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News Briefs: Monday, August 26, 2013
Pilot missing after crash
Search and rescue personnel are searching for the pilot of an aircraft after wreckage was discovered near Fort Smith in the early morning hours of Aug. 23.
The aircraft had left Scott Lake, Sask., at 7 p.m. on Aug. 22, heading to an unknown location, and was reported overdue at 1 a.m. on Aug. 23, stated an RCMP news release.
The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre based in Trenton, Ont., dispatched a crew in a Hercules aircraft from the Winnipeg Air Base and located the plane partially submerged in water approximately 80 km northwest of Stony Rapids, Sask., on the NWT side of the border.
Fort Smith RCMP were alerted to the plane crash at about 5 a.m.
The pilot was the lone occupant of the plane.
As of press time, the Fort Smith RCMP were working with Stony River RCMP, Transport Canada and the Office of the Chief Coroner to locate the pilot, said RCMP Cpl. Barry Ledoux.
A Regina RCMP dive team was expected to be on scene on Aug. 24.
- Laura Busch
Dene Nation endorses health care changes
The Dene Nation of the Northwest Territories became the first aboriginal group in Canada to endorse the Canadian Medical Association's (CMA) Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation in Canada earlier this month.
The principles were created in 2011 to help guide the transformation of the health care system in Canada into a system that is sustainable, patient-centered and focused more on prevention, according to a news release.
- Graeme McNaughton
Dead muskox found
The Department of Natural Resources is warning people who have come into contact with dead muskox on Banks Island to visit the health centre.
Muskox carcasses were reported to the department earlier this month.
Judy McLinton, the department's communications manager, stated in an e-mail that kits were sent to both hunters and trappers committees (HTC) in both Sachs Harbour and Ulukhaktok to get testing samples. The samples will be tested to determine the cause of death.
- Kassina Ryder
Arena be used in Smith
The Town of Fort Smith is considering using the ice surface at the fire-damaged Centennial Arena.
Mayor Brad Brake said discussions are ongoing with the NWT fire marshal's office. The ice surface might be used while repairs take place in other sections of the arena, which was damaged by fire in May.
- Paul Bickford
Culture camp on Mission Island
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
The annual Deninu Ku'e First Nation Culture Camp is taking place this week in Fort Resolution.
The camp began on Aug. 23 at Mission Island and will be open to visitors until Aug. 29.
There will be demonstration venues including how to make dry meat, dry fish, nets, crafts, bannock, as well as how to set snares, drumming, craft making, dancing, jigging and canoeing.
The venues will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. daily.
- Paul Bickford
Presentation on research in park
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Betsy Arnold, a researcher from the University of Arizona, gave a presentation in Fort Smith on Aug. 15 on her upcoming research in Wood Buffalo National Park.
The presentation was titled Fungal Endophytes of the Boreal Biome: Keys to Understanding the Evolution of the Plant-Fungal Symbioses.
Arnold will be studying endophytic fungi and their function in boreal forests. Endophytic fungi are one of the most common, but least-studied, group of symbionts on Earth.
Endophytes occur in healthy above-ground tissue of all plants. They are defined as fungi living within plants or lichens without causing detectable symptoms of disease.
- Paul Bickford
Come together
Aklavik
An elder and youth day camp focusing on berry picking was scheduled to take place on Aug. 22, weather permitting.
The camp was supposed to leave by boat at 10 a.m. and return by 8 p.m.
It was open to elders over the age of 50 and youth between the ages of 12 and 29. By Aug. 20, the camp was all booked.
The camp was organized and funded by the Aklavik Justice Committee as part of its youth crime prevention program.
Carol Debbie of the Aklavik Justice Committee said organizers decided to run the event after the success of an event the committee ran in the spring.
"They've been asking for something similar ever since," she said. "We saw the youth being more respectful after they went out with the elders on the land."
Debbie said one of the reasons people don't get out on the land is because the price of gas is too high. costing $1.98 per litre in Aklavik.
She said the camp's focus is on berries, but if they happened to see a caribou, they would hunt it and split it up between the elders.
- Cody Punter
Free meal in summer
Aklavik
The Aklavik Indian Band was scheduled to host Chicken Soup for the Soul at noon on Aug. 21.
The free meal was scheduled to take place at the Chief Andrew Stewart Building.
The event is funded by Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's program for homeless people.
Normally the events are hosted in the colder months, but Knute Hansen, band operations officer with the Aklavik Indian Band, said a recent cold snap prompted the band to organize a meal in the summer.
"We do this once or twice a week in the winter," said Hansen. "It's really cooled off after having such a long summer, so we figured why not have one right now."
- Cody Punter
Territorial park reopens
Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park
Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park reopened to the public on Aug. 16.
The park had been closed since July 19 as the result of nearby forest fires. The season for territorial parks in the NWT lasts until Sept. 15.
- Roxanna Thompson
End of summer camp
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
Sylvia Norman, 17, will be returning to Inuvik after having spent the last few months working as a summer student at a day camp in her home community of Tsiigehtchic.
Norman said she taught many fun activities to the youth over the summer, including arts and crafts, swimming, canoeing, soccer and baseball. Norman even got to do a bit of learning of her own when the camp participants were taught how to set a fish net by an elder.
"The summer has been pretty good," said Norman of being a summer student.
The day camp was scheduled to end on Aug. 23, after which Norman will return to East Three Secondary School in Inuvik to start Grade 11.
Norman said she is looking forward to going back to school but she plans on coming back to work in her home community next summer.
"It's really fun. It keeps me busy," she said.
- Cody Punter
Bevington on tour
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Western Arctic NDP MP Dennis Bevington hosted an open discussion at the community centre in Sachs Harbour on Aug. 20.
Joey Carpenter, who attended the meeting, said approximately a dozen people showed up, which took place from noon until 3 p.m.
"That's pretty good for a town of less than 100," said Carpenter of the turnout.
Carpenter said Bevington spoke openly with residents on a range of topics. He said the cost of living was the biggest conversation point of the afternoon. People also complained that the Nutrition North program is not working.
"He listens to people's concerns about economic opportunities," said Carpenter of Bevington.
Residents also appealed to Bevington to restore a teaching position that had been due to funding.
Bevington also told the crowd there would be more marine traffic in the Beaufort Sea in the coming years due to shipping and tourism.
"It's always good to see him," said Carpenter after the meeting. "I'm glad he came up. He made an effort."
- Cody Punter
Yearly meeting scheduled for Fort Smith museum
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The 2013 annual general meeting for the Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre will take place on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. at the museum.
Four positions on the board of governors will be elected at the AGM. The positions are currently held by Tim Gauthier, Stu McMillan, Melissa Zimmer and Don Harney.
- Paul Bickford
Casting out nets
Ka'a'gee Tu/Kakisa
The commercial fishing season has begun on Kakisa Lake.
Some community members have been doing maintenance on the Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park's trails and campground.
Classes are beginning on Aug. 23 at the Kakisa Lake School.
As part of the community's ongoing water quality monitoring program, equipment will be checked this weekend at Tathlina Lake and Cameron River.
- Roxanna Thompson
Gjoa Haven is costliest place for groceries
The Nunavut Bureau of Statistics has released its latest Food Price Survey report.
A pilot food price survey was carried out this past April in 10 Nunavut communities: Arctic Bay, Arviat, Baker Lake, Gjoa Haven, Iglulik, Iqaluit, Kugluktuk, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet and Rankin Inlet.
Prices for 28 different items such as bananas, frozen corn and eggs were compared. The cheapest food basket in April was found to be in Iqaluit at $216 while the most expensive was in Gjoa Haven at $255. Compared to the rest of Canada, prices of food in Nunavut were on average 72 per cent higher.
- Myles Dolphin
Firefighters compete in Ontario
Six Nunavut firefighters competed in the National Aboriginal Firefighter Competition this past weekend in Walpole Island, Ont.
Among the participants were Atsaina Eeyeevadluk of Kimmirut, Troy Innukshuk of Rankin Inlet, Steven Iqalukjuak of Clyde River, Jollie Enoogoo of Pond Inlet and Pauloosie Kowmageak of Cape Dorset.
The teams were set to meet Aug. 22 for fire prevention and fire scene safety training, followed by a social event the next day and the competition on Aug. 24.
Results were not available by press time.
- Miranda Scotland
New flights from Iqaluit to Ottawa
First Air announced a second flight from Ottawa to Iqaluit on Mondays and Fridays.
The announcement, made Aug. 21, was posted on the company's Facebook page.
"We are pleased to confirm that effective Sept. 16, with the addition of our first 737-400 to our fleet, First Air is adding a second flight from Ottawa to Iqaluit and Ottawa to Iqaluit on Mondays and Fridays," it said.
The changes will help travellers make same-day connections from Yellowknife and Rankin Inlet to Ottawa.
- Myles Dolphin
Nunavut doctors represented nationally for first time
Iqaluit
Nunavut physicians will be represented in the Canadian Medical Association for the very first time.
Since Nunavut lacks its own medical association, the Ontario Medical Association has agreed to sponsor a delegate from the territory.
"Ontario doctors have always participated in the treatment of Nunavut patients, so it's fitting that physicians from both jurisdictions are now formally linked. The relationship will benefit patients in this underserved area," stated Dr. Scott Wooder, president of the Ontario Medical Association, in a news release.
Dr. Katherine Canil, who has been a surgeon in Nunavut for the past 18 years, said surgeons in the territory have been marginalized because of their remoteness and small numbers.
"On behalf of the wonderful, resilient and worthy people we serve, we're most grateful to the OMA and CMA for this incredible opportunity to be a working part of the CMA," she stated.
- Miranda Scotland
Slides and a zipline
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
Youth in Kugluktuk are loving the new playground the hamlet recently had built, according to Dana Havioyak, recreation coordinator trainee.
The new play area features three slides, monkey bars, a zipline and more.
"The kids really like it ... There's more stuff to play on than the playground that was there," said Havioyak.
- Miranda Scotland
Greenhouses project planned
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
A former Pangnirtung resident is planning on establishing non-profit corporation that would see two large greenhouses built in the community by the end of next year.
Nathan Lawlor, who lived in Pangnirtung from 2005 to 2008, is currently in the process of applying for funding and drumming up support for his community project.
"It would really benefit the community to start doing greenhouse studies and farming," he said from Toronto. "You can farm off the land up there and having greenhouses would make sense, given the mark up and freight charges."
Lawlor said he would own 51 per cent of the greenhouses - which would house fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, cut flowers and house plants.
- Myles Dolphin
Man sentenced
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
A Rankin man was sentenced to 16 months in jail for sexual assault this past week.
Bobby Adams, 27, entered the bedroom of a sleeping couple at 4 a.m. on May 21 while heavily intoxicated. He touched the woman inappropriately before the couple woke up and a fight ensued.
The woman hit Adams a number of times with a hockey stick during the encounter.
Justice Neil Sharkey also sentenced Adams to an additional three months in the Baffin Correctional Centre for beaches of bail and probation.
- Darrell Greer
Diabetes run
Qikiqtarjuaq/ Broughton Island
The North West Company's Run for Diabetes will be held on Sept. 7 in Qikiqtarjuaq.
The event will begin and end at the Northern store and participants can take part in the 2.5 or five-kilometre run walk and run. Sign-up sheets can be found at the Northern store.
Medals and certificates will be presented following the event and participants will receive a 25 per cent discount on footwear at the store.
- Myles Dolphin
Vet visit a hit
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
For the first time in years a group of veterinarians visited Cambridge Bay to treat about 100 animals. The effort was made possible by a volunteer group, Diamonds in the Ruff, which set up the visit and fundraised to have the team come.
Volunteer Bernie Thompson said the group recognized the need back in about 2010.
The four vets and vet tech who came from Calgary offered services including spay and neutering and vaccinations. Some pets even received dental or eye surgery, Thompson said.
"We're hoping to make this an annual event so we're going to keep fundraising and keep support going to have them come back," she added.
Diamonds in the Ruff is also working on opening a small pound to hold dogs until they're sent to Yellowknife's SPCA.
The group is just waiting for the hamlet to move a 16-by-28-foot building, which was donated, to an area where it can be hooked up to electricity.
- Miranda Scotland
Playground equipment installed
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
Some playground equipment is finally seeing the light of day after two years in storage.
The equipment was set up at Inuujaq School in Arctic Bay two years after it was initially purchased, said school principal Abdus Salam.
"I bought it then but couldn't find anyone to install it," he said, referring to two swings and some monkey bars. "It was in storage for two years and then finally (mayor) Frank May and other people helped set it up."
- Myles Dolphin
Harbour virtually complete
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
The Pangnirtung small craft harbour project is virtually completed, said the hamlet's senior administrative officer, Ron Mongeau, last week.
"There's just a tiny bit of work that's left," he said. "The floating docks are in and we're aiming for an official opening in September."
Construction on the harbour began in June 2010. The project cost is estimated at $42 million.
The project is intended to enable the growth of a sustainable inshore commercial fishery while adding to the community's marine-based transportation links with other Nunavut communities.
- Myles Dolphin
Traditional knowledge taught
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
Students at Netsilik school are participating in an environmental camp this week.
Principal Gina Pizzo said the staff tries to include a mix of traditional and modern knowledge when addressing topics. The subjects teachers may focus on during the camp include math, science, social studies, environmental studies, art, rock and minerals, berry picking, fishing and more.
Students will also participate in a shoreline cleanup.
Elders will attend the camp to share in traditional activities.
"It is an annual event that everyone looks forward to and enjoys immensely," stated Pizzo in an e-mail.
- Miranda Scotland
Photoshop licences donated
Arviat
The community of Arviat received more great news on the donation front earlier this month.
The community learned the Adobe Foundation, through its Adobe Youth Voices Program with TakingIt Global, is donating the Photoshop program and Premiere software to both Nunavut Arctic College and John Arnalukjuak High School in Arviat.
Upwards of 18 licences are expected to be donated between the two learning institutions.
- Darrell Greer
Cancer run in Rankin
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The CIBC's annual Run For The Cure is scheduled to be held in Rankin Inlet on Sunday, Oct. 6.
Samantha Tugak of the Rankin branch of the CIBC also organized a "pink night" in support of raising funds for the fight against cancer earlier this month.
Some prizes were donated by local businesses, with Stephanie Yarema being the lucky winner of the big prize of the evening -- two round-trip tickets to Winnipeg with First Air.
- Darrell Greer
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