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Monday, July 21, 2014
Musicians being sought for festival
Northern Life Museum & Cultural Centre in Fort Smith is seeking musicians and performers to busk or play outdoors during next month's Summer Splash Arts Festival.
The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 16 at a number of locations throughout the community.
- Paul Bickford
Detour to allow work in Fort Smith
The completion of repairs to water and sewer mains on Fort Smith's Conibear Crescent began on July 17 and will continue to Aug. 29.
During that time period, the intersection of Conibear Crescent and McDougal Road will be closed to traffic by the Town of Fort Smith. There will be a detour from Mills Street to Woodbison Avenue to Camsell Street.
Conibear Crescent has been closed at the intersection since the problem originated with a water main break and sewer line blockage in late February. McDougal Road had been temporarily closed at the intersection until early March, but had been reopened until the current closure.
- Paul Bickford
Alcohol banned for Culture Week
Deninu K'ue First Nation has been granted a temporary prohibition on alcohol in the Fort Resolution for the duration of Culture week.
The ban, which encompasses the boundaries of the hamlet prohibits anyone from consuiming, buying, selling or transporting alcohol beginning July 16 at 12:01 a.m. until Jul 24 at 11:59 p.m.
The ban was approved by Minister Michael Miltenberger on July 14.
- NNSL staff
Parks and Oceans Day on tap
The weekends just keep getting busier in Inuvik.
Residents can celebrate Parks Day on July 19 followed by World Oceans Day on July 20.
World Oceans Day at Riverside Park will feature games for children and adults, a parade from Ingamo Hall, and a community barbecue beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the river.
World Oceans Day will segue into the opening events of the Inuit Circumpolar Council general assembly with a performance by the Iqaluit-band Jerry Cans and the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers at Chief Jim Koe Park at 8 p.m.
The Arctic Market will also be open daily selling arts and crafts and other items from July 21 to 26.
- Shawn Giilck
Akaitcho Territory hands out awards
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
The Akaitcho Territory Government honoured elders and youth at its annual general assembly earlier this month in Yellowknife.
One elder and one young person were honoured from each of the First Nations which make up the Akaitcho Territory.
The honoured elder from Deninu Ku'e First Nation in Fort Resolution was Mary Pierrot, while Tanis Lafferty was recognized as youth of the year.
Elder Vicky Desjarlais and youth Ethan Catholique were honoured from Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation.
An award went to elder Veronique Paulette from Smith's Landing First Nation, while youth Joseph Parsch was also recognized.
Two elders and two youth were recognized from the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, one each from Dettah and Ndilo.
From Dettah, George Tatsiechele was named elder of the year, while Alexandra Crapeau was youth of the year.
From Ndilo, the elder of the year was Alice Wifladt and the honoured youth was Sarah Black.
The Akaitcho Territory Government's annual general assembly was held from July 8 to 10.
- Paul Bickford
Deninoo Days dates set in Fort Resolution
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
The dates have been set for Deninoo Days, the annual summer carnival in Fort Resolution.
The carnival will be held from Sept. 5 to 7.
As in previous years, it is expected to feature events for the whole family, such as canoe races, talent shows and traditional games like wood splitting, axe throwing and nail pounding.
The carnival is sponsored each year by the Hamlet of Fort Resolution.
The Fast Eddy's Third Annual Invitational Slo-Pitch Tournament will be held on the same weekend.
- Paul Bickford
Hamlet hoping for pool opening
Aklavik
The Hamlet of Aklavik was hoping for a July 17 opening of the community swimming pool earlier this week. Senior administrative officer Fred Behrens said he was uncertain it would finally be open after a delay this year in getting the pool filled with water.
"We have to make sure the water chemicals and everything are balanced properly and we have to get the OK from the health department to open the pool," he said.
"There are no (scheduled flights) coming in today because of the bad weather and we have to fly the water samples out to Inuvik to get tested in the labs there.
"But I know all the kids are looking forward to (the opening)."
Behrens said the Aklavik pool season typically runs until the end of August.
- Simon Whitehouse
Last year of drainage program
Aklavik
The Hamlet of Aklavik is wrapping up its three-year, $3-million drainage program this summer, according to senior administrative officer Fred Behrens.
The community is waiting in anticipation to see five new culverts constructed and others readjusted this season to improve drainage in the area, he said.
"We have the program just about settled," said Behrens. "After the spring thaw, all of the water moves out of town instead of sitting in the ditches.
"A lot of residents are pleased because you get standing water in the ditches and then you get mosquitoes."
- Simon Whitehouse
Community holds late celebrations
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Sachs Harbour is coming off some exciting celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement and National Aboriginal Day. The Sachs Harbour community was a bit late in holding the celebration compared to other areas of the NWT, admitted community corporation manager Bridget Wolki. The community held its events on July 11 at the Sachs Harbour beach front and gazebo.
"We picnicked around and we had about 17 door prizes, with country foods, burgers, hot dogs, salad," she said, adding she was very pleased with the turnout and the 15 degree weather. "Everybody had a nice time and there were lots of leftovers so people got a bit of food to take home."
- Simon Whitehouse
Community corporation to hold AGM
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
The Sachs Harbour Community Corporation will be holding its annual general meeting at the Ajgaliaq Ccentre in Sachs Harbour. The event is to be held July 28 starting at 7 p.m.
Residents can look forward to bylaw reviewing and a presentation on the financial situation of the corporation. The corporation needs at least 15 members to hold the annual meeting, said community corporation manager Bridget Wolki.
- Simon Whitehouse
Hamlet to seek meeting with ITI
Enterprise
The hamlet council in Enterprise will seek to set up a meeting with Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) Minister David Ramsay to get more information about an economic development and tourism plan for the area.
The council passed a motion at its July 7 meeting to invite Ramsay to Enterprise.
Coun. John Leskiw III said he spoke to the minister about a strategic plan for the Enterprise area when he visited the community on June 12.
Leskiw said he was told there is a strategic plan in place for the area of Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park, and the minister offered to come to Enterprise and give the hamlet a description of the plan.
- Paul Bickford
Hamlet to get legal opinion on conflict
Enterprise
The administration of the Hamlet of Enterprise will seek a legal opinion to get a better understanding of territorial legislation on conflict of interest.
There have been different interpretations of the Conflict of Interest Act by some council members and hamlet administration.
At a council meeting on July 7, Coun. Jim Dives argued the act prevents any councillor from being involved in deciding on funding for a group or organization if that councillor or his or her spouse sits on the board of that organization.
The legal opinion will look at that interpretation of the act.
- Paul Bickford
Grizzly encounter
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
A post on the Rankin Inlet News Facebook group reporting a grizzly bear encounter had some residents concerned earlier this month.
The bear approached a hunter, who wished to remain unnamed, while he was cleaning a caribou carcass. The bear took the man's caribou meat and ran away.
Deputy Mayor Sam Tutanuak said on July 10 that the bear was estimated to be about 17 km away from the community.
- Candace Thomson
Proceedings delayed in murder trial
Iqaluit
Steven Akittirq of Iglulik, charged with first-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Glenna Attagutalukutuk, appeared in Iqaluit court via videoconference July 15.
Attagutalukutuk's body was found outside the community June 9, and Akittirq was charged June 12.
Disclosure from the Crown was not available until later in the day. Defence counsel requested that the matter return to court Aug. 12.
The 24-year old is also facing charges of assault and possession under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act dating from April. When Akittirq did not appear in court June 4, a warrant was issued. That matter was also adjourned to Aug. 12.
- Michele LeTourneau
Trial set for youth
Iqaluit
Following a preliminary inquiry in June, a trial date was set in Iqaluit court July 14 for a youth charged with the November 2012 murder of Tracy Uttak of Iglulik.
The trial is set to begin March 23. Three weeks have been set aside.
Then 16 years old, the youth was charged with murder, break-and-enter with the intent to commit murder and breach of an undertaking. The Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits releasing the name of the youth.
- Michele LeTourneau
Forces prepare for Operation Nanook
Iqaluit
Emergency responders will simulate a small cruise ship forced to hit the beach next month at the mouth of Frobisher Bay during Op Nanook 14, the annual Canadian Armed Forces exercise.
This year's simulation will involve all government agencies that might be required for such an incident, including the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Navy, the RCMP, Canadian Coast Guard, and Canada Border Services Agency, under the guidance of the Nunavut Emergency Measures Organization.
"Are we actually going to have a cruise ship hit the beach? No," said Joint Task Force North Capt. Dennis Power. "But we will have a cruise ship with role players on the ship. It will all take place at York Sound. It's the only place in Frobisher Bay where there's actually a beach."
Power said hunters and fishers will notice plenty of activity in the area from Aug. 23 to 28.
A second simulation involves a simulated distress call from a fishing boat being brought from Europe that gets in trouble in Davis Strait between Greenland and Canada.
Because the situation will be crossing an international boundary, it will involve forces and agencies from abroad.
"This will be the same as a real life search-and-rescue operation where actual people, aircraft and airplanes will be looking for something that is actually on the water," Power said.
This scenario will take about two days, Power said.
"If anything like this happens in the future, we'll have a very solid response. There wouldn't be any point in exercising something that would never happen up here," he said.
- Casey Lessard
Vehicle hits young cyclists
Iqaluit
A four-year-old girl received serious injuries after a car hit her and a six-year-old girl
who were riding their bikes in front of Arctic Ventures in Iqaluit July 5.
The incident happened at about 4 p.m. and resulted in both girls being sent to Qikiqtani General Hospital. The older girl was treated and released.
Police were unaware of a change in the young girl's status July 10. No charges have yet been laid, but the investigation continues.
- Casey Lessard
Devotion to language honoured
Nunavut
Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit (IUT) board of directors and staff held a dinner July 8 in Iqaluit to honour individuals and organizations that have have devoted their time and energy to benefit the Inuit language.
The Inuit Language Protection Act
mandates IUT establish and administer an award program to recognize outstanding achievement in implementing the requirements of the act or in contributing to the development, promotion or protection of the Inuit language.
Recipients for 2014 included Peter Irniq for his years of helping other Inuit speak Inuktitut properly while being encouraging and not getting paid for it, the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation for its years of producing Inuktitut content on television, from shows for children to shows for elders, Jack Ayaligak for helping translate the Bible into Inuinnaqtun and for reading the Bible in Inuinnaqtun over the years in church services, and the Qulliq Energy Corporation, for making its correspondence with its clients more understandable and user-friendly.
- Michele LeTourneau
Qikiqtarjuaq prepares to bid for deep-sea port
Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island
Qikiqtarjuaq is looking forward to a new power plant that will give needed infrastructure to support a proposed deep-sea port in the community. The power plant and a new gas bar are arriving on the sealift in September.
"We're now in preparations for the arrival of the sealift," said acting senior administrative officer Arthur Nicomedes.
The hamlet is working with the legislative assembly to pitch the $50-million port project to the federal government.
"We're really working hard for that," Nicomedes said. "We need a lot of infrastructure before it arrives because we will need a lot of power here."
- Casey Lessard
Playing host to youth leaders
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
For a third consecutive year, Rankin Inlet has been chosen as a host community for the Canada World Youth program, Youth Leaders in Action.
Twenty participants from across Canada and Peru will be in Rankin from Aug. 20 until Oct. 10 and they need host families.
The participants will be aiding in volunteer projects, organizing events and activities all while developing their leadership skills in the community. Host families receive a weekly allowance of $400, get to learn about the individuals they're hosting and treat them to a new cultural experience because many will have not been to the North.
- Candace Thomson
Arctic Bay celebrates Parks Day
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
Community members were set to attend Parks Day July 19 in Arctic Bay, recreation director Thomas Levi said ahead of the event.
"There will be a couple of people coming in from Parks Canada," Levi said.
The July 19 event at the community hall was set to have games and a barbecue for the public.
"Everyone's in town right now," he said when asked if he expected the event would be well attended. "People are starting to come back from the camps and settling down."
A simultaneous event to be held at Iqaluit's Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park was cancelled due to the landfill fire smoke.
- Casey Lessard
Learn to pitch tent
Iqaluit
If you need help getting out on the land, the Department of Environment and Parks Canada are offering a series of tent workshops in Iqaluit.
The two-hour workshops take place Wednesdays until Aug. 6 at the Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre, and are open to all ages.
Attendees will learn how to set up canvas and dome tents, how to light a camping stove, and how to tie knots.
- Casey Lessard
KIA renames building in man's memory
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
A group of organizations in Rankin Inlet have decided to rename their building in memory of Louis Pilakapsi, known by some as the godfather of Nunavut.
During Nunavut Day celebrations in Rankin Inlet July 9, David Ningeongan, president of the Kivalliq Inuit Association, announced that the office building which houses the KIA, Sakku Investments and the Sakku Drugs Pharmacy will be renamed after Pilakapsi.
Lisa Oolooyuk, communications and community program officer with the KIA, said the decision was an easy one for the board of directors.
"It was very clear from the discussion that everyone agreed," she said July 11. "It's an honour for us to remember him this way."
Pilakapsi was heavily involved in Nunavut politics and the formation of the territory, as well as countless organizations in the Kivalliq region, including the KIA, the Canadian Rangers, the Kivalliq Wildlife Federation and many others.
He died tragically, along with his crewmates, as their ship, the lobster boat Avataq, sunk outside of Arviat in August 2000.
- Candace Thomson
Shining up the community
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
Ten students are busy spiffing up the hamlet of Hall Beach.
"Right now we're just busy with them doing water tank cleaning, painting, and cleaning all over the community," said Tracy Laine, director of finance and acting senior administrative officer.
"They've been washing the walls in the community hall. They're painting the inside of the arena, the benches."
Street signs, indicating stop signs and school zone signs, arrived in the community, a result of taking advantage of a territorial government program.
"Last year, the government implemented a program where you could spend up to $52,000 for anything translated to Inuktitut. So we bought street signs for all over the community. They look pretty sharp. I'm quite impressed with how they turned out," Laine said.
The community is also eagerly awaiting its first ever school bus.
"The principal at the school (Kim Haggarty) arranged it all. That's going to be very exciting. It's coming up on the barge," said Laine.
The economic development officer is offering Class 3 licence training to ensure someone can drive the students to school.
The new bus should be on the road by the time the snow flies.
- Michele LeTourneau
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