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Monday, April 28 2014
First Nation seeks knowledge holders
Smith's Landing First Nation is seeking individuals to deliver traditional knowledge workshops.
The topics can include making dried foods, preparing hides, creating traditional arts and crafts, preparing wild meat, fishing, hunting, trapping, storytelling, berry picking and tea making.
- Paul Bickford
Calling all ambassadors
The Northwest Territories Youth Ambassador program is looking for applicants for 2014-2015, according to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
The program is available to youth between the ages of 16 and 24 and provides volunteer opportunities at a variety of events, such as the Arctic Winter Games, Canada Winter Games and the North American Indigenous Games.
Anyone who has already participated in the program can apply to become a youth ambassador mentor, who will focus on developing leadership skills.
Applications are due by June 16 and youth will be selected based on their level of community involvement, healthy lifestyle and how they believe they would benefit from the program.
Application forms and more information can be found at www.nwtyouth.com.
- Kassina Ryder
Donations for test drives in Fort Smith
Kingland Ford of Hay River will hold a community fundraiser for Fort Smith during the ninth-annual Fort Smith Thebacha Trade Show on May 3.
Ford Canada will donate $20 to Fort Smith for every test drive a resident takes.
- Paul Bickford
First post-devolution water licences approved
The GNWT approved its first two post-devolution water licences last week.
"I'm pleased to see these water licence amendments proceed in such a thorough and timely manner," said Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Michael Miltenberger. "This demonstrates the success of Northern control over Northern resources and our capacity for undertaking these responsibilities."
The licences were approved for North American Tungsten Corporation Limited and Miramar Northern Mining Limited for its Con Mine site in Yellowknife.
Letters approving the amended licences are being sent to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board.
- Cody Punter
Substance abuse policy for Enterprise
Enterprise
Enterprise community council approved a substance abuse policy for hamlet employees at its meeting on April 7.
"This is something that is very difficult to deal with," said John McKee, the hamlet's interim senior administrative officer. "Substance abuse is considered a disability, so there's a whole bunch of rules and regulations that you must adhere to."
McKee said the hamlet needed a very clear policy.
- Paul Bickford
Biggest Loser Contest beginning in Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A weight-loss competition is beginning in Fort Smith.
The Biggest Loser Contest in being presented by the Town of Fort Smith and the Public Health division of the Fort Smith Health and Social Services Authority.
The eight-week-long contest, which is open to community residents of all ages, will be launched with weigh-ins at 6 p.m. on April 28 in the main foyer of Paul William Kaeser (PWK) High School.
Weekly weigh-ins will take place on Mondays at Public Health until the final weigh-in on June 23.
No participants will be eliminated during the contest.
Instead, it will help people lose weight by offering a 25-per-cent discount on a three-month membership at the Rec Centre, one free session with a personal trainer, instructor-led classes for half price, and access to free educational classes from Public Health on topics such as healthy eating and physical activity.
Public Health will calculate the percentage of body weight lost by each participant. The three with the highest percentage of weight loss will be awarded prizes.
The winners will be announced June 24 during a potluck dinner at PWK High School.
- Paul Bickford
Ladies' kayaking night set at Fort Smith pool
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Fort Smith Paddling Club will host its annual ladies' kayaking night at the community swimming pool from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on April 29.
The event is free and open to all skill levels. Even those who have never been in a kayak are welcomed to try the sport.
This is an opportunity to practise on the water before the arrival of kayaking season on the Slave River.
- Paul Bickford
Mad Trapper Rendezvous wraps up
Aklavik
Students, parents and teachers from Moose Kerr School held pancake breakfasts earlier this month ago to help raise money for their graduation celebrations coming up in June.
The two breakfasts took place April 20 and April 21 where graduating students served sourdough pancakes and regular pancakes with eggs, bacon or sausage, and coffee.
It is not yet known how much money they raised.
The fundraising was held at the same time as the Mad Trapper Rendezvous, which wrapped up last week.
Gordon Simms, Florence Greenland, and Millie Greenland won the king and queen cash draw and received $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000 respectively.
Vince Sharpe, Taylor McLeod, Lena Allen and Levi Arey were the winners of the raffle prize draw.
- Cody Punter
Learning on the land
Tuktoyaktuk
A number of students from Mangilaluk School went out on the land earlier this month. Students from grades four through six did day trips while students from grades seven to 12 did overnight trips.
The older students travelled to Rocky Hill about one and a half hours south of Tuktoyaktuk by snowmobile, where they pitched tents with the help of elders.
"It was pretty cold and windy when they went, but they did do some fishing. And, of course, they made sure to put chunks of snow up so they were sheltered for the night," said principal Agnes Cudmore.
Because of the bad weather, they didn't get the chance to do any hunting.
Meanwhile, the younger students who went out on day trips had elders shoot some ptarmigan for them.
"They'll probably do some cooking and teach them how to use the ptarmigans," said Cudmore.
The school is now trying to plan further trips for the kindergarten to Grade 1 students in the coming weeks.
- Cody Punter
Muskox season wrapping up
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Ulukhaktok Adventures Limited is wrapping up another successful muskox hunting season. The season officially started March 15 and ends April 30.
Before it is over, the company will be taking some American and Canadian sport hunters out on the land for a five-day muskox hunt beginning April 24.
"We've been doing really good. It creates some extra money for the community, and it creates a real buzz when the hunters are in town," said hunt co-ordinator, Jack Akhiatak.
Cody Robbins, who hosts the hunting show Live 2 Hunt, will be taking part in the hunt.
"The majority are Americans, but we do get some Canadians," said Akhiatak.
- Cody Punter
Man dies following snowmobile accident
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
A Taloyoak man has succumbed to his injuries after a snowmobile accident on April 21, according to a RCMP news release on April 24.
The man, whose name has not been released, was traveling with another person who was also injured in the crash.
Taloyoak RCMP responded to a call at approximately 10:30 p.m. that evening and both were transported to the health centre for treatment.
One male was medevaced to Edmonton for further treatment but died from his injuries on the evening of April 23.
- Myles Dolphin
Sudden death investigated
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
The Baker Lake detachment of the RCMP began an investigation April 16, into the sudden death of an adult female at a local residence in Baker.
The woman is reportedly around 40 years old. The RCMP Major Crimes Unit and Forensic Identification Services out of Iqaluit were called in to assist the Baker detachment and the Office of the Chief Coroner with the investigation. The body of the woman was sent out for an autopsy to be performed.
There was no news on the autopsy report as of press time, and the RCMP are not releasing the name of the deceased.
- Darrell Greer
Sewage problems in Iglulik and Hall Beach
Iglulik and Sanirajak/Hall Beach
Hall Beach has switched to using its second sewage lagoon because the first is filled with snow and ice, according to the hamlet's senior administrative officer.
Halie MacNeil-Smith said it's not a huge concern at this point, but the hamlet is monitoring the situation.
The hamlet of Iglulik is facing the same problem with its sewage lagoons. Both communities have seen quite a large growth in their populations over the past decade.
"Our public workers are looking into (the issue with the sewage lagoons)," said Celestino Uyarak, assistant senior administrative officer for the hamlet. "We try to improve the lagoons every year but it's hard to keep up at times."
- Miranda Scotland
Marking health and safety week
Iqaluit
The Workers' Safety Compensation Commission is holding a barbeque in Iqaluit May 5 to mark North American occupational safety and health week.
Lunch will be provided at the Francophone centre starting at noon, followed by a safety game show at 1 p.m.
A commemoration ceremony is also set for April 28 to remember workers who have been killed or injured on the job. The event starts at noon in the Nunavut Legislative Assembly.
- Miranda Scotland
Community consultations for national park
Nunavut
Nunavummiut living in the High Arctic will soon be able to voice their thoughts on a draft management plan for Sirmilik National Park.
Parks Canada will hold community consultations in Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay and Iqaluit beginning April 28, according to an April 24 news release.
The information will create the basis for a framework that will determine how Parks Canada, Inuit, stakeholders and the general public can manage the park in the future.
"It also will describe and provide guidance on facilitation of visitor experiences and learning opportunities, and on the protection of the park's ecological integrity and cultural resources," the release stated.
Nunavummiut will also be able to provide their input online.
- Myles Dolphin
Nunavut Quest racers on their way
Iglulik
This year's batch of Nunavut Quest dog mushing competitors began their 395 km race from Iglulik to Pond Inlet April 24.
Celestino Uyarak, assistant senior administrative officer for the hamlet of Iglulik, said the community was excited to host the visiting racers from Arctic Bay, Hall Beach and Pond Inlet and watch the competitors set out last Thursday.
The route for the race changes every year. This is the first time the event has started in Iglulik since 2008, said Uyarak, who has competed in the race a couple times himself.
"It's extremely fun. It's not just a race, it's about socializing, meeting friends, communicating, learning from others," he said. "By the time you reach the end you feel lighter, you're proud of yourself, you're proud of the others."
Issac Irngaut, 17, of Iglulik is the youngest competitor in this year's race. Uyarak said he was surprised to learn Irngaut was entered.
"They had a meeting here and I noticed there was a young fella there. I thought he was assisting his dad and later I learned he will be mushing and he's from Iglulik and we're so proud of him."
"We're proud of all our mushers from Iglulik."
Andy Attagutalukutuk of Iglulik was the 2013 winner, finishing the race from Arctic Bay to Iglulik in just over 38 hours.
- Miranda Scotland
New gear for budding hockey players
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
Project North, an organization that helps Arctic youth acquire sports equipment, is coming to Arctic Bay from May 7 to 11, according to Clare Kines, the hamlet's economic development officer.
The group will be bringing 25 bags of new hockey gear to the community, with equipment provided by the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA).
Award-winning Canadian photographer Michelle Valberg, who has already visited the community a few times, will be conducting a photo workshop, Kines added.
Other surprises are in store for the visit and will be announced shortly.
- Myles Dolphin
Cuffed for charity
Igluligaarjuk/Chesterfield Inlet
Victor Sammurtok School staff and students chipped in their support of a mock jail fundraiser held for Northern Youth Abroad (NYA) students Mason Tautu and Aaron Alogut in Chesterfield Inlet earlier this month. The mock jail raised a grand total of $1,290 for the NYA students.
- Darrell Greer
Easter egg hunt gone wrong
Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island
Youth in Qikiqtarjuaq who expected an Easter egg hunt April 21, may have been scratching their heads in disbelief after no eggs were to be found.
That's because someone picked up the chocolate eggs during lunch time, after they had been left behind by the hamlet's recreation co-ordinator, Adrian Toomasie.
"I went to hide the chocolate eggs this morning at the playground and I was told they had already been picked up by adults," he said.
- Myles Dolphin
No fear for students
Igluligaarjuk/Chesterfield Inlet
Students in grades 1 and 2 took part in a funfilled - and sometimes gross- Fear Factor Challenge at Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield Inlet earlier this month.
The Fear Factor Challenge was planned and organized by teacher Vicki Tanuyak.
- Darrell Greer
Leaders meet
Churchill, Man./Kivalliq
Kivalliq mayors and other community leaders travelled to Churchill, Man., this past week to attend the Hudson Bay Neighbours Regional Roundtable.
The April 1617 meetings were also attended by various northern Manitoba leaders and mayors, as well as representatives from Inuit organizations, the federal government and the Government of Nunavut.
- Darrell Greer
Students display projects for public
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
The Heritage Fair was held at the Nasivvik High School gym on April 15. The event, organized by social studies teacher Scott MacDonald, featured projects by students grades seven through nine.
Community members were brought in to serve as judges.
The topics were pre-contact Inuit culture, comparing and contrasting Inuit traditional culture versus modern day Inuit and Canada's provinces and territories.
The three winners from each grade were Sylvia Pewatoalook, Allan Peterloosie and Komangapik Aglak (Grade 7); Tyrone Pewatoalook, Nancy Ootoova and Matthew Macpa (Grade 8); and Lindsey Qanguq, Cara Killiktee and Rose Tagak (Grade 9).
- Myles Dolphin
Fighting for the cup
Kugaaruk/Pelly Bay
Hockey teams from the Kitikmeot region battled it out this past weekend in the Netsilik cup.
Players came from Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven to compete in Kugaaruk. This is the second time the tournament has been held in the hamlet, said recreation co-ordinator Charles Zwennes.
"People are always excited to watch a tournament here," he said.
- Miranda Scotland
Hockey time continues
Naujaat/Repulse Bay
The community of Repulse Bay had a weekend of hockey action with Repulse hosting the Arctic Circle Cup senior mens' hockey championship April 25 to 27.
Two teams from host Repulse and squads from Rankin Inlet, Coral Harbour and Arviat were expected to compete at the event.
- Darrell Greer
Magician set to visit
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Manitoba magician and entertainer Brian Glow is set to perform a magic show at the Rankin Inlet Community Hall on Wednesday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Pakallak Tyme celebrations.
Known as the "master of illusion and fun," Glow's performance promises to be a funfilled event for children of all ages.
- Darrell Greer
Easter celebrations
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
Hall Beach residents celebrated Easter with traditional games and a square dance.
The activities were held at the community hall and were very well-attended, according to Halie MacNeil-Smith, senior administrative officer for the hamlet. The next big event in Hall Beach is the annual fishing derby. It is set to be held from May 16 to 19 at Hall Lake. All ages are invited to participate.
- Miranda Scotland
Thursday, April 24 2014
Streets names make their way to Fort Providence
The Hamlet of Fort Providence held a public meeting April 23 about the council's street naming project.
Hamlet council began the project in January because the community currently doesn't have any street names. The hamlet has received a lot of comments from residents who apply for services and are asked to provide a street address, which they don't have, said Susan Christie, the hamlet's senior administrative office.
A committee comprised of council members is doing background work on the project that will be taken back to the rest of council. The council requested a public meeting be held so input could be gathered from residents and other organizations in the community, Christie said. Questions include whether the street names should have a theme, or if numbers should be used.
"That will help set some direction for the ongoing work," she said.
Ice crossings close for season
April 24 is the last day of operation this season for the two remaining ice crossings in the Deh Cho.
Both the Liard River and the N'Dulee crossings were scheduled to close to all vehicles at noon on Thursday. The crossings were restricted to vehicles with high clearance and four wheel drive April 18. The Nahanni Butte ice crossing finished the season April 16.
Both the Liard and N'Dulee crossings made it slightly past their 10-year average closure date, which they share on April 21.
March temperatures follow trend
March followed historical trends in Fort Simpson in terms of temperatures.
The village had an average mean temperature for the month of
-14.5 C, a degree and a half lower than the historical daily average of -13 C. The village reached a high of 3.4 C March 13 and a low of -34.2 C March 7.
Neither Fort Liard or Fort Providence had historical data available. Fort Liard had a mean March temperature of -10.6 C and Fort Providence's was -16.5 C.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, based in the United States, announced April 22 that last month was one of the hottest Marches on record for most of the Earth. It was the fourth hottest March in 135 years of records, taking into account the average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces.
Below average temperatures, however, were found across most of North America last month.
Snorkel relay race to end in Inuvik
You know summer must be drawing close when announcements of upcoming zany adventure trips come trickling in.
One such announcement came last week when Susan Eaton, an Arctic scientist and adventurer, said she's planning a snorkel relay trip across the Arctic Ocean starting in Davis Strait and ending in Inuvik.
A team of female swimmers recruited by Eaton will attempt the crossing this summer, using customized equipment.
Part of the attempt will include the use of a "torpedo" propulsion unit that will pull the swimmers along.
"We're planning to end the trip in Inuvik," said Eaton.
"We'll be on a large boat for support, with zodiacs in the water to keep pace with support of the snorkelers."
Funding woes for friendship centre
The Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre is once again struggling with uncertain funding.
Shirley Elias, the chair of the Ingamo Hall board, said she wouldn't directly comment on the issues, which include an unknown number of temporary layoffs at the hall.
Brenda Jerome, the executive director of the hall, said she couldn't offer any comment without the direct permission of the board, but didn't deny layoffs have occurred.
A source at the hall who didn't have permission to speak officially said the centre was waiting for word from federal officials as to how a new funding regime will work following the federal government's decision to eliminate the Aboriginal Friendship Centre Program (AFCP) which provided core funding to the centres across Canada.
Camping season coming soon
With most NWT parks scheduled to open for camping on May 15, the GNWT has introduced a new website.
"People eager to book camping spots online will have a new, user friendly website to make the booking process smoother," states a GNWT news release.
"Visitors will notice several modifications including photos, broader search capabilities and individual campsite details."
The site opened for reservations at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 15.
"Online booking of NWT campgrounds is extremely popular and many campgrounds fill up early. Campers are encouraged to book early," stated the release.
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