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News Briefs: Monday, Nov 5, 2012
NHLers coming North
Former National Hockey League player John Chabot is putting the final touches on a tour that will see some members of the Ottawa Senators and other NHL teams come to the territory.
According to the Senators Extra website, Chabot is looking to organize a charity tour involving locked-out players and it could involve as many as three games in the NWT.
The potential start date is Nov. 18 and there could be as many as 28 players making the trip from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.
There was a news conference scheduled on Nov. 2 in Ottawa to announce further details of the lockout tour. Yellowknife, Deline and Hay River are being considered for game locations and tour organizers are working on arranging a charter flight.
- James McCarthy
Walk-in flu clinics
Free flu shots are available without an appointment at select times at clinics in 24 NWT communities. The walk-in flu clinics have taken place since mid-October and will continue until as late as Nov. 13 in some communities and until Nov. 24 in Yellowknife.
Some health clinics can make accommodations for those who need a shot outside of scheduled walk-in times.
Visit the Department of Health and Social Services website or contact your local health authority for flu clinic times and dates in your community.
- Lyndsay Herman
Man accused of murder
A Hay River man charged with second-degree murder is in an Edmonton hospital undergoing a psychiatric assessment.
In territorial court Friday in Yellowknife, Charles Davison, a defence lawyer representing 25-year-old Richard Deleeuw, requested his client appear in court on Nov. 30, since he is still in Alberta Hospital.
Deleeuw is charged in the death of his mother, Linda Lafferty, on Sept. 24.
- Katherine Hudson
Recruiting overseas
Det'on Cho Corporation and Stantec are joining the NWT French economic development council (CDETNO), in Paris and Brussels from Nov. 13 to 17 in order to recruit highly and uniquely skilled workers with a strong desire to work in Canada.
Six NWT businesses will be seeking workers at the job fair, called Destination Canada, with a total of 18 positions to fill. A CDETNO news release states 300 immigrant candidates have already expressed interest.
- Lyndsay Herman
A pumpkin-less Halloween
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Ulukhaktok's community hall was decorated as a haunted house this Halloween, but without any Jack-o-lanterns.
Nutrition North, a federal food subsidy program for isolated Northern communities, doesn't subsidize pumpkins. Since pumpkins are heavy and mainly decorative, the town went without the novelty this Halloween.
"A pumpkin would cost $80 or something like that," said recreation co-ordinator Joanne Ogina, explaining the unrealistic cost of freight.
In lieu of pumpkins, residents held a Halloween cake-decorating contest and costume contest, with $50, $40 and $30 Co-op gift certificates awarded to first, second and third place winners, respectively.
- Peter Worden
Darkness spells vampires, zombies
Tuktoyaktuk
As the Beaufort-Delta region plunges into its twilight period of the year with longer hours of darkness, several vampires and zombies came out for trick-or-treating.
At Kitti Hall, which hosted its first Halloween parade and haunted house, all sorts of prizes were up for grabs, including cash and gift certificates for the scariest, funniest and most original costumes.
- Peter Worden
Bear scares
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Kids donned their scariest costumes this Halloween, but the most frightening creature wandering the streets of Sachs Harbour was big, white and hairy - and it was not a costume.
Polar bear sightings have become an almost daily occurrence with many wandering into the middle of town, according to the hunters and trappers committee. Typically, the animals are scared off by a gunshot. One spotted Oct. 28 at around 11:30 p.m., however, appeared starving and menacing. Community members agreed the animal posed a significant risk and was shot.
Locals attribute the increase of bears in town to a lack of ice in the region. With the hamlet's go-to "bear person" having recently moved to Inuvik, the task falls on whoever in the community is available.
- Peter Worden
Ferry out as ice comes in
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
Encroaching ice has made the north Mackenzie River crossing at Arctic Red River unsafe for passage, so passenger ferry service was officially closed for the season Oct. 29.
The ferry was pulled out by bulldozer and dry-docked for the winter. The Peel River cable ferry at kilometre 74 of the Dempster Highway remained open, as of Oct. 31, but river ice conditions are quick to change and the crossing may close without notification.
- Peter Worden
Fish and Halloween treats
Paulatuk
As the temperature gets cooler, the mouth of the Hornaday River east of Paulatuk is getting hotter with activity.
The ice, now at least six inches thick and growing thicker, held dozens of residents of all ages who were out on bikes and snow machines, fishing and sharing a lunchtime feast of char, whitefish and grayling.
Meanwhile, in the hamlet, kids found lots of other treats over Halloween with a party and haunted house on Oct. 31.
- Peter Worden
Arena ice on its way
Aklavik
Flooding the rink area at Sittichinli Recreational Complex has begun and a perfect sheet of ice should be ready in two week's time, said recreation co-ordinator Dean McLeod.
Until then, the complex has no shortage of activities for people of all ages. Last week it hosted a "preschoolers-and-elders" Halloween costume party for all those four-and-under or 50-and-older.
The complex is also holding two more costume dance parties Nov. 2 and 3 for youth and adults, with lots of prizes. In addition, the nearby youth centre began its new fall schedule, now Tuesday to Saturday.
- Peter Worden
Hootenanny on the Delta
Inuvik
A fundraising dance is to be held Nov. 17 at the Midnight Sun Complex, hosted by Tot Spot, a member of the Children First Society.
"It's a country dance party at the rec centre," said Stella Patera, a member of the board of directors.
"We tried to hold it on a weekend where it wouldn't compete with other events."
Starting at 9 p.m., the dance will feature music from DJ Steve Baryluk, who Patera said will have a selection of country music as well as a sampling of other music.
- Peter Worden
Halloween 'bigger than Christmas' in Wekweeti
Wekweeti/Snare Lakes
Chris Kauffman, Wekweeti's new recreation director, said he believed there would be a good turnout for the Halloween activities planned for the community.
"Halloween's bigger than Christmas in this community," he said. Events included trick-or-treating, a costume contest and games.
A panel of judges was selected to choose the best costume.
Events also included a lip-syncing contest for adults, where teams of three performed songs in front of judges.
Prizes for games and contests included one trip to Edmonton for two people, two return trips from Wekweeti to Yellowknife, as well as power saws, big screen TVs and cash.
Kauffman said various businesses and organizations donated prizes.
"For such a small community, a lot of money went into it," he said. "There were donations from businesses. Without them we couldn't have made it happen, for sure."
- Kassina Ryder
Diamond Jubilee and Halloween in Enterprise
Enterprise
The hamlet of Enterprise held a Diamond Jubilee celebration on Oct. 14, said Sandra McMaster, recreation co-ordinator.
The event was held at the community hall and included a roast beef supper with all the trimmings and crowns for children who attended, McMaster said. Ladies were equipped with fascinator headpieces.
"Everybody came dressed up in their best," she said.
A dance was held after the supper.
"It was a very big success," McMaster said.
On Oct. 31, a Halloween party took place at the hall, which was transformed into a haunted house. Families carved pumpkins, ate hot dogs shaped like spiders and feasted on tombstone-shaped cake, which were baked by McMaster and her daughter.
An adult Halloween party was scheduled for Nov. 2.
- Kassina Ryder
Eating contest in Fort Good Hope
Radilih Koe/Fort Good Hope
Halloween celebrations in Fort Good Hope included something a little different this year, said recreation co-ordinator Freda Kelly.
The pudding-eating contest was made a little more difficult after organizers decided all participants should be blindfolded and fed by blindfolded partners.
"The person, who is blindfolded, sits behind them and feeds them," Kelly said. "They're both blindfolded."
Kelly said in addition to the contest, an adult Halloween dance was scheduled to take place at the community hall on Nov. 3. Activities included the game "pass the broom," which Kelly said had the same rules as the game Hot Potato.
Trick-or-treating began at about 6 p.m. and finished at 8 p.m on Halloween night.
- Kassina Ryder
Vandalism leads to charges in Iqaluit
Six people are facing charges following a break in at Nakasuk School late last month.
Six people broke into the elementary school in Iqaluit on Oct. 22 and discharged a number of fire extinguishers and used food items as projectiles against several of the school's walls and floors over three hours, stated Iqaluit RCMP. It adds the school closed on Oct. 23 as staff cleaned up the mess.
Five youths and one adult are each facing a charge of break and enter committing mischief, stated police. All six are scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 3.
- Jeanne Gagnon
New deputy minister for Department of Community and Government Services
Nunavut
Premier Eva Aariak has appointed Roy Green as the territory's newest deputy minister of Community and Government Services, effective Nov. 1.
"I trust he will provide solid leadership as we continue to build sustainable communities and address Nunavut's historic infrastructure deficit," stated Aariak in a press release.
Since 1999, Green has held a number of positions with the Government of Nunavut including director of expenditure management in the Department of Finance.
- Peter Worden
Unofficial NTI president candidate list released
Nunavut
Eleven candidates are vying for presidency of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
Mikidjuk Akavak, Larry Audlakuk, Savikataaq Ford, Paul Kaludjak, Vinnie Karetak, Jerry Komaksiutiksak, David Kunuk, Gabriel Nirlungayuk, Bernadette Niviatsiak, Manitok Thompson and incumbent Cathy Towtongie are the names on the unofficial candidates list, released Friday by chief returning officer Adamee Itorcheak.
Towtongie is taking a leave of absence from the presidency during the election, during which time NTI vice-president James Eetoolook will serve as acting president.
The official list was to be sent out today, Nov. 5, and the election will take place on Dec. 10. Advance polls are on Dec. 3 and voters can also cast their ballot via proxy.
Eligible voters must be Canadian citizens over the age of 16 who are enrolled, or eligible to enroll, under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
- NNSL staff
Remembering victims of suicide
Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island
Balloons with letters and pictures of those who have committed suicide in Qikiqtarjuaq were released during a picnic late last month.
About 70 people of all ages attended an Embrace Life Council community picnic on Oct. 19, said hamlet director of finance Rikki Butt. She added they travelled by boat to the old graveyard sites for prayer and a balloon release. People read letters of those who had committed suicide in the community and tied those letters, along with pictures, to the balloons, said Butt.
They then had a picnic and face-painting activity for children, with a design consisting of a heart on one side and a rainbow on the other for love and hope, said Butt.
"It's important because suicide affects all communities," said Butt. "It's important we take the time to honour the people who we have lost to suicide and that other people can see the effect it does has on families' lives and on people."
- Jeanne Gagnon
New cellphone service for Sanikiluaq residents
Sanikiluaq
Sanikiluaq residents will soon be able to use cellphones in their community as Lynx Mobility is finalizing the installation of equipment to allow it to move into the market.
Senior administrative officer Andre Larabie said the Quebec-based company determined enough demand existed in the community for the service.
He said the company wanted reception to be good for as much as 60 km outside Sanikiluaq but at present they only have 10 km.
"They realized to get a bigger range, they had to increase the height of the tower they have so they're working on that this week," said Larabie. "It's been delayed a maximum two weeks. Mid-November, the cell service would be on."
The hamlet office will purchase two or three cellphones for operations purposes, he added.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Tops in her class
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Laura Merritt of Rankin Inlet was presented with the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation prize as the Most Outstanding Education Graduate during the fall convocation at the University of Regina last month.
The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation prize is the highest honour awarded to a member of the graduating class, receiving a bachelor of education degree, in a given convocation ceremony. Merritt, who teaches Grade 5 at Simon Alaittuq School in Rankin, also received the Nunavut Teachers' Association Award for Top Academic Performance in the bachelor of education program for Nunavut and the Teaching Practicum Award for the Kivalliq region.
- Darrell Greer
Microscope donated to Pangnirtung school
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Animal hair and water organisms were seen under a different light late last month after a microscope was donated to Attagoyuk School.
Professor Melissa Knothe Tate from the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, visited the school from Oct. 22 to 25 to donate a laboratory-quality microscope on behalf of the Carl Zeiss Group, said school principal Ernie Van Soest. Knothe Tate had noted students were interested in the biomedical field when she visited the school a few years ago, according to Van Soest. Knothe Tate spent the week showing students and staff how to use the microscope, said Van Soest.
"It basically allowed the kids to have a look at many of the Northern things," he said. "They were looking at all the different hairs from the different animals. They were looking at the different plants. They were looking at the different things that were found in the seawater here. We didn't have any type of microscope that would be that powerful."
Van Soest said the school hopes to use the microscope for all grades at the high school level but elementary students will also get an opportunity to use it.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Mayor steps down
Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord
Grise Fiord's mayor, Meeka Kiguktak, stepped down about one month ago.
Kiguktak did not want to comment on her departure but it seems she left the position for personal reasons.
Laisa Watsko said she will be the acting mayor until a municipal election on Dec. 10.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Elders gathering
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
A number of elders from the Qikiqtani region gathered in Hall Beach to learn more about organizing programs in their communities.
The Department of Culture and Heritage organized a regional elder's committee conference in Hall Beach from Oct. 22 to 26 with 12 elders, said Joanna Quassa, director of elders and youth with the department. She added they received help in setting up elders committees in their community.
"How they can have programs within their community for their people and how they can apply for funding, so part of it was a proposal writing workshop," she said. "It was successful because we went step by step with the proposal writing they would have to do, so they understood the application more."
Mayor Paul Haulli said the conference ended with a community feast and a big square dance.
"It was very nice. They were able to raise their concerns. They were very happy while they were here," he said.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Run raised $1,050
Kimmirut/Lake Harbour
Some walked, some ran but all those who participated in the Terry Fox Run had fun.
Qaqqalik School principal Ron Pate said the school's participation in the Oct. 19 event raised $1,050.
"A few teachers were hit personally. Their father passed away from cancer and we know people who have cancer who have passed," said Pate.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Dracula a hit
Arviat
The John Arnalukjuak High School Drama Club's production of The Nemesis of Dracula last month is being hailed as a resounding success.
The play went over huge at the box office, with estimates out of Arviat placing the combined audience tally at about 1,500, more than half the town's population. The production featured a cast of 18 actors playing 23 parts, with seven crew members and a dozen volunteers working backstage on hair, makeup and costumes.
- Darrell Greer
Chester's cool
Igluligarjuuk/Chesterfield Inlet
The community of Chesterfield Inlet has become a hotticket item in the town of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England.
Chester is featured in the Chesterfield Inlet exhibit and Chesterfield Museum and Art Gallery exhibitions in the town.
The project began in 2003 as a way for the English town of about 100,000, located north of London, to find out about other places, people and things in the world that have the name Chesterfield.
- Darrell Greer
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