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News Briefs: Friday, April 20, 2012
Aboriginal tourism forum held
A two-day Aboriginal Tourism Forum held in Yellowknife concluded on Wednesday. The forum was hosted by the Aboriginal Tourism Advisory Council.
"We wanted to hear from aboriginal tour operators and stakeholders about current challenges and what needs to be done to overcome them," said Ria Letcher, co-chair of the Aboriginal Tourism Advisory Council. "We wanted to develop a work plan for the next three to five years."
Letcher estimated 70 to 80 people attended the forum and said the event was a success.
- Lyndsay Herman
Frame Lake ice-crossing closed
The City of Yellowknife announced that effective yesterday it will no longer be maintaining the ice-crossing on Frame Lake, the Frame Lake oval, and the Frame Lake rink for the rest of the season.
The Somba K'e service building, used during the winter as a warm-up area for Frame Lake outdoor skaters, will be closed beginning today.
- Lyndsay Herman
Profit from correct guess
A correct guess at when a mysterious "Ice Device" will fall through the ice on Frame Lake could earn contestants $3,000 tomorrow.
The Rotary Club of Yellowknife True North is hosting a fundraiser at Somba K'e Park on the shore of Frame Lake behind city hall.
Contestants who purchase an entry ballot have an opportunity to guess how long it takes for the device to fall through the ice.
The person with the best guess wins $3,000, though there are runner-up prizes of $2,000 and $1,000 for the second and third-closest times.
- Galit Rodan
Legal advice hotline
Tonight is the last night the NWT branch of the Canadian Bar Association will be hosting a free legal information hotline for NWT residents.
The hotline has operated every evening since April 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in honour of the 30th anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Lyndsay Herman
News Briefs: Thursday, April 19, 2012
GNWT employees reach deal
The Union of Northern Workers has reached a tentative agreement with the GNWT for a new four-year collective agreement.
Under the tentative agreement, announced Monday afternoon, the nearly 4,000 government workers represented by the union will receive annual pay increases of one per cent, 1.5 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 3.3 per cent over four years.
The GNWT, for now, has backed away on "flex hours" - expanding the standard working hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to a flexible seven-and-a-half hours between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Sheila Bassi-Kellett, deputy minister of the Department of Human Resources said the two sides have also agreed to collaborate on an interim measure in support of whistleblower protection.
- Galit Rodan
Ice crossings begin to close
One ice crossing in the Deh Cho has closed and others are being monitored.
The N'Dulee ice crossing on the Mackenzie River was scheduled to be closed on Wednesday. On Tuesday the Liard River crossing was restricted to 4x4 and larger commercial vehicles. When that restriction is put in place crossings usually have three to four days of service left before they're closed, said Earl Blacklock, the manager of public affairs and communications with the Department of Transportation.
The Mackenzie River ice crossing at Fort Providence was still open on Tuesday.
Public hearing for geothermal power plant
The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board will be holding a public hearing in Fort Liard on April 24.
The hearing is for Borealis GeoPower's type A water licence and type A land use permit applications. The licence and permit are for the development of a geothermal power plant, the construction of two vertical wells and the related production of electricity in the hamlet.
The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the community hall.
Elder parliamentarians
Two people will represent the constituencies in the Deh Cho region at the second biennial Elders Parliament. Georgina Fabian will be representing the Deh Cho while Dolphus Codille will be representing the Nahendeh. Fabian and Codille are among 19 people over the age of 50 who were selected through an application process to take part in the Elders Parliament.
The week-long program will take place from May 6 to 11.
Gwich'in Day in Inuvik
The Gwich'in Tribal Council is celebrating its 20th anniversary with events in Inuvik Sunday.
Festivities are scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m., when leaders from the council, as well as town, territorial and federal leaders, are scheduled to speak.
Next, traditional games are set to start at 3:30 p.m., followed by a community feast and open mic, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
All events are to be held at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School.
Similar celebrations will also be held in Aklavik today, Fort McPherson on Friday and in Tsiigehtchic Saturday.
Pond hockey
The third annual Muskrat Pond Hockey Tournament is scheduled to be held this Saturday, and possibly Sunday, on the East Arm of the Mackenzie River on the Muskrat Jamboree site.
Teams can sign up at the Midnight Sun Complex by 5 p.m. today to compete in three-on-three pond hockey action, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday and ending at 5 p.m.
The team who comes first in the tournament will be awarded $2,500, with second place winning $1,500 and a $1,000 prize for third.
The tournament is also looking to employ referees and find volunteers to help out with the tournament. Those who are interested should contact Rose Constantineau, recreation programmer for the town of Inuvik.
Greenhouse opening on Earth Day
Due to warm weather, the Inuvik Greenhouse is opening earlier this year. The first day members can drop in and visit their plots is this Sunday, - Earth Day - from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Those interested in signing up for a plot can contact the Inuvik Greenhouse, or sign up in person on Sunday. A new plotter orientation is scheduled for next Thursday, April 26.
Arts festival sneak peek
The Great Northern Arts Festival will hold a dinner and silent auction Saturday at the Royal Canadian Legion beginning at 7 p.m.
The Northern menu will include muskox, trout from Husky Lakes, Arctic char, Delta doughnuts and more. Tickets may be purchased at Originals or from any of the Great Northern Arts Society board members.
Proceeds from the dinner will support workshops for youth at this summer's festival, which is scheduled to be held July 13 to 22.
"It is our goal to have one free workshop for children or youth every day during the festival," said Sasha Webb, executive director for the festival. "If you're not going to be at the arts festival this summer, now is the chance."
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