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Boreal caribou, Peary caribou and the plant species hairy braya will soon be listed as "threatened" species on the NWT List of Species at Risk, and polar bears will be listed as a species of "special concern."

The listings, which are the first to be made since the NWT Species at Risk Act came into effect in 2010, were decided by consensus agreement during a meeting of the NWT Conference of Management Authorities in Inuvik on Oct. 8 and 9. The agreement was presented to ENR Minister Michael Miltenberger on Dec. 12 for his approval.

- Laura Busch

Spill plume dissipates

The plume of debris from the Obed Mountain coal mine was expected to cross into the NWT on Dec. 9. However, whether the waste has entered the territory cannot be confirmed because it is no longer distinguishable from background levels in the Athabasca River.

As of Dec. 2, the Obed Mountain Mine spill was "no longer a threat to Northern waters," the Department of Environment and Natural Resources stated in a press release.

NWT waters are being tested both before and after the spill water was expected to cross the border. Daily turbidity monitoring at the Fort Smith Water Treatment Plant continues and the federal government continues to monitor water quality of the Slave River at Fort Smith.

- Laura Busch

Charges after traffic stop

Three people are facing various Criminal Code charges related to proceeds of crime following a traffic stop on Highway 1 south of Enterprise, according to an RCMP news release.

On Dec. 2, members of the Hay River RCMP detachment intercepted a vehicle on the highway and, during the stop, located a large amount of cash, a concealed weapon and a small amount of marijuana.

As a result, a 29-year-old male and a 21-year-old female from Fort Providence, and a 33-year-old male from Hay River were charged.

- Paul Bickford

Pornography charges

A Fort Resolution man made his first appearance in court on Dec. 5 on child pornography charges.

Joseph King, 49, and his legal counsel asked to put the matter over to the next court sitting in Fort Resolution on Feb. 6 so that they can more thoroughly review disclosure, which includes more than 1,000 pages of documentation.

King was arrested on Sept. 26 and charged with possession of child pornography, distributing child pornography and obstruction of a peace officer, according to an RCMP news release.

- Paul Bickford

Enterprise paving cost

Enterprise

The final total cost for this past summer's paving project in Enterprise is just under $2.1 million.

In one of the last expenses for the project, the Hamlet of Enterprise agreed to pay an extra $15,000 to Delta Engineering Ltd. of Yellowknife for work up to Oct. 11, which was beyond the anticipated wrap-up of the project at the end of September.

The extra time was needed because of a final change order on the project.

Hamlet council approved the payment to Delta Engineering at its meeting on Dec. 2.

Hay River's Carter Industries, the main contractor for the project, has agreed to pay $2,000 of the extra expense.

Delta Engineering was hired by the hamlet to manage the project, which saw all of the community's residential streets covered by asphalt and various other upgrades.

The original estimated cost of the project was $1.79 million, but the price increased with seven change orders approved by council.

- Paul Bickford

Christmas party

Thebacha/Fort Smith

A Christmas party for single parents and their children will be held in Fort Smith on Dec. 21.

The party, which will take place at Roaring Rapids Hall from 6-8 p.m., is being sponsored by Sutherland House and Royal Canadian Legion Branch #239.

Each child in attendance - up to 14 years of age - will receive a gift from Santa Claus.

- Paul Bickford

Christmas bazaar

Deninu K'ue/Fort Resolution

A Christmas bazaar will be taking place in Fort Resolution on Dec. 21.

It will be held at Antoine Beaulieu Memorial Hall, beginning at 2 p.m.

The bazaar, which will feature baked goods, crafts, Christmas ornaments and more, is being sponsored by the recreation department of the Hamlet of Fort Resolution.

Information on renting a table can be obtained by contacting the recreation department.

- Paul Bickford

Tis' the season

Aklavik

The Christmas season is well underway in Akalvik and to celebrate there will be a community event going on every day until Dec. 20.

On Dec. 12 events were to kick off with an elders and preschool party at the Sittichinli Complex, beginning at 6 p.m.

The complex will also scheduled to host a turkey and ham bingo night on Dec. 13, with doors at 7 p.m. and bingo starting at 8 p.m.

Other events include but are not limited to a fishing derby scheduled for on Dec. 14, a family skate with Santa at on Dec. 15 and a drum dance at the complex on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.

- Cody Punter

Election upcoming

Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour

An election for board members of the Sachs Harbour Community Corporation will be taking place at the Elders/Youth Centre on Dec. 18.

Six directors and one chairperson's vacancies must be filled.

Joey Carpenter, John Lucas Jr. and Vernon Amos have been nominated for the position of chairperson. Angella Keogak, Charlton Haogak, Issiac Elanik, Joe Kudlak, Paul Kowikchuk, Ryan Lucas and Samantha Lucas have all been nominated a position as one of the directors.

There are two-year terms and one-year terms up for grabs and candidates who get the most votes will be awarded the longer terms.

Members of community corporation can vote between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 18.

- Cody Punter

Directors elected

Tuktoyaktuk

The membership of the Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee elected four new directors to its seven-person board on Dec. 9. Darrel Nasogaluak had the most votes with 185. Charles Gruben (136) and Richard Cockney (123), finished second and third, respectively.

There was a tie for the fourth seat with 119 votes split between Richard Gruben Sr., and Charles Pokiak. Pokiak conceded the vote and Gruben Sr. was awarded the final seat.

Glenna Emaghok, resource person for the HTC, said there will be an executive meeting to determine who will be director, chair, vice-chair and treasurer/secretary, in the coming weeks.

- Cody Punter

Spaghetti showdown

Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River

Chief Paul Niditchie School planned to host a spaghetti dinner for parents on Dec. 10.

As part of the dinner, there was supposed be a competition to see which teacher can cook the best sauces.

Parents and students were both expected to get the chance to vote. However, Principal Darcy Douglas joked that he had reservations about letting the students vote.

"They're all a little prejudiced," he said.

After the dinner, teachers were expected to hold parent teacher meetings to discuss student's recent report cards.

- Cody Punter

Report wants Nunavut's welfare system replaced

Nunavut

Welfare should no longer play the starring role in Nunavut's income security system. Instead, measures must be taken to strengthen geared-to-income programs, according to a recent social policy report.

"These programs would increase incentives to work, while at the same time reduce poverty and improve living standards for low- and modest-income residents of Nunavut," states a report titled Poverty and Prosperity in Nunavut.

The document was prepared by the Caledon Institute of Social Policy, following a request from the Nunavut Anti-Poverty Secretariat.

Authors of the report suggested three stages of reform:

Immediate

• Territorial income programs be indexed to the cost of living.
• The Territorial Workers' Supplement and Working Income Tax Benefit be increased and be linked to the cost of living. It should also be offered to workers without children.
• Nunavut should not reduce welfare benefits based on the amount of National Child Benefit Supplement
• The Senior Fuel Subsidy should be made available to all homeowners.

Intermediary

• A lack of information for caseworkers is causing Nunavut to pay out more through social assistance than it should. To alleviate the problem, a combined income assessment mechanism should be introduced.

Long-term

• Replace welfare with a basic income program which would deliver benefits on a sliding scale to low or modest earners.

Boost for breakfast program

Salliq/Coral Harbour

An Ontario Grade 12 student has been working hard to raise money to fund a breakfast program in Coral Harbour.

A month ago, Eva von Jagow, of Stittsville, Ont., put out a call for jewelry donations she could sell at a charitable sales event.

Jagow told the Ottawa Citizen she's been amazed at the overwhelming response she received.

She originally hoped to bring in 1,000 donated pieces, but ended up with 10,400.

Jagow was expected to host a sale on Dec. 7, with the proceeds to benefit the breakfast program.

- Miranda Scotland

Net-making workshop well-attended

Kimmirut/Lake Harbour

Ten Kimmirut residents recently took part in a beluga net-making workshop, which took place from Nov. 25 to Dec. 6.

Peter Tunnillie attended the workshop and learned how to make various nets.

"I should have learned from my father when I was growing up, but instead I just ran around and didn't pay any attention," he said.

"Now I can make my own. If you're not working on anything else, it takes about a week to make a single one."

Because of the limited time frame, participants put two large nets together to make an even larger one.

They agreed to keep it at the Hunters and Trappers Organization building and make it available to anyone who wants to catch beluga next year.

"It's big, about 50 feet wide by 10 feet high," he said.

"During the workshop, one of the guys also taught me how to make smaller nets to catch seals. They can be used in the winter time, and I really look forward to going out and trying it."

Funding for the event, organized by the community's previous community economic development officer, Kapik Ikkidluaks, was provided by the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.

- Myles Dolphin

Aglukkaq talks polar bears

Ottawa

Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq, the MP for Nunavut, recently attended a polar bear range states meeting in Moscow and returned having accomplished a victory for indigenous populations.

On the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears, the five participating states - Canada, the United States, Russia, Denmark and Norway - agreed to continue their co-operation and reaffirmed dozens of commitments.

One of them, Aglukkaq said, was to agree to incorporate the recognition and importance of traditional ecological knowledge in informing management decisions.

"It's something we've been fighting for," she told Nunavut News/North on Dec. 6.

"We've agreed to take that information as part of the conservation efforts of the range states. Building on that, this will be used to develop a comprehensive circumpolar action plan on management of the polar bear."

- Myles Dolphin

Santa to visit Pangnirtung

Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung

The Pangnirtung recreation committee has unveiled its holiday schedule, with numerous activities and events taking place from Dec. 21 to Jan. 2.

On Saturday, Dec. 21, a Santa parade will begin at 11 a.m., and residents can take pictures with the man himself at noon.

Activities resume on Christmas Day, with a community concert in the evening at Attagoyuk High School.

The hamlet has planned a range of indoor and outdoor activities over a number of days, starting on Dec. 26, beginning at 10 a.m. daily.

The recreation committee is still looking for more volunteers to help out with events. Sign up is taking place at the recreation office at the community centre.

Other events will be announced through Facebook and the local radio station.

- Myles Dolphin

Call for volunteers

Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay

Arctic Bay high school students seeking to complete their 25 hours of community service may want to get in touch with the community's recreation co-ordinator, Thomas Levi.

Levi said he'll need help over the holidays because of so many activities happening in the community.

"We're going to need supervisors for the games," he said. "And cashiers as well.

"We also need people to help clean up after 1 a.m. and prepare for the next day."

To graduate in Nunavut, high school students need to complete 25 hours of community service.

Levi said the Christmas feast, which usually features more than 20 turkeys, 15 hams, vegetables and mashed potatoes, is another opportunity to volunteer.

- Myles Dolphin

New mayor for Hall Beach

Sanirajak/Hall Beach

Former councillor Peter Siakuluk received 61 votes in the Hall Beach mayoral election, unseating Paul Haulli who finished with 33.

Voters also chose Luba Nangmalik, Mary Kuppaq, Philip Anguratsiaq, Solomon Qanatsiaq, Andy Qaunaq and Timothy Kuppaq to represent them on council.

Over in Resolute, residents chose Mavis Manik to serve as mayor. Manik finished with 32 votes while Ross Pudluk received 24.

Two councillors had already been acclaimed.

Cape Dorset and Iglulik both had four councillors acclaimed.

Cheryl Constantineau, Claude Constantineau, Qimmiataq Nungusuituq and Kooyoo Pudlat will serve in Cape Dorset.

Meanwhile, David Aqqiaruq, Dominic Angutimarik, Peter Ivalu and Erasmus Ivalu will sit on council in Iglulik.

- Miranda Scotland

Cooking and nutrition

Qausuittuq/Resolute

Resolute moms and moms-to-be are invited to attend a new prenatal program that is beginning.

Participants can give input on what they might enjoy doing. However, the focus of the session will be on cooking and nutrition.

There is also a women's cooking group up and running at the school. The purpose is to teach community members good healthy recipes they can easily make at home, said senior administrative officer Angela Idlout, adding the women get to take home the leftovers.

Both sessions are to be held once a week.

- Miranda Scotland

Safety seminar

Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet

A two-day seminar on workplace safety was to be held free of charge in Rankin Inlet on Dec. 12 and 13, at the Katimavik Suites meeting room.

The first day was to focus on understanding workers' compensation, while the second day was to focus on introducing return to work.

The seminar was scheduled to run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day.

- Darrell Greer