Published Monday, May 12, 2008, by Northern News Services / Distributed in all Nunavut communities

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A third person has been charged in connection with a recent crack cocaine bust in Iqaluit, an RCMP release stated last week.

Alicia Belcher of Edmonton is charged with possession of a controlled substance for purposes of trafficking and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime.

She was arrested March 7 in Yellowknife after leaving Iqaluit carrying $239,000 cash.

Darrean Hall and Jacob Friskie of Edmonton were arrested March 8 after police found 1.7 kilograms of cocaine and $8,300 in cash while searching three apartments in Iqaluit.

Friskie remains in custody while Hall was released.

Belcher was released from custody.

All three will appear in the Nunavut Court of Justice on June 17.

- Karen Mackenzie

Iqaluit explores options for docking facilities

Months after its hopes for a federal deep sea port were dashed, Iqaluit city council has begun exploring its options for new docking facilities.

"That decision has come down, and Nanisivik was selected," said Coun. Glenn Williams a city council meeting in late April. "Now is ... the appropriate time for the city to maybe review or go back and look at this infrastructure need."

The capital city had lobbied the federal government for years for a deep sea port and commissioned a strategic plan for the facility in 2005.

Last summer, Ottawa announced it would refurbish the deep sea port in Nanisivik.

While the city's initial plan called for a concrete berth and harbour with a price tag of about $40 million, a floating dock could be a more feasible solution for the city, according to Jacques Belleau of Four Way Holdings Ltd.

The businessman met with council last week to discuss the option. His company works with Ocean Group Inc., which manufactured the floating dock used by Baffinland Iron Mines Inc in Milne Inlet.

"Sometimes it's better to have a small victory every year than wait for the big war to be won," he said.

Extensive data on tides, currents and ice would need to be collected before any plans are made, according to Belleau.

Council has referred the matter to the economic development committee for further investigation.

- Karen Mackenzie

Otokiak resigns as president of KIA

Joe Otokiak resigned as president of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association on May 5, less than two months after being elected to the job.

Otokiak, 54, had become the object of much criticism when it was revealed that he is serving a 12-month suspended sentence for assault. His criminal record includes other assault convictions, including against women.

Otokiak was elected on March 18.

He had previously said the assault conviction was a misunderstanding related to how he disciplined his son.

The Qulliit Status of Women Council, which has pressed to bar citizens convicted of violent crimes from public office, had actively lobbied for Otokiak's resignation.

A petition had been circulating in the Kitikmeot region demanding Otokiak's resignation.

"I'm so proud that the Kitikmeot are speaking out and saying violence against any human being will not be tolerated," said council member Trista Mercer in a statement.

"Our leaders need to be held accountable to set a positive example for Nunavummiut in reducing levels of violence within our communities."

The KIA could not be reached for comment by press time.

-Yumimi Pang

Pond Inlet RCMP officer honoured for work

A Pond Inlet RCMP officer received a special commendation last week for talking down a suicidal armed man in 2005.

Const. John Berger was presented with the award in hamlet chambers by Chief Supt.Marty Cheliak on May 1.

Iqaluit Sgt. Stephen Power was previously honoured for his work on the same incident.

In 2005, the officers worked together to peacefully defuse a situation in Qikiqtarjuaq involving a suicidal man with a rifle.

- Karen Mackenzie

Teachers make a difference

Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay

Teachers are often unsung heroes of the education system, but they had a chance to shine at the Teachers Making a Difference event held by the schools in Cambridge Bay recently.

Students from both Kullik Ilihakvik and Kiilinik high school gathered at the high school on April 28 to recognize the contributions of teachers to the lives of students.

Students got to write a short story about their favourite teacher, detailing their reasons, and then students' names were drawn for prizes.

"I think it's wonderful - to get recognized by the students that you've worked with or helped over the years, I think there's nothing more gratifying than that," said Cathie Rowan, co-principal of Kullik Ilihakvik. Rowan added that it's important for the students to be able to reflect on the year and realize the role that teachers have played.

Students had a chance at winning prizes with many draws. One such winner was Grade 9 student Azalea Atienza, who wrote about Jacques Gagnon, the shop and sciences teacher at Kiilinik high school. Atienza won a Jordin Tootoo-autographed hockey jersey.

The event also featured a speech from Cambridge Bay MLA Keith Peterson, who spoke about how teachers made a difference in his life.

- Yumimi Pang

Canadian justice officials meet in Pond Inlet

Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet

Deputy ministers of justice from across the country congregated in Pond Inlet last week for a retreat.

"There were a number who met to have a hearing on how justice is handled in the North," explained Pond Inlet probation officer Aaron Pitseolak, who helped to organize the event.

"It was really interesting as they talked about similar situations from around Canada, and finding solutions for this territory," he added.

Although the meetings were held privately, the community helped host a welcoming event on May 4.

Annie, Jacob and Michael Peterloosie drum danced and sang for the group at the local visitors centre, while everyone dug into a feast of caribou stew, fish and snacks.

- Karen Mackenzie

Improving diets

Naujaat/Repulse Bay

Youth in Repulse Bay are learning how to make healthier choices with what they eat and drink this month.

The youth are spending time with dietetic interns Kathleen McClinton, 22, and Joanna Wasak, 28, of Winnipeg, Man., who are spending six weeks in Repulse conducting community nutrition education.

The visit is part of the Manitoba Dietetic Education Partnership program.

McClinton and Wasak have almost completed a year as dietetic interns after graduating university with a degree in human nutritional sciences.

After completing their internship, they can become practising dieticians.

McClinton said most of the work in Repulse is being done at Tusarvik school.

"We've been teaching basic nutrition in the school, so we've gone to every grade to talk about healthy eating," said McClinton.

"We've also played some nutrition bingo and educated the kids on how much sugar is in what they drink so they might slow down or quit drinking pop all together.

- Darrell Greer

Twenty-four hour famine

Iglulik

Students at Iglulik's Ataguttaaluk high school got a taste of famine recently.

Around 30 students from Grade 8 through 12 participated in the school's 24-hour famine, held on May 2 and 3, and organized by the Iglulik Youth Council with the help of teacher Larissa Geraghty.

"For 24 hours, they had a little bit of rice with no salt, butter or soy sauce or anything. Just so they would know what it felt like to go hungry and eat more simple food," said teacher Daniel Guay.

Guay said that the students had a great time with activities including wrestling, playing sports and watching movies on the big screen.

Students managed to raise more than $1000 for World Vision through the event. The plan is to hold a similar event next year.

"The most exciting thing about this for us was the Iglulik Youth Council was really taking leadership - like youth taking leadership for other youth," said Guay.

- Yumimi Pang

Pangnirtung students travel to Iqaluit for trade show

Panniqtuuq/Pangnirtung

A couple of Pangnirtung youth travelled to Iqaluit last week to take part in the Nunavut Trade Show.

High school students Jenna and Donna Kilabuk were invited to participate in the youth conference portion of the territorial event.

They joined a number of young people from throughout Nunavut to learn about career options and economic development opportunities.

The girls, who arrived in Iqaluit May 5, were nominated by staff to attend, according to Attagoyuk school principal Cathy Lee.

- Karen Mackenzie

The beat of the drum

Kinngait/Cape Dorset

The drum beat loudly in Cape Dorset recently during a visit by two men from Connecticut.

Bob Sali and Carlos Velazquez, who are of aboriginal ancestry, visited Peter Pitseolak high school on May 2.

The two spoke to the students about the importance of a positive attitude and the need to make the most of their opportunities.

"They talked to the students about lifestyles and avoiding the drugs," said principal Ed Sheppard. "It was good. The kids really enjoyed it."

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