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Friday, February 13, 2015
Wellness conference begins today
Healthy living is the focus as the 2015 NWT Wellness Conference begins tonight in Dettah and then moves to Sir John Franklin High School for the weekend.
The event features speeches from health experts as well as panels, a resource fair and exhibitors. The conference beings tonight at 7 p.m. at the Chief Drygeese Centre. There are also workshops as well as representatives from more than 20 local businesses, organizations and public health agencies will be on hand at the resource fair to answer questions.
- John McFadden
Health of NWT residents gets poor grade
A new report by the Conference Board of Canada suggests that NWT residents are among the least healthy in Canada.
The report compared the health of residents in each province and territory and compared Canada to 15 other western countries. The NWT was given a D-minus along with Nunavut, Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador. Overall, Canada received a B grade.
- John McFadden
Wildfire response under review
A review of civil response during last summer's wildfire season is under review and could lead to an update in emergency plans for the Northwest Territories.
Throughout February and March, GNWT departments including Municipal and Community Affairs, as well as Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada will conduct the post-emergency review.
Wildfire responses will be examined through discussions with emergency response officials, communications staff, businesses and government.
Public opinion is also being taken in through a survey.
- Elaine Anselmi
Canadian flag turns 50
The legislative assembly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag at a ceremony in the Great Hall on Thursday afternoon.
The celebration kicked off with Grade 4 and 5 students from Mildred Hall singing the national anthem from the gallery of the assembly.
There was also a reception in the Great Hall where politicians paid tribute to the country's national symbol.
- Cody Punter
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Crash sends one to hospital
Police say reduced visibility and icy conditions between Fort Providence and Behchoko Feb. 9 led to at least six reported collisions on Highway 3 with several more vehicles going off the road and into the ditch.
At least one crash was serious enough to cause a person to be sent to the Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife.
RCMP spokesperson Const. Elenore Sturko sent out a news release warning people to drive carefully when road conditions deteriorate.
New land leases not welcome
Half a dozen people attended a meeting in Fort Simpson Feb. 3 and told Department of Lands officials they're not interested in seeing additional land leased for recreational cabins in the Deh Cho region.
The meeting came as the department gathers input from the public on developing new rules around recreational land use.
The rules are aimed at reducing squatting, as is known to occur around the Yellowknife area.
However, village attendees said the band office should be responsible regulating the area and that no further leases should be granted.
The input will become part of a report used to draft new rules for the whole territory which will be presented to the public at later meetings before being revised and implemented.
Fort Prov's woman wins Wise Woman Award
A Fort Providence woman has been named as one of five who will receive a Status of Women Council of the NWT Wise Woman award next month.
Caroline Bonnetrouge of Fort Providence was named the winner for the Deh Cho region by the council.
The 24th annual awards recognize women who have committed to improving the lives of women and families in their communities.
Other honourees include Pertice Moffitt of Yellowknife, Annie B. Gordon of Aklavik, Judy Lafferty of Fort Good Hope and Maggie Sikyea of Fort Smith.
A ceremony will be held March 8 in Yellowknife to recognize the winners and present them with their awards.
Annual meeting next week
The Fort Simpson District Education Authority's annual general meeting will take place 7 p.m. on Feb. 17 in the Bompas Elementary School library.
The meeting was originally planned to take place in the fall but was rescheduled several times.
GNWT eyes energy corridor
The territorial government plans to review the feasibility of an energy, transportation and communications corridor to the Arctic Ocean.
In an announcement in Ottawa on Jan. 29, Premier Bob McLeod said the government wants to identify options to create a more prosperous territory that contributes to the national economy through responsible resource development.
“We know we need to find a way to get our resources to market and it is time for us to take a serious look at the Northern option,” said Premier McLeod. “We in the NWT know exactly how uncertainty and lack of information can negatively affect development projects and we want to start removing some of the uncertainty and information gaps now.”
The territorial government will invite aboriginal governments to participate in the review, which, McLeod said won't identify any specific projects but development in the Mackenzie Valley to the Arctic Ocean as a whole.
Volunteers to earn recognition
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is accepting nominations for the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards Program to recognize achievements and contributions.
The award is given to volunteers across the territory who improve the quality of life and strive to make communities a better place to live.
Winners will receive $500 to give to a volunteer organization of their choice as well as a certificate recognizing their efforts.
Volunteers can be nominated in four categories: youth, individual, elder and group. The deadline for submissions is March 20.
Festival sets dates
Mark it in your calendar: the Arctic Image Festival has set dates for the 2015 event.
A celebration of life and light above the Arctic Circle, the three-day event will showcase photography and videography that presents the beauty of the Arctic.
The event will run from March 13 to 15 at East Three School. More details on the schedule and programming will be released soon.
Senior swimmers to get a lesson
The NWT Recreation and Parks Association will be offering a number of swimming courses for those interested in becoming an instructor or lifeguard.
The association's aquatic committee will offer the national lifeguard certificate course from Feb. 27 to March 7, and a course to become a swim lesson instructor starting March 20 and ending in early April.
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