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News Briefs: Monday, November 19, 2012
A 51-year-old Rankin Inlet man succumbed to the extreme cold during a blizzard in the Rankin Inlet area last week.
Paul Aupilardjuk's body was found by the community shoreline shortly before noon on Nov. 16 following an extensive search involving police and Rankin Inlet Search and Rescue. Aupilardjuk had left home in the afternoon blizzard Nov. 15 and did not return. Family members reported his absence and the search was launched during the inclement weather.
"The RCMP offers their condolences to the Aupilardjuk family for their loss," read a release. "The Rankin Inlet RCMP would like to thank the Rankin Inlet Search and Rescue Organization for their professionalism and co-operation during the severe conditions they faced."
Neither foul play nor alcohol is suspected in the death. However, RCMP and the coroner's office will continue their investigation.
- Peter Worden
Over $285,000 for Schell investigation
Iqaluit
The final cost for the ethics investigation into former Nunavut cabinet minister Fred Schell is pegged at over $285,000.
"At this point I am pretty confident all the invoices are in but there might be a small one yet to come," said John Quirke, clerk for the legislative assembly, adding the cost for the investigation marks the biggest such expense in the assembly's young history. As the assembly cannot budget for investigations, its office will need more money to address internal funding.
There are no surprises for Schell himself who, when resigning from cabinet Nov 5 on the final sitting day of the Legislature, noted the exorbitant expense.
"This process will undoubtedly cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. It has consumed uncountable hours from public servants to do the jobs they were hired to do," he said.
For violating the Integrity Act, Schell, who remains the MLA for South Baffin, was fined $10,000 and required to apologize.
Quirke explained that cost is not factored in when deciding to pursue an ethics investigation.
"The integrity commissioner would pursue an investigation based on evidence received," he said.
- Peter Worden
Woman attacked by dogs in Fort Liard
A woman suffered wounds to her forearms, legs and scalp when she was attacked by dogs in Fort Liard earlier this month.
The attack occurred on Nov. 10 when the woman, a nurse at the Fort Liard Health Centre, was walking along a road near the hamlet's airport. At least two dogs were involved in the attack, said RCMP Cpl. Monica Schimanke.
The dogs were walking off leash with their owner at the time of the incident.
The woman was medevaced to Edmonton with what Schimanke described as, "quite extensive injuries."
Police were still investigating the case as of late last week and charges may be laid, Schimanke said. One dog, identified as the main aggressor, has been quarantined.
- Roxanna Thompson
Bears chased out of town in Ulukhaktok
Ulukhaktok resident Agnes Kuptana was sitting on her couch Nov. 13 when she noticed something strange moving outside her neighbour's residence.
As she peered through her window at the blizzard outside, she realized she was looking at a mother polar bear and two cubs. The elder bear was attacking her neighbour's dog, Kuptana said.
"I stood up and I yelled, 'Look at those three bears," she remembered, adding soon afterwards she called her son who let the authorities know.
"Next thing you see all kinds of vehicles out there ... Everybody was just going nuts."
The residents got on their snowmobiles and chased the three bears out of town.
- Miranda Scotland
Payment boost for trappers this season
Trappers can expect an increase in fur advances and prime fur bonus payments this trapping season, the Department of Industry, Tourism, and Investment announced Nov. 15.
Changes to the department's Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program mean trappers will receive up to $30 per coloured fox pelt, up to $35 per white fox pelt, and up to $500 for a grizzly bear pelt in advances when harvests are shipped to auction.
Bonuses have also increased for furs that have sold for the advanced amount or greater at auction.
- Lyndsay Herman
Weather delays fishing trip
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Youth from the community were set to go on a fishing trip over the Nov. 9 weekend but were prevented from leaving due to bad weather.
Ulukhaktok was under a blizzard warning Nov. 13. Once the weather cleared, six youths and three hunters were expected to make the trip to Fish Lake. The children are scheduled to be taught land safety, how to set nets under the ice and how to prepare the flesh.
Earlier in the month, another group of youth and hunters made the same trip. They caught about 60 fish during the adventure.
- Miranda Scotland
Remembering the past
Tuktoyaktuk
Mangilaluk School celebrated Remembrance Day earlier this month with an assembly for students in kindergarten to Grade 6, and one for grades 7 to 12.
The senior assembly was organized by Greg Eardon, the school's physical education teacher, who previously served in the armed forces.
Meanwhile, teachers at the school are currently preparing to put out report cards during the first week of December. Also, the school was shut down on Nov. 13 due to a blizzard.
- Miranda Scotland
Spreading awareness
Paulatuk
Stomach growling? An elder's tea and lunch is scheduled for Nov. 19 at the Paulatuk Health Centre.
The following day there will be a presentation relating to addictions week at the youth centre starting at 7 p.m. On Nov. 21, new mothers and mothers-to-be are invited to the youth centre for games, a video and snacks.
On Nov. 23, there will be house-team games starting at 3 p.m. at Angik School. The teams Ookpik, Nanuk, Amaruq and Qavvik will be competing.
- Miranda Scotland
Karaokeand fishing
Aklavik
The community will be holding a number of events this month in honour of National Addictions Awareness Week.
The RCMP along with the Moose Kerr School staff and students will start off the celebration at 2:30 p.m. at the school on Nov. 19. Later, at 7 p.m. the Aklavik Drummers and Dancers will perform.
On Nov. 20, starting at 7 p.m., the school will be hosting a number of event, including karaoke, sports games and computer activities. More fun events will be taking place at the school on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.
The following evening there will be board games, crib and playing cards available for visitors to the Joe Greenland Centre to use. Then, on Nov. 23, there will be an evening of events hosted by the Aklavik Indian Band. The week will end with a fishing derby on Nov. 24. The event, hosted by the recreation department, begins at 10 a.m. and there will be prizes. The hamlet has been hosting its annual fishing derby since late last week and it will run until Nov. 28.
On Nov. 22 teachers will be visiting parents of students to talk about report cards.
- Miranda Scotland
Addictions awareness events
Inuvik
Addictions Awareness week is set to kick off in the community Nov. 18 with a candlelight vigil and bonfire gathering at Chief Jim Koe Park from 3 to 5 p.m.
The following day, residents are invited to enjoy tea and bannock with elders. The event is at the college tents and goes from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Then, on Nov. 20 at 5:15 p.m., there will be an addiction-themed creative art contest followed by some Get Fit activities. The fun continues at the homeless shelter from 7 to 10 p.m. with a cribbage tournament. There will be more games on Nov. 21 at Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre from 6 to 9 p.m.
The following evening is ladies night. Women can come to Ingamo Hall to relax and enjoy themselves from 6 to 9 p.m.
On Nov. 23, Aurora College will host street hockey games from 5:15 to 6 p.m. Later in the evening, there will also be a family night at the college.
The week of awareness comes to an end Nov. 24 with a pancake brunch and jam session at Ingamo Hall which will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Miranda Scotland
Christmas craft sale
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
It's the season for shopping and residents of Norman Wells were treated to some special shopping at the Norman Wells Historical Centre.
The centre and its attached Great Bear Gift Shop were scheduled to hold the annual craft and gift sale on Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Shoppers were treated a wide variety of handmade Northern crafts and discounts on almost everything in the store.
- Lyndsay Herman
Tea time
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Paul William Kaeser High School was scheduled to host the PWK Fall Fair and Tea on Nov. 17 in the school gymnasium.
The school set up tables which could be reserved by individuals or families attending the event. All proceeds went to the school's 2013 graduating class.
Refreshments and festivities were scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m., after the set up team worked their magic starting at 10 a.m.
- Lyndsay Herman
Shelter to get funding
Kugaaruk/Pelly Bay
The territorial government will fund the safe shelter in Kugaaruk, but it might be too late for the hamlet to have federal money approved before year end, according to its senior administrative officer.
Greg Holitzki stated the community had asked Akulliq MLA John Ningark for help getting funding from the Department of Health and Social Services to operate and maintain the shelter. This came up in the legislature on Nov. 1, with Ningark explaining once Kugaaruk receives that funding, it will allow them to apply for federal funding from Service Canada.
The proposed amount of $150,000 would be used for renovations, furniture such as chairs and sofas, and electrical expenses of the building, stated Ningark. He added this was an "urgent request."
Health Minister Keith Peterson said the hamlet's proposal is currently under evaluation.
Holitzki, in an e-mail to Nunavut News/North, stated the hamlet has received confirmation the territorial government would fund $55,963 for the shelter until March 31, 2013. After that date, it has to apply for funding each year.
"Now, Service Canada will not have the application processed for the repairs to the shelter until some time in February-March 2013," stated Holitzik via e-mail. "This will not work for us as the other funding must be used before the financial year end."
He explained one always has to show a need to get governmental funding so if the hamlet doesn't spend the operational funding before year end, then the territorial government might believe it does not need more funding to operate the shelter.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Dancing against suicide
Naujat/Repulse Bay
The community of Repulse Bay was scheduled to host a six-day suicide-prevention square dance from Nov. 12-17.
A number of Kivalliq communities have been holding antisuicide events since a number of sudden deaths among youths rocked the region this past month.
- Darrell Greer
Square dance showdown fun
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
Some danced, others played music or watched performances but it seems Taloyoak residents enjoyed attending the square dance showdown overall.
The inaugural event, held Nov. 9 to 11 in the gym of Netsilik School, featured three Gjoa Haven groups of square dancers along with eight Taloyoak ones, explained Rosie Tucktoo, the hamlet recreation co-ordinator. Tucktoo said the Northern Light Dancers organized the event and performed during the showdown, which was won by the Taloyoak group Nattiaq. Gjoa Haven groups each won second and third place, said Rosie.
"It was packed all weekend. It was exciting," she said. "It was fun for the community. It was an awesome weekend."
Cindy Tucktoo, part of Northern Light Dancers, said after the April showdown in Gjoa Haven, the leaders from the communities asked if they could have a showdown in Kugluktuk or Taloyoak. They voted in favour of holding the event in Taloyoak, she added. They will vote again this upcoming April during the Gjoa Haven square dance showdown whether another a similar event would be held next fall in Taloyoak, said Cindy.
"Everything was great. It went by really fast. Everyone said they had a great time," she said.
- Jeanne Gagnon
New conservation office
Qausuittuq/Resolute
The territorial government will invest $150,000 to replace the conservation office in Resolute.
The money is included in the Department of the Environment's 2013-2014 capital estimates, Hudson Bay MLA Allan Rumbolt stated during a meeting of the committee of the whole on Nov. 1.
Resolute Mayor Tabitha Mullin, also the conservation officer, said the new office is good news. She works in that office, which is small and has a garage attached, but once in a while they hire casual employees and summer students.
"I can't even tell you how old it is but it's really old and when the pipes freeze, it's very hard to thaw out," said Mullin. "So it's really good they'll be making a new one here."
She added they will likely bring the construction material on next summer's sealift.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Bears keep coming
Kangiqtugaapik/Clyde River
Conservation officers in Clyde River have been busy this season with a record number of polar bears in the hamlet.
"There are a lot more than I can remember," said Steven Ipellee, a member of the local Hunter Trapper Organization and acting SAO. "There are more than usual, but town hunters are used to it."
The HTO now has members on bear patrol in trucks and snowmobiles trying to first deter with bear-bangers any that come into town. When the same bears return again and again, they have no choice but to destroy the animal. Elders say the many small, skinny bears are the result of food scarcity and bigger bears scaring them away.
On Nov. 12, HTO members made three "defence kills." A mother bear and two cubs wandered into town for a second time and were shot. That same evening, while finishing an HTO meeting, Ipellee said they got a call of another polar bear 50 feet from the office.
The increase in sightings isn't only in Clyde River. Bears in town have also become an everyday occurrence for residents of Qikiqtarjuaq.
Bears that must be killed are not wasted. Meat is distributed throughout the community, and any that are too skinny are fed to dogs. Conservation officers remove the hide and give it to the HTO who then decides how to distribute it, sometimes as a Christmas or general meeting door prize.
- Peter Worden
No mayor, no SAO
Kimmirut/Lake Harbour
As of press deadline, Kimmirut is without an official mayor or senior administrative officer.
In October, SAO Akeego Ikkidluak was removed from her position by decision of the hamlet's council, and former-mayor Qinuayuaq Pudlat resigned as well, for reasons which are not yet being made public, according to economic development officer Qapik Ikkidluak. Neither Akeego or Pudlat could be reached for comment.
In the interim, Karen Nungaq is acting SAO and former mayor and soapstone artist Joe Arlooktoo is acting deputy mayor. Arlooktoo was the mayor of Kimmirut in 2000 and re-elected to another term in 2004. He also served in the NWT legislature from 1979 until 1991.
The hamlet of about 400 people is administered by an SAO, mayor and eight councilors.
- Peter Worden
Congratulations to Clyde River grads
Kangiqtugaapik/Clyde River
Ten students graduated from Clyde River's Quluaq school last week.
The ceremony began with the lighting of the qulliq, then each grad and parent came through the arch toward the stage. Parents lit a candle from the qulliq and passed it to the grad, symbolizing the passing on of traditional knowledge. The grads then had the stage for the diploma presentation.
Some students, like Evan Church who won the Governor General's award, received monetary awards, roses and free airline tickets with Canadian North. After the ceremony was a prom dance that went until midnight.
- Peter Worden
Time to dance
Igluligaarjuk/Chesterfield Inlet
The community of Chesterfield Inlet was scheduled to host the sixth annual Marcel Maktar Memorial square dance earlier this month.
The event traditionally attracts dancers and musicians from across the Kivalliq.
- Darrell Greer
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