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News Briefs: Friday, November 18, 2011
Supporting queer youth
Members of a new anti-bullying organization are hosting their inaugural public event tomorrow night.
It Gets Better Yellowknife will screen the 1999 comic drama, But I'm a Cheerleader, beginning at midnight. Doors open at 11:30 p.m. The film is open to youth aged 14 and up. Admission is by donation.
Inspired by the international It Gets Better Project launched by gay columnist Dan Savage, volunteers with It Gets Better Yellowknife seek to raise awareness and support for queer youth and their allies in our community.
- Daron Letts
A day for caring
The second annual Yes We Care Day event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday at Northern United Place.
Hosted by the YWCA in collaboration with other organizations and businesses, the event offers professional services at no cost to people in need, particularly those living in shelters and transitional housing.
The last Yes We Care day served 150 people, including 50 people who received professional haircuts. Other services provided include flu shots, legal advice, and budget planning advice. Childcare and lunch will be provided and free toiletries and donated clothing will be also available.
- Daron Letts
Volunteer opening with Heritage Committee
The Yellowknife Heritage Committee is looking for a new member this month.
The application deadline for the volunteer board position is Friday, Nov. 25.
The 11-member committee is tasked with helping to conserve, protect and celebrate Yellowknife's heritage. The committee has designated, by bylaw, nine heritage sites in Yellowknife to date. Other activities undertaken by the committee include heritage maps and walking tours, the purchase of historically-themed artwork, and the annual Heritage Week celebration.
- Galit Rodan
Write for your rights
The Yellowknife branch of Amnesty International is gearing up for the Write for Rights campaign, which will be held in conjunction with the national Human Rights Day on Dec. 10. The event will be held at Java Roma beginning at noon.
Those interested are also welcome to write their own letter on the human rights topics of their choice.
- Laura Busch
News Briefs: Thursday, November 17, 2011
Fort Providence mayor acclaimed
Tina Gargan was acclaimed to the mayoral seat of the Hamlet of Fort Providence after she was the only candidate to seek nomination by the Nov. 14 deadline.
The nomination period for council has been extended until Nov. 21 at 3 p.m. because only three residents had submitted their names for five council seats.
Four two-year-term councillor positions are open. One person is also needed to fill the one year remaining in Gargan's term on council.
If there are enough candidates the advance polls will be held on Dec. 5 followed by the election on Dec. 12.
Addictions Awareness Week honoured
In Fort Simpson, Liidlii Kue First Nation will be holding a feast and drum dance today at 6 p.m. at Thomas Simpson School.
Tomorrow, there will be a soup kitchen at the Sa Naeah Pre-natal building from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and a coffee house at the recreation centre beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Events on the weekend include a breakfast at Kids Corner Daycare on Saturday at 9 a.m. and a sliding party at the McPherson House on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.
In Fort Providence, there will be an elders luncheon at noon today in the seniors' home followed by a family and elders event at 1 p.m.
On Saturday there will be a flea market at the community hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a community potluck at 3 p.m.
Pre-Christmas ritual in Fort Simpson
The John Tsetso Memorial Library in Fort Simpson is holding its annual Christmas bazaar this weekend.
The bazaar will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in the gymnasium at Thomas Simpson School.
Election in Fort Liard
The Hamlet of Fort Liard is holding an election for the position of mayor. Both Joanne Deneron and Morris McLeod have been nominated for the two-year term.
There will also be an election for the six seats on the District Education Authority.
Eleven nominees have stepped forward for the board. The advance polls will take place on Dec. 5 followed by the election on Dec. 12.
The six seats on the hamlet council, which were also up for election, were filled by acclamation when the nomination period closed on Nov. 14.
Incumbents Barbara McLeod, Morris McLeod and Ken Nowoselski retained their seats and were joined by Joanne Deneron, Irene McLeod and Reed Smith.
Car fire
A car left at a local business on Industrial Road was set on fire over the weekend.
The incident occurred on Saturday night and by the time the RCMP was called, the automobile was already burnt out.
RCMP and the territorial assistant fire marshal are doing an initial investigation to try to determine the cause of the fire. If it is a criminal offence, then charges will be laid.
The RCMP encourage anyone with information to come forward to help with the investigation.
Lifesaving courses
The Inuvik swimming pool will offer Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross courses.
The courses will run Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. from Nov. 23 to 25 and Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross are lifesaving courses that teach first aid and rescue techniques. With these certifications, people can work at the pool.
To register, swimmers must be 13 years old for Bronze Medallion and 14 for Bronze Cross.
Lights On at the high school
Teens have a safe, supervised and fun place to hang out on Saturday nights again, thanks to the Lights On program.
The program, which opens up Samuel Hearne Secondary School from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday nights, began again on Nov. 5. Students of the school can hang out at the school and play sports in the gym, board games, video games and eat snacks.
Ski club opens
The snow has fallen and skiing season will officially start this Saturday
The season starter open house will run from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sat. Nov. 19 at the Inuvik Ski Clubhouse on Gwich'in Road, across from the Aurora College parking lot.
Everyone is welcome to attend, members and guest skiers of all ages and abilities can come out and refresh their skills or check out the trails. Equipment is available to borrow and there is no charge for this event.
Books in the home
The Inuvik Centennial Library hosts a Books in the Home program every Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.
The family activity is for children aged four to 12. Kids can enjoy storytime, crafts, snacks and each family receives a book to keep.
The program will run until Nov. 28 and helps parents learn tips and strategies for reading at home. Studies have shown that having regular access to books can have a positive impact on a student's success in school, no matter how much education their parents have. Having as few as 20 books in a home could have an impact on the length a child stays in school. For more information, call the library.
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