 | Home page |  | Text size |  | E-mail this page |
Friday, September 11, 2015
Green Party announces NWT candidate
The Green Party of Canada now has a candidate in the NWT for the Oct. 19 federal election.
Green Party organizer Marlene Wells confirmed John Moore of Inuvik's candidacy to Yellowknifer yesterday.
In early August, News/North reported that Moore was the new executive director of the Inuvik Youth Centre.
Attempts to reach Moore before press time were unsuccessful. Moore is up against incumbent NDP Dennis Bevington, Liberal candidate Michael McLeod, the Conservatives' Floyd Roland and Libertarian candidate Bob Stewart.
- John McFadden
Highway 4 down to one lane
The Department of Transportation has closed one lane on Highway 4, near Niven Gate, to carry out roadwork, according to Department spokesperson Nick Hurst.
The workers are smoothing out the bumps in the road, he said.
"They're just trying to bring it out to a smooth surface again but there are some significant dips so it's going to take a couple of days," said Hurst yesterday.
"They have to do the whole thing so they'll be alternating lanes back and forth."
- Evan Kiyoshi French
Last chance for farm fare
The last farmer's market of the season hits Somba K'e Civic Plaza on Tuesday, according to France Benoit, president of the Yellowknife Farmers Market.
She said the last couple weeks of summer are the best time to get colourful produce.
"Purple and yellow carrots and kale bigger than your head will be provided care of a pair of full-season produce vendors," she said.
- Evan Kiyoshi French
Councillor to stay on heritage committee
Councillor Phil Moon Son will stay on as chairperson of the heritage committee despite concerns about his attendance raised early last month.
Moon Son will stay on until the Oct. 19 election both to avoid upheaval and because there are now five vacancies.
Those positions reached the end of their term Aug. 25. The next committee meeting is set for Wednesday.
- Shane Magee
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Longtime Dehcho negotiator retires, leaders talk strategy
Georges Erasmus, chief negotiator for the Dehcho First Nations (DFN), has retired after 12 years due to personal and family reasons.
According to DFN, Erasmus has decided this is an appropriate time to step aside, since treaty talks are on hold and are not scheduled to resume until December.
DFN Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said Erasmus will be hard to replace and the process has benefitted from his skills and expertise.
DFN leaders have scheduled to meet for a strategy session in early October.
Historical society celebrates 25th anniversary
The Fort Simpson Historical Society will be celebrating its 25th anniversary from Sept. 18 to 20 at the Arbour.
The program of events features the Edmonton House Brigade's historic 1805 fur trade camp re-enactment and is slated to include black powder firearm demonstrations, archery demonstrations, traditional children's games, an historic fashion show and more.
On Sept. 18, students are scheduled to be brought out to visit the fur trade camp and learn about Northern history.
First Nations miss deadline for Transparency Act
A week after the federally set deadline for the First Nations Financial Transparency Act passed, almost all First Nations in the Deh Cho are on a list of communities that have not provided complete documents.
Acho Dene Koe, Deh Gah Got'ie Koe, Liidlii Kue, Nahanni Butte, Pehdzeh Ki and Sambaa K'e join a total of 15 First Nations across the NWT on that list, which was last updated Sept. 3.
Shoreline cleanup scheduled in Fort Simpson
The Fort Simpson Island Shoreline Cleanup is scheduled to take place Sept. 12 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Participants will be meeting at the McPherson House for a meal and subsequent cleanup.
The cleanup is part of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, a nation-wide program that began in 2002.
Under that program, more than 2,560 kilometres of shoreline were cleaned in 2014.
Pool closed for maintenance
The pool at the Midnight Sun Complex is closed during the month of September for regular annual maintenance.
Aquatics supervisor Mike Scott said it typically takes a few days for the pool to drain and then another week or so to fill it, heat it and make sure the chemical composition is correct. Pool staff including life guards will also clean the facilities and do any repair work needed.
"We need to clean the liner and fix some tiles," Scott said. "The air handling unit is getting replaced this year, so that's a big thing."
Most of the work is done in-house, but some jobs – like tiling – are contracted to professionals. Beyond the lining, everything from the equipment and lane markers are cleaned.
Suicide prevention march planned
Inuvik's Victim Services organization is organizing a march to mark Suicide Prevention Day Sept. 10.
The march is to begin at Aurora College at 5:30 p.m., where participants can gather to put together signs and decide on chants. They will then walk to Jim Koe Park and back to the college, where there will be bannock and soup served.
"How far we walk will be weather dependent," said Ali McConnell, program co-ordinator for the Justice Committee.
Starting at 7 p.m. there will be a series of speakers and guests on hand to talk about the importance of suicide prevention, as well as a presentation of resources within the community. At 8 p.m. there will be a ceremony in which participants may light a candle in memory of a lost loved one or survivor of suicide, or to support suicide prevention.
Gwich'in head to AGM
The Gwich'in Tribal Council will be having its annual general meeting Sept. 15 to 17 at the Sittichinli Complex in Aklavik.
Between the regular business of governance, including accepting minutes from previous meetings and hearing reports from various branches, there will also be a presentation on the Gwich'in Place Names Map, as well as the Gwich'in Achievement Awards.
Run for Terry
It's that time of the year again, in which residents young and old lace up their sneakers to run for a cause. The Terry Fox Run is celebrating its 35th anniversary with the associated foundation having raised more than $650 million for cancer research.
Organizer Natasha Kulikowski said past years have seen about 30 runners, although she would hope to have many more this year.
The Inuvik event will take place at the Midnight Sun Complex Sept. 20, with registration at noon and the run kicking off at 1 p.m.
| 
