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Monday, April 10, 2017
Fewer people employed
NWT
The employment rate in the Northwest Territories was 66 per cent in March, up from 65 per cent in February.
Out of 32,400 residents 15 years of age and older, 21,400 were employed, an increase of 300 persons from the previous month, stated an April 7 GNWT news release.
Compared to this time last year, there were 1,000 fewer people employed in the NWT. Most of the job losses were in full-time positions.
- James O'Connor
Transparency meeting
Inuvik
A committee on open government met in Inuvik recently to hear input on ways the Government of the Northwest Territories can improve its information sharing and transparency.
"It's one of our priorities to make an advancement in this area," said Louis Sebert, minister responsible for public engagement and transparency.
Fewer than a dozen people attended the meeting, which the committee said was one of the largest turnouts so far.
Confusion emerged over exactly what the GNWT means when it used the terms consultation, engagement and information.
After the committee explained that what it was doing currently was engagement, it was pointed out that the printed sheet to go along with the meeting called it a consultation process.
- Stewart Burnett
A whale of a jamboree
Tuktoyaktuk
The community of Tuktoyaktuk is preparing for its annual Beluga Jamboree April 21 to 24.
The event will feature drum dances, square dances, harbour events, skidoo races and more.
Recreation co-ordinator Caroline Loreen said people regularly drive up from other communities for the jamboree.
"I know (it's been running) 40-plus years," she said.
Every Tuesday, the hamlet also offers drum dance practices at the community hall starting 8 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend.
- Stewart Burnett
Healthy toolkit
NWT
NWT communities have a new online resource that could help them become healthier places to live, according to a news release.
Priorities of the GNWT's Healthy Communities Toolkit include: Healthy eating; physical activity; smoking cessation; alcohol moderation; and mental health.
Visit: healthycommunities.toolkitnwtac.com
- James O'Connor
Junior K to only run in GNWT schools
Inuvik
The Inuvik District Education Authority floated a survey about running junior kindergarten out of the Children First Centre, but it doesn't appear that will be happening.
"As junior kindergarten will become a dedicated part of the NWT school system (Grades JK-12) beginning in the 2017-18 school year, all JK classrooms will be in an established school setting," stated Department of Education, Culture and Employment spokesperson Jacqueline McKinnon in an e-mail.
Patricia Davison, executive director of the Children First Society, said that she had spoken to the Inuvik education authority about running the program out of the Children First Centre.
"We were quite open to that," said Davison. "We certainly have space. We certainly have a building built for four-year-olds."
The centre also has staff skilled at working with young children and has had success in programming with early childhood practitioners, she said.
However, the GNWT appears adamant the program must be run out of a school building, as it will become a part of the NWT school system.
- Stewart Burnett
JK survey results released
Inuvik
The Inuvik District Education Authority released the results of its survey on junior kindergarten.
One hundred people took the survey, which posed two questions.
Fifty-four per cent of respondents preferred a full-day junior kindergarten program to half day for the future. The plan for the first year is to run the program as half days, with classes running both morning and afternoon.
Respondents were split almost exactly 50-50 on whether they would rather junior kindergarten ran out of the Children First Centre or East Three School.
- Stewart Burnett
RCMP get pay increase
NWT
The federal government announced recently it is raising Mountie salaries to be in line with other major police forces.
The increases were back-dated two years for RCMP members up to the rank of superintendent as well as special constables.
The increases are: 1.25 per cent effective Jan. 1, 2015, 1.25 per cent Jan. 1, 2016 and a further 2.3 per cent April 1 last year, according to a news release from Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada.
The increases bring Mountie compensation in line with eight other police forces, according to the news release.
- Shane Magee
Forgiven loans list raises concern
NWT
MLAs are sounding the alarm over a public document listing the names of more than 300 individuals and the amount of their student loans.
The list is included in the GNWT's 2015-16 public accounts document and names people who have been granted forgiveness for student debt.
The student loans range from as little as about $300 to more than $10,000 per person, totaling $923,977 altogether.
But some people are questioning whether naming the individuals breaches privacy laws.
"These people, I'm sure, did not consent to the release of this information," said Frame Lake MLA Kevin O'Reilly. "We want our students to come back here, we want them to work here and because they've come and done that, they end up on this list."
Jamie Koe, comptroller general with the Department of Finance, said the government is looking into the issue, although he believes it is abiding by the rules.
- Kirsten Fenn
GNWT noted for employment diversity
NWT
The territorial government has been recognized as one of the country's top employers for its diversity and inclusion programs.
The GNWT was one of 100 selected in the Canada's Best Diversity Employers competition run by Mediacorp. The GNWT's Diversity and Inclusion Unit and two advisory committees were among the reasons for the selection.
The GNWT has more than 5,900 employees, according to a publication about the results of the competition.
- Shane Magee
Science Night a hit in Tulita
Tulita/Fort Norman
After growing in popularity, the Tulita recreation department is planning to host a Science Night twice a month, said Kelsey Dayler, recreation co-ordinator.
"It's something we're going to start doing every two weeks," she said.
Science Night was being held once a month at the arena, but was quickly becoming a favourite activity among the community's children and youth. About 16 participants showed up to Science Night on April 4, Dayler said.
That night's activities included creating structures using spaghetti and marshmallows, learning about why apples turn brown after being cut and making potions using baking soda, vinegar and other ingredients.
"There were a whole bunch of things they could mix together and see what happened," Dayler said.
The next Science Night is scheduled to take place on April 25 and Dayler advised anyone planning to participate should come prepared to get messy.
"Just wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty and messy," she said.
- Kassina Ryder
Norman Wells to compete for best squash in town
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
Norman Wells residents are being encouraged to grow their best squash for this summer's second annual Farmers' Market and Arts and Crafts Fair in Norman Wells, said Nicky Richards, economic development officer.
To encourage more people to try growing their own vegetables this year, a competition will take place at the fair on Aug. 26 to choose the "most impressive" squash in town, Richards said.
Squash will be judged not only on their size, but for any other interesting features, including shape.
The goal is to promote local food production.
"We did have a good turnout last year, but this year I'm hoping we get more people growing," she said. "We did have four tables with locally grown food."
A total 20 vendors were at the first fair held last year and Richards said she hopes even more will sign up this year.
The fair will again be held at the Ray Perrson Memorial Arena.
"We won't turn anybody away, we have lots of room in there," she said.
Richards said she also hopes more people will sell more prepared food. Chicken curry and caribou stew were especially popular last year.
- Kassina Ryder
Youth go to B.C. for Arctic Winter Games training
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
A group of 20 youth from Fort Liard were scheduled to travel to the Powder King Mountain Resort in British Columbia as part of their training for next year's Arctic Winter Games, said Sophie Kirby, manager of recreation and youth.
The group was expecting to leave Fort Liard on April 7 and spend four days at the resort practicing their snowboarding skills and outdoor skills.
The youth are all between the ages of 10 and 17 and were selected based on their sportsmanship and their participation in a snowboarding clinic in March.
Hay River and Fort Smith will co-host the 2018 Arctic Winter Games.
- Kassina Ryder
Table tennis tournament ahead
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The South Slave Table Tennis Open will take place in Fort Smith on April 22 and 23.
The competition, which is a test event for the 2018 South Slave Arctic Winter Games, will be held at Joseph Burr Tyrrell Elementary School. It will be preceded by a table tennis coaching clinic and officials training on April 20, also at Joseph Burr Tyrrell Elementary School.
- Paul Bickford
Easter bunny hits Fort Resolution
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
Family-friendly events to celebrate Easter are being planned in Fort Resolution.
The first events will take place on April 14 at Lakeview Arena. There will be a fish fry, skating and a snow sculpture contest with an Easter theme. Cash prizes will be awarded in the snow sculpture contest.
On April 15, there will be an Easter scavenger hunt starting at the Fort Resolution Youth Centre. The teams will consist of five people - one adult and four youth. All the events are being presented by the recreation department of the Hamlet of Fort Resolution.
- Paul Bickford
Badminton, soccer clinics upcoming
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
A badminton clinic focused on player develop will be held in Fort Resolution from April 10 to 14.
The two-hour-a-day clinic is for ages seven to 13 years, and will teach the basics of badminton.
The clinic is being presented by the recreation department of the Hamlet of Fort Resolution. The recreation department is also presenting a soccer clinic focused on player development for ages seven to 13 years.
- Paul Bickford
Ready, set, hunt!
Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake
An Easter Egg hunt is scheduled to take place in Sambaa K'e over the Easter weekend, which takes place from April 14 to 17.
Recreation co-ordinator Valerie Lamalice said while exact dates hasn't been finalized, activities for children and youth will take place that weekend.
Events are expected to include egg toss games, egg races, a hopping race and could also include a scavenger hunt.
Activities are scheduled to take place at the recreation centre in the afternoon.
Lamalice encouraged families to participate and said baskets will be provided for the Easter egg hunt.
- Kassina Ryder
Community meetings for Dene Heroes of the Sahtu book
Sahtu
Community visits to begin work on the second edition of the Dene Heroes of the Sahtu is scheduled to begin next month, said Mary-Anne Neal, the book's editor.
Neal will be meeting with educators through the Sahtu Divisional Education Council, as well as community residents, to teach them how to best facilitate contributions to the new book.
"The goal is to equip Sahtu educators and community members with the knowledge and skills required to support student success with regard to their written and artistic contributions to the Dene Heroes book series," Neal stated in an e-mail to News/North.
Neal is scheduled to visit Norman Wells on May 2, Fort Good Hope on May 4 and Colville Lake on May 5.
- Kassina Ryder
Family Fun Night a regular event in Behchoko
Behchoko/Rae Edzo
A Family Fun Night is scheduled to take place at the Ko Gocho Centre in Behchoko every Tuesday and Thursday evening, information from the Community Government of Behchoko said.
The event will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will include literacy activities that families can take home at the end of the night, such as phonics, spelling and grammar work sheets. Parents are asked to attend Family Fun Nights with their children.
- Kassina Ryder
Angry Inuk to be screened at ARI
Inuvik
Angry Inuk, the National Film Board's project on contemporary Inuit seal hunting, will be screened at the Aurora Research Institute Wednesday, April 19.
The award-winning 2016 Canadian documentary was written and directed by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril and examines the role of seal hunting in the North and the impact of seal-hunting protests in communities in Canada and around the world.
The film has never been screened in Inuvik before and will be shown as part of National Canadian Film Day. The Great Northern Arts Festival and ARI teamed up to make the screening happen.
- Stewart Burnett
Art pieces raise $650
Inuvik
The Great Northern Arts Festival raised $650 selling its collaborate art pieces at a recent fundraising event. The artwork was made as part of a program that sees canvasses rotate through different people's hands, with each person adding his or her own touch. Sixteen paintings were made as part of the program this year.
- Stewart Burnett
Arena sent off with community hockey game
Aklavik
About 25 youth participated in a final hockey game at the arena March 31.
J.D. Storr, who maintains the facility, organized the event. Youth and parents enjoyed a barbecue following the games. The arena closed about three weeks earlier than usual this year.
"We had to close early this year because we're adding a new Zamboni shack and fitness centre to the complex," said Dean McLeod, recreation co-ordinator.
Construction has now started on adding those elements to the building.
The Hamlet of Aklavik is also preparing for its upcoming Mad Trapper Rendezvous.
- Stewart Burnett
Easter scavenger hunt in Sachs
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
Youth will have a chance to run around the community of Sachs Harbour in search of Easter eggs and other goodies Tuesday, April 11.
Following that will be crafts and a movie at the recreation complex, with more Easter events throughout the week, including a community feast on Wednesday, April 12.
A fishing derby over the Easter break April 13 to 18 will challenge participants to catch the smallest and biggest fish they can get.
It's a fun event with no registration required, and there will be prizes for the biggest and smallest fish caught over that time period.
Recreation co-ordinator Doreen Carpenter said the community is also preparing for its jamboree the first weekend of May, plus a kid carnival at the end of the month.
"It's a pretty busy month," she said.
- Stewart Burnett
Beer and wine store meetings
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
A public meeting is being held in Cambridge Bay to provide community members the opportunity to ask questions about an upcoming plebiscite for a beer and wine store in the hamlet.
The April 19 meeting is being held by the Department of Finance at the community hall from 7 to 9 p.m.
Interpretation services will be available and refreshments will be served.
A similar store is being considered for Rankin Inlet. A public meeting was also held there April 6.
Both hamlets will vote May 1, but the results are not binding.
An advance poll will be held on April 24.
- Beth Brown
Education is a team effort
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
Gjoa Haven's Quqshuun Ilihakvik held parent teacher interviews on March 24.
"More than 173 discussions took place between parents and teachers about their child's learning," stated principal Katharine Bartlett.
The elementary school also held a well-attended book fair that day.
"Parents and teachers discussed ways to improve attendance and also shared strategies parents can use at home to support their children with developing their reading skills in both Inuktut and English," she stated.
Bartlett and the Gjoa Haven DEA send their appreciation to parents in the hamlet and school staff for supporting student learning and making the day successful.
- Beth Brown
Visitor's centre prepares for Toonik Tyme
Iqaluit
The Unikkaarvik Visitor's Centre will be a busy place throughout April.
Beginning April 13, with the launch of the 52nd annual Toonik Tyme spring festival, the centre will be the location for information on events and festivities, and also a warm place to thaw.
The centre will also host a presentation by Inukpak Outfitting on dog teams and their role in the North on Sat. April 15 at 9 a.m. Afterwards, beginning at 10:30, there will be a dog-team exhibition behind the centre. The centre will be the place to meet for an adult scavenger hunt Monday, April 17, at 5 p.m.
Regular film programming will continue with Thursday movie nights, beginning at 7:30 p.m.: Passage on April 13, and two Isuma films, Kiviaq vs Canada and Urban Inuk, on April 20.
For National Canadian Film Day, Alethea Arnaquq-Baril's critically acclaimed and award-winning documentary Angry Inuk will screen Wed., April 19, at 7:30 p.m.
- Michele LeTourneau
Eggs-hiding
Kugluktuk
The Kugluktuk youth centre will host a community Easter egg hunt on Sat. April 15 from 1 to 3 p.m.
"Come and enjoy a fun afternoon to start the Easter Weekend ... we encourage families to come out together," stated the hunt announcement.
There will also be crafts, snacks and games.
- Beth Brown
Hunter support returns
Nunavut
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) relaunched the Nunavut Harvesters Support Program effective April 1.
The purpose of program is to preserve and advance Nunavut Inuit harvesting culture, heritage and traditional ways of life, according to a news release.
The program's includes the Community Hunt Program and the Harvesting Equipment Program. Included in the second is the small harvesting equipment program, the safety equipment program and the disaster relief program.
"(The program) is intended to help alleviate poverty and give Inuit funding assistance to purchase harvesting activities," said Eetoolook.
Applications and information is available on NTI's website, from Hunters and Trappers Organizations and Community Liaison Officers.
- Michele LeTourneau
Time to apply for scholarship
Nunavut
Inuit students pursuing post-secondary education can apply for the Jose Amaujaq Kusugak Scholarship from now until July 9.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) will award two Inuit students each with a $5,000 scholarship to pursue studies at accredited post-secondary institutions in the areas of Inuit language and education.
Students studying in other areas are eligible if they demonstrate a link between their field of study and the pursuit and promotion of Inuit rights, according to a news release.
"I remember the late Jose Kusugak's passion and dedication to the preservation of Inuit rights through education and the protection of our language rights. By providing this scholarship to students every year, NTI is assisting Inuit with gaining the education needed to ensure that Inuktut language rights remain central throughout Nunavut," stated president Alookie Kotierk.
- Michele LeTourneau
Tootoo supports Manitoba-Kivalliq road
Winnipeg
Nunavut MP Hunter Tootoo pushed for a road connecting the Kivalliq region to Manitoba in a keynote speech at the Hudson Bay Regional Round Table - a gathering of community leaders from Northern Manitoba and the Kivalliq region of Nunavut -held in Winnipeg March 30.
According to a news release, Tootoo said Canada had lost its connection to the North when the Port of Churchill closed and that work reconnecting to the North could begin with construction of a road connecting the southern province to the neighbouring Kivalliq region.
"We have heard a lot of talk but it is time, I think, to act," said Tootoo, referring to Nunavut's challenges, such as poverty, mental illness, and protecting the environment.
"The social and economic benefits to Kivalliq would be vast and far-reaching and provide a much needed boost to the region."
The often-discussed project includes an all-weather road with hydro and broadband connectivity to the Kivalliq. Tootoo pledged his support for a motion passed by the round table members to proceed with a feasibility study for the project, according to the release.
- Michele LeTourneau
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