Inuvik
Planet, a private earth-imaging company based in San Francisco, Calif., is still in discussions with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) regarding its application for a remote sensing licence, according to director of corporate communications Trevor Hammond. Planet built antennas in Inuvik in 2016 and has been waiting for its application for a remote sensing licence from GAC since then. In February 2018, senior director Mike Safyan announced Planet would remove its Inuvik ground station if it did not receive a remote sensing licence from GAC by June 1, 2018. Hammond said Planet has no update on the status of the licence at this time.
According to GAC spokesperson Brittany Venhola-Fletcher, Planet and KSAT – another satellite company – have been provided approvals for testing licences.
Vehola-Fletcher said GAC is working closely with both companies to finalize their operating licences under the Remote Sensing Space Systems Act. She added that GAC is presently waiting for the companies to provide additional information needed to finalize their licences.
– Samantha McKay
Environmental projects get funding boost
NWT
The GNWT announced $760,000 in funding for 12 new environmental monitoring and research projects, through the Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program, on Wednesday. The projects are looking at things like caribou management, water quality and fish monitoring, and are being run in partnership with universities, Indigenous groups and other levels of government.
– Tim Edwards
Power Corp and union choose mediator
Mort Mitchnick, a mediator with more than 30 years of experience, has been chosen to assist the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) and the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) attempt to conclude a new collective agreement, it was announced this week.
Mediation dates have been scheduled for Nov. 14 to 16 in Yellowknife.
NTPC and the UNW have been negotiating a new agreement since the last one expired at the end of 2014, stated a NTPC news release.
After multiple rounds of negotiations, agreement was reached on a number of items.
Although the UNW has not served NTPC with notice of mediation under the Public Service Act for the outstanding issues, the parties agreed to proceed with identifying a mediator and determining dates.
– James O'Connor
Recreation award nominations sought
Each year, the NWT Recreation and Parks Association (NWTRPA) presents awards to celebrate and recognize dedicated recreation leaders and volunteers in Northern communities for their continuing efforts and achievements in promoting recreation and active living for all Northerners.
Nominate someone in your community before the deadline of July 31, stated a news release.
The awards include the areas of: innovation, youth leadership, excellence; merit and for an elder. For more information visit nwtrpa.org/awards.htm.
– James O'Connor
Fort Resolution man charged with murder makes first court appearance
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
A 30-year-old Fort Resolution man charged with murder in connection with the death of a man in the community on Canada Day made a brief court appearance in NWT territorial court Wednesday.
Wearing civilian clothes and showing a black-eye, Chad Beck scanned the Yellowknife courtroom as he entered the prisoner's booth.
Beck was charged with first-degree murder after Fort Resolution RCMP located an unresponsive man on Sunday, July 1. The man was later pronounced dead. Court files identify the victim as 27-year-old Cameron Sayine.
In court Wednesday, prosecutor Blair McPherson informed Judge Christine Gagnon the Crown had provided Beck and his lawyer, Peter Harte, with a "very short" disclosure package related to the case.
On McPherson's request, Gagnon agreed to a no contact order barring Beck from communicating with one other individual.
Beck is due to appear in territorial court via video on July 24.
– Brendan Burke
Man charged with murder in Fort McPherson death makes brief court appearance
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
A Fort McPherson man charged with murder in the death of a 32-year-old man made a brief court appearance in NWT territorial court Thursday.
Darcy Nerysoo, 30, was charged with second-degree murder on June 29, the same day Fort McPherson RCMP located an unresponsive man in the community who was later pronounced dead.
Nerysoo, who remains in custody at North Slave Correctional Complex, is due to appear in territorial court again on July 24.
The victim's name has not been released and could not be determined before press time.
– Brendan Burke
Aklavik man pleads guilty to manslaughter
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
An Aklavik man charged with second-degree murder in the 2015 death of his partner has pleaded guilty to a lesser offence.
Frank Elanik Jr. pleaded guilty to manslaughter in NWT Supreme Court in Yellowknife on June 18.
Elanik's partner was pronounced dead in hospital after being found seriously injured in the community on Nov. 11, 2015.
Elanik is due back in Yellowknife on July 30, when an agreed statement of facts related to the 2015 death will be read in court. Submissions from the Crown and defence will then be made at a sentencing hearing in Aklavik.
"At that time if the judge feels confident they can sentence him on that day, they will, otherwise they'll reserve their decision for another day," Elanik's lawyer Leslie Moore told News/North.
– Brendan Burke
Top clarity 95-carat diamond recovered from Gahcho Kue
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
Gahcho Kue has set a new company record with a 95-carat diamond recovered from its mine – a gem of top clarity, states a news release from Mountain Province Diamonds.
At its point of sale, it broke records by doubling the highest value for a single diamond, stated a news release from the company.
It was the largest gem quality stone and fourth largest stone recovered from the mine site since production started less than two years ago, stated Reid Mackie, vice president of diamond marketing for Mountain Province Diamonds.
It could not disclose the name of the buyer, nor the price of the 95-carat gem, the release states.
– Avery Zingel