Skip to content

AROUND THE NORTH: Norman Wells gets strategic

0307cndW-3
Hay River's Filipino community braved the stormy weather to steal the show at the Canada Day parade on July 1.

Lli Goline/Norman Wells

The Town of Norman Wells released its 2019 Strategic Plan on June 25 to address those seeking more accountability from their elected officials.
"This document is a new framework which sets the stage for decision-making, priority setting and ongoing performance management of Norman Wells for the next few years while ensuring that our resources are directed where they will have the most impact,"states a message from Mayor Frank Pope in the Strategic Plan.
"This is a fluid, living document with the expectation it will be reviewed annually.”
The Strategic Plan is available on the town's website for those interested in reading it.

— Erin Steele

Circus camp

Thebacha/Fort Smith

The Flyin' Bob Circus Camp from Alberta will return to Fort Smith from Aug. 19 to Aug. 23. The camp, which is for children ages seven to 16 years, will teach various performance skills. This year, it will also include an aerials instructor. More information, including on the fee, is available by contacting the Fort Smith Rec Centre.

— Paul Bickford

Hay River's Filipino community braved the stormy weather to steal the show at the Canada Day parade on July 1.


Service Canada provides information

Lli Goline/Norman Wells

Those looking for information on Government of Canada programs and services were set to have their chance during Service Canada's stop in Norman Wells June 25 to 27.
Programs and services include Social Insurance Numbers, the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Employment Insurance, and My Service Canada Accounts.Service Canada was scheduled to be available from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the Thursday.
The organization set up shop at the Education, Culture and Employment office in the Edward G. Hodgson Building.

— Erin Steele

Treaty Day

Thebacha/Fort Smith

Smith's Landing First Nation will celebrate its annual Treaty Day on July 17 in Fort Fitzgerald, Alta., about 22 kilometres south of Fort Smith. Indigenous Services Canada will be on hand from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. to disperse payments under Treaty 8. There will also be a number of games and activities to celebrate Treaty Day, including a barbecue.

— Paul Bickford

Canada Day celebrated

Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence

Canada's birthday was set to be a fun-filled day packed with activities for all ages on July 1 in Fort Providence.
The day's events kicked off at 10 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Community Hall along with kids' bike and stroller decorating for the parade at noon.
At 1 p.m. the canoe races were set to take off at the Water Treatment Plant.Afternoon events included a barbeque and kids activities before the softball games which were set to begin at the ball diamond at 4 p.m. The Canada Day celebrations wrapped up with a drum dance in the arbour from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

— Erin Steele

Hay River fall fair

Hay River

A date has been announced for this year's Hay River Fall Fair. The annual event will take place on Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rec Centre. Organizers are inviting interested people to start thinking about possible entries in categories of floral arrangements, garden produce, preserves, baking, arts, crafts and more.

—Paul Bickford

Riding the rapids

In this image from 2015, rafters ride the rapids during the Slave River Paddlefest in Fort Smith. The Slave River Paddlefest will soon be back for another year in Fort Smith. The world-class whitewater paddling is set for Aug. 2 to 5 on the rapids of the Slave River. The rapids provide challenges for all ages and skill levels – from beginners to experts. Plus, Paddlefest includes instructional clinics, river trips and competitions. There are events for kayaks, canoes, rafts and voyageur canoes. Paddlefest also includes many activities for spectators, including a community feast, Dene traditional games, paddling, and guided hikes to learn more about the Fort Smith area. The main events happen on the August long weekend, but most paddlers arrive a week or two early for river trips and clinics happening in the weeks leading up to the Slave River Paddlefest.
Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

 

Public administrator will meet authority

Hay River

The management of the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority will hold its next meeting with the organization's public administrator on July 3.
The meeting, which is open to members of the public, is set to begin at 5 p.m. in the main lobby boardroom of the Hay River Regional Health Centre.
The public administrator is Brian Willows.

— Paul Bickford

Canadian Rangers at heritage centre

Hay River

Canadian Rangers from the Hay River Patrol will be at the Hay River Heritage Centre on July 6 and 7.
The Rangers will construct a static display utilizing patrol gear and a personal Ranger kit.
They will also answer questions from members of the public and speak about their personal experiences as Canadian Rangers and explain the mission and objectives of the 1st Canadian Patrol Group.

— Paul Bickford

Free movie screened

Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson

Those wanting to see the movie The Grizzlies were in luck on June 25 thanks to the Sober Sally Sober Steve program in Fort Simpson.
The free screening was set to take place at 6:30 p.m. at the arena.
All families were welcome to attend the screening with individuals invited to bring their own lawn chairs. A concession was also set to be available.
"The Grizzlies tells the extraordinary true story of a group of Inuit students from the remote hamlet of Kugluktuk, Nunavut whose lives are transformed when they are introduced to the sport of lacrosse,"states the Mongrel Media website.
Mongrel Media is the film distribution company for The Grizzlies.

— Erin Steele

Family Support Centre sets AGM

Hay River

The Family Support Centre will hold its annual general meeting next week.
The meeting is set for July 11, beginning at 7 p.m. in the boardroom at NWT Centennial Library.

— Paul Bickford

Science camp expanded

Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson

The Wacky Summer Science Camp being held in Fort Simpson will have even more kids playing mad scientist due to popular demand.
Elephant Thoughts Educational Outreach is expanding its camp to two age categories this year with ages six to nine attending from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and ages 10 to 12 attending from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The maximum number of participants in each age group is 25.
"Join in the fun! Hands on science. Outdoor play. And so much more,"states a bulletin on social media.
The science camp will be held July 22 to 26 at the rec centre.

– Erin Steele

Aviation scholarship deadline passes

Deh Cho

Ten lucky applicants are set to receive one of three scholarships courtesy of Dehcho Regional Helicopters.
The scholarships were available for the beneficiaries of Dehcho Regional Helicopters limited partners, "which include every First Nation and Metis Nation in the Nahendeh Region,"according to a bulletin on social media.
The Fixed-Wing or Helicopter Pilot Scholarship offers one $30,000 scholarship. The Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Scholarship offers seven $3,000 scholarships. The Aviation Support Services Scholarship offers two $1,500 scholarships.Those eligible had until June 30 to apply.
The Nahendeh region includes Fort Liard, Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Nahanni Butte, Trout Lake and Wrigley.

— Erin Steele

0307nei!
0307nei!_brf In this image from 2015, rafters ride the rapids during the Slave River Paddlefest in Fort Smith. NNSL file photo Aug. 2, 2015 Fort Smith (just south in northern Alberta) Paul Bickford/NNSL photo