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News Briefs: Monday, June 24, 2013
Devolution signing in Inuvik
The federal government and aboriginal leaders will be in Inuvik on June 25 for a formal signing of the NWT Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement.
Premier Bob McLeod, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Bernard Valcourt, and aboriginal government signatories will attend the event.
The signing will be held at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex at 6 p.m. A community feast will follow.
- Shawn Giilck
Highway rescue to be discussed
The Hamlet of Enterprise will be inviting a representative of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) to come to the community to do a presentation on highway rescue.
At their meeting on June 10, councillors agreed to send the invitation to MACA's director of health and safety.
The possibility of creating a highway rescue unit in Enterprise has been an ongoing issue in the hamlet.
- Paul Bickford
Bike auction in Fort Smith
The Town of Fort Smith will be holding a bike auction on June 29.
The bikes have been found around the community by the town's bylaw officer and have gone unclaimed.
Such an auction is held every year in Fort Smith and usually 25 to 30 bikes are sold to the highest bidders.
The June 29 sale will take place at the Rec Centre parking lot from 2 to 3 p.m.
- Paul Bickford
GNWT recognizes Gwich'in place names
The GNWT announced on June 14 they will now officially recognize 414 traditional place names in the Gwich'in Settlement Area.
Minister for Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty said the move is to help preserve and promote the Gwich'in language, which he said is one of the most endangered aborginal languages in Canada.
Many traditional names fell into disuse or were replaced by colonial names in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The notice of name changes will be passed on to Natural Resources Canada to update topographical maps as each one comes up for renewal.
The changes will also be made to online services such as Google Maps over the coming months.
- Graeme McNaughton
Quarry quandary for Hamlet of Enterprise
Enterprise
The hamlet council in Enterprise is not sure what to do about a request for a quarry by a Hay River construction firm.
Rowe's Construction has applied to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) to establish a sand quarry on the south side of the community. However, the land in question is to be transferred from the GNWT to the hamlet.
"So MACA will be advising Rowe's Construction that they cannot issue any quarry permits within the lands that are identified," said Terry Testart, the senior administrative officer (SAO) for the hamlet, at a council meeting on June 10.
The hamlet can do that after the lands are surveyed and transferred from the GNWT.
However, Testart said the hamlet lacks the staff to manage quarries, which would include getting deposits from companies for the remediation of quarry sites
Testart said he has asked MACA about the possibility of an agreement with the department to manage the quarry on behalf of the hamlet. The SAO also told council the hamlet cannot make a profit on quarries, just charge fees which would go into a reserve fund to cover reclamation and restoration of the land once the quarry closes.
Testart said he would investigate if there is some method of charging access fees for going across the land to a quarry.
- Paul Bickford
Fort Smith Seniors' Society elects executive
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Fort Smith Seniors' Society elected a new executive on June 18.
Leon Peterson was re-elected president, while Ib Kristensen sits as vice-president, Bea Campbell took on the role of treasurer, and the secretary position goes to Darlene Powder, who is the executive's only newcomer.
The executive is elected by the society's 10-member board of directors, which is chosen by the general membership at an annual general meeting.
Six new directors were elected at the annual general meeting on June 18, including Campbell, Powder, Jeanne LeGuerrier, Barb McArthur, Daryl Grundy and Mary Poitras.
Following that meeting, the new directors and four elected last year met separately and elected the executive.
- Paul Bickford
No decision on ice surface for Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
No decision has yet been made on how to provide a rink in Fort Smith for this coming winter after a May 13 fire damaged the Centennial Arena.
Fort Smith Mayor Brad Brake said the town is looking at two options. The first option is an outdoor rink.
Brake said the town has gotten feedback on an outdoor rink from user groups and is obtaining prices for such a rink.
No location has yet been selected, said the mayor.
"We've identified a couple of potentials, but we haven't really picked a definitive site, yet."
The second option is to build a so-called divestment wall at Centennial Arena, which would separate the area affected by the fire from the rest of the facility so construction to repair the damage could take place while the ice surface is being used.
Brake said insurance adjusters are still looking at that idea. The mayor said that option will be considered by the insurance company until it makes no economic sense.
- Paul Bickford
Election coming up
Pehdzeh Ki/Wrigley
Pehdzeh Ki First Nation has called an election for both chief and six councillors. The nomination period for candidates for the position of chief will end on July 10 and the period for councillors will end the following day. The election for chief will be held on July 24 followed by the election for councillors on July 25.
- Roxanna Thompson
Community cleanup
Aklavik
Aklavik is finishing up its annual Aklavik Community Cleanup Youth Contest, which was especially needed after the recent flooding in the community.
The contest is for all youth aged 15 and younger and ran from June 12 to June 24.
During the cleanup, youth leave the bags on the road outside their house and call the hamlet to get them to pick the garbage up. Youth are then given a dollar for each bag of garbage collected.
"Some kids get $100 to $200," said community member Michelle Gruben.
There is also a prize for the most amount of total garbage collected during the week, with the first-, second-, and third-place finishers amongst both boys and girls getting a prize. First prize is an iPad, second prize is an iPod Touch, and third place is a bike.
Adults are also participating, but there are no prizes for them.
- Cody Punter
Aboriginal Day drum dance
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Ulukhaktok celebrated Aboriginal Day with a barbecue outside the Kayutak Centre. Burgers and char and reindeer stir fry, as well as soup and roasted marshmallows were to be served.
There was also scheduled to be drum dancing provided by Western Style Drum Dance Group and Kangiramiut Central Style Drum Dance.
"They're very popular," said Gil Olifie, corporate manager at the Ulukhaktok Community Corporation.
"We usually have a good turn out," she said."Everything will be closed but we will spend two hours to celebrate."
- Cody Punter
Dehcho First Nations holds annual assembly
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Dehcho First Nations (DFN) is holding its annual assembly in Fort Providence from June 24 to 27.
According to the draft agenda, the assembly business will begin on June 25 including an audit report, and reports on DFN's core budget and operational plan.
On June 26, topics include an update on the Dehcho Process and the Dehcho Land Use Plan, and a report on Edehzhie. The assembly will conclude on June 27 with a report on DFN's master trust, an update on the Wildlife Act and the passing of resolutions.
- Roxanna Thompson
Aboriginal Day scavenger hunt
Tsiigehtchic/ Arctic Red River
Residents of Tsiigehtchic will be celebrating Aboriginal Day with a feast and some games.
Starting at 2 p.m. on Friday, there will be a community cookout with steak, fish and potatoes being served. There will be game for all ages, including foot races, egg toss, and animal calling. The recreation committee will also be holding a Gwich'in scavenger hunt as well.
- Cody Punter
Learning paddling techniques
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
Tsiigehtchic recently sent two youths from the community to an introduction to paddling canoe workshop in Inuvik.
Darius Andre, 12, and Davey Inglangasuk, 13, attended the two-day event which was put on by Paddle Canada, during the weekend of June 15.
According to chair of the recreation committee, Charlene Blake, they learned proper canoeing techniques as well as survival and rescue skills.
"Canoeing is a big thing in the community here so it will really benefit them," said Blake.
"I'm just hoping that they can now teach the other kids."
- Cody Punter
Aboriginal Day beach party
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Sachs Harbour was set to host Aboriginal Day down by the beach.
There was to be a community barbecue featuring traditional food, such as geese, fish and dry meat. The Sachs Harbour Community Corporation also put up posters to let people know they could bring their own traditional food to share with the community.
After the food, there was to be games for all ages, from toddlers to elders.
The games were to include tea boiling and harpoon throwing, as well as a bannock-making competition.
- Cody Punter
New bikes awarded
Qausuittuq/Resolute Bay
Two Grade 2 students at Qarmartalik School became the recipients of brand new bikes at the end of the academic year.
Jarome Idlout and Asta Idlout both had 100 per cent attendance from March 1 until June 14.
Principal Vince Pickett said the students haven't missed a day of class and that's worth celebrating.
- Danielle Sachs
Harbour nears completion
Panniiqtuuq/Pangnirtung
The main elements of the Pangnirtung Harbour project have been completed, said Hilary Prince, regional communications manager at Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The final phase of construction will be undertaken this summer. The remaining work includes completion of the marshaling area, completion of the fixed wharf and the installation of a new electrical system and floating wharves.
Work on the marshaling area will begin in mid-to-late June, while the remainder of the work to be completed depends on materials being delivered via sealift. Construction began in June, 2010 and is scheduled to be open and operational by the end of August.
- Myles Dolphin
Sign up for expedition
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
Arctic Bay youth aged 14 to 18 can participate in the Steve Amarualik Arctic Watch Youth Leadership Expedition, taking place July 1 to 12.
The trip is dedicated to the memory of Steve Amarualik, a fourteen-year-old Inuk from Resolute Bay who worked at Arctic Watch.
The program will include backpacking, kayaking, rafting, exploring, scientific research and guiding.
- Myles Dolphin
Diabetes walk comes to Gjoa Haven
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
Gjoa Haven's first Annual Run for Diabetes will took place June 21. The two-and-a-half- or five-kilometre walk or run was to get the community thinking about diabetes prevention and cure, said organizer Matt Gee.
The event started at the barge dock area but registration was ongoing all week at the Northern store.
"There are no fees, it is free for all ages. Children under the age of 18 will need their parents' consent and the first 200 runners will receive a free T-shirt and medal," said Gee.
"There are no winners or losers, this is just a fun event to raise awareness about diabetes."
- Danielle Sachs
Running club raising money
Sanikiluaq
The Paatsaali Running Club is auctioning a return ticket to anywhere in Nunavik in a fundraiser, with the winner announced on June 24.
The club is raising money to attend a five-, 10-, and 21-kilometre race in Winnipeg, held on Oct. 19. The club hosted a table and bake sale on June 20, a movie night on June 21 and will resume in September with a movie night every Saturday, a music night, a volleyball tournament and a Loonie Sale.
Two teams will be travelling to Winnipeg with organizer Terri Skinner. A senior boy and senior girl will be running in the 10-kilometre race with Skinner while two junior boys and two junior girls will run the five-kilometre race. The club received a $5,000 grant from Sport and Recreation Nunavut but it typically costs upwards of $15,000 to bring participants to a race.
- Myles Dolphin
ATVs used in cleanup
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Pangnirtung residents, young and old, were out in force on June 20 as they took part in a community cleanup.
Some people even used their ATV trailers to haul garbage and debris to the dump, said resident Kendra Imrie.
The event was followed by a community picnic where hot dogs were barbecued, among other foods.
- Myles Dolphin
Recognition for film
Naujaat/Repulse Bay
Students and staff members at Tusarvik School in Repulse Bay were thrilled by the news their film project earned national recognition earlier this month.
The script used for A Smile to Die For - written, filmed, edited and produced at Tusarvik - was named the ninth-place winner in the National Aboriginal Writing Challenge.
Nicole Nanordluk was recognized as the official scriptwriter.
- Darrell Greer
Games for Aboriginal Day
Kangiqtugaapik/Clyde River
Clyde River residents were scheduled to take part in traditional games, a picnic, a clothing contest and more during the National Aboriginal Day celebrations on June 21.
Recreation co-ordinator Archie Aipellee said eight summer students were busy building a barbecue for the event, which was to take place beside the baseball field.
- Myles Dolphin
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