Lutsel K'e/Snowdrift
A sudden death in the community of Lutsel K'e has prompted an RCMP investigation.
Lutsel K'e RCMP received a report of a sudden death just after 8:30 a.m. on March 20.
Officers attended a residence and located a deceased woman in her 20s, stated RCMP in a news release on March 21. Members of the NWT RCMP Major Crimes Unit, Forensic Identification Services and the Coroner Service have travelled to Lutsel K'e and are investigating the death, the release stated.
"RCMP are working with the assistance of the Office of the Chief Coroner of the Northwest Territories. The investigation into the death is in it's infancy, and no details can be released at this time," RCMP spokesperson Marie York-Condon stated in an email.
– Brendan Burke
Hay River homicide suspects make court appearance
Hay River
Four suspects charged with murder in the death of a man in Hay River late last year made court appearances on March 20.
Levi Cayen, 20, and James George Thomas, 25, appeared in NWT territorial court briefly before both matters were adjourned to April 17.
In the afternoon, the pair's co-accused, Sasha Cayen, 25, and Tyler Cayen, 32, appeared in territorial court via video. All four are charged with murder and robbery in connection with the death of Alexander Norwegian, who police believe was killed sometime between Dec. 26 and Dec. 27, 2017.
The victim's body was discovered on the access road to Sandy Creek on the Hay River Reserve.
In court Tuesday, Crown prosecutor Jay Potter requested both matters be adjourned until April in order to receive and review additional disclosure information to "consider the next steps in prosecution."
Tyler Cayen also faces an impaired driving charge, which will be addressed in court on April 3. All four suspects are due back in court on April 17.
– Brendan Burke
Board of Revision hears complaints
Hay River
The Town of Hay River's Board of Revision was conducted on March 7.
"Fifteen items were heard and the letters to the complainants went out today," said Ruth Boden, the town's director of finance and administration, at the council meeting on March 13.
The board hears complaints about property tax assessments.
– Paul Bickford
'Quick and easy' child benefit application comes to NWT
NWT
Parents of newborns in NWT are now able to apply for benefits through the "Automated Benefits Application" – the product of a partnership between the federal government and the GNWT's Health and Social Services department that's being touted as a quick and paperless option.
As of March 21, territory residents can apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) by "simply providing their consent on the birth registration form available in health care facilities throughout the Northwest Territories," a news release from the government of Canada stated Wednesday.
The information submitted by parents will be relayed to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
The CRA will then process the information and assess whether or not the applicant is eligible for other benefits beyond the CCB, including Northwest Territories child benefit and the child portion of the GST/HST credit.
– Brendan Burke
Salt River First Nation opens two new affordable homes
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Two new homes built by Salt River First Nation have officially opened in Fort Smith on March 21.
The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation put $360,000 toward the construction of the homes, which will add to the community's affordable housing stock.
The housing units are part of a three-year territorial pilot program that combines Northwest Territories, Indigenous and municipal government funds to increase affordable housing options in the communities.
The Community Housing Support Initiative also offers training opportunities to community members.
"With this new program, partnerships will create community-driven housing projects that meet community needs on multiple levels," stated Caroline Cochrane, the minister responsible for the NWT housing corporation.
"We are looking forward to future projects and partnerships with community and Indigenous governments across the NWT."
– Sidney Cohen
Fort Smith RCMP seize firearm found in snowbank
Thebacha/Fort Smith
A firearm was seized by Fort Smith RCMP after it was located in a snowbank near the community's Recreation Centre.
Early in the morning of March 22, police were notified a firearm had been found by a security company on patrol.
Officers attended an area between the Fort Smith Recreation Centre and Paul William Kaeser High School, where they located and seized a Remington 700 firearm, stated RCMP in a March 22 news release.
The gun, which was found to be not operable, is not related to Arctic Winter Game activities, police stated.
RCMP believe the firearm may be the same one that was reported stolen in Fort Smith last week.
"With the increased population in the community for the Arctic Winter Games, we are thankful the firearm was located by a security patrol and immediately reported to the police," stated RCMP spokesperson Marie York-Condon in the release.
"The condition the firearm was found in was inoperable, and posed no risk to the community," she added.
RCMP continue to investigation the firearm's discovery and ask anyone with information to contact Fort Smith RCMP at 867-872-1111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
– Brendan Burke
Tlicho communities to meet in Bechoko for elder's workshop
Behchoko/Rae
People from all four Tlicho communities will be in Bechoko for a workshop with elders and youth to preserve language, culture and beliefs.
"Our elders are the key towards sustainability of our Tlicho language, culture and our way of life," said Tony Rabesca, the Tlicho Government culture manager.
The workshop is being held at the Culture Centre in Bechoko from April 10 to 12.
"We must bridge this reality to find a passage between our way of life and contemporary reality that has been broken in modern society."
Through the workshop, Rabesca said he hopes youth will have a "clear path to revive language, culture and the (Tlicho) way of life."
Rabesca is expecting up to 60 delegates from Gameti, Whati, and Wekweeti who are coming into the community by plane. Elders and youth will be selected to take part in the workshop, but those interested in attending are welcome, he said.
"It's really important, and the next thing I'd like to find out from our elders are ways to strengthen our health and wellness," he said.
"Our strengths are the language and culture and its something we need to start addressing because things are changing rapidly. Elders are leaving us and we need to get their voice. The elder's voice is very strong," said Rabesca.
The workshop has received interest from outside the Tlicho communities, said Rabesca.
"It's good to see," he said.
Attendees from each community will have an opportunity to share their perspectives and challenges and find unity, he said.
"We need to bring the youth back on the land and to understand how our elders survived and the hardships they've overcome and give them the opportunity to learn," said Rabesca.
"Once they find the path on the land they can bring that into modern society," he said. "It will give them the strength to move forward."
– Avery Zingel