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News Briefs: Monday, November 28, 2011
Ferry service resumes
The Merv Hardie ferry resumed operation on Friday afternoon.
The ferry was pulled out of the water early Wednesday morning after the river froze overnight so the Department of Transportation could cut a winter channel through the ice.
"It went very well. There was a lot of open water already and so the job normally takes a day or two and the thickness of the ice and everything was perfect this year," said Earl Blacklock, manager of public affairs and communications for the NWT Department of Transportation.
This should be the last disruption of ferry service until the ice road crossing takes over, which historically happens in January, Blacklock said.
A winter channel has been cut through the ice every year since 1982.
- Laura Busch
Gahcho Kue review session this week
As part of the environmental review process for the proposed Gahcho Kue diamond mine project, the Gahcho Kue Panel is scheduling an environmental impact statement analysis session this week, where the project developer, De Beers, will present parts of its environmental impact statement to the public.
Aboriginal governments and other groups affected by the proposed project, located 180 km northeast of Yellowknife, will also get a chance to discuss their issues with the company.
Translator services will be made available to elders who require them.
The session is slated to be held in the Champagne Room in Yellowknife from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Nov. 28 and then again from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. from Nov. 29 until Dec. 2.
- Herb Mathisen
Boil water advisory lifted in Sachs
The boil water advisory in Sachs Harbour was lifted on Nov. 22, more than 10 months after it was first put in place.
The advisory was set to end Nov. 15, but the same day another key part of the water treatment plant broke.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Ice crossing open
The Arctic Red River ice crossing at Tsiigehtchic opened to light traffic on Thursday afternoon.
Vehicles weighing up to 6,500 kg can now cross from Fort McPherson to Inuvik, although the Department of Transportation is recommending that drivers take vehicles with a high clearance. The Tsiigehtchic winter access road is not yet open to public traffic.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Nominate Wise Women
NWT
The Status of Women Council of the NWT is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Wise Women Awards.
The awards, first created in 1992, recognize outstanding women in the Sahtu, Beaufort Delta, South Slave, North Slave and Deh Cho regions.
"Wise Women recipients are role models who demonstrate wisdom, perseverance and dedication," according to the council's website.
Last year, winners Allison Dejong, Ann Kasook, Alizette Lockhart, Lena Pedersen and Sylvia Nadli were celebrated at a luncheon at the Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife.
Nomination forms can be found on the council's website. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 31.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Getting into the Christmas spirit
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
The Fort Resolution library in the Deninu School will be a welcome place for community members looking to get into the holiday spirit next month.
A variety of Christmas activities are being organized for this December, according to Lucinda Summers, a program support teacher at the school.
On Dec. 1, students are invited to the library after school to write letters to Santa Claus. Later that week, a Christmas crafts night has been scheduled for Dec. 6. As well, throughout the month, there will be Christmas movie showings on Dec. 3, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17.
- Herb Mathisen
Culture courses in full swing
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Students at Helen Kalvak School in Ulukhaktok have been keeping busy with traditional courses.
Earlier this month, Grade 11 students took part in a print-making course led by Susie Malgokak. The group learned about the print making process and made prints of their own to take home.
Grade 10 students just wrapped up a sled-making course led by Winnie Akhiatak. The group made one large sled and four small children's sleds.
Grade 5 and 6 students took part in the Take a Kid Trapping Program led by John Alikamik. Despite the poor weather, students have already been able to catch one fox, according to principal Chip Bryant.
High school students were scheduled to head out on the land for the muskox harvest last Thursday.
In addition, Ulukhaktok's iglu village is expected to start taking shape soon, according to Robert Kuptana.
The village, which will likely be centralized in Queen's Bay, will be used as an educational tool for students.
"We're forgetting a lot about our nomadic way of life," Kuptana said. "I'm volunteering because I'm concerned about our culture, skills and language."
They will hopefully be able to construct 10 iglus, he said, which will stand until around Easter.
"As soon as the snow is right we will start," Bryant said.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Muskox harvest ongoing
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
The muskox harvest is now underway on Banks Island and will likely last through to the end of the month.
The animals will be corralled and processed one by one, according to Jiri Raska, project co-ordinator for the Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Jiggling for cash
Aklavik
The deadline to enter the 20th Annual Hannah Stewart Memorial Loche Derby is today at 4 p.m.
There will be four categories: smallest loche, longest loche, lightest loche and heaviest loche. First place in each category will win a trophy and $100.
All participants will be entered in a draw to win one of 20 jiggling hooks.
The derby, which is open to all ages, began Nov. 14. All loche must be caught by hook and weigh-ins and measurements must be done at the Sittichinli Recreation Complex.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Remembering Father Pochat
Behchoko/Rae-Edzo
This past Sunday, Bishop Murray Chatlain was scheduled to hold a special mass at St. Michael's Parish in remembrance of Father Jean Pochat.
Pochat, who was originally from France, served as a priest for more than 50 years in the North. He died on Nov. 28, 2010.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Christmas discounts in the Wells
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
The Norman Wells Historical Society's annual pre-Christmas sale was set to be held on Nov. 26.
Items such as moccasins, mukluks, mittens, books, sweaters and handmade crafts from Sahtu communities were available. The sale was scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum.
All items except beaver and seal skin pelts were 20 per cent off.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Labour in Fort Smith tonight
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Canadian Labour International Film Festival will be making a stop in Fort Smith tonight to showcase three documentary films relating to labour and human rights struggles.
Breathtaking looks at the widespread use of asbestos through the filmmaker's own personal story of her father's asbestos-related death.
Triangle: Remembering the Fire documents the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, where 146 factory workers were killed in New York City. Locked Out shows how 560 locked-out miners in California fought to regain benefits from their company, Rio Tinto.
"There will be an opportunity to discuss each of the films," said Mary Lou Cherwaty, president of the Northern Territories Federation of Labour
The free event is scheduled to take place at the Northern Life Museum from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 28.
- Herb Mathisen
Caroling with the kids' choir
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Fort Smith's community choir will be putting on performances at the St. Joseph's Cathedral on Dec. 10 and 11 and Marie MacDonald, the Joseph Burr Tyrrell Elementary School's choir director, said students from the school will be joining them for the Sunday concert.
"We have a number of wonderful songs," said MacDonald, who is also a secretary at the school. "We have some new ones and a few that we will sing in Cree," she said, adding that the holiday classic Feliz Navidad will be sung in Spanish, English and Cree.
MacDonald said the Dec. 11 concert is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
She is also selling CDs of the school's choir singing Christmas carols, with proceeds going to the school's choir
program.
- Herb Mathisen
Bertram and Charlene to wed
Tuktoyaktuk
The wedding of Bertram Pokiak, 31, and Charlene Steen, 26, was to be held at Kitti Hall this past Saturday.
The families were busy preparing for the big day all last week, according to Bertram's mother, Lucille, and many were expected to attend.
In addition to the wedding, Bertram also celebrated his 31st birthday on Saturday.
With the exception of Kids Club from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m, the hall was closed on Friday for decorating.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Ice crossing open, highway closed
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
The Peel River ice crossing at kilometre-74 of the Dempster Highway opened to vehicles weighing up to 40,000 kg on Nov. 22.
The Peel River detour is now closed. It was open for light vehicles while the main crossing was under construction.
The Dempster Highway between Eagle Plains and Fort McPherson closed again last week because of high winds and blowing snow. In addition, a weather warning was issued for the Richardson Mountains because of blizzard conditions and near-zero visibility.
As of press time, the remainder of the highway from Whitehorse to Inuvik was in fair winter driving conditions, according to the Department of Transportation.
- Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Murder charge laid
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet - A man has been charged with second-degree murder after Esa Aenakallak was found dead in Pond Inlet on Nov. 25, RCMP stated in a press release.
The Pond Inlet RCMP detachment and the V Division major crime unit are investigating the incident.
Ruben Arnakallak, 31, is scheduled to appear at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit on Nov. 29.
Tagak Curley resigns from cabinet
One of Nunavut's most well known and longest serving politicians, Tagak Curley of Rankin Inlet, has walked away from the Government of Nunavut's executive council and no longer holds a minister's portfolio.
Curley will remain a minister without portfolio until Nov. 30.
The former minister of Health and Social Services, former minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corp., former minister responsible for Homelessness and former minister responsible for the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission, Curley reportedly tendered his letter of resignation to Premier Eva Aariak this past week and leaves big kamiik to fill in the territory's capital.
Curley has not indicated whether he intends to carry on as the MLA for Rankin Inlet North.
Recent reports out of the capital suggest Curley was upset with cabinet's discussions on possibly splitting Health and Social Services into two separate departments.
Aariak has already announced her cabinet shuffle in the wake of Curley's resignation, with Keith Peterson taking on Health and Social Services, Fred Schell becoming the minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corp. and Arviat's Daniel Shewchuk assuming Peterson's former position of minister of Justice, among other changes.
-Darrell Greer
Dejaeger faces more charges
A former catholic priest already facing some 30 charges is now also facing a sexually-related charge in Alberta.
Eric Dejaeger was charged with indecent assault and gross indecency in relation to an alleged incident in Edmonton in 1975, stated the Edmonton Police Service in a news release on Nov. 21. It adds the charge stems from a complaint police received in April 2011.
The 64-year-old accused will be transferred to Edmonton from the Baffin Correctional Centre, where he is currently held, to face the charge. His first court appearance in relation to the charge is scheduled for Dec. 2 in Edmonton.
This past January, Dejaeger was deported back to Canada from Belgium after being expelled for living there illegally. He had been living in Belgium since 1995. Dejaeger was arrested upon arriving in Canada on a 2002 warrant for three charges of buggery and indecent assault for incidents alleged to have occurred between 1978 and 1982 in Iglulik.
Since his arrival in Canada, more charges have been brought forward, including16 counts of indecent assault, one count of failure to appear in court, two counts of assault, one count of sexual assault, one count of sexual touching and three counts of use of violence to prevent reporting of suspicious activity.
He was convicted on eight counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault in Baker Lake in 1990 and was sentenced to five years in prison.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Computers for Christmas
An Iqaluit-based non-profit organization is opening its annual Computers for Christmas campaign to all Nunavut residents thanks to help from First Air.
Advanced Technology Group (ATG) is hoping to have about 10 computers to give to needy Nunavummiut, and invites people to write a short essay identifying a person, family or group in their community that would benefit from being chosen to receive one.
"We'll be selecting based on the description of the need," said David Fulgham, ATG spokesperson.
It's the sixth year of the campaign, which previously could only accommodate delivery within Iqaluit. This year, First Air is donating freight services to get the computers to recipients across Nunavut.
The computers are refurbished after being donated as surplus from businesses and government agencies.
All come optimized to function like new, and are pre-loaded with open-source software to enable recipients to use them right away.
Nomination letters should be sent to nominate@atgsociety.ca by Dec. 15, and can be submitted in English, Inuktitut or French.
Those looking to donate their working surplus computers and monitors can contact the society.
- Casey Lessard
Nunavut's internet is slowest
Nunavut's high-speed Internet is the least accessible and slowest in Canada, with only 27 per cent having access to DSL broadband, a report by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said.
In the jurisdictions with the second-lowest access, the NWT and Manitoba, 89 per cent of residents can access high-speed Internet through either DSL, cable modems, fixed wireless or mobile Internet.
Residents in every other province and territory can access high-speed Internet through some method at coverage rates of at least 98 per cent.
Nunavummiut only have access to speeds up to 4.9 Mbps, while at least 70 per cent of those living in other territories have access to speeds up to 9.9 Mbps, and at least 40 per cent have access to speeds up to 25 Mbps.
The report used data gathered to the end of 2010.
- Casey Lessard
Ranger rifles are going ahead
The replacement of the Lee-Enfield rifle for 4,700 Canadian Rangers is going ahead, contrary to an Oct. 16 newspaper report, a Patrol Group representative says.
"The rifle replacement is still on for the Rangers," Capt. Stephen Watton told News/North.
The Ottawa Citizen had reported that the Canadian Forces withdrew its requests for prices and availability from potential suppliers after they refused to hand over confidential technical data.
The report said the government had stipulated that any companies bidding to make the Ranger rifles and pistols for Canadian Forces troops would have to give technical data and proprietary information to the government, which would pass the data to Colt Canada to produce the weapons at their Kitchener, Ontario plant.
The report also called into question the 2014 delivery of the weapons, which would replace the .303-calibre Lee-Enfield rifles used since 1947 and no longer in production. However, Watton said a Sept. 5 report in News/North remained valid.
"Our subject matter expert has several upcoming meetings on this project in the New Year, so it is moving ahead," Watton said.
- Casey Lessard
Fundraising bingo
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Many Cambridge Bay residents will be marking B-10s, I-21s, 0-65s and other such numbers as the community is holding a fundraising bingo at the community hall on Dec. 9.
Recreation co-ordinator Fred Muise said the event replaces the Christmas radio telethon originally planned for that day, but which was cancelled on Nov. 18. He added that in past years more than 100 people attended the event.
"We were able to pick up a sit-down bingo instead so we decided it would be very difficult to run two fundraisers on one day," he said. "We don't really have a (fundraising) goal set. We just want to help celebrate Christmas and raise money for Christmas hampers and Christmas games. I think it's going to be a lot of fun and a great success."
Cambridge Bay's Christmas games are scheduled from Dec. 16 to Jan. 3.
Marie Ingram, director of the community wellness centre in Cambridge Bay, said they want to fill about 100 hampers, a number on par with previous years, and deliver them to needy families and elders on Dec. 23.
"We do ham, potatoes, corn, fruits. We do all the stuff for making bannock," she said, adding they will also contain tea, milk, sugar, char and ingredients to make a cake. "We do up a stocking for every child that's under 16 in the house. If a child is under 16, we also put together a Christmas stocking filled with goodies."
She added they should receive donations from other communities and organizations as well.
"The hampers cost about $100 each so it would be about $10,000 for us to do them," said Ingram.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Student receives award
Kinngait/Cape Dorset
A Cape Dorset high school student received the Impact Society's character award earlier this month.
Neevee Jaw, a Grade 12 student at Peter Pitseolak School, received the award given to a student who demonstrates strong character in making positive choices while treating themselves and others with respect.
"It was very unexpected. I felt very special and different, I guess," said Jaw. "I just got the award and a really good trip."
The Alberta-based society presented awards to Jaw and other recipients during a reception on Nov. 2 in Calgary.
Jaw participated in the society's first Heroes Program delivered in Nunavut this past spring. Under the program, students learn their unique gifts and abilities will help them succeed in life.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Fish meeting
Iglulik
The Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO) of Iglulik and Hall Beach, as well as some Iglulik residents, met with Kivalliq Arctic Foods two weeks ago to discuss the winter fishery of Arctic char.
Brian Schindel, the Kivalliq Arctic Foods' general manager, said the meetings focused on purchasing Arctic char from Iglulik and Hall Beach. He added they discussed the upcoming winter fishery, shipping, packaging, fish quality and pounds to be purchased, a number the HTOs still need to confirm.
"It was good meetings, as we were able to put faces to names and discuss the objective of the winter fishery in real time," stated Schindel via e-mail.
About a dozen people attended. Schindel said they bought about 20,000 pounds of Arctic char last year, but the difficulty, especially in Iglulik, is the water surrounding the island does not always freeze.
Last year, for instance, it froze only in mid-January, he added. "The fishermen weren't able to get out where they go fishing, so that too is a struggle - the weather," said Schindel.
Rebecca Mikki said the Iglulik HTO is meeting on Nov. 22 to continue discussing the winter fishery.
"It went well. We met with Brian, but we didn't say how much we're going to give him," she said, adding what they'll give Kivalliq Arctic Foods will be decided later.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Co-op plans price hike on unhealthy food
Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord
Grise Fiord residents could pay more for pop and other junk food if the independent Grise Fiord Inuit Co-op's board approves a price increase. Store manager Frank Holland wants to impose a maximum price increase of 10 per cent on pop, chocolate bars and bags of chips.
Cans of pop and chocolate bars cost about $2.50 each, and big bags of chips cost about $10.
"We've tried to subsidize the good food, like milk, eggs, and bread by raising the prices of everything else," he said.
The prices haven't been raised yet, but the co-op is going to look at the new Nutrition North subsidy rates to see how to go forward. If approved by the board, prices would go up within the next six months, Holland said.
The increase would offset costs arising from increased spoilage now that food is classified as low-priority cargo instead of high-priority mail.
Flight delays and cancellations are a regular occurrence, and with the plane out for repairs recently, Holland was hoping for his first food shipment in three weeks on Nov. 22. Pending the flight's arrival, produce shelves were almost empty, and freezers were getting that way, too, he said.
"I'm expecting to throw half of it out because it's been sitting there too long," he said.
Other than country food, the co-op is the only source of food in the hamlet of 150 residents.
- Casey Lessard
Alookie School remains closed
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Students at Alookie School in Pangnirtung continue to spend their mornings at Attagoyuk High School while awaiting results of tests by the Department of Community and Government Services. The two schools have been sharing space since Oct. 28 after hydrocarbon fumes from a Sept. 20 fuel oil spill were detected again.
A technician contracted by the government was at the school Nov. 17 and 18 to do testing, but did not share his findings with principal Mary Etuangat, superintendent Paul Mooney said.
"We're going to stay where we are until we know it's safe," Mooney said. "Someone has to communicate that to us. We are in a process of waiting for experts to tell us what the situation is."
In the meantime, students are hitting the books to minimize their lost time. No special events are planned until mid-December, Attagoyuk principal Meeka Qamaniq said.
- Casey Lessard
Pond Inlet prepares for career fair
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
Students and hamlet officials are preparing for the biannual Pond Inlet careers fair and trade show hosted by the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Dec. 8 Community Economic Development event will include a Skills Canada competition, and hamlet economic development officer Colin Saunders is expecting representatives from government and regional businesses to attend.
"Part of it is for the high school students to show them potential careers after they get out of high school," Saunders said.
"The other part is for local residents who want to meet up with government arms, such as Service Canada."
The all-day event is held at the high school. Similar events are planned for Arctic Bay in January and Sanikiluaq in March.
- Casey Lessard
On guard for bears
Arviat
The community of Arviat has been on high alert for the past two weeks with numerous polar bear sightings in and about the community.
Bears have been spotted on the ice near the community, at the dump, near the CStore and at other locations around the community.
The hamlet has its own polar bear monitoring, trying to scare the bears away with bear bangers and flares to avoid killing the animals.
There have been only two defensive kills in Arviat this year, so far, as compared to nine this past year.
- Darrell Greer
Teaming with Santa
Toronto/Nunavut
Nunavut Conservative MP Leona Aglukkaq took part in the 107th annual Santa Claus Parade in Toronto on Nov. 20, and also helped lead the second annual Toys for the North drive.
Reports out of Toronto indicate the number of toys donated by companies and individuals for Northern kids has doubled from 2010.
As of press time, seven members of the Canadian Toy Association - Crayola, Hasbro, K'Nex, Mattel, MGA, Schleich and Spin Master - donated a total of $80,000 worth of toys to the drive, while the Toronto Zoo donated $5,000 worth of toys and Hallmark donated $20,000 worth of wrapping paper.
Once in the North, the toys will be delivered to kids in 44 communities across Nunavut and the NWT by RCMP officers.
- Darrel Greer
Lions sending gifts
Naujaat/Repulse Bay
The Edmonton Lions Club will be distributing Christmas gifts to kids in Repulse Bay soon. The tradition has been going on for the past decade, and also supports Repulse youth through donations to the Tusarvik School breakfast program and a scholarship for deserving students.
- Darrell Greer
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