Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

A hunter is in Stanton Territorial Hospital with serious injuries after a grizzly bear attack in a remote area of the Mackenzie Mountains.

According to an RCMP news release, it happened on Sept. 10 about 220 km southwest of Norman Wells near the Yukon border.

Police stated that the victim was with a guide when the bear attacked, dragging the hunter down an embankment and inflicting multiple injuries.

The guide fired a shot which stopped the attack and frightened the bear away. The injured hunter was rescued by helicopter, treated in Norman Wells and medevaced to Yellowknife for further treatment.

- John McFadden

GNWT donates $25,000 for Syrian refugee relief

The Government of the NWT has donated $25,000 to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to help in the Syrian refugee crisis.

In a news release issued Sept. 11, Premier Bob McLeod stated that Northerners, like all Canadians, have been deeply moved by the many lives lost and risks taken by refugees fleeing conflict in Syria. Because the territory does not already have a role in refugee settlement services, the NWT is exploring other ways to help, the premier stated.

- John McFadden

Longtime Dehcho negotiator retires

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.

- April Hudson

Gwich'in institute unveils interactive atlas

The Gwich'in Tribal Council will be putting itself on the map literally this week.

The Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute will officially launch a topographical map set, a wall map and an interactive online atlas during the Gwich'in Tribal Council's annual general assembly on Sept. 15 in Aklavik. The set includes 22 topographical maps for traveling on the land in the Gwich'in Settlement region in both the NWT and Yukon.

- John McFadden Post-secondary scholarships open

Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence Deh Gah Bridge Ltd. post-secondary scholarships for Dene and Metis residents in Fort Providence have opened, with application deadline set for Oct. 16.

- April Hudson

Vet heads to village

Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson

A staff member with Alberta-based Mackenzie Veterinary Services Ltd. is scheduled to be in the village from Sept. 13 to 18. The deadline for special food orders closed Sept. 8. Welder's Daughter was booked to play an adult dance at 10 p.m. on Sept. 12 at the recreation centre, courtesy of the Open Sky Creative Society. On Sept. 13, Seven Spruce Golf Course planned a family golf tournament starting at 1 p.m. John Tsetso Memorial Library will be having its grand opening on Sept. 15 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., with an open house scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Federal Liberal candidate Michael McLeod was scheduled be at the Nahanni Inn Board room on Sept. 9 starting at 7 p.m. The Fort Simpson Rod and Gun Club is holding its first annual general meeting on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at the recreation centre.

- April Hudson

School closes temporarily

Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard

Deh Gah School closed down early on Sept. 4 after a water pump stopped working. The issue was fixed by the end of the weekend and school resumed as normal on Sept. 8. Friday Night Teen Nights began Sept. 4. On these nights, the community hall will be open from 10 p.m. until midnight for youth between ages 12 and 14.

- April Hudson

Successful caribou hunt

Paulatuk

Community members were out on the land outside of Paulatuk over the weekend continuing the caribou hunt, as the run of Arctic char comes to an end. "There was people over the long weekend out caribou hunting and they got quite a few caribou this time," said Gilbert Thrasher Jr., employment officer for the hamlet. "Must be about seven people that went out and altogether, I believe maybe they got seven to 10 caribou." The meat was distributed among family members and elders, Thrasher said, adding that the caribou hunt will continue possibly until the end of November. "We still have a bit longer and some people are still getting char," he said. "The char run is almost done."

- Elaine Anselmi

Back on track in Sachs

Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour Recreation programming is back on schedule in Sachs Harbour as the school year is in full swing. The youth centre and gym are both open, with after-school programming beginning at 3:30 p.m. on weekdays, said recreation co-ordinator Doreen Carpenter. Arts, crafts and games are among the activities offered up after the school day, but Carpenter said the weather is still warm enough that some are choosing to stay outside.

- Elaine Anselmi

Pool closes for season

Aklavik

The end of summer is official in Aklavik, with the seasonal closure of the community pool. "They closed the pool last week for the season," said recreation co-ordinator Dean McLeod. "They had a really good summer." In general, he said things have calmed down a bit in the community following the wrap up of the annual Dizzy Days festivities. "It's kind of slow right now for us," McLeod said. "Kids are all back in school full-time now and everything." With summer programming finished, McLeod said forward-looking fall schedules would be written in the coming weeks.

- Elaine Anselmi

Cookout in Fort McPherson

Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson

Residents of Fort McPherson celebrated the long weekend with a Labour Day cookout hosted by the hamlet. Burgers, hot dogs and smokies were served up to all community members at the event that was held for the first time in the community, said a hamlet representative. Although this was the first event of its kind, she said they would likely host a cookout at the same time next year, seeing high attendance of community members. Otherwise in Fort McPherson, the school is busy getting students registered and easing into the first semester of the year, with hopes of being settled in by next week.

- Elaine Anselmi

Aurora College... there's an app for that

Thebacha/Fort Smith

Aurora College has taken another step into the digital world with the launch of a mobile application - better known as an app - on Sept. 1. As of Sept. 3, the app had already been downloaded by nearly 150 registered users.

The app is intended to help students better organize their schedules; more easily access college, campus and program information; and communicate with instructors and other students. In addition, the app has numerous features to help students succeed.

That includes course listings, event schedules, special deals for students, scholarship and bursary details and links, social media links and chat walls for topics such as marketplace, lost and found, housing, news and ride sharing.

Jeff O'Keefe, vice-president of student affairs, called the app a good way to fulfil Aurora College's mandate to better serve its students.

"Students are becoming more technically savvy and are increasingly using new media to communicate and navigate their world," stated O'Keefe in a news release. "Our hope is this app will enable students to have a more fulfilling education experience by providing them as much information as possible at their fingertips."

The app also allows important announcements and emergency messages to be sent to all users.

It was developed for Aurora College by OOHLALA Inc., a mobile application company which specializes in creating apps for colleges and universities. The app is compatible with Android smart phones, iPhones, iPads and tablets.

- Paul Bickford

Community dinner set for Enterprise

Enterprise

A community dinner was scheduled to be held in Enterprise this past weekend. The dinner - designed to promote healthy relationships and community wellness - was set to take place on Sept. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Enterprise Community Centre.

- Paul Bickford

Fishers find more shrimp

Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay

The Arctic Fishery Alliance boat Kiviuq I made a summer stop in Arctic Bay in late August to help further develop the community's economy through an exploratory fishery.

"They were fishing near Victor Bay, Nanisivik, and near Arctic Bay and part of Admiralty Inlet," said Doreen Taqtuu, Ikajutit Hunters' and Trappers' Association manager. "They were looking for shrimp and whelks, and turbot. They were not successful with turbot, but they were successful catching shrimp and whelks."

The find comes after last summer's success, when Grise Fiord and Qikiqtarjuaq saw similar results from their exploratory fisheries.

The ship brought stock for the hunters' and trappers' association store, which opened last year and offers camping gear and supplies, as well as groceries.

"There has been a lot of customers and they are very happy with the pricing," Taqtu said, noting the most popular items this year have been pots and pans and boating supplies.

After the delivery, Kiviuq I took five hunters to Devon Island for a few days of muskox hunting. Five muskoxen were hunted and shared at a community feast, she said.

A similar trip was cancelled last year due to the government's refusal to let the boat refuel from government fuel tanks at Nanisivik or a refuelling tanker in the water off Arctic Bay.

- Casey Lessard

Coroner warns against deadly dangers of huffing

Iqaluit

Nunavut's chief coroner is warning people not to consume solvents or other toxic chemicals after a death in Pond Inlet Sept. 7.

A 19-year-old man was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the local health centre that morning. He had been huffing propane prior to his death, the coroner stated.

In a Sept. 9 release, chief coroner Padma Suramala warns against huffing propane, sniffing gas, and drinking paint thinners and antifreeze.

They are dangerous and "can cause immediate death," she emphasized.

Suramala called on the Department of Health to continue its work to raise awareness of the dangers of solvent abuse.

- Casey Lessard

Countdown for council candidates

Iqaluit

Heading into the Sept. 14 deadline to submit papers confirming their candidacy in the Iqaluit city council election, only one incumbent was ready to say that he will run again.

Noah Papatsie said Sept. 8 that he will run, "maybe for mayor," he said.

Mayor Mary Wilman, deputy mayor Romeyn Stevenson, and councillors Joanasie Akumalik, Terry Dobbin, and Simon Nattaq said voters would learn their intentions after the deadline.

Coun. Stephen Mansell said he would not run again, saying he has a young family to focus on.

Coun. Kenny Bell was the most decisive of the group.

"Absolutely not," he said.

The election will be held Oct. 19, the same day as the federal election.

- Casey Lessard

Polar bear trade not detrimental

Nunavut

A significant review of trade in polar bears will not be conducted by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

This decision, made by the Animals Committee consisting of experts representing each of the six geographical regions of CITES, was applauded by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. vice president James Eetoolook Sept. 10.

The committee concluded that the current level of trade in polar bears is not detrimental to the survival of the species.

"This decision is in line with what Inuit have stated for years: that polar bear populations in Canada are healthy, and that international trade does not pose a risk to the species. Canada and Nunavut have a robust co-management system in place that carefully and sustainably manages the polar bear harvest while giving Inuit decision-making authority, as envisioned in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement," said Eetoolook.

- Michele LeTourneau

Youth given wheels

When Alison Harper and her husband, an RCMP officer, moved to Kugluktuk from Calgary, they brought their bikes with them. "We're huge mountain bikers," said Harper. And when she started cycling about, she gained a following of youth who were fascinated by her bicycle. "They were loving the bike. They'd never seen a big fat tire mountain bike before," she said. Soon, she was out cycling on Saturday afternoons with a contingent of Kugluktuk youth. It quickly became apparent, though, that many youth in Kugluktuk did not have bikes. A conversation with a Calgary friend who owns Ridley's Cycle and one Facebook post on her personal page soon exploded to an unforeseen conclusion Sept. 5. Thanks to bike donations and the shipping generosity of Buffalo Airways, Harper was able to give away 65 bikes during a community event on Sept. 5. There are more plans afoot for what Harper now calls the Polar Bike Project. Fundraising means that Harper will be able to buy parts and train all the new bike owners on how to do some basic maintenance. Saturday jaunts in Kugluktuk and area with Harper have now become a regular occurrence.

- Michele LeTourneau

Residents to discuss new territorial park

Clyde River residents are preparing for a public meeting that brings a new territorial park one step closer to reality. A meeting to discuss the boundaries of the proposed Aggutinni Territorial Park will be held Sept. 15 at the parish hall. "It's a big chunk of land north of here," said chief administrative officer John Ivey. "It's a beautiful area." The park has been in the works for more than 30 years, and would protect a vast area that, at 16,000 square kilometres, would be three times the size of Prince Edward Island. The designation is expected to be a tourism boon for the community, which has 10 fiords within 100 km of the hamlet, and no shortage of wildlife.

- Casey Lessard

Election-time details on possible Franklin Centre

Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven

When Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Iqaluit Aug. 14 on the campaign trail for the Oct. 19 federal election, he promised a Franklin Centre to the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven but offered few details. On Sept. 10, Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq, who is also seeking re-election, offered a few more details to flesh out the Conservative promise. Aglukkaq called the would-be Franklin Centre "the first operational National Historic Site in Nunavut that would be built by a re-elected Conservative government. "The discovery of HMS Erebus last summer showed to the world the importance of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit," stated Aglukkaq in a new release. The incumbent in the federal race promised Conservatives, if re-elected, would "provide $16.9 million over five years and $1.5 million ongoing thereafter to protect and conserve the wreck of HMS Erebus and its artifacts." Such funding would be used to construct a multi-functional facility for research, conservation and presentation of artifacts in Gjoa Haven, she said.

- Michele LeTourneau

Isuma TV now on Arctic Bay cable

Arctic Bay residents can now watch Nunavut's Isuma TV productions on cable television, making more Inuktitut-language TV available without forcing them to use their own Internet broadband quota. "They've been wanting to do it for quite a while," said economic development officer Clare Kines, who shares office space with the equipment for the broadcasts. "Very popular. People are enjoying it." A heritage centre employee creates a playlist of items available from the Isuma catalogue, which is updated regularly with the most recently available downloads, and co-op cable subscribers can watch shows on channel 51. "If you go to their site, you can see the programming available there, and that's what's available to us," Kines said. "There's always bandwidth issues here. It's too slow to run a movie, and you eat up your bandwidth." The channel is currently commercial-free, he said.

- Casey Lessard

Beloved elders pass away

The community of Rankin Inlet was deeply saddened by the loss of two of its most beloved elders, Simon Twyee and Moses Aliyak, this past month. Twyee was found on the land after an intense five-day search. No foul play is suspected in his death. Aliyak died of natural causes after a courageous battle with a prolonged illness. Both men were avid hockey fans and could be seen in the Rankin Inlet Arena for almost every tournament and senior men's league game.

- Darrell Greer

Rower nearing end of Northwest Passage

Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet

The French man who has spent the last three summers in his quest to be the first to row the Northwest Passage was set to finish his journey this weekend or within the next few days, according to Charles Hedrich's brother, Nelson. "He will arrive in Pond Inlet within three to 10 days," Nelson stated in a Sept. 8 e-mail. "He has 300 km left to row." Charles Hedrich left Taloyoak, where he had left his ice rower over the winter, at the beginning of August. Good ice conditions meant a fast journey for the man who already has several adventure records to his name. "The road hasn't been easy," Nelson stated. "Charles had met a polar bear that had (jumped) in the water towards him but (he) managed to escape (by) rowing. By Sept. 8, Charles Hedrich had spent 150 days on his Arctic-class rowboat, living in a space less than one square metre in size, his brother said.

- Casey Lessard

Hockey player helps anti-bullying effort Nunavut

The North West Co. (NWC) teamed-up with NHLer Eric Fehr to raise $5,000 in support of the Canadian Red Cross bullying prevention programs. The announcement was made this past week. In late 2014, Fehr, a former Winnipeg Jet, partnered with the grocer to help raise money and awareness for bullying prevention programs through the sale of the book, The Bulliest Dozer, a children's book he co-authored which has an anti-bullying message and encourages positive behaviour. The book cost $10, with 100 per cent of the proceeds benefiting the Canadian Red Cross and its bullying prevention school programs. "I hope The Bulliest Dozer can be a fun way to discuss a serious topic," stated Fehr in a Sept. 4 news release. "I think it's important for kids to understand how damaging bullying can be, and how they can help put a stop to it." Fehr personally donated an additional $10,000 to the Canadian Red Cross.

- Darrell Greer

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.