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Friday, October 23, 2015
Man medevaced from Fort Smith RCMP cell
Medicine Hat, Alta. police will investigate after an elderly man had to be medevaced to Edmonton after he experienced medical distress at RCMP headquarters in Fort Smith.
The unnamed man was being held in the RCMP cell block on Oct. 16 when officers found him in distress, according to an RCMP news release. He was taken by ambulance to the local health centre and treated before being medevaced, police stated.
According to the news release, Medicine Hat police will investigate "to ensure a thorough review is conducted into the events surrounding the incident."
- John McFadden
Earthquake hits Sahtu
No damage or injuries are reported after a magnitude 4.5 earthquake hit a remote area southwest of Norman Wells on Oct. 21.
The epicentre of the quake was about 225 km southwest of Norman Wells in the Mackenzie Mountains, not far from the Yukon border, according to Natural Resources Canada.
The agency stated on its website that no damage would be expected and they had not heard from anyone who had felt the earthquake. A magnitude 4.9 earthquake hit off the coast of Tuktoyaktuk in April 2014.
- John McFadden
Yk TRC event planned
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has put out a call for people affected by the residential schools system.
The centre will be holding a community engagement session in Yellowknife on Oct. 27 9 a.m. at the Tree of Peace. Survivors and inter-generational survivors as well as the general public are encouraged to attend.
The centre houses all statements, documents and other materials collected by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
- John McFadden
GNWT won't attend climate change summit
The territorial government will not be represented at a major United Nations climate change summit in Paris coming up the first two weeks of December.
According to a territorial government spokesperson, the summit coincides with MLAs gathering in Yellowknife to identify priorities for the 18th legislative assembly and prepare for their first session.
- John McFadden
Arctic Winter Games trials in Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Territorial trials for those seeking to compete in the Dene games portion of the 2016 Arctic Winter Games will soon be opening for registration.
The trials will be held in Fort Smith from Jan. 14 to 16. Trials determine who will represent the territory at the games in Nuuk, Greenland.
The top four overall competitors in the categories of snow snake, stick pull and finger pull for each age group will make the team.
- Shane Magee
Casino comes to town to raise money for Halloween show
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
With Halloween just around the corner, a fundraiser casino is being held on Oct. 23 to raise money for the following weekend's spooky festivities.
"We are actually just planning it now and getting our prizes for the Halloween party happening next weekend," said acting recreation co-ordinator Jolene McCarthy.
The hope is to raise enough money to buy prizes for the Halloween party, with bingos, Nevada and Texas Hold'em poker planned for the casino.
The event is open to anyone over the age of 16, McCarthy said, and will be held at the gym.
- Elaine Anselmi
Hockey players hit the ice to learn
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
Some young people in Fort McPherson were busy last week getting ready to head to Inuvik for hockey school on Oct. 23.
This was scheduled to be the first time the group would participate in the program, said a representative from the hamlet office.
The hockey school is actually planned to start earlier in the week but the Fort McPherson group was to drive out on the Friday and spend the weekend working on their hockey skills.
The hockey school is open to youth ages seven to 18 and an exciting opportunity for the youth, said the representative.
- Elaine Anselmi
Time on the land coming soon
Paulatuk
An opportunity will be posted shortly for a group of youth to head out on the land with experienced harvesters.
"Possibly the first week of November but we're still waiting for the weather to freeze up some more ice," said employment officer Gilbert Thrasher Jr.
"I usually do a post up a couple of weeks before the programs starts, probably next week I'll have the post done."
The posting will be for youth interested in taking part and the two harvesters who will run the program - he said the size of the group will depend on how the leaders want to run it.
"It depends on how many caribou tags we get, as well," he said. "I'm waiting to see if I can get four to six, usually I get around that number."
- Elaine Anselmi
Pumpkin carving contest hits hamlet rec centre
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Big orange faces were expected to be smiling back at the community Oct. 22 after a pumpkin carving contest was scheduled to run through the hamlet's recreation department.
Pumpkins were to be supplied by the hamlet and the contest was to be divided into two hour-long portions, one at 6:30 p.m. and one following at 7:30 p.m, said hamlet senior administrative officer Stephen Wylie.
As well as Halloween festivities, a new group planned to start up in town with its first official meeting on Oct. 23.
The Men's Social Club was scheduled to start meeting on Fridays at 7 p.m. at the recreation centre, Wylie said.
"It's just an opportunity for all the men in town, especially the single men, to get together and socialize," he said.
"It's a bit of a service club to help out other people in town, help elders if they need something."
The group is being run by Fred Raddi and Wylie said all are welcome.
- Elaine Anselmi
Halloween celebrations kick off in Deh Cho
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
Youth in Fort Liard will have some spooky fun at the community hall this Halloween.
The hamlet is turning the hall into a haunted house for the third consecutive year.
- April Hudson
Vet visit free of charge
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
A vet clinic is scheduled for Oct. 28 and 29 at the expense of the hamlet.
Appointments can be made with the hamlet office.
From Oct. 19 to 24, Lani Cooke was scheduled to be instructing yoga free of charge at Deh Gah School's gym.
Sessions were to include adult drop-ins, yoga for students and sessions for yoga enthusiasts looking to become teachers.
- April Hudson
Bring your bottles
Pehdzeh Ki/Wrigley
Chief Julian Yendo School was scheduled to hold a bottle depot on Oct. 22 for community members to drop off their bottles and cans.
On Oct. 31, the band office expects to hold a Halloween party at the office gym.
Halloween bingo has also been scheduled.
- April Hudson
Hockey teams gear up for winter
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
Lots of activities and clubs are scheduled for fall in Fort Simpson.
Fort Simpson's women's hockey team is holding its annual general meeting on Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the recreation centre.
On Oct. 26, the men's hockey team will be holding its annual general meeting at 7 p.m. at the recreation centre.
The Deh Cho Health and Social Services Authority will hold its annual general meeting Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Open Doors is running Active After School programming Monday to Friday from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Never Board Games and Comic Book Club are scheduled Thursdays at Aurora College from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Alcoholics Anonymous has its regular meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 in the Stanley Isaiah Building.
- April Hudson
Centre for truth follows up
The director at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation visited Iqaluit recently on a nationwide tour to talk about the centre and ask questions of residential school survivors.
"We're responsible for preserving all of the documents and the statements that were recorded by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission across the entire country," said Ry Moran.
"We're at a point now, though, that we really want to go back into communities and chat with community members, those who have been affected by the residential school system, to check in and see if we're on the right track and get some valuable information from them in terms of what they see as the next steps in the journey."
- Stewart Burnett
Trio honoured by NTI president
Iqaluit
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Cathy Towtongie honoured three Inuit with the President's Awards at a feast Oct. 21 in Iqaluit.
Aiolah Takolik of Taloyoak received the recognition for "his long-standing involvement in many different community groups in Taloyoak, including the housing association, district education authority and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association."
Raymond Ningeocheak of Coral Harbour was recognized for his involvement with the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut prior to his long-standing service as vice-president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and then the Kivalliq Inuit Association. He serves on the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.
Nuna Parr of Cape Dorset was honoured "for his contribution to Inuit art and culture as an internationally renowned carver, and because of the role he plays in continuing to provide food for his fellow community members."
Each year, the awards are bestowed upon three recipients who have made a significant contribution to preserve Inuit culture and lead community initiatives, states a news release.
All recipients were awarded a plaque and a $500 prize.
- Michele LeTourneau
Wellness co-ordinators trained
Kangiqtugaapik/Clyde River
A new crop of community wellness co-ordinators from across Nunavut are trained and ready to perform their work, thanks to the Ilisaqsivik Society in Clyde River.
Participants engaged in a two-week program at Ilisaqsivik led by a team of facilitators.
They are now going back to their communities to work in the wellness field, while Ilisaqsivik has already welcomed another batch of people to undertake a counsellor training program.
- Stewart Burnett
Joint effort on fuel drum cleanup
Iqaluit
Fifty-six abandoned fuel drums between the old cemetery and the Canadian Coast Guard site were removed as part of a joint operation between the city of Iqaluit, Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the Government of Nunavut.
The program was designed to enhance beautification of the city and showed the three government bodies working well together, states a news release from the City of Iqaluit.
The city also partnered with the Baffin Correction Centre's "town crew" to remove 20 abandoned fuel drums from the creek near Apex beach. This will be a continuing relationship aiming to enhance inmate well-being and pride, a news release states.
- Stewart Burnett
Order of Nunavut ceremony announced
Nunavut
Speaker George Qulaut announced Oct. 21 that Tagak Curley, William Lyall, and Father Robert Lechat will be invested into the Order of Nunavut at a ceremony Oct. 29 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the chamber of the legislative assembly.
The ceremony will be open to the public and televised live across Nunavut on community cable stations and direct-to-home satellite service on Bell (channel 513) and Shaw (channel 289-classic/channel 489-new lineup) networks.
The Order of Nunavut was created to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cultural, social or economic well-being of Nunavut. The Order is the highest honour in the territory and takes precedence over all other orders, decorations or medals conferred by the Government of Nunavut.
- Michele LeTourneau
Spotters ready for rescues
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
The Arctic Bay zone of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) finished its annual training and certification on Oct. 18.
Nine members from the community took part in the training, which is vital to assisting in search and rescue operations around the community.
Participants used an RCAF Twin Otter during training. CASARA volunteers in communities assist in search and rescue missions by acting as spotters in an aircraft and learn to use hand signals to direct pilots and navigators while in the air.
- Stewart Burnett
Dedicated service recognized
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
A farewell gathering for longtime Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre (PKFC) executive director George Dunkerley was held at the Rankin Inlet community hall Oct. 18.
Dinner was served at the event and Dunkerley was presented with a number of gifts for his years of dedicated service to the friendship centre.
Bonnie Almon took over Dunkerley's position as the friendship centre's executive director on Oct. 19.
- Darrell Greer
Open house for office of children and youth
Iqaluit
The Representative for Children and Youth's Office was scheduled to host a community event at Nakasuk Elementary School in Iqaluit the evening of Oct. 23 to celebrate the office's launch.
The free event was to be for families and featured music from the Daniel Kolola Band, door prizes and a photo booth
"The event is to celebrate and raise awareness of the office's opening this past Sept. 30," the news release stated. "Staff will be on hand to meet young people and their families and provide information on what the RCY's office does."
Representative for Children and Youth Sherry McNeil-Mulak, president of the National Inuit Youth Council Maatalii Okalik and Finance Minister Keith Peterson were scheduled to host the event.
- Michele LeTourneau
Applications open for Northern Youth Abroad
Nunavut
Northern Youth Abroad's 2016 Canadian and international program is now open for applications, which are due Nov. 10.
The program aims to enable Northern youth to become full participants in the development of the North. Each program sees youth engage in a 10-month period highlighted by a five- to six-week summer travel placement in southern Canada or internationally.
Participants build their cross-cultural awareness, leadership skills and self-confidence.
They also work with a mentor in their home community who serves as a role model.
The program has alumni from across Nunavut, including dozens of past participants from Arviat and Baker Lake.
- Stewart Burnett
Beware of scam phone calls
Nunavut
Kivalliq residents should be aware of an increase in telephone scams in which the caller pretending to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
The caller often uses aggressive and forceful language to try and scare potential victims into paying fictitious debt to the CRA, according to a news release.
The victim is often threatened with court charges or jail in the caller's attempt to get them to submit immediate payment with a credit card.
The elderly can often be especially vulnerable to these types of telephone scams.
- Darrell Greer
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