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Monday, March 17, 2014
Open house on jobs with GNWT
The Fort Smith Client Service Centre of the Department of Human Resources is hosting an open house on March 20.
The event is designed to let people meet departmental representatives and obtain information on employment opportunities with the GNWT.
- Paul Bickford
Water problems persist in Smith
Fort Smith was still experiencing problems with its water supply infrastructure as of late last week.
A planned water outage took place on March 14 in several areas of town to allow repairs to be completed.
Various sections of the community have been experiencing interruptions to the water supply since Feb. 26, when a valve failed on the water main underneath the intersection of McDougal Road and Conibear Crescent.
- Paul Bickford
Former school board commissioner to appear in court
Michael St-John has been charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference.
He will appear in territorial court in Hay River May 5.
St-John has been a commissioner for the francophone school board and a swimming coach in Hay River.
-Sarah Ladik
NWT Fraud prevention month
RCMP in Yellowknife are warning residents about the dangers of fraud this month.
In a press release, they highlight an ongoing scam in the NWT, where people receive letters from someone pretending to represent the estate of a dead person overseas. RCMP say it's a variation of the Nigerian Letter familiar to many.
They say the letters are a scam and responding will cost money. Anyone receiving suspicious letters are urged to contact RCMP.
- Daniel Campbell
Bevington bashes federal elections act
The MP for the Western Arctic has taken issue with a Conservative bill aimed at protecting fairness in federal elections.
In a letter from the house on March 14, Dennis Bevington (NDP) said a provision requiring voters to have ID, and another taking away the ability of those in a riding to vouch for those without ID, negatively affects the rights of Northern voters.
The Fair Elections Act was introduced in Ottawa on Feb. 4.
- Daniel Campbell
Fox trapping training in Ulukhaktok
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Students at Helen Kalvak School are currently wrapping up a fox trapping program which was sponsored by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Since the end of January, under the leadership of elder John Alikamik, along with the help of some local trappers, students have been going out on the land between two and three times a week to learn fundamental skills.
Assistant principal Richard McKinnon said over the past few months students have been taught the trapping basics, from how to safely set snares, track animals and navigation.
They have also spent time in the classroom learning how to dress, skin and flesh the animal once it has been caught.
"This is something the kids can pick up to sustain themselves," said McKinnon. "They can either sell them at auction or tan them themselves."
The program will continue until March 21.
McKinnon said students will probably be disappointed to see the program end for the season.
"They love it, they want to be hands on," he said. "It's nice to see them so heavily involved."
- Cody Punter
Gwich'in harvester assistance program
Aklavik
Applications for the Gwich'in harvester's assistance program closes today.
The program is intended to help trappers and hunters buy equipment and supplies to go out on the land."
Corrine Dillon, co-ordinator for the Ehdiitat Renewable Resource Council, said harvesters must have an annual income of less than $52,000 in order to qualify for the program.
Full time harvesters are eligible for a maximum $4,000 per season.
Part-time harvesters and new harvesters can apply for no more than $1,200 per season.
All applicants, except for elders, must contribute 25 per cent of the total cost toward all purchases.
Applications forms can be picked up at the ERRC office in Aklavik.
The deadline is today at 5 p.m.
- Cody Punter
I smell a muskrat
Aklavik
Muskrat trapping season is in full swing in Aklavik. The season officially opened on March 1 and will continue through until June 15.
"They can't wait for March 1 because that's when trapping season opens," said Michelle Gruben, office manager for the hunters and trappers committee.
Muskrat pelts can fetch between $15 and $20 each, Gruben said, adding that trapped muskrats fetch higher prices at auctions than ones which were shot because they are considered to be higher quality.
Some trappers have already had a lot of luck this season, she said. She earlier this month she saw a picture of a trapper who had collected 20 pelts.
- Cody Punter
Students tour fire trucks in Paulatuk
Paulatuk
Seven students from kindergarten to Grade 2 at Angik School received a tour of the hamlet's fire hall on March 11.
Aaron Ruben, who is both the recreation co-ordinator and a volunteer firefighter, led the tour.
"They learned how the breathing apparatus works, how long they last for, we explained how the hoses work, and we gave them a full tour of the truck," he said.
The students also had the chance to use the fire house, even if it was not deployed at full pressure.
"If we let them use it at full power they would fall over," joked Ruben.
After the tour was done, the students received a ride back to school in the fire truck. By the end of the day, at least two of the students said they wanted to be firefighters when they grow up.
"The kids had a great time and really enjoyed that Aaron let them do things hands on," said teacher Alanna Duffy.
Duffy said the tour was one of many the classes will be taking in order to learn about people who help the community.
Over the next few weeks, the students will be visiting with nurses, RCMP and the people who run the Northern Store.
- Cody Punter
Smith Metis leader to seek re-election
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Ken Hudson, the president of the Fort Smith Metis Council, plans to seek re-election to continue leading the organization.
The council will hold its annual general assembly on March 29.
Hudson said he will be seeking one more two-year term.
If he is re-elected, it will mean about 16 consecutive years as leader by the end of a new term, since he was elected in 1999. Plus, he also served as president in the mid-1990s.
The presidency of the council is a full-time paid position.
The March 29 general assembly, which will begin at 10 a.m. at Roaring Rapids Hall, is only open to members of the Fort Smith Metis Council.
- Paul Bickford
Heritage fair, job fair at Res school
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
Fort Resolution's Deninu School will hold its second-annual heritage fair and career fair on April 9.
The heritage fair will feature projects from students in kindergarten to Grade 9. The projects will cover subjects such as NWT history, trapping, animals of the North and aboriginal languages.
The job fair will be focused on students in Grades 8 to 12, and will also be open to members of the community.
At last year's job fair, there were representatives of nine organizations from Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Hay River and Fort Resolution. That included the RCMP, De Beers Canada, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Aurora College and others.
- Paul Bickford
Dog sled races set for Enterprise
Enterprise
Itsago - the annual dog sled races in Enterprise - will be held early next month.
The races have been set for April 5 and 6.
Teams from several communities in the NWT and even from Alberta usually travel to the hamlet for the competition.
The races take place on a trail which begins on the outskirts of Enterprise and heads south along Highway 1.
- Paul Bickford
Hunter found safe by search and rescue
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
A Hall Beach man who went missing March 10 after getting separated from his group while out on the land was found three days later.
"He's in good health and good spirits and he's warm," said Halie MacNeil-Smith, hamlet senior administrative officer, shortly after the hunter was located.
The young man, who is in his 20s, went caribou hunting March 8 and was expected to return two days later. However, he became separated from his hunting party and his snowmobile ran out of gas.
SAR personnel began searching for him the evening of March 10. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton dispatched a plane to assist on March 12.
Iglulik's search and rescue team also became involved in the effort.
MacNeil-Smith said the young man was well-equipped with a two caribou, a small stove, overnight equipment and weather appropriate clothing. He even left a trail to help searchers find him.
The community planned to mark the man's safe return with a community feast and celebration.
- Miranda Scotland
Homeowners eligible for fuel rebate
Nunavut
The Government of Nunavut is offering homeowners a fuel rebate to help ease the burden of the price increase in home heating fuel.
The cost went up by 10 cents per litre starting Jan. 1.
The one-time non-taxable rebate is for $500.
"This payment delays the financial impact of the fuel price increase, giving homeowners and their families more time to prepare for the higher home heating costs they will face in the future," states a news release from the Department of Finance.
To be eligible, residents have to prove they owned a home in the territory sometime between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2014. And that it was their primary residence during that period.
- Miranda Scotland
Woman found dead
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
RCMP are investigating the sudden death of a woman in Cambridge Bay.
The deceased, whose name is not being released, was found dead March 8.
The major crimes unit is involved in the investigation.
RCMP Cpl. Yvonne Niego said police are not releasing any details at this time.
- Miranda Scotland
New city councillor a familiar face
Iqaluit
The City of Iqaluit appointed a familiar face as its newest councillor on March 14.
Stephen Mansell, who previously served as a councillor from June 2011 until October 2012, was officially sworn in at a ceremony at Iqaluit City Hall.
He becomes the city's eighth councillor, filling a spot left vacant by the departure of Mark Morrissey, who left in mid-February to take a job in Alberta.
Mansell's past experience, coupled with a narrow loss to current councillor Noah Papatsie in the October byelection, factored into council's decision to select
him.
- Myles Dolphin
More outrage over
gay rights
Nunavut
Following a tumultuous week in which the issue of gay rights was argued from both sides of the fence, an openly gay man from Kuujjuaq, Que., is hoping his new Facebook page can offer support
to the LGBT community in the Arctic.
Well-known Inuk Robbie Watt created the group last week and spoke out publicly about the issue after hearing comments made by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated president, Cathy Towtongie.
At the recent Baffin Mayors Forum, she expressed support for Iqaluit city councillor Simon Nattaq, who spoke out against the decision to raise the rainbow flag in front of the city's corporate offices on Feb. 10.
Watt was incensed by Towtongie's comments, who he considers a friend.
"Cathy Towtongie, I considered her my friend," Watt reportedly said. "She's gone too far."
Watt's Facebook group is called Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer - LGBTQ Community in the Arctic.
- Myles Dolphin
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