 | Home page |  | Text size |  | E-mail this page |
News Briefs: Monday, June 10, 2013
Graduation set at Pentecostal college
A graduation ceremony will be held on June 22 at the Pentecostal Sub-Arctic Leadership Training (SALT) College in Fort Smith.
Three students - Burnice Mandeville, Lena Paul and Rita Rashleigh - will be graduating from the college this year. SALT is a full-time theological college of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada in the NWT.
- Paul Bickford
Health services to move
The medical clinic and home care services of the Fort Smith Health and Social Services Authority will be temporarily moving to a new location.
The services will move to Madonna House - the former home of the Western Arctic Leadership Program - effective June 17.
From June 10 to 14, the medical clinic will be closed. Anyone requiring emergency care in that time period is being advised to visit the health centre's emergency department.
Home care will provide limited services from June 10 to 14. The relocations are necessary because of ongoing renovations at the health centre.
- Paul Bickford
Manslaughter trial continues
A jury trial for a man charged in connection with the death of Hay River resident Brent Nixon is scheduled to wrap up at the end of the week.
Mark Glen Larsen is facing a manslaughter charge. His trial began June 4, while the jury was picked the previous day. According to police, Nixon died after an altercation outside the Royal Canadian Legion in the early morning hours of Aug. 14, 2010.
- Miranda Scotland
Emergency exercise
The airports division of the Department of Transportation is taking a new approach to emergency training in small communities.
The first community to benefit is Fort McPherson, where a three-day emergency response course is scheduled from June 11 to 13, where at least 22 community members will learn skills including how to strap a patient onto a backboard and transport them safely to a medical centre.
Their new skills will then be put to the test on June 13 with a full-scale emergency exercise at the Fort McPherson Airport from about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has provided funding for five sets of emergency equipment for each community.
There are plans for similar courses in Paulatuk, Gameti and Tulita this year, and the department plans to visit all 27 communities with airports within the next four years, said Dewar.
- Laura Busch
Economic opportunities in Fort Resolution
Deninu K'ue/Fort Resolution
Deninu K'ue First Nation recently held a series of meetings in Fort Resolution to let members know about possible future economic opportunities.
The meetings - held May 25 to 28 - featured a number of organizations, including Avalon Rare Metals Inc., the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy, and De Beers Canada.
There were also two Toronto-based companies exploring the potential for joint ventures with Deninu K'ue First Nation.
Chief Louis Balsillie explained that, since Deninu K'ue First Nation has an accommodation agreement with Avalon Rare Metals, mining subcontracting companies have become interested in exploring potential projects with the band.
- Paul Bickford
Celebrating grads
Telit'Zeh/Fort McPherson
Thirteen students at Chief Julius School are getting ready for their graduation on June 14.
Brandie Hehn, the teacher in charge of organizing this year's ceremony, said the students chose Gandhi's famous quote, "Be the change you want see in the world" to be the theme of this year's graduation.
The event will begin at 3 p.m. with a convocation at the school followed by a community feast. During the feast, the grads will be unveiling their much-anticipated, end-of-year surprise presentation during the community feast.
At 10 p.m., the grads will get together for an old-time dance at the recreation centre, where there will be traditional jigging and square dancing.
- Cody Punter
Hail storm closes school
Tuktoyaktuk
Freezing rain in Tuktoyaktuk forced principal Agnes Cudmore to close down Mangilaluk School on June 4.
"It's not really safe to walk around there right now," she said, pointing out that the, "steel steps provide quite a hazard."
The community's daycare was also closed as the community took precautions by staying indoors during the storm.
Cudmore expected the school to re-open on June 5, so long as the weather co-operated.
The school also planned to hold an attendance assembly on June 6 to recognize students who have had good attendance in the month of May.
With just one more month of school left, students are getting ready for their final exams.
- Cody Punter
Traditional spring gathering in Fort Simpson
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
Liidlii Kue First Nation is organizing its first annual traditional spring gathering.
The three-day event from June 21 to 23 will coincide with Aboriginal Day. Events throughout the weekend will include canoe races, Dene games, musical performances, a community feast and a drum dance.
There will also be a hand games tournament. Each team will need eight players and one alternate 16-years or older. The teams must register and pay their entry fee by 11 a.m. on June 21.
The First Nation is planning to hold a second traditional gathering in the fall.
- Roxanna Thompson
Hunting season going well
Ulukhaktok/Holman
It has been a very successful season of hunting so far in Ulukhaktok.
"We just got back a few days ago," said hunter David Kuptana, "There was a lot caribou and game."
Kuptana was hunting with Allan Joss, and his son Wallace, who killed 16 caribou between them. They also brought back lots of Canada geese, snow geese, and ducks.
According to Kuptana, Colin Okheena, Danny Taptuna, and Roland Nataina also killed a grizzly bear each.
Kuptana is now getting ready to head back out to camp to hunt for seals and ducks.
- Cody Punter
Cupcake Thursdays, not Wednesdays
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Cupcake Thursdays have begun for the summer in Fort Smith.
The weekly fundraiser by Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre started on June 6.
The museum will be running the weekly cupcake stand in Mission Park until the end of August.
This year the cupcake stand will be held on Thursdays instead of the Wednesdays as it was last summer.
The museum is seeking volunteers to bake cupcakes and drop them off at the museum every Thursday morning.
- Paul Bickford
Happy Inuvialuit Day
Paulatuk
Residents of Paulatuk celebrated Inuvialuit Day on June 5. The community planned to hold a barbecue with entertainment provided by the Paulatuk Moonlight Drummers and Dancers.
The recreation committee also planned to sponsor a goose-calling and darkest-tan contest.
The darkest-tan contest, held annually, is awarded
to the hunter who comes back from the land with the darkest tan.
"After spring geese hunt, everyone is coming back with racoon eyes," said Bill Stevens, chair of the recreation committee. "So whoever comes to the barbecue with the darkest tan wins."
Winners in each of the contests were to receive gas prizes and fishing gear, while there were also several door prizes for those in attendance.
Inuvialuit Day is celebrated across the entire Inuvialuit Settlement Region on June 5, in celebration of the 29th anniversary of the signing of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement.
- Cody Punter
Fort Providence celebrates
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Deh Gah Bridge Ltd. organized a day of events so the community of Fort Providence could celebrate the opening of the Deh Cho Bridge.
The events on June 7 were scheduled to begin with a feeding of the water ceremony at 2 p.m. beside the bridge at the former ferry landing.
There was also to be a feeding of the fire ceremony at the arbour in the community at 4 p.m.
The celebrations concluded with a community barbecue at 5 p.m. by the Zhahti Koe Friendship Centre and a family talent show at the arena.
- Roxanna Thompson
Registration open for summer day camp
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Registration is now open for the summer day camp being offered by the Town of Fort Smith.
The day camp will offer a variety of activities for younger children from July 2 to Aug. 23. Spaces are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. More information, including on the costs for full days and half days, is available from the Fort Smith Recreation and Community Centre.
- Paul Bickford
Guess the breakup
Aklavik
The results of Aklavik's 16th annual David Husky Memorial Ice Pool Contest are finally in.
Olive Pascal, won this year's pool by guessing the ice would melt on May 31 at 5:25 p.m.
The melting of the ice was measured by a marker on the river in front of the water plant and the winner of the competition was the one who guessed closest to the day and time when the marker drifts down river to a post in front of the Northern store.
The marker officially passed the post in front of the Northern store on May 31 at 5:18 p.m.
Pascal, will receive a $100 cash prize and a personal plaque. She will also have her name recorded, along with the time the ice melted, on a plaque at the Sittichinli Recreational Complex.
This year's contest featured a total of 239 contestants with each contestant being allowed to register three guesses.
Aklavik's recreation co-ordinator, Dean McLeod, said the Hamlet of Aklavik and the recreation committee wanted to thank everyone who participated in the contest.
- Cody Punter
Youth council elected
Thomas Anguti Johnston was elected as the new president of the National Inuit Youth Council last week.
Members of the National Inuit Youth Council held the vote during a meeting in Kuujjuaq, Que.
Johnston is the regional youth co-ordinator for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.
Sarah Jancke, from Cambridge Bay, was elected vice-president. The 24 year old has served on the council for the past three years and is also the program's co-ordinator for women and youth for the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.
Johnston had been acting president since the fall of 2012.
- Danielle Sachs
Eighth wonder of the world in Nunavut?
Iqaluit
Nunavut Tourism has nominated Mount Thor, in Auyuittuq National Park, as the eighth Wonder of the World contest on virtualtourist.com.
Mount Thor has the world's greatest vertical drop at 1,250 metres and if it's named, it would be featured on television bringing international attention to the famed peak.
- Danielle Sachs
Poverty roundtable
Iqaluit
The Nunavut Roundtable for Poverty Reduction will be held in Iqaluit on June 10-12.
The event follows the adoption of Bill 59 - the Collaboration for Poverty Reduction Act - a new approach to policy development for poverty reduction.
The Act received the unanimous support of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly.
- Myles Dolphin
Fishing vessels charged
Nunavut
On May 1, two Canadian fishing vessels were charged with violating the federal Fisheries Act.
The operator of the Sikivut was charged with violating section 87(1) of the Atlantic Fishery Regulation while the owner of the Suvak was charged with violating section 22.7 of the Fishery (General) Regulations.
"As these matters are currently before the Nunavut Court of Justice, the Department cannot comment further at this time," said Kevin Hill, acting Regional Director of Communications for Central and Arctic Region Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
- Myles Dolphin
Nunavut cancer rates
Nunavut
Nunavut has one of the lowest incidence rates of cancer per population of 100,000 in Canada, according to the latest Canadian Cancer Society statistics released May 30.
With an average of 382 male cases per 100,000, the territory is below the Canadian average of 467.
However, Nunavummiut are the most likely to die from cancer when afflicted with the disease.
Between 2005-2009, Nunavut's male mortality rate stood at 391 per 100,000, well above the Canadian average of 192 per 100,000. The female mortality rate was 330, while the Canadian average was 137.
Lung and colorectal were the deadliest cancers in Nunavut during this time.
- Myles Dolphin
End of year celebrations
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
Nasivvik High School in Pond Inlet recently had its graduation dinner on Tuesday, June 4.
Funding for the event came from raffle and bake sale proceeds, as well as donations.
More than $2,000 was raised, which went toward providing dinner for the students and five relatives, and to purchase decorations for the graduation ceremony.
The school also used money banked from last year's fundraising events.
"It's a chance to quietly congratulate them before their graduation ceremony," said teacher Anisa Suno. "Stories and anecdotes are shared and the dinner is an opportunity for parents to address their children, to let them know how proud they are."
- Myles Dolphin
Commissioner's visit
Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord
Nunavut's Commissioner, Edna Elias, visited the hamlet of Grise Fiord on June 7 and 8. Elias presented the Commissioner's Awards as well as the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal to local hunter Aksaarjuk Ningiuk.
Elias was unable to present the medal herself at the beginning of the year because she was too sick to attend. "I reassured people I would come in the spring," she said. Elias also took part in a community feast and joined students from Umimmak School for a spring outing on the land.
- Myles Dolphin
More young hunters
Kimmirut/Lake Harbour
There has been a steady increase in the number of young hunters this year in Kimmirut, according to senior administrative officer Saqiqtaq Temela. The enthusiastic hunters are following their traditional ways of life and hunting Canada geese, snow geese, beluga whales, seals and ducks, as well as fishing in Kimmirut's numerous lakes and ponds.
- Myles Dolphin
Public meeting scheduled
Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island
A public meeting will be held in Qikiqtarjuaq on June 13 and 14 to discuss the cleanup of the nearby Distant Early Warning (DEW) line site, located at Cape Hooper.
Representatives from Biogenie and town officials will be present to discuss the cleanup process, according to recreation co-ordinator Eena Kooneeliusie.
- Myles Dolphin
Seal derby more than just fun
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
The annual seal derby in Gjoa Haven is coming up on June 14. Run by the Tuvitqaat Committee, it's usually the biggest seal that wins first prize, said new recreation co-ordinator Enuk Pauloosie.
"Another winner is the person with the smallest seal, it's out of pity. Just kidding," he said.
The derby has been going on for a few years now and although it's a fun event for the entire community, it's not only about fun.
"It's also about educating our young people," said Pauloosie. "The seal itself is all eaten. It's about feeding the family and the community."
- Danielle Sachs
Spring in the schools
Iglulik
Ataguttaaluk High School is a hive of activity lately as the school year comes to an end. On Saturday, the senior high students celebrated melting snow and a return to warmer weather with a spring dance at the school.
A school-wide assembly will be held June 12, said vice-principal Patricia Tidd. The end of year assembly is where the school hands out achievement awards, including the legacy awards started by ex-principal Vince Pickett, who is now principal at Qarmatarlik School in Resolute.
"We give out $100 to a male and female student for the highest attendance," said Tidd.
June 12 is also the last day of school for Ataguttaaluk.
- Danielle Sachs
Sporting shots planned
Kugaaruk/Pelly Bay
Kugaaruk Nanuk Basketball is planning basketball tournaments for the summer. The dates are tentatively set for July, but practices have already started and are open to anyone who's interested in joining up for some three on three and five on five action.
Medals and trophies are on order.
- Danielle Sachs
| 
