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News Briefs: Monday, February 11, 2013
Snowmobile drives into Northern store
RCMP in Fort Good Hope responded to a collision involving a snowmobile and a pickup truck on Feb. 5 at about 4:50 p.m. where alcohol and speed are believed to be factors.
According to a press release, the driver and a passenger of the snowmobile were travelling near the Northern store, struck a parked truck and then hit the Northern store building.
The driver, a 37-year-old man from Whitehorse, sustained injuries and was medevaced to Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife. The male passenger, who is from the community, was treated at the community's health centre and released.
The driver is in stable condition, according to RCMP. Neither person riding on the snowmobile were wearing helmets at the time of the collision. The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been laid as of press deadline.
- Katherine Hudson
Former Tuk corp. chair to be sentenced for theft
The former chair of Tuktoyaktuk's Community Corporation pleaded guilty to theft of more than $5,000 from the corporation and will face sentencing on March 13 in the community.
The charge states that Robert B. Gruben stole the money on or between Jan. 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.
Gruben was replaced as chair in August 2010 after an election.
- Katherine Hudson
Enterprise to consider animal control bylaw
The hamlet council of Enterprise decided at it Feb. 6 meeting to look at creating an animal control bylaw.
The hamlet currently has no such bylaw.
Administration will start working on a draft of a bylaw, which will go to council for first reading and then go to public consultation.
- Paul Bickford
Burning to stop at Enterprise landfill
The Hamlet of Enterprise has decided to stop the practice of burning some garbage at its landfill.
Hamlet council passed a motion to that effect on Feb. 6 on the recommendation of senior administrative officer Terry Testart.
"I don't think we should light fires in the dump. I've been involved with dump fires and they're very dangerous," he said, adding they're hard to fight and expensive to put out.
The hamlet had a burn area at the landfill for some non-hazardous material. Signs will be erected at the landfill to advise the public of the new policy against burning.
- Paul Bickford
Handgames champions
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
The Arctic Red River team returned home victorious from the Chief Albert Wright School and Tulita Band handgames tournament in Tulita.
The event took place Feb. 1 to 3 with a team of six boys led by captain Jared Blake and coach Jolene McCarthy, placing first out of 15 teams.
"They were really good as a team," said McCarthy, adding the team was also given encouragement and guidance from the Fort Good Hope Drummers.
The team was considered the underdog as the tournament got underway Friday and Saturday, but after five strong games Sunday, they had moved up the boards to play the undefeated Deline team in the finals, McCarthy said.
"Because Deline never lost one game in the tournament they had to beat them twice to win. And they did that," she said. "So it was really exciting."
Each team member went home with an iPad and cash prize.
- Thandiwe Vela
Literacy testing highlights
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
Literacy test results came in for Chief Paul Niditchie School students last week, with the top-scoring students recognized at an assembly Feb. 5.
Grade 4 student Breeanna Lennie had the top grade on the benchmark test, which was administered to students up to Grade 9 over the last two weeks.
"She's way above her grade level," said principal Darcy Douglas, who awarded Lennie with the school currency Darcy Dollars and "a nod of approval."
Also recognized at the Feb. 5 assembly was one student in each division from kindergarten to Grade 9 for good attendance in the month of January.
Students Connor Andre-Norbert, Thomas Norbert, and Danieka Lennie were awarded for excellent attendance.
- Thandiwe Vela
Big bash in the works
Ulukhaktok/Holman
A number of Holman community groups are banding together to throw a celebration this month for the hamlet's staff.
Members of the hamlet council, elders council, and vestry committee of the Anglican church were scheduled to meet Feb. 5 to discuss details of the event, which will possibly take place on Valentine's Day, said Coun. Agnes Kuptana.
"At the moment, we're gearing up for one big celebration," Kuptana said. "What we try to do as a community is try to work together and support one another, although we're different organizations, for cost. As you can see, our food prices way up here are higher than what you see at Extra Foods in Yellowknife or anywhere else."
Details for the event are set to be finalized by next week.
- Thandiwe Vela
Hoop dreams
Ulukhaktok/Holman
A group of students in the community are polishing off their basketball skills in anticipation of a major tournament this month.
A team of six boys from Helen Kalvak School will be travelling from the community to Yellowknife for the NWT Power Corp. Junior Cager event, taking place Feb. 15 to 17.
"They're all very excited. We're just excited to get the opportunity to meet some other students at other schools and get a chance to travel to Yellowknife," said sports co-ordinator Mike Haslett, adding the travel has been made possible by a number of community donations.
"We've had a lot of support from the community, which is great," he said. "It's going to be a real exciting month."
- Thandiwe Vela
Spring carnival set in Fort Resolution
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
The dates have been set for the annual spring carnival in Fort Resolution.
The Hamlet of Fort Resolution Spring Carnival will be held from March 21 to 24.
Among the numerous events, a carnival king and queen will be crowned. In addition, there will be a carnival prince and princess for children 15 years of age and under.
- Paul Bickford
Pancakes for supper in Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
St. John's Anglican Church in Fort Smith will be holding a pancake supper on Feb. 12.
This year, that date is Shrove Tuesday, which is also known as Pancake Day, Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday.
Shrove Tuesday precedes Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent - a six-week period when many Christians fast or choose to go without certain luxuries.
The pancake supper will be held at the Anglican Church Hall from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund of the Anglican Church of Canada.
- Paul Bickford
Wood Buffalo Frolics in Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Wood Buffalo Frolics, the annual winter carnival in Fort Smith, is due to take place this year from March 8 to 10.
Each year, the carnival features many family-friendly activities.
Wood Buffalo Frolics began in the early 1970s by the now defunct Fort Smith Lions Club.
It is now presented by a committee of citizens with the help of various organizations in the community.
- Paul Bickford
Money raised in memory of Qavavau Merritt
Kinngait/Cape Dorset
The death of the son of a teacher at Sam Pudlat School has prompted the school to raise money for the hospital where he was treated in Ottawa.
Five-year-old Qavavau Merritt was a kindergarten student at the school, the son of loving parents Caroline and Cary Merritt. He died of cancer on Feb. 1.
Principal John Wilson said students, teachers and staff are raising money for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa from Feb. 4 to 14. He said they are aiming to collect $1,000 through donations and a bake sale. Qavavau had been treated at CHEO over the last few years, said Wilson.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Still no plea in manslaughter charge
Iqaluit
A manslaughter case that has appeared before court now 14 times will "one more time be put over," said Justice Robert Kilpatrick in the Nunavut Court of Justice on Feb. 4.
The case against Alec Petooloosie, charged with manslaughter over a year ago in connection with the death of his uncle, 36-year-old Matthew Petooloosie, has been going from assignment court to assignment court as both Crown and defence lawyers await further RCMP Major Crimes Unit investigation.
Court heard last week that investigations are now complete but not yet received by the defence. The case will be before court again March 4 for defence lawyer Glen Wilson to make an election of plea. Wilson said he will be ready, barring any extraordinary circumstances.
- Peter Worden
'Huge expense' for Baker Lake trial
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
A judge-alone trial for RCMP Const. Justin Michael Dickens, 31, accused of sexual assault, is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 20 to 23 in Baker Lake.
The Crown plans to call five civilian witnesses and five officers. Justice Robert Kilpatrick asked if the trial could be shortened to one or two days to fit within a regular circuit court "as opposed to incurring the huge expense" of flying to Baker Lake solely for the purposes of the trial.
Defence and Crown lawyers agreed they will keep the court informed before the trial if and when facts are agreed upon by both parties, based on witness testimony.
- Peter Worden
More wi-fi for Nunavut
Iqaluit
Iqaluit has a few more free wi-fi Internet hot spots for residents wishing to stream videos or use the Internet.
Hamilton-based Juch-Tech Inc. is providing free wi-fi Internet at various locations in the territorial capital in partnership with Iqaluit-based Coman Arctic Ltd. The satellite communications industry company uses SES's AMC-9 satellite to provide the wi-fi in Iqaluit, explained Walt Juchniewicz, president and chief executive officer of Juch-Tech.
Northwestel and SSI Micro use Telesat's Anik F2 satellite to provide most of their services to their clients in the North.
"We are planning to go to the communities but we will get set up here first, make sure it's running smoothly and then expand," said Coman Arctic president and CEO Heather Coman. "It's a definite need for our
community, for the territory."
- Jeanne Gagnon
39 cases of influenza confirmed
Nunavut
Thirty-nine cases of influenza are now confirmed in the territory, stated Nunavut's chief medical officer of health.
"The rate of influenza-like illness, which is an indicator of influenza activity, has been slightly elevated for the last few weeks and is holding steady."
Another virus, the respiratory syncytial virus, is circulating in the Kivalliq and the Kitikmeot regions. The virus, which mostly affects infants, can cause a respiratory illness called bronchiolitis, stated Baikie.
The symptoms include runny nose, cough, difficult or rapid breathing, wheezing, fever and no interest in food or play.
Nunavummiut are reminded to cover their cough, wash their hands before and after touching babies and avoid kissing small children, stated Baikie.
It's not too late to get the flu shot, reminded Baikie.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Computer program running
Qausuittuq/Resolute
Students and residents will get a chance to improve their computer skills and have access to more information as the community access program is operational as of Jan. 28 in the Qarmartalik School library.
Principal Vince Pickett stated the service will enable residents to access information for research as well as access more services and training. The programs run weekly, Monday to Saturday.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Pang polar bear quota up
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Pangnirtung hunters have been putting their names in a draw held at the hunters and trappers organization office for one of 24 polar bear tags to be handed out this year.
Hunters and trappers chairman Noah Mosesee said three names were drawn last week, and if no polar bear is caught, then they will draw again this week.
"They have four days try (to) hunt, and if they don't catch one, we'll do the draw again for different hunters," he said.
In the fall, the organization drew five hunters' names and a month later three more. The organization will continue to draw names until it reaches its quota of 24, which is up from 19 in previous years.
- Peter Worden
Temporary power-down
Sanikiluaq
A leak atop one of Sanikiluaq's two diesel-powered electricity generators caused oil to smoke and burn and temporarily shut down half of the hamlet's power supply last week, according to Charlie Cookie at the power plant.
Sanikiluarmiut were asked to refrain from using their microwaves, ovens, dryers and other unnecessary drains on electricity so as to not overload the single generator for at least 24 hours last Monday.
"It was only one for awhile, but the mechanic is here and everything is all right and back to normal again," said Cookie on Tuesday. "We're using two generators again now."
- Peter Worden
Daycare program running
Qausuittuq/Resolute
Resolute now has an early education program, an initiative the district education authority started in Qarmartalik School on Feb. 4.
Four children are registered with the program, which is geared toward children ages 4 to 12, said principal Vincent Pickett. He said the school hopes to increase enrollment to eight children once another instructor is hired.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Return of the sun festival
Iglulik
Iglulik's annual celebration to welcome the sun's return is scheduled for Feb. 15 to 19.
The return-of-the-sun festival was delayed about one month this year as the elders' committee, which usually organizes the event, has been inactive for three to four months. The festival was originally scheduled for Jan. 11 to 14, when the sun actually returns, but this year, it will be Feb. 15 to 19 with a hiatus on Sunday.
Benedicte Uttak, secretary of the Tuukkaq Society, said activities include an opening ceremony, events showcasing the Inuit traditional way of life such as iglu building demonstrations, ajaja songs, throatsongs and drum dances. A community feast is planned for Feb. 19, she added.
"We are expecting the community to come and see the celebration," said Uttak.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Gymnasium by candlelight
Kimmirut/Lake Harbour
Love is in the air at Qaqqalik School - or is it just the smell of spaghetti and meatballs?
The halls are decorated with pink and red hearts and the school's "no candy" policy has been temporarily repealed so students can deliver cards and candy grams this Valentine's Day.
The school's five 2013 graduates are raising money for their June graduation by selling tickets at $25 each for a Valentine's supper Feb. 13 of spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread.
"It will be a nice little get together," said principal Ron Pate. "The tables will have candlelight and table cloths. We have a cooking program at the school so some students will serve."
The school will also host an open community breakfast the next morning.
- Peter Worden
Gear donation
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Hockey official Lindsey Juniper will be bringing more than his whistle when he arrives in Rankin Inlet to help officiate the Polar Bear Plate juvenilejunior tournament this week.
Juniper will be bringing six large containers of used hockey equipment to be given to players in the Rankin Inlet Minor Hockey Association or any visiting minor hockey players from other Kivalliq communities.
The gear was donated by the Grande Prairie Minor Hockey Association in Grande Prairie, Alta.
Sakku First Aviation volunteered to transport the gear to Rankin.
All of the equipment donated to Rankin will be suitable for children ages 5 to 12 years.
- Darrell Greer
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News desk 
