 | Home page |  | Text size |  | E-mail this page |
Friday, July 24, 2015
Stanton CEO leaving after less than two years
The territorial government has confirmed that Brenda FitzGerald is leaving her position as chief executive officer of Stanton Territorial Hospital after less than two years on the job. Her last day is scheduled for Sept. 9. FitzGerald was hired in the fall of 2013.
Damien Healy, Department of Health and Social Service spokesperson, stated in an e-mail that FitzGerald, "for valid reasons" was not prepared to make a long-term commitment.
- John McFadden
Javaroma expanding to airport
After three years of waiting, Javaroma is planning to open a kiosk at the Yellowknife airport by the end of the month. Currently Quiznos is the only food option at the site.
The new kiosk will sell many of the same items available at the company's main store on Franklin Street including coffee, tea, sandwiches, smoothies, baked items and lattes.
- Meagan Leonard
City seeks Wiley Road park input
The city is asking for feedback on the possibility of making 3526 Wiley Rd. into a park with trees, benches and a dock for float planes or non-motorized watercraft.
The lot along Back Bay is now used as parking for the Wildcat Cafe. There's a survey on the city's website and an open house is planned for the fall. The city has been granted the ability to fill a portion of the lot where there's a boat launch.
- Shane Magee
Erasmus re-elected Dene national chief
Bill Erasmus was re-elected Dene national chief at the Dene National Assembly on Wednesday in Deline.
Erasmus defeated his lone challenger Harold Cook, garnering 85 votes to Cook's 43. Erasmus was first acclaimed in 1987, then again in 1989 and in 1991. He has served as the national chief since '87 except for a three-year span from 2003 to 2006 when he was the Assembly of First Nations regional chief.
That position was combined with the Dene national chief in 2006.
- John McFadden
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Contender for MP announced
Former Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod will be seeking nomination in the upcoming federal election.
McLeod announced on July 21 he had put his name in the running for the federal Liberal nomination.
McLeod said in a release the decision was "years in the making" and that he wants to address cost of living in the North, implement recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and "rebuild the partnership between Ottawa and Indigenous Peoples."
McLeod previously served as Deh Cho MLA from 1999 to 2011 and held a territorial cabinet position from 2003 to 2011.
Fire bans lifted
The territorial Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has announced visitors to all territorial parks can now use campfires in designated fire pits.
Earlier in July, the government lifted fire bans on Sambaa Deh Falls and Blackstone Territorial Parks, while keeping a ban in place for Fort Providence Territorial Park.
On July 20, the government said in an advisory that the ban has also been lifted.
Park users are still not permitted to have fires outside designated fire pits, and are encouraged to thoroughly put out the fire before leaving.
Health authority in flux
Donna Allen, chief executive officer for the Deh Cho Health and Social Services Authority (DHSSA), will be leaving the authority in September.
Allen confirmed her resignation in an e-mail.
She said the public administrator and deputy minister of health are currently working on a plan for replacing her.
Allen has led the DHSSA since September 2014.
The DHSSA announced on May 28 of that year that it had brought Allen in as CEO. Prior to accepting the position, Allen had spent the last seven years as director of territorial health services with the Department of Health and Social Services.
Parks conference planned for Ft. Simpson
The Northwest Territories Recreation and Parks Association will be holding its conference and awards in Fort Simpson this year.
The event will take place at the recreation centre from Oct. 6 to 8.
Workshop themes will include community development, youth engagement and leadership.
This year, the keynote speaker will be Ryan McMahon, an Anishinaabe/Metis comedian, writer and actor based in Winnipeg.
Hazard warning for lake
Northwest Territories Geological Survey reports a possible flash flood can result if a permafrost thaw slump occurs at Husky Lake.
The lake is situated about 15 kilometres west of Fort McPherson.
Permafrost scientist Steve Kokelj, who is with the NWT Geological Survey website, said permafrost thaw slumps happen when thawing causes the land in hilly areas to weaken and give way. They are walls of ice sitting on top of muddy soil.
In photos of Husky Lake supplied by the NWT Geological Survey, it sits on a flat area about half-way down a slope.
It is expected that heavy rain and warm temperatures could weaken the dam-like ridge holding back the water.
A worst-case scenario could see flash floods if the dam fails. It could happen anytime during this summer or fall, says the NWT Geological Survey.
Woman found dead
According to an RCMP news release, July 20, the death of a woman found inside a residence on Boot Lake road was not suspicious.
RCMP spokesperson Const. Elenore Sturko stated in a news release that police found the woman around noon, July 15.
Police received a call reporting that the deceased was inside the home, states the news release.
The preliminary investigation took place July 16, stated Sturko, and it was concluded that no foul play was involved.
The release stated that the identity of the woman will not be released by request of the family.
Sturko stated that the cause of death had not been determined. The body was still with the NWT Office of the Chief Coroner as of press time.
Inuvialuit on the road to self-government
The Inuvaluit Regional Corporation, governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories announced July 17 that an agreement-in-principle to negotiate a self-government agreement was signed.
The signing took place at Inuvik's Ingamo Hall, July 21 and paves the way to an outline on how the future Inuvialuit government will run its affairs.
If ratified by the approximately 3,500 Inuvialuit voting members, the final agreement will dictate what aspects of governing will be in the hands of a future Inuvialuit government, states the agreement.
According to the first agreement between the parties, the new agreement-in-principle is a framework on how the affected groups, Inuvialuit Regional Corp., Government of Canada, Government of Northwest Territories and the affected municipal governments will proceed forward to a final agreement.
| 
