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Monday, March 21, 2016
RCMP seize crack in Fort Resolution
RCMP charged a man and woman and seized about 355 grams of powder and crack cocaine from a home in Fort Resolution on March 16, according to a news release. They also seized more than $10,000.
The man is from Grande Prairie, Alta. and the woman is from Fort Resolution. Police said the seizure was part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation and was supported by members of the RCMP Federal Investigations Unit.
Police are continuing the investigation.
- Kassina Ryder
Yellowknife RCMP search for missing man
Yellowknife RCMP is asking for the public's help in their search for a missing man.
Trong Phuoc Do, 40, was reported missing on March 15. He was last seen on March 10 in Yellowknife's downtown.
Trong Do is 5'4" tall, 165 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is of Vietnamese descent, according to RCMP.
He may be driving a black, 2001 Ford F150 pick up truck with the license plate 3227718.
Anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts is asked to contact RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
- John McFadden
Lutsel K'e residents hit the books
The second half of a two-part bookkeeping workshop scheduled to take place in Lutsel K'e March 22 to 24, according to a news release from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
The first half took place last week.
Aurora College and the GNWT partnered to deliver the workshop after the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation proposed the idea. Seven community members are taking the workshop and will then have the skills required to fill vacant positions and possibly continue their education in the financial management field.
- Kassina Ryder
Walk to Tuk wraps up
Teams participating in the Walk to Tuk have wrapped up their trek.
According to the Northwest Territories Recreation and Parks Association, more than 2,600 people participated from 22 NWT communities. There were 198 teams in total, 154 of which walked the equivalent of 1,658 km from Fort Providence to Tuktoyaktuk.
During the event, participants had the opportunity to send in photos or stories about their walk.
Walk to Tuk celebrations are happening across the territory over the coming weeks.
- April Hudson
Arrive alive
Tlicho
The Tlicho Government is asking drivers on the winter roads to make sure they travel with extra gasoline and to share travel plans to ensure someone knows when they are expected to reach their destination, according to the government's website.
Drivers are also reminded to watch for construction crews and equipment along the roadway.
- Kassina Ryder
Wekweeti winter road opens
Wekweeti/Snare Lakes
The winter road to Wekweeti officially opened at 6 p.m. on March 14, according to the Tlicho Government.
The road was open to vehicles weighing up to 10,000 kilograms. The road was reduced to a single lane on Portage 229 near Km 130 and drivers were also warned about a pressure ridge at kilometre 141 at Basler Lake.
- Kassina Ryder
Whati drivers warned about Marian Lake overflow area
Whati/Lac La Martre
The winter road to Whati opened to vehicles up to 22,500 kilograms as of March 11, according to the Department of Transportation.
Drivers were being cautioned to drive carefully at kilometre 25 in the Marian Lake area.
- Kassina Ryder
Bruce Chocolate wins handgames tournament
Behchoko/Rae-Edizo
Bruce Chocolate from Behchoko won first place during the Charlie Zoe Nitsiza Men Handgames Tournament in Whati the weekend of March 11, according to the Tlicho Government website. Other winners were: Roman Lamouelle in second place, Ritchie Football in third place, Gordon Chocolate in fourth place, Dwayne Gladue in fifth place and Fred Beaverho in sixth place. Seventh place was held by Scott Young and Archie Catholique received eighth place.
- Kassina Ryder
Canol Trail cleanup meeting
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
A meeting to discuss the proposed cleanup of the Canol Trail is scheduled to take place in Norman Wells on March 21, according to a Facebook post by Sahtu resident and former MLA Norman Yakeleya.
Sahtu land claims beneficiaries are invited to the Legion Hall at 5 p.m. for a supper before the meeting begins at 6 p.m. It is expected to last until about 9 p.m.
Participants are encouraged to provide input on cleanup plans.
- Kassina Ryder
Spring carnival logo contest in Tulita
Tulita/Fort Norman
Tulita artists are being asked to send their ideas for a spring carnival logo to the community's recreation department, said recreation co-ordinator Scott Takala.
The winner will be given $50 and small prizes from the NWT Parks and Recreation Association. The carnival is scheduled to take place in early April and a public meeting to discuss events is scheduled to take place on March 24, said recreation co-ordinator Scott Takala.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at the hamlet office.
- Kassina Ryder
Students encouraged to drop the pop
NWT
Throughout this month, the North West Company will donate individual two-per-cent milk cartons to school children in 39 communities across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
The "Drop the Pop" campaign aims to help students learn to live healthy lives and trade soda for healthier alternatives such as milk.
"It is very important to support programs that are helping the youth in our community lead healthy lives," stated Christine Reimer, vice-president of sales and operations, in a news release. "We hope to help encourage healthy choices and reinforce the importance milk has in the development of strong teeth and bones."
The milk will be provided to 63 schools to help support healthy teeth-themed school activities.
- Stewart Burnett
Ivvavik National Park meeting
Aklavik
A meeting to discuss Ivvavik National Park took place in Aklavik on March 14, according to Parks Canada.
The meeting was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in the hamlet council chambers. Representatives from Aklavik's Hunters and Trappers Committee were invited to attend, as well as the directors of the Aklavik Community Corporation. Topics included an infrastructure update for the Sheep Creek base camp, cultural resource monitoring and Aklavik's role in managing the park.
The meeting was scheduled to finish around 4 p.m.
- Kassina Ryder
Drum dancers' workshop in Ulukhaktok
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Inuvialuit drum dance workshops are scheduled to take place in Ulukhaktok from April 14 to 18, according to a post on the Ulukhaktok Western Drummers and Dancers Facebook
page.
Between 40 to 45 individuals will be chosen to attend, but priority will be given to members of the dance group.
No unsupervised children are permitted to attend.
- Kassina Ryder
Biologists visit Inualthuyak School
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Biologists with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources visited Inualthuyak School in Sachs Harbour the week of March 7, said principal Lawrence Berger.
They did presentations on wolves and muskox.
"It was interesting," Berger said. "The kids did a report on it."
Members of the RCMP were also scheduled to visit the school the week of March 14 to host an anti-bullying and cyberbullying workshop but many students were away sick, Berger said.
The workshop is now expected to take place after the March Break, which begins on March 18.
- Kassina Ryder
Tourism open house in Tuk
Tuktoyaktuk
The Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization, Parks Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories hosted a tourism meeting in Tuktoyaktuk on March 17, according to a post on the Western Arctic Tourism and Parks Facebook page.
The meeting aimed to discuss the tourism potential the Tuk-Inuvik highway could bring to the community. It took place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tuktoyaktuk's hamlet council chambers.
- Kassina Ryder
Youth ambassador meets Danish royalty
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A young person from Fort Smith has met royalty in Greenland.
At the 2016 Arctic Winter Games in Nuuk, the NWT Youth Ambassador, Katie Holtorf, had the honour of meeting the crown prince of Denmark as the event was beginning.
"I feel so honoured to have been chosen for the opportunity to meet the crown prince of Denmark," said Holtorf in a GNWT news release. "This unique experience will be a memory that I will never forget."
The games were held from March 6 to 11.
Holtorf and 14 other NWT Youth Ambassadors arrived in Nuuk three days before the games to volunteer with the host society.
The group stayed an extra two days after the Games concluded to assist in the wrap-up process.
The Youth Ambassadors also participated in a variety of events during the Arctic Winter Games, including the opening and closing ceremonies.
"I've had the pleasure of working with the NWT Youth Ambassador program and I've seen the benefits this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity holds for our youth," said Alfred Moses, the minister responsible for youth, in a news release. "Not only is each volunteer making a significant contribution to the event but they also get a chance to build leadership skills, travel and meet new people during these special events and volunteer assignments."
The Youth Ambassador Program is part of the GNWT's Healthy Choice Framework, which aims to help young people improve their skills and make healthy choices.
- Paul Bickford
Fort Smith museum seeking art for show
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Northern Life Museum & Cultural Centre in Fort Smith will be celebrating the works of community artists in a brand-new exhibit.
Organizers are looking for never-before displayed artwork.
The submissions can be of paintings, pottery, jewelry, quilting, weaving, embroidery, knitting, tufting, fish scale, stained glass, metalwork, wood or stone carvings, photography and any other artistic creations.
The submission deadline is April 22.
The museum will be presenting the exhibition in partnership with High TEA, which stands for To Enhance the Arts.
- Paul Bickford
Spring festival extended
Tthenaago/Nahanni Butte
Organizers for the Nahanni Butte Dene Band's upcoming spring festival have decided to add an extra day to the event, meaning it will begin March 25 and end March 28.
A schedule for the festival is still being finalized but the current plan is to have three performers come to the community for the festival along with drummers from Fort Providence.
The weekend will be packed with games, events and barbecues and will include performances from the Magoo Crew.
Everyone is welcome.
- April Hudson
Student-led conferences for Bompas
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
Students at Bompas Elementary School gave student-led conferences March 17, meaning the school did not hold regular classes.
During the student-led conferences, there was a book fair in the school gym. There was also a draw for three $100 Northern cards for parents and students who attended the conferences.
- April Hudson
Ice fishing derby hits round two
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
Acho Dene Koe First Nation is expected to hold the second half of its ice fishing derby over the Easter weekend from March 25 to 27.
The derby takes place at Fisherman Lake, and prizes will be given out for largest jackfish and pickerel.
- April Hudson
Energy project launches
Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
Along with Arctic Energy Alliance, the band launched its electricity-monitoring pilot project at the band office on March 16. The event kicked off at noon.
Later that day, Jean Marie River held a public open house for the Dehcho Regional Economic Development Plan from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
- April Hudson
Ndu Tah Carnival dates set
Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake
The Sambaa K'e Dene Band will be celebrating its Ndu Tah Spring Carnival from March 23 to 28.
A schedule of events was not available at press time.
On March 14, the Magoo Crew was in the community to give a performance and motivational speech.
- April Hudson
Iglulik man charged with attempted murder
Iglulik
RCMP in Iglulik responded to a report of a stabbing involving a 23-year-old male victim March 12.
"The victim was transported by medevac to Iqaluit and later to the Ottawa Civic Hospital where he was treated for multiple stab wounds. He is now critical but stable condition," stated Cpl. David Lawson in a news release March 16.
A 27-year-old man from Iglulik was arrested, charged with attempted murder and was scheduled to appear at a Justice of the Peace court in Iglulik the afternoon of March 16 for a remand hearing.
"The RCMP's V Division Major Crime and Forensic Identification Units attended Iglulik and assisted the Iglulik detachment with the investigation," stated Lawson.
- Michele LeTourneau
Two-day standoff leads to arrest
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
A standoff between RCMP and a man armed and barricaded in a home lasted 30 hours and shut down the community of Pangnirtung last week.
The incident began March 14 and lasted until late in the day March 15.
As a precautionary measure, local facilities were shut down during the situation and the community was advised to avoid the 300-block.
RCMP later took a 38-year-old man into custody without incident.
"The RCMP would like to thank the residents of Pangnirtung for their co-operation and patience," stated Cpl. David Lawson, who was part of the negotiation team during the incident, in a news release.
The matter is still under investigation.
- Stewart Burnett
Healing centre to remain open
Ottawa
The Mamisarvik Healing Centre in Ottawa has received a one-year reprieve after a March 18 announcement it will receive $1.3 million in federal funding.
"The Mamisarvik Healing Centre provides essential services for those struggling with addictions and trauma and in need of support that reflects and understands Inuit culture and language. I am pleased our government is able to provide this funding to help Mamisarvik continue its valuable work," stated Nunavut MP Hunter Tootoo in a news release.
The centre, run by Tungasuvvingat Inuit, was set to close March 31. Since the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF) was forced to shut its doors in December 2013, the centre has been struggling financially, with Tungasuvvingat investing its own organizational resources, and support from the Government of Nunavut and Correctional Services Canada via a client fee-based service. The situation was no longer functional.
"With this funding announcement of a one-year commitment, (Tungasuvvingat) is now able to work quickly to formulate a sustainable plan to reconstitute the operational structure of Mamisarvik. We are grateful for this timely investment which will minimize the impact on our clients," stated Tungasuvvingat president Malaya Rheaume.
- Michele LeTourneau
On their way home
Uqsuqtuuq/Naujaat
A group of six youth were scheduled to return home to Gjoa Haven and Naujaat from northern Norway March 19.
The youth, in conjunction with the School of Social Work at the University of British Columbia, are participating in a project addressing issues of identity, confidence and self esteem that often confront Inuit youth unfamiliar with many aspects of their social history and culture.
As a group they travelled to the Sami community of Kautokeino, where they took part in an international conference on indigenous education.
While in that community, the youth spent time at the high school there where they spent time learning about reindeer husbandry and did traditional Sami handicrafts, said University of British Columbia researcher Patricia Johnston.
- Michele LeTourneau
Research project offers prizes
Nunavut
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association is conducting a community research project that offers prizes for participation.
Dubbed Inuusiup Asijjiqpallianinganik Ujjiqsurniq, the project will consist of surveys in four communities affected by resource development in March and April this year.
"This survey will gather socio-economic baseline data in Pond Inlet, Clyde River, Iglulik and Cape Dorset," stated Megan Pizzo-Lyall, acting director of communications, in a news release.
Participating households will be selected at random for the voluntary 30-minute survey. Those involved will be entered into a draw to win one of three gift certificates for a total of $500 in each community.
- Stewart Burnett
Tuberculosis numbers down
Nunavut
In advance of March 24 being World Tuberculosis Day, Health Minister Monica Ell-Kanayuk took the opportunity in the legislative assembly last week to share the department's work to continue to reduce TB rates in the territory.
"The Department of Health has responded to high rates of TB through increased staffing and development of surveillance and educational resources," said Ell-Kanayuk. "The department also continues to collaborate with research partners in such projects as the Taima 3HP study. This study involves a shorter course of treatment for latent TB infection (LTBI), also known as sleeping TB, by giving two medications once weekly for 12 weeks instead of our current treatment of one medication given twice weekly for 39 weeks."
Ell-Kanayuk also said that although rates are still higher in Nunavut than elsewhere in Canada, last year the territory experienced its lowest numbers since 2007.
"It is important to remember that many communities are still at risk for TB outbreaks. A variety of factors contributed to TB outbreaks, including poor nutrition, high rates of smoking, high rates and diagnosed or untreated population with latent TB infection, and overcrowded situations. It is also worth noting that while curable, TB can be fatal if untreated," she said.
- Michele LeTourneau
Territory continues to grow
Nunavut
By the next Statistics Canada population count, Nunavut could no longer be the smallest territory in the country in terms of numbers of residents.
Nunavut's population rose by 148 people to Jan. 1 from Oct. 1. The total on the first day of the year stood at 37,174 people.
The territory's growth rate of 0.4 per cent during that period doubled that of the rest of Canada.
That puts the eastern territory just 19 people shy of the population of Yukon, which declined by 0.3 per cent during the same time period.
- Stewart Burnett
A community in mourning
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
The community of Taloyoak mourned the loss of one of its youth March 10, MLA for Netislik Emiliano Qirngnuq shared with his fellow members of the legislative assembly.
"On that day, Taloyoak residents underwent a trying time when a youth committed suicide," he said. "This person was 15 years old, who acted as a leader amongst his student peers and was a good leader. Further, the person was also one of the officers for the Junior Rangers."
Qirngnuq spoke of the resulting grief and misery.
"We as Inuit cannot control another person's life. I wonder how we can deliberate on this important issue here in this house, to try to lower the numbers of youth contemplating this act and I want to share in remembering this youth and his act of suicide," he said.
"Colleagues, the residents of Taloyoak are mired in sadness due to this action. Let us remember them in our thoughts, as well as in our prayers."
- Michele LeTourneau
Students encouraged to drop the pop
Nunavut
Throughout this month, the North West Company will donate individual 2% milk cartons to school children in 39 communities across Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
The "Drop the Pop" campaign aims to help students learn to live healthy lives and trade soda for healthier alternatives such as milk.
"It is very important to support programs that are helping the youth in our community lead healthy lives," stated Christine Reimer, vice-president of sales and operations, in a news release. "We hope to help encourage healthy choices and reinforce the importance milk has in the development of strong teeth and bones."
The milk will be provided to 63 schools to help support healthy teeth-themed school activities.
- Stewart Burnett
Session held on land sale vote
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
A small crowd came out to a public meeting to provide background information on the upcoming territory-wide referendum on the sale of land in Nunavut earlier this month in Rankin Inlet.
The May 9 referendum will have Nunavummiut vote on whether to keep or change the restriction on the sale of lands in the territory.
- Darrell Greer
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