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Caribou meetings

Those interested in helping with a harvest management plan for the local Porcupine Caribou herd are invited to attend an upcoming meeting by the working group in charge of the plan, which is looking for community input over the next month.

Copies of the draft plan are available from Renewable Resources or Hunters and Trappers committee offices.

Meetings will be held on Sept. 10 in Tsiigehtchic, Sept. 11 in Fort McPherson, Sept. 16 in Tuktoyaktuk, Sept. 17 in Inuvik and Sept. 18 in Aklavik.

For more information, see www.taiga.net/pcmb/harvest.html.

Cadets being recruited

High school students interested in joining the Inuvik army cadets are invited to their recruitment night hosted by the cadets at Samuel Hearne on Wednesday Sept. 17.

Registration starts at 6 p.m.

Grab a duck, make a buck

Mayor Derek Lindsay reported only three of the 600 ducks were taken out of the East channel of the Mackenzie River after the duck drop race on Sunday afternoon.

"It was a cold day and the staff members couldn't grab them all," he said.

So, in a partnership with Vince Sharpe, the town is rewarding the return of the missing ducks.

Lindsay said a dollar will be paid by Sharpe for every rubber duck that is brought into town office.

Lindsay said the deadline for bringing in the ducks in when the river freezes up.

"All the missing ducks are catalogued by number," said Lindsay. "We know the number of ducks that are missing."

The ducks can be found downriver.

Fifty winners for 50 years

The Town of Inuvik held its big draw at the demolition derby this past weekend.

The winner of one lot of town land was Dennis Cundict.

The winner of a $10,000 gift certificate at NorthMart was Trudy Wilson.

Dolly and Brent Carmichael won two tickets to Edmonton from Canadian North, Kevin Weitzel won a canvas tent from Fort McPherson Tent and Canvas and Casey Gruben won a carving by Pat Hanson.

Chuvalo to speak in Aklavik

Aklavik

Retired Canadian heavyweight boxer George Chuvalo will be in Aklavik on Sept. 22 and 23 to speak about drug abuse and suicide prevention.

"He's going to do a number of workshops over the two days," said Chris Main, the community wellness worker in Aklavik.

Chuvalo will speak at the Moose Kerr School and also hold a community presentation.

"What he does is talk about alcoholism and drug misuse, as well adolescent and adult suicide," said Main.

Chuvalo lost two sons to drug overdoses and his wife to suicide. He now speaks on these subjects across Canada.

Chuvalo made his name as a boxer in the 1950s and 60s. In 93 professional fights he was never once knocked down. He fought and lost to Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Ali called Chuvalo the toughest guy he ever fought.

Two weddings

Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson

Two Couples were married in McPherson in the last weeks of August. Ina Arey married Paul Koe on August 23. Also, Glen Alexie and Connie Stewart tied the knot on August 29. Ina said her ceremony was very nice and they followed it up with a feast and an old-time dance. She said she had a lot of family come in from Aklavik and Inuvik.

Rink repairs underway

Tuktoyaktuk

The rink in Tuktoyaktuk is getting a new concrete base instead of a dirt floor, said recreation co-ordinator Patrice Stuart.

"They're just pouring the last quarter," said Stuart on Tuesday. The new concrete floor will allow for more events in the summer than the old dirt floor. Kids will now be able to play floor hockey indoors during the summer months.

Stuart said they are also replacing the boards and glass around the edge of the ice. A crew has been brought in from Alberta that specializes in building rinks.

Stuart said as long as the weather gets cold, they should have the ice ready some time in November.

New AHF co-ordinator

Paulatuk

Dianne Ruben started work on Tuesday as the new Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF) co-ordinator for the community of Paulatuk. The longtime homemaker said this is the first paid position she has taken on in many years. Paulatuk Community Corporation manager Anne Thrasher said Ruben will be taking on programs and activities for the whole community.

"I'm just getting familiarized today," said Ruben. "Right now my priority list is just starting to develop."

Whales harvested in Sachs

Ikaahuk/Sachs Harbour

Two whales were harvested in Sachs Harbour on the Labour Day long weekend. John Keogak said he was working on his boat when Lawrence Amos stopped by and told him he had spotted some whales.

"He came down all excited saying there were whales out there. So we pushed out his boat and away we went," said Keogak.

Before long they were returning to shore with their catch. Keogak said two other people went out and got a whale as well. Wayne Gully and Lucky Pokiak weren't far behind Amos and Keogak. Keogak said getting a whale is somewhat unusual in Sachs Harbour. The animals aren't harvested every year, as is the case in Tuktoyaktuk.

Just about the whole town came down to the beach to help with cleaning and drying meat in what proved to be an unexpected community gathering that won't be soon forgotten.

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