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Monday, January 18, 2016
Man charged with arson in Fort Good Hope
A man has been charged with arson/disregard for human life in connection with a fire in Fort Good Hope.
RCMP stated in a news release that on Jan. 13 about 8:30 p.m., it received a report that a man had started a fire on the steps leading into a home. The fire went out on its own before any damage could be done to the structure. Several people were inside the home at the time but no one was hurt.
The man was to appear in court in court in Yellowknife on Jan. 15. His name has not been released.
- John McFadden
MMIW Inquiry online survey launched
The Government of Canada has launched an online survey to prepare for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry.
The survey, which is found on the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada website, takes about 10 minutes to complete and is intended to help shape the inquiry process. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett is currently travelling across Canada hearing from people about what shape the inquiry will take.
- Kassina Ryder
Dead North goes international
The Dead North Film Festival is growing more with each year and it has now hit international status.
This year's festival has more than double the submissions from last year with 33 movies across all three territories, as well as Iceland.
Of those submissions are ones from Inuvik's Dez Loreen and Hay River's Scott Clouthier.
The film festival screens fantasy or sci-fi short films from participants across the North who have been given a mere weeks to complete their projects.
Some of the movies presented in the past have gone on to screen in national festivals and received international award nominations.
This year's Dead North takes place at Yellowknife's Capitol Theatre Feb. 26 to 28.
- Dana Bowen
Outstanding volunteer nominations wanted
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is calling for nominations for the 26th Outstanding Volunteer Awards.
The awards are presented annually to elders, youth or groups that help make the NWT a better place to live, according to a press release.
Nomination forms are available at community government offices throughout the territory and are due by Friday March 25.
- Kassina Ryder
Fort Smith to host Dene Games trials
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Dene Games territorial trials for the 2016 Arctic Winter Games were scheduled to take place in Fort Smith from Jan. 14 to 16.
The age groups are open male (no age restriction), junior male, junior female and juvenile female. They were to compete in snow snake, stick pull and finger pull.
The top four competitors in each age group, along with one male and one female coach, will represent Team NWT at the Arctic Winter Games in Nuuk, Greenland.
- Paul Bickford
Table tennis territorials begin
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Fort Providence was set to host the territorial trials for the Arctic Winter Games table tennis tryouts Jan. 14 to 16.
The Citizens on Patrol group held a meeting Dec. 11 at the Snowshoe Cafe.
Yoga started up on Jan. 11 and runs Mondays and Wednesdays at the school gym for people 16 and up. It starts at 5 p.m.
Youth hockey and power skating began at the recreation centre as of Jan. 13.
- April Hudson
Health fair set
Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
On Jan. 22, Dehcho Health and Social Services is scheduled to bring their health fair to the community hall.
A band council meeting will take place Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.
On Jan. 28 and 29, there will be a bio monitoring project with Mylene Ratelle.
- April Hudson
Aklavik gears up for Arctic Winter Games
Aklavik
Athletes in Aklavik are busy getting ready for this year's Arctic Winter Games, which is scheduled to take place in Nuuk, Greenland from March 5 to March 12.
Recreation co-ordinator Dean McLeod said a total of 17 athletes were trying out for the games. Thirteen were trying out for Dene Games while an additional four were trying out for various Arctic sports.
The trials were scheduled to take place from Jan. 14 to Jan. 16.
McLeod said the community also held successful Christmas activities this year with lots of participants from Aklavik and surrounding communities.
- Kassina Ryder
It's ladies' night
Tuktoyaktuk
Women in Tuktoyaktuk have an evening full of activities to look forward to once a month, said recreation co-ordinator Caroline Loreen. The ladies' night runs from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Kitti Hall and features games, prizes and snacks.
January's ladies' night took place on Jan. 8 but the weekend of Jan. 16 was scheduled for another activity; a loonie/toonie auction. The auction is a fundraiser to raise money for the recreation department, Loreen said. It was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.
"Come on out and support the recreation special events," Loreen said.
- Kassina Ryder
All hail the new king and queen
Paulatuk
An annual tradition took place during Paulatuk's Christmas games with the crowning of the community's king and queen on the first Sunday in January, said recreation co-ordinator Aaron Ruben.
The winners are selected by participants each eating a cupcake.
The male and female who finds a marble in their cupcake become the king and queen for the evening.
Kelly Ruben was this year's king while Kim Ruben was queen.
- Kassina Ryder
A traditional feast in Sachs Harbour
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
A traditional feast was held at the Inualthuyak School gym on Dec. 30. at 6 p.m. The feast included geese, caribou, muskox, fish and bannock.
The election for the Sachs Harbour Community Corporation took place on Dec. 14, according to the community's Facebook page.
The winners were: Kyle Wolki, Abel Joe Kudlak, Choochy Lucas, Issiac Damon Elanik, Sharan Rose Dillon Green and Norm Anikina.
- Kassina Ryder
Rae Edzo Friendship Centre wants your input
Behchoko/Rae-Edzo
Staff with the Rae-Edzo Friendship Centre in Behchoko will be going door-to-door at the end of the month asking residents on how the centre can improve services, said executive director Joe Pintarics.
"We'll be going house to house to talk to people about what should your friendship centre be doing for you," he said.
Youth from the community will be conducting the survey, which is scheduled to take place the last week of January.
- Kassina Ryder
Deline hosts Santa Claus Parade
Deline/Fort Franklin
A Santa Claus Parade was held in Deline on Dec. 22 said assistant recreation co-ordinator Brianna Taneton.
The parade travelled through town before ending at the cultural centre where Santa posed for photos.
Residents also rang in the New Year on Dec. 31 with kids' games from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by adult games.
A drum dance took place at 11 p.m. until the countdown to midnight.
- Kassina Ryder
Rec department keeps Tulita families busy
Tulita/Fort Norman
Weekly events at the community arena are helping keep kids and families occupied this winter, said acting recreation co-ordinator Keesha Antoine.
Each Tuesday features an arts and crafts activity followed by a movie night while X-Box tournaments are held each Friday.
A monthly Family Fun Night is also a big hit, with scavenger hunts and balloon pop games.
- Kassina Ryder
Consultations start on Nutrition North
Nunavut
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett began her department's consultations on the Nutrition North program with Northern communities Jan. 9.
The first meeting took place in Norman Wells, NWT.
"This first meeting marks the important work I've been mandated to undertake, along with the minister of health, to expand and improve the NNC program," stated Bennett in a news release.
"We are taking all of the feedback we are receiving into account and will work with Northern remote communities to ensure that the program is more transparent, effective, and accountable to Northerners and other Canadians. Through public engagement meetings in the coming months, we will be exploring and developing solutions developed by Northerners for Northerners."
Improving Nutrition North was a promise Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made while campaigning in Nunavut in 2015. He also pledged to increase program funding by $10 million per year for four years.
The Nutrition North meeting took place while Bennett was in Norman Wells as she tours the country to consult on the design of a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women.
She is expected to be in Iqaluit Jan. 29.
- Michele LeTourneau
Interpreters to gather in Iqaluit
Iqaluit
Interpreters and translators of Inuktut, the family of Inuit languages, from across Nunavut have an opportunity to gather in Iqaluit from Feb. 8 to 12 thanks to Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit.
The language authority has organized a conference, which includes freelancers and public and private sector employees, so that people working in this field can share views on topics relating to Inuktut which affect their work.
The two main themes of the conference will be interpreters and translators' perspectives on the proposed adoption of a unified standard writing system for Inuktut and a review and discussion on the specific needs of interpreters and translators working in Inuktut, such as terminology, training, code of ethics and governance.
The deadline was Jan. 15, but "registrations will be accepted into next week with deadline extension on Jan. 22," said Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit's Martha Kunuk.
"No more registrations will be accepted after that date for those needing to have their travel and accommodations covered."
- Michele LeTourneau
TV star pops more bubbles
Kitikmeot
Ariel Tweto and her Popping Bubbles tour has hit the Kitikmeot once again.
The Inupiaq woman from a small Alaska village of 650 people, Unalakleet, gained fame starring in a reality television show with her family. Her community, similar to Kitikmeot communities, has experienced a high rate of suicide.
Her message is that life is an adventure, full of possibilities and worth living.
Tweto's relationship with western Nunavut began two years ago with the community of Kugluktuk. This is her second region-wide tour. By Jan. 14, she'd spent several days in Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak.
From Taloyoak, she posted to her Popping Bubble Facebook page: "So much fun speaking and hanging out with the youngsters in Taloyoak today! We talked about setting goals, having dreams, finishing school, being kind to one another, and more! Getting ready for the parade tonight! If you are in Taloyoak come on out."
In Gjoa Haven, Tweto spent time with elders.
"I visited with some elderly women last night in Gjoa Haven and they shared stories with me from the old days. For them, being busy and working hard is the key to their sanity, happiness and health," she said.
Tweto posted a photo of their hands, adding, "Look at their hands ... These are hands that have helped, fed, cleaned, and survived. They tell stories and have been through a lot. They are beautiful and my dream is to have hands like theirs when I grow up.
"If you are having a bad day, are sad, bored, or lonely, I challenge you to get up and help someone. I promise you you'll feel better after!"
The tour continues.
- Michele LeTourneau
Much-loved elder dies
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The community of Rankin Inlet was deeply saddened by the passing of elder Madeleine (Naalungiaq) Makkigak this past month.
A Gary Lake elder, Makkigak celebrated her 100th birthday on July 11, 2015.
Many businesses and organizations closed their doors early to allow their employees to attend Makkigak's funeral as a sign of respect for the much-loved elder.
- Darrell Greer
High wind blocks flights
Kimmirut/Lake Harbour
Kimmirut had been so battered by high winds before Jan. 14 that a flight in or out of the community hadn't been possible in nearly a week.
"When that happens, then we run out of food sometimes in the stores," said Hosea Mpofu, senior administrative officer for the hamlet.
He said the stores were still stocked from the last supply received just after Christmas.
"We're just afraid if the weather continues we might run out," he said.
Blizzards and high wind hit most of eastern Nunavut over the course of last week, including Sanikiluaq.
- Stewart Burnett
Trade show draws near
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
The Kitikmeot Trade Show is planned for Feb. 8 to 10 in Cambridge Bay.
The event offers an opportunity for businesses, government departments, regulatory agencies and Inuit organizations from the Kitikmeot region to gather and network.
The event typically also draws participants from the Northwest Territories, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario.
Throughout the event there will be presentations, a formal trade show and social gatherings designed to create and support networking, and to provide opportunities to expand inter-regional trade and economic activity, according to the
event website.
The Jim Cuddy Trio is scheduled to perform Feb. 7 and Feb. 8.
The annual event is organized by Jim MacEachern, Cambridge Bay's manager of economic development, communications and IT, and Jamie Maghagak, the hamlet's economic development officer.
- Michele LeTourneau
More than 300 ravens in bird count
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
Nunavut lacks detailed information on bird numbers but three communities took part in the 2015 global bird count this past Christmas.
Clare Kines has been doing the count in Arctic Bay for a number of years. This Christmas he counted 313 ravens in the community, which was more than last year.
"Raven numbers wax and wane, but I believe that is less about actual numbers and more about the conditions the day of the count," he stated in an e-mail.
"I've long surmised that there are about 300 ravens that winter here in Arctic Bay, and the counts usually reflect numbers like that."
The record for an Arctic Bay bird count saw three species - ravens, rock ptarmigan and hoary redpolls.
"Those species all winter here," stated Kines. "They just aren't always easy to find during the count."
Ptarmigan numbers increase and decrease, he said, but are usually pretty good in Arctic Bay. Redpolls are variable and haven't been seen as much lately.
"Their populations move around," stated Kines. "Likely, I assume, their location varies in response to food abundance."
Two other counts took place in Nunavut this past Christmas - in Iglulik and Rankin Inlet.
In Iglulik, 164 ravens were counted, while Rankin Inlet recorded 141 ravens and 16 eider ducks.
- Stewart Burnett
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