Emergency landing

A Boeing 727 flying from Edmonton to Inuvik turned around at 11:00 a.m. to return to the Yellowknife airport after passengers were informed of an engine failure.

Canadian North Flight 444 was en route to Norman Wells, its second stop on the Edmonton to Inuvik route.

"We were half way to Norman Wells before we had to turn around. We noticed the aircraft turning around and then were told there was an engine failure and for precautionary measures we were going back to Yellowknife," said Inuvik passenger Bernice MacNeil. She estimated there were just over 20 passengers on board.

The plane landed safely with only one engine at the Yellowknife airport at 11:25 a.m. Canadian North had no comment.

- Heather Lange

Hundreds of helmets

For the third straight year, hundreds of NWT youth will be receiving free bike helmets as part of the Use Your Head campaign.

The campaign promotes the use of helmets to prevent brain and spinal injuries from bike, motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile and skateboard accidents.

The helmets were donated by BHP Billiton and are being distributed by the GNWT. Since 2008, BHP Billiton has donated more than 1,400 child and youth bicycle helmets in the NWT.

- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison

Speakers series to begin

Aurora College and Parks Canada are about to launch a speaker series that will allow Northerners to hear lectures from experts in a wide range of fields.

The first lecture is planned for June 23 at 7 p.m. in Room 148 of Fort Smith's Thebacha Campus.

The speaker will be Dr. Donald Baird of the University of New Brunswick, who will speak about researching genomes in Wood Buffalo National Park this summer.

- Paul Bickford

Funding for youth centres

Last week the GNWT announced it will divvy up $500,000 in funding for 35 youth centres across the territory.

Each chosen youth centre, from the Ajgaliaq Centre in Sachs Harbour to the Zhati Koe Friendship Centre in Fort Providence, will receive an equal $14,285.

"Youth centres across the NWT provide a safe, healthy environment," said Robert C. McLeod, minister of municipal and community affairs and minister responsible for youth.

- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison

First responders prepare for the worst

Deline/Fort Franklin

Last Tuesday at 2 p.m., 12 firefighters, two medical personnel and two RCMP responded to a simulated plane crash in Deline.

It was just a dry run for the emergency response team, but according to Christina Gaudet, senior administrative officer, they passed with flying colours.

"It went good. It was actually really, really good," she said.

The charter community of Deline, in conjunction with the fire department, health centre and RCMP, is planning another dry run for the end of the month.

- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison

A vision for Fort Smith

Thebacha/Fort Smith

The Town of Fort Smith is hosting a community visioning session to help plan the future of the community.

The discussion will be held on June 22 from 7-9 p.m. at the Rec Centre.

Participants will be asked what kinds of recreation, leisure and cultural programs they want to see, and what facilities would be needed over the coming decade.

They will also help develop a tourism strategy for the Fort Smith area, including identifying tourism products and services.

All community residents are welcome to attend.

- Paul Bickford

Wacky weather

in Sachs Harbour

Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour

Earlier this month residents of Sachs Harbour were able to do something they don't normally do in mid-June: fish for cod in the bay.

"Strange weather, very strange weather," said Donna Keogak, manager of the Sachs Harbour Community Corporation.

Ice usually leaves the bay at the end of June or beginning of July, according to Keogak, but this year it left June 1. Since then, residents have started fishing for cod, and in nearby lakes for char.

Keogak said weather had been cold, but really started to warm up Saturday, June 11.

- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison

Busy weekend in Norman Wells

Lli Goline/Norman Wells

Norman Wells celebrated Aboriginal Day a little early this year with a weekend jam-packed with activities for residents of all ages.

On Saturday there was a talent show, kids carnival, cookout, canoe races and a dance in the evening for adults. On Sunday there were relay races, face painting and an ice cream sundae stand, followed by a feast and drum dance.

Sherry Hodgson, vice-president of the land corporation, said the highlight of the weekend was the mini-eco challenge for kids ages nine to 14.

Starting at noon, participants biked 2 km, ran 1 km and then swam a lap at the pool.

- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison

Saying goodbye to old friends

Tuktoyaktuk

Two long-time teachers at Mangilaluk School, with a combined 51 years of experience in Tuktoyaktuk, are retiring and on June 10 the community hosted a celebration to say goodbye.

Grade 5 teacher Anna Marie Cameron will be moving back to New Brunswick and Grade 6 teacher Robin Hayslip will be moving back to Ontario.

"I know that this community will certainly miss Anna Marie and Robin. They've touched so many people," said Agnes Cudmore, principal at the school.

"They've taught most of the kids here and they've taught most of the parents."

The party started at 6 p.m. with a feast and barbecue. Afterwards, there were speeches, drum dancing, jigging and a slideshow.

- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison

Toy Run set for July 2

Hay River

The annual Hay River Toy Run for motorcycle riders will be held on July 2.

The riders will collect toys for Secret Santa - a Christmastime initiative to help needy people - and ride to Enterprise and back.

Participants will gather at the Hay River Beach and the group will depart for Enterprise at 2 p.m.

Afterwards, there will be a barbecue, charity auction and an adults-only biker bash.

On July 1, motorcycles and muscles cars will be on display from 2-7 p.m. at Hay River's Fisherman's Wharf.

The July 1 event will also feature a swap meet, where motorcycle riders can buy, sell or trade new and used bike parts, accessories, apparel and memorabilia.

- Paul Bickford

Annual jamboree a success

Ulukhaktok/Holman

The Kingalik Jamboree took place during the June 11-12 weekend in Ulukhaktok and featured everything from outdoor events, talent shows and square dancing to seal skinning, tea boiling and duck plucking.

The annual jamboree celebrates the return of the kingalik, or king eider duck, with traditional events.

Members of surrounding communities took part as well.

- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison

Summer Heat back for season

Hay River

The Town of Hay River's Summer Heat program will be returning for the season on June 27.

The program, which runs from Monday to Friday, offers a wide range of activities to keep children both mentally and physically active.

It is designed for children aged from six to 12.

- Paul Bickford

Fort McPherson celebrates graduates

Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson

Graduates of the Chief Julius School celebrated with an old-time dance on June 10, a first for parting students.

The 13 graduates attended a graduation ceremony at 2 p.m. followed by a reception and feast at 6 p.m.

The old-time dance, featuring music by the Delta Good Time Band from Inuvik, kicked off at 9 p.m.

Tena Blake, whose son is graduating, said students took dance lessons to prepare for the big night.

"There's a really high interest in traditional dancing with the young people. Quite a few grads like to dance," she said.

The Fort McPherson Gwich'in Band provided funding to bring the Delta Good Time Band in for the celebration.

- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison

S'mores, bannock and canoes

Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River

Twenty students at Chief Paul Niditchie School spent the day on Arctic Red River on June 7 as part of their Dene Kede cultural-based curriculum.

"We wanted to teach them that canoeing is not just for the races in August. It's also for recreation and transportation too," said Brandon Otway, a teacher for grades 4, 5 and 6.

Students from kindergarten to Grade 9 first took a boat 16 km up the river, then had a campfire lunch with hot dogs, s'mores, bannock, tea and water.

"Once they all had full bellies, they all paddled down river and it was a beautiful afternoon," said Ruthie Goose at the Tsiigehtchic Health Centre.

For many, it was their first time in a canoe, but Otway said they fared well on the three-and-a-half hour trip back to town. A second canoe trip will likely take place in the fall.

- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison

Woman convicted of drug trafficking

Sanirajak/Hall Beach

A woman was convicted of possessing marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and sentenced to a three-month conditional sentence on June 2.

Cecilia Nuvviaq, 26, of Hall Beach was also sentenced to 18 months probation and a 10-year firearms ban. The conditional sentence allows Nuvviaq to serve her sentence in the community.

The RCMP had seized 61 grams of marijuana with a street value of $3,660 in Hall Beach along with $2,490 in cash and various items related to the trafficking of marijuana Dec. 14, it stated in a press release.

- Jeanne Gagnon

Man injured in shooting

Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung

Two men were arrested after one man suffered a single gunshot wound in the early morning of June 16 in Pangnirtung.

RCMP stated an injured 19-year-old man was found inside a residence after police responded to reports of a shooting in the hamlet at 3:30 a.m. The victim was medevaced to Iqaluit and discharged shortly thereafter, stated police.

A 21-year-old man and a 30-year-old man were arrested in relation to the incident and remain in custody.

The Iqaluit incident commander, emergency response team, major crimes and forensic identification units were sent to Pangnirtung to assist the investigation.

- Jeanne Gagnon

Tenders close on hamlet office/community hall

Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island

The Department of Community and Government Services is now reviewing design tenders for the new hamlet office/community hall.

"It's a combo building," said Roy Green, director of community infrastructure with the department.

The tender went out in May and closed on June 8.

The current building was built in 1980.

Green said the new building will be 830 square feet and will be built on the same site.

The department will review the designs and once it is awarded, there will be a community meeting.

"Everything seems to be progressing along and hopefully we will start construction next summer,"

he said.

Through the Building Canada Fund and the GN, $7.9 million has been budgeted for the project.

- Emily Ridlington

New school bus

Kugaaruk/Pelly Bay

Kugaardjuk School students will head to and from school in a new 54-passenger school bus this fall, Education Minister Eva Aariak announced in the legislative assembly June 9.

The community is set to get the new vehicle with this year's sealift. Aariak stated the community has been "suffering" from using an "old dilapidated bus" imported to the community 20 years ago.

Celine Ningark, chairwoman of the district education authority, said the new school bus will really help the community.

"The community is growing. Some of the small ones, like kindergarten and Grade 1 (students), they live further away from the school," she said.

- Jeanne Gagnon

New power plant

Kinngait/Cape Dorset

Cape Dorset will get a new power plant as Qulliq Energy Corporation recently approved its construction.

Lorne Kusugak, the minister responsible for Qulliq Energy, stated Cape Dorset's power plant has been scheduled for replacement for a number of years. After seeking advice from the Utility Rates Review Council, the minister approved the project on June 7, stated a press release.

"It is proposed to construct the new facility immediately adjacent to the existing plant," Peter Mackey, president and CEO of Qulliq Energy stated in a press release. "This location is central to the community with good potential to supply residual heat to nearby buildings and minimize distribution system upgrades."

Olayuk Akesuk, the hamlet's senior administrative officer, said the new power plant is much needed.

"We've been waiting for a long time, so we're happy. As the community is growing, I believe the government is doing the right job going ahead with the project that we really need in our community," he said.

But the Hamlet of Cape Dorset has to resolve legal issues related to the ownership of buildings on the proposed new plant site before the project can proceed, stated the press release.

Construction of the new power plant is expected to take 26 to 32 months.

- Jeanne Gagnon

DARE program

Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet

A group of Grade 5 students at Simon Alaittuq School in Rankin Inlet received their certificates after completing the RCMPdelivered Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE) program earlier this month.

- Darrell Greer

Summer vacation has started

Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay

School's out for the summer at Inuujaq School.

"It's pretty quiet here and everyone is out on the land," said resident Clare Kines.

With the kids out of school, many families have gone out camping and fishing.

"There's a steady stream of qamutiit heading out on the land," Kines said.

- Emily Ridlington

Spring challenge

Kivalliq

The Kivalliq Physical Education Panel held its first annual Spring into Action School Daily Physical Activity (DPA) Challenge this past month.

The first theme was speed stacking, with each school in the Kivalliq being supplied with 15 sets of speed stacks, a timing mat and activity spots to use throughout the year and augment their DPA program.

The purpose of the Spring into Action School DPA Challenge is to get schools active with the speed stacks and to have some fun in the process. Speed stacking is a sport challenging participants to stack cups in a pattern and then take them down in the fastest time.

In the Stack Attack Challenge, kindergarten to Grade 6 students did a 333 event, while Grade 7 to Grade 12 students competed in the 363 event.

The winner of the 363 trophy for best time in the Kivalliq for the 363 Stack Challenge is Randel Qiyuk of Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik in Rankin Inlet with a time of 5.05 seconds.

Congratulations also go out to Maurice Angotinguar of Leo Ussak Elementary School in Rankin for winning the 333 Stack Challenge with a time of 3.75 seconds.

Finally, a nod to the community of Baker Lake for winning the participation award with 70 per cent of Baker students taking the challenge, and to Rankin schools for winning the skill (speed) challenge with an average time of 6.3 seconds.

- Darrell Greer

Tidying Kimmirut

Kimmirut/Lake Harbour

The streets and lots in the community look a lot cleaner thanks to the students at Qaqqalik School.

"It looks a lot better and it looks more spacious," said Akeego Ikkidluak, senior administrative officer with the hamlet.

All the students from the school picked up garbage on June 14.

Principal Chris Wright said there were at least 40 bags of trash in the dumpster by the end of the day.

"It looks really different," he said.

All participating community members had a picnic with hotdogs afterwards.

- Emily Ridlington

Mining competition

NWT/Nunavut/Yukon

All three Canadian territories sent teams to the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut's 54th annual Mine Rescue Competition in Yellowknife earlier this month.

It was the first time all three territories were represented at the event.

Taking part in the competition were teams from BHP Billiton's Ekati Mine, Rio Tinto's Diavik Diamond Mine, De Beers Canada's Snap Lake Mine, all in the NWT, Capstone Mining Corp.'s Minto Mine in Yukon and AgnicoEagle Ltd.'s Meadowbank Mine near Baker Lake.

The competition featured a written test, practical bench/field test, firefighting, underground obstacle, smoke, rope rescue, first aid and surface obstacle recovery.

Ekati was declared this year's overall winner.

- Darrell Greer