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Monday, December 21, 2015
Feds change course on transparency law
The Liberal government will stop withholding non-essential funding to First Nations that had not complied with the controversial First Nations Financial Transparency Act.
Deninu Ku'e First Nation and Pehdzeh Ki First Nation are listed on a federal website among several First Nations that had not met the deadline for providing financial information such as band council and chief salaries, required to be disclosed under the former Conservative government law.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett announced the change in a news release Dec. 18.
- Shane Magee
Sudden death in Deline
Police and the coroner's office are investigating a sudden death in Deline.
According to an RCMP news release, officers responded to a call for assistance at a home at about 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 18, where they found a deceased adult male inside. The cause of death has not been determined, police stated. The man has been identified and his family has been notified. The Mounties have not released his name nor his age.
It is not known if the death is being treated as suspicious.
- John McFadden
More child porn charges after forensic search
Additional charges were laid against Joseph King of Fort Resolution after a forensic search of digital media seized by RCMP in February.
King was initially arrested and charged with possessing and distributing child porn and obstruction in 2013 as part of a national investigation called Project Snapshot. He was charged in February with breaching court conditions. The search resulted in new charges of accessing child porn.
King was expected to be in court again in Yellowknife on Dec. 18.
- Shane Magee
Charges pending after liquor seized in Deline
Police say charges are pending after a seizure of "a large quantity of over-ration liquor" that was brought in Deline last week.
RCMP stated in a news release an investigation began after a male was found at the airport allegedly with 48 376-millilitre bottles of various spirits. The alcohol was seized and charges were expected to be laid. The name of the male has not been released.
Deline has restrictions on the amount of alcohol a person can bring into the community.
- Shane Magee
Santa Claus is coming to town
Aklavik
Students at Moose Kerr School were set to have a new face among them on Dec. 18 when Santa Claus pays a visit.
Claus was scheduled to send the students off for the Christmas holidays, wrapping up the fall semester.
That night, a radio bingo was planned at the Sittichinli Complex, with oranges given away as door prizes.
Continuing on into the weekend, a drum dance was scheduled for the complex on the night of Dec. 19.
During the drum dance, a homemade Christmas Ornament Contest was to be held, boasting a $150 top prize, following by $100 and $50 prizes for second and third place respectively.
- Elaine Anselmi
Getting Christmas crafty
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
On Dec. 15, students entertained the community at the school Christmas concert to kick off a week of seasonal celebrations.
"This week we have crafts with the kids all week during the after-school program," said recreation co-ordinator Doreen Carpenter.
On Dec. 16, Santa's workshop was coming town, with gift-wrapping taking place for all of the children's presents.
On Dec. 17, the Christmas spirit was to continue with an adult craft night, followed by a gift bingo and dice game on Dec. 18.
- Elaine Anselmi
Starting with the sweets
Tuktoyaktuk
The walls are going up and the roof raised on gingerbread houses in Tuktoyaktuk.
On Dec. 17 community members of all ages can head to Kitty Hall for gingerbread house making, with all supplies provided, said recreation co-ordinator Caroline Loreen.
On Dec. 18, a family games night will be held at the hall with snacks provided and a Christmas photo booth, complete with props and costumes.
The big guy in red will be lacing up on Dec. 19 for the Santa skate, with a feast, drum dance and square dance taking place that evening at the
hall.
The annual event starts at 6 p.m., Loreen said, and usually sees a strong turnout.
The holiday celebrations continue into the week, with an infant and elder Christmas party on Dec. 22 and the community's Santa Claus Parade taking place on Dec. 23.
- Elaine Anselmi
Paulatuk's got talent
Paulatuk
On Dec. 15, youth took to the airwaves to show off their skills in the youth talent show hosted by the recreation department.
The judges listened intently from home to choose a winner, said recreation department spokesperson Mabel Thrasher.
A community feast was to lead into the Christmas concert on Dec. 17 and on Dec. 18, the elders planned to sponsor a merchandise bingo that would run on the radio station.
Activities were to continue into the weekend with a turkey bingo on Dec. 18 and a formal dinner for all youth in the community on Dec. 19 at the youth centre.
- Elaine Anselmi
Gym closes for holidays
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Due to the Christmas break, the school gym will be closed from Dec. 14 through to Jan. 4, at which point it is expected to re-open for regular programming.
Yoga wrapped up for the year last week and will have a new schedule for 2016.
Dogsled races were scheduled to take place Dec. 19 and 20.
- April Hudson
Christmas light competition
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
Liidlii Kue First Nation, Fort Simpson Metis Nation and Dezoa Gogha are sponsoring a Christmas light competition, with judging to take place Dec. 23.
Prizes include $300 for first place, $200 for second and $100 for third.
Janor Guest House and The Willows Inn are collecting photos for their 2016 calendar, with the theme "Events in Fort Simpson."
The second session of Arctic Winter Games trials is upcoming with a deadline of Jan. 4 to apply. The trials will take place later in January.
The last day of school for Bompas Elementary was scheduled for Dec. 17.
Nominations for Fort Simpson village council's byelection open Dec. 24
- April Hudson
Christmas hampers ready
Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
Christmas hampers are ready for pick-up for Jean Marie River First Nation residents.
On Dec. 17, the community school was scheduled to have its Christmas concert at 2 p.m.
- April Hudson
A festive potluck dinner
Enterprise
Enterprise residents were scheduled to have their annual Christmas potluck dinner on Dec. 19, starting at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6.
The Christmas potluck dinner is an annual event in Enterprise to get community residents together to celebrate the festive season.
The event is presented by the Hamlet of Enterprise.
- Paul Bickford
Bright lights in Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The town of Fort Smith is holding a Christmas light contest.
Residents were invited to register their properties by Dec. 18. Judging will take place on Dec. 23.
The first prize will be $150, while $100 will go to second place and the house that comes in third place will net $50.
- Paul Bickford
Former Fort Smither to head law society
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
Shannon Cumming, who is originally from Fort Smith, has been named president of the Law Society of the Northwest Territories.
The society selected a new executive committee at its annual general meeting on Dec. 5 in Yellowknife.
According to a news release, the society believes Cumming is the first indigenous president of a law society in Canada.
Glen Rutland was named vice-president, Susan McKinney will serve as secretary and Karen Wilford will continue as treasurer. Margo Nightingale will serve as member at large, and Heather Chang will remain as the lay member of the executive.
- Paul Bickford
Teens arrested after break-in
Iglulik
All extracurricular events at Ataguttaaluk High School in Iglulik were suspended following a break and enter causing damage and loss of more than $10,000.
RCMP responded to the break-and-enter call at the school Dec. 14. Two youths between the ages of 14 and 15 were arrested as a result of an investigation
"Office equipment and furniture at the school were extensively damaged and a quantity of cash was stolen," stated RCMP media liaison Cpl. David Lawson.
"As a result of this incident, all after-hours activities at the high school have been cancelled until further notice, which will include events over the Christmas holidays."
The investigation is ongoing.
- Michele LeTourneau
Field research station considered
Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island
A permanent field research station might be coming to the community of Qikiqtarjuaq.
Hamlet representatives met with members of the Nunavut Research Institute earlier this month to discuss the project. They viewed presentations made by Marie-Helene Forget, co-ordinator of the Green Edge Project, and Jean-Eric Tremblay, a professor at Laval University.
Arthur Nicomedes, finance manager at the hamlet, stated in an e-mail that this kind of project could bring jobs and opportunities to the community.
- Stewart Burnett
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
Nunavummiut Tim Anaviapik Soucie and James Simonee attended the ArcticNet conference in Vancouver this month to share information about their projects.
The two previously worked with Laval University on a research project in Pond Inlet in which they collected data on local water quality.
In Vancouver, Soucie made a presentation on community-based monitoring, while Simonee attended several scientific meetings seeking new partners and mentors for a project on Arctic char and seals.
- Stewart Burnett
Tribute given after respected elder dies
Iglulik
Nunavut lost another figure integral to the formation of the territory when Lucassie Ivalue of Iglulik died over the weekend of Dec. 12.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) president Cathy Towtongie expressed her condolences to Ivalue's family.
"I will miss his extensive traditional knowledge and cultural wisdom. Lucassie was a friend and mentor to me, and paved the way for Inuit in so many different areas. I wish to express my sincere condolences to his wife Leah, his family and his extended family on behalf of the NTI board of directors," said Towtongie.
Ivalu was a respected elder from Iglulik and served as president of the Baffin Regional Inuit Association in the 1980s, stated a news release.
"During that time, he played a pivotal role in the political movement that led to the signing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and the eventual formation of Nunavut. Ivalu also served as mayor of the hamlet of Iglulik as well as a member of the local search and rescue committee."
- Michele LeTourneau
Christmas dinner helps students with trip money
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
More than 80 staff and family members attended the annual District Education Authority Christmas Dinner in Pangnirtung on Dec. 13.
The feast was for staff of Attogoyuk Illisavik and Alookie Elementary School. The Grade 12 students from Attagoyuk were serving the dinner as a fundraiser for their trip to Washington, DC, and New York City.
Major Mosesee Qaapik was a speaker and guest of honour.
Presentations were made to outgoing DEA chair Henry Bolap and office manager Maata Alavuktak, who is moving to a position with Nunavut Arctic College.
Students set out the buffet, served guests and cleaned up afterwards.
- Stewart Burnett
Christmas bounty from friends
Iglulik
The Friends of the North organization and its founder and executive director Susan Fahidy, with residents, Hollywood actors and RCMP, helped fill 280 Christmas hampers with food and toys before they were packed and delivered to the less fortunate from the Igoolik Co-op earlier this month.
The partnership between the Co-op and Friends of the North saw the organization raise close to $14,000 for the holiday effort, "boosted by interest on the part of Hollywood actors spreading good cheer and supporting the cause through various social media efforts," stated a news release from the Igoolik Co-op.
The community of Iglulik is linked to Hollywood through the making of the film Chloe and Theo, starring actors Dakota Johnson and Mira Sorvino, as well as local climate change activist Theo Ikummaq.
"This is a true community effort," stated the store's general manager, Jerome Sheaves.
"The schools and RCMP are vital partners, giving freely of their time and resources to make this a reality."
Sheaves also said the effort "paves the way and creates huge potential for a future emergency hamper program in the community."
Canadian North also sponsored the initiative.
- Michele LeTourneau
Two Carolines chosen for scholarships
Iqaluit
Two Inuit beneficiaries learned Dec. 15 they each received a $500 Nunavut National Parks Scholarship.
Caroline Ipeelie-Qiatsuk and Caroline Meeko are both students in the Nunavut teacher education program at Nunavut Arctic College.
Ipeelie-Qiatsuk of Iqaluit is in her fourth year while Meeko of Sanikiluaq is a third-year student.
"Both students are dedicated and committed to eventually playing a strong role in education in Nunavut," stated Brian Manning, director of education programs.
Ipeelie-Qiatsuk has also received the Indspire
Scholarship and the Jose Amaujaq Kusugak Scholarship.
Applicants for the national parks scholarship
were screened by the Kakivak Association.
Scholarship recipients must demonstrate a strong commitment to learning and intend on continuing their education in the future.
"(Ipeelie-Qiatsuk and Meeko) are very deserving of this recognition," said Manning.
- Michele LeTourneau
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