A Slavey Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day by any other name is just as sweet.

Hackers win 6-team tourney
The hometown team held on but not long enough to win the Kingland Ford Rec Hockey Tournament over the weekend.

Year in Review

No agreement signed
The Dehcho First Nations hasn't reached an agreement in principal with Imperial Oil concerning the Mackenzie Gas Project.

Snowshoes revive Deh Cho recreation
Forty pairs of snowshoes are getting some heavy use this winter thanks to a new initiative by a recreation organization.

Wrigley Nurse not linked to RCMP
Even with an enhanced RCMP presence the community of Wrigley will not be receiving a permanent nurse, according to the head of the Dehcho Health and Social Services.

Aiming to become Canada's best player
Brenda Moreau is a woman on a mission.

Territorial budget considers alternative energy in Deh Cho
When Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger unveiled the 2009-2010 territorial budget on Feb. 5, the Deh Cho wasn't forgotten.

Simpson looks at taxis

The Village of Fort Simpson's bylaw committee will be reviewing the village's stance on taxis.

During the village council meeting on Feb. 16., Coun. Gus Croatto asked whether or not the village should have a bylaw to cover taxis

The village should have a bylaw to address some aspects of any taxi business because it's a public service, said Croatto. He listed hours of operation and qualifications for drivers as two areas of interest.

The village used to have a bylaw for taxis but removed it a few years ago. Mayor Duncan Canvin cautioned against reviving the bylaw.

Taxi bylaws start small, only covering a few issues, but soon grow, he said.

"It evolves into a big behemoth of a bylaw and then it dies again," said Canvin.

Coun. Kim Myers agreed with Croatto that a basic bylaw could be in order. The matter was sent to the bylaw committee.

Violence awareness

Dehcho Health and Social Services is taking a close look at family violence.

The health board is hosting a regional workshop on family violence awareness in Fort Simpson from Feb. 25 to 27.

The workshop is designed to deepen the understanding of family violence and provide information about related legislation, said Ethel Lamothe, manager of mental health and addictions for the board.

Between 20 to 30 people including staff in the health and social services field and community representatives are expected to attend.

DFN leaders to meet

The leadership of Dehcho First Nations is scheduled to gather in Fort Simpson next week for their annual winter leadership meeting.

The meeting, scheduled for Feb. 23 to 27, is expected to cover a wide range of topics including the location and dates for the annual assembly and a notice of nominations for the election of the grand chief.

A negotiations update on the Dehcho Land Use Plan, the expansion of the Nahanni National Park Reserve and Deh Cho access and benefits agreements are also included on the draft agenda.

Educators' conference

Students in the Deh Cho received four school free days while their teachers attended a conference.

More than 850 teachers, educational assistants and teacher education students from across the territory met in Yellowknife from Feb. 16 to 18 for a territorial educators' conference held by the Northwest Territories Teacher's Association.

Multi-coloured moose

Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson

The Open Sky Creative Society is hosting two moosehair tufting workshops. Lucy Simon from Jean Marie River will lead the workshops on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21. The sessions will run from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 a.m. To 4 p.m. on both days.

Anyone who is interested in participating can contact the society to register.

Travelling with dogs

Ka'a'gee Tu/Kakisa

Julian Landry left Kakisa on Feb. 15 and will be gone for three weeks to compete in sled dog races in Neepawa, Manitoba.

Chief Loyd Chicot is attending the Dene Nation leadership meeting in Yellowknife from Feb. 16 to 20.

Fred Simba was on the Hay River Reserve from Feb. 17 to 18 for an Aboriginal Aquatic Resources and Ocean Management (AAROM) meeting.

Birthday wishes go out to Wayne Simba on Feb. 19, Joey Lacorne on Feb. 23 and Howard Elleze on Feb. 26.

Courses and conferences

Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River

Arnold Gargan and Gerald Grossetete are attending a heating and ventilation course hosted by MACA in Yellowknife from Feb. 15 to 23.

Angus Sanguez is attending the Aboriginal Aquatic Resources and Ocean Management (AAROM) meeting on the Hay River Reserve this week.

The access and benefits negotiating team was in Jean Marie River on Feb. 18 for a meeting. Community member Stan Sanguez is travelling with the team from Feb. 16 to 20.

Sean Whelly with the Deh Cho Business Development Centre visited the community on Feb. 19

Portable meeting

Tthenaago/Nahanni Butte

Chief Fred Tesou, Leon Konisenta, Francis Betsaka and George Betsaka were in Trout Lake for a negotiation team meeting with the community on Feb. 17.

On Feb. 18 delegates from Trout Lake were expected to travel to Nahanni Butte for a second meeting.

A new Beaver volunteer has arrived in the community. Marcie Stoddard from Texas will be working in recreation for the band.

A break from the trap lines

Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake

Trout Lake representatives were in a negotiation team meeting with delegates from Nahanni Butte from Feb. 17 to 18. The meeting moved between the communities.

A harvester's workshop will be held in Trout Lake from Feb. 23 to 27.

Ready your bait

Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard

The annual fishing derby will be held at Fisherman Lake from March 7 to 8 and March 14 to 15.

Prizes will be awarded in the categories of adult jackfish, adult pickerel and youth.

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