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Friday, June 26, 2015
Bevington to run for re-election
NWT MP Dennis Bevington has announced he will run for re-election in a federal vote expected this fall.
The New Democrat made the announcement yesterday morning at the Yellowknife airport. Bevington, 62, said that he is taking nothing for granted and will run hard for re-election. Bevington was first elected as MP in 2006.
- John McFadden
De Beers accepts Snap Lake changes
The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board recommended increasing the amount of mineral salt De Beers Canada can release into the water at its Snap Lake diamond mine from an interim 684 total dissolved solids (TDS) per litre to 960 TDS, just below the 1,000 TDS sought.
The ruling appears to be "achievable, appropriate, and protective of the environment," stated Tom Ormsby, De Beers Canada's director of external and corporate affairs, in an e-mail. The minister of Environment and Natural Resources still must approve the changes.
- Shane Magee
Cab robbery suspects in court
Two suspects accused robbing a cabbie on Latham Island last February have chosen to be tried by a judge and jury in supreme court. Denecho King, 22 and Karma Eeyeevadluk, 19, were charged last winter with assaulting the taxi driver and stealing money from him. Both King and Eeyeevadluk made video court appearances on Tuesday.
- John McFadden
Education ministers here next week
Territorial and provincial education ministers will be in Yellowknife next week for the first ever aboriginal educators' symposium. It is being held in conjunction with the 104th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada.
About 75 delegates are expected including aboriginal educators, indigenous scholars and elders from across Canada as well as a representative from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The conference is being hosted by NWT Education Minister Jackson Lafferty and takes place on Monday and Tuesday.
- John McFadden
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Superboard takes shape
Last week, the legislative assembly passed Bill 44: An Act to Amend the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act.
According to the government, that act will allow health and social services across the Northwest Territories to work as one system. Under Bill 44, the government will establish a single Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority for the whole health system – in other words, a superboard.
That superboard will incorporate the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority at a later date, in order to accommodate negotiations to bring the Authority's employees into the public service.
Health Minister Glen Abernethy said in a news release the bill marks an "important milestone" and will help to achieve the government's vision for a healthy Northwest Territories.
Bill 44 was developed after the government spent a year consulting with communities, aboriginal governments and other stakeholders.
The government will be drawing up an implementation plan once the act comes into effect.
Elections heat up
Nominations closed for Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief with only one name in the hat: incumbent Herb Norwegian. Voting was scheduled to take place during the DFN Annual Assembly from June 24 to 26, where Norwegian is expected to be acclaimed.
Pehdzeh Ki First Nation has already opened its nominations for chief and council. Nominations close July 3 at 5 p.m. and a candidates forum is scheduled for July 7 at 7 p.m.
Advanced polling will take place July 8 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with election day happening July 15. The new chief and council will be sworn in the following day.
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe also has its election day scheduled for July 15.
Nahanni Butte will be holding an election this summer, although a date has not yet been released.
The band is currently in the process of scheduling that.
No elections will occur in Jean Marie River or Fort Providence this year.
Local governments talk partnerships
On June 15 and 16, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs spoke with community government representatives about ongoing partnerships between municipalities and the territorial government.
Delegates discussed ongoing training programs and the fall election season, as well as options for enhancing support and providing better communication to community governments and residents.
Bear warning at campground
A grizzly bear wandering the grounds of Jak Park just outside of Inuvik has prompted a warning from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and NWT Parks.
A planned interpretive botanical walk about traditional medicine plants and their uses on June 17 was cancelled by NWT Parks interpreters partially due to the presence of the bear.
A parks staff member said some campers had a close experience with the bear a few days earlier, as it was "pushing" against their camper.
A trap had been set up at the park to help deal with the problem bear.
However, the bait was gone without the trap being tripped on June 18.
Reports of another bear being shot somewhere in town around June 20 have yet to be confirmed by Department of Environment and Natural Resources officials.
Benchwarmers to host championships
The Inuvik Benchwarmers women's softball team will once again host the territorial slo-pitch championships from July 3 to 5.
The Benchwarmers are the three-time territorial women's champions, which has earned them the right to play host once again for the tournament.
They have dominated the slo-pitch scene in the NWT, with some respectable showings at national events.
Several other teams are expected to contend, including the Amierco Angels from Inuvik, who recently defeated the Benchwarmers at an Inuvik Slo-pitch Association tournament.
The sport is growing in popularity in the region, particularly among women, according to slo-pitch officials.
Parks programs on tap
Interpretive staff with NWT Parks in Inuvik are looking for people who have some extensive knowledge of traditional lifestyles to help out with their summer programming.
An honorarium will be paid to participants, who might be asked to help out with a few programs a month.
This week, the programming included a look at pharmaceutical plants as part of a scheduled botanical walk at the Western Arctic Visitor Centre on June 24.
Barbecue at youth centre
The Inuvik Youth Centre was scheduled to host a little wet and wild fun on June 24.
"The Inuvik Youth Centre will be hosting a community barbecue with a water balloon fight for the kids. Come out and see the Youth Centre, get to know some of our kids and enjoy a delicious homemade burger," said spokesperson John Moore.
The event was organized to honour Aboriginal Day by the centre.
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