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News Briefs: Monday, February 6, 2012
Military vehicle rollover near Behchoko
A military vehicle rolled off the highway just west of Behchoko Friday afternoon.
Spokesperson Fraser Logan of CFB Edmonton said a five-tonne "reefer," which is a supply carrier, was involved in the single-vehicle accident at about 4 p.m. One solider was injured and taken to Stanton Territorial Hospital, but Logan could not say how many people were in the truck.
The vehicle was carrying snowmobiles which were scattered on the highway. About 100 litres of oil spilled, however it was quickly cleaned up, Logan said.
Behchko RCMP were on site and an investigation is ongoing.
It was unclear Sunday which direction the truck was headed, however there is a major Exercise Arctic Ram encampment at the Yellowknife sandpits set up for personnel over the next month.
No applications rejected
The Northwest Territory Metis Nation (NWTMN) says no applications for membership have been rejected.
In a Jan. 31 news release, president Betty Villebrun apologized for an unauthorized leak on social media and assured South Slave Metis the rumour is untrue. She said the false rumour was spread on Facebook and by telephone. The NWTMN is conducting membership verification as part of its land, resources and governance negotiations with the federal and territorial governments.
- Paul Bickford
Snowmobiles recalled
Arctic Cat Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 19,000 of its 2012 F, XF and M model snowmobiles sold in Canada and the U.S. due to a crash hazard.
The problem is the lower steering tie-rod attachment can loosen and cause loss of steering control. There have been four reports of incidents, including one complete loss of steering control. No injuries have been reported. The company is advising owners to immediately stop using the snowmobiles and contact their local Arctic Cat snowmobile dealer.
- Paul Bickford
Chopper testing
The Canadian arm of European helicopter manufacturer, Eurocopter, is testing its new designs and models in Inuvik until the end of February.
"We were looking for the -40 temperatures range and we got them," said Carl Ockier spokesperson for the company. The new models were designed for emergency medevac transportation. The weather put the models to the test as record blizzards and bitter wind chills hit the area.
- Sara Wilson
No reprieve for Tuk
Tuktoyaktuk
It's been a long couple of weeks for residents of Tuktoyaktuk, as bitter wind chill, blowing snow and cold temperatures have put the freeze on the area.
Environment Canada continued to issue warnings for the area as of Feb. 1, recording temperatures as low as -50 C including wind chill and winds up to 20 km per hour. As of Feb. 2 the windchill warning had been lifted, but temperatures were still dipping near -40 C with the wind.
Environment Canada issued a reminder that residents who ventured outside with exposed skin could suffer the effects of frost bite within five minutes.
- Sara Wilson
Addictions treatment program offered
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A 12-week addictions treatment program for adults is about to begin once again in Fort Smith.
The Matrix Outpatient Addictions Treatment Program will start on Feb. 8 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
It offers daily, one-and-a-half-hour group counselling sessions from Monday to Friday, and one-to-one counselling sessions every two weeks.
Anyone dealing with an addiction or wanting to maintain sobriety can register to participate.
The program is offered at the Community Wellness Centre, which is run by the Fort Smith Health and Social Services Authority.
The Matrix program was developed in the United States and was brought to Fort Smith four years ago, where it was adapted to include such things as drumming and healing circles.
- Paul Bickford
Arts deadline has passed
Inuvik
The deadline for the 2012 Great Northern Arts Festival has passed for another year, as the last day applications were accepted was Feb. 1.
The summer festival will see artists taking part in the 'year of the drum' theme. Since 1989, the festival has welcomed close to 80 visual artists and 40 performers to Inuvik to celebrate Northern diversity through arts.
- Sara Wilson
Welcoming the sun back
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Students at the Inualthuyak School in Sachs Harbour celebrated in grand fashion as they welcomed back the sun on Jan. 30.
Students took part in traditional dancing, an aboriginal language read-along and a word bingo. They also worked together to build sun catchers.
Organizers for the celebrations incorporated literacy into the festivities to promote reading and traditional languages.
Students read a sun poem for the occasion - a long-standing tradition passed through generations - and were rewarded with a yellow sun-shaped cake, and plenty of sun-themed goodies.
- Sara Wilson
RCMP regimental ball for Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Fort Smith will be hosting a regimental ball on Feb. 11.
It will be the first regimental ball in the community in at least 10 years, said Sgt. Kevin Platford, the commander of the RCMP detachment.
Platford said the formal event is based on the traditions of the RCMP dating back to its origins as the North-West Mounted Police.
The sergeant said it's also a good opportunity for RCMP members and community residents to mingle.
The guest of honour will be George Tuccaro, the commissioner of the NWT. Senior officers from G Division headquarters in Yellowknife will also be in attendance.
Along with a dinner and dance, the event will feature silent and live auctions to raise funds to benefit the Blue and Gold Golf Course.
Tickets for the regimental ball, which will take place at Roaring Rapids Hall, can be purchased at the Fort Smith RCMP detachment.
- Paul Bickford
Workshop coming to towns throughout NWT
Beaufort Delta
Residents in Tuktoyaktuk and Tsiigehtchic will get a chance to test their skills at archery, when the Aboriginal Sport Circle brings their programs to town.
Courses will be held Feb. 13 and 14 in the community gym in Tsiigehtchic, and Feb. 15 and 16 in the school gym in Tuktoyaktuk.
The free course is offered both in the community setting and school level, and planned coaching and safety officer training will be provided.
- Sara Wilson
Resolution in Arreak homicide case delayed
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
Residents of Pond Inlet hoping for resolution in the case of Kenneth Arreak, 32, who is accused of killing his wife, will have to wait a few more months while the defence awaits the return of a report.
The case was set to be heard in the hamlet last week, but defence lawyer Andrew Mahar asked for more time, chief federal prosecutor Barry McLaren said.
"The Crown and defence are engaged in discussions about him entering a guilty plea," McLaren said. "The outcome depends on a report the defence requested, and the report's not ready yet."
The victim died after an assault that included several blows to her head. No weapon was used. The woman's name was not released out of respect for the family. The case returns to Iqaluit this week, where lawyers will discuss a date for returning it to Pond Inlet. Both sides want the case to be heard in the hamlet to help bring closure to the Dec. 30, 2010 incident.
"We are both trying to do this out of respect for those in the community," prosecutor Chris Punter said in October.
A second-degree murder charge was expected to be reduced to manslaughter in exchange for a plea.
- Casey Lessard
Harper to promote seal industry in China
Nunavut
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is set to make his second official visit to China this week.
The prime minister's office has yet to release the details of the visit, but it is expected Harper will promote the seal industry during his trip to the Asian country.
"Canada's sealing industry sustains thousands of Northern and East Coast jobs and the traditional way of life of a number of aboriginal groups in our country," stated Harper in a press release on Feb. 2. "Our government will continue to vigorously defend this humane and highly regulated industry and to seek new international markets for Canadian seal products, including China."
- Jeanne Gagnon
New interim airport manager
Iqaluit
A senior territorial bureaucrat will manage the Iqaluit airport in the foreseeable future.
John Hawkins will manage Iqaluit's airport on an interim basis for at least the near to medium term, said Matthew Bowler, director, policy planning and communications for Economic Development and Transportation.
Hawkins, the director of transportation, policy and planning for the last six years at the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, replaces outgoing airport manager John Graham, who is leaving his post after 15 years.
Hawkins, originally from Alberta, came to Nunavut in 1990 to work as the electrician at Iqaluit's airport. He later worked at the Nunavut Airports division in Rankin Inlet as an electrical technician and as a facilities manager.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Stranded hunter saved quickly thanks to beacon
Kugaaruk/Pelly Bay
A hunter whose disabled snowmobile left him stranded on sea ice near Kugaaruk was rescued quickly thanks to a Spot beacon, RCMP said Feb. 3.
The man triggered the beacon at 3 p.m. Feb. 1 about 11 km north-northwest of the hamlet. He had appropriate winter gear and supplies, and was safely returned to the hamlet by 5 p.m. RCMP remind hunters to take such beacons with them when heading out on the land. Each community has some available to borrow at no cost.
- Casey Lessard
Half-brothers, museum at odds on Amundsen ancestry
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
Two Gjoa Haven half-brothers claiming to be descendents of Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen say they trust what their father told them, despite DNA evidence proving there to be no genetic link.
Amundsen, the first person to successfully traverse the Northwest Passage by ship, wintered with his crew in what is now Gjoa Haven.
Speculation arose Amundsen had fathered a son more than a hundred years ago with an Inuit woman in Gjoa Haven when two half-brothers - Bob Konona and Paul Ikuallaq - claimed their father - Luke Ikuallaq - born in 1904, was that offspring. Luke made the revelation to his sons on his deathbed, stated the Fram Museum in Oslo, Norway. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, also in Oslo, compared DNA from the Y-chromosome profiles of both men against the profile of a male descendant of Amundsen's father. "It shows that Luke Ikuallaq is not the son of Roald Amundsen," stated the museum in a press release.
The Fram Museum acknowledges it is possible both men are descendants of one of the members of the Gjoa expedition.
"The names of these are not commonly known in Gjoa Haven today, which can explain the fact that Roald Amundsen himself has been determined to be their biological grandfather," stated the Fram Museum in a press release. Paul, 55, said he still believes he is the grandson of Amundsen.
"We just buy what our father had told us. We believe in our elders. That's the way it goes," he said.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Challenge to keep fit
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
Eighteen high school students in Gjoa Haven helped the elementary students go through fitness activities last month as part of the SportFit Canada Challenge.
Seven stations, including curl-up, situp, 30-m run, and tests of flexibility were set up at Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik so Quqshuun Ilihakvik elementary students, under the leadership of the older ones, could measure their physical abilities. Students then learn which sport they would be good at.
Rugby and swimming seemed to be the top sports, said Kim Hagarty, principal at Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik.
"It's just to see what the kids are good at and for them to have fun and they did," she said. "The kids had a riot with the SportFit."
Grade 9 student Gibson Porter ran the curl up station. The 14-year-old said everything went "great."
"Everybody enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun," she said. "They did pretty good but the kindergarten was very shy, they were really shy, the little girls."
It was too cold to complete the 800-m run.
SportFit is a non-competitive fitness curriculum.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Herd in danger
Southampton Island
A regional biologist in Arviat has said over-hunting and disease are threatening to wipe out the Southampton Island caribou herd.
The Southampton Island herd was wiped out due to hunting in the 1950s, but was re-introduced again after 50 caribou were transplanted there in 1968, rising to a high of 30,000 tuktu in 1997.
Mitch Campbell said pregnancy rates have dropped to about 30 per cent within the herd since a reproductive disease called brucellosis struck the herd in 2000.
Campbell said only about 7,000 tuktu were counted during a survey of the island this past year.
- Darrell Greer
Emergency plan almost done
Iglulik
A third reading, in which the final vote is made, on an emergency measure plan for Iglulik is scheduled for later this month in hamlet council.
The emergency measures plan passed first and second reading during council's regular meeting on Jan. 24, said Celestino Uyarak, the hamlet's assistant senior administrative officer. He added the plan is scheduled for third reading on Feb. 16. Uyarak said the plan is necessary as various agencies and departments are involved in an emergency.
"If we don't have an emergency plan, then it sorts of flies in the air who is responsible to do what," he said. "The old ones we have wouldn't probably even work if we had an emergency today. We need to update this emergency (plan) just in case we get large flood, big winds - stuff like this."
- Jeanne Gagnon
Fox hunt in Cape Dorset
Kinngait/Cape Dorset
Six youth are learning how to hunt foxes, a skill which they could use to earn money.
Community justice outreach worker Uiviru Tapaungai said six youths, including two women, aged 17 to 25, signed up for the week-long training starting Jan. 30. She added the group will set out the fox traps on the first day, make dry-boards to dry skins on the second day, check the traps on the third day and learn how to skin the fox. The program is geared for unemployed youths and for those not in school.
"There is a lot of people who don't have transportation or rifles," said Tapaungai. "Knowing they can get traps from the (hunters and trappers organization) free, I thought that would be a great way to have something to do, have hunting opportunities other than using a rifle."
The youth can do what they want with the fox skins, either keep them or sell them to earn money, she added. Afterwards, the youth can go trap on their own. Tapaungai said she plans to send out another group at a later date.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Seal hunter forced to shoot bear in self-defence
Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island
A Qikiqtarjuaq hunter had to kill a polar bear Jan. 28 after the bear rushed him while he was checking his catch from seal nets on the other side of the island.
The unidentified man was cleaning a seal he caught when he looked up and saw the bear coming at him. The man did not have a gun on his person, and had to distract the bear by throwing his seal catch so he could run and get a gun from his qamutiq.
"He had to distract the polar bear first so he could get his gun," said hamlet economic development officer Leelee Kakkee.
The bear was only three or four years old, he said, but "the younger ones are more aggressive than the older ones."
The man was set to discuss the situation later in the week with the conservation office, which is holding the carcass for the hunters and trappers organization because the hunting season is closed.
- Casey Lessard
Polar bear hunting season opens in Sanikiluaq
Sanikiluaq
Hunters in Sanikiluaq have already shot half of the hamlet's polar bear quota for 2012 after the hunting season started Jan. 23. The hamlet has a quota of 25, and 12 had been killed by Jan. 30, Mayor Elijassie Sala said.
Once the number of polar bears killed reaches 20, "they start drawing names of hunters for the last five," Sala said.
Hunters usually sell the bears to the local hunters and trappers association, which then sells them at auction. Hunters can choose to keep their quarry, though, he said.
- Casey Lessard
Truth and Reconciliation Commission comes to Pang
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be meeting with residential school and outpost camp survivors in Pangnirtung next week. The commission will meet with the public Feb. 13, and then have private meetings with individuals Feb. 14 and 15, hamlet economic development officer Madeleine Qumuatuq said.
"It's something we're looking forward to, to move forward from those old issues," she said.
- Casey Lessard
Biggest seal wins man $1,000
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
A Pangnirtung man walked away with $1,000 after catching the biggest seal at last weekend's seal hunting contest in the hamlet Jan. 28.
Jacopie Maniapik's male ring seal weighed 274.2 pounds, hunters and trappers organization casual office manager Jackie Maniapik said, more than 50 pounds heavier than the seal caught by second place winner James Alivaktuk, who took home $500. At 220 pounds, the second-place seal was only slightly heavier than the 219.8-pound seal caught by third place winner Jeanie Nakashuk, who received $250.
The seals will be eaten at a community feast, for which the date has not yet been set as the HTO awaits the return of residents hunting caribou for the feast.
- Casey Lessard
Collecting names
Kivalliq
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) has announced it is collecting the names of students who lived at Kivalliq Hall while attending high school in Rankin Inlet during the 1980s.
NTI is collecting the information to help with legal action the organization is mounting to have Kivalliq Hall added to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement's list of schools. The addition would mean former students would become eligible for compensation under the Common Experience Payment and the Independent Assessment Process.
Kivalliq Hall is currently not on the list of schools, despite requests from former students for its inclusion.
NTI is appealing the decision to exclude Kivalliq Hall by filing the request for decision with the Nunavut Court of Justice.
NTI will be holding a regular meeting of its board of directors in Taloyoak from Feb. 21 to 23.
- Darrell Greer
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News desk 
