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Monday, April 18, 2016
More drug arrests in Yellowknife
RCMP executed five search warrants April 15 in Yellowknife targeting an alleged drug trafficking network. In a news release, police stated eight people were arrested with charges expected to be laid. The raids yielded fentanyl pills, crack cocaine, cocaine, psilocybin, marijuana, anabolic steroids, cash as well as four guns and three prohibited weapons.
The searches are part of a year-long investigation that resulted in 14 arrests and 11 people charged earlier in the month. RCMP allege the network was run by Todd Dube, a 20-year-old Yellowknife man.
- Shane Magee
Booze bound for Fort Good Hope seized
Police seized a "substantial" amount of alcohol from two women traveling by snowmobile near Fort Good Hope on April 13, according to an RCMP news release. A tip lead to the seizure of 107 bottles of vodka and rum, ahead of the community carnival scheduled for this weekend.
"RCMP are appreciative for the community's assistance in helping to keep this event alcohol free," stated detachment commander, Sgt. Bill Mooney.
Fort Good Hope has had restrictions on the amount of alcohol one can bring into the community since 1990.
- Shane Magee
Charge laid after alleged Behchoko stabbing
Florence Wedzin, 41, has been charged with assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and resisting arrest in connection with an alleged stabbing in Behchoko on April 9.
At about 8:50 a.m. that day, RCMP were called to a report of a man stabbed at a home, according to an RCMP news release. The man was transported to the Behchoko Health Centre, then Stanton Territorial Hospital before being released later in the day. Wedzin has been released from custody with conditions and is set to appear in territorial court July 19 in Behchoko.
- Shane Magee
Drugs arrests in Fort Simpson
RCMP in Fort Simpson charged two Alberta men with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking after a vehicle stop on the outskirts of the village on April 12.
In a news release, police stated that Abdirahman Aden, 32 and David Russell, 34, were attempting to bring about 100 grams of cocaine into the community.
- John McFadden
Tlicho ice roads close for season
Tlicho
The Tlicho winter roads are now closed, according to the Department of Transportation. The roads officially shut down for the season at about 10 a.m. on April 12.
Cracks opening on Marian Lake caused significant overflow, which impacted the stability of the ice.
- Kassina Ryder
Jean Wetrade Gameti School goes dogsledding
Gameti/Rae Lakes
Students at Jean Wetrade Gameti School went dogsledding from April 5 to 8, said teacher Jill Mulcahy. All grades participated in the event, which has been held for the past three years.
Beck's Kennel's supplied the dogsleds and started the tour on the ice road outside of Gameti.
- Kassina Ryder
Open house with ministers
The premier and cabinet of the Northwest Territories were in Inuvik last week to meet with various groups but also to hear from the public at large.
The group was expected to host an open house April 15 in the Permafrost Room at the Mackenzie Hotel from 7 to 9 p.m. The events was 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, Transportation as well as Environment and Natural Resources Minister Wally Schumann, Public Works Minister Caroline Cochrane, Justice Minister Louis Sebert, and Education, Culture and Employment Minister Alfred Moses were expected to be in attendance. Refreshments will be provided.
- Sarah Ladik
Mezi Community School hosts culture week
Whati/Lac La Martre
A week of celebrating Tlicho culture took place at Mezi Community School in Whati from March 21 to 24, said teacher Benton Clark-Hurley.
Students travelled out on the land and participated in moose hide skinning and checking fish nets. Ski North and the NWT Parks and Recreation Association partnered with the school for the event.
- Kassina Ryder
Sahtu Spring Fling
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
This year's Norman Wells Spring Fling was a success, said recreation programmer Myles Erb. The fling took place the first week of April and included fireworks and a live show by Yellowknife band Hindsite.
"It was really well-received," Erb said.
On April 15, the community's arena was scheduled to shut down for the season.
A skating party with hot chocolate and snacks was expected to take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Kassina Ryder
Fort Good Hope gets gardening
Fort Good Hope
The community garden in Fort Good Hope is off to a good start, said economic development officer Viviane Edgi-Manuel.
The goal is to build another 10 greenhouses in the community this season, which should bring the number of greenhouses to 20.
About five individuals and families in Fort Good Hope also have greenhouses of their own, Edgi-Manuel added.
Edgi-Manuel said she hopes to construct some garden boxes for local elders as well this season.
- Kassina Ryder
Easter not just for young people
Paulatuk
Paulatuk held a variety of activities for young and old on Easter weekend.
Recreation co-ordinator Aaron Ruben said the community organized adult games including the James Ruben Sr. Coin Toss for players 18 and older, as well as an adult's archery shoot.
Children and youth enjoyed an Easter egg hunt and children's games before the closing ceremonies took place on March 28.
- Kassina Ryder
Toronto students visit Chief Julius School
Tetlit'Zeh/Fort McPherson
Fifteen students from North Toronto Collegiate Institute travelled to Fort McPherson on April 4 as the first phase of an exchange trip with Chief Julius School.
The trip is part of the YMCA of Greater Toronto youth travel exchange program, according to teacher Sierra Daley.
Students travelled to the school's camp where they learned how to set snares, bake bannock and make their own fires, Daley said.
They also had lessons in how to skin and butcher caribou before delivering it door-to-door to local elders.
Students visited in time to participate in two days of the community's Peel River Jamboree, which allowed them to watch the opening ceremonies and learn how to jig.
Chief Julius School students are scheduled to travel to Toronto in May.
- Kassina Ryder
Muskox lessons at Helen Kalvak School
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Helen Kalvak School students took a day trip out on the land during the school's muskox hunt on April 6.
Principal Richard McKinnon said the goal was to bring muskox meat back to Ulukhaktok and distribute it to local elders, but they weren't able to locate the herd. However, the trip was still a great learning experience, said Grade 10 student Jacob Klengenberg.
McKinnon said he and a group of hunters made up for the lack of meat when they went hunting the weekend of April 9 and caught two muskoxen. The animals were brought back to the school where students skinned and butchered the animals.
The meat will be donated to elders and the skins will be used on future trips out on the land, McKinnon said.
- Kassina Ryder
Grand re-opening set for Fort Smith arena
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The grand opening of the renovated Fort Smith Centennial Arena is set for April 30.
The official opening ceremony, featuring invited dignitaries and the cutting of a cake, is set to take place at 11 a.m. on that date. There will also be arena tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to see all the behind-the-scenes features of the renovated facility.
The Thebacha Trade Show will take place at the arena on the same day. The arena underwent a $6.2-million renovation following a fire in May 2013.
That was in addition to $1.7 million in repairs to the fire damage. The renovations the 48-year-old arena are expected to keep the facility operating for another 40 years or more.
Constructing a new arena would have cost about $20 million, far beyond the Town of Fort Smith's borrowing limit.
Highlights of the renovations include additional dressing rooms, a heated viewing area and mezzanine, an elevator to an upper level, new player benches, a metal roof, removable boards, acoustic panels, improvements to the public address system, a video security system and LED lighting
- Paul Bickford
Convocation set for Thebacha students
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Spring convocation ceremonies will take place on April 22 at Aurora College's Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith.
Degrees, diplomas and certificates will be awarded from the schools of Education, Business and Leadership, and Arts and Science.
Each spring, students from all over the NWT graduate from Thebacha Campus, and often there are others from Nunavut, Alberta and elsewhere in Canada.
- Paul Bickford
Stress management workshops to be held in Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A series of stress management workshops are set to be offered by the Fort Smith Health and Social Services Authority. The first workshop on April 18 will be on the biology of stress, including the physical response to stress.
Other workshops will be on cognitive strategies for managing thoughts on April 25, strategies for managing emotions on May 2 and mindfulness-based strategies on May 9.
The drop-in workshops take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Fort Smith Health Centre's multipurpose room.
- Paul Bickford
Gwich'in Day celebrations being prepared
To mark Gwich'in Day April 22, there will be a feast and dance at the community hall at the Midnight Sun Complex in Inuvik 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.
- Sarah Ladik
Inquest scheduled
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
Chief coroner Padma Suramala announced April 13 a mandatory inquest is scheduled to be held in Hall Beach May 2 to 6.
"The purpose of this inquest is to explore the circumstances surrounding the death of Tommy Anguilianuk. On Jan. 20, 2013 Anguilianuk was in the custody of the RCMP in Hall Beach. The prisoner escaped from holding cells and was later found deceased on Jan. 21, 2013," stated Suramala in a news release.
Sheldon Toner will lead the inquest for the coroner's office and Suramala will preside. Anyone wishing to participate or make a presentation at the inquest can contact her office, said Suramala.
- Michele LeTourneau
Ex-MP to lead Inuit organization
Iqaluit
The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) Canada appointed former Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell as its new president, the board announced April 8.
As ICC Canada president, Karetak-Lindell becomes the vice-chairperson for Canada on the international Inuit Circumpolar Council, the news release states. Karetak-Lindell stated she is "honoured." The term will continue to July 2018, just prior to the next quadrennial ICC general assembly to be held in Barrow, Alaska.
- Michele LeTourneau
Strong showing for Chidliak: report
Peregrine Diamonds, which owns the Chidliak Diamond Project in Nunavut, reported that its 2015 Chidliak Resource Development Program for the CH-6 kimberlite pipe has come back with positive results.
The estimate for inferred mineral resource for the upper 260 metres of the pipe has had its tonnage increased 40 per cent and contained carats increased 33 per cent to 11.39 million carats. That revised resource includes a newly identified zone currently is estimated to contain 3.15 million carats in 0.76 million tonnes.
Tom Peregoodoff, president and CEO, said the 33-per-cent uplift in the CH-6 diamond resource should have a positive impact on the outcome of the project's preliminary economic assessment.
"When we planned the 2015 resource development program for the CH-6 kimberlite, the challenge was to design a cost effective program that would make a material difference to the Chidliak project," he stated in a news release. Chidliak, discovered in 2008, accompanies Peregrine's other diamond exploration property in Nunavut called Nanuq, which was discovered a year earlier. Chidliak is a 582,477-hectare property located 120 kilometres from Iqaluit.
- Stewart Burnett
City eyes fee hikes
Iqaluit
City council on April 12 deferred an attempt from administration to increase fees for a wide range of municipal services, from skating costs to vehicle disposal.
Proposed changes to the city's fee structure included doubling the cost of summer day camp, requiring a fixed $18,000 annual payment from the curling club and nearly quintupling the fee to dispose vehicles.
"Staff were asked to look at rates and where increases were needed," explained recreation director Amy Elgersma.
She said that it was decided it would be more efficient to consolidate all the proposed increases into one large bylaw. Councillors reacted with some surprise. The jump from $200 to nearly $1,000 for vehicle disposal stood out to Coun. Terry Dobbin.
"With a $1,000 fee to dispose of those vehicles, people are not going to be enticed to bring them to the landfill," he said. "They're just going to let them sit and the problem is just going to get larger and larger."
Council decided to defer the matter to a future meeting, asking for a clearer list of all the proposed increases.
- Stewart Burnett
Polar bears sighted again
Iqaluit
Residents spotted a polar bear with two cubs just outside of Apex in early April.
The bear was spotted again by a resident a few days after the first sighting.
Last summer, Iqaluit had several polar bear visits, with two having to be destroyed after roaming too deep into the city.
- Stewart Burnett
New manager at Arctic Bay Adventures
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
With more cruise ships in the future, Northern tourism is becoming increasingly desirable for adventurous southerners, a trend that is in the sights of Gene O'Donnell, who has taken over as the general manager of Arctic Bay Adventures Ltd.
Originally from New Brunswick, O'Donnell operated a successful outfitting business in the Miramichi. He has a wealth of experience in business and tourism.
O'Donnell arrived in Arctic Bay in early March and is looking to build Arctic Bay Adventures into a successful tourism business.
The company is wholly owned by the hamlet but operates as an independent business.
- Stewart Burnett
Gymnasts to perform
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Gymnasts from the Aqsarniit Ujauttaq (Northern Lights Gymnastics) club plan to take part in a mini-gymnastics competition and show at the Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik gym at 1 p.m. on April 24.
Club founder and coach Lisa Kresky said the club is using the opportunity to show the community the skill levels the young gymnasts have reached, and as a warmup to their upcoming competitions.
"The show will allow the gymnasts to showcase the individual routines they will be performing at upcoming competitions in Vancouver and Prince George," said Kresky.
"It will also be a chance to demonstrate our mass-group routines that will be a part of the gymnaestradas at both locations."
- Darrell Greer
No word on Japanese adventurer
Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord
A Japanese adventurer stopped in Grise Fiord recently and hasn't been heard from since.
Larry Audlaluk, economic development officer for the hamlet, told Nunavut News/North that the young man came to Grise Fiord before leaving to Greenland about three weeks ago.
The last sighting of him was by some polar bear hunters. The adventurer planned to take a 45-day trip over land and through the glaciers.
"That's what we don't know," said Audlaluk about how the man might be doing.
A Japanese adventurer last year, younger than this one, fell through the ice and had to be rescued by a helicopter.
"Thinking about what happened to the previous adventurer, we also hope that he is all right," said Audlaluk.
He thinks the traveller is still on the Ellesmere Island side of the journey.
It's common for adventurers to come to Grise Fiord. A travelling couple had just arrived by plane when Audlaluk spoke to Nunavut News/North. They planned to travel east of Grise Fiord toward an inlet.
"They weren't really sure which way they were going to travel," said Audlaluk.
"I tried to tell them the danger of going into some areas to the north of us, especially on the east side. The deep snow creates thin ice underneath. I tried to warn them, 'Make sure you talk to someone who is familiar with the area you want to go to.'"
It's starting to get warmer in Grise Fiord these days, and hunters have been reporting that certain areas on the fiord are getting dangerous.
One hunter found on a return trip that the path he took out had already been replaced by open water. Narrow points in the fiord can be especially dangerous, as they usually have strong currents.
Audlaluk hopes all the travellers make it safely to their destinations and enjoy themselves.
"We always wish them well that they are fine," he said.
- Stewart Burnett
Regulations now law
Nunavut
Business owners are reminded Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulations are now law in Nunavut.
The announcement was made earlier this month by the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC).
The regulations stem from the Internal Responsibility System, in which workplace safety is the shared responsibility of employers and workers.
They give the workplace a modern framework that is relevant to Northern operations today, ensuring Northerners have clear, complete direction, and workers and employers operating in more than one territory or province have increased familiarity with OHS requirements.
"It is very important for employers to thoroughly review the new regulations to see how they apply to their workplace," stated WSCC president and CEO Dave Grundy in an April 7 news release.
"Those who were compliant with the previous general safety regulations should find the transition to the new regulations to be a natural progression in their internal safety programs."
- Darrell Greer
Science fair draws crowd
Kitikmeot
The community of Taloyoak and Netsilik Ilihakvik hosted the Kitikmeot region's science fair on April 9.
"There were 16 participants (13 projects) from Taloyoak, Kugaaruk, Kugluktuk and Gjoa Haven," said Netsilik Ilihakvik principal Gina Pizzo.
"Unfortunately Gjoa Haven was weathered out but they did the best they could. The organizers had the students send pictures of their projects and they interviewed them over the phone to complete the judging process."
Cambridge Bay did not participate.
Participating students included Jordan Takkiruq with The 4th R and Alaira Sallerina with A Heart to Survive, from Gjoa Haven; Eli Aupalu with Best Goggle Tint for the Dark, Hayley May Totalik with Solving Produce Problems in the North, Jeremi Boisvert with Strongest Bridge Type, Jenna Kununak with All About Eggs, Breana Mannilaq with Inuit Clothing and Annie Aklah with Bacteria on Door Handles, from Taloyoak; Dominique Qayaaqsaq and Leslie Marie Inuksaq with Syphilis and Bobbie Taniki Ningark and Nicole Nalungiaq with Smoking and the Body, from Kugaaruk; Kendal Kuodluak with Blue by Day, Stian Kuodluak with Electromagnets and Dallas Harvey and Darien Evyagotialak with What Smoking Can Do To Your Lungs, from Kugluktuk.
"As the students progress from the local to the regional level they make the effort to improve their projects, thereby making the competition greater and the judging more difficult," said Pizzo.
Takkiruq, Aupalu and Inuksaq will travel to the Canada Wide Science Fair in Montreal May 18 to 20.
- Michele LeTourneau
Qulliq requests rider refund
Nunavut
The Qulliq Energy Corp. (QEC) is requesting to apply for a second fuel-stabilization rider (FSR) refund of 3.07 cents per kilowatt hour.
The refund is the result of a continued decrease in QEC's fuel costs.
"This is the second consecutive fuel rider refund that QEC has requested since November of 2015, and I look forward to consulting with the Utility Rates Review Council regarding QEC's request," stated George Hickes, the minister responsible for QEC, in an April 5 news release.
The first FSR refund covered from November 2015 to March 2016, while the proposed second refund will cover April 1 to Sept. 30.
The refund will apply to all customers, with the exception of those in public housing who are subsidized under the user-pay program.
- Darrell Greer
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