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Newsbriefs: Monday, June 12, 2017
Program provides skills to aging workers
NWT
Aurora College has announced it has wrapped up a course aiming to provide skills and job opportunities to unemployed adults between the ages of 55 and 64.
The course was the first of its kind held in the Northwest Territories and ran from Jan. 9 to March 31.
According to Aurora College's June newsletter, the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers course ran in Hay River, Yellowknife and Inuvik. The federal and territorial governments share costs for the initiative.
- April Hudson
Award-winning waste treatment
Inuvik
The Town of Inuvik received an award from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators for its East Channel Water Treatment Plant. The $19-million project challenged the town in many ways, as the town aimed not to damage the permafrost while keeping costs within certain limits.
The final design included using rectangular chlorine contact tanks versus circular to save on floor space and incorporating UV disinfection to reduce the size of the chlorine tanks.
Also included was using modular rectangular wastewater storage tanks, a first for Northern Canada, which saved on transportation and building costs. A new raw water pump station was also constructed, allowing for year-round withdrawal of water from the river.
It was designed to take into account historic flood levels.
- Stewart Burnett
Parks society has developed a Canada 150 photo contest
NWT
The NWT branch of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society has launched its sixth-annual photo contest.
In the contest, which began June 5, people can submit their photos for a chance to have an image published in the organization's 2018 Love the Land calendar.
Photos can feature people on the land or water.
A person may submit up to five photos taken in the NWT.
A panel of judges will select 24 winning photos from across the NWT to create the 2018 calendar.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) states that it is Canada's only nationwide charity dedicated solely to "the protection of our public land and water, and ensuring our parks are managed to protect the nature within them."
The contest closes on Sept. 22.
- Paul Bickford
Peel River ferry resumes operation
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
After nearly a full day of being shut down, the MV Abraham Francis ferry across the Peel River near Fort McPherson is back up and running.
At 7 p.m. on June 7, the territorial Department of Transportation stated in a social media post the ferry had been temporarily shut down due to mechanical issues.
It re-opened mid-afternoon June 8. Reports hit the news June 6 of a delayed cable for the ferry, which was originally supposed to arrive in March. That was not expected to cause delays, and it is unclear if the shutdown was related to the cable.
- April Hudson
Recreation summit nominated for fund
NWT
Voters have until June 15 to cast their support for funding that would allow the Mackenzie Recreation Association to hold a physical literacy champion summit.
One goal of the summit is to provide training to people who are interested in physical literacy, who will then be able to bring programming into their communities.
With 19 communities under its umbrella, the Mackenzie Recreation Association is seeking $15,000 from the Field Law Community Fund program, which helps organizations and initiatives in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
Votes can be cast on the Field Law Community Fund website.
- April Hudson
Energy and tech at forefront of conference
Inuvik
People with a passion for innovation will have the chance to mingle with energy and technology experts this month at the Arctic Energy and Emerging Technologies Conference and Tradeshow. The conference is scheduled to be held at the Midnight Sun complex in Inuvik from June 12 to 14, and includes panel sessions, keynote speakers and updates from industry experts.
- April Hudson
Structure fire prompts call for information
Inuvik
The Inuvik RCMP are asking for the public to assist them as they investigate a suspicious structure fire in the evening of June 4.
Around 8:40 p.m. that evening, officers responded to a fire on Raven Street.
According to a June 6 media release, the officers found a storage shed engulfed in flames. No other buildings were damaged and no one was hurt. Anyone with information on the fire can contact the RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
- April Hudson
Plenty of options for Tlicho elections
Tlicho
Tlicho voters in Whati, Wekweeti, Gameti and Behchoko go to the polls this week to elect their respective chiefs and councillors.
The general elections for all four communities takes place June 12.
In Whati, Isidore Zoe and incumbent Alfonz Nitsiza are vying for chief, while 22 members have been nominated for eight council positions.
Incumbent Johnny Arrowmaker and Charlie Football have been nominated for chief in Wekweeti, along with seven candidates for four council positions.
Gameti's list of nominees include Doreen Arrowmaker and incumbent David Wedawin for chief, and 14 choices for six councillors.
Behchoko has five people on the candidate list for chief: Georgina Franki, Leon Lafferty, Mason Mantla, Tony Rabesca and incumbent Clifford Daniels.
There are 20 people nominated for 10 council positions.
- April Hudson
Drug detector testing deemed a success
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
Fifty-three police officers from Yellowknife and numerous provinces have wrapped up testing of a device that screens for drugs such as THC, cocaine, opioids and amphetamines.
The device uses an oral fluid sample to determine impairment.
The pilot project included officers from Yellowknife, North Battleford, Vancouver, Toronto, Halifax, Gatineau and the Ontario Provincial Police.
A June 6 news release from Public Safety Canada deemed the project a success, stating that the results suggest the drug screening device could help police combat drug-impaired driving.
- April Hudson
Public safety outweighs privacy: RCMP
NWT
Northwest Territories RCMP are clarifying their process for issuing public warnings after the June 9 release of Antoine Smallgeese from the South Mackenzie Correctional Complex in Hay River.
As reported by News/North, RCMP stated in a June 2 news release they believe Smallgeese, 27, is at high risk to re-offend and poses a risk of "significant harm" to the public.
His convictions include sexual assault, assault and break and enter, among others.
In a follow-up statement on June 5, RCMP stated the decision to name an individual in a news release is not undertaken lightly.
Before public disclosure occurs, RCMP first review reports associated with the individual. That review sometimes requires a committee to be formed to determine if the requirement for public disclosure outweighs the right of the individual to privacy. In 2016, RCMP only issued two public interest disclosures.
- April Hudson
Fibre line officially connected
Inuvik
An official opening for Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link was to happen June 11 at the Aurora Research Institute.
The line connects Inuvik to High Level, Alberta.
The line will support the growth of the remote-sensing and commercial satellite industry in Inuvik.
It was completed March 28 and has been undergoing performance testing since.
- Stewart Burnett
Funding for prosepectors pans out
NWT
Nearly $1 million will be given to exploration and prospecting projects in the mining industry, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment announced June 7.
Seven corporations and six prospectors will together get $991,054 for existing projects and to start new projects in the NWT.
Of the total, $860,693 will go to corporate projects and $130,360 will be given to prospector projects.
The Mining Incentive Program that administers the money got a $600,000 increase in funding from the GNWT in March.
- Emelie Peacock
Cultural Fun Day at Mackenzie Mountain School
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
Mackenzie Mountain School students were scheduled to participate in a Cultural Fun Day on June 9, said principal Michael Duclos.
The event was expected to take place all day and include a variety of activity stations for students to visit on a rotational basis.
Traditional activities were expected to include jigging, Dene and Arctic games and hand games, while other events included water balloon toss, Frisbee golf, an obstacle course and board games.
The day was intended to promote friendly competition for all students from junior kindergarten to Grade 12.
A barbecue was scheduled to take place at lunch time to feed the hungry participants.
- Kassina Ryder
Duck race raises funds after cancer diagnosis
Deh Gah Got'ie/Fort Providence
A community rubber duck race is scheduled to take place June 21 to raise money for Fort Providence resident Juanita Hirtle, who was diagnosed with cancer, said organizer Linda Croft.
Hirtle has lived in Fort Providence for the past 12 years.
"She'd like to go home and be with her family," she said. "The funds will be used to assist her with that."
Participants can donate $10 to receive a rubber duck, which will be one of 450 ducks dropped into the Mackenzie River at the water treatment plant.
The owner of the duck that makes it to the finish line at the public wharf will be declared the winner.
The race is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. as part of the community Aboriginal Day celebrations.
Croft said she received permission from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources regarding the rubber duck race.
- Kassina Ryder
Deline to host enchanted graduation
Deline/Fort Franklin
Ehtseo Ayha School staff, students and volunteers are busy this week decorating the school and making preparations for the graduation ceremony on June 16, said organizer Maryann Vital.
There are seven graduates this year and the theme they have chosen is "Enchanted Evening."
The graduation is scheduled to begin at about 5:30 p.m. at the school gym and will be followed by a community feast featuring a turkey supper.
Drummers from Deline will perform at the ceremony, as well as a group of youth drummers.
Lorraine Kuer with the Sahtu Divisional Education Council was expected to travel to Deline for the ceremony.
Many months of fundraising went into ensuring the success of the graduation ceremony and Vital said it couldn't have been done without community support.
"I just want to thank the parents because they put in lots of work doing fundraising," she said.
"I would just like to thank each and every one who supported our fundraising, especially the parents."
- Kassina Ryder
Campground season opens in Fort Simpson
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
The Fort Simpson Visitor Information Centre hosted a barbecue to celebrate the opening of Fort Simpson Territorial Park the weekend of June 1, said summer student William Alger.
The event was well attended and included free food.
"Everybody was incited to just come out and have a hamburger or hot dog," Alger said.
The barbecue had originally been scheduled to take place in the morning, but a rain storm delayed it until about 4 p.m. The event ran until about 8 p.m.
The park sits where the Mackenzie and Liard rivers meet and is an excellent bird-watching spot.
Alger said this summer's visitors are encouraged to pop into the centre.
"They are always welcome to drop by the information centre if they find themselves in Simpson," he said.
- Kassina Ryder
Summer programs for everyone in Whati
Whati/Lac La Martre
June has already been a busy month in Whati, information from recreation co-ordinator Doreen Nitsiza said.
The youth centre has been open six days a week, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Sundays for family movie night, which includes free popcorn.
Dance lessons are taking place at the Johnny Nitsiza Cultural Centre from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays where participants can learn jigging and square dancing.
The centre is also hosting elders' tea time on Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m.
For the community's youngest residents, the Mezi Community School gym is open from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays for activities just for toddlers.
The gym is also open throughout the week for children, youth and adult sports.
- Kassina Ryder
GNWT transparency website launched
NWT
A public engagement and transparency website has been launched by the GNWT. People can search for details of ministers' travel expenses and meetings with outside parties on the site.
Information is searchable by a variety of fields and will be updated monthly. Visit assembly.gov.nt.ca and follow the links.
- Emelie Peacock
First aid in the great outdoors
Tlicho
Tlicho residents participated in a Wilderness and First Aid training program through the Department of Culture and Lands Protection last month, stated the Tlicho Government said.
Narwal Northern Adventures delivered the course, which took place from May 8 to 10 at Stagg River.
Training included learning how to deal with medical emergencies in the wilderness and included first aid training, learning basic survival skills and how to prepare for a scenario where extended care is required. It also included way to prevent emergencies in a wilderness setting.
The program included both classroom sessions and outdoor lessons where participants could practice their skills.
- Kassina Ryder
Aklavik a clean community
Aklavik
Aklavik just finished its annual spring cleanup, held May 30 to June 6.
"It looks way better," said recreation co-ordinator Dean McLeod, who was just starting to total all the bags people picked up.
Recreation in the summer looks to be full of baseball, canoeing and a lot of biking.
"The baseball diamond was pretty busy," said McLeod.
People are also getting ready for the big canoe race from Fort McPherson to Aklavik at the end of the month. The event, which will see competitors canoe down the Peel River, is part of the Canada 150 celebrations.
"There are a few people practising for it now," said McLeod, who has just begun taking registrations.
The community celebrated Inuvialuit Day on June 6.
Moose Kerr School will have its graduation June 9.
- Stewart Burnett
Char working group meets
Aklavik and Fort McPherson
The Rat River Char Working Group is holding public meetings in Aklavik and Fort McPherson next week.
The meeting in McPherson will be at the Annie G Robert Centre at 5 p.m. June 14. The meeting in Aklavik will be at the Sittichinli Complex June 15 at 5 p.m.
The group meets regularly with the public to discuss char fishing and char management, as a new season of fishing begins. All are welcome to the meetings.
- Stewart Burnett
Wanted: Fort Smith's people of the year
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Town of Fort Smith is accepting nominations for its annual awards for residents. The three awards are for the citizen, elder and volunteer of the year.
Nominations will be accepted until June 23. As in previous years, the awards will be presented at the community's Canada Day celebrations on July 1.
- Stewart Burnett
Volunteers needed for festival
Enterprise
Volunteers are being sought for the annual Gateway Jamboree in Enterprise.
The festival needs people to help out as stagehands, entrance attendants, groundskeepers, members of the install/setup crew, a photographer, youth tent attendants, bunnock game co-ordinator, mascots, parking attendants, and raffle/prize tent attendants.
All volunteers receive dinner and free access to the Gateway Jamboree, which this year will be held on Aug. 11 and 12.
Installation of the necessary tents and other equipment for the festival is set for July 30.
- Paul Bickford
June is Senior Citizens Month
NWT
In a statement in the legislative assembly on June 1, Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy, who is also the minister responsible for seniors, recognized the beginning of Senior Citizens Month.
"I would like to invite all Northerners to join me in recognizing seniors across the territory and their valuable contribution within our families and communities during this month," he said.
Seniors are currently the fastest-growing segment of the population in the NWT.
- Paul Bickford
Arctic Markets now at greenhouse
Inuvik
The Inuvik Community Greenhouse will now be hosting the Arctic Markets this summer. People will be able to visit the market every single Tuesday, starting June 13 and into the fall.
- Stewart Burnett
PHAB to present fashion show
Hay River
The PHAB girls will present their sixth-annual fashion show June 14. The show - featuring unique clothes made out of garbage bags - will be held at 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Don Stewart Recreation Centre. PHAB - which stands for physical activity, health, arts and beauty - is an after school program of the Town of Hay River's recreation department.
It is for girls aged nine to 12 years.
- Paul Bickford
The Sun at Midnight shines at Sydney film fest
NWT
Director Kirsten Carthew's The Sun at Midnight is set to screen at the Sydney Film Festival.
In May, The Sun at Midnight received the Bentonville Film Festival's Best Jury Narrative award, the Arkansas festival's top honour. Actor Kawennahere Devery Jacobs, who plays one of the main characters in Sun, also won Best Performance at the Whistler Film Festival last November.
The festival starts June 7 and runs until June 18.
- Robin Grant
Police make $12,000 pot seizure
Iqaluit
RCMP seized 514 grams of marijuana in the capital June 3.
"Iqaluit Detachment RCMP stopped a motor vehicle as they suspected one of the occupants was selling drugs in the community," according to the news release.
Officers then seized the marijuana from an occupant of the vehicle.
"Cannabis marijuana typically sells for $25 per gram on the street in Iqaluit; $50 to 60 dollars in the communities," Staff Sgt. Mark Crowther told Nunavut News/North.
"In this case, in Iqaluit, we're looking at approximately $12,000 in street value."
Eric Naulalik, 44, faces a charge of possession of cannabis marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
- Michele LeTourneau
Break-ins at Iglulik cabins
Iglulik
RCMP in Iglulik are seeking information from the public following five cabin break-ins that occurred during the last week of May.
Culprits broke in by prying open doors or breaking windows. The only items reported to have been removed during the crimes were two small-calibre rifles, but they were found on the ground near one of the cabins. The police say there is an unconfirmed report of shots being fired at nearby unoccupied cabins.
Anyone with details is urged to call the Iglulik RCMP detachment or Nunavut Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
- Derek Neary
Rabid fox wanders into Hall Beach
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
Hall Beach residents are being advised to report to the community's health centre if they had any recent contact with a fox.
A fox that tested positive for rabies was caught on May 28.
Two individuals who had contact with the fox are receiving treatment as a precaution, said Ron Wassink, communications specialist with the Department of Health.
Treatment for rabies must be started quickly, the Department of Health warned. Symptoms include headaches, fever and general weakness. If the disease progresses, it can infect the brain and, in worst-case scenarios, it can result in death.
Residents are also being asked to report any foxes or wolves seen in the community and to inform a conservation officer or environmental health officer if a family pet has had contact with a fox or wolf.
- Derek Neary
June turns 103
Gjoa Haven
June Okalik Klengenberg achieved yet another milestone on June 1, reaching 103 years of age.
Premier Peter Taptuna, who represents Klengenberg's hometown of Kugluktuk, recognized Klengenberg's remarkable longevity in the legislative assembly earlier this month, something he's made a point of doing each year since 2009.
Klengenberg, who now resides at the Gjoa Haven Continuing Care Centre, is the aunt of Taptuna's wife.
The premier also gave accolades to the staff who take care of elders at Nunavut's long-term care facilities. One of those hard-working and caring people is nurse Rhonda Marshall, the acting manager of the Gjoa Haven Continuing Care Centre.
"We had a little celebration here for (June)... some birthday cake and everything," Marshall said. "At 103, she's doing wonderful."
- Derek Neary
Dance at the solstice
Iqaluit
Alianait has organized a community square dance for Aboriginal Day.
Aboriginal Day is celebrated June 21.
The Inuksuk Drum Dancers and the Iqaluit Dance Academy will start off the fun, after which Simeonie Keenainak and Band, Joshua Qaunaq and local square dancers led by Elisapi Davidee-Aningmiuq and Mary Wilman will encourage everyone to put on their dancing shoes and hit the floor.
The dance takes place at Joamie School and begins at 7 p.m.
- Michele LeTourneau
New program for entrepreneurs
Iqaluit
Enactus, a student group at the University of Ottawa, is launching another program in the territory, this one located in Iqaluit.
Previously, an Enactus team was involved with a greenhouse project in Naujaat, while another kick-started a social enterprise project for youth called Inspire Nunavut in Pond Inlet and Iqaluit.
"The IQ Hub is our latest initiative that looks to support entrepreneurial development in Iqaluit by offering a co-working space that will provide entrepreneurs with access to resources, workshops and mentoring to develop their businesses," said Enactus member Holly Todd.
Todd says the program is currently in its pilot phase.
"We're running the pilot program out of Ilinniapaa Campus' building and they are our partners on the ground. We are also partnering with Inspire Nunavut to develop entrepreneurial supports," Todd said, adding they are trying out the program with a few entrepreneurs to see what services they need most.
"We're starting small and really looking to see how we can best tailor the IQ Hub's offering to suit Iqaluit's entrepreneurs. The end of our pilot is tentatively scheduled for August, with the intention of expanding to a larger space that would hold more entrepreneurs," said Todd.
IQ Hub has a Facebook and web presence for anyone interested in participating as entrepreneurs, facilitators or mentors.
- Michele LeTourneau
The fish bring out the people
Qausuittuq/Resolute
The winner of a fishing derby brings in the biggest fish, but they're not always behemoths.
The triumphant fisher in Resolute's fishing derby only needed a char a little over a foot long to claim the $2,500 top prize on May 20, said Delilah Manik, acting manager of the Resolute Bay Hunters and Trappers Association.
While the size of the fish wasn't jaw dropping, the size of the crowd was. Close to half of Resolute's 200 residents came out to Resolute Lake to participate, Manik said, making the event "one of the biggest fishing derbies in Resolute's history."
An area of the lake was cleared so residents could park on the ice and drop their lines through drilled holes from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. that Saturday.
"We had a monitor on site measuring all the fish," Manik said. "We were giving out candy and food. It was awesome."
- Derek Neary
Daycare winds down for summer
Kinngait/Cape Dorset
Saipaaqivik Daycare closes its doors for the summer as of Friday, June 16.
"Usually we have a small party where we thank the children for coming to daycare," said early childhood educator Kootoo Toonoo, who manages the facility.
The daycare had stayed open throughout the summer in the past but due to lower attendance during summer and budgetary considerations, it was decided to cease operations for the rest of June, July and much of August.
Staff at the daycare put emphasis on teaching Inuktitut to all children, Toonoo said.
"We wanted to have our Inuktitut language be strong in order to have the young children speak the language and continue to use the mother tongue," she said. "Right now we have an non-Inuk boy who fully speaks Inuktitut to everybody."
The daycare will reopen a week before school starts in the community, Toonoo said.
- Derek Neary
Funds for communities and students announced
Qikiktaaluk
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) approved funding for community initiatives and post-secondary scholarships at its late-May board meeting held in Arctic Bay.
"These kinds of events and initiatives help to build community connections and instil a sense of pride in our identity as Inuit," stated QIA president P.J. Akeeagok in a news release.
Over the next five years, $100,000 will be awarded through its grants and contributions program, including: $10,000 each year for the next five years for the annual Nunavut Quest, $10,000 each year for the next five years for the annual bowhead whale hunt, and $2,000 for the Aboriginal Head Start Program in Arctic Bay.
The new scholarships for post-secondary education will be available to students in all 13 Qikiqtani communities.
"We all know that education is the key to success and prosperity for young Inuit - a post-secondary degree opens doors to better careers and empowers the next generation to become better leaders," said Akeeagok.
QIA continues to offer the $5,000.00 per year John Amagoalik Scholarship.
- Michele LeTourneau
National medal winner
Arviat
The congratulations are still coming in for John Arnalukjuak High School student William Campbell of Arviat who brought home a bronze medal from the Canada-Wide Science Fair, which ran from May 15 to 20 in Regina, Sask.
Campbell took the bronze medal for his project, Sea Fuel.
Armed robbery
Rankin Inlet
A Rankin Inlet youth is facing charges of robbery, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose after allegedly trying to rob another youth with a knife at about 4:45 a.m. on the morning of June 1.
A press release from Sgt. Mark Crowther of the Rankin Inlet detachment of the RCMP states the suspect allegedly demanded money from the victim before stabbing the victim in the head.
The victim sustained minor injuries, was transported and treated at the local health centre and later released.
The suspect is also facing other charges not related to this incident and has been released on a surety with conditions.
A court date has been set for Aug. 15 in Rankin Inlet.
- Darrell Greer
Awards day
Rankin Inlet
Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik will be hosting its annual student award day this coming Friday, June 9, in the school gym, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, Leo Ussak Elementary School hosted its annual kindergarten graduation ceremony yesterday, and will be holding its Grade 4 year-end assembly today, June 7, beginning at 10 a.m.
Tomorrow, June 8, Leo Ussak will hold its annual year-end awards ceremony, beginning at 10 a.m.
- Darrell Greer
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