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Monday, August 8, 2016
Furniture fire during Tuk standoff
A Tuk man barricaded himself in his house and then started setting furniture on fire, say police.
Tuktoyaktuk RCMP responded to a complaint on Aug. 3 of a man behaving in a manner "that indicated potential harm to people," the force said in a news release.
At 10:30 p.m., police were called to his home. He moved furniture to barricade the door and threatened officers.
He was seen to be in possession of an undescribed weapon.
The man then started lighting various pieces of furniture on fire.
There were no injuries after the three-hour standoff, police said in the release. Charges are pending against the man.
- James O'Connor
Health transfers cut
The territorial government has been told to expect smaller increases in health transfer payments from the federal government starting next year.
The Canada Health Transfer annual increase of six per cent will change as of April 1, according to the GNWT. For 2016-17, the territorial government received $44.1 million from the federal government to fund health care.
Spending on the Department of Health and Social Services is a quarter of the territory's budget, the largest of any department.
- Shane Magee
Super health board
The Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority joined five other health authorities in the Northwest Territories on Aug. 1 in being amalgamated into one super board.
The new Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority began operating on Aug. 1 as part of what the Department of Health and Social Services states is a "transformation" of the territory's health and social services system.
- Joseph Tunney
Landmark lost?
Secret talks to save the iconic Robertson Headframe in Yellowknife have failed.
Cabinet opted to not risk taking on the estimated $2 million liability for the 25-storey blue, white and red iconic structure at the former Con gold mine.
The GNWT "has determined after a lengthy review of options that it will not be preserving the Robertson Headframe," stated a July 29 news release.
Newmont Mining Corporation's subsidiary Miramar Northern Mining Ltd. has been carrying out remediation on the site since the mine closed in 2003, including demolition of existing structures.
- Shane Magee
Tlicho celebrates Tlicho
Agreement's 11th anniversary
Tlicho
Communities throughout the Tlicho region celebrated Tlicho Day last week.
The day commemorates the Tlicho Agreement coming into effect in 2005.
Events were scheduled to take place in Wekweeti on Aug. 4 and included egg toss contests, three-legged races and archery competitions, according to the Tlicho Government website.
In Whati, a barbecue was scheduled to take place, as well as traditional events for both adults and children. Behchoko events were expected to take place outside the community's Cultural Centre and included an all-day barbecue, dry fish making, duck plucking, tea boiling competitions and canoe races.
Gameti's events were scheduled to take place on Aug. 6 and were expected to include musical chairs, canoe races and games for youth and adults.
- Kassina Ryder
Deline to host annual
spiritual gathering
Deline/Fort Franklin
Deline's Annual Spiritual Gathering is scheduled to take place Aug. 11 to 16, said volunteer Gloria Gaudet.
This year's theme is Reviving Youth Through Dene Spirituality. Gaudet said while the theme is youth-based, the event isn't just for young people.
"It's for everybody, not just for youth," she said.
The five-day event is expected to include workshops, but details haven't yet been finalized, Gaudet said.
More information was expected to be posted on the community's Facebook page over the weekend.
- Kassina Ryder
Ramparts Rendezvous
to feature traditional fashion
in Fort Good Hope
Radilih Koe' /Fort Good Hope
The Ramparts Rendezvous in Fort Good Hope is scheduled to run from Aug. 12 to 14, said organizer Brenda T'Seleie Pierrot.
"The highlights this year are traditional fashion show and the canoe races," she said.
The weekend is scheduled to include a variety of traditional activities, including beaver fleshing and stretching, duck plucking and singeing, bannock making and tea boiling contests, as well as jigging contests.
The majority of the events are expected to take place at the community's baseball diamond.
T'Seleie Pierrot said she hopes people throughout the Sahtu region to attend.
"We welcome everybody throughout the Sahtu. We'll accommodate them and feed them," she said. "It will be a lot of fun."
- Kassina Ryder
Youth camp combines sports
and tradition in Wrigley
Pehdzeh Ki/Wrigley
Traditional activities will be included during a youth sports camp in Wrigley from Aug. 8 to 9, said recreation co-ordinator Brandon Moses.
The camp is expected to take place about two kilometres down river from the community. The goal is to include snaring, setting fish nets and other traditional activities in the camp's schedule, as well as typical camp activities such as swimming.
It will be open to children and youth age eight and older.
Moses said he is considering adding other activities, such as hand games and drumming, and possibly a feeding of the fire ceremony.
IPods and other devices won't be permitted on the trip, Moses also said.
- Kassina Ryder
Youth get lessons in research
during Kakisa Lake Youth Camp
Ka' A' Gee/Kakisa
Youth in Kakisa will be learning a variety of skills during the Kakisa Lake Youth Camp from Aug. 22 to Aug. 26, said Melaine Simba, environmental co-ordinator with the Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation.
Researchers with Wilfred Laurier University will be participating in the camp, teaching youth about their Dene place names mapping project, Simba said.
A group with the Aboriginal Aquatic Resources and Oceans Management Program (AAROM) will also be in the community teaching youth about their work.
"They're going to come out and show the kids how to do sampling," Simba said.
The camp will also include Geocaching activities, lessons on paddling safety and spending time on the land learning traditional skills with elders.
The camp is being offered through the Dehcho K'ehodi - Taking Care of the Deh Cho Stewardship program and is funded by the Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation and the Deh Cho First Nation.
- Kassina Ryder
Jean Marie River gets green thumb
Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
Community members in Jean Marie River were invited out to a gardening workshop on the afternoon of Aug. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m.
The workshop was designed to help gardeners learn about harvesting, re-planting, fertilization, mulching and weeding.
The 2016 Dehcho K'ehodi youth camp is set to run from Aug. 8 to 13 in Jean Marie River, thanks to a partnership between Jean Marie River First Nation and Dehcho First Nations, as well as the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
The camp will take place at Ekali Lake for youth ages 13 and older.
Youth will have a chance to learn about ecology and help to finalize Jean Marie River's Dene Place Names Mapping Project.
The community also wished a happy 81st birthday to Douglas Norwegian Sr. on Aug. 2, as well as a happy birthday to Gerald Grossetete on Aug. 4.
- April Hudson
August activities keep
Trout Lake residents busy
Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake
August is a busy month in Trout Lake with a variety of activities offered to youth and adults, said recreation co-ordinator Carielyn Jumbo.
During the week from 1 to 5 p.m., children and youth are invited to the recreation building to do arts and crafts activities before heading to the beach in good weather.
Other activities include going for walks, going blueberry picking and having bonfires, as well as just playing outside together. Indoor sports take place in the building's gym, Jumbo said.
Staying safe is a theme throughout all the activities, especially when around the water, she added.
Staff highlight the importance of being prepared and wearing proper safety equipment, including life jackets.
"We try to remind them about safety and how important it is," she said.
Adults are invited to visit the centre for coffee throughout the day.
From 7 to 9 p.m. there are activities for teens and adults, including meditation exercises. While it had been taking place every day, the program has been scaled back and will now take place on Friday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m.
- Kassina Ryder
Youth chase Dene Games
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Youth from Fort Providence are getting ready for the Mackenzie Youth Dene Games, which are being held in Whati from Aug. 8 to 12.
Fitness classes have been temporarily postponed until the beginning of the school year, when a new recreation schedule is expected to be posted.
- April Hudson
Working group members reviewed
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
Acho Dene Koe First Nation's leadership is reviewing candidates to join the ADK Land Use Plan Working Group.
Members involved with the working group will help to identify land use priorities as Acho Dene Koe First Nation moves toward land selection.
- April Hudson
Air quality warning lifted in Sanikiluaq
An air quality warning for Sanikiluaq was lifted last week after smoke cleared from a fire at the dump.
The Department of Health warned residents about possible exposure to smoke on July 27, following a fire at the wood disposal section of the community's dump.
By the time the warning was released, the fire had already been extinguished, but the smoke could still prove hazardous.
People with heart or lung diseases, asthma, the elderly, children and pregnant women were advised to limit possible exposure, and people were warned to stay indoors with the windows closed and seek medical attention if they experienced trouble breathing or tightness in the chest.
The Department of Health issued a release on Aug. 3 ending the air quality advisory.
"The fire has been successfully extinguished, and no smoke is present," the department stated.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
Inuit art going to Museum of Nature
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
Approximately 140,000 items from Nunavut's museum and archival collection are on their way to the Canadian Museum of Nature national collections facility in Gatineau, Quebec, a Government of the NWT spokesperson stated last week.
Currently housed at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife, the collection is to be transferred through a five-year lease agreement.
It includes Inuit ethnographic materials, archival holdings, natural history specimens and archaeology collections, including three kayaks, grave markers from the Franklin expedition found at Beechey Island and documents about the political development of Nunavut, stated Nunavut Department of Culture and Heritage communications officer Elizabeth Allakariallak-Roberts in a news release.
The transfer is scheduled to be completed next summer.
The items being transferred will be part of the Canadian Museum of Nature's new permanent gallery about the Arctic located on Ottawa. These materials will be used in exhibitions and outreach activities.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
Fellowship available for filmmakers
Whistler, B.C.
Aboriginal filmmakers from Nunavut are invited to apply for the Whistler Film Festival's Aboriginal Filmmaker Fellowship.
The three-day creative and business experience runs from Dec. 1 to 3, during the festival, and is designed to advance Canadian indigenous talent by strengthening short script projects with a group of mentors from the Canadian film community.
Six emerging indigenous Canadian film artists will be accepted with projects ranging from short films to webisodes and television pilots. Writers must be Canadian citizens and of aboriginal descent, and should apply with a short script in any genre. The deadline is Aug. 29.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
Muskox hunt helps daycare
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
The Cambridge Bay Childcare Society is the recipient of a donation thanks to a hunting trip.
A partnership between the Ekaluktutiak Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO) and Canada North Outfitting saw a guided muskox hunting trip sold during a fundraising event. The proceeds, $2,850, went to the society.
"The funds donated to our daycare center has helped us in purchasing supplies and running the day-to-day operations," said manager Ellie Mala.
The society, operating daycare services since 1990, currently have a staff of 12 people caring for 35 children between six months and six years.
The HTO board came up with the idea and chairperson Bobby Greenley approached Shane Black of Canada North Outfitting. The two have a long-standing working relationship.
"Not only do I find this to be a great idea and initiative for the community daycare," said Black. "I see this as being an annual fundraising event which we would fully support considering how the society is an integral part of day-to-day life in the hamlet of Cambridge Bay."
Black, while in attendance at the fundraising activity, then approached Greenley with the idea that Canada North Outfitting would purchase $2,500 worth of camping equipment and a locally made qamutik to raffled off to the community's hunting guides. Jimmy Haniliak won the qamutik.
- Michele LeTourneau
Community rides for fun and health
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
The health centre in Baker Lake held a bike rodeo July 26.
Community health representative Joan Killulark says the event was to help promote physical activity month.
"We had 63 people registered but after we took off I saw that people were joining," Killulark said. "I think it's safe to say we had about 70 people participating."
Participants travelled a loop of about a kilometer and a half.
Many people in the community also offered their help.
"The RCMP offered their help by tuning up bikes and leading the event," said Killulark.
The child and youth outreach worker and mental health consultant and other volunteers from the community also lent a helping hand.
- Michele LeTourneau
Hunting off to a slow start
Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord
Poor weather has put a damper on the summer hunting season in Grise Fiord.
High winds, choppy water and fog have effected hunters.
"Hunting has been very, very slow. Everything seems to be a really bad start for summer harvesting and having a summer break for being on the land," said Larry Audlaluk, speaking from the hamlet office. "Visibility is still quite poor."
Winds have been gusting steadily, ranging from five km/h to 24 km/h last week. Winds are forecast to reach 20 km/h this week as well.
"The hunting has started off being really slow with the water being so choppy and windy, and the winds have been really bad. We almost have to stay indoors when the wind is so strong," said Audlaluk.
"You know it's all probably part of the climate change. The weather's warm, when that happens, warm air, mixes with cold, you get winds."
Hunting isn't the only thing affected.
Audlaluk said air service to the community has been intermittent.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
Inuit centre gets boost
Winnipeg
The Winnipeg Art Gallery's planned Inuit Art Centre received a funding boost from the federal government Aug. 2.
The funding, provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, is for the construction of a new 40,000-square foot, four-storey building adjoining the gallery's current facility.
"This unique centre will showcase Inuit art, language and culture, bringing the wonders of the North down south and giving visitors an opportunity to learn more about this majestic part of Canada," stated Canadian Heritage Minister Melanie Joly in a news release.
The project will include the construction of exhibition spaces, a glass-enclosed visible art vault, closed art storage, a conservation facility, art studios, a two-level interactive presentation theatre and classrooms.
The glass-walled visible art vault will engage people of all ages by making the gallery's extensive Inuit carving collection viewable from the street, states the news release.
The Winnipeg Art Gallery, established in 1912, holds the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world, with more than 13,000 carvings, drawings, prints, textiles and new media.
Also, the centre will offer ongoing education in Inuit history, culture and art, in partnership with Inuit, the release stated.
- Michele LeTourneau
Mould spotted at airport
Iqaluit
Starting on Aug. 5, passengers leaving Iqaluit can expect congestion in the airport because a portion of it is sealed off after mould was discovered in the ceiling
cavity.
Heavy rainfall at the end of July led to the discovery in the roof of the airport's security area, which will temporarily be closed while the area is sealed off.
A news release from the Government of Nunavut states the mould does not pose a risk to the safety and well-being of passengers or staff, and that evacuation ventilation will be installed to prevent any indoor air quality problems during remediation.
Travellers on flights to Ottawa or Montreal will be accommodated in a temporary security room before boarding, and passengers are advised to expect congestion where the temporary security line-up is located near the oversize baggage screening area. Repairs are expected to be completed by Aug. 19.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
Cut fibre-optic line disrupts services
Nunavut
Online services were disrupted and Northwestel customers across Nunavut were out of touch for at least six hours on Aug. 1.
Northwestel customers across the territory, as well as the Yukon and the Mackenzie Delta, lost access to broadband data, long distance and cellular services. Additionally, Northwestel TV customers across the North experienced disruptions to their service.
Northwestel stated in a news release that the cause of the disruption was a cut to the fibre line by a third-party construction team in the area between Liard Hot Springs and Muncho Lake in British Columbia.
This isn't the first time this has happened - last September, the fibre line was cut by construction crews near Watson Lake. That outage only effected the Yukon, but Northwestel admitted at the time that the line is vulnerable.
While most service is provided to Nunavut communities by satellite, there is still some information that goes through the hub in Whitehorse. Nunavut RCMP released a statement asking residents to go in person to their local police detachment or officers' residences if they weren't able to report emergencies by phone during the outage.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
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