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Newsbriefs: Wednesday, June 7, 2017
RCMP say public warnings limited
In light of a recent Facebook post alerting residents about a man supposedly wanted for sex crimes in Montreal, who may be living in the city, RCMP are advising the public police are constrained by privacy legislation when it comes to releasing information about a person who may pose a public safety risk.
Yellowknifer was unable to verify the authenticity of the allegations against the man by press time. In a news release, RCMP stated that providing personal information is a serious matter and a person's privacy rights must be taken into account before issuing a public warning.
- John McFadden
Snorkeller mistaken for dead body
First responders were relieved on Sunday to discover a report of a body in the water in Baker Creek near the Giant Mine boat launch was simply a snorkeller. RCMP received the call about a body in the water Sunday afternoon. Several police officers were dispatched along with an ambulance. According to Dennis Marchiori, Yellowknife's director of public safety, the man appeared motionless to the person who called for emergency services. It turns out it was Yellowknife resident Paul Vecsei, an award-winning underwater photographer.
- John McFadden
The Sun at Midnight hits Sydney film fest
Director Kirsten Carthew's The Sun at Midnight is set to screen at the Sydney Film Festival.
In May, The Sun at Midnight received the Bentonville Film Festival's Best Jury Narrative award, the Arkansas festival's top honour. Actor Kawennahere Devery Jacobs, who plays one of the main characters in Sun, also won Best Performance at the Whistler Film Festival last November.
The festival starts today and runs until June 18.
- Robin Grant
GNWT transparency website launched
A public engagement and transparency website was launched by the GNWT last Wednesday. People can search for details of ministers' travel expenses and meetings with outside parties on the site. Information is searchable by a variety of fields and will be updated monthly.
On May 17, Yellowknifer reported the website was still blank six months after it was supposed to go live.
- Emelie Peacock
National medal winner
Arviat
The congratulations are still coming in for John Arnalukjuak High School student William Campbell of Arviat who brought home a bronze medal from the Canada-Wide Science Fair, which ran from May 15 to 20 in Regina, Sask.
Campbell took the bronze medal for his project, Sea Fuel.
Armed robbery
Rankin Inlet
A Rankin Inlet youth is facing charges of robbery, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose after allegedly trying to rob another youth with a knife at about 4:45 a.m. on the morning of June 1.
A press release from Sgt. Mark Crowther of the Rankin Inlet detachment of the RCMP states the suspect allegedly demanded money from the victim before stabbing the victim in the head.
The victim sustained minor injuries, was transported and treated at the local health centre and later released.
The suspect is also facing other charges not related to this incident and has been released on a surety with conditions.
A court date has been set for Aug. 15 in Rankin Inlet.
Awards day
Rankin Inlet
Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik will be hosting its annual student award day this coming Friday, June 9, in the school gym, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, Leo Ussak Elementary School hosted its annual kindergarten graduation ceremony yesterday, and will be holding its Grade 4 year-end assembly today, June 7, beginning at 10 a.m.
Tomorrow, June 8, Leo Ussak will hold its annual year-end awards ceremony, beginning at 10 a.m.
Hockey board elected
Arviat
The Arviat Minor Hockey Association (AMHA) held a year-end meeting on May 31, during which the association elected its new executive board members.
The newly elected AMHA board members and their positions are listed below.
- President: Jonathan Pameolik
- Vice-president: Daniel Kablutsiak
- Treasurer: Juanita King-Kuksuk
New members:
- Charlotte Kidlapik
- Pierre Ikakhik
- Amanda Hanson-Main
- Crystal Akammak
Medals and bars
Naujaat
Listed below are the Naujaat cadets who received service medals of four or five years this past month.
Cadets with four years of service receive a medal, while those with five years of service receive the bar for the medal.
The service medals were presented by visiting cadet Capt. John Cloke of British Columbia.
Five years:
- Master Warrant Officer Terance Mapsalak
- Master Warrant Officer Gene Siusangnark
- Warrant Officer Eric Katokra
Four years:
- Sgt. Aaron Kopak
- Sgt. Jack Kopak
- Sgt. Neevie Kidlapik
- Sgt. Jan Kopak
- Sgt. Lorena Siusangnark
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