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News Briefs: Monday, December 17, 2012
Dene win $100,000 prize
The Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation has been named among the first recipients of a new, prestigious monetary prize. The prize was awarded for the First Nation's plan to protect its traditional homeland.
The four winners of the inaugural $1 million Arctic Inspiration Prize were announced in a ceremony earlier this month in Vancouver.
The First Nation is receiving a $100,000 share of the annual prize for its Thaidene Nene initiative, which aims to establish and manage a 33,000 square-kilometre national park on its land.
"Thaidene Nene translates to land of our ancestors and is the heart of Lutsel K'e Dene," stated First Nation councillor Stephanie Poole, in a news release. The Arctic Inspiration Prize was founded by philanthropic couple Arnold Witzig and Sima Sharifi of Vancouver.
- Thandiwe Vela
Hay River names firefighter of the year
Junior Barnes has been chosen as Hay River's firefighter of the year.
Barnes only joined the department in October 2011, but has put in many hours, is likeable and is a hard worker, according to Fire Chief Ross Potter, who made the presentation on Dec. 1.
Firefighter Trent Atwell was recognized for his 15 years of service.
- Angele Cano
Blast shakes ground
A blast heard and felt through much of Yellowknife Friday around 1:30 p.m. was part of the Ingraham Trail re-alignment project, according to James MacKenzie, a spokesperson with the Department of Transportation. There were a few other blasts scheduled for Saturday and then no others until 2013, MacKenzie said. Friday's blast occurred near Fred Henne Territorial Park, 700 metres from Highway 3. The project will re-route Ingraham Trail around the Giant Mine site.
- Danielle Sachs
Winter road opens
The winter road between Fort Smith and Fort Chipewyan, Alta., has opened for the season. The road opened to light traffic on Dec. 7, according to Wood Buffalo National Park, which maintains the 109-km route. It runs from Peace Point, which is 120 km south of Fort Smith, to Fort Chipewyan.
- Paul Bickford
Radio licence obtained
The society working to restart the CHFS community radio station in Fort Smith has received a rebroadcast licence from Industry Canada for the Edmonton classic rock station K-Rock.
Efforts are still underway to obtain equipment and a location.
- Paul Bickford
Lutsel K'e AGM postponed
Lutsel K'e/Snowdrift
The annual general meeting of the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation has been postponed to the new year. The meeting will be held on Jan. 10 and 11.
The meeting had originally been scheduled in December.
- Paul Bickford
Making mitts
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Junior Rangers in Ulukhaktok have been making their own mittens this winter, as part of a learn-to-sew program.
Led by rangers Patrick Joss, Adam and Gibson Kudlak, elder Mary Kudlak, and Emily Kudlak, the juniors have been learning to sew mitts, with some lessons on the patterns being taught in Inuinnaqtun, according to recreation co-ordinator Joanne Ogina.
"It teaches them the language, first of all. It teaches them a good skill to sew their own mitts, the patterns, and they take great pride in accomplishment when they finish the mitts," Ogina said.
About 20 to 30 Rangers aged 12 to 18 have participated in the sewing program.
- Thandiwe Vela
Drumming and dancing
Tuktoyaktuk
A four-day drum dance workshop was scheduled to take place in the community, starting Saturday.
Recreation co-ordinator Loni Noksana-Ruben said instructors have been invited from Paulutuk and Inuvik to hold the workshop Dec. 15 to 18.
The workshop is open to the community.
- Thandiwe Vela
Twelve days of Christmas
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
The community's 12 days of Christmas activities are well underway, with gingerbread activities, a Christmas crafts sale at the Ajgaliaq complex , and the Hamlet's Christmas party scheduled held last week.
"It's always a busy time of year," said recreation co-ordinator Doreen Carpenter.
Each Christmas season, the community holds 12 days of community events in December. Later this month, there will also be a traditional feast for the community, with old-time games, Carpenter said.
- Thandiwe Vela
Muffaloose Stomp and Glide
Thebacha/Fort Smith
World Snow Day will be celebrated on Jan. 20 with a new event at the Fort Smith Ski Club.
It will be the first annual Muffaloose Stomp and Glide, a fundraising challenge.
The event will feature skiing and snowshoeing, and is open to individuals, businesses and families. Prizes will be awarded in each category. There will be no entry fees.
Proceeds will go to the Fort Smith Food Bank and athletes participating in the Seniors' Games.
The event will begin at noon at the Fort Smith Ski Club, which is located several kilometres south of the community in northern Alberta.
A feast will be held after the fundraising challenge.
- Paul Bickford
Christmas concert at Deninu School
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
The annual Christmas concert at Deninu School in Fort Resolution is set for Dec. 20.
Students and staff members will present Christmas-themed songs and performances, plus videos of some school activities.
In addition, there will be a silent auction of crafts with the proceeds going to minor hockey in the community.
On Dec. 21, the school will have its Christmas assembly before students and staff members start their break for the holidays.
They will return to school on Jan. 7.
- Paul Bickford
Hockey maniain Fort McPherson
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
Teams hit the ice at the Fort McPherson's arena last week for a four-on-four hockey tournament, which was a prelude to the third annual, three-day Ernest Bonnetplume Memorial Hockey Tournament, scheduled to kick off Dec. 28.
Recreation co-ordinator Jackie Pascal said the memorial tournament will be bigger and better this year.
"Last year we had five teams from the region, we're expecting at least seven this time around," Pascal said. "It looks like it's going to be a good event this year."
Trophies will be awarded for the first time this year, in addition to a number of prizes.
- Thandiwe Vela
Christmas concert
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
Christmas carols, music and even Gangnam Style dancing will be featured in a Christmas concert Taloyoak's Netsilik School is hosting this month.
The school will hold its annual Christmas Concert on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. with performances in both English and Inuktitut, said principal Gina Pizzo. Children from the preschool level up to Grade 12 will participate. Adult students enrolled in the Nunavut Teacher Education Program will also play a role.
"The whole community will come out for this event to enjoy the instrumental band, recorders, interpretive dancing, drumming, singing, jigging, square dancing, hip hop and comedic skits," said Pizzo. "A couple of hours of fun for everyone from the very young to the young at heart."
The event truly kicks off the Christmas season, she said.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Ink in the Pond
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
Southern tattoo artist Lady Ink plans to paint the hamlet every colour imaginable this week.
Her company, Lady Ink Tattoos Inc. from Embrun, Ont., will go mobile in December, visiting Pond Inlet for four days this week.
- Peter Worden
If you build it, they will snack
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
A new late-night snack-shack in the hamlet opened on Dec. 2 in Pangnirtung earlier this month.
Charlie Aasivak's five-by-10-metre MiniC opened on Dec. 2 to the delight of young people in the community.
Aasivak, who does maintenance work for the hamlet, said he built the local snackatorium last September, originally planning to construct a workshop for his snowmobile and other projects, but children had another idea for him.
"A lot of young people were asking that I open up a (snack) shop instead," he said.
The shack, which sells mostly pop, chips and chocolate bars, is across the river where there aren't any other stores. The business stays open later than other stores, which currently close at 9 p.m.
Aasivak employs two helpers and operates the booth himself while finishing touch-ups on the building.
"The turnout has been great overall," he said.
- Peter Worden
A good way to end the year
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
Arnaqjuaq School is ending the school year celebrating its higher attendance with a few Christmas-related activities.
Principal John Sarapnickas said the school will host an assembly, party and feast on the afternoon of Dec. 17.
The community and parents are invited.
"Our attendance is up overall, so far this year. About five per cent above last year. It's continuing that way so we're going to celebrate that," said Sarapnickas.
He added they've reached their goals of increasing attendance at least five per cent from last year.
The school is gearing up for the Christmas season with a number of activities. Their Christmas concert is scheduled for the evening of Dec. 14, with every class participating in the event, said Sarapnickas.
The high school students will be treated to a feast on Dec. 18, he added.
"A very good year so far," said Sarapnickas. "Attendance is up, the classes seem to be more organized and students are happier with the courses being taught, especially at the high school level."
- Jeanne Gagnon
Elder's feasts
Arviat/Rankin Inlet
Reports out of Arviat indicate the annual Elder's Christmas Feast was another big success in that community.
The elder's feast is organized and delivered each year by the community's social workers, nurses and homecare workers.
Meanwhile in Rankin Inlet, the annual Elder's Christmas Party was scheduled to be held Dec. 14 at the community hall.
This year's event was organized by the elder's party Christmas committee through the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre.
- Darrell Greer
Christmas concert
Kugaaruk/Pelly Bay
Excitement is building at Kugaaruk School as students get ready for the Christmas concert scheduled for Dec. 12.
The English and Inuktitut concert will feature singing, dancing, music and sketches, said principal Michael Bartley. He added he keeps getting invited to classrooms by students eager to give him a preview.
"We fill the gym. The parents love seeing their kids singing and dancing. It's a wonderful, wonderful time," said Bartley. "(Students) are so proud and happy about what they're doing."
- Jeanne Gagnon
Feasting on the Bay
Naujat/Repulse Bay
More than 400 guests attended the annual Calm Air Christmas Feast at Tusarvik School in Repulse Bay earlier this month.
Wellknown artist Gerald Kuehl attended the event and presented a number of portrait sketches to local elders.
- Darrell Greer
Fun-filled knights
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
People of all ages ended up in jail in Arctic Bay on Dec. 7, but, thankfully, it was all for fun and a good cause.
The Mock Jail last weekend at the RCMP detachment was one of many events hosted by the Makkuktu Knights youth group who are busy fundraising for the annual Christmas games.
Other events include an Arctic fox hunting competition, ptarmigan hunting competition, video game day and movie nights.
- Peter Worden
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