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News Briefs: Friday, June 22, 2012
Power disruption on Wednesday
While most Yellowknifers were commuting or getting ready to go to work Wednesday morning, they might have noticed an electricity disruption.
Crews from the NWT Power Corporation were investigating a power outage by helicopter on Wednesday afternoon, said Robert Schmidt, director of hydro operations. The outage occurred at 7:26 a.m. and restoration began at 7:28 a.m., with it fully being restored to the city by 7:49 a.m.
"There was a ground fault on the Bluefish transmission line. It affected all of Yellowknife except for the 800 substation, which covers a part of Franklin Avenue," he said.
- Katherine Hudson
Celebration for aboriginal grads
Yellowknife's 2012 aboriginal graduates will be honoured at the Chief Drygeese Conference Centre in Dettah at 2 p.m. tomorrow.
"All aboriginal graduates from Yellowknife high schools and Yellowknife Aurora College will be honored at that time," said Jane Arychuk, an organizer of the event.
Arychuk said this year's group is one of the largest yet with around 80 Yellowknife graduates.
The public is welcome to attend the ceremony and support the graduates in their achievements.
- Lyndsay Herman
Fire ban back on
At about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the City of Yellowknife reinstated its open-air burning ban due to extremely dry conditions. The city, in co-ordination with the GNWT Department of Environment and Natural Resources, uses weather indicators to evaluate fire conditions. The ban includes the use of approved fire pits within the city and will continue until further notice. On Thursday afternoon, the ban was still in affect. Significant rainfall is required for the ban to be lifted. For further information, contact the City of Yellowknife fire division or check the city's website.
- Katherine Hudson
Talk about bus service
The City of Yellowknife is holding a public open house to discuss the results of a transit survey conducted earlier this year. Up until mid-May, the city asked residents to weigh in on local transit services. The open house is taking place in the lower boardroom of city hall from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
- Katherine Hudson
News Briefs: Thursday, June 21, 2012
Dehcho annual assembly coming to Fort Simpson
Liidlii Kue First Nation is hosting this year's Dehcho First Nations' annual assembly.
The assembly is scheduled to begin on June 26 with a fire feeding ceremony at 9 a.m. According to a draft schedule, topics for the first day include the Dehcho Process and the announcement of the newly elected grand chief. .
The assembly will continue until June 28. Other major topics on the agenda include the Dehcho Land Use Plan, Edehzhie, devolution and the Wildlife Act.
Liidlli Kue First Nation election results
The results of the Liidlii Kue First Nation's election for chief and council have been released.
The results for the eight band councillors were not immediately available following the election on June 11 because close counts necessitated a recount. The successful incumbent candidates include Steven Jose, 172 votes; Cynthia Browning, 163 votes; William Cli-Michaud, 150 votes; and Betty Hardisty, 126 votes. The other councillors include Jonathan Tsetso, 153 votes; Emma Amundson, 135 votes; Jim Antoine, 130 votes; and Bertha Norwegian, 128 votes.
Keyna Norwegian was elected chief out of four other candidates with 61 votes.
Canadian Forces exercise cancelled
Fort Simpson will not be hosting part of Exercise Northern Strike.
The exercise, which was to take place in February 2013, has been cancelled. The exercise was to involve Canadian Forces troops from 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group based in Petawawa, Ont. Between 300 and 500 members could have been based in the village.
The decision to cancel the event was made because the brigade didn't have the funding secured for an exercise of this magnitude, said a spokesperson with the brigade.
Retreat to take place in Fort Providence
The Deh Cho Catholic Church is organizing a four-day retreat in Fort Providence.
The retreat will take place from July 5 to 8. The retreat will be based on the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program and the Cursillo movement – a Christian-based program. The retreat has been designed to help people with alcohol, drug and gambling addictions and family violence.
The retreat is open to all residents of the Deh Cho region and the territory.
Youth Centre to open
The new Inuvik Youth Centre will open its doors to youth for the first time on June 29.
It is scheduled to be open only on Fridays until a new program co-ordinator arrives in mid-July. During the summer, the drop-in portion of the centre will be open and a few workshops will be held, said Samantha Stokell, executive director of the centre. A full program schedule is beginning in September.
The centre is still looking for more volunteers to supervise youth to help it open the drop-in centre more often.
Flood waters and debris reach Inuvik
The flood waters which caused Nahanni Butte to evacuate have travelled and were scheduled to peak in Inuvik around Tuesday. As of Monday afternoon, water levels in the East Channel had risen to 13.92 metres from 13.45 metres the week before, said Roger Pilling, hydrometric supervisor for the Canadian Water Board.
While there have been reports of significant debris from down river, Inuvik residents can expect to see less than their neighbours to the south.
Trooper plays Friday
Canadian rock legends Trooper are set to play at the Roy Sugloo Ipana Memorial Arena on Friday, in a benefit show for the Children First Society. Opening acts include comedians Dave Hemstad and Steve Patterson with special guests Mark Stevens and Friends. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the Mackenzie Hotel and on the society's web page. Because this is a licensed event, only those aged 19 and over may attend.
Ingamo Hall funding cut
The Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre has suspended much of its youth and elder programming due to funding cuts from the federal government.
The programming used to receive Canadian Heritage funding and was switched over to the federal department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development in March, said Frank Edwards, president of the board of directors at the friendship centre.
Last year, it received $132,000 in funding, though this amount fluctuates from year to year, said Edwards. The friendship centre received a letter from John Duncan, minister of AAND, last week stating that the funding was suspended because of a change in the way the department defined training programs.
"Come fall time, we'll see how much (is cut)," said Edwards. "We have other programs from other funders who are not affected by it."
The lack of funding has also caused the centre to cut two full-time positions, and the summer day camp has been cancelled.
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News desk 
