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Monday, October 28, 2013
Jail for stabbing brother
A 23-year-old man from Whati will spend six months in jail for stabbing his brother in the legs and chest.
On April 25, RCMP arrested the man for causing a disturbance, after he was found intoxicated and fighting his brother at home. Later, the brother noticed he was bleeding and it was determined he'd been stabbed.
The man pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon before his trial.
Justice Virginia Schuler gave the 23-year-old a light jail sentence on Oct. 23, owing to the man's traditional aboriginal lifestyle and lack of a criminal record. The man will be on probation for 18 months following his release.
- Daniel Campbell
Highway of Heroes
Part of Highway 1 will become the Northwest Territories' Highway of Heroes on Nov. 8, according to the Department of Transportation.
The designation aims to honour members of the military who have died while serving Canada.
The first Highway of Heroes was created in Ontario in 2007 between Trenton and Toronto.
A designation ceremony is scheduled to be held on Nov. 8 near kilometre 83 of the highway, just north of Enterprise, at 2 p.m.
- Kassina Ryder
Hay River beach audit coming
The Lifesaving Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories is expected to release an audit report on the Hay River Territorial Park beach in late November, according to a GNWT news release.
The society released a report on Oct. 24 from a similar audit on Fred Henne Territorial Park.
The report identified four priority concerns including regular bacteriological water sampling, adding lifesaving equipment to the area, installing signage, and posting emergency numbers at key areas on the beach.
- Lyndsay Herman
Mackenzie Gas Project could be back
The federal government has re-established a $500,000 fund to address socio-economic impacts of the Mackenzie Valley Gas Project in its Budget Implementation Act, released last week.
The fund was established in 2006 but has not seen much action. Its purpose is to offset impacts construction of the proposed natural gas pipeline up the Mackenzie Valley would have on communities.
The move sparked speculation that the Mackenzie Gas Project is being revitalized, but this could not be confirmed by press time.
- Laura Busch
Creative costumes compete
Aklavik
The Aklavik recreation committee made sure that everyone would get to take part in a special Halloween celebration, according to recreation co-ordinator Dean McLeod.
Three nights of costume contests and dances were scheduled for different age groups.
The first event was the Youth Costume Contest and Dance, scheduled for Oct. 25 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Sittichinli Recreation Complex.
The youth event is for Aklavik residents aged five to 15. McLeod said judging was to take place at 9 p.m. and there were 30 prizes of $20 each.
An adult dance was scheduled for the following day for residents aged 16 and older. The top prize for the night's costume contest was $300, followed by a second-place prize of $200, and a third-place prize of $100.
There were to be 12 prizes of $50 each and eight prizes of $25. Judging was scheduled to take place at midnight.
Elders and preschoolers were to get a special chance to show off their costumes on Oct. 30, with a costume contest scheduled to start at 6 p.m. at the Sittichinli Recreation Complex, with judging taking place at 6:30 p.m.
- Lyndsay Herman
Radio society papers received
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Fort Smith is one step closer to having its community radio station as the paperwork is finalized.
The Kaskiw Radio Society 2012 received its papers from the territorial government earlier this month, said Fort Smith Mayor Brad Brake. He added the society can now actively begin fundraising and are negotiating a rental agreement for a space to broadcast from.
"We do have some equipment. I, myself, purchased some equipment and donated it so we could start. For a full set-up so that we can do all our own broadcasts and everything like that, we would need approximately $21,000," said Brake.
He added the society would like to get the radio station broadcasting sooner than June, but admitted things are moving fairly slowly.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Heritage celebration
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
Chief Julius School was set to hold its annual Heritage Fair on Oct. 25.
Students who participated in the fair were to display their projects in the school gym.
Participants in grades 4 through 12 were to have their projects judged, with the winner being granted the opportunity to compete at the regional Heritage Fair in Inuvik in the spring. From there, top-ranking projects can complete at the territorial level during the Heritage Fair in Yellowknife.
Younger students also created projects with their class but didn't have their projects judged.
Chief Julius School vice-principal Cliff Gregory said the school used to hold its Heritage Fair in the spring, but its close proximity to the annual science fair meant a lot of extra work for students and teachers.
Gregory said changing to a fall date also allows the school to time the fair with an annual outdoor camp, which took place at the beginning of the month. The camp includes day trips on the land for younger grades and a hunting trip for students in the higher grades.
- Lyndsay Herman
Spooky celebrations in the works
Paulatuk
Planning is underway for Halloween celebrations, said Paulatuk senior administrative officer Greg Morash.
A family-friendly event is scheduled on Oct. 31, and may include a dance for adults after wrapping up the child-friendly games.
Morash said a costume competition is under consideration and the details were to be ironed out last week.
- Lyndsay Herman
Students to explore new interests
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
After-school clubs are beginning at Deh Gah School on Oct. 21. The clubs cover a wide variety of interests including skiing, piano, French, basketball, running and walking.
The clubs will be offered from Monday to Thursday every week after school.
- Roxanna Thompson
Unexpectedly warm weather
Tuktoyaktuk
Fall has not been fleeting in Tuktoyaktuk.
October has been warmer than usual, with highs and lows hovering around 0 C throughout the month.
According to Environment Canada, the community experiences an average high of -8.5 C and an average low of -14.1 C in October, with temperatures getting colder as the month progresses.
On Oct. 23, the community had a forecast high of 2 C and a forecast low of -1.6 C, while the normal temperature range for that date is between -9 C and -16 C.
- Lyndsay Herman
Devolution revenues discussed
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Fort Smith residents had a chance to share their views on how non-renewable resources revenues should be spent during a public meeting on Oct. 15.
Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger was in the community to explain the government's strategy to deal with the resource revenues developing from the devolution of land and water resources to the territorial government from the federal government. The current debate lies on how that money should be spent.
Fort Smith Mayor Brad Brake said 12 to 15 people attended the public meeting. The main point raised is the amount of money put aside for the heritage fund and how the fund will be administered, he added. Currently, the government is proposing that five per cent of annual resource revenues go into a heritage fund that was established last year. The minister asked the audience if they thought the amount they were putting in was appropriate, said Brake.
Brake said it would be nice for the communities to benefit from the devolution process - set for April 1, 2014.
Miltenberger is scheduled to visit Yellowknife on Oct. 28, Inuvik on Nov. 12 and Norman Wells on Nov. 13.
He already consulted with Behchoko, Hay River and Fort Simpson.
Residents have until Nov. 15 to provide feedback to the territorial government on how they'd like to see resource revenues used.
- Jeanne Gagnon
Territorial election time
Nunavut
Nunavummiut head to the polls today to decide which of the 72 candidates will represent them in the legislative assembly.
Under the new electoral boundaries, there are 22 seats up for grabs, three more than in previous elections.
However, Kugluktuk candidate Peter Taptuna and Netsilik candidate Jeannie Ugyuk have already been acclaimed.
The polls are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mountain time, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. Residents are eligible to vote if they are a Canadian citizen, 18 years or older, have been a Nunavut resident for a least a year on election day and have not been disqualified from voting.
In Iqaluit, residents will also be voting to fill the vacant council seat left by Jimmy Kilabuk. There are also three candidates vying for two seats on the Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut and another three candidates looking to fill two seats on the Iqaluit District Education Authority.
- Miranda Scotland
Tower to come down
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Cambridge Bay's longstanding LORAN tower is set to be taken down and replaced with a smaller version in the coming months. For decades, the 189-metre tower has acted as a navigational tool for residents out on the land.
However, that's not why it was built.
The structure was originally erected in 1947 to hold a long-range navigation system, used to help ships and aircraft determine their position.
Later, when Nav Canada took over the tower, it was used to hold a non-directional beacon for aviation.
Michelle Bishop, spokesperson for Nav Canada, said the tower needs to be torn down because it is structurally unsound.
"When it was erected, it was expected it would have a 30 year life and it's over 60 years old," she said.
The fear is that if there is a heavy snowfall or high wind, the tower may collapse and cause considerable damage or injury to people or property nearby.
The plan is to take the tower down in late October or November and have the new tower up three to four weeks later, Bishop said.
The structure will be 51.5 metres tall and hold a new non-directional beacon.
The cost of the project is unknown at this time.
- Miranda Scotland
Fire destroys Iglulik building
Iglulik
An early morning fire in Iglulik last week damaged an office building "beyond repair."
The structure housed the offices for the income support program and probation services. A government liaison officer also worked there.
The RCMP and fire department have not yet determined the cause of the fire, which broke out at about 6 a.m. on Oct. 24, but continue to investigate, said RCMP Cpl. Yvonne Niego.
- Miranda Scotland
Break-in at public health building
Iqaluit
The Department of Health is asking for the public's assistance following a recent break-in at the Iqaluit public health building.
The incident took place overnight on Oct. 22 at Building 1091, the Baron Building. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the RCMP.
- Myles Dolphin
Public meeting for proposed bylaw
Iqaluit
A public meeting to address the new responsible dog owner bylaw is being held at St. Jude's Parish Hall on Nov. 13.
The City of Iqaluit wants to get more input from citizens and organizations on the proposed bylaw, as well as concerns that residents may have. The meeting will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. and residents are encouraged to submit written comments to city council if they cannot attend the meeting.
- Myles Dolphin
Canucks take gold in first round
Qausuittuq/Resolute
Qarmartalik School's Canucks bested the Amaruqs in the final game of the school's floor hockey playoffs, beating them 5-2 earlier this month.
The round-robin tournament is part of the school's intramural program.
Each month, four teams consisting of students in Grades 6 to 12 compete in a different sport. The teams are awarded points based on the standings after each tournament.
The championship team gets 10 points, second place gets seven points, third place gets five points and last place gets three points.
Groups can also receive an additional 10 points if all members are present.
The scores will be tallied at Christmas and again in June. Each time, a dinner will be awarded to the top team.
Principal Vincent Pickett said students are already looking forward to the next tournament, which will be soccer.
The program, he added, encourages students to behave in school.
"Students are only permitted to play if they are good attenders, have good behaviour and attitude in class and work to the best of their ability," said Pickett.
- Miranda Scotland
Deadly accident
Naujaat/Repulse Bay
A single ATV accident claimed the life of a woman in Repulse Bay earlier this month.
The RCMP would not release the person's name or provide any further details of the accident.
- Darrell Greer
Cadets honoured
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
The 3045 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Arctic Bay paid tribute to two of its members on Oct. 23.
Bruno Attagutsiak and Leslie Oyukuluk were honoured with certificates and speeches, having both aged out of the cadet program. The members have been involved with the cadets for six years.
The ceremony took place at Qaggvik Hall during a regularly scheduled parents' night, which takes place every six to eight weeks, said Lt. Frank May.
"In their weekly routine, they have the opportunity to improve their skills and earn badges," May said.
"We hand them all out in one night and sometimes, we have a guest speaker too."
- Myles Dolphin
Young hunter missing
Arviat
Search and rescue (SAR) members spent time earlier this month looking for a young hunter in Arviat who had been missing for 10 days.
A Honda found on the land in the third week of October was determined to not belong to the missing hunter.
SAR members determined Oct. 17 that they had exhausted every possibility of finding him to the north of Arviat, where it was generally believed in the community to be the area he had headed to on his hunting trip.
The SAR members began searching to the south of the community the following day.
Bad weather hampered many of the SAR efforts during the first week. The young hunter is believed to have had a Thermos with him, but no stove.
The young man had completed a pre-employment training program at the community's adult learning centre this past spring.
- Darrell Greer
Nomination period open
Nunavut
Kugluktuk and Hall Beach are each searching for a mayor and new council members.
Meanwhile, in Gjoa Haven, the hunt is on for four residents to join the District Education Authority.
Nominations opened Oct. 21 and close Nov. 4.
Kugluktuk has spots open for three councillors, while Hall Beach needs four councillors and a new member for the alcohol education committee.
All three elections are expected to take place on Dec. 9.
- Miranda Scotland
Students planning school trip
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Fundraising continued at Attagoyuk School in Pangnirtung on Oct. 24, where staff and students are trying to raise money to go on an overseas trip next spring.
Teacher Lynne Isenor said the group is still at the beginning stages of fundraising and hasn't settled on a destination yet.
"It might be Costa Rica, but we're not sure," she said. "It depends on the fundraising. Our ultimate goal would be to go to Europe but we have to look at costs."
So far, 11 students have qualified for the trip based on the following criteria - students had to have stayed out of trouble, their attendance had to be 65 per cent or higher and they had to pass all their courses.
Isenor said other fundraising activities, such as bake sales, loonie toonies, bingos and dances, were also planned for the future.
- Myles Dolphin
Hockey four days a week
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The Rankin Inlet Senior Men's Hockey League has announced it will begin play for the 2013-14 season on Oct. 28.
The league will feature single-game action on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and a double-header on Sunday.
- Darrell Greer
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