Breakup begins

Ice on the Mackenzie River is beginning to break up, so the Merv Hardie ferry should be

up and running by sometime next week.

Earl Blacklock, spokesperson for the Department of Transportation said ferry operations across the river usually start five to 10 days after breakup begins.

He said the water levels are coming in more than a metre above what is necessary for the ferry to run.

Breakup could cause the levels to drop though, resulting in ferry service disruptions after operations have begun.

- Nicole Veerman

Catholic school board to appoint trustee

2009 candidate Lee Stroman says he will be appointed as the newest board member for Yellowknife Catholic Schools at the next meeting, on May 18.

Stroman will replace Francis Chang, who stepped down as trustee during a Feb. 16 board meeting.

Stroman finished last out of nine candidates with 331 votes in the Oct. 19, 2009 municipal election. With Stroman's appointment, all seven trustee positions will be full.

- Heather Lange

New protected area

The Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation is planning to establish a protected area encompassing the East Arm of the Great Slave Lake and surrounding areas.

The protected territory would be called Thaidene Nene, meaning "land of the ancestors," and the band is meeting at the legislative assembly Wednesday, May 18 between 7 and 9 p.m. to discuss the plan.

To date, the NWT Protected Area Strategy includes more than 98,000 square kilometres of migratory bird sanctuaries, national parks and historic sites.

- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison

Yk 15th in fishing contest

Yellowknife is tied for 15th place in the final round of the Ultimate Fishing Town competition sponsored by the World Fishing Network.

On Tuesday, Yellowknife and Haliburton, Ont. were tied with eight votes, and Lutsel K'e had 14 votes, placing the town in 13th place.

Voting opened Tuesday and will continue until May 31. The winner of the title will receive $25,000 toward a fishing-related project.

Visit the World Fishing Network's website to vote.

- Nicole Veerman

Five years in prison

Repulse Bay

A Repulse Bay man has been sentenced to five years in an Ontario prison after pleading guilty to firing at two RCMP officers during a seven-hour standoff in Repulse on Sept. 28 of 2010.

Benjamin Malliki, who was 19 at the time of the incident, was sentenced earlier this month by Justice Sue Cooper after he pleaded guilty on April 14 in Iqaluit to one count of discharging a firearm with intent to cause bodily harm, as well as possessing a firearm while under an order not to.

Malliki reportedly fired three shots during the incident, at least one of which was directed at the officers. No one was hurt during the standoff, which saw Tusarvik School locked down and residents ordered to remain indoors until the matter was resolved with the help of an RCMP negotiator.

Police found two loaded rifles inside the house where Malliki had barricaded himself after he was taken into custody.

Students vote

Chesterfield Inlet

Students at Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield Inlet were among the thousands of students across Canada to take part in a parallel election of the federal election earlier this month.

The program is a unique way for young students to become more aware of the electoral process and the platforms put forth by the various federal parties in Canada.

For more on Victor Sammurtok's involvement with Student Vote day, please see the May 18 edition of Kivalliq News.

Derby time

Rankin Inlet

The Hamlet of Rankin Inlet has announced its annual fishing derby will be held from May 20 to 23.

There is a 50-mile boundary in place for this year's derby.

Cash prizes will be given out for the 10 largest fish in both the trout and cod categories. Sponsored prizes will also be available, as will prizes for the biggest fish caught by kids 13 years of age and younger.

Measuring will take place on May 24 at the community hall beginning at 1:30 p.m.

NAM meets

Rankin Inlet/Nunavut

The Nunavut Association of Municipalities (NAM) is hosting its annual general meeting (AGM) in Rankin Inlet this week from May 10 to 14. The theme for this year's AGM is Sivummut Isumaqaniq - Nunavummiut - Moving Forward. A number of various topics of great importance to Nunavut's municipal leaders will be discussed at the meetings.

Access program

Rankin Inlet

Residents of Rankin Inlet are reminded the director of the University of Manitoba's Engineering Access program (ENGAP), Randy Hermann, will be holding an information session at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik this coming Tuesday May 17.

ENGAP is designed to provide aboriginal students with access to university studies, and delivers academic, social and personal support based on the individual needs of the student.

The program offers a chance for aboriginal students who may not meet normal entrance requirements for engineering by providing academic upgrading and support.

Students, graduates and parents are invited to attend the session.