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Monday, April 17, 2017
RCMP warns about child exploitation
NWT
The NWT RCMP is advising the public of the importance of teaching internet safety to children and youth.
The warning comes following an investigation into reports of child exploitation and pornography that revealed youth were coerced into providing nude photos through social media.
The RCMP did not identify the perpetrator but said the adult plead guilty in court to charges of child luring, extortion and possession of child pornography.
The adult was sentenced to three years in jail, according to police.
RCMP did not say where the culprit was residing or when he appeared in court.
- Stewart Burnett
Inquiry meetings postponed
NWT
Regional advisory meetings for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls have been postponed, according to a news release.
None of the meetings were in the Northwest Territories.
The delay happened after the first regional meeting in Whitehorse last week.
While there, the commissioners were advised to reflect and make sure the inquiry adjusts to meet the needs of different regions, peoples and communities, according to an April 13 news release.
Advisory meetings in several locations across Canada were to lay the groundwork for subsequent hearings.
- Shane Magee
IRC seeks youth representative
Inuvik
The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation is looking for an Inuvialuit youth representative for the National Inuit Youth Council.
The council provides guidance and recommendations to the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami board of directors on topics related to Inuit youth.
It focuses on identifying important topics affecting Inuit youth and more. Anyone interested can find out more on the IRC website.
- Stewart Burnett
Tlicho winter roads closed until next year
Tlicho
All winter roads in the Tlicho region shut down on April 8, information from the Department of Transportation said.
The decision was owed to the large volume of overflowing water on Marion Lake, which caused flooding on the roadway.
- Kassina Ryder
RCMP warns against handling illicit drugs
RCMP is telling the public not to handle illicit drugs if they come across any.
The advice comes after a man told News/North he recently found a baggie of what appeared to be cocaine in his apartment lobby.
The man said he took the bag to RCMP headquarters after business hours but when no officers responded, he threw the baggie in the garbage can in front of the detachment. Police say they never found it. In an e-mail RCMP Sgt. Donnie Duplissea stated if anybody finds illicit drugs, contact RCMP.
- John McFadden
Stanton Hospital's top administrator leaves
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
Stanton Territorial Hospital is looking for a permanent chief operating officer after the previous one left after only eight months on the job.
The Department of Health and Social Services has confirmed Colin Goodfellow is no longer the hospital's top executive. He came to the city last September after having been the chief executive officer for the hospital in Kemptville, Ont., near Ottawa.
The circumstances behind Goodfellow's departure are not being made public by the government.
- John McFadden
Hub readies for breakup
Hay River
Hay River Fire Chief Ross Potter, who is also the director of protective services with the Town of Hay River, sees positive signs for the spring breakup.
"I'm cautiously optimistic, I'll put it that way, that it'll be a good year," he said recently. "From my understanding, there isn't a whole bunch of snow down south. The snowfall in the Hay River area was probably better than two times the normal amount of snowfall, but that's all localized."
Potter explained that what can create flooding in Hay River is the water coming from down south and how the thaw goes.
- Paul Bickford
Exploration firm to hear concerns
Hay River
Darnley Bay Resources Limited has announced that it plans to hold what it is describing as listening sessions in the South Slave.
The company purchased the Pine Point mineral property late last year and has begun examining whether the mining operations can be restarted. The listening sessions will be open houses that will not feature speeches, presentations, or a microphone, stated a company news release.
Darnley Bay said its representatives are interested in hearing suggestions on how it can be a good neighbour, how a mine development project at Pine Point can best proceed, and how to meet community priorities.
The first listening session will be held in Hay River from 6 to 9 p.m. on April 19 at the Ptarmigan Inn.
The second session will be held on April 20 in Fort Resolution.
- Paul Bickford
Medical travel guide released
NWT
NWT Medical Travel: A Step-by-Step Guide was released early this month by the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority.
It is a source of information for patients who need to travel to access health services.
Hard copies of the guide will be available at clinics, health centres and hospitals across the NWT.
An electronic version is also available on the authority's website.
- Paul Bickford
Fort Resolution band council elections
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
Two people have been elected to the band council of Deninu Ku'e First Nation in Fort Resolution.
In the March 22 voting, Frank (Rocky) Lafferty received 72 votes to finish first among four candidates and was therefore elected to a four-year term.
Stanley (Beck) Louine received 49 votes to place second, and was also elected to a four-year term.
- Paul Bickford
Writer long listed for national prize in fiction
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Patti-Kay Hamilton of Fort Smith has been long listed for the 2017 CBC Short Story Prize.
She is one of 28 writers still in contention for the prestigious award.
Hamilton - who won the CBC contest for creative non-fiction in 2014 - said there are usually thousands of entries in the fiction contest.
"This is the fiction prize and there's always more nominees for this," she said, "So there's anywhere from 4,000 to 4,500 people who submit short stories for the fiction award. And they choose 28 out of those 4,000 for a long list. So I'm one of those 28. I'm surprised and very honoured."
Some people on that list have been nominated for Giller Prizes and other awards.
"So to be in that long list with that type of company makes me feel very good," said Hamilton.
Her story is called 'Stampeded'.
"What it's about is the early days of Wood Buffalo National Park when the park was first established," said Hamilton, explaining, beginning in the 1920s, the people who lived in the bush were forced out of the park and treated as poachers if they tried to hunt on their traditional land.
The story is a fictionalized account told from a young girl's point of view of what happened to women and their children when men were arrested and banished from their ancestral homeland.
Hamilton said a shortlist of five for the 2017 CBC Short Story Prize is to be announced April 12, and the winner will be announced several days later.
"I have no expectation of moving forward just looking at the list of those writers," she said. "I know their writing, and it's just stellar."
Hamilton said it is just exciting to make the long list.
"It's an honour and it's very encouraging for me, especially to carry on with the novel that's going to be based on a very similar theme to this short story," said the former CBC journalist.
- Paul Bickford
Fort Good Hope is springing
Radilih Koe'/Fort Good Hope
The Rubber Boots Spring Carnival in Fort Good Hope was scheduled to begin on April 13, said recreation co-ordinator Freda Kelly.
Events were expected to kick off with a wood cutting and splitting competition, as well as egg toss, a three-legged race and a back-to-back race.
In the evening, events were expected to continue at the community hall with indoor activities, such as animal calling and a drum dance.
Events scheduled for April 14 were three legged races for parents and children, axe throwing, nail driving, a needle threading competition, tea boiling and bannock making and a relay race.
Target shooting and ice chiselling were expected to be two of the highlights on April 15, but the day was also scheduled to include a traditional cooking competition and a snowshoe race.
A snowmobile race was scheduled to take place on April 16, with the rest of the day dedicated to finishing up any competitions and events.
"Some of the games might be running late on Thursday and Friday, so some events might move to Sunday," Kelly said.
Kelly wanted to thank the carnival's volunteers, including Karen Caesar, Natasha Landry, Lisa-Marie Pierrot, Russell Manuel and Janice Manuel and Wanda Grandjambe.
- Kassina Ryder
School to host Easter Carnival
Gameti/Rae Lakes
An Easter Carnival was scheduled to take place at Jean Wetrade Gameti School on April 13, said principal Brendan Mulcahy. The carnival was expected to begin with a lasagna and garlic bread lunch followed by a carnival in the school gym from 1 to 2 p.m. High school students facilitated both the lunch and the carnival as part of their Career and Technology Studies course.
After the carnival, the Community Government of Gameti hosted an Easter egg hunt at the school, which was scheduled to run from 2 until 5 p.m.
This week, the school is expecting a special visit, Mulcahy said. Jackson Lafferty, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, is scheduled to visit Jean Wetrade Gameti School on April 18 as part of the Mace Tour. Each year, the speaker takes the Legislative Mace to schools throughout the territory to help teach students about the legislative assembly and the Mace's significance.
- Kassina Ryder
Colouring for Calm at the Norman Wells library
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
A new program at the Norman Wells Community Library is gaining in popularity, said Jennifer Waterhouse, organizer and library board member.
For two hours every Wednesday night, Norman Wells residents are colouring and drinking tea together while peaceful music plays in the background.
The idea was sparked when Waterhouse and other board members ran the library while the regular librarian was away, Waterhouse said.
She decided to host a colouring night on March 29 to help pass the time on what would normally be a slow weekday evening at the library.
"I put up a poster and the first night I had 12 people show up," she said.
The following Wednesday also attracted 12 people, so Waterhouse said she will continue hosting the event as long as it remains popular.
Waterhouse provides colouring books and printed sheets and the library has a variety of pencil crayons and other materials for participants to use.
The evening runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and is aimed for adults, but children are welcome to attend if they are accompanied by an adult.
Waterhouse said both the act of colouring and the tranquil environment at the library are an ideal combination.
"It's a great way to come de-stress," she said.
- Kassina Ryder
Fort Simpson school name change deadline extended
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
The deadline to submit a new name for Thomas Simpson High School and Bompas Elementary School
has been extended until May 31, said Jodie Isaiah, secretary/treasurer at the high school.
Fort Simpson residents are being encouraged to submit new names for the schools after it was decided the current names aren't reflective of the community.
Students and staff at the high school are also fundraising for the upcoming graduation dinner, which will take place following the graduation ceremony scheduled for June 17.
Tickets are being sold for a 50/50 draw and a "Breakup Pool" which asks participants to guess which day the ice will break up on the Mackenzie River.
- Kassina Ryder
Man wins three prizes in Tulita fishing derby
Tulita/ Fort Norman
Kurtis Widow won all three categories during a fishing derby in Tulita on April 8, said Kelsey Dayler, recreation co-ordinator.
Widow caught the largest fish, the smallest fish and the most fish during the first day of the derby, which took place at Trout Lake on April 8 and April 9.
Dayler estimated there were about 40 people out fishing on April 8 and about 60 the following day. About 55 fish were caught during the entire derby.
"It was a good day of fishing, everyone was out having a good time," Dayler said.
"We had a lot of families out there with their kids."
Edward Kenny caught the largest fish on April 9 while Lyle Etchinelle brought in the smallest and Henry Doctor caught the most.
Dayler said recreation department staff were glad so many people attended the derby.
- Kassina Ryder
Winner in chamber winter road contest
Hay River
The Hay River Chamber of Commerce has announced the winner in its annual Winter Road Coupon Contest.
The winner of $1,000 in 'Chamber Bucks' - that can be spent at 15 participating retailers in Hay River - is Jessie Campbell of Tulita.
Campbell entered the contest at Aurora Ford. It is designed to encourage residents from other communities to shop in Hay River during the winter road season.
- Paul Bickford
Tourism and business website for Hub
Hay River
Hay River will soon have a website dedicated to tourism and business.
"It was a project that was started jointly between the chamber of commerce and the Town of Hay River," said Judy Goucher, senior administrative officer with the Town of Hay River.
The website will be called Discover Hay River.
"It will have information on tourism and business related to Hay River," said Goucher.
She noted the target launch date is the end of June, and it will continue to be worked on in the upcoming year.
The town's existing website will also be updated, she added
The Hay River Chamber of Commerce will also update its website.
- Paul Bickford
Lots of options
Paulatuk
Residents of Paulatuk were ready to have a lot of options for fun this past weekend with a busy
Easter events schedule.
Events run all the way through Monday, April 17.
One of the most iconic ones is the James Ruben coin toss. Organizers gather nickels, dimes and quarters and mark them with whiteout. Then they spread the coins around and participants try to pick up as many marked ones as they can find. Winners receive gasoline corresponding to which marked coins they find.
"When (James Ruben Sr.) was living, he sponsored the event," said Lily Ann Green, recreation co-ordinator.
"After he passed, we just kept it going. It's a memorial to James Ruben Sr."
Corporate challenges were going April 13, with bag races, snow snakes and archery shoots.
Friday was to be a fun day for children and youth down at the beach, including sled race, three-legged race, bag race, backpack race, rope jumping, dizzy stick, hopping race and more.
That night there were to be games for tots and children, including balloon races, find your shoes and others.
Children 13 and under were to be able to participate in an Easter egg hunt on April 16 at the beach. There was also to be an open class snowmobile race that day.
Other events such as drum dancing, jigging, an old time dance, ice chiselling and a community feast were to be taking place over the weekend.
- Stewart Burnett
Mad Trapper Rendezvous last weekend
Aklavik
The very popular annual Mad Trapper Rendezvous was to be dedicated to Carole Rose "Bun Bun" Arey .
Events were to begin with the opening ceremonies April 13, with guest speakers, drum dancing, a jam session, a singalong and the crowning of the Aklavik Mad Trapper Rendezvous King and Queen.
Snow machine races were scheduled to take place all April 14 afternoon with a talent show in the evening.
The next day was to be will be filled with games, including toboggan pull, five-legged race, dizzy stick, egg throw, nail driving and piggyback race.
The night was to end with a jigging contest at midnight.
April 16 includes ice chiseling, tea boiling, log sawing and more snow machine races.
- Stewart Burnett
Education manager visiting communities
Tuktoyaktuk
The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation's education manager will be visiting communities over the next few weeks to help with applications for Inuvialuit Education Foundations, student financial assistance and college or university applications.
Anyone interested to meet with the education manager is encouraged to visit their community corporation building during working hours on the dates listed.
The education manager will be in Tuktoyaktuk April 18 to 21, Paulatuk April 25 to 28 and Ulukhaktok May 2 to 4.
- Stewart Burnett
Snowboarding sessions
Kugluktuk
Kids in Kugluktuk have started learning how to snowboard.
The program began last year and is being continued by the Kugluktuk Youth Centre.
"It was such a hit with the kids. Now that the weather is a little nicer and we have got a good snowpack, it has started again every Sunday and Wednesday," said recreation coordinator Ali Harper.
The program is for ages seven to 14 and is run by Harper and a community teacher, who are both certified to train the children.
"It will be basic awareness of the snowboard and getting them to learn how to find their balance on a board. We'll teach them the progression of using their edges and we'll be doing lots of heel-side sloping and toe-side sloping," she said.
"By the time the program is done, we should have them all making their turns down the hill."
- Beth Brown
Drop pop, pick up a healthy lifestyle
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
It was Drop the Pop week at Quqshuun Ilihakvik in Gjoa Haven from March 27 to 31.
The week was spent learning about healthy food and drink choices and keeping active.
"Students enjoyed a variety of different healthy snacks throughout the week to introduce them to food choices they may not have tried before," stated Catherine Eleehetook and Abby Puqiqnak.
Students created posters on healthy living, heard from the community health representative Rebecca Okpik, and read books that discuss nutrition and active living like Uvannut Turaangaqataunnigittuq/Not for Me.
"Classroom discussions took place about the amount of sugar in different types of drinks. At the end of the week an assembly was held and parents where invited to recognize and celebrate those students who dropped pop for the week," they stated.
A feast of country food for students and families ended the sugar-free week.
- Beth Brown
Teachers recognized for making a difference
Nunavut
Four teachers who make a difference in the lives of their students were celebrated at a Nunavut Teachers Association banquet held in Iqaluit April 1.
Each teacher was nominated by a student during a month-long campaign.
Random draws were made for each region and one for the entire territory from the nominations received. The student nominator and teacher nominee were acknowledged at the banquet, according to a news release.
The winning nominations were: Catherine Eleehetook of Quqshuun Ilihakvik in Gjoa Haven, Jolene Itkilik of Tusarvik School in Naujaat and Leigh Casey of Quluaq School in Clyde River.
The territorial winner was George Hill of Netsilik School in Taloyoak.
The three winning regional student nominators will receive a gift from the Government of Nunavut. They are: Alanis Kogvik, 7, of Quqshuun Ilihakvik; Ala Panika, 9, of Tusarvik School; and Janice Sangaya, 12, of Quluaq School. Each of the three teachers received an iPad Mini from the teachers' association.
The winning territorial student Angutingusaq Panigayaq, 19, of Netsilik School will receive a computer system and printer from the Government of Nunavut, while the teacher receives two system-wide tickets compliments of First Air.
The Thank You for Making a Difference Campaign is an annual event intended to acknowledge the positive contributions that all teachers make in the lives of the students they teach, according to the release.
- Michele LeTourneau
Whooping cough outbreak done
Nunavut
The Department of Health declared an end to a territorial outbreak of whooping cough,or pertussis, April 12.
"I wish to thank residents of Nunavut for being proactive, getting immunized and helping to stop the spread of pertussis," said chief medical officer of health Dr. Kim Barker.
"I also extend my sincere appreciation to our dedicated health care staff throughout Nunavut. They worked tirelessly to immunize and care for patients with pertussis. Thank you as well to Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada for their ongoing support."
The pertussis outbreak started in Pond Inlet in May 2016, and spread to 11 communities in the Qikiqtaaluk and Kivalliq regions.
The department stressed the importance of routine childhood immunizations, including protecting against pertussis.
Immunizations are free, and Nunavummiut can check their immunization status at their local health centre, according to the release.
"Though the outbreak is over, Health encourages people to be vigilant against pertussis, and see your health care provider immediately if your child has a cough that is followed by a 'whoop' sound, or has a high fever, or vomits after coughing."
- Michele LeTourneau
Water works, almost
Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay
The tap water in Cambridge Bay is safe to drink, but discoloration issues will continue until a solution can be settled on this summer, according to the Department of Community and Government Services.
The water has been various shades of yellow ever since the installation of a new state-of-the-art water treatment facility in the hamlet in the fall.
"Water sample test reports dated March 9, 2017 from the Regional Environmental Health Officer indicate absence of total coliform and E. coli," stated Community and Government Services spokesperson Kris Mullaly.
Hamlet water has been running clearer following cleaning of the system filter media and filter tanks.
"Further discoloration will be addressed in summer 2017 by cleaning the treated water tank when weather permits," he stated. "The most important information that we want to share with readers is that the water is safe to drink and that we will continue to monitor this situation."
- Beth Brown
Baffin Fisheries elects three new board members
Qikiqtaaluk
Baffin Fisheries has three new board members and two new recruitment officers, it announced April 11.
New board members are: Karen Nutarak, elected to represent the Mittimatalik Hunters and Trappers Association (HTA) in Pond Inlet; Apiusie Apak, elected to represent the Namautaq HTA in Clyde River; and, Jerry Ell, elected to represent the Amaruq HTA in Iqaluit, according to a news release.
The organization also appointed Eric Ootoovak in Pond Inlet and Daniel Kulugutuk in Pangnirtung as recruitment and administration officers.
"These new positions were created to help increase the number of Inuit beneficiaries working aboard Baffin Fisheries vessels and to assist the company in its efforts to increase economic activity in HTA communities," states the release.
Following the construction of a 3,000 sq. ft. office building in Pangnirtung in 2016, Baffin Fisheries is also building a new office building in Pond Inlet this year. The organization notes it is assisting the Mittimatalik HTA in the development of a new processing and cold storage facility, which will help in the development of a new commercial inshore fishery in Pond Inlet. Additional infrastructure work is planned for other communities, according to the release.
- Michele LeTourneau
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