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News Briefs: Monday, July 11, 2011
Sachs still under water advisory
People in Sachs Harbour are still under a boil water advisory, nearly a month after it was first put in place.
Duane Fleming, chief environmental health officer for the NWT, put the "precautionary" advisory in place June 14 because of problems with the hamlet's water treatment plant. Though a month-old now, the advisory still pales in comparison to the eight-month-long advisory residents were asked to follow in 2009, which was also put in place because of problems with the water treatment plant.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
New animal regulations proposed
Parks Canada and the federal government are starting consultations on the proposed National Parks of Canada Wild Animals Regulations, which will replace the current National Parks Wildlife Regulations.
Under the new plan, federal officials hope to expand the protection of wild animals and their dwellings as well as regulate the possession, use and transportation of weapons and traps. Exceptions would be made for park users who need firearms for protection.
The government will be holding public consultations on the proposed changes until December.
-Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Fire ban lifted in park
A fire ban within the boundaries of Wood Buffalo National Park was lifted as of July 4.
The ban, which prohibited open fires and charcoal barbecues, had been in place since May 27.
The park and Fort Smith areas have been experiencing intermittent rain recently after very dry conditions earlier.
- Paul Bickford
Candy tossing ban suggested
Hay River's bylaw officer is recommending town council prohibit the throwing of candy or other items to spectators during parades or processions.
The recommendation, which will be discussed at a July 11 meeting of council, notes children who run to collect candy and other items do not pay attention to their surroundings, including floats and vehicles, and that can result in injury or death.
During the Canada Day parade, bylaw officer Dave Ryan observed children run between and close to floats and other vehicles.
His recommendation notes many floats and ATVs are not insured, which could make the town liable if an accident occurs.
Ryan is recommending candy and other items be directly handed to spectators.
- Paul Bickford
Tuk's new greenhouse
Tuktoyaktuk
Tuktoyaktuk's greenhouse is near completion, just a week and a half after construction began on the project.
"Everybody that's involved with it is really excited," said organizer Larry Arnburg.
"Everybody wants to plant something."
Some plants, potatoes and flowers have already been planted, and Arnburg said the last piece of the puzzle - a tarp to cover the top of the roof - was scheduled to arrive last Friday.
To date, 40 people in Tuktoyaktuk have signed up to become involved with the greenhouse.
Arnburg said they're also planning on developing an agriculture education program so that local students can turn the space into a classroom.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Young boxer laid to rest
Tetlit' Zheh/Fort McPherson
More than 200 people attended Johnathan Andre's funeral in Fort McPherson July 2.
"There was just standing room left pretty well," said Chief William Koe.
The service began at 3 p.m. and went until about 6 p.m.
Koe said more than 10 people got up to speak about Andre's life, which was cut short at 30 years when he was hit by a car June 26 in Edmonton.
The chief said it was a "wonderful" service and thanks everyone who came to pay their respects to Andre's family.
Family and friends came from as far as Fort Good Hope, Yellowknife and Whitehorse.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Tulita's roads get facelift
Tulita
Dust control is underway in Tulita.
For nearly two weeks crews have been layering the hamlet's dirt roads with DL 10, a form of liquid asphalt, to keep dust to a minimum.
Work on the main street, which is about 2.5 km long, has already been completed, but about 5.5 km of road is still left. Crews are waiting for dry weather to return and hope to layer another 3 km of roads early this week.
In previous years, they have used calcium to keep dust down.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Traditions alive in Fort Good Hope
Radilih Koe'/Fort Good Hope
Fort Good Hope is hosting a traditional handgames tournament and skills competition July 15 to 17 and is expecting people to come from Colville Lake, Tsiigehtchic, Norman Wells and Tulita to take part.
"It's just to get the kids more involved," said Freda Kelly, recreation co-ordinator for Fort Good Hope.
"They really like handgames."
In addition, there is to be a traditional fashion show featuring youth from the community July 16. Clothing can be made from animal hide or stroud and decorated with bead work or feathers.
Kelly said that if everything goes as planned, they'll host a second tournament in the winter once the ice road is open.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Teeing off for Billy Joss
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Organizers in Ulukhaktok are busy preparing for the annual Billy Joss Open celebrity golf tournament, a three-day event that kicks off July 15.
The first tee time is Friday at 4 p.m..
The tournament includes both day and night golfing under the 24-hour sun and has four competition categories: youth, ladies, men and masters. All players participate in three rounds of golf and the top five players in each category win prizes.
It has run for more than two decades and is named after Hudson's Bay Company trader Billy Joss, who began playing golf in the community in 1969.
Celebrity players have yet to be announced.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Aklavik kids can make a splash this week
Aklavik
The Aklavik pool should finally open this week, more than a month after it usually opens for the summer, according to Dean McLeod, recreation co-ordinator for the hamlet.
He said the delays stemmed from a broken factory-issued part that had to be replaced and has been slow getting up to Aklavik.
"It's kind of set us back, but we figured it out now with our local plumber," he said.
"It's hard to get parts in the North," he added.
According to McLeod, the hamlet's most eager customers will be more than happy to hear everything is back up and running.
"All the kids are asking when it's gonna open," he said.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
New band and chief sworn in last Wednesday
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
Tsiigehtchic's new chief, charter community council and band council were sworn in on the afternoon of July 6.
Phillip Blake, who beat out incumbent and cousin Frederick Black Jr., officially became the new chief.
John Norbert now sits on the charter community council and Douglas Kendo and Carolyn Lennie make up two of the five seats on band council. Charlene Blake won a seat on both councils.
Blake said they will decide in a meeting July 21 how to fill the three empty seats on band council.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
26th annual Pine Lake Picnic
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Wood Buffalo National Park will present the 26th annual Pine Lake Picnic on July 17.
The event will be held at the Pine Lake day-use area from 12:30 to 4 p.m.
The lake is located about 60 km south of Fort Smith in the northern Alberta section of Wood Buffalo National Park.
The picnic will feature corn-husking competitions, potato sack races, canoe races and many other activities for children and adults. The park will also be giving away corn on the cob, hotdogs and watermelon.
Plus, there will be a big birthday cake to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada.
- Paul Bickford
Lego day at Hay River library
Hay River
The public library in Hay River will host Lego at the Library on July 14. The event for all ages will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. at NWT Centennial Library.
The library will provide Lego blocks for people to play with, but children can also bring their own.
- Paul Bickford
Community cleanup
Kimmirut/Lake Harbour
Most of the community will likely participate in the community clean-up scheduled for the afternoon of July 6, said the hamlet's acting senior administrative officer.
Kitty Barrieau said the amount of litter to pick up is about the same as in previous years.
"Usually there is a fairly good turnout. We're just doing our ritual cleanup," she said. "The hamlet crew has hired some local guys for the last couple of weeks since the snow melted to start it off, I guess, especially around the dump area."
- Jeanne Gagnon
Hamlet Day celebrations
Kangiqtugaapik/Clyde River
Clyde River celebrated Hamlet Day on July 2 with activities and a barbecue.
"It was an excellent turnout," said senior administrative officer Troy Jenkins. "There were a lot of games. It seems like everyone
in the community had a great time."
-Jeanne Gagnon
Busy in Rankin
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Kivalliq Counselling and Support Services in Rankin Inlet is scheduled to host a pair of activities during the next few weeks.
A day-long iqaluliriniq (fish camp) is slated to be held on July 14, weather permitting. The camp will run from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Dianne River.
A total of 10 applicants, aged 18 and older, were selected to take part in the camp.
The group will learn to make pipsi, fish bags, chowder and fish bone art during the day at the river.
Support services will also be holding a series of Youth Spirit Days in the hamlet. The event will feature a number of fun-filled activities at the Singiittuq
Complex Community Hall on July 15 and 22.
- Darrell Greer
Beluga hunting a success
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Many Pangnirtung hunters were out on the water during the Canada Day long weekend as 43 belugas were caught, said the hamlet's senior administrative officer.
Ron Mongeau said the hunters caught the full 43-tag quota between July 1 and 4.
"That was a lot of excitement in town. Everyone was out beluga hunting," he said. "Whenever the belugas start to run, whatever tags are out there are used up very very quickly. Everything went smoothly."
On another note, construction work on the small-craft harbour will continue this summer, said Mongeau. During this, the second year of a three-year construction project, some "serious dredging" will take place in the harbour this summer, said Mongeau. Phase 2 work was cut short last summer because of weather conditions and other issues, he added.
"We're proceeding with the construction of the smallcraft harbour in the community. It's going very smoothly right now. We're making very good progress," he said.
"This is a brand new process. This is the first small-craft harbour being built in the North, so there's always little wrinkles you've got to put up with. It's a little bit of a learning experience for all of us, I think, especially for southern contractors getting involved with it."
-Jeanne Gagnon
Nunavut Day celebrations
Iglulik
A pancake lunch, hot dog dinner and games are some of the activities Iglulik has planned to mark Nunavut Day, said the hamlet's recreation co-ordinator.
Elizabeth Avingaq said not all the activities are planned yet but games, such as bicycle and running races, a cake-decorating contest, a chicken fight, three-legged race and a scavenger hunt are planned for the annual event.
About 400 people are expected to attend, said Avingaq.
"People look forward to it. It's a pretty popular event," she said.
-Jeanne Gagnon
Prospecting course
Arviat
The Hamlet of Rankin Inlet will host a prospecting course from Monday, July 11, until Saturday, July 16, at the Rankin Inlet Trades Centre. The course will run from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Anyone seeking more information can contact Lori Pittautuq Tagoona at the hamlet office.
- Darrell Greer
Cleaning Cambridge Bay
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
With a slogan of making Cambridge Bay greener by making it cleaner, residents are invited to participate in the three-phase community clean-up this month.
Marie Ingram, part of the planning committee, said this year is expected to draw a crowd. Residents are invited to participate in the community cleanup on July 5, followed by a clean up of individual properties and neighbourhoods. The shoreline cleanup is July 19.
"We're trying to get everybody out in teams this year and get more people. We're hoping that everybody is going to come out in support of it," she said. "It's just something that needs to be done. After the winter, garbage collects so it's necessary for someone to organize to get it picked up."
She added there is less litter this
summer than in the past.
Residents are starting to become concerned about the environment, said Ingram.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Community hall done
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
Residents are set to enjoy their new community hall as construction was officially finished on June 30, said the hamlet's director of finance.
David Crews said a ribbon-cutting ceremony is expecting the week of July 4 to the renovated and expanded hall. Construction started in September 2010 and one-third was added, said Crews.
"It's finished," he said. "In the expanded area, there is the reception area, the kitchen and canteen, the two washrooms and the office."
They also updated the decor of the hall, he added.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Workshop scheduled
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The Hamlet of Rankin Inlet will host an entrepreneurship training workshop at the hamlet council chambers from July 19 to 22 running from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The youth in the workshop program will cover selfassessment of skills, interest, strengths and weakness; brainstorm business ideas; look at products, services and customer bases; examine networking with potential supporters, funders, consultants and mentors; look at how to register a business, the different forms of business organization, facility and staff management; how to write a business plan and finance a business.
Participants must have a high school diploma, an interest in working in business and good computer skills.
Those interested in attending the workshop are asked to contact Lori Tagoona or Ashley Burton at the hamlet office.
- Darrell Greer
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