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News Briefs: Monday, August 19, 2013

Prime Minister visiting Hay River

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will visit Hay River on Aug. 20 and members of the public are invited to the Don Stewart Recreation Centre at 9:15 a.m. for an event set to commence at 9:45 a.m., said Mayor Andrew Cassidy at a town council meeting Aug. 12.

The stop in Hay River is part of Harper's eighth consecutive Northern Tour. He will also be stopping in the Yukon, Nunavut and northern Quebec between Aug. 18 and 23.

The prime minister stated in a news release that he will be speaking with Northerners about Arctic sovereignty, economic development, skills training and job creation.

- Sarah Ladik

Fort Smith stabbing

RCMP are on the lookout for a suspect from an Aug. 16 stabbing in Fort Smith.

The male victim, who is in his 20s, was stabbed outside of the Landing Lounge bar just after 2 a.m. The victim was taken to Fort Smith Hospital, then transferred to Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife with non-life threatening injuries.

Fort Smith RCMP have identified a male suspect, but no formal charges have been laid.

- Daniel Campbell

New sewage lagoon in Deline

Construction on a new sewage lagoon is underway in Deline, according to the Sahtu Land and Water Board.

The new lagoon is being built about four kilometres north of Deline near the community's new solid waste site, stated a report published by the board. The site was chosen to allow wastewater discharged from the lagoon to travel through wetlands before entering Great Bear Lake.

The lagoon, which was designed by Stantec Architecture Ltd., is expected to last 20 years.

Plans to close the community's old lagoon and dump sites are scheduled to be submitted to the board by summer 2014, the report stated. The GNWT has committed to funding an environmental assessment and developing closure plans with Deline. The new lagoon could be operational by November.

- Kassina Ryder

Spiritual gathering in Deline

The 22nd Deline Annual Spiritual Gathering, which began Aug. 14, is scheduled to wrap up today.

Stories and meals were shared and workshops were hosted at the cultural centre and the Prophet Ayha's House in Deline. More than 150 people usually attend the event and many visitors from out of town are hosted by Deline residents.

- Lyndsay Herman

Married with children

Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour

After a decade of waiting, Lorainna Elanik is finally getting married to her partner Vernon Amos. The couple has been together for 10 years and engaged for nine. Elanik said they finally decided to get married for their children's sake.

"We just wanted to get married, mostly for our kids because we want to be committed to each other forever," said Elanik

Elanik and Amos have four girls: Agnes, 9 Livia, 7, Adria, 4, and Abigail, nine months.

The wedding was scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. on Aug. 14 on the beach depending on the weather.

Everyone from the community was invited to come to the beach to celebrate the wedding.

The couple planned to have their reception at the school later on that evening where there would be dinner and dancing.

The wedding was originally supposed to take place on July 25, but there was a death in the community so the wedding date was changed.

Elanik joked that after waiting for nine years, having to wait one more month was hardly a concern.

Elanik added it was also difficult finding someone that could marry them, but finally found Eugene Rees, who is a justice of the peace.

"We were relieved to finally find him," she said.

- Cody Punter

New offices for officers

Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution

New offices are under construction for probation officer Faye Aviugana and economic development officer Amy Mersch, according to a newsletter released by the Deninu Ku'e First Nation (DKFN).

The new offices, located in the community wellness office in the DKFN office, will not only be larger but will be more secure and have a separate entrance from the First Nation office's entrance.

The offices are expected to be completed by the end of September and John Bjornson is the contractor on the job.

- Lyndsay Herman

Black bears active in Fort Simpson

Thebacha/Fort Smith

Fort Simpson residents are being reminded to follow bear safety precautions.

Since the beginning of August, there has been an increase in reported bear activity in the village, said Carl Lafferty, the regional superintendent with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The annual spike in activity happens yearly around this time, he said, adding there are many ripe berries around the village. Residents are not advised to walk alone in the evenings or mornings and to remain aware of their surroundings by not using devices such as iPods.

The department has killed five bears this month as of Aug. 13, and an additional three since the beginning of May. Two of the bears were cubs.

- Roxanna Thompson

Graduation ceremony in Fort Providence

Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution

Deh Gah School was scheduled to celebrate the achievements of eight students on Aug. 16.

The school was to hold a high school graduation ceremony at 3 p.m. in its gymnasium. A dinner and dance was to follow at 6 p.m. All of the events were open to the entire community.

Some students who still have a bit longer to wait before they graduate, returned to classes at Deh Gah School on Aug. 7.

- Roxanna Thompson

Gahcho Ku'e tour

Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution

A tour of De Beers Canada's Gahcho Ku'e diamond mine, hosted by the Deninu Ku'e First Nation, was scheduled for Aug. 12. Those expected to attend included Louis Balsillie, Frank Lafferty, Dave Pierrot, Darin McKay, Leonard Beaulieu, Delta McKay, Martha Beaulieu, Violet Bailey, Charles Sayine, and Arthur Lafferty.

The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board released a recommendation for conditional approval in July and the project is currently waiting on final regulatory approval from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

- Lyndsay Herman

Blues win tournament

Paulatuk

Paulatuk hosted its fourth-annual softball tournament from Aug. 6 to 8. There were four teams - three from Paulatuk and one from Tuktoyaktuk.

The Paulatuk Blues won the tournament, with the Tuk Kripplers in second. Third place went to Paulatuk Number Two.

The championship game was decided on the afternoon of Aug. 8, with the Blues ultimately winning 16-11 over the Kripplers.

The top female award for the tournament went to Keasha Green from the Paulatuk Blues. Top male went to Lenny Gruben from the Tuk Kripplers.

The awards ceremony took place at the youth centre on Aug. 8 where food was provided for all the participants.

- Cody Punter

Waiting for the barge

Ulukhaktok/Holman

The first few weeks for new school principal Geoff Buerger have been filled with ups and downs. Buerger said he has been welcomed by the community and has met lots of interesting people.

"The kids are awesome and I'm really pleased with how things are going."

Buerger was given a cultural introduction to the community by a group of elders. He says he learned a great deal, especially about some of the hardships faced during the residential schools period. On Aug. 12, a cruise ship and dropped anchor in the harbour. On Aug. 13, Buerger took the school children down to the community centre for a drum dance that was held to greet the visitors on the ship.

It has not all been good news, however. Buerger says the community is still waiting for the barge carrying school supplies to arrive.

"They were supposed to be up there by early August but now it looks like they will not be arriving until September," said Buerger.

"I assume it's been held up by weather but that's just speculation," said Buerger, who added it has been very windy recently.

- Cody Punter

Safe to eat

Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River

A food safety course is being held in Jean Marie River on Aug. 22 beginning at 9 a.m.

Students will return to Louie Norwegian School on Sept. 3.

- Roxanna Thompson

Happy Daze in Behchoko

Behchoko/Rae-Edzo

After wrapping up the Tlicho Annual Gathering, Behchoko hosted Happy Daze from Aug. 9 to Aug. 11. The weekend events were scheduled to include family-friendly activities such as family bingo, a scavenger hunt, a family dance, horseshoe and cribbage.

- Lyndsay Herman

Teenager struck by vehicle

Iqaluit

An Iqaluit teenager was struck by a vehicle on the afternoon of Aug. 14, near the Arctic Ventures Marketplace.

The boy sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital. The accident happened two weeks after a four-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle and killed near the same location.

The RCMP is investigating the incident.

- Myles Dolphin

PM confirms visit

Nunavut

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office confirmed reports Aug. 16 that he will be visiting Gjoa Haven this month as part of his annual Northern Tour.

He announced he will be travelling to Whitehorse Aug. 18, followed by Hay River on Aug. 19, Gjoa Haven on Aug. 21, Rankin Inlet on Aug. 22 and

Raglan Mine on Aug. 23.

Joining him on the tour is Nunavut MP and cabinet minister Leona Aglukkaq, and other politicians.

Harper is expected to make announcements and consult with Nunavummiut "in order to reinforce our government's commitment to helping Northerners derive maximum benefit from their natural resources, finding solutions to current and future skilled labour shortages, supporting clean energy initiatives and finally, safeguarding our sovereignty," stated a release from his office.

- Miranda Scotland

Nunavut visit part of audit

Ottawa

A 2011 visit by then-Conservative senator Pamela Wallin to Alert by way of Iqaluit is under review as part of an audit into the embattled senator's expenses.

According to the audit, Wallin flew from Ottawa to Iqaluit and then on to Alert for an honorary visit. From there, Wallin flew to Canadian Forces Base Trenton, then went on to Toronto.

Wallin claimed all of the expenses as Senate business. However the company doing the audit stated she had flown to Toronto to be part of a television panel on the 2011 federal election, which was deemed to not be government business and therefore must be repaid.

On Aug. 13, Wallin was ordered by the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration to repay more than $120,000 in expenses. Wallin thus far has repaid more than $38,000.

- Graeme McNaughton

Dates revealed for Toonik Tyme

Iqaluit

Toonik Tyme, Iqaluit's spring festival, will be held from April 11-20 next year, said Toonik Tyme Society member Emily Ridlington. The society will be looking for volunteers and board members during registration, held in September. Iqaluit residents have been celebrating Toonik Tyme since 1965.

- Myles Dolphin

More eye glasses

Iqaluit

Nunavummiut will soon be able to order glasses online and have access to more eye exams from Baffin Optical in Iqaluit.

Polar Vision Centres Ltd., which operated Baffin Optical in Iqaluit, is making changes to its inventory and also hiring an optometrist for its Iqaluit store. Polar Vision general manager Charlie Thode said the company's ability to travel is restricted and residents in small communities are under-serviced as a result.

"We know about the problems they are experiencing and as a result, we've revamped our entire inventory," he said. "We've upgraded to new styles and have a much wider selection available. Our customers will also soon be able to order high-quality glasses from our online website, which we can service during our visits to communities."

Thode said Baffin Optical will move to a bigger location in Iqaluit, "hopefully in October."

- Myles Dolphin

Film crew jets through

Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay

The arrival of men riding four jet skis in Cambridge Bay last week sparked curiosity among residents. It was discovered that the visitors are from a reality TV show titled Dangerous Waters.

On Aug. 15 the team posted an announcement of their arrival in Cambridge Bay, saying they would stay two days before departing for Gjoa Haven.

- Miranda Scotland

Derby days in Kugluktuk

Kugluktuk/Coppermine

Residents pulled out their fishing rods and baited their hooks earlier this month in hopes of catching a fish that would win them the top prize in the hamlet's derby.

Eighteen prizes were up for grabs, including Canadian North tickets, gift cards, cash and life jackets.

According to Jessica VanOverbeek, 129 residents participated in the event, which ran from Aug. 2 to 5.

It was a beautiful weekend for it, she added.

"Sunny and warm, but perhaps a little too warm for the fish as they didn't bite as much as they were the weekend before the derby," VanOverbeek wrote in an e-mail to Nunavut News/North.

The big winner for the weekend was Marie Allupik. She won twice under the daily harvest category, first and second in the other fish category and top fisherman.

Eric Hitkolok also did well, winning first in the char category and again for daily harvest.

- Miranda Scotland

Filming in Qikiqtarjuaq

Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island

A television crew from Ontario will be spending a few days in Qikiqtarjuaq next week working on a production about climate change.

The group from Primitive Entertainment, a Toronto-based company, should be arriving on Aug. 23 or Aug. 24 after spending time in Iqaluit.

"We're producing a 10-hour television series that should air next spring in Canada and in Europe," said Primitive Entertainment producer Kevin McMahon.

Other crews are currently filming in Pond Inlet and Gjoa Haven.

The crews are travelling across Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Greenland to speak with residents, scientists and artists about climate change.

Every hour of the series will feature different communities, scientists and artists, such as a performance by Tanya Tagaq and shark-tagging in Cambridge Bay. The series is scheduled to air on TVOntario and the Knowledge Network.

- Myles Dolphin

Cruise ships headed for Cape Dorset

Kinngait/Cape Dorset

The community of Cape Dorset is expecting two visits by cruise ships this month.

One of the ships is scheduled to arrive on Aug. 20 and the other on Aug. 30, said Kristiina Alariaq, manager of Huit Huit tours.

The 120 visitors on board each cruise will be treated to a tour around town, a visit to Mallikjuaq Territorial Park and a throat singing display on the ship.

The town tour will include a stop at the local West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative where visitors will see an artist carving and a print demonstration.

Artists will also be selling their work at the community hall, said Alariaq.

- Miranda Scotland

Music and dance camp

Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung

A music and dance camp in its fourth year was held in Pangnirtung from Aug. 12 to 15.

Approximately 25 youth took part in the event, held at Attagoyuk Ilisavik School and featured guitar, singing and accordion lessons.

Three youth from Iglulik were also in Pangnirtung to teach Hukki, an Iglulik style of dancing. They were returning the favour as Pangnirtungmiut had been to Iglulik from July 29 to Aug. 1 to run a similar camp, said one of the co-ordinators, Danny Ishulutak.

- Myles Dolphin

Narwhals harvested in Kugaaruk

Kugaaruk/Pelly Bay

Community members in Kugaaruk have been filling their bellies with narwhal muktuk this summer.

Vincent Ningark, who works for the hamlet, said he's heard of about 20 narwhals being caught.

However, this year has been slower than previous years due to the ice buildup in the bay, he added.

Nonetheless, many of the hunters have been kind enough to share the muktuk with their families and other residents, said Vincent.

- Miranda Scotland

Cans for the cure

Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet

Cancer survivor Veronica Tattuinee is calling on Rankin Inlet residents to bring all their empty pop and beer cans her way.

Tattuinee will turn the cans over to the Kissarvik Coop and use the funds she receives to put towards the CIBC's Run For The Cure.

Anyone interested in helping out can give Tattuinee a call, or, if interested in making a straight donation, look up the V Team on the Run For The Cure website.

The CIBC's Run For The Cure is scheduled to be held on Oct. 8.

- Darrell Greer

Road conditions improving

Kimmirut/Lake Harbour

A mobile crusher recently arrived in Kimmirut, where it began crushing gravel at the quarry pit. The resulting material will be used for road repairs.

Road conditions will slowly improve over the coming weeks, said senior administrative officer Saqiqtaq Temela.

The crusher arrived via sealift at the beginning of August.

- Myles Dolphin

Special delivery

Tikirarjuaq/Kangiqliniq

Whale Cove/Rankin Inlet

Three brothers from Chevery, Que., sailed about 2,700 km to deliver a boat purchased by Louis Voisey of Whale Cove to Rankin Inlet earlier this month.

The fibreglass boat was refurbished by the brothers and was used for the first time in a decade when it set sail for Rankin.

It took the brothers 20 days to make the trip to Rankin from Quebec in the 33-year-old boat.

- Darrell Greer

Ships visiting High Arctic

Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay

A Canadian Department of Defence ship, the HMCS Summerside, made stops in both Arctic Bay and Grise Fiord last week.

The ship was scheduled to arrive in Grise Fiord on Aug. 13, but was delayed because of ice conditions near Jones Sound, said senior administrative officer Marty Kuluguqtuq. It arrived on Aug. 16 instead. The ship made a stop in Arctic Bay on Aug. 14 and its passengers were treated to a demonstration of Inuit sports, according to recreation co-ordinator Thomas Levi.

- Myles Dolphin

Bike safety

Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet

More than 30 youths received some great tips on how to stay safe while having fun on their bikes during the summer months in Rankin Inlet earlier this month.

The bike rodeo was jointly sponsored by the Rankin detachment of the RCMP and the local Department of Public Health.

The children received a safety presentation and video display inside the public health office before getting additional pointers while riding their bikes in the safety of the parking lot in front of the public health building.

The youths also received some cool prizes and were treated to a special barbecue for the occasion, cooked and prepared by health staff workers, at the end of the rodeo.

- Darrell Greer