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Friday, October 23, 2015
Environmental artwork event postponed
Ecology North's "True Cost of Coal" event has been postponed until further notice due to a shipping issue south of the border. The Yellowknife environmental organization is bringing in an 8-by-20-foot banner from a U.S.-based arts collective, featuring artwork that tells the story of coal mining in the Appalachian Mountains and its impacts on the natural environment there.
- James Goldie
$3,000 requested for mass-mailout 'Selfie'
Coun. Linda Bussey, city council's representative to the Yellowknife Social Issues Committee, said the committee would like $3,000 to mail the findings of a report on homelessness, transitional housing and food security dubbed "Yellowknife's Selfie."
The information includes the number of self-reported homeless people counted in May, the number of emergency beds available in city shelters and the amount of food distributed by food banks. Councillors will vote on whether they will approve funding the mail-out at their final meeting on Monday.
- Evan Kiyoshi French
Council to decide on Grace Lake boardwalk
As one of their final decisions before being dissolved city council will direct staff as to which plan they prefer for a boardwalk on the south shore of Grace Lake. The majority of councillors said they'll be in support of a plan to put a 200 to 300 metre boardwalk in order to grant water access. The territorial government made an exception to their 100 foot lake-buffer rule, allowing the developer to build lots right up to the shoreline.
- Evan Kiyoshi French
Tlicho Government won't hunt Bathurst caribou this winter
The Tlicho Government has said its members will not harvest caribou from the Bathurst herd for the 2015/16 hunting season. The herd's numbers have declined from almost a half million 30 years ago, to an estimated 16,000 to 22,000 animals. The herd is protected by a mobile no hunting zone although the GNWT has allowed an aboriginal harvest of up to 15 bulls for ceremonial purposes.
"Our government is determined to support the efforts to help the herd recover," said Tlicho Grand Chief Eddie Erasmus.
- John McFadden
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Water deal secured
The NWT and B.C. governments have signed a water management agreement for the Mackenzie river basin.
The Bilateral Water Management Agreement was signed Oct. 15 by B.C. environment minister Mary Polak and NWT Minister of Environment and Natural Resources J. Michael Miltenberger.
It focuses on the Liard and Petitot watersheds and represents a commitment to protect the basin's ecosystems.
Federal election fanfare
Liidlii Kue First Nation congratulated the Liberal Party of Canada, who took a majority government in the 2015 federal election.
In a statement delivered to Deh Cho Drum, Antoine stated the band is looking forward to "positive change."
"I believe we finally have a government who will respect (the) treaty relationship; one that is willing to work with us to implement this sacred relationship as understood by our elders," Antoine added.
Accident claims life
A single-vehicle collision on Highway 3 near Fort Providence claimed the life of one person and sent two others to the hospital on Oct. 16.
The accident came one week after snowfall hit the Deh Cho and South Slave regions, with temperatures warming throughout the week. RCMP cited slippery road conditions as a possible factor in the accident, but noted on Oct. 16 the cause of the collision was still under investigation.
Moose samples pour in
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will continue to collect moose samples until the end of 2015, and are nearing their goal of 40 to 45 samples.
"We encourage harvesters to continue to provide samples, especially from moose harvested in the Fort Liard and Trout Lake areas," said Nic Larter, the department's manager of wildlife, research and monitoring in the Deh Cho.
The department is thanking harvesters for bringing in their samples, which can be delivered to Environment and Natural Resources offices or to local band offices.
Hunters cautioned
Fort Liard's hamlet fire department and RCMP are reminding hunters to exercise safety and caution as temperatures drop in the Deh Cho. The reminder includes a warning for community members using smokers and drying meat to make sure their smokers are far enough away from the wall of their fireplaces so they don't burn.
Water should be kept nearby in case of a fire.
Education authority results announced
Along with federal and municipal elections Oct. 19, Inuvik residents voted for district education authority representatives this week.
Lesa Semmler got the most votes with 731, followed by Janelle Cockney at 664 votes and Janelle Wainman at 657 votes. Melissa McDonald with 615 votes, Catherine Stephanie Crocker with 596 votes, Paul Watters with 656 votes and Matthew Dares with 485 votes were also elected. Helga Sawkins was not elected with a total of 307 votes.
Similar to the municipal system, the swearing in will take place after the first Monday of November. The next scheduled meeting is Nov. 3, where – if an officer of oaths is available – members of the authority will be sworn in.
Halloween takes over
With the spookiest night of the year drawing near, Inuvik is gearing up for a great time.
Recreation co-ordinator Steve Krug told the Drum the municipality and Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre will be partnering to outfit a haunted house this year. Activities will take place at Ingamo Hall Oct. 31 from noon until 4 p.m.
Krug said the friendship centre will be dealing with most of the organizational aspects of the event with the recreation department contributing equipment, props, and decorations. He also said it made sense to work together instead of compete for children to attend.
First meeting set for new council
Inuvik's newly-elected council will be sworn in Nov. 2 in chambers at town hall before holding its first meeting as a new municipal government Nov. 9.
Senior administrative officer Grant Hood said the meeting Oct. 26 was cancelled with matters to be discussed deferred to the next month.
Group invites residents
The University of Alberta-based Canadian North Helicobacter pylori (CANHelp) Working Group is inviting residents to attend an information session Oct. 22 to talk about H. Pylori, a bacteria that can be present in the stomach which has been linked to ulcers and stomach cancers.
In partnership with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the session will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Inuvik Community Corporation community room.
The CANHelp group will share information and discuss opportunities available through their organization, including who has been doing the research and why Inuvik was chosen. In addition, they will show the film, Never Say Die: The Aklavik H. Pylori Project.
Dinner will be served and all are welcome.
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