Published Monday, March 24, 2008, by Northern News Services / Distributed in all Nunavut communities

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Voters in Taloyoak narrowly voted no March 17 to forming an alcohol education committee.

Fifty-four voters, or 48 per cent, voted yes to a committee and 58, or 52 per cent, voted no. For the plebiscite to be successful, there needed to be at least a 60 per cent yes vote. Taloyoak has no alcohol restrictions currently in place.

Only 114 out of 405 eligible voters cast ballots in the plebiscite.

- Cara Loverock

Memorial held for missing hunter

Community officials and family of missing hunter Jasonie Kautainuk held a memorial March 18.

However, the extensive search for Kautainuk, 27, who went missing Feb. 28, is continuing with further patrols by the search and rescue team.

"Patrols have continued and there have been no new developments," said Sanikiluaq RCMP Cpl. Paul Robinson.

There have been extensive air and ground searches since Kautainuk failed to return from a hunting trip nearly a month ago, but no sign of the missing man has been found.

Some of Kautainuk's family recently travelled to Sanikiluaq from Pond Inlet. The memorial was held on the ice just outside the community.

- Cara Loverock

Barnabas handed his duties

Quttiktuq MLA Levi Barnabas will now serve as minister of Human Resources and the Worker's Compensation Board, Premier Paul Okalik announced last week.

Barnabas was acclaimed as the newest member of cabinet in a leadership forum March 13.

Okalik also announced the transfer of the fisheries and sealing division to the Department of Environment from the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.

The move was made in an effort to re-balance responsibilities for ministers, according to a release last week.

- Karen Mackenzie

Pond's community hall officially opens

Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet

The Hamlet of Pond Inlet will mark the official opening of its new community hall on March 25.

Minister of Community and Government Services Levinia Brown plans to be on hand to cut the ribbon, according to SAO Mike Richards.

Unofficially the hall was opened before Christmas, to provide space for the games and holiday celebrations.

The building includes a waiting area and dressing room for an arena extension that's no longer in the territorial budget.

"It gives the kids a place to run around though. They get to run around in a circle so it wears them out really fast," added Richards with a laugh.

- Karen Mackenzie

A friendly invasion

Qausuittuq/Resolute

Canadian Forces were in Resolute last week to carry out some military exercises. While there, the residents of Resolute introduced the military to Northern hospitality, with a celebration on March 16 that included a taste of Northern culture. An event was held that showcased throat singing, carvings from local artists and traditional Arctic games. The military personnel showcased their firearms and locals got an up-close look at the weapons. There was also a good-natured hockey game in which locals squared off against some of the military.

- Cara Loverock

From Montreal to Repulse

Naujaat/Repulse Bay

On practically any given day during the winter, it's colder in Repulse Bay than it is in Montreal, and some cadets from Quebec found that out first hand earlier this month.

The 3055 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Repulse Bay welcomed 30 cadets and three officers from the 2879 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in North Montreal to their community for five days.

The visit was part of the Interprovincial Cadet Exchange program, designed to expose cadets to other parts of Canada and allow them to learn from one another.

The visits centre on cultural exchanges and citizenship - one of the three aims of the cadet program.

Former Repulse cadet commanding officer Leonie Aissaoui said this will probably be the last time Repulse hosts an exchange for southern cadets during this time of the year.

She said the Quebec cadets were too cold to enjoy themselves outdoors and take in the cultural displays.

"We took some of them out on the land and they didn't last very long out there," said Aissaoui.

"They didn't even want to see how an iglu is built because they were too cold. They were inside the tent, sitting by the stove for most of the time. Looking at it now, the cadet parkas probably weren't warm enough for them out there, you really need caribou clothing."

- Darrell Greer

Business success to be filmed

Kinngait/Cape Dorset

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada was in Cape Dorset last week to film some local business success stories for a video to promote the community. The hamlet worked in co-operation with the department to participate in making the video. Cape Dorset SAO Art Stewart said the video can be used at trade shows to promote business interest and possibly boost tourism.

The Co-op Art Centre and the Northern Store will be part of the filming, having been recently renovated, as well as the youth centre. Stewart said the hamlet also plans to post it on its website.

- Cara Loverock

Arctic Bay students wrapped up in parka-making course

Ikpiarjuk/Arctic Bay

A group of students at Inuujaq school are almost done making their first parkas.

The class, which includes three boys and two girls, has been learning the skill with the help of community members.

"We've hired different ladies to come in and teach sewing techniques and logo design," said teacher Audrey Qamanirq.

"One is doing Reebok, one is doing Toronto, one is doing a regular male parka and the two girls are doing traditional parka-making."

The course, which is funded by Brighter Futures, began with kamiik-making and will continue with traditional tool making.

- Karen Mackenzie

A journey to climate lessons

Naujaat/Repulse Bay

One hard-working student from Repulse Bay will be part of an international journey focusing on climate change later this year.

Tusarvik school will be among 15 schools representing Canada in the 2008 Cape Farewell climate change awareness program.

The schools, representing each province and territory, were selected in a national competition.

Cape Farewell is an innovative arts and science education program designed to raise awareness of climate change and give young people a voice in their own future.

The focal point of the project is the 2008 Cape Farewell Youth Expedition, which will bring high school students from across Canada together with top scientists, artists and educators. The project will culminate with an Arctic voyage that will include teams of students representing their schools and communities.

Cape Farewell was created in 2001 by British artist David Buckland, and brings artists, scientists and educators together to spur longterm change in cultural attitudes towards climate change.

The Britishbased charity has led five expeditions to the High Arctic to date.

Victor Sammurtok school in Chesterfield Inlet was the first Kivalliq school to participate in the program this past year.

Students involved in the project will develop science projects in areas such as climatology, oceanography, biodiversity and biogeography.

Art projects will be developed in genres such as film and photography, fine arts, performing arts and literature.

- Darrell Greer

Clyde River prepares with air brake course

Kangiqtugaapik/Clyde River

About 18 students have signed up for a class 3 air brakes course in Clyde River.

"There's going to be a lot of work here starting this summer, with the Cape Christian DEW Line site clean-up, sewage lagoon expansion, construction of the cultural school, breakwater ... there'll be lots of need for drivers here," said SAO Bill Buckle.

The course, which is facilitated by the Municipal Training Organization, started March 8 and will continue until after Easter. A driver instructor will soon arrive to test the students.

- Karen Mackenzie

Promoting a military career

Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet

The Canadian Forces were looking for a few good young men and women in the Kivalliq earlier this month.

Capt. Kevin Nottle of the Forces recruiting detachment in Yellowknife was hoping Mother Nature would co-operate enough for him to visit five communities during his tour, including Baker Lake, Arviat, Coral Harbour, Repulse Bay and Rankin Inlet.

Nottle was recruiting for the regular force, reserves and summer aboriginal programs.

He said the Forces try to get to the Kivalliq at least once a year to visit schools, friendship centres and any Service Canada offices along the way.

"We tell people what programs we have available, provide any information they may require and leave pamphlets for them to browse through," said Nottle.

"We cover the 100 different jobs we have available in the Forces so they get an idea of what it's like to do a particular job, and determine whether they have the necessary skills, aptitude and academic qualifications for the job they're interested in."

All youth in Northern Canada are eligible to apply for the Forces' Raven and pre-recruit training program.

Raven is held during the summer, with the first week being a culture camp.

- Darrell Greer

Model architects

Taloyoak/Spence Bay

Netsilik school in Taloyoak recently put their students' building skills to the test, as part of a hands-on approach to learning.

The Grade 10 students were involved in a geometry project that challenged them to design, plan and build a bridge that would cover the span of an actual river, 100 meters wide.

Similar to a real architect, they had to produce schematics, 3-D scale diagrams and an accurate-to-scale 3-D model. Gina Pizzo, principal of Netsilik school, lead the students in the assignment.

It produced a series of outstanding projects and gave students an example of practical application for their math skills.

- Cara Loverock

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