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Monday, November 21, 2016
New marine protected area near Paulatuk
Paulatuk
The federal government officially announced the Anguniaqvia Niqiqyuam Marine Protected Area in Darnley Bay on Nov. 16.
The area near Paulatuk is home to the western Arctic's only thick-billed murre colony, as well as other birds, Arctic char, cod, beluga whales, polar bears and both ringed and bearded seals. The protected area is named after elder Nelson Green from Paulatuk.
- Kassina Ryder
Final push to complete Inuvik Tuk Highway
Inuvik/Tuktoyaktuk
The final 3.5 kilometres of the Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk highway are scheduled to be completed this construction season, a news release said.
The finishing touches, such as grading and surface work, are scheduled to take place next summer with the road being fully constructed by fall of 2017.
Once complete, the road will provide year-round access to Tuktoyaktuk, which is now only accessible by plane, barge or ice road in the winter.
The total cost of the project is about $299 million, with the federal government providing $200 million and the territorial government providing the remaining $99 million.
- Kassina Ryder
Order of the NWT nominations open
NWT
Nominations are being accepted for this year's Order of the Northwest Territories, a news release said.
Nominations must be received by Dec. 16.
The awards are presented annually and are considered the highest honour the territory bestows to its residents.
Current and former NWT residents are eligible.
"The Order of the Northwest Territories was established in 2013 by the Territorial Emblems and Honours Act to recognize individuals who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of the Northwest Territories or elsewhere," the release said.
- Kassina Ryder
Fire Service Merit Award winners
NWT
Two fire departments and a fire fighter are the winners of this year's Fire Service Merit Awards, a news release said.
Lieutenant Adam Catcher with the Yellowknife Fire Division, the Enterprise Fire Department and the Norman Wells Fire Department all received awards, which are presented by the territorial Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
Community residents and fire chiefs provide nominations for the awards, which are intended "to honour and recognize individuals and community fire departments for their significant contribution to fire safety and fire service across the territory," the release said.
- Kassina Ryder
Petition launched to end Daylight Savings
NWT
An e-petition has been launched to end Daylight Saving time in the Northwest Territories and is available on the legislative assembly website.
The petition states that NWT residents would benefit from an extra hour of daylight in the winter if the territory didn't turn clocks back an hour in the fall.
"Due to the high latitude of the Northwest Territories, Northerners are adversely affected by changing back to standard time in the winter, causing us to plunge into darkness well before the end of the work day," the petition said.
Saskatchewan is currently the only jurisdiction in Canada that does not participate in Daylight Saving time.
- Kassina Ryder
First Air terminates relationship with Canadian North
NWT
First Air will terminate it's codeshare agreement with Canadian North on May 16.
Customers who have booked flights after that date will be automatically re-confirmed on a new flight if their schedule is changed.
The codeshare agreement has been in effect since 2015, and allowed for the sharing of passengers and cargo between the
two airlines.
"First Air now has ample fleet to provide a robust schedule in both the Eastern and Western Arctic," stated First Air president and CEO Brock Friesen in a news release.
Canadian North president Steve Hankirk expressed "disappointment" over the decision.
- briefs by Jessica Davey-Quantick
CRTC decision could impact Internet prices
NWT
The CRTC has ordered Northwestel to look at what the company charges for wholesale Internet.
Northwestel owns the only fibre-optic lines bringing Internet from the continental grid North. This means competitors must first pay Northwestel for the use of it's infrastructure, before they can offer services to customers.
"Until wholesale backbone rates are properly set, we are simply not able to compete and are forced to hold back investments that would otherwise greatly benefit consumers," SSi Micro Ltd. founder and CEO Jeff Philipp in a news release.
Northwestel has until Jan. 9 to file its revised rates.
Fort Smith students make bins for elders
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Wood shop students from Paul W. Kaeser High School are building 30 garbage bins for local elders this year.
The students are in Grades 7 to 12.
"The students measure and cut the wood, then stain and assemble the bins," teacher Craig Walsh stated in a news release. "Each class picks up where the previous class had left off, so dozens of students contribute to each bin by the time it is complete.
When a few bins are completed, students personally deliver them to Elders in Fort Smith."
The project exemplifies Dene laws and is an ideal way to teach students about helping their community, Principal Al Karasiuk added.
Elders who would like to receive a bin can call the Town of Fort Smith, the Fort Smith Metis office or the Salt River First Nation.
- Kassina Ryder
Slave River gathering in the works in Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Slave River Coalition will be holding a community gathering in Fort Smith on Nov. 26.
The event will feature speakers and information sharing.
People are being asked to bring their ideas for 2017 and their concerns about the river.
The event, which will begin at 6 p.m. at Roaring Rapids Hall, will also feature a potluck supper and entertainment. The Slave River Coalition is a community initiative seeking to foster public engagement with the Slave River through traditional, recreational and educational activities that support the social, environmental and economic sustainability of the 430-km-long river and its watershed.
- Paul Bickford
Annual children's Christmas party
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Ann Lepine's Annual Children's Christmas Party will take place on Dec. 3 in Fort Smith.
The party is for children - up to the age of 10 years - who do not belong to the Fort Smith Metis Council, Salt River First Nation or Smith's Landing First Nation, which all have their own Christmas parties for their children.
Ann Lepine's Annual Children's Christmas Party will feature a visit from Santa Claus, who will hand out gifts.
The party will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Fort Smith Rec Centre.
- Paul Bickford
Bulb swap for sustainability
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Arctic Energy Alliance was expected to be in the community Nov. 15 for its LED light swap-out event.
- April Hudson
Three named in Fort McPherson mayoral race
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
William Koe, David Krutko and Elizabeth Vittrekwa are in the running to become Fort McPherson's next mayor, information from the hamlet stated.
The election is scheduled to take place on Dec. 12.
The nomination deadline has been expended to Nov. 21 for councillors and members of the District Education Authority.
Nomination forms can be picked up at the hamlet office and must be returned by 3 p.m.
- Kassina Ryder
Dead North registration open
NWT
Registration is open for the fifth annual Dead North Film Festival.
The show is open to any Northerner wishing to submit a horror, sci-fi, fantasy or thriller-themed film.
Those involved will get help making a 10-minute movie, which will be screened at the Capitol Theatre at the end of February.
Both amateur and seasoned filmmakers are welcome to enter the festival until Nov. 30.
- Kirsten Fenn
Christmas bazaar
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The annual PWK Christmas Bazaar will be held on Dec. 3 at Paul William Kaeser High School in Fort Smith.
In addition to vendor tables, the event will include a silent auction in support of the graduating class of 2017.
Plus, there will be an art show featuring the talents and fine arts created by students.
The PWK Christmas Bazaar will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the school.
- Paul Bickford
Off to the races
Deh Gah Got́e Koe/Fort Providence
The Deh Gah Dog Mushers Club will be holding its annual Christmas dogsled races in Fort Providence on Dec. 17 and 18.
The races will include a 14-mile 12-dog class and a seven-mile six-dog class each day, starting at noon from the Snowshoe Inn.
Dec. 17 will include a musher dinner followed by a dance.
The total purse for the races is $13,000.
- Paul Bickford
Dead North registration open
NWT
Registration is open for the fifth annual Dead North Film Festival.
The show is open to any Northerner wishing to submit a horror, sci-fi, fantasy or thriller-themed film.
Those involved will get help making a 10-minute movie, which will be screened at the Capitol Theatre at the end of February.
Both amateur and seasoned filmmakers are welcome to enter the festival until Nov. 30.
- Kirsten Fenn
Tsiigehtchic honours Remembrance Day
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
Chief Paul Niditchie School hosted Tsiigehtchic's Remembrance Day events on Nov. 10, said secretary Jolene McCarthy.
The Tsiigehtchic Canadian Rangers marched into the gym to begin the ceremony before principal Sonia Gregory made opening remarks. Students Davina Benoit-Cardinal and
Dayle Cole read the Gwich'in Prayer and the junior kindergarten class performed Poppy, Poppy. The kindergarten class also read the poem Little Poppy.
Various organizations laid wreaths, including senior and junior members of the Canadian Rangers, the Gwichya Gwich'in Band Council and the Beaufort Delta Education Council.
Grades 4 to 6 read In Flanders Fields while grades 7 to 9 performed a poem titled Are You Sleeping.
A Gwich'in blessing finished off the ceremony, which was followed by refreshments.
- Kassina Ryder
Community feast for National Addictions Awareness Week
Aklavik
A family fishing derby was scheduled to take place on Nov. 19 in Aklavik as part of National Addictions Awareness Week, said recreation co-ordinator Dean McLeod.
Families were fishing for jackfish and coneys and prizes were given for the largest and smallest fish.
The week was scheduled to begin with a radio show and jam session at the Sittichinli Complex on Nov. 13, followed by a Take Back the Night Walk at 4 p.m. on Nov. 14.
A Health Centre open house was scheduled to take place on Nov. 15, along with a family board games night at Moose Kerr School from 6 to 8 p.m.
The next day features a movie night at Moose Kerr School and a volleyball game in the school gym.
Nov. 16 is scheduled to include an open house at the RCMP detachment, a family skate at Shorty's Lake and games at the Sittichinli Complex.
The week is expected to wrap up with a community feast on Nov. 19 after the fishing derby.
- Kassina Ryder
Art gallery features travelling exhibition
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
A travelling exhibition from the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is hanging at the Open Sky gallery until Dec. 20. The exhibition is titled A Century of Northern Children.
Admission is free.
Phoebe Punch will be at the Open Sky gallery on Nov. 22 and 29 during the society's craft nights to make birch bark Christmas decorations with porcupine quill accents.
The craft nights, with are offered for free, run from 7 to 9 p.m. and are open to anyone over the age of 12.
Sober Sally/Sober Steve will be holding a movie night at the community hall on Nov. 19 starting at 8 p.m.
The movie, Don't Breathe, is rated 14A.
The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority in Fort Simpson is holding a Nordic walking session on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.
- April Hudson
They've got the power
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
A community feast was held Nov. 16 to celebrate the opening of Qulliq Energy Corporation's new power plant in Taloyoak.
Construction and testing for the modern power centre wrapped up in October and QEC planned the feast to thank the community for their patience and support during the build.
The event started off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by dinner at the E.W. Lyall Community Complex.
- Beth Brown
Akilak's Adventure begins
Ottawa
Inhabit Media launched yet its latest Inuit children's book Nov. 13.
Akilak's Adventure is Baker Lake's Deborah Kigjugalik Webster's first children's book, and is illustrated by Charlene Chua.
"Deborah gave a reading of her book accompanied by her daughter Nicole, who inspired the imaginative main character, Akilak," said Inhabit's Kelly Ward.
Ward says the vast majority of Inhabit's books are published in both English and Inuktitut, and sometimes French. The publisher releases an average of about 20 to 30 books per year.
"Inhabit Media publishes mainly children's books, though we do also publish adult non-fiction and art books as well. I would say about 80 to 90 per cent of our list is geared toward young readers," said Ward via e-mail.
"We are always accepting submissions from Nunavut-based authors. Our website has submission guidelines posted, and we are always excited to hear from new authors and storytellers from across Nunavut."
- Michele LeTourneau
Budding leaders kick of season
Kugluktuk/Coppermine
Youth ages 8 to 10 started off their new junior leadership program at the Kugluktuk Youth Centre with a wintery game of soccer.
"The kids had never played soccer in their winter boots, so that was a challenge for them but no one was complaining about it," said organizer Ali Harper.
The game was boys against girls, and the ladies won by a single goal. The close match was celebrated with soup and hot chocolate.
The Saturday leadership program is a first for this age group in the community and is meant to help with the transition into older youth centre programs.
The children voted to call themselves the Jr. Rockstars and will be designing their own logo.
"Everyone was laughing and having so much fun," said Harper.
The youth have since played hockey and learned about flags of the world.
- Beth Brown
Inuit playwrights learn from Stratford
Nunavut
Eight Inuit actors will take part in a playwriting workshop in Iqaluit Nov. 21 to 25.
The workshop is the result of a partnership between the Qaggiavuut Society and the internationally renowned Stratford Festival.
Reneltta Arluk, a prolific playwright and the first Inuk artistic director at Stratford, will lead.
"The workshop is a great way for some of our Inuit writers to study with Canada's top playwrights," said Qaggiavuut chairperson Vinnie Karetak.
"We'll see how a play is structured and written and will be able to get ideas about how to write our own plays in Inuktitut."
During the workshop, actors will do a reading of The Breathing Hole, a new play to be directed by Arluk at this year's festival.
- Michele LeTourneau
Bear quota remains small
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
Residents of Gjoa Haven were set to get a financial update from the hamlet's hunters' and trappers' organization for the first time in three years at an annual general meeting on Nov 16.
The wait was in part due to files lost in a system crash.
"Now we are finally getting it to the public of Gjoa Haven. That's good news," said HTO chairperson Simon Komangat. "The books are up to date again."
The meeting was also to address polar bear quotas in the community - or lack thereof.
"For the past 25 years we haven't had a proper quota," he said. "We are not allowed to hunt any polar bears on M'Clintock Channel this year. We're allowed to catch five polar bears in the Gulf of Boothia, behind Taloyoak."
Bear populations have been low in the area in recent years, though Komangat said hunters see lots of bears.
"Biologists are still surveying and they have to survey for three years," he said.
Once the survey is completed a quota is to be provided to the community for the region.
But Komangat isn't holding his breath.
"Every year we talk about polar bears but we can't get a quota."
- Beth Brown
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