Deline/Fort Franklin
It was first-hand learning with a side of deliciousness in Deline on March 27 when participants of a community workshop were treated to fresh muskox.
The workshop on the practice of Alternative Harvesting – which refers to the abundance of healthy options from the land other than caribou – coincided with a camp by the same name.
"The group at the alternative harvest camp called earlier in the day to report that they had harvested a muskox on the trail from camp," stated Sjoerd van der Wielen, director of lands and resources with Deline Got'ine Government by email.
A group at the workshop, with the help of three ladies, packaged 108 freezer bags with meat, said van der Wielen.
"Small groups of young and old were discussing among themselves the bounty that their hunters had brought back to the community," he said.
A call-out to the wider community was issued and by the end of the next day, all the meat was claimed.
"Overall the project succeeded, because it got the people talking about and trying alternative foods."
Both the camp and workshop were organized by Deline Renewable Resources Council and the Deline Got'ine Government and was made possible through a GNWT grant.
– Erin Steele
Friendship centre closed for April
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
The Zhahti Koe Friendship Centre will be closed for the month of April as it waits for its funding to come into effect.
"Sorry for the inconvenience," stated a bulletin announcing the change.
Despite the closure, radio announcement will continue in the Slavey Language, the bulletin stated and radio bingo resumed on April 6.
During the closure, nobody will be answering phones at the friendship centre, Productive Choice papers won't be signed during the closure and there will be no working hours assigned.
The friendship centre has been open since 1983 and provides programming for youth and adults.
As of September 2017, it was funded federally, not territorially, though Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli advocated in the legislature at the time to change that.
– Erin Steele
Bestselling author to visit public library
Hay River
Donna Morrissey, an author originally from Newfoundland, will be visiting the NWT Centennial Library on April 10.
Morrissey has written six bestselling novels, including The Fortunate Brother, The Deception of Livvy Higgs, Kit's Law, Downhill Chance, Sylvanus Now and she has received awards in Canada, the
United States and England. Morrissey now lives in Halifax, N.S. Her visit to Hay River is being sponsored by the Canada Council for the Arts. During her visit, she will be making a presentation at 7 p.m. on April 10 at the library.
– Paul Bickford
Student starts youth involvement initiative
Inuvik
East Three Secondary School student Mataya Gillis will be developing and implementing a program to encourage youth to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
According to the monthly mayor's policing report for February 2018, Gillis will plan a monthly movie night for youth in Grades 7 to 12. An elder will speak to the group before the movie starts about culture and traditions.
In early February, Gillis travelled to Regina, Sask., with Const. Stephanie Leduc for the RCMP Youth Leadership Camp. Const. Leduc will work with Gillis to implement her movie night initiative.
Gillis is looking for sponsors to provide food and door prizes for the youth who attend.
– Samantha McKay
Spring carnival a week of fun
Tulita
Activities at the Tulita Yamoria Spring Carnival were scheduled to span an entire week, from April 2 to April 8.
The annual festival included old favourites and a variety of activities for the whole family.
A fishing derby kicked off the carnival, with an egg hunt and Easter cake decorating contest on its heels that same day.
There were several sports events including dodgeball, volleyball, basketball and broomball tournaments. There were also game nights for both youth and adults as well as families, plus bingo. The carnival also included a farmer's market and youth and adult talent shows.
The final day of activities included skeet shooting and a chili cook-off and was capped with a bonfire and draw prizes.
– Erin Steele
Town looks at renewable energy funding proposals
Inuvik
Natural Resources Canada, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and the GNWT Arctic Energy Alliance will be accepting proposals to fund renewable energy projects.
The Town of Inuvik is looking into several proposals, including installing solar panel systems at the library, town office, youth centre, the warming centre, homeless shelter and Midnight Sun Recreation Complex.
One proposal would likely be to install the largest solar panel system in the Arctic, according to a request for council decision included in the town council meeting package on March 28.
According to the document, the town selected solar energy in part because the town's location makes it ideal to capture a large amount of sunlight during the summer months.
– Samantha McKay
Spring Fling schedule out
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
Spring Fling 2018 in Norman Wells promises a packed weekend of fun.
The three day annual festival runs April 13 to April 15.
The popular event opens Friday with a kickoff barbeque at the arena, followed by a cosmic disco family skate.
Saturday is jam-packed with a variety of activities including a pancake breakfast, scavenger hunt, elder's bingo, a bake sale and artisan market. As well, there is a youth just dance event and an adult dance.
Sunday will be an afternoon of celebration from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the arena featuring a traditional cookout and Northern games.
– Erin Steele
College offers two-day business course in Res
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
A two-day course on starting a small business will be offered on April 16 and April 17 at the Aurora College Community Learning Centre in Fort Resolution.
Participants will learn the practical steps to take when starting a business. The course is being offered by Aurora College Continuing Education and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
– Paul Bickford
Exciting opportunities for youth
NWT
Youth ages 11 to 14 from all communities in the NWT have until May 11 to apply for Northern Youth Leadership Camps.
There are three camps this summer, each around one week long. The North Arm Advanced Leadership Canoe Trip-Mixed Gender is open to boys and girls ages 14 to 16 and takes place July 24 to Aug. 2. The Gana River Boys Leadership Camp runs June 26 to July 3 and is open to boys age 11 to 13. The Girls Leadership Canoe Trip is open to girls ages 12 to 14 and runs Aug. 18 to Aug. 23.
Successful applicants will have their return trips between their community and the camp covered.
There is financial support available to cover the camp fee, as well.
– Erin Steele
Impaired driving incidents up in February
Inuvik
According to the monthly mayor's policing report, Inuvik RCMP responded to 11 reports of impaired driving in February. That number is up from three reports in January.
The RCMP conducted an investigation into each reported incident in February, resulting in one man facing an impaired driving charge in territorial court.
– Samantha McKay
An inclusive process
Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard
In a bid for transparency, Acho Dene Koe First Nation's chief and council has invited the community to participate in treaty negotiations as volunteers.
"The chief and council ... believe in an open and transparent leadership and therefore are seeking volunteers to serve and participate on the various treaty negotiation working groups," states a memo from the band.
For each of the six treaty-negotiation-related working groups, the band sought one to three volunteers. Those chosen will be expected to attend monthly meetings and travel to various locations across the country.
Community members had until March 30 to apply.
– Erin Steele
Spring carnival weekend
Enterprise
It's was a busy weekend in Enterprise with the Spring Carnival which began on April 6 with a poker run.
On April 7, there were carnival games, such as log saw, egg toss, snowshoe races, tarp pull, axe throw and tea boiling.
On April 7 and April 8, the annual Itsago Dog Sled Races were held, featuring a 10-dog race, a six-dog race and a one-dog race for kids. The spring carnival and the dog races are both sponsored by the Hamlet of Enterprise. Voting also took place during the carnival for an annual snow sculpture contest.
– Paul Bickford