Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
Urgent music documentary – When They Awake! screened April 13 in Fort Simpson at the Open Sky Gallery.
Co-directed by P.J. Marcellino and Hermon Farahi, the film features influential Indigenous artists including The Jerry Cans, A Tribe Called Red, Tanya Tagaq, Leela Gilday and Digawolf, plus many others from the NWT and well beyond.
“We have crossed all of Canada and parts of the US in an attempt to capture this formidable moment of cultural resurgence, which is representative of the struggles and resilience of Indigenous communities around the world,” the directors’ statement reads.
The film, part of the YK Film Festival Road Tour, screened along with short films We Matter and The Missing Tourist.
The tour was also scheduled to touch down in Fort Providence April 20 to 21
– Erin Steele
Sewing circle continues
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
Those who have not completed their sewing projects as part of the Deh Cho Friendship Centre Sewing Program will have until the end of April or the beginning of May to do so.
The friendship centre opens its doors for the program in the evenings, though no longer on Saturday nights.
Days of the week now include Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, all between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Because the program is ending soon, participants are asked to not start working on any new projects, and to only finish projects already begun.
– Erin Steele
Snowfest Fishing Derby winners crowned
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
Acho Dene Koe First Nation is congratulating the winners of 2018 Snowfest, Fort Liard’s annual fishing derby.
“Congratulations to everyone. We hope you enjoyed our 2018 Snowfest,” stated a bulletin from the band.
Sylvia Bertrand won first place in the adult category, with a 14-pound fish, and wins a chain saw.
Ed Wood won second place for his 11.4-pound fish, garnering him $300 in fuel.
Eddie Sassie won an ugly stick and net for his 10.5-pound winner.
Fourth place went to Ernie Timbre, and fifth place went to Karen Kotchea.
In the youth category, Dallas Sassie caught a 14.7-pounder for first place. Second place went to Rowan Berreault with a 9.1-pound fish, and third went to Ashanti Timbre for a 7.6-pound fish. All those in the youth category won ugly sticks as prizes.
The derby was held over the last two weekends in March at Hay Lake and Bovie Lake.
– Erin Steele
Getting skunked in Fort Liard
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
Both youth and elders in Fort Liard enjoy playing playing crib, Acho Dene Koe First Nation previously told News/North.
As such, another tournament, hosted by the First Nation, was scheduled for April 21 at 3 p.m. at the Gathering Place.
The tournament was set to take on a one-on-one style, with a $20 buy-in.
The last crib tournament hosted by Acho Dene Koe First Nation was in February and proved popular. That one was held over two days and followed a two-on-two format.
– Erin Steele
Firefighters sought
Sahtu
Those wanting to get out and fight fires in the NWT this summer will have an opportunity to complete one of the required steps to doing so at the end of April.
The NWT Department of Environment and Natural Resources is holding WFX Fit Testing in the Sahtu for those interested in joining a “Type 1 initial attack fire crew in the NWT.”
The physical fitness test is mandatory for anybody wanting to work on such a crew, the departement stated on a bulletin advertising the program.
“Information regarding a fitness training regimen to prepare for this test is available at your local ENR office or through your local contractor,” it stated.
The S-181 firefighter training course is also mandatory to work on a seasonal fire crew.
– Erin Steele
Tulita hones tourism strategy
Tulita/Fort Norman
The community of Tulita is continuing its work toward enhancing tourism, and it’s not a tough sell.
The hamlet is located at the confluence of the Bear and Mackenzie rivers, the latter being a popular route for paddlers in the summer.
It’s also adjacent to Bear Rock, popular with hikers.
As such, the Tulita Land Corporation in partnership with the GNWT Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada hosted a tourism conference March 21 to 22.
“Guest speakers discussed topics ranging from building tourism from the group up, starting an outfitting business, risk management and tourism licensing,” stated a recent GNWT news release.
The hamlet has also been working to create a new campsite in the community – the second since 2017 – in a bid to welcome more visitors.
– Erin Steele