 | Home page |  | Text size |  | E-mail this page |
News Briefs: Monday, July 9, 2012
Sergeants on the move
The RCMP detachment in Fort Smith has a new sergeant in an exchange with Behchoko.
Sgt. Dennis McLeod took command of the Fort Smith detachment in mid-June when he moved from his previous posting in Behchoko, where he was also sergeant. McLeod also previously served as a corporal in Fort Liard and Lutsel K'e.
Sgt. Kevin Platford, the previous detachment commander in Fort Smith, has moved to Behchoko to replace McLeod.
- Paul Bickford
Fire chief appointed
Westly Steed has been named the new fire chief in Fort Smith.
On June 19, town council passed third reading of a bylaw officially appointing him to the position.
Steed, a long-time member of the Fort Smith Volunteer Fire Department, had been acting chief since the resignation of former chief Darren Linaker in September of last year.
- Paul Bickford
Court dates set for former teacher
A former Inuvik teacher, Hugues Latour, accused of two counts of possessing child pornography and two counts of making child pornography, is to appear in Yellowknife Territorial Court via video for a bail hearing on Aug. 9. The hearing is to be followed by a three-day preliminary hearing in Inuvik Territorial Court on Nov. 21 to 23. Both proceedings will be conducted in French, at Latour's request.
Both proceedings were scheduled in Yellowknife Territorial Court last Tuesday.
- Lyndsay Herman
New CEO at Association of Communities
The Northwest Territories Association of Communities board of directors has appointed a new chief executive officer. Sara Brown, who has been with the association for two years, took over the position last week.
"I've been working here for two years so I'm familiar with lots of the issues," Brown said. "It's exciting. It's a great place to work and I think we're going to have lots of interesting things to work on over the next couple of years."
Brown was previously the director of community operational support for the NWTAC and worked on climate-change related support for communities in the NWT.
Former CEO, Yvette Gonzalez, retired on June 27 after 27 years with the association.
- Lyndsay Herman
Four-day Canada Day bash
Aklavik
Aklavik was ready for some fun over the long weekend and recreation co-ordinator Dean McLeod delivered with four days of festive activities to celebrate Canada Day.
"We usually go two to three days by this time, just the way the weekend fell, we spread out everything and added one more relay race," said McLeod. "Everything just turned out perfect.
McLeod said the weekend started with a midnight biathlon on June 29 and picked up on June 30 with activities and competitions scheduled all day and night.
"After about 9 p.m. we had a relay race," he said. "There was one runner, one biker and two canoers. That was a really deadly thing. There were really a lot of people out."
McLeod said volunteer turnout was also impressive and that the hamlet got pretty lucky with the weather.
"It was kind of cool and two times we just beat out the rain," he said. "But everything worked out good."
McLeod said five of the July 2 youth canoe races were rescheduled to take place on July 3 since strong winds had made it difficult for the littlest paddlers to stay on course.
- Lyndsay Herman
Election at Salt River First Nation
Thebacha/Fort Smith
An election will be held on Sept. 24 for a chief and six councillors with Salt River First Nation in Fort Smith.
On July 9, a special membership meeting will be held to select a returning officer and an appeal review committee for the election.
The membership meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the boardroom of the band office building.
- Paul Bickford
Debut on Canada Day
Tuktoyaktuk
New Tuktoyaktuk recreation co-ordinator Loni Noksana-Ruben may have only been in her new position for a week, but she pulled together a multitude of Canada Day activities for the hamlet to enjoy on July 1.
"We do have a lot of events that we'll have going on," said Noksana-Ruben. "I just started so I had to do it fast."
Piggy-back races, three-legged races, bannock making, tea boiling, a jigging competition, and the Inuvialuit game Napatchiaq were among the activities Noksana-Ruben had scheduled at the Tuktoyaktuk baseball diamond. She said there would also be an "amazing race" where community members aged 16 to 49 raced around the town for prizes.
- Lyndsay Herman
Harvest data for gasoline
Aklavik
Summertime means fishing, berry picking and a lot more time on the land. As a result, Michelle Gruben, resource worker for the Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee, is reminding the committee's membership to keep up their communication by completing harvest data questionnaires and reporting their fish harvest to monitors stationed in popular fishing areas.
Gruben gave a "hats off" to last year's fishermen, who reported 98 per cent of the char they harvested from Shingle Point. She said this summer's focus is to build a better communication network between fishing areas in conjunction with maintaining these high reporting numbers.
Gruben also said the HTC has a monthly draw for 15 gallons of gas for people who complete harvest questionnaires.
"It gives the harvester an incentive to stop by our office and give us information that they might see out on the land," said Gruben. "We get to see what they see and they get a chance to win gas and go back out on the land."
- Lyndsay Herman
Opportunity for college-bound youth
Paulatuk
The Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee has three students on staff this year, each with plans to pursue post-secondary education.
"They just recently graduated and have plans to go to college," said Diane Ruben, resource worker for the Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee. "It's a big encouragement for them to take these responsibilities and opportunity."
Bessie Lennie, one of the summer students who graduated high school this year, will spend 14 days with the fish survey project, six days with the beluga monitor and then she will have the opportunity to travel to Winnipeg and work in a Department of Fisheries and Oceans laboratory.
Jerry Bennett-Ruben also graduated this year and is stationed at the Hornaday River with a char monitor for 20 days. Lauren Ruben graduated last year and will work with Ruben in the HTC office for six and a half weeks.
- Lyndsay Herman
Sun smiles on celebration
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
While many communities had grey days on Canada Day, the sun was shining bright in Tsiigehtchic.
"It was actually pretty good," said Samuel Lennie, acting recreation co-ordinator for the Hamlet of Aklavik. "The sun was out the whole time. Towards the end we started to get a good breeze, it was hot for the first while."
Lennie said kids in the hamlet took part in foot races, bike races, three-legged races and a fire truck ride. The kids also got creative with their bikes for a bicycle decorating contest, he said.
"They used streamers, ribbons, flags," Lennie said. "They got creative and used whatever they had at home."
"It was a lot of fun, the kids had a blast."
- Lyndsay Herman
Fort Smith seniors elect president
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Leon Peterson was elected president of the Fort Smith Seniors' Society at its annual general meeting on June 19.
This is Peterson's second time as president of the organization.
The new vice-president is Ib Kristensen, who previously served as a director.
The new treasurer is Bea Campbell, who had been president for the past couple of years.
Peterson said the society is still looking for a member willing to serve as secretary.
About 15 people attended the annual general meeting.
One of the issues discussed at the meeting is the society's upcoming acquisition of a handi-van from the Fort Smith Health and Social Services Authority, which has operated it for a number of years.
Peterson said it is not part of the health authority's mandate to provide that kind of service so it is giving the handi-van to the seniors' society.
It was one of a number of groups that initially raised money to buy the vehicle, which is equipped with a wheelchair lift.
The seniors' society has applied for a $9,000 grant to operate the handi-van from the New Horizons for Seniors Program of the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. It hopes to have the funding by November.
- Paul Bickford
Date set for Gateway Jamboree
Enterprise
The Gateway Jamboree - the annual music festival in Enterprise - has been set for Aug. 11.
This year as in the past, the festival will feature a variety of music, such as traditional, country, folk, blues and rock 'n' roll.
The performers come from around the South Slave and other areas of the NWT.
In addition to the music, people attending the Gateway Jamboree can enjoy great food, play fun games and view traditional crafts.
- Paul Bickford
Man faces three charges after shooting
Kinngait/Cape Dorset
Apparently shot in the back with bird shot, a Cape Dorset man was admitted to the Cape Dorset Health Centre with non-life-threatening injuries and released late last month.
Cape Dorset RCMP received a call that a man had been shot at about 2 a.m. on June 27, and found the man at a residence in the community with multiple wounds.
Ottokie Qimirpik has been charged with discharging a firearm with intent, aggravated assault and mischief. He was released following his arrest and is scheduled to appear in court in Cape Dorset on Aug. 20.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Man stabbed in Hall Beach
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
A man faces four criminal charges after a stabbing in Hall Beach last week left another man with multiple, though non-life-threatening, injuries.
Hall Beach RCMP were called to the health centre at about 2:12 a.m. on July 2 after receiving a report that a man had been stabbed.
The victim was transported to Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit and is currently in stable condition, added police.
Naisana Eecheak, 27, was arrested shortly after the incident and has been charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and two counts of failure to comply with a probation order. The accused is in custody pending his court appearance in Iqaluit on July 11.
The Nunavut RCMP's major crime unit and forensic identification section went to Hall Beach to assist with the investigation.
After police noted a "significant increase" in alcohol-related calls over six hours between July 1 and 2, another Mountie was sent to the community to assist, stated RCMP.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Harvest limit on Southampton caribou
Salliq/Coral Harbour
The Government of Nunavut put a harvest limit of 1,000 caribou on the Southampton Island herd as of July 1 due to results of an aerial survey conducted in June.
All 1,000 tags will go to residents of Coral Harbour.
James Arreak, minister of Environment, imposed the harvest limit as an interim measure under the Wildlife Act.
Past studies have shown the Southampton herd dropped to 7,800 animals in 2011 from 30,000 in 1997.
Kivalliq biologist Mitch Campbell said there's a Government of Nunavut-wide blackout on releasing the numbers from the June survey.
A decline in reproduction rates, deteriorating health and a drastic rise in exports to other communities are considered to be factors in the falling numbers of Southampton caribou.
Noah Kadlak, chair of the Aiviit Hunters and Trappers Organization in Coral Harbour, stated in a press release, "People have been seeing fewer and fewer caribou here in the past few years.
"On behalf of the community, the HTO board would like to see something done about this before it is too late and there are no caribou left on the island."
See Wednesday's Kivalliq News, on newstands or online, for a full story.
- NNSL staff
Fog causes supply delays
Iglulik
With fog blanketing Iglulik for many weeks, some supplies were delayed arriving in the community, said the hamlet's assistant senior administrative officer.
Celestino Uyarak said many things, but not perishable items, were delayed arriving to Iglulik because of the fog, which he described as "terrible" this year.
"Our fog started in late May and ran right through the third week of June and then a few good days and back to fog. The last couple of days were nice and this morning (July 3), we're back to square one," he said. "There has been some complaints about stores running out of supplies, not important ... like cigarettes. Anyone can live without cigarettes. Nothing important (was unavailable) like baby supplies or baby dried milk."
One of those rare sunny days was July 2, when the community celebrated Canada Day. Uyarak explained the activities were delayed one day in observance of Sunday.
"We had a couple-hundred people showing up for Canada Day activities, just by the Northern store around the shore," he said. "It was very good weather - sunny day. Lot of people turn out."
- Jeanne Gagnon
Contractor will be responsible for harbour cleanup
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
McNally Construction will be responsible for any cleanup required in the Pangnirtung harbour after a crane collapsed June 15, senior administrative officer Ron Mongeau said.
"It's not going to cost me anything," Mongeau said. "They're going to have to deal with it."
However, no one has filed a complaint with the hamlet yet, so Mongeau isn't even sure any fuel or hydraulic fluid spilled into the ocean.
"I can't even confirm there was a leak," he said. "No one has filed a report with me on that. If we're really lucky, it could have been completely self-contained without any impact to the marine environment."
Last week, Mayor Sakiasie Sowdlooapik told Nunavut News/North that he'd heard there had been hydraulic fluid and fuel spilled into the ocean.
"People tell me the hydraulics were damaged and it caused the crane to roll on its side," Sowdlooapik said, noting weather was not a factor. "They built the berms right away, but with a lot of ice in the fiord at the time and right in the harbour it was very difficult to contain all the spill."
The incident came as the hamlet enters the final summer of dredging the small-craft harbour, which could open next summer if work continues as planned.
The crane collapse will not delay progress, he said, as the construction company will shift to other parts of the project while awaiting the delivery of a replacement crane in about six weeks.
The project, which the community has wanted for decades, could open next year if it passes federal inspection.
"We're very proud of the project," the mayor said. "It's going to benefit the fishery's development and tourism development. Everybody's looking forward to it."
The Government of Nunavut referred any questions about the matter to the hamlet.
- Casey Lessard
Whaling mission yields two
Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord
Jeffrey Qaunaq and Bryan Noah were heroes in Grise Fiord this week after hunting two narwhals at the floe edge July 2, Amon Akeeagok reported.
"They were waiting by a crack that opened up Saturday (June 30), but they couldn't reach the floe edge before the ice got dangerous. They started hearing whales in the crack and encountered narwhals, belugas and even a bowhead in that crack.
The men were unsuccessful, and stayed overnight until Monday. Qaunaq joined them July 2.
"He went to the floe edge and started seeing whales. Jeffrey caught one and Bryan caught one," he said, estimating the tusk sizes at about four feet and seven feet respectively.
- Casey Lessard
Getting ready to hit the road
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
More than 10 people in Pangnirtung will soon be qualified to drive heavy equipment, opening up job possibilities, senior administrative officer Ron Mongeau said.
Drivers were set Friday to finish their Class 3 licence with an air brake endorsement, which will allow them to drive heavy equipment and municipal vehicles, such as water, garbage and sewage trucks.
"It could open up a lot of doors," Mongeau said. "The hamlet's always looking for extra drivers. We've got a fleet that's on the road seven days a week."
He said it would also be good for people looking to get work when the small-craft harbour opens.
- Casey Lessard
Nunavut Day in Kugluktuk
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
Inuit games, sports and a duck-plucking contest are some of the activities planned in Kugluktuk today to mark Nunavut Day.
Recreation co-ordinator Jessica VanOverbeek said July 9 events start with opening ceremonies and a qulliq-lighting at the community hall at 1 p.m. She said the Inuit games and the biathlon - run and bike - are set to start a half hour later. At 2 p.m. there will be men's and women's challenges as well as bannock-making, tea-boiling and duck-plucking contests, said VanOverbeek. She added a barbecue is scheduled for 3 p.m., followed by entertainment and jigging and traditional-wear contests at 5 p.m. with the closing ceremonies one hour later.
Nunavut Day activities are usually "quite popular" with residents, said VanOverbeek.
"I think last year, we had probably around 400 to 500 people that came out," she said. "Lots of people come just to watch everything happen. It's all kind of in one spot so people mingle from area to area to watch all the events happen. Obviously, the barbecue brings out lots of people. They like to eat outside and have fun."
The duck-plucking contest is a new activity this year.
"We are quite excited for that one," said VanOverbeek.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Beautifying Hall Beach
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
Hall Beach was set to become cleaner and more beautiful, as volunteers were scheduled to collect the town's litter during two community cleanups late last week.
The event was scheduled for the afternoons of July 4 and 5 with a thank-you barbecue set for the afternoon of July 6, said Tracy Laine, the hamlet's director of finance. Speaking before the event, she said the hamlet hoped around 100 people would participate.
Volunteer firefighters and staff with the housing association were scheduled to clean up all the housing units, explained Laine, hence the decision to hold the event in the afternoons so they can attend their jobs in the morning.
"(The cleanup is) very important because all that garbage gets blown out onto the land and we want the land to stay beautiful," she said. "So many people still rely on the land for food and stuff. They want their land to still be beautiful and clean."
She said the hamlet is encouraging everyone to get involved and clean up around their home.
The hamlet has trucks willing to pick up any large items, even old shacks, said Laine.
"This is my first spring up here in Hall Beach and I'm finding it to be a very clean community," she said. "I'm actually quite impressed with how clean this community is now that all the snow is melting."
- Jeanne Gagnon
Arviamiut perform
Ottawa
A group of eight entertainers from Arviat performed at the Summer Solstice Aboriginal Festival in Ottawa last month.
The eight perform with Qaggiqtiit in their home community, as well as the Tupiq cultural program associated with the Arviat Community Ecotourism Initiative.
The group who made the trip to Ottawa included Karen Panigoniak, Sylvia Suluk, Ernie Eetak, Elizabeth Nibgoarsi, Nancy Tassiuk, Louisa Gibbons, Eva Mukyungnik and Mary Anowtalik.
- Darrell Greer
| 
News desk 
