Outstanding principal honoured
Deninu K'ue/Fort Resolution
Kate Powell, the principal of Deninu School in Fort Resolution, has been chosen as one of Canada's outstanding principals for 2018.
Powell was honoured by The Learning Partnership – a national charity dedicated to enhancing publicly-funded education – for her innovative practices and effective leadership, which have seen student achievement improve significantly. She is the only principal in the NWT to receive the prestigious award this year.
"Being a principal is both a great responsibility and a great privilege," Powell stated in a news release from the South Slave Divisional Education Council.
"A school principal is in the position to have a large impact on not only students but the community in which they live and work. Winning this award is a great honour and I am thankful for having wonderful people to work with and a caring community to work, both of which have enabled us to make positive changes."
Dr. Curtis Brown, superintendent of the education council, said Powell is deserving of the national honour.
"She is an exemplary leader and an inspiring individual who has had a significant impact not only on those in her school, but also in the community and beyond," he said.
In all, 40 principals from across Canada were chosen for the honour on Jan. 31 by a national selection committee. Powell will travel to Toronto for a gala dinner and awards ceremony on Feb. 27.
– Paul Bickford
Animal society dinner and show
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A combined Ukrainian dinner and hypnotist show are set for Feb. 24 in Fort Smith at the Roaring Rapids Hall.
The event, which is for ages 19 and over, will be a fundraiser for the Fort Smith Animal Society.
The hypnotist show will be presented by Diane Dul.
– Paul Bickford
Quilting workshop at museum
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A one-day quilting workshop will be held at Northern Life Museum in Fort Smith on Feb. 17.
Each participant will create a decorative wall hanging. The workshop will be instructed by Christine Aubrey.
Participants are being encouraged to bring their own sewing machines and supplies, although a limited number of sewing machines are available for those who do not own one.
More information, including on the workshop fee, can be obtained by contacting Northern Life Museum.
– Paul Bickford
Jungkind returned as deputy mayor
Hay River
Donna Lee Jungkind was re-elected as deputy mayor on Jan. 30.
Jungkind and Coun. Vince McKay both put their names forward to serve as deputy mayor.
A vote by all six councillors resulted in a tie.
The tie was broken by Mayor Brad Mapes, who opted to have Jungkind remain deputy mayor.
– Paul Bickford
Council seat to remain vacant
Hay River
Town council has opted to leave vacant the seat of Coun. Roger Candow, who resigned early in January.
Council had three options for the seat – leave it vacant, appoint someone to fill the seat or hold a by-election.
The decision to leave the seat vacant was not a surprise considering municipal elections will be held later this year.
In addition, council did not fill another vacant seat when a councillor resigned just over a year ago.
– Paul Bickford
Deficiencies at Woodland Manor
Hay River
Mike Maher, public administrator of the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority, updated town council Jan. 30 on an expansion project at Woodland Manor to accommodate 10 extended care beds currently in the old H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital.
Maher said, according to the Department of Infrastructure, phone lines will be hooked up Feb. 15, an outside deck will be raised to threshold height, and a dip on shower stalls will be corrected to zero threshold.
The $6.3-million project began in August 2016 and completion had been anticipated by the end of 2017.
Maher said the Department of Infrastructure and the contractor are now looking at a March 18 move-in date.
– Paul Bickford
Four named to Board of Revision
Hay River
Four members were appointed to the 2018 Board of Revision at the Jan. 30 meeting of council.
They are Peter Maher, Alvin Pitre, John Suwala and Gary Vizniowski
The board hears complaints about property tax assessments.
– Paul Bickford
Hunter fined, given ban for wasting meat
Inuvik
An Inuvik hunter received a $2,000 fine on Jan. 23 and is banned from hunting in Yukon for three years after shooting caribou near the Dempster Highway in Yukon and leaving the meat to rot.
The incident took place in July 2013, but the hunter failed to attend the original court date. A warrant was issued for the hunter's arrest. The hunter was charged under the Yukon Wildlife Act last week in Yukon territorial court after Whitehorse RCMP finally got in contact with the hunter.
The hunter will be required to complete an education and ethics class before the
hunting ban is lifted.
– Samantha McKay
Inuvik welcomes youth to anti-tobacco conference
Inuvik
In partnership with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) and the Lung Association of Alberta and NWT, the Building Leadership for Action in Schools Today (BLAST!) regional conference took place at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex in Inuvik Feb. 2 to 4.
The anti-tobacco program aimed to educate youth from grades 6 to 9 on the harmful effects of tobacco and empower them to make educated and informed decisions about tobacco use.
Youth took part in information sessions on topics such as the history of tobacco, the health effects of smoking and lung health. They also took part in team-building activities such as skating, swimming and a movie night.
– Samantha McKay
2018 Great Northern Arts Festival dates announced
Inuvik
The 2018 Great Northern Arts Festival (GNAF) will take place in Inuvik from July 13 to 22.
GNAF, a not-for-profit festival, is hosted annually in Inuvik and features local artists and vendors. This will be the festival's 29th year in operation.
GNAF will feature galleries, sales, Northern games demonstrations, a fashion show, and workshops such as stone carving, rawhide drum making, and qiviut knitting.
Artists interested in taking part in the festival can fill out an application on the GNAF website.
The festival is also looking for volunteers. Those interested can fill out an online application.
– Samantha McKay
Self-government special assembly to be held Feb. 13-14
Fort McPherson
The Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) 2018 Special Assembly for Self-Government will be held in the Charlie 'Gee Jam' Snowshoe Community Hall in Fort McPherson Tuesday, Feb. 13 and Wednesday, Feb. 14.
In the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, it is stated that the Gwich'in have a right to self-government. This will give Gwich'in more control over how government money is spent in communities and how local programs and services are delivered.
The GTC, the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories are negotiating the Gwich'in Self-Government Agreement.
– Samantha McKay
Aklavik Fire Department seeks new volunteers
Aklavik
The Aklavik Fire Department is looking for new volunteers to join its crew. Volunteers will receive $75 for attending practice meetings each month.
"While we do not have many fires here, it is important that we be prepared for when we do. The fire department has updated much of their equipment and safety gear over the last few years," a release from the fire department states. "We always have a lot of people from the community show up ready to help when an emergency happens, but it is important for those wanting to help to have the proper safety equipment and training."
Those interested can contact the hamlet office or the fire chief.
– Samantha McKay
Flocking to the tourney
Deline/Fort Franklin
Deline is the NWT place to be Feb. 15 to 18 for the third annual Juna Takazo’s Hand Game Tournament.
The pot is sweet, with prizes ranging from $27,000 to $1,000 for 1st to 8th place, respectively.
Each team will consist of nine players, which includes one alternate, and the minimum age to play is 15.
During the week, the community will be abuzz with events including a casino night, drum dances, silent auctions and raffles, bingo, lunches and suppers.
A fire feeding ceremony and opening prayer is set for 9 a.m. Feb. 16.
Travel and registration dates sandwich the active tournament days, which are Feb. 16 through Feb. 18.
Registration cost $1,800 per team.
– Erin Steele
Caribou, moose survey programs underway
Deh Cho
The territorial department of Environment and Natural Resources is scheduled to count both caribou and moose in the Deh Cho in the coming days and weeks.
Twenty boreal caribou – 15 females and five males – were scheduled to be captured and collared Feb. 5 to 8. The annual survey is set for March 4 to 7, when aerial searchers will seek to find all the collared caribou and "count and classify all caribou seen while finding them," according to a memo regarding the program.
The moose survey, which is also an aerial survey, is set to begin Feb. 14 or 15 depending on weather, will take eight to 10 days to complete. The department is hiring members from the local community as observers.
"Once the capture operation and surveys are complete ENR will provide briefings of the results to our First Nations partners in a timely fashion," states the memo.
– Erin Steele
Community joins into caring circle
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
A new regular gathering in Fort Simpson aims to counter drug abuse, cyberbullying, suicide, harassment and feelings of despair.
Around 25 people showed up to the first Caring Circle meeting Jan. 31 with the next scheduled for March 4.
"The goal is not to blame or shame. The hope is to learn to care for everyone. We pledge to meet once a month, every month," states a bulletin advertising the program.
Fort Simpson Mayor Darlene Sibbeston, Indian Residential School Counsellor Raymond Pidzamecky and Indigenous Addiction Specialist II Robert Firth are among the organizers.
The March 4 meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
– Erin Steele
NEB approves pipeline replacement project
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
The Line 21 Replacement Project is on track for a fall 2018 completion, following approval from the National Energy Board and pending a couple other hurdles.
Around 20 people showed up to a public lunch meeting in Norman Wells Jan. 31 for an update on the Enbridge project aiming to replace a 2.5-kilometre section of the pipeline that carries crude oil from Norman Wells to Zama, Alta.
"Pending regulatory approvals, activities associated with the project will commence in March or April. The anticipated completion date is fall 2018," Enbridge spokesperson Jesse Semko told News/North by email.
Pending approvals related to the project are in the hands of the Mackenzie Valley and the Sahtu land and water boards.
"Enbridge is working closely with Imperial Oil on an integrated start-up plan to be executed once the Line 21 Segment Replacement Project is complete," said Semko.
The pipeline has been shut down since November 2016 following slope stability concerns where it crosses the Mackenzie River near Fort Simpson.
– Erin Steele
South Slavey love stories
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
As part of an ongoing effort to revitalize the South Slavey language, Acho Dene Koe First Nation is hosting a Valentine’s Day writing contest.
The only rules are that the stories or poems must be written in South Slavey, and they must be about love.
"Share a love story. Share your love story or love poem," said Jacqueline Spies, manager of community services with Acho Dene Koe First Nation.
Spies ran a similar writing contest in 2014 and received around 22 entries.
Entries must be received by Monday, Feb. 12, and winners will be announced on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.
One adult and one youth will win a prize.
– Erin Steele