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News Briefs: Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Driver accused of striking elderly pedestrian
Toni-Lynn Buggins-Godin is due to appear in court today in connection with a traffic accident that sent a 90-year-old pedestrian to hospital last Thursday. Buggins-Godin has been charged with driving while disqualified, careless driving and failing to yield right of way to a pedestrian. The pedestrian was pinned underneath a pickup truck at a downtown crosswalk before firefighter could free her. She is on life support in an Edmonton hospital, according to Damien Healy, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Services.
- Daniel Campbell
Ndilo chief election results upheld
Shirley Tsetta's appeal of the election results for Ndilo chief has been overruled by the election committee for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
Tsetta appealed the election results after she lost to Ernest Betsina by a single vote on June 11.
Tsetta alleged the returning officer had changed election policy at the last minute and, as a result, the proxy vote of one voter had been rendered ineligible.
However, in reviewing the appeal, the election committee found the appeal complaints were not valid.
- Cody Punter
Summer bus schedule
Yellowknife Transit changed to its summer schedule yesterday.
The Route 3 summer schedule is now in effect, while service for routes one, two and express ended for the summer. Route 3 summer service begins at 6:50 a.m. and ends at 6:50 p.m. The summer schedule will be in effect until Aug. 23.
- Daniel Campbell
Prospect North tickets for sale
Those interested in taking part in this year's Prospects North business conference can now purchase advance tickets before Aug. 1. Registration fees include tickets to the opening reception, conference programs, and dinners that span three days.
Confirmed speakers at the conference are Gaeton Caron, CEO of the National Energy Board; Susanna Cluff-Clyburne, director of parliamentary affairs of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and more.
The conference will take place between Sept. 9 and 11 at the Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife.
- Candace Thomson
Youth facing 40 charges
Rankin Inlet/Baker Lake
A youth is facing 40 charges for property-related offences he allegedly carried out in two Kivalliq communities, according to Crown prosecutor Leah Winters.
The teen, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is charged with numerous counts of break and enter, theft and breach of conditions for incidents that allegedly occurred between March and May.
He is accused of breaking into Kativik Ltd. and the Royal Canadian Legion branch in Rankin Inlet.
He was taken into custody for those crimes and later released on conditions, which required him to reside in Baker Lake.
While in the community, the teen is alleged to have broken into the First Canadian Store. He is facing seven charges related to crimes in the area.
Growing the local economy
Igluligaarjuk/Chesterfield Inlet
Discussions regarding an economic plan for Chesterfield Inlet are ongoing in the community.
Over the past few months, consultants have met with local business owners, Arctic College students, elders and residents who are unemployed to identify opportunities for development in the community. An open house was held in December, with plans for another in the near future.
David Kattegatsiak, the hamlet's economic development officer, said the community members had much to add to the discussion.
Community recommendations include looking into preserving heritage sites in and outside of Chesterfield Inlet, building a visitor centre and museum, upgrading infrastructure, such as the arena and the hamlet complex, and providing training programs.
Once the consultations wrap up, a new economic development plan will be created and submitted to council for approval.
Blast from the past
Igluligaarjuk/Chesterfield Inlet
A former Chesterfield Inlet resident returned to his birthplace earlier this month to put on a presentation.
Marc Patry, whose father was a doctor in the community decades ago, shared slides of the hamlet taken during the 1950s and 1960s as well as a movie.
Few people showed up to the first open house, but more turned up near the end of the weekend, according to David Kattegatsiak, the hamlet's economic development officer.
"It was a good turnout," he said.
Inuit miniatures and models
Igluligaarjuk/Chesterfield Inlet
A student from the University of Oxford in England visited Chesterfield Inlet earlier this year to discuss the role of miniatures and models in Inuit life.
Astrid Knight brought pictures of the art pieces from Cape Fullerton with her and hosted open house sessions.
According to a project summary she provided to the hamlet, Knight's goal was to "learn more about the kinds of Inuit values and knowledge associated with miniatures and models, and about what changes have occurred in the production, use and distribution" of these pieces over the past century.
Knight's findings are to be used in an anthropology thesis.
Summer work for students
Salliq/Coral Harbour
The Hamlet of Coral Harbour recently hired four summer students.
Three of the youth have been assigned to the recreation department while the fourth is working for the hamlet office.
The students' responsibilities include helping with maintenance work and planning activities for children in the community.
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