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Monday, March 30, 2015
Colville Lake chief to resign
Behdzi Ahda First Nations chief Alvin Orlias has resigned after a brief term in the role.
Last fall Orlias took a position as a plant supervisor at Northwest Territories Power Corp and says the stress of balancing a full-time job with public sector responsibilities is what led to his resignation.
Orlias was elected in September 2013 after serving as a long-time band councillor in Colville Lake. He replaced Richard Kochan who had held the position for over a decade.
- Meagan Leonard
Family event encourages liquor restriction
A dry volleyball tournament was held in Fort Good Hope last week, putting a positive spin on alcohol reduction in the community.
Throughout the three-day event, the municipality put in place a temporary liquor prohibition and RCMP made regular patrols throughout the community.
The event came on the heels of several impaired driving charges and liquor seizures in the hamlet.
Community said they officials hope the positive family environment would encourage safe, healthy living going forward.
- Meagan Leonard
RCMP investigating sex assault in Hay River
RCMP are looking for information after a sexual assault in a Hay River apartment building earlier this month.
Between the hours of 8:30 and 9 a.m. on March 21, a female was assaulted on the 12th floor of the high rise building.
The woman was unresponsive when found by police and she was later transported to H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital in Hay River.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP at 867-874-1111.
- Meagan Leonard
Another seizure of illegal liquor
RCMP made another seizure of illegal alcohol outside Tulita last weekend.
The police intercepted 34 bottles of vodka on the winter road before it could reach the community.
A man and a women from Tulita have been implicated in the incident but no charges have been laid at this time as the investigation is on going.
Tulita has been a restricted community since 2007.
- Meagan Leonard
Trout Lake Winter Road closed to daytime use
Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake
The winter road in and out of Trout Lake is limited to nighttime use for all vehicles.
Jessica Jumbo, who works for the band, said as long as the weather stays relatively cold at night, the road should be open at for at least another two weeks.
"Everyone is making their runs in and out of the community before this happens," she said.
The community's annual spring carnival kicks off March 27 with handgames, children's talent show and a drum dance. It runs until March 29. Youth and adult activities will be held all day Mar. 28 and will include log toss, sled race, egg toss, stick pull, axe throwing and tea boiling, among many other events. The adult talent show and drum dance will round out the evening.
- Andrew Livingstone
Taekwondo starts back up in Providence
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
After a short hiatus Taekwondo classes in Fort Providence will begin again in April.
Classes will begin on April 16 with kindergarten to Grade 3 students from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. on Monday and Thursday, following by grades four to six from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. and Grade 7 to adult from 7 to 8 p.m., Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
There will be no fees to join the classes being offered at Deh Gah School and will focus on a number of aspects of the sport.
'We do what are called patterns, learning different movements and learn how to protect yourself if you need to and learn proper and safe sparring techniques, which are non-contact," said instructor Nicole Jarecki.
She is also planning an in-house tournament for all students in the classes who choose to participate. While she hasn't selected a date for the tournament, which will be open to the public for community members to come watch and support the athletes, she is looking for donations to help make the tournament happen.
Jarecki is working with the school to set up a date, but plans to have the younger students from kindergarten to Grade 3 run through an obstacle course and plans non-contact sparring for the older students.
- Andrew Livingstone
Mangilaluk soccer team finishes third
Tuktoyaktuk
Mangilaluk School's soccer team placed third after competing against five Beaufort Delta teams.
"We were hoping for a better finish but the kids played hard and tried their best," wrote coach Krista Cudmore in an e-mail to NWT News/North.
The tournament was held in Inuvik from March 20 to 22.
The Tuktoyaktuk team advanced to the semi-finals but lost 3-2 to Inuvik's boys team.
"It was very back and forth with both teams having some great opportunities to score. Inuvik scored near the end of the 2nd half and we were unable to put any of our shots in the back of the net to tie it up," recounted Cudmore.
"Our team did a great job of working with each other. They improved each game we played.We were a young team but we showed a lot of fight so hopefully next year we can improve where we finish in the standings."
- Miranda Scotland
Bonspiel cancelled in Aklavik
Aklavik
The Sam Arey curling club had to cancel its 2015 Open Bonspiel because no teams signed up. The event was planned for March 20 to 22. Cora Lee Simpson attributed the low turnout to residents being out of town. No plans have been made to hold another bonspiel this season.
- Miranda Scotland
EIRB meeting scheduled
Ulukhaktok/Holman
The Environmental Impact Review Board is holding an information session in Ulukhaktok next month. The April 9 meeting will centre on the review process and worst-case scenario proceeding for the Beaufort Sea Exploration Joint Venture Drilling program. Bannock and soup will be served at 5:30 p.m. in Simon Kataoyak Hall, with the meeting proceeding at 6 p.m.
- Miranda Scotland
Cooking circle promotes healthy eating
Aklavik
Nutrition North worker Rhonda John spent March teaching residents how to cook healthy, easy meals.
She shared recipes from the Nutrition North recipe book through cooking circles and taste tests at grocery stores in town.
"(The Nutrition North recipe book) gives you the basics of how to do it. It breaks it right down," she said.
"For me, I couldn't really cook until I followed this recipe book.
"There are some things I had never made before and then I made them for my elders' day program and they loved it."
Recipes, such as beef and barley, moose soup and fish chowder, can easily be accessed on the Nutrition North Canada - NWT website.
John is scheduled to hold an elder's cooking circle March 28 at 4 p.m.
She will also hold an adult cooking circle March 29 at 3:30. She will also hold a prenatal class cooking circle March 30 in the Aklavik Indian band office.
- Miranda Scotland
Public boards get boost from Ottawa
The federal government announced March 20 it is increasing funding to Nunavut's institutions of public governance.
In its lawsuit against the Government of Canada, launched in 2006, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. noted 16 breaches of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement by Ottawa. NTI alleged, among other breaches, that the federal government has been underfunding the Nunavut Planning Commission, the Nunavut Impact Review Board, the Nunavut Water Board, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and the Surface Rights Tribunal since 2003.
The parties, including the Government of Nunavut, reached a tentative agreement with regards to the lawsuit moments before the case was to be heard at the Nunavut Court of Justice the afternoon of March 9.
No details were revealed at the time, but this announcement listed base funding increases as follows: Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal, 20 per cent; Nunavut Impact Review Board, 55 per cent; Nunavut Water Board, 55 per cent; Nunavut Planning Commission, 25 per cent; and Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, 13 per cent.
Funding for hunter and trappers organizations and regional organizations was also in question. Those received a 33 per cent increase, according to the press release.
The release states the increases "are a result of the ongoing negotiations for the renewal of the implementation contract for the 2013-2023 period."
- Michele LeTourneau
City gets new top administrator
Iqaluit
Iqaluit has a new manager since Muhamud Hassan took over the position vacated when council fired long-time chief administrative officer John Hussey Sept. 12.
Three candidates were flown in for interviews, acting CAO John Mabberi-Mudonyi said, and Hassan will start work April 7.
Hassan is the former senior administrative officer for Sanikiluaq, but left that role for similar work in Fort Nelson, B.C. His most recent role was working at CEO of the Fort Nelson First Nation Economic Development Corporation.
Announcing Hussey's firing after he worked for 13 years with the city, then-acting mayor Mary Wilman did not give cause for dismissal.
"Under the terms of the employment contract with the city and Mr. Hussey, there is a clause that allows either party to sever the relationship," Wilman said at the time. "Either party could sever the contract without cause. City council has exercised that clause."
- Casey Lessard
$1.4 million donation for cancer fight
Nunavut
Jaguar Land Rover Canada has partnered with the Canadian Cancer Society and Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada to increase cancer knowledge among Inuit communities.
The infusion of $1.4 million in funding from Jaguar Land Rover Canada will support increased awareness and health literacy related to cancer in Canada's Inuit communities, with the aim to provide valuable resources and support Inuit. The hope is that the disproportionately high rate of cancer deaths relative to the rest of Canada can be reduced.
"Each of us has a role to play and a contribution to make in the Inuit cancer knowledge journey," said Rebecca Kudloo, president of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada.
"The end result of this project will provide both Inuit and health-care providers resources that will improve health literacy, decrease health disparities and improve cultural competency. Inuit will have the tools to be active partners in their own health care."
Building on the development of a comprehensive Inuktitut glossary of cancer-related terms by Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, the society and Pauktuutit will use Jaguar Land Rover Canada's funding towards the creation of Inuit-specific resources that are accurate, culturally appropriate and accessible to Inuit patients and the health-care providers working with them, the press release stated.
- Michele LeTourneau
Commissioner's term ends
Iqaluit
Premier Peter Taptuna recognized Nunavut Commissioner Edna Elias in the legislative assembly on the final day of the winter sitting March 17.
Her five-year term ends May 11.
"Ms. Elias was appointed to the role of Commissioner of Nunavut nearly five years ago, on May 31, 2010," said Taptuna. "During her tenure, she has sworn in cabinet ministers and members of the legislative assembly, overseen the ascension of bills and presented the Order of Nunavut, as well as the Commissioner's Awards."
Taptuna noted the role of commissioner is important within and without Nunavut's borders, saying the role "exemplifies the values of Nunavummiut and connects us to other jurisdictions while promoting our unique principles."
The premier expressed his gratitude to Elias "for her commitment to the position, her promotion of Inuinnaqtun, and her dedication to cancer research."
- Michele LeTourneau
Dejaeger to face Alberta charges in Nunavut
Iqaluit
Former priest Eric Dejaeger, who was sentenced to 19 years less eight years for time served in early February, will face Alberta charges related to similar alleged historical crimes in Nunavut.
Dejaeger is currently incarcerated at Makigiarvik, Nunavut's new minimum-security facility in Iqaluit.
The former priest, who was found guilty for sexual crimes against children in Iglulik between 1978 and 1982, is facing charges related to incidents with a youth alleged to have taken place at the Newman Theological College in Edmonton, Alta., in the mid-1970s.
The charges are one count of gross indecency and one count of indecent assault, filed in 2011.
Dejaeger applied to the Alberta Department of Justice for the charges to be moved to Nunavut, and the department agreed.
Dejaeger is scheduled to appear in Iqaluit court June 16.
- Michele LeTourneau
High hopes for swimming pool repairs
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Pangnirtung residents haven't been in the hamlet's indoor swimming pool for two years but, unlike Iqaluit's aquatic woes, the cost will only be $10,000 to get people swimming again.
"Because the building is currently in use, it's heated and we have the lighting, there are just some health and safety repairs to make," which are required to reopen, senior administrative officer Sean Trepanier said. They include a dedicated shower area for pool users, as well as doors and locks.
Trepanier expects the season to run from June to September, with an extension of the season pending funding. The pool is connected to the arena and replaced a curling rink that was not being used.
"It's in very good condition," he said of the pool, which was installed within the last decade. "Because it hasn't been used a lot, it's still in pristine condition. We just need someone up here to show people how to use it and maintain it annually."
The hamlet will cover the repairs and is waiting to hear about government funding to hire a qualified lifeguard.
- Casey Lessard
Treatment of students questioned
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Rankin Inlet North and Chesterfield Inlet MLA Tom Sammurtok shared his concern about adult students not receiving support from program staff with Paul Quassa, the minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, in the legislative assembly earlier this month.
"In fact, (some) are made to feel so unwelcome that they return home without finishing their courses," said Sammurtok.
"Can the minister describe what steps are taken to ensure students are made to feel welcome at Nunavut Arctic College and what support is provided to students to ensure that they stay and finish their programs?"
Quassa said there are policies in place on how students should be treated and what type of support services should be provided.
"I haven't heard anything about a student returning home without finishing their course because of their treatment," said Quassa. "If any student has any problems with their instructor, they are told to immediately notify the senior management and they are taken care of right away."
- Michele LeTourneau
Youth leader recognized
Kinngait/Cape Dorset
At Peter Pitseolak School in Cape Dorset, all eyes were on Parr Etidloie March 25.
The school staff unanimously chose Etidloie as the recipient for the Annie Manning Perseverance Award.
"Parr is a Grade 10 student at PPS," said principal Michael Soares. "He has come a long way since he first joined us for his Grade 7 year, a few years ago. At that time we were concerned that he would withdraw from school."
But Etidloie did not leave school and has gone on to become a model student and a good role model for his peers, said Soares.
The award was presented by Annie Manning, for who it is named.
Manning is an Order of Canada recipient and a well-respected elder in Cape Dorset and Nunavut.
- Michele LeTourneau
Geological mapping planned
Iqaluit
Scientists are preparing to map the rocks, minerals and landscape between Iqaluit and Pangnirtung this summer, furthering an aerial magnetic survey last summer.
This year's study will involve a team of 16 people - geologists, a helicopter pilot and engineer, a cook and assistants - from the Geological Survey of Canada and the Nunavut-Canada Geoscience Office, with members flown in daily from June 22 to Aug. 17 to take small rock samples from the ground, according to a release.
The land between Clearwater Lake and Sylvia Grinnell Lake is mostly unmapped in a geological sense. The study will help determine the mineral resources between the two communities, including new sources of carving stone.
- Casey Lessard
Man found safe on the land
Igluligaarjuk/Chesterfield Inlet
Rankin Inlet and Chesterfield Inlet search-and-rescue members found Trevor Autut on March 18, after he spent five days on the land when his snowmobile ran out of gas.
Autut, 23, spend the first two nights in a makeshift shelter and the rest of the time between three cabins, the third of which was fully stocked.
Autut had left Chesterfield Inlet on his way to Rankin Inlet on March 13 to participate in the annual First Air Avataq Cup senior men's hockey tournament.
He took the wrong trail for awhile and, by the time he got straightened out and back on track for Rankin, he ran out of gas before reaching the community.
Autut was about 15 miles away from Rankin when he was rescued by his cousin, Tittaq Komaksiutiksak. He was unhurt in the ordeal.
- Darrell Greer
Construction means jobs
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
The contractor responsible for the Nanisivik Naval Facility visited Arctic Bay March 24 to find people interested in working on the construction site. Almiq Contracting has the contract.
"There was a fair amount (of people)," at the meeting, economic development officer Clare Kines said. "There were some good questions asked and people are curious. I understand a lot were applying for jobs."
A benefits agreement is in effect to ensure beneficiary employment on the Department of National Defence project. Last year they built a camp, and this May the project construction starts, Kines said.
"Everyone's been waiting for the project to get going for a while, so it's nice to see it finally going," he said.
- Casey Lessard
Recognition for teachers
Naujaat/Repulse Bay and Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
Mary Tegumiar of Tusarvik School in Repulse Bay (Naujaat) was named the Nunavut grand prize winner of the Nunavut Teacher Association's Thank You For Making A Difference campaign earlier this month.
The campaign allows students to write a thank you note to teachers who made a difference in their lives. Tegumiar was nominated by student Tiffany Putulik.
Denise Cooper of Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School in Baker Lake was named the Kivalliq region winner of the award. Cooper was nominated by Aranxa Tunguaq.
The teachers' association received more than 2,000 nominations for this year's awards. Regional winners receive an iPad mini and their student nominators will receive a digital camera and a canvas painting.
The grand prize winner will get two First Air tickets, while the student nominator will take home a computer system and printer.
- Darrell Greer
Baffin firms at job fair
Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island
People looking for work in Qikiqtarjuaq will get the chance to hear from Baffin Island employers when the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce brings a Community Economic Development Career Fair to the hamlet April 9.
"It allows youth and adults a chance to explore future possibilities through career and business opportunities," events manager Debbie Purvis stated in an e-mail, billing the trip as a way for businesses, government agencies and other organizations to met potential clients, customers and employees in the community.
The visit will include a community feast, Purvis stated.
- Casey Lessard
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