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Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Commissioner Tuccaro officially retires
After almost six years on the job, yesterday was the last official day as NWT Commissioner for George Tuccaro.
The former broadcaster became commissioner on May 28, 2010. It is believed that the next official duty for the commissioner is to open the legislative assembly sitting on May 30. If a new commissioner is not named by then, it is expected the job will fall to Deputy Commissioner Gerald Kisoun. It is not entirely clear when the next commissioner will be named, but it is believed that it will be a mutual decision between the territorial and federal governments.
- John McFadden
Green beans recalled
Green beans sold in the territory have been recalled due to potential listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Stahlbush Island Farms brand cut green beans were recalled by Horizon Distributors. The move follows a recall in another country by another company using the same supplier. No illnesses have been reported. The beans, which won't look or smell bad, should be thrown out or returned to stores where purchased. Listeria symptoms include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness.
- Shane Magee
New principal for Range Lake North
Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (YK1) has announced Jodi Lee-Lewis will become the new principal of Range Lake North School beginning in August.
Lee-Lewis replaces Courteney Lizotte, who in January was named one of Canada's 40 outstanding principals. Lizotte has accepted a position as supervisor of instruction with student support services at the board office. Since 2011, Lee-Lewis has been the French coach for district.
- John McFadden
Yk's standout volunteer
Yellowknife resident Dave Kellett has won a territorial government outstanding volunteer award in the elder category.
In a news release, the GNWT stated that the annual awards, sponsored by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, show appreciation to volunteers and organizations that contribute to communities across the NWT. Kellett, who has volunteered for many organizations, directed his $500 prize to the NWT SPCA.
- John McFadden
Celebrated lawyer, boxer dies
Kivalliq
Many people in Kivalliq were saddened to hear the news David C. (Kiviaq) Ward had passed away in Edmonton on April 24, after a long and courageous battle with liver cancer.
He was 80 years old.
Kiviaq was born in Chesterfield Inlet in 1936 and would go on to become Canada's first Inuit lawyer.
A Golden Gloves boxing champion and respected football player, Kiviaq served two terms on Edmonton city council in the late 1960s and early '70s.
The city declared March 14 as Kiviaq Day in 2003.
His life's story, including his battle for equality for Inuit, was chronicled in the 2006 documentary, Kiviaq vs. Canada.
Tootoo a daddy
Rankin Inlet/Kivalliq
Rankin Inlet's own NHLer, Jordin Tootoo, recently of the New Jersey Devils and currently a free agent, became a daddy for the first time this past week.
A baby girl was born to Jordin and Jennifer Tootoo on May 4, weighing six pounds four ounces.
The name of the little girl has yet to be announced.
New heights for Rankin resident
Coral Harbour/Rankin Inlet
Elena Kataluk, 25, of Rankin Inlet (formerly of Coral Harbour) became the first known Nunavummiut to reach the base camp of Mount Everest this past month.
Kataluk made the journey as part of an expedition led by Outward Bound Canada to raise money and awareness to help women heal from abuse and trauma.
Speaking against suicide
Kivalliq/Iqaluit
A number of Kivalliqmiut took part in the United for Life meetings in Iqaluit this past week.
Kevin Stoddart spoke on behalf of the youthful Baker Lakers Against Suicide Team at the gathering, as did Sarah Netser of the Kaajuuq Youth Centre in Coral Harbour.
Grade 12 student Tagalik Eccles of Rankin Inlet was also selected to attend the event, along with numerous other young people.
Man found guilty of manslaughter
Rankin Inlet
Pablo Kappi, 26, of Rankin Inlet pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the July 30 Rankin death of Joseph Patterk this past month in Iqaluit.
Kappi originally pleaded not guilty to a charge of seconddegree murder.
Kappi entered the plea in front of Justice Paul Bychok in the Nunavut Court of Justice on April 21.
He is scheduled for a sentencing hearing in Rankin Inlet on June 22.
Soccer at home and away
Rankin Inlet
A total of 12 teams, six male and six female, took part in the Rick Ningeocheak Memorial adult soccer tournament in Rankin Inlet this past week, from May 4 to 7.
Final results were not known at press time.
In other soccer news, Rankin Inlet's senior boys team brought home the Under19 banner from Senior Super Soccer in Yellowknife earlier this month.
The tournament ran from April 29 until May 1.
Fishing derbies on the horizon
Arviat/Rankin Inlet
The dates, prizes and categories of the annual fishing derbies in Arviat and Rankin Inlet have been announced.
Arviat will host its trout and Northern pike derby from May 12 to 15, with a top prize of $6,000 being offered in each category.
The Rankin derby for trout and cod will run from May 20 to 23, with a top prize of $5,000 in each category.
Baker student cooks up a storm
Baker Lake
Katie Bouska, originally from Baker Lake, became one of the first ever participants in the indigenous cook preapprenticeship program which began this week at Ottawa's Algonquin College.
The oneyear program can prepare up to 20 students for employment by providing 15 weeks of skills upgrading, 12 weeks of inschool Level 1 apprenticeship training, and eight weeks of work placement in the Ottawa food services industry.
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