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Monday, December 8, 2014
Fort Smith man missing
The Hay River RCMP is requesting the public's assistance in locating a missing man.
Brian Melvin Boucher, 52, of Fort Smith, who was last seen on Oct. 27 in Hay River where he was attending a course at Aurora College.
Boucher is described as six feet tall, weighing 150 pounds, and with short black hair and brown eyes. He has a light complexion and is of Metis descent.
Boucher may be driving a black 1998 Ford F150 with NWT licence plate 331317.
- Paul Bickford
Roundtable on poverty
More than 100 representatives from community organizations, aboriginal and community governments, non-government organizations and the private sector from every region across the territory gathered in Yellowknife last week to work on an action plan to end poverty in the NWT.
Over the course of the two-day gathering, which was hosted by Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy, issues such as homelessness, food security, the need for on-the-land programs, early childhood and wellness were discussed.
The roundtable kicked off with a tribute to the late Chief Minnie Letcher of the Liidlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson, who served as co-chair of the Anti-Poverty Advisory Committee.
- Cody Punter
Charges laid in Fort Liard drug bust
Three residents of Fort Liard have been charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking after a traffic stop just outside the community on Dec. 3.
RCMP stated in a news release that a vehicle was pulled over as part of a check stop at around 8 p.m. Police stated that they recovered approximately 128 grams of marijuana. The three suspects, whom police have not identified, are due in court Feb 5.
- John McFadden
Toy and food drive upcoming
The annual Fort Smith Christmas Toy & Food Drive is set for Dec. 13.
Members of the Fort Smith Fire Department will be driving fire trucks and other vehicles throughout the neighbourhoods of the town between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to pick up donated toys and food.
Residents can also drop off food and gifts at the Pentecostal Church on Mills Street between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Donations will also be accepted for the Fort Smith Animal Shelter.
- Paul Bickford
Three acclaimed to hamlet council
Enterprise
There will not be an election for hamlet council in Enterprise on Dec. 8.
Three candidates have been acclaimed to the three open seats on council, after a fourth candidate withdrew from the race.
Debra Richards withdrew after being hired as the hamlet's recreation and wellness leader, a job she started on Dec. 1.
That left three candidates - incumbent James Dives, and newcomers Daniel Harley and Eric Moses.
They will be sworn in for two-year terms on council in the New Year.
On Dec. 8, there will be elections for mayors and/or councillors, along with some for members of district education authorities, in hamlets throughout the NWT.
There will be various elections in seven hamlets - Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, Tulita, Aklavik and Fort Resolution.
No elections are set this year in the hamlets of Fort Providence and Fort Liard.
There will also be no election this year in the Hamlet of Fort McPherson. In July, its council was dissolved by the GNWT and a municipal administrator was appointed.
- Paul Bickford
Christmas decorating contest returns
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
The annual Christmas decorating contest is back this year sponsored by the hamlet, Deh Gah Got'ie Koe First Nation and Fort Providence Metis Council.
The contest has two categories: Christmas light display and snow sculptures and creations.
Those who want to enter are asked to leave their name at the hamlet office.
Judging will take place on Wednesday Dec. 17, with the winner announced the next day.
- Shane Magee
Heading to the polls
Paulatuk
Paulatuk residents head to the polls today to elect four new hamlet councillors.
Six residents are vying for a seat, among them are current councillors Michael Nolan Green, Jonah Nakimayak and Donna Ruben. Also in the running are Angus Green, Jason Reidford and Frances Wolki.
Ray Ruben has already been acclaimed as mayor.
Voting will take place between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the Hamlet of Paulatuk chambers, according to returning officer Gilbert Thrasher Jr.
- Miranda Scotland
Christmas feast planned
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
A Christmas community feast will be held on Dec. 19 at the community hall starting at 6 p.m. with dinner provided by Acho Horizon North Camp Services.
As well, the annual Christmas bazaar and flea market was to be held on Dec. 7 and again on Dec. 14.
Doors open and 1 p.m. and the bazaar will run until 4 p.m.
- Shane Magee
'You will not forget'
Paulatuk
A handful of teens will be heading out on the land soon to participate in this year's fall camp caribou hunt.
Gilbert Thrasher Jr., employment officer for the hamlet of Paulatuk, is co-ordinating the program.
He said Dec. 2 that the details have yet to be worked out. However, he expects the camp will begin Dec. 9 and wrap up Dec. 16. Up to seven youth, aged 13 and over, will be chosen to go on the hunt and two experienced hunters will accompany them.
The teens will learn how to pack for a hunt, look for landmarks, track caribou, skin caribou, preserve meat and more, said Thrasher.
Youth will share the meat with elders and single parents on their return. The program is a real confidence booster for teens, said Thrasher.
"You feel something when you give caribou meat or when you go out hunting and give whatever you can provide to your elders," he said.
"In order for anybody to know how that feels they have to do it themselves and that's the main reason why I want the youth to get used to that at a young age. If they become hunters they will still give what they can provide to their elders and single parents in the community. You will not forget."
- Miranda Scotland
Cooking with cops
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Sachs Harbour RCMP are getting to know students in the community by participating in activities at Inualthuyak School.
Mounties started running Cooking with Cops for the first time in October and continue to meet with students in kindergarten to Grade 9 every other Thursday. Principal Terry Davidson says nearly every student attends.
"They love it because it's their recipes that get to be cooked and they help prepare," said Davidson.
Members of the force also help out with the floor hockey, soccer, baseball program, which is held three times a week at the school.
The program is off to a good start, says Davidson, but it would be great to see more community members involved.
"The invitation is open to people who to come and participate."
- Miranda Scotland
Breakfast with Santa at Fort Smith museum
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A Breakfast with Santa will be hosted by Fort Smith's Northern Life Museum & Cultural Centre on Dec. 13.
The pancake and sausage breakfast will be held from 9 a.m. to noon.
Information on the price of admission can be obtained by contacting the museum.
Children under 10 years of age will be admitted for free.
Santa Claus will also be available for photos free of charge.
- Paul Bickford
Fish presentation by biologists
Ka'a'gee Tu/Kakisa
A presentation was given by two researchers from Waterloo, Ont. on Dec. 1 about mercury levels in fish, according to Melaine Simba.
She said there was also a survey about how much traditional food people are consuming in the community.
The results will be analyzed in Waterloo.
- Shane Magee
Man found without vital signs
Iglulik
RCMP in Iglulik went to a house after a call about a disturbance in progress in the early morning hours of Dec. 1 and found a 25-year-old man without vital signs.
The man was taken to the local nursing station where efforts were made to revive him, but he was pronounced deceased, police said. According to published reports, the man was identified by family as Joey Ammaq. The major crimes unit and forensic identification services were called to assist the local detachment with the ongoing investigation. No further details were available.
- Michele LeTourneau
Tournament honours dead hunters
Iqaluit
Twenty years after eight walrus hunters died when the Qaqsauq capsized in gale-force winds, the Iqaluit Senior Men's Hockey League launched and was hosting the inaugural
Qaqsauq Cup this past weekend.
"We've wanted to create a fall tournament, and one of our committee members, Dwayne Twerdin, thought this would be the right way to do it," tournament convenor Cody Dean stated in a release. "He approached the Alainga family and they were excited about the possibility and very supportive from the start."
Pitseola Alainga was one of two men who, with Billy Kownirk, survived the 1994 incident, which happened as the men returned to Iqaluit after hunting walruses at the mouth of Frobisher Bay.
Their boat was taking on water and the pump was failing.
The 10 men went into the water after moving to a rescue canoe, which capsized.
Johnny Shoo, Sammujualie Kootoo, Jopie Panipak, Eepeebee Peterloosie, Iola Nooshoota, Ooletoa Pishukte and Kellypiak Pishukte died in the incident.
Five hockey teams, from Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Yellowknife, Ottawa, and Kuujjuaq, were expected to attend the tournament, which wrapped after the press deadline.
- Casey Lessard
Homicide rate decreases
Nunavut
Police services reported four homicides in Nunavut in 2013, one less than the previous year, according to Statistics Canada's country-wide homicide numbers released Dec. 1.
In comparison, the NWT had two homicides while Yukon police services reported none in 2013.
"Police reported 505 homicides in Canada in 2013, 38 fewer than the previous year.
"Compared to 2012, the homicide rate decreased eight per cent to 1.44 victims per 100,000 population, the lowest rate since 1966," the report states.
The report notes that Manitoba had the highest provincial homicide rate at 3.87 per 100,000 people, followed by Saskatchewan at 2.71, Alberta at 2.04, and British Columbia at 1.66. By this calculation, Nunavut at 11.24 and the NWT at 4.59 continue to have a higher homicide rate than any province per capita. The statistic is misleading in isolation because of the small population base in the territories.
- Michele LeTourneau
Bear hunt almost done
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
The fall polar bear hunt is almost finished in Arctic Bay after 10 tags were made available Sept. 30.
Five tags were issued on a first-caught basis, and five more tags were put into a draw pool. Two of the draw winners made successful kills. Draw winners have three days from being drawn to make their kills.
"We'll keep going with the draw until they're all gone," said Ikajutit Hunters' and Trappers' Association manager Doreen Irqqarqsaq.
The community is holding another 14 tags for the spring. Last year's quota of 25 polar bears dropped to 24 this year due to one over-quota kill last year.
- Casey Lessard
Christmas comes to Arviat
Arviat
Calm Air is keeping its Kivalliq Christmas tradition alive once again this year. The airline was scheduled to fill bellies, give out gifts and put smiles on many a face in Arviat this holiday season when it hosts the annual Calm Air Christmas Feast on Dec. 4. The Calm Air team was gearing up to have enough goodies in Arviat to serve 1,000 meals.
The airline began doubling the Christmas dinners this year after serving 800 dinners in Sanikiluaq on Dec. 2. Last year the Christmas feast only went to Whale Cove.
- Darrell Greer
Adults learn essential skills
Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island
About 10 adults are in the college classroom in Qikiqtarjuaq, learning some basic work skills, including typing, Microsoft Office, and resume writing. The short course started Dec. 1 and runs until Dec. 17 at the Nunavut Arctic College campus, and in the afternoons, participating women knit while the men build qamutiik, Nikkita Hunt-Wakeley said.
"It's a full class," Hunt-Wakeley said. "We're trying to recruit students to get them in here for after the New Year."
That's when the campus will try to run an Adult Basic Education class, which was supposed to start in September but didn't for lack of enrolment. That class needs at least five students to operate.
- Casey Lessard
Break-in at store
Salliq/Coral Harbour
Two men were arrested in connection to a major break and enter in Coral Harbour this past month.
The RCMP said a store was broken into on Nov. 17, with more than $10,000 in merchandise taken by the thieves. The majority of the goods were recovered during the course of the investigation.
One man was scheduled to make his first court appearance Dec. 2, while the other is scheduled to make his first appearance on March 5. The RCMP did not release the names of the two men charged.
- Darrell Greer
Flu season has begun
Nunavut
The Government of Nunavut's Department of Health released a statement last week saying "the best way to protect yourself and your family against influenza is to be immunized."
The vaccine is free and available at community health centres. The Department of Health suggests people get immunized, cough or sneeze into your sleeve, wash your hands often and stay home when you feel sick to help stop the spread of flu.
"Getting immunized not only protects you, but it also protects the people who are close to you, like family, friends, infants, children and the elderly," stated a news release.
- Michele LeTourneau
Raffle to help hampers
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Fundraising efforts are continuing for the annual RCMP Christmas Hamper in Rankin Inlet.
The hamper has been running since 1996 in Rankin and, this year, about 200 families will receive upwards of $250 to spend at local stores for Christmas.
Students at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI) are helping out the RCMP Christmas Hamper by raffling a large TV. Raffle tickets can be purchased from MUI students.
- Darrell Greer
Grise Fiord pines for trees
Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord
Grise Fiord residents may be far from the tree line but this year they could be trimming a real Christmas tree like many other Canadians. The co-op store is working to bring in live Christmas trees for customers.
"Before my time, not sure how far back," was the last time the Inuit Co-op had real trees, said manager Frank Holland, who has worked there for three years. "We're still working on the logistics of getting them in. It's a nice tradition that everybody should have the opportunity to have."
He said it's still too early to say how much a tree would cost, if he can get them in.
- Casey Lessard
Study says bears OK
Kivalliq region
Cathy Towtongie, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) president, announced Dec. 4 a new Environment Canada study confirms that the polar bear population in west Hudson Bay is stable.
The Government of Nunavut also presented the results of their aerial survey which showed the population to number about 1,030 animals.
"The west Hudson Bay polar bear population has been used to predict the demise of polar bears due to the impacts of climate change. Activists have used the health of this population to predict all sorts of dire impacts on the Arctic and all of its species, but science is showing the bear population has been healthy," said Towtongie.
"This confirms what Inuit have reported. The predictions that the population would decline were wrong, and this has impacted Inuit lives and property."
Towtongie adds that Inuit in Arviat, Chesterfield Inlet and Whale Cove reported increases in the number of bears in or near their communities, and there are many reports of threats to public safety. Consequently, the hunters and trappers organizations in the three Kivalliq communities have asked the wildlife management board to increase their quota to meet safety concerns in their communities. The board is considering the request.
- Michele LeTourneau
School bus sits idle
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
Despite the fact that a much-needed school bus arrived in Hall Beach on the sea lift during the last open water season, it's still parked. The bus is being stored beside the RCMP building in Hall Beach.
"The Department of Community and Government Services conducted a RFP (request for proposals) twice in an attempt to get a local business to run the busing service for Hall Beach," said Bradley Archambault, spokesperson for the Department of Education. "Both RFPs resulted in bids substantially over budget. No contracts were awarded as a result of these RFPs."
However, according to the department, there are qualified drivers in the community.
"The DEA (district education authority) is meeting tonight (Dec. 4) to discuss the direct hiring of a qualified individual to drive the school bus for the community."
Hall Beach is a community that can see a lot of polar bears, which is one of the reasons the bus was purchased in the first place. Other reasons include extreme cold and long walking distances for children to come to school.
"Once the DEA has met and agrees to hire a driver, the school bus will be operational."
- Michele LeTourneau
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