 | Home page |  | Text size |
Monday, March 27, 2017
Chief elected for Inuvik Native Band
Inuvik
In early results, Lawrence J. Neyando came out on top in the Inuvik Native Band's election for chief.
Neyando edged candidates James B. Firth and Melba Mitchell in the election held Monday, March 20.
Acclaimed to the councillor positions were Vern Smith, Kelly McLeod, Amanda Vittrekwa, Richard Ross, Billie Lennie, Bernice Furlong and Barry Greenland.
Results: Lawrence J. Neyando - 62 (elected); James B. Firth - 49; Melba Mitchell - 9; Cancelled ballots - 34; Spoiled ballots - 7; Unused ballots - 408; Total ballots - 569.
- Stewart Burnett
Police seize illegal liquor
Tulita/Fort Norman
RCMP seized several bottles of illegal alcohol after two vehicle stops on the Tulita ice road.
Police stopped a vehicle on March 18 and seized 49 small bottles of vodka, a 26-ounce bottle of liquor and 51 cans of beer, stated a news release.
In a separate vehicle stop, police seized 48 cans of beer and four bottles of wine. Those amounts of alcohol exceed the liquor limit set by the community. Charges are pending.
- John McFadden
No known fentanyl
abuse in Inuvik
Inuvik
RCMP Staff Sgt. Dustin Ward told council he was not aware of any cases in the community of fentanyl abuse, which has become an epidemic in some parts of the country.
Ward reported to council that during the month of February, the Inuvik RCMP responded to five reports of domestic violence incidents, charging one male with assault and uttering threats. There were also seven reports of impaired driving, with one female charged with care and control of a motor vehicle while impaired.
Total violations in February 2017 were 249, compared to 270 during the same month last year.
- Stewart Burnett
Scans under the scope
NWT
The NWT Health and Social Services Authority is reviewing 2,355 CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds and mammograms after learning a radiologist who formerly worked at Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife may have read them incorrectly.
Approximately 1,491 patients are affected by the review, which will take a second look at exams completed between Dec. 18, 2015 to Jan. 25, 2016 and May 6 to 16, 2016. Cullen said most of the people affected by the review are believed to be from Yellowknife, although people from the communities could also be affected.
- Kirsten Fenn
Industry reps talk tourism with GNWT
Hay River
Barge tours up the Mackenzie River and finding a niche for the town were among the suggestions to surface from a by-invitation tourism workshop at the Ptarmigan Inn on March 16.
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment workshop had 12 people in attendance, stated Michelle Keizer, an ITI tourism development officer for the South Slave, in written information supplied to The Hub.
That included representatives of the Town of Hay River, K'atlodeeche First Nation, West Point First Nation, tourism operators, the Northern Farm Training Institute and the Hay River Chamber of Commerce.
Keizer stated the department held workshops in four communities in the South Slave this month.
Mayor Brad Mapes attended the March 16 workshop and found it was well done.
"What it really comes down to is how we take tourism in our community and look at how we can find a niche," he said. "Obviously, Northern lights have found a niche in Yellowknife."
Mapes suggested an idea that he actually thought of while at the workshop.
It is to create a twice-a-year voyage for RVers up the Mackenzie River to Tuktoyaktuk on a barge pushed by a tugboat.
Mapes said it could be like a cruise, during which the RVers could visit communities along the river, and be introduced to Northern food and culture during the voyage.
Mapes said the RVers could then drive down the Dempster Highway, instead of otherwise having to drive up the highway and then back down the same way.
The mayor noted such a cruise up the Mackenzie River would not be cheap, but he believes the unique experience would attract tourists.
- Paul Bickford
Youth learn canning
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Youth in Sachs Harbour have been enjoying a new program this year teaching them canning and meat processing.
A program since December has involved youth in a number of projects, recently including canning.
"We're going to be making lots of jams, we're going to do some fish," said Doreen Carpenter, recreation co-ordinator.
During the last weekend of March, youth and adults will be learning dry meat making and meat processing.
Carpenter said about 10 people are involved in the program, which is pretty good for a community the size of Sachs Harbour.
The program was a first this year thanks to funding from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.
Carpenter hopes to be able to do it again in future years.
"It's really nice to teach our youth a lot of different skills," she said.
Carpenter added she's just starting the planning process for the community's jamboree, which will be held the first weekend in May.
- Stewart Burnett
Funding announced for land programs
NWT
The NWT On The Land Collaborative has announced it will be distributing more than $600,000 to 35 projects in the territory to promote on-the-land programs.
Although a comprehensive list of programs receiving funding was not available at press time, a media release from the collaborative states one of the programs receiving funding is a land-based youth mentorship project being co-ordinated by the Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation.
The average amount given for grants is a little more than $18,000.
This is the second year the collaborative has given grants to programs in the NWT.
- April Hudson
Career fair planning underway
Fort Simpson
Dates have been set for career fairs in Fort Liard, Fort Simpson and Fort Providence, which are being planned by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.
With a theme of Jack and Jill of All Trades, the career fairs will feature information on steps needed to complete an apprenticeship.
Career development officer Jocelyn MacLean said in an e-mail the dates for the fairs will be May 10 in Fort Liard, May 17 in Fort Simpson and June 1 in Fort Providence.
- April Hudson
French folk fly their flag
Hay River
Students from Ecole Boreale marched to downtown Hay River on March 17 to deliver the francophone flag of the NWT for a special ceremony.
The Association franco-culturelle de Hay River organized a raising of the flag on the flagpole between the old town hall and the library in honour of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, a national celebration of the French language from March 2 to 22.
The flag was raised by RCMP Sgt. Philippe Cyr with the assistance of Mayor Brad Mapes.
The Rendez-vous de la Francophonie is part of the events surrounding the Journee Internationale de la Francophonie (International Francophonie Day) on March 20, which is organized every year around the world to promote the French language and culture.
Across Canada, there were hundreds of community gatherings scheduled, along with multicultural meetings, ceremonies, shows, theatre, poetry, film viewings, word games, contests, educational activities and other events.
After the flag-raising ceremony, the students headed back to Ecole Boreale for a tasting of maple taffy on the snow.
Edith Vachon-Raymond, an education assistant at Ecole Boreale, explained the flag-raising took place on March 17 because the students will be on spring break on Journee Internationale de la Francophonie.
"So we did it on the last day before the spring break," she said. "It was a walk just to show the strength of the French community, and we invited everybody."
Vachon-Raymond noted March is a time for a national celebration of the French language all across Canada.
The francophone flag of the NWT will fly for the remainder of March in Hay River.
The flag features a polar bear, a snowflake and a fleur-de-lys.
- Paul Bickford
Deline fitness gets facelift
Deline/Fort Franklin
The fitness room at Ehtseo Ahya School in Deline has brand new equipment and a new home, said teacher Evan Ferguson.
The new fitness room, which opened the first week of February, is about three times larger than the former room, Ferguson estimated.
"It's at least triple the size," he said.
Now housed in a larger classroom, the fitness room includes a variety of equipment, such as a functional trainer and free weights.
While it's a popular spot with students, Ferguson said the room is also open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The move and equipment were provided through an Active After School grant from the Canadian Active After School Partnership.
The grant enabled staff to purchase about $15,000 worth of equipment with an additional $5,000 for shipping, Ferguson said.
Organizations and individuals in the community also helped make the new fitness room a reality, including a shipping discount from Buffalo Airways and Danny Bayha who used a forklift to bring the new equipment to the school.
- Kassina Ryder
Curling in memory of Karen Balanuik
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
The third annual Karen Balanuik Youth Bonspiel took place in Norman Wells on March 23, said recreation programmer Daniel Lamar.
More than 20 youth between the ages of eight and 18 signed up for the event, which was scheduled to run from 8 a.m. until about 4 p.m.
Organizers created teams and allowed youth to test their curling skills as well as to teach them new techniques, Lamar said.
The goal was to have fun while learning about curling, but also to remember Norman Wells resident Karen Balanuik, who passed away from cancer in 2014.
- Kassina Ryder
Circus camp coming to Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A circus camp is coming to Fort Smith early next month.
An advanced camp - for ages 10 years and over - is set for April 1 to 3, and 20 spots are available.
A regular camp - for ages seven years and over - is set for April 4 to 6 with 30 spots available.
Anyone interested in attending the advanced circus camp must have completed at least one regular camp.
A circus performance featuring participants in both camps will take place on April 7.
More information, including on the fee, is available from the Fort Smith Rec Centre.
The circus camps are being sponsored by the Town of Fort Smith.
- Paul Bickford
NWT women attend indigenous summit
NWT
An all-female delegation nominated by six NWT aboriginal governments - including the Northwest Territory Metis Nation - recently returned from attending the fifth National Indigenous Women's Summit in Toronto from March 6 to 8.
The Northwest Territory Metis Nation representative was Pearl Bird of Fort Smith.
Other representatives came from the Tlicho Government, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Gwich'in Tribal Council, the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and Akaitcho Dene First Nation.
During the summit, the NWT delegation participated in workshops and panel discussions, all of which provided delegates the opportunity to learn from other governments and share their experiences.
"The National Indigenous Women's Summit is an excellent opportunity for our delegates to actively participate in this important intergovernmental work at the national level as indigenous women leaders and recognize their political capacity to positively affect programs impacting indigenous women," stated Caroline Cochrane, the minister responsible for the status of women, in a news release.
Nyra MacKenzie, the delegate from the Akaitcho Dene First Nations, said she learned that women from across Canada share the same concerns about preserving and strengthening culture and language." There was also great discussion about empowering women in communities and how to advance aboriginal women's issues," added MacKenzie.
Approximately 400 participants from across Canada gathered at the summit to share knowledge and expertise, with the aim of building a better future for indigenous women and their communities throughout Canada.
- Paul Bickford
Trade Grief and trauma workshop in Fort Res
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A grief and trauma recovery workshop will be held in Fort Resolution next month.
The workshop, which will take place on Mission Island, will be held from April 3 to 7.
The facilitator will be Susan Tsetso.
- Paul Bickford
Behchoko readies for carnival
Behchoko/Rae-Edzo
Recreation staff are looking for volunteers for next month's Spring Carnival in Behchoko, said recreation manager Jesse Bierman.
Preparations are already underway and the carnival is scheduled to take place from April 28 to 30. While activities are still being determined, staff are working on a roster of events that could include a dance and bingo games, as well as a cribbage tournament.
Events for young children could include a pie eating contest and other activities, Bierman said.
Volunteers will be needed for a variety of roles, including running the different stations for children's activities and helping to organize games.
All events are expected to take place in and around the Khon Go Cho Complex.
Anyone wanting to volunteer can contact Bierman.
- Kassina Ryder
Pancake breakfast to kick off Whati carnival
Whati/Lac La Martre
Whati's Spring Carnival is scheduled to run from April 5 to 9 and will include a variety of traditional and contemporary events, according to the carnival schedule provided by recreation co-ordinator Doreen Nitsiza.
Events kick off with a youth pool tournament at the youth centre followed by bingo games at the Culture Centre on on April 5 and 6.
April 7 will feature outdoor events for youth and children, including two-legged races, a snowshoe race and an egg and spoon race. The carnival's Prince and Princess will be crowned during a family dance at the Culture Centre later that day.
A pancake breakfast is scheduled to start the day off at 9 a.m. on April 8, followed by outdoor events for adults, such as log splitting, tea boiling, sled pull races and a tug of war. A mini carnival will also take place at the youth centre. The day will finish with an adult dance at the Culture Centre. The big event on April 9 is a hand game tournament for participants aged 10 and older.
Free skating will also be available at the arena throughout the weekend.
- Kassina Ryder
Museum training deadline March 31
Tlicho
Tlicho residents are being encouraged to apply for the RBC Aboriginal Training Program in Museum Practices program, according to the Tlicho Government's website.
The program takes place at the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa and is intended to teach indigenous participants skills needed to work in museums, a news release said.
The program runs from September to April and includes travel costs and a stipend, but applicants will be responsible for their living expenses.
Applicants need a high school diploma to qualify for the program, but people who don't have a diploma can still apply if they have cultural interpretation skills.
The deadline to apply is March 31.
- Kassina Ryder
Aklavik prepares for jamboree
Aklavik
Recreation co-ordinator Dean McLeod said Aklavik is busy preparing for the Mad Trapper Carnival during Easter weekend.
The annual event has been running for at least 70 years, said McLeod, but he's not sure on the exact date it started.
- Stewart Burnett
Preparing for Easter events
Ulukhaktok/Holman
A long list of Easter events are coming up for the community of Ulukhaktok in April.
The events will start Friday, April 14, with outdoor events and games. Then the festivities will move indoor to the gym for square dancing, indoor games, drum dancing, arctic sports and more.
Recreation co-ordinator Joanne Ogina said Ulukhaktok's jamboree won't happen until June.
"With our sea ice melting earlier each year, we moved it up a week," she said, currently scheduling it for June 9 to 11.
- Stewart Burnett
Shipping wolf furs just got cheaper
Nunavut
Nunavummiut looking to sell wolf hides outside of the territory won't have to pay for shipping, thanks to a fur freight subsidy put in place by the Government of Nunavut.
The new pilot project covers the cost for raw or frozen pelts.
"This program is specifically for harvesters who ship raw or frozen wolf hides directly to buyers in southern Canada," stated a March 17 release.
"This project will allow hunters across Nunavut to ship undried wolf pelts to buyers such as taxidermists and fur dressers," said Environment Minister Joe Savikataaq at the legislative assembly on Feb. 24. The pilot project runs until March 31, 2018.
- Beth Brown
Two face luring, child porn charges
Iqaluit
Two males aged 16 and 19 face child luring and pornography charges after RCMP received a complaint in February about a male attempting to obtain explicit images from young females in Iqaluit over Facebook. The Iqaluit RCMP subsequently launched an extensive investigation, according to a news release.
The investigation included the Iqaluit Crime Reduction Unit, V Division Major Crime Unit, the V Division Federal Operations Section, V Division Forensic Identification Unit and the D Division Technological Crime Unit.
Two Iqaluit homes were searched March 21.
The adult was charged with two counts of child luring and one count of possessing child pornography. The youth was charged with two counts of child luring, two counts of distributing child pornography, two counts of knowingly publishing intimate images without consent, and one count of exposing himself to a person under 16 for a sexual purpose.
The two were released on conditions after a bail hearing March 22. They are scheduled to return to court May 22.
- Michele LeTourneau
Sabina announces annual finances
Nunavut
Sabina Gold and Silver announced $39.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments for its end-of-year review, despite hold up for the company's Back River mine project.
"Much was accomplished in 2016," stated Sabina president Bruce McLeod in a March 21 release. "Although we received a set-back from the Nunavut Impact Review Board, we understand and support the NIRB's desire for a high level of confidence."
The company submitted its final environmental impact statement addendum in mid-February, with more mitigation information to address NIRB concerns. The submission has been formally accepted by the board.
"We look forward to continued support for the Back River project," stated McLeod. Caribou mitigation was the primary concern expressed by NIRB when it recommended to INAC in June that the Back River project not proceed.
Since then the GN and Kitikmeot Inuit Association partnered to show support for the project, which could bring substantial economic opportunity to the surrounding region. In January, INAC responded to say the project should be given a second chance.
- Beth Brown
Learning what it takes to be an officer
Iqaluit
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Thanks to a partnership between the Department of Environment and Nunavut Arctic College's environmental technology program, six staff and 15 students in Iqaluit spent some class time together.
They learned all about evidence and legal procedures as relates to all enforcement officers in the wildlife, parks and environmental protection divisions.
"We do scenario-based training so that they are put into a scenario where somebody is doing something wrong, they have to figure out what it is, and by the end of the scenario they have to make a decision about what they're going to do about it," said director of environmental protection Kristi Lowe.
The course is also taught at the Cambridge Bay campus, where the ETP program launched a few years ago.
"We're trying to make it so both programs get the same course from us," said Lowe.
The scenarios take the students all the way through the enforcement process, including interviewing people for statements, and the ensuing courtroom scenario.
The course, which also involved 40 hours of in-class time, took place during a rigorous three weeks in January.
ETP student Jennifer Amagoalik, who graduates in a month, learned that she was not as assertive as some of her fellow students.
After learning about all the acts and regulations, the scenario presented to the students involved stopping a couple of people and having to search their belongings.
"We ended up finding caribou and more fish than was supposed to be caught in that river," said Amagoalik.
The event went all the way to court.
"It was a lot of heavy work but it was fun to actually go through what officers go through. It was a bit nerve wracking, even though it was a scenario."
- Michele LeTourneau
Mural seen nationally
Arviat
Fifteen Arviat youth signed up to participate in a countrywide art project March 11 to 17.
Artist Elizabeth Gordon, originally from Iqaluit, guided them through the process of creating a mural that will be displayed, along with many other murals from across Canada, at several locations along the Toronto Transit Commission system.
"In addition to being displayed in the subway, the mural images will be digitally exhibited on more than 300 Pattison outdoor digital billboards across Canada.
"There will also be digital prints exhibited in many airports nationwide, including: Pearson International, Toronto Island, Calgary, Winnipeg, St. John, Fredericton, Moncton, Charlottetown, Yellowknife, Whitehorse and Arviat. The list of airports expressing an interest in sharing this artwork continues to grow," said community program coordinator for VIBE Arts Susie Whaley in an e-mail to News/North.
A.R.T. in ACTION and artist Elizabeth Gordon partnered with VIBE Arts to carry out the national art project 150+ Reasons We Love Canada.
Gordon said the youth had busy lives, with school during the day and several having extracurricular commitments, but they showed up.
"It was a source of pride that this one panel would be representing Nunavut," said Gordon.
The youth discussed ideas and voted on them, to see what would be included.
"It's everyone's thought and ideas," said Gordon.
- Michele LeTourneau
Spreading alcohol awareness
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Finance Minister Keith Peterson launched a responsible-use-of-alcohol campaign in Cambridge Bay on March 22.
Let's Be Aware aims to create healthier and safer communities by reducing alcohol abuse through education and community engagement.
"This campaign is consistent with the Government of Nunavut's commitment to help reduce the harm caused by alcohol in our communities," Peterson said. "Our government pledged to promote healthy and informed choices as a way to prevent alcohol-related harm."
Let's Be Aware will see presentations made in Iqaluit on March 27 and 28, Cape Dorset on March 29 and 30, Baker Lake on April 2 and 3, and in Rankin Inlet on April 4 and 5.
More information on Let's Be Aware can be found on the Responsible Nunavut website.
- Beth Brown
Young Inuit leaders talk about Canada
Iqaluit
A national tour, stopping in the capitals across the country, was set to land in Iqaluit March 25.
Walrus Talks - Conversations about Canada: We Desire a Better Country, is a Canada 150 initiative organized by The Walrus Foundation.
The free event was to feature prominent youth leaders and Order of Canada members, including singer/songwriter and humanitarian Susan Aglukark, lawyer and former Nunavut Languages Commissioner Sandra Inutiq, Angry Inuk documentary-maker and activist Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, author John Ralston Saul, lawyer and activist Aaju Peter, former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, Indspire laureate Laura Arngna'naaq, originally of Baker Lake, and Teach for Canada founder Kyle Hill.
"Conversations about Canada will build a deeper understanding of Canada," stated Walrus Foundation executive director Shelley Ambrose.
- Michele LeTourneau
Reducing tobacco in the community
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Health and Social Services held a tobacco reduction program at the Cambridge Bay community hall on March 22.
The event was open to the public and geared towards youth.
"They were promoting why people should quit smoking. There were a lot of kids there," said hamlet mayor Jeannie Ehaloak.
Around 30 people attended the presentations, including Health Minister George Hickes, who was in town for the official opening of the Kitikmeot Long-term Care Unit.
- Beth Brown
Welders keep on welding
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
A youth art-welding project in Cambridge Bay keeps on expanding.
The hamlet has received funding to have two B.C. artists return to the community to continue an art project with a group of young men.
The youths have been creating sculptures from recycled metal to install in the hamlets new heritage park.
"We're going to get a muskox that is just incredible and they're going to do a wolf with the kids. It's going to be incredible in the park," said hamlet SAO Marla Limousin.
Besides art for the park, the project is opening up new entrepreneurial opportunities for the young men.
"These kids started making small stuff and they're selling it around town," said Limousin.
"We're going to get a full welding studio set up for them. They're so excited."
On asking one new welder if he and his colleagues were ready to continue the project, he told Limousin, "Yeah, we're ready to go back to work."
The project was initially funded by the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. The extended art initiative is funded by the Department of Environment.
- Beth Brown
| 
