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Monday, October 12, 2015
Man charged with child luring in Tuktoyaktuk
Charges of extortion and luring a child are pending against a 35-year-old Tuktoyaktuk man after an investigation by RCMP as well as the Mounties' internet child exploitation unit.
In a news release, RCMP stated that an arrest was made on Oct. 6 after a search warrant was executed at a residence in Tuk following an investigation that began last March. Police stated that at least five victims have been identified, all approached by an unknown profile through social media.
The accused has not been named.
- John McFadden
Teen mourned in Liard
Communities in the Deh Cho are mourning the sudden death of a youth in Fort Liard.
RCMP stated in a news release that the youth's body was found near Riverview Road in Fort Liard. Police began an investigation the morning of Oct. 3. At press time, a cause of death had not been determined. The identity of the youth is not currently being released. Fort Liard RCMP are working with the G Division Major Crimes Unit, the Forensic Identification Unit and the Office of the Chief Coroner of the Northwest Territories on the investigation.
- April Hudson
Tuk residents medevaced after alcohol poisoning
Three Tuktoyaktuk residents have been medevaced after drinking ethylene glycol - the main ingredient in antifreeze - last week.
RCMP stated in a news release Oct. 9 it had traced the source of the poisonings to an individual who was selling bootleg liquor in the community.
Two people, a man and a woman, were medevaced on Oct. 6 after one of them was found unconscious. A third man followed Oct. 9.
- John McFadden
RCMP probe
Fort Good Hope fire
Police are investigating after a suspicious fire destroyed a vacant house in Fort Good Hope on Oct. 6.
According to an RCMP news release, officers and the local fire department responded to the blaze at about 4 a.m.
Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to other buildings and a wooded area nearby. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Mounties are also looking into two other incidents in the community that night - a break and enter at the Yamoga Building and an attempted break-in at the health centre. It is not clear if the incidents are related, police stated.
- John McFadden
Community hall success
Ka'a'gee Tu/Kakisa
The community hall in Kakisa has been completed and a grand opening is expected to be held at some point in October.
The community is awaiting furniture for the hall, at which point the date of the grand opening will be announced.
- April Hudson
Graduation time
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Deh Gah School was scheduled to hold its graduation ceremony on Oct. 9.
The Snowshoe Lounge will be holding karaoke nights Fridays at 9 p.m.
The Snowshoe Inn is planning its last yard sale of the season scheduled for Oct. 12, beginning at 11 a.m.
The library is holding a storytelling contest. Entries can be written or recorded and must be handed in by Nov. 30. The contest includes three age categories for children ages five to 12, youth between the ages of 13 and 18, and adults 19 years of age and up. Cross-country season kicked off Oct. 2 for students at Deh Gah School.
- April Hudson
Fall programming all set
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
The fall schedule for recreation in Sachs Harbour is set, capped off by a Halloween party and pumpkin carving at the end of the month.
New schedules come out on the first of every month and recreation co-ordinator Doreen Carpenter said cooking sessions, a sewing group and Arctic sports practice are all a part of October's activities. The latter is in preparation for the Arctic Winter Games - involving youth ages 12 and up.
Regular after school programming is also continuing on for youth from kindergarten up to Grade 9, with opportunities to finish homework, play games, do crafts or watch movies and just hang out.
- Elaine Anselmi
Quiet but keeping on
Paulatuk
Things are quiet in Paulatuk this week, said a representative at the hamlet office, but programming for youth is continuing on this month, giving students a place to kick back after classes end.
Since school started, the centre has offered regular movie nights and various crafts and activities.
- Elaine Anselmi
Out for a walk
Ulukhaktok/Holman
The snow is falling in Ulukhaktok and temperatures are dropping, said Arctic Fox Youth Centre co-ordinator Chelsey Oliffe.
But the youth centre will still have plenty of programming in place to keep youth busy, even including a few trips outside.
"On our schedule we have playing with the Wii and computers and painting and beading," said Oliffe.
"We also have Nordic walking, we're doing that through this month."
Offering a great opportunity for exercise, Nordic walking uses trekking poles and Oliffe said she would be taking the group out to really get moving.
"I take the kids out to walk up the hills and get good exercise and then come back to the youth centre an hour later for hot chocolate," said Oliffe.
After a successful bingo two weeks ago, Oliffe said snacks have been purchased with the money raised to give out during programming.
"The last bingo made enough money to pay the bills - power and all of that," she said. "And then we had some left over for snacks."
- Elaine Anselmi
Metis, GNWT discuss issues in Fort Resolution
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
Wellness in Fort Resolution was among the issues discussed on Sept. 23 at a meeting in Yellowknife between members of the territorial cabinet and the Northwest Territory Metis Nation. According to a GNWT news release, the parties agreed to evaluate how wellness program funding is distributed in Fort Resolution and work with the community to review economic development program delivery.
Other issues discussed at the meeting included the decline of caribou populations, the proposed Thaidene Nene Territorial Park and conservation area, housing, GNWT hiring practices, cabin taxation and more.
A memorandum of understanding between the two sides recognizes the importance of a government-to-government relationship.
It commits both governments to meet regularly.
The Sept. 23 meeting was the third since the Metis Nation and the GNWT signed an intergovernmental agreement in November 2012.
- Paul Bickford
Chipewyan language classes start at college
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Chipewyan language classes are beginning this week at Aurora College in Fort Smith.
The free classes are scheduled to run to April.
The beginner and novice class - for those who want to learn the basics like greetings, numbers and the alphabet - will take place on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m.
The advanced and proficiency class - for speakers who want to learn how to read and write in Dene-Roman orthography and syllabics - will take place on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m.
- Paul Bickford
Fall feast planned at Fort Smith museum
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A fall feast will be held in mid-October at Fort Smith's Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre.
It will take place on Oct. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. The feast will consist of home-made soups, breads and desserts, all made with fall flavours.
A silent auction will follow.
All guests will take home a handmade pottery bowl created by Yellowknife artist Astrid Kruse.
The event is for those aged 19 years and above.
- Paul Bickford
Schools on lockdown after shotgun threat
Sanikiluaq
Both the elementary and high school in Sanikiluaq went on lockdown Oct. 2 after RCMP were called regarding a young man threatening to go to the high school with a gun.
"Lockdown procedures were used," said RCMP Cpl. David Lawson.
Shortly after the call, while the RCMP were searching for the man, he turned himself in.
The young male was arrested without incident. A 12-gauge shotgun was later located and seized. The man was charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and careless use of a firearm.
No further information, such as why the man threatened the school, was available.
- Stewart Burnett
Inuit association pledges openness
Iqaluit
During its 40th anniversary annual general meeting and celebration in Iqaluit last week, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association released its 2014-15 annual report and its president said efforts would be made to open up the organization's business to beneficiaries.
"I have heard clearly from the communities across the region that QIA is not sharing enough information with its beneficiaries," stated President P.J. Akeeagok in a news release. "QIA belongs to the Qikiqtani beneficiaries and the annual report will be yet another way QIA will better inform QIA beneficiaries of its programs and activities delivered by their organization."
The report details QIA activities, finances and employees' work. It also includes a 40-year timeline, highlighting some of the work carried out by QIA since its creation in 1975.
The report is available on QIA's website.
- Stewart Burnett
Suspect arrested after armed robbery
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
The Pangnirtung RCMP responded to an armed robbery outside the Northern Store while an employee was making a deposit late at night on Oct. 1.
James Qiyuaqyuk, 20, was arrested and charged with armed robbery, breach of probation and mischief. He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Iqaluit on Oct. 20.
No one was injured in the incident, which is under investigation.
- Stewart Burnett
Man charged after stabbing
Iglulik
A man was medevaced from Iglulik after being stabbed at approximately 10:30 p.m. Oct. 3, Iglulik RCMP stated.
"The victim was flown out to Iqaluit and subsequently Ottawa," stated Cpl. David Lawson in an e-mail.
A 55-year-old man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.
A bail hearing was completed and the man was released on a recognizance with strict conditions.
The man is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 2.
The victim is in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries, police said.
- Michele LeTourneau
Students run for Terry Fox
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
The students at Taloyoak's Netsilik Ilihakvik were troupers Sept. 30.
Despite miserable weather the 35th Terry Fox National School Run was a go.
"With temperatures well below zero, snow on the ground, and high winds, no one was complaining," said principal Gina Pizzo.
"All students and staff of Netsilik School and Natsiaq Preschool participated and the community were invited to participate, as well."
The run started out at the school gym and ventured forth to a "picturesque trail northeast of the community and back again to the school."
At the end of the run, participants were treated to refreshments and were encouraged to make a donation to the Terry Fox Foundation.
"All participants got to put their name in for a draw to win this year's Terry Fox T-Shirt."
Donations totaled $270 at the run, but more donations were expected throughout the week.
- Michele LeTourneau
Volunteers sought
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The Rankin Inlet Minor Hockey Association is asking hockey people in the community to step up and take one of the executive board positions not yet filled.
Earlier this month, the hockey association was looking for people to fill the vacant vice-president's spot, as well as tournament organizers, and division representatives for the initiation, novice, atom, peewee, bantam, midget and girl's groups, as well as a member at large.
The association is also looking for coaches for initiation, novice, bantam and midget levels.
The final day for parents to register their children for the upcoming hockey season is Oct. 16 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the arena lobby.
- Darrell Greer
Community looks to set up food bank
Qikiqtarjuak/Broughton Island
Susie Rhoda Aliqatuqtuq of Qikiqtarjuak is hoping to set up a food bank for her community.
She's looking to gather volunteers who can work together to get it off the ground.
The group would need to figure out where to store food and how to handle the logistics of the program.
Food banks in other communities have been popular successes, such as one that started up this year in Naujaat.
- Stewart Burnett
Residents warn of loose dogs
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Residents have taken to social media warning about loose, aggressive dogs in Pangnirtung.
Two community members said their children were approached by the dogs. One child had to climb on something to get away.
It's not the first time dogs have posed a safety problem in the community. Earlier this year, 20 dogs were destroyed after having been found to have rabies.
- Stewart Burnett
Help line gets support
Nunavut
Bell Canada announced its Let's Talk campaign has, to date, contributed $100 million to mental health initiatives across Canada this past week.
Northwestel is one of the funding partners for the Kamatsiaqtut Help Line, which provides confidential, anonymous help and support to struggling Nunavut youths.
Northwestel's support helps allow the Kamatsiaqtut Help Line to gather the funds needed to run the service, train volunteers and provide 24/7 support year round to people across the territory in English, French and Inuktitut.
- Darrell Greer
Harvester training to start
Kangiqtugaapik/Clyde River
The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board will be in Clyde River this week to train active harvesters on data collection.
The community-based monitoring network will train harvesters to use hand-held computers to record wildlife sightings, harvests, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and other observations while out on the land.
As an incentive to participants, prizes based on data collection will be available, ranging from cash to snowmobiles.
The board is holding a community meeting Oct. 13 at the community hall from 7 to 9 p.m.
- Stewart Burnett
Youth celebrate Thanksgiving with elders
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
Every year, for the sixth year now, Jimmy Hikok Ilihakvik celebrates Thanksgiving, thanks to First Air.
The airline purchases all the food at the Yellowknife Co-op and flies it to the community, said teacher Lori Rudyk.
And while the feast, which was scheduled for the afternoon of Oct. 9, is to bring together an estimated 220 children and 50 to 70 elders, the entire community works together to pull it off.
Rudyk lists off the Kugluktuk High School, Arctic College, the home care staff, the Ilavut Centre, RCMP, the Northern Store, the Co-op, JMS Supplies, and the two hotels, the Coppermine and the Enokhok.
"The students will be performing a song that we've been singing in the school to foster unity, We Are One. We'll have a prayer by our elder in the school, Agnes Pihoak Kokak. We'll be reading a message of well wishes from First Air," said Rudyk. "They say something like, 'We like to foster relationships between elders and children.'"
New staff "who are super-artistic" means the children made more than the usual placements for the elders.
"The elders are going to be getting some really beautiful decorations and cards, as well as placemats," said Rudyk.
- Michele LeTourneau
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