State of school playground sparks parent's concern
A mother of two young children says Bompas Elementary School's playground is a hazard.

Once in a life time experience
A Fort Providence youth has had a once in a lifetime experience in the waters of the eastern Arctic.

New teachers learn about language and culture
Language and culture were the focus of an event for Deh Cho educators.

Staying connected to the Deh Cho Bridge
The community of Fort Providence is committed to staying engaged in the Deh Cho Bridge project.

Youths showcase talent
Young people tried their hands at a traditional sport during the Wrigley annual gathering held over the weekend.

$500,000 to be spent on Kakisa road maintenance
The Department of Transportation is spending approximately $500,000 to resurface almost half of the Kakisa access road.

Bison test positive for anthrax

Bison carcasses found in the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary have tested positive for anthrax.

The Canadian Food Inspection Laboratory in Lethbridge, Alta., conducted the testing. A total of 10 bison were found dead within a four kilometre area near Mills Lake, which is 30 km northwest of Fort Providence.

The first carcasses were found on Aug. 13 during a routine anthrax surveillance flight. No new carcasses have been found since Aug. 22.

Engine problem closes ferry

A mechanical problem caused the Liard River ferry to close for the weekend.

The M.V. Lafferty developed an issue with its main engine during the week but continued to run. The decision was made to shut down the ferry so the problem could be fixed before it became worse, said Greg Whitlock, the regional superintendent of transportation.

The ferry was closed on Aug. 28 at 9 p.m. and reopened on Aug. 30 at 8 a.m. To alert travellers notices were placed on the department's website and the electronic message boards at Enterprise and the junction of Highway 1 and 3 on Friday.

Some travellers did arrive during the closure but made arrangements to be picked up by helicopter or boat, Whitlock said.

Terry Fox's brother in the Deh Cho

As the 30th anniversary of the Terry Fox Run approaches two communities in the Deh Cho will be receiving visits from a member of the Fox family.

Fred Fox, Terry's brother, will be in Fort Liard on Sept. 7. Fox will be speaking in two assemblies at the Echo Dene School before participating in the local Terry Fox Run.

Reed Smith, the school's principal, said he understands this is Fox's first visit to the territory.

"He's really excited about it, being the 30th anniversary of the Terry Fox Run," Smith said.

On the following day Fox will be in Fort Simpson.

Arts festival receives funding

The Open Sky Festival in Fort Simpson is one of 19 events in the territory receiving funding from the territorial government.

The festival will share in $181,000 Through the Support to Northern Performers program. The program is designed to develop and promote the arts in the territory by helping performing artists to participate in local and regional public festivals and events.

Education upgrade

Tthenaago/Nahanni Butte

Samantha Konisenta, the Nahanni Butte Dene Band's finance clerk, has left her position to study business administration at Grande Prairie Regional College.

Birthday wishes go out to Marilyn Marcellais on Sept. 2.

Taking in the fresh fall air

Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake

Community members are keeping busy boating and doing on the land activities.

Students returned to Charles Tetcho School on Aug. 30

The first step

Ka'a'gee Tu/Kakisa

Staff with FSC Architects and Engineers from Yellowknife held a community meeting in Kakisa on Aug. 31 to gather information and ideas about the planned community complex. Community members were asked about the kinds of events they hope to hold in the new building.

Staff from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will be holding a meeting in the community on Sept. 2.

Happy belated birthday to Iain Leishman on Aug. 29.

Board slides and grinds

Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson

The grand opening of the Fort Simpson skatepark will take place on Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. The event will include a barbecue and skateboarding demonstrations.

The Seven Spruce Golf Course will be hosting one of its final tournaments of the year on Sept. 11. The First Air Open will be a two-person scramble format over 18 holes.

And the winner is

Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence

The winners of the hamlet's yard beautification and cleanest yard contest have been announced. In first place with $300 is Agnes and John Silverthorn followed by Jim and Margaret Thom who won $200 and Kelvin and Darlene McLeod who won $100.

Deh Gah School will be hosting a welcome back to school and meet the teachers barbecue on Sept. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The school will be hosting a fall cultural camp with a focus on medicinal plant collecting for education staff in the region from Sept. 13 to 17 at T'elemia Lodge.

Help through the hard times

Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard

A grief workshop will be held on Sept. 22 to 23 in the hamlet's culture room from 1:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation will be doing a program intake in the community on Sept. 2 to 3 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Father Wes Satanski will be celebrating mass in Fort Liard on Sept. 5 at 11 a.m.

Birthday wishes go out to Margaret Klondike on Aug. 31, John Gonet on Sept. 2 and Doris Duntra on Sept. 4.