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Monday, July 25, 2016
LKFN seeks Treaty 11 signing location
The Liidlii Kue First Nation is trying to find where the 1921 signing of Treaty 11 took place in Fort Simpson.
"We do have a relationship with Canada and it is through the treaty relationship," Chief Gerald Antoine said. "We're researching the location of when this treaty site had occurred."
Antoine said he thinks having such information would be beneficial for when community tours are being done.
- Joseph Tunney
Free computer course in Nahanni Butte
Aurora College and the Nahanni Butte Dene Band are partnering to offer a free introduction to computers course in Nahanni Butte from Aug. 8 to Aug. 12, said Stephanie Betsaka, receptionist at the Nahanni Butte Dene band office.
The course aims to teach students basic computer maintenance, as well as how to check emails and how to safely research topics online. The course will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a location is still being determined, Betsaka said.
- Kassina Ryder
Elders and youth drawn together
A new summer program for youth aged 13 to 17 is starting up in Hay River Reserve the week of July 18, said recreation co-ordinator Sharon Pekok.
The program is scheduled to run for about five weeks and will include typical summer activities such as swimming, canoeing and nature hikes as well as cultural activities with elders.
Pekok said the goal is to encourage interaction between youth and elders through activities such as dry fish making, hand games lessons and traditional cooking over open fires.
Indoor activities will take place at the community gym.
- Kassina Ryder
Youth get lesson in archaeology
Youth in Kakisa are expected to participate in a traditional knowledge camp the week of Aug. 8, said Chief Lloyd Chicot.
Participants are expected to learn about traditional place names and look at some archaeological sites outside the community.
Elders are also expected to lead discussions on the history and significance of traditional place names.
"They'll explain the importance of the place names and why they're named that way," Chicot said.
- Kassina Ryder
Whati to host Mackenzie Youth Dene Games
Whati/Lac La Martre
Whati has been busy preparing for the Mackenzie Youth Dene Games, which are scheduled to take place in the community Aug. 8 to 11, said recreation co-ordinator Dan Acosta.
The games are open to communities throughout the region and have already garnered interest from youth in Fort Resolution, Lutsel K'e and Fort Providence, Acosta said.
The Mackenzie Recreation Association is helping to fund and organize the event, which is expected to include bow and arrow shooting, stick pull competitions and spear throwing.
Travellers from other communities will be given accommodations at Mackenzie Community School. Acosta said there is funding available through the Mackenzie Recreation Association to help with travel costs.
Anyone looking for more information can contact Acosta at the Whati Community Government Office.
- Kassina Ryder
Mowhi Trail Canoe journey aims to revive old travel routes
Behchoko/Rae-Edzo
A trip that aims to revive traditional routes from Behchoko to the barren lands is scheduled to begin Aug. 6, said organizer Petter Jacobsen.
The Mowhi Trail Canoe trip will have participants travel northeast of Behchoko into the barren lands.
The group will then follow the Snare Lake water system into Wekweeti.
In addition to re-establishing ancient canoe routes, participants will use GPS to plot significant sites, including old portages, cultural sites and graveyards, along the way.
Jacobsen said there is no fixed amount of time for the group's return, but said it should take about three weeks depending on weather and portage conditions.
The trip can accommodate about 24 individuals and Jacobsen said he encourages elders and those with knowledge about the area to apply.
Tony Rabesca, cultural practises manager with the Tlicho Government, is also organizing the trip, Jacobsen said.
The deadline to apply is July 25 and the trip is open to residents of Whati, Wekweeti, Behchoko and Gameti.
Anyone looking for more information can contact the Tlicho Government office in Behchoko.
- Kassina Ryder
Tulita's youngest bikers get safety training
Tulita/Fort Norman
A bike rodeo in Tulita on July 21 aimed to teach children the importance of bike safety, said recreation co-ordinator Archie Erigaktuk.
"We wanted to make sure everyone is familiar with overall safety of using a bike," he said.
Children aged five to 12 were invited to the Arthur Mendo Arena to learn about basic bike safety, including wearing a proper helmet and hand signals.
The rodeo began at about 1:30 p.m. and was a partnership between the recreation department, the RCMP and the community health centre, Erigaktuk said.
Kassina Ryder
Smith's Landing First Nation elects new chief
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Lorraine MacDonald has been elected chief of Smith's Landing First Nation.
MacDonald won a June 17 election involving five candidates for chief.
Four band councillors were also elected - Tony Vermillion, Thaidene Paulette, Frederick Daniels and Geronimo Paulette.
Nine people ran for council.
Smith's Landing First Nation has its reserve land in northern Alberta just south of Fort Smith.
Many of the band's members live in Fort Smith or just south of the NWT-Alberta border, and others live in Fort Fitzgerald, Alta., about 22 km south of Fort Smith.
- Paul Bickford
Fort Smith resident named to Hall of Fame
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Jane Dragon of Fort Smith was among those named to the NWT's Education Hall of Fame on June 23.
Dragon was the inductee for the South Slave.
"Acting as a key parent volunteer during the years her six children went through school, she could be counted on for field trips, teaching students about cooking traditional foods, skinning a muskrat, as well as travelling as a coach or a chaperone on numerous school trips and competitions," said Education, Culture and Employment Minister Alfred Moses in comments to the Legislative Assembly. "She has helped guide the development of Chipewyan resources in the community, has extensive traditional knowledge, and maintained an open house to any student that needed a place to stay or home-cooked meals."
The department launched the Education Hall of Fame in 2010 to recognize contributions made by various educators, volunteers, board members, administrators and other community members across the territory.
The other inductees this year were Sarah Jerome (Beaufort Delta), Valerie Gendron (Deh Cho), Vivian Pellissey (Sahtu), Jim Martin (Tlicho), and Rita Mueller (North Slave).
The Minister's Choice Award went to Muriel Tolley from Yellowknife.
- Paul Bickford
Lutsel K'e RCMP intercepts liquor
Lutsel K'e/Snowdrift
Lutsel K'e RCMP made a number of small seizures of liquor coming into the community over the three weeks covering late June and the first half of July.
In a July 15 news release, the RCMP say they seized 40 various-sized bottles of liquor, wine and beer, along with a Tropicana orange juice container filled with liquor.
Charges are pending under the NWT Liquor Act against four individuals from Lutsel K'e in connection with the seizures.
Lutsel K'e is a community where liquor is illegal under the NWT Liquor Act.
According to the RCMP, bootlegging has been an issue in the community and seizures of alcohol help curtail problems that come with the abuse of alcohol.
- Paul Bickford
Youth of the Peel expedition begins
Tsiigehtchic
The Youth of the Peel trip began on July 13, in Lake McClusky, Yukon, where participants journeyed into the Wind River, a part of the Peel Watershed.
The trip was created to promote and educate people about the protection of the Peel Watershed through "meaningful interactions on the land and first-hand experience," according to the mission statement on the Youth of the Peel Facebook page.
After five days of canoe training and leadership training in Mayo, Yukon, the crew of eight youth and two guides headed out on a three-week adventure to canoe all the way to Tsiigehtchic.
This is an annual opportunity for youth in the North to experience a no-trace, eco-tourism trip and explore the vastness of the North.
- Kaila Jefferd-Moore
Proposed action to protect marine area
Paulatuk
The federal government is reaching out for public opinion from the hamlet of Paulatuk on the potential plan to create 2,361 square kilometres of protected land in the Darnley Bay area.
It would protect the rights of the Inuvialuit hunters and trappers and allow them to continue hunting, trapping and fishing.
Oil and gas exploration and commercial harvesting that can devastate wildlife would be banned, protecting the wildlife and environment in the marine area proposed. The preservation plan would also continue to allow the passing of large ships through the waterway.
- Kaila Jefferd-Moore
Community fundraising for playground
Tetlit'zheh/Fort McPherson
The community of Fort McPherson is currently raising money for a new playground to be installed on the grounds of the Chief Julius School.
The playground will cost $80,000 including all materials and installation. The hamlet office is supporting the project by covering the cost of all the materials for the playground, and all the money being fundraised goes towards the cost of grooming the land before installation, as well as installing and building the structure.
"They'll send people up to install it, but we'll need volunteers in our community to step up and help out," said recreation co-ordinator Stephanie Peterson.
- Kaila Jefferd-Moore
Premiers oppose carbon tax
Whitehorse
Premier Peter Taptuna and his equivalents in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon released a joint statement July 21 against the implementation of a carbon tax.
The premiers say Canada's climate change goals must not negatively impact costs of living in the North, undermine food security or threaten emerging economies.
"A national approach to a proposed carbon tax has to take into account the unique nature of our Northern territories," stated Taptuna in a news release. "Nunavut is already the most expensive place to live and do business anywhere in Canada."
The premiers noted that all three territories are "doing their part," citing the pan-territorial adaption strategy.
- Stewart Burnett
Nunavut keeps top credit rating
Nunavut
Moody's Investors Service has reaffirmed the Government of Nunavut's credit rating of Aa1, saying it has a stable outlook.
"We are pleased to maintain our Aa1 rating," stated Finance Minister Keith Peterson in a news release.
That rating was first assigned to the Government of Nunavut in August 2012.
Moody's credit opinion pointed out the GN will face pressures primarily from increasing operating and infrastructure spending, as well as having a narrow and volatile economy with a dependence on the mining sector. However, it complimented the GN on its low debt burden and track record of consolidated surpluses.
- Stewart Burnett
Art from Finland part of exhibition
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
The Baker Lake health committee is currently hosting an art exhibition of work by 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.
- Cody Punter
Wind keeps boats off water
Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord
Although the ice has melted, strong wind has stopped most Grise Fiord residents from being able to enjoy the ocean so far this summer.
"We were waiting for the ice to melt and flow away this week and go boating but to our dismay it did flow away and melt away but as soon as it was gone, the water became rough because of the wind and we had very limited boating," said resident Larry Audlaluk.
Another hunter told him this summer might be a repeat of last year, with strong wind keeping the ocean too rough for travel.
That's not how it used to be, said Audlaluk. Using satellite imagery, he has been able to track ice around Grise Fiord. It used to be more of an even split of ice and open ocean. That allowed the ice to shield the water from wind. Now, Audlaluk estimated about 90 per cent of the ice is gone, leaving the water exposed to the wind.
"It gets rougher often," he said.
Ever optimistic, though, Audlaluk isn't writing off the summer just yet.
"It's too early to jump the gun and say it's not a good summer, because it's just starting," he said. "But the early indications don't look promising."
- Stewart Burnett
Community fights dust
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
The community of Cambridge Bay has a dust problem that can be traced back to a delivery malfunction.
"When we ordered the suppressant two years ago it was unloaded at Hope Bay as a result of the freeze up. After wintering at Hope Bay, the dust suppressant was then shipped to us on the last barge last year and remained in storage over the winter, ready to use this summer," stated the municipality.
"When it was time to apply the dust suppressant this year, our staff found out that it had solidified into a mass of crystal with a liquid layer on the top. It took some time to find out whether it was safe to use as a result of the separation and crystallization and if the little amount of liquid could be used."
New dust suppressant has been ordered and should be delivered by sealift this year.
Meanwhile, municipality staff tries to keep the roads watered via the water truck, but this quickly evaporates.
"They are currently adapting an old water truck so that it can be filled with salt water which when applied to the road surface is expected to last longer and form a type of seal on the road surface."
We will also apply what was salvageable from the frozen dust suppressant on the major roads over the next week."
- Michele LeTourneau
Five Nunavummiut apply to be astronauts
Nunavut
Five people from Nunavut have shown they have dreams of going into space, but there's still time for more to apply to the Canadian Space Agency's recruitment campaign.
The agency received 3,372 applications from across the country from June 17 to July 6.
Ontario led the way with 1,189 applicants. Nunavut had five, Northwest Territories seven and the Yukon six.
Sixty-nine per cent of applicants were men. Applications will close Aug. 15.
- Stewart Burnett
Elders asked to share legends
Nunavut
Plans are already in the works for Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq (Celebration of Inuktut) 2017.
The Department of Culture and Heritage wants to create a colouring book to help celebrate Inuit languages and culture. Last year the department announced that beginning with the 2016 celebration last February, Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq would last a full month each year.
The colouring book will include Inuit legends as told by elders. The department hopes they will receive entries from each Nunavut community. Submissions need to be easy to read, because the book will be targeted to the children aged between five and 12.
The winning submission will receive $350.
The deadline to submit is Aug. 12.
- Michele LeTourneau
Wildlife compensation fund launched
Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association was in Pond Inlet July 20 at the community hall to announce the official launch of the Mary River Wildlife Compensation Fund.
Established under Article 17 of the Mary River Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement, the fund recognizes that though the mine project will bring many opportunities and benefits to the Qikiqtaaluk region in the form of employment, education and wealth, it may also cause wildlife losses.
"I am delighted with the creation of the WCF," stated Olayuk Akesuk, executive committee member of QIA, in a news release. "Wildlife losses can have serious impacts on a family or a community. The WCF is a measure to protect the rights of Inuit, by establishing a policy and process, allowing compensation to mitigate any issues related to wildlife losses caused by the Mary River Project. I strongly encourage beneficiaries' victims of such incidents to file a claim."
- Stewart Burnett
Arctic film festival set for October
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
The Kivalliq Inuit Association will be hosting an Arctic film festival in Rankin Inlet this coming 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 by 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 in a news release.
- Cody Punter
Tents pitched
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
Rankin Inlet council discussed the possibility of purchasing an outdoor tent for community events in the wake of the extreme heat at the Nunavut Day celebrations earlier this
month.
"I'm just throwing that out there," said Coun. Selma Eccles, who raised the issue. "It was so hot on Nunavut Day."
SAO Justin Merritt said the hamlet used to have a tent but that after three years "the wind got at it and it was no good."
Coun. Kathleen Ivaluarjuk Merritt pointed out that the Alianait festival owns a very durable circus tent but that it costs $50,000 just to set it up every year.
"It's a pretty big cost," she said. "If Rankin had a festival that went on then it might be worth it."
The discussion concluded without a motion.
- Cody Punter
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