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News Briefs: Friday, June 8, 2012
Celebrating seniors
June 10 to 16 is Senior Citizen's Week in the NWT.
Beatrice Campbell, president of the NWT Seniors Society, said this year the seventh annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15.
She wants everyone to wear purple to bring attention to the issue of elder abuse, calling it an aspect of family violence that has remained in the closet for far too long.
The society has been helping build a support network for preventing abuse by providing workshops and holding community events to help people understand their rights.
- Danielle Sachs
Learning about Kenya
Sir John Franklin High School student organizers of the Project Kenya team are hosting an evening of slides, videos, and presentations Monday at 7 p.m. in the school's gym.
"It's an evening to show our appreciation to our sponsors and people in the community who helped us with the fundraising and this project and we want them to see how their money was spent," said organizer Wendy Wile, a parent of one of the students involved. During March Break, 20 Yk Education District No. 1 students and staff traveled to Kenya to help build school classrooms using the $21,000 they raised.
- Kevin Allerston
Highway 3 to stay open
Officials with the Department of Transportation say they don't expect a fire burning near Behchoko to close Highway 3 any time soon under current conditions.
"Well, we've been very lucky. The prevailing winds have been working in our favour and we haven't had any situations of smoke on the highway," said Michael Conway, Department of Transportation regional superintendent for the North Slave region.
- Kevin Allerston
Summer reading
Registration for the Yellowknife Public Library's Summer Reading Program begins Monday. The theme for this year's program, which is open to children 3 to 12 years old, is "Imagine" with a focus on fantasy stories and novels.
This year any children who complete a summer reading log can bring it to the TD Bank and have $10 deposited into a youth account.
Once registered, kids will receive a kit with a poster, sticker, book mark, temporary tattoo and an activity book.
- Kevin Allerston
News Briefs: Thursday, June 7, 2012
Progress review for Five Fish Lakes
The protected area strategy working group for Lue Tue Sulai, Five Fish Lakes, is holding a meeting in Jean Marie River on June 7.
Beginning at 9 a.m. in the Henry Ekali Memorial Hall, the group will be reviewing the assessments that were completed during the year.
A community open house will follow between 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Chamber of commerce holds annual general meeting
The Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce is hosting two events on June 9.
Beginning at 9 a.m., the chamber is holding an open 18-hole golf tournament at the Seven Spruce Golf Course.
The tournament, which will include men's, women's and junior categories, will follow a stroke play format.
In the evening, the chamber is hosting its annual general meeting at the Ice Breaker Lounge. Cocktails will begin at 6 p.m. and the dinner will be at 7 p.m.
Graduates recognized
Echo Dene School in Fort Liard is celebrating the graduation of four students on June 7.
The students are Tyre Timbre, Camilla Bertrand, Monica Berreault and Ivy-Lynn Marcellais. The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. in the community hall.
Ball hockey begins in Fort Simpson
The Fort Simpson Recreation Department is starting a new program.
Pick-up ball hockey games will be offered twice a week. The women's night is on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and the men's night is on Thursdays at the same time.
Sticks will be provided for participants although personal sticks are allowed.
New exhibition at Fort Simpson gallery
A new exhibition by local artists has opened at the OSC Gallery in Fort Simpson.
Patterns from a Cold Place includes works by both Hilda Tsetso and Nathalie Lavoie. The exhibition includes series of photographs as well as a collaborative video by Tsetso and Lavoie about traditional doll making.
A second video explores the hidden movement of the Mackenzie River.
The exhibition will be on display until July 2. A temporary installation called River Preserve will be added for the closing reception on June 29.
Dempster Highway open
Highway 8 to Inuvik opened for the summer last Sunday after both ferries servicing the highway went back in the water over the weekend.
The Abraham Francis Ferry, which makes the crossing at Arctic Red River near Fort MacPherson, was back to work for the season at 3 p.m. Saturday, said department of Transportation spokesperson Earl Blacklock. On Sunday, the Peele River summer crossing was opened at about 7:15 p.m., when the Louis Cardinal ferry made its maiden voyage for the year near Tsiigehtchic.
Natural gas meetings
Inuvik Mayor Denny Rodgers was in Yellowknife Tuesday morning to present the GNWT's ministers' energy committee with the town's natural gas strategy.
The town presented the committee with multiple scenarios, said Rodgers. "The one we thought was best suited to provide sustainable natural gas would be the possibility of getting gas from a well just outside of Tuktoyaktuk that's owned by Devon."
There are still assessments and work to be done by the town on a long-term energy strategy, but this was a positive step, said Rodgers.
On the back of this meeting, the town will hold another public consultation toward the end of June, said Rodgers.
Legion celebrates
The Inuvik Legion is inviting all residents to celebrate its 65th anniversary this Saturday.
The McInnes Branch #220 Royal Canadian Legion will host events June 8, 9, and 10. On Friday, there are games, along with a meet and greet scheduled to get underway at 6 p.m. which is only open to Legion members. Saturday's events are open to the public. A family day, which will include hot dogs, hamburgers and games, is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m., and a barbecue and dance for adults is set to get underway at 6 p.m. Sunday's events are also geared toward legion members. The Legion will be open from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. that day, and will host a "Legion dress" event, including an awards ceremony at 2 p.m.
Youth can canoe
The Gwich'in Leaders of Tomorrow program is accepting applications for youth who would like to take part in this year's 470-kilometre canoe trip geared to promote leadership skills among young members.
The free trip is scheduled to run July 8 to 29 and is open to Gwich'in youth aged 15 to 19. Those interested in applying or in nominating a youth for the trip should contact the Gwich'in Tribal Council office.
"The GTC really is trying to invest in the future leaders of their community," said Tony Cox, co-founder and director of Leaders of the Day, an institute that specializes in transformative experiences for youth.
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