
- Darrell Greer
New RCMP detachment head
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Cpl. Kristine Wood is headed back North - this time to Cambridge Bay - to oversee the community's police detachment.
Wood will arrive in the Kitikmeot community on Dec. 2 to assume responsibility of the RCMP detachment and its five constables. In the process, her rank will upgraded to sergeant.
She said she wanted to go back as she enjoys the work and the people.
"All my work I've done in the past has all been the Baffin side, so it will be interesting to see how it will play out working over the west," said Wood. "I am really looking forward to it. I've heard a lot of good things about Cambridge Bay. It's going to be a great opportunity."
Wood worked in the RCMP detachments of Hall Beach, Iqaluit and Arctic Bay from 2005 to 2009 before heading south, where she is currently working with the national port enforcement team at the Hamilton-Niagara RCMP detachment in Ontario.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Whale of a time
Naujat/Repulse Bay
The Grade 7 class at Tusarvik School in Repulse Bay made a trip to the Harbour Islands recently in support of their learning of the European whaling influence on Repulse. The islands, located about 10km from the hamlet, are rich in whaling history.
The whalers were welcomed by Inuit and employed locals as cooks, guides, hunters and whalers.
Still to be found on the Harbour Islands are graves and artistic markings on the rocks from the whaling period.
- Darrell Greer
Hamlet clerk shoots polar bear
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
"I need a gun!" Julia Olayuk yelled Nov. 4.
The lifelong Arctic Bay resident and hamlet finance clerk had just arrived at work when the call came in. The local hunters and trappers organization wanted her to go out and shoot a polar bear seen digging through a meat cache.
It wasn't the first report of the bear that morning, but it was the first request for her services. Olayuk ran to her father's place.
"I told him I needed the gun for a polar bear, and it's close by," she said, and her father gave her a ride to the area between the graveyard and the point.
"I shot once, shot a second time. I thought I had shot it, but it didn't go down," she said. "The third time, it was dead. I was shaking; I was so excited."
The seven-foot-long (two-metre) bear was taken to the beach, where community members gathered and shared the meat. Olayuk kept the skin and hasn't decided whether to sell it.
"It was my first," she said. "I never caught a polar bear, so I was excited."
- Casey Lessard
Plane lands on single engine
Iqaluit
A Canadian North flight landed in Iqaluit on a single engine after the crew shut off the right-side engine due to abnormal vibrations.
None of the 32 passengers and four crew aboard Flight 436 en route from Ottawa to Iqaluit on Nov. 10 were hurt, said Stephen Hankirk, vice-president of operations in charters and cargo with Canadian North. The plane landed safely at the Iqaluit airport at 11:41 a.m. Fire rescue crews were called to meet the aircraft as per standard procedure, he added, but all aboard the plane disembarked via the stairs.
"It appears there was no passengers in distress or shaken up by the incident at all," said Hankirk. "It's considered a relatively minor incident. We do have to report it to the Transportation Safety Board and I can tell you that's been done already."
Hankirk explained the incident started as the Boeing 737 was commencing its descent some 161 km south of the territorial capital. "The thrust on the engines was reduced for the descent, which is normal, and the number-two engine had an indication of a vibration outside of parameters," he said. "The crew followed standard operating procedure and did a precautionary shut down of that engine."
The cause of the vibration is under investigation, he added. The plane is grounded in Iqaluit and passengers due to board it on its return flight south were booked on a different airline, said Hankirk.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Quassa and Qulaut challenge Eegeesiak for QIA presidency
Nunavut
Qikiqtani Inuit Association president Josie Okalik Eegeesiak is hoping voters will give her a new three-year mandate when they go to the polls Dec. 12. Iglulik Mayor Paul Quassa and QIA director George Qulaut are hoping to unseat Eegeesiak, who took the position in a Dec. 2009 byelection after the death of Thomasie Alikatuktuk.
The candidates for community directors are: in Clyde River, Josie Enuaraq, Elisapee Enuaraq, Levi Illingayuk, Peter Iqalukjuak, and Jerry Natanine; in Hall Beach, Jaypetee Audlakiak, Anne Curley, Jopie Kaernerk, David Kanatsiak, Asenath Kannutaq, Levi Kaunak, Solomon Qanatiaq, Abraham Qamaniq, and Laimiki Ulluapak; in Iglulik, Solomon Allurut, John Illupalik, and Gordon Qaunaq; in Iqaluit, Adamee Itorcheak, Simon Nattaq, and Madeleine Redfern; in Kimmirut, Joannie Ikkidluak, Mikidjuk Lyta, Maliktoo Lyta, and Matto Moonie Michael; in Pond Inlet, Jayko Alooloo, Titus Arnakallak, Abraham Kublu, Joel Nashook, and Philip Paneak; and in Sanikiluaq, Joe Arragutina, Peter Kattuk, and Harry Sala.
All are vying for positions that would end in December, 2014. Inuit can vote if they are 16 or older and enrolled under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
New appointees to Qulliit
Nunavut
Three women have been appointed to two-year terms with the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council.
Jean Simailak of Baker Lake, Mary Kayasark of Kugaaruk and Tamara Ohokannoak of Cambridge Bay will represent Nunavut women on the council's board, announced Premier Eva Aariak, who is also minister responsible for the council.
Ohokannoak, who works for the department of justice in Cambridge Bay, said she's looking forward to working with the council. "I hope we will be able to do great things for the women in Nunavut and I'll work hard so we can work towards achieving our goals as a council member," she said.
The trio will join four other board members, including president Donna Adams who stated she was pleased the territorial government followed the council's recommendation to select women representing all three regions.
"I am thrilled to appoint these three influential women to the Qulliit board," she stated in a press release. "I know they will work hard to ensure equality for all women in Nunavut through advocacy, research and public education."
- Jeanne Gagnon
City seeks input on new homes for Apex
Apex
Faced with a housing crunch, the City of Iqaluit is considering ending a freeze on residential development in Apex.
"Council directed me to take a look at that again and try to open up some lots," aid Arif Sayani, the city's director of planning and development. "There are residents who would like to see their families living there but without new lots, that's not a possibility."
The city has some undisposed lots available that could be released if residents feel there is a need to grow.
"We feel there is a need for more housing in Apex," Sayani said. "It's going to increase the size of Apex; it will be better for the schools, hopefully attract some more business down there. We feel there are benefits to bringing more housing. There are also challenges, such as bringing in trucked services, but we know they can be managed."
The meeting will only discuss residential options as there is no plan to create public, institutional or office space in the community, he said. However, that might change if the population increases to the point where it needs more commercial space for the development of local businesses in Apex.
Residents are invited to a public meeting at 7 p.m. tomorrow night at Abe Okpik Hall to give their input on whether new housing is wanted and needed there.
- Casey Lessard
Kraft gives $1 per vote for Nunavut food bank
Iqaluit
It isn't hard to donate $1 to the Nunavut Food Bank, especially when the money doesn't come out of your pocket. Those wishing to make a "donation," just have to visit the Kraft Food for Families website, and Kraft will donate $1 to the food bank on their behalf. The Nunavut Food Bank is the only food bank in the North selected to be among the 30 food banks competing for a share of a $50,000 pot. The food bank with the most voters will get a $10,000 bonus.
"We're going to get some much-needed funds for our organization," food bank co-chair Jen Hayward said, "as well as raise awareness for the need for hunger programs in the territory."
Hayward is putting the message out to volunteers, friends, family, and employees of corporate partners in hopes the network will add their names to the donation list.
She hopes to be able to raise $16,000 through the competition so the food bank can open weekly instead of bi-weekly during the leaner winter months. It costs about $2,000 to open each week, she said.
Visitors to the site can vote daily, with each vote resulting in a $1 donation. Voting started Nov. 7 and the Nunavut Food Bank was on track to earn $400 per day. The Owen Sound, Ont. food bank was earning four times as much in the first few days. Voting continues until Jan. 31.
- Casey Lessard
Satellite outage survey
Nunavut
Nunavut residents are being surveyed on the effects of last month's satellite outage.
A technical glitch caused the Anik F2 satellite to malfunction on Oct. 6, isolating the territory as long-distance calls and Internet services were down.
The Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation is seeking Nunavummiut's input on their daily telecommunications usage, how it affected their work and how they learned of the outage, for instance, in a 23-question online survey.
The online survey must be completed by Nov. 18. The answers will help Nunavut improve its future telecommunications infrastructure, the corporation stated in a press release.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Saila doll one of best toys
Nunavut
One of the favourite toys for kids this Christmas season is a Nunavut-themed doll. Saila was one of three favourite toys for children aged 6 and up, earning it a Children's Choice Award 2012 from the Canadian Toy Testing Council.
"Testers like the doll's realistic look, its quality, and the quality of the beautiful clothing," stated the council in the Children's Choice 2012 report.
Saila is a 46-centimetre tall doll with long black hair, dark eyes and complexion. She joins five other Canadian-themed dolls from Avonlea Traditions representing different regions of the country. Saila is from Iqaluit. Saila has Inuit features and wears a T-shirt with polar-fleece vest, jeans and kamiit.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Commissioners set to explain their progress to MLAs
Nunavut
A Government of Nunavut committee will evaluate the progress of two key commissioners later this month. Languages commissioner Alexina Kublu and information and privacy commissioner Elaine Keenan Bengts will appear before the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts during its hearings Nov. 22 to 25. Kublu and Keenan Bengts will discuss their progress in their respective positions; both presented their annual reports to the legislative assembly in October. Kublu will appear at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 22, while Keenan Bengts will appear at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 24.
All regular MLAs serve on the standing committee, which will also hear from officials in the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. Copies of the reports are available online, and the proceedings will be broadcast in Iqaluit on FM radio and regional cable television.
- Casey Lessard
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News desk 
