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Monday, October 13, 2014
RCMP probe Inuvik vehicle fire
RCMP and the NWT Fire Marshal's Office are both investigating a suspicious vehicle fire in at Tununuk Place in Inuvik Oct. 9.
Police stated in a news release that unsuccessful attempts were made to light two other vehicles on fire.
RCMP are asking that anyone with information contact police or Crime Stoppers.
- John McFadden
Police investigate sudden death
Police in Inuvik are investigating a sudden death after a man was found in a medical distress on the Dempster Highway Oct. 9
In a news release, Const. Elenore Sturko, RCMP G Division spokeswoman wrote that police were called at 9:45 a.m. on Oct. 9 to a report of a male in medical distress on the Dempster Highway about 40 kilometres outside Inuvik.
He was later pronounced dead after being taken to the Inuvik Territorial Hospital.
Sturko wrote that while the investigation is still underway, "there is no evidence at this time to suggest a concern for public safety."
The coroner's office has also been called in to investigate.
- Shane Magee
Taking to the skies
Seven students from the Northwest Territories were each given a $5,000 aviation scholarship earlier this month.
The Northern Aviation Scholarships were set up to encourage NWT residents to pursue careers in the aviation industry, a news release from the GNWT stated.
The GNWT, the Government of Nunavut, Discovery Air, Keewatin Air and North-Wright Air sponsor the scholarships.
"Increasing Northern employment in the aviation industry benefits us all," said Transportation Minister Tom Beaulieu.
- Kassina Ryder
Sealskin price increases
The Government of the Northwest Territories will now pay harvesters $70 per sealskin, according to a press release from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
That's up from the $55 that the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs Hide Procurement program, which is administered through the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, used to pay per skin.
The money is given to harvesters before the skins are tanned and dyed in the south.
They are then sold to NWT artists using a cost-neutral pricing model.
- Kassina Ryder
Tuktoyaktuk celebrates Grandparents' Day
Tuktoyaktuk
Tuktoyaktuk hosted a community feast for elders at Kitti Hall in celebration of its annual Grandparents' Day on Sept. 30.
Approximately 40 people turned out for the annual feast, which included a spread of ham and turkey dinner with all the fixings and dessert.
"We had a really good turnout," said Stacey Cockney-Raddy, acting recreation co-ordinator.
After dinner, the elders played games, with prizes handed out to the winners. The most popular game was pop the balloon, according to Cockney-Raddy. There were also door prizes handed out, including a $100 gift certificate to the Northern Store.
"People came out smiling with gifts," she said. "I think it went really well."
- Cody Punter
Health fair set for Enterprise
Enterprise
A health fair will be held in Enterprise on Oct. 28.
The event is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the hamlet office and will feature flu shots, diabetes information, heart rate checkups and more.
The health fair is being hosted by the Enterprise Senior Society in partnership with the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority.
-Paul Bickford
Going to the polls
Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
Nominations opened on Oct. 8 and will close on Oct. 14 for the position of chief of Jean Marie River First Nation. The election for the three-year term will be held on Oct. 20.
As well, Chief Stan Sanguez, Margaret Ireland, Gladys Norwegian and Yvonne Norwegian attended a trans-boundary water management agreement meeting in Yellowknife from Oct. 6 to 7.
- Roxanna Thompson
Walk for diabetes
Aklavik
Aklavik's Northern store hosted its second annual walk in support of diabetes research on Sept. 27.
"We're more or less just trying to get the word out and support Canadian diabetes research," said Greg Wilson, grocery manager for the Northern store.
"It affects so many people. If you sit around and think about it there's got to be somebody like a family member or a friend that is affected by it."
Despite the rainy weather the walk attracted 23 participants.
"The weather was not too nice but we had a good turnout," said Wilson.
In total they raised $120 for the cause.
"Considering the amount of people that showed up that's alright," he said.
All participants received a free T-shirt and a medal just for taking part in the run.
Wilson said he hoped to partner with the hamlet and the band office for the following year's walk in order to make the event even bigger.
- Cody Punter
Fall feast planned at Fort Smith museum
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A fall feast will be hosted by Fort Smith's Northern Life Museum & Cultural Centre on the evening of Oct. 25.
The feast will feature homemade soups, breads and desserts.
Along with a full belly, each guest will take home a handmade pottery bowl by Yellowknife artist Astrid Kruse. Creations by both Fort Smith and regional artists will be on display and will be auctioned off.
More information on the fall feast, including on the price of a ticket, is available by contacting Northern Life Museum.
- Paul Bickford
Northern and Dene games training
Paulatuk
The recreation committee and the Paulatuk Community Corporation are once again offering training sessions for Northern and Dene games.
The sessions run from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday and Thursday at the Angik School gym. They are open to anyone but are geared mostly toward students who want to train for regional competitions, according to recreation co-ordinator Aaron Ruben.
"(It's) just to keep kids active and strongly into our games," said Ruben.
There have been between 10 to 15 youth showing up to the sessions since they were started up again several weeks ago, Ruben said.
Some of the games that are being taught are the one-foot and two-foot high kick, the bench reach, and the kneel jump.
The sessions are being led by the experienced and talented duo of Marion Green and Dwayne Illisiak.
"I'm not sure how long they've been doing it, but they've doing it quite a while," said Ruben.
- Cody Punter
Halloween event for Smith families
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Circle of Friends in Fort Smith will be hosting Family Fun Halloween at the Rec Centre on the afternoon of Oct. 25.
There will be games for children, prizes for carved pumpkins and treats for all youngsters.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Circle of Friends is a group of women who help out with various good causes in Fort Smith.
- Paul Bickford
Thanksgiving dinner for those in need
Telit'Zeh/Fort McPherson
The homeless kitchen program and the youth committee were looking for volunteers to help organize a Thanksgiving dinner on Oct. 13.
Shawna Nerysoo, co-ordinator of the homelessness kitchen program, said she was looking for people to help with both the cooking and the serving of the food. Nerysoo said the meal was open to anyone, and especially youth.
"There's individuals all alone that don't have any family and have nowhere to go so we're doing this for them," said Shawna Nerysoo, co-ordinator of the homelessness kitchen program.
Dinner was to be be served at 4 p.m. at the youth and elders centre and included turkey, ham and all the fixings, according to Nerysoo.
- Cody Punter
A different type of dry meat
Tthenaago/Nahanni Butte
Charles Yohin School held a two-day culture camp from Sept. 17 to 18. A tent was set up near the school and students cut and made dry meat from mountain sheep local outfitters had provided.
The students also set rabbit snares.
- Roxanna Thompson
Residents say no to alcohol committee
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
The result of vote in Taloyoak on Oct. 6 means the community will remain on an unrestricted system regarding liquor laws.
Rather than creating an alcohol education committee, the community will continue to observe the general liquor laws of Nunavut.
Of the 244 valid votes cast, 43 per cent were in favour of establishing a committee and 57 per cent were opposed. Two ballots were rejected.
There were 400 eligible voters on the list.
In order for the community to move forward with a committee, a change from the existing way of operating, more than 60 per cent of accepted ballots cast had to be in favour of the change.
- Michele LeTourneau
Laundry pods pose danger
Nunavut
The territory's Department of Health wants to ensure children are protected from the hazards of ingesting laundry detergent pods in the wake of incidents of children eating the pods. There have been two incidents of children ingesting pods in Nunavut.
"Children are attracted to the pods, which look, feel and smell like soft candies," stated spokesperson Ron Wassink in a news release Oct. 6.
"The pods contain concentrated soap and other cleaning agents that pose significant health risks if they are eaten, especially in the case of small children."
The department suggests keeping laundry detergents and household cleaning products in cabinets with childproof latches or locks.
Also, if a child is suspected of swallowing a laundry detergent pod or other hazardous cleaning product, adults are asked to contact a health-care provider immediately.
- Michele LeTourneau
Fire leaves five homeless
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
A home that was set to be condemned by the housing authority in Arctic Bay burned to the ground Oct. 6, leaving a family of five homeless.
No one was home at the time, and delayed reporting of the fire meant everything was lost, Fire Chief Steven Kalluk said.
"They were about to destroy the building. It was too old," Kalluk said.
Firefighters were called well after the fire had started.
"Nobody was there, but they were saying there were people in there, so we were panicking and trying to go faster, but we could not," he said.
Upon arrival, they realized no one was home, and tried to save the building and contents. But by then, it was likely too late.
"There was too much stuff," he said. "They were collectors. There was too much fuel for the fire. We couldn't save the stuff."
The blaze was the first in the hamlet in about five years, Kalluk noted.
The family is now living with family, but is getting support from the community's alcohol committee, which has funds to help in situations like this.
"They're getting lots of help from the town," he said.
The fire fight was also delayed by a fire in the water pump, which had to be put out with a fire extinguisher before being put back into service.
- Casey Lessard
Capital shoreline cleaned up
Iqaluit
For the third year, students from Ecole des Trois-Soleils, Nuanvut's only Francophone school, participated in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup Sept. 21.
"This is a great way to take care of their community, to learn about consumer waste and environmental concerns, and to give their learning some real-life experience by living out the Inuit Qaujimajituqangit that are at the heart of Nunavut education," said Francois Ouellette, a teacher at the school.
Students from grades 3 to 9 dispersed with garbage bags, picking up trash along the way from the brook near the Grind and Brew heading upstream to Arctic Venture.
"At their return, the younger students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 were there to give them a hero's welcome, served with a steaming cup of hot chocolate," said Ouellette.
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a national initiative spearheaded by the Vancouver Aquarium.
- Michele LeTourneau
Education credit deadline nears
Nunavut
The deadline for all eligible former residential school students who qualified for the Common Experience Payment under the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement to use their education credits is Oct. 31.
Recipients can use the full amount themselves or give part or all of this personal credit to certain family members such as a spouse, child, grandchild or sibling. Personal credits of multiple recipients can be combined to support a group learning activity, according to an information sheet distributed by the federal government.
Information on how to access the credit can be found by visiting www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca or by calling 1-866-879-4913.
Once the credits have been distributed, any amount that remains in the trust fund on Jan. 1 is to be paid to the National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund and the Inuvialuit Education Foundation to be used for educational programs.
- Michele LeTourneau
Vessel delivers sealift supplies
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
The Ikajutit Hunters and Trappers Association is helping reduce the cost of food for some people in Arctic Bay with a little help from Kiviuq, the Arctic Fishery Alliance boat.
Visiting the town earlier this month, the boat brought some sealift goods - including frozen foods, dry goods, canned goods, and camping gear - for the association to sell to the community.
"Everyone's excited because all the items we received are a lot cheaper than at our store," said manager Doreen Irqqarqsaq.
The goods were brought from Newfoundland. The store was set to be open all week at the former Friendship Centre.
- Casey Lessard
College seeks seal skins
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
The Pangnirtung Community Learning Centre is looking for dried seal skins for its Adult Basic Education Elder Inclusion Project.
The skins don't have to be stretched, and can be either ringed or harp seal.
Those who have seals available to sell can contact Sheila Dialla.
- Casey Lessard
Areva makes final submission
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
Areva Resources Canada has submitted its final environmental impact statement for its Kiggavik project to the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB).
Kiggavik is a proposed uranium mining and milling operation located 80 km west of Baker Lake.
The statement presented to NIRB reflects more than six years of engineering, environmental and public-engagement studies.
If given the green light, Kiggavik would require between three to four years of construction.
It would operate for about 14 years based on estimated resources of 130 million pounds of uranium.
- Darrell Greer
Feast of thanks
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
Elders and students at Jimmy Hikok Ilihakvik in Kugluktuk celebrated Thanksgiving in the afternoon of Sept. 9, thanks to First Air.
For the fifth year, the airline sponsored a feast.
"Presently our Kindergarten to Level 6 students are busy preparing expressions of gratitude for our elders by practicing a song that will be sung for them," said teacher Lori Rudyk.
The airline sends all the food necessary for the feast from Yellowknife.
"The food is prepared and served with help from the school staff, RCMP, Ilavut Centre and Arctic College," said Rudyk.
The Kugluktuk Home Care team, Kugluktuk District Education Authority and Kugluktuk Northern store are also partners in the event.
- Michele LeTourneau
Joining the run
Kangiqlininq/Rankin Inlet
Students and staff members of Leo Ussak Elementary School took to the streets in support of the annual Terry Fox Run in Rankin Inlet late last month.
Students at schools in Repulse Bay and Baker Lake held their run the previous week.
- Darrell Greer
Youth invited on adventure
Nunavut
Northern Youth Abroad is now accepting applications from young people 15 to 20 years old living in Nunavut or the NWT for its annual program. The deadline is Nov. 12 and participants can be no older than 20 years next June 1.
The program that gives young people a chance to travel and work across Canada, and once that portion of the program is completed, can apply later to travel to and work in another country.
Applicants need to fill out an application form and get a referral from a mentor and another adult who is not a direct relative. The program accepts applications online and by e-mail or fax.
- Casey Lessard
Pedestrian struck by ATV
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
Officers in the Baker Lake detachment of the RCMP laid charges of impaired driving causing bodily harm against a local ATV driver this past month.
A pedestrian was struck by an all-terrain vehicle during the early morning hours of Sept. 26.
The victim was sent to Winnipeg for medical treatment as a result of the incident.
The accused is scheduled to make a first court appearance on Oct. 2.
As of press time, the name of the individual charged had not been released.
- Darrell Greer
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