Lutsel K'e considering shipping off strays

Between 70 and 100 stray dogs are roaming around Lutsel K'e, a community of about 300 people, and the Lutsel K'e Dene band is expected to make a decision about what to do with them sometime this week.

"We're still trying to sort it out. One of the things we're looking at is neutering and spaying the dogs in February when (a veterinarian) comes up," said band manager Len Griffore.

The band is also working with SPCAs across Canada to find a place for the dogs, since there is no shelter in the community.

"They're looking right across the country. We've even had some interest from Ontario. But then it's the cost of shipping the dogs," he said. "They're looking in B.C., Alberta, to see who has room for them."

- Katie May

Tuk candidates

Three candidates are in the running to be mayor of Tuktoyaktuk for the next two years.

Incumbent Merven Gruben, Eddie T. Dillon and Jim Stevens are all vying for the position. Eight candidates are running for hamlet council: Charles A. Gruben, Maureen Gruben, Georgina Jacobson-Masuzumi, Sarah McKay, Darrel Nasogaluak, Holly Ovayuak-Gruben, Dennis Raddi Sr. and John Stuart Jr.

The ballot will also include a liquor plebiscite for residents to vote yes or no on restricting alcohol within a 25 km radius of the hamlet office.

Election day is Dec. 14, with polls open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Kitti Hall and an advance poll open on Dec. 7 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

- Katie May

Francophone group to meet

The territorial francophone association - Federation Franco-TeNOise - will hold its annual general meeting in Hay River on Nov. 28.

Along with representatives of the francophone community in Hay River, people from Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Inuvik and elsewhere are expected to attend.

- Paul Bickford

Man attacked

At about 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 14, a Fort Smith man was attacked outside his home by a lone male assailant.

Witnesses chased the attacker away on foot.

The victim was treated in hospital for some bruising to his head and face.

Sgt. Grant Payne of the Fort Smith RCMP said the attack appears to have been random.

"We do have a suspect," he said. "The investigation is ongoing."

- Paul Bickford

Youth centre opening

Paulatuk

The community of Paulatuk is prepared a feast in honour of the official opening of its first youth centre. The grand opening was held on Saturday Nov. 21. The celebration continued on Sunday. Activities included a giant cake-bake, a performance by the Moonlight Drummers and Dancers, board games and a "then and now" photo display where youth imagine what Paulatuk will look like in 10 years.

The hamlet also invited Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson, Robert McLeod, minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Yvonne Carpenter, Municipal and Community Affairs superintendent of Inuvik region, and representatives from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

- Katie May

Fort Smith audit coming soon

Thebacha/Fort Smith

The final report of a forensic audit for Fort Smith town council is expected soon. Mayor Janie Hobart said the report is expected in late November or early December.

The audit is the result of large payments made by previous councils to Roy Scott, the town's former senior administrative officer (SAO).

On Aug. 25, the former council voted to accept terms of reference for the $50,000 audit, which has been conducted by the Yellowknife accounting firm MacKay LLP.

It looked at the period from January 2000 to December 2008. Scott was suspended as SAO in March and dismissed in May after 16 years in the position.

- Paul Bickford

Prepping for heritage fair

Lli Goline/Norman Wells

Students at Norman Wells' Mackenzie Mountain School are busy working on their projects for the school's local heritage fair on Nov. 30. All Grade 5 to Grade 9 students are set to enter a project in the fair and the top three will be chosen to represent the community at the regional heritage fair, to be held in Tulita this spring.

- Katie May

Exploration updates

Beaufort Delta

Representatives from BP Exploration Company Limited toured the Inuvialuit settlement region last week, holding public meetings to give updates about its Pokak 3D seismic program that took place in the Beaufort Sea last summer.

The representatives held sessions in Paulatuk and Sachs Harbour the week of Oct. 26 before visiting Inuvik on Nov. 16 and Tuk on Nov. 17. The team was scheduled to be in Ulukhaktok on Nov. 18 and Aklavik on Nov. 19. About 20 people showed up to the meeting in Inuvik, where company representatives outlined the progress of the oil and gas exploration project and pointed out areas where crew sighted polar bears and beluga and bowhead whales.

The company is currently planning a 2010 trip to collect field data and is looking to hire Inuvialuit wildlife observers and research technicians.

- Katie May

Yellowknife conference next month

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is holding its 7th annual biannual LINX Conference. It is being held on Dec. 2 and 3 at the Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife. It is open to both private and public sector workers involved in career development and client services.

Participants will be given a chance to network and learn more about the labour market in the North.

- NNSL staff

School health service to open

Thebacha/Fort Smith

For the first time, a youth health service will be offered at Fort Smith's high school.

The youth health centre - named The Health Cafe by students - will have its grand opening at Paul William Kaeser High School on Nov. 25.

It will offer youth access to a variety of health services every weekday afternoon during the school year.

The Health Cafe is an initiative of the Fort Smith Health and Social Services Authority in conjunction with the school.

"The hope is to provide a youth-friendly facility for health services for our local youth," said Mary Carothers, the program's lead developer and a community health representative with the health authority.

"Many youth have expressed concerns over the stigma associated with accessing health services, particularly related to sexual health, and the need for enhancing comfort level when accessing any type of health service," Carothers said. "Providing a health service on their own turf has the ability to change these attitudes."

The Health Cafe was developed based on recommendations in the report 'When Youth Have a Voice.' The report highlights information collected from Fort Smith youth during focus groups in the spring.

More than 100 youth between the ages of 14 and 19 shared concerns regarding sexual health and the barriers to accessing sexual health services.

- Paul Bickford

Deputy, acting mayors named

Hay River

The new town council in Hay River has appointed a deputy mayor and an acting mayor.

At their Nov. 16 meeting, councillors named Mike Maher the deputy mayor and Ken Latour the acting mayor.

The appointments were made on the recommendation of Mayor Kelly Schofield.

A deputy mayor fills in when the mayor is unavailable. An acting mayor steps in when both the mayor and deputy mayor are unavailable. Maher and Latour were appointed to one-year terms, which end on Nov. 26, 2010.

- Paul Bickford

Youth cater meetings

Tuktoyaktuk

Members of the Jason Jacobson Youth Centre committee put gourmet cooking lessons to good use last week, preparing a feast of turkey, fish, salads and dessert to serve at a community update session for the BP mineral exploration project. Youth centre director John Stuart said this isn't the first time the youth have catered for community events. Stuart and assistant Bob Lundrigan instruct cooking lessons at the centre about once a week to teach kids how to make almost anything, from roasted caribou to pastries.

- Katie May

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