January

Language and culture at forefront

The role that parents, communities and school can and need to play in language revitalization was one of the primary topics discussed during the third in a series of six regional Aboriginal Student Achievement Forums held in Fort Simpson from Jan. 5 to 7.

Through the forums, the territorial department of Education, Culture and Employment was gathering feedback and ideas on the Aboriginal Student Achievement Education Plan. The plan is a collaborative effort to eliminate the achievement gap between non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal students in the NWT.

Industrial camp closes

Major portions of a Fort Simpson business were shut down and removed just a year and a half after opening.

Fort of the Forks, a $4-million project located where Highway 1 branches off from Fort Simpson on its way to Wrigley, originally offered a gas bar and convenience store as well as a 48-person industrial camp, a restaurant, kitchen and a conference room. The restaurant was closed in May 2010 followed by the accommodations at the end of December. The 26 trailers that made up the facility were removed early in 2011.

The expected developments in the area that the business plan was based on never materialized, said a spokesperson for Sodexo. Fort of the Forks is a partnership between Liidlii Kue First Nation, Landmark Logistics Ltd. and Sodexo.

Catholic priest pinned under semi

The Roman Catholic priest for the Deh Cho came away from a vehicle collision in stable condition.

Father Wes Szatanski was travelling from Yellowknife to Fort Providence on Jan. 17 in a mid-sized pickup when he collided with a parked semi-trailer at approximately 10 p.m. The transport truck had been left on the southbound shoulder of the road because it had engine problems.

Using hydraulic rescue tools, six firefighters, a nurse, an ambulance driver and two RCMP officers freed Szatanski after more than three hours. Szatanski suffered a few bruises and scrapes and damage to a bone in his right leg.

Senior basketball squad wins title

The senior boys' Wolfpack won the Wolfpack Invitational in Fort Simpson for a second year in a row.

The team won gold at its own tournament for the first time in 2010 in a game against the Tulita T-Wolves. This time the Fort Nelson Huskies offered the highest level of competition during the Jan. 8 tournament.

The team went undefeated into the finals and beat the Huskies 63-54 to claim the tournament victory.

The junior co-ed Wolfpack also won its division after winning two out of three games against the Fort Nelson Huskies girls team.

Nahanni Butte signs agreement

Representatives of the Nahanni Butte Dene Band signed an impact benefits agreement with the Canadian Zinc Corporation on Jan. 20.

The agreement gives band members priority for the 220 full-time positions expected to be created at the mine. A number of contracts were also set aside specifically for Nahanni Butte. Canadian Zinc has also agreed to make contributions to an education fund to assist band members seeking vocational or technical skills training or further education. Apprenticeship positions will also be made available.

Man brandishes rifle and axe

A young man was facing multiple charges in relation to an event that took place in Fort Liard on Jan. 11.

In the early morning hours, the RCMP received a report of a male carrying a rifle in the hamlet and threatening to harm others with the weapon. Before officers arrived at the scene community residents took the rifle away from the man but he returned with an axe.

After being caught by the RCMP, a 21-year-old man was charged with theft of a firearm, pointing a firearm, carrying a weapon for a dangerous purpose, uttering threats and possessing a firearm while prohibited.

Heated hockey rivalry continues

A rematch between the Fort Simpson Nahanni Inn Flyers and the Fort Providence Bulls had a different ending at the Fort Simpson Men's Recreational Hockey Tournament.

In 2010 the Flyers defeated the Bulls in the finals. This time the Bulls prevailed in the tournament, beating the Flyers 5-2 in the final game.

First Nations examines options

The Dehcho First Nations was examining both political and legal options for opposing the territorial government's decision to sign a devolution agreement-in-principle at the end of the month.

By signing the devolution agreement-in-principle on Jan. 26, an act which Dehcho First Nations and the majority of other aboriginal groups in the territory object to, Grand Chief Samuel Gargan said the legislative assembly turned its back on democracy.

February

Artist takes gold at Carnaval

A Fort Simpson artist used his sculpting skills to help a First Nations team win first place in the national snow sculpture competition at Carnaval de Quebec.

Randy Sibbeston along with Dewey Smith of Ottawa and Dylan Smith of Thunder Bay, Ont., spent two days creating the winning snow sculpture. The sculpture, which was based on a creation myth, depicted a raven transforming into a woman in order to give birth to the first peoples. As a result of winning at the national level, the team will represent Canada this year at the Carnaval's international snow-sculpting competition.

Commander in communities

Brig.-Gen Guy. Hamel, the commander of Joint Task Force North, visited Trout Lake and Fort Simpson on Feb. 7 during the first day of an outreach tour.

When you see the communities you get a better idea of the area you are covering, Hamel said. Hamel also used the tour as an opportunity to discuss Joint Task Force North's goals with the Canadian Rangers, Junior Canadian Rangers, and cadets in the area and to build good relations with local leaders.

Apprentice earns top marks

The accomplishments of an electrical apprentice were honoured during a ceremony at the Department of Education, Culture and Employment's office in Fort Simpson on Feb. 11.

Tyra Moses of Fort Simpson was presented with two Top Mark Awards for receiving the highest marks in the territory for both electrician Level 2 and Level 3. She was also given the Keith Houghton Memorial Award, which goes to an electrical apprentice with the highest overall mark in their third level technical training.

Non-confidence vote ousts chief

Isadore Simon was removed as chief of Jean Marie River First Nation following a vote of non-confidence by the band council.

The council voted unanimously on Feb. 2 to end Simon's leadership. Simon had been chief since August 2008 when he was acclaimed to the position. Council appointed Stan Sanguez to serve as the acting chief.

Working group focuses on caribou

A new group was formed to help manage boreal caribou in the region.

Nine years in the making, the Dehcho Boreal Caribou Working Group held its first meeting in Fort Simpson on Feb. 10. The group's purpose is to gather information and research about boreal caribou and to disperse it to the Deh Cho communities, said Nic Larter, the regional biologist for the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources.

Gym goes solar

Installation of a five-kilowatt solar panel array was completed on the Nahanni Butte gymnasium's roof on Feb. 16.

The array represented close to a year's worth of work by David Overall. Overall, who was a Beaver volunteer at Charles Yohin School, was looking for a way to make a tangible contribution to the community that was his home for two years.

With the support of the chief and band council, Overall submitted a proposal to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Alternative Energy Technologies Program and received $50,000 for the project.

The array should produce enough energy to power the gym during the summer months if energy discipline is followed, Overall said.

Baby born early in Fort Simpson

By being born early, Nateyaa Tanche had the distinction of being one of the few babies born in recent years in Fort Simpson instead of in Yellowknife.

Nateyaa was born to Gracyn Tanche on Feb. 18. Gracyn was scheduled to leave the village on Feb. 21 for Yellowknife where she'd wait to give birth.

Gracyn, who'd wanted to be close to her family during the final weeks of her pregnancy, had received permission from a doctor to stay in the village until two weeks before her due date. Gracyn went into labour on the evening of Feb. 17 and was too far along to leave when a medevac flight arrived later than night.

Nateyaa was born at 5:25 a.m., weighing six pounds and seven ounces.

Fort Providence woman gets award

Sylvia Nadli received the 2011 Wise Woman Award for the Deh Cho region.

Nadli was honoured for her dedication in promoting traditional crafts. Edith Squirrel and Ruby Minoza, who run the Family Life Program at the Zhahti Koe Friendship Centre in Fort Providence, nominated Nadli.

March

Artists call for more funding

Funding is NWT artists' greatest challenge, territorial artisans said during a three-day conference in Fort Simpson.

The Open Sky Creative Society held the Dehcho Artists' Conference from March 9 to 11. The purpose of the conference was to identify ways the society can better serve Deh Cho artists and to examine ways to make the society more effective.

Funding was the main topic during a session where artists identified their needs.

Wolfpack takes third in tourney

The Thomas Simpson Wolfpack finished third in the NWT Power Corporation's Senior Cager tournament in Yellowknife.

The seven-player Fort Simpson team lost its first round robin game but won the next two. The team won 69-47 in the quarterfinals against Cambridge Bay but lost against St. Patrick School in the semi-finals 74-47.

Bridge settlement reached

The territorial government settled a lawsuit that was launched by the former project manager and project engineer of the Deh Cho Bridge. Andrew Gamble and Jivko Jivkov filed an affidavit in June 2010 seeking more than $1.3 million combined for money they said was owed to them under their contracts with Deh Cho Bridge Corporation Ltd.

Gamble, Jivkov and the territorial government reached a settlement through arbitration.

Bompas teacher recognized

For the third year in a row the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association recognized a teacher at Bompas Elementary School.

Doris Pellissey was one of two winners of the Thank You for Making a Difference initiative. The initiative, which was in its 14th year, is designed to increase public awareness of the work teachers do.

Delainea Anderson wrote the winning submission about Pellissey.

Students excel at competition

All seven students from the Deh Cho who competed in the first annual South Slave and Deh Cho Regional Skills Competition won medals.

The regional competition, held in Fort Smith on March 7, was an extension of the Territorial Skills Competition Skills Canada holds yearly.

Fifteen students from Fort Simpson, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Fort Smith and Lutsel K'e competed. Deh Cho students returned with four gold medals, one silver and two bronze.

Badminton players win medals

Eight students from two Deh Cho schools emerged with medals from the NWT Badminton Championships.

Students from Nahanni Butte, Fort Providence and Fort Simpson represented the Deh Cho at the event in Yellowknife from March 4 to 6. Deh Gah School athletes won five medals while Charles Yohin School athletes won six.

Trapper objects to five lakes plan

A harvester and his family objected to Jean Marie River First Nation's plans to protect a series of five lakes.

Francis Nahanni, who is originally from Jean Marie River but now lives in Fort Simpson, has been trapping around McGill Lake since the 1970s. McGill is one of five lakes that Jean Marie River is seeking permanent protection for.

Despite being the only person managing an active trapline around McGill Lake and having three cabins in the area, Nahanni said the band hadn't consulted him about its plans. Nahanni said he's afraid if the area is turned into a territorial park more people will come to the lakes and animals will leave as a result.

Darts players on NWT team

Three Fort Simpson dart players earned the right to represent the territory at the national dart championships.

Brenda Moreau, Louisa Moreau and Steve Gooderham all finished in the top nine at the NWT Darts Territorials in Inuvik held from March 18 to 20. Brenda retained her first-place ranking in the women's division while Gooderham and Louisa both had to compete in playoffs.

The Fort Simpson Darts Society also sent Chris Lake and Sheila Pollard to the competition.

Deh Cho athletes in handgames

There was no prize money for four teams from the Deh Cho that competed in the Canadian National Aboriginal Men's Handgames Championships.

Thirty-six teams from across the NWT and northern Alberta competed for $50,000 in prize money awarded to the top six teams in the championships in Behchoko from March 17 to 20.

The Deh Cho was represented by two teams from Wrigley and a team from both Fort Simpson and Fort Providence. The Fort Providence team captained by Eric Gargan played five games, the most games of the Deh Cho teams.

April

Helicopter firms win contracts

Two helicopter companies in the Deh Cho secured new contracts with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Both Dehcho Regional Helicopters Ltd. out of Fort Simpson and Denendeh Helictopers Ltd. out of Hay River were awarded five-year contracts to provide firefighting support and suppression services to the department. Both contracts were valued at more than $2 million if the expected number of hours are flown.

"We're elated that it's finally happened," said Joanne Deneron, the president of Dehcho Regional Helicopters Ltd.

Bulls place second in High Level

The Fort Providence Bulls finished in second place in the Vegas Cup, a tournament in High Level from April 1 to 3.

The team, which included six players from Fort Providence and six other athletes who regularly play with the Bulls, was up against eight other teams. The Bulls went undefeated in the round robin. In the finals against Horse Lake Thunder, however, the Bulls lost 5-2, putting them in second place.

Three years for sex assault

A Fort Liard man was sentenced to three years in jail for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

The 59-year-old pleaded guilty in the NWT Supreme Court on April 12 to sexually touching the minor in his vehicle and then later in his home on Nov. 24, 2009.

In making his decision the Supreme Court justice said he considered both the man's and the victim's ages.

Anglers tie in derby

Helena Timbre and Manny Vital shared the top prize for the biggest jackfish at the Fort Liard Fishing Derby.

The annual derby was held over two weekends on April 9-10 and April 16-17. Approximately 50 to 60 anglers and spectators made the trip to Fisherman Lake for the first weekend of the event.

Timber caught her 16-pound jackfish during the first weekend. On April 16, Vital caught another 16-pound jackfish so he and Timbre split the top prize – 45 gallons of gasoline.

Candidates talk issues

A two-way candidate forum for the federal election took place in Fort Simpson on April 17.

Only NDP incumbent Dennis Bevington and Liberal hopeful Joe Handley participated in the event. Conservative candidate Sandy Lee cancelled her appearance after Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced he would be making a campaign stop in Yellowknife.

Green Party candidate Eli Purchase was also unable to attend after the Mackenzie River ice crossing at Fort Providence closed. Nearly 30 residents attended the forum.

Young voters ask questions

Young and future voters were the focus of a Western Arctic candidates' forum held in Fort Providence on April 19.

More than 60 residents filled the Deh Gah School gymnasium to pose questions to NDP incumbent Dennis Bevington, Liberal-hopeful Joe Handley and Green Party candidate Eli Purchase. Half of those in attendance at the forum were students and young people.

Teacher Christopher Carson said the forum, which included two youth panel members, gave students a chance to get involved in the political discussion.

Flyers win Yk tourney

The Fort Simpson Nahanni Inn Flyers successfully defended their A division title at the First Air Tournament in Yellowknife.

On April 24, the Flyers defeated rival Ace Enterprises 5-2 in the finals. Owen Rowe, the team's captain and general manger, said the group didn't feel any added pressure as defending champions, but that he was happy to take the title back to Fort Simpson.

A second team from the village also competed in the tournament. The Sub-Artic Eagles made it to the semi-finals in the E division but lost to Yellowknife's JTFN 5-1 in the playoffs.

School survivors speak

Twenty-seven people shared their stories about residential school with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in Fort Providence.

Commissioners Marie Wilson and Chief Wilton Littlechild were in the community from April 26 to 27 as part of the commission's Northern tour.

"It was very emotional and it's very heartening to have an opportunity to speak publicly and to a body such as that," said Nick Sibbeston, who spoke before the commission.

Soccer teams win medals

Silver and bronze were the colours of victory for soccer teams from the Deh Cho that competed in Grande Praire.

A total of six teams from the region attended the Rock Around the Clock Indoor Tournament. The U12 girls and the U19 Fort Simpson boys teams both finished in second place in their divisions while the U16 girls team took third.

The remaining three teams from the Deh Cho, including the U12, the U16 and the U19 boys teams, finished in fourth place in their respective divisions.

May

Oil leak from pipeline

Enbridge Pipelines Inc's pipeline from Norman Wells to Zama, Alta., sprang a leak on May 9.

The company originally estimated four barrels – 636 litres – of sweet crude oil had leaked from the location approximately 50 km south of Wrigley. No moving water or wildlife was impacted, said a spokesperson with the company.

The 12-inch pipeline had been closed for approximately a week at the time of the leak because it is connected to Rainbow Pipeline, owned by Plains Midstream Canada, which spilled approximately 28,000 barrels of crude oil near Peace River, Alta., on April 29.

Goodbye to Northern man

Family, friends and acquaintances gathered in Fort Simpson on May 5 to remember the life and mourn the death of a true man of the North.

Edwin Lindberg died on May 3 at the age of 81 at long term care in Fort Simpson. Edwin will be remembered for his charisma, his generosity and hospitality and for epitomizing a type of Northern lifestyle that's now rare.

Edwin was born on June 16, 1929 at the old Lindberg homestead approximately a quarter of a mile downriver from what would later become Lindberg Landing. Edwin is survived by his wife Sue, daughter Carol and three grandchildren.

Deh Cho Bridge delayed

On May 13 Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod, minister of Transportation, told the legislative assembly the Deh Cho Bridge's completion might be behind schedule due to delayed steel deliveries last fall.

McLeod said information provided by Ruskin Construction, the bridge's general contractor, indicated the superstructure, trusses, towers and cabling weren't completed during the past winter because of delays in the delivery of material. McLeod said the effects of a delay on the total capital cost of the project couldn't be determined. He also didn't comment on when the bridge, which was scheduled for completion in November 2011, would now be finished.

Cleanup in fourth year

Cleanup of a contaminated site entered its fourth year in the Deh Cho.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development had spent $1.7 million to date, including work that was to be conducted this year, on the clean-up of the Checkpoint highway maintenance yard. The yard, which is located near the junction of Highways 1 and 7, was originally built in the 1970s as a highway maintenance area.

Donations for Slave Lake

Residents of both Kakisa and Fort Providence made donations to residents of Slave Lake, Alta., who were affected by a forest fire that swept through the community.

A day after the fire, staff at the Zhahti Koe Friendship Centre in Fort Providence decided to organize a donation drive. By that afternoon residents started dropping off donations.

Approximately 20 garbage bags of clothes and 10 boxes of other items including toys, shoes, toiletries, blankets and pillows were donated.

Elder presumed drowned

The search for a missing Fort Liard man who fell out of his canoe into the Petitot River was quickly classified as a recovery mission.

William Betthale, 92, was presumed drowned based on the condition of the river he fell into, RCMP said.

Betthale was at his cabin on the Petitot River on May 27 with his wife and son when he went missing while setting fish nets. Organized search efforts began by the next morning.

Betthale's canoe was found on May 28 floating overturned five kilometres downriver. His walking cane was later found in the same area.

June

Hundreds of barrels spilled

A month after it occurred, the size of Enbridge Pipelines Inc.'s oil spill was estimated at between 700 and 1,500 barrels.

When the leak from Enbridge's line that runs from Norman Wells to Zama, Alta., was discovered on May 9, the company originally estimated four barrels of sweet crude oil had escaped based on the oil that could be seen on the surface of the site. Enbridge officials said the bulk of the oil remained trapped because of a layer of frozen ground.

Golf season begins

The Seven Spruce Golf Course's Opening Day Tournament was marked by a lower than normal turnout.

Thirty-four golfers participated in the one-day event on May 28 compared to the 54 who played in 2010. The team of Darren Hardisty and Rylan Hardisty-Gillis finished in first place with a score of 75.

Liard celebrates two grads

Two students in Fort Liard reached a significant education milestone. Family members, friends and teachers gathered in the Fort Liard community hall on June 9 for Echo Dene School's graduation ceremony. First cousins Collin Needlay and Briana Kotchea were the two graduates. Both Needlay and Kotchea thanked their parents for helping them to achieve success.

Crackdown on overfishing

Ongoing concerns in Fort Providence over sport fishing led Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation to take action.

Over the past five years, residents have seen increasing numbers of tourists and visitors arrive in the community with fishing rods ready to fish, said Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge. To combat overfishing and to ensure fishing limits are being respected, the band and the Fort Providence Resource Management Board hired six local residents to act as monitors equipped with video cameras. They were deployed on waterways June 8 to create a presence and to report questionable harvesting activity.

Ecology camp for students

A group of nine students from the Deh Cho gained a new appreciation for forest fires and the role they play in the North.

From June 6 to 9, four students in the second year of the Keepers Programs as well as five students from Fort Providence and Kakisa participated in the Canadian Boreal Community Fires Smart Ecology Camp. The camp was to give students an understanding of how fire affects the environment and the North.

Agreement with Canadian Zinc

During a ceremony held at the Fort Simpson arbour on June 16, representatives of Liidlii Kue First Nation and Canadian Zinc signed an impact and benefits agreement.

This was the first agreement of its type the First Nation has signed. Chief Jim Antoine said the First Nation's objectives in signing the agreement were to create employment opportunities for members and business opportunities for LKFN's business arm, Nogha Enterprises Ltd. A secondary mandate was to create wealth through business opportunities.

Canadian Zinc agreed to maximize employment of LKFN members at Prairie Creek Mine either directly or through its contractors and to give preference to LKFN businesses in the provision of goods and services among other things.

Teacher receives award

Parks Canada honoured a Fort Simpson teacher for her efforts in engaging students with the Nahanni National Park Reserve.

On June 13, Steve Catto, the resource conservation manager at the park, presented Teresa Bezanson-Byatt with Parks Canada's Ambassador For Education Award during a ceremony at Thomas Simpson School. Bezanson-Byatt was instrumental in organizing and supporting trips during the last 15 years that took students from Fort Simpson into the park, said Catto.

Company questioned

Concerns about water quality dominated Prairie Creek Mine's environmental assessment hearings in June.

The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board held a community hearing in Nahanni Butte on June 22 followed by a public hearing in Fort Simpson from June 23 to 24. The public hearings were designed to give developers, in this case the Canadian Zinc Corporation, as well as other interested parties an opportunity to present their final arguments to the review board.

In their concluding remarks, representatives with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) said, as proposed, the mine development brings with it a high level of risk for significant adverse impacts to the water. AANDC recommended Canadian Zinc develop site-specific water quality objectives for the

mine.

Kakisa chief re-elected

Lloyd Chicot was re-elected as chief of Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation in Kakisa on June 22.

Between 1991 and June 2010 Chicot served continuously as the chief of the community. When elections were postponed in 2010 because of a number of deaths in Kakisa, Chicot became the acting chief.

He was elected again on June 22 receiving 22 votes while Wayne Simba, the only other candidate, garnered six.

Process dominates assembly

The preservation of language and culture and the form community governments will take under the Dehcho Process were two topics that elicited impassioned remarks during the Dehcho First Nations' annual assembly in Wrigley from June 28 to 30.

Only two resolutions were passed during the assembly. During the last day the assembly lost quorum as the delegates who'd travelled the farthest left to return home.

July

Royal visit

A number of Deh Cho residents had the chance to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their visit to Yellowknife and nearby Blachford Lake.

Four youth ambassadors from the Deh Cho were part of the group demonstrating road hockey to Prince William and Catherine Middleton on July 5 in Yellowknife. The ambassadors included Tyson McLeod and Calvin Lomen of Fort Liard and Shawna and Robyn McLeod of Fort Providence.

The Deh Cho was also represented at Blachford Lake by Ranger Sgt. Mike Byland, who was part of a group of 12 Canadian Rangers and Junior Canadian Rangers conducting demonstrations.

Fort Providence hosts assembly

Fort Providence successfully hosted a three-day event that was part political meeting, part family reunion.

The Dene National Assembly was held in the hamlet from July 12 to 14.

Devolution, according to Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus, was the most important issue facing the assembly. The issue of devolution came up on the first day. Premier Floyd Roland spoke about devolution while addressing the assembly and Erasmus gave a presentation on the historical background of devolution.

Deneron returns as chief

Harry Deneron was elected to a three-year term as chief of Acho Dene Koe First Nation.

Deneron received 110 votes during the election, 36 more than incumbent Steven Kotchea and 71 more than Julia Capot-Blanc. Deneron said the band's members were sending a message that they wanted to see change.

Deneron said members have a lot of concerns, particularly about the land claims negotiations. He said the negotiations and updating the community about them will be the council's main priority.

MLAs seek re-election

In July both Michael McLeod and Kevin Menicoche announced their decisions to run for re-election.

McLeod was finishing his third term in the Deh Cho while Menicoche was in his second in Nahendeh.

McLeod said there were a number of long-standing issues he was interested in addressing including cost of living, housing and employment. Menicoche was just starting to consider his election platform, but said education, health and highways have always been priorities.

Road change proposed

During the summer, Selwyn Chihong Mining Ltd. planned to apply for land use permits through the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board and Parks Canada which would allow it to expand and change the purpose of the Howard's Pass access road.

The road runs approximately 40 kilometres through the Deh Cho, including 20 km through the Nahanni National Park Reserve, and an additional 40 km through the Sahtu to reach the Selwyn Project. The road would be used, in part, to move lead and zinc concentrates from the two underground mines. Justin Himmelright, the vice-president of environment and community affairs for Selwyn Resources Ltd. said Selwyn Chihong is aware of concerns surrounding the movement of concentrates and plans to move it in sealed containers engineered to withstand impacts and have practiced response plans in place.

Drill program continues

The Canadian Zinc Corporation was continuing a diamond drill program at Prairie Creek Mine with the goal of finding additional mineral resources at the site.

The company was continuing to drill a hole started last August with plans to reach beyond a depth of 1,600 metres to locate the mineral vein within the geological formation.

Approximately $2.5 million was scheduled to be spent on exploration this year at the mine.

The drilling would allow the company to remove a core of rock that will be examined and sampled for minerals. Finding mineral resources at that hole would potentially double the mine's life, said officials with the mine.

Invasive plant discovered

An invasive species that crowds out plants that are eaten by animals such as moose was found growing in the Deh Cho.

Steve Gooderham, a regional forester and environmental co-ordinator with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, found wild caraway in approximately 100 square metres four kilometres north of the Muskeg River on Highway 7. If it hadn't been discovered, the wild caraway could have spread over three to four hectares by next year, Gooderham said.

The plants were pulled up by their roots and removed in garbage bags.

Wrigley oil spill concerns

The frustration of not having the funding or capacity to fully review documents related to pipelines and spills is one of the concerns Pehdzeh Ki First Nation raised with the National Energy Board.

On July 27, representatives of the board were scheduled to meet informally with Chief Tim Lennie and the band council in Wrigley. Lennie instead invited the whole community to participate in the meeting.

Lennie said the concerns that were voiced to the NEB were the same ones that have been heard over and over again since the spill occurred on May 9, including questions about the spill's potential impact on resident's health and the health of wildlife near the spill.

August

Repairs ongoing to Hwy 1

According to officials with the Department of Transportation, water is one of the potential factors behind the failure of portions of chipseal that was put on Highway 1 last year.

In 2010, 40 kilometres of chipseal was laid beginning at the junction of highways 1 and 3 stretching towards Fort Simpson. This year, between $400,000 and $500,000 was spent to repair sections where the chipseal had broken apart, and to improve drainage.

Approximately 10 per cent of the chipseal failed, said Kevin McLeod, the director of highways and marine services with the department.

Meeting on oil spill

After hours spent in discussion, representatives of both Pehdzeh Ki First Nation and Enbridge Pipelines Inc. agreed they'd made progress.

On Aug. 11, three Enbridge representatives attended a community meeting in Wrigley. Approximately 30 residents gathered to listen and to question Enbridge about its May 9 oil spill and the actions that were taken since then.

Consultation was one of the primary issues raised by the First Nation at the meeting.

New treatment option

Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority launched a pilot project to give people seeking treatment for drug and alcohol addictions a new option.

The Matrix program began in Fort Providence on Aug. 15 and was scheduled to start in Fort Simpson on Sept. 26. The Matrix is a highly structured outpatient drug and alcohol treatment program.

Previously, the most common option for people struggling with drug and alcohol addictions in the Deh Cho was to attend the 28-day in-patient residential treatment program at the Nats'ejee K'eh Treatment Centre in Hay River.

Youth in national basketball championships

A Fort Simpson athlete helped represent the territory at a national level basketball tournament.

Laurent Isaiah, 17, was one of 12 players on the territory's team that competed in the U17 Men's National Championships in Toronto from Aug. 2 to 6. This was the highest level Isaiah had competed at to date.

The team lost all of its games at the championships.

Bears shot at golf course

Two black bears were destroyed in Fort Simpson on Aug. 14 as the number of bear sightings in the village rose.

Between Aug. 8 and 15, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources received more than 20 reports of bears in the village. Normally the department receives an average of two calls a week about bears.

Mine agreement signed

The Canadian Zinc Corporation signed a socio-economic agreement with the territorial government.

The signing ceremony took place in Yellowknife on Aug. 22. The agreement formalized commitments by Canadian Zinc in areas including employment, training, business opportunities and other related benefits for NWT residents stemming from the Prairie Creek Mine.

The agreement also outlined ways in which the company and the territorial government will work together to maximize project opportunities for residents. The agreement recognizes and gives priority to the previously signed impact benefit agreements.

Providence streets done

A project that cost approximately $3 million made gravel streets a thing of the past in Fort Providence.

On Aug. 19, the finishing touches were completed on the Hamlet of Fort Providence's chipsealing project. Twelve kilometres of the hamlet's streets, which include all of the streets with the exception of the industrial area, were covered in chipseal. The project was in the works for multiple years and through the leadership of three mayors.

Mercury found in fish

A public health release recommended people limit the quantity of fish they eat from three lakes in the Deh Cho.

Mercury is present in McGill Lake and Deep Lake near Jean Marie River and Fish Lake near Wrigley. As a result, it was recommended that people eat smaller fish and fish that are lower in the food chain, such as whitefish and grayling, while consuming fewer fish higher in the food chain, such as walleye, Northern pike and lake trout. Mercury is a neurotoxin that interferes with the brain and nervous system.

September

Energy from the sun

The Northwest Territories Power Corporation announced plans to have an up-to-100-kilowatt solar power system built at the Fort Simpson airport.

Funding for the project was allocated from the Energy Priories Framework the territorial government created at the beginning of its term. Completion of the solar project was dependent on a number of factors, including the response to a request for proposals that closed on Sept. 13.

The corporation has an estimated budget of between $600,000 and $800,000 for the project. The corporation was aiming to complete the installation by March.

Concern about housing, education

Chiefs in the Nahendeh's smallest communities were united in what they saw as the most important issues facing the next MLA.

Housing was the first word out of the lips of the chiefs of Nahanni Butte, Jean Marie River and Trout Lake when asked what tops the list of issues in the constituency. Chief Fred Tesou, Chief Stan Sanguez and Chief Dolphus Jumbo all said the primary problem is how houses are allocated by the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. The three chiefs also had concerns about education.

Forest fires below average

The 2011 forest fire season in the Deh Cho was far busier than last year's but still slightly quieter than average, according to officials with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

As of Sept. 12 there had been 27 fires in the Deh Cho covering 10,529 hectares. In 2010 the region had seven fires, a record low.

In the last decade, the region has averaged 35 fires a year. Prior to the late 1990s the Deh Cho averaged 70 fires a year.

Riding a two-way race

The election race in the Deh Cho commenced when Michael Nadli of Fort Providence announced he was running as a candidate in the riding.

Nadli joined Michael McLeod, the incumbent, who had previously announced his intention to seek a fourth term.

The election mirrored the 2003 election when Nadli and McLeod were the two candidates for the riding. It marked the second time Nadli sought to become the MLA for the Deh Cho.

Energy board approves plan

The National Energy Board approved Enbridge Pipelines Inc's cleanup plan for the leak site on the Norman Wells pipeline near Wrigley.

The plan detailed Enbridge's approach to cleaning up and remediating the site. The key objectives are to remove, in a timely manner, potential human health and environmental risks associated with the leak and to prevent further environmental impacts, said Gina Jordan, a spokesperson with Enbridge.

The document included the soil remediation and groundwater treatment plans as well as the plans to excavate the site and then return it to as close to its natural state as possible.

Speak the Dene way

A Fort Simpson resident and the Deh Cho Friendship Centre launched an interactive DVD-ROM for the Deh Cho's traditional language on Sept. 30.

Anyes Fabre-Dimsdale, a mother of four, created the DVD-ROM, through a partnership with the Friendship Centre. Titled We Are Speaking the Dene Way, the DVD-ROM focuses on teaching the Dene Zhatie alphabet, number, colours and words associated with food, family, animals and simple greetings.

It was believed to be the first interactive DVD-ROM for Dene Zhatie.

Geothermal examined in Liard

Acho Dene Koe First Nation and Borealis GeoPower of Calgary were working together to develop a geothermal demonstration project.

The project includes the construction of a geothermal plant that would create enough electricity to meet all of Fort Liard's needs, allowing it to get off of diesel-generated electricity.

Borealis has been approved for between $10 million and $20 million in funding for the project from Natural Resources Canada's Clean Energy Fund.

As of September the project was in the feasibility stage. The stage included the design of the project and permitting.

Borealis was also in negotiations with the Northwest Territories Power Corporation for it to eventually take ownership and operation of the plant and to provide some matching funds for the project.

One year for aggravated assault

It took a Supreme Court jury just under four hours to find a Fort Liard man guilty of aggravated assault.

Eugene Hope was handed a one-year jail sentence followed by one year of probation after his sentencing in Fort Simpson on Sept. 29. The charges stemmed from an incident in Fort Liard on July 24 when Hope, 35, got into a fight with an acquaintance. After the victim was thrown to the ground and lay defenseless, Hope stomped on his head, according to the evidence.

October

Menicoche elected to third term

Kevin Menicoche was re-elected as the Nahendeh MLA with 77 per cent of the vote during the territorial elections.

Menicoche won every poll in the Nahendeh riding including 78 per cent of the vote in Nahanni Butte, 62 per cent in Wrigley, 74 in Fort Simpson and 84 in Jean Marie River.

In Fort Liard, he won 91 per cent and in Trout Lake 67 per cent. He also won the special polls with 67 per cent.

Michael Nadli wins Deh Cho

Michael Nadli defeated incumbent Michael McLeod to become the next Deh Cho MLA.

Nadli won 69 per cent of the vote in Fort Providence, 78 in Kakisa and 53 on the Hay River Reserve. He also took 64 per cent of the special polls.

His only loss was in Enterprise, where McLeod garnered 88 per cent of the vote.

Summer visitor numbers up

This past summer, the number of day trip visitors to the Nahanni National Park Reserve nearly doubled, thanks largely to Parks Canada's centennial celebrations and the Western Premiers' Conference.

A reported 415 people visited the park for the day, compared to 235 in the summer of 2010. The number of overnight visitors rose as well to 560 from 543.

On Aboriginal Day, Western Canada's seven premiers, plus an entourage of approximately 35, took a "flight-seeing" tour of the park. This was also the first year an expanded and updated interpretive program took place.

On-the-land program concludes

The Dene Zhatie Immersion Program wrapped up on Oct. 1 when 18 teenagers, four children, six elders and 11 adults returned from spending 34 days on the land. The camp, which was aimed at immersing Dene youth in their language and culture, was held on the shores of Shih K'eh Tue, also known as Willow Lake.

For more than a month, the 39 participants lived and learned at camp, doing chores, going hunting, preparing food and practising Dene Zhahtie through short lessons or by conversing with elders.

"We recreated a traditional Dene village. Learning how to work together as a family unit and listening to the elders who were storytelling, that was the highlight for me," said Joachim Bonnetrouge, co-ordinator of the program.

Solar project breaks ground

SkyFire Energy, a Calgary-based solar energy company, was chosen to construct the largest solar panel installation in the territory.

The 258-panel solar station was scheduled to begin construction at the Fort Simpson airport in November. Work is expected to be completed by March.

SkyFire Energy won the bid over three other companies because of its prior experience in the North and the competitive price. It was also evaluated on how its solar panel system was expected to perform in Fort Simpson, the system's warranty and safety, among other things.

Jean Marie River chief acclaimed

Stan Sanguez became chief of Jean Marie River First Nation in October by acclamation. He said housing, education, devolution and the Dehcho Process will be four of his top priorities – and that he won't go about it quietly.

Sanguez had been acting chief in Jean Marie River since February when the band council removed Chief Isadore Simon following a vote of non-confidence.

Fort Providence SAO given local administrators award

The Hamlet of Fort Providence's senior administrative officer was given an inaugural award.

Susan Christie was presented with the Outstanding Local Government Administrator in the Northwest Territories Award at a meeting on Oct. 27 in Yellowknife. The award was designed to recognize and celebrate the work of communities' senior administrative officers and band mangers.

November

Boiler added to heating plant

A project to add a wood pellet boiler to the central heating plant in Fort Simpson was expected to decrease the amount of heating fuel the plant burns by close to 90 per cent.

The Department of Public Works and Services undertook the $875,000 project as part of the previous territorial government's energy priories initiatives and its own departmental capital asset retrofitting program. The central heating plant burns approximately 250,000 litres of heating fuel a year to heat Bompas Elementary School, Thomas Simpson School and the recreation centre. The wood pellet boiler will be able to provide heat for the whole system for approximately 90 per cent of the year, only requiring the oil burner's assistance during peak cold times.

Slow year for tourism

Tourist numbers declined significantly this summer in three territorial parks in the Deh Cho compared to 2010.

A total of 1,284 people stayed in Blackstone Territorial Park, Fort Simpson Territorial Park and Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park this summer. That was a 32 per cent decrease from 1,899 visitors in 2010.

Nahanni through a camera lens

A Fort Simpson resident combined his passion for photography and the Nahanni National Park Reserve into a new book.

Chuck Blyth wrote and photographed his book: Nahanni: A Selection of Photographic Images of the South Nahanni Watershed. The 154-page, coffee-table-style book features approximately 170 photographs taken between 2007 and 2010.

Large-scale moose survey

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted a large-scale moose survey over two weeks in November to determine the animal's health and sustainability. Nic Larter, the regional biologist with the department said residents want to know whether the moose are healthy and if the population is sustainable from a hunting perspective.

Fort Providence mayor acclaimed

Tina Gargan was acclaimed to the mayoral seat of the Hamlet of Fort Providence after she was the only candidate to seek nomination by the Nov. 14 deadline.

Gargan said she would like to see community members working towards the common goal of investing in youth so they can become strong and successful leaders.

Ping-pong balls fly

A ping-pong tournament was held in Fort Simpson as part of National Addictions Awareness Week. In the open division, Nathan McPherson placed first followed by Robert Gallant and James Erasmus.

In the U16 division, Randall Hardisty emerged in first place followed by Delainea Anderson and Arron Antoine.

Worries about fracturing

The community of Kakisa is concerned about the use of fracturing in its traditional areas and is taking steps to address it.

Paramount Resources Ltd., a Canadian energy company, has used fracturing at approximately five of its well sites in the Cameron Hills project area.

Chief Lloyd Chicot of the Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation said residents are concerned because not enough is known about the chemicals used in the injection fluid and their short and long-term impact on groundwater. This winter Kakisa started what it hopes will be a multi-year study on water and aquatic mammals.

Sports stackers in record attempt

For the second year in a row, students at Bompas Elementary School took part in the World Sport Stacking Association's attempt to break the Guinness world record for the most people sport stacking at multiple locations in one day. A new record was set after more than 380,000 people in 28 countries participated. About 40 people attended the event in Fort Simpson.

Commission visits Fort Simpson

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's one-day hearing in Fort Simpson concluded on a similar note as those held elsewhere with many asking how survivors heal and move forward.

Commissioner Marie Wilson listened to the personal testimony of 16 people who chose to make public statements on Nov. 23. Fifteen people also chose to make private statements.

Chief Jim Antoine of Liidlii Kue First Nation said the effects of residential school are still felt today. While many people have been able to put their negative residential school experiences behind them, there are many who are still hurting, he said.

December

Learning to clean up land

Thirteen people from three Deh Cho communities learned the skills needed to work on contaminated site cleanups.

Aurora College in Fort Simpson offered the Contaminated Sites Remediation Program from Nov. 14 to Dec. 11. It was the first time the program has been offered in the territory.

The program prepares people to work on any type of clean-up activities, including both health and safety aspects of cleanups and the technical side.

Teens take vow of silence

Twenty-six high school students at Deh Gah School chose to be silent on Nov. 30

The students were participating in the Vow of Silence, an annual fundraising and awareness raising campaign organized by Free the Children, an international advocacy group. The event is designed to engage people to stand up for children whose basic human rights aren't being met.

New water treatment plant

A new facility has Jean Marie River residents drinking the community's tap water instead of buying bottled water.

The new water treatment plant started operations in October. Before the plant was installed, the majority of the community's residents bought bottled water for drinking and cooking.

Gerald Grossetete, the water treatment plant operator, said residents have been telling him the water tastes much better.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is assisting the installation of new treatment plants in five communities including Trout Lake and Wrigley.

Record high temperatures

Two communities in the Deh Cho broke their record high temperatures on Dec. 5.

Temperatures in Fort Liard topped out at 13.8 C, breaking the previous record for the day of 0.5 C set in 1979. The community was 30 degrees warmer than its normal high for the date.

Fort Simpson was slightly behind, reaching 5.8 C, breaking the previous high of –5 C for Dec. 5 set in 1988. The village was 23 degrees warmer than normal.

Dehcho First Nations objects to mine decision

Dehcho First Nations said it can't support the Mackenzie Environmental Impact Review Board's decision on Canadian Zinc Corporation's Prairie Creek Mine.

On Dec. 8, the board released its Report of Environmental Assessment and Reasons for Decisions on the mine. The board found that, "Prairie Creek Mine is not likely to have significant adverse impacts on the environment or be a cause of significant public concern."

Grand Chief Samuel Gargan said Dehcho First Nations was disappointed with the decisions and said it doesn't uphold the necessary environmental standards and doesn't account for the concerns voiced by aboriginal governments.

Joint venture agreement signed

A Fort Liard company entered into a new partnership and positioned itself to fill contracts for large-scale industrial camps.

During a ceremony on Dec. 12, Acho Camps and Catering signed a joint venture agreement with Horizon North Camps and Catering to form a new company, Acho Horizon North LP. Acho Camps and Catering pursued the agreement in order to be more competitive, said Chief Harry Deneron of Acho Dene Koe First Nation.

The new company will be able to compete for large-scale industrial camp contracts, something Acho Camps and Catering couldn't do.

Pehdzeh Ki chief re-elected

Tim Lennie was returned to the position of chief of Pehdzeh Ki First Nation during the band's Dec. 9 election.

Lennie, the incumbent, received 29 votes compared to the other candidates: Gaylene Moses, 14 votes, Sharon Pellissey, 12 votes, Maurice Moses, four votes, and Darcy E. Moses, four votes. Lennie, who is now in his second consecutive term, said he wants to work on improving communication in the community, including holding more community meetings.

Athletes on Winter Games teams

Two Fort Simpson athletes were chosen to join teams for the Arctic Winter Games while another two are alternates.

Laurent Isaiah will be part of the NWT's boys basketball team while Alex Roche, 16, will be on the junior boys soccer team. Devan Horassi, 15, was named an alternate for the junior male soccer team while Kevin Anavilok-Roche, 14, is the first alternate for the juvenile male soccer team.