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Newsbriefs: Monday, May 8, 2017
Hay River dental surgeries stopped
Hay River
Potential "lapses" with instrument sterilization procedures forced the cancellation of dental surgeries in Hay River starting May 3.
Hay River Health and Social Services said in a May 5 news release there is no indication patients should be concerned but the level of risk to patient safety is still being determined.
"Our first priority is patient safety. The cancellation of surgeries is a precautionary measure. We are working with an outside expert and the Department of Health and Social Services to determine the cause of the reprocessing issue," stated Erin Griffiths, health authority CEO.
The authority has asked for assistance from Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Andre Coriveau and an infection control specialist to inspect the instruments and review current procedures, the news release stated.
As of press time it was not known when surgeries would resume.
- James O'Connor
Slavey gets an education boost
Fort Smith
Legends and stories from Northern indigenous people are the subject of a new iPhone and iPad application from the South Slave Divisional Education Council. The app features nearly 50 books, read by a fluent Slavey speaker, and can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store.
- April Hudson
Nahanni Butte band leaves Dehcho
Nahanni Butte
On the heels of announcing it has finished work clearing a contentious logging road, Nahanni Butte Dene Band has pulled out of Dehcho First Nations.
Chief Peter Marcellais announced the band's decision during a leadership meeting in Colville Lake on May 4. He could not be reached for comment at press time but the band confirmed the decision in an e-mail.
- April Hudson
Tall ship to set sail
NWT
Climate change and melting Arctic sea ice will be documented this summer as the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, a tall ship, departs Rhode Island for the Northwest Passage.
The trip is being billed as an "historic voyage, according to the Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode island education foundation.
The voyage begins June 25.
- April Hudson
Nutrition North not lowering prices enough
NWT
Full details of a new report on Nutrition North were made public April 28, compiling feedback from town hall meetings held across the North over the past year.
As discussed in a News/North editorial last week ("Country food, not canned goods," May 1), people aren't happy with the food subsidy program.
According to the report, there is widespread sentiment in the North that "everything is expensive" and that healthy foods in particular cost too much for families to afford.
"Consistently throughout the engagement, it was heard that (the program) is not having a big enough effect on the price of food," the report states.
People felt staples such as rice, pasta, flour and butter should be included under the subsidy, and that eligibility for the subsidy should be expanded to more remote communities.
Additionally, more than 80 per cent of people felt products that support hunting and fishing, such as gasoline, ammunition and traps should be eligible for the subsidy.
- April Hudson
NWT Metis Nation pursues compensation
NWT
The Northwest Territories Metis Nation is seeking $120 million from the federal government to compensate Metis hunters and trappers who have been excluded from using the Wood Buffalo National Park for their traditional activities.
The NWT Metis Nation is also seeking acknowledgment from the federal government that the exclusion of Metis hunters and trappers resulted in "significant hardship" to them and their families, stated a news release.
Citing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, the statement calls upon Parks Canada to include the negative affects Metis people experienced in federal literature about the park.
- April Hudson
NWT sex ratio more in balance
NWT
The 2016 Census population count for NWT was 41,786 persons, representing 21,280 males and 20,505 females for a sex ratio of 103.8 males per 100 females.
By comparison, Canada had a sex ratio of 96.5 males per 100 females. That ratio decreased from 106.6 in 1996 for the NWT, and was relatively unchanged at 96.2 for Canada, new figures from Statistics Canada show.
Seniors, as a proportion of the total population, have increased from 3.5 per cent in 1996 to 7.7 per cent in 2016, while the younger ages decreased from 29 per cent to 21 per cent.
Although the NWT population is aging, it remains one of the youngest in Canada, stated agency statistics.
At 21 per cent, the proportion of the population under 15 years of age was the second highest after Nunavut, at 32.5 per cent.
This was the second of a series of releases based on the 2016 Census results.
- James O'Connor
Sudden death investigated
Hay River
The RCMP and the NWT Coroner Service are investigating the sudden death of a 26-year-old male in Hay River in the evening hours of April 23.
According to an RCMP news release, no foul play is suspected.
The NWT Coroner Service ordered a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
Cathy Menard, chief coroner of the NWT, confirmed the death is not suspicious, although the cause of death is unknown.
- Paul Bickford
Unemployment drops in April
NWT
The unemployment rate in the territory dropped to 5.3 per cent last month, the lowest since November 2010, according to the NWT Bureau of Statistics.
There were 22,800 people working or actively looking for work last month. There were 21,600 employed, leaving 1,200 unemployed, the lowest since May 2009.
The bureau's report released May 5 states there were 300 jobs added between February and March and 200 between March and April.
Almost all of the job gains were among males, non-aboriginal people and in full-time employment, the report states.
While the unemployment rate has been declining in recent years, the number of people in the labour market has been shrinking. The participation rate in April dropped to 70.4 per cent, down from 70.7 the month before and 74.4 per cent a year ago.
The bureau's report was based on Statistics Canada data collected through the national labour force survey each month. The NWT numbers are a three-month moving average.
- Shane Magee
A celebration for mothers
Gameti/Rae Lakes
A Mothers' Day extravaganza is being planned to honour Gameti's mothers, said recreation co-ordinator Juanita Bekale.
The event is scheduled to take place on May 14 and while plans are still being finalized, the day could include a Mothers' Day barbecue feast, as well as games and activities.
Bekale is still working on the possibility of a karaoke night and a drum dance in the evening. All indoor events will take place at the community hall. Volunteers are needed to help make the day a success, Bekale added.
"I'm just really hoping to get a lot of volunteers to make this day a successful event for all mothers, because they obviously deserve it," Bekale said.
"I'm hoping everybody gets together. I really want to make this a special day."
Anyone looking to volunteer can contact the Gameti recreation department.
- Kassina Ryder
Fiddling fun in Tulita
Tulita/Fort Norman
Members of the Kole Crook Fiddle Association visited Tulita last week, said Karen Christiansen, an instructor at Chief Albert Wright School.
The fiddlers travel to Tulita twice a year to provide lessons to students and community members.
"It was from four year olds right up to adults," Christiansen said.
Adults were invited to participate in lessons after school hours and many were surprised how rapidly they learned how to play, she added.
"They were quite amazed," Christiansen said. "They could see their progress quite quickly."
The lessons took place at the school and students performed a concert on May 3.
The group also held a concert on April 29, which included jigging and square dancing, said recreation co-ordinator Kelsey Dayler.
"The kids really enjoyed it," Dayler said.
- Kassina Ryder
Wrigley hosts pizza party
Pehdzeh Ki/Wrigley
Children, youth and parents in Wrigley were treated to a hamburger and pizza party on May 2, said Joelle Moses-Oskeneegis, healthy families co-ordinator with the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation.
Families were encouraged to visit the community complex from 3 to 5 p.m. to make their own pizzas to share.
"We want to get the families to come out and have a burger and a slice of pizza," Moses-Oskeneegis said. The afternoon also included games and prizes.
- Kassina Ryder
Council chamber gets makeover
Hay River
The council chamber of the Town of Hay River has a new look.
On April 24, four large photographs were added to the wall behind where councillors sit.
Stacey Barnes, the executive assistant with the Town of Hay River, oversaw the changes at the request of council.
"They wanted to dress the place up," she said, noting the wall was very bare.
The new images - by well-known Hay River photographer Adam Hill - are of Alexandra Falls, an aerial view of the community, Northern lights over the town and Fisherman's Wharf in the summer.
Barnes added that, with the South Slave Arctic Winter Games coming to Hay River in March of next year, the sporting event's logo will also be added to the wall on each side of the photographs. Above the photographs there will be wording to promote Hay River.
"We're going to have 'Our Hay River', 'Town of Hay River' and 'Discover Hay River'," said Barnes.
She noted one of the reasons for the changes is that council meetings are now being broadcast on the Hay River Elks Community Channel on local television. It can also be seen across Canada on Channel 649 on the Bell satellite network.
Photographs of previous councils will remain in the council chamber near the entrance to the room. A photo of the current council has yet to be added to that collection.
- Paul Bickford
Whati, Gameti and Behchoko to hold elections
Tlicho
Elections for chief and council are scheduled to take place in Behchoko, Whati and Gameti on June 12, information from the Tlicho Government said.
Nominations can be submitted until May 15.
Gameti has six councillor positions available, half of which must be filled by Tlicho citizens. Whati has eight council seats available and Behchoko has ten seats available, half of which must be filled by Tlicho citizens.
Voting will also take place to decide chiefs in each community. Only Tlicho citizens are eligible to run for chief.
- Kassina Ryder
Arctic Energy and Emerging Technologies trade show planning
Inuvik
The Town of Inuvik will be hosting its second annual Arctic Energy and Emerging Technologies trade show June 12-14.
Text on the trade show's website explicitly reference the changing times in Inuvik, writing that the region is "faced with new realities regarding our energy options, our efficiencies and our participation in the global economy."
The closing keynote address will be made by Dr. Roberta Bondar, Canada's first female astronaut and the first neurologist in space. Other sessions and speeches include topics on nuclear science, carbon pricing, and bringing LNG to Arctic communities.
- Stewart Burnett
Youth matter conference returns
Inuvik
After being fully booked last year, the YOUth MATTER! conference is returning to Inuvik this August.
The regional youth empowerment event will provide a week of workshops and activities under the theme mind, body and soul. Youth 12-29 are encouraged to apply by sending a cover letter to: tsnowshoe@gwichin.nt.ca.
All expenses are covered. Deadline to apply is May 31.
- Stewart Burnett
Norman Wells gets book club
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
Norman Wells now has a monthly book club, said organizer Carrie Campbell, wellness program co-ordinator with the Norman Wells Land Corporation.
Books are available through Campbell and are completely free, she said. Participants can pick up a book, read it and then visit the monthly book club luncheon where fellow readers discuss the book.
This month's book is Humans of New York: Stories, by author Brandon Stanton.
"Once a month we'll read a book and come have a luncheon and talk about the book," Campbell said.
"You can take a new book at that time."
There are a variety of books to choose from and participants are welcome to make suggestions about what to read the following month.
The first luncheon is scheduled to take place on May 17.
Campbell said books are available on a first come, first served basis so anyone looking to participate should try to be there early.
"It's for anybody that wants to participate," she said. "It's here and it's open to the community and it's free."
- Kassina Ryder
Event to focus on Wood Buffalo birds
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Later this month, Wood Buffalo National Park will be presenting a special activity focused on birds.
The event - called See the World in Birds: At Feathers and Friends Sleepover BioBlitz - will take place on May 26 and 27 at the Slave River day-use area, about 25 km south of Fort Smith in the Northern Alberta section of the park.
The guest speaker will be birding expert Chris Fisher, the bestselling author of Birds of Alberta.
There will be a Birding 101 workshop, late-night and early-morning birding hikes, children's activities, camping and campfire programs, as well as a collection of birding observations.
- Paul Bickford
Goose hunting season is on
Paulatuk
The recreation team is working on preparations for Paulatuk's annual jamboree in August, but before then, community members are enjoying the start of what should be a great goose hunting season.
"It's getting beautiful and the geese are starting to make their way," said Lily Ann Green, recreation co-ordinator.
"Everybody's excited about the spring hunt."
Springtime is mainly for geese hunting, she said.
"Everybody gets enough to last the year until next spring."
Many people are spending time out of the community in their spring camps these days. The ocean doesn't melt until June, but it keeps getting earlier every year, said Green.
"The thaw in the ocean is earlier all the time with global warming," she said. "You have to be careful out there."
People have been out fishing already, catching a lot of fish at the lake and some char every now and then.
- Stewart Burnett
First aid course available
Aklavik
A standard first aid course, including CPR training, will be available in several communities during May.
Provided in partnership with the Workers' Safety & Compensation Commission, the courses are taught by Canadian Red Cross certified trainers or registered paramedics.
The two-day, free comprehensive course will provide participants with first aid certification.
Training days will take place during May in Aklavik, Tuktoyaktuk and Fort McPherson.
To register, go to: 62degreesnorth.ca/course-calendar.
Stewart Burnett
Groups encouraged to sign up for cleanup
Inuvik
The 2017 community cleanup will be taking place May 26 to June 4.
Community groups are encouraged to sign up for one of the 13 zones, which will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
The event provides non-profit groups and orgnaizations an opportunity to raise funds in exchange for cleaning part of the community.
Successful cleaning of a zone will earn a group $400.
Contact skrug@inuvik.ca to register
- Stewart Burnett
Annual jamboree this weekend
Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour
A recent kiddies carnival whet the palate for community members before the annual jamboree to happen last weekend
"It went really good," said Doreen Carpenter, recreation co-ordinator, referring to the kiddies carnival.
"It was a fun day."
The event on the weekend of April 29 had to be delayed a day because of a late freight shipment.
The carnival is often held during the jamboree but organizers decided to do it a week earlier this year.
Sometimes it's done on national child day as well.
"Pretty well the whole community showed up," said Carpenter.
The jamboree last weekend involved indoor and outdoor events, a gift bingo, casino night and much more.
"Pancake breakfasts are always a big hit," said Carpenter.
The community has also begun its annual Father's Day fishing derby, which began May 1 and lasts until the end of June.
Prizes will be awarded for heaviest trout, heaviest char and smallest fish.
- Stewart Burnett
Teen arrested after firearm incident
A 16-year-old boy faces several charges after an incident involving a firearm in Iglulik.
According to an RCMP news release, police responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence the morning of May 2. Upon arrival, police found a youth pointing a firearm at another person. He was disarmed before any shots were fired, police stated.
The teen is charged with pointing a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession and unsafe storage of a firearm.
"The circumstances of this highly volatile incident could have resulted is a much more significant outcome for all involved," police stated. "Police continually strike to achieve an end result such as this where nobody is hurt."
RCMP is pleading with residents to lock their guns, noting that it is the law.
-John McFadden
Agnico Eagle fined $50,000 for 2013 spill
Qamanittuaq/Baker Lake
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. will pay a $50,000 fine for failing to notify appropriate authorities in a timely manner after a sump-seepage incident at its Meadowbank mine in July 2013.
"This was an unfortunate event and we are taking the matter very seriously. Agnico Eagle has a rigorous environmental management system in place and we have taken steps to further improve upon it," stated the company's vice-president of Nunavut operations Dominique Girard in a news release.
"Our Nunavut environment management team has revised spill procedures and plans, including a new spills notification protocol that will be shared with all Agnico Nunavut employees and we remain deeply committed to environmental protection by ensuring that measures are in place to control our activities and minimize our effects."
Upon detection of the seepage, the mine worked to control the seepage and samples were collected to analyze the water quality at the seepage location entering the lake. Toxicity tests confirmed that this water was non-toxic to trout and daphnia, according to the release.
Most recently, on April 8, Agnico reported a 30,000-litre diesel spill at its Meliadine site to authorities, informing the public the same day of steps taken.
"The company is also developing a remediation plan to treat the material removed from the area impacted by the spill," according to a final update from the company April 24.
- Michele LeTourneau
$50,000 for a home in the capital
Iqaluit
Thanks to a young boy from Victoria, B.C., Habitat Iqaluit is $50,000 closer to building low-cost housing, with the help of local communities, families and volunteers.
Eleven-year-old Benson Wilmer entered a contest, along with more than 10,000 Canadian school children in Grades 4, 5 and 6. The entrants had to answer the question: What is the meaning of home?
Wilmer's was the winning entry, and he then selected the Iqaluit chapter to be the beneficiary, according to the national group's news release.
The money will be used to help build a home for a local family.
"We are proud of this campaign, which has helped increase awareness about the need for affordable homeownership in Canada. Benson's poem really captured the essence of a home, the acceptance, warmth and place where one feels welcomed," stated Stuart Levings, president and chief executive officer of contest sponsor Genworth Canada.
Habitat Iqaluit declined to comment at this time, saying they would issue a news release on their activities in the future.
- Michele LeTourneau
Learn your rocks
Nunavut
For those with an interest in prospecting, Economic Development and Transportation (EDT) is launching a fresh round of its Introduction to Prospecting course.
This year the course will be offered in Iqaluit June 12 to 17, in Iglulik June 19 to 24, and in Cambridge Bay June 19 to 24. The program has been offered each summer since 1999. Last year, 84 people successfully completed the course.
"(The course) provides technical training to Nunavummiut over the age of 18 interested in mineral deposits and exploration given mainly by EDT resident geologists," manager of the minerals division Paul Budkewitsch told Nunavut News/North.
Budkewitsch also said there have been hundreds of gold, silver, base metals, gemstone and carving stone sample locations identified by Nunavut prospectors.
The week-long course is free.
- Michele LeTourneau
QIA's Ilagiiktunut Fund accepts proposals
Qikiqtaaluk
Funding for worthy community-based projects through the Qikiqtani Inuit Association's Ilagiiktunut Fund is now available for 2017-2018.
The funding is specifically geared for organizations, committees, associations, and individuals based in or working in partnership with Arctic Bay, Clyde River, Hall Beach, Iglulik, and Pond Inlet, according to the news release. Projects are to demonstrate positive impacts for Inuit in the North Baffin communities, aiming towards resilient communities, strong families, and job readiness, according to the release.
As an example, Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut (RPAN) has been a recipient.
"The fund has allowed us to run quality programs that foster leadership and built capacity for Inuit youth," stated RPAN executive director Dawn Currie.
The association provided day camps and leadership training to over 600 children and youth in five Qikiqtani communities last year.
The fund stems from the Mary River Project Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement, was established by the joint contributions of Baffinland Iron Mine Corp. and QIA, and is administered by the Inuit organization.
Proposals can be submitted all year.
- Michele LeTourneau
Cadets get grant
Naujaat
Naujaat's 3055 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC) was awarded a $3,000 grant from the Gerard Buckley Cadet Fund this past month.
The grant will allow Naujaat to cover all costs associated with their exchange program with a group of cadets from British
Columbia.
Money the cadets previously earned through fundraising to apply towards the exchange program will now be used on other 3055 RCACC activities or programs.
The Naujaat cadets will be holding their final parade during the next few weeks, and the 3055 RCACC will be sending 25 youths out to cadet summer camp during the next two months.
- Darrell Greer
Earth Day
Naujaat
Students and staff at Tuugaalik High School celebrated both Drop the Pop and Earth Day in Naujaat on April 21.
The students took part in a number of activities aimed at making healthy choices and living a healthy, active lifestyle.
- Darrell Greer
Award winners
Arviat
The student video-production team at John Arnalukjuak High School in Arviat took first place in the Worker's Safety and Compensation Commission's territorial high school video contest titled Focus on Safety.
John Arnalukjuak High School and the video production team will both receive a cash prize of $1,000 for winning the contest.
- Darrell Greer
Fun times ahead
Rankin Inlet
The annual Pakallak Tyme celebrations got underway this past Sunday, April 30, in Rankin Inlet.
The community celebration will run through until May 7, and offers something for everyone of all ages, including dog mushing, square and teen dances, elder's breakfast and games, kid's pond hockey tournament and outdoor games, Ski-Doo races and much, much more.
- Darrell Greer
No Stanley for Kiv
Kivalliq
The Kivalliq region was left out of the Stanley Cup's visit to Nunavut this past month.
Lord Stanley's visit, accompanied by former NHL superstar Lanny McDonald, took place from April 26 to April 29, and was sponsored by Scotiabank, the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, the NHL, Project North and First Air.
The Clarkson Cup, symbolic of national female hockey supremacy and Canadian Women's Hockey League All-Star Natalie Spooner joined Lord Stanley for the Nunavut tour.
The Stanley Cup paid a visit to Iqaluit, Cape Dorset, Kugaaruk, Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, Hall Beach and Qikiqtarjuaq during its visit.
The Kivalliq's own Susan Aglukark even joined the event, performing live during the Cup's stop at Taloyoak. The Cup's tour also saw hockey clinics held, 150 educational tablets donated to young people, and the distribution of 150 hockey bags of new equipment.
- Darrell Greer
First-Aiders
Rankin Inlet
Seven people from the community joined a group of firefighters to take their basic First Aid Training Course in Rankin Inlet this past month.
Passing the course and becoming first time first-aiders were Kenny Hamilton, Kathleen Merritt, Megan Sammurtok, Alexandra Rudd, Katherine Rudd, Jakob Voisey and Shawn Makkigak.
- Darrell Greer
Soccer tourney
Rankin Inlet/Coral Harbour
The Kivalliq was well represented at the youth Super Soccer championship in Yellowknife by teams from Rankin Inlet and Coral Harbour this past weekend.
Final results at the Super Soccer event were not known as of press time.
- Darrell Greer
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