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News Briefs: Monday, Oct 29, 2012
Robbery in Fort Smith
Fort Smith RCMP responded to a complaint of a robbery at Kelly's Corner Store on Oct. 20.
According to RCMP, the suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The store clerk was injured and required medical attention. Fort Smith RCMP are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers or the Fort Smith detachment.
- Sara Wilson
Fire season at an end
This year's forest fire season is officially over and a total of 298,000 hectares of land were affected by 279 wildfires.
According to the GNWT, 241 were caused by lightning, 25 were person caused, four were caused by industry, two arose from a coal seam near Tulita and the causes of seven fires were unknown.
There were also eight fires in the NWT section of Wood Buffalo National Park, eight fires in Nahanni National Park and a fire at the Great Bear Lake National Historic Site. Action was taken on 89 fires or about 32 percent of the reported wildfires.
- Sara Wilson
Human rights case set
Gabrielle Landrie, a transgender person who filed a complaint against Thebacha MLA and territorial cabinet minister Michael Miltenberger, will see the matter brought before the Human Rights Adjudication Panel during the week of Dec. 3 in Fort Smith.
In her complaint, she alleged that she was approached several times by Miltenberger and asked to leave Aurora College, where she was a student at the time, during a visit by Gov. Gen. David Johnston on Dec. 9, 2011.
She said she was told her presence and that of a friend in a hallway in which Johnston was to walk had "spooked" his security detail.
- Sara Wilson
Treaty challenge
The Dene National Assembly of First Nations has written a letter to the Supreme Court of Canada, requesting guidance on treaty and aboriginal rights and interests.
The Dene Nation passed a motion on July 5, stating "the federal, provincial and territorial governments appear to give a lack of respect to the favourable decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada and lower courts ... and First Nations citizens are concerned about the unilateral view of outside governments of the court decision in respect to First Nations."
"This is the reason we are now appealing to the Supreme Court of Canada which is a separate entity from Parliament," Bill Erasmus, Dene National Chief stated in a news release.
- Sara Wilson
Merit awardshanded out
Tuktoyaktuk
Noela Cockney of the Tuktoyaktuk Fire Department was among the 2012 recipients of the NWT Fire Service Merit Awards earlier this month.
The NWT Fire Service Merit Awards, announced by Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Robert C. McLeod, recognized those individuals who went above and beyond while protecting residents across the territory.
"Firefighters provide an essential service in all communities across the NWT, and in many cases, they put themselves at risk to protect residents and their homes," McLeod stated in a press release. "Many firefighters volunteer their time to not only fight fires in our communities but also to educate residents on fire prevention and safety. These awards help recognize those important contributions."
- Sara Wilson
Halloween activities
Tuktoyaktuk
Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk will be hosting a Halloween fun day on Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the school gym.
The Inualthuyak School in Sachs Harbour will also be hosting Halloween celebrations throughout the week, and the hamlet will be hosting a family Halloween party on Oct. 31 in the town's centre.
A costume competition and parade on Wednesday will be keeping students in the spirit as the Anglik School in Paulatuk will giving away prizes for the best dressed.
Everyone in the community is welcome to attend the parade
Akalvik's Moose Kerr School will be hosting its Halloween concert this year on Oct. 31. The concert will replace the annual Halloween parade, in favour of trying out something new.
Each class - from kindergarten to Grade 7 - will perform a Halloween-themed skit or performance for the parents and staff.
The senior classes will participate in a "Fear Factor" themed afternoon. According to organizers at the school, the events will be very similar to the popular TV show.
- Sara Wilson
Fundraising begins
Aklavik
Moose Kerr School's Grade 12 graduating class will begin fundraising efforts for their graduation on Oct. 31 with a hot lunch. The chili lunch will be available for everyone in the gym during lunch hours.
- Sara Wilson
Project moves to second round
Inuvik
Inuvik's Children First Society's drive for new playground equipment has taken one step closer to winning $50,000. The project has entered into the second round of voting through the Aviva Community Fund competition for the grant.
Residents can vote online through the Aviva Community Fund website until Nov. 5.
- Sara Wilson
Drum-making workshop
Hay River
The NWT Centennial Library is hosting a drum-making workshop with Aline LaFlamme from Nov. 23 to 25 in the Whispering Willows Seniors meeting room.
LaFlamme is a Metis traditional drum maker, pipe carrier, traditional healer and therapist.
- Jesse Winter
Happy Halloween
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
A youth Halloween dance is being held at the arena in Fort Providence on Oct. 31 starting at 7 p.m. It will be followed by an adult dance from 9 to 11 p.m.
The Zhati Koe Friendship Centre is holding a cooking circle on Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. In the evening, the Canadian Ranger Patrol Group will be having a meeting in the building.
On Oct. 26, there will be an afternoon of boardgames beginning at 1 p.m. Halloween activities will also be held at the centre on Oct. 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 9 p.m.
During the centre's annual general meeting last week, the organization welcomed in new president Pearl Leishman and directors Alayna Krutko and Evelyn Sabourin.
- Miranda Scotland
Wine festival and fundraiser
Hay River
The Hay River Rotary Club is hosting its sixth wine festival and art auction fundraiser on Nov. 9.
The event will be held downstairs at the Ptarmigan Inn between 7 to 10 p.m.
"The art is done by local artists and the auction is a way of promoting their work," said organizer Tod Ashton.
More than 20 wines, which aren't currently available in Hay River, will be featured.
"The idea is for people to try out wines they haven't tasted before," Ashton said.
A wine passport will be available, containing a bit of information on each wine.
It will also have a rating system and after the results are tallied, the most popular ones will be featured at the liquor store.
Proceeds from the event will support local Rotary projects.
- Myles Dolphin
Cake decorating contest
Hay River
The Hay River Recreation Centre is organizing a cake decorating event on Oct. 29, between 7 to 9 p.m.
Held at the Doug Wieterman Room at the Ben Sivertz Arena, families can bring their own cakes. They must be round or square, and 22 cm-by-22 cm inches in size.
There is a cost to enter for teams of one child and one adult, and cake decorating kits can be purchased on site from instructor Ron Auger. Registration in advance can be made at the Recreation Centre.
- Myles Dolphin
Man arrested, firearms seized
Iglulik
A mas was arrested after a possible firearm incident in Iglulik on Oct. 26, according to an RCMP press release.
Police responded to a call of shots fired at about 5 p.m. that day and arrested an 18-year-old man without incident, and seized firearms.
As of press time, no charges had been laid. The matter is under investigation.
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
Kenneth Arreak pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Pond Inlet on Oct. 17 and was sentenced to six years in prison.
Arreak was originally charged with second-degree murder in the death of his common-law wife Louise Killiktee on Dec. 30, 2010.
Crown prosecutor Barry McLaren said Arreak received a 33-month credit for the 22 months he spent in pre-trial custody, meaning he has closer to three years left to serve.
McLaren added Arreak read a statement in court, apologizing for his actions.
On the second-last day of 2010, Killiktee went to the house she and Arreak shared after attending a family gathering, said McLaren.
He said Arreak went out and started partying, drinking, smoked dope and took some prescription drugs.
At about 2 a.m., Arreak came home and beat Killiktee to death, said McLaren. He added Arreak was "substantially intoxicated," so intoxicated he was unable to describe to the police what had happened.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Pangnirtung man's body found in Ontario: report
Kingston, Ont.
The body of a 22-year-old man from Pangnirtung who was attending college in Kingston, Ont., was found near a river in that city, according to a CBC report on Sunday morning.
Ken Kilabuk had been missing for more than a week.
An extensive search was carried out for him, but his whereabouts remained a mystery until police confirmed that the body discovered alongside the river has been identified as his.
The cause of death will not be released until an autopsy has been completed, the CBC report stated.
Pangnirtung harbour already in use
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
The small craft harbour in Pangnirtung still requires another season of work, but already it is being well used by boaters in the community, Mayor Sakiasie Sowdlooapik said Oct. 23.
"Right now, looking out from my office, I'm seeing over 100 boats, maybe 120. They're anchored and some are tied to the shoreline. It is really well used, whether it's high tide or low tide."
Much of the construction equipment returned south earlier this month, Sowdlooapik said.
Some work remains to be completed on the berm, a crane and safety ladders are to be acquired, lighting on the beach needs to be improved, and floating docks that will be appropriate for sea and weather conditions need to be found, he said, noting one such solution has been used and tested in Manitoba.
"The priority here in the harbour is going to have to be safety," he said. "People go in and out day and night. Having adequate lighting would improve access for all users."
- Casey Lessard
Suspicious fire leaves two people homeless
Iqaluit
A fire last week in Iqaluit that left two people homeless has been deemed suspicious by RCMP.
One of the two residences at building 151 was ablaze when the Iqaluit fire department arrived around 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 24, according to a news release.
Eighteen firefighters quickly brought the fire under control and contained it to the dwelling where it originated.
No one was injured and losses are estimated at $50,000. The fire left two people homeless while five others will be in of need temporary shelter for a few days, according to the press release issued by the RCMP. The police continue to investigate the incident.
-Jeanne Gagnon
Men's group
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The Coral Harbour men's group Angutiit Makigiangninga (Men Rising Up) held its first meeting in Rankin Inlet earlier this month. The group has been funded by Health Canada through the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre in Rankin, but that funding is scheduled to end on March 31, 2013, leaving future funding for the group in doubt.
- Darrell Greer
Gearing up for Halloween
Kimmirut/Lake Harbour
Kids in Kimmirut are getting ready for Halloween celebrations in the community this week.
After kids trick-or-treat around town from 6 to 8 p.m., recreation co-ordinator Martha Ikkidluak said most of the kids in Kimmirut will attend games at the Akavak Centre.
"They all come together after trick-or-treating," Ikkidluak said.
The hamlet will have treats for the kids and coffee for the adults, she said.
- Casey Lessard
Hygiene lesson
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
Senior students in Hall Beach learned ways to avoid passing the flu, as well as family coping skills, from a nurse and social worker on Oct. 22.
Arnaqjuaq School principal John Sarapnickas said the students learned ways to avoid passing the flu, such as washing one's hands often, and family relationships as some live in difficult home situations.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Haunted hallway
Kugaaruk/Pelly Bay
Halloween returns to Kugaaruk School with its haunted hallway being planned to scare students again this year.
Principal Michael Bartley said the staff dress up and scare the students by grabbing their legs, popping out of a box or hiding behind doors as they walk through a haunted hallway, all for fun to celebrate Halloween.
Scary music and lights, as well as fog and robot skeletons add to the ambiance of the Oct. 30 event, he added.
"Kids really like it," said Bartley. "They come through screaming and say, 'That wasn't scary,' in the end but they're terrified and they come through again."
He added the event is as popular with the students as it is with the staff.
"At the end of it, you're all laughing. It's a really good moment," said Bartley.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Drum workshop
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
Kugluktuk students learned about the traditional usage of drums during a workshop from Oct. 22 to 26.
Senior high students built drums and those in junior high drum danced as part of a workshop for the history, heritage and culture stream, said Kugluktuk High School principal Gary Kennedy.
"Getting to know how to make the drums ties directly with the course," he said. "The students aren't exposed to drumming as much as (youth used to be) so it's a good opportunity for them to get involved with that with an elder."
Kennedy said students seem to enjoy the workshop given by an elder.
"All the junior high students are getting involved in dancing, which is good to see, and the senior high students are right into the shaping and the making of it," he said.
- Jeanne Gagnon
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News desk 
