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Monday, May 1, 2017
Sleno one step closer to space
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
Capt. Nathalie Sleno has made it through the latest round of cuts to become one of Canada's next astronauts.
Sleno was one of 17 candidates shortlisted April 24 by Navdeep Bains, the federal minister of innovation, science and economic development. Nearly 4,000 people applied for the position during the latest recruitment campaign, according to a news release.
Sleno will undergo a final round of assessments with the Canadian Space Agency's astronaut recruitment campaign before two astronauts are chosen this summer, the release said.
- Kirsten Fenn
Almost $2 million paid to Inuvialuit beneficiaries
Inuvik
The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation's board announced a $400 distribution payment to all enrolled Inuvialuit beneficiaries over the age of 18 last week.
A total of $1,814,400 was designated for 4,536 beneficiaries enrolled in the Inuvialuit Trust. Payments can be expected May 1 in the Inuvialuit communities.
- Stewart Burnett
Sunday flights for Iqaluit-Yellowknife
NWT
Air travellers between Iqaluit and Yellowknife will have more possibilities for flights after First Air announced it is increasing the number it runs between the two cities.
According to a scheduling update from the airline, the trans-territorial flight, which includes a stop in Rankin Inlet, will include a flight on Sunday starting May 21.
Previously, flights were available Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- April Hudson
Lutsel K'e elects councillors
Lutsel K'e/Snowdrift
Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation has elected six people to its band council.
New councillors include Ron Desjarlais, who received 123 votes; Ronald Fatt, who received 84 votes; Adeline Jonasson, who received 104 votes; Sunrise Lockhart, with 110 votes; James Marlowe, with 90 votes; and Antoine Michel, with 83 votes.
A total of 804 people voted.
The new councillors will join recently elected Chief Darryl Boucher-Marlowe at the council table. Boucher-Marlowe, who is 30-years old, was voted in March 28 with 103 votes.
- April Hudson
Senator calls for apology from GNWT
Tthenaago/Nahanni Butt
Senator Nick Sibbeston is calling for an apology from the territorial government to Nahanni Butte for taking legal action against the band related to the opening of an old logging road.
On April 25, Sibbeston attended a public hearing for an all-season access road to Prairie Creek Mine.
The GNWT Department of Lands sought an injunction to halt work on the road but withdrew its case in April.
Sibbeston said the legal filing "upset and disturbed" him, and asked Minister of Lands Louis Sebert and Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson to apologize to the band's membership.
"In this instance, where the government took those legal (actions), was it just a lapse of judgement, or is it an insensitivity?" he said, according to a transcript of the public hearing posted to the Mackenzie Valley Review Board website.
"I hope this never happens to any other group of people. It is terrible."
- April Hudson
Fort Providence goes national
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
As table tennis continues to spread throughout the North, the place where it all began is getting some national attention.
Fort Providence hit the pages of Reader's Digest in the April edition for its ping pong programming.
Written by Northern journalist Elaine Anselmi and with photos by Thorsten Gohl, the article details the rise of table tennis in the hamlet and how it has been used to help youth stay out of trouble.
"(This was) an amazing exposure for the hamlet as well as a great indication of all the work we have put in for table tennis in the Northwest Territories," stated Gohl, who is Table Tennis North's executive director, in an email.
- April Hudson
Norman Wells wants firefighters
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
Anyone looking to become a Norman Wells firefighter is invited to the town's fire hall on Wednesday evenings to learn more about firefighting, said firefighter Brandon Scott.
"People can come down any Wednesday night from 7 to 9 (p.m.) and we will be at the fire hall," he said. "Come on in, we'll show you around."
The goal is to attract new volunteer firefighters, but the department is looking for anyone who can help out in any capacity.
Scott said the department provides funding for training and other opportunities.
"It's a way to get good experience and it looks good on a resume," he said.
If anyone is interested in firefighting but can't make it to the hall on Wednesday evenings, Scott said local firefighters are always willing to talk one-on-one about what being a firefighter entails.
"They could give the town office a call or they can talk to any of the current members, they'll be glad enough to help you out," he said.
- Kassina Ryder
Hockey photos fundraise for cancer fund
Radilih Kue'/Fort Good Hope
A fundraiser in Fort Good Hope is using hockey fandom to raise money for cancer, said organizer Melinda Laboucan.
Residents are encouraged to upload photos of themselves showing off their favourite hockey teams to the Facebook pages and tag Laboucan in the photos.
She will then gather the photos and print them, which will then be judged by local RCMP officers.
It costs $20 to enter each photo, but participants can upload as many different photos as they like.
"You can post a picture of your group or by yourself or anything that's just to show your favourite hockey team," Laboucan said.
The goal is to raise between $500 and $1,000 for the Fort Good Hope Cancer Fund.
The fund assists families with everything from hotel room costs to bills while undergoing cancer treatment.
The deadline to upload photos is May 5 and Laboucan said judging will be done later that day or on May 6.
The winner will receive half of all the proceeds raised during the contest.
- Kassina Ryder
Application approaching for leadership camps
NWT
NWT youth are encouraged to apply for this summer's Northern Youth Leadership summer camps, said Ali McConnell, project director with Northern Youth Leadership.
The deadline to apply is May 24.
The first camp, the Gana River Leadership camp, is for girls age 11 to 13.
It is scheduled to run from June 26 to July 3 and will include hiking, outdoor and traditional skills, arts and crafts and canoeing. This is the camp's fourth year running and is located in the Mackenzie Mountains.
The Boys Advanced Leadership Canoe Trip is scheduled to run from July 22 to July 31. Boys aged 13 to 16 will paddle from Behchoko to Yellowknife learning navigation and paddling skills. The end goal is to teach participants how to successfully lead canoe trips.
The final camp is the Girls Advanced Leadership Canoe Trip, which is scheduled to take place from August 19 to August 26. The group will leave Fort Smith and will also learn about leading canoe trips, as well as traditional skills.
The application form is easy to fill out and includes a portion where applicants can let organizers know if they have any special concerns, such as whether they are shy and need a little extra time to get to know others.
"It lets us know what kids need from facilitators," McConnell said.
All of the costs associated with the camps are covered, including airfare to and from their home communities, but the organization asks for a $250 registration fee.
McConnell said participants who are unable to pay are still encouraged to sign up.
"They can call me to ask about different options," she said.
Northern Youth Leadership is a member of Tides Canada.
- Kassina Ryder
Programs keep youth busy until jamboree
Ulukhaktok/Holman
The school season is winding down but programs at the youth centre and gym are still keeping youth busy after class.
Youth are welcome at the gym every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with different age groups at different times, to participate in basketball, Arctic sports, floor hockey and other activities.
The youth centre will keep young people busy with crafts, baking, computer time, table tennis and more, with older groups in the
evenings.
All of those programs are free of charge.
The community's annual jamboree will be held in early June. The date was moved up a week to ensure the ice was still frozen enough to travel on.
The jamboree will feature indoor games, outdoor games, square dancing, traditional events, seal skinning, fish fileting, tea boiling and much more.
After Friday opening ceremonies, the community will be invited for a trip out to Mashuyak, which is about five miles out of town.
"That's where we hunt our eider ducks," said Joanne Ogina, recreation co-ordinator.
In Ulukhaktok, the jamboree king and queen are chosen through a points system.
Participants in the event's games earn points for how well they place and the winners become king and queen, with the youth winners becoming prince and princess.
- Stewart Burnett
Wrigley cleans up for spring
Pehdzeh Ki/Wrigley
Children and youth up to 16 years old are encouraged to participate in Wrigley's community spring clean up on May 5, said Joelle Moses-Oskenekisses, healthy families co-ordinator with the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation.
Participants can pick up bags at the community hall and spend the afternoon picking up garbage around town. Gloves will also be provided.
Moses-Oskenekisses will receive the bags at the hall and every bag will be worth a ticket, which will be entered into a draw for three prizes consisting of two new bicycles and a tablet.
The more bags participants fill, the more likely it is that they will win a prize, Moses-Oskenekisses said.
- Kassina Ryder
Spring Carnival a success in Tulita
Tulita/Fort Norman
The Tulita Spring Carnival was a hit with residents, said recreation co-ordinator Kelsey Dayler.
The carnival ran from April 17 to 23.
"It was wonderful, we had a big turnout with community members," she said.
"Everyone came out and enjoyed some games and activities and the talent show."
The talent show was made up of four categories: singing, jigging, doubles jigging and animal calling.
There were also adult games including dizzy stick and balloon bust, as well as similar games for children and youth.
There were also traditional games, such as leg wrestling, stick pulling and tea boiling.
There was also a cookout with hotdogs, hamburgers, steak and pork chops.
The indoor events took place at the community arena and outdoor events were held outside the arena building.
- Kassina Ryder
Construction labourer program begins
in Wekweeti
Wekweeti/Snare Lakes
A construction labourer course offered through Aurora College is scheduled to begin in Wekweeti on May 8, information from Aurora College said.
The construction labourer basics course will teach students about fire safety and basic construction site hazards, as well as an introduction to electrical work,
AC circuits and electrical safety.
The course requires participants to have basic reading skills and the ability to arrive to class on time every day.
The program will run for seven weeks until June 23 at the Wekweeti Community Learning Centre.
- Kassina Ryder
NWT artists sought for Northern Light exhibit
NWT
Music Yukon is calling for Northern artists to submit proposals for a travelling visual art exhibition.
A jury will select two artists from each territory, including the NWT, to participate in the project, according to a news release. The goal of the exhibit, called Northern Light, is to showcase the North's diverse forms of light - from the aurora to the midnight sun. It is expected to be showcased in Vancouver in September and Whitehorse in October.
Applications are due May 15.
- Kirsten Fenn
Busy times at Aklavik Mad Trapper
Rendezvous
Aklavik
Not long after the Mad Trapper Rendezvous wrapped up last month, the community of Aklavik held its kiddies carnival.
"It was a really good weekend," said Dean McLeod, recreation co-ordinator, about the rendezvous. The 2017 king and queen were Patrick Gordon and Ashton Semple, respectively.
Talent show winner was Brandon Stewart.
In snowmobile machine racing, Shelby Steen won both the women's 50 mile open class track race and the women's open class cross country race. David McLeod won the men's 100 mile open class track race, while Isaac Lennie won the men's open class cross country race.
There were 21 entries in the men's open class competition.McLeod said a lot of visitors came from outside Aklavik.
"We'd just like to thank all our visitors and all the community and everybody for helping out, especially all the committee members for making this year's carnival such a success, and all our sponsors," he said.
- Stewart Burnett
Newfie Night back for another year
Hay River
Newfie Night, an annual dinner and evening of fun entertainment, was to return April 29.
The dinner was to feature jiggs dinner, a traditional meal from Newfoundland and Labrador consisting of boiled salt beef, cabbage, split peas and root vegetables. Newfie Night is presented each year by St. Andrew's Anglican Church.
- Paul Bickford
Slave River Paddlefest on the way
Thebacha/Fort Smith
The annual Slave River Paddlefest will be returning for another year in Fort Smith.
The event, which is focused on the river's rapids just south of Fort Smith in northern Alberta, is set for Aug. 4 to 6.
Paddlefest includes instructional clinics, river trips and friendly competitions. There are events - for both children and adults - featuring kayaks, canoes and voyageur canoes.
The Slave River offers every type of paddling imaginable from flat-water canoeing around islands in the
river to whitewater kayaking.
The main events happen on the August long weekend, but most visiting paddlers arrive a week or two early to enjoy the river.
- Paul Bickford
Clean up complete at Meliadine
Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet
None of the 30,000 litres of diesel fuel spilled at Agnico EagClean up of an April 8 fuel spill at the Meliadine mine site near Rankin Inlet is complete, according to a fourth and final update on the incident released by mine company Agnico Eagle, April 24.
Investigation showed the spill was caused by a defective valve. This led to roughly 30,000 liters of diesel leaking from a hose on the 100,000 liter diesel storage tank. The spill was contained to the area and did not contaminate any fresh water sources, stated the release.
"Utilization of similar fuel tanks for day-to-day operations has also been stopped and these facilities will be replaced by permanent infrastructures this year," stated Agnico Eagle spokesperson Natalie Frackleton.
The defective tank has been replaced with a top-discharge tank.
"Operating procedures have been revised and training of all employees involved with fueling procedures is ongoing," she stated.
"The Company is also developing a remediation plan to treat the material removed from the area impacted by the spill."
The company will continue to monitor remaining soil.
- Beth Brown
School soap dispenser found on fire
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
A soap dispenser was found burning in a washroom at Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School in Baker Lake on April 7.
"RCMP members entered the school when they overheard the fire alarm sounding," stated Sgt. David Lawson in an April 7 news release. "Two students observed the fire and promptly reported it to the school principal, who extinguished the fire. No injuries or other damage resulted."
The issue remains under investigation.
School fires are an especially sensitive issue in the territory after arson destroyed Kugaardjuk Ilihakvik in Kugaaruk on March 1 and a 2015 fire left Peter Pitseolak School in Cape Dorset in ruins.
RCMP are asking anyone with information about the fire to contact them.
- Beth Brown
Woman charged in stabbing
Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven
A 30-year-old Gjoa Haven woman faces aggravated assault charges after a stabbing April 12.
"A 37-year-old male was being treated at the health centre with life-threatening injuries from a stabbing," RCMP Sgt. David Lawson stated in an April 13 release.
The victim, who was taken to Yellowknife, is in stable condition, stated the release.
- Beth Brown
Outside on Earth Day
Taloyoak/Spence Bay
Netsilik Ilihakvik celebrated Earth Day in Taloyoak by getting outdoors April 21.
Students went walking, skiing and sliding in the snow.
"It was held at a little lake called Nipiqayalik which has great sliding hills all around. It was a beautiful sunny, clear day with hardly a breath of wind," wrote school principal Gina Pizzo.
- Beth Brown
Dorset art shown in Italy
Kinngait/Cape Dorset
Ten works by late Cape Dorset artist Kananginak Pootoogook will be shown an a prestigious art fair in Italy.
This marks the first time an Inuit artist has been featured at the Venice Biennale. The visual arts event opens in Venice on May 13 and runs until Nov 26.
"The community of Cape Dorset is thrilled to see one of its most prolific creators featured at the 57th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia," stated Pingwartok Ottokie, president of the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative. "Long recognized as one of Canada's most important Inuit artists, Kananginak Pootoogook's debut at this prestigious exhibition ensures a place amongst his international colleagues."
The pieces chosen will show his later ink and colour pencil drawings as well as self-portraits. The pieces were chosen to reflect Inuit culture and art.
- Beth Brown
National Inuit Youth Council needs president
Inuit Nunangat
The National Inuit Youth Council is in search of a new president.
The position requires a two-year term where the president will be the national spokesperson for Inuit youth and be a member of the ITK board of directors and of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, Canada.
The representative will act as an advocate for Inuit youth across the country in political and cultural conversations. The position includes travel opportunities throughout Canada and to attend international events. The president will also contribute to Nipiit Magazine.
Nominees must be a Canadian Inuit youth aged 18 to 30, and be comfortable with travel and public speaking. They will display leadership qualities, a passion for learning, desire to create change and have an active interest in their culture.
Nomination applications require 10 signatures from Inuit who support the applicant's candidacy. A criminal record check is also required.
Nomination forms can be submitted until May 17.
- Beth Brown
Potato chip recall
Nunavut
Love chips? Watch out for Miss Vickie's brand jalapeno chips.
The Department of Health released a warning April 26, stating there is a food recall in effect for this brand and flavour.
"The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) food safety inspection identified possible salmonella contamination," states the release.
CIFA keeps a complete list of recalled products on its website.
"Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased," states the release.
The warning notes food contaminated with salmonella may not look or smell spoiled, but can still make you sick, and short-term symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. The department states that young children, pregnant women, elders and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and potentially deadly infections.
"If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your local health centre."
- Michele LeTourneau
QIA taking scholarship application
Qikiqtaaluk
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) has launched its drive for applications to the John Amagoalik Scholarship. The $5,000 scholarship honours the efforts of John Amagoalik towards the betterment of Inuit in Nunavut.
"The scholarship was a big help to me," stated Neoma Cox, last year's scholarship recipient.
Cox is now a second-year student in the Environmental Technology program at Arctic College, and says the QIA scholarship helped her stay in school, according to a news release.
"It helped me stay on track with my studies by assisting with my childcare costs and additional school equipment and supplies to do my field work."
This scholarship is available to Inuit students from the Qikiqtani region pursuing post-secondary education. QIA states it will prioritize applications from post-secondary students entering a field that promotes Inuit language and culture.
"This scholarship is an investment in the future of Qikiqtani Inuit," stated QIA president PJ Akeeagok. "Education is the pathway to success for our young people and at QIA we want to do our part to help our youth achieve their goals."
- Michele LeTourneau
Canadian North won't go to Clyde River
Nunavut
Canadian North and First Air, in preparation for the end of codeshare May 16, have both announced changes to their scheduled flights.
While Canadian North states it will launch its new flight schedule May 17, the company says it will cancel its plans to resume service to Clyde River.
"This decision was made in response to unique factors pertaining solely to Clyde River, including an inadequate number of confirmed bookings as well as limited demand for its freight services due to the lack of a contracted retail partner within this community. Furthermore, Canadian North was unable to identify sufficient qualified candidates or source a contractor to manage its operations in Clyde River," according to a Canadian North release.
The company vows it will "continue to meet or beat all competitors on price, product and customer service."
Meanwhile, First Air announced that as of May 21 it will be increasing the frequency of its trans-territorial Iqaluit-Rankin Inlet-Yellowknife route from three to four flights weekly.
The airline will fly Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
"The additional flight will be operated using Summit Air RJ85 aircraft," stated the company.
"The increased frequency is in response to customer feedback for a weekend option."
- Michele LeTourneau
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