 | Home page |  | Text size |
Monday, May 16, 2016
Campgrounds open for the season
Campgrounds and parks throughout the territory opened on May 13.
According to a Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment news release, facilities have been improved thanks to the department's $3.5 million investment in all five regions of the territory for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
Sambaa Deh Falls and Fort Simpson Territorial Parks are scheduled to open on May 20, while Blackstone Territorial Park and Dempster Highway parks are scheduled to open June 1.
- Kassina Ryder
Feds to invest in greenhouse research
A $205,500 research investment aims to determine the feasibility of commercial greenhouses in the Northwest Territories.
The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) will provide $102,750, the GNWT will provide an additional $50,000, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada will provide $25,000 and Aurora College will contribute $27,750.
The goal is to develop templates that will assist communities in establishing and maintaining gardens.
The NWT currently imports about $17 million worth of produce every year.
- Kassina Ryder
Art exhibition launched in Fort Smith
Fort Smith's Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre launched a Community Art Exhibition on May 13.
The exhibition includes the work of more than 20 local artists and is scheduled to run from May 13 to July 1.
- Kassina Ryder
First Air and Air North to codeshare
Air North and First Air have announced they are teaming up for a codeshare program, starting May 15.
The Ottawa-Yellowknife-Whitehorse route will be the first added to the list.
"Codesharing is a standard practice within the airline industry. The two cooperating airlines can both sell and market seats and cargo space on codeshare flights," a news release from the companies stated.
The flights are currently operated through Air North.
Between mid-June and mid-September, there will be a third flight to Ottawa on Tuesdays with a return flight on Wednesdays.
- Kassina Ryder
and John McFadden
Busy library
Behchoko/Rae Edzo
Two programs for the community's youngest residents are currently taking place at the Behchoko Community Library, said librarian Emily Jarvis.
A family drop-in program takes place each Tuesday at 11 a.m. and includes singing songs and learning new nursery rhymes together. The activities are based on the 1-2-3 Rhyme with Me program through the NWT Literacy Council, Jarvis said. Mornings also include playing musical instruments, creating parades and having a healthy snack, she added. Children are given a free book at the end of the morning.
"It's targeted at children zero to five-years old, but older siblings are welcome to come as well," Jarvis said.
- Kassina Ryder
Moms feel the love in Gameti
Gameti/Rae Lakes
Each mother in Gameti was given a rose to thank them for all that they do on May 8, said recreation co-ordinator Juanita Bekale.
The annual Mother's Day event was held at the community hall and included games such as egg toss and musical chairs. There was also a barbecue where the roses were distributed, Bekale said.
"We had a barbecue for the community and we gave out roses to all the mothers," she said. The day also included door prizes and cake.
Though the weather wasn't ideal, Bekale said everyone enjoyed the event.
"It was raining, snowing, but everything else was good," she said.
Bekale said she's now working on this summer's recreation schedule, which could include baseball and trips to the local beach.
- Kassina Ryder
Pirates steal gold for Fort McMurray
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
Students in Mackenzie Mountain School's drama club raised $658 for victims of the Fort McMurray fire after deciding to put others ahead of themselves earlier this month, said principal Michael Duclos.
Money raised during a pirate-themed dance on May 6 was originally going to be used to purchase costumes and props for the club, as well as to raise awareness about their June 24 performance of a play titled the Dread Pirate Sadie. Instead, the club decided to give their proceeds to victims of the fire.
"It's nice to try and contribute to the people who need it whenever we can," Duclos said.
- Kassina Ryder
Students fundraise for Fort McMurray
Deline/Fort Franklin
Ehtseo Ahya School students have so far raised more than $1,100 for victims of the fire in Fort McMurray, said teacher Danielle Howatt.
Their ongoing fundraising efforts will continue until May 20 and the goal is to raise at least $2,000. The money will be given to the Canadian Red Cross.
Howatt said many Deline residents have friends and family in the Fort McMurray area and wanted to help.
Students have been working together going door-to-door to collect donations, The grade 5/6 class held a pizza sale and bake sales are scheduled to take place on May 13 and May 20.
Other fundraisers include raffling hand-made items such as jewelry, as well as gift bags, barbecue sets and a vacuum, Howatt said.
"The compassion and empathy shown by our students and the community has been remarkable," she stated in an e-mail. "We are excited to reach, and perhaps exceed, our goal."
- Kassina Ryder
Fort Good Hope aims to send first Youth Summit delegates
Radilih Koe'/Fort Good Hope
Freda Kelly, Fort Good Hope's recreation co-ordinator, has been hard at work putting together funding proposals in an effort to send two of the community's young people to the Assembly of First Nations Youth Summit in July.
This year's summit is scheduled to take place in Niagara Falls. This would be the first time the community has sent youth to the summit, Kelly said.
She said she was still calculating the cost of the trip, but hoped local businesses and organizations would help provide funding and fundraising ideas.
- Kassina Ryder
Moose Kerr School celebrates students
Aklavik
Moose Kerr School students are expected to be honoured at a special celebration on May 13, said administrative clerk Bobbie-Jo Greenland-Morgan.
The school's monthly awards ceremony is intended to recognize students who have maintained good attendance records, as well as academic achievement awards.
Various awards are presented to students who demonstrate the school's values or to recognize students who have improved their grades, Greenland-Morgan said.
Later this month, the Aklavik District Education Authority is scheduled to hold its monthly meeting at the school on May 16, Greenland-Morgan also said.
- Kassina Ryder
Chief Julius School hosts Mother's Day Tea
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
Chief Julius School hosted its annual Mother's Day Tea on May 6, said Grade 7/8 teacher Paige McDonald.
Fort McPherson's mothers, aunts and elders were invited to the school's kitchen at around 2 p.m. where they were treated to cakes, soup, bannock and tea, McDonald said.
Education assistants Shalene Allen and Brenda Clark baked the cakes and treats while students decorated the kitchen and served all the food and drinks, McDonald said.
"My kids were basically rock stars," she said.
- Kassina Ryder
Former astronaut to speak at Dark Sky Festival
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Former astronaut Julie Payette will be a guest presenter at the fifth-annual Dark Sky Festival in August.
The festival is set for Aug. 18 to 21 in Fort Smith and Wood Buffalo National Park, which is the world's largest dark sky preserve.
Payette was the first Canadian on the International Space Station in 1999, and made another trip to the station in 2009.
In all, she logged 611 hours in space.
Payette served as chief astronaut for the Canadian Space Agency from 2000 to 2007.
In 2013, she was appointed the chief operating officer of the Montreal Science Centre.
Another guest speaker at the festival will be Johanna Wagstaffe, an on-camera meteorologist with the CBC television network.
Wagstaffe covers local, national and international weather and science stories. With a background in seismology and earth science, she is often called upon for her expert insight into breaking science stories.
The Dark Sky Festival is co-hosted by the Thebacha and Wood Buffalo Astronomical Society, and Wood Buffalo National Park.
- Paul Bickford
Fort Smith man wins $11,632.40 in lottery
Thebacha/Fort Smith
John Vogt of Fort Smith won a lottery prize on the first day of the year but he didn't find out for a couple of months.
The NWT resident won $11,632.40 on the Jan. 1 Lotto Max draw.
"I had about 30 tickets to check so I took them all to the store to scan," he said. "I scanned the ticket and was surprised by the win."
Vogt purchased his winning ticket at Northtown Esso and Q-Mart in Manning, Alta.
The winner plans to put his winnings into savings for the time being.
- Paul Bickford
Take-out joint opens
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
Sisters Take-Out is officially open for the season, having started up May 8.
Tri R Recycling will be in Fort Liard on May 14 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on May 15 from 8 a.m. to noon.
A mother's day lunch was held at the school on May 6.
- April Hudson
Raising funds in Providence
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
A fundraiser for the Red Cross will be happening in Fort Providence on May 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chase the Ace runs every Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. The jackpot currently sits at $2,300 and money raised goes toward the Community Advancement Partnership Society's plan for low-income housing units and a youth centre in the community.
- April Hudson
Mountie charged with assault
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
Nunavut RCMP have charged Pond Inlet RCMP member Sgt. Paul Marenchuk with two counts of assault with a weapon, following incidents that occurred Aug. 31 and Sept. 10, 2015.
"Early September 2015, Nunavut RCMP learned of two alleged assaults through an internal review involving two prisoners at the Pond Inlet detachment cells," stated Insp. Dean Warr in a news release.
"This matter was subsequently referred to an RCMP investigator from Alberta for investigation.
The results of the investigation were later submitted to the Public Prosecution Services of Canada - Yukon Regional Office for an opinion and charges were recommended."
An internal code of conduct investigation, which is ongoing, has also been directed by the RCMP.
Marenchuk has served more than 30 years with the RCMP and has been assigned to the Pond Inlet detachment since 2012. He is suspended with pay and is scheduled to appear in territorial court on July 19.
- Stewart Burnett
One dead in stabbing
Salliq/Coral Harbour
Shortly after noon on May 12 RCMP in Coral Harbour responded to a call about a multiple stabbing.
"Upon arrival, RCMP learned four occupants, a 28-year-old female and three children, were suffering from multiple stab wounds," stated Cpl. David Lawson.
The woman and three children were taken to the health centre. One child succumbed to injuries sustained and the remaining three injured were medevaced to Winnipeg.
"The RCMP would like to inform the public that the safety of the community is not at risk," said Lawson. "The matter remains under investigation and updates will be provided once available."
- Michele LeTourneau
Inquest jury makes recommendations
Sanirajak/Hall Beach
A mandatory coroner's inquest into the death of Tommy Anguilianuk held in Hall Beach May 2 to 4 resulted in 13 recommendations.
The jury determined Anguilianuk, 18, died by suicide on Jan. 21, 2013 after he escaped from Hall Beach RCMP custody.
Ten of the 13 recommendations are aimed at the RCMP, and are designed to prevent similar deaths in the future. Recommendations have to do with training, as well as building maintenance. The boiler in the detachment was malfunctioning when Anguilianuk asked to go outside for fresh air. That's when he escaped and took his life.
Recommendation 13 addresses the fact that family members were not allowed to view the body.
"When individuals do not see the deceased they have a hard time accepting," stated the jury in its report. "Investigators should allow family members to see the deceased's body, where feasible."
- Michele LeTourneau
Artist considered for bank note
Kinngait/Cape Dorset
The late Cape Dorset artist Pitseolak Ashoona has been long-listed for consideration, along with 11 other women, to be featured on a new Canadian bank note to be issued in 2018.
A public consultation to collect names was launched March 8, on International Women's Day, and more than 461 women qualified to be considered.
"We believe that the nominees for the bank note should have broken or overcome barriers, be inspirational, have made a significant change and have left a lasting legacy. We applied these four criteria in reviewing each of the 461 eligible unique nominations," stated the advisory council tasked with the selection.
Ashoona, the news release states, "is known for lively prints and drawings showing 'the things we did long ago before there were many white men' and for imaginative renderings of spirits and monsters."
Ashoona was featured on a stamp by Canada Post in 1993.
The 11 other women who made the long list are artist and writer Emily Carr (1871-1945), activist and politician Therese Casgrain (1896-1981), black business woman Viola Desmond (1914-1965), humanitarian Lotta Hitschmanova (1909-1990), Mohawk poet and writer E. Pauline Johnson (1861-1913), first female aircraft designer Elizabeth (Elsie) MacGill (1905-1980), activist and teacher Nellie McClung (1873-1951), author Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942), Olympian Fanny (Bobbie) Rosenfeld (1905-1969), author Gabrielle Roy (1909-1983) and journalist and educator Idola Saint-Jean (1880-1945).
"We recognize that Canada is comprised of many different communities. The women who appear on our list should resonate with Canadians and reflect the diversity of Canada," said the council.
The council will create a short list of three to five names and the finance minister is expected to select the woman to be featured "in due course."
- Michele LeTourneau
Milestone on a mountain
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Elena Kataluk, 25, of Rankin Inlet (formerly of Coral Harbour) became the first known Nunavummiut to reach the base camp of Mount Everest this past month.
Kataluk made the journey as part of an expedition led by Outward Bound Canada to raise money and awareness to help women heal from abuse and trauma.
- Darrell Greer
Youth sought to catch seals
Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay
The justice committee in Arctic Bay was still gathering interested youth last week for a program about learning to hunt seals and then skinning them.
Equal spots for boys and girls were available, with many still open on May 9.
Boys would hunt on Saturdays, and if they caught a seal, the girls would learn to clean the skins. Seal skinning would begin in June.
If there are any spots left, interested applicants can contact the Arctic Bay justice committee through Facebook.
- Stewart Burnett
New student award for translators
Iqaluit
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) president Cathy Towtongie announced a new scholastic award and its first two recipients May 11.
The Interpreter Translator Student Award for first and second year students enrolled in Nunavut Arctic College's interpreter translator diploma program is based on academic merit. One first-year student and one second-year student will each receive $1,000. Program instructors make the selections.
Andrea Duffy of Rankin Inlet, who completed the first-year course, and Lorraine Bolt, who completed her second year and graduated from the Inuinnaqtun interpreter translator diploma program are the first two recipients.
"NTI is fully committed to helping Inuktut thrive in our territory. I am so honoured to be able to support these students in their studies. They should be commended for the role they are playing in preserving our language and culture," stated Towtongie.
NTI also provides work placement practicums for students in the program, according to the release.
- Michele LeTourneau
Big money at fishing derby
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The dates, prizes and categories of the annual fishing derby in Rankin Inlet has been announced.
The Rankin derby for trout and cod will run from May 20 to 23, with a top prize of $5,000 in each category.
Arviat was scheduled to host its trout and Northern pike derby from May 12 to 15 with a top prize of $6,000 being offered in each category.
- Darrell Greer
Pangnirtung-raised artist screens film
Iqaluit
Myna Ishulutak, who grew up on the land at an outpost camp near Pangnirtung until her late teens, planned to screen her film Qipisa May 15 at the Astro Theatre in Iqaluit.
Qipisa is a documentary about a woman trying to find her roots.
In the movie, Ishulutak's journey home to Pangnirtung to be with her family leads her on another trip, to Qipisa, the outpost camp where she grew up.
A first cut of her film was premiered at the 2015 Alianait Arts Festival and has been shown in various venues around the North.
- Stewart Burnett
Baby born to Tootoos
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Rankin Inlet's own NHLer, Jordin Tootoo, recently of the New Jersey Devils and currently a free agent, became a father for the first time earlier this month.
A baby girl was born to Jordin and Jennifer Tootoo on May 4, weighing six pounds four ounces.
The name of the little girl has yet to be made public.
- Darrell Greer
More summer jobs for youth
Nunavut
Numbers in Nunavut and the rest of the country have soared in the number of employers interested in hiring students under the Canada Summer Jobs program.
In all, 36,833 applications have been received from employers, up from 28,352 last year.
Nunavut saw a 136 per cent increase, with 26 applications this year, compared to 11 applications last year.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced earlier in the year the government would be providing support to hire up to 70,000 students from across the country, twice as many as in 2015.
Canada Summer Jobs provides funding to not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create one or more summer job opportunities for young people who are full-time students intending to return to their studies in the next school year.
- Stewart Burnett
| 
