Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

Thebacha/Fort Smith

The deadline has been extended to enter the Festival of Trees at the Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre in Fort Smith.

The new date by which Christmas trees have to be set up in the museum's gallery is Dec. 13.

Families, businesses, organizations, individuals and groups of friends are invited to design unique Christmas trees and create them for the exhibit, which has been running since Nov. 18.

The Christmas trees will remain on display throughout December.

- Paul Bickford

Guest speakers at Aurora College

Thebacha/Fort Smith

The next installment of the Aurora College Speaker Series will take place on Dec. 9 in Fort Smith.

Two guests will talk about using photos and videos to document environmental change.

Dr. Trevor Lantz is a professor in the School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. His latest project is a community mapping website that allows experts from communities in the Inuvialuit and Gwich'in settlement areas to tell the story of environmental change.

Lantz will be joined for the presentation by Douglas Egasok, a community expert from Inuvik, who participated in the project.

Aboriginal land-users documented their environmental knowledge and observations with photos and video. The information was posted on an online map that was accessible to community members and researchers.

In the past three years, the project collected photos and recordings from 52 local experts at more than 270 locations.

The presentation by Lantz and Egasok will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Room 148 of Thebacha Campus.

A discussion will follow about the possible use of the idea in the Fort Smith area.

- Paul Bickford

Fort Smith Metis to hold children's party

Thebacha/Fort Smith

The Fort Smith Metis Council will hold its annual children's Christmas party on Dec. 22.

The event, which is for children up to 12 years of age, will be held at Roaring Rapids Hall from 2 to 4 p.m.

The party is for children of families represented by the Fort Smith Metis Council.

Parents are being asked to call the council with the names of their children before Dec. 13.

- Paul Bickford

Resource development roundtable

Aklavik

Imperial Oil was scheduled to hold a presentation at a community dinner Dec. 5 at the Sittichinli Complex regarding its exploration in the Beaufort Sea.

Along with Exxon Mobil Canada, BP Exploration, Imperial Oil is currently the operator of the Beaufort joint venture operation in 476 Ajurak and 477 Pokak, which are located approximately 125 kilometres northwest of Tuktoyaktuk.

The video presentation given was titled Finding a Balance in a Sea of Energy.

Pius Rolheiser, a spokesperson for Imperial Oil, said the meetings are intended to keep the public informed about the potential development of the project.

"We generally have these meetings twice a year to share ideas," said Rolheiser. "Part of the current series of meetings is to outline the details of the project description ... what it is, what it isn't it."

Rolheiser said the company expects to complete an environmental impact statement sometime in 2014.

Rolheiser added that even if everything goes according to plan, the earliest the company would begin drilling is 2020.

- Cody Punter

Christmas countdown

Ikahuuk/Sachs Harbour

Sachs Harbour held a Christmas countdown party in celebration of National Child Day on Nov. 29.

Kyle Donovan, acting recreation co-ordinator, said the community was invited out for supper and games at the Inualthuyak School gym.

After dinner, the deputy mayor gave a speech and handed out awards of recognition to all the children in the town.

"It was just to let them know they were appreciated," said Donovan.

- Cody Punter

Cooking with elders

Tsiigehtchic/Arctic River

Chief Paul Niditchie School has been running a program called Elders in the School since the middle of November. The program invites elders to come to the school to teach traditional campfire cooking and sewing.

"We've always had reasonable participation with the elders," said principal Darcy Douglas.

Douglas also said that report cards were expected to go out on Dec. 6 and that attendance and academics are improving.

Douglas attributes the improvements to the fact that he has the same staff as last year. He also said teachers have been making an effort to communicate better with the parents.

"We're expecting more from the students, and it's paying off," said Douglas.

- Cody Punter

Craft sale coming up

Aklavik

Aklavik was scheduled to host a Christmas Craft Sale on Dec. 7, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Sittichinli Complex.

Organizers are currently looking for people who are interested in setting up a table at the sale.

Mary Gordon, youth co-ordinator, said tables are free.

There was also supposed be a Christmas singalong at the complex on Dec. 8 starting at 7 p.m.

- Cody Punter

Hockey tourney coming

Paulatuk

The recreation committee is planning a four-on-four hockey tournament at the Leonce Dehurtevent Arena on Dec. 10 and 11.

Players can sign up for the tournament with the recreation co-ordinator and the teams will be picked by pulling names from a hat.

Aaron Ruben, recreation co-ordinator, hoped there would be enough players for between six and seven teams.

Round robin play will begin on Dec. 10 with playoffs taking place on Dec. 11.

The Ruben Green skills competition will also take place before the finals on Dec. 11.

The competition will feature five events including fastest skater, puck-handling, shooting accuracy, break-away challenge, as well as a stop-and-start competition.

The winner of the tournament will get bragging rights until the next tournament, said Ruben.

- Cody Punter

New power plant for Grise Fiord

Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord

The Qulliq Energy Corporation (QEC) has announced it plans on building a new power plant in Canada's most Northern community.

The company announced in a news release on Dec. 6 it had filed a major project permit (MPP) application with the minister responsible for QEC.

"The existing Grise Fiord power plant was constructed in 1963 and has numerous problems in regard to its civil, mechanical, and electrical systems," stated Peter Ma, president and CEO of Qulliq Energy Corporation in the release.

"The infrastructure suffers from several deficiencies, including failing building foundation, unreliable superstructure and aging systems and equipment. We need to rebuild the plant in order to maintain safe, reliable power supply for the community of Grise Fiord."

The company is requesting an approval of $7.9 million for the project, which is designed to be completed within three years.

- Myles Dolphin

Drunk drivers targeted across Nunavut

Nunavut

The RCMP is stepping up its drunk driving enforcement, according to a news release on Dec. 6.

On Dec. 7, RCMP detachments in all 25 Nunavut communities took part in a national enforcement operation targeting impaired drivers.

The operation marked the launch of a strategy that aims to bring more attention to traffic safety in the territory.

"Impaired driving is an entirely preventable offence that can cause deaths and injuries," stated the release.

"This has devastating effects in our communities. Alcohol and other drugs impact the ability of persons to operate motor vehicles or equipment. Everyone can play a role in preventing impaired driving. Please help keep Nunavummiut safe."

- Myles Dolphin

Father testifies in Dejaeger trial

Iqaluit

A priest who served at the church in Iglulik at the same time as disgraced priest Eric Dejaeger testified in his trial Dec. 6.

Dejaeger is facing dozens of sex related charges for incidents that allegedly occurred between 1978 and 1982 in Iglulik.

Early in the trial, Dejaeger pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault.

Father Robert Lechat lived in Iglulik from 1972 to 1986.

During that time, he said, he never heard any complaints about Dejaeger acting inappropriately.

"I was very surprised to hear he had been arrested in Baker Lake," said Lechat.

Dejaeger served five years in prison for eight counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault in Baker Lake.

The only behaviour of Dejaeger's that Lechat was critical of during his testimony was his lack of commitment to learning Inuktitut.

Lechat said he took an eight-month sabbatical from the mission in part so Dejaeger would be forced to learn the language.

He figured residents who normally came to him to converse in Inuktitut would have to go to Dejaeger.

But his plan didn't work, said Lechat.

The trial continues at 9:30 a.m. Monday.

- Miranda Scotland

No competition for mayors

Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay

and Kugluktuk/Coppermine

By entering the race for mayor, Red Pedersen hoped to spur other Kugluktuk residents into running for public office. But his plan didn't work.

"There's been a lot of apathy for some time to municipal politics and also to an extent territorial politics. I just wanted somebody to run and to not have an appointed mayor," said Pedersen.

Nonetheless, the former cabinet minister and Speaker of the legislative assembly was acclaimed to the position.

On Dec. 9 he will find out which three of five candidates will be sitting on council.

Similarly, in Cambridge Bay, Jeannie Ehaloak was acclaimed as mayor while nine candidates are running for five spots on council.

Ehaloak has served as mayor for the past two years and said she was excited to return for another term.

- Miranda Scotland

Resolute principal leaves position

Qausuittuq/Resolute

Qarmartalik School is looking for a new principal after Vincent Pickett suddenly left his position.

In the interim, a teacher who has acted as principal in the past is covering the position, said Wende Halonen, a spokesperson for the Department of Education.

"Qikiqtani School operations has already begun the process to recruit a new principal. They will be advertising," she said.

Halonen couldn't say whether Pickett had resigned or was dismissed.

The former principal declined to comment.

- Miranda Scotland

Making kamiiks for kids

Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven

Elders have been working with parents in Gjoa Haven to create about 170 pairs of kamiiks.

The newly made footwear will be stored in Quqshuun elementary school for students to use while in class.

"With fire safety, children need to be able to go outside very quickly," said principal Margaret Joyce. "The kamiiks are weather proof so they can wear them outside and inside so that's why we decided to have kamiiks made for them."

Last year, the school has about 140 pairs of mitts made to ensure students had something to wear on their hands when playing outside.

- Miranda Scotland

Priest passes

Salliq/Coral Harbour

The community of Coral Harbour recently mourned the passing of Father Louis Fournier.

Fournier lived many, many years in Coral Harbour and also spent a number of years in Repulse Bay.

- Darrell Greer

New store opening

Arviat/Whale Cove

Businessman Jim Ramsay is back in Arviat to open a new store.

The Arctic Connections owner, who lived in Rankin Inlet for a number of years, is also hoping to open another store in Whale Cove in 2014.

The Arviat operation is a general merchandise store that will sell hardware, clothing and grocery items.

It will house a canteen-kitchen and offer take-out food orders to the community, including Gondola pizzas.

The Arviat store is eventually expected to employ between 15 to 20 local workers.

- Darrell Greer

Community centre on verge of opening

Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord

Canada's most Northern community is close to opening its brand new community centre.

The hamlet of Grise Fiord should be ready to open the new centre this week, said senior administrative officer Marty Kuluguqtuq.

"There are still a few little things that need to be done," he said.

"I'm working on the insurance coverage right now, but once that is finalized we should be able to move in. We're also working on transferring the phone lines over."

The community centre will feature 13 office spaces and will house the Hunters and Trappers Organization, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, social services, community justice and the hamlet offices.

- Myles Dolphin

Santa Claus came to town

Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay

Old St. Nick made a visit to Cambridge Bay recently to star in the hamlet's Christmas parade.

"The parade was a huge success. I had a blast," stated recreation director Fred Muise in a message to Nunavut News/North.

The event featured 12 floats and prizes were awarded in six categories.

Jaida Ohokannoak won for best snowmobile or quad, William Palvialok and Annie Agligoetok won for best family float and Jago won for best corporate float.

Meanwhile, the award for largest float went to Kitnuna, the best pet prize was awarded to Brenda Sitatak and Avery, and the award for the top children's float was taken by the Cambridge Bay Childcare Society.

- Miranda Scotland

Hoping to meet Oscar

Rankin Inlet/Nunavut

A short film titled Throat Song has made the short list for an Academy Award nomination.

The movie, filmed in Iqaluit, features Rankin Inlet's own Ippiksaut Friesen in the starring role of a young woman trying to escape the abusive relationship she finds herself in.

Throat Song, which took top honours for best live action short drama at the Canadian Screen Awards, is up against nine other short films to make the nomination list.

The Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Jan. 16.

- Darrell Greer

Christmas at the top of the world

Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay

The recreation department in Arctic Bay has planned a variety of fun activities for residents over the Christmas season.

The events kick off with a dance organized by the Youth Committee, held at the community hall on Dec. 13.

There will be dances and activities from Dec. 19 to Dec. 21 and from Dec. 23 to Dec. 28.

On Christmas Day, the hamlet will hold its annual turkey feast, and on Jan. 1 there will be a traditional feast with country food, according to recreation co-ordinator Thomas Levi.

- Myles Dolphin

Heading to the polls

Qausuittuq/Resolute

Resolute residents are heading to the polls today to decide which of two candidates will serve as mayor.

Mavis Manik and Ross Pudluk are both vying for the position.

Two councilors have already been acclaimed - Matt Teed and Anna Nungaq. Another two council seats still need to be filled.

"At their first meeting they're going to have to appoint some people," said Angela Idlout, hamlet senior administrative officer.

- Miranda Scotland