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News Briefs: Friday, January 21, 2013
Hearing to start
A hearing of the NWT Human Rights Adjudication Panel, which was postponed in early December, will start this week in Fort Smith.
The hearing - involving a complaint by transgendered woman Gabrielle Landrie against Finance Minister and Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger - is set for Jan. 21-25.
Landrie claims Miltenberger asked her to leave the Thebacha Campus of Aurora College during a visit by Governor General David Johnston in late 2011.
Miltenberger has denied discriminating against Landrie.
- Paul Bickford
Court case coming
After years in the legal system, a civil suit by an ousted chief in Fort Resolution is scheduled go to trial in the Supreme Court of the NWT later this year in Yellowknife.
In November of 2007, Bill Norn sued Deninu Ku'e First Nation for wrongful dismissal.
The civil trial is scheduled for five days, beginning on Oct. 28.
Norn was elected in February of 2007 to a four-year term as chief, but was suspended and then dismissed by band council later that year.
- Paul Bickford
Early NWT commissioner dies
One of the first commissioners of the Northwest Territories, Gordon Robertson, has died.
A long-serving civil servant with the federal government, Robertson rose to the ranks of Clerk of the Privy Council Office and Secretary to the Cabinet, and served as commissioner of the NWT from 1953 to 1963.
Robertson died on Jan. 15 at the age 95, after a battle with Alzheimer's.
In a statement of condolence to Robertson's family, Premier Bob McLeod said he was saddened to hear of Robertson's passing.
"It was during his 10 years as commissioner that the current borders of the Northwest Territories were recommended, and our strong, unified territory owes its beginnings to his leadership," McLeod stated.
- Thandiwe Vela
Aboriginal student database launched
A new online tool for aboriginal scholars was launched last week by Canada's universities.
The Aboriginal Programs and Services Directory, developed by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, provides aboriginal students with better access to information such as language and cultural programs, and scholarships offered by universities across the country.
- Thandiwe Vela
Call to nominate outstanding volunteers
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
The GNWT has issued a call for nominations for the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards.
This is the 23rd year for the awards, which recognize remarkable contributions by volunteers throughout the NWT.
Awards are presented to outstanding volunteers in four categories: individual, youth, elder and group.
The deadline for nominations is March 29.
"Volunteers are often the unsung heroes of community development in our territory. With these awards we can give them praise for their community involvement," stated Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) Minister Robert C. McLeod in a news release. "Volunteers commit countless hours, so we must commend them for this work and their contributions to improving the quality of life of all northerners."
Nomination forms are available at all MACA and community government offices, and on the department's website.
- Paul Bickford
Registration open for loppet
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Registration has opened for the Thebacha Loppet set for March 2.
In the annual event, participants will ski the historic and scenic portage trail between Fort Fitzgerald, Alta., and Fort Smith.
The event, which began in the early 1970s, is sponsored by the Fort Smith Ski Club.
A loppet is a fun event for a group of skiers and not a race.
There were a record number of participants last year. In all, 63 people skied all or part of the historic 28-km trail from Fitzgerald to Smith. The highest previous turnout was about 40.
- Paul Bickford
Floor hockey fundamentals
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
A new floor hockey program is in the works for Tsiigehtchic's children.
Recreation co-ordinator Bobbie Jean Van Loon plans to start the six-week program on Jan. 21, for kids aged 5 to 13.
"We're just hoping the kids will get the skills, learn more about the sport and just enjoy it," said Van Loon.
The program will introduce participants to floor hockey with drills, small games, and end with a tournament, she added.
Details for the program are still being finalized.
- Thandiwe Vela
Students break out the snowshoes
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
Chief Paul Niditchie School students brushed up on their snowshoeing skills last week in Tsiigehtchic.
Senior students lit a stove in a tent near the school so the junior students had a warm place to put on their snowshoes outside, said Principal Darcy Douglas.
"It was great, we had everybody in the whole school out on snowshoes," Douglas said.
The snowshoes were tied with traditional knots to practise for the Arctic Winter Games.
Some students practised walking in snowshoes in the soft snow around the school and some even practised running, Douglas said.
"It was great. Some of the students amazed me," he said.
Douglas said the outdoor exercise showed students how valuable snowshoes are.
- Thandiwe Vela
Aklavik Cup returns
Aklavik
The Aklavik Cup is going down this weekend at the Sittichinli Recreational Complex, with three days of hockey scheduled to kick off Friday night.
The men's hockey tournament was put on for the first time last year, hosted by the community's mens hockey teams the Aklavik Outlaws, and the Aklavik Killer Bees.
It is the second of what will hopefully be an annual tournament, said organizer Michael McLeod.
"We want everybody to come out, have fun and enjoy hockey," McLeod said. "That's what the tournament's for."
Teams from around the region participated in the tournament last year, including teams from Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik.
- Thandiwe Vela
Student exchange
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
Students in Fort McPherson are excitedly preparing for an upcoming exchange program with students in Nelson, B.C.
The community was selected for the YMCA Youth Exchange Canada Program last fall, and will be travelling to Nelson next month, said Chief Julius School teacher Sonia Gregory.
"They don't normally pick communities as far north as we are, so we're feeling very fortunate," Gregory said, adding that the Nelson B.C. group they have been partnered with had requested to be partnered with an Arctic community.
"It's a very neat program because it isn't just a trip; it's designed so that they get to learn about another community, another culture, and service learning," Gregory said. "It's quite a comprehensive program."
In addition to culture and heritage learning, the program will focus on themes such as environmental stewardship, climate change and politics.
The 16 students from grades 8 to 12 who will participate are scheduled to leave Feb. 9 for Nelson, returning Feb. 17.
The B.C. students will visit Fort McPherson in April.
- Thandiwe Vela
Exhibit of paintings in Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre in Fort Smith is presenting the exhibit Yamoozha and His Beaver Wife: Archie Beaulieu Paintings 2007.
The exhibit contains 21 colourful paintings illustrating stories from a Tlicho legend. Yamoozha, an eminent figure in many Dene legends, is known as a traveller and very powerful being.
Beaulieu, an artist from Behchoko, has a unique abstract style of painting that has gained him national and international recognition. His originals can be found in the collection of Queen Elizabeth II.
The exhibit in Fort Smith will run throughout January and February.
- Paul Bickford
Break-in at Nunavut Tourism office
Police are looking to the public for any information they might have after an unknown person or persons broke into Nunavut Tourism's head office.
"It was only a minor break-in," said Kevin Kelly, director of membership and visitor services with Nunavut Tourism, although he would not divulge what was taken, only saying they were "minor things."
The office keeps only a very small amount of money.
"Unfortunately it was just a random event where somebody came in the
building."
The break-in at the building 917, the Mackay Landau building, happened sometime over the weekend of Jan. 11 to 14.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Iqaluit RCMP.
- Peter Worden
79 tuberculosis cases in 2012
Nunavut
The number of cases of tuberculosis last year in Nunavut is relatively close to the one reported two years ago.
Seventy-nine cases of tuberculosis were reported in the territory in 2012, according to the Department of Health and Social Services. In 2011, 75 cases of TB were reported and in 2010, Nunavut saw 101 instances of the disease.
The majority of cases are in the Baffin region, said Dr. Maureen Baikie, Nunavut's chief medical officer of health.
"We will have TB cases for many years in Nunavut. It's not unusual to see the numbers go up and down year by year," she said. "Certainly, we're pleased to see we are lower than 2010, which was our highest year in a long time."
- Jeanne Gagnon
Early NWT commissioner dies
NWT/Nunavut
One of the first commissioners of the Northwest Territories, Gordon Robertson, has died.
A long-serving civil servant with the federal government, Robertson rose to the ranks of Clerk of the Privy Council Office and Secretary to the Cabinet.
He served as commissioner of the NWT from 1953 to 1963.
Robertson died peacefully on Jan. 15 at age 95, after a battle with Alzheimer's.
- Thandiwe Vela
Nunavut man receives seeing-eye dog
Iqaluit
After a month of training, Iqaluit's Noah Papatsie and his 18-month-old golden retriever seeing-eye dog will be working together.
Papatsie, a former videojournalist and current volunteer with Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society (NDMS) lost his sight 12 years ago. He recently spent a month in Ottawa in an obedience and training course with Xeno, going around obstacles, finding doors and giving guidance.
"It has been a challenge but he's here," said Papatsie, explaining how Xeno's trainer came to Iqaluit for four days to teach Xeno important places he needed to know. "He's adjusting very well. The first day he got here he didn't adjust well but after a few days he did adjust with the community and weather. He's pretty happy."
For years Papatsie said he got around Iqaluit with just a cane. Now, Xeno might very well be Nunavut's only guide dog, but perhaps not the first. Papatsie said his grandfather was visually impaired and taught his husky to act as guide dog when hunting near Pangnirtung.
"I'm the only one so far but I'm encouraging other people who have visual impairment or are blind," said Papatsie about one day having more guide dogs in the territory.
- Peter Worden
Flu back in Nunavut
Baffin Island
Flu season is off to quick start in the territory.
Last week, chief medical officer Dr. Geraldine Osborne confirmed the first cases of the flu this year. She said several cases have been diagnosed in the Baffin region.
"People who have influenza or flu-like symptoms should stay home until they are symptom-free," said Osborne in a release.
The Department of Health and Social Services is reminding Nunavummiut there is still time to be immunized. The shot is free and available at local health centres. A flu-mist nose spray vaccine is also available to children ages two to 17.
People can also help stop the spread of influenza by washing their hands often as well as coughing and sneezing into their sleeve.
- Peter Worden
Thanks, Uncle Bob
Arviat
A man known as Uncle Bob donated an impressive supply of videotape equipment to the Arviat Film Society (AFS) this past month.
Uncle Bob, real name Bob Carveth, 72, of Australia, has supported Arviat youths with donations in the past, as well as Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield Inlet.
- Darrell Greer
Push on for food bank
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
A growing list of Pangnituurmuit are hoping to start a food bank in the hamlet.
Joanna Kilabuk-Evic and Markus Wilcke had discussed the idea years ago but decided this year the time was right to begin taking names for a food bank committee. Kilabuk-Evic and Wilcke said plans are still in the idea stage but many people in town could use it.
- Peter Worden
Recycling project
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
A recycling project led by the community's high school received support to send recyclables south.
Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik will receive $4,000 from WWF Canada's Green CommUnity School Grants Program, an initiative Loblaw Companies Ltd. funds.
The $100,000 in grants, shared among 28 schools across Canada, are made possible through partial proceeds from Loblaw's sale of plastic shopping bags in their stores.
Qiqirtaq science teacher Adam Malcolm said the money will be used to hire one community member to collect recyclables once or twice a week from both stores, the nursing station and the schools. He said two containers filled with aluminum cans, plastics, cardboard, paper, batteries and electronics will be shipped to Montreal through Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc.
"(It's) something positive that can happen for the community. Something the community can feel pride in," said Malcolm.
He said it's a community project with the school taking the lead.
- Jeanne Gagnon
New treatment plant coming
Qausuittuq/Resolute
Construction on a new waste water treatment plant in Resolute will begin next year.
The Department of Community and Government Services is designing a membrane bioreactor system for a new waste water treatment plant in Resolute, according to documents from the request for proposals.
The RFP was to purchase the bioreactor system, which will be integrated in the design of the new waste water treatment plant.
The system breaks down and treats waste water using microbes and filters. It is a commonly-used system across the country, but it's not typical for most Nunavut communities, which usually use lagoons to treat waste water.
"Our old utilidor system is well over its lifespan and they're going to renew that, hopefully very soon," said Resolute Mayor Tabitha Mullin.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Tank farm being moved
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Cambridge Bay will soon have five new fuel storage tanks surrounded by a containment berm and dispensing buildings, and the facilities won't be in the middle of town as the current ones are now.
The territorial government is seeking a contractor to build the new tank farm.
The community appreciates this project not only for the need but also for future community planning, stated Steve King, the hamlet's senior administrative officer.
"The existing tank farm is within the core area of town and is near the end of its useful life," he stated. "The hamlet has wanted a new tank farm out in the vicinity of the DEW Line fuel tanks, which is where it will be."
- Jeanne Gagnon
Inmates arrive in Rankin
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The first four inmates arrived at the new Nunavut jail in Rankin Inlet this past week.
The inmates were transferred to Rankin from the Baffin Correctional Centre in Iqaluit.
The Rankin healing facility will continue to take more inmates from Iqaluit each week until it reaches its maximum capacity of about 30.
The new facility is scheduled to hold its official grand opening on Jan. 25.
- Darrell Greer
Shelter full during holidays
Kugaaruk/Pelly Bay
The community's shelter was at over-capacity for three days during the Christmas holidays, according to the senior administrative officer.
Greg Holitzki said a number of people went to the one-bedroom shelter for about three days to calm down as disputes arose in some homes as visiting family created pressures in the home.
Social workers are usually very busy through the holidays, he added.
"No matter who you are, you crowd that many people together and sooner or later, tempers get a little bit thin, then arguments happen," said Holitzki. "You have to separate the people so that it's safe for the children and let everybody get along."
The shelter housed four or five people over the holidays, said Holitzki. It is back to normal now - empty.
Kugaaruk is still waiting for funding from Service Canada to build its women's shelter, something Holitzki said is expected this fiscal year.
- Jeanne Gagnon
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News desk 
