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News Briefs: Monday, August 5, 2013
Pine Point reunion
Pine Point residents of the past gathered at the old Pine Point town site, approximately 90 kilometres east of Hay River, for a reunion Aug 1 to 5.
The reunion was organized to recognize the 25th anniversary of the mine community's closing.
Approximately 350 people were expected to camp out at the site in tents, campers, and motorhomes.
Those interested who were not past residents of Pine Point were also welcome to attend.
- Lyndsay Herman
Health centre breaks ground
The Department of Health and Social Services is planning to host a public meeting and groundbreaking ceremony for the Fort Providence Health Centre on Aug. 6.
The meeting is scheduled to start at noon at the recreation centre, followed by the ceremony at the west side of the senior's residence.
- Lyndsay Herman
Tlicho general assembly
The ninth Tlicho Annual Gathering is scheduled to run from Aug. 6 to 8 in Behchoko.
The first session of the third Tlicho Assembly and nominations for grand chief will also take place during the three-day gathering. The nomination meeting is scheduled to be held on Aug. 8 at Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School.
Once nominations have been completed, official candidates will be announced and will then be allowed to give a 15-minute speech.
Election day for grand chief is set for Sept. 16, with an advance poll taking place Aug. 26.
- Lyndsay Herman
Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority board dissolved
A public administrator has taken over all duties and responsibilities formerly handled by the Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority's board of management.
Minister of Health and Social Services Tom Beaulieu appointed Jim Antoine, a former premier of the NWT and former chief of Liidlii Kue First Nation, as the public administrator.
In a July 29 news release, Beaulieu stated he determined it was in the best interest of Deh Cho residents to appoint a public administrator as a result of ongoing concerns with the management of the authority.
Antoine's duties will include supporting the development and approval of strategic plans and polices, appointing medical staff, ensuring quality assurance, budget approval and management.
- Roxanna Thompson
New principal
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Helen Kalvak School will be welcoming a new principal for the upcoming school year, which began last week in Ulukhaktok.
Geoff Buerger will be returning to the Beaufort Delta after having been the vice-principal at Samuel Hearne Secondary School in Inuvik from 1999 to 2000. Buerger, was previously a principal for the past four years at Princess Alexandra and Diamond Jenness schools in Hay River.
The school will also be welcoming a new teacher, Kathy Tollenaar, who will be teaching grades 5 and 6.
The elementary school was to open on Aug. 1, while high school courses are scheduled to start on Aug. 6.
"I've never been in a friendlier community. Everyone has been very welcoming in the community," said Buerger. "I'm very lucky and very happy to be here."
- Cody Punter
Friendship centre break-in
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
The Zhati Koe Friendship Centre was broken into in the early morning hours of July 27.
Violet Landry, the centre's program coordinator, said damage was minimal and nothing was stolen but some snack food, however the act has staff and youth shaken.
"We feel invaded," said Landry. "It's very awful."
The lock on the front door was removed to get access to the building and a door to the radio station located in the centre was damaged.
The centre functions in part as a drop-in area for youth and it was some of these young people who use the centre who first noticed something was not right and called the RCMP, Landry said.
- Lyndsay Herman
Thule sites studied
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
The Ikaahuk Archaelogical Society is wrapping up its first season in the field. Lisa Hodges, associate professor of anthropology at the University of Western Ontario, has been leading the project with help from graduate students Laura Kelvin and Colleen Haukaas.
Letitia Pokiak, who is from Tuktoyaktuk and has a bachelor of arts in anthropology, is also helping with the project.
The project has four years of funding from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council and work will be done in London, Ont., before the group return north in October.
The team has been studying sites where the Thule settled approximately 1,200 years ago. The Thule migrated from Alaska and are the ancestors of modern the Inuit and Inuvialuit.
Hodges said the Thule built sod houses which would be supported by posts made out of whale bone.
The team has also been working on some more recent historic sites that date back 100 years.
The team has spoken with members of the community and is hoping to involve them in the project as much as possible over the next three years.
"They will be making some replicas and 3D models so the people of Ikaahuk can have copies of some of the artifacts," said Hodges.
- Cody Punter
Shingle Point summer games
Aklavik
The annual Shingle Point summer games took place late last month. The kipotuk, which is an Inuvialuit game similar to the ring toss, ended at midnight July 27 with winners in three divisions.
In the A division, the team of Don D. Storr and Nathan Gordon Jr. took first place.
The B division was won by the team of Wayne Gordon and Nelly Arie, with Michelle Gruben and Fred Gordon coming in second place. In the C division, Danny Gordon Jr. and Carol Arie won first place, and Faye Gordon and Teresa Elanik came in second.
There was also a prize for the most ringers, which was won by Danny Gordon Jr. in the men's category, and Melinda Gillis in the women's category. Both winners had four ringers.
There were 64 people taking part in the competition, while dozens more came out for the festivities.
There was also a youth competition with eight teams, but results were not available.
"I just wanted thank to everyone who donated prizes or sponsored the Shingle Point games," said organizer Faye Gordon.
- Cody Punter
Pull on your water wings
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
The Hamlet of Fort Providence's recreation department may organize a trip to take youth swimming in Hay River this week.
There are plans to take some Fort Providence youth to the Mackenzie Youth Swim Meet in Fort Liard on Aug. 13 and to the Youth Dene Games in Lutsel K'e from Aug. 19 to 21.
- Roxanna Thompson
Singing in the rain
Tuktoyaktuk
The weather in Tuktoyaktuk has been preventing fishers and harvesters from going out on the ocean. Early last week, west wind gusting to 60 km/h have raised the seas and made it too dangerous for fishers to go out.
"Every time there is a west wind our tides get really high," said Barney Masuzumi. Masuzumi said he pulled his net up on shore when the heavy wind came through, but when they went down to check on it the next day, it was floating in the ocean.
Masuzumi said people in the community are also concerned the rain could affect the cultivation of the local ukpiks berries, which are the considered a delicacy in the community.
"You can make all kinds of dishes with them, you can even mix them with bannock," he said.
Masuzumi added one of the benefits of the heavy wind and cooler temperatures is that there are no mosquitoes.
"People were just walking around and enjoying the breeze," said Masuzumi.
- Cody Punter
Four teams for tourney
Paulatuk
Paulatuk's recreation committee was planning for a softball tournament scheduled for Aug. 5.
A total of four teams were to be taking part in the tournament with competitors expected from Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk.
It will be the community's fourth annual youth coed softball tournament.
The tournament was set to start at 2 p.m. and there was to be breakfast, lunch and dinner served to the participants.
There was to be prizes for top male and top female as well as for first, second and third places.
"We hope all the participants and the crowd enjoy the baseball tournament," said recreation co-ordinator Aaron
Ruben.
- Cody Punter
Gathering as one
Pehdzeh Ki/Wrigley
The Pehdzeh Ki First Nation will be holding its annual spiritual gathering from Aug. 23 to 26. The gathering will include handgames, meetings and youth workshops as well as workshops on health and well-being.
- Roxanna Thompson
Preparing for the Enterprise jamboree
Enterprise
The Enterprise Gateway Jamboree Society is looking for volunteers for this year's Enterprise Gateway Jamboree.
The society is also looking for artists and craftspeople and encourage anyone interested to get in touch with the society for information on sales during the event.
The one-day jamboree, in its 15th year, is scheduled for Aug. 10.
In past years, entertainment has included music, family- and child-friendly activities, food vendors and art sales.
- Lyndsay Herman
Fatal ATV mishap
Kangiqtugaapik/Clyde River
A teenage male succumbed to his injuries after an ATV mishap in Clyde River on July 29.
The incident took place around 11 p.m not far from the community. A passenger sustained serious injuries and had to be medevaced to Ottawa, where they were in critical but stable condition.
It was the second ATV-related death on Baffin Island in a month. On June 28, a Pond Inlet teenage girl died following an ATV accident.
- Myles Dolphin
DEW Line site to be remediated
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
Public Works and Government Services Canada is organizing a trip for potential contractors to undertake a remediation project of a decommissioned DEW Line station at Matheson Point on King William Island, 28 km northeast of Gjoa Haven.
The site, which was operated as part of the U.S. air force's Distant Early Warning line, was built in 1957 before being decommissioned six years later.
The contract tender estimates the remediation project will be take two summer seasons, starting in 2014, to complete. There are approximately 400 45-gallon fuel drums at the site, as well as contaminants including lead, arsenic and asbestos.
- Graeme McNaughton
Nunavut lax on animal protection
Nunavut
Nunavut has the worst legislation for animal protection in Canada, according to a report by the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Authors of the document, which was released July 28, looked at 11 categories to determine the ranking.
The categories included law enforcement policies, reporting of suspected animal cruelty and breed-specific legislation. For Nunavut, the list of potential improvements far outweighs the list of existing strengths, the report stated.
The ALDF suggested the territory look at mandatory terms of incarceration for certain offenders, prohibitions related to animal fighting, protections for a wider range of species and mandatory reporting of suspected animal cruelty by veterinarians, among other ideas.
- Miranda Scotland
Stabbing incident
Iqaluit
Iqaluit RCMP are investigating a stabbing that took place on July 27.
The incident, which left an adult male victim in stable condition, took place in the 100 through 300 block series, according to RCMP Cpl. Yvonne Niego.
One adult male was arrested and charged and appeared in court last week. The investigation is ongoing.
- Myles Dolphin
Hamlet office construction
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
The new hamlet office in Grise Fiord is coming along nicely, according to interim senior administrative officer Marty Kuluguqtuq.
More materials are expected to arrive by sealift and construction should be completed by Christmas. The new offices will be located near the old RCMP building, in the middle of the hamlet.
"Lack of office space has always been a problem here," said Kuluguqtuq. "Jobs that might have been available in the past were not because of it."
Construction is being carried out by Kudlik Construction Ltd.
- Myles Dolphin
Science fun in Kugluktuk
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
Youth in Kugluktuk were set to attend a science camp starting Aug. 6.
Each day, a guest speaker was invited to talk to the children, who are aged 7 to 14. Youth are expected to hear from elders and representatives from the Kitikmeot Inuit Association as well as the local health centre. There were also plans to have a conference call with a biologist based in Montreal.
It was important for the youth to learn from locals about careers in the camp's four areas of focus - science, technology, engineering and math, said Jessica VanOverbeek, recreation co-ordinator for the hamlet.
- Miranda Scotland
Bowhead hunt postponed
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
The annual bowhead whale hunt in Pangnirtung was postponed until Aug. 2 due to ice conditions around Kekerten Island, said Eric Joamie of the Pangnirtung Hunters and Trappers Association.
"Gale warnings were another factor," he added.
The crew of roughly 100 people - which includes a crew of hunters and additional family members - will be stationed on the island's abandoned whaling station
Glenn Williams of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. was busy training certain crew members to operate the exploding harpoon.
- Myles Dolphin
Marijuana charges
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
Baker Lake RCMP have arrested two adults in the community after marijuana was found in a residence.
The police were executing a search warrant on July 22 when they seized the drugs along with some drug paraphernalia.
RCMP could not confirm the quantity of marijuana seized.
The individuals who were arrested have been charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
They have been released from custody and are expected to appear before the Nunavut Court of Justice in Baker Lake on Oct. 1.
Police have not released the names of the accused.
- Miranda Scotland
Big turnout for Tootoo visit
Sanikiluaq
More than 500 Sanikiluaq residents packed the hamlet's community hall on July 28 as National Hockey League player and Inuit role model Jordin Tootoo made an appearance as part of his annual community tour with the Nunasi Corporation.
Senior administrative officer Andre Larabie said more than 100 people alone showed up to greet the Rankin Inlet native at the airport.
"It was a success," he said. "We are very happy with the visit and are thankful to the Nunasi Corporation for putting Sanikiluaq on the schedule this year," he added.
Sanikiluaq was the tour's last stop after visits to Clyde River, Qikiqtarjuaq, Iqaluit, Kimmirut and Cape Dorset.
- Myles Dolphin
Scholarship deadline looming
Nunavut
Students have less than two weeks left to apply for a scholarship being offered by Nasittuq Corporation.
The deadline for the Aboriginal Student Scholarship Program is Aug. 16.
The program is designed to encourage the pursuit of advanced education in electrical, computer sciences, electronics, environmental studies, business and aboriginal studies.
Students must be a beneficiary of Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, Nunavut or the Inuvialuit Settlement Region to apply.
The scholarship is also open to mature students.
Last year, the company awarded $1,000 scholarships to three students.
- Miranda Scotland
Kimmirut artist wins award
Kimmirut/Lake Harbour
Kimmirut artist Kulula Itulu won the Artist's Choice Award at this year's Great Northern Arts Festival (GNAF) in Inuvik.
Itulu, who has been attending the event for many years, was part of a group of more than 60 artists who showcased their work.
Attending artists vote for who they think should be the award recipient.
Itulu has been carving for more than 40 years and has exhibited his work in France, the United States and Canada, according to the GNAF website.
"He is a really giving participant," said Marnie Hilash, the festival's executive director, about Itulu. "He's a real treasure to our event."
- Myles Dolphin
Lottery ticket sales returning
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Lottery ticket sales could return to Rankin Inlet's Northern Store as early as late August if plans go smoothly, according to a spokesperson from NWT Sport and Recreation Council.
The proper authorities have given approval for the store to sell tickets and now the equipment needs to be set up, added Northern Store manager Paul Delaney.
Some training will have to take place at the business before tickets can be sold.
Once all that is done, staff will be able to sell scratch-and-win tickets and online games of Lotto Max, 649, Western Lotto Max and Sport Select games.
Currently in Nunavut, lottery tickets are only sold at two Iqaluit locations.
- Miranda Scotland
Celebratory picnic
Kangiqtugaapik/Clyde River
More than 100 Clyde River residents travelled five miles to nearby Cape Christian for a day of fun, said recreation co-ordinator Archie Aipellee.
The event was held to recognize the hard work and contributions made by summer students who are about to leave the community.
"We had hamburgers, tea, coffee and even saw a bowhead whale," Aipellee said.
- Myles Dolphin
Vets to visit in late August
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
A team of veterinarians from Calgary are set to travel to two communities in Nunavut later this month.
They will be available to perform checkups, deworm animals, give vaccinations, trim nails and spay or neuter pets.
The team is expected to arrive in Cambridge Bay Aug. 13 and travel to Kugluktuk on Aug. 17, where they will stay until Aug. 20.
Residents are asked to cover the cost of any services their pet receives but if someone can't pay the full amount they won't be turned away.
The University of Calgary and Diamonds in the Ruff are organizing the effort with funding from Canadian North, Boehringer Ingelheim, Veterinarians without Borders and Zoetis.
- Miranda Scotland
Setting out on the sea
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
The health committee in Taloyoak is setting up a whale hunt for youth this month.
Four community members and two safety guides will accompany youth onto the land for eight days.
The opportunity is open to teens who don't have the resources to do a similar hunt on their own.
"The youth that go out will benefit from learning the area of our land and the whale migration," said Mary Ugyuk, who is with the hamlet.
Those who want to participate can sign up on sheets located in locations around the hamlet, including public buildings, the Northern store and Co-op.
The amount of youth invited to go will depend on the size of boat. No exact date has been set for the trip.
- Miranda Scotland
Bike park opened
Qausuittuq/Resolute
The ice at the community arena has been cleared off to make a bike park for the summer.
The park will be open to residents in Resolute during the evenings from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
"One of my instructors was saying ... a bored teenager is a dangerous child, so we're trying to keep them busy," said Nathaniel Chouinard, the hamlet's recreation co-ordinator.
- Miranda Scotland
Lights out for Rankin and Arviat
Arviat and Rankin Inlet
Arviat lost power for more than two hours July 26 in order for maintenance work to be done.
The outage ran from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m., said George Hickes, manager of corporate communications for Qulliq Energy Corporation.
Meanwhile, on July 22, Rankin Inlet lost power for seven minutes.
The outage wasn't scheduled, but a warning popped up on one of the engines, forcing employees to shut it down and restart it, added Hickes.
- Miranda Scotland
Exploring science in Quebec
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
A student from Rankin has been chosen to attend a week-long science camp in Quebec next month.
The cost of the trip and the youth's attendance at the camp is covered by the federal department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
Kivalliq Partners was in charge of deciding which student would go from the Kivalliq region.
The youth were invited to submit essays explaining how science and technology is helping to improve the Inuit way of life.
The organization received more than 10 essays and chose from there.
The winning essay stood out because it showed greater insight and was a little more in depth than some of the other papers, said Charlene Williams of Kivalliq Partners.
The winning student will spend five days in Laval and two days in Montreal starting Aug. 4. The 15-year-old will also be accompanied by a chaperone.
- Miranda Scotland
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