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Newsbriefs: Monday, July 3, 2017
Status of Women Council hires new leader
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
The head of the Status of Women Council of the NWT is leaving her position.
Executive director Lorraine Phaneuf is stepping aside after 12 years of service, according to a news release from the organization.
Samantha Thomas, who has been working for the Status of Women Council for seven years, is taking over the position.
- Kirsten Fenn
New info campaign on energy resources
NWT
A new public information campaign by the territorial government is set to increase public understanding and awareness of the NWT's renewable and non-renewable energy resources and how they can be developed.
Called REDI for Resources and Energy Development Information, the new initiative will provide fact-based information about the benefits, risks and potential for resource and energy development.
- Paul Bickford
Citizens help Inuvik RCMP
Inuvik
Inuvik RCMP responded to nine incidents of impaired driving-related occurrences in May and charged two people with offences.
One of the incidents that led to charges was noted by a concerned citizen who tipped off police.
Two males were also arrested and charged with assaults in separate domestic violence incidents. One of the arrests again was the result of a citizen tip to police. There were 326 calls for service in May this year, with 298 total violations.
- Stewart Burnett
Water safety stressed on long weekend
NWT
The Lifesaving Society of Alberta and the NWT is reminding everyone to be safe when they are in, on and around water this Canada Day long weekend. In a news release, the society stated there are four water smart messages for people to keep in mind: stay within arm's reach and provide adult supervision, don't drink and drown, wear a lifejacket and do not swim alone.
The society also says kids need to be supervised when in the water; alcohol and boating don't mix; personal flotation devices save lives; and always take a buddy when heading out on or into the water.
- John McFadden
Anglers warned to follow fishing regs
NWT
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has a warning for sport fishers in the NWT: if you are caught breaking the territorial government's fishing regulations, you could lose your catch, your rod and reel, your tackle and even your boat.
That is according to acting DFO field supervisor Greg Kinsman. He said DFO vessels were out on regular patrol last weekend doing checks on recreational and commercial fishing areas on Great Slave Lake. Kinsman said 55 anglers were checked around Yellowknife Bay last weekend and seven of those were charged with violations.
Meanwhile, the RCMP's marine unit has also been out on the water since the weather turned nice. According to Insp. Matt Peggs, the Mounties have started a series of boat patrols with other enforcement agencies.
- John McFadden
Survey says social problems worry Yk'ers
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
While generally satisfied with quality of life, Yellowknife residents report they are worried it is declining.
The feedback came from a telephone survey conducted by Ipsos Reid, presented at a recent municipal services committee meeting.
Of the 600 people contacted by telephone in the capital, more than nine out of 10 respondents rated their quality of life as good or very good.
Catherine Knaus, director of polling at Ipsos Reid, told councillors the results indicate a pessimism present in Yellowknife not seen in other communities across Canada, where people generally reported their quality of life is improving.
The number one reason given for the decline of quality of life was poverty and homelessness, followed by high cost of living.
- Emelie Peacock
NTPC president Jamaica bound
Hay River
Emanuel DaRosa is no longer president of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) as he has accepted a new job in Jamaica. His final day with the corporation was June 16.
A June 8 news release from the Jamaica Power Service Company Ltd. announced his appointment as its president and chief executive officer, effective Aug. 1. Attempts to get more information last week were unsuccessful.
DaRosa, who resides in Hay River, had been president and CEO of NTPC for six years. Jamaica Public Service Company Limited is the sole distributor of electricity in Jamaica.
- Paul Bickford
Milne receives award
Hay River
Jackie Milne, founder and president of the Northern Farm Training Institute, was in Ottawa on June 23 to receive a Meritorious Service Medal from the governor general. Gov.-Gen David Johnston presented 36 Meritorious Service Medals, along with 13 Meritorious Service Crosses.
The decorations recognize extraordinary innovative people who set an example for others to follow, or respond to a particular challenge faced by a community. The award citation for Milne notes she saw a need to increase access to fresh produce in Northern communities, and established the institute to teach people about sustainable, environmentally sound farming practices.
- Paul Bickford
Pine Lake Picnic planned for July 9
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Wood Buffalo National Park will present the 32nd annual Pine Lake Picnic on July 9.
The picnic will take place at the day-use area of Pine Lake, about 60 kilometres south of Fort Smith in the Alberta section of the park.
The annual event, which is very popular among residents of Fort Smith, features games, free food, canoe races and other family-friendly activities.
- Paul Bickford
Fort Simpson hosts Deh Cho 150 celebration
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
Fort Simpson's Canada Day events are being extended this year as part of the Deh Cho Canada 150 Celebration, said recreation co-ordinator Nathan McPherson.
The celebration was scheduled to begin on June 30 and run until July 9.
Activities are expected to include Canada Day events on July 1, the annual Open Sky Festival on July 2 and a drop-in golf event on July 3.
The week continues on July 4 with a walking tour of the Village of Fort Simpson and a street bazaar and dance on July 5.
McPherson said a section of Fort Simpson's main street will be closed to traffic and vendors will set up
booths to sell local items.
The Liidlii Kue Annual Spring Gathering will also run from July 7 to 9, with activities ranging from canoe races and drum dances to performances by singer Leela Gilday.
Events will pick up again on July 14 with two slo-pitch tournaments, McPherson said.
In addition to the baseball games, there will also be a beer garden and an adult dance. The tournaments are scheduled to finish on July 16.
- Kassina Ryder
Summer camp keeps
Tulita youth active
Tulita/Fort Norman
Tulita's summer camp is hosting a variety of activities with different themes throughout the season, said Kelsey Dayler, recreation co-ordinator.
The camp runs Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and has a different theme each week. Theme ideas include Olympics and Knights and Princesses, as well as My Community, which will take participants to organizations and businesses in town.
"It's just to educate the kids on what's available to them," Dayler said.
In addition to themed activities, participants are also doing arts and crafts and learning about gardening, as well as playing different sports throughout the week.
They will also take trips to the local swimming pool, with swims scheduled to take place Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The camp will run until mid-August and is open to children aged five to 10.
- Kassina Ryder
Language revival in Jean Marie River
Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
A five-day language immersion camp is scheduled to take place in Jean Marie River, said Dahti Tsetso, resource management co-ordinator with the Dehcho First Nation (DFN).
The camp is scheduled to run from July 14 to 18 and will take place in and around Jean Marie River.
The camp is open to families and will partner with participants of the Dechinta Rivers expedition this summer.
Activities will focus on preserving and strengthening language skills.
Space for the camp is limited so anyone looking to participate is encouraged to contact Tsetso at the DFN office.
- Kassina Ryder
Old meets new at Fort Providence Canada Day
Deh Gah Got'ie/Fort Providence
Canada Day events in Fort Providence were scheduled to include both new activities and old favourites, said Andre Bolduc, recreation co-ordinator.
New events included a community breakfast, a family fun zone equipped with a bouncy castle and a slip n' slide, as well as a snow cone machine.
A watermelon-eating contest and a cake decorating contest were also expected to take place.
Tried-and-true favourites such as the bike decorating contest and All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and truck decorating contests were also on the day's schedule, as were the shoreside fishing derby and the adult canoe races.
The canoe races were expanded this year to accommodate seven canoes instead of the usual four, Bolduc said.
Bolduc said he expected the community feast would be a particular highlight this year, with a menu including steak, chicken, baked potatoes, beans and bannock.
- Kassina Ryder
Summer fun in Fort Good Hope
Radilih Koe'/Fort Good Hope
Children aged five and up are invited to a summer day camp in Fort Good Hope, said recreation co-ordinator Freda Kelly.
The camp is scheduled to begin on July 3 and will run until August. The day will begin at 10 a.m. and take a break for lunch at noon, then it will resume at 1 p.m. and run until 5 p.m.
Each day will feature a different theme and activities are expected to include nature walks and swimming.
Freda said the camp will also include "awareness days" highlighting a particular issue, such as bullying, bike safety and water safety.
The activities will take place at various locations within the community, including the community hall and the youth centre.
"It will depend on the activity that week and the weather," Kelly said.
Children will be sent home with a notice advising parents of any equipment, such as sunscreen or bathing suits, participants might need for the next day's activities.
- Kassina Ryder
Second-degree murder charge
Uqsuqtuk/Gjoa Haven
RCMP have laid a charge of second-degree murder following the stabbing of a 30-year-old man in Gjoa Haven on June 25.
The police were notified of the stabbing during the evening and rushed the victim to the community's health centre, but he succumbed to his injuries, according to the RCMP.
The accused, whose gender, age and name have not been made public, is being kept in jail until a July 18 court date in Iqaluit.
The police investigation was continuing during the week and the office of the chief coroner has scheduled an autopsy.
- Derek Neary
Teen charged with porn offences
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
A 14-year-old boy is facing charges of distributing pornographic images, voyeurism and sexual assault following a four-month police investigation.
The teen already made a first appearance in court for a bail hearing. He was released, but ordered not to access the Internet or computer devices and he has restrictions placed on interactions with others under the age of 16. His next court date was set for June 27 in Iqaluit. RCMP units in British Columbia and Ontario assisted Nunavut RCMP in the investigation.
"Think before you post! Do you have consent to send that image? People need to understand that sharing intimate images without consent is an offence," said Const. Danielle Pollock of the RCMP V Division's federal operations section. "We can't express enough the devastating effects this simple act can have on a person, their family and the community."
-Derek Neary
New furnaces, boilers and more
Iglulik
An approved capital budget means double-walled oil tanks, which are less susceptible to leakage, will be installed at several hamlet buildings and eight new furnaces and boilers are also on the way to Iglulik, senior administrative officer Greg Morash said.
"They're more efficient. It will save us money in the long run and it's better for the environment," Morash said of the new heating sources, adding that the equipment is expected to arrive via sea-lift this summer.
The hamlet's remaining capital funds allowed for the purchase of Plexiglass for half of the hockey rink, Morash added. The remainder of the Plexiglass will likely be acquired next year.
-Derek Neary
Judge selection panel appointed
Nunavut
The federal government has assembled a panel of Nunavummiut to help screen candidates to fill two vacant judge's positions. The panel, appointed to a two-year term, is independent and its recommendations are non-binding.
The advisory body, announced on June 28, comprises public representative Lena Pedersen of Kugluktuk, public representative Eliyah Padluq of Kimmirut and public representative John M. Hickes of Rankin Inlet.
Joining them are lawyer Kathryn Kellough of Iqaluit, lawyer Joseph Paul Murdoch-Flowers of Iqaluit and senior judge Bonnie M. Tulloch of Iqaluit.
"For the first time in history, Inuit members make up the majority of Nunavut's Judicial Advisory Committee. Today's announcement is a milestone towards a stronger, more diverse judiciary," said Jody Wilson-Raybould, Canada's justice minister and attorney general.
- Derek Neary
Videos by three Pond Inlet students featured
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
Siobhan Aglak, Zoe Elverum and Jurena Pewatoalook, students at Nasivvik High School in Pond Inlet, had their videos featured by the Young Citizen's program, sponsored by Canada's History Society. A news release from the program explained that Young Citizen's showcases student work at Heritage Fairs across Canada.
Aglak's featured the history of Inuit mitts, Elverum's video explored the story of paramedics, while Pewatoalook's topic was stress and how people can be happier.
"We've had participants from Pond Inlet for several years now, and their perspective is always fascinating," said Nancy Payne, a representative for Canada's History Society.
"The Young Citizens program encourages young people to explore Canada's history in a deep, personal way," stated manager of community relations for Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Debbie Down, Manager, one of the sponsors.
"As we celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary, it's heartening to know that in telling the stories of our past, students are showing the way to an inclusive future."
One recipient from each province and territory will be chosen by popular vote, while a panel of judges will chose another. The 26 honourees will receive a trip to Ottawa in the fall, where they will participate in a national youth forum. Voting continues until July 7.
- Michele LeTourneau
Qaggiavuut launches centre fundraiser
Iqaluit
The territorial arts group Qaggiavuut Society was scheduled to begin its fundraising campaign for a Nunavut Performing Arts Centre July 1.
"We need a dedicated space for music, theatre, drum dance, storytelling and visual arts," stated Qaggiavuut chairperson Vinnie Karetak in a news release.
"A group of us have just come from a month of staging an Inuktitut play in the south because we had no space here in Nunavut where we could do this. Luckily we get a lot of support from performing arts centres in Canada but it would be great to have our own."
The society was to launch the campaign at a public discussion and reception at Iqaluit's Franco-Centre.
Qaggiavuut has a mandate to strengthen and support the Nunavut performing arts with a focus on Inuit. Since its founding, Qaggiavuut has advocated for a performing arts space where artists across Nunavut can create and present their work.
Nunavut is the only territory or province without a performing arts centre in its capital.
- Michele LeTourneau
Document your art
Iqaluit
Arctic Bay photographer Niore Ikalukjuak is scheduled to teach a class for artists on how to document artwork for better promotion. This class is one of several scheduled to take place during the organization's 17th annual arts festival.
The Nunavut Arts and Craft Association (NACA) is organizing the class, to be held at the Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre in Iqaluit July 7, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Ikalukjuak, a former mayor of Arctic Bay and a photographer since 1980, has won awards for his work, which has been featured in many magazines. The class will cover the basics of lighting, placement, and camera techniques when photographing two and three dimensional artwork, with digital SLR cameras and tripods provided.
Those attending the class can bring along their artwork to document. Ikalukjuak will teach in Inuktitut and English, with interpretation in both languages.
- Michele LeTourneau
Summer workshops
Iglulik
There are a variety of summer workshops taking place in Iglulik: traditional arts, ulu-making, cooking classes, kamik-making, harpoon-making and net-fishing.
Celina Irngaut will be the instructor for the traditional arts classes. Irngaut specializes in drawing, colouring, sewing and wall hangings, said recreation director Jose Quezada. The classes, for those ages 15 and over, will take place over seven Tuesdays.
The ulu-making sessions proved so popular that they had to be split into two groups. Bruno Immaroitok will lead those classes, as well as a harpoon-making class later in the summer.The kamik-making lessons, under Susan Avinga's tutelage, will begin after hunters return with seal skins. Two net-fishing camps will each entail 10 people and take place over five days. Vera and Maurice Arnatsiaq will supervise that activity. The camp location is about a 20-minute drive from the community.
Quezada himself will be in charge of cooking classes on Wednesdays. The meals include an inspirational movie reinforcing the message that "life's challenges can be met," he said.
On Thursdays, classroom reviews of the driver's handbook for class 7 licences, or "learner's licences," will be held. Close to 100 people participated in those lessons last year, Quezada said.
- Derek Neary
Boxes of books arrive at library
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Three boxes of books, donations from British Columbia, came into the May Hakongak Community Library in June. Among the offerings are a number of publications that focus on wildlife - real and imagined - such as Arctic animals, sharks, blue dolphins, city critters and dragons. There are others books focusing on extreme weather.
"Every time we do a summer reading program we get all these free books," said librarian Pam Langan, who added that the program is geared towards youths who are in Grade 6 and younger. "But anybody can take the books from the shelf."
The Cambridge Bay library is also one of 18 across the country participating in a nationwide letter-sharing program in conjunction with Canada's 150 th confederation anniversary.
Letter writers are encouraged to share their thoughts on the highlights of their respective communities, their favourite books, what they love about Canada and the places they'd most like to visit. Patrons' letters have already been sent to Montague, P.E.I., and the next batch will be shipped to Yarmouth, N.S., Langan said.
- Derek Neary
Big Creek bridge in place
Kugluktuk
Those heading out by all-terrain vehicle or for a hike could cross the Big Creek bridge en route to Kugluk (Bloody Falls) territorial park or elsewhere as of June 23. Larry Adjun, parks officer, and two summer students - Keiran Panioyak and Eustace Kadlun - needed three days to erect the structure.
"Everything is all done by hand, and we do use quads for hauling lumber," Adjun said.
The bridge gets plenty of use, particularly as hunters come and go on their caribou hunts, said Adjun.
The wooden span has to be constructed each summer. The bridge will be taken apart around mid-October because high water in spring would destroy it if it remained in place, Adjun explained. Anyone travelling by foot may want to pack bug spray as the mosquitoes can get pretty thick.
-Derek Neary
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