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Around
Nunavut
March
26, 2004
Weekend scores record cold temperatures
Last Friday in Resolute Bay, temperatures plunged to a new low of -44.9 C.
, breaking the old record of -43.9 C. set in 1986.
Last Sunday, Clyde River's former record low of -41.6 C., set back in 1943,
was broken by the community's new low of -44.8 C. Rankin Inlet's low of -34.5
C. set in 1956, was also broken by a new low of -37.4 C.
"It may be officially spring, but it seems more like winter in Nunavut,"
said Yvonne Bilan-Wallace, a meteorologist with Environment Canada in Calgary."Hopefully,
this is the last shot of winter."
According to Bilan-Wallace, Nunavut's Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions have been
particularly cold and stormy this winter, although she said it's too early to
draw any conclusions from one exceptional winter.
March
26, 2004
Same-sex couples can marry in Nunavik
Last week, Quebec became the third province in Canada to permit same-sex couples
to marry.
"This is a great day for Quebec and a great day for Canada," said
Bob Gallagher, the national coordinator for Canadians for Equal Marriage. "Now
same-sex couples can marry in provinces that represent over 70 per cent of Canada's
population. The only question that remains is when all of Canada will benefit
from equal marriage for same-sex couples."
Quebec was the first province to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation in 1977. In 2002, the Quebec National Assembly unanimously passed
a civil union and full parental rights bill for same-sex couples.
March 19, 2004
RCMP investigate CamBay homicide
As of Nunatsiaq News' press-time this week, RCMP investigators were
still looking into the recent death of a Cambridge Bay woman.
The lifeless body of Rhoda Maksagak, 49, was found in her home by friends at
around 12 noon on March 12.
After sending her body out for an autopsy, police now say they are treating
the death as a "homicide."
The RCMP are releasing few details in the case, including the cause of death,
and even the victim's identity, to comply with the Privacy Act. Nunatsiaq News
confirmed the deceased person's name through other sources.
Const. Chris Coles, the RCMP's media relations officer in Nunavut, said RCMP
members from Iqaluit have been sent to Cambridge Bay to help in the investigation.
"I have no idea how long it's going to take — we never do. It depends
on how quickly things come together," Coles said.
March
19, 2004
New planetoid called "Sedna"
U.S. astronomers this week announced the discovery of a frozen, red world some
eight billion miles from Earth this week — which they've named after "Sedna,"
the mythological Inuit sea-woman.
It's the most distant known object in the solar system and the largest object
to be found orbiting the sun since the discovery of Pluto in 1930.
The word "Sedna" is likely an English-language corruption of "Siarnaq,"
the mythical woman whose body parts gave birth to the various creatures of the
sea.
Siarnaq is known by different names in various parts of the Inuktitut-speaking
world, including "Talilajuk," and "Nuliajuk."
Astronomers are calling in the distant new world a "planetoid" because
it does not meet the scientific definition of a planet. It's only 800 to 1,100
miles in diameter, or about three-quarters the size of Pluto, and probably half
rock, half ice.
Most planets and other celestial bodies have, until now, been named after characters
from Greek or Roman mythology. "Pluto," for example, is the Roman
god of the underworld.
Breakwater's fortunes show improvement
Breakwater Resources Ltd. is showing a profit in its fourth quarter, despite
the impact of the closure of its Nanisivik mine on overall revenues.
The company's revenues dropped to $51.4 from $104.2 million, but it made a
small profit because of rising zinc prices.
March
12, 2004
One-day session for
new legislature
Amittuq
MLA Louis Tapardjuk, Nunavut's new culture minister, at cabinet swearing-in
ceremonies held March 10. (PHOTO BY GREG YOUNGER-LEWIS)
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The lighting of a qulliq,
singing and drum-dancing by Aqsarniit Middle School students, plus a welcome
from Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq launched the second session of the new
Nunavut legislature.
In his address Irniq reminded
the assembly of its role in defending "freedom of speech and debate"
and reflecting traditional Inuit values. He said the MLAs will face the challenge
of managing economic prosperity and self-reliance for Nunavut.
The legislature won't get
down to business until it reconvenes on May 12 in Iqaluit.
However, during their first
appearance in the House, MLAs made statements thanking their constituents.
"I have lots of enemies,"
Rankin Inlet North MLA Tagak Curley said. "You have to be brave to continue
to stand up for yourself."
Curley later asked for
a recorded vote in support of a resolution calling for a "unity of purpose"
and commitment to work together regardless of faith, language or sex.
The resolution was supported
by all the MLAs, with the exception of Iqaluit Centre MLA Hunter Tootoo, who
was not present during the call for the vote.
The appointments of the
premier, speaker, MLAs and executive council members were also formally approved
by resolutions.
As well, several other
positions were confirmed. The deputy speaker for the legislature is Nanulik
MLA Patterk Netser, while the deputy chairs of the committee of the whole are
Uqqummiut MLA James Arreak, and Kugluktuk MLA Joe Allen Evyagotailak.
Management and service
board appointees are Rankin Inlet North MLA Tagak Curley, Pangnirtung MLA Peter
Kilabuk, Cambridge Bay MLA Keith Peterson and Iqaluit Centre MLA Hunter Tootoo.
Curley, Tootoo and Peterson
will also chair committees struck to deal with particular legislation or concerns.
March
12, 2004
Jaw seeks new trial
in police slaying
Salomonie Jaw, found guilty
of first-degree murder in the killing of a police officer in Cape Dorset, is
seeking a re-trial in hopes of overturning the verdict handed down by residents
in his hometown last month.
Jaw's lawyers said in a
notice of appeal filed March 4 that they want a re-trial on the grounds that
Justice John Vertes, who oversaw the original trial, made mistakes in the way
he prepared the jury for deliberations.
Lawyers Susan Cooper and
Greg Nearing accuse the judge of failing to explain to the jury that they could
have found Jaw guilty of second-degree murder, if they decided the police officer,
Const. Jurgen Seewald, used excessive force when he was arresting Jaw three
years ago.
The lawyers also allege
that during instructions to the jury, the judge failed to point out evidence
suggesting Jaw did not deliberately intend to murder the officer.
Jaw is currently serving
a life sentence at the maximum security prison in Kingston, Ont., without possibility
of parole for 25 years.
March
12, 2004
Homeless in Iqaluit:
what next?
People in Iqaluit had a
chance to say what they'd like to see done for the growing number of Iqalungmiut
who are homeless or without a permanent home to call their own.
"I need to hear from
you how we can solve the problem," said Elisapi Davidee, a consultant for
the city, who animated the discussion in the Anglican Parish Hall. "We
have to help each other and support each other. We have to deal with this as
a community."
Current projects include
safe houses for children who find themselves homeless or unable to go home,
a transition program for battered women, the homeless shelter, Tukisigiarvik,
the new referral and friendship centre, a youth cottage, the mental health facility,
Nunamiut summer camp as well as two future projects for alternative housing
and a sobering-up house, which would be called Isumatsaqsiurvik.
The many suggestions that
were brought out during the discussions include the need for more transitional,
supervised housing, an emergency family shelter, and a larger, 24-hour shelter
or an all-day centre.
This would be an alternative
to the streets, a place where homeless could receive shelter and programs.
More coordination and less
competition between service providers to the homeless would also assist in reducing
management and overhead, said Davidee, who plans to meet individually with various
parties before she submits a report to the city council at the end of the month.
Based on this report's
recommendations, projects dealing with homelessness will be developed, and hopefully
receive funding.
March
12, 2004
Stornoway to spend
$18 million next year
Stornoway Diamond Corp. plans to spend $18 million for diamond exploration
in Nunavut next year, for drilling, ground and aerial
studies and sampling on the Melville Peninsula near Hall Beach and Igloolik,
the Churchill projects in the Kivalliq, as well as the Coronation diamond projects
in the Kitikmeot.
The Vancouver-based company
has more than 20 million acres of claims in northern Canada, including more
than 12 million acres on the Melville peninsula.
Since 2002, Stornoway has
made 20 discoveries of diamond-bearing kimberlites.
Last year, the company
spent $5 million exploring sites on the Melville Peninsula where 2,350 diamonds
were extracted from a single kimberlite deposit. In April, exploration and drilling
on promising locations will start up again at this site, and at another site
near Rankin Inlet, where $6 million will be spent this year.
The 2004 budget for exploration
in the Coronation diamond property in western Nunavut is $2 million.
March
12, 2004
Rendez-vous de la
francophonie
Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie
tiennent leur 6e édition jusqu'au 21 mars. Durant cette période,
les différentes initiatives sont à l'honneur.
Le mandat des célébrations
c'est de créer une espace durant l'année, entourant la Journée
international de la Francophone (20 mars), où la francophonie est mise
en valeur en favorisant les activités d'échanges, de rapprochements
et de célébrations.
Cette semaine à
Iqaluit il y aura, entr'autres activités, un concours de lyp sinc francophone
pour les huit ans et plus à 19h à l'association des francophones
de Nunavut (le 13 mars). A ne pas manquer, le 20 mars, une soirée dansante
francophone à l'AFN dès 19h30.
March
12, 2004
Cape Dorset artist's
work on 2004 directory
Cape Dorset artist Pootoogook
Qiatsuk, produced this year's winning design for the NorthwesTel Nunavut telephone
book.
A print featuring Qiatsuk's
design was unveiled in Iqaluit last week, as a kick-off for the distribution
of the 2004 directory.
"The dancing walrus
is a traditional Inuit image and is one of my favourites," Qiatsuk said.
"In the past, I have carved the image of the dancing walrus, but this time
I wanted to try it as a print. I was very surprised and happy to have the work
chosen to be on the cover."
Qiatsuk is a student in
the Art Institute program at Nunavut Arctic College that helps established artists
expand their portfolios and develop marketing skills. As part of the program,
students enter competitions such as that for the NorthwesTel's annual competition
for the directory cover.
"We take every opportunity
to apply for competitions and exhibitions as a learning experience for the students,"
said NAC instructor Beth Biggs.
Qiatsuk receives $1,500
for his "Dancing Walrus" linoblock design.
A similar design is being
held for 2005, with details available at www.nwtel.ca. Artists should submit
their entries by Sept. 15.
March
12, 2004
Kugluktuk RCMP starts
weekly newsletter
"To keep the citizens
of the community informed," the RCMP detachment in Kugluktuk has started
a weekly newsletter, with a first edition bearing the title of "Alcohol
takes its toll in Kugluktuk."
During the first week of
March, police responded to 14 complaints and took eight people into custody
in a series of alcohol-fueled incidents that included a violent domestic dispute,
an assault on a police officer, a suicide attempt and drunken fights.
On March 3, police answering
a complaint found an intoxicated man bleeding from the face, who was already
under a court order to abstain from the consumption or possession of alcohol.
Another man, also under the influence of alcohol, was arrested for causing bodily
harm.
The weekly newsletter,
distributed to residents of the community and media, is intended as an "eye-opener,"
according to RCMP Cpl. F.B. Radeschi.
March
12, 2004
Northern Property
invests in St. John's
Northern Property Real
Estate Investment Trust, the largest residential landlord in Nunavut and the
Northwest Territories, has bought two apartment buildings in St. John's, Newfoundland,
for $3.3 million and has made bids to acquire two more complexes for a total
of $7.5 million. It plans to invest another $1.5 in improvements and upgrades
to the buildings over the next 18 months.
"St. John's continues
to enjoy among the highest rates of economic growth in Canada and has a very
low vacancy," said Jim Britton, Northern Property's president and chief
operation officer in a press release.
March
12, 2004
NIRB's final report
for Jericho Diamond project
Tahera Corp. has received
the final report on its environmental review for the Jericho Diamond Project
from the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
Last month, the NIRB recommended
approval of the project to the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.
The NIRB's final report
provides an analysis of the final hearing held on the project as well as terms
and conditions related to monitoring, noise, wildlife and environmental management.
The report underlines the
need for Tahera to work closely with regulatory bodies and other stakeholders
during the permitting phase.
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