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Friday, March 17, 2017
School board votes to ratify work agreement
Board members for Yellowknife Catholic Schools passed a motion Wednesday to ratify a new collective agreement with the Union of Northern Workers. The agreement is for classroom assistants, secretaries, librarians, maintenance and technology staff who work for the school district, said superintendent Claudia Parker.
Parker said Thursday that the two parties still have to sign the collective agreement.
- Kirsten Fenn
NWT mining advisory board folds
Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister Wally Schumann announced in the legislative assembly on March 10 the Mining Industry Advisory Board has been put on "pause." The board was launched in 2015, and is made up of representatives from the mining industry. The intent is to make recommendations to the department. Schumann stated he has met with members of the board "as individuals" and will continue to look at how the board operates and what role - if any - it could play.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
Don't drone there, bro
New Transport Canada rules restrict recreational drone flights. The rules, announced yesterday, mean people flying drones weighing more than 250 grams can be fined of up to $3,000 under certain conditions. The rules restrict flying a drone: Higher than 90 metres; within 75 metres of buildings, vehicles, vessels or people; within 9 kilometres of an airport or where an aircraft can take off or land; within restricted airspace; where it could interfere with emergency responders; 9 kilometres from a forest fire; and more than 500 metres away from the person controlling it.
- Shane Magee
City touts festival promotion
Residents are being asked to step up their social media game by promoting events in the city. The City of Yellowknife, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and NWT Tourism are giving away a weekend trip to Hearne Lake Lodge as an incentive. Festival goers are encouraged to post their experiences using text, photos or videos on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #ykfestivals. The contest runs until March 26.
- John McFadden
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Wise Women named
Fort Simpson elder Jane Grossetete was named one of the Status of Women Council NWT's Wise Women award recipients for 2017.
According to the council, recipients are role models who work to make the North a better place to live.
Grossetete is well-known in Fort Simpson for her involvement with cultural activities. In the past, she has taught children and youth traditional knowledge during school cultural camps.
Other recipients of the award this year include Fort Smith's Linda Ann Mabbitt, Behchoko's Lucy Lafferty, Tulita's Ernestine Lennie, Tuktoyaktuk's Jenny Jacobson and Yellowknife's Lydia Bardak.
Village to hold by-election
There will be a by-election in Fort Simpson to fill the seat former councillor Cheryl Cli left vacant.
Cli's letter of resignation was accepted during the March 6 meeting of council.
Although she did not specify a reason for her resignation, Cli's resignation letter was read aloud during the meeting. In it, she encourages councillors to keep in mind the need to consider and consult with local First Nations on decisions that are made.
Cli did not respond to a request for comment.
Historical society presses damage claim
Fort Simpson's historical society have renewed a claim against the Village of Fort Simpson for flooding from a water line that damaged the newly constructed Heritage Centre.
The flooding occurred when water was not shut off to an adjacent building that had been demolished.
A Feb. 17 letter, presented to councillors on March 6, from society president Martina Norwegian states the historical society's board of directors "do not believe all circumstances have been considered" in regard to their claim and argued the shut-off of the water line was the responsibility of the village.
Senior administrative officer Bill Bennett told councillors he has been in touch with the village's lawyer and has been told the village holds no liability.
He declined to say why when asked by the Deh Cho Drum.
March break close for Simpson youth
School will be out for youth at Bompas Elementary School from March 20 to 24, with classes resuming March 27.
There will be no regular classes on March 16 while the school hosts its learning celebration.
Inuvialuit self-government info session
The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation will be holding an information session on self-government Wednesday, March 22.
The public meeting will be open to all Inuvialuit beneficiaries and will give people a chance to ask questions directly to the Inuvialuit negotiating team.
The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Inuvik Community Corporation.
GNWT pushing NWT fur products
Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister Wally Schumann told the legislative assembly that in addition to getting Inuvialuit seal products exempted for European Union sales, his department is promoting NWT furs in international markets.
Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs are currently on sale at the Fur Harvesters and American Saga Auctions in Helsinki, the world's largest fur auction sale.
In preparation for the auction, the GNWT ensured representation for NWT trappers at the China Fur and Leather Products Fair in Beijing.
The trade show is a major international event with buyers from around the world.
The GNWT's showcase this year included luxury garments custom designed to show what can be done with Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur.
JK survey circulated
The Inuvik District Education Authority is looking for input on the implementation of junior kindergarten next fall.
Fifty to 60 students are expected to be eligible for junior kindergarten next school year.
The plan for implementing the program for the first year is to run it as a half-day program, with classes both in the morning and afternoon. There will be two classrooms, allowing for four total classes with class sizes of 10-15 students.
The survey asks if parents would rather see this offered as a half-day or full-day program. It also asks whether community members would prefer the program run out of the Children First Centre rather than East Three School.
The survey is available at www.eastthreesecondary.com.
Free ski coaching clinic this weekend
Ski North Coordinator Karen Johnson will be in Inuvik to offer a national coaching certification program March 17-19.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the Jackrabbits or East Three programs is encouraged to take the course. The introduction to community coaching will include topics of child development, safety and ethics, youth competition and basics of technique.
Contact skinorth.nwt@gmail.com to register.
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