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Monday, July 7, 2014
Community leader dies
Bern Will Brown died Friday, July 4 at the age of 94 in Colville Lake. Brown, who has an expansive history in the North, was one of the founders of the community where he lived-out his life and operated a lodge with his wife Margaret.
Brown arrived in the North in 1948 as a Roman Catholic missionary and after working throughout the territory, arrived in Colville Lake in 1962. There he planned and built a small log church called Our Lady of the Snows Church, which also served as a doctor and dentist office, with Brown at the helm.
He also worked as a fire warden, storekeeper, postmaster and newspaper editor. He was an artist - a photographer, painter and a writer - and this year he published a book called End-of-Earth People, which is about the Arctic Sahtu Dene. Brown left the priesthood in 1971.
A funeral for Brown is set for Tuesday at the Colville Lake church.
- Erin Steele
Tlicho annual gathering
Approximately 500 people are expected to attend the Tlicho government's 10th annual Tlicho gathering in Whati from July 8 to 10, according to a government representative. Henry Zoe, senior community director for the Tlicho government, said at least nine DC-7 planes and 18 boats will be travelling to Whati before Tuesday. After official business wraps up on July 10, there will be a community celebration on Friday.
- Cody Punter
Paulatuk robbery suspects identified
RCMP are releasing the names of two men facing charges after a theft at the Northern Store in Paulatuk on June 19. Travis Meisner, 26, was charged with theft over $5,000 and public mischief. Trevor Meisner, 24, was charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. Both are from Nova Scotia. Further investigation into the robbery revealed it had been a fake. The pair are scheduled to appear in court in Paulatuk on Aug. 20.
- Kassina Ryder
Smith community radio is on the air
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Community radio is back on the air in Fort Smith, although at a basic level at the moment.
George Skippings, the recently-elected president of Kiskew Radio Society 2012, announced the return of community radio on Facebook on June 28.
Fort Smith residents can check it out at 92.3 FM.
The service is offering just music right now. However, it is hoped that it will soon be featuring K-Rock - a classic rock station in Edmonton - and locally-produced programming.
The range of the signal is currently limited to the town until better, more powerful broadcasting equipment is put in place by the society.
Skippings was elected president of the Kiskew Radio Society 2012 at the organization's annual general meeting on June 12.
The previous organization - the Kiskew Radio Society - had been dormant from about 2007 until being revived in 2012.
- Paul Bickford
Date set for annual picnic at Pine Lake
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Wood Buffalo National Park will present its 29th annual Pine Lake Picnic on July 13.
As in previous years, the picnic is set for the Pine Lake day-use area.
The lake is located about 60 km south of Fort Smith in the northern Alberta section of the park.
The picnic will feature food, games and competitions for children and adults.
One of the highlights is a canoe race across the lake and back.
- Paul Bickford
Protect the Peel protest raises $1,500
Aklavik
A fundraiser to provide assistance for the legal costs to fight proposed development in the Peel River watershed was held at the Moose Kerr School gym June 26.
Head organizer Bobby Jo Greenland-Morgan said $1,300 was raised with another $200 provided by an anonymous donor. Greenland-Morgan said $1,200 was sent to the Mayo's Na-cho Nyak Dun First Nation, Dawson's Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society who are fighting the government of the Yukon's initiative to open the protected area to industrial development. The court case is scheduled for July 7.
Greenland said $300 of the money will going to Brad "Caribou Legs" Firth, who is running in protest from Vancouver to Whitehorse.
Money was largely raised from raffle tickets sales for items such as a coffee machine and a gift certificate to shop at Stanton's courtesy of Northwind Industries.
Beading artist Sharon Vittrekwa also provided some crafts for sale, and a food table was set up with chili, pizza and baked items available for purchase.
- Simon Whitehouse
Beluga whale season opens
Aklavik
Members of the Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee are excited now that school is closed and the beluga whale season is open.
Michelle Gruben, co-ordinator of the committee, said the ice receded around Aboriginal Day and during that weekend, about 30 beluga whales were spotted by one individual.
She reported one whale has been harvested this year.
"For this time of season the whales are coming out and being spotted as far as Paulatuk," said Gruben.
- Simon Whitehouse
Outdoor fun for holiday
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Canada Day festivities began at the beach front in Sachs Harbour at 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on July 1 and was scheduled to run late into the day.
The event was to feature bike, ATV, and truck decorating, barbecuing of delicious food, various games, races and traditional events. Upon entry to one of the planned events, each individual was to get to enter a draw for a new bike. The winner of the prize could not be confirmed by press time.
- Simon Whitehouse
Canada Day results
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
The community of Tsiigehtchic held its Canada Day celebrations all day starting with a free community pancake breakfast at the community gym. Charlene Blake was the head cook assisted by Christine Mcdonald and Chavaughn Blake.
The parade took place between the gym and the river judging of bikes, vehicles and ATVs contests was held thereafter. Darby Blake and Erin Goose served as judges and awarded the following winners: In the zero- to five-year-old category for best decorated bikes: four-year-old Carter Cardinal placed first, two-year-old Heidi Blake took second, and three-year-old Avery Blake finished third.
In the six-year-old to 10-year-old category: seven-year-old Dominic Cardinal placed first, eight-year-old Connor Van Loon took second and 10-year-old Dale Cole placed third. In the 11-year-old to 15-year-old, only Kai Cardinal, 11, placed. For ATV and vehicles decorating, in the zero- to five-years-old category, two-year-old Brooke Lennie took first, three-year-old Cruz Blake placed second, three-year-old Sydney Van Loon finished third.
The day also featured games at the river that included a fish pond, hole-in-one, bowling, and basketball. A number of races for all ages included an egg and spoon, running, biking and crawling race.
The day ended with the community's first triathlon on Canada Day. Of the five teams of four, the winning team of Chavaughn Blake, Darius Andre, Darby Blake and Wills Storr won a $600 cash prize.
- Simon Whitehouse
Fur trade day camp at museum in Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A fur trade day camp will take place at Fort Smith's Northern Life Museum & Cultural Centre on July 23.
The camp - for ages five to 12 - will let youngsters spend a fun day learning about the fur trade through activities, games and crafts.
More information on the fur trade day camp, including the fee, can be obtained by contacting Northern Life Museum & Cultural Centre.
- Paul Bickford
NTI to elect vice-president
Nunavut
Beneficiaries will be able to vote Dec. 9 when Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. holds an election for the vice-president position.
Former MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell, associated with Ayaya Communications Ltd., will serve as chief returning officer, according to a news release issued June 27.
Aside from serving on NTI's board of directors, the vice-president chairs two NTI committees - the Inuit Social and Cultural Development Advisory Committee and the Inuit Wildlife and Environment Advisory Committee.
The nomination period runs from Oct. 27 to 31.
Candidates and voters must be Canadian citizens, at least 16 years of age, and enrolled under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. A criminal record check is also required.
- Michele LeTourneau
Officials visit Greenland
Nunavut
A Nunavut delegation consisting of Premier Peter Taptuna and Education Minister Paul Quassa visited Greenland June 30 to July 4.
They met with Greenlandic Premier Aleqa Hammond to discuss the airlink between Nuuk and Iqaluit, resources and economic development, education, hunting and fishing and the EU ban on import of seal products.
Following a meeting on July 2, Nunavut and Greenland signed a joint statement in which they emphasized common issues where they can work together to achieve important results.
About the seal hunt, Taptuna stated, "Greenland and Nunavut share similar values regarding the sustainability of the seal hunt. By working closely, we are committed to continued advocacy in pressing the EU to understand sealing in our countries and its importance to our livelihood, to our local economy and to our communities."
Taptuna also stated that the Nunavut and Greenland are "interested in working closely on commercial opportunities in hunting and fishing, especially if conceivable benefits are viable and expand our market access."
- Michele LeTourneau
One down, one to go
Qausuittuq/Resolute
Although the weather is warming up, Canada Day plans had to be downsized in Resolute July 1.
"It's finally plus nine," said Lisa Komangapik, acting senior administrative officer for the hamlet.
About Canada Day, Komangapik said the "weather wasn't all that nice, but it was fun."
"We had a parade, the fire truck was leading the parade."
The community then gathered at the hamlet building for the barbecue.
For Nunavut Day, the community will gather at Tupirvik, an area about a 20-minute drive from the village.
"We'll have a picnic up there and barbecue, and games. We'll have a best-dressed contest," said Komangapik.
With the weather warming up, a community clean-up is in the works.
"But there's still snow, quite a bit of snow."
- Michele LeTourneau
Memorial for Eric Joamie
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
A memorial service was held June 29 for Eric Joamie, who went missing June 19 while hunting in Pangnirtung. The memorial was held at the location where his ATV was found.
Hundreds of people attended to pay tribute to the hamlet's translator and interpreter, Meeka Alivaktuk wrote on a community Facebook page.
Joamie was also a leader in the Feeding My Family group, which fought for affordable food in Nunavut.
Divers from Qikiqtarjuaq are now searching for his body in the water nearby.
- Casey Lessard
Summer fun makes for great sleeps
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
This year the hamlet of Hall Beach stepped up its game and hired 22 summer students.
"We tried something new this year, summer day camps, running out of our community hall," said Tracy Laine, the hamlet's director of finance and senior administrative officer.
There are art, craft, boardgame and Wii Fit day camps, with snack time, all afternoon.
"We've actually had a lot of kids showing up for these day camps. We're really surprised at how well it's turning out," Laine said.
There are also outdoor sports all summer, with four boys teaching soccer and baseball skills.
"We're working on keeping the kids busy all afternoon so that they go home afterwards and go to bed. And it's actually working. Our bylaw officer says that he has seen a difference in the number of kids out on the streets at night."
- Michele LeTourneau
Coral Harbour couple found dead
Salliq/Coral Harbour
Nunavut RCMP confirmed on June 23 that Daren Eetuk and Julie Nakoolak were found dead in a river just outside Coral Harbour.
The young couple were reported missing on the morning of June 19, said Sgt. Yvonne Niego of the RCMP, prompting a search by Coral Harbour Search and Rescue and the RCMP, with members of the community helping in the search.
Niego said the couple's ATV was found in the river later that afternoon, though she wasn't able to confirm how far away from the community it was. On June 21 the search took to the air and a woman's parka and safety vest were found, though it cannot be confirmed if they belonged to the couple.
On June 22, the body of Nakoolak was found, and soon after searchers found the body of Eetuk.
Niego said RCMP don't know the cause of death but are working along with the coroner in the investigation.
- Candace Thomson
Barbecue on Canada Day
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The community of Rankin Inlet had a full day's worth of activities to join the rest of the country and celebrate the nation's birthday on July 1.
It all began with a parade starting from the hamlet office, with prizes for the best costumes and decorated vehicles, then a community barbecue put on by the Royal Canadian Legion. After that there were activities for children like a cardboard boat race, a ball hockey tournament, face painting and a bike race.
For the adults and older children, the hamlet put on a target shooting competition, performances at the community hall and wrapped it all up with a square dance for the whole community.
- Candace Thomson
Cruise ship readiness
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
Residents in Pond Inlet will learn how to best host tourists arriving from cruise ships later this month. The training, provided by Parks Canada, takes place at the Nattinak Visitor Centre from July 25 to 27.
"We are doing this in an effort to support the capacity of Pond Inlet to host cruise ships, and other tourists," acting Sirmilik Park manager Karen Petkau said. "Courses such as this help the community deal with large numbers of visitors and increase the community's exposure to the possibilities of tourism."
The 15-hour course is free of charge and participants earn a certificate for their efforts. Those who complete the course get a vest that identifies them as certified tourism attendants so they can be identified by visitors in the community.
- Casey Lessard
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