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Monday, December 12, 2016
Temporary pipeline re-start gets underway
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
Enbridge has temporarily re-started the Norman Wells pipeline in order to safely remove product from a section of line at the river crossing near Fort Simpson, company officials told Fort Simpson's village council Dec. 5.
The pipeline was initially shut down in late November due to concerns about slope stability.
Once the product is removed, the line will be shut down once more.
- April Hudson
Barren-ground caribou 'threatened'
Inuvik
The semi-annual Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada deliberations in Ottawa Nov. 27 to Dec. 2. assessed the barren-ground caribou population as threatened.
That means it's a wildlife species that is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its decline.
- James O'Connor
Tlicho and territorial governments meet
NWT
The Tlicho Government met with the Government of the Northwest Territories the week of Nov. 30 to discuss a variety of topics, including housing, barren-ground and Boreal caribou management, the Wek'eezhii Land Use Plan and the Health and Social Services System Transformation. Other discussions focused on the Tlicho Government Mineral Policy,
The two governments agreed to meet at least twice annually as part of the Working Together Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2011.
-Kassina Ryder
Bomb scare false threat
Hay River
A call threatening a bomb at the Hay River Esso service station turned out to be a false alarm last week.
According to the Hay River RCMP, the threat was received by the business just before noon on Nov. 29. After a thorough search, RCMP said no explosive device was found and expressed confidence the area was safe in an announcement at about 2:20 p.m.
- Paul Bickford
Funds raised for Wilfred Lennie Jr.
Behchoko/Rae-Edzo
The Gofundme campaign for Wilfred Lennie Jr. had raised $2,205 of its $5,000 goal as of press time on Dec. 8. The campaign was established to help Lennie Jr.'s family as he undergoes treatment for stomach cancer.
Lennie Jr. told News/North in a story last week ("Destructive diagnosis," Dec. 5) the disease had gone undiagnosed for 18 months, despite repeated visits to the Behchoko health centre and Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife where he complained of stomach pain.
Lennie Jr. is the father of four children.
- Kassina Ryder
Arts funding decision pushed back
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
Councillors will not be able to revisit their decision to cut annual funding to the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre until Dec. 19.
During council's meeting of Dec. 5, acting senior administrative officer Ann O'Hare said the correct procedure to bring the motion back to the table is for someone who voted against funding the $5,000 NACC funding - to give notice they want to bring the motion back for consideration at the next meeting of council.
Coun. Charles Blyth, who initially voted against the funding, declared a conflict of interest on Dec. 5.
- April Hudson
Sun at Midnight
Inuvik
The Sun at Midnight, a film set in the Beaufort Delta influenced by Gwich'in culture, got a good showing at the Whistler Film Festival last weekend.
The film was screened twice during the festival, once to a sold-out crowd, and competed in the Borsos Competition, a category for Canadian productions.
Female lead Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs won a best performance prize for her role.
Jill & Jackfish Productions, made up of Amos Scott and Kirsten Carthew, produced the film, which was shot in the fall in the Delta Beaufort.
Jill & Jackfish Productions have been invited to participate in the European Film Market in Berlin to showcase the film to international buyers in February.
- Stewart Burnett
Looking for muskox in Ulukhaktok
Ulukhaktok/Holman
Helen Kalvak School students in Grades 8 and 9 were scheduled to head out on the land for a muskox hunt on Dec. 7, said principal Richard McKinnon.
Local elders were expected to guide the trip, which would include lessons on winter travel safety, as well as how to track and find muskox.
"They're going out for a full day," McKinnon said.
If the hunt was successful, students would also learn how to field dress the muskox before bringing the animal back to town. Meat would be distributed to elders in the community.
- Kassina Ryder
Open house ahead
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
A village open house will be making a comeback on Dec. 15 after councillors approved a budget of $1,000 for the event. The open house will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. The village traditionally holds open houses but voted against doing so last year.
- April Hudson
Ice roads on track
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
The ice crossing between Hay River and the Hay River Reserve opened for the season on Nov. 28.
The crossing, which is prepared by K'atlodeeche First Nation, is currently open to light traffic up to 5,000 kilograms.
Meanwhile, the ice bridge across the Liard River opened to light traffic on Dec. 5.
- Paul Bickford, April Hudson
'Tis the season
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
The Deh Cho Friendship Centre is gathering items for its 2016 Christmas Hamper program.
Donations can be dropped off at the centre.
Applications for the hamper program will be open until Dec. 16.
Each year, the program is supported by 40 hampers donated by Salvation Army. However, the centre usually gives out between 70 and 90 hampers.
- April Hudson
Thicker glass for new arena
Hay River
Town council approved a motion on Nov. 28 to spend an extra $10,248 for thicker glass for the rink in the under-construction Don Stewart Recreation Centre.
Initially, 1/2-inch glass was to be used in the ends of the rink.
However, the majority of impact and hard shots occur in these areas, stated a report to council by Gloria Murdock-Smith, the town's senior administrative officer.
"Industry standard for both player and spectator safety has been 5/8 inch glass as it is capable of taking much more abuse from the game itself," she stated.
The thicker glass will also improve operations as it is less likely to shatter.
- Paul Bickford
Santa to visit Aklavik library
Aklavik
The Aklavik Community Library has a variety of events for all ages throughout December.
On Dec. 12 there is a Science Fun event for children under 12, which is scheduled to run from 6 to 7:30 p.m, according to a schedule of activities.
Christmas baking is expected to take place on Dec. 14 for participants over the age of 13 and Santa will be visiting the library on Dec. 16.
A Christmas family literacy night is scheduled for Dec. 19.
- Kassina Ryder
Breakfast with Santa at Legion
Hay River
The annual Breakfast with Santa was to be held on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion.
The event was to feature crafts and a free pancake breakfast.
People bringing a donation to Secret Santa were to be entered to win two airline tickets to Edmonton.
The event was sponsored by Local 6 of the Union of Northern Workers, Northwestern Air Lease Ltd. and the Town of Hay River.
- Paul Bickford
Walk to Tuk registration begins
NWT
Registration forms are being accepted from now until Jan. 16 for this year's Walk to Tuk event, information from the NWT Recreation and Parks Association said.
The event challenges teams from across Canada to walk 1,658 kilometres, which is the distance from Fort McPherson to Tuktoyaktuk.
This year the challenge has been expanded and is encouraging teams to walk the distance from Fort McPherson to Tuktoyaktuk and back, a total of 3,316 kilometres.
Final walking time submissions are due on Feb. 28, 2017.
- Kassina Ryder
Sachs Harbour school gets ready for Christmas
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Inualthuyak School students have been busy preparing for their annual Christmas concert, which is scheduled to take place Dec. 19, said principal Karen Bibby.
The concert is open to the public and will begin at 4:30 p.m.
The event is expected to include a play and a variety of songs.
- Kassina Ryder
Christmas classic to hit airwaves
Hay River
In what is believed to be a first for the community, a radio play version of the classic Christmas movie It's a Wonderful Life will be presented at the Hay River Heritage Centre.
A radio play is not a play in the sense that most people might understand it but is rather a form of entertainment from the golden days of radio.
The performers are not actually acting out the play, said director Judy West-Pratt.
The performances are scheduled for the museum on Dec. 15 and Dec. 16, both at 7 p.m., and on Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. The show will be taped for later broadcast on CKHR.
- Paul Bickford
Tuk hosts carnival
Tuktoyaktuk
A carnival just for children in Tuktoyaktuk is scheduled to take place on Dec. 13, said Caroline Loreen, recreation co-ordinator.
Children are invited to Kitti Hall at 5 p.m. to play games, get their faces painted and enjoy cotton candy.
"It should be fun," Loreen said. "Kids can come out and play some games."
The department has been aiming to host the carnival every three months throughout the year.
- Kassina Ryder
Christmas concert hits cathedral
Thebacha/Fort Smith
ll be a Christmas Choral-fest on Dec. 12 at Fort Smith's St. Joseph's Cathedral, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Donations of cash and food will be accepted, and will be forwarded to the Fort Smith Food Bank.
- Paul Bickford
Shop local campaign begins
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The Thebacha Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Fort Smith launched a shop local initiative on Dec. 2.
Under the initiative - called Shop Local & Win - shoppers in Fort Smith can write their names and phone numbers on the backs of receipts of $30 or more from local merchants and drop the receipts in entry boxes at participating businesses.
Along with weekly prizes, a grand prize of two tickets to Edmonton from Northwestern Air Leasewill be drawn on Dec. 23.
- Paul Bickford
Santa's Sleigh tours Fort Smith
Thebacha/Fort Smith
An annual tradition in Fort Smith - the Santa Sleigh - began again for the Christmas season on Dec. 5.
Nightly tours in the community of the brightly-lighted float - featuring Santa Claus and Christmas music - will continue until its final trip on Dec. 23.
It will be driving around town starting at 6 p.m. every night except for Dec. 15 as most people on that evening will be attending the Christmas concert at Joseph Burr Tyrrell School.
The float will tour half the community nightly with volunteers driving. On some nights, Mrs. Claus will be riding around with Santa.
- Paul Bickford
PA student learns on trip to Ottawa
South Slave
Two NWT students participated in Canada's History Youth Forum in Ottawa last month, part of the Young Citizens Program.
Rochelle Smith of Princess Alexandra School in Hay River and Shae McMahon of Paul William Kaeser High School in Fort Smith were chosen for the Nov. 25 to 29 trip to the nation's capital.
"It was so cool just to see all the old buildings. It was just really fun and I got to meet lots of new people," said Smith, a 12-year-old Grade 7 student.
Smith was chosen for the trip to Ottawa as a result of a video about her project in the NWT Heritage Fair. She won first place in the Hay River Heritage Fair, and third place overall in the NWT Heritage Fair in Yellowknife in May.
Afterward, she was invited to make a short video about her project. It was entitled The Fight to Become a Person and focused on the Famous Five, a group of women who fought to allow women to sit in the Canadian Senate.
McMahon, a 15-year-old Grade 10 student's video was entitled Raised in the Hood? and examined the traditional parka of the North.
McMahon said he also learned a lot in the national capital.
"That was my first time in Ottawa," he said. "To me, I really was impressed with Parliament and everything."
McMahon added he learned a lot about the government and how it works.
At the forum in Ottawa, there were two representatives from each province and territory - 26 in all between the ages of 10 and 15. The Young Citizens Program focuses on citizenship and is a complementary component to heritage fairs.
- Paul Bickford
Three elected to Paulatuk HTC
Paulatuk
There was a 78 per cent voter turnout during the Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee election on Dec. 5, information from the PHTC said. Joe Illasiak Jr., Jody Illasiak and Lawrence Ruben were elected to serve two-year terms.
Illasiak Jr. was re-elected with 79 votes and Ruben was re-elected with 57 votes. Illasiak received 60 votes.
- Kassina Ryder
Disability grant accepts applicants
Anyone needing mobility assistance can apply for the Nunavut Solutions Grant. The application deadline is Jan. 30.
"In the past, the grant has funded wheelchairs and lifts, home renovations to increase accessibility, training or education opportunities, support services including respite care, and community programs for individuals living with a disability," stated the announcement.
Residents with mobility-related disabilities as well as non-profit organizations that support people living with a mobility-related disability are eligible for the funding, which is meant to improve quality of life.
The Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society should be contacted for information and forms.
- Beth Brown
Medals for dedicated Nunavummiut
Edmonton
Governor General David Johnston honoured three Nunavummiut at a ceremony Dec. 8 in Edmonton.
Elisapi Aningmiuq of Iqaluit, Lieutenant Cecil Francis (Frank) May, C.D. of Arctic Bay, and Jen Hayward of Iqaluit were among the "70 Canadians recognized for their excellence, courage or exceptional dedication to service," according to a news release.
Aningmiuq received a Polar Medal "as a cultural teacher and counselor ... (who) developed key initiatives at the Tukisigiarvik Wellness Centre including physical health and wellness programs, food programs, suicide intervention and counselling sessions. She has been a strong advocate for rebuilding Inuit culture and identity, and has accordingly dedicated herself to preserving traditional skills and knowledge," according to the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General.
May also received a Polar Medal as the commanding officer of the 3045 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps and "has displayed exemplary dedication, superior effort and professionalism in delivering a highly effective training program that focuses on physical fitness activities including sports, marksmanship and biathlon competitions. His tireless leadership has positively inspired the community and resulted in strengthening civic-mindedness and northern traditions among the youth entrusted to his care."
Hayward received the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers for founding the Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank in 2001.
"Hayward, along with the many volunteers she leads, has helped ensure food security in Iqaluit, while respecting the traditional Inuit principle of sharing. She also serves her community through her involvement with Habitat for Humanity and the RCMP DARE Program."
- Michele LeTourneau
Park place
Resolute
As many as 30 people from the hamlet of Resolute attended a community meeting with Parks Canada on Nov. 23 to discuss a cultural centre being built to support Qausuittuq National Park.
Funding is in place to have the building designed and Parks was looking for input from the hamlet on what features the centre should have.
"Some people were interested in having a place where elders could go to teach traditional crafts and even hunting techniques," said hamlet SAO Mike Stephens.
"Right now they only have a little shack to work out of and it's not heated."
The Bathurst Island Park is home to the endangered Peary caribou.
Qausuittuq means "place where the sun doesn't rise" in Inuktitut.
Parks Canada also interviewed local residents for an available park management position.
-Beth Brown
Young squadron leader noticed
Iqaluit
Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 795 Iqaluit held a biannual Commander's Parade Dec. 6.
"These are a showcase for the cadets to demonstrate what they've learned in front of their parents and an honoured guest," said Commanding Officer Lt. Matthew Ayres.
The reviewing officers were president of Branch 168 of the Royal Canadian Legion Comrade Chris Groves and chairman of the Air Cadet Sponsor Committee Comrade Cliff Laurin.
"At these parades, we hand out qualifying badges, and promote cadets who are eligible. On special Commander's Parades we will also award a medal if a cadet has earned it. This is a very rare thing as only one or two medals may be awarded each year to the entire unit," said Ayres.
The Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence was awarded to a five-year member of the Iqaluit squadron Warrant Officer 1 Kaya Natar.
"Her dedication to the squadron and the cadets under her has been noticed by the leadership at the Legion," said Ayres.
- Michele LeTourneau
Arctic researcher honoured
Winnipeg
Canadian Arctic scientist John England received the $50,000 Weston Family Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Northern Research in Winnipeg Dec. 7.
England, according to a news release, devoted his 50-year career to the study of Canada's North.
"Dr. England has left an unprecedented mark on the Canadian Arctic, unearthing new information that not only re-evaluates glacial history, but draws attention to the impact of climate change," stated director of the Weston foundation and chair of its Northern committee Geordie Dalglish.
England is considered an expert in environmental change in Arctic environments and his research covered the entire Canadian Arctic Archipelago from Baffin and Ellesmere Islands in the east and north to Banks Island in the southwest, where he has reconstructed the glacial history from 18,000 years ago to the present.
The Weston Family Prize is administered by the Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies.
- Michele LeTourneau
Pink T-shirt prep
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
Children at Quqshuun Ilihakvik in Gjoa Haven will be standing up against bullying, as parents signed their children up for Pink Shirt Day at a parent-teacher meeting on Nov. 26.
Parents and educators talked about new literacy strategies, and learned about available after school programs like beading, soccer, board games, square dancing and floor hockey.
Christmas books were a popular take-away from a book fair held at the same time.
- Beth Brown
Eggs-treme science
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
Students in Intermediate 1, 2 and 3 classes at Quqshuun Ilihakvik designed a cushion contraption that let them drop a raw egg from the height of one metre - without cracking its shell. The egg-ceptional holder was made from plastic straws and masking tape.
"I was thinking that I would have to stack a ladder on a ladder when they kept not breaking," said organizer Alexandra Massie.
The egg-drop, called Mannik Madness, was part of an event by the Science for Kitikmeot Youth and Educators, held on Nov. 23 to encourage students to develop an interest in science.
Younger grades made egg cushions, too, to pillow hard-boiled eggs. One class wedged its egg inside a coffee can and rolled it down a ramp to see how far their egg could go without breaking.
Student Keira Qitsualik was waiting for the cushions to fail.
"It was a lot of fun!" she said. "I was hoping an egg would smash and go everywhere."
-Beth Brown
Christmas collection
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
Tasha Tologanak of Cambridge Bay is taking donations for a Christmas giveaway until Dec. 16.
"Christmas can be a stressful time for families," she wrote in an e-mail. "I wanted to offer all the help that I was able to offer and get the community involved as well."
So far she has raised over $600 and has received donations of lights, trees and a food tray.
Tologanak will be using the money to buy Christmas dinner for families that can't afford to buy their own.
"I believe the turkeys are the most useful at Christmas because they are expensive," she wrote.
"$20 or $40 plus side dishes can be a bit much when Christmas is on your mind."
It's the second year she has done the drive.
"Last year I was able to donate to a handful of families with a donation of turkeys, stuffing, corn, and small toys," she wrote.
"Christmas can be a stressful time for families. I wanted to offer all the help that I was able to offer and get the community involved as well."
Donors will get a chance to win one of her homemade birthday cakes.
"All the donations will be going to families who don't have a big income or those who could use a little more Christmas spirit. I have learned from my Aulajaatut class and my parent's beliefs that giving is much more rewarding than receiving."
You can get involved with Tologanak's goodwill project by contacting her through Facebook or by emailing her at christmasdonationdrive@gmail.com.
-Beth Brown
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