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Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Smoke prompts health advisory
A health advisory was issued Monday by the NWT chief public health officer for the whole territory because of wildfire smoke.
Smoke has resulted in varying levels of poor air quality, which the advisory states could last for weeks.
Exposure can result in sore eyes, tears, a cough and a runny nose and worsen pre-existing lung or heart disease. Children, pregnant women, seniors and those with chronic conditions like diabetes, lung or heart conditions are most at risk.
Those experiencing wheezing, chest discomfort or shortness of breath are advised to see a health care provider.
- Shane Magee
Three power outages in less than 72 hours
Yellowknife residents had to deal with three power outages over the weekend including two that temporarily halted the music and Folk on The Rocks. Friday's blackout began at 7:30 p.m. with full restoration of power occurring shortly after 8 p.m. according to Pam Coulter, spokesperson for the NWT Power Corporation. Saturday's outage happened at 7:45 p.m. and lasted about 10 minutes. A cause for those two blackouts was still being determined at press time. Another short blackout, in the early hours of Monday morning, was caused by lightning, according to Coulter.
- John McFadden
Ndilo sewage changes
The City of Yellowknife has issued a news release advising residents of changes to sewage pump-out service in Ndilo.
Kavanaugh Waste Removal Services will be the contractor handling the removal work in the community starting July 22 at 5 p.m.
The existing pumping schedule will be changed.
Starting Aug. 2, pump-out will take place on Tuesday and Friday instead of the current schedule of Monday and Thursday.
- Shane Magee
Gardening competition to start
Judging is set to begin in the city's annual community gardening competition. The City of Yellowknife has invited residents to enter the competition, which includes 12 categories from lawns, container gardens, rock gardens to vegetable gardens.
The deadline to enter is Friday with judging running from Monday to Wednesday next week.
- Shane Magee
b>Changes to Rankin flight schedule
Rankin Inlet
Canadian North and First Air will be changing their flight schedule for trips between Yellowknife, Rankin Inelt and Iqaluit next month.
As of Aug. 15 flights between the communities will be moved to Monday, Wednesday and Friday, instead of the current Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Canadian North's Boeing 737 will also be changing schedule with flights now taking place on Thursday instead of Monday.
The changes were made based on customer feedback with a view to better meeting the needs of corporate and leisure travelers.
"We're delighted to again be able to offer Monday, Wednesday and Friday services on this route, thanks to the immediate feedback given by our customers," stated Bert van der Stege, vice-president commercial at First Air in a new release.
"Throughout the first year of codesharing, we've always said that we take feedback very seriously. As long as desired changes can be implemented economically, we're always keen on improvements to better serve our customers," he said.
"The thrice weekly trans-Arctic flight offering is a critical link between our eastern and western route networks for both travellers and cargo customers," added Peter McCart, senior vice-president, scheduled service at Canadian North, in a news release.
"We are very pleased to better address customer needs by shifting to a Monday - Wednesday - Friday schedule."
Art exchange with Finland on display
Baker Lake
The Baker Lake health committee is currently hosting an art exhibition of work from students from Finland.
The works were acquired as part of an exchange between Baker Lake youth and students in Finland. The exhibition can be seen at the Tunganiq Building from 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. until July 29.
Youth are encouraged to make their own works of art, which will eventually be displayed at the Canadian embassy in Finland.
Art supplies are available at the Tunganiq Building.
Film festival coming to Rankin Inlet
Rankin Inlet
The Kivalliq Inuit Association will be hosting an Arctic film festival in Rankin Inlet this October.
The Inuit Ukiuqtaqtumi Tarrijausilliriniq-Arctic Peoples Film Festival will take place over three to four days beginning the week of Oct. 3.
The festival will showcase award winning films and documentaries of indigenous filmmakers from Greenland, Siberia, Alaska and Nunavut.
Immediately following the festival the community will host the Kivalliq Inuit Language Strategic workshop with a view to devising an Inuit language strategy for the region.
"We are all stakeholders of our language, and together we can do more to preserve our language and move forward with hope of preserving and revitalizing it," stated KIA president David Ningeongan.
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