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Monday, March 7, 2016
Influenza hits NWT
With 61 cases so far this flue season, the Department of Health and Social Services is advising residents to get vaccinated.
The primary strain this season is H1N1, with cases of H3N3 as well. Both strains are included in the vaccine, according to a departmental news release. Less than 10 per cent of individuals with confirmed cases of flu this season were vaccinated.
On March 4, Fort Simpson's Bompas Elementary School principal Kelley Andrews-Klein sent a notice to parents and guardians that several students and staff members were down with the flu. Andrews-Klein said attendance has been very low in the past week and asked parents to keep sick children at home.
- Kassina Ryder
Hay River man facing sex charges
A 21-year-old Hay River man facing a list of sex-related charges involving minors will return to court on April 12.
Defence attorney Serge Petitpas told court March 1 he was appearing as an agent for Joel Gordon's lawyer. Petitpas said Gordon is currently in Edmonton on release conditions. He said he is expecting more disclosure from the Crown and asked that an April date be set for Gordon's next appearance.
- Evan Kiyoshi French
Still no arrest in Aklavik homicide
RCMP is urging anyone with information on a homicide in Aklavik last November to come forward.
May Elanik was found on Nov. 11 on a snowmobile trail by RCMP and local nursing staff. She was medevaced to Edmonton and died Nov. 19. The Mounties are not saying whether they have any suspects or persons of interest.
"This is an ongoing investigation. Investigators believe there are people out there who saw what happened or have information however are reluctant in coming forward," stated RCMP spokesperson Cst. Elenore Sturko.
- John McFadden
Wise Women to be honoured
Five women from across the territory will be recognized for their community contributions at a ceremony this week in Yellowknife.
The Status of Women Council of the NWT's annual Wise Women awards will be handed out at the Explorer Hotel on March 8 starting at 6 p.m. Awards will be presented to Emily Saunders of Lutsel K'e, Denise McDonald of Inuvik, Dora Grandjambe of Norman Wells, Edna Dow of Hay River and Martina Norwegian of Fort Simpson.
The council has honoured women with the awards since 1992.
- Shane Magee
Contaminated sites meeting in Behchoko
Behchoko/Rae-Edzo
Staff with the Contaminants and Remediation Division of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada are scheduled to visit Behchoko on March 8, according to information from the department.
The group will be hosting a public meeting to update residents on contaminated sites in the Tlicho region.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at the Cultural Centre and supper will be provided. An English-Tlicho interpreter will also be at the meeting to translate.
- Kassina Ryder
Whati turning 30
Whati/Lac Ls Martre
Residents of Whati are busy preparing for the community's 30th birthday, according to recreation co-ordinator Doreen Nitsiza.
Celebrations are scheduled to take place on April 1 and will include family events during the afternoon and a community dance in the evening.
- Kassina Ryder
Produce survey in Norman Wells
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is asking Norman Wells residents to fill out a survey on the quality of the community's produce.
They survey asks participants to identify what qualities they think are important when buying fruits and vegetables and how they would rate the quality of produce available in the community at the moment. For those interested, the survey is available on the Norman Wells Announcements Facebook page.
- Kassina Ryder
Deline prepares for self-government
Deline/Fort Franklin
Deline is busy forming self-government, scheduled to officially begin September 2016, according to the Deline First Nation website. The Charter Community of Deline, the Deline Land Corporation and the Deline First Nation will form the new Deline Got'ine Government. The first council elections are scheduled for June 6 and nominations will be accepted from April 25 to May 9.
- Kassina Ryder
Hunters can apply for assistance
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
The Community Harvesters Assistance Program (CHAP) is now accepting applications from Tsiigehtchic hunters, according to the Gwichya Gwich'in Renewable Resource office.
The program is available to both full and part-time harvesters. The limit is one per house hold and the deadline to apply is March 15.
- Kassina Ryder
Moms and tots afternoons
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
A poster on the Fort McPherson Buy Sell Trade Facebook site is inviting mothers with young kids to a new program.
A Moms and Tots drop-in program is scheduled to take place at the Chief Julius School library on March 4 and 11. The program is scheduled to include activities such as crafts, elders' stories, door prizes, story time, healthy snacks and movies. It is scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Kassina Ryder
Cruise ship training offered
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Ulukhaktok residents are encouraged to take part in a cruise ship readiness workshop from March 21 to 24, according to the Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization. The workshop is scheduled to run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on March 21 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 22 and 23. It is scheduled to finish at noon the next day.
The workshop will focus on what cruise ship passengers expect when they arrive in a community and how to develop excursions. It will also teach how to market and promote Ulukhaktok as a cruise ship destination.
- Kassina Ryder
Fun at the library
Tuktoyaktuk
The Tuktoyaktuk community library is hosting a variety of activities throughout the month of March, according to its monthly calendar.
Each day of the week features a different event, such as board games every Monday, Homework Helper and Read with Me on Tuesdays, Wee Wednesday where participants play Wii games from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and iPad Play on Thursdays.
Every Friday is Library LEGO from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Kassina Ryder
Ice fishing derby drops hook
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
Acho Dene Koe is holding its annual ice fishing derby at Fisherman Lake on March 5 and 6.
The derby is expected to continue during the Easter long weekend from March 25 to 27. The hamlet's Cabin Fever Days will include a snow sculpting contest, to be judged March 12. Prizes will be awarded at the community dinner that evening, and first place will win a chainsaw and a load of wood.
- Kassina Ryder
Sewers learn about sealskin
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
A two-day sealskin mitt workshop is fully booked at the Open Sky gallery for March 5 and 6.
Run by Yellowknife artist Charissa Alain-Lilly, the workshop will allow participants to make fitted sealskin boxer-style mitts.
- April Hudson
Loppet turns 41
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Thebacha Loppet - an annual cross-country skiing event between Fort Fitzgerald, Alta., and Fort Smith - will take place on March 5. It is presented by the Fort Smith Ski Club.
This will be the 41st year for the event, making it the oldest loppet in Western Canada.
A loppet is not a race, since no official times are recorded.
Last year, a record number of 110 skiers turned out, including participants from Fort Smith, Yellowknife, Hay River and Behchoko.
Some participants skied the whole historic and scenic 27-km portage trail between Fort Fitzgerald and Fort Smith. Others skied shorter sections of the route.
- Paul Bickford
Wood Buffalo Frolics this month
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Fort Smith's Wood Buffalo Frolics annual winter festival will take place March 10 to 13.
The festival is set to feature dog sled races, a hockey tournament, a children's carnival, a film festival, a curling bonspiel, traditional hand games, swimming and family games.
Plus, there will be the crowning of a Wood Buffalo Frolics princess. Another highlight will be the annual Mad Trapper's Ball. The winter festival is presented each year by the Town of Fort Smith.
- Paul Bickford
Cocaine seized in capital
Iqaluit
RCMP arrested three Iqaluit residents Feb. 27 during a cocaine trafficking investigation.
A 42-year-old woman and 31-year-old man were both charged with trafficking while a 21-year-old male was charged with possession of a controlled substance.
All three are scheduled to appear in court during April.
"Approximately 28 grams of cocaine were seized along with trafficking supplies during the course of the investigation," stated Cpl. David Lawson in a news release.
On the same day, RCMP arrested a man during a Liquor Act investigation.
Twenty-six bottles of liquor and $2,000 were seized during a search.
Names of the accused were not released.
- Stewart Burnett
Airport delays during Games
Iqaluit
Iqalummiut are warned that the city's airport will be very busy during the Arctic Winter Games.
On March 11 and 12, scheduled passengers will have access to the terminal and airport parking lot, but space will be limited.
"Athletic teams will receive priority," stated Matthew Illaszewicz, communications manager for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, in a news release.
Athletes will be returning to Canada from Greenland on March 11 and the entire terminal will be required for them to clear Canada Customs.
"This is an exciting time for our athletes and we thank you for your co-operation in ensuring their travels are as quick, efficient and safe as possible," stated Illaszewicz.
- Stewart Burnett
Community rejects bullying
Kimmirut/Lake Harbour
Students and adults came out on Pink Shirt Day Feb. 24 to reject bullying in Kimmirut.
"We wanted to show that we were working together to prevent bullying in our community and at the school," said community health representative Petanie Pitsiulak.
She and other helpers, including the hamlet's community wellness co-ordinator, mental health nurse and oral health co-ordinator, put out notices the week before inviting all age groups to join in the anti-bullying display.
Those who came with a pink shirt were also eligible for a prize at the end of the event.
"Before we gave out the prizes, we got to interact with children to talk about bullying," said Pitsiulak. "It turned out very well."
- Stewart Burnett
Books for babies
Iqaluit
Education Minister Paul Quassa visited with parents and children in Iqaluit to distribute book bags as part of a project called Tell Me a Story.
In a statement in the legislative assembly during the first week of the winter sitting, Quassa said that as his department develops "education program and services it is important to recognize that a child's learning begins at birth and parents and families are a child's first and most important teachers."
Quassa stressed learning does not begin when a child starts attending school.
"Research shows that reading to your children more than once a day when they are young has a positive impact on their future academic success," he said.
Each book bag contains a mix of 11 books in Nunavut's official languages and are deemed culturally appropriate.
"We want to give parents the tools they need to help them develop a strong teaching and learning relationship with their children as early as possible," said Quassa.
Nine hundred and ninety-five book bags have so far been distributed to libraries, licensed day cares and health centre. The bags will be given to new parents.
- Michele LeTourneau
Schools to be fitted with sound amplification systems
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
Ulaajuk School in Pond Inlet will be the first of 14 schools in the Qikiqtani region to enjoy the benefits of the Better Hearing for Education for Northern Youth initiative.
The group, made up of eight people from Nunavut and four from Ontario, recently won a $300,000 Arctic Inspiration Prize at the 2016 Northern Lights Trade Show in Ottawa.
The initiative will see sound field amplification systems installed in all elementary schools in the Qikiqtani region.
In the system, teachers will wear a microphone connected to amplification speakers in the classroom so that students with difficulty hearing have an easier time understanding the lessons.
Ulaajuk School is scheduled to be outfitted with the system in May.
- Stewart Burnett
Nunavummiut remembered
Nunavut
Several outstanding residents who recently passed away were honoured in the legislative assembly during the first week of the winter sitting.
Baker Lake MLA Simeon Mikkungwak noted the passing of Joyce Lahure in November due to cancer.
"Joyce and her husband, Allan, have been members of the Baker Lake community for almost 40 years. Joyce was very active with the municipal council, the divisional school board, and as part of the Sunday school and other faith-based programs. She served as Justice of the Peace for close to 20 years and always refused to take a penny for her services," he said, adding Joyce was passionate about many social issues and put in much effort in advocacy.
David Joanasie, the MLA for Kimmirut, remembered his constituency assistant Qutaigo Kootoo, who also passed away in November.
"He was extremely friendly and a very good worker and really wanted to learn," said Joanasie.
Aggu MLA Paul Quassa remembered elder Thomas Satuqsi, who also passed away due to cancer.
"His wife and the people of Iglulik are feeling for this person. He worked about 20 years for our school, even though he was still a young man," said Quassa.
Tom Sammurtok, the MLA for Chesterfield Inlet, paid tribute to Paul Kanayok Sr., who passed away in February.
"A lifelong hunter and trapper, Paul was well known throughout the Kivalliq as a tireless volunteer with his community's hunters and trappers organization and the search and rescue organization. He was also a volunteer firefighter and a member of the Canadian Rangers," said Sammurtok, adding Kanayok Sr. "was a true giant in the Kivalliq."
- Michele LeTourneau
Cruise ships schedule Northwest Passage trips
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
Crystal Cruises plans to sail the Northwest Passage beginning Aug. 15, 2017, the company announced last week.
Crystal Serenity has scheduled a 32-day expedition that traverses the Arctic Ocean from Anchorage, Alaska, to New York City.
First bookings for an all-inclusive spot on the cruise start at $21,855 US per person.
A news release from the cruise company stated it had met with Inuit elders in the Arctic "to create an expedition voyage that is rewarding and thrilling for guests while also remaining respectful to the local lands and cultures."
The ship is scheduled to stop in Cambridge Bay and Pond Inlet.
- Stewart Burnett
Hamlet launches neighbourhood watch
Iglulik
The community of Iglulik has banded together to form a neighbourhood watch program.
"This initiative ... is a neighbourhood gathering together to form a watch in their area, keeping an eye out for any kind of illegal activities," said Aggu MLA Paul Quassa during the first week of the winter sitting of the legislative assembly.
Quassa acknowledged Buffy Angutirjuak as the person responsible for starting the initiative.
"When a community works as a singular unit, they can have very successful initiatives," said Quassa.
"I urge other communities to consider that as this program has already provided benefits to our community."
- Michele LeTourneau
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