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Monday, October 27, 2014
Arctic Council meets in YK
The organization that gathers the eight Arctic states for
collaboration on issues unique to Northern territories - sustainability and environmentalism in particular - met in Yellowknife last week.
Senior Arctic officials with the Arctic Council met on Oct. 22 and 23 for a debrief on the council's efforts leading up to a 2015 meeting in Iqaluit, which will gather the representative ministers from each nation.
Subjects on the docket included reducing black carbon emissions in the Arctic caused by wood burning in homes, promoting traditional knowledge and developing a portal on adaptation to climate change, and oil spill response in snow and ice conditions.
Efforts towards environmental protection for marine areas of the Arctic, and an update on human health, organic pollutants, radioactivity and short-lived pollutants were also presented.
- Elaine Anselmi
Councillor resigns at Hamlet of Enterprise
Tammy Neal resigned in September as a councillor with the Hamlet of Enterprise.
Neal's two-year term on council was to end in December, when regular hamlet elections are planned.
She is the second councillor to resign in Enterprise this year.
In June, Al Flamand resigned a council seat, which is also up for election in December.
Currently, the hamlet has a mayor and four councillors.
- Paul Bickford
Peel trial reconvenes
The judge in the Peel Watershed case called for the trial to reconvene last Friday, according to a press release.
The original trial finished in July, but a date for the final decision hadn't yet been announced.
Justice Ron Veale asked for the trial to reconvene on Oct. 24 to "more deeply examine the remedies proposed by the plaintiffs," the release stated.
The plaintiffs in the case are the First Nations of Nacho Nyak Dun, Tr'ondek Hwech'in, as well
as the Yukon chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and the Yukon Conservation Society.
They are calling on the Yukon Government to protect more than 54,000 square kilometres of the Peel Watershed.
They launched their legal action in January, with the Northwest Territories' Gwich'in Tribal Council acting as an intervenor in the case.
- Kassina Ryder
Plane makes emergency landing on Highway 1
Enterprise
A small, single-engine Cessna aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on Highway 1, about 30 kilometres north of Enterprise, on Oct. 16.
Hay River RCMP received a call just after 1 p.m. indicating that the plane had experienced mechanical trouble and had landed on the roadway and officers were immediately dispatched to the scene, according to a news release from the police.
They were joined there by representatives of the Department of Transportation.
"The pilot was able to get the plane back operational, and RCMP and DOT ensured that the highway was clear and safe for the pilot to take off and continue its flight to Yellowknife," stated the RCMP release.
No one was injured in the incident.
It is believed the flight originated in Alberta.
- Cody Punter
Hunter catches big bearded seal
Paulatuk
A hunter in Paulatuk harvested a nine-and-a-half foot bearded seal near the community last week, said Diane Ruben, resource person at the Hunters and Trappers Committee.
The seal is considered to be larger than average for the Paulatuk area, Ruben said.
"That's unusual for us to get a large bearded seal," Ruben said.
The animal had some strange markings that appeared to be hair loss on a tail flipper, so staff sent samples to a laboratory in Winnipeg to try and determine the animal's condition.
- Kassina Ryder
Going up bit by bit
Ka'a'gee Tu/Kakisa
Construction is continuing on the new community hall in Kakisa. Staff with the First Nation will be conducting a site inspection on Oct. 30.
- Roxanna Thompson
Educational visit to Sachs Harbour
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Staff from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation will be travelling to Sachs Harbour in November to help educate residents about accessing the Group Independent Assessment Program, said Debbie Gordon-Ruben, resolution health support program manager with the corporation.
The program is part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and is available to groups looking to start healing programs and projects.
Gordon-Ruben and Susan Peffer, resolution health support worker with IRC, will travel to Sachs Harbour to provide information on the program as well as to provide wellness workshops.
Staff also plan to travel to Ulukhaktok and Tuktoyaktuk, Gordon-Ruben said.
- Kassina Ryder
Fall events hit Chief Julius School
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
Younger students at Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson made sure everyone knew what they were thankful for by creating posters for Thanksgiving earlier this month, said education assistant Leslie Blake.
Next on the school's agenda is a Halloween costume contest on the afternoon of Oct. 31, which is open to the entire community.
- Kassina Ryder
A healthy plateful
Pehdzeh Ki/Wrigley
A healthy nutrition program is underway in Wrigley.
Healthy breakfasts will be offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Roxanna Thompson
Forum coming up in Pond Inlet
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
Inuit will have the chance to give their thoughts on the current state of Baffinland's Mary River project this week in Pond Inlet.
The company and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association will host the annual information forum, one of the requirements of the Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement, Oct. 27 to 29 at the community hall.
Elders, youth and QIA community directors from the affected communities will gather to voice their concerns and comments about the iron ore mine.
Priorities include identifying ways to benefit the well-being of Inuit and ensuring they have the chance to participate in decisions that affect their future as the project continues.
The people expected to attend the meeting are from Arctic Bay, Levi Barnabas, Tommy Tatatuapik, and Rick Oyokuluk; from Clyde River, Jerry Natanine, Josee Natanine, and Maryanne Corkett; from Hall Beach, Abraham Qammaniq, Solomon Qanatsiaq, and Debbie Jo Nasook; from Iglulik, Zacharias Kunuk, Natalino Piugatok, and Steve Sarpinak; and from Pond Inlet, Enookie Inuarak, Elisapee Quassa, and Paniloo Sanguja.
- Casey Lessard
Hunter drowns
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The community of Rankin Inlet mourned the death last week of a well-liked young man in the community following an accident on the land.
Kook Aliyak, of Rankin Inlet, 27, was out on the land with three fellow hunters on Oct. 18.
Sgt. Yvonne Niego said the RCMP were notified an accident had occurred at about 4:35 p.m. She said search-and-rescue became involved from that point, followed by the coroner's office.
"Two of the hunters were on one ATV when they submerged in the middle of a lake," said Niego. "One hunter survived with mild hypothermia, while a 27-year-old male succumbed to the situation."
- Darrell Greer
Justice report released
Nunavut
James Eetoolook, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.'s vice-president, released the organization's report on the state of Inuit culture and society Oct. 23 at its annual general meeting in Cambridge Bay.
The report, called Examining the Justice System in Nunavut, focuses on community justice initiatives, family violence, and the relationship between mental health and the criminal justice system.
"Individuals working on these issues in Nunavut told NTI repeatedly that justice is part of a system that must be looked at holistically," said Eetoolook. "We have taken this into account in the recommendations set out in our report by highlighting the ongoing need for increased mental health services and cross-sector co-ordination to prevent family violence."
The report will be tabled in the Nunavut Legislative Assembly and the House of Commons.
- Michele LeTourneau
Arnakallak not guilty
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
A Pond Inlet man accused of stabbing his brother to death is a free man after a jury found him not guilty of second-degree murder.
Ruben Arnakallak was accused of killing his brother Esa on Nov. 25, 2011. His first trial, in February 2013, ended in a mistrial. Both trials were held in the family's hometown, Pond Inlet.
The latest trial started Sept. 15 and ended Oct. 17, and was two weeks longer than planned. More than 20 witnesses were called, Crown prosecutor Barry McLaren said.
Arnakallak was in custody for almost three years while awaiting the verdict. McLaren said he believed the case for a conviction was solid, but did not know if his office would pursue an appeal.
- Casey Lessard
NTI honours three Nunavummiut
Nunavut
Three people received Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.'s (NTI) President's Awards in Cambridge Bay last week, during the organization's annual general meeting.
The annual awards are given to three people who have made significant contributions to preserve Inuit culture and lead community initiatives, stated a news release.
Cathy Towtongie, NTI's president, named Elijah Erkloo for his contribution to the preservation of Inuktitut.
Millie Kuliktana received an award for contributions to the preservation of Inuinnaqtun, as well as her role in assisting Inuit.
Dr. Charlie Evalik was honoured for his long-standing commitment to the advancement of Inuit in the Kitikmeot region and Nunavut.
All three received a plaque and $500.
- Michele LeTourneau
New store selling well
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
Items are selling well at the Ikajutit Hunters' and Trappers' Association's new store, HTA manager Doreen Irqqarqsaq said.
"It's going well," Irqqaqsaq said, noting meat is the most popular item. "The community's happy about the prices."
The Arctic Fishery Alliance boat Kiviuq brought the items to the hamlet to offer lower-cost goods, including frozen foods, dry goods, canned goods, and camping gear.
"There's a lot of stuff," she said.
Irqqarqsaq expects to have enough stock to keep the store open until early in the new year.
- Casey Lessard
Scholarship winner announced
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Lori Tagoona of Rankin Inlet is one of six postsecondary students to receive a $4,000 Northern Futures scholarship from Northwestel this past month.
More than 80 students from across the North applied for one of the scholarships, which also includes a summer job opportunity with Northwestel.
Tagoona is in her second year of business/commerce studies at the University of Winnipeg.
- Darrell Greer
Youth centre gets mural
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Pangnirtung's youth centre is about to get a new mural by Iqaluit's NuSchool, which has made murals across the territory and beyond.
The mural will grace two walls in the centre, formerly a house.
"Originally, it was going to be outside the art centre," community economic development officer Jesse Jacobs said. "But that wasn't able to be completed before the end of the summer, so we started to look for alternate sites."
The project is funded by Economic Development and Transportation for community beautification, and will be painted from Nov. 24 to 28.
- Casey Lessard
Free concert for kids
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
Popular entertainer Aaron Burnett and his wife, Kim, performed a free concert for students of Rachel Arngnammaktiq Elementary School in Baker Lake Oct. 16, as well as an open show for the community the same evening.
Burnett is a Juno-nominated children's entertainer with 20 years experience as an elementary schoolteacher to his credit.
He has released four CDs to date and has a vast repertoire of musical styles to draw upon.
- Darrell Greer
Hunters and Trappers call for nominations
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
Nominations for the board of the Hunters and Trappers Association in Hall Beach opened Oct. 20.
There are six positions to be filled.
Papers are available at the association's office and nominations close Nov. 3.
The election will take place Dec. 8, the same day the community will vote in a new hamlet council.
The four directors with the most votes will hold the position for four years, while the remaining two positions
will hold two-year terms.
- Michele LeTourneau
Abundance of treats
Kangiqtugaapik/Clyde River
Children of Clyde River rejoice!
"There will be lots of candy at the community hall," recreation co-ordinator Clara Natanine said. "We ordered too much."
That means children, who will trick-or-treat from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31, will not go home empty-handed, at least. That said, they may come home confused about their gender. One of the event's games involves children dressing as the opposite sex, Natanine said. Adults will also compete for $100 cash for best costume, with a prize for each gender.
- Casey Lessard
Hunters found safe
Naujaat/Repulse Bay
Two hunters were returned to Repulse Bay safe and sound by local search and rescue volunteers earlier this month.
John Ell and Louis Amagoalik were reported overdue
from a hunting trip on Oct. 14.
Search and rescue team members found the two men walking back to town on Oct. 15. Both men were in good health.
- Darrell Greer
Badminton in Baker Lake
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
The community of Baker Lake was set to host a Kivalliq regional badminton tournament this past weekend, from Oct. 24 to 26.
Play was to be featured in male and female divisions of U14, U16, U19 and Open adult.
The tournament is supported by the Baker Lake Youth Athletic Association and the Nunavut Badminton Association.
Meanwhile Kivaliq communities are preparing to send soccer players to Rankin Inlet for a tournament.
The U18 event for boys and girls is scheduled to be held at the Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik gym from Nov. 7 to 10.
Fourteen teams - seven male and seven female - are expected to participate from all seven Kivalliq communities.
- Darrell Greer
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