 | Home page |  | Text size |
Friday, July 22, 2016
City burn ban lifted
The City of Yellowknife lifted a burning ban in municipal limits Thursday afternoon.
The ban was lifted due to a "recent change in conditions" - or wet weather - in the region.
Between Monday and Wednesday, the city received 12.8 mm of rainfall, according to Environment Canada. The open air burning ban had been put in place June 30 when hot and dry weather conditions prevailed.
While the ban has been lifted, fire permits are still required when using a fire pit or any open flame burning, the city's notice states.
- Shane Magee
Camp Connections seeks donations
Camp Connections is seeking donations for its next camp session.
A fire on July 14 forced the organization, which provides programming for children in foster care, to abandon its site on the Ingraham Trail and they have temporarily relocated to the Folk on the Rocks site. For a full list of what's needed and to donate, check out the Foster Family Coalition of the NWT's website or Facebook page.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
Eight elected to Dominion board
Eight people were elected by Dominion Diamond Corporation shareholders to the company's board of directors at a meeting held Wednesday, according to a news release.
Those include Brendan Bell, Graham Clow, Robert Gannicott, James Gowans, David Smith, Chuck Strahl, Josef Vejvoda and Thomas Andruskevich.
Bell, Dominion's CEO, was appointed to the board in November. Dominion owns a controlling interest in the Ekati Diamond Mine and a minority interest in Diavik Diamond Mine, both northeast of Yellowknife.
- Shane Magee
Feds fund rescue vehicle
The federal government is providing the GNWT $804,389 for the purchase of an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle at the Yellowknife airport.
The GNWT maintains a fire station with specialized vehicles that can respond to aircraft emergencies.
Transport Canada announced it would spend $27.6 million from the Airports Capital Assistance Program on Wednesday in a news release, funding that includes the airport vehicle.
- Shane Magee
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Smoke prompts health advisory
The NWT chief public health officer issued a health advisory for all the NWT because of wildfire smoke July 18.
Smoke has resulted in varying levels of poor air quality, which the advisory states could last for weeks.
Exposure can result in sore eyes, tears, a cough and a runny nose and worsen pre-existing lung or heart disease. Children, pregnant women, seniors and those with chronic conditions like diabetes, lung or heart conditions are most at risk.
Those experiencing wheezing, chest discomfort or shortness of breath are advised to see a health-care provider.
– Shane Magee
LKFN seeks Treaty 11 signing location
The Liidlii Kue First Nation is trying to find where the 1921 signing of Treaty 11 took place in Fort Simpson.
"We do have a relationship with Canada and it is through the treaty relationship," Chief Gerald Antoine said. "We're researching the location of when this treaty site had occurred."
Antoine said he thinks having such information would be beneficial for when community tours are being done.
Dene National Assembly approaches
The 46th annual Dene National Assembly will be held in Fort Simpson from July 26 until July 29 at Thomas Simpson Secondary School.
"The Dene Nation holds these annual and special meetings with equal opportunity for communities to host the assembly where Dene leaders have discussions, consultations and make resolutions," states the Dene Nation's website.
The assembly is open to the public.
Fires in region under control
The NWT Fire website stated on July 16 that there had been seven new fires in the Deh Cho.
A fire 60 kilometres east of Fort Liard has been declared out.
The fire located 14 kilometres southwest of Fort Liard was expected to be wrapped up by the end of July 18.
The fire 15 kilometres southeast of Nahanni Butte has been declared out. Another fire near Nahanni Butte is 25,000 square metres and is being dealt with. And the two fires in the Jean Marie River area have grown but are not a threat to the community, states the website.
The website states no new fires have been reported as of July 18.
NWT fire is run by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Handgames tournament approaching
The handgames committee has decided to hold a men's handgames tournament at the Fort Simpson Rec Centre between July 22 and July 25 and is seeking volunteers.
"Last year, we showcased our community and boosted the economy by having over 350-plus visitors," committee member Natasha Harris wrote on the Fort
Simpson Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
Some of the activities the committee needs volunteers for are selling 50/50 tickets throughout the weekend, donating food to sell and setting up mats and chairs.
The committee includes Darwin Norwegian, Malerie Hardisty-Norwegian, Josanne Tanche, Raymond Horassi, Tanya Klassen and Ramona Hardisty-Gillis.
Ingamo Hall to re-open soon
After having to cease programming earlier this month as a result of not receiving federal funding, Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre will be re-opening its doors in the coming weeks.
Bernice Furlong, president of the centre's board, said the organization heard back from the feds during the week of July 4 and members and staff are working hard to get everything back up and running.
"It will be so good to get back to serving the community," she told the Drum. "We were so sad to have to close, even for just a few weeks."
Research brought home
Aurora Research Institute's Summer Speaker Series continues July 22 with three short presentations about projects being done in the region.
Ryan Scott, a York University PhD student, will talk about the influence of river-to-lake connection on invertebrate communities in Mackenzie Delta lakes. He will be followed by Kelly McHugh, an environmental project tech with the GNWT, presenting on the environmental monitoring being done along the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway.
Wilfrid Laurier University PhD student Corry Wallace will present on the drivers and consequences of green alder expansion across topographic gradients on the low Arctic tundra of the NWT. Each presentation will last 15 minutes, with the entire session running from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Aurora Research Institute. Summer Speaker Series events are open to the public and are free.
Youth Centre teaches skills
The Inuvik Youth Centre will be running a basic carpentry workshop next week, open to all children aged 13 and up.
The program will run July 25 to 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. each day. Participants will use recycled materials, mainly pallets, to make benches and picnic tables, all under the instruction of an experienced carpenter. The resulting work will stay at the youth centre and adorn its outside space.
"It's a great opportunity to learn new skills, get active outdoors, and contribute to a cool new outdoor space to hang out in," said executive director Chloe Brogan.
Summer camp deadline extended
The Inuvik Community Corporation will be running a summer camp at Reindeer Station in the coming weeks. Supposed to run from July 21 to 27, it was postponed until further notice, but participants are invited to sign up before the deadline July 25.
The camp will feature fishing, berry picking, dry fish making, and language lessons, as well as traditional games. Anyone interested may contact the corporation and speak to Mandy or Haley.
| 
