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News Briefs: Monday, July 29, 2013
Nechalacho approved
Avalon Rare Metals' Nechalacho Project earned conditional approval from the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board on July 26. The board calls on Avalon to improve water quality at the Nechalacho site and the hydrometallurgical site, implement a wildlife and wildlife habitat protection plan and a wildlife effects monitoring program, and sign a socio-economic agreement with the GNWT to maximize benefits to NWT residents.
- NNSL staff
Forest fire report
Lightning caused one fire on Saturday in the North Slave region 102 km northwest of Lutsel K'e. The fire reached 500 hectares in size and was being monitored by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, according to its fire update website.
David Purchase, duty officer logistics with ENR, said the fire should not grow unless the area gets extreme dry and windy conditions.
Due to smoke from the fires in the Deh Cho region, including a large fire nearby of 53,000 hectares, the Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park remains closed. Purchase said ENR was working on keeping the fire away from the highway while protecting cabins and other properties in the surrounding area.
Information on those activities can be found on the NWTfire website. Purchase said there have been 219 fires so far this year, and 81 of those fires are still burning.
- Candace Thomson
Highway report
Highway 1 was reopened early Sunday morning with escorts guiding motorists through the fire zone between Jean Marie River and the junction with Highway 3. Smoke from a nearby forest fire closed the highway on Saturday, according to Department of Transportation communications manager Earl Blacklock. He stated in an e-mail the escorts would be required for the remainder of the day on Sunday.
According to the DOT Travel Alert website, Highway 1 between kilometre 412 and kilometre 322 remains closed due to fire.
- Candace Thomson
Housing report released
The Northwest Territories Teachers' Association released its second report on housing last month.
The second report focuses on every region in the territory and found teachers are paying anywhere from less than $800 to more than $1,600 per month for accommodations, plus utility costs. In the Beaufort Delta, 20 responders stated there were no acceptable housing units in their communities. Lowering rental costs and increasing the number of available housing rental units were identified as the top two ways to improve housing in the region.
- Kassina Ryder
Byelection at Salt River First Nation
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A byelection will be held on Aug. 12 to choose a councillor for Salt River First Nation in Fort Smith.
The candidates for the council seat are Chantel Bruno, Robert Kenneth Laviolette, Jericho Turnbull and Gloria Villebrun.
There will be a polling station in Fort Smith and another in Edmonton.
- Paul Bickford
Fire ban lifted in Enterprise
Enterprise
With the change in weather conditions earlier this month, a fire ban was lifted in Enterprise on July 15. However, the hamlet's fire department is still advising residents to use caution when lighting open fires. All fires should also be contained in approved fire pits.
An open fire ban had been initiated in Enterprise on June 25 due to hot, dry and windy conditions at that time. All fires, including ones in approved fire pits, were included in the ban.
- Paul Bickford
Outdoor market in Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The annual Summer Splash arts festival is set for Aug. 12 to 18 in Fort Smith
One of the activities will be an art and business outdoor market on Aug. 17. It will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mission Park.
The museum is looking for community artists, craftspeople and small business owners to participate in the outdoor market.
The outdoor market is being presented by the museum in partnership with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
- Paul Bickford
Election and acclamation in Wrigley
Pehdzeh Ki/Wrigley
The election for chief of Pehdzeh Ki First Nation in Wrigley was scheduled to be held on July 24 while the band council was chosen by acclamation.
Incumbents Elsie Hardisty and Lisa Moses; along with Mary Clillie, Gloria Hardisty, Michael Pellissey and Gaylene Moses, will take office as band councillors on July 25. They will all serve two-year terms.
The three candidates for the position of chief were David Moses, Joseph Lloyd Moses and Sharon Pellissey. The elected candidate will serve a three-year term.
- Roxanna Thompson
Time to cool off
Aklavik
About 40 youths showed up for the opening of Aklavik's pool on July 16.
The pool was free for the entire week and plenty of people came out to take advantage of the time in the water.
Programming has now started for the summer, with swimming lessons being held every Tuesday and Thursday. Lessons are taking place from 3 to 3:45 p.m. for youth aged 10 and up and from 2:30 to 3 p.m. for children 10 and under.
The pool is also open for families every day from 6 to 7 p.m, and on Saturday, the pool is open for all ages swimming.
"The kids are liking it," said Riley Furlong, one of the lifeguards at the pool.
The pool will be open until the end of August.
- Cody Punter
Maintaining water quality
Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
Between July 29 and Aug. 2, two to three members of the community will be receiving training from Corix Water Systems to become back-up water treatment plan operators. The community purchased a water treatment plant from the company in October 2011.
- Roxanna Thompson
A taste of the working world
Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake
Summer students with the Sambaa K'e Dene Band and the Sambaa K'e Development Corporation are staying busy. Some students have been building a garden shed and picnic tables, while others are doing an inventory of the community's public works department garage. Some of the students are also answering phones and doing office work at the band office.
- Roxanna Thompson
Summer games
Aklavik
The annual Shingle Point Summer Games was set to take place this past weekend
For the first time, Parks Canada was to partner with the summer games and have representatives tell stories about the land. It was also to provide the food for the weekend.
The weekend was set to kick off with some small games and a scavenger hunt on July 26. The main event of the weekend though was to begin on July 27 as members of the community took part in kipotuk, an Inuvialuit game similar to the ring toss.
"It's quite long because there will be 150 to 200 people there for the games," said Michelle Gruben, from the Shingle Point Summer Games committee, last week.
There will be 18 prizes for adults and 18 prizes for youth. Some of the prizes include a portable shower for use on the land, stoves, iPods, and more.
"I hope I win that shower," said Gruben.
- Cody Punter
Golfing for gold
Ulukhaktkok/Holman
Ulukhaktkok successfully completed its 26th annual Billy Joss Open golf tournament from July 19 to 21, with winners in four categories. The tournament is named after Scottish Hudson Bay Company manager Billy Joss, the first person to bring golf clubs to the community.
Peter Okheena won the masters category, with second place taken by Richard Notaina, and third place by Roger Connolly. Dale Nigiyok won the men's category, second place went to Gary Okheena, and third place went to Adrian Kagyut.
Jane Okeena took first place in the women's category, Louise Nigiyok placed second, and third place went to Helen Olifie.
Brendan Kanayok won the youth category. Brandon Okheena was behind him in second place, and Connor Sullivan followed in third.
The winners of the master's, women's and men's categories each received cash prizes of $500 for first place, $400 for second place and $300 for third place.
In the youth category, participants received $200 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place.
Between 17 and 19 MLAs also attended the event, including Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson and Tom Beaulieau,
minister of Health and Social Services.
"It was a really good turnout," said Adele Okheena, administrative assistant with the hamlet.
- Cody Punter
Beluga harvest
Paulatuk
Earlier this month, two beluga monitors started working with whale harvesters in Paulatuk. Jodi Illasiak and Brandon Green will be taking samples for the True Northern Contaminants Program over a 23-day period.
To monitor the whales, they have installed underground sound monitors and cameras on Greens Island.
Harvesters are also helping the Department of Fisheries and Oceans with more general information about the whales.
Diane Ruben, resource person with the Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Organization, said sampling from last year showed contaminants in the whales have increased.
"The good thing about it is that we can point to the time the levels increased," said Ruben, adding they have yet to determine what led to the rise.
"That's another question that needs to be answered. That's something we're going to try and figure out."
- Cody Punter
A whale of time
Tuktoyaktuk
The Tuktoyaktuk's Community Corporation has been managing whaling camps to teach people in the community about hunting whales for the past few weeks. Elders Sam Pingo and Rita Green, have been running the whaling camp, while elders Angus and Evelyn Cockney have been running a net setting and dry-fish-making camp.
The camps started during the week of July 8, with a session for youth and adults up to the age of 50. The following week, the camp was for people older than 50, while a third and final camp open to all ages was finishing up last week.
"The whole notion of going out and hunting whale is quite a skill to learn," said Barney Masuzumi, manager of the Tuktoyaktuk Development Corporation.
"It takes people years to learn because we have to learn the habits of all the different kinds of whales," said Masuzumi.
He said once people had learned to track whales, they have to learn how to harpoon the whale properly so it doesn't sink.
"Then the real work begins, and that's the cutting up of the whale," he said, adding it's an activity everyone can get involved in.
"It's a real family thing."
- Cody Punter
Kugluktuk woman killed in crash
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
An early-morning mishap killed a female driver in her twenties and injured four passengers when the pickup truck they were riding in crashed on a road leading to the dump outside Kugluktuk on July 20. Three of the passengers had to be medevaced to hospital in the south.
As of July 24, the fourth passenger had been released from the health centre and police were investigating the crash with the assistance of the coroner's office.
At the request of the families, RCMP are not releasing the names of the people involved.
A majority of the community was grieving for the victim, whose funeral was held last week.
- Danielle Sachs
Kimmirut man gets prison for shooting
Iqaluit
A 21-year-old Kimmirut man was sentenced to five and a half years in a federal penitentiary for shooting at the RCMP detachment in the community last summer.
After a night of heavy drinking on July 28, 2012, Joe Utye walked towards the police detachment and began firing a .303-calibre rifle. Thirteen shots penetrated the detachment while seven penetrated a police vehicle.
Utye was eventually apprehended by community members and tied up, according to a written decision issued by Justice Robert Kilpatrick on July 16. He pleaded guilty to one charge of recklessly discharging a firearm in March. Utye was given a credit of 75 weeks for the approximately 50 weeks he spent in pre-trial detention.
- Myles Dolphin
Arctic Fibre starts surveys
Nunavut
Arctic Fibre Inc. will begin its physical landing site surveys at seven locations across the territory beginning Aug. 19, according to a press release issued on July 25.
A seven-person team will visit communities in Nunavut - Iqaluit, Cape Dorset, Hall Beach, Igloolik, Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven and Cambridge Bay - and northern Quebec (Deception Bay).
Site times and community meetings are tentative and may vary according to weather conditions.
The surveys will determine a location in each community where the backbone cable will be installed, the first step toward establishing broadband telecommunications.
- Myles Dolphin
Cleanup planned at Contwoyto station
Contwoyto station
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) is seeking contractors for the remediation of the Contwoyto Lake weather station.
According to an AANDC report released last year, there is an estimated 505 cubic metres of metal and petroleum-contaminated soil at the site that is to be removed.
The site, 190 km southwest of Bathurst Inlet, was originally built in 1956 by the now defunct Pacific Western Airlines, along with living quarters and an airstrip.
The site was acquired in 1978 by Transport Canada, who established the site as a telecommunications and navigational aid station.
The site was later handed over to the Coppermine Hunters and Trappers Organization, who used the site as an outpost camp.
- Graeme McNaughton
New patient relations office
Nunavut
The government of Nunavut has opened a patient relations office to handle complaints and questions from Nunavummiut.
Residents can contact the office if they need help navigating the health-care system, if they have questions about patient rights or if they have concerns about care and services.
The office will also work to address issues brought forward by patients and may make recommendations after investigating concerns.
All feedback provided to the office is confidential.
- Miranda Scotland
Committee cares
Qausuittuq/Resolute
A new daycare and child services committee is starting up in Resolute.
There used to be a committee, but most of the members left or moved away, said Angela Idlout.
The main responsibilities of the committee involve discussing issues and making the hiring decisions for childcare services in the hamlet.
Idlout said they were hoping for at least seven members, but anyone interested in joining can contact the hamlet office or add their name to a sign up sheet at the co-op.
- Danielle Sachs
Softball tournament postponed
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
A softball tournament that was going to be held in Rankin Inlet on the July 20-21 weekend has been postponed until September.
The event date was changed due to a series of unfortunate events, Robert Connelly, Rankin Inlet Co-ed Softball League spokesperson, wrote in an e-mail.
"That said, we are very excited about hosting the tournament in September and are very optimistic that we will have strong local and regional participation (and perhaps even Territorial participation)."
The winner of the tournament will move on to the Canadian nationals in 2014.
- Miranda Scotland
Happenings in the community
Igluligaarjuk/Chesterfield Inlet
Minor upgrades are currently being made to Chesterfield Inlet's hamlet complex.
There are plans to put in new windows, paint the building inside and outside, as well as upgrade mechanical systems, such as the boiler system and the fuel tank. The budget for the project is $500,000 and it is expected to be finished by the end of the year, according to the hamlet's economic development officer David Kattegatsiak.
Additionally, the hamlet is set to finish upgrades to the community baseball diamond this summer. Workers will complete the chain link fence and smooth out the field, said Kattegatsiak.
Meanwhile, last month a first aid and WHMIS course was held at the hamlet complex. The program was open to any community members who wished to participate. Close to a dozen residents showed up.
- Miranda Scotland
Pond Inlet trip cancelled
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
The Students on Ice Arctic 2013 expedition was unable to make it to Pond Inlet last week because of ice conditions in the area.
Communications and media relations manager Barbara Hayes said the group decided to update its route before crossing the David Strait from Greenland.
"Our updated itinerary includes Pangnirtung, Auyuittuq National Park, Monumental Island, and Lady Franklin Island," she said. "We are still looking forward to our visit to Iqaluit on July 27," she added.
- Myles Dolphin
Snacks for garbage
Naujaat/Repulse Bay
A community cleanup was held in Repulse Bay on July 16.
More than 100 people turned up to help out with the effort. Those who participated were treated to a barbecue, which was put on by the Northern Store.
- Miranda Scotland
Derby days
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
Come the long weekend in August, the people of Kugluktuk will take to the water in hopes of landing two return tickets to Edmonton or anywhere in the Kitikmeot through airline Canadian North.
That is if they can land the biggest fish during a fish derby from Aug. 2 through 5.
The final weigh-in is scheduled for Aug. 5 at 10 p.m., and the top prize goes to the person who has caught the three heaviest fish.
- Danielle Sachs
Youth up for Games
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
Two more Arctic Bay youth have signed up to take part in territorial tryouts for the Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks, Alaska, next March.
Jaypiti Olayuk and Donovan Qaunaq will join Gideon Allurut and Robert Barnabus in Chesterfield Inlet for the tryouts, to be held in August.
The athletes in the Inuit games competition compete in one-foot high kick, two-foot high kick, Alaskan high kick, kneel jump, sledge jump and triple jump.
- Myles Dolphin
Diamond drillers ready
Arviat
Twelve students were expected to finish a program at Northern College last week that teaches the basic knowledge and skills needed to assist a surface diamond drill operator.
During the program, the students took courses on operating hand and power tools, protecting the natural environment, working safely in a surface diamond drilling environment and following certain procedures.
The program was expected to wrap up July 26.
- Miranda Scotland
Community cleans up
Sanirajaq/Hall Beach
Hall Beach held its community clean-up from July 25 to 26. The event was part of Northmart's Greener Tomorrow community fundraising program, which gave $6,000 back to the community.
Fourteen residents signed up to collect litter in the hamlet. A loader was used to collect larger items, such as snowmobiles and boats.
"It's made a huge difference," said acting senior administrative officer Tracy Laine. The event was followed by a barbecue, and all 14 participants were eligible for a draw to win two Canadian North tickets. The tickets - donated by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association for Nunavut Day - recently arrived in the community.
"We decided to use them for the clean-up as a way of thanking our participants," Laine said.
- Myles Dolphin
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