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Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Canadian Cancer Society Yk office closing
The Canadian Cancer Society is closing its Yellowknife office. The society stated in a news release the office on 49 Street will close Sept. 30 when its current lease expires.
"As online and electronic interactions continue to grow, we realize we can better serve all Canadians living with cancer - including people in Yellowknife - without needing to rely on bricks and mortar," stated Dan Holinda, executive director of the Canadian Cancer Society, Alberta/NWT division.
- John McFadden
North Slave fires have ENR's attention
The Reid Lake fire, blamed for destroying the Namushka Lodge on Harding lake and a cabin on Pickerel Lake, has reappeared on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources website. The department states the fire is about 76 square kilometres in size and is burning within a secure perimeter creating smoke in the area.
The fire is being monitored. Assets are also being protected near the Snare hydro complex about 70 kilometres north of Behchoko. Crews were taken off the 205 square kilometre fire late last week even though it continues to burn out of control.
- John McFadden
Budding entrepreneurs go through bootcamp
The NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation hosted its first business bootcamp that helped 12 young entrepreneurs create and improve their business plans, according to a news release.
The camp was held June 29 and 30 in the city, though the news release was issued last week.
Such business bootcamps are expected to be held in the city in the future with plans to expand to other communities in the territory, states the news release.
- Shane Magee
#Shopyk begins
The City of Yellowknife and Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce are launching a #Shopyk Passport campaign from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
The campaign involves collecting passport stamps.
A stamp is earned each time a participant spends $20 at participating businesses. Participants who collect 30 stamps will have their names entered into a draw to win a $3,000 shopping spree.
Businesses can register in the #Shopyk Passport campaign until Sep. 30.
- Robin Grant
Kivalliq residents visit the Pope
Krakow, Poland
Residents from across the Kivalliq were in Poland to try and get a glimpse of Pope Francis during World Youth Day last month.
Two residents from Rankin Inlet, three from Baker Lake and four from Arviat were joined by people from Gjoa Haven for the trip.
Maria Noolook and Maria Kasauaq from Rankin, Margaret Akatsiak, Troy and Lazarus Illumgiayok and Michael Illnik from Arviat and Maisie Tunguaq, Dar Niuqtuq and Susan Niuqtuq from Baker Lake all made the trek.
Although they did not get to meet the Pope in person they watched him deliver his speech. They also got to see him drive by on the way to the altar.
Susan Niuqtuq said it was difficult to understand what the Pope was saying because he was speaking in Polish.
"We were lucky enough to have our bishop, who understands our language, who would interpret in English and Inuktitut," she said, adding the trip was "awesome."
The group was expected to travel back to Canada on Aug. 2.
Road closures in Baker Lake
Baker Lake
Agnico Eagle Mines will have to close the mine road intermittently over the coming weeks. The road was already closed from Aug. 1 to 2 but a news release from the company said more closures could be expected in the coming weeks as the company ships hazardous materials such as explosives and chemicals.
"During road closure, transportation vehicles will travel at slow speeds and we want to ensure there are no accidents," stated Karen Yip, co-ordinator of community affairs. "We will notify the community of road closure days."
While the road will remain open for most deliveries, the company is reminding people to take the following safety precautions when driving on the road: All Meadowbank road users are required to register at the gatehouse; ATV users must wear reflective vests; all ATVs must have reflective tags; ATVs are not permitted to park on the road; and no shooting guns from the road or across the road.
Suicide prevention plan launched
Nunavut
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami released a national Inuit suicide prevention plan last month.
The National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy, which is the first of its kind in Canada, identifies six priority areas with 29 objectives for Canada's four Inuit regions.
Inuit in Nunavut experience a suicide rate that ranges from five to 25 times higher than the national average.
At the same time as the plan was presented on July 27, the federal government announced it would be allocating $9 million for Inuit-specific mental wellness programs.
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