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Friday, November 11, 2016
New lots offered
Two ballot draws will be held in the coming weeks for residential lots in two newly developed areas of the city.
A draw for 26 lots in the Hordal Bagon subdivision takes place Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. The second draw, for 27 lots in the first phase of Grace Lake South, takes place Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. Both draws happen in city hall council chambers and applications for the draw require a refundable deposit of $1,000.
More information is on the city's website.
- Shane Magee
Teacher negotiations underway
Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (Yk1) has entered into negotiations for a new collective agreement with the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association.
Yk1 made the announcement during its board meeting on Nov. 8.
Negotiations began Nov. 7 and could be wrapped up as early as the end of the month, according to Yk1 superintendent Metro Huculak.
The district's latest contract expired at the end of August.
Board members also re-elected John Stephenson as chairperson and Duff Spence as vice-chairperson for 2016-17 at their meeting.
- Kirsten Fenn
Heritage art show opens next week
The City of Yellowknife Heritage Committee's first juried art show is coming up soon.
Artworks that were chosen under the theme "performance" will be on display at the Yellowknife Artist Run Community Centre (YKARCC) starting on Monday.
Visitors will get a chance to mingle with contributing artists on opening night and view the exhibit daily until Nov. 18.
- Kirsten Fenn
Gahcho Kue wins award
A group behind the construction of the Gahcho Kue diamond mine northeast of Yellowknife was recognized Wednesday for its work on the project with an award, according to a news release from De Beers.
The project team won a gold construction and engineering award at the 11th annual Project Management Institute's Elixir Gala Evening. The submission recognized the entire project, a collaboration between De Beers, Hatch and JDS Energy and Mining and headed by Allan Rodel of De Beers.
- Shane Magee
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Nadli advocates for men's healing program
A unanimous vote in the legislative assembly on Nov. 2 means a men's healing program may be funded for an additional year.
A New Day, the program in question, was set to expire this year. However, MLAs voted in favour of "strongly (recommending)" to the Justice Department that it be funded an additional year.
The motion was put on the floor by Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli, who told the assembly he personally was helped by the program.
Prior to his re-election as Deh Cho MLA, Nadli was convicted for an assault where he broke the wrist of his spouse and served eight days in jail of a 45-day sentence.
Nadli said the program helped him to understand the choice he made on the day of the assault.
"I'm living proof that the A New Day program can help us come to terms with our past and move beyond the use of violence as a way of coping with the things we all struggle with," he said.
Justice Minister Louis Sebert said the department "absolutely" supports action on family violence.
"The funding for A New Day program will remain part of the department's budget," he said.
Councillor reaches out to youth
Fort Simpson Coun. Muaz Hassan has taken over responsibility as council's representative on the Fort Simpson District Education Authority.
Hassan requested that seat during a Nov. 7 council meeting.
He said he and parents within the community are in the process of forming a society for youth in the Deh Cho, with the hope that society will provide opportunities for youth to experience national and international events.
Tournament anniversary a big bash
The 30th anniversary of Fort Simpson's Men's Rec Hockey's annual tournament will be celebrated from Jan. 20 to 22 this year.
Aside from hockey, the event is expected to include a family and adult dance and a draw.
The tournament will have a maximum of 12 teams, with a first-place prize of $5,000, second-place prize of $3,000 and third-place prize of $2,000.
The registration deadline is Jan. 19 at 5 p.m.
Black ash hits parts of Inuvik
A fine black ash appeared on the ground and vehicles in parts of Inuvik on Nov. 8.
The Inuvik Drum received one report of it at the elementary school around 10:30 a.m. and another near Northmart. The ash consisted of fine black particles that dissolved in water and rubbed off.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources was looking into the report but had not responded with more information by press time.
Aboriginal tourism program started
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has introduced the Aboriginal Tourism Champions Program in hopes to develop and expand authentic cultural tourism products in NWT communities.
"Our territory is unmatched in its ability to fill the growing market demand for Aboriginal and cultural tourism," stated Wally Schumann, minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, in a news release. "We are committed to helping communities realize economic opportunities from tourism in the NWT and finding unique and respectful approaches to share the traditional ways, arts and celebrations of our people."
The goal of the program is to develop a network of aboriginal champions who will work to strengthen cultural tourism within communities and motivate organizations to use tourism initiatives as a stimulus for economic development and cultural revitalization.
Aboriginal tourism in Canada employs roughly 32,000 people, which is about two per cent of Canada's travel sector workforce.
The program is eligible to anyone of aboriginal ancestry born and residing in a NWT community.
GNWT launches mandate reporting website
The territorial government has launched a new website where the public can track the GNWT's progress on fulfilling its mandate.
The mandate refers to the five major themes the GNWT is pursuing: governance; economy, environment and climate change; cost of living; education, training and youth development; and community wellness and safety.
"Open government is good government, and the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to transparency," stated Premier Bob McLeod in a news release.
The website can be found at mandate.exec.gov.nt.ca.
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