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Monday, October 21, 2013
Carbon monoxide blamed for cabin deaths
The NWT Coroner's Office has confirmed that the two people who were discovered deceased in a cabin in Hay River Oct. 13 died of carbon monoxide poisoning, based on preliminary autopsy results.
The deceased have been identified as Brenda Laviolette-Rapp, 58, and Robert Bradley, 52, both residents of Hay River.
They had rented a cabin at Mountain Aven Campground for the long Thanksgiving Day weekend.
Cathy Menard, the NWT's chief coroner, said the RCMP and the coroner in Hay River are investigating if the cabin's propane heating system, stove and lamps met standards, and whether they were being used properly.
No foul play is suspected.
- Paul Bickford
MLA recovering
Hay River North MLA Robert Bouchard is recovering in Ontario after an invasive surgery, his office stated on Oct. 18.
"I want my constituents to know I am doing well. (I) thank them for their thoughts and well wishes," stated Bouchard in a news release.
He further noted anyone with concerns can still contact his constituency office.
Bouchard, who was elected in 2011, will be returning to Hay River this week, with the intention of attending the territorial legislative assembly session on Oct. 28.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Impaired driving charges
Nine people are facing impaired driving offences after the RCMP conducted Operation Impact across the territory over the long weekend.
In addition to the impaired driving charges, five people had their driver's licence suspended for 24 hours, stated RCMP Cpl. Todd Scaplen. Last year, four people were charged with impaired driving in the territory, stated police.
"There were a further 192 charges laid in relation to offences under the Motor Vehicle Act," stated Scaplen.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Deleeuw case delayed
A Hay River man accused of murdering his mother will have to wait for his case to be resolved, lawyers said on Oct. 15.
Richard Deleeuw, 26, is charged with second degree murder in the stabbing death of Linda Lafferty in September 2012.
Crown and defence lawyers are working on a plea deal to save time during trial. They're trying to determine how criminally responsible Deleeuw is, but forensic psychologist and psychiatrist reports on his mental condition have been delayed.
Deleeuw's next court appearance will be on Nov. 12.
- Daniel Campbell
Christmas sale set in Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
An annual event around this time of year - the MAX Christmas Sale - has been set in Fort Smith.
The arts sale will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 23 in the foyer of Aurora College.
The free-admission event is being organized by Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre.
Artists interested in renting a table can contact the museum for more information.
- Paul Bickford
Volleyball league started
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
The recreation committee has just started a volleyball league in Tsiigehtchic. The league, which was started three weeks ago, meets between 8 and 10 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the gym.
There are currently four teams signed up for the league, with six players per team and several others acting as substitutes.
The league is open to anyone 14 and over. The oldest member of the league is 50 years old.
Teams will continue to play into November, when they will face off against each other in a best two-out-of-three playoff.
- Cody Punter
Enterprise to celebrate with Halloween fun
Enterprise
The Enterprise Community Centre is planning to celebrate Halloween.
Community residents are being invited to come to the centre on Oct. 31 - Halloween - between 5 and 8 p.m. for some family fun, including snacks and games.
- Paul Bickford
Language courses offered
Aklavik
The Aklavik Band office is now offering Gwich'in language lessons every Thursday and Saturday.
The classes are being taught by Helen Greenland and Myrna Sittichinli.
The courses will be taking place at the band office. Greenland said they are open to people of all levels.
"It's an immersion class so I'll be doing sewing, cooking and outdoor activities," said Greenland.
The lessons run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Anyone interested in learning more should contact the band office.
Greenland said she hopes to run the course until March.
"It's been a slow start, but we're getting there," said Greenland.
- Cody Punter
Enterprise council to consult on cemetery
Enterprise
The hamlet council in Enterprise has decided to consult with the public on the community's cemetery.
Council made the decision at its Oct. 7 meeting after receiving a letter in September from a resident suggesting changes to the cemetery.
Senior administrative officer Terry Testart said the changes could be made - including to roads and a parking lot - and paid for by trading an unused piece of heavy equipment to a contractor willing to undertake the work.
Among other things, the resident wanted the cemetery returned to its natural beauty with walking trails instead of roads, and a rule that no vehicles be allowed past the parking lot.
Coun. Jim Dives agreed with the suggestions, saying that most of the proposed changes to the cemetery had been agreed to by council two or three years ago.
"I don't see anything wrong with this plan," said Dives.
However, three other councillors want more public input and voted against the idea.
"I think it should be a matter for public discussion," said Coun. John Leskiw II.
Coun. Al Flamand said public input could be gathered over the winter, adding that this is the wrong time of year to start working on the cemetery.
"The next move has to be the right move and one that everybody in the community agrees with," said Flamand, adding work could be started in the spring.
Currently, there is one grave in the cemetery, with enough room for 160 more.
- Paul Bickford
Culvert repairs and fish study
Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
Four to six Jean Marie River residents found employment with Rowe's Construction, replacing culverts on the Mackenzie Highway.
Jean Marie River First Nation Chief Stan Sanguez said they are doing the work for the next few weeks.
And the chief's brother, Angus Sanguez, is collecting whitefish and Cisco fishes at Ekali and Sanguez Lakes to study the levels of mercury in them. He might collect fish from another lake this winter to continue the study, said Stan. He added Angus had studied jackfish and pickerel from those lakes for mercury levels.
"There is high and medium mercury in the fish that were tested - the jackfish and the pickerel mainly," said Stan. "I want to see if the mercury went into the whitefish also because the whitefish, you only get it once a year, when the water gets cold, they come out."
Erma Norwegian is the acting band manager until it finds a replacement. The next band council meeting is Nov. 20.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Athletes being recruited
Paulatuk
Aaron Ruben, chair of the recreation committee, has begun visiting Angik School to recruit competitors for the upcoming Arctic Winter Games. The games are open to a range of age groups across a variety of sports.
Ruben said basketball, hockey, volleyball and soccer are the most popular sports.
However, he hopes to encourage students to participate in some of the Dene games, including pull push, handgames, snow snake and stick pull.
Ruben plans to visit the school at least twice per week as the deadline for applications to participate in selection camps approach. There are two separate deadlines, with nine events taking place from Dec. 12 to 14 and another 10 from Jan. 23 to 25.
The registration deadline for the first half of the competition is Nov. 8, while the second deadline is Dec. 18.
- Cody Punter
Breast health open house
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
People in Normans Wells are invited to the Monica Loomis Health Centre on Oct. 24 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. to take part in Breast Health open house.
Refreshments will be served.
- Chris Puglia
Library Open House
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
The Norman Wells Public Library is hosting an open house on Nov. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. Aside from promoting literacy, the event will also help the library clear space for new books it received. Nearly 400 books will be available for free, although donations would be appreciated, said librarian Camille Lebel. The library will also be holding a card drive. Every card issued will be worth one free book.
- Chris Puglia
School not large enough
Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake
A vacant band office will become a classroom next year as Charles Tetcho School is lacking space for its students.
With 20 students enrolled this school year, there isn't enough room to do things like science experiements once desks are moved into the currently available space, explained Terry Jaffray, superintendent of the Dehcho Divisional Education Council.
Half the students are at the elementary level, while the others are from Grades 7 to 9.
The education council recently had a meeting with the community and the teachers to talk about ways to use the building space differently, even going so far as to suggest using a vacant house in the community, said Jaffray. But that idea was not retained because it's far from the school, thus separating the older and younger kids. At this time, the school wants them together for learning activities.
"The band has agreed we can use one of the smaller rooms in there that used to be a print room," said Jaffray.
The renovations will likely happen between February and June 2014, with the construction material arriving on the winter road, she added.
- Jeanne Gagnon
MP pleased PM defends seal hunt
Ottawa
Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq said she is very pleased with the recent Speech from the Throne, read Oct. 16 by Gov. Gen. David Johnston. Aglukkaq was particularly happy with the federal government's pledge to continue defending the seal hunt.
"No other Canadian prime minister has come out supporting the Canadian sealing industry," she told Nunavut News/North on Oct. 18. "It's really important to Nunavummiut to see the prime minister standing up for them and we will continue to work in that area."
The support for sealing was mentioned during a section of the speech discussing the recent accomplishments made in Canada's North.
"Our government will also continue to defend the seal hunt, an important source of food and income for coastal and Inuit communities," Johnston read.
Aglukkaq added she was also pleased to hear the federal government reaffirm its commitment to the North, and move forward with important projects such as the Canadian High Arctic Research Station and the Nanisivik deepwater port facility.
- Myles Dolphin
Standoff in Grise Fiord
Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord
A lengthy standoff in Canada's Northernmost community forced some residents to remain confined to their homes on Oct. 18.
Grise Fiord RCMP responded to reports of gunshots in the community at 6:40 a.m.
The area was contained and no injuries were reported.
The RCMP asked residents of the community to stay off their phones during the day in order to make sure lines were available for emergency services.
Two individuals were arrested without incident in relation to the matter.
- Myles Dolphin
Deadline extended
Nunavut
The National Energy Board (NEB) announced it has granted the Arctic Fishery Alliance (AFA) an extension to submit written comments on a proposed seismic survey project.
The announcement was made Oct. 16, two days after the original deadline.
The fishery alliance had made its request on Oct. 10, asking for more time to review a 3,926-page report submitted by MultiKlient Invest to the energy board in August.
MKI, TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company and Petroleum Geo-Services applied to the NEB in 2011 for authorization to conduct a five-year exploratory survey of Baffin Bay and Davis Strait.
In its letter to the energy board, Arctic Fishery Alliance chairman and CEO Lootie Toomasie said the alliance, consisting of four hunters and trappers organizations, is very busy in the summer and needed more time to fully review the document.
"We would like additional time to fully review the document to ensure that we are satisfied with the information provided and the approach and methodology that MKI will undertake," the request stated.
The NEB has agreed to extend the deadline for public comment to Oct. 31.
- Myles Dolphin
Cop killer's appeal dismissed
Iqaluit
The court has dismissed the appeal of a Kimmirut man convicted of first-degree murder for killing a police officer in 2007.
An 11-person jury found Pingoatuk Kolola guilty of first-degree murder in 2010. He was sentenced to life in prison without eligibility for parole for 25 years.
On the day of the murder, Kolola fought with his common-law wife because she had threatened to have Kolola evicted from their home.
He later drove off in his truck with a Remington .30-06 rifle and his son.
A neighbour called the police on Kolola the same night after witnessing a series of violent confrontations with his common-law wife and niece.
RCMP Const. Douglas Scott caught up with Kolola at the arena, where he had driven his truck into a stack of lumber.
Kolola got out of the truck and shot at the police vehicle. The bullet hit Scott in the forehead, killing him instantly.
Kolola argued Judge Robert Kilpatrick erred three times in his instructions to the jury.
After considering the submission, the Nunavut Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, according to a written judgment issued Oct. 15.
- Miranda Scotland
Sewage leak shuts down school
Kinngait/Cape Dorset
Peter Pitseolak School was shut down last week after a pipe carrying sewage under the school failed.
The leak was noticed when people detected a bad smell wafting into the school, said Barry Cornthwaite, capital planner for the Government of Nunavut's Department of Education.
Cleanup on the property was expected to begin on Oct. 19, depending on weather.
"It's hoped the air quality test will be done on Monday and the school deemed safe for people to go back in ... on Oct. 22," added Cornthwaite.
Students likely won't have to make up the lost days, he said.
"Typically the DEA (District Education Authority) has built into their school calendars enough flex days for issues when they arise."
The cost of the repairs is unknown at this point.
- Miranda Scotland
Lottery tickets return
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The lottery tickets sales booth at the Northern store made its successful return to Rankin Inlet earlier this month.
Many in the community were glad to be able to play their national and regional lottery numbers again in their hometown, and others were happy to have the chance to spend a few dollars on Lotto's sports game of selecting winners or beating the spread.
- Darrell Greer
Thanksgiving supper a hit
Sanikiluaq
More than 600 residents were served when the hamlet of Sanikiluaq held its annual Thanksgiving supper on Oct. 14.
Ham, turkey, vegetables, salad and dessert were on the tables, said senior administrative officer Andre Larabie.
The $5 event was held at the Paatsali School gymnasium and organized by the hamlet's recreation department, which had a $4,000 budget.
The money was raised by raffling two round-trip tickets to Montreal, along with a three-night stay at a hotel and tickets to a hockey game.
Five members of the community, including Larabie and cook Brad Wutke, put the event together and an additional eight volunteers helped serve the meals, including two RCMP officers.
Leftovers were heated and served the next day at the school.
- Myles Dolphin
Students make breakfast
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
The Nasivvik High School student council held a pancake breakfast, which also included fruit, eggs and toast on Oct. 18.
Members of the council organized and served the meal, said teacher Tess Thurber.
"We are hoping to make it a monthly event, to have the school and members of the community come together," she said.
Members of the District Education Authority, Qikiqtani School Operations and elders of the community were invited to attend.
A slideshow containing pictures from earlier events at the school was shown and elders spoke about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) values and principles.
"We have eight IQ principles, so we would like to make it a monthly event and cover one of the principles every month, and perhaps not always be a breakfast but a lunch with traditional food," she added.
"This is the first one, so we are hoping it goes over really well and is possible in future months."
- Myles Dolphin
Meeting about mine
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The Nunavut Impact Review Board hosted a public community meeting regarding Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.'s proposed Meliadine gold project at the community hall in Rankin Inlet Oct. 17.
An open house was held from 3 to 5 p.m., with the information session following at 6:30 p.m.
The focus of the public meeting was for residents to learn more about the Meliadine gold project's environmental impact statement and how they may be affected by it.
Simultaneous interpretation was available during the public meeting for unilingual residents. Refreshments were available and prizes given away.
- Darrell Greer
Polar bear warning
Arviat
Residents of Arviat, especially the younger residents and elders, are reminded to use caution when travelling about the community on foot by themselves.
A number of polar bears seem to have become bolder this year and are entering the community in search of food. or because of simple curiosity.
A local resident's dog was killed on his property by a polar bear this past month.
- Darrell Greer
More elections in December
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
The hamlet of Pangnirtung announced municipal elections would take place sometime in December, said assistant senior administrative officer Leah Kilabuk.
The position of mayor and a few councillor seats will be up for grabs, she added.
Sheila Kilabuk has taken on the role of interim mayor until then. Hiring for executive operations positions are likely to take place within the next month.
- Myles Dolphin
First for fishing industry
Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island
The Suvak, a fishing vessel owned and operated by the Arctic Fishery Alliance, stopped in Qikiqtarjuaq on Oct. 17 to unload its frozen fish.
It's the first time a fishing vessel from the fishery alliance has unload its catch in Qikiqtarjuaq. The vessel normally goes to Nuuk, Greenland, to drop off its catch.
General manager Harry Earle said it is a great example of how badly a new fish plant is needed in Qikiqtarjuaq.
- Myles Dolphin
Experience for youth
Naujaat/Repulse Bay
A group of youth who are out of school and unemployed are gaining valuable experience through a project offered in Repulse Bay through the Kivalliq Mine Training Society.
One part of the training has seen the community benefit by the building of wooden garbage bins.
The group built more than 60 of the bins in a mere two weeks.
- Darrell Greer
Getting active in Kugluktuk
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
Kugluktuk recreation is putting on a host of activities to encourage residents to get active.
The hamlet is running volleyball, badminton, basketball, zumba and elders lawn games.
There is also a program for two to seven year olds called run, jump, throw. It is intended to help children learn the different movements.
Each session contains a 30- to 40-minute lesson and free time on the turf, said recreation co-ordinator Jessica VanOverbeek.
"We really want to promote parents coming out with kids, learning with them, teaching them and being active with them," added VanOverbeek.
- Miranda Scotland
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