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Friday, April 15, 2016
Police seek Walmart suspect
Police are looking for the public's help to identify a person who broke into Walmart early Wednesday. RCMP were called to the store at about 2:55 a.m. where there had been a reported break and enter.
An unknown person broke through a window at the store entrance and stole cash from a charity box before leaving.
The suspect, who was shown in surveillance footage wearing all black and with a covered face, left before police arrived.
Anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
- Shane Magee
Johnny Rocher dies at age 87
Yellowknife has lost one of its most colourful pioneers with the passing of Johnny Rocher on Wednesday at the age of 87.
Born Jean Antoine Pierre Rocher in St. Brieux, Sask., Rocher changed his name to Johnny Rocher at age 14. He arrived in the NWT in the early 1950s. The former alderman was well-known as an entrepreneur. Among other jobs, he spent time as a trapper, commercial fisherman, prospector and diamond driller. Rocher's funeral will be held one week from today at St. Patrick's Catholic Church at 11 a.m.
- John McFadden
4/20 event moves to April 24
Yellowknife's 4/20 event has been moved to April 24.
The marijuana celebration is normally held on the 20th day of the fourth month but Yellowknife organizer Kim McNearney said it's being moved to the following Sunday to allow more people to attend. The event will be held at Somba K'e Civic Plaza beside city hall beginning at 3:30 p.m. and includes a march through the downtown passing by RCMP headquarters and the courthouse.
- John McFadden
Woman wins trip through city contest
Andrea Sanchez has won a trip for four with Dettah-based tour operator B. Dene Adventures.
Sanchez was randomly selected after she submitted photos of the Long John Jamboree and the snow castle. #ykfestivals is a social media marketing campaign promoting Yellowknife's festivals. According to a news release from the city, festival goers are invited post their experiences using text, photos or video on Twitter and Instagram using #ykfestivals for additional chances to win.
- John McFadden
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Regional wellness councils move forward
The Department of Health and Social Services is looking for nominations for people to serve on regional wellness councils set to replace regional health authorities currently in use.
Councillors will advise the Territorial Leadership Council, set to come into force Aug. 1.
That marks the date six of the territory's Health and Social Services authorities will merge to form the Territorial Health and Social Services Authority.
Deh Cho resident Jim Antoine will be the chairperson-designate for the proposed Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Territorial Leadership Council, according to an Oct. 2 news release.
Nominations close April 30, according to an April 11 news release from the GNWT.
Prize for design
Dehcho First Nations is offering a $500 prize to the winner of a logo design contest.
The contest, launched April 11, seeks logo submissions for Dehcho K'ehodi, a regional stewardship program being developed by communities in the Deh Cho, according to a notice from Dehcho First Nations.
The program aims to take care of land and water from a Dene perspective.
The contest runs until April 30.
First table tennis championships upcoming
The first territorial championships for table tennis are set to begin April 15 and will run until April 17.
Categories for the championships include school teams, singles and doubles, juniors and an open category for anyone in the territory to take part in.
The tournament is open to all ages and skill levels. Registration is $20 and the school has accommodations available, according to Table Tennis North. The championships will take place in Fort Providence at Deh Gah School.
Fur sales ride high tide
A program from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment aimed at getting furs into the hands of local NWT artisans at-cost has had a record year, according to GNWT estimates.
In an April 8 news release from the department, the government revealed its Fur and Hide Procurement Program had generated almost $1 million in economic benefit 䴋 the best estimates yet to be recorded by the program. According to the department, the total estimated economic benefit created in the 2015 fiscal year was $988,670.
In all, the department purchased $247,165 of fur and hide for the program.
Gwich'in closer to self-government
The Gwich'in Tribal Council board of directors have been reviewing an agreement-in-principle (AIP) for self-government this week, according to an April 11 news release.
"Self-government will give participants more control over the decisions that affect them every day, such as how government money is spent in their communities and how local programs and services are developed and delivered," the release stated. "The AIP is an important step towards a final self-government agreement and the future for the Gwich'in."
While the territorial government would still take care of things like hospitals, roads and ferries, and municipalities would still provide local services, a future Gwich'in government would see its mandate expanded to include things like education, income support, child and family services, and adoptions for participants in the settlement area.
"Through this collaborative process, we have addressed the needs, concerns and future of the Gwich'in, and our Gwich'in communities," said tribal council vice-president Norman Snowshoe in the release. "The team deserves commendation for their tireless effort in achieving this historic milestone."
A final agreement will be hammered out after the AIP is approved by the federal and territorial governments, as well as the GTC, and will be legally binding.
Open house with ministers
The premier and cabinet of the Northwest Territories will be in Inuvik this week to meet with various groups and to hear from the public at large.
The group is hosting an open house April 15 in the Permafrost Room at the Mackenzie Hotel from 7 to 9 p.m. It is being touted as an opportunity to meet ministers one-on-one and to make issues heard.
Premier Bob McLeod, Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Robert C. McLeod, Health Minister Glen Abernethy, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Wally Schumann who is also the transportation minister, Public Works Minister Caroline Cochrane, Justice Minister Louis Sebert, and Education, Culture and Employment Minister Alfred Moses will be in attendance. Refreshments will be provided.
Gwich'in Day celebrated
To mark Gwich'in Day April 22, there will be a feast and dance at the community hall at the Midnight Sun Complex hosted by the Gwich'in Tribal Council.
It will feature a traditional clothing contest for participants to show off and celebrate their culture for a chance to win prizes. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the feast will start at 6 p.m.
Organizers are still looking for volunteers to help with set up, clean up, the contest itself, games, and cooking for the feast.
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