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Newsbriefs: Monday, May 29, 2017
Land claim offers made
NWT
Two nations are one step closer to settling land claims with the GNWT.
The government made land claim offers to the Akaitcho Dene First Nation (ADFN) and the Northwest Territory Metis Nation, Premier Bob McLeod announced last week.
The Dene First Nation, representing the Dene people of Dettah, Ndilo, Lutsel K'e and Fort Resolution, are in the process of signing an agreement in principle on self-government, land and resources after beginning formal negotiations in 2001.
The Metis nation, representing the Metis of the South Slave region, is in phase two of its negotiations after signing an agreement-in-principle in 2015.
The second phase include talks about self-government and a final agreement including land selection.
- Emelie Peacock
WSCC files charges following death
Inuvik
Allen Services & Contracting Ltd. and supervisor Brian McCarthy, Sr. are facing several charges under the NWT Safety Act after a 19-year-old Australian man was killed on the job in Inuvik last summer.
The Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission filed nine charges on May 10, according to a news release issued Tuesday.
The charges include: failure to provide information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to protect the health and safety of workers; failure to ensure that all workers are sufficiently and competently supervised; and failure to ensure that all supervisors complete an approved regulatory familiarization program, according to the WSCC.
David Vinnicombe died working on the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility access road last June 28.
A court date is set for June 13 in Inuvik.
- by Kirsten Fenn
Two Inuvik residents receive Order of NWT
Inuvik
Fred Carmichael and Tom Zubko are among six recipients of 2017 Order of the Northwest Territories.
"These six recipients deserve to be granted this honour," stated Paul Delorey,chair of the organization that runs the awards, in a news release. "They are passionate Northerners who greatly inspire residents oftheNWT."
The Order of the Northwest Territories was established in 2013 and is the highest honour given to NWT residents. The induction ceremony is May 30 in Yellowknife.
Other recipients include Paul Andrew, Lynda Koe and Jeff Phillip of Yellowknife, along with Russell King of Hay River.
- by Stewart Burnett
McLeod reacts to carbon pricing paper
NWT
Premier Bob McLeod issued a statement on May 19 in response to the federal government's Technical Paper on the Federal Carbon Price Backstop.
"While the paper released today contains no specific mention of the Northwest Territories and its unique circumstances, we expect Canada to honour its commitments to Northerners and our government as it proceeds with its planning on a federal carbon pricing backstop," McLeod stated.
McLeod noted that in December he joined the prime minister and other premiers in agreeing to thePan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, which called for the introduction of carbon pricing by 2018.
The framework includes a commitment to help remote and northern communities reduce reliance on diesel by connecting them to electricity grids and implementing renewable energy systems.
- Paul Bickford
Bell Canada customer info hacked
NWT
Earlier this month, Bell Canada announced its customer information was illegally accessed by an anonymous hacker.
On May 15, Bell spokesperson Jacqueline Michelis stated in a news release that 1.9 million active e-mail addresses and approximately 1,700 names and active phone numbers were hacked. She added there was "no indication" any financial, password or sensitive personal information was accessed.
The news release states Bell has been working closely with the RCMP cyber crime unit.
Marie-Eve Francoeur, senior media relations manager with Bell, declined to provide details of whether any customers in Yellowknife were affected by the hack, however she stated customers directly affected would have been contacted by May 16.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
Hay River SPCA donated $48,753 to territorial group
Hay River
The now-defunct Hay River SPCA has donated $48,753 to the Northwest Territories SPCA.
That's according to Heather Foubert, the former president of the Hay River SPCA and a spokesperson since the board voted in February to dissolve the organization.
Foubert explained the amount was initially not made public because the Hay River SPCA had to be accurate "or someone would have taken us to task over the slightest discrepancy."
Foubert said the money came out of the SPCA's regular budget and donations from Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Resolution, Fort Providence and Enterprise.
The dissolution of the Hay River SPCA and particularly its board's decision to donate the group's remaining funds to the Northwest Territories SPCA have caused concern, even outrage, among some people in the community.
The NWT SPCA said it would consider funding a future registered non-profit group offering spay/neuter
programs in Hay River.
- Paul Bickford
Digital library team visits Inuvialuit communities
NWT
The Digital Library North research team was scheduled to visit all of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region communities during the last week, with the final stop due in Inuvik Friday, May 26.
The project is a collaboration between the Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Centre and researchers and librarians from the University of Alberta.
The objective of the project is to create a digital library infrastructure to address information needs in Canada's northern regions.
- Stewart Burnett
Norman Wells gets ready to laugh
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
Members of the Mackenzie Mountain School drama club are busy preparing for the school's Laugh-A-Thon, which is scheduled to take place on June 25, said principal Michael Duclos.
The event will feature two plays, Conflict by Wade Bradford and The Happiness Shop by Lindsay Price.
Students have been working hard during rehearsal with the goal of having lines memorized by the week of May 22.
The cost to attend is $10 for the general public and $5 for students and elders.
The show is expected to begin at about 2 p.m.
"I would like people to know it going to be laugh-out-loud hilarious, you'll experience every emotion possible," Duclos said. "It's definitely worthwhile to come and check it out and it's a great way to showcase young talent in the community."
- Kassina Ryder
Hockey photo contest winners announced
Radilih Koe'/Fort Good Hope
A group of boys from Fort Good Hope won the Goba Group's hockey photo contest on May 12, said organizer Melinda Laboucan.
The Goba Group, a volunteer organization dedicated to helping people with cancer, held the contest to raise money for the group's activities.
Participants were asked to submit photos representing their favourite hockey teams and local RCMP did the judging on May 12.
"It was good," Laboucan said. "It was exciting."
The fundraiser generated about $300 for the Goba Group and each of the eight winning boys received $38.
About 26 photos were entered into the contest in total.
Laboucan said the group was so pleased with the fundraiser's success, they might hold a similar contest in the future.
The next contest could include a video component instead of only photos, she added.
- Kassina Ryder
Fort Resolution gets ready for handgames
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
Deninu Ku'e First Nation in Fort Resolution has announced it will be holding a big-money handgames tournament in late July.
The $50,000 Canada 150 Hand Games Tournament will take place over three days - July 28 to 30 - on Mission Island.
The prizes include $20,000 for the top team and $13,000 for the second-place team.
In all, the top seven teams will be awarded cash prizes - including $7,000 for third, $4,000 for fourth, $3,000 for fifth, $2,000 for sixth and $1,000 for seventh.
The tournament is to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Akaitcho Territory Government.
It will immediately follow the 25th annual assembly of the Akaitcho Territory Government set for July 25 to 28 on Mission Island.
- Paul Bickford
Fort Smith to mark 300 days to AWG
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Organizers of the South Slave 2018 Arctic Winter Games were planning to mark 300 days until the start of the international sporting event in Hay River and Fort Smith.
The celebration was scheduled to take place in Fort Smith's Conibear Park on May 24 from 5 to 8 p.m.
The South Slave 2018 Arctic Winter Games are set to begin on March 18, 2018, and wrap up on March 24.
- Paul Bickford
Cleanup planned for Smith riverside
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A cleanup of the Marine Drive area of Fort Smith was planned for May 27.
The cleanup - sponsored by the Town of Fort Smith - was set to include Riverside Park, the landslide area and the new snowboarding park, all the way down to the boat launch on the Slave River.
Fundraising groups could earn $200 by helping to clean up the area.
- Paul Bickford
More pool assistants to be trained
Deh Gah Got'ie/Fort Providence
Swimmers in Fort Providence will soon be able to use the community's pool, said recreation co-ordinator Andre Bolduc.
The goal is to have the pool open by the third week in June.
Bolduc said another goal for this year is to train more pool assistants to help out at the facility.
The community typically sends one student to Yellowknife to earn their Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross, but Bolduc said he hopes to send at least two this year. The pool assistants will help the new lifeguard, who is expected to begin the job on June 4. The pool's schedule is expected to include a variety of activities over the summer, such as swimming lessons, parent and tot swim times and public swimming.
"There's something for everyone," Bolduc said.
The pool is scheduled to be open throughout the summer and will close on the last Sunday in August.
- Kassina Ryder
Deadline approaching for youth leadership workshop
Kahbamiue/Colville Lake
Colville Lake youth are encouraged to sign up for a leadership workshop scheduled to take place next month, said Isabel Orlias, recreation co-ordinator.
The deadline to apply is May 31.
The workshop is intended to promote leadership through the development of a community project. Participants will be split into teams to develop and implement a project of their choice, while learning about how to create a proper work plan and develop budgeting skills.
The workshop will also focus on time management and team-building, Orlias said.
It is scheduled to run from June 5 to 9 in Colville Lake and participants who complete the workshop will earn a certificate of accomplishment.
- Kassina Ryder
FOXY retreats this summer
NWT
Young women throughout the Northwest Territories are invited to participate in a FOXY (Fostering Open Expression among Youth) retreat in Yellowknife this summer, information from the Tlicho Government said.
The first 2017 FOXY Peer Leader Retreat is scheduled to run from July 5 to 13 and the second is scheduled to take place from Aug. 9 to 17.
The retreats are open to girls aged 13 to 17.
A portion of each retreat will be dedicated to planning community projects, which participants will organize and deliver when they return to their home communities.
Everyone who participates in a retreat will earn two high school credits, and an additional two credits will be awarded to those who complete their community projects.
All costs for the retreat, including return airfare to Yellowknife, will be covered.
- Kassina Ryder
Several community winners in territorial skills competition
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Youth in the communities took home a number of awards during the 2017 Skills NWT territorial competition in Yellowknife:
Carmen Kuptana, from Tuktoyaktuk, received silver in the modern sewing category.
Chloe Kanayok, from Ulukhaktok, received bronze in photography.
Gloria Ann Ruben, from Paulatuk, received gold in traditional sewing.
Naomi Klengenberg, from Ulukhaktok, received silver in traditional sewing.
Alexandria Banskland, from Ulukhaktok, received bronze in traditional sewing.
Jacob Klengenberg, from Ulukhaktok, received gold in small powered equipment.
When Klengenberg was in Yellowknife for the regional competition, where he also came first in the small-engine repair category, he hadn't practised in a year.
"That was a lot of hard work and it was really fun," he said at the time about the regional competition.
- Stewart Burnett
Mental health first aid teaches skills
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
Nine participants and two trainers from the GNWT took part in a mental health first aid training event in Tsiigehtchic earlier this year.
The event was just like first aid training, but for mental health, explained Meghan Thom.
Participants talked about suicide, addictions, psychosis and more. It worked as an introduction to mental health and dealing with a mental health crisis.
Coming up in June is a week-long canoe trip planned with the students and a visit from doctors in Ontario for a possible emergency care plan pilot project.
- Stewart Burnett
Gardening Morning at heritage centre
Hay River
A Gardening Morning will be held at the Hay River Heritage Centre from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on June 3.
The event will feature plantings and demonstrations, workshops and a pancake breakfast.
It will be hosted by the Hay River Beautification Committee in co-operation with the Hay River Heritage Centre.
The pancake breakfast will be courtesy of Northlands Utilities.
- Paul Bickford
GNWT honours top volunteers
Hay River
The GNWT presented the 2017 Northwest Territories Outstanding Volunteer Awards during a ceremony in Inuvik on May 12.
The recipients were Sheila O'Kane of Inuvik (Outstanding Elder Award), Nigel Koplomik of Ulukhaktok (Outstanding Youth Award), Sudhir Jha of Yellowknife (Outstanding Individual Award) and Food Rescue of Yellowknife (Outstanding Group Award).
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs presents the awards.
- Paul Bickford
Babysitting course offered by town
Hay River
A babysitting course will be offered early next month by the Town of Hay River's Recreation and Community Services, information from the town stated.
The course will be offered June 1 and June 4 at the fire hall.
The Canada Safety Council course teaches young people how to be safe, responsible and fun babysitters.
Anyone interested in participating must be turning 12 years of age this year. The Babysitters Training Course is one of Canada Safety Council's longest running programs.
- Paul Bickford
Two babies die in one week
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
The Office of the Chief Coroner said May 25 that it will investigate the deaths of two infants in Pond Inlet.
The death occurred May 15 and May 19, according to information received by Nunavut News/North.
"We can confirm two recent deaths in Pond Inlet," said the
Department of Health's communications specialist Ron Wassink. "The coroner has been notified. We will not provide further comment due to privacy and confidentiality."
"As per Section 8 (1) (c) and Section 9 (1) (b) of the Nunavut Coroners Act, Coroner's Office are investigating these two infant deaths in Pond Inlet," acting deputy coroner Khen Sagadraca told Nunavut News/North by e-mail.
"All deaths in Nunavut that a coroner who becomes aware that a reportable death has occurred shall conduct an investigation."
Sagadraca was referring to the fact that the coroner receives notification where the death occurs suddenly and unexpectedly when the deceased was in apparent good health, and to the fact the coroner must conduct an investigation of the death that will enable them to determine the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the death.
"When anyone under five passes away suddenly, they have to do an investigation," Health Minister George Hickes has stated in the past.
- Michele LeTourneau
Hunter dies after falling through ice
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
An accident on the ice has resulted in the death of a hunter outside Pangnirtung May 24.
At approximately 8:30 p.m., Pangnirtung RCMP received a report of a distress call made through an In Reach device from outside the community, states a news release.
"The investigation revealed that a group of hunters were travelling on the ice from near Kekerten Island en route to Pangnirtung when one of the hunters fell through the ice and hit his head," stated Sgt. David Lawson.
"The male was recovered from the water by other hunters who performed CPR, however they were unable to revive him. The deceased male was brought back to the community without further incident."
Lawson said Pangnirtung RCMP are working on the investigation with the Office of the Chief Coroner.
"No foul play is suspected in the incident, and it appears as though this is a tragic accidental death," said Lawson.
"The Nunavut RCMP want to remind the public to be cautious and careful on the land and ice as these types of incidents are happening across the territory."
The RCMP added its thoughts are with the family, friends and community of Pangnirtung through this difficult time.
- Michele LeTourneau
All 'Frolicked' out!
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Omingmak Frolics, Cambridge Bay's annual spring carnival, brought out people en masse at various events from May 15 to 22, none more so than the ever-popular snowmobile races.
Fred Muise, the community's recreation coordinator and one of the carnival organizers, described attendance overall as "phenomenal" but said the snow drags, ice drags, hill-cross and oval races were "packed" over the course of the week.
Children's performers Splash'N Boots were another big hit, delighting youngsters and their parents, Muise said. In addition to their act, the entertainers shot video while in Cambridge Bay, so some residents may spot themselves on TV or on the Internet when viewing Splash'N Boots programming in the future.
Traditional performers Rachel Michael and Riit Mike were also appreciated by the crowd.
"Those two ladies stole the show," Muise said of the storytelling, traditional music, throat-singing and drum-dancing.
There was also a Don Cherry impersonator on hand from Calgary - actor and comedian Clark Robertson - who caught quite a few people's eyes.
Jenna Kamingoak was crowned the Omingmak Frolics queen, while Bill Nicoll earned the title of king. Sasha Evetalegak captured the princess's tiara while Tyler Agligoetok was the carnival prince.
Amanda Otokiak received the Frolic Spirit Award for her outstanding enthusiasm.
Although the carnival is over for another year, Muise is already working on the 2018 edition.
- Derek Neary
Tall ship to sail Northwest Passage
Nunavut
Several communities in Nunavut will be catching sight of an unusual ship this summer.
The Sailing School Vessel (SSV) Oliver Hazard Perry, the first ocean-going full-rigged ship built in the United States in over 100 years, is scheduled to sail the Northwest Passage from July to October.
The ship, named after a U.S. Navy Commodore, will also become the first full-rigged ship to sail the Northwest Passage in 100 years, according to the sailing-school ship's website.
Planned stops include Pond Inlet, Resolute and Cambridge Bay. The ship is not a replica, according to the site, but a modern, steel-hulled vessel purpose-built for training and education to the highest modern safety standards. She accommodates 49 people overnight, including 17 professional crew, and is wheelchair accessible. Depending on the leg purchased, tickets are selling from $6,000 to $15,000 USD for the Arctic regions.
Completed with $17 million in private funds, the 200-foot tall ship is 13.5 storeys high, has three masts, and 14,000 square feet of sail.
- Michele LeTourneau
Crystal Serenity cruise ship returning
Kitikmeot
The Crystal Serenity cruise ship will sail through the Northwest Passage again this year. The 13-deck vessel, which can accommodate up to 1,080 passengers, will enter Arctic waters in mid-August on its 32-day voyage.
Among the shore excursions planned for passengers are scuba diving in Cambridge Bay; fly fishing for Arctic char in the Ekaluk River near Cambridge Bay; a visit to Gjoa Haven by chartered aircraft; a three-night trip that will include a stop in Grise Fiord as passengers are shown the Greenland ice sheet and the waterways of Canada's Arctic; a performance by Artcirq in Iglulik; trekking across glaciers; kayaking in protected bays; and golfing on the tundra.
Passengers are also informed of potential opportunities to see narwhal, whales, harp seals, polar bears, Arctic foxes and other wildlife.
Fares for the Northwest Passage cruise start at $21,855 per person.
- Derek Neary
A day of fun
Kinngait/Cape Dorset
Friday was set aside for a winter carnival at Sam Pudlat Elementary School. Among the planned activities were Inuit games, tug of war, outdoor hockey and string games. Some elders were invited to come in and share stories, as well.
For youngsters who built up an appetite during the course of the day, a traditional treat was on the menu: frozen char.
Events were expected to run for the full day at Sam Pudlat school, which has close to 200 students.
"It's going to be a busy day, but they are enjoyable," principal Cecil Meade said in advance of the carnival.
- Derek Neary
Final two NPC hearings postponed
Nunavut
Despite already holding one of three planned public hearings on the draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, the Nunavut Planning Commission has postponed the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot hearings.
This is yet another delay after a string of delays in the past several years. The Qikiqtani hearing was held in March. The commission is working with the approval parties to resolve some outstanding issues, according to a news release, and once these issues are resolved, specific dates for the hearing will be identified.
"The move will allow more time to prepare for the hearing and for communities and all participants to prepare their submissions and presentations," stated chair Andrew Nakashuk. "The change in timing reflects the commission's ongoing commitment to the integrity of the process and sensitivity in accommodating local concerns and interests."
Nakashuk says the commission remains committed to ensuring the public hearings maximize participation. The Kivalliq Inuit Association supports the date change, according to the release.
- Michele LeTourneau
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