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Monday, November 24, 2014
NTPC chair takes leave
Brendan Bell, chair of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) has announced he is taking a leave of absence from the position until March 1 of next year.
A news release from NTPC on Nov. 21 stated that the leave is for personal reasons and is effective immediately. Bell has been chair since Dec. 3, 2010. His current appointment ends on Dec 2, 2016. Michael Miltenberger, minister responsible for the NTPC, has appointed vice-chair David Tucker as acting chair.
- John McFadden
Res Metis plan special assembly
The Fort Resolution Metis Council has set a special assembly for Dec. 15. The agenda items include elections, reports and resolutions.
The special assembly will begin at 6 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Antoine Beaulieu Memorial Hall.
- Paul Bickford
Aklavik elects new council
Beneficiaries voted to reinstate four directors to the Ehdiitat Gwich'in Council and bring in three new faces during an election in Aklavik Nov. 17.
Andrew Charlie, Eddie Greenland and Randy Edwards will join Roxanne John, Danny Greenland, Gladys Edwards and Michael Greenland on the board.
Sixty-five percent of the 106 eligible voters cast a ballot in the election. Andrew Charlie received the most votes at 48, while Eddie Greenland and Mildred Edwards tied for the final seat with 35 votes each. Once Mildred heard about the tie she chose to withdraw, according to returning officer Sarah Poliquin.
The directors will decide amongst themselves who will sit as president and vice president of the council.
- Miranda Scotland
Mackenzie Delta named region at risk
The Mackenzie Delta has been named as an important bird and biodiversity area of special concern.
In a recently-released report, BirdLife and its partners have identified 1,200 "place(s) of international significance for the conservation of the world's birds and other nature," worldwide and 356 are considered under threat. The Mackenzie River Delta is one of four sites in Canada.
The report states the greatest threats to the area are from energy production and mining, human intrusions and disturbances, and transportation and service corridors.
- Miranda Scotland
Drumdance approaches
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
Fort Liard is hosting a potluck feast at 6 p.m. at the community hall followed by a drum dance with Meander River Dene Drummers on Nov. 22 from 8 p.m. to midnight.
The annual Christmas bazaar and flea market is taking place Dec. 7 and 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the community hall. If you wish to book tables, contact JoAnne Deneron.
Steven Klondike and Sylvia Bertrand celebrated birthdays on Nov. 16. Happy belated birthday as well to Donna Klondike Nov. 17.
- Shane Magee
Paulatuk talks belugas
Paulatuk
A community meeting is scheduled to take place in Paulatuk on Nov. 27 to discuss the beluga whale monitoring project that took place near the community this summer, said Diane Ruben, resource person with the Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers' Committee.
The meeting will include discussing the forms hunters filled out with their observations about beluga behaviour this year, which was compiled by researcher Sonja Ostertag.
Ruben said residents are invited to a dinner at the Paulatuk Visitors' Centre at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
- Kassina Ryder
Toys and clothing get swapped
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
Thursday is National Child Day and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. the rec centre will host a toy and clothing swap. Those who want to bring toys and clothes to swap are welcome to do so. There will be food and prizes.
- Shane Magee
Children of the North focus of photo display
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre in Fort Smith is presenting a photo exhibition on northern children from the past.
The display - 'A Century of Northern Children' - began on Nov. 17 and will conclude on Dec. 15.
It features photos of children from communities around the North that have been taken over the past century. People viewing the exhibition can also play a traditional game or take a look at toys that were popular in the past.
- Paul Bickford
Festival of Trees at Fort Smith museum
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Festival of Trees has begun in Fort Smith.
It is an annual event in which businesses, clubs, families and individuals are invited to create unique Christmas trees at Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre.
Set-up of the trees can be done from Monday to Friday until Nov. 28.
The winning entries, which will be determined in a vote by the public, will be announced on Dec. 13.
- Paul Bickford
Hunters share bounty
Aklavik
The Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee helped co-ordinate a country food give-away for Inuvialuit on Nov. 18, said office assistant Savannah Greeenland.
Inuvialuit residents were invited to the hunters and trappers office between 1 and 5 p.m. to take home caribou and char, which were donated by local hunters. There was a limit of one item per household on a first-come, first-served basis.
Greenland said sharing country food with Inuvialuit is a yearly hunters and trappers committee event.
- Kassina Ryder
Ski trail, rink work starting soon
Tthenaago/Nahanni Butte
Work is going to be starting soon on the ski trail and the outdoor ice rink. Some preparation work has started on the ice bridge and normally takes about three to four weeks before it is fully opened.
- Shane Magee
Addictions awareness spreads
Tetlit'zheh/Fort McPherson
Residents of Fort McPherson participated in a variety of events and activities for NWT Addictions Awareness Week, said justice co-ordinator Deborah Peterson.
Events included a pancake breakfast, talent shows for teens and adults, a fishing derby, a scavenger hunt and elders' games.
The week also included open house events for community organizations, such as the health centre and community wellness offices, which allowed residents to visit with staff and get to know resources available in the community, Peterson said.
- Kassina Ryder
More firefighters sought
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
With a crew almost half the size of past years, the Pangnirtung Fire Department is looking for a few good volunteers to help when emergencies happen.
"We used to have 28 volunteers, and right now we're about 15 or 16," said firefighter Noah Mosesee. "And we want to fill those 28 again."
Volunteers are trained in Iqaluit or Rankin Inlet when it is available.
"Help the community," is one motivation to get involved, Mosesee said.
Residents interested in volunteering can contact Mosesee.
- Casey Lessard
Bowhead hunts announced
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
Hall Beach is one of two communities to host a bowhead whale hunt next summer. Pangnirtung is the other, it was announced last week.
Planning will begin in January, after the December elections for the hunters and trappers association, said Luba Nangmalik, the Hall Beach association manager.
The last bowhead whale hunt in the community was held in 2008. At that hunt, "there were about six boats taking part, if I'm not mistaken," said Nangmalik.
She adds that everyone in the community is excited about the hunt, which will take place in July or August.
- Michele LeTourneau
Dancing for hampers
Igluligaarjuk/Chesterfield Inlet
The Chesterfield Inlet Fishing Derby Committee will be holding a fundraising oldiesteen dance at the community hall on Nov. 29 from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m.
The committee plans to donate half the proceeds from the dance to the organization handling the annual Christmas hamper drive in the community this year.
- Darrell Greer
Special help for food bank
Iqaluit
For the third year, CBC North will broadcast live to solicit cash and food donations for the Qajuqtuviq Soup Kitchen and Niqinik Nuatsivik Food Bank in Iqaluit. This year, the broadcaster will do it live from the soup kitchen so people can see the operation first-hand.
"It's a very light-hearted, fun show where we have Christmas music, local talent, a couple of our radio personalities," said senior producer Joanna Awa. Cash donations for the soup kitchen are especially needed at Christmas time to ensure it can feed the people using the service. Non-perishable food items are also collected for the food bank. The Christmas special airs Dec. 5 from 8 to 10 a.m. and will be broadcast live on CBC across Nunavut.
"Very much the need is there," Awa said. "The latest hunger count numbers show they're serving over 500 people and 40 per cent of that are children."
- Casey Lessard
Committee hosts double-feature
Qausuittuaq/Resolute
The youth committee in Resolute Bay is holding monthly movie nights.
The double-feature includes a movie for younger children and one for teenagers, with an overall attendance of about 50 youth.
Nathaniel Choyinard, the community's municipal liaison officer, is a mentor for the youth committee. At the monthly events he handles the canteen.
"They seem to enjoy it quite well," he said.
All revenue from popcorn and baked goods sales are destined for community events. The next planned event is the Christmas games. An elders and youth dinner is also planned.
Movie nights have been taking place for about a year.
- Michele LeTourneau
Singers on stage
Arviat
There will be a talent show held at the Mark Kalluak Community Hall in Arviat on Nov. 21 and 29, beginning at 9 p.m.
The event is a special fundraiser in support of the community's Anglican Church musical instruments.
- Darrell Greer
Residents asked to save water
Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord
Maintenance staff in Grise Fiord had to improvise to keep the water flowing for residents Nov. 17 when a part broke on the water truck.
"It's under control," said assistant senior administrative officer Marty Kuluguqtuq. "We've got a temporary innovation by our guys."
The call went out on Facebook for people to conserve water as a precaution. The problem was with the hydraulics, but the truck was still operational. A part for the vehicle was expected to arrive later in the week.
"It just slowed us down, that's all," Kuluguqtuq said. "No worries."
- Casey Lessard
Band headed to Baker
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
Live music lovers and dancers of all ages in Baker Lake were thrilled earlier this month with the announcement that the Rankin Inlet-based band Rough Cuts is headed to their community.
The popular Rough Cuts group will perform during an Agnico Eagle Mines-sponsored community event on Dec. 6.
- Darrell Greer
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