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Monday, August 24, 2015
MLAs seeking re-election
Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Robert C. McLeod has confirmed he will stand for re-election in the Nov. 23 territorial vote. McLeod, MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes, was first elected to the legislative assembly in 2004 in a by-election. He was re-elected in 2007 and acclaimed in 2011.
Meanwhile, Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche has also confirmed he will see re-election. Menicoche, 53, was first elected to the legislative assembly in 2003 and re-elected in 2007 and
2011.
-John McFadden
Inmates harvest the land
Inmates and staff from the men's correctional facility in Fort Smith have successfully harvested a crop of sweet grass and sage to be used during traditional purification and smudging ceremonies and for healing medicines.
Inmates were transported to traditional gathering areas outside Fort Smith and instructed on the respectful harvesting of sacred plants by a traditional counsellor, stated a news release from the Department of Justice.
Inmates also collected mint, chamomile and yarrow for teas. According to the release, the harvested plants will be used across the NWT during traditional ceremonies and programs for
inmates.
-John McFadden
Mental Health Act meetings to be held
The public is being encouraged to attend meetings in three communities dealing with the territorial government's Bill 55: Mental Health Act. The standing committee on social programs is reviewing the bill ahead of its third and final reading in the legislative assembly next month.
A meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Inuvik Community Corporation on Aug. 25. The committee will meet at noon on Aug. 26 at Kitty Hall in Tuktoyaktuk and on Aug. 27 at the Arthur Mendo Arena Community Hall in Tulita.
-John McFadden
Calling all Order of the NWT nominations
The NWT legislative assembly is calling for nominations from residents for the Order of the NWT, the highest honour awarded in the territory.
The order was created in 2013 by the Territorial Emblems and Honours Act. The award is available to any Canadian citizen who is a current or former resident of the NWT.
The deadline for the first intake of nominations is Sept. 4.
-John McFadden
New women's correctional facility to be ready by 2018
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A contract for the design and construction of a new adult women's correctional facility in Fort Smith has been awarded to C.A.B. Construction Ltd., which submitted a winning proposal of a little more than $23.5 million.
The new facility will have a capacity for 23 women and will be built on McDougal Road next to the existing facility for male inmates.
"The people of Fort Smith have a long history of supporting the operation of corrections facilities in their community," stated Justice Minister David Ramsay in an Aug. 13 news release. "By building on the same site as the existing centre for men, we will be able to realize efficiencies in food services, utilities and administration. We look forward to the opening of this building in the spring of 2018 and continuing our partnership with the community."
Design is currently underway and construction on the new facility is expected to begin in the spring of 2016.
- Paul Bickford
Slave River Paddlefest attracts record numbers
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The eighth edition of the Slave River Paddlefest - featuring kayaking, canoeing, rafting and more - was bigger than ever.
This year, 142 registered competitors - 100 of them from out of town - took part in the July 31-Aug. 3 event on the Mountain Portage Rapids of the Slave River, just south of Fort Smith on the Alberta side of the border.
That compares to 80 competitors last year, and just 12 when the event first began.
The visiting paddlers and spectators came from elsewhere in the NWT and Canada, and from the United States, France, Norway and Australia.
The Slave River Paddlefest is presented by the Fort Smith Paddling Club.
- Paul Bickford
Wild berry festival planned at museum
Hay River
The Hay River Heritage Centre is planning a Wild Berry Mini Festival on Aug. 30 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Community residents are being invited to bring their wild berry pies, jams and jellies to the museum to be judged.
Prizes will be awarded for the first three places in the categories of baked pies, jams and jellies.
A children's art project will also be held as part of the festival.
Vendor tables will be available for those who wish to sell their pies and jams.
- Paul Bickford
Town working on franchise decision
Hay River
A decision on which company will receive the Town of Hay River's electricity franchise may be announced in early September.
"Right now, the process is we're reviewing the proposals," said Mayor Andrew Cassidy last week, adding the town has received proposals from three companies.
Cassidy declined to name the companies that have submitted bids to the town, explaining the request for proposals process is confidential.
The proponents made presentations to the town last week.
The town will now continue with its review, said Cassidy. "And hopefully within a few weeks we will have a decision to move forward with."
Late last year, the town decided to issue a request for proposals and not automatically renew the franchise agreement with Northland Utilities (NWT) Limited, which has provided the service since the early 1950s.
The town is seeking to reduce the cost of electricity in the community.
- Paul Bickford
Immersion camp begins
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Deh Gah School's immersion kindergarten for Grades 1, 2 and 3 classes started the fall camp at the snye on Aug. 17.
The camp runs for three weeks and breaks for the weekends.
Dates include Aug. 24 to 28 and Aug. 31 to Sept. 4.
Children require permission forms to be signed in order to attend the camp.
Meanwhile, Toddler Time has returned to the kindergarten classroom at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the remainder of August and all of September.
School will be out Aug. 25 and 26 as staff will be attending a cultural orientation in Fort Simpson.
The community recreation centre is holding a multi-sport camp courtesy of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
The camp began Aug. 17 and ran until Aug. 21 at the gymnasium.
- April Hudson
Emergency exercise still seeks volunteers
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
The Department of Transportation will be holding an emergency exercise on Sept. 12 and is looking for volunteers to act as air crash victims from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be followed by a barbecue at the airport.
The Two Rivers mixed slo-pitch tournament will be held at the baseball diamonds from Aug. 28 to 30. Entry fees are $500 per team, with first place winning $1,500, second place winning $1,000 and third place winning $500. The registration deadline is Aug. 26.
The Deh Cho Health and Social Services Authority (DHSSA) has a jam making session scheduled with elders on Aug. 20 from 1 to 4 p.m.
The authority will also be running an adult health session on Aug. 25 and a youth health session on Aug. 27.
- April Hudson
Operation Nanook to thank the town
Inuvik
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces currently in Inuvik will be hosting a community day Aug. 26 at Jim Koe Park as a thank you for hosting Operation Nanook, a training exercise meant to prepare troops for Arctic conditions and possible situations.
Activities will kick off at 4:30 p.m. and will feature a barbecue in the field kitchen, a combat obstacle course for children, and a Griffon helicopter on the softball field. There will also be demonstrations of naval diving gear and Canadian Rangers equipment.
There is a flyby by Chinook and Griffon helicopters, as well as a Twin Otter, scheduled for 6 p.m., to be followed by a speech by the task force commander at 6:30 p.m. and a friendly field hockey game between military and community members at 6:45 p.m.
- Sarah Ladik
Child dies after tent fire, RCMP investigating
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
RCMP in Pond Inlet were notified of a tent fire on the land outside the community on the morning of Aug. 16, which resulted in injuries to all six occupants, including the death of one child.
Two adults and four children were camping approximately two hours by boat west of the community. Neighbouring campers contacted the Pond Inlet search-and-rescue team and a helicopter was called in to transfer the injured people to the Pond Inlet Health Centre.
A camp stove reportedly was the cause of the fire, which broke out while the occupants were sleeping.
Two doctors from a visiting cruise ship assisted health centre professionals with immediate medical care before the entire family was medevaced south for further attention.
All family members were in serious condition. One child has since succumbed as a result of injuries.
The RCMP is continuing its investigation into the matter.
- Stewart Burnett
Inquest into baby death
Iqaluit
The Office of the Chief Coroner announced Aug. 20 that it will conduct an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the July 29 death of four-month-old infant Amelia Keyoota in the Nunavut capital.
"The infant at the time of death was in care of the Department of Family Services," stated chief coroner Padma Suramala.
"The infant was discovered to be unresponsive and not breathing and was transported by EMS to the hospital and was pronounced deceased," Suramala stated.
The RCMP were called to Qikiqtani General Hospital late on the afternoon of July 29.
No details were forthcoming at the time.
Section 21 of the Nunavut Coroner's Act calls for a mandatory inquest when a person dies in the involuntary custody of an institution.
The purpose of an inquest is to determine cause of death and to make recommendations to prevent similar
deaths.
- Michele LeTourneau
Government ratifies deal with Qulliq employees
Iqaluit
The Government of Nunavut has ratified a collective agreement with Qulliq Energy Corporation workers.
"QEC extended a generous offer to the Nunavut Employees Union to end the strike and to ensure our employees could return to work delivering reliable and efficient electrical services to Nunavummiut," stated Finance Minister Keith Peterson in a news release. The new three-year deal, which union members voted to accept, guarantees pay raises of two per cent in the first year and 1.5 per cent in the second and third
years.
Bill Fennell, president of the employees union, previously told Nunavut News/North that it was "not a great deal but it's probably the best deal possible at this time with the government."
- Stewart Burnett
Man charged with weapons offence
Resolute Bay
The community of Resolute Bay spent part of the afternoon on lockdown Aug. 13, as "RCMP responded to a report of a firearm discharged within the community," stated a news release from RCMP.
The report came in at approximately 12:40 p.m., at which point all Resolute residents were urged to remain indoors. The situation was resolved at approximately 3:30 p.m. when a 38-year-old man was located and arrested without further incident.
He faces charges of discharging a firearm with intent and breach of undertaking, stated an RCMP news release. The individual, who was not named, has been remanded to answer to his charges on Aug. 25.
- Michele LeTourneau
Four caribou on first school hunt
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
Each year, classes from Netsilik School in Taloyoak participate in fall caribou hunts.
On Aug. 19, George Hill's Grade 9 class went out on the land. It was the first hunting trip of the school season.
The hunt took place in the Tigluavik area north of Taloyoak.
Principal Gina Pizzo reported four caribou were harvested.
"The meat is shared among the students and their family members," said Pizzo.
For some students, the school hunts are an opportunity to harvest their first caribou. They also learn how to skin and butcher the animal properly.
- Michele LeTourneau
Summer camp season winds down
Kangiqtugaapik/Clyde River
Summer's coming to an end and so too are many youth camps. It's been a busy season for Ilisaqsivik, a community-based Inuit organization in Clyde River.
The organization teamed up with the health centre to put on a summer day camp for children, which ran three times a week with Maybelle Enuaraq as the co-ordinator.
Children participated in a host of activities inside and outside and designed a "thank you" sign as the camp wrapped up.
As soon as that camp ended, Ilisaqsivik held another children's science camp in conjunction with Actua, a non-profit organization that brings university science students and science professionals to the North.
- Stewart Burnett
Diamond raffle for a cause
Kugluktuk
The Hamlet of Kugluktuk is holding a Diavik Diamond Mine Extravaganza Aug. 28 to 30.
The event is intended to raise funds for a wheelchair accessible bus for the community.
Diavik, in partnership with Crossworks Manufacturing Ltd., donated a polished diamond for a draw.
"The diamond is valued at $11,500," said Doug Ashbury, communications advisor for Diavik.
"It's for a great community cause. This is part of what we call out Community Contribution Program. It's focused on strengthening and serving Northern communities. There are various areas we contribute through and we ask individuals to apply for support, or diamonds in this case. We can support events through volunteering, through funding and through a diamond donation."
Diavik also contributes to communities through grants and scholarships.
"It's all about strengthening local communities," said Ashbury.
Diavik is located on Lac de Gras in the Northwest Territories, approximately 400 km southeast of Kugluktuk.
There will also be a 50/50 draw, a $10,000 bingo and a community squaredance showdown.
- Michele LeTourneau
Youth learn new skills at culture camp
Naujaat/Repulse Bay
The Kivalliq Inuit Association wrapped up its annual Puunnaqsiniq Culture Camp at the Niaquungut-North Pole River outside of Naujaat on Aug. 7.
The camp provides an opportunity for Inuit youths aged 15 to 29 in the Kivalliq to learn traditional and cultural skills out on the land with a group of elders.
The young people learn to sew traditional Inuit clothing, prepare and use marine and land-mammal skins, and prepare and preserve traditional foods.
They also learn survival skills on the land, as well as fishing and pipsi-making skills, land and sea mammal harvesting/hunting skills, traditional Inuit weather observation and attend workshops on grief, loss and healing.
- Darrell Greer
Kayak returns to community
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
The Kitikmeot Heritage Society, based in Cambridge Bay, is in the midst of many activities.
"Our community director Pam Gross is currently leading a trip to bring roughly 20 elders, youth and residential school survivors out to Perry River to document the history of the former trading post and settlement," stated Brendan Griebel in an e-mail.
On the weekend of Aug. 15, Griebel was in Edmonton overseeing the return of a historic Copper Inuit kayak, found in a residential basement in the Alberta city, to its home in Kugluktuk.
"The (heritage society) is going to work with Kugluktuk's Ulu Centre to build a large new exhibit around the kayak," he stated.
Griebel also stated the society recently received confirmation that "we are heading to Denmark in November to begin the process of digitizing more than 4,000 artifacts collected as part of the 1921-24 Fifth Thule Expedition.
"The artifacts will be featured in a new Inuit knowledge digital database that we are creating."
- Michele LeTourneau
Rankin athlete carries flag
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
John William Tagoona of Rankin Inlet was given the honour of being the flag bearer for Team Nunavut at the opening ceremonies of the Western Canada Summer Games in Alberta's Wood Buffalo Region earlier this month.
The Games ran from Aug. 7 to 16 in Fort McMurray, Alta.
- Darrell Greer
Cramped classes for students
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Things were a little cramped for some young students as they headed back to school in Rankin Inlet earlier this month.
With Leo Ussak Elementary School still closed on Aug. 14 due to renovations, classes were scheduled to be held between Simon Alaittuq School and the John Ayaruaq Library at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik.
The Rankin Inlet District Education Authority was expected to release new hours of operation for the library last week for as long as the elementary classes are being held there.
Renovations to the elementary school are behind schedule due to materials being on a late-arriving barge this shipping season.
- Darrell Greer
Parks committees seek appointments
Qikiqtarujuaq/Broughton Island
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association is seeking Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement beneficiaries for board positions for the Auyuittuq National Park and Sirmilik National Park.
Five board positions for the Joint Parks Management Committee are open. The association is seeking members from Qikiqtarjuaq, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet and Arctic Bay.
- Stewart Burnett
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