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Monday, November 2, 2015
Five impaired charges in five days in Inuvik
Five people have been charged with drinking and driving related offences in Inuvik in the span of only three days.
In a news release, RCMP stated three people were charged with impaired driving on Oct. 23, one of them was a snowmobiler.
Another person was charged the next day and another on Oct. 25. Charges include impaired driving, refusing to provide a breath sample, no insurance and driving while disqualified.
- John McFadden
Missing Hay River teen found
A teenager reported missing by RCMP last week has been found.
RCMP issued a news release on Oct. 29, stating Tamara Graham, 17, had been reported missing by her family on Oct. 28. She was last seen leaving her workplace on Oct. 26, police stated.
She was travelling in a vehicle police stated, and they believed she was in the Grande Prairie, Alta. area and may have been trying to make her way to Edmonton.
In an updated news release issued on Oct. 30, police stated that she had been found.
- John McFadden
Shannon Gullberg named NWT languages commissioner
Yellowknife lawyer Shannon Gullberg has been named the NWT's languages commissioner.
Gullberg, who was the commissioner from 2004 to 2008, had been the acting commissioner since March. She was appointed to the position for a four-year term by MLAs in the legislative assembly on Oct. 6.
Gullberg replaces Snookie Catholique who resigned from the role earlier this year for personal reasons.
- John McFadden
MACA announces funding recipients
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has announced the nine non-government organizations (NGOs) that will receive funding through the 2015-16 NGO stabilization fund.
The NGOs receiving funding are: Fostering Open eXpression Among Youth (FOXY), Foster Family Coalition of the NWT, NWT Literacy Council, NWT Seniors' Society, Hay River Committee for Persons with Disabilities, Yellowknife Association for Community Living, Yellowknife Women's Society and YWCA Yellowknife.
- John McFadden
Yoga glasses/All-candidates forum
Deh Gah Got'e Koe/Fort Providence
Yoga glasses for those over 16 will take place Mondays at 5 p.m. and Thursdays at 8 p.m. in the school gym.
An all-candidates forum is being scheduled by Dehcho First Nation for the evening of Nov. 4 at the arena. The forum will focus on each candidate's take on the Dehcho Process.
The community held a feast on Oct. 25 to congratulate NWT MP Michael McLeod on winning the federal election.
- April Hudson
Donation appreciated
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
The hamlet is thanking Acho Dene Koe First Nation chief and council for donating food and supplies to the youth centre.
- April Hudson
Children's costume celebration
Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake
On Oct. 30, Trout Lake planned to hold a Halloween celebration for children.
Community members are also in the process of preparing for winter, although Trout Lake has yet to see snowfall and temperatures were still above freezing as of last week.
- April Hudson
Getting ready for winter
Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
A winterizing workshop was scheduled to be held in the community Oct. 27 and 28.
Community members are wishing happy birthdays to Martin Antoine on Oct. 30 and Winston Norwegian on Nov. 1.
- April Hudson
Candidates to be questioned
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
The Dehcho First Nation will be hosting an all-candidates forum Nov. 19 at the recreation centre in Fort Simpson to question Nahendeh candidates in the territorial election on the Dehcho Process.
Also, Craft Night is returning to the Open Sky Gallery from 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday until Dec. 8, starting Oct. 27.
- April Hudson
Education board members sought
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Town of Fort Smith is seeking expressions of interest to fill three positions on the district education authority board.
The positions would represent the community on the board that oversees delivery of education in the community.
The deadline to submit forms to the town is Nov. 5.
- Shane Magee
Wildlife talk coming
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is set to host the fourth biannual South Slave Regional Wildlife Workshop in Fort Smith from Nov. 3 to Nov. 5.
The event is held to discuss regional wildlife issues and current research and monitoring programs in the region.
All are welcome to attend the event at the Roaring Rapids Hall, which this year includes an evening session Nov. 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Shane Magee
Well prepped for Halloween
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
Beginning with pumpkin carving on Oct. 21 and 22, Fort McPherson jumped right into the spooky holiday.
On Oct. 26 and 27 all hands were on deck at the youth centre putting up decorations to get in the Halloween spirit and treats were to be handed out from the centre on Oct. 31.
The decorations will be a key part of the haunted house hosted at the youth centre that day, said recreation co-ordinator Stephanie Peterson.
The school planned to host a costume parade on the afternoon of Oct. 30, as well as Halloween parties in each classroom. An adult costume parade was also to take place that night at the complex.
The Justice Committee was scheduled to host a Scary Cake contest over the weekend and RCMP officers were getting on board by opening up a haunted house in the detachment garage over the weekend.
"We have a whole new group of cops here and they're all community-involved, which is good and they have lots going on for the youth," said Peterson.
"Everybody is pitching in and making things happen."
- Elaine Anselmi
Dress up time in Ulukhaktok
Ulukhaktok/Holman
A Halloween party, costume contest and spooky house were planned for Ulukhaktok's Arctic Fox Youth Centre, said hamlet recreation co-ordinator Joanne Ogina.
And just in case that wasn't enough opportunity to show of this year's array of creative costumes, there was also a costume parade scheduled to run through the school on Oct. 31.
All were welcome for celebrations at the youth centre over the weekend, Ogina said, whether you're a youth or an elder.
- Elaine Anselmi
Many events to choose from for Halloween
Tuktoyaktuk
Kitty Hall was to be transformed into a haunted house over Halloween weekend in a group effort between the youth centre and hamlet recreation department, said centre co-ordinator Sophie Stefure.
"We usually do crafts during the week, and bake some sort of Halloween treats," Stefure said.
A Halloween teen dance was already held at Kitty Hall on Oct. 23, since court is being held this week in the space, making it unavailable.
Stefure said youth are usually out trick or treating every Halloween, and the school planned to host a costume parade on the afternoon of the Oct. 30.
- Elaine Anselmi
Recreation gets weekend celebrations going
Paulatuk
The whole community was welcome to come out to the school on Oct. 30 for Halloween festivities.
"We have prizes for the most original, funniest and scariest costumes," said recreation co-ordinator Aaron Ruben.
There were also games scheduled throughout the night with more prizes up for grabs. On Oct. 31, a haunted house was scheduled to open up at the youth centre, welcoming in anyone who is brave enough to head through the doors.
The recreation committee and volunteers were working through last week to get the centre decorated and ready - as well as running the regular bottle drive and collecting recyclables for money to put back into the centre, Ruben said.
Festivities were to kick off at the school at 9 p.m. Oct. 31 and Ruben said they wanted to host it when everyone will still be in costume - with Halloween activities taking place at the school during the day - and should run until around midnight.
- Elaine Anselmi
Warning issued about danger from foxes
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
An advisory warning that dogs and foxes can transmit rabies to people was issued by the Department of Health Oct. 28.
That's because a high number of foxes are wandering in the community of Cambridge Bay.
"If you have been bitten or scratched, or had any contact with a fox, please go to the health centre and report the incident immediately. Treatment must be started quickly," stated health department spokesperson Ron Wassink.
Anyone spotting a fox should contact the wildlife officer or the bylaw officer. If anyone's dog has had contact with a fox, or other wild animal, they should contact the regional environmental health officer.
Rabies vaccination shots for dogs are available from the lay vaccinator.
- Michele LeTourneau
Armed robbery at Northern store
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
At approximately 10:15 p.m. Oct. 27, Pangnirtung RCMP responded to an armed robbery with a weapon outside the Northern Convenience Store.
While an employee was closing the store, a lone male approached the employee and demanded his backpack, which contained personal items.
The employee complied and the suspect fled on foot toward the local health centre.
The suspect was described as approximately five-foot-four with a thin build, approximately 130 lbs., wearing a blue bandana across his face and a dark, hooded sweater. The backpack taken was green with a "Jack Wolfskin" label.
No one was injured in this event. At press time the matter was still under investigation.
- Stewart Burnett
Warm clothes made for hunters
Kangiqtugaapik/Clyde River
The Elders Committee and Ilisaqsivik teamed up and completed a sewing program, providing warm clothing for hunters in Clyde River last week.
Ten seamstresses made clothes for needy hunters who may not have had access to seamstresses or warm clothing. The program took place over a month at Ilisaqsivik and 10 hunters now have warm parkas, pants and fur mitts.
Ilisaqsivik congratulated elders committee co-ordinator Mimie Natanine, who organized the project, the Elders Committee and all of the people who created the garments.
- Stewart Burnett
Woman dies following crash
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
An 80-year-old elder from Baker Lake succumbed to the injuries she received in a motor-vehicle accident last month.
Mary Iqqat was thrown from her all-terrain vehicle when it collided with another vehicle on Oct. 17.
The elder was medevaced to Winnipeg following the accident but died at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre on Oct. 21.
RCMP reported neither alcohol nor speed are believed to have been contributing factors to the accident.
No related charges are anticipated.
- Darrell Greer
School celebrates literacy
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
Netsilik School in Taloyoak plunged head on into Literacy Week Sept. 28 to Oct. 2.
Natsiaq Preschool and Inniatiit Daycare joined in the activities.
Students, teachers and parents alike marked the week with special activities, including radio shows each evening, Read for 15, female role model reading with students, male role model reading with students, elders storytelling, Inuit languages presentations and activities and an assembly with elders and community members.
Books were handed out to students for home reading and the Scholastic Book Fair was staged during the week for those inclined to purchase books..
- Michele LeTourneau
Polar bear defenders appreciated
Qikiqtarjuak/Broughton Island
Polar bears descended on Qikiqtarjuak in the summer and fall, with one returning to the community 11 times, and a couple of people in the community were thanked last week for their role in keeping people safe.
The Nattivak Hunters and Trappers Organization congratulated Joseph Kooneeluie, a Qikiqtarjuak bylaw officer, and Joe Quay, a conservation officer, for deterring polar bears from the town for the past several weeks.
Polar bear hunt season has began in the community with 10 tags issued, four for females and six for males.
- Stewart Burnett
Gifts at fond farewell
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
A gathering of friends and fellow workers gathered to present George Dunkerley, former executive director of Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre, a few gifts for his outstanding service to the community and to wish he and his family well in their new beginnings in Ontario earlier this month in Rankin Inlet.
- Darrell Greer
Student learn to stitch in technology program
Talyoak/Spence Bay
Students were offered a fashion module during career and technology studies at Netsilik Ilihakvik in late September,.
The dozen students who chose this option learned how to operate a sewing machine, execute various stitches and seams, cut out patterns and sew and complete items.
Students made pin cushions for their first project and Greenlandic style hats for their second project. .
- Michele LeTourneau
Cadets compete in Manitoba
Shilo, Man.
Members of the Naujaat cadet team put in a strong showing while competing at the recent Army Cadet Challenge in Shilo, Man.
Among those attendiong were Master Warrant Officer Jonathan Ijjangiaq, Master Warrant Officer Veronica Uttak, Master Cpl. Susie Siusangnark, Master Cpl. Neevie Kidlapik, Master Cpl. Aaron Kopak, Cpl. Lorena Siusangnark and Cpl. Ernie Inaksajak.
The Naujaat cadets won the 2014 competition.
- Darrell Greer
New training provided for ilinniarvimmi inuusilirijiit
Nunavut
Ilinniarvimmi inuusilirijiit (school community counsellors) will be receiving new tools to support children and youth who are grieving, announced Education Minister Paul Quassa Oct. 28.
"We are currently developing training for ilinniarvimmi inuusilirijiit in Children's Grief and Children's Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviour guided by Inuit culture and values," Quassa said in the legislative assembly.
Ilinniarvimmi inuusilirijiit will be consulted for input into a handbook.
Quassa noted "the recent suicide inquest has reminded us that it is essential to support our children and youth so that they will develop the social and emotional skills they need to cope with the many challenges of life."
The training will be delivered in February 2016 at regional conferences for Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit in Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit.
"The course on Children's Grief explains the usual process of grief and how it is different for children and youth. It will help the counselors understand those losses for children and youth that may cause special problems. The course will help them develop and practice skills needed to support children and youth who are grieving," said Quassa.
- Michele LeTourneau
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