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News Briefs: Monday, June 3, 2013
Complaint dismissed in transgender case
A human rights complaint by a transgender woman in Fort Smith has been dismissed.
Gabrielle Landrie had complained to the NWT Human Rights Commission that she was discriminated against when Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger asked her to leave an Aurora College hallway to be used by Governor General David Johnston during a 2011 visit. Miltenberger told Landrie and a friend their presence had "spooked" Johnston's security.
"In short, there is no nexus or connection proven between the words and actions taken by Mr. Miltenberger and Ms. Landrie's transgenderism," stated the May 27 decision by James R. Posynick of the NWT Human Rights Adjudication Panel, which held a hearing in Fort Smith in January.
Landrie claimed Miltenberger asked her to leave the college premises, and that was a denial of services prohibited under the NWT Human Rights Act. However, Miltenberger told the panel she was asked to leave the hallway, not the premises.
Miltenberger, the MLA for Thebacha, represented the GNWT at the college event, and the complaint was against him and the GNWT.
Landrie was seeking an apology.
- Paul Bickford
Committee hears ice-surface options
About 30 people gathered on May 28 in Fort Smith to consider options for the 2013-14 ice season following a May 13 fire at Centennial Arena.
Mayor Brad Brake said there is no change to the plan to keep the arena closed next winter.
The Town of Fort Smith is currently getting price estimates for an outdoor rink. The insurance from the arena fire includes $250,000 for loss of use, which could pay for an outdoor rink.
The options are being considered by a 12-member committee, which will make recommendations to town council.
- Paul Bickford
Meeting on drug and alcohol abuse in Fort Res
Deninu K'ue First Nation has called a community meeting for June 10 to discuss drug and alcohol abuse in Fort Resolution.
The First Nation has invited Health and Social Services Minister Tom Beaulieu, Justice Minister Glen Abernethy, and representatives of the RCMP, the Fort Resolution Metis Council, the Hamlet of Fort Resolution and the community wellness program.
The meeting will take place at Antoine Beaulieu Memorial Hall, beginning at 5 p.m. on June 10.
- Paul Bickford
Fort Resolution gets new garbage boxes
Deninu K'ue/Fort Resolution
A big step has been taken toward the beautification of Fort Resolution.
New garbage boxes were made in a carpentry training course offered by Deninu K'ue First Nation (DKFN) and have been distributed around the community.
"There were 180 made," said Chief Louis Balsillie. "It looks a lot better now because the garbage ain't flying around."
Balsillie said the garbage boxes have proper lids on them.
The month-long training course for four members of DKFN concluded last week.
It is hoped the training will help participants, all under the age of 30, when they explore career opportunities or post-secondary education.
- Paul Bickford
Open house for Education Week
Aklavik
Moose Kerr School was hosting its annual Education Week last week, which ran from May 27 to 31.
According to the school's administrative clerk, Bobbie Jo Greenland, the goal of the week was "to recognize the importance of education for all of us."
The week began with an open house at the school, and was to be followed by an annual general meeting on May 29.
On May 30, the school was scheduled to host an elders' luncheon, where students and staff were to serve a meal of recently-hunted geese to elders.
May 30 was also scheduled to be Take Your Parent to School Day.
May 31 was to feature Staff Appreciation Day, with teachers receiving awards based on nominations from students and the public.
Daily door prizes, including T-shirts, various gift cards to the Northern store and a donated grill were be handed out throughout the week.
- Cody Punter
Students honoured
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Students at Helen Kalvak School were getting ready to celebrate the end of the school year as the school prepared to hand out its year-end awards for academic achievements, attendance records and citizenship last week.
On May 29, 13 students from each home room between kindergarten to Grade 12 were to be awarded a certificate and got to choose from a selection of prizes, including fishing rods, gifts certificates, and other items, which were donated by the education authority.
On top of those awards, six names were to be drawn for larger prizes, including an iPod and a Wii gaming console.
The school also awards two $100 prizes to the student with the highest overall grades in both elementary and high school.
"After that, we're going on vacation," said acting principal Richard McKinnon.
- Cody Punter
Waiting for breakup
Aklavik
Residents of Aklavik were waiting for the results of the hamlet's 16th annual David Husky Memorial Ice Pool Contest last week.
Residents had from May 6 to May 20 to submit three guesses as to when the ice would begin to melt and shift downstream.
The competition is measured by a marker on the river in front of the water plant. The winner of the competition is the one whose guess is closest to the time and date when the marker drifts down river, and past a post in front of the Northern store.
Entry was free, and the winner receives $100 and a plaque. The winner's name will also be recorded next to the time the ice melted on a plaque at the Sittichinli Recreational Complex.
This year's contest featured 239 contestants and 717 guesses were registered with the hamlet.
- Cody Punter
Carnival time set to begin
Tuktoyaktuk
The people of Tuktoyaktuk were getting ready to announce the new prince and princess of this year's Baby Beluga Carnival last week, which was scheduled for May 31 to June 2.
Hunter Emaghok and Kennedy Lucas, Josh Campbell and Matti Lundrigan, and Florence Elias and Jakob Lafferty, were all in the running to be crowned prince and princess.
Each couple has spent the last month running loonie auctions, luncheons and selling raffle tickets to raise money for the recreation department.
The couple that raised the most money were to be crowned prince and princess of the carnival, with first, second and third place getting to keep 40 per cent, 30 per cent and 20 per cent of the money which they raised.
The carnival was also to feature a cash prize raffle with prizes of $500, $400, $300, as well as a separate raffle for a 120 cc Ski-Doo.
The carnival was set to also feature a talent show, a jigging contest, foot races, and other games throughout the weekend.
- Cody Punter
Connecting with culture on the land and water
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Deh Gah School is holding a spring culture camp at the winter crossing until June 5.
During the first two weeks of June, teacher Shanna Hagens will be leading a group of students from Fort Providence, Fort McPherson and the Hay River Reserve on a canoe trip along the Mackenzie River from Fort Providence to Wrigley.
Some students from Fort Providence, Fort Smith and Fort McPherson will be participating in a forest ecology camp at Sandy Lake from June 9 to 15.
Classes at the school will finish up on June 20.
- Roxanna Thompson
Fishing trip for youth
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
A group of young people was treated to a fishing trip May 23, as part of Sachs Harbour's King Gullivut program, which runs every Tuesday and Thursday.
Between eight and 10 students between the ages of five and 17 took part in the excursion, which was led by recreation co-ordinator Doreen Carpenter and recreation program co-ordinator Kyle Donovan.
Carpenter said the children fished "for cod, saw geese come in, built some snowmen and had a picnic."
She laughed when she said most of the children "were too busy playing and making snowmen to catch fish, but they still caught three."
Afterward, the participants filleted the three fish and fried them in batter, and enjoyed a hearty meal of fish and chips.
- Cody Punter
Fundraiser for Relay for Life
Thebacha/Fort Smith
One recent event in Fort Smith raised about $10,000 for the upcoming Relay for Life.
The mid-May fundraiser, which was called Fort Smith Uncorked, featured wine paired with different kinds of food in a five-course meal, along with an art auction.
The Relay for Life - an event to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society - is set for June 15.
- Paul Bickford
Town of Fort Smith bans all open fires
Thebacha/Fort Smith
On May 24, the Town of Fort Smith initiating a fire ban until further notice on all open fires.
The ban covers campfires, warming fires, fireworks, and the burning of trash and debris, but does not include gas barbecues.
In a news release, the town justified the ban by pointing to the hot weather, high winds and the potential for extreme fire conditions.
- Paul Bickford
Group rallies for gasoline storage
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
A community project in Kugluktuk is acting as a model for other communities around Nunavut. After the tragic death of a youth caused by gas inhalation, the community called a meeting to look into what they could do.
This group included the Hamlet of Kugluktuk's Wellness Staff, the Wellness Committee, various health personnel, educators, RCMP, the Ilavut correctional facility staff, the Kugluktuk Community Women's Group, an MLA representative and concerned community members.
"The majority of households in Kugluktuk did not have proper storage facilities for their gas cans and they are often easily accessible to youths," said Emilia Fredlund, who was a community wellness coordinator at the time.
"Between January and March, local carpenters built 121 lockable gas boxes which the Hamlet Wellness Department gave out to community members for free to ensure the proper and safe storage of gas/propane. They were painted a bright safety yellow and a padlock was supplied with the box."
- Danielle Sachs
Scholarships available
Nunavut
The deadline for the Upinnaqtuq awards given out by the Nunavut Law Foundation has been extended until June 21.
This is the third year the foundation has been awarding $500 scholarships to Nunavummiut students and youth.
The 2012 winners were Neevee Jaw from Cape Dorset, Ooleessee Akeeagok from Grise Fiord, Sylvain Degrasse Jr. from Qikiqtarjuaq and Alookie Korgak from Iqaluit.
- Danielle Sachs
New hamlet office
Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island
Qikiqtarjuaq's new hamlet office is currently under construction and is slated to be completed in October this year.
Construction for the combined community hall and hamlet office began in last July and the cost of the project is approximately $7.6 million.
It is joint-funded between the Government of Nunavut and the federal government, through the Building Canada Fund.
- Myles Dolphin
Flood concerns
Kimmirut/Lake Harbour
Kimmirut senior administrative officer Saqiqtaq Temela is concerned about flooding as the spring meltdown takes place in the community.
No flash floods have been reported thus far and town officials are keeping a close eye on creeks in the town, monitoring them in case of overflow.
"There isn't as much water as last year," Temela said.
Last year, flash floods damaged a public housing duplex at the beginning of May.
Muddy puddles have formed and Temela sends a warning to Kimmirut families, asking them to keep their children away from areas with quick water flows.
"We've been thinking about installing more culverts," he said.
- Myles Dolphin
Dedication to the arts
Kinngait/Cape Dorset
The arts room at Peter Pitseolak School will be officially dedicated to the late artist Kenojuak Ashevak at 7 p.m. June 3. Principal Mike Soares revamped the arts program earlier this school year, saying that a community such as Cape Dorset with a reputation for art needed a school program that was reflective of the importance and contribution of the arts.
Members of Ashevak's family are expected to be in attendance at the official dedication ceremony.
- Danielle Sachs
Farewell to former principal
Kugaaruk/Pelly Bay
Outgoing teacher and former principal Al Grimes was honoured with a slideshow presentation during graduation ceremonies at Kugaaruk Illihakvik school last week.
Grimes is leaving Kugaaruk after 13 years, leaving behind a wealth of memories and stories of his dedication to the community.
- Danielle Sachs
Fishing fun
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
Hundreds of dollars in prizes were handed out during the Victoria Day long weekend when Hall Beach held its annual fishing derby.
Open to everyone, from elders to children, more than $8,000 worth of prizes were given out, said recreation co-ordinator Lena Kautaq.
The fishing derby ran from May 16 to 20. Mary Kuppaq won first place and $5,000 for largest fish in the adult category. Second place was Lydia Arvaluk and third was Enoki Irqittuq. They took home $2,000 and $1,000. Coming in fourth for a prize of round-trip airline tickets and $500 was Danny Arvaluk.
Wally Issigaitok won $400 for coming in first in the kids category. Noah Aglak and Abigail Allianaq came in second and third, winning $200 and $100 respectively.
- Danielle Sachs
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