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Monday, March 23, 2015
Liquor seized in Fort Liard
RCMP confiscated 16 containers of vodka and a quantity of beer after a male was found trying to import the liquor to Fort Liard for resale.
RCMP made the seizure during a routine vehicle check stop outside the community March 14. The man faces charges of importing liquor without a certificate.
- Meagan Leonard
Pipe thawing causes fire
A homeowner and two pets escaped unharmed after a small fire at a trailer on Dusseault Court in Yellowknife March 19.
According to a news release from the city, the homeowner called the fire division just after 9 p.m. to say smoke was coming out from under the single-wide trailer. Fire crews arrived and quickly contained the fire.
The cause has been determined to be heat tape that came into contact with a blanket that the home-owner had used in an attempt to thaw a sewer pipe.
- John McFadden
MLAs survey Tuk highway progress
A delegation of regional leaders and members of the GNWT made a tour of recent progress on the 120-kilometre all-weather Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk highway project this week.
"It's really something to celebrate, knowing over 70 per cent of the workforce is comprised of residents from the Beaufort Delta and NWT communities," said Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson.
The project is an approximately $300 million joint venture between the Government of Canada and the GNWT. This year's construction season is expected to end in May.
"We ... are satisfied right now that the project is proceeding as planned and look forward to opening the highway on schedule in 2018," said Minister of Transportation Tom Beaulieu.
- Walter Strong
Feds support aboriginal justice
The federal government is putting more than $600,000 towards aboriginal justice programming in the territory over the next two years.
The money will go toward the Department of Justice's community justice programs that facilitate crime reduction efforts in communities.
Programming also includes reintegration services for offenders and on-the-land programming for youth. The funding was announced as part of the Aboriginal
Justice Strategy.
- Elaine Anselmi
Grads auctioned off to raise funds
Aklavik
Seven upcoming Moose Kerr School graduates auctioned themselves off online recently to raise funds for a graduation ceremony and trip.
The students must perform five hours of work such as chopping wood, washing dishes or scrubbing floors by the end of March for the person who paid for them.
Courtney Charlie sold for the most. Wanda Storr paid $240 for her services.
Ocean Mcleod went for $85 while Riley Furlong, Billy Tyrrell and Charlotte Irish sold for $70. Arnold Hodges cost $60 and Tyson Whitbread sold for $55.
The auction is just one of many fundraisers the soon-to-be grads put on to bring in graduation funds. They have also held chili lunches, movie lunches and a Christmas canteen.
The money they raise will be used toward their graduation ceremony and a trip for four grads to Vancouver in late May. The students will tour five universities, including the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, over five days.
The students haven't yet determined how much money they need to raise but estimate it'll be approximately $17,000, said Gosia Rutkowska, faculty advisor for the grad committee.
At the start, the numbers were a bit daunting but the students have worked hard, said Rutkowska. Also, Air North has offered the students discounted tickets and also donated a free one.
"(The students) are committed to making their trip and ceremony a possibility," said Rutkowska. "It's really nice that the students have a vision, that they want to go visit a city and that they want to explore universities, that they're being ambitious."
- Miranda Scotland
Ice fishing trip postponed
Paulatuk
Students at Angik School were set to go ice fishing March 17 but had to stay inside because of strong wind and low visibility.
Principal Debbie Redden-Cormier said they would try to get out March 18 and for three days the following week.
"Usually after a blow it's nice," she said.
George Krengnektak, Andy Kudluk, Annie Wolki and Gilbert Thrasher will accompany the students and teach them about making a shelter, survival skills and how to use the stars and snow banks for direction.
- Miranda Scotland
Easter baptism in the works
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
Residents looking to have their children baptized over the Easter holiday can arrange a time by contacting Janna Deneron.
The baptism is planned for Apr. 12 with preparation beginning this weekend with Father Joe Daley of Saint Raphael's Mission.
There are at least 10 people currently on the list to be baptized.
- Andrew Livingstone
Mushers race for $10,000 in prizes
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Deh Gah Dog Mushers Club will host the 2015 Dehcho Sled dog championships on March 27 and 28.
The two-day competition coincides with the Bison Jamboree events and will begin at the Snowshoe Inn at 1 p.m.
The championship with consist of 10-dog and six-dog classes and the purse
for the entire event is $10,000.
"Spectators can watch the entire race as the tracks are along the Fort Providence access road and go about 10 km north along Highway 3," co-organizer Susan Fleck stated in an e-mail.
The mushers are expected from the NWT, northern B.C., Alberta and Minnesota with a total of 200 dogs expected to be involved.
Mushers meeting is at 7 p.m. on March 26 at the Snowshoe Cafe and awards will be doled out on Saturday evening at the Snowshoe Lounge where everyone can dance away to the sounds of Bobby Bouvier and the Boys.
The club is also tentatively planning to have a fun race on April 4 that will include a one-dog race for kids and sponsors three-dog race.
- Andrew Livingstone
Snowboarding students take Jasper by storm
Pehdzeh Ki/Wrigley
Six students from Chief Julian Yendo School spent nine days carving the slopes of Jasper National Park's mountains while taking in an Edmonton Oilers hockey game during a snowboard trip to Alberta earlier this month.
From Feb. 25 to March 5 students spent the trip snowboarding, hiking and swimming, among other things, said school principal Blair Sellars.
"We incorporate a lot of swimming into the trip and we stay at hotels that have pools and we stay at the Jasper Activity Centre in Jasper," he said. "We're promoting healthy, active lifestyles with physical activity as one of the main objectives, but as well as providing positive social activities for the children and positive social engagement."
Sellars said the students were also treated to an Imax 3-D movie on butterflies at the Telus World of Sciences Centre in Edmonton where they spent the day taking in the exhibits on display.
The students also attended an Edmonton Oilers hockey game against the reigning Stanley Cup champions Los Angeles
Kings at Rexall Place.
"The kids really enjoyed it," said Sellars. "The game was really entertaining, even though the Oilers didn't win."
- Andrew Livingstone
Mudball Carnival committee to meet
Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
The Mudball Carnival committee should have confirmed dates for the annual festivities by early next week, said committee member Gail Sanguez. Representatives from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment are in town on March 19 for an information session on the morel mushroom opportunities this year. The meeting will be held in the gymnasium.
Chief Gladys Norwegian and Marilyn Haridsty were in Hay River from March 17 to March 19 for a tourism workshop in Hay River.
A number of birthdays are being celebrated in the community over the next week.
Gerald Norwegian has a birthday on March 18, Stan Sanguez on the March 19, Billy Norwegian on March 20, Alicia Grossetete on March 24 and Keegan Menacho on March 26.
- Andrew Livingstone
Bison Jamboree next week
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
The Deh Cho Bison Jamboree dates have been set for March 25 to 29 and hamlet staff are working to finalize the schedule of events for the five-day event.
Hamlet recreation co-ordinator Andre Bolduc said he is in the process of preparing a poster and finalizing the list of events and hopes to have it done by the end of this week.
- Andrew Livingstone
Cold doesn't stop the iglu builders
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
During the last week of January, brave and hungry-to-learn students took on the fine skills involved in building an iglu.
Their efforts took place during Career and Technology Studies Week.
"The school offers nine strands of courses which students can choose from, one is Inuit studies," said Gina Pizzo, principal of Netsilik School.
Students worked with hunters, guides and elders who are knowledgeable about the land and how to build an iglu. The staff facilitator was language specialist Kevin Eetoolook.
"At first the students watch and assist but by the end of the week they have to be able to build their own small iglu in order to pass the course," said Pizzo.
"Despite the deep cold of January, they all toughed it out for the week and were successful at learning to build their own iglus."
- Michele LeTourneau
Plenty of fish
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Pangnirtung fishermen are having a great year. In fact almost too good.
Sixty-five inshore fishermen have landed more than 360,000 pounds of turbot since January, 50,000 pounds more than last winter, former mayor Sakiasie Sowdlooapik said on a community Facebook page.
"There is more to be off-loaded near the fish plant, still a long line up," Sowdlooapik said. "(The) fish plant is too small now. We will need a bigger fish plant in the future as more fishermen are still registering."
The Pangnirtung fish plant now employs between 25 and 30 people, he stated.
- Casey Lessard
New system for income support
Nunavut
Family Services Minister Jeannie Ugyuk announced to her colleagues in the legislative assembly March 16 that the income assistance division is launching a new system.
"(The) division is deploying a case management system in communities to increase our capacity to support Nunavummiut who need this program in time of need," said Ugyuk.
The new system, said Ugyuk, helps the division to improve its ability to deliver income assistance in a timely and organized manner.
The new system has so far arrived in seven communities - Iqaluit, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, Rankin, Arviat,
Cambridge Bay and Baker Lake.
"We are committed to roll-out the system in Iglulik this month," said Ugyuk.
"We continue with deployment of this automated system across the territory. With the coming on-line of these communities, we move closer to putting Nunavut's Income Assistance delivery and tracking at par with other Canadian jurisdictions."
- Michele LeTourneau
Seismic testing meetings this month
Baffin Island
Residents of communities affected by proposed seismic testing will have their say this week and next when the Qikiqtani Inuit Association visits Baffin Island hamlets.
"The goal of the workshops is to collect Inuit Qaujimatuqangit," QIA president PJ Akeeagok stated in a release, adding the organization wants to "listen to community concerns and open a dialogue with community members on the impacts to Inuit and the environment that Inuit depend on as a result of seismic testing for the purpose of determining which areas should be protected."
Kimmirut has already held its meeting last month. Meetings will be held in Clyde River March 23, Pond Inlet March 25, Arctic Bay March 27, Qikiqtarjuaq March 30, and Pangnirtung April 1.
All events are held at 7 p.m. on their respective evenings. Consult the local QIA representative for more information.
- Casey Lessard
Meliadine looks at reserves
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Agnico Eagle has updated its status report of the Meliadine gold project on the land near Rankin Inlet.
The updated technical study is based on mining only the 3.3million ounces of gold contained in the known mineral reserves (13.9 million tonnes of ore at 7.44 grams per tonne).
In the study, mining operations at Meliadine would be conducted using a phased approach over a nineyear period from only the Tiriganiaq and Wesmeg deposits.
The current mine plan will focus on mining ore from underground operations in years one to nine, with open pit operations in two pits occurring in years four to seven.
The study outlines mill operations averaging 3,000 tonnes per day of ore in years one to three, and 5,000 tonnes per day of ore in years four to nine.
The Nunavut Impact Review Board issued Agnico Eagle a project certificate for the Meliadine gold project at the end of February, which sets out the terms and conditions under which the project can proceed.
The expected capital budget for 2015 is about $64 million, of which about $21 million is allocated towards planned underground development.
- Darrell Greer
Good news for sealskin price
Nunavut
Effective April 1, the Department of Environment will be increasing the purchase price for sealskins by 25 per cent, and will start covering the cost of the auction house commission on all other furs sold through the Fur Pricing Program.
"This decision clearly demonstrates the Government of Nunavut's recognition of the importance of hunting and trapping to Inuit culture and to the health and socio-economic well-being of Nunavummiut," said Aggu MP Paul Quassa, speaking for Environment Minister Johnny Mike.
"The sale of sealskins and other furs is an important source of income for our hunters and trappers and helps to ensure continued access to a bountiful renewable resource as well as contributing to food security in our communities."
- Michele LeTourneau
Arviat woman awarded
Arviat
Charlene Ukutak of Arviat has received the Nunavut Status of Women Council's Outstanding Young Woman Award for her commitment to engaging youth in her community to prevent suicide. The announcement was made earlier this month.
Ukutak's goal is to have people select and develop their skills and talents.
She helps keep people active and happy so they can overcome obstacles, and she enjoys working with all age groups.
- Darrell Greer
Adventure at the top of the world
Quttinirpaaq National Park
If you want to spend part of your summer at the top of the world, Parks Canada is looking for camp cook volunteers at Quttinirpaaq National Park on Ellesmere Island.
Parks Canada is looking for a cook for each of June 10 to 22, July 2 to 22, and July 22 to Aug. 5.
The trip is free if you can find your way to Resolute, and means you can spend part of your summer only 800 km from the North Pole.
The volunteer chosen to participate will have to cook three meals for between two and seven people daily. Volunteers get weekends off to explore the park.
Interested people can visit the Parks Canada website for more information, and need to apply by March 27. Camp cooks need first aid and CPR training.
If you don't want to cook, you can be one of the people fed by these people. Parks Canada is planning a trip from July 3 to 17. The cost is $8,000 from Montreal or Ottawa. Nunavummiut should consult Parks Canada for rates from within the territory.
- Casey Lessard
First Air upgrading fleet
Kivalliq
First Air has announced it's actively looking to add new aircraft to modernize its fleet, while decreasing the number of aircraft types in use to reduce maintenance costs and complexity in its operations.
The airline is investigating both the ATR 42500, as well as Bombardier's Q400 as possible replacements for its turboprop aircraft in service on Nunavut routes.
First Air may order up to 10 of the new aircraft and expects to receive the first of the new planes by the end of the year.
- Darrell Greer
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