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Monday, January 23, 2017
Disorganized village
Fort Simpson
The hiring of an administrative assistant for the village is "key" to sorting out file disorganization that has plagued the municipality for years, according to new senior administrative officer Bill Bennett.
Bennett said the state of the village's files means the village is ultimately losing money on issues such as taxation.
"To be honest, the administration is a mess. It's been a mess for years," Bennett said. "There (are) files on properties that changed hands two years ago, that are not even updated. So the new owner is obviously not paying taxes on a property (that) doesn't show in their name yet. There's several instances of that."
Bennett said between day-to-day administrative duties and sorting through the disorganization of previous years, the administrative assistant position is required.
- April Hudson
Chamber as advisor?
Fort Simpson
A closer collaboration between business and government could have positive impacts on both sectors, according to Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce president Kirby Groat.
Groat made his case before the village council on Dec. 16, suggesting the village use the chamber in an advisory capacity.
"The Deh Cho's a very difficult place to work ... We rely heavily on the government," Groat said.
"We do need the support of the village to keep going ... and we have some input that would be very helpful to the village, or at least give you a different opinion on things."
- April Hudson
Women in politics
Hay River
The Status of Women Council of the NWT will host a two-day Campaign School workshop for the first time in Hay River on Jan. 28 and 29.
The purpose of the Campaign School is to provide support and relevant information about elections and campaigning as a woman in the NWT, specifically what it takes to be elected to the legislative assembly.
Women have always been underrepresented according to their share of the population.
- Paul Bickford
MLA on tour
Fort Simpson
Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson will be doing a constituency tour from Jan. 23 to 27.
Stops include Fort Liard on Jan. 23, followed by Nahanni Butte on Jan. 24, Sambaa K'e on Jan. 25, Wrigley on Jan. 26 and Jean Marie River on Jan. 27. The tour will be followed by travel to Yellowknife, where Thompson will spend a few days before the legislative assembly resumes sitting on Jan. 31.
- April Hudson
Pot bust in Deline
Deline/Fort Franklin
A woman was arrested on Jan. 17 after transporting almost four ounces of marijuana into Deline, an RCMP news release stated.
Police received a tip that the woman would be flying into Deline with the marijuana, so police intercepted her at the airport. A further investigation led to her arrest and search, which revealed she was carrying 110 grams of marijuana.
The woman is scheduled to appear in court on March 14 in Deline. RCMP are asking anyone with further information about the incident to contact police.
- Kassina Ryder
New program funds tourism marketing
NWT
The GNWT is providing up to $50,000 in funding to hire tourism marketers in communities.
The newly launched Community Tourism Coordinator Program is available to municipal councils, band councils, community governments, land claim organizations and community economic development and investment corporations, as well as chambers of commerce, a news release stated.
Those chosen for the program will receive up to $50,000 for two years. The program will be delivered in two communities each fiscal year.
- Kassina Ryder
Summer jobs deadline extended
NWT
The application deadline for the Canada Summer Jobs program is being extended until Feb. 3.
The program provides small businesses and the public sector hiring summer students with up to 50 per cent of the employee's minimum hourly wage, a federal government news release stated.
Non-profit organizations can receive up to 100 per cent. The program is available to students aged 15 to 30.
- Kassina Ryder
Leadership shows the way
Inuvik
Junior girls basketball player Livea Mitchener is thankful for a $400 cheque provided by the Grade 6 leadership class at East Three School.
"We need it for travelling to Yellowknife," said Mitchener, referencing an upcoming tournament in mid-February. "It's going to really help our team."
The leadership class raised the money through a Christmas initiative that saw students selling candy canes that other students could pair with a note and have delivered anonymously to a person of their choosing.
"It felt good to receive a candy cane with a nice message," said teacher Abe Drennan. "People really liked it."
The candy canes were sold for $2 each.
The program was part of the school's random acts of kindness month.
"I think (other students liked the candy cane program) because we sold enough to make $400," said leadership student Noah Crocker.
After students raised the money, Drennan put it up to the class to decide who should be the recipient.
They chose the junior basketball team.
"The whole purpose of the leadership team is to help the school and improve the school in any way they can," said Drennan.
"The basketball team is always working so hard to raise money, so they always need help. They decided they would put $400 toward the team's fundraising.
"I asked them if they wanted to put it anywhere else but they were pretty adamant they wanted to (do that)."
Choir reaches higher
Inuvik
After a successful Christmas concert performance, the Inuvik Community Choir is upping its ambitions for 2017 and looks to put on a special 100 Years of Broadway performance.
"We're trying to build the choir into a year-round activity," said Anne Kokko, organizer.
She's now recruiting as many members as she can get to work on a medley to be performed in May.
"It's a mix of musicals from the past 100 years," she said. "The piece is about 40 minutes long (with) chunks of music through the ages that have appeared on Broadway."
There will also be some spoken word and solo parts of the performance, giving members a new challenge to rise to.
However, there won't be any dancing, unless a dance instructor comes in and helps out - Kokko is adamant her expertise is in the singing part.
Joining is open to any interested adults. Practices are Thursday nights. Anyone interested should contact Kokko at anne.k.kokko@gmail.com.
- Stewart Burnett
King and Queen can rein in cash
Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River
The Arctic Red River Mackenzie Jamboree King and Queen competition has begun in Tsiigehtchic, said recreation co-ordinator Ben Contenti.
The King and Queen are tasked with raising as much as they can for the jamboree, which is scheduled to take place from March 23 to 26.
The couple who raises the most money will be crowned King and Queen.
Couples will receive 25 per cent of the money they raise, as long as they raise at least $5,000, Contenti said.
"If you raise $5,000, you are guaranteed to get cash prize," he said. "Whoever raises the most become king and queen."
Cash prizes include the following: $1,375 will be given to the couple who raises $5,500, $2,500 will be given to the couple who raises $10,000. Couples who raise $15,000 will receive $3,750 and couples who raise $20,000 will receive $5,000.
Money raised must be given to the Tsiigehtchic Charter Community finance department each week.
- Kassina Ryder
Nip and tuck - in Tuk
Tuktoyaktuk
Ladies in Tuktoyaktuk will be gathering together at Kitti Hall for a sewing workshop this month, said recreation co-ordinator Caroline Loreen.
The workshop is scheduled to begin on Jan. 23. Loreen was taking names of interested participants since the week of Jan. 16.
The group will meet in the evenings from 7 until 10 p.m. until Jan. 27. The goal is to provide women with new skills by learning how to make sealskin gloves and muskrat hats, Loreen said.
The workshop is sponsored by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and is free to participants.
"We'll have all the supplies provided," Loreen said.
- Kassina Ryder
Mukluk sewing at the library
Hay River
A mukluk sewing workshop for youth will begin at NWT Centennial Library on Jan. 28 and will be presented each Saturday afternoon until March 4, or until the project is complete.
The free program is intended for youth aged 15 to 29 years.
Instructor Minnie Butt will teach the basics of sewing a pair of mukluks over the scheduled six sessions. Each participant will create a pair of mukluks using both hand
Psewing and machine techniques.
The workshop is being sponsored by NWT Centennial Library, the Town of Hay River and the NWT Literacy Council.
- Paul Bickford
Evening of music appreciation set
Hay River
The Hay River Seniors' Society is planning an evening of music appreciation.
The event, which will feature a sing-along with singer-guitarist Moses Butt, will take place in the club room of the Whispering Willows Seniors Complex on Jan. 23, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
- Paul Bickford
Skills comp and career expo
Inuvik
The 9th annual North Regional Skills Competition and Career Expo will be held in Inuvik March 16.
The regional competition is a qualifying event for the territorial skills competition that challenges youth from the Beaufort Delta and Sahtu regions in a competitive environment.
In conjunction with the skills competition will be a career expo, that showcases businesses and organizations and gives them a chance to interact with students and the public.
- Stewart Burnett
Public presentation on Sedna expedition
Inuvik
A public presentation on the Sedna Epic Expedition: Exploring the Northwest Passage was to be held at the Aurora Research Institute at Jan. 20.
The Sedna project is an all-women team researching climate change in Canada's Arctic. In the summers of 2018 and 2019, the team will be snorkeling all 3,000 kilometres of the Northwest Passage and touching base in communities along the way.
- Stewart Burnett
Wise Women nominations open
NWT
If you know any great women, now's the time to nominate them for a Wise Women Award.
Since 1992, the Status of Women Council has been hosting the awards, which recognize women for their time, commitment and work in improving the lives of women and families in their communities.
The awards are meant to honour women who are role models in their community. The deadline to nominate is Feb. 13.
- Stewart Burnett
Committee lures candidates
Aklavik
The Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee will hold a re-election on Jan. 25, said resource person Michelle Gruben.
The original election took place on Dec. 12, but Gruben received a letter of appeal regarding the election and a new one was called.
Five candidates are running for four directors seats. Each term is two years long.
The candidates are: Dean Arey, Dennis Arey, Danny C Gordon, Patrick Gordon and Brandon
McLeod.
"The four with the highest votes will get in to sit as Aklavik HTC directors for two years," Gruben said.
The election is scheduled to take place at the David Buck Storr building from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
- Kassina Ryder
Youth fundraise for Gwich'in Cup
Paulatuk
Paulatuk's young people are busy fundraising money needed to attend this year's Gwich'in Cup hockey tournament in Inuvik, said recreation co-ordinator Lily-Ann Green.
This year's tournament is scheduled to take place from Feb. 9 to 12. So far, fundraisers include Bingo and Chase the Ace games.
Proceeds from all events will be put toward players' airfare, accommodations and meals while they're in Inuvik, Green said.
Paulatuk youth love hockey and the Gwich'in Cup is an exciting time, she added.
Green encouraged residents to support the fundraisers and said donations and support from other communities is more than welcome.
Anyone looking to help or for more information can contact Green or Aaron Ruben at the Paulatuk hamlet office.
- Kassina Ryder
Piece of Deh Cho heads to capital
Deh Cho
People from the Deh Cho who stop in at the Great Hall of the legislative assembly in Yellowknife may find some familiar faces and places hanging on the walls.
Until Jan. 30, the hall will hold On The Land, an exhibit by Yellowknife photojournalist Pat Kane, showcasing traditional life near Kakisa, Lutsel K'e, Jean Marie River and elsewhere in the Deh Cho.
The exhibit highlights cultural and environmental conservation, according to a poster for the exhibit.
- April Hudson
Hurry hard to bonspiel
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
The annual Fort Simpson Merchants' Bonspiel will run from Jan. 27 to 29.
The event includes prizes and elimination draws. The deadline for entry is Jan. 26.
- April Hudson
Head start done - for now
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
The Aboriginal Head Start preschool program is closed until further notice due to furnace problems. Parents will be notified as the program re-opens.
- April Hudson
Young cooks feed their community
Apex
A cooking club at Nanook School in Apex applied their skills to help feed clients at the Qayuqtuvik Food Centre, which provides a hot meal to those that need one, in Iqaluit Jan. 13.
Kootoo Alainga and Kerry McCluskey coordinate Mamaqtuq Nanook Cooking Club, which sees 20 to 30 students from Grades 1 to 5 get together Fridays after school to learn how to cook.
"We planned for a two-hour trip in total to give us time to make a few hundred meatballs, copy the recipe into our recipe books and then to have our pizza and clean the Qayuqtuvik Food Centre," said McCluskey.
"They were done everything before 4 p.m., more than 30 minutes ahead of schedule."
McCluskey says the students continue to amaze her with their ability to develop and improve on their cooking skills.
"But it's about more than that," she adds. "It's about learning to be a contributing member of your community who can shop, budget, feed your family from scratch, clean up afterward and have a good time doing it all.
"Cooking club has become a part of our lives. We can't imagine Fridays without it."
The food centre, which serves an average of 70 people every day, cooked up the meatballs on Monday to serve at Tuesday lunch.
Mamaqtuq is funded by Brighter Futures.
- Michele LeTourneau
Choir recruiting board members
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
There's a new choir in Cambridge Bay and it's looking for board members.
Voices of Cambridge Bay started in November. The Thursday night drop-in singing session is now developing a board to build community input in the group and help the new program sustain itself in the future. The four- to five-member board would meet quarterly.
"People would decide on the repertoire, which songs they would sing, or help organize events," said director Alison Corbett. "It's a good volunteer opportunity, too."
Corbett is hoping to have the board established by March 1.
- Beth Brown
Scholarship for Students on Ice
Nunavut
A full scholarship is available to Inuit youth living in Inuit Nunangat for the upcoming Students On Ice Arctic expedition. Students ages 14 to 18 or in post-secondary school are eligible for the ship-based adventure, running from Aug. 8 to 23.
"Activities will include wildlife encounters, visits to Arctic communities, as well as the opportunity to acquire first-hand knowledge and insight into the dynamics of climate change, traditional knowledge, scientific research, policy and other important Arctic and global topics," states the application.
More than 100 young people will participate from around the globe. Students will also be educated and mentored by scientists, elders, artists, CEOs, dignitaries, journalists, authors and innovators. Applications are due by March 1.
- Beth Brown
Kamookak shares knowledge
Gjoa Haven/Iqaluit
Louie Kamookak, the Gjoa Haven historian whose decades-long work helped searchers find Sir John Franklin's lost ships, was in Iqaluit last week for the launch of an exhibit titled Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and Franklin, which opened at the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum Jan. 19.
Kamookak also took the opportunity to visit local schools - Aqsarniit Middle School, Inuksuk High School and Nanook School in Apex - to share his experiences and knowledge.
"Louie is an employee of ours and he has been given leave to visit in relation to the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum Franklin Exhibit launch. These visits are to allow our schools to take advantage of his presence," stated Department of Education communications manager Maria Mendillo by e-mail.
Mendillo also notes Kamookak was a member of the department's Social Studies working group, which worked in partnership with an organization called Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History: The Franklin Expedition Life or Death in the Arctic to develop an educational site.
The group also began work on a unit of study for the territory's Grade 8 Social studies.
"Some of the material from our Grade 8 Social Studies unit has been borrowed by the museum in Iqaluit to be a part of their exhibit/launch," said Mendillo.
- Michele LeTourneau
Addictions counselling and healing available
Nunavut
Nunavut residents in need of addictions counselling and healing have an Ottawa-based option.
The Department of Health is now offering counselling at Mamisarvik Health Centre in Ottawa for Nunavut residents who receive a referral.
"This unique counselling and healing program is a centre focused on trauma-informed recovery. It is operated by Tungasuvvingat Inuit," stated spokesperson Ron Wassink.
The program ensures that residents are receiving treatment that also integrates Inuit social values.
Nunavummiut interested in accessing the program should contact territorial mental health and addictions services or your local health centre before March 31.
"If you think that you or someone you know needs help overcoming substance use and alcohol, help is available. Call or visit your local health centre or public health, or talk to someone you trust - a family member, a teacher, elder or wellness counsellor," he stated.
- Beth Brown
Community immortalized on film
Qikiqtarjuaq
French travel filmmaker Florent Dumas visited Qikiqtarjuaq in February 2016, and he has now shared a few minutes of the footage that will become part of larger documentary film directed by Laurent Marie and L'Ame Bleue.
The short teaser can be found via Facebook by searching Cold Seduction, or through the Qikiqtarjuaq News Facebook page.
On the filmmaking expedition, the crew, "absolutely wanted to meet the Inuit community, to share with them, to learn from them. And to discover their culture and their knowledge about nature," according to an interview with a French publication.
The film opens with panoramic aerial shots of the area, with a voiceover by a French narrator, and zooms in on a man cutting a hole into the ice and diving in.
- Michele LeTourneau
Meet the new NTI president
Iqaluit
The new Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) president Aluki Kotierk is setting aside time for a meet-and-greet with Nunavummiut in Iqaluit on Jan. 27.
Those living outside of the capital will be able to talk to her on the radio. Kotierk will speak on the CBC Radio show Tausunni from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern time. Listeners can call in during the show to speak with Kotierk.
Following her guest appearance, NTI will host an open house at its Iqaluit office from 3 to 5 p.m.
"Inuit are invited to come and meet the president and have a cup of tea," stated NTI's Kerry McCluskey in a Jan. 20 release.
- Beth Brown
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