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Monday, October 17, 2016
RCMP seize liquor, marijuana
Lutsel K'e/Snowdrift
Lutsel K'e RCMP seized marijuana and dozens of liquor bottles that were headed for the community on Oct. 10.
RCMP seized 37 375-ml bottles of liquor and 113 grams of marijuana. Three males and one female from the community were to be charged.
This is the second recent incident of alleged bootlegging that has occurred in the dry community where liquor is illegal.
On Aug. 17 RCMP, acting on a tip, located several individuals camped on an island north of the community. Police said they were in possession of marijuana and a large quantity of alcohol.
Two individuals from Yellowknife and a resident of Lutsel K'e faced charges.
- Kirsten Fenn
Employment down as summer ends
Statistics Canada estimates that in September, 22,900 persons were employed in the NWT, representing an employment rate of 70.2 per cent - a decrease of 500 persons over the previous month.
The decline in the number of employed persons is partly accounted for by summer students returning to school and the end of the fire season, the agency said in a news release.
Nationally, Canada's employment rate was 61.6 per cent, with Yukon (74 per cent) having the highest employment rate.
Year-over-year, full-time employment increased while part-time employment decreased for a total net gain of 700.
- James O'Connor
Parks and Rec endorses Truth and Rec
The NWT Recreation and Parks Association announced Oct. 5 its membership endorses the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for future activities.
"This endorsement by our membership is the first step for the (association) towards sustained and thoughtful engagement with the TRC and the Calls to Action," Tim Van Dam, NWT parks association president, said in a news release.
"And this engagement will transform how we work as an organization and how we deliver programming in communities across the NWT."
As next steps, the board and staff will complete training to better understand decolonization and the implications for the association.
The association has also elected a new board members: Caren Burke is the Sahtu regional director; Doreen Nitsiza, is the North Slave Regional Director; Cynthia White is the South Slave Regional Director.
- James O'Connor
Hay Days pitches plan for town to fork over funding
Hay River
Hay Days has updated town council on its plans for returning next summer, and is seeking the town's help with staging the event.
The music and arts festival was not held this year because of a shortage of volunteers.
A delegation from Hay Days - including Ken Latour, who was the 2014 and 2015 chair of the festival committee - appeared before council on Oct. 3.
"Essentially, what we're trying to do is make the festival a week long and we're trying to get back to some of the original vision of having it be about growing arts and music in this community," said Latour, adding that will mean a lot of workshops with Hay River and regional artists.
Latour said the festival is hoping for a cash contribution from the town of around $5,000.
In addition, he asked if the town could help with in-kind support. Latour also requested a debt to the town by a previous organizing committee could be forgiven.
Mayor Brad Mapes liked the idea of filling a whole week with the festival.
"I think it's going to bring people to the community," he said.
"The only stumbling block I think that we've got is the debt that's there," said Mapes, noting forgiving the nearly $5,000 owed by Hay Days might create a ripple effect with other organizations wanting the same kind of consideration.
The festival, which began in 2010, is scheduled to return from July 3 to 9, 2017.
- Paul Bickford
Mini-crafts at mini-workshop
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
There will be a miniature moccasin and mitten workshop with Krista Okrainec at the Open Sky Gallery on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
From Oct. 17 to 21, Kids Travel Company from Vanguard College will be hosting an after-school program at Calvary Chapel for children in Grades 1 through 6. The program runs from 3:30 to 5:30 and includes songs, skits, games and more.
- April Hudson
A healthy few days
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
From Oct. 24 to 28, the eye doctor and dentist will be in Fort Liard.
- April Hudson
Youth conference begins
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Youth from Fort Providence were on their way to Edmonton for the Dreamcatchers Aboriginal Youth Conference which was scheduled to run from Oct. 14 to 15.
- April Hudson
No sack time in Sachs Harbour
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
October is a busy month in Sachs Harbour, according to the recreation department's calendar of events. Sewing classes are taking place every Saturday evening at 7 p.m. at the Ajgaliaq Centre and the Kingullivuit after-school program is scheduled to run every Monday from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m., with the exception of cooking classes on Oct. 30 at 3 p.m.
Other highlights include a movie night on Oct. 14 and a Halloween Bash on Oct. 28.
- Kassina Ryder
Gwich'in Tribal Council to visit Fort McPherson
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
Bobbie Jo Greenland Morgan, Gwich'in Tribal Council president, and vice-president Jordan Peterson were scheduled to participate in a community meet and greet in Fort McPherson on Oct. 11, according to the council.
The meeting was expected to take place at The Lodge from 7 to 9 p.m.
- Kassina Ryder
Coffee Shop begins at Helen Kalvak School
Ulukhaktok/Holman
The first Coffee Shop of the year was expected to take place at Helen Kalvak School in Ulukhaktok on Oct. 8, said principal Richard McKinnon.
The student-run coffee shop has been running for about four years and is used as a fundraiser for the school.
"The kids have a lot of experience now," McKinnon said.
"They're pretty independent."
The shop is now scheduled to run from about 1 to 4 p.m., but the hours could increase.
"We may expand it a bit," McKinnon said. "It's pretty popular."
- Kassina Ryder
Free rabies vaccine clinic
Inuvik
Arctic Paws was scheduled to offer a free rabies vaccine clinic Oct. 15 to 16.
The event was to be hosted at the Aurora Research Institute on Mackenzie Road, behind the post office.
Any dog or cat over the age of four months was welcome.
- Stewart Burnett
Large-item pickup scheduled
Fort Simpson
Councillors agreed the Village of Fort Simpson should hold a fall large item pickup for residential customers.
The pick-up will take place between Oct. 17 and 21, and can be booked by calling the village office.
Councillors agreed to place some limitations on what constitutes "large-item" - and no hazardous waste would be allowed.
- April Hudson
Self-control in classroom
Fort Simpson
Staff at Bompas Elementary School in Fort Simpson recently worked with self-regulation experts.
The week included an information session for parents and community members on Oct. 6.
Self-regulation refers to techniques students can use to calm themselves and assert self-control. It involves being aware of one's mental, emotional and physical state.
- April Hudson
Heritage buffs off to Ottawa
NWT
Two NWT youths are headed to Ottawa next month to show off what they know about their heritage.
Fort Smith resident Shae McMahon and Hay River's Rochelle Smith will take part in Canada's History Youth Forum with 24 other students from across the country.
Two students from each province and territory between the ages of 10 and 16 were selected out of hundreds to participate.
Judges chose the participants based on videos they created about an aspect of Canada's history.
McMahon's project looked at the amauti parka, which Inuit use to carry babies. Smith's project is about the Famous Five.
- Kirsten Fenn
Youth representatives wanted for community corporation
Aklavik
The Aklavik Community Corporation is looking for a youth representative, according to information from the corporation.
The youth representative would be present during corporation board meetings once a month. Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to bring a letter of interest to the ACC office before the 4 p.m. deadline on Oct. 28.
- Kassina Ryder
New program for moms and moms-to-be
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
Tsiigehtchic's Aboriginal Wellness program will soon be offering regular pre-and post-natal programming, said organizer Charlene Blake.
The goal is to bring pregnant women and mothers of children under the age of two together to learn new skills, such as cooking.
"It's just a support system for pregnant mothers and mothers with children under two," Blake said.
The first program took place on Sept. 21 at the Tsiigehtchic Band Office boardroom and the rest of the programming is expected to take place at the former Aurora College Learning Centre building once space becomes available.
"Once the building is ready and safe to be in, we start full-time regular programs," Blake said.
- Kassina Ryder
Capital's first mayor dies at 82
Iqaluit
Flags rested at half-mast in Iqaluit and at the Nunavut and Northwest Territories legislatures Oct. 12 in tribute to Bryan Pearson, 82. The capital's first mayor died of cancer at his Iqaluit home.
Pearson played many roles in the North, always with a trademark brashness.
"As the founding mayor for the City of Iqaluit, Bryan held a strong vision for this capital city, one that included long-term prosperous growth for business and residents," Mayor Madeleine Redfern said. "Not only was he a very colourful individual, he was also a very passionate person who cared as much about his family as he did for the city he lived in for most of his life. We will be forever grateful for his foresight, strength and wisdom."
Pearson became the second chair for the Village of Frobisher Bay from 1969 to 1979. In 1979, the chair was renamed as mayor when Frobisher Bay became a town, with Pearson continuing at the helm until 1985. He also served as a territorial politician for nine years, first for the Eastern Arctic before the formation of Nunavut, then Baffin South.
"Sorry to hear of Bryan Pearson's passing," Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna wrote on Twitter.
Pearson was also a business man, owner of Iqaluit's first taxi company, and founder of Arctic Ventures and the Astro Theatre. He was the city's undertaker and founded the Toonik Tyme festival, which has continued for 50 years.
Pearson got his start in the North as a cook at the Frobisher Bay DEW Line site, three days off the boat from England.
About his outspokenness and not getting elected to federal politics, Pearson told Nunavut News/North in 1999, "People do not want to hear the word 'no' ... they want these namby-pamby yes-men. I was never prepared to be one."
- Michele LeTourneau
NIRB consults on Doris North
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
The Nunavut Impact Review Board hosted a community consultation on Oct. 11 for Cambridge Bay residents interested in commenting on the Doris North gold mine project at Hope Bay.
Kelli Gillard, manager of project monitoring for the Nunavut Impact Review Board, said a site visit report will be released in November.
"Feedback will be incorporated into recommendations the board may have for TMAC (the company) going forward."
The community consultations were also used to make documents more accessible to community members, educating readers on mining terms or environmental and political language used in the public reports on the NIRB FTP site.
Attendees were informed that NIRB will continue with annual site reviews and has begun a regular monitoring cycle at Hope Bay, now that a project certificate has been awarded to TMAC.
"For that project the next thing we are expecting is a draft environmental impact statement for the Hope Bay belt, the next development in the Greenstone belt that TMAC has been proposing," Gillard said.
- Beth Brown
New Larga for medical travellers
Ottawa
The grand opening for a new Larga Baffin - the boarding home for people travelling to Ottawa for medical services not available to them in Nunavut - was scheduled to take place Oct. 14.
"This event will feature qulliq lighting by an Inuk elder, Inuit cultural performances by students from Nunavut Sivuniksavut, speeches, refreshments, and a ribbon cutting ceremony," Lynn Kilabuk stated in a news release.
Kilabuk previously told Nunavut News/North that Larga Baffin was overwhelmed with demand since opening in 2000 and Larga needed to accommodate triple the number of clients.
"Currently we're located in a facility that can house up to 81 people, and we've been over capacity since we moved here in 2009," said Kilabuk at this time last year.
Up to 275 people will be able to fit under one roof in the new 103-room facility, which is just down the street from the old one.
"Since April 2000 we have essentially become a community in the south, housing our client base who travel from the Baffin region," Kilabuk stated. "We provide local transportation to and from appointments, (and) to and from the airport, home-cooked meals, and clean, comfortable accommodation."
- Michele LeTourneau
POLAR seeks board members
Ottawa
Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAC) is looking for a vice-chairperson and member positions for the Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) board of directors.
The nine-member board will aid in developing the strategic direction of the organization and strengthen Arctic science, an Oct. 7 release stated. The open selection process runs until Oct. 28.
"The new board members will guide POLAR as it brings together indigenous and scientific knowledge to address the gaps and concerns of Northern communities, and works to strengthen Canadian leadership in the broader fields of Arctic and Antarctic research," stated David Scott, president of Polar Knowledge Canada.
Applicants should have experience that contributes to the Arctic and Antarctic research of POLAR, including traditional knowledge.
"It is important the board of directors represent backgrounds in traditional knowledge, science and the perspective of Northerners," stated INAC Minister Carolyn Bennett.
- NNSL staff
Song-writing contest deadline extended
Nunavut
Songwriters who wish to enter the Qilaut contest have a few extra weeks to submit their work, as the Department of Culture and Heritage has extended the deadline to Nov. 4.
The department is looking for children's songs this year. The contest is open to all Nunavummiut.
Prizes for the contest are $5,000 for first place, $2,500 for second, and $1,500 for third. Seven other prizes of $500 each will be handed out.
Winning songwriters will have their songs professionally recorded and produced. An album of the winning songs will be released during Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq, the annual celebration of Inuktut in February 2017.
- Michele LeTourneau
Essay contest encourages research
Qausuittuq/Resolute
Resolute is running an essay contest for youth in recognition of National Women's History Month.
The contest has two age groups: 13 and under, and 14 to 18.
First prize in each category is an iPod, with a $150 gift certificate to Sport Chek for second place winners.
"The goal is to have kids and teenagers gather information by themselves. It's motivation to seek information and learn something outside their boundaries," Ameela Aqiatusuk, the community justice outreach worker in Resolute said.
Participants will write an article on a notable woman. The paper must include a biography, the place and time the subject lived, her accomplishments and the legacy the woman left behind.
The younger age group is required five paragraphs, the older group two pages.
Essays will be judged on structure, clarity and relevance.
- Beth Brown
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