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Monday, September 12, 2016
Drug raid nets money, marijauna and a man
A man was arrested in Inuvik after RCMP executed a search warrant on Sept. 8.
Police seized approximately 900 grams of marijuana, a "significant" amount of cash and drug trafficking paraphernalia, said a news release.
It was part of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking in the town, police said.
- James O'Connor
Abandoned house blaze suspicious
RCMP are investigating a suspicious fire in an abandoned house in Fort Good Hope.
Firefighters tried to contain the blaze, called in at 12:10 a.m. Sept. 7, but flames fully engulfed the house, said an RCMP news release.
Should anyone have any information regarding this investigation, they can contact RCMP at 867-598-1111.
- James O'Connor
Hunter missing
A search-and-rescue operation to find a missing Fort McPherson man was underway last week, according to a news release from the RCMP.
Lanny Stewart, 37, left on a hunting trip from James Creek at about 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 5.
He told other hunters at the camp to expect him back that evening, but he didn't return.
Stewart was wearing a hoodie, jeans, a baseball cap and a yellow and black snowmachine jacket and was driving a blue Yamaha 350 quad. He had a hunting rifle and was carrying extra fuel.
Anyone with information is being asked to call Fort McPherson RCMP at 867-952-1111.
- Kassina Ryder
GNWT service delivery probed
The Auditor General of Canada is probing how the territorial government assists communities in providing essential services such as fire protection in a report due to be released this fall.
The federal watchdog investigates spending and the effectiveness of programs, often resulting in reports with recommendations to fix issues.
The auditor general typically examines federal programs, though it also creates reports for the territorial governments. The report will likely be tabled mid-October in the legislative assembly.
- Shane Magee
Electronics collection event in Resolution
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
A collection of old electronic items will take place in Fort Resolution on Sept. 13.
Items that can be submitted for recycling include computers and servers, TVs and monitors, printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, batteries and more.
This will be a collection of items that contain harmful materials that are best kept out of landfills and recycled safely. They contain metals that can be reused. There are no refunds for the items.
The collection will take place from noon to 6 p.m. at the recycling depot operated by Rocky Lafferty.
- Paul Bickford
Pool shuts down for a month
Inuvik
The community pool has shut down for September as part of the town's annual maintenance program.
"We drain the pool, give the liner a good clean, fix any broken tiles that have popped out, give everything a good once-over and then fill it up again and get ready to go for October," said aquatic supervisor Mike Scott.
Attendance at the pool this summer was fairly close to usual, he said.
- Sarah Ladik
Registration night approaches
Inuvik
Community members will have the opportunity to check out the offerings for recreation activities, clubs and groups at the Midnight Sun Complex community hall Sept. 23.
"It's an evening for people to come to the rec centre and source activities to sign up to," said recreation co-ordinator Stevenson Krug.
Those activities cover a wide range of options, from Girl Guides to quilting, search and rescue and more.
Krug said there could be 15 or more community groups setting up in the hall to network with parents or others and help them find out what activities are going on.
The event runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Sarah Ladik
Get Active grants available
Inuvik
Physically active residents have a chance to receive some grants this year since the NWT Recreation and Parks Association is now accepting applications for its 2016 Get Active program.
The program encourages people to apply for funding to put on physically active events in their community during the following year.
In 2016/17, more than 6,600 Northerners participated in 183 Get Active events in 28 communities.
"I encourage community groups to host community physical activity events," stated Geoff Ray, executive director of the association, in a news release.
"Physical activity is shown to improve both mental and physical well-being, so get active, NWT."
The program is a partnership between the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and First Air.
It grants successful organizations $750 to organize and deliver three community-oriented physical activity events or $1,000 for three elders events.
To be eligible for funding, the events are required to be free and open to the public.
The deadline for applications is Oct. 6.
- Sarah Ladik
Mangilaluk School welcomes new teachers
Tuktoyaktuk
There are a few new faces in the halls of Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk this year, said principal Krista Cudmore.
Aman Haj-Touama is the new Grade 2 teacher and Heather Crichlow is teaching the Grade 4/5 class.
Louis Cormier is teaching the Grade 7/8 class and Austin Abbott is the new career and technology studies teacher.
Alex Timmons is teaching physical education and Debbie Redden-Cormier is now the program support teacher.
"We welcome all the staff and students and we look forward to a great year," Cudmore said.
"We're also welcoming parents and community members to come in and see all the exciting activities happening at the school."
- Kassina Ryder
White Fox Jamboree a success in Sachs Harbour
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
This year's White Fox Jamboree events attracted big crowds in Sachs Harbour, said Adella Carpenter, the community's finance officer and a member of the White Fox Jamboree committee.
The jamboree ran from Aug. 26 to 28 and highlights included a pancake breakfast, Arctic sports, talent contests and a goose-calling competition.
"It was really a good turnout this year," Carpenter said.
This year, the hamlet formed a seven-member committee to help raise funds, as well as to organize and run events.
- Kassina Ryder
Dizzy Daze in Aklavik
Aklavik
The annual Dizzy Daze celebrations were scheduled to begin on Sept. 2, according to the community's Facebook page.
All events were expected to take place at the Sittichinli Recreational Complex and included carnival games for children from 7 to 9 p.m. followed by Casino games for adults over 19-years old. The events were scheduled to run until Sept. 4.
- Kassina Ryder
Chief Paul Niditchie School goes berry picking
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
Students and staff at Chief Paul Niditchie School walked to the community's camp outside to pick berries and learn about medicinal plants from elders Irene Kendo and Greta Villebrun on Sept. 2, principal Sonia Gregory stated in an e-mail to News/North.
Students spent the afternoon picking berries and plants before enjoying a picnic lunch together.
- Kassina Ryder
Power savings in Jean Marie River
Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
The Arctic Energy Alliance will be in Jean Marie River from Sept. 12 to 14 to assist with installing LED lights on some buildings in the community.
On Sept. 13 and 14, the alliance will be holding a solar celebration and ice-cream party over the lunch hour in celebration of Jean Marie River's new six-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system, which was installed at the Jean Marie River First Nation water treatment plant.
- April Hudson
Chief and councillor attend special meeting
Liidlii Kue First Nation
Chief Gerald Antoine and Coun. Ernest Cazon spent three days in Brandon, Man., from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 for the Treaties 1-11 Special Meeting to discuss citizens, leadership and the Indian Act.
Hosted by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, some of the discussion topics in the agenda included a presentation from youth, a session on decolonization, empowerment and self-government, and a discussion on sovereignty and self-determination.
Delegates were encouraged to bring sacred staffs, flags, headdresses, sacred bundles and pipes.
- April Hudson
17-year-old's body found in pond
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
A 17-year-old man who had been reported missing was found dead in a pond near Gjoa Haven during the afternoon of Sept. 2, RCMP stated in a news release.
Police were notified that the youth was missing earlier in the day and a search party was organized within the community.
The teen was last seen in the community on Sept. 1.
RCMP Sgt. David Lawson said the matter is still under investigation and further information will be released once available.
"The Gjoa Haven RCMP are working with the Office of the Chief Coroner in the investigation. The coroner has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death," Lawson stated.
- Beth Brown
Tankers deliver annual fuel supply
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Two tanker barges anchored off the coast of Cambridge Bay were delivering the hamlet's annual fuel supply beginning Sept. 5.
Jamie Taipana of Kitnuna Petroleum Ltd. asked residents to be aware of hoses running from the fuel tankers to shore.
He said while buoys mark the hoses "we recommend people keep at least 500 feet from the hoses and ships."
Because multiple tankers arrived to unload the liquid cargo, hoses are not only running from ship to shore but also between the ships, which can impact marine traffic.
Offloading took place at the Qulliq Energy Corporation facility and the fuel tank farm.
"For those curious of our fuel numbers being transferred, Qulliq Energy Corporation received 2,800,000 litres of diesel in approximately 26 hours. The GN Tank Farm is scheduled to receive 8,000,000 litres of diesel, 1,5000,000 litres of gasoline and 2,700,000 litres of Jet A Fuel, for a total of 15,000,000 litres for this year."
Marla Limousin, senior administrative officer for the Hamlet of Cambridge Bay, said, "The amount of fuel is pretty amazing, what they load into the communities."
- Beth Brown
Youth charged with arson
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
A Kugluktuk youth has been arrested and charged with arson and breach of probation under the Youth Criminal Justice Act in relation to a Sept. 1 warehouse fire at the Co-op store in Kugluktuk, stated RCMP Const. Lurene Dillon Sept. 7 .
The youth has been remanded and remains in custody until a Sept. 27 court date, police stated.
Damage to the warehouse, located next to the Arctic Co-Operatives store, is estimated at $115,000. The building was being used as unheated storage for general merchandise like clothing.
The arrest was due in part to public support of the police investigation, Dillon stated.
- Beth Brown
Inquest scheduled into infant's death
Kinngait/Cape Dorset
An inquest ordered by then-justice minister Paul Okalik last February into the 2012 death of infant Makibi Olayuk Timilak has been scheduled to take place in Cape Dorset from Nov. 22 to 25.
"Pursuant to the Coroners Act, an inquest's purpose is to determine the identity of the deceased; the date, time and place of death; the cause of death; the manner of death; and, the circumstances under which the death occurred," stated coroner's lawyer Amy Groothuis in a news release.
Nunavut's chief coroner Padma Suramala appointed Garth Eggenberger of Yellowknife to preside over the inquest. Eggenberger is the former Chief Coroner of the NWT and has presided over a number of coroner's inquests in both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
"The inquest's ultimate goal is to bring out the facts relating to the circumstances of the death in a fair and balanced way and allow the jury to make useful and practical recommendations that may prevent similar deaths," stated Groothuis.
In her independent review report titled A Journey Through Heartache, released in December 2015, retired lawyer Katherine Peterson stated the parents deserve to have a full inquest carried out surrounding the death of their child.
Suramala denied requests for an inquest in June 2015.
"The varying reports of the chief coroner as to the cause of death of Baby Makibi has left the community of Cape Dorset uncertain as to the facts, medical opinions, distrustful and angry," Peterson stated in her report.
"Various versions of events at the time have emerged, leaving a situation of conflicting facts. These conflicting facts and medical opinions are best addressed by a formal inquest in the community regarding the death of Baby Makibi."
- Michele LeTourneau
Shooting death to be examined
Iglulik
Chief coroner Padma Suramala has confirmed a mandatory inquest into the shooting death of Felix Taqqaugaq in Iglulik will go ahead in that community from Nov. 1 to 10.
"The purpose of this inquest is to explore the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Felix Taqquagaq who died in Iglulik on March 20, 2012 following a confrontation with RCMP members," stated Suramala in a news release.
Suramala first announced in April 2015 her office would be moving forward with an inquest into Taqqaugaq's death.
Nunavut News/North reported in April 2012 that Taqqaugaq's sister, Louisa Taqqaugaq, said her brother has been schizophrenic since 1998 and had tried committing suicide. She added a family member called the RCMP saying Felix had a gun.
"He had no gun at his place," said Louisa at the time.
Meanwhile, the RCMP had stated an officer checking on the well-being of an adult male, at a home on the evening of March 20, was met by a man wielding a weapon and uttering threats.
Police said they shot the man, who succumbed to his injuries some time later.
The Ottawa Police Service carried out an investigation.
Louisa said that her brother, who was 29 at the time of the shooting, was known by RCMP to be schizophrenic and that "he was shot three times and he had no gun."
The results of the investigation have since been provided to Suramala, who will preside over the inquest.
"The RCMP will fully cooperate with the inquest process," Suramala has previously stated to Nunavut News/North.
Anyone wishing to participate or make a presentation at the inquest may contact the chief coroner's office.
- Michele LeTourneau
Long night without power
Kimmirut/Lake Harbour
The community of Kimmirut experienced almost 24 hours without electricity earlier this month.
The power outage took place from 3:40 p.m. Sept. 4. to 1:05 p.m. Sept. 5, through a Sunday evening until Monday afternoon.
"An electrical component failure in the power plant caused the outage," said Sheila Papa, corporate communications manager for Qulliq Energy Corp.
A full maintenance crew had to be flown into the community from Iqaluit, but was delayed due to weather conditions. The crew arrived in the community at 5 a.m. Sept. 5.
Asked if there were ongoing problems with the Kimmirut power plant, Papa said, "The age of Kimmirut's power plant infrastructure is starting to show. That being said, QEC's maintenance crew conducted a full inspection of the electrical system to ensure no other components were affected, and are now taking the appropriate steps to complete the necessary repairs."
- Michele LeTourneau
A great day for a run
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
Students at Kugluktuk High School and Jimmy Hikok Ilihakvik elementary helped raise money for cancer research during the Terry Fox Run on Sept. 2.
The high school students raised $2,100 over the course of their two-week pledge, said high school vice-principal Jonathon Lee.
The top student runner was Grade 10 student Domonick Okheena, who came in around 30 seconds behind two-time race winner Michael Valk, a teacher at Kugluktuk High School.
"We have a standing encouragement that if you can beat Michael then you will get a $100 gift certificate donated by the Northern," said Lee.
The leading pledge team was four Grade 7 girls - Layla Demerah, Gracey Olson, Kaleigh Niptanatiak and Carah Okheena -who raised $235.
Student winners were rewarded with the opportunity to shave the heads of the principal and vice-principal and dress up their teachers.
Race day was bright and sunny.
The run was organized by Maria and Attila Csaba, who have been organizing the event in Kugluktuk for more than 10 years, Lee
said.
— Beth Brown
Qanurli? launches new season
Nunavut
Sept. 5 saw the debut of Season 5 of Qanurli?, with fans getting in on the fun by using the hashtag #QanurliPremiere on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
The comedic program, which airs on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), sees Inuk and Nipangi broadcasting their own Inuktitut language show from a tent on the land in the Arctic, featuring skits, commercial parodies, fake newscasts and a look at life across the North.
"In Season 5, Inuk, Nipangi and their trusty friend - the guy who hiccups - come back to town after a storm blew them away. They find that their tent is demolished and all their broadcasting equipment is gone. They have to make partnerships if they want to realize their dream of having an all Inuktitut network," states a synopsis from
APTN.
- Michele LeTourneau
Literacy blog launched
Iqaluit
A Nunavut educational publishing company, Inhabit Education, is launching a literacy blog on Sept 12, according to a news release.
The blog launch comes on the heels of a series of public meetings held by the Department of Education where the calibre of classes in traditional language dialects was widely critiqued.
The blog is being offered as a tool for parents and teachers in northern Canada, including Nunavut, the NWT, the Yukon, northern Quebec and Labrador.
"This weekly blog will include posts on home literacy, teaching reading in the classroom, the Inuit language, Inuit culture and heritage, Northern classrooms, diversity in reading programs, behind-the-scenes looks at Nunavummi Reading Series books, book reviews, videos, and more," stated Inhabit Education's Dana Hopkins.
The blog is also an opportunity for southern educators to teach children more about Canada's North.
The company publishes the Nunavummi Reading Series, a collection of language books modeled after existing language programs for English, French and Spanish. The series was created in an effort to ensure that Inuit youth are receiving comparable services while learning traditional Northern languages at an appropriate grade level.
- Beth Brown
Scholarship winner announced
Salliq/Coral Harbour
Mavis Ell of Coral Harbour is this year's recipient of Qulliq Energy Corp.'s Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship.
Each year, the $5,000 scholarship for a post-secondary student honours the memory of young Inuk leader Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier, "who played a vital role in establishing a locally managed electrical utility for Nunavut," according to a news release. Gauthier passed away suddenly in here sleep in 2002 at the age of 30.
Qulliq award the scholarship to Ell for "her exceptional academic achievements and selfless contribution to her community." She is a nursing student at Nunavut Arctic College, fluent in Inuktitut and English, with the goal of breaking "the language barrier Inuit patients face when accessing health care services in Nunavut."
Ell states, "When I graduate (in 2018), my plan is to return to Coral Harbour as a nurse and care for the people of my community. It is heartwarming to know I have full support from my home community, which gives me motivation."
Ell was the 2015 recipient of the Jose Amaujaq Kusugak Scholarship awarded by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., along with co-winner Caroline Ipeelie-Qiatsuk, a student in the Nunavut Teachers Education Program at Nunavut Arctic College.
- Michele LeTourneau
Inuk actress sought for new TV series
Nunavut
The makers of The Terror, a new 10-episode TV series scheduled to begin filming Oct. 31 based on the bestselling novel by Dan Simmons, seeks an Inuk actress to come on board.
"The series is set in 1847, when a Royal Naval expedition crew searching for the Northwest Passage is attacked by a mysterious predator that stalks the ships and their crew in a suspenseful and desperate game of survival," according to a news release.
The character is "a young Inuit woman who comes into contact with the stranded sailors and finds herself drawn into the middle of their struggle to survive. She is a powerful, intelligent, compassionate person who suffers great hardship and finds herself tested to the limit of her endurance."
The makers of the program will be auditioning Inuit women from 16 to 30 years of age.
Well-known film-maker Ridley Scott is on board as an executive producer.
- Michele LeTourneau
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