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New board chair named

Rita Cli has been named as the new chairperson of the Dehcho First Nations' Mackenzie Gas Project Steering Committee.

The committee was created in November 2007 to develop a plan to mitigate and manage the socio-economic impacts of the proposed Mackenzie gas pipeline.

Fred Norwegian, of Jean Marie River, had chaired the committee since its inception. Norwegian recently stepped down from the position so he could devote his energies to being the interim band manager for his community, according to a press release from DFN.

The committee appointed Cli, a former chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson, to fill the position.

Trout Lake wise woman

The Deh Cho has a new wise woman.

Ruby Jumbo of Trout Lake is this year's recipient of the Wise Woman award in the Deh Cho. The Status of Women Council of the NWT gives an award to one woman from each of the five regions in the territory each year.

The awards were presented at a luncheon in the Great Hall of the legislative assembly on March 9 in Yellowknife.

A weekend of soccer

Preparations are underway for the seventh annual Connie Loutit Memorial Soccer Tournament.

The tournament will be held in Fort Simpson from March 27 to 29. A number of communities including Fort Smith, Hay River, Fort Liard, Behchoko, Whati, Fort Resolution, Yellowknife and Cambridge Bay have already expressed interest in bringing teams, said Shane Thompson, one of the organizers.

There's also a possibility of some new teams attending the tournament.

"We're hoping Wrigley and Nahanni Butte get to come because it's the first time they've played in the tournament," said Thompson.

A team from Carmacks, Yukon is also a possible contender. The tournament includes 12U, 14U, 16U, 19U and open divisions for both men and ladies.

Author tour hitsFort Simpson

Canadian children's author Dan Bar-el will be visiting Fort Simpson as part of an author's tour this week.

Bar-el will be doing a reading at Thomas Simpson school on March 12 at 7:15 p.m. On Friday Bar-el will be doing presentations for the students at both Bompas elementary school and Thomas Simpson school.

Houses and health

Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River

Stan Sanguez is attending a meeting in Trout Lake on the Mackenzie Gas Project from March 10 to 12.

Staff from the NWT Housing Corporation were expected in the community on March 12 to conduct a survey.

The medical team visited Jean Marie River on March 11.

A week of freedom

Tthenaggo/Nahanni Butte

The Charles Yohin school is closed for the week from March 9 to 13 for spring break.

The community has been very quiet recently.

Renovationsat Trout Lake band complex

Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake

Trout Lake hosted a meeting on the Mackenzie Gas Project from March 10 to 12.

The band complex is undergoing a spring cleaning.

Some parts of the building will be closed until the work is done.

Birthday wishes go out to Rita Vital on March 11, Willie Chonklay on March 13

Danna Payne on March 16 and Madison Jumbo on March 27.

Carnival visitors at Beavertail Jamboree

Pehdzeh Ki/Wrigley

Some community members plan to attend the Beavertail Jamboree in Fort Simpson this week.

The chief and council are scheduled to have a meeting with Enbridge Pipelines (NW) Inc. on March 16.

Staff from the NWT Housing Corporation are expected to be in Wrigley from March 16 to 17.

Chief Julian Yendo school will be closed for spring break from March 16 to 20.

Within the next two weeks some community members are expected to go to Spruce Lake for a caribou hunt.

Handgames teams needed

Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence

Aurora College is holding an open house on March 20 from 2 to 5 p.m.

The Deh Cho Bison Jamboree is looking for handgames teams interested in participating in a tournament as part of the jamboree from March 27 to 28.

March babies

Ka'a'gee Tu/Kakisa

Happy birthday to Cameron Lieshman on March 17 and

Shyanne Chicot on March 20.

Smart finances

Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson

The Dehcho First Nation and the Dehcho Economic Corporation are hosting an economic forum in Fort Simpson from March 16 to 17.

The forum will bring together local leader as well as members of the various economic committees in the region including the Investment Management Board, the Access and Benefits Committee and the Mackenzie Gas Project Impact Fund Committee.

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