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News Briefs: Monday, September 9, 2013
Truck collides with pedestrian in Yk
At about 10 p.m. on Sept. 5, a male pedestrian was struck by a
pickup truck near the Petro Canada card lock on Old Airport Road, across the street from the Yellowknife Co-op Store.
According to an RCMP news release, the pedestrian was wearing dark clothing and stepped onto the road into the path of the vehicle and the driver was unable to avoid the collision.
An investigation determined the driver was sober, although "alcohol was a factor in relation to the pedestrian's actions." No charges are expected in relation to the incident. The pedestrian was medevaced to Edmonton in critical condition.
- Laura Busch
Photographer at Wood Buffalo
This week, the Thebacha and Wood Buffalo Astronomical Society and Wood Buffalo National Park will be featuring a presentation from author, journalist, photographer, adventurer and wilderness astronomer Peter McMahon.
His free presentation will begin at 7 p.m. on Sept. 11 in the Wood Buffalo National Park Theatre. McMahon, who lives in Ontario, is an award-winning science journalist who has worked for CTV News and the Discovery Channel, and has written for numerous publications.
- Paul Bickford
More spent building homes
The amount of money being spent on the construction of new homes in the NWT has increased by more than 500 per cent over the past year, according to a release from Statistics Canada. Nearly $2.37 million was spent on the construction of new dwellings in the territory during June of this
year. This is a large increase from June 2012, when under $390,000 was spent.
Nationwide, less is being spent on home building, with $3.78 billion being spent in June of this year across Canada, a decrease from $4.05 billion the previous year.
- Graeme McNaughton
Welcome Week at Thebacha Campus
Thebacha Campus of Aurora College is holding a welcome week from Sept. 9 to 13 for new and returning students.
Activities throughout the week at the Fort Smith campus
will include a welcome ceremony with a guest elder, a Dene handgames demonstration, a community services fair, a family hike and cookout, a barbecue, lunches and a feast.
- Paul Bickford
Premier won't seek another term
Iqaluit
Premier Eva Aariak announced Sept. 5 that she will run for re-election as Iqaluit East MLA in the Oct. 28 territorial election but will not let her name stand for selection as premier by other elected MLAs.
Aariak, 58, was elected in 2008 and was subsequently chosen to take over as Nunavut's second premier in the consensus government, succeeding Nunavut's first premier Paul Okalik, who held that position for nine years after the formation of the territory in 1999.
Aariak told reporters that it was "an honour and privilege" to serve Nunavummiut as premier and suggested MLAs who throw their hats in the ring for selection as premier be aware of the large time commitment required to do the job.
Most recently, Aariak pushed for face-to-face negotiations on devolution with the federal government to get underway during a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper during his tour of the North last month. She also called for Ottawa's support for a hydro plant in Iqaluit to reduce the capital city's dependency on diesel-generated energy and touched on the need for the federal government to take action on marine infrastructure.
Candidates in the territorial election have until 2 p.m. Sept. 27 to register a declaration of candidacy with Elections Nunavut.
- NNSL staff
Funding for violence prevention
Ottawa
The federal government has given $300,000 to Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada to run a two-year project focusing on engaging Inuit males in reducing violence against females.
Part of the project will involve a survey to help Pauktuutit better understand some of the root causes of violence.
The organization will also be working with men in Nunavut and Nunavik to create a resource manual for men's groups on the topic.
"Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada is doing all it can to prevent violence against Inuit women and girls," stated Pauktuutit president Rebecca Kudloo in a news release. "We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada on this project to engage local men and boys in confronting and eliminating gender-based violence in the community."
- Miranda Scotland
Aglukkaq visits Oslo museum
Oslo, Norway
Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq, the minister responsible for the Arctic Council and the chairperson of the Arctic Council, visited the Fram museum last week in Oslo to speak about Canada's chairmanship of the council.
She made her speech inside the museum's Gjoa wing, which houses the ship that brought Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen to a remote area of Nunavut now known as Gjoa Haven.
"Amundsen's story and this ship are very meaningful to me. I grew up in the small Arctic community of Gjoa Haven. My family lives there today, and I still call it home," she stated.
"The traditional knowledge, expertise and cultures of the people living in the Arctic were critical to Amundsen's success in reaching the South Pole in 1911. And I believe they will also be key to the future success of the Arctic region."
Aglukkaq reiterated Canada's theme for its time as chairmanship, "Development for the People of the North."
A focus will be put on Arctic resource development, safe Arctic shipping and sustainable circumpolar communities.
- Miranda Scotland
Good morning meal
Qausuittuq/Resolute
During a recent visit to Resolute, members of the Iqaluit RCMP stopped by Qarmartalik School to help out with the breakfast program.
The officers took time to serve food to some of the early morning students looking to fill their bellies before class.
Throughout the year, the Resolute RCMP members also lend a hand to the school's breakfast program.
Every Wednesday morning the officers cook pancakes for the youth.
Principal Vincent Pickett said their efforts are very much appreciated by students, staff and parents.
- Miranda Scotland
Vet clinic coming up
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Pet lovers and animal owners in Rankin Inlet and across the Kivalliq region are reminded of a veterinary clinic scheduled to be held at the Rankin Curling Club from Sept. 17 to 21.
The annual clinic will be attended by animal-health professionals from the Tuxedo Animal Hospital in Winnipeg, Man.
Services being offered for cats and dogs this year include checkups, immunizations, deworming, advice on medical problems, dental acre, tooth cleaning, spaying, neutering and other minor surgical procedures.
Appointments can be made by phoning the Nanuq Lodge in Rankin. The organizers will also be fundraising this year in hopes of being able to purchase a badly-needed X-ray machine.
The group is hoping to find a used machine at a reasonable price.
- Darrell Greer
Terence Tootoo remembered
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Close to 100 people took part in a suicide-prevention walk to mark the 11th anniversary of the death of Terence Tootoo last month in Rankin Inlet. Tootoo passed away suddenly on Aug. 28, 2002, in Brandon, Man.
Less-than-ideal weather prevented the original walk, which had been planned to go out to Nipisar Lake and back, so the participants instead walked twice around Williamson Lake.
- Darrell Greer
Qulliq wants to talk
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
The Nunavut Impact Review Board is organizing a public scoping meeting and open house on Thursday, Sept. 12.
The event is concerning Qulliq Energy Corporation's proposed Iqaluit Hydroelectric Project, and what its impacts will be. The meeting will be held at the Pangnirtung Community Hall. The open house is from 2 to 4 p.m. while the meeting begins at 7 p.m.
Refreshments will be served and prizes will be given away.
- Myles Dolphin
Off to school
Arviat
A special sendoff was held in Arviat late last month for Grade 12 graduates Innosar Issakiark and Ramon Kaviok.
The two are attending Red River College in Winnipeg.
Issakiark is studying to become a motive power technician, while Kaviok is taking hotel/restaurant management.
- Darrell Greer
Right on target
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
The Kugluktuk recreation department is hosting an archery night starting on Sept. 10.
The program will be held at the community complex every Tuesday until Oct. 15 and will run from 7 to 9 p.m.
Community members age 13 and up are invited to join in.
Equipment is available to be used but residents are also invited to bring their own.
Dana Havioyak, recreation co-ordinator trainee, said a number of community members have already expressed interest in getting involved.
- Miranda Scotland
Nearest and dearest running again
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
The nearest and dearest program for parents and young children has started up again.
It runs Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kugluktuk recreation complex.
Parents or guardians are invited to bring children aged five and under to socialize and play.
The purpose of the program is to help children grow their motor skills, said Laurie Beveridge, the program co-ordinator.
The program ran last year and was quite popular, she added.
"Children enjoy it, parents enjoy it."
- Miranda Scotland
Running for the Cure
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Residents of Rankin Inlet are reminded that CIBC's annual Run for the Cure will be held in the community on Sunday, Oct. 6. The event focuses on breast cancer awareness and involves friends, family and co-workers of those who have been affected by breast cancer.
- Darrell Greer
Awareness for diabetes
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
Taloyoak residents pulled on their sneakers and went for a run last week to raise awareness about diabetes.
Participants were invited to walk or run 2.5 km or 5 km during the event on Sept 7, which was put on by the Northern Store and other community partners.
Everyone involved was given a T-shirt and a medal.
Similar awareness events were expected to take place in Cambridge Bay and Kugluktuk as well.
- Miranda Scotland
Bear watching
Arviat
The Arviat Community Ecotourism Initiative is expecting at least seven guests to take part in a bear-viewing excursion this month.
- Darrell Greer
Revenge for Juggernauts
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The Juggernauts got a slice of revenge when they dumped arch-rival Team M&T 12-7 to claim the 2013 Rankin Inlet Co-ed Softball League championship in Rankin Inlet last month.
The championship series was a thrilling affair, with the Juggernauts taking the best-of-five series three games to two.
The previous week M&T had defeated the Juggernauts in the final game to claim the Calm Air Cup slo-pitch championship.
- Darrell Greer
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