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Trial for porn charges

Enough evidence exists to warrant a Supreme Court trial for Hugues Latour, a former Inuvik teacher who faces four charges relating to child pornography

Latour appeared in territorial court in Inuvik on Nov. 21 for a preliminary inquiry on two charges of possessing child porn and two charges of making it.

The preliminary inquiry, held in French over two days, was closed to the public and media in order to protect the witnesses and in the interest of public morality, ruled Judge Christine Gagnon.

Latour has been in jail since he was arrested in September 2011.

He has lived in Inuvik since 2007 and taught grades 5 and 6 at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School. He also worked as Samuel Hearne Secondary School's French immersion teacher. He has not worked at either school since winter 2010.

- Danielle Sachs

Police seekaboriginal officers

The RCMP is holding its second pilot project to recruit aboriginal officers across the NWT and applicants have until Dec. 31 to apply.

"The reason behind the Aboriginal Community Policing project is it's the RCMP's effort to provide policing services that are sensitive to linguistic and cultural needs within aboriginal communities," said Cpl. Tammy McKenzie, proactive recruiter for the RCMP in the NWT.

"It provides an opportunity for members of the aboriginal community to return home and actually police in their home communities."

Last year the introduction of the pilot project resulted in seven recruits joining the 21-week training program in Regina. This year that number had already risen to nine applicants as of late last week.

For more information, contact the RCMP in Yellowknife.

- Svjetlana Mlinarevic

Reminder to drive safely

The national day of remembrance for road crash victims was marked by the GNWT on Nov. 21. Transportation Minister David Ramsay reminded NWT motorists to always be cautious when driving.

So far this year there have been two fatalities on the territory's roads.

Most injuries or deaths resulting from an accident happen because people aren't wearing their seatbelt, they're driving while impaired, they're driving too fast for road and weather conditions, or they're taking risks.

"By obeying speed limits, wearing seatbelts, and avoiding distractions, we can do our part to make NWT roads the safest in North America," Ramsay stated in a news release.

- Miranda Scotland

Three elders mourned

Paulatuk

Angik School was closed down for a few days during the week of Nov. 12-16 due to a blizzard.

Students were also out of school to mourn the passing of three elders: Charlie Ruben, Anny Illasiak and Adam Ruben.

Meanwhile, hunters in the community have been pretty successful so far this season, according the Hunters and Trappers Committee. Residents have killed caribou and caught char while ice fishing. The community is limited to 129 caribou tags a year and a quota of 2,000 char, including 300 char which go to elders.

A polar bear was recently spotted in Paulatuk. According to a community member, the bears don't normally come into the town.

- Miranda Scotland

Blast from the past

Tuktoyaktuk

The community was transported back to the 1950s and 1960s on Nov. 17 with a rockin' dance at Kitti Hall. The event, which was part of National Addictions Awareness Week, was reportedly well-attended. And the fun continued Nov. 22 with a kids night at 7 p.m. Then on the evening of Nov. 23 there was scheduled to be a community feast at the hall.

Meanwhile, the Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation is gearing up for an election on Dec. 10. At that time, members will be able to vote for three directors and a chairperson. Voting will take place at Kitti Hall.

- Miranda Scotland

Protective netting consideredfor arena

Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson

Acting on a request from the Fort Simpson Men's Rec Hockey Association, the village is examining the possibility of getting protective netting for the arena.

The association sent the village a letter in which it called the lack of netting around the ice rink a, "considerable safety issue." The danger lies in stray pucks coming over the Plexiglas and into the spectator stands.

Sebastien Goyer said inquiries are being made into the price of netting, and after obtaining the council's permission, he hopes to have the project finished before Christmas.

- Roxanna Thompson

Pancakes and snowmen

Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson

The community was scheduled to celebrate National Addiction Awareness Week, starting with a pancake breakfast on Nov. 18.

A poster contest was set to be judged at Chief Julius School from 2 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 22. A snowman-making contest was to follow at 7 p.m. The adults were to build snowmen at the band office while the kids contest took place at Hannah's Field. On Nov. 23, there was be an open house at the band office with traditional games on the agenda. Later in the evening, the recreation centre was to host a teen dance from 9 to 11 p.m. The week of awareness was scheduled to conclude Nov. 24 with a community feast and the presentation of Queen Diamond Jubilee Awards at the recreation centre.

- Miranda Scotland

Strapping on the skis

Tthenaago/Nahanni Butte

Elementary students at Charles Yohin School have been cross-country skiing around the school yard.

Work has been done to the local ski trails to potentially get the students on the trails as early as this week.

- Roxanna Thompson

Youth curfew and sirenup for debate

Inuvik

The Town of Inuvik is once again examining its curfew bylaw and whether to use a siren in an attempt to enforce it.

The bylaw governs those under age 16, requiring them to be inside from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and an hour later on Fridays and Saturdays.

The curfew has not been enforced and is actually unenforceable according to the courts, said Mayor Floyd Roland.

"If there isn't a way of enforcing a bylaw, should it even continue as an item?" he asked at the Nov. 14 meeting of town council.

With or without the bylaw, some councillors said the siren might be a good idea if only to let the kids know what time it was.

"A lot of parents at the time thought it might be helpful as a reminder if the siren were to go off," said Coun. Alana Mero.

"The intent was to look at the cost of reinstalling the sirens because all the infrastructure was removed," said Coun. Jim McDonald.

- Danielle Sachs

Pizza planned for family night

Tsiigehtchic

It was a week of awareness in Tsiigehtchic with events happening in honour of National Addiction Awareness Week. The effort kicked off with a number of events, including a church service, lunch, family sledding and nutrition bingo. More activities were expected throughout the week. On Nov. 22 at 6 p.m., there was a family night with pizza, reading and games at the Chief Paul Niditchie School gym. The following day at 10 a.m. residents were welcomed back to enjoy breakfast. And later, at 1:30 p.m., visitors were free to join elders for coffee, tea and snacks at the school.

- Miranda Scotland

Part-time mayor, same size council

Hay River

The mayor's job will remain as a part-time position and the number of town councillors will hold at eight, the recently-elected town council voted unanimously at its Nov. 19 meeting.

Two questions were posed on the Oct. 15 municipal election ballot asking the public if council should be reduced to six seats and if the mayor should be made full time. The majority voted yes to the downsizing of council - 601 to 575 - while 701 were opposed to making the mayor's position full time compared to 459 in favour.

- Angele Cano

Missing man found dead

Taloyoak/Spence Bay

A man missing for one week in Taloyoak has been found dead near the community's airport.

Putuguk Jayko, 52, who had been reported missing on Nov. 17, was last seen leaving the community for a cabin about six kilometres away, according to an RCMP press release. It adds searchers found Jayko's snowmobile on Nov. 18 between the cabin and the hamlet. Search team volunteers continued looking for Jayko for the past week. On Nov. 23, at about 4:30 p.m., searchers found human remains approximately 1.5 km from the airport, stated police.

The Office of the Chief Coroner has taken over the investigation for positive identification.

Police stated they have notified Jayko's family of the discovery.

"The Taloyoak RCMP members would like to thank the local search volunteers that exceeded 20 members at times for their tenacious effort and long hours in grueling temperatures," stated the RCMP.

It adds the community, which provided food and supplies, the hamlet office and Nunavut Emergency Management all appreciate the volunteers' assistance.

- Jeanne Gagnon

Five more years for manslaughter

Iqaluit

Jimmy Nowdlak will serve five more years in federal prison for a vicious September 2008 sexual assault that led to the death of a Pond Inlet woman.

Nowdlak, 29, previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of 57-year-old Maria Amarualik. Injuries from the 2008 attack led to Amarualik's death in hospital Aug. 29, 2010.

On the night of the attack Nowdlak had been drinking and told a friend he wanted to beat someone up. Amarualik, who was in Iqaluit for a medical appointment, had left her room at the medical boarding residence, intending to walk over to her sister's to console her after experiencing a family tragedy. She never arrived.

She was attacked behind Inuksuk High School, taken to the ground with such force her dentures were dislodged. She was beaten, dragged roughly 50 feet and sexually assaulted. A bystander heard Amarualik scream and came to her aid. The attack upset the community so much a public safety community was formed.

Justice Robert Kilpatrick stated in his court decision, released Nov. 15: "There may not be any real explanation for Mr. Nowdlak's violence beyond his own anger and history of self-destructive substance abuse," and that, "(Amarualik) was unlucky enough to be present when Mr. Nowdlak exploded."

Since Nowdlak has been in police custody for the attack since February 2009, he was given two-for-one credit on time served. The additional five-year sentence handed down by Kilpatrick will bring his total sentence to 12 years.

- Peter Worden

Three charged in jail arson

Iqaluit

Seven inmates at Baffin Correctional Centre made an appearance in court Nov. 23 in connection with a fire at the jail two weeks ago.

Willie Ishulutak, Herbert Janes and Sylvester Tarraq were charged with arson and aggravated assault. Four others - Geteonie Kopalie, Anawalkooloo Michael, Arnaitok Nuvaqiq and William Auksaq - were charged with aggravated assault in the same incident.

On Nov. 12, shortly after 10 p.m., fire broke out in the washroom ceiling of the dormitory area. The Iqaluit Fire Department extinguished the small fire when a second started in the facility's gymnasium. Fire crews ordered the evacuation of BCC. RCMP and correctional staff moved some inmates to a fenced-in area of the facility, some were taken to Arctic College's gymnasium and other to holding cells at the police detachment.

The building was cleared for reoccupation by 2:30 a.m. No injuries were reported.

- Peter Worden

Seal ban in appeal court

Nunavut

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami has finished presenting its case to the European Court of Justice, part of ongoing efforts to challenge the European Union's ban on seal products, and is now waiting on the court's decision.

Officials representing the territorial government, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami were at the European Court of Justice on Nov. 20 to attend the appeal hearing of a decision the EU general court rendered this past September, which ruled ITK and the other appeal applicants cannot challenge the EU seal ban as they are not affected by ban under EU law. If the appeal is successful, it will allow them to proceed with the application to cancel the EU seal ban.

ITK president Terry Audla stated the organization is happy with the opportunity to represent Inuit on this matter and present their position. NTI acting president James Eetoolook stated the corporation hopes the court recognizes this "injustice" and hopes ITK and others will be granted access to the European Union courts to present the case on its merits.

The EU placed a ban on trade in seal products in July 2009, raising an uproar among Inuit organizations and prompting the federal government to try to overturn the decision. It is currently challenging the ban on seal products through the World Trade Organization.

- Jeanne Gagnon

MLA's spouse pleads guilty to assault

Iqaluit

Ezevalla Qatsiya, 29, was sentenced to 12 months probation after assaulting her common-law husband, South Baffin MLA Fred Schell.

Qatsiya, who had originally pleaded not guilty last June, voluntarily changed her plea last-minute to guilty. This marks her third conviction for an assault on Schell since 2007.

On Nov. 19, court heard in a statement of facts that Qatsiya had been drinking whiskey Apr. 10 around 3 a.m and talking loudly on the phone. This woke Schell who poured the rest of the bottle down the sink. Qatsiya bit him on the bicep.

Crown and defence lawyers agreed on sentencing, which includes 12-month of probation to keep the peace and be of good behaviour; have no contact with Schell or her two children while under the influence of alcohol and to stay at least 50 metres from her home while under the influence of alcohol. The defence informed court that Qatsiya and Schell, who have been together 10 years, will resume their relationship and intend to raise their children together.

Justice Robert Kilpatrick had stern words of advice for Qatsiya, taking time to note that most homicide cases he hears in court stem from domestic violence, and that behind repeated acts of violence is a breach of trust. Being Qatsiya's third such conviction, Kilpatrick said she "came very close" to serving time behind bars.

"You have a duty to provide a safe, warm and happy home for your children to grow up in," he said, explaining if their children see disrespect, violence and alcoholism, they will repeat that behaviour. "Children are like a sponge. As a mother it's your responsibility to model good behaviour."

- Peter Worden

Yacht owner pays liquor fines

Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay

An Australian yacht owner has paid $10,000 in fines based on two Nunavut Liquor Act charges.

On Sept. 7, RCMP searched the luxury yacht Fortrus, moored outside Cambridge Bay, seizing 200 bottles of liquor of various sizes with an estimated street value of $40,000, stated police in a press release. Yacht owner Paul McDonald forfeited about $15,000 of illegal fireworks, police added.

Cambridge Bay RCMP had received a complaint of a distraught young person, explained RCMP Sgt. Kevin Lewis. Upon investigation, it was alleged the young person was most likely given alcohol while on board that yacht. As a result, police boarded the boat, seized liquor and eventually charged McDonald under the Liquor Act, said Lewis. McDonald was charged with providing liquor to a minor under the age of 19 and being in possession of liquor other than when authorized, both offences under the territorial Liquor Act.

The Hamlet of Cambridge Bay has informed the RCMP McDonald paid the total fines of $10,000 on Oct. 29, stated police.

- Jeanne Gagnon

Legislature renovation details emerge

Nunavut

Renovations to the chambers of the legislative assembly to accommodate three additional members will cost some $1.5 million.

The renovations are necessary after the passing of a bill to increase the number of MLAs to 22 from 19 was passed.

Of the approximately $2.3 million total amount allocated to renovate the legislative assembly, $800,000 has already been spent renovating the first floor to accommodate additional offices for regular members. About $400,000 has been set aside for future security upgrades to the building, heard the committee, while the remaining $1.5 million or so is earmarked to renovate the chambers after the conclusion of the spring sitting.

During the renovations to the chambers, the legislative assembly building would remain open and functional while the chambers would be closed to tourists, heard the committee. The renovation phase would likely be from May to August but the exact schedule or how long it will take is still undecided. Nunavummiut will head to the polls to elect the fourth legislative assembly on Oct. 28.

- Jeanne Gagnon

Dozer goes through ice

Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet

It took a few hours and a few CAT front-end loaders to haul a bulldozer that fell through sea ice and sank up to its cab last Tuesday back onto dry land. Families watched the unusual heavy equipment spectacle from the shoreline.

Mayor Jaykolasie Killiktee explained that boats and snowmobiles were having a hard time accessing the bay and shore, so the heavy equipment operator - who was not injured in the plunge - had been asked to help push the ice and snow away from the shoreline. The hamlet's mechanic will now work on the machine and it is expected to be salvageable.

- Peter Worden

More foxes raise rabies concerns

Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay

A fox-spotting near the town's Northern store has again raised concerns of the risk of rabies foxes pose. Witnesses said the fox seen in town seemed to have no fear of humans, which is often a telltale sign of the disease.

"A lot of people also don't like to see a lot of foxes because if there are a lot of foxes it means there will be a lot less seal pups; there's more predation," said hamlet economic development officer Clare Kines. As Kines explained, fox populations fluctuate a fair amount from year to year, but there have been a good number of both red and Arctic foxes this fall.

More foxes is good news at least for hunters and trappers who can make use of the fur.

With the possibility rabies will infect dogs, owners are reminded to always keep their pets leashed and abide vaccination requirements.

- Peter Worden

Hall construction stopped

Iglulik

A broken crane has halted construction of Iglulik's new community hall, according to the hamlet's assistant senior administrative officer.

Celestino Uyarak said Kudlik Construction, in its first of three years building the new community hall, has stopped working on the project because of a broken crane.

The crane needs a new part that has to be shipped in, explained Hillary Casey, a spokeswoman with the Department of Community and Government Services.

"Since the earliest the crane could be fixed was close to the December holiday break, the contractor decided to finish early and then return in the spring," she said. "It doesn't impact the project's anticipated completion date, which is still for the end of October 2013."

She said the department will do more of the work in the spring to compensate for the lost time.

Uyarak said hamlet councillors are worried about possible damage and mould the partially completed building left exposed to the elements could suffer in subsequent years. He noted the old community hall has suffered mould damage.

"The councillors have concerns about our new community hall that was being built but not covered yet but still left behind wide open to the weather extremes or others. They're concerned about the damage," explained Uyarak.

Kudlik Construction could not be reached for comment.

- Jeanne Gagnon

Fox sightings down; spot picked for hamlet office

Kugaaruk/Pelly Bay

Kugaaruk's fox situation seems under control and the hamlet has chosen a location for its new office.

The community had seen more foxes than usual for the past two to three weeks but lately the number of sightings has dropped, said Greg Holitzki, the hamlet's senior administrative officer.

"It seems to be more in control. We haven't seen too many of them lately," he said. "We're happy they're staying out of the community."

A proposed new hamlet office will be constructed across the street from the current one, by the arena, pending soil testing results, said Holitzki. The proposed location is the only piece of land left for development in Kugaaruk, he said.

"The property we're looking to move into is the old fuel tank farm," said Holitzki. "It has been remediated but there was a couple of little spots that had red marks on it still so we have to have it tested."

He said the testing, to ensure the land is safe to build on, will be done this summer.

The final design is still undecided but the new hamlet office building will have a gymnasium attached, said Holitzki. The current hamlet office is 30 years old, he said, and mould remediation has been conducted on it but there are still issues with the roof.

- Jeanne Gagnon

New national park proposed

Qausuittuq/Resolute

Nunavut could soon have its fifth national park as a proposed park on Bathurst Island is in the final approval process.

The proposed Qausuittuq National Park would encompass a good portion of the northwestern area of the island as well as four neighbouring islands. The park, a former home of the North magnetic pole, would protect the endangered Peary caribou, according to Parks Canada information.

The proposed national park is also located north of the existing Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area, a protected area the Canadian Wildlife Service manages.

The idea for the park was first proposed to the Resolute Hunters and Trappers Organization in 1994. The process then moved along with feasibility studies and other regulatory requirements. Parks Canada then held an information session on the proposed national park in Resolute two years ago, with some community residents participating in a field trip to Bathurst Island.

Parks Canada and Qikiqtani Inuit Association are now finalizing the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement, a necessary document for such endeavours under the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement.

Both Iqaluit and Resolute residents will get a chance to learn more about the proposed national park during information sessions on Nov. 27 in Iqaluit and Nov. 29 in Resolute.

- Jeanne Gagnon

Rider application

Kivalliq/Nunavut

The Qulliq Energy Corp. (QEC) has filed a request with the minister responsible for Qulliq Energy Corp., Lorne Kusugak, to levy a fuel stabilization rider in all Nunavut communities at 4.13 cents per kilowatt hour.

The QEC application is under review by the Utility Rates Review Council.

All funds collected from the fuel stabilization rider are placed in a fuel stabilization fund which addresses only fuel cost, and does not incorporate any other QEC expenses.

- Darrell Greer

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