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The Yukon option Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, August 13, 2010
On top of lost customers and general inconvenience, outages due to thunderstorms can cause power surges that damage electronic equipment. The trouble is particularly costly for restaurants, who rely on electricity for every aspect of their operation. Also, electronics stores routinely deal with customers who return with goods damaged by power surges during outages. The problem is not new to the North. The Yukon has experienced the same but the Yukon Energy Corporation has a solution that Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) should seriously consider. Yukon's answer is to monitor the weather and switch to diesel power before thunderstorms strike. This keeps power running and business going without costly interruptions and damaged equipment. In the case of Yellowknife, running on diesel at Jackfish Lake would reduce the high risk of a lightning strike on the towering transmission lines stretching 150 kilometres over the tundra. NTPC says this solution is too expensive. That decision is made without adding up the costs and inconvenience of such outages. This is a solution that has worked for the Yukon, and there is no reason why it should not work here, if customers and businesses decide they need it.
Interim agreement on land leases needed Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, August 13, 2010 The Yellowknives Dene First Nation should reap the financial benefits of land leases for cabins on its unsettled land claims area. While a land claims agreement is still being worked out for the Yellowknives Dene, the territorial government is making money off the leases approved for cabins on commissioner's land. An interim measure allowing the Yellowknives to handle leases in the region until a land claims agreement is signed is an option the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs should look at. A similar agreement has been put in place in the unsettled Deh Cho region which allows for control over certain aspects of governance. Land claims will eventually be settled, so why not allow the First Nation to reap the benefits of these leases? With John Duncan now the new minister at the helm of Indian and Northern Affairs, an opportunity is there to achieve such an interim measure. An agreement could help improve relations between the two groups and the economic benefits of land leases, albeit small, would have a far greater impact on the Yellowknives than on the territorial government.
A wellspring of giving Editorial Comment Roxanna Thompson Deh Cho Drum - Thursday, August 12, 2010
A prime example of this took place over the weekend in Fort Simpson. Thirty-four women got together at the Seven Spruce Golf Course on Saturday to raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer. The It's Pink Golf Fore the Cure Tournament drew out seasoned golfers and novices alike to support this cause. All of the female participants - the tournament was a women-only event - got into the spirit by wearing as much pink as possible and not letting their golf game get in the way of having a good time. Some teams went all-out in pink and golf apparel on the course had never looked so good. While having fun was a main goal, most participants also put in the work of fundraising to support the tournament's cause. Teams were challenged to raise money and did so through corporate sponsorships, pledges and bake sales, to name a few. The total tally for the fundraising hasn't been calculated yet, but the number is bound to be high. The success of the fundraising shows both the willingness of the participants to support the cause, but also the generosity of local residents and businesses who gave freely when asked. This tournament is only one example of the good citizenship that happens across the Deh Cho on a regular basis. One of the frequent recipients of this good will are local athletes. When teams and individuals launch fundraising efforts to attend a tournament or other event, wallets are opened to make the trip possible. Schools and students also see a similar response. The caring also covers local residents. In times of tragedy, illness or family hardship, communities often rally to provide support for families and individuals. This support can range from homemade food to monetary donations. The generosity doesn't end at the local or national level either. International crises such as the earthquake in Haiti in January prompted Deh Cho residents to raise money through a variety of means to support relief efforts. The success of fundraising across the Deh Cho shows both the generosity of the residents as well as the strength of their belief in good citizenship. Combined, it makes the Deh Cho that much more of a positive place to live in. Boon or bust? Editorial Comment Katie May Inuvik Drum - Thursday, August 12, 2010
With help from Germany and a partnership with a Swedish corporation as well as a Lethbridge, Alta.-based supplier, the federal Department of Natural Resources Canada launched the country's first Arctic satellite station, one of only three of its kind in the world. It's being touted as an incredible force of modern technology capable of protecting our nation's borders, since governments and international agencies will have access to the satellite images and data it receives - for monitoring purposes. Speeches of glowing support tumbled effortlessly from the mouths of every local politician who spoke at the unveiling ceremony on Tuesday, all of them looking optimistically forward to putting the Arctic on the map - literally and figuratively - and to measuring Inuvik on a grand international scale with the addition of this world-class facility. Not only does the station's main antenna rotate surprisingly quickly for its size but it has the power to spot forest fires, and presumably any number of perceived problems, before they wreak havoc on the landscape. More importantly, the station has already attracted the attention of scientists, space agencies and governments across the globe who are all clamouring to invest in it, according to Natural Resources Canada. If this is true, and if all of these potential partnerships become reality, this satellite station could mean an influx of much-needed resources and research grants for Inuvik, the Beaufort Delta region and Canada's Arctic as a whole. Proponents of the satellite station's image technology, which is relayed with little delay, did emphasize its benefits to Northern infrastructure and local economies over its value to Arctic sovereignty strategies and national security missions as a high-tech international spying device. However sincere the government's concern for Northern residents may be, there's no question the intent of a large-scale data collection project, particularly one with input from all levels of government and private industry, don't always overlap with the concerns of private citizens. Inuvik as the site of an international satellite station gives the town a lot of power. And with great power, as the cliched saying goes, comes great responsibility. It's the community's responsibility now to seize this opportunity to be in the scientific world's spotlight. But let's not do so at the expense of our many Northern researchers, who may otherwise fall into the shadow of big corporations who have deeper pockets and a certain worldly appeal. Instead, let's work with students and educators - the satellite station developers have already expressed their commitment to partner with Aurora College - to ensure that all the data collected from our region can be easily accessed to inform local research and serve the greater public good. Katie May is interim editor of Inuvik Drum. Andrew Rankin will return in September. Ramble on Yellowknifer - Wednesday, August 11, 2010
The Old Town Ramble and Ride festival, held July 31 to Aug. 1, was a grand success with a variety of speciality foods, invigorating music, an amazing assortment of arts and crafts, great weather (much of the time) and plenty of community spirit.
Hundreds of people streamed through the narrow streets of Old Town at any given time. Unfortunately, many of them needed a place to park their vehicle. This proved a challenge and some drivers got a little, well, let's say "creative" at squeezing their car or truck into a place that wasn't intended to accommodate a vehicle. What ensued was 13 $40 parking tickets and at least four even more costly tow jobs. That put a damper on festivities for some. The outcome has provoked another chorus of "boo bylaw." Our municipal enforcement department is often accused of being overzealous. Nobody speaks loudly of the warnings issued, but many shout in anger over having to pay a fine. The reason for the Ramble and Ride parking crackdown remains somewhat of a mystery since Fire Chief Darcy Hernblad, acting manager for the bylaw division, refused to talk to Yellowknifer about the details. So we're left to guess. Call it coincidence, but in the Aug. 6 edition of the city's newsletter there's a safety tip from the fire department reminding motorists not to stop or park in fire lanes. It mentions that every moment of delay would cause fires to do much greater damage. This is a legitimate concern. One can imagine the outcry if a fire had occurred and vehicles obstructed the fire department's way. The outcry would have been, "Where was bylaw? Why didn't the officers do their jobs and keep the fire lanes clear?" It's a tough spot. Fortunately, Brent Reaney, one of the primary organizers of the growing festival, has identified the problem and plans to address it - better communication. He said the Ramble and Ride committee hopes to improve its co-ordination with bylaw next year. That's a necessary step that ought to be taken. Clear signage and properly-placed barricades would make a difference. As well, one ticketed festival-goer suggested to Yellowknifer that announcements could have been made over the public address system, advising people that municipal enforcement was actively patrolling for illegally parked vehicles. That's not a bad idea. At least then those who violated the parking bylaws - whether wilfully or out of ignorance - would have had a chance to scramble before their wallets or purses became $40 lighter.
A tourney to be proud of Editorial Comment Darrell Greer Kivalliq News - Wednesday, August 11, 2010 The organizers of the annual Calm Air Cup slo-pitch tournament in Rankin Inlet are to be commended for their efforts in trying to raise the profile of the event. The tourney is starting to garner attention, especially during the past two years. The challenge is, of course, to attract the Kivalliq communities that don't have organized league play during the summer months. But the organizers are working hard to make the tourney an attractive one to attend and, from what we saw this past weekend, they're on the right track. The players on the six teams who competed at this year's Calm Air Cup truly had a good time. The organizers are successfully walking the often slippery line in offering an event that is competitive, yet, its main focus is for the players to play a little ball and have a great time doing so. This past weekend also featured on-site alcoholic beverages, so fans could come out, sit in a designated area down the first base line, and cheer on the players while enjoying the brand liquid of their choice. There were some in the community who feared the worst when it was announced alcohol would be included at this year's tournament. But, all who availed themselves to the beverages being served did so responsibly, and not a single negative incident was reported at the area during the tournament. The tourney organizers, fans, players and local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion are all to be commended for ensuring things went so smoothly. The Calm Air Cup has also picked up a little added lustre with the highest-ranked Rankin team at the event now travelling to Iqaluit to compete in the territorial slo-pitch championship. While it's true slo-pitch trails many other sports in most communities in terms of popularity, well-organized events such as the Calm Air Cup can go a long way towards boosting interest in the game by giving players something to look forward to each year. Numerous sponsors and volunteers also chip in to make the championship an attractive event, especially its namesake. Calm Air followed the lead of the players at this year's tourney by stepping up to the plate in a big way. The three pairs of airline tickets the company put up to be drawn for was a nice touch, especially the way they were divided so a male player, female player and a fan all won one pair of tickets each. There's still a ways to go before the Calm Air Cup becomes a true Kivalliq regional event. But it's headed in the right direction, and this year's spectacle should take the tournament another stride or two down the baseline towards its objective. Hopefully, the teams of Coral Harbour and Baker Lake will return next year, and Arviat, which always sent a competitive team in the past, will also see fit to return to the tourney in coming years. All in all, the 2010 Calm Air Cup was an event the community of Rankin Inlet can take pride in hosting. Hopefully, the tourney will be even bigger and better in 2011.
Wildlife Act recognizes priorities NWT News/North - Monday, August 9, 2010
However, the GNWT might have found a solution to avoiding similar controversies in the future.
The legislative assembly's new proposed Wildlife Act has specifically addressed how the government will deal with aboriginal groups in terms of wildlife issues. Not only is there a clear and defined method for consultation - through the use of co-management boards -- between the GNWT and First Nations, the act also demonstrates a recognition of traditional rights.
Aboriginal rights to hunt, barter and trade have been incorporated into the act, along with an understanding land claims agreements will supersede the act. The age limit for young hunters has been lowered, which will mean young aboriginals will now be able to participate in traditional hunts sooner. Not only will that assist in reviving aboriginal culture but, as hunter Jimmy Kalinek said, it will also allow more time to teach youths how to hunt properly.
If the final act keeps with the intent of what is included in the proposed legislation, and if the government acts accordingly, we commend the GNWT for listening to what people have been saying in regards to managing wildlife and putting together a law that will work for everyone.
Travelling in remote areas of the Arctic is not for the ill-prepared.
Every year search and rescue is dispatched to find lost travellers, and some of those rescues have tragic ends.
Even the happy outcomes come at great cost to taxpayers when search planes and ground personnel are mobilized.
Both lives and money can be saved if people take a few simple steps to ensure they travel safely. Most important is to ensure you travel prepared.
That means training for trips that will require physical endurance, filing a trip plan and travelling with the proper gear.
Included in necessary gear should be some kind of tracking or alert device that notifies authorities or friends where you are.
The government should consider a policy whereby those who fail to carry such a device be potentially liable for the cost of search and rescue.
Nobody wants people to perish while enjoying the wilds of the NWT, but neither does anybody want to pick up the tab when others needlessly cause a costly search to ensue due to being unprepared.
The Pangnirtung Tapestry Studio celebrated its 40th anniversary this summer, making it one of Nunavut's success stories.
Weaving was introduced to Nunavut's arts and crafts skill-set relatively recently but it has become an art in which Nunavummiut excel. Since its beginning in 1969, the studio's weavers have established a global reputation for producing finely crafted works of art.
The women of Pangnirtung transferred their legendary sewing skills to the art of weaving. There is also an emphasis on co-operation, an Inuit value, with teams of anywhere from three to seven weavers seated side by side at a loom, collaborating with an artist whose design has been transferred to the warp threads.
The Pangnirtung studio is also one of only a handful of weaving studios in the world that can produce large-size tapestries on commission. Its works adorn the walls of Nunavut's legislative assembly, and weavers recently completed a much-lauded commission for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Besides creating employment and bringing income to the Baffin community for four decades, the tapestries featuring colourful scenes of Nunavut life become prized possessions on display around the world - creating recognition and admiration of Inuit ingenuity.
It takes months to painstakingly weave individual lengths of coloured woolen yarn through the cotton warp threads until the final image appears - a testament to the beautiful things that can result when a group of people work together with patience and persistence towards a common goal.
In an era of entertainment on demand, many people lose interest when their efforts don't produce instant results. But as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations, youths of the community helped weave a 180-foot band that was tied around the studio in a bow. We hope they picked up a few life lessons in addition to craft skills, because Nunavut needs a new generation that can commit to investing time into weaving a bright future for their territory.
Recently wilderness consultant Wes Werbowy reported he had warded off an attack from a polar bear that had poked its head into his tent by punching the bear in the nose.
Werbowy said he had no other choice because the bear was standing on his gun at the time, and he was forced to think fast or risk becoming a midnight snack. However, punching a polar bear in the nose was very risky.
We have to recommend avoiding hand-to-hand combat with Arctic wildlife if at all possible. They tend to have the size advantage, and come with bigger claws and teeth.
And to the impressionable kids out there who think Werbowy's adventure was awesomely cool: please don't run out and clothesline a caribou or put a muskox in a headlock. These are not good ideas.
Stay alert on the land and stay safe.
Corrections In the story "Sprinting or paddling to the finish," the distances for the running section of the Long Lake Triathlon should have read "5 km" for the sprint division and "10 km" for the Olympic division. have caused. In the same edition, the story "Keeping students working in the North" should have stated the Progressive Experience Program consists of $405,000 in funds. Yellowknifer apologizes for any confusion the errors may have caused.
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