January
Fire destroys home
Bob Simpson's home at 33 Alder went up in flames Jan. 3 at about 3 p.m. But amid the tragedy came the positive force of Inuvik residents helping each other out. Simpson's neighbour Gilbert Berry, and Berry's nephew, Stanley Pidborochynski knocked on Simpson's door to tell him about the fire. The fire started from an unclean chimney attached to Simpson's woodstove.
Greenhouse work starts
Work officially began on construction of the old Grollier Hall arena to turn it into the community greenhouse. Foreman Harley Matthew and five other labourers were initially hired thanks to a Department of Municipal and Community Affairs grant. The group's fast work made the project proceed ahead of schedule.
Green dies
Respected elder and Inuvialuit land claim signatory, Nelson Green, froze to death after his hunting cabin burned to the ground. Green, along with Charlie Ruben, were loading a woodstove at a cabin 100 kilometres outside Paulatuk when a blaze suddenly started and engulfed the cabin. The two did not have time to fetch parkas before leaving the cabin. In shirt sleeves, they boarded their snowmobiles for the journey back to town. Green succumbed to the cold.
Decentralizing justice
An agreement between the departments of justice, social services and Turning Point meant area residents sentenced to short jail terms would no longer be sent to Yellowknife to be assessed for entry into treatment program. Instead, they would be assessed in Inuvik.
Saving caribou
Bobbi Jo Greenland prepared to spend February visiting several U.S. states to push the American Congress to pass wildlife bills to protect the porcupine caribou herd calving grounds in Alaska. Greenland also lobbied in the U.S. in 1998 to save the caribou herd.
FEBRUARY
Fighting smoking
Inuvik Regional Hospital dietitian Andrea Lee recommended people eat apples instead of smoking as community efforts increased to try to keep harmful cigarette smoke away from children. Community health representative Cindy Stewart blamed second-hand smoke for problems such as shortness of breath, coughing, asthma attacks, ear infections, bronchitis and pneumonia.
Collecting garbage
Inuvik Town Council voted to extend the town's garbage collection contract by six months. At the time, town director of public services, John Bulmer, said the town could assume garbage collection duties. Bulmer said he received many complaints from residents who said their garbage had gone uncollected.
George "Buck" McLeod dies
Long-time dedicated and active community member, Buck McLeod, died of heart failure. He volunteered with the Lions Club, Inuvik firefighters and Legion activities. After serving in the Second World War, he spent several years in various communities around the NWT, Yukon, Alaska and B.C. before settling in Inuvik.
Piling presentation
Dozens of homeowners attended a presentation at Aurora College on how to save home pilings, to tell if they need to be replaced and different methods to use. Weak pilings were spotted at the Inuvik Centennial library, Turning Point and the town office.
Call me Ishmael
Ishmael Alunik, released his book Call Me Ishmael, where he passes down 18 stories along with other notes and a scholarly introduction attributed to the name Ulukshuk. One of his favourite stories was told to him by the late William Kuptana from Sachs Harbour on how to hunt polar bears with a spear. Alunik, 76, moved to Inuvik in the mid-1950s.
Dog bylaw
Council voted to keep to their bylaw limiting the number of dogs a person can have within town boundaries to three dogs. In 1998, Horst Podzadny accumulated 82 dogs before town action killed 79. Podzadny was up to 11 dogs when council decided to have the bylaw officer reduce Podzadny's unofficial dog team. Podzadny had applied for a dog team licence but was declined for lack of past history with teams.
On the land
The Nihtat Gwich'in Council sponsored Samuel Hearne and SAMs students to go out on the land to a camp 15 kilometres east of Inuvik to learn traditional land skills. Elders joined other Gwich'in helpers in showing the kids how to set snares, traps and survive in the bush.
Tearing down Grollier
The survivors of Grollier Hall returned to their former residential school Feb. 21, to release pent-up emotions before the building was torn down. About 35 people including former students, counsellors and police toured the facility, going through the sections from junior boys, junior girls, senior girls and finally senior boys.
MARCH
Steadfast Sharpe
Vince Sharpe was one resident who bucked the trend to sign an easement agreement giving the town exclusive development rights on a right-of-way along the utilidor system on his property.
The town was set to assume control of the system Oct. 1. Sharpe argued against signing the agreement, saying he had been paying property taxes on the land for years and if he signed the agreement he would be prohibited from adding an addition to his house.
Fuel price drop
The pending onset of natural gas was one reason cited for an eight-cent drop in the price of fuel oil, according to Imperial Oil spokesman Hart Searle. Inuvik fuel oil distributor Paul Wiederman said his Arctic Dove company would try to compete. The price of natural gas was estimated at being 15 per cent less than fuel oil regardless of how low fuel oil was going to drop.
Mammography machine arrives
The Inuvik Regional Hospital's mammography machine arrived, meaning women would no longer have to travel to Yellowknife for breast cancer screenings. The first screening took place March 9. Results are still sent to Edmonton for analysis.
Untapped gas
Inuvialuit Petroleum Corporation chair Russell Newmark said though the Ikhil pipeline will tap enough natural gas to power Inuvik for about 30 years, much of the other gas in the Delta has been left untapped. He said the Delta's natural gas pools are well known, particularly the Taglu site, which he believes is the largest untapped pool of gas in North America outside Prudhoe Bay in Alaska.
Role models
Girl Guides recognized area women who are positive female role models. The women included Leslie Stevens, Coral Andrew, Janis Miller, Nellie Cournoyea, Ruby St. Amand, Sheila White, Sheila Robertson, Maureen Gowans, Arlene Hansen, Eleanor Belbin, Juanita Bourque, Julie Miller, Elizabeth Greenland, Winnie Cockney, Cathy Crozier, Bernice Lavoie and Sandy Nikiforuk.
Winter games
Kids aged nine through 15 had the chance to meet and compete against peers from other area communities in mid-March during the Winter Regional Games. Most of events were for fun and many said coming to Inuvik was as exciting as getting to participate in the soccer, snowshoeing, arctic sports, Dene games and speed skating.
Traditional sports
Aurora College's Inuvik campus hosted an aboriginal sport clinic March 5- 7. About 30 people from Baffin Island to the Yukon met to discuss arctic sports, Dene games and Inuit wrestling. "We have an opportunity to bring experts together for the first time to explore how these sporting events fit into Northern culture and how they can be promoted," said Julian Tomlinson, recreation leader program instructor.
Muskrat Jamboree
Jamboree fans participated in many traditional events during some frigid times at the 1999 Muskrat Jamboree.
Temperatures plunged but that did not stop people such as William and Gail Gruben from carving the first prize winning snow sculpture. Melba Mitchell and Eddie Greenland were named King and Queen while Troy Kasook and Maureen Elias each won their respective divisions in the David Kasook memorial dog race.
APRIL
Harry on stamp
Stamps of respected elder Martha Harry became available as Nunavut celebrated the first day of its official existence. The 46-cent stamp includes a picture of Harry, an official NWT symbol and a photo of a highway. Harry said she was very happy when she found out and never thought she would be on a postage stamp.
NRTP experience
After first going out on the land with elders, 10 Aurora College natural resources technology program students joined eight Aklavik Moose Kerr school students around Knute Lang's camp outside Aklavik to pass down some of the knowledge they learned. Fort McPherson elder Robert Alexie and Aklavik elder John Carmichael joined the group on the March 23-27 outing in what is peak muskrat season.
Bombardier visit
Since 1994, Bombardier technicians have been making annual trips to Inuvik to test snowmobiles once it gets too warm at their usual test site in Cabano, Que.
The 13-person team of technicians, engineering specialists and mechanical experts spent about two weeks in Inuvik testing carburetors, clutches and snowmobile calibration.
Tax hike
Council hiked municipal taxes 5.8 per cent -- the first increase in six years -- as it announced a balanced budget. "That's not a significant jump really," said senior administrative officer Don Howden. "The consumer price index has increased by over two per cent a year for the past six years." Howden says the increase stemmed from increased costs in many areas including fuel and utilities.
Furlong new chief
Charlie Furlong beat Melba Mitchell 47-33 to become the new chief of the Aklavik Native Band in an April 8 election. "I guess being band chief provides that missing link that I had as mayor. It now gives me access to federal departments and federal funding on behalf of the Gwich'in people here," the Aklavik mayor said. Furlong said he would make a point of working with the Inuvialuit Community Corporation and will aim to represent the community as a whole.
Gwich'in dissention
Several Gwich'in beneficiaries blasted Gwich'in Tribal Council president Richard Nerysoo and vice- presidents Louise Lennie and James Wilson for not attending meetings, listening to concerns or otherwise communicating with them. "They had one week (notice) to come -- one week to respond and they disrespect us by not even coming here," beneficiary Robert Bourque told the Nihtat Gwich'in Council meeting April 15.
JUNE
Mayor concerned about safety
Mayor George Roach and town council sent letters to various government departments requesting that a full-time safety inspector be reinstated in Inuvik. An accident at the Grollier Hall demolition site was one reason for council's concern, as well as many other ongoing and upcoming construction projects.
Fires close schools
Sir Alexander Mackenzie school was closed for two days following a power outage. Problems with a cable caused the outage on June 7.
Classes at Samuel Hearne secondary school were also interrupted June 3 after a fire was discovered in one of the bathrooms.
DEA backs up policies
The District Education Authority handed out a number of facts and figures at its annual general meeting June 8 to back up its discipline, attendance and suspension policies. The policies had been the subject of criticism from some residents in recent months.
Boundaries hearing held
Inuvik residents got a chance to speak about the proposed changes to the electoral boundaries at public hearings June 15 and 16. The hearings, the first of six held around the NWT, dealt with the proposal to increase the number of districts from 14 to 19.
SHSS holds graduation
Twenty-two students graduated from Samuel Hearne secondary school June 5. The valedictory address was given by Corinne Casanova and the Governor General's medal was awarded to Jon-Paul Picek.
Dinner theatre returns
The Inuvik Choral and Theatrical Society kicked off its sixth season June 20, performing East Three -- The Story of Inuvik. The comedy, written by Rod Hunchak, is a historical review of Inuvik and is a popular attraction for tourists.
Lennie acquitted
An Inuvik man was acquitted June 15 of a sexual assault charge. Hans Lennie was found not guilty in territorial court in Aklavik. He was originally set to be tried in Inuvik but a change of venue occurred after CBC North reported the man's long family connections to the area on a radio broadcast the day of the trial.
Nurse honoured
Inuvik nurse Rosalie Adams was recognized for her long-standing contribution to Northern nursing. To acknowledge her contribution, Adams and two other NWT nurses attended the Centennial Conference of the International Council of Nurses in England in late June.
Feeling the pinch
The Inuvik region felt the effects of the national nursing shortage when, for the first time in its history, the Health and Social Services Board was forced to reduce services in many of its communities. Inuvik hospital CEO Ray Scott said the board was faced with instances where certain communities would be without a nurse for several days in the summer months.
JULY
Mayor assures tourists
Tuktoyaktuk Mayor Ernest Pokiak released a statement assuring tourists that it's safe to travel to his hamlet. Pokiak's comments followed the robbery of a camper at knifepoint earlier in the month, which he described as an "isolated incident."
Council pressures WCB
Concern over a number of construction and demolition projects in Inuvik prompted town council to push the Workers' Compensation Board for a full-time safety officer. Mayor George Roach said he was particularly concerned about the negative effect unsightly building sites would have on tourists attending the Great Northern Arts Festival.
Cell phones arrive
In July, Inuvik became the first community in the territory to receive digital cellular telephone service. Tom Zubko, owner of Inuvik TV, said the digital system offers clearer voice reproduction, less static and greater security, unlike the older, analogue system used in other communities.
Festival record broken
Records for the numbers of visitors and volunteers were set on the opening day of the 1999 Great Northern Arts Festival, according to organizers. Tanya Van Valkenburg said more than 700 people dropped in on the first day and set another record by spending $40,252.
Joss Open a hit
Holman also witnessed a record in July with the high number of participants in the annual Billy Joss Open Golf Tournament. Colin Okheena captured the men's title, Eddie Okheena won the masters, Ida Hokanak won the women's event and Gary Okheena took the junior crown.
Health forum launched
Health Minister Floyd Roland kicked off his minister's forum on health and social services in July, arranging for an appointed panel to conduct a series of community feed-back meetings around the territory aimed at looking for ways to improve services.
Grollier inquiries continue
The Inuvik RCMP detachment announced July 20 it was continuing to investigate allegations of sexual assault at the defunct Grollier Hall residential school. Police announced that more disclosures had surfaced, after the conviction of former hall supervisor Paul Leroux in Aug. 1998.
Group expands horizons
A group of Inuvik elders and youth spent a week in Edmonton in late July. Sponsored by the Nihtat Gwich'in Council, the group toured the city and attended a powwow at the Hobbema Reserve.
Taking flight
The Beaufort Delta continued to attract its share of international science projects, including a group of researchers from Lund University in southern Sweden examining the question of how birds migrate. Group leader Susanne Akesson said the behaviour of white crown sparrows captured in Inuvik would be examined after they were relocated to spots along the arctic coast.
Dogs run wild
The birth of the biggest and most successful minor league baseball team in the town in many years happened in the summer of 1999 -- the Inuvik Mud Dogs. Coached by Dan Martin and Kelly Webster the Dogs attracted 27 kids who participated in practices, games and tournaments.
AUGUST
Midway draws musicians
The 14th edition of the annual Midway Lake Music Festival held at the beginning of the month attracted some 1,500 musicians, dancers and guests from across the NWT, the Yukon and Alaska. The festival was dedicated to the memory of three men who had died the previous year: Johnny Charlie Sr., Lazarus Firth and the Yukon drifter Grafton Njootli.
Mayor plugs bear
Sachs Harbour Mayor Peter Esau said he had no choice but to shoot and kill a young male polar bear after it had persistently returned time and time again to the streets of the tiny Banks Island hamlet.
Hotel rates rise
The timing and co-ordination of room-rate hikes at all three Inuvik hotels -- the Mackenzie, the Eskimo and Finto -- fuelled rumours that they had been purchased by the fledgling Mackenzie Delta Hotel Group partnership, a fact later confirmed by the partnership.
Northwind takes title
Eight teams competed, but it was Northwind that captured the crown at the 1999 Midnight Sun Co-ed Slo-pitch Tournament on Aug. 2 with a two-game, 17-7 and 6-1 victory over Rocky's runner-ups.
Fire raises alarm
A massive forest fire burning out of control in the Inuvik region posed its biggest threat in early August as it approached the Mackenzie River. It enveloped Tsiigehtchic and threatened to jump the Dempster Highway.
SAMS converts
Sir Alexander Mackenzie school became the first public building in Inuvik to convert to the use of gas-fueled heating Aug. 11, courtesy of the fledgling Inuvik Gas Ltd. company.
ICS opens house
The Inuvialuit Communications Society in Inuvik threw its doors open to the public in early August to celebrate its participation in the launch of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. The society began producing programs for the new network, which replaced the outgoing Television Northern Canada.
Boaters found
Three Aklavik youth, who spent a weekend lost in the Mackenzie Delta, were found safe Aug. 9. Aklavik RCMP Cpl. Maureen Levy described the intensive rescue mission as "totally successful."
Diamonds are forever
Peter and Mary Kaye of Fort McPherson celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a large family and community feast Aug. 14.
Wedding belles
Inuvik witnessed a landmark wedding of its own Aug. 21 when sisters Cindy and Marlo Kasook combined efforts in a double-marriage ceremony. Cindy tied the knot with Robert Voudrach and Marlo with William Allen.
SEPTEMBER
Aklavik mourns
Aklavik residents were staggered by the news of a fatal boating accident on the Arctic Ocean involving members of their community en route to visit relatives on Barter Island off the Alaskan coast. Boat operator Dennis Arey managed to survive when their boat overturned but his daughter, Sandra Meyook, died, as did Kenneth Paul. Sandra's sister, Sylvia, went missing and an extensive search failed to find her.
Asbestos found
The demolition of Grollier Hall was delayed a couple of times over the summer when asbestos insulation was located. The company carrying out the job, Northern Management Development, called in consultants to oversee its removal, before the demolition continued.
Elders honoured
NWT Commissioner Dan Marion took a tour of the true North in early September, handing out life-achievement awards of recognition to Inuvialuit elders in Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Holman and Tuktoyaktuk. Those honoured included Edward Ruben, Andy Carpenter, Robert Kuptana, Norman Felix and Lucy Cockney.
Amos praises tour
Inuvik athlete extraordinaire Twyla Amos gave the thumbs up to her summer tour of Europe with the U.S. Ambassador Junior Girls Volleyball Team. The 21-year-old played a series of successful matches against opponents in England, the Netherlands, France and Belgium.
Power Corp converts
The NWT Power Corporation in Inuvik became the biggest, newest customer of Inuvik Gas Ltd. when it turned on two new natural-gas generators to supply electricity to the town at a ceremony Sept. 10.
Nursing money allocated
Inuvik MLA and Health Minister Floyd Roland announced in September that $3 million from the territorial budget would be allocated to the recruitment and retention of nurses in the North.
Bop till they drop
Labour Day Monday's sixth annual Inuvik Demolition Derby offered more than a few thrills and spills, and in the end it was Paul Sullivan who limped off as the sole survivor with first place.
Taking aim
The 1999 Inuvik Darts Association Tournament attracted some truly formidable competition from the Yukon. Whitehorse resident Declan McGovern took the men's singles titles and another former resident, Julie Rafferty, captured the ladies.
A sea change
The Beaufort Sea 2000 Resource Conference wrapped up Sept. 18 and all participants gave it high marks, particularly for including a high number of community and youth representatives.
Rodeo round-up
Classic country crooners Blue Rodeo took their show to Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk on Sept. 24 and 25. The band performed several greatest-hits shows as part of the festivities organized by E. Gruben's Transport and the Mackenzie Delta Hotel Group.
OCTOBER
New minister visits
Robert Nault, the new federal minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, dropped into Inuvik on Sept. 2. Accompanied by Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Premier Jim Antoine and new Senator Nick Sibbeston, Nault was given his first tour of the Western Arctic and met up with local native leaders to sign a "Political Accord" promoting intergovernmental relations.
Gwich'in meet
Gwich'in groups held their annual assembly in Tsiigehtchic in October, and John Gunter, executive director of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, described it as possessing a more conciliatory air than in past years. Progress was made in giving the communities a stronger voice in the self-government process.
Attendance honoured
Two Sir Alexander Mackenzie pupils, Leah Sulyma and Jordon Rogers, and two former pupils, Tracey Smallgeese and Michelle Lavoie, received honours for perfect attendance records for the 1998-1999 school year.
Delta Daze delights
The kick-off to the annual Delta Daze carnival weekend occurred Oct. 8. Food and fund-raising were the two main components of the fun-filled time. Josh Staples and Kandace Sittichinli were named prince and princess for 1999 for their efforts.
Composer visits
Former Inuvik resident, flautist and composer Derek Charke, returned to town from Vancouver and helped stage an evening of music at the Church of the Ascension on Oct. 8, which featured performances by members of the Inuvik Community Choir.
ICS shaken up
The Inuvialuit Communications Society experienced a management shake-up in October, with board president Frank Hansen resigning and executive director Darlene Cave and financial officer Valerie Shingtok-Inglangasuk being dismissed and filing wrongful-dismissal claims. New board president Steve Cockney said the situation was under control.
Students elected
As part of an effort by town council and Samuel Hearne to get students more involved in community life, Jill Chinna was voted in as youth representative to the council, and Sherry Rioux as her alternate, at an election held at the school Oct. 1.
Batters up
The Inuvik Slo-pitch Association held its annual awards banquet at the Legion Hall on Saturday, Oct. 16. Players celebrated Rocky's league title and Northwind's tournament triumph and the naming of Coral Andrew and Wally Ballas as league MVPs.
Surgery postponed
The nursing-shortage crisis reached new heights in October when Inuvik Regional Hospital cancelled and postponed all elective surgery for a total of four weeks. Chief executive officer Ray Scott said the action enabled the hospital to free up operating room nurses to help on other, understaffed wings.
Allen honoured
Inuvik activist Bertha Allen attended a special ceremony in Calgary in October and, along with four other individuals, received the Persons Award from incoming Governor General Adrienne Clarkson for her contribution to promoting the equality of women in Canada.
NOVEMBER
Candidates named
By the close of nominations Nov. 1, six candidates had come forward to run in the December territorial election in Inuvik's two new ridings. Boot Lake candidates included the incumbent Floyd Roland, Mary Beckett and Chris Garven while Roger Allen, Glenna Hansen and George Roach stepped up for Twin Lakes.
Doors opened
The Inuvik Justice Committee moved into its new headquarters and held an open house to mark the event. The committee also formally welcomed new co-ordinator John Nash and managed to attract new board members.
Ski club waxes up
The Top of the World Ski Club kicked off its winter season by electing a new president, Heather Swystun, and flying instructor John Gallagher up from Alberta for a week in November to oversee everything from waxing workshops to Jackrabbits training sessions.
Co-operation prevails
Participants praised the Beaufort Delta Leaders Conference for being successful in uniting the region. Self-government negotiator Bob Simpson said the co-operation stemmed in part from the realization that resource development might soon be taking place on a major scale.
Ross recruits
Inuvik recreation co-ordinator Theresa Ross was busy trying to recruit participants for the upcoming Relay 2000 millennium event. Arctic Ocean water will be transported by various means -- including foot, dogsled and snowmobile -- through the region and on to Ottawa.
Seeing white
President Maria Hansen and executive director Ann Kasook of Transition House women's shelter helped bring the national White Ribbon campaign to Inuvik. Intended to raise awareness about the persistence of violence against women and children in society, White Ribbon Week ran from Nov. 25 to Dec. 6.
NDP enters race
The Inuvik Boot Lake territorial election race took a twist Nov. 12 when candidate Chris Garven announced he would be officially representing the national New Democratic Party, joining five other candidates in Yellowknife in bringing party politics to the territory.
Mayor visits Russia
As part of his duties with the NWT Association of Municipalities, Inuvik Mayor George Roach spent two weeks in Russia, in Siberia and Moscow, where he met with local representatives to discuss ideas for local administration.
Remembering
Inuvik residents marked Nov. 11 Remembrance Day with a sombre ceremony at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school. The event featured speeches by local leaders like Anglican minister Larry Robertson and the participation of groups ranging from the Legion to the Army Cadets to the Sparks.
NHL veterans visit
They came, they saw and they dazzled. NHL Oldtimers, including Guy Lafleur and Dave Williams, skated into Inuvik on Nov. 9 for the first time in years and skated away with a 21-11 win over the local RCMP-organized squad. They didn't get away, however, before thoroughly delighting the hundreds of fans packed into the Midnight Sun Arena.
DECEMBER
Debates held
Aurora College was the scene of two candidates' forums for the Dec. 6 territorial election. First Boot Lake and then Twin Lakes candidates debated the issues, such as the impending budget deficit to crises in health and education to a new home for Inuvik's elders. Scheduling problems prevented candidate George Roach from attending.
Santa lives
Staffers like Maryann Springett at the Inuvik post office knew it was time to gear up for their annual duty of answering children's letters to Santa when they received one from 10-year-old Raluca Becheru in Romania.
Project awaits funding
Town council and several agencies in Inuvik were excited by the prospect of receiving up to $400,000 in federal money toward the Inuvik Works training and employment project. They met with representatives from Human Resources Development Canada.
Teachers reject offer
One hundred teachers in the Inuvik region joined 300 of their territorial colleagues in voting, by an overwhelming 78 per cent margin, to reject a tentative contract offer put forward by the government. Mediation was set to resume later in December.
Roland, Allen win
Incumbent MLA Floyd Roland was re-elected by a wide margin in the riding of Boot Lake in the Dec. 6 territorial election. Health and Social Services Minister, responsible for the Housing Corporation and deputy premier in the last legislature, Roland said the new assembly faces an impending deficit and some tough issues. In Twin Lakes, Roger Allen narrowly defeated rival Glenna Hansen, while incumbents Vince Steen and David Krutko were returned to office in Nunakput and Mackenzie Delta.
Inuvik kicks butt
Inuvik teams swept regional sports tournaments the weekend of Dec. 3-4. The boys and girls 14-and-under soccer teams took the titles, joining the ranks of the Inuvik 16-and-under boys and girls who had won the weekend before in Aklavik. Meanwhile, both the Inuvik 18-and-under boys and girls basketball teams also captured their crowns and earned berths in the territorials.
Still waiting
A teacher who fled Samuel Hearne high school in May following what she said were threats to her life said she remained disappointed by the lack of action by authorities. "I just hope something is put in place so that a teacher doesn't have to go through a situation like that again," said Linda Palasz. An RCMP investigation of the case resulted in no charges being laid.
Lights out
Problems with new natural gas powered electrical generators at the power plant resulted in numerous power outages that continued through the darkest period of the year.
The brief outages happen when one engine was shut down because of knocking and the other was unable to handle the town's electrical demand. The outages were mercifully brief.
Dealing with the problem
Health-care specialists, parents and foster parents of children afflicted with fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects got together to talk strategy. The workshop was organized by the Inuvik Health and Social Services Board.
Up again
The town of Inuvik planned to increase taxes by two per cent. Council gave first and second reading to the bylaw that would enact the increase, the second one in as many years. In 1999 property taxes increased 5.8 per cent.
Organizing the odyssey
A dedicated group of volunteers based in Inuvik worked toward an epic journey spanning three territories.
The three-month snowmobile journey, held in conjunction with the Trans Canada Trail water relay, will take in 19 communities and run from the Alaska-Yukon border to Iqaluit.