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Monday, July 27, 2015
Crack cocaine found at fire training site
About 1.5 kilograms of crack cocaine was found hidden in a wall behind a piece of sheet metal July 23 at a training facility used by the Hay River fire department.
In a news release issued July 24, RCMP stated the drug was seized and an investigation is ongoing.
It was found by members of the fire department during maintenance of the building.
- Shane Magee
Erasmus re-elected as Dene national chief
Bill Erasmus was re-elected as Dene national chief at the Dene National Assembly on July 22 in Deline.
Erasmus defeated his lone challenger Harold Cook, garnering 85 votes to Cook's 43. There was one spoiled vote.
Erasmus was first acclaimed in 1987, then again in 1989 and in 1991. By 1997, he had been acclaimed four times in all and was acclaimed again in 2012.
He has served as the national chief since '87 except for a three-year span from 2003 to 2006 when he was the Assembly of First Nations regional chief.
That position was combined with the Dene national chief in 2006.
- John McFadden
Missing Fort Smith man found safe
About a day after he was reported missing, Johnny Jeffery Simpson has been found safe in Fort Smith.
Police had asked residents of the community to check sheds, outbuildings or abandoned structures on their property as a search for the 34-year-old man.
He was located on July 24.
- Shane Magee
Plaque unveiling for Metis patriarch
A plaque will be unveiled in Fort Smith on July 28 to commemorate the life of northern Metis patriarch Francois Beaulieu II.
Beaulieu, who was born in 1771 and died in 1872 at Salt River, was a chief of the Yellowknife Band, an explorer with Alexander Mackenzie, an advisor to John Franklin, brother-in-law of Akaitcho, an interpreter, a businessman and much more during his 101 years of life.
The plaque will be unveiled by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, which has designated Beaulieu a person of national significance.
The unveiling ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at Roaring Rapids Hall.
- Paul Bickford
Hockey player to appear at Fort Smith youth event
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Shaun MacPherson, a well-known hockey player from Fort Smith, will appear at a youth event in the community on July 30.
MacPherson was a member of the 2013 Western Hockey League champions Portland Winterhawks.
In addition, he has played with the Kindersley Klippers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and university hockey with the Mount Royal Cougars.
The Fort Smith event, which will be held in the parking lot of the rec centre, will include a motivational talk to the youth, a question-and-answer session, dry-land hockey training exercises and a fun ball hockey tournament.
There will be no cost for youth to attend the event, which is being sponsored by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
- Paul Bickford
Hamlet of Enterprise reviews SAO resumes
Enterprise
The Hamlet of Enterprise reviewed resumes submitted for the position of senior administrative officer (SAO) at a special meeting on July 23.
Mayor John Leskiw II said seven resumes have been received.
The hamlet council planned to narrow that down to about three and then contact those applicants.
In the meantime, Melinda Lenoir, the hamlet's financial officer, will be the interim SAO until a new person is hired.
Leskiw said the goal is to have an SAO in place by early September.
The former SAO, Hermann Minderlein, departed on July 17 for a new job in Alberta.
Minderlein, who began working in Enterprise in mid-September, left the community for personal reasons to return to a former job as treasurer with the Town of High Prairie, where he owns a home and where his wife resides.
- Paul Bickford
Fort Smith museum to hold Water Day
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre in Fort Smith will hold a Water Day on July 28.
The afternoon camp - set for 1 to 4 p.m. for children aged six to 12 - will explore some of the science behind water's many forms.
The children will also learn about water conservation and how animals connect with water.
Finally, they will make ice sculptures and enjoy watercolour activities.
- Paul Bickford
Arbor being renovated
Tthenaago/Nahanni Butte
Nahanni Butte is in the process of renovating the community arbor. Renovations should be completed by the end of the month.
Renovations include replacing the boards around the arbor, fixing the roof and painting it. Once that work is done, the community will be adding art created by local youth.
The community is busy with summer projects and summer students are hard at work.
The band office is also wishing happy birthdays to Bella Ekotla, Jennifer Konisenta and Rita Tesou who celebrated on July 24.
- April Hudson
Election dates set
Pehdzeh Ki/Wrigley
Returning officer Tammie Cazon has compiled an official timeline for Pehdzeh Ki First Nation elections.
Nominations, which opened July 13, was scheduled to close July 24. A candidates forum will be held July 28 at 7 p.m.
On July 29, band members can vote in advanced polls from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Election Day is slated for Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The advanced polling station and election day polling station will be at the First Nation's boardroom.
- April Hudson
Hockey tour begins
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has scheduled hockey player Shaun MacPherson's youth tour for July 28 at 2 p.m.
The event will be taking place at the community centre and is free.
Activities include a motivational speaking session followed by a question and answer session, dry-land hockey training exercises and ball hockey games.
Play Around the World was scheduled to host a softball game on July 23 at the baseball diamond at 7 p.m. and a free youth swim on July 24 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- April Hudson
Mental health first aid
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
From July 27 to 29, the Deh Cho Health and Social Services Authority will be holding Mental Health First Aid training sessions.
The course provides 18 hours of training and will prepare people to better understand and respond to those with mental illnesses and in mental health emergencies.
The Elephant Thoughts Science Camp was also scheduled to begin July 20 and run until July 25.
- April Hudson
Peel River Paddlers arrive
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
Five Yukon youth who have been paddling down the Wind River since July 7 was scheduled to conclude their nearly 300-kilometre journey in Fort McPherson July 24 with a community celebration.
CPAWS Yukon Chapter program manager Amber Church said the annual trip is intended to introduce First Nations youth from the Peel region to the land of their ancestors while physically and creatively engaging with the watershed.
Church said the idea is to get young people involved in the Peel campaign to protect the watershed from government development.
The youth flew from Mayo, Yukon, to the watershed and will paddle to the end of the river where a boat will take them into Fort McPherson.
- Meagan Leonard
Golf tournament draws a crowd
Ulukhaktok/Holman
The 28th annual Billy Joss open invitational golf tournament was held this past weekend in Ulukhaktok, drawing 25 golfers to the course - young and old.
The tournament is named for Joss, who introduced golf to the community in 1988 said hamlet administrative assistant Kayla Kaodloak.
The event included three days of golfing for experienced golfers and those still perfecting their swing.
Outings and picnics were held at the golf course with community youth helping to prepare food for the barbecue.
Fun continued into the evening on July 18 with performances by the Western Drummers and Dancers at the gymnasium.
- Meagan Leonard
Tuk dancers take Toronto
Tuktoyaktuk
The Tuktoyaktuk Siglit Drummers and Dancers have had a busy week.
The group was featured in two performances at the Pan Am games in Toronto July 16 and 18, taking the stage at the Fort York National Historic Site and Harbourfront Centre. On July 21 they made their way to Inuvik for the Great Northern Arts Festival, showcasing their interpretation of Inuvialuit legends, stories and traditions.
"IRC is pleased that the Tuktoyaktuk Siglit Drummers and Dancers will have this great opportunity to showcase their drum dancing," said Inuvialuit Regional Corporation CEO Nellie Cournoyea in a news release.
"The ancestors would be so proud to see this young group sharing their traditions and culture at events like the Pan Am games and Great Northern Arts Festival."
- Meagan Leonard
Supplier not concerned about shortage of Avgas
Iqaluit
The territory is out of aviation gasoline until August but fuel supplier Uqsuq Corporation says it's nothing to worry about for most fliers.
"Most aircraft use Jet-A fuel, which is a kerosene-based product every single jet (in Nunavut) uses," said spokesperson Franco Buscemi.
"Avgas (aviation gasoline) is a lead-based product. Very few planes, mostly small private planes, use it. Avgas is used by planes that still have piston engines."
It would be a bigger issue at a southern airport that services small aircraft, so in Iqaluit, it might mean pilots from Europe crossing the Arctic would need to find an alternate route while the shortage exists.
Buscemi could not name any clients in Iqaluit that use the fuel.
Buscemi said Jet-A comes in on a fuel tanker and is stored at the tank farm, whereas Avgas comes by sealift in barrels and is acquired in small quantities because the demand is low.
Eventually, the lead-based product will be replaced with a lead-free product, and refineries are eliminating the manufacturing of Avgas.
"In terms of our mandate and priority, it's always to service our community," he said.
"So we always make sure our jet fuel is always at healthy levels, but with aviation gas, you're servicing such a small group of fliers and none of them would be residents."
- Casey Lessard
Council approves code of conduct
Iqaluit
It was called a "gag order," and now a code of conduct for Iqaluit city councillors is in effect.
Councillor Kenny Bell was on vacation for the third reading of the bylaw, which was approved July 14, but warned in June that it was a tool to enable Mayor Mary Wilman to silence him as retribution for his history of bringing to light concerns that had the potential to embarrass the city.
Coun. Terry Dobbin called it a "gag order" at the June 23 meeting, opposing a requirement that councillors would have to sign a document stating they agreed to abide by the code. At the time, deputy mayor Romeyn Stevenson said it was unnecessary because councillors didn't need to sign any document to be held to terms of the code since it would be set down as a bylaw.
At the June 23 meeting, the first reading passed with support from Stevenson, Stephen Mansell, Noah Papatsie, and Simon Nattaq. It was opposed by Bell and Dobbin. The second reading, where the promise to remove the signing requirement was made, was supported by all councillors in attendance except but Bell.
At the July 14 meeting, the third reading reflected the desired change. The motion passed with the support of Nattaq, Dobbin, and Joanasie Akumalik. Papatsie had changed his mind on the matter, voting to oppose the code of conduct. Wilman, Bell, and Mansell were absent from the meeting.
- Casey Lessard
Walrus sunbathes in Resolute
Quasuittuq/Resolute
The wind let up for long enough to let boaters hit the water in Resolute recently, which also led to a chance encounter with one of the North's finest beasts.
"We were out boating and came across this walrus just laying there sunbathing," said Lysia Iqaluk. "(It) wasn't doing anything at all and we were a few feet away from it."
Walrus are common in Resolute during summer and Iqaluk made sure to snap some photos before moving on with the boating trip.
- Stewart Burnett
Summer narwhal season starts
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
Hunters in Arctic Bay had 125 summer season narwhal tags available July 20. But it's been a slow spring for hunting, and the hunters are waiting for better conditions.
"Right now there isn't anyone catching anything," said Ikajutit Hunters' and Trappers' Association manager Doreen Iqqaqsaq. "There isn't anyone going to the floe edge anymore because the ice is bad. Since the ice is just starting to break, there isn't anyone going anywhere."
Of 65 tags available for the migratory season, only 14 tags were used this spring, Iqqaqsaq said.
The summer season carries a quota of 125 tags until Sept. 30. Unused quota does not get carried over to the next season, she said.
- Casey Lessard
New director at Inuit association
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
Thomas Elytook was elected director of Baker Lake July 13 for the Kivalliq Inuit Association, according to unofficial election results released earlier this month by chief returning officer Lisa Oolooyuk.
Elytook is expected to serve as a director for one term until December 2016, she said.
There are 1,326 eligible voters in Baker Lake, while 188 turned out to vote. This represents a voter turnout of approximately 14 per cent.
Elytook garnered 67 votes, while the closest contender, David Toolooktook, took 43. Sarah Peryouar received 34 votes, Michael Mautaritnaaq 18, Eric Ukpatiku, 14 and Elijah Amarok 12.
- Michele LeTourneau
Residents urge pet owners to clean up
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Cambridge Bay residents are fed up and taking to social media to urge pet owners to clean up after their dogs around town.
Multiple residents said they don't even have dogs but have been forced to clean up after them in their own yards. They complained of the smell and effect on children playing.
Asked if there are any bylaws regarding cleaning up after pets, bylaw officer Dave Taylor declined to answer and directed Nunavut News/North to ask any questions to the senior administrative officer, Stephen King. The Hamlet of Cambridge Bay did not respond to the question by deadline.
A 2008 bylaw calls for dog owners to "immediately remove and dispose of any excrement left by the dog on any property in the city other than the owner's property."
- Stewart Burnett
President hosting open house
Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord
Qikiqtani Inuit Association president PJ Akeeagok is heading to his hometown of Grise Fiord for an open house, continuing a tour of communities served by the organization.
Akeeagok will host residents at the community hall Friday, Aug. 14 at 2 p.m.
Since his election in December, he has hosted similar open houses in Sanikiluaq and Kimmirut.
- Casey Lessard
Retail food prices analyzed
Nunavut
The Nunavut Bureau of Statistics has released new numbers comparing the food cost in Nunavut to the cost of food in the rest of Canada, putting into perspective the reality of higher food costs in dollars and cents.
The statistics are also broken down by region - Kivalliq, Kitikmeot and Baffin. Both food and non-food items prices were collected from all 25 communities this past March. These prices were than compared to Canadian statistics on those same items.
A few top items include one litre of two-per-cent milk, priced at $2.61 in the Kivalliq, $3.17 as the average cost in Nunavut, and $2.50 for Canada overall. Milk is an item included in the Nutrition North Program, so does see a substantial cut in price.
Tea bags, a staple in Nunavut, is not subsidized. The cost for a box of tea bags is $8.32 in the Kivalliq, and average of $8.22 in Nunavut and $4.47 in Canada-wide. One litre of ketchup, also not subsidized is $7.36 in the Kivalliq, $8.75 in Nunavut and $3.50 Canada-wide.
A full listing of a grocery cart of items is available on the GN's Bureau of Statistics website.
- Michele LeTourneau
Prospecting course hits Kugluktuk
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
The Government of Nunavut's free prospecting course has been making its way around the territory, with a week-long session starting in Kugluktuk today.
The free training course is being held at the college and starts July 27 at 6 p.m. Last week was a session in Kugaaruk.
Taking the course will enable participants to apply for funding of up to $8,000 to finance an exploration project of their own. The courses teaches people how to identify different rocks and minerals, such as iron and gold.
- Stewart Burnett
Shop will stay open
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
Arctic Bay's alternative to the big grocery stores will soon be restocked, and remain open this year.
The Ikajutit Hunters' and Trappers' Association store has sold almost everything from its pilot project, and the store's success has manager Doreen Iqqaqsaq believing it will become a permanent fixture in the community.
"Hunting gear and cheap groceries," were the most popular items, Iqqaqsaq said.
The HTO and Arctic Fishery Alliance split the store's proceeds. The AFA boat Kiviuq is expected to bring the year's supplies in the next month or so.
- Casey Lessard
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