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Monday, June 13, 2016
North Slave hydro power study tabled
A study on the North Slave hydroelectric power system found that the system is still the best option for producing electricity, even when water levels are low, says the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Last year, low water levels meant 55 per cent of power was being generated via the hydroelectric system while the remaining 45 per cent was being provided by diesel.
Even though diesel was powering the system almost half the time, customers wouldn't save money by switching to another form of energy, according to a press release.
"Any new generation, including biomass, wind, and solar, will go unused most of the time and will add unnecessary expenses to customers' bills through rate increases," the press release stated.
When water levels are normal, the energy produced by the North Slave Hydro system is enough to service outlying communities.
"This study has shown us that the North Slave Hydro system is resilient. During normal water years, the North Slave Hydro system has surplus renewable energy that serves the needs of Yellowknife, Behchoko, Dettah, and Ndilo," the release stated.
"The GNWT has accepted the recommendations in the report and has proposed resources to address hydrology monitoring in the 2016-17 budget currently being debated in the Legislative Assembly."
Manitoba Hydro International conducted the study, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on June 8.
- NNSL staff
New Health Centre in Hay River
The newly constructed Hay River Regional Health Centre was scheduled to officially open on June 11.
An opening ceremony was expected to begin at about 2 p.m.
The new centre replaces the HH William Memorial Hospital, which was opened in 1965.
The new facility is home to a variety of medical services, including a dialysis unit, midwifery services and and operating room.
Construction, which began in March 2013, was estimated to cost about $50 million. It is expected to be open for about 50 years.
"This new regional health centre will play an important role for residents of Hay River and nearby communities as a provider of care and a centre families can go to receive treatment and care they need," Glen Abernethy, minister of health and social services, said in a media release.
"It will serve generations of Northerners."
- Kassina Ryder
Ice suddenly heaves onto shore in Deline
Deline/ Fort Franklin
Deline residents could only stand and watch as huge chunks of ice from Great Bear Lake suddenly began to heave onto the shore, threatening snowmobiles, boats and structures, said resident Rita Betsidea.
"It was really unexpected and it was too soon for this time of the year," she said. "Everybody kind of panicked. Luckily for us it just kind of stopped at the shore."
The ice suddenly broke free and began piling up on the shoreline on June 2.
Only a few days before, an annual fishing derby meant many members of the community had been standing and fishing on the ice, Betsidea said.
Though the ice reached teepees and a warehouse on the shoreline, nothing was damaged.
"It was scary, but nothing was knocked down," Betsidea said.
Great Bear Lake doesn't normally break up until later in the month, she added.
"The ice usually moves in the middle of June or the end of June," she said. "This was way too early for the ice to be raised up like that."
- Kassina Ryder
Jean Wetrade Gameti School gets digital
Gameti/Rae Lakes
Students at Jean Wetrade Gameti School know all about pixels and how digital images are stored after participating in a recent learning exercise, said teacher Cameron Gee.
Students in Grades 6 to 9 recreated the image of a Tlicho flag by making their own pixels out of standard-sized sheets of paper. The activity was part of a unit about lights and optical systems.
"As a class, we made all the individual pixels and then we got a small picture of a Tlicho flag and we figured out how many pixels we would need and where they would go," Gee explained.
"Then we made a grid on the big sheet of paper and figured out where each pixel would go then we laid it all out just like a computer would."
The end result was a larger version of the photo of the Tlicho flag, which was put on display in the school gym.
Gee said it took about two weeks to determine where each pixel needed to be and to assemble the final image.
The activity was a great way to learn about how digital images are stored and transferred, Gee said.
"They thought it was really cool and now when I ask them about high resolution pictures compared to low resolution pictures or what a pixel is or how a computer transmits an image, they can tell me everything," he said.
It was also a lesson in patience, Gee added.
"The main one we learned was perseverance," he said. "We just pushed through and at the end they were really happy with what they had done."
- Kassina Ryder
Behchoko gets ready for Aboriginal Day
Behchoko/Rae-Edzo
National Aboriginal Day is expected to be busy in Behchoko this year, according to the schedule of events.
Activities are expected to begin at 10 a.m. with a pancake breakfast before a parade begins around noon. Prizes ranging from $100 to $200 will be presented to the winners of the best float, with cash prizes also presented to the owners of the best-decorated bicycles.
A community barbecue is scheduled to take place at about 1 p.m. and will be followed by outdoor games at the Cultural Centre. Games are scheduled to include blindfolded pudding feeding and balloon popping games, as well as more traditional events such as tea boiling, duck plucking and dry fish making.
Youth activities are scheduled to begin at about 3 p.m. outside the Cultural Centre and are expected to include duck plucking, nail pounding and a piggy back race.
The day will also feature canoe races, which are expected to begin at about 4 p.m.
A feast is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. and hand games will follow at the Arbour at 6 p.m.
The day will finish with a drum dance at the Cultural Centre at about 8 p.m.
- Kassina Ryder
Norman Wells to hold first farmers' market
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
Norman Wells is gearing up for its first ever Farmers' Market and Arts and Crafts fair at the end of August, said Nicky Richards, economic development officer.
The fair is scheduled to take place on Aug. 27 at the Norman Wells Historical Centre.
Richards said she hopes to make it an annual event.
"We've never had a farmers' market here," she said.
The goal is to provide space for Norman Wells residents and people from other communities to come and sell anything from baked goods and homegrown vegetables to jewelry and other crafts, Richards said.
"Im trying to put it out there that any idea is a good idea," she said. "The more the merrier."
Tables are free and people are being asked to register by about Aug. 12. Richards said she is hoping to find someone who can sell food to customers throughout the afternoon as well.
"If someone wants to come and sell caribou stew or something like that, that would be great," she said.
Richards said she also hopes to have games, such as pie-eating contests, as well as live music.
Anyone looking for more information or to reserve a table can contact Richards at the Sahtu Business Development Centre in Norman Wells.
- Kassina Ryder
Northern legend honoured
Inuvik
Fred Carmichael, legendary pilot and Inuvik community leader, is to be inducted into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame this week.
Carmichael was selected for the honour for his accomplishments as an aviation entrepreneur, search and rescue pilot and pioneer aboriginal commercial pilot.
The ceremony will take place on June 9 in Ottawa at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. Guests from all over the country are expected to be in attendance. Other inductees include Kathleen Carol Fox, William Ross Lennox, and Beverley Strahan Shenstone.
In December, when the award was announced, Carmichael said he did not envy the selection committee's task.
"A lot of people out there deserve it," he said. "The way I look at it, it wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the people around me. I'm accepting on behalf of everyone who supported me."
- Sarah Ladik
Acrylic painting workshops in Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Acrylic painting workshops will be taking place this month at Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre in Fort Smith.
Intermediate workshops will take place on June 17, 18 and 19.
The instructor will be Landon Peters of Yellowknife.
The workshops will be for those 16 years of age and older. Space is limited to 10 people per class.
No previous experience is necessary.
More information, including on the fee, can be obtained by contacting Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre.
- Paul Bickford
Youth summer soccer planned
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Youth summer soccer will begin late this month in Fort Smith.
Games will be on Wednesdays from June 29 to Aug. 10.
It will be divided into three different age categories - six years and under, seven to 10 year olds, and 11 to 14 year olds.
The youth summer soccer is being presented by the Town of Fort Smith.
More information, including on the fee, can be obtained by contacting the Fort Smith Recreation and Community Centre.
- Paul Bickford
Fort Smith Seniors' Society to hold its AGM
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Fort Smith Seniors' Society is planning its annual general meeting.
It will be held on June 17, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the Seniors Room at the Fort Smith Recreation and Community Centre.
- Paul Bickford
Tsiigehtchic trains firefighters
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
Tsiigehtchic's future firefighters were expected to participate in a fitness test on June 8 to determine this summer's firefighting crew, said Martin Callaghan, manager of forests with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Participants have to pass the WFX Fit Test to be eligible to take basic firefighting training. The goal is to train enough Type 2 firefighters to form a community firefighting crew based in Tsiigehtchic.
Participants had to complete the test in under 17 minutes and 30 seconds, Callaghan said.
"That is a bonafide part of the job. Anyone who doesn't pass that test will not proceed to the next level of training," he said.
Callaghan said becoming a trained firefighter is a great employment opportunity.
"We will need three or four people for that crew and then they will make up the fire crew for the season," he said. "This is a permanent seasonal position. They will be hired and re-hired every year."
Those who passed were expected to begin firefighter training on June 9 and 10.
The program will be carried out in other communities throughout the Beaufort Delta, Callaghan said.
- Kassina Ryder
Aklavik gets gardening
Aklavik
Ray Solotki, executive director of the Inuvik Community Greenhouse, will be visiting communities throughout the Beaufort Delta to deliver gardening workshops this month.
A workshop is scheduled to take place at Moose Kerr School in Aklavik on June 13.
The goal is to teach gardeners how to make plants thrive in small spaces, Solotki said.
Participants are also expected to learn how to prepare garden plots, how to transplant and care for plants, as well as how to manage a community greenhouse.
Solotki said she will be using information from the Northern Farm Training Institute to help guide the workshops.
Workshops began in Tsiigehtchic on June 6 and Fort McPherson on June 7. They were scheduled to take place in Tuktoyaktuk on June 16, Paulatuk on June 22, Ulukhaktok on July 4 and Sachs Harbour on July 5.
Anyone looking to participate is asked to contact the garden society in their community.
- Kassina Ryder
Mangilaluk School students walk through history
Tuktoyaktuk
Mangilaluk School students participated in a KAIROS Canada Blanket Exercise on June 7 and 8, said teacher Julie Donahue.
KAIROS is a faith-based organization that promotes social justice, according to its website. The Blanket Exercise workshop has students play the roles of indigenous people throughout the past 500 years.
Narrators represent European colonizers as students stand on blankets that represent land. Throughout the workshop, students travel through time as they learn about pre-colonization up to present day, including the residential school system.
"It's teaching the students and whoever is participating about aboriginal history in Canada, but using props," Donahue said.
High school students participated in the workshop on June 7 and junior high students were expected to participate on June 8.
- Kassina Ryder
Gunshots hit house, vehicle
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
RCMP in Pond Inlet responded to a report of shots fired outside a residence at the 1100 block in Pond Inlet at 3:30 a.m. June 6.
Upon arrival, police found what appeared to be bullet holes in a vehicle and the front window of a residence near where the vehicle was parked.
Police stated there were several people in and around the vehicle and inside the home. There were no injuries and the investigation is ongoing.
"The RCMP would also like to inform the community that there is no known risk to public safety at this time," stated Const. Lurene Dillon in a news release.
Pond Inlet RCMP have charged Jamie Ootoovak, 27, with eight charges, including discharging a firearm with intent to endanger life, careless use of a firearm, assault and failure to comply with a probation order.
- Stewart Burnett
Community hall needs generator
Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord
Quttiktuq MLA Isaac Shooyook told the legislative assembly June 1 that his community's newly constructed community hall is still missing its required generator, which didn't arrive on last year's sea lift.
"Grise Fiord's community members have expressed concern and some frustration that this critical component of the hamlet office/community hall complex has been overlooked," he told the assembly through an interpreter.
He encouraged the government to ensure a new generator for the facility will be included in this summer's sea lift.
The community hall portion of the project was intended to provide a recreation area and place for community meetings and be a safe shelter during an emergency.
- Stewart Burnett
Woman charged with assault
Iqaluit
Iqaluit RCMP responded to a complaint of an alleged assault with a weapon at a residence at 10:30 a.m. June 5.
"When responders arrived on scene they noted a female with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries," stated Const. Lurene Dillon in a news release. "The victim was transported to a local medical facility for further treatment and has since been released."
The investigation lead to the arrest of 37-year-old Iqaluit woman who has been charged with assault with a weapon and is scheduled to appear in territorial court July 21.
- Stewart Burnett
Hamlet administrator charged with fraud
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
Baker Lake senior administrative officer Dennis Zettler is facing three charges after being arrested in the Kivalliq hamlet this past month.
In a news release, police stated a local resident called the Baker Lake RCMP detachment to report a theft from his residence on May 27.
A large sum of money was then discovered within the residence during the course of the investigation.
As a result of the investigation, the 64-year-old Zettler, who has been Baker Lake's SAO for the past 22 years, was charged with one count each of criminal breach of trust, theft over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.
Zettler is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Baker Lake on July 18.
The RCMP stated their investigation into the matter is ongoing.
- Darrell Greer
Language commissioner resigns
Iqaluit
Language Commissioner of Nunavut Sandra Inutiq has resigned effective June 3, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly George Qulaut announced on the first day of the spring sitting May 30.
Inutiq has cited health reasons for her departure, one year in advance of her term ending.
Qulaut announced Inutiq's resignation after tabling two reports from Inutiq's office: the 2014-2015 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut and Languages Commissioner of Nunavut's Systemic Investigation Report - Investigation into the Qikiqtani General Hospital's Compliance with the Official Languages Act.
The hospital investigation led to the conclusion that "language barriers may result in misdiagnoses, medical errors, lengthy delays and often improper medication in treating pain."
Qulaut thanked Inutiq for her service and noted an invitation for applications for the position of language commissioner position would be issued in the near future.
- Michele LeTourneau
Counterfeit money warning
Iqaluit
Police in Iqaluit are warning the community to watch out for counterfeit currency.
As of June 2, the RCMP had received three reports of counterfeit currency used during transactions at local businesses.
The notes seized were in the form of $10 and $20 bills.
The RCMP advise contacting police if you come across what you think might be a counterfeit note.
- Stewart Burnett
Elder braves blizzard to win prize
Iglulik
She loves to jig so much, an Iglulik elder ignored a blizzard to remain in her on-ice tent over the Victoria Day weekend.
And the Iglulik elder's perseverance paid off. Atuat Akittirq won the $500 top prize for five heaviest fish and a prize $250 for the heaviest Arctic char at the Iglulik Recreation fishing derby May 24.
"She loves to jig during this time of year," said recreation committee chair Ilisapi Angutimarik, explaining that Akittirq and her family and an elder friend set up camp on the lake for the weekend.
"Our weather was not so good," Angutimarik said. "Doing her hobby and trying to win the first prize, she said that even during the blizzardy times, she wouldn't stop jigging."
Between 100 and 150 residents attended the recreation derby.
The heaviest fish weighed in at 0.622 kilograms, with the size limited by the fact it was caught in a lake.
Larger fish were expected to be caught the following weekend during a derby organized by the alcohol education committee in the waters further from the community. The top prize in that derby was set at $10,000.
- Casey Lessard
Winter fishery celebrated
Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung
Pangnirtung's winter fishery brought in roughly 667,000 pounds of turbot and $756,000 in revenue to fishers and helpers, the legislative assembly was told June 1.
The winter turbot fishery began Feb. 3 and ended in the beginning of May.
"If historical conditions prevailed, the fishery as in the past would have started in January and ended at the end of May, but due to climate change the season keeps getting shorter and this is obvious to us," Pangnirtung MLA Johnny Mike told the legislative assembly through an interpreter June 1.
He said the fishery provides a tremendous boon to Pangnirtung and creates employment opportunities in the fish plant.
"This year, the amount of the catch helped to create 35 positions in the fish plant to process the fish," he said.
- Stewart Burnett
Youth centre summer camps starting
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
Youth in Kugluktuk are gearing up for summer day camps, and organizers have a fun summer planned.
"They will be doing anything from canoeing, swimming, crafts, to multi-sports," youth co-ordinator Alison Harper said, adding the youth will gather each Friday at Heart Lake for a barbecue. "They will be offered healthy lunches and snacks (every) day."
The camp runs for seven weeks from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and up to 40 participants will be split by age under the supervision of five leaders.
It's the second year for the program, which has some funding from the Government of Nunavut and Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut.
However, the program still costs parents $35 per child per week, or $45 with lunch.
"Our goal is to try to keep it cheaper than day care, but the funding we got didn't cover everything we applied for," Harper said.
- Casey Lessard
Summer camp dates set
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The registration date for this year's annual youth summer camp has been set for June 15 at the Rankin Inlet Youth Centre.
The registration fee is $60 per child, aged five to 10 years.
The camp is scheduled to run from June 20 to Aug. 10.
Only a child's parent or legal guardian may register them for one of the camp's limited spots.
- Darrell Greer
Nominations open for Order of Nunavut
Nunavut
The Order of Nunavut Advisory Council is calling for nominations for the territory's highest honour, the Order of Nunavut.
Anyone can nominate someone they think has made "outstanding contributions to the cultural, social or economic well-being of Nunavut," stated the advisory council in a May 31 news release. The council includes Speaker George Qulaut, Nunavut Court of Justice Senior Judge Robert Kilpatrick and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated president Cathy Towtongie, who will recommend members for confirmation by Commissioner Nellie Kusugak.
Nominations must be submitted by Aug. 31, with an investiture ceremony later in the year.
Currently, the Order has 12 members. Tagak Curley, William Lyall and Father Robert Lechat were invested last year.
- Casey Lessard
Contest winner sharing tickets
Iqaluit
Sarah Maniapik, who won First Air's "Amazing 40" contest to win 40 tickets between Iqaluit, Montreal and Kuujjuaq, said she has given out a little more than half of the tickets so far to deserving people across Nunavut.
"I had an overwhelming response from the Baffin region," she wrote in a Facebook update.
She is now concentrating on finding people in the Nunavik region.
Maniapik called it an interesting, humbling process.
"We have many beautiful, selfless people in our communities," she stated. "We also have some amazing people who have overcome so much and are so giving and are just all around incredible human beings."
- Stewart Burnett
Scholarship deadline nears
Nunavut
The Qulliq Energy Corporation has opened the application process for a $5,000 scholarship named in honour of Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier.
"Like the many deserving students awarded this scholarship, Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier was an outstanding role model. She acted as a key contributor in creating the locally managed electrical utility that is QEC, and in achieving her goals, she developed the foundation of the corporation," said George Hickes, minister responsible for Qulliq Energy, in the legislative assembly last week.
"With the annual scholarship, we hope to help a deserving student in pursuing their goals of completing post-secondary studies. QEC is a proud advocate of furthering education for Nunavummiut."
Gauthier died 16 years ago of a brain aneurysm in her sleep at the age of 30, and she continues to be recognized as being a leader in Nunavut.
The scholarship is for students enrolled in post secondary education who demonstrate a strong academic record and outstanding community involvement.
The application deadline is June 30.
- Michele LeTourneau
Students get technology boost
Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island
Qikiqtarjuaq classrooms, along with some in Tasiujaq, Nunavik, got a technology boost with the introduction of 60 educational tablets provided by One Laptop per Child Canada and TD Bank Group.
The tablets came designed with learning in mind and feature more than 100 preloaded educational apps and books.
Students have access to cultural content highlighting aboriginal languages and literature, as well as information on the history of the residential school system and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report.
The technology rollout began in January with a donation of 90 tablets to schools in Pangnirtung and Pond Inlet.
- Stewart Burnett
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