Leadership questioned
The Liidlii Kue First Nation has been served with a petition asking for the removal of the chief and band council.

Lest we forget
A few noises made by young children were the only sounds heard as residents of Fort Simpson paused for a minute of silence on Nov. 11.

Life can change in a flash
Brad Livingston started running cross-country when he was a freshman in high school.

Deh Cho wildlife examined
From moose to caribou to bison, issues and concerns about wildlife in the Deh Cho were raised and aired for two days in Fort Simpson.

Exploring the nine to five grind
Getting kindergarten students into all their outdoor clothing is a lot of work.

Gliding across the snow
In Jean Marie River, thin double-line tracks in the snow lead to and from Louie Norwegian school.

Election for Providence

Paschalina Thurber has been acclaimed mayor of the hamlet of Fort Providence.

Thurber was the only person to put her name forward for the position. She's currently serving her second term as a councillor for the hamlet.

After a week's extension on the deadline for nominations, to allow time for more people to come forward, the list for councillors has been set. Sophie Bonnetrouge, Hilda Sabourin, Edith Squirrel, Raymond Bonnetrouge, Moe Barriere, Evelyn Krutko and Rosemary Minoza are vying for the six positions on council.

The election will be held on Dec. 8.

Gym nearing completion

The community gym in Nahanni Butte is scheduled to be finished in time for Christmas.

"It's very close to completion," said Curt Snook, the regional superintendent of Public Works and Services for the South Slave region.

A precise date for the opening hasn't been set but the Christmas deadline is looking secure, Snook said.

The building is scheduled to undergo an inspection this week to check the ongoing work and make sure it's on schedule for the final inspection that will be done before the opening, said Snook.

Reviving an action team

The Community Action Team in Fort Liard is being brought back to life.

The team has been inactive for a few years, said Roslyn Pruitt, the manager of programs and services for the hamlet of Fort Liard.

Pruitt is looking for people who are willing to volunteer on the team. The team helps the recreation program manager by suggesting ideas for events and activities and helping to implement programs, said Pruitt.

The first meeting for the team will be held on Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers.

Week of activities

A variety of events will be held from Nov. 16 to 22 in Fort Simpson to mark National Addictions Awareness Week.

The week will start with a joint church service on Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. in Bompas elementary school.

Other events include a community feast and drum dance on Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. and an Arctic snowshoe trek on Nov. 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. starting at the recreation centre.

The trek is promoting this year's theme of healthy alternatives, said Pat Switzer, a community wellness worker Deh Cho Health and Social Services.

Spike and volley

Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard

The Dechita Society is holding a logo contest with a submission deadline of Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. The winning entry will be awarded $125.

Mixed volleyball nights are starting on Nov. 18 at the Echo Dene school gym. The program, aimed at youth, will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at 8 p.m.

"We're hoping to attract the young women as well as the boys," said Roslyn Pruitt, the manager of program services for the hamlet of Fort Liard.

From lumber to a home

Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake

Weather permitting, a band council meeting has been scheduled for Nov. 31 so staff with Municipal and Community Affairs can provide an update on capital infrastructure.

Work is well underway on a Northwest Territories Housing Corporation unit in Trout Lake. The frame for the house has been erected and work is being done to put shingles on the roof.

Belated birthday wishes go out to Helen Kotchea and Phoebe Punch on Nov. 2, Cody Punch on Nov. 5 and Bianca Kotchea on Nov. 10.

Getting ready for the holidays

Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River

The Jean Marie River First Nation is challenging students in the community to design Christmas cards for the band. Cash prizes starting at $100 for first place, $75 for second and $50 for third will be given to the top designers.

Belated birthday wishes go out to Todd Minoza on Nov. 9, Erma Norwegian on Nov. 11, Minnie Watsyk on Nov. 12 and Margaret Ireland on Nov. 13.

Happy birthday to Howard Gargan on Nov. 14, Isabelle Norwegian on Nov. 17, Alison Sanguez on Nov. 20 and both Kurtis Sake-Hardisty and Leanne Sanguez on Nov. 21.

The sawmill in the community is expected to continue operations for another two months.

Planning for the future

Pehdzeh Ki/Wrigley

Jim Antoine, Herb Norwegian and Tim Lennie were scheduled to give community members an update on the Deh Cho Land Use Plan on Nov. 13.

Happy birthday to Stella Pellissey on Nov. 14.

The long wait

Tthenaago/Nahanni Butte

Residents of Nahanni Butte are anxiously waiting for ice to form on the river for the winter road.

The ice surface on the community rink is expected to be ready in two weeks.

Counting fish

Ka'a'gee Tu /Kakisa

Staff with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans were in Kakisa on Nov. 10 to get community input on the Tathlina Lake fishing quota.

On Nov. 10 staff with the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation were also in the community to explain the application process to interested residents.

Ruby and Julian Landry will be in Edmonton from Nov. 12 to 14 during which time Julian will be attending the Environmental Law and Regulations North of 60 conference.

A community supper was held at the band office on Nov. 12. The suppers are expected be held on a monthly basis.

Local residents George Simba, Darcy Simba and Julian Canadien have been cutting brush around the community since Nov. 5.

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