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Monday, January 11, 2016
Buffalo still grounded
Transport Canada still hasn't given Buffalo Airways the go-ahead to return to the air as of Jan. 8.
"We continue to work with the company and, this week, we received additional information from Buffalo Airways on its proposed corrective actions, which we are currently reviewing," department spokesperson Amber Wonko wrote in an e-mail Jan. 7.
Buffalo's air operator certificate was suspended Nov. 30 because of a "poor safety record," the regulator stated.
- Shane Magee
Hay River cabbie charged with impaired driving
A Hay River cab driver will appear in court on March 7 after she was charged with impaired driving on Jan 5.
According to an news release, police responded about 2 a.m. to a report that a taxi was stuck in a snowbank. Officers arrested the 41-year-old driver and charged her after a breathalyzer showed a reading of four times the legal limit of alcohol.
The woman's name has not been released.
- John McFadden
North of Normal reaches new heights
Inuvik comedians Dez Loreen, Brendan Callahan and Brandon Larocque will soon be featured on the website Funny or Die.
Funny of Die is an Emmy-winning site produced by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Chris Henchy. It features every episode of the Northern-inspired comedy sketches and viewers can vote on their favourite ones. Loreen, Callahan and Larocque have been posting regular episodes from the series since last year, which follow the trio through their random adventures in Inuvik.
- Dana Bowen
Unemployment rose over past year
The unemployment rate in the territory has climbed over the past year, data released by the NWT Bureau of Statistics shows.
Those without a job increased by 700 people to 2,400 total from December 2014 to December 2015. Over that period, the number of employed increased by 100 to 21,700. At the same time, the estimated population dropped by 300.
The changes over the past year have meant the unemployment rate increased from 7.3 per cent in December 2014 to 10 per cent last December.
The national unemployment rate for December was 7.1 per cent.
- Shane Magee
New activities for a new year
Ulukhaktok/Holman
While an abundance of activities kept the community of Ulukhaktok busy over the holidays, there is a quiet transition into the new year.
A service, games and a feast were held at the gym to ring in 2016, as well as a fireworks display for the community.
With everyone back to work on Jan. 4, and students starting classes again on Jan. 5, SAO Bill Bennett said little is planned for the first week as everyone eases back into their regular schedules.
- Elaine Anselmi
McPherson's got talent
Fort McPherson
Leading up to New Years Eve, community members in Fort McPherson had a chance to show off some hidden skills at the annual talent show on Dec. 29.
A youth dinner and games night followed on Dec. 30 with a fireworks display at midnight on Dec. 31 to mark the end of 2015 and beginning of 2016.
Continuing into the new year, a men's feast and dance was held on Jan. 1 and Special Activities hosted a jigging contest on Jan. 2.
It was a busy lead-up to the start of work and school this week, with most people heading back to the office for the new year on Jan. 4.
- Elaine Anselmi
Many prizes in Aklavik
Aklavik
There was no shortage of activities in Aklavik on New Year's Day, starting at midnight.
While the New Year's Party continued through the night and into the morning, the community woke up to a Ski-Doo Rally starting at the Sittichinli Complex that offered $1,000 in door prizes.
A community feast followed the rally, as well as an Old Time Dance led by the Good Time Band.
A jigging contest got people on their feet, with top prizes in each category of $100, followed by $80, $60 and $40 for second, third and fourth place respectively.
- Elaine Anselmi
Volunteers recognized in Tuk
Tuktoyaktuk
Following successful Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts and events, volunteers who made everything happen were thanked in Tuktoyaktuk over the Christmas holidays.
According to Tuktoyaktuk Recreation's Facebook page, certificates were handed out to the volunteers with big thanks going to them and community recreation staff.
Events over the holiday included a New Year's Square Dance and feast on Dec. 30.
As well, the community hosted the official New Year's countdown, fireworks and bonfire on Dec. 31.
- Elaine Anselmi
Woman injured in house fire
Iglulik
A fire in the early morning hours Jan. 2 destroyed the home of Grace Ivvalu and her three children in Iglulik.
The blaze is believed to have started by a five-year-old child playing with a lighter.
On Jan. 8, Ivvalu remained in an Ottawa hospital recovering from third-degree burns to her arms, said her brother, Erasmus Ivvalu, who is caring for his sister's three children.
"She's going to be fine," he said, adding his sister lost everything in the fire.
Only one child was present in the home at the time of the fire, said Erasmus, and he was treated for smoke inhalation in Iglulik.
The community immediately rallied together and raised $1,300 for Grace and her children.
A Go Fund Me fundraising page has also been launched.
- Michele LeTourneau
Police busy
Nunavut
RCMP in Nunavut have never been busier as this most recent holiday season.
Officers across the territory responded to 635 calls for service between Dec. 23 and Jan. 3.
"Approximately 75 per cent of the calls were alcohol related," said Cpl. David Lawson.
Calls included 49 assault complaints, 12 traffic-related incidents, three check stops, 170 calls for mischief and causing a disturbance, 24 calls related to the Liquor Act, 14 family relations or child welfare incidents and 58 calls related to the Mental Health Act.
Among the calls, 267 were located in Iqaluit including 48 on New Year's Day.
Total calls across the territory were up from previous years. There were 569 calls for service in 2014/2015 and 477 calls for service in 2013/2014, said Lawson.
- Michele LeTourneau
Fox tests positive for rabies
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
The Department of Health informed residents of Gjoa Haven Jan. 6 that a fox tested positive for rabies.
Dogs, foxes and wolves can transmit rabies to people, stated Irma Arkus, the department's communications and public relations manager.
"If you have been bitten or scratched by a fox, a wolf or another animal, please go to the health centre and report the incident immediately. Treatment must be started quickly," stated Arkus in a news release.
"If you see a fox or wolf wandering around the community, or if your dog has had contact with a fox or wolf, call the hamlet office immediately or the regional environmental health office."
Rabies vaccinations for dogs are available from the lay vaccinator in the community.
- Michele LeTourneau
Scary Bear Soundtrack makes best-of-2015 lists
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
As 2015 came to an end, magazines across the country were compiling their favourite records of the past year and many took notice of Cambridge Bay's Scary Bear Soundtrack.
The electronic duo discovered their latest album, Ovayok Road, was posted on several best-of-2015 lists. Mixtape Magazine, Grayowl Point, CBC and Silent Shout all posted about the band's latest album.
"The six-song Ovayok Road is a whirlwind of fun dream pop with hints of shoegaze. The songs are beautifully imagined, layered with synths and vocal harmonies that together create a truly euphonic experience," stated Matias Munoz of Mixtape Magazine.
- Dana Bowen
B.C. musician takes Iqaluit stage
Iqaluit
Travelling from Vancouver, pop-rock singer JP Maurice brought his upbeat tunes to an Iqaluit audience during the first Alianait concert of 2016 on Jan. 8.
The artist, who defines himself as "the next Elvis" on Twitter, headlined a show at Inuksuk High School with local band the Tradeoffs opening.
Maurice released his debut album the Arborist in 2013 and has since toured the country.
The Tradeoffs, made up of Joshua Quamariaq, Jeff Maurice and Paul White, have been playing together for more than three years as a blues-rock band in Iqaluit.
- Dana Bowen
Mayor up for national award
Iqaluit
Iqaluit Mayor Madeleine Redfern is up for a Modern Makers of Canada Award in March.
She's on a list of nine mayors from across Canada being recognized for innovation in municipal leadership by the Institute on Governance.
The list includes well-known names such as Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.
Established in 2011, the Modern Makers of Canada Award recognizes individuals who have contributed to good governance through "transformational public sector leadership," according to the organization's website.
"Canada's cities are dynamic hubs for creativity and innovation," stated Maryantonett Flumian, president of the Institute on Governance, in a news release. "With strong leadership, our cities are well positioned to meet the needs of citizens and are integral to the economic prosperity of our country."
The awards will be presented at the Modern Makers of Canada Dinner at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa on March 7.
- Stewart Burnett
Christmas dinner delivered
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
Hamlet of Gjoa Haven staff worked hard to make sure families in the community had Christmas dinner this past year.
Christmas food hamper bags filled with turkey, ham, turkey stuffing, potatoes, gravy and cookies were put together at the Gideon Qitsualik Memorial Hall, said economic development manager Enuk Pauloosie.
More than 300 bags were distributed during the afternoon of Dec. 23.
"Biggest thank you to the Qikiqtaq Coop, Gjoa Haven Northern Store, NDL Construction, Sanagatigiit Construction, Kitikmeot Inuit Association/Nunavut Tunngavik," said Pauloosie.
"Each household had a nice hot turkey Christmas dinner for their family."
- Michele LeTourneau
Ambulance a Christmas present
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
Mittimatalik firefighters thanked their peers in the Iqaluit Fire Department for presenting them with an ambulance during Christmas.
The ambulance will be a benefit to the community, said community members. Current plans are to ship it to Pond Inlet in the summer.
- Stewart Burnett
Iglu building explored
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
The Kitikmeot Heritage Society is hosting an iglu-building workshop Jan. 16 and 17 in Cambridge Bay.
The workshop, with funding from Health Canada, is being organized by Nancy Mackin.
Mackin practises architecture and is a professor at the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia, where her specialties include architecture, landscape, ethnoecology and traditional ecological knowledge.
Mackin is teamed up with the society's community director, Pam Gross.
"Pam is inviting elders as well as younger people to participate and share their wisdom and energy, and Brendan Griebel, also from KHS, will be participating and sharing his archeological knowledge," stated Mackin in an e-mail to Nunavut News/North.
"Our objective for this workshop is to build at least one full-sized shelter based on traditions from the region, as part of emergency shelter training, as well as sharing of traditional knowledge."
Mackin adds: "We will be inviting people from CHARS (Canadian High Arctic Research Station), as well as local knowledge-holders, students and other citizens."
This is the second workshop working on survival shelters in Inuinnaqtun-speaking communities.
- Michele LeTourneau
High interest in parka program
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
A seal skin parka-making program starting this month has drawn high interest.
The program will be from Monday to Saturday for three hours each night for 24 days.
Only 10 students are able to take part, so names will be randomly drawn when the seal skin pelts come in.
- Stewart Burnett
Skating for all
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
While hockey is the ever-popular reason to hit the ice across Nunavut, the arena located in the Cambridge Bay Youth Recreation Complex is available for much more than that.
There are fun public skates available every afternoon except Thursdays and Saturdays, as well as skate times set aside for the schools and daycare.
A free public skate, sponsored by the Ikaluktutiak Elks, takes place Sundays from 3 to 4 p.m.
- Michele LeTourneau
Break-in at Inuujaq School
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
New Year's Day saw a break-in at Inuujaq School.
A fire extinguisher was sprayed around classrooms and the hallway in the school, which serves students from kindergarten to Grade 12. School staff were busy cleaning up the mess before the school year resumed on Jan. 5. The incident happened at about 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 1.
- Stewart Burnett
Qulliq Energy warns of scam
Kivalliq/Nunavut
The Qulliq Energy Corp. (QEC) is warning Nunavummiut of a telephone scam that has targeted utility customers across Canada.
Customers are receiving calls from people claiming to be utility representatives.
The caller tells the customers their power will be disconnected if they do not make an immediate payment with a pre-paid credit card.
QEC is reminding customers it does not demand bill payment over the telephone.
If an account is in arrears, QEC's first step is to hand deliver a written notice.
It then works with the customer on a repayment plan to avoid disconnection.
Should a customer receive a suspicious call, that person is being advised to hang up immediately and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
- Darrell Greer
Fisheries coalition boosts communities
Nunavut
Baffin Fisheries Coalition handed out five $10,000 cheques to its membership to distribute to community organizations.
The coalition, owned by five Nunavut hunters and trappers associations, gave each association $10,000 to put toward individual organizations.
"We are pleased to be able to give back to our communities at this time of year," said Baffin Fisheries president Jacopie Maniapik in a news release. "This has been a year of growth and investment to ensure long-term benefits for our communities, but also a good year financially thanks to the hard work of our employees."
The benefitting hunters and trappers associations are Amarok, Pangnirtung, Mayukalik, Mittimakalik and Namautaq. The first donation was presented to Tununiq Ikajuqtiit (Pond Inlet Food Bank) by Mittimakalik board member Leo Mucktar.
- Stewart Burnett
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