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Monday, April 25, 2016
Faulty foundation closes visitors centre exhibits
A section of the Yellowknife Northern Frontier Visitors Centre with its exhibits was temporarily closed as structural issues continue to plague the building that welcomes tourists to the city.
A notice posted last week states seasonal shifting has resulted in the centre being told to close the exhibits area until further notice. All other services continue. The issues aren't new. The two-storey building off the old Highway 4 is unstable because of its pilings, which stand at the bottom of the Frame Lake marsh and uphold a third of the building.
The shifting has led to cracked windows, broken drywall and slanted floors, despite more than $400,000 of work to stabilize the building in March 2014.
An engineering report by the GNWT on the building was expected to be completed by the end of last year, though Yellowknifer has not been able to obtain a copy of it to date.
Wood bison endangered
The NWT Species at Risk Committee has determined the wood bison is threatened, meaning the animal could be gone in our lifetime. The the committee of up to 15 experts assesses the biological status of species in the territory. The decision was based on its declining population caused by disease, increased predation, human hunting, and habitat loss. An estimated 2,500 wood bison remain in three parts of the territory.
The territory has 32 per cent of the world population of the large mammal that can weigh more than 1,000 kilograms.
- Shane Magee
Northern premiers to meet in Yukon
Premier Bob McLeod will meet with his territorial counterparts for the Northern Premiers' Forum from April 28 to 29 in Yukon.
The agenda for the meetings with Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski and Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna includes discussions on tourism, health care in the North, dealing with the federal government and infrastructure a news release states.
After meeting in Whitehorse, the premiers will head to Dawson and Old Crow and will take part in cultural events.
Deputy premier and finance minister Robert C. McLeod will also be attending.
- Shane Magee
Inflation above national level
The cost of goods and services in Yellowknife rose 1.7 per cent compared to a year ago, above the 1.3 per cent national increase and one per cent jump in Whitehorse, data released April 22 by Statistics Canada shows. The Yellowknife figure is the only data from the territory in the monthly survey of inflation. Increases compared to March 2015 were across the board, with the exception of shelter and alcohol products.
However, there was a 23.8 per cent drop in the cost of fuel over the past year and a 10 per cent drop in the cost of gas.
- Shane Magee
Tundra camp application deadline approaches
The deadline for applications for the GNWT's Tundra Science and Culture Camp is May 20. Students and teachers are encouraged to sign up for what is described as 10 action-packed and fun-filled days on the tundra. Participants will work closely with scientists and Tlicho elders to learn traditional on-the-land skills. Field research techniques will be taught in ecology, botany, geology, archeology, biology, birds, fish and more. The camp will be held at Daring Lake, about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife, from July 25 to Aug. 3.
- John McFadden
Chief Jimmy Bruneau School hosts career fair
Behchoko/Rae Edzo
Chief Jimmy Bruneau School hosted a career fair on April 20.
Principal Patti Turner said the fair allowed graduating students to apply for summer jobs, as well as highlight potential careers for future grads.
"There was a level of excitement in our students that was really nice to see," she said.
The fair was open to students from kindergarten up, but it was mostly attended by Grade 7 to 12 students, Turner said.
A Canadian Armed Forces booth was one of the most popular exhibits according to Jane Weyallon, guidance counsellor and school liaison.
"That was the main one that a lot of students took interest in," she said.
Local businesses and organizations were also represented, including the Tlicho Government, and medical staff from the health centre. Other groups included Discovery Air, Aurora College and Dominion Diamonds.
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology also had a booth about its culinary arts program, said Turner.
"We have a lot of students who are very interested in that," she said.
- Kassina Ryder
New books for Alexis Arrowmaker School
Wekweeti/Snare Lakes
Students at Alexis Arrowmaker School now have a variety of books to choose from, thanks to a $25,000 donation from Dominion Diamond Corp., said teacher and literacy coach Alison Alleyn. The donation allowed the school to purchase shelving and classroom resources, as well as about $20,000 worth of brand new books.
"It's been great just to see them excited over reading and new books," Alleyn said.
The donation was received last year and books began arriving earlier this spring. Grade 10 students helped to shelve and organize the new books, which are found in the Grade 10 classroom. The school doesn't have its own library, so half of the classroom has been dedicated for that purpose. This is the second year Alexis Arrowmaker School has offered Grade 10, so Alleyn said many of the books were chosen based on that age group.
"Now that we do have Grade 10, it was important for us to get books that would interest them and be of use to them," she said.
Since the books arrived, students have been doing book reports and projects that enable them to make use of their new library.
"A lot of the books we had here were pretty dated, so the fact that they were new books got their interest going," Alleyn said.
- Kassina Ryder
Wolf stalking Norman Wells
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
Residents of Norman Wells have been notified that local trappers set wolf snares outside of the community to try and capture a wolf that has been entering the community.
The wolf was reported to ENR the week of April 11, according Jeffrey Walker, regional superintendent with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
"He doesn't appear to have anything really wrong with him, he just seems to be really hungry," Walker said.
Approximately 25 wolves enter town limits on an average every year, five of which are taken by local harvesters, Walker said.
"We have wolves in town all the time," he said.
Traps will be marked and Walker reminded residents to not touch or approach the traps.
"We want people to not tamper with them," he said. "We don't want people interacting with that wildlife."
- Kassina Ryder
Deline needs volunteers for carnival
Deline/Fort Franklin
Organizers have begun planning for the 11th Chike Carnival in Deline, which is scheduled to take place May 19 to 22.
Recreation co-ordinator Carla Kenny said meetings are scheduled to take place as early as this week to determine which activities will be featured. In addition to new events there should be some old favourites as well, said Kenny. Events like Bingo games, poker tournaments and snowmobile races are planned to take place as well as a fishing derby.
The derby is always a popular event, she added.
"I think they really like fishing derby," she said.
A mini handgames tournament is also in the works, which is usually a big hit with carnival-goers. Events will also include traditional games and skeet shooting competitions.
Kenny is encouraging residents to volunteer to help run the carnival.
- Kassina Ryder
Inualthuyak School gets special visitors
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
George Tuccaro, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories and Ron Smith, Chief Superintendent and Commanding Officer of the RCMP G Division visited Inualthuyak School in Sachs Harbour on April 7, said principal Lawrence Berger.
They delivered a motivational presentation that focused on the importance of student's staying in school and doing their personal bests.
"The kids really enjoyed the visit," Berger said.
After the speech, the commanders played sports with students in the gym.
"They had a great time," Berger said.
Staff have also begun to plan for the school's graduation ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on June 16. One senior kindergarten and two Grade 9 students are expected to graduate this year, Berger said.
- Kassina Ryder
Fun for the family at Arctic Red River Mackenzie jamboree
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
The Arctic Red River Mackenzie Jamboree was expected to take place on the weekend of April 21. Charlene Blake, chair of the jamboree's committee, said Many youth and adult games would be combined allow parents and children to play together.
"We really do incorporate the kids games along with the adult games," she said. "So it's like a family-friendly place where everybody can have fun."
The jamboree was scheduled to run from April 21 to 24, including a celebration of Gwich'in Day on April 22.
Blake said some special events have been scheduled to commemorate the signing of the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement.
"We're celebrating 24 years of the land claim agreement," she said.
Events are expected to include a traditional dress contest, a hand games demonstration and a cook-out with traditional food and games.
This year's jamboree is dedicated to the memory of elder Victor "Angel Eyes" Modeste, who died in 2015.
- Kassina Ryder
Paddling club to offer advanced First Aid course
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Fort Smith Paddling Club will once again be offering the Advanced Wilderness First Aid Course.
Blair Doyleis coming back to instruct his third course with the club, and Saskia van Mourik will also be an instructor.
The course will be offered May 20 to 23 at the Fort Smith
Ski Club. The scenario-based course is set in the bush, and features volunteers with fake wounds to give a realistic feel to the training. Anyone interested can sign up before April 30 by contacting the Fort Smith Paddling Club.
The Advanced Wilderness First Aid Course is a Red Cross program, and provides certification that is valid for three years.
- Paul Bickford
Mounties find drugs in mail
Iqaluit
Investigators from the V Division Federal Operations Section of the RCMP teamed up with Canada Post to inspect packages destined for Nunavut at southern mail processing facilities during March and April.
Over the two months, 20 kg (46 pounds) of marijuana, 137 litres of illegal liquor and a small amount of cocaine and crack cocaine was discovered.
"As part of these inspections, investigators initiated an investigation regarding a large shipment of marijuana destined for Iqaluit," stated Cpl. David Lawson in a news release.
"This investigation led to two males being arrested and charged for possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking."
The suspects are expected to make a first court appearance May 16 in Iqaluit. No names were released by police.
- Stewart Burnett
Suspect nabbed in store break-in
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
A 23-year-old man was arrested and charged after allegedly breaking and entering the Pangnirtung Northern store in the early morning hours of April 20.
An employee had entered the store after being contacted by the alarm company, at which point the employee was approached by a suspect and an altercation took place, which resulted in injuries to the store employee.
The suspect fled the building and was later arrested by the Pangnirtung RCMP.
Jake Battye has been charged with break and enter, aggravated assault, mischief, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and theft. He has been remanded into custody and is expected to appear in Iqaluit court May 3.
"The victim was treated at the local health centre and later transported by medevac to Iqaluit with non-life threatening injuries," stated Const. Lurene Dillon. "This matter is still under investigation.
"Residents, business owners and employees are reminded that their safety comes first when dealing with any suspected criminal activity. RCMP members are trained to attend calls for service and encourage the public to observe and report and remain out of harm's way, if at all possible."
- Stewart Burnett
Students talk history with expert
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
Intermediate students at Quqshuun Ilihakvik hung out with a well-known local historian in early April.
Louie Kamookak, best known for his work related to the Franklin Expedition and the find of the HMS Erebus, spoke with students about oral traditions and place names.
Teacher Eleanor Cipriano, who arranged the visit, invited Kamookak to support her social studies unit. She wanted to emphasize the value of oral traditional stories as sources of knowledge, said principal Katharine Bartlett.
Kamookak related stories of the history of Gjoa Haven and King William Island which he has collected from local elders.
Teacher Jaycee Beauparlant said that her students really enjoyed locating and learning more about the names of campsites they had visited previously.
- Michele LeTourneau
Nunavut photos in Beijing
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
Kugluktuk Northern Store manager and professional photographer David Ho is expected to be recognized internationally for his photography in the Meet in Beijing Arts Festival during the month of May.
"I was quite surprised when they told me," Ho said about his first time being exhibited in the show.
Two photographs, one of muskox and one landscape scene with Arctic cotton and caribou antlers before a colourful sunset, were selected for the show. Both photos were taken last summer.
Ho has been working on his photography since the late 1970s or 1980s, he said, and he has a significant portfolio of professional work.
"This one is getting international reorganization now, so I'm pretty pleased," he said.
- Elaine Anselmi
Tourism spending higher in 2015
Nunavut
Last year saw an increase in visitor spending by tourists to Nunavut, totaling $37.88 million, according to an exit survey conducted by Nunavut Tourism.
"Using the results of last year's survey, with the baseline data provided by the previous three surveys, we have a comprehensive model to measure progress against the Nunavut Economic Development Strategy, and are able to target specific sectors that will assist in increasing tourism revenue across the territory," stated Nunavut Tourism CEO Kevin Kelly in a news release.
An estimated 16,750 visitors came to the territory last year, an increase over 2011 numbers, primarily due to increased cruise ship passengers.
The survey identified four key markets for Nunavut tourism - business travellers, cruise travellers, land-based leisure travellers and those visiting friends and relatives.
The survey indicated that land-based leisure travellers represent the best opportunity for expanding the number of visitors to the territory.
It currently represents fewer than 1,200 visitors annually.
Land-based travellers also tend to leave much more money in Nunavut than cruise travellers, with an average of $2,500 compared to $692.
Business travel accounted for 69 per cent of visitors.
Number one on the survey's suggestions to improve tourism was to establish
more local guides.
The full survey can be found at Nunavut Tourism's website.
- Stewart Burnett
Plans outlined for new power plant
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Qulliq Energy Corporation says construction of a new power plant, to replace the one that burned down in April 2015, will begin in 2017.
Acting president Jamie Flaherty hosted a community consultation with other senior staff on the replacement plant April 7. About 40 people attended and most questions were about hooking up buildings to the power plant, he said.
"We responded that we're going to be connecting the two schools that were already connected prior to the fire, and we're going to do a feasibility study to see if we can connect more buildings," said Flaherty.
The final bill hasn't come in yet, but Flaherty says QEC has received more than $5 million so far from insurance, and he estimates the total cost will be $20 million to $25 million.
"The public was so helpful in every way and they accommodated QEC when the plant burned down," said Flaherty. "The whole community did lots in terms of emergency response. Everyone worked very well. We had a good team. That's the reason why things have been going smoothly, but with a lot of planning. We want to make sure that we keep people from Pang updated on the progress of the new power plant as we go along."
He's hoping to get the first materials on sealift this summer with the building to be constructed in 2017.
- Stewart Burnett
Back River earings begin
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
The Nunavut Impact Review Board public hearing on Sabina Gold and Silver Corp.'s Back River project begins April 25 at the Luke Novoligak Community Hall in Cambridge Bay.
Sabina acquired the project in 2009 to develop a gold mining complex about 400 km south of Cambridge Bay.
The project is proposed with an 11-year mine life and will use conventional open pit and underground mining methods.
Public comments on the project will be heard until April 27, with a community roundtable expected to be held on April 28 and 29.
- Elaine Anselmi
Calm Air inks deal with Tootoo
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Calm Air announced last week it has signed New Jersey Devils forward Jordin Tootoo, originally from Rankin Inlet, to a two-year spokesperson contract, effective this month.
Tootoo will represent Calm Air at various functions during his off season.
Calm Air stated in a press release that the airline and Tootoo are committed to promoting culture and arts, sports and recreation, health and wellness, and youth and education, as well as supporting multiple community-based events.
- Darrell Greer
Nunavummiut's Swedish roots explored
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Edna Elias is the subject of a documentary film that looks at the former Nunavut commissioner's Swedish roots.
Co-ordinated by Vancouver-based filmmaker Eva Wunderman, Elias met Fredrik Norberg in Cambridge Bay in mid-April. The two are both descendents of Swedish fur trader and explorer Petter Norberg.
Norberg was the second person ever to sail the Northwest Passage in one vessel, having left Sweden in the late 1800s. In the Western Arctic, he married and had children with a Gwich'in woman, but disappeared on a canoe trip up the Coppermine River.
Elias is Norberg's great granddaughter and has been working with Wunderman on tracing her roots as part of the documentary.
- Elaine Anselmi
Adults welcome Inuktitut contest
Tikirarjuaq/Whale Cove
Students at Inuglak School in Whale Cove faced off in an Inuktitut contest earlier this month.
The event also featured a number of exhibits in the school gym.
The contest was applauded by adult residents of the community, who worry the youth are speaking too much English and not paying enough attention to the Inuktitut language.
- Darrell Greer
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