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Friday, October 21, 2016
Man spotted on Frame Lake island
A man apparently walked across thin ice to get to an island on Frame Lake, not far from Old Airport Road on Tuesday.
Paramedics used binoculars from shore and told Yellowknifer they could see a man on the island. Using a loudspeaker, they called to him and asked him to make his way to shore. While Yellowknifer was with the paramedics, no one was spotted leaving the island. City spokesperson Nalini Naidoo did not provide information yesterday as to whether they thought the man was still there and if any efforts would be made to rescue him.
- John McFadden
Internet knocked out in capital
Internet service in the capital city ground to a halt for some users Wednesday morning for about six hours. Northwestel, in a brief notice on its website, stated its technicians had investigated the cause of the outage affecting cable Internet service. Andrew Anderson, a company spokesperson, stated that the outage that began around 4:30 a.m. was caused by "technical network issues." The outage was fixed around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
- Shane Magee
Council talks devolution
Aboriginal leaders representing the signatories of the Northwest Territories Devolution Agreement met with Premier Bob McLeod this week for the third meeting of the Intergovernmental Council.
Council members, including the GNWT, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Northwest Territory Metis Nation, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Gwich'in Tribal Council, Tlicho Government, Acho Dene Koe First Nation, Salt River First Nation, Deninu Ku'e First Nation and the K'atlodeeche First Nation met to collaborate on matters related to lands and resource management.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
Tourism program now accepting applications
Applications for two tourism mentorship programs are now open, the GNWT announced on Oct. 19. The Youth Mentorship for Tourism program and the Tourism Business Mentorship program, provided through the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, are open to NWT residents interested in gaining experience in the tourism industry.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Wolf warning for Fort Simpson
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is warning residents in Fort Simpson to be wolf-aware.
As of Oct. 14, wolves had been reported near the community's boat launch, industrial area, landfill and the Wildrose subdivision.
The department also reported one wolf had been destroyed the evening of Oct. 13 after trying to take a person's dog.
The department is asking residents to report wolf sightings and keep an eye on their outdoor dogs.
Fiscal year deadline for health centre study
Health Minister Glen Abernethy confirmed in the legislative assembly on Oct. 14 the first-phase planning study for a new health centre in Fort Simpson is on track to be concluded during the 2016-17 fiscal year.
A schematic design for the health centre will be the second phase.
Abernethy said the department won't be in the capital plan until 2018-19 at the earliest.
"I'm committed to moving this initiative forward," Abernethy said, according to a transcript from the legislative assembly, before acknowledging the project would be competing for priority with other projects in the territory.
Abernethy also confirmed the future health centre would not include any addition of services or programs, although the department may look at using the existing health centre to add more beds to the long-term care facility.
Bi-ennial wildlife workshop returns
Representatives from communities in the Deh Cho gathered at Fort Simpson's recreation centre on Oct. 18 and 19 for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' regional wildlife workshop.
The workshop happens every two years and gives the department the opportunity to share its research with the communities.
Ferry closure warning comes early
On Oct. 18, the territorial Department of Transportation stated in an advisory that the MV Lafferty ferry to Fort Simpson was on 72-hour notice for closure.
Closure was possible sooner, according to the advisory, depending on conditions such as low water levels.
The MV Johnny Berens ferry to Wrigley could close within a week or sooner.
The closure comes two weeks earlier than the 15-year average for the MV Lafferty.
Break and enter at Department of National Defence
Inuvik RCMP received a complaint of an alleged break and enter and vehicle taken without consent at the Department of National Defence compound at the Inuvik airport early in the morning Oct. 7.
During the investigation, the RCMP found information that the facility had unauthorized entry between 3 and 4 a.m. A person entered the compound and took a vehicle from it. Within a short time, the vehicle was returned to the building, with little damage to the compound or vehicle.
Inuvik RCMP have video surveillance of the incident. A suspect had not yet been identified at press time.
Anyone with information to aid the investigation is asked to contact the RCMP.
Dance group to perform at Sunrise Festival
Vancouver- and Toronto-based choreographers Meredith Thompson and Kate Franklin will be coming to Inuvik this winter to facilitate and direct a dance project they hope will involve members of the community.
All ages and levels of dance experience will be welcome, and the dance will be performed at the 2017 Inuvik Sunrise Festival.
The choreographers have partnered with the Town of Inuvik and have support from the Canada Council for the Arts.
The piece, known as Incandescent, is a portrait of both the individual and collective human experience, inspired by a Leonard Cohen song.
"It celebrates both light and darkness – something you have a very natural relationship with in Inuvik," stated the choreographers in a letter to the town.
They hope to arrive and begin working in November.
GNWT engaging public on climate change and energy strategy
Residents will have a chance to voice their input in the development of a territorial climate change strategic framework and energy strategy Nov. 1 and 2.
The GNWT will be holding two days of public engagement and workshops.
"We need to be leaders in addressing and adapting to the impacts of climate change in our communities," stated Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Robert McLeod in a news release.
The climate change framework will establish policy and strategic actions with respect to climate change, including resilience and adaption, research and knowledge and GHG emissions mitigation.
The energy strategy will confirm the principles that underpin the GNWT approach to energy and support actions aimed at reducing the use of important diesel and greater use of local, renewable and alternative forms of energy in NWT communities.
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