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Monday, February 29, 2016
Whooping cough outbreak continues
The Department of Health and Social Services is warning residents about a continued whooping cough outbreak, according to a GNWT news release.
While only one case has been confirmed so far this year, numbers were high in 2015 compared to prior years, the release states. There were 21 cases throughout the Tlicho Region, Hay River, Yellowknife and the Beaufort Delta last year.
The outbreak was declared in November and reinstated in January. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection that can be passed to others by coughing and sneezing. It can be dangerous for babies under one year and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms include fever, runny nose, sneezing and stubborn cough with a "seal" bark sound.
Women who are 26 weeks pregnant or greater are advised to get vaccinated.
- Kassina Ryder
Otto Binder dies
One of the last original reindeer herders has died.
Otto Binder died Feb. 25 at the age of 93, according to his son, Lloyd Binder.
Originally from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Otto moved to an area north of Inuvik called Reindeer Station to work on the reindeer herd. His son said he had multiple careers throughout his life, including with RCMP. The family formally began managing the herd again in 2004.
Lloyd said the family will dearly miss his father's knowledge of how the animals behave on the land.
- Shane Magee
GNWT launches drinking water website
A new government website aims to educate residents about their drinking water.
The website, www.nwtdrinkingwater.ca, provides information on the safety of the territory's drinking water, including the water treatment process, how testing is conducted and how source water is being protected.
- Kassina Ryder
Aklavik boy run over by snowmobile
A boy in Aklavik received non-life threatening injuries Feb. 23 after he was run over by a snowmobile driven by an unsupervised child, police say.
The injured child was taken to the community health centre prior to police arriving, an RCMP news release states. The boy was transported for treatment of serious cuts in Inuvik, according to RCMP spokesperson Const. Elenore Sturko.
- Shane Magee
Former NHL star at conference
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
The Norman Wells Land Corporation is hosting a youth and elder leadership conference that will include a visit from Former NHL hockey player Reggie Leach, according to a poster on the Norman Wells Announcements Facebook page.
The conference is scheduled to take place from Feb. 29 to March 2 and aims to teach about culture, budgeting, team building and leadership.
It will be held at the Dennis Drolet Community Hall and is open to youth and elders from Tlicho communities.
- Kassina Ryder
Students look at post-secondary options
Radilih Koe'/Fort Good Hope
Chief T'selehye School students are scheduled to travel to Edmonton to tour potential post-secondary institutions this week, said principal Vincent Dikaitis.
Students are expected to leave Fort Good Hope on
Feb. 27 and return on March 3.
The trip was made available to students who had maintained an 80 per cent attendance record and had been working hard academically. They also had to actively participate in the school's learning strategic sessions, which aimed to teach topics such as self-esteem, communication and goal setting.
"The purpose of these sessions is to educate and inform students on how and why these areas can either hinder or promote their successes," Dikaitis stated in an e-mail to News/North. "Once students understand that they can improve these areas we then focus on hard skills such as conflict resolution, stress, time and money management."
- Kassina Ryder
Polish photographer visits Deline
Deline/Fort Franklin
Ehtseo Ahya School students were expected to participate in a photography project on Feb. 25, said teacher Shawn Doherty.
Polish photographer Kuba Bakowski is working on a project where he positions individuals in the shape of constellations. The plan for the photo involved having Deline students dressed in traditional clothing each equipped with a headlamp, Doherty said.
The photographer would then position the students into the shape of ursa minor. The photo will be used in conjunction with other photos Bakowski has taken for the project.
- Kassina Ryder
Tulita slides into fun
Tulita/Fort Norman
A sliding party for kids in Tulita was scheduled to take place on Feb. 25 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., said recreation co-ordinator Erica MacCauley.
Kids were invited to the arena after sliding for hot chocolate, hot dogs and a movie.
Other events were scheduled to take place at the arena over the weekend, including a casino night on Feb. 26 and cribbage games on Feb. 27. A handgames event was scheduled for Feb. 28 and all residents were invited to participate.
- Kassina Ryder
Students on Ice applications begin
Tlicho
Applications are now being accepted for Students on Ice, according to the organization's website. This year's expedition is scheduled to run from July 21 to Aug. 5.
Participants will first fly to Ottawa and then to Kuujjuaq, Que., where they will board a ship and explore the Canadian Arctic before heading to Greenland.
Participants will disembark in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and fly back to Ottawa.
The deadline to apply is Mar. 11.
- Kassina Ryder
Behchoko hosts big bingo
Behchoko/Rae-Edzo
A $15,000 Bingo game was scheduled to take place in Behchoko on Feb. 26 to help raise money for the community's Sportsplex, according to a poster on the community's Facebook page.
Doors were expected to open at about 5 p.m. at the Cultural Centre and the games were to begin at 7 p.m.
- Kassina Ryder
Handgames tournament in Whati
Whati/Lac La Martre
The second bi-annual Charlie Zoe Nitsiza Men's Handgames tournament is scheduled to run from March 11 to 13, said recreation co-ordinator Doreen Nitsiza.
This year's tournament will be held in the Mezi Community School gym. Other events are expected to include a poker tournament on March 10, a Bingo game on March 11 and a two-step dance at the Cultural Centre on March 12.
The deadline to register for the tournament is March 10.
- Kassina Ryder
Spring festival dates announced
Tthenaago/Nahanni Butte
The spirit of spring is already shining in Nahanni Butte as the community gets ready for its 2016 Spring Gathering Festival, set to kick off March 25 and runs until March 27. The three-day affair will be packed with events, games and barbecues.
This year, Nahanni Butte will be joined by the Magoo Crew, hoop-dancers and jiggers from Edmonton who are making the trek north for the festival. The community is also welcoming motivational speaker Mike Scott from Saskatoon, Sask., for the weekend. The festival is open to all.
- April Hudson
Sambaa K'e spotlights health
Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake
The community complex was host to a healthy living fair, which brought community members out for an afternoon focusing on sharing health and wellness ideas on Feb. 24.
The event ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and included draws for appliances, fishing rods, a rabbit kit and more.
- April Hudson
Getting healthy
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
A Community Healthy Living Fair took place at Chief Paul Niditchie School on Feb. 23, according to the Tsiigehtchic events Facebook page.
The fair kicked off with a community lunch and included a presentation by Dr. Kami Kandola, the deputy chief public health officer of the Northwest Territories. Events included a Northern games demonstration, smoothie-making and prize draws for items such as crock pots and blenders. The grand prize was a Fort McPherson tent.
Businesses and organizations also set up booths, including the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, the Tsiigehtchic Charter Community and the Gwichya Gwich'in Band.
- Kassina Ryder
Community garden gets growing
Aklavik
A meeting to discuss Aklavik's new community garden was scheduled to take place on Feb. 26, according to a notice on the Aklavik events and announcements Facebook page.
The meeting was to be held in the council chamber of the hamlet office.
The schedule included choosing the society's name, choosing a management plan for the greenhouse, talking about possible locations for the greenhouse and gardens and finishing paperwork.
The meeting was intended for anyone hoping to get involved in this season's gardening program.
- Kassina Ryder
Fun for tots
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
A post in the Fort McPherson buy/sell or trade Facebook page is inviting expecting mothers and moms with kids under the age of two to sign up for a new early year's program at the community's daycare.
Different activities are planned throughout the week and healthy snacks will be provided to participants. Cooking activities are scheduled to include stir fry, bannock and smoothie making.
- Kassina Ryder
Aurora College holds open house
Tuktoyaktuk
An Aurora College poster is inviting anyone travelling to Inuvik from Tuktoyaktuk on Feb. 29 or March 3 is encouraged to attend an open house for Aurora College's School of Business and Leadership.
The open house is scheduled to take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 29 and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on March 3.
Participants will be able to speak with instructors and learn about the business administration and office administration certificate programs.
- Kassina Ryder
Western Drummers and Dancers filmed
Ulukhaktok/Holman
The Inuvialuit Communications Society filmed the Ulukhaktok Western Drummers and Dancers in the gym at Helen Kalvak School on Feb. 14 according to a post on the group's Facebook page.
Filming began at about 2 p.m. and the group performed in full costume. The public was invited to watch the filming take place.
- Kassina Ryder
Sash-making workshop approaches
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
A Metis sash making workshop organized by RCMP will be held in the Old Metis Building in Fort Resolution on Feb. 27 and 28.
The event will see Metis artist Ria Coleman teach sash making for up to 20 people.
"By gathering together to practise skills in traditional arts and crafts, community members are building support networks and safe places for all people," an RCMP news release states.
The workshops were held in Yellowknife earlier this month and will be coming to Hay River March 5 and 6 and then Fort Smith March 12 and 13.
- Shane Magee
Athletes awarded
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Two Fort Smith athletes are recipients of High Performance Athlete Grants, according to a news release from the GNWT.
Golfer Brandon Walterhouse and hockey player Shaun MacPherson were listed recipients this year. The amount they receive was not noted in the release.
The GNWT and Sport North Federation select the athletes. The grants help cover the cost of training and participating in the athlete's sport.
- Shane Magee
Nunavut leading nation in population growth rate
The country's smallest territory leads the nation in population growth rate, but some might see that as a misleading statistic.
Nunavut's population grew by 836 people in 2015 since 2014, according to recently released Statistics Canada data.
The population grew by 2.15 per cent, outpacing the rest of the nation, including Ontario, which grew by just 0.26 per cent. Ontario gained 114,365 people in the same timeframe, though.
Canada's population rose 0.9 per cent in 2015 since 2014.
- Stewart Burnett
Acting chairperson at wildlife board
Nunavut
The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board announced Feb. 22 Daniel Shewchuk will take on the position of acting chairperson until a new appointment fills the vacant spot.
Shewchuk has been a member of the board since June 2014 after being appointed by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, according to a news release.
Prior to joining the board, Shewchuk was a Nunavut MLA starting in 2008, responsible for several portfolios, such as Environment and Human Resources. His qualifications also include holding the position of wildlife manager for the Kivalliq region with the GN and eight years as a conservation officer in Manitoba.
The wildlife management board is scheduled to begin the process for a permanent appointment "soon," which will result in an appointment by the Governor in Council. Such appointment are made by the Governor General of Canada on advice from cabinet.
- Michele LeTourneau
Board members appointed
Iqaluit
Nunavut Arctic College has two new appointees to its board of governors, Susan Ball for the Kivalliq and Susie Evyagotailak for the Kitikmeot.
Both will serve for three years.
"I am pleased to appoint Mrs. Susan Ball to a three-year term as the Kivalliq representative and Mrs. Susie Evyagotailak to a three-year term as the Kitikmeot representative," stated Education Minister Paul Quassa in a news release.
"Mrs. Ball and Mrs. Evyagotailak bring with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise regarding the development and needs of education for Inuit, in particular their work as classroom teachers and principals across Nunavut schools."
Larry Nalunqiaq was also appointed as student representative for a two-year term. Nalunqiaq is currently taking the college's Nunavut teacher education program through the Kugaaruk Community Learning Centre.
Rhoda Ungalaq was re-appointed to a three-year term and Jason Carpenter re-appointed to a one-year term as staff representatives. "Both have demonstrated dedication and commitment to the success of the college," said Quassa.
"I look forward to the board of governors making informed decisions and input in regards to the direction we are taking in post-secondary education," said board chairperson Elizabeth Ryan.
- Michele LeTourneau
Seacans as homes idea explored
Iqaluit
An Ottawa university group is trying to prove that seacans can be used as homes in the North.
"What we see that the seacans provide is a way to use available resources that are already in the community and make use of that in a positive way," Enactus president Corey Ellis told a forum in Iqaluit Feb. 18.
He was quick to point out that "we've come here on our own dime" and the goal of the idea is not to make money on it, but to actually get the program up and running and then give it to the community.
Ellis hopes to get the program going within two years, but first his group needs to prove with a test model that seacans can be safe to live in.
About two dozen people showed up to the forum. One audience member suggested having people who would eventually live in the homes help construct them as a means to take ownership of their property, which Ellis agreed with.
However, some audience members seemed skeptical that seacans could be built to meet building codes and have all the necessary functions of a home, including water and sewer.
Ellis explained that the ideal model would be connecting several seacans together into a group home of sorts. To make the program sustainable, he thinks they could also be used to rent office space too.
If it works in Iqaluit, it has the capacity to move into other communities in Nunavut too, he said.
- Stewart Burnett
Students receive free computers
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Thanks to former Cambridge Bay resident Sudhir Jha, who is a volunteer with Computer for Schools in Yellowknife, 22 Nunavut Arctic College students received refurbished computers in February.
Computers for Schools is a program run by Innovation, part of the federal department of Science and Economic Development.
The students were thrilled.
"These are practically brand new with up-to-date software so that I can do my school work at home. Thanks so much. I am so grateful," said Hilary Irwin, who is taking the social work program.
Annie Agligoetok, who is taking adult basic education and is her 40s, has never owned a computer.
"This is my first computer ever. I am so excited to learn," she said.
Ruth Oyukuluk, also taking the social work program, expressed her gratitude, saying, "I am in first year of social work and this will really help me for the next year and a half until I graduate."
- Michele LeTourneau
Scholarships for nursing students
Iqaluit
Five Nunavut nursing students studying at Arctic College each received $3,000 Queen Elizabeth II scholarships Feb. 24 in Iqaluit.
The formal luncheon was hosted by the assistant deputy minister of health, Rosemary Keenainak, with Health Minister Paul Okalik and Education Minister Paul Quassa handing out the awards. Arctic College president Joe Kunuk was also present.
Okalik, noting such happy occasions are the fun part of his job, said, "It's promoting more education for our territory."
Amal Osman, Valerie Young, Mark Bursey, Mishael Gordon and Mavis Ell (who was unable to attend) received the scholarships "in recognition of your efforts, you keep your grades very high and you're doing very well," said Okalik.
"We are always challenged at Health, particularly in professional areas, and nursing is one field that we tackle and I want to acknowledge all students."
Okalik, addressing the five recipients, concluded with, "Please, once you're done, stay. That's all I ask of you. I want you to stay and do your part in tackling health care for our territory."
- Michele LeTourneau
Baker Lake resident wins Indspire Award
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
Laura Arngna'naaq of Baker Lake was one of 14 First Nations, Inuit and Metis achievers to be recognized with a 2016 Indspire Award in Vancouver, B.C., earlier this month.
Arngna'naaq was the winner of Indspire's Inuit Youth award.
About 2,000 people attended the gala award ceremony, including about 500 indigenous youths from across the country.
The Indspire Awards have celebrated the highest contributions of indigenous people in Canada for 23 years, and are aligned with Indspire's mandate to provide educational support and programs for future generations to succeed.
- Darrell Greer
Community petitions Keewatin Air
Kimmirut/Lake Harbour
A petition circulating in the community of Kimmirut aims to convince Keewatin Air Ltd. to start a test run for scheduled passenger air service between Kimmirut and Iqaluit.
First Air and Kenn Borek currently fly to and from Nunavut, but community members are hoping to open up the market with some more competition, particularly in terms of scheduled air service.
"The introduction of competition between commercial airlines serving the community would be warmly welcomed by residents," states the petition.
It ends with an invitation for Keewatin to introduce scheduled passenger air service between Kimmirut and Iqaluit "on a trial basis with the ultimate goal of providing an affordable, profitable and sustainable service."
- Stewart Burnett
Coaches receive training
Arviat
A group of 16 community members gathered at Nunavut Arctic College to begin their accreditation under the National Coaching Certificate Program earlier this month.
The course was organized by students of the Nunavut Teacher Education Program who are studying elementary physical education theory in Arviat. The program's Introduction to Coaching is regarded as a substantial add-on to the college's teacher course, particularly for pre-service teachers who need to be equipped to one day conduct after school, intramural, extra-curricular and community activities.
- Darrell Greer
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