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Reviews
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 News/North: 2007 - The Year in Review
JanuaryShooting out the lightsPeople in Tsiigehtchic had the lights turned out on their New Year's parties after someone accidentally hit a powerline when shooting into the air to celebrate the arrival of 2007. The lights went out in some homes at around 12:05 a.m. Power was restored at about 5 a.m. John Kendo Jr., 38, later pleaded guilty to mischief under $5,000, unauthorized possession of a firearm and careless use of a firearm. He was fined about $700 and ordered to pay $2,360.72 to the NWT Power Corporation. Three die in plane crash A Ndilo man was killed and another injured in the crash of a Cessna 185 on Jan. 3. Alfred Tsetta, 40, was the only one of the four people on board the Arctic Sunwest plane to survive. The charter flight was headed to Blachford Lake Lodge when it went down. The victims were Ndilo's Albert Doctor, 41; Jason Watt, 36, of Trenton, Ont.; and Patrick Alexander (Lawton), 53, of Eckville, Alta. Two search and rescue technicians parachuted to the crash scene, three kilometers east of the lodge, from a Hercules aircraft at about 11 a.m. on Jan. 4 to rescue Tsetta. Enterprise leadership switch The Enterprise Settlement Council acclaimed Dave Richards the new mayor for 2007, following a Jan. 5 swearing in ceremony for three councillors elected the previous month. Richards replaced Winnie Cadieux, who had been mayor on and off for 15 years.
McPherson restricts alcohol Fort McPherson residents voted to restrict alcohol in the hamlet. In a Jan. 16 vote, 185 people supported the idea, while 97 were opposed. Mayor Rebecca Blake called it a good day for the community. The restrictions would limit, but not ban, alcohol. Emergency landing A pilot and two passengers survived an emergency landing by a plane near Fort Liard on Jan. 17. A single-engine Cessna 206 operated by Cariboo Air set down about 16 kilometres outside Fort Liard on a winter road run by Paramount Resources after the plane experienced engine trouble. The aircraft was flying to the Prairie Creek mine when it lost some power and had smoke in the cabin.
Lutsel K'e welcomes arena It was time to celebrate in Lutsel K'e on Jan. 19 as the community welcomed its new arena in style. Almost everybody in the community of about 400 turned out for the grand opening of the $4.3-million facility. Fort Good Hope chief resigns Chief Ron Pierrot, who spent three and a half years as leader of the K'asho Got'Ine Community Council in Fort Good Hope, resigned in January as a result of what he called alcohol abuse. Pierrot said there was too much grief and loss in the community, and it overwhelmed his better judgment. A new chief, Lucy Jackson, was appointed Jan. 22. Bravery of the highest order Four volunteer firefighters in Fort Smith were honoured for rescuing a woman from a burning house in October 2006. Deputy Fire Chief Westly Steed, Capt. Bernie Sheehan, Capt. David Porter and Senior Firefighter Karl Cox received certificates of bravery from the Town of Fort Smith on Jan. 22. NWT Fire Marshal Bernie Van Tighem called the rescue an "act of conspicuous bravery of the highest order." The firefighters rescued Lorna Catholique from the fire, which claimed the life of Lorna Norn of Fort Resolution. Lennie steps down as chief After six months in office, Chief Tim Lennie of the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation in Wrigley left the position on Jan. 26. Lennie, who acted as chief periodically over the previous 20 years, cited exhaustion as the reason for leaving the position. The resignation was the third leadership change in the community in a year.
February
New chief in Fort Resolution Bill Norn was elected chief of Deninu Ku'e First Nation in Fort Resolution on Feb. 6. Former chief Robert Sayine did not seek re-election, but ran for and was elected to band council. Vince Steen dies at 65 Communities in the Nunakput region mourned the loss of former MLA Vince Steen, who died Feb. 3 following a battle with cancer. Steen, 65, represented the region north of Inuvik in the Legislative Assembly from 1995 until 2003. His cabinet posts included Public Works, Transportation, and Municipal and Community Affairs. In the late 1970s, he was vice president of the Inuit Taparitsat of Canada and was elected mayor of Tuktoyaktuk in 1980. Treatment centre strike ends An agreement was reached Feb. 7 to end a labour dispute at the NWT's only addictions treatment centre. Nineteen unionized workers walked off the job on Oct. 24, 2006, at the Nats'ejee K'eh Treatment Centre on the Hay River Reserve, although four returned to work before the strike was over. The four-year deal, retroactive to April 1, 2006, included wage increases and adjustments to benefits. Former chief sentenced A former chief of Salt River First Nation was sentenced on Feb. 13 to six months' house arrest for theft over $5,000. Victor Marie, who now lives in Fort McMurray, was chief of the Fort Smith-based band from 2002 to 2004. Marie and Tanya Tourangeau, a former financial officer with the band, were convicted in late 2006 of stealing two cheques with a total value of $23,031.69. The cheques were the property of 4990 NT Ltd., a surveying company with ties to the band. Daring rescue at sea After spending two days on an ice floe near Cape Perry, Paulatuk hunter Bill Wolki didn't even return home, but just kept on hunting. On Feb. 16, he went hunting for a seal in a party of three. While alone in a small boat, Wolki was caught in high winds. The boat drifted towards Cape Perry in the Amundsen Gulf north of Paulatuk, and Wolki found refuge on an ice floe. After he was spotted by search aircraft, two search and rescue parachutists from Winnipeg jumped onto the ice. The three were lifted off the ice by helicopter on Feb. 17. NWT's first married Catholic priest Don Flumerfelt was ordained the NWT's first married Roman Catholic priest on Feb. 18 at a service in Yellowknife. The 59-year-old former Anglican minister served for six years in Yellowknife, before he and his wife became Roman Catholics in 2004. Flumerfelt, the father of three grown children, will serve the communities of Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Tulita, Deline and Colville Lake. Child pornography charges A former Hay River resident was charged with possession of child pornography and sexual assaults involving two males under the age of 14 in the community. John Murray Melanson, 43, also known by the nickname "Fester," was arrested in the Toronto area on Feb. 22 on a warrant out of Hay River, as well as charges from other provinces. Melanson faced three charges in Hay River - one count of possession of child pornography and two counts of sexual assault. The accused lived in Hay River from about July 2006 to January 2007.
March
Inuvik cab driver shot A 21-year-old cab driver was shot March 1 as he fled a masked carjacker in Inuvik. As Khalid Elkhatib tried to escape after driving the robber towards the airport, he was hit once in the lower back. The thief - wearing a neck warmer that partially obscured his face - drove off in the cab. Passing drivers found Elkhatib and took him to hospital. Fort McPherson's Edward Snowshoe, 21, was arrested minutes after the shooting. On June 19, he pleaded guilty to using a firearm in the commission of a robbery and was sentenced to five years in prison. Schaefer quits as SRFN chief Jim Schaefer resigned as chief of Fort Smith's Salt River First Nation, effective March 1. Schaefer said the decision was because of personal reasons and a difference of opinion with council over the band's direction, adding he wanted the band to get into business ventures and promote education rather than just look after members' needs. The final straw with the council came in late February when he was suspended for being home sick for six working days after a medical leave ended. Former West Point chief dies Leon Thomas, the first chief of West Point First Nation, died on March 11. Thomas, 67, passed away from complications of pneumonia. In the early 1990s, he was leader of the Hay River-based WPFN for its first four years and served briefly as chief several years ago. Ain't life 100 grand A well known Metis politician has another claim to fame. Ken Hudson, president of the Fort Smith Metis Council, became a lottery winner. Hudson won $100,000 on March 14 by matching six of seven digits in the Extra draw. Treatment centre stays put An eight-bed facility for treating children with behavioural problems stayed in Yellowknife after all. On March 21, the GNWT announced the Territorial Treatment Centre would not move to Hay River as planned. Instead the government announced plans to build an assisted living facility in Hay River for adults. The treatment centre's move to Hay River was first announced in May 2005. Body found at fishing camp No foul play was suspected in the death of a Saskatoon man at a remote lake in the southeastern NWT. On March 25, the body of Trent Struby, 49, was discovered at a winter camp at Obre Lake, about 500 kilometres east of Fort Smith. The deceased was alone at the North of 60 Fly-In Fishing Camp to maintain it for the winter. Money goes missing Somewhere on a journey from Yellowknife to Lutsel K'e, approximately $12,000 went missing on March 28. The money - property of Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation - was in a cash bag used by banks. The bag arrived in Lutsel K'e with an undisclosed amount of money still inside, but with $12,000 missing. The money was coming from a bank in Yellowknife to the band office. Tuktoyaktuk hunter dies Residents of Tuktoyaktuk mourned the death of a local hunter, who apparently froze to death near Reindeer Point on March 29. The man was found unconscious in the morning after a night of -21 C temperatures. No foul play was suspected.
April
Lutsel K'e men freed Rape convictions against three Lutsel K'e men were overturned on April 18. Raymond Marlowe and brothers Antoine and Noel Michel were convicted in 2005 and sentenced to three years imprisonment in connection with an alleged gang rape of a 14-year-old girl at a Lutsel K'e party in 1975. The NWT Court of Appeal ordered the three men not be tried again. A 2004 trial ended in a hung jury. After being convicted in 2005, Marlowe served nine months before being freed on bail while awaiting appeal. The Michel brothers were in jail until released when their convictions were overturned. Third-party management The federal government stepped in to straighten out the financial and political affairs of a small First Nation in Hay River. The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) placed West Point First Nation under third-party management as of April 5. While under third-party management, a new chief and council will be elected. Military not welcome Dehcho First Nations objected to a planned military exercise in Fort Simpson. Grand Chief Herb Norwegian called it an "exercise of intimidation by Canada of the Dehcho." Operation Narwhal was a sovereignty operation in Fort Simpson and Norman Wells from April 16 to 27. Military personnel secured airports as part of scenario involving a hypothetical terrorist threat to the Enbridge pipeline. Man dies in Hay River fire A Hay River man died when his house burned to the ground in the early morning hours of April 22 in the community's West Channel area. The deceased was identified as 42-year-old Raymond Whelan Sr. An autopsy revealed he died from smoke inhalation. Flooding forces evacuation The West Channel area of Hay River was voluntarily evacuated April 27 when the town declared a precautionary local state of emergency because of flooding from the river's spring break-up. By early evening, about a half-kilometre of the road to West Channel was closed to all but emergency vehicles, when it was submerged under two feet of water. Low-lying areas were also flooded, although a half-dozen houses in the vicinity escaped damage. The area was reopened to residents the next morning. Student of the year Almost 40 years after leaving school in Grade 4, Don Bourke, 54, is making the most of a second chance for an education. On April 28, Bourke, who is in an upgrading program at Aurora College in Fort Smith, was named Student of the Year at Thebacha Campus during convocation ceremonies. New chief for a while In an April 30 byelection, Frieda Martselos was elected the new chief of Salt River First Nation in Fort Smith. The wife of Fort Smith Mayor Peter Martselos collected 151 votes compared to 139 for Raymond Beaver. However, just a week later Martselos was ousted from office by band council, which claimed she tried to run the band on her own. That prompted Martselos and a group of supporters to occupy the band offices for eight days. The leadership dispute eventually went to the Federal Court of Canada. Mike Beaver has been acting chief of the band. New Northern store Tsiigehtchic's new Northern store opened its doors to customers on April 23. The new operation is in the renovated Trapper Store building. The hamlet's store is much smaller than many other Northerns in the NWT, but still carries a basic assortment of food and dry goods. Petition launched A Hay River man launched a petition calling on the GNWT to do more criminal records checks to fight sexual abuse. Terry Rideout, who was sexually abused as a child in Newfoundland, said the petition was prompted by criminal charges earlier in the year against a convicted pedophile who had been living in Hay River. The petition, which was presented to the legislative assembly, calls for criminal records checks to be standard for final candidates for all GNWT jobs and all volunteers with GNWT boards and agencies.
May
Inuvik woman honoured An Inuvik woman was honoured in early May for her dedication to women's rights by being inducted into the Order of Canada. Bertha Allen was in Ottawa to receive the honour from Governor General Michaelle Jean. Allen's work for women in the North began in 1976 as a founding member of the NWT Native Women's Association. Paulatuk's first grad Paulatuk's Angik School celebrated its first-ever Grade 12 graduation on May 26. The honour of being the community's first grads went to students Craig Ruben, Tracey Wolki and Jerrita Thrasher. Threats make teachers leave Two teachers left both Echo Dene school and Fort Liard after being threatened by community members. Paul Brown, who taught technology in the workplace program, and Mabel Colson-Brown, the Grade 3-4 teacher, left Fort Liard after threats were made at the school during at least two incidents on April 25. Former Yukon MLA in court A former Yukon MLA was found not guilty of indecent assault after a trial in Hay River ended May 2. The charge against Haakon Arntzen involved an alleged incident in Fort Smith in the early 1970s. A woman accused Arntzen of forcing her to sexually fondle him when she was nine or 10-years-old. The judge hearing the case expressed doubt such an assault ever happened. Fewer people smoking Smoking cigarettes is becoming less popular across the NWT, according to territorial statistician Angelo Cocco. While he said the trends are moving downwards, roughly four out of 10 people still smoke. Cocco added a decline in smoking has been seen across all age groups and ethnic categories, and among men and women. Overall, 40.8 per cent smoked in 2006, compared to 45.7 per cent in 2002. Greyhound hit by strike Greyhound bus service in Western Canada, including to the NWT, was slowed by a strike on May 18. The company operates a passenger and parcel delivery service from Edmonton to Enterprise and Hay River. The labour dispute ended on May 25 when 1,150 drivers, mechanics, terminal staff and owner/operators voted to accept a new contract. Relay for Life tops $100,000 Fort Smith came through in an amazing way in the fight against cancer. On May 25 and 26, the Relay for Life, part of a national fundraising effort for the Canadian Cancer Society, raised at least $103,000 in the community. In 2006, when Fort Smith staged the event for the first time, it raised $87,000.
June
Old hotel knocked down The Pinecrest Hotel in Fort Smith was knocked down on June 4. The hotel - a downtown landmark for half a century - was closed as a fire hazard in December 2005 by order of the NWT Fire Marshal. The demolition of the building was overseen by the Town of Fort Smith. Operation Gatekeeper From June 5 to 8, RCMP officers from Alberta and B.C. joined Mounties in the NWT for "Operation Gatekeeper." The 30 officers stopped vehicles heading into the territories to search for drugs and firearms. As a result, five trafficking charges were laid, and police seized 1.25 kilograms of cocaine, one gram of crack cocaine, one kilogram of marijuana and 111 grams of psilocybin, the active ingredient in the so-called magic mushrooms. One handgun was also found. Health board replaced Citing the need to stabilize operations, Health and Social Services Minister Floyd Roland replaced the board of the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority with a public administrator in June. Greg Cummings, the assistant deputy health minister, was appointed the public administrator. The board was not dismissed, but put in abeyance. A week and a half earlier, CEO Paul Vieira resigned, followed by two members of the board. Former teacher jailed A former teacher in Fort Providence was sentenced to 14 months in jail on June 14 for sex crimes involving three teenaged students. Marvin Lizotte, 37, was sentenced on three counts of sexual exploitation while a physical education instructor at Deh Gah School. He received 12 months for one count and a month each for the other two - all to be served consecutively. The crimes occurred between 1998 and 2002. The girls were between the ages of 14 and 16. When arrested in January 2006, Lizotte was principal and sole teacher at Kakisa Lake School. Man sentenced for accident A Hay River Reserve man was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for impaired driving causing bodily harm. Brent Richard Norn, 25, pleaded guilty at NWT Supreme Court in Hay River on June 18. The charge stemmed from an early-morning accident on Oct. 15, 2006, on the Hay River Reserve, where Norn struck a pedestrian and fled the scene. The victim's multiple injuries left him a paraplegic. Detachment for Gameti Plans for an RCMP two-member detachment in Gameti were announced June 15. It will be the third new detachment in the NWT, following Sachs Harbour and Wrigley. Until detachment offices and residences are built, which could take years, two RCMP members will rotate into Gameti from the Behchoko detachment. Election upset in Tsiigehtchic On June 18, Frederick Blake Jr. was selected the new chief of Gwich'ya Gwich'in Council in Tsiigehtchic. Blake won the post by a random draw, after he and Russel Andre tied with 27 votes each. New Roman Catholic bishop Father Murray Chatlain of Saskatoon was named Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith on June 23, in the first step to replacing the retiring Bishop Denis Croteau later in the year. Chatlain, 44, previously served Dene communities in northern Saskatchewan. The diocese encompasses all of the NWT, and a number of missions in Nunavut and northern Saskatchewan and Alberta. Change at Smith's Landing Smith's Landing First Nation elected a new chief on June 15. In a close vote, Fred Daniels won over incumbent Jerry Paulette. Daniels, who was chief from 2000-2002, collected 56 votes, compared to 51 for Paulette. Daniels planned to remain a Fort Smith town councillor. Murder charge in Fort Smith A Fort Smith man was stabbed to death June 24 and his teenaged brother was charged with murder. The RCMP identified the deceased as Jackson Benwell, 22. His brother, 19-year-old Joseph Emile, was charged with second-degree murder.
July
Players visit London A group of representatives from Deline played hockey in Trafalgar square in London, England, on Canada Day. The group was travelling to promote tourism in the area and declare Deline the birthplace of hockey. Sex offender convicted High school teacher Marvin Lizotte was sentenced to 14 months in jail for having sex with underage girls on June 14. Lizotte admitted to having sex with three teenaged girls while he was teacher in Fort Providence and pleaded guilty to charges of sexual exploitation. Among the details of the case was a letter which Lizotte claimed had been written by Chief Lloyd Chicot of the Ka'a'Gee First Nation as a character reference. Chief Chicot denied writing the letter, which did not match his handwriting. Tlicho agency wins UN award The Tlicho Community Services Agency was given an award by the United Nations in July. The public service award recognized the Tlicho's agency's innovative structure, which combines health services and education services into a board that is an agency of the GNWT and the Tlicho Government. Pipeline estimate at $16.2 million Imperial Oil released an estimate for the Mackenzie Valley Gas project, which would put the project's total cost at $16.2 billion dollars. Imperial spokesperson Pius Rolheiser said the company remained committed to the project. Extreme forest fires A series of forest fires burned across the NWT due to July's hot and dry weather. On July 11, Sahtu region forest manager Paul Rivard said firefighters had been working around the clock. The fires were eventually contained. Exploration permit in Beaufort A $585 million petroleum exploration bid was approved for the Beaufort Sea on behalf of Imperial Oil and Exxon Mobil. Minister Brendan Bell said government was enthusiastic about the million-dollar exploration bid. "This must be the most money ever spent on one parcel of land," he said. The proposed exploration area is northwest of Tuktoyaktuk. New Chief in Fort McPherson Chief Johnny Kay of the Tetlit Gwich'in Council was replaced by Chief Wilbert Firth in an election on July 9. "It has been an honour to take that role," said Kay of the historic and influential position of Gwich'in Chief. Elders shotin home invasion An 18-year-old man was charged in connection with a violent home invasion in Fort Good Hope. Alexis Taureau was alleged to have broken into a house and shot both the occupants. One elderly man, Thomas Manuel Sr, was shot in the chest during the incident, and his wife Denise Manuel injured herself on broken glass while trying to flee the scene. Anthrax outbreak Nineteen buffalo were found dead in Wood Buffalo National Park after an outbreak of anthrax. The first animal was found dead on July 17, and visitors were advised to avoid contact with the animals. "Public safety is our number one concern," said Mike Keizer, communications manager at the park. The number of dead bison would later swell to 45.
August
'Mad Trapper' unearthed A group of filmmakers unearthed the body of Albert Johnson, the legendary Mad Trapper of Rat River on Aug. 11. Workers had some trouble finding the body and consulted local elders for help. The documentary filmmakers extracted some DNA from the body for DNA research and reburied him in a new coffin. Longstanding officer retires Cpl. Jim Forsey, of the RCMP Detachment in Hay River, retired from the force on Aug. 3. He had spent 35 years as an officer and served the community for four years. Council suspends Deninu Chief Chief Bill Norn was suspended by the council of Deninu Ku'e First Nation in Fort Resolution over undisclosed matters. "My style is what gets to them more than anything else," he said. "They believe I am arrogant. But I'm not arrogant, I'm just sure of myself." Norn said he believed the council had suspended him because of his refusal to fire two hamlet employees. Mace visits Sachs Harbour The ceremonial mace used in the NWT Legislative Assembly visited Sachs Harbour in August. This marked the first time the ceremonial mace has travelled above the Arctic Circle. Students in the community of about 122 marveled at the mace, which contains a diamond mined from the NWT's first mine, as well as 33 pebbles, one from each NWT community. Dettah Chief makes unusual promise Incumbent chief Peter Liske promised to visit a treatment centre for alcohol abuse if he won the community's election in August. He later withdrew his candidacy. The exchange prompted a comment from American comedian Jay Leno on television. Strike or lockout? Unionized workers at Fort Smith's Trailcross Treatment Centre began picketing Aug. 7, beginning a two-week labour dispute. The workers were members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Union of Northern Workers. Bosco Homes, the operator of the facility, and the workers also disputed whether the job action was a lock-out or a strike. Armed robberyin Fort Smith A convenience store in Fort Smith was robbed by two masked culprits in the early morning hours of Aug. 4. The unarmed robbers entered Kelly's convenience store and gas bar around 1 a.m. and demanded money from the lone female clerk. They fled, and RCMP said two suspects were arrested within a half hour.
September
George Blondin scholarship The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation established a scholarship in honour of George Blondin in September 2007. The $25,000 in initial funding was given personally by Blondin's granddaughter Fiona Blondin-Fiorini and her husband Joseph Fiorini. George Blondin, who is 85 and still lives in Behchoko, has worked as a wilderness guide, miner, trapper and vice-president of the Dene Nation. Slow year at Aulavik Banks Island's Aulavik National Park welcomed only five visitors during the summer, reported site manager David Haogak. On Sept. 11, Haogak said the season had been slow because of bad weather. The 2,000 square kilometer park is home to the Peary caribou and herds of muskoxen. Switch to digital Telecommunications took a small step forward in August, when Hay River's cell phone service switched to a digital network. Local users can now send text messages and download ringtones, as well as enjoy clearer reception. Man dies in rollover A young man died on Sept. 8 from a single-vehicle rollover on the Hay River reserve. Charles Smallgeese, 22, had been driving the road between the reserve's Old Village and New Village. "It really affects the whole community," said Chief Alec Sunrise of the K'atlodeeche First Nation. Escape from Papua New Guinea A Fort Smith college instructor had a narrow escape from deadly tribal fighting in Papua New Guinea while on a trip. Hilary Gemmel arrived there on Aug. 8 but soon found herself in the middle of a conflict with armed warriors shooting at each other during the night. Gemmel returned to Fort Smith shaken by the experience. "I would love to go back but I'm not prepared to risk my life," she said. Dempster Highway collapse A four-metre wide gap opened in the Dempster Highway on Sept. 20 as a metal culvert collapsed. Northwind Industries worker John Norberg said it was the worst collapse he'd ever seen. Traffic was diverted over a nearby creek. Mountie found guilty of assault A former member of the Hay River RCMP detachment was found guilty of "a very minimal assault," on Sept. 20. Const. Bradley "Dino" Carpenter received a conditional discharge and was placed on probation for a year. He had pushed a woman onto a bed with one hand, in what he claimed to be a reflex to protect himself. "She was charging at me on the bed," he said. The woman was not injured as a result of the incident, and had been trying to make Carpenter leave the room. Beluga whale harvested An off-course Beluga whale was harvested in Akalvik on Sept. 22. Aklavik's Dean Arey was hunting with his friends Jordan McLeod, Junior Sittichinli and Frankie Paul when they came across a 3.5-metre beluga whale, which is a rare occurrence. "They only seem to come once every couple of years," Arey said, adding he hadn't seen a whale near Aklavik in four years. He speculated the whale might have been following some herring, which are abundant in the region that time of year. Bootlegging charges A man from Paulatuk was charged with bootlegging after selling a bottle of whiskey within the community. He was reported to police by a witness and sentenced to 30 days' incarceration at Yellowknife's North Slave Correctional Facility after pleading guilty.
October
Vandalism at Tuktoyaktuk school Mangilaluk school was closed for more than a week after vandals discharged fire extinguishers within the school. Principal Harold Brown said it was a disappointing start to an otherwise good year. "It's very unfortunate because we had a great start to the year. Attendance was very good and this really put a crimp in what we're doing," he said on Oct. 3. Staff had to remove the itchy powder from carpets and all types of surfaces. Four-peat for Miltenberger Michael Miltenberger set a new record for electoral success in Thebacha, elected to a fourth term. He won his seat over high-profile candidates - Fort Smith Mayor Peter Martselos and Jeannie Marie-Jewell, a former MLA and cabinet minister. Miltenberger said he believed voters appreciated his experience. "There are 12 years of hard work and I think a record of accomplishment," he said. Paul Delorey returns Hay River North re-elected Paul Delorey on Oct. 1. He had previously served as speaker, and said the post did not interfere with his ability to represent the region. "It doesn't tie me up at all," he said. "I've found that I've been able to deal with issues a lot quicker as a speaker than I could as regular MLA." Delorey won 514 votes compared to challenger Vince McKay's 329 votes. Pokiak overturned in Nunakput Incumbent MLA Calvin Pokiak came in fourth place in the race for Nunakput MLA. He had previously served one term. He received 74 votes compared to challengers Eddie Dillon, Vince J. Teddy and winner Jackie Jacobson, who received 143, 150 and 266 votes respectively. "I think I've done my work as a politician. I'm happy with what I've done," Pokiak said, adding he had no plans to participate in local politics in the near future. Two-community race The Oct. 1 election in the Tu Nedhe district was a tale of two communities. Fort Resolution overwhelmingly backed winner Tom Beaulieu, while Lutsel K'e threw its support behind second-place finisher Steve Ellis. While Beaulieu received only eight votes in Lutsel'Ke, he pledged to represent the community. "It was a two-horse race and a two-community race, I suppose," he said. Arsonist burns school A fire was deliberately set at Chief Albert Wright school in Tulita on Oct. 8. The blaze caused more than $50,000 in damage and it is believed the arsonist loaded an office chair with firewood and leaned it against the building before setting it on fire. A new $12 million school was scheduled to open in the community by the end of February or early March. UFO over Deline An unidentified flying object was seen hovering over Deline the morning of Nov. 2. Simon Neyelle was on his way home at 5 a.m. when he first saw a bright light hovering near a ridge just outside of the community. "It was just sitting there, it didn't move," said Neyelle. He observed the object hovering over the ridge for an hour, and called other people in the community to see the object. No official explanation for the sighting has been determined though people have speculated it could be a meteor or the planet venus.
November
Second Mountie shot dead Const. Douglas Scott, 20, was shot in Kimmirut on Nov. 5 as he responded to a call about a drunk driver. The shooting was the second in the North in two months, following the death of Hay River RCMP officer Christopher Worden on Oct. 6. A resident of Kimmirut, Pingoatuk Kolola, 37, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the case. Whales at Husky Lakes A pod of whales became trapped by ice outside Tuktoyaktuk in early November. Paul Voudrach, who is chair of the community's Hunters and Trappers Committee, said about 30 whales were trapped at Robinson Bay while 50 were stuck in the Saunaktuk channel. As also happened in 2006, the whales travelled to the area through narrow channels which then froze, barring their escape. "It's almost like we're getting a sequel to last year," Voudrach said. He added there were no plans to harvest the whales. Auditor general slams feds Canada's auditor general Sheila Fraser issued a scathing report in the fall. It said the federal government has not met its obligations in the Inuvialuit Final Agreement signed in 1984. IRC Chair Nellie Cournoyea said she agreed with the report. "For many years they advocated they didn't have a responsibility and this makes it clear they do," she said. NTCL delays Barges containing perishable goods and supplies did not reach many hamlets this year. In Aklavik and Fort Good Hope, airlifts were arranged for perishable goods. "There's a lot of disappointment in the community. The store shelves were pretty empty prior to the barge coming so close to the community and turning around," said Aklavik's Gwich'in Chief Charlie Furlong.
December
Burning bridges Premier Floyd Roland came under fire over the Deh Cho bridge project just prior to the start of December.Kam Lake MLA Dave Ramsay and Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen grilled the premier about the fact a concession agreement with the Deh Cho Bridge corporation. Ramsay called for a public review stating the agreement was pushed through three days before the election in an attempt to force the hand of the new government. Villeneuve asked to pay back allowances Former Tu Nedhe MLA Bobby Villeneuve was ordered to repay in excess of $80,000 worth of housing allowances after the conflict commissioner ruled he had inaccurately claimed the benefit for his home in Fort Resolution. The ruling stated his permanent place of residence was actually Yellowknife.Villeneuve is fighting the ruling in court. Fighting crime A meeting in Hay River on Dec. 5 launched a new crime prevention committee. Formation of the new group was sparked by the murder of Const. Christopher Worden and a perceived increase of drug activity in the community.A petition supporting the re-tabling of the Safer Community and Neighbourhoods legislation by the legislative assembly was also circulated. Dehcho chief convicted Grand Chief Herb Norwegian was convicted of assault after he pleaded guilty to slapping a woman.Norwegian was sentenced to a day in jail, 50 hours of community service and six months probation.The probation period commits the grand chief to undergo counselling.The issue sparked a meeting by the DFN that will lead to a leadership review in January 2008. Clean slate, almost The Hay River byelection for a new council, which followed a court decision to dissolve the community's governing body, yielded an almost complete changing of the guard.Five new councillors were elected to the eight member council, which had only served half its term.
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