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News briefs: Monday, October 2, 2017
Doctored image costs woman $50,000 in defamation suit
Inuvik
An Inuvik man who lost his job months after a doctored digital image was posted on Facebook in 2015 has won a $50,000 defamation lawsuit against a disgruntled former co-worker.
Patrick Tomlinson, a former senior manager with the Gwich'in Tribal Council, has been unable to find work after a woman he once supervised entered his office, obtained an old print cartoon, and superimposed a photo of a respected late tribal council president, states the Supreme Court judgment.
The phony image – which originally was of a dead Smurf character, an inside family joke – was then emailed to several people and eventually made its way to social media.
"The nature of the defamation can be summarized as a significant attack on Mr. Tomlinson's character, judgment and integrity," stated Justice Karan Shaner in a written decision issued Sept. 29.
The defendant, Elizabeth Gordon, "created a dark cloud which followed Mr. Tomlinson," the judge wrote.
- James O'Connor
Accused murderer in court in Norman Wells
Lli Goiline/Norman Wells
Security is expected to be tight when a Fort Good Hope man, charged with murder, appears in court in Norman Wells on Oct. 23rd on a separate charge.
Colten McNeely, 24, is charged in the death of 28-year-old Lloyd Edgi in Fort Good Hope on Sept. 3.
A cause of death has not been released but one media outlet has reported that Edgi was stabbed. McNeely will be flown to Norman Wells where his is facing a charge of being unlawfully in a dwelling house.
Crown prosecutor Alex Godfrey said he has full confidence in the RCMP and court security in Norman Wells to ensure public safety while McNeely goes on trial. McNeely will appear in court in Yellowknife again on Nov. 7 to answer to the murder charge.
– John McFadden
Expedition responds to distress call
Paulatuk
During a visit to Paulatuk, members of the Canada C3 expedition responded to a distress call, helping a local woman but unable to find her husband.
As the RCMP reported Sept. 6, a man had gone missing on an ATV and had possibly drowned. The captain of the C3 loaned boats for the search and rescue efforts, while participants cruised the area on the lookout.
In a blog post on the Canada C3 website, John Crump writes that Jimmy Evalik and Roger Hitkolok, from Cambridge Bay and Kugluktuk respectively, leapt into action upon word of the situation. Searchers found a woman shivering on the bank of the river and brought her back to town, but her husband was not found.
"We talked about this loss in subdued tones that evening as we sailed away from Paulatuk," writes Crump. "The Arctic can be an unforgiving place, even to those who live there. The loss of one man affected everyone in the tight-knit community."
– Stewart Burnett
Airport Road to get two-year overhaul
Inuvik
The bumpy Airport Road between Inuvik and the Mike Zubko Airport will be getting a full replacement from the GNWT over the next two summers.
Arvind Vashishthe, representing the GNWT, told town council that according to preliminary plans the work will take place over the next two summers, with completion in 2019.
– Stewart Burnett
Misleading sign labels territory 'closed'
NWT
A jerry-rigged plywood sign with "closed" scrawled across it was taken down early last week from its perch below a sign that points travellers towards the NWT border, outside High Level, Alta.
A picture of it had been posted by ex-MLA for Hay River Jane Groenewegen on her Facebook page, accompanied by a message asking Hay River MLAs to look into it.
"I think our shoulder season tourism is important," wrote Groenewegen.
The plywood sign, News/North confirmed, was covering another Alberta sign for a highway, a portion of which was undergoing road work, but after Alberta highways department maintenance contract inspector Paul Catt saw the post, he helped coordinate the sign's removal.
– Tim Edwards
Nunavut's symbols to be added to Centennial Flame
Nunavut
The territory's coat of arms will be built into the Centennial Flame at Parliament Hill before the end of the year.
Federal ministers of Canadian Heritage Melanie Joly and Public Services and Procurement Carla Qualtrough made the announcement Sept. 25, stating an unveiling is scheduled for December.
"Although an extra panel will be added, the concept will stay the same: the 12-sided structure will be deconstructed and rebuilt with 13 sides to accommodate the new symbols," states the release.
Pangnirtung artist Andrew Qappik designed Nunavut's Coat of Arms in time for the official birth of the territory in 1999. Unlike the 12 other shields, which are escutcheon-shaped in the style of traditional European heraldry, Nunavut's is round and features an inuksuk, qulliq, five gold circles representing the arc of the sun, and the North Star. The official territorial flower purple saxifrage, which represents the resilience and perseverance of the territory, will also be added, according to the release.
The territorial motto is Nunavut Sanginivut, Nunavut, our strength.
The flame was lit Dec. 31, 1966 by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson to launch Canada's 100th anniversary celebrations. The structure is located on the front lawn of Parliament in Ottawa. Nunavut's symbols are being added for the 150th birthday of Confederation.
"Nunavut plays an important role in protecting the sovereignty and security of confederation. We look forward to having our symbols included on the Centennial Flame, ensuring that this special landmark honours all jurisdictions in Canada today," stated Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut George Qulaut before the dissolution of the 4th Legislative Assembly.
Qappik could not be reached for comment.
- Michele LeTourneau
Bear wanders into town
Kugaaruk
A polar bear strolled into Kugaaruk on the morning of Sept. 26, causing alarm.
When a report came into the Kurtairujuark Hunters & Trappers Association office, manager Mark Karlik Jr. started alerting people. A skilled hunter went off in search of the predator.
The hunter was unable to spot it. The bear apparently left town without causing injury, damage or even getting into garbage.
"I believe it was still around but I guess it got chased away (by someone else) later on," Karlik Jr. said.
He added that polar bears come into Kugaaruk a few times each year.
- Derek Neary
Water and sewage work wrapping up
Iglulik
Four hamlet employees will receive nine days of training to operate Iglulik's upgraded water plant now that the work is essentially done, senior administrative officer Greg Morash said.
The water and sewage systems were both expanded over the past several months. Kudlik Construction, which held the contracts for both projects, finished a few weeks ahead of schedule.
"Kudlik pushed it really hard to get it done before it started to freeze," Morash said. "We had a couple of little touch-ups (at the sewage lagoon) that on any major project like that you have to do, but otherwise it's working perfect."
There's normally two people who operate the water plant, but Morash said a couple of others will be trained as backups.
- Derek Neary
Get more familiar with Inuit art
Nunavut
Nunavut Inuit are being given the chance to fill eight seats on a plane to Winnipeg to visit that city's art gallery.
The Department of Culture and Heritage is inviting residents of the territory to submit their names to participate in an Inuit art workshop during the first week of December. The trip to the Winnipeg Art Gallery will include print-making, painting, sewing and photography workshops; a chance to see the Government of Nunavut's fine art collection and the Winnipeg Art Gallery's Inuit art pieces; time spent in an art studio; and an excursion to see other local attractions.
Applicants, who must submit a one-page letter explaining their interest in participating, can get help from Leo Tulugarjuk, manager for elder programs, or your local government
liaison officer.
The deadline to apply is Oct. 27.
- Derek Neary
First music week brings industry to the capital
Iqaluit
Aakuluk Music organized the territory's first music industry conference, which took place Sept. 28 to 30 in the capital.
"The event will bring performers, international delegates, media and industry attendees to gather in Iqaluit, many for the first time. Nunavut Music Week's mission is to showcase the vast breadth of musical talent in the territory and to build partnerships and opportunities for Northern artists," stated Aakuluk Music, Nunavut's first record label founded by members of the popular band The Jerry Cans.
"Programming will reflect the uniqueness of Nunavut Music Week, with full Inuktitut-English translation services and outdoor activities that will break delegates out of the conference centre and onto the land," Aakuluk stated.
"In addition to artists who have released records and toured Canada and beyond, including IVA, The Jerry Cans, The Trade-Offs and Riit, Nunavut Music Week is proud to welcome a group of young artists from across the territory, sponsored by Ottawa's National Arts Centre. This year's young performers, including Billy Jay Amaaq, Colleen Nakashuk, MisterLee and Lazarus Qattalik, will receive mentorship and artist development opportunities."
Industry folks expected to attend included representatives from Massey Hall, FACTOR, Rolling Stone, The Toronto Star, peermusic Canada, Six Shooter Records and more.
- Michele LeTourneau
Nunavut joins global breastfeeding challenge
Nunavut
The world-wide breastfeeding challenge was held this past Saturday.
The event is part of the annual Quintessence Foundation global breastfeeding challenge, which the GN's Department of Health supports each year.
When Nunavut held the event in 2013, the territory won gold for having the most women breastfeeding at the same time in regions with less than 10,000 births per year. That year, Nunavut had 203 mothers breastfeeding during the competition. Last year, 155 babies were breastfed across the territory and Nunavut came in first once again in that category.
Local Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program representatives organized the event in most communities, planned for 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30.
In Iqaluit, mothers gathered at the Public Health Building.
The event takes place to highlight how "breast milk is the best food for the health, growth and development of babies. Breastfeeding is convenient and inexpensive, and it helps to protect against sudden infant death syndrome, illnesses and infections," stated the Department of Health.
- Michele LeTourneau
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