Fire hall improvements

The fire hall in Enterprise will get a $250,000 upgrade.

The federal government is contributing $125,000 under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which will be matched by the Hamlet of Enterprise.

The work will include the repair or replacement of the fire siren, auto dialer system and fire alarm system, as well as the replacement of overhead oil-fired furnaces with a boiler system. Renovations will include a new office, new hose storage, electrical work and a new transfer pump.

- Paul Bickford

Bulatci's gun seller charged

The man who sold the gun used to kill a Hay River Mountie in 2007 has been charged with separate weapons-related offences in Peace River, Alta.

During last year's trial of Emrah Bulatci, who was convicted of first-degree murder, Derek James Turgeon, 25, testified he sold the gun to Bulatci in Peace River about a month before Const. Christopher Worden was shot and killed.

According to Peace River RCMP, Turgeon has now been charged after a single shot was fired during a confrontation between two groups of men on Jan. 31. No one was injured. The charges include assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, careless use of a firearm, discharge of a weapon with intent to injure and unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon.

Turgeon is to appear in Alberta provincial court in Peace River on Feb. 8.

- Paul Bickford

Snowmobiler hits mother and toddler

Lutsel K'e RCMP have charged a snowmobiler with impaired driving causing bodily harm after a mother and her two-year-old son who were walking along Airport Road Jan. 29, were struck. The two-year-old was taken to Yellowknife to be treated for a broken collar bone and bruising, while the mother received minor injuries and didn't need medical attention. Const. Ian Campbell said Feb. 3 the toddler has now returned to the community and both he and his mother seem to be doing fine.

The accused, a 29-year-old man, is set to face the charges in Lutsel K'e court March 10. The maximum sentence for a conviction of impaired driving causing bodily harm is 10 years in jail.

- Katie May

Arena expansion planned

The town of Norman Wells is working on a $2.3 million expansion of its arena, which would include replacing the pilings, building a change room and hiring a youth worker to work alongside the current recreation co-ordinator.

Mayor Dudley Johnson said the town expects construction will be complete by December 2010. In a separate project, the town hopes to build a new playground in the community starting next summer.

- Katie May

New dates for spring carnival

Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution

New dates have been set for this year's Fort Resolution Spring Carnival. The annual event will be held from March 24 to 28.

It was originally advertised for a week earlier. However, Tausia Kaitu'u-Lal, the senior administrative officer with the Hamlet of Fort Resolution, said the dates were changed to avoid conflict with Yellowknife's Caribou Carnival.

As in previous years, the Fort Resolution Spring Carnival will feature many events, including sled dog races, snowmobile races, a volleyball tournament, outdoor games, and adult and youth talent shows.

On the Friday of the carnival - March 26 - there will also be a feast and old-time dance to celebrate Fort Resolution's recent change from settlement to hamlet status.

- Paul Bickford

Worker hired

Tuktoyaktuk

There is now a food security worker in Tuktoyaktuk, working with the support of Healthy Foods North, trying to make more traditional, nutritious foods available in local grocery stores.

Healthy Foods North, an Inuvik-based organization promoting proper nutrition, recently received funding to start the Tuk Food Security Initiative and to hire Melanie Keevik, who will be networking with community members, aiming to educate people about how to eat well and ensure residents have easy access to healthy food.

- Katie May

Preschool grads on par with peers: report

NWT

Children who graduated from the territory's Aboriginal Head Start preschool program scored similarly to their non-AHS graduate peers the same age in areas such as school achievement, vocabulary, reading and social skills, a program evaluation found.

On Jan. 28 at the Tl'oondih Healing Lodge outside of Fort McPherson, the NWT's Aboriginal Head Start program released its 2008 study of 98 students who had attended the program in Behchoko, Ndilo, Yellowknife, Hay River and Fort Providence between 2000 and 2007. It was the first longitudinal program evaluation completed in several different communities and its findings are expected to contribute to curriculum development and staff training within the program.

- Katie May

Fundraising event at museum

Thebacha/Fort Smith

A fundraising event - An Evening in Paris - will be held at Fort Smith's Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre on Feb. 13.

A dinner will feature French cuisine created by Marnie Villeneuve, Margo Harney, Christine Aubrey and Joanne Gauthier.

There will also be a silent auction of six works donated by Fort Smith artists. The artwork by Colette Labine, Jessica Hval, Laurie Young, Margaret Dumkee, Marie-Christine Aubrey and Don Harney can be previewed at the museum from Feb. 8 to 12.

- Paul Bickford

Principals meet

Sahtu

School principals from across the Sahtu met in Norman Wells last week for a Sahtu Divisional Education Council conference to discuss school activities and were expected to be back at school on Monday, Feb. 8.

- Katie May

Workshop for artists in Smith

Thebacha/Fort Smith

A professional development workshop for artists will be held in Fort Smith on Feb. 20 and 21.

The workshop will deal with numerous topics, including developing an artist portfolio, presentation of artwork, shipping and insuring artwork, dealing with galleries, art terminology, the art jury process, self and group critiquing, and selling work on commission or by consignment.

Joan Irvin, an instructor at the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, will deliver the workshop, which will be held at Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre. Museum manager Laurie Young said it is hoped about 20 people will attend the workshop.

The museum is presenting the workshop with financial assistance from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, and Northwestern Air Lease Limited.

- Paul Bickford

Centennial year kicked off

Aklavik

Aklavik kicked off its 100th anniversary celebrations on New Year's Day and a committee comprising representatives from the hamlet, the band and the community corporation is planning to organize monthly events to commemorate the anniversary.

The next event will be a Valentine's Day-themed adult box social dance on Feb. 13. Recreation co-ordinator Dean McLeod said the group is trying to get funding to pay for promotional materials such as mugs and banners proclaiming Aklavik's 100th year. They would also like to plan one big birthday event later in the year, but McLeod said the committee is still trying to nail down the exact date Aklavik was formed - no one from that time is still around.

Resident Mary Kendi, who's turning 95 next month, is one of the oldest elders there. While her memory is good, Kendi said she can't recall the exact date Aklavik came into existence.

- Katie May

School ready for career fair

Paulatuk

Paulatuk students are about to discover a range of opportunities available to them beyond high school. Angik School is set to hold its second annual career fair on Feb. 9 at 4:30 p.m. in the gym.

The fair was initially scheduled for November but had to be postponed due to a blizzard. Principal Jessica Schmidt said students responded well to last year's event and the school hoped to continue hosting annual career fairs.

- Katie May

Students to test their skills

Beaufort-Delta

Students from across the region are getting ready to head to Samuel Hearne Secondary School in Inuvik Feb. 12 for the Beaufort Delta Education Council's second annual Skills Competition. The students will compete in a variety of trades-focused events, such as gourmet cooking and electrical systems installation.

- Katie May

Men's meeting

Arviat - A group of seven representatives from Coral Harbour's Angutiit Makigiangninga (men rising up) will visit with men in Arviat this month.

The group will spend four days in Arviat, beginning Feb. 12. They will be joined by six men from Whale Cove and about 20 from Arviat.

The group was founded in January 2009 when Willie Eetuk thought it would prove beneficial to the men of Coral after he went through a difficult time in his life.

The group meets every Tuesday for songs and Friday for discussion. Spokesperson Noel Kaludjak said the group is open to males only, aged 18 and up.

"Some of the stuff we talk about is heavy and very personal. Someone too young may have difficulty handling some things we talk about. "We're staying focused on dealing with men's addictions, be it drugs, alcohol, gambling, or things of a sexual or abusive nature."

He said the men seek advice and treat each other as a father or brother figure.

- Darrell Greer

Cape Dorset mourns teacher

Kinngait/Cape Dorset - Students and staff at Sam Pudlat School in Cape Dorset were saddened by the loss of Grade 5/6 teacher Clyde Johnson who died in the community in January, teacher Nick Viznei said.

"It was a shocker for us," he said. "He's sadly missed by all the children."

A service was held at the school and a memorial fund has been set up in honour of Johnson, vice principal Ina Pittman said. Money from the fund will be put towards the school's breakfast program, in which Johnson was heavily involved.

Approximately 200 people attended Johnson's memorial service, Viznei said.

- Kassina Ryder

Engineering challenge

Naujaat/Repulse Bay - Bright young minds at Tusarvik School in Repulse Bay had the chance to show off their science and engineering prowess this past month.

Students from kindergarten to Grade 12 took part in the annual Science Engineering Technology Challenge.

Teacher Jennifer Perry said this year's SET Challenge went well at Tusarvik.

She said the entire event was held during one afternoon in the school gymnasium.

"The theme this year was building and construction (Sanajiit), and the kids really took to the challenge," said Perry.

- Darrell Greer

Taloyoak gets new recreation co-ordinator

Taloyoak/Spence Bay - Community members in Taloyoak will have new activities to look forward to now that Johnny Tucktoo Jr. is the town's new recreation co-ordinator.

Tucktoo's job began on Feb. 1.

Tucktoo was the recreation co-ordinator in Rankin Inlet from 2000 to 2006 before returning to his home town of Taloyoak. He said he is going to expand activities to include everyone from youth and elders.

"There will be new recreational activities for every season of the year for all age groups, not just youth," he said.

Activities will include indoor and outdoor games, Tucktoo said.

- Kassina Ryder

Grise Fiord welcomes the sun

Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord - The community is set to celebrate the sun's return Feb. 12, after it set below the horizon 14 weeks ago.

Students at Umimmak School will make a banner in excess of six metres in English and Inuktitut for the celebration. Students, staff and the community are invited to get together in a tent outside the school for food.

The school's principal, Lee Wood, said he expects close to 100 people.

- Jeanne Gagnon

Fundraising for Haiti

Sanikiluaq - Sanikiluaq raised more than $2,000 for relief efforts in Haiti as residents donated $1,033, and the hamlet matched that amount. The money was sent to the Canadian Red Cross in Manitoba.

"We had basically people who had almost nothing give $20. We had one elder who gave $200," said Muhamud Hassan, the hamlet's senior administrative officer.

- Jeanne Gagnon

Cam Bay movie madness

Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay - Cambridge Bay residents were scheduled to be treated to a free movie night on Feb. 5, according to recreation co-ordinator Robert Maksagak. Movies were to be shown at the community hall from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m.

Kids' movies were to be played from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and movies for an older audience will be played for the remainder of the night, Maksagak said.

A canteen will be open to sell soft drinks but all popcorn is free of charge. The movie madness night is being organized with help from the Community Wellness Centre, Maksagak said.

- Kassina Ryder

Sale to support students

Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island - Inuksuit School had a rummage and loonie/toonie sale scheduled for Feb. 6 to support two students.

One is participating in the Northern Youth Abroad program. The other is going to a hearing impaired camp in Fredericton during the summer.

The whole community is invited and they hope to raise about $300.

- Jeanne Gagnon