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Monday, May 25, 2015
Yellowknife on day 14 of boil water advisory
A boil water advisory remains in place for Yellowknife, Ndilo and Dettah.
Health officials issued the warning on May 11, advising residents to boil their water for one minute prior to drinking. Higher than normal turbidity, causing muddy water, precipitated the caution. All water used for drinking, preparing food, hot and cold beverages, ice cubes and water used for dental hygiene must be boiled. Residents are reminded not to use Brita water filters as they do not disinfect water.
- Meagan Leonard
Crews fighting two of 10 fires
There were 10 forest fires burning in the territory as of May 22 with firefighters working on two and monitoring the others according to Environment and Natural Resources.
The biggest fire is 37 hectares, according to Richard Olsen, the department's manager of fire operations. None of the fires pose a threat to communities or major infrastructure.
Warm and dry conditions are expected to continue over the next three days, contributing to the fire risk. The department said there have been three person-caused fires so far. Two were from burning grass and another was a campfire.
- Shane Magee
Morel harvest restricted in park
Parks Canada is advising the public that harvesting morel mushrooms within Wood Buffalo National Park is restricted.
According to the department's news release, only indigenous people residing within 80 km of the park can harvest the mushrooms for personal use. All commercial harvesting is prohibited.
Parks Canada will post signs at the park boundary to help pickers remain in legal harvesting areas.
- Paul Bickford
Fort Smith extends its spring clean-up
The Town of Fort Smith has extended its residential spring clean-up this year.
The clean-up began on May 5 and will run to June 30. Mayor Brad Brake said the clean-up period has been extended as part of a FireSmart initiative to give people more time to have leaves, brush, wood and other combustible material removed from their properties.
The town council has also waived the collection fee, although registration is required.
- Paul Bickford
Mayor floats idea of farmers' market
Enterprise
Enterprise Mayor John Leskiw II has an idea for the Northwest Territories Agriculture Strategy being developed by the GNWT.
"As I understand it, in northern Alberta they have a lot of farmers' markets," he said at the May 4 meeting of Enterprise hamlet council. "Maybe we can invite some of them up here."
Leskiw said it would be a way for people to obtain inexpensive fresh food.
The mayor added if such an event was advertised, it might attract people from Hay River.
Time is short for such a market this summer, but could be considered for next year, said Leskiw.
"It's just something to think about."
- Paul Bickford
Smith's Landing to discuss budget
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Smith's Landing First Nation will hold a membership meeting on June 9 to discuss a number of issues, including approval of the band's 2015-16 budget.
One of the other main topics will be a proposed vulnerability assessment project on the islands of the Cassette Rapids in the Slave River.
The meeting will be held at Uncle Gabe's Friendship Centre in Fort Smith, beginning at 6 p.m. on June 9.
Smith's Landing First Nation has its reserve land in northern Alberta, just south of Fort Smith.
Many of the band's members live in Fort Smith.
- Paul Bickford
Teddy Bear Picnic set in Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A Teddy Bear Picnic will be held at Fort Smith's Mission Historic Park next month.
The fun family event will take place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on June 27.
There will be face painting, games and story time for youngsters and their teddy bears.
The event is being presented by Northern Life Museum & Cultural Centre.
- Paul Bickford
Student represents Sachs Harbour
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Inualthuyak student Jasmine Keogak represented Sachs Harbour as a page in the legislative assembly earlier this month.
Students interested in the job had to hand in a written submission and then staff at the school made a decision from there, said principal Terry Davidson.
He added Keogak was a good pick.
"She's a really bright girl. She's very able and capable linguistically," said Davidson.
"So she would be a strong representative for our school."
- Miranda Scotland
Guitar lessons running again
Aklavik
The community justice committee is once again holding guitar lessons on Thursday nights.
The lessons started up last week and about 10 residents attended.
"It was a great turnout," said community justice committee co-ordinator Janeta Pascal. "Everybody missed jamming around so we're hoping to get more people this Thursday."
Lessons begin at 6:30 p.m. in hamlet chambers.
- Miranda Scotland
Weekend shopping
Aklavik
Aklavik residents looking to do a little shopping on the weekend were invited to hit the Sittichinli Recreation Complex May 23. The community justice committee scheduled to host a flea
market beginning at 1 p.m.
Five tables had been confirmed but residents had until May 22 at 5 p.m. to reserve a table, which are free, said community justice committee co-ordinator Janeta Pascal.
Market sellers usually display baked goods and household items, among other wares.
- Miranda Scotland
Winner of ice pool contest announced
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
Sasha Blake took home $255 after winning the community ice pool.
Entrants had to guess the date and time the ice would break on the Mackenzie River.
The winning guess was May 17 at 4:15 p.m.
Contest organizer Mariah Blake said 51 guesses were submitted at $5 each. The entire pot went to the winner.
- Miranda Scotland
Flea market-style sale returns
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Spring Fling 2015 is all set to take off on June 13 in the Snowshoe Inn parking lot. This will be the second year in a row the event has been held.
It starts at 11 a.m. and is scheduled to run until 4 p.m. Table rentals are free and can be reserved by messaging Linda Croft or Don't Shoe The Bag Lady on Facebook.
The school gymnasium is now holding Adult Open Gym Nights every Thursday from 8 to 10 p.m. for everyone
18 years of age and older.
- April Hudson
Beautifying the community
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
Echo Dene School is holding its Community Cleanup on May 22 from 2 to 2:30 p.m.
Youth from all grades will be out filling garbage bags.
Principal William Gowans said the event is a partnership between the hamlet and the school as well as an effort to beautify a few blocks of Fort Liard, and noted the event helps to build "civic responsibility."
Bags and gloves will be provided by the hamlet, which will also contribute $2 per filled bag to the school.
The school is also getting ready for the Hay River Track Meet taking place in the first week of June.
Thursday is an all-day sport day for the school.
Classes will be shut down and kids will participate in various competitions.
- April Hudson
Bison management meeting on Tuesday
Tthenaago/Nahanni Butte
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be sending representatives to the gymnasium May 26 to hold a meeting on bison management.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. that morning.
The community is also wishing a Happy Birthday to Landon Konisenta, who will be turning nine on Sunday.
- April Hudson
Student art gallery lights up the night
Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
Students at Louie Norwegian school hosted a nighttime art gallery on May 20 in the gymnasium. The gallery was open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. On May 25, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment will run a community garden workshop from 5 to 8 p.m.
The regular meeting of the District Education Authority will go ahead on May 26 starting at 6 p.m.
- April Hudson
Community celebrates only graduate
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
On the evening of May 14 a special celebration took place in Taloyoak.
"Last night we celebrated the graduation of our lone grad, Nee Suzanne Qavavau," said Netsilik Ilihakvik principal Gina Pizzo.
"Nee is an excellent student and should have no problems passing the Alberta exams next month."
If all goes well, Qavavau will replace her Grade 12 program completion certificate with a Nunavut Grade 12 diploma.
"Nee was joined by about 80 invited guests, including close friends and family, the staff of Netsilik Ilihakvik and the Taloyoak DEA (district education authority)."
Qavavau hopes to attend Nunavut Sivuniqsavut in Ottawa come fall.
- Michele LeTourneau
Authorities assess fuel spill
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
A fuel spill was reported in a residential area of Rankin Inlet at about 7 p.m. on May 12.
There were several barriers and berms placed in the area, and residents reported a strong odour of P50 home fuel.
Rankin's fire department, hamlet and housing staff handled the immediate response to the situation.
The Government of Nunavut and the Department of Fisheries continued to assess the situation and the total volume of fuel spilled was not known last week.
It is possible some fuel may have found its way into Johnson's Cove.
- Darrell Greer
Iglulingmiut honoured by commissioner
Iglulik
Six recipients received awards from outgoing Nunavut Commissioner Edna Elias in Iglulik May 6.
Three recipients were honoured with bravery awards.
Adam Qanatsiaq and Jonah Uyarasuk received awards for intervening and assisting the RCMP during an incident in the fall of 2014 and Simon Amaaq received one for saving the life of a fellow hunter while putting his own life at risk.
For volunteering tirelessly as a local radio host, Aime Panimera received a volunteer and community service award, as did Marie Airut and Leonie Qrunnut for providing counselling services and support to families.
"People are so caring and loving, doing what they do for the pleasure or out of the goodness of their hearts, and in some cases not minding the danger that they may put themselves in. They are so humble in the recognition but receive the awards with honour," said Elias.
- Michele LeTourneau
Creative performers sought for celebration
Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island
As Inuksuit School in Qikiqtarjuaq prepares for its end-of-year school concert May 28, Anita LeBaron is hoping to bring more community members into the fold to showcase their talents.
"I know of several people in the community with various musical talents, so I wanted to open it up to everyone," said LeBaron, whose violin class was recently featured in Nunavut News/North.
"I mentioned the idea to (principal) Jackie (Arsenault) and she loved it, and thought we could even go one step further and provide a feast, so we have been working together to organize it."
Those who attend the feast - the hamlet is donating turkeys and hams - and the concert will also get to see photos from various school and community events from throughout the school year.
Interested creative people can sign up at the school or hamlet offices.
- Casey Lessard
Families rescued after extensive snow melt
Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island
Search and rescue teams in Qikiqtarjuaq were kept very busy through and after the May long weekend because about 25 families needed rescuing due to melting snow.
"They encountered a lot this past week," said finance director Arthur Nicomedes,
adding the families were stranded while camping north of the hamlet.
"Most of the people here in the community went out. They're being stranded on the land. They said it's terrible."
Everyone had returned safely by May 20, with no one hurt, Nicomedes said.
- Casey Lessard
Scholarships for heritage students
Nunavut
The Inuit Heritage Trust has two financial opportunities for post-secondary students available for Nunavut land claims beneficiaries: the Alain Maktar Heritage Scholarship and the Heritage Leadership Program sponsorship.
For students going into the heritage field, such as archaeology, anthropology, indigenous studies, and museum studies, $5,000 is available. That scholarship is named after past board member Alain Maktar, who was passionate about archaeology in and around Pond Inlet.
The leadership program sponsorship is available for students planning on pursuing heritage programs, such as archaeology, cultural anthropology, Inuit studies, collections management and conservation, museum studies, linguistics or any other field of Inuit cultural heritage.
Students studying in other streams can also apply if they can show they will contribute to keeping Inuit culture alive.
The sponsorship is for $3,000 per year over multiple years.
Visit the organization's website for more information.
- Michele LeTourneau
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