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AROUND THE NWT: Giant colon on travelling tour

Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson

A surprising visitor of unusual size is making its way to Fort Simpson March 15.

A 20-foot-long inflatable colon – a semicircle large enough for visitors to walk through – is part of an effort by the health authority to raise awareness about colorectal cancer in the Deh Cho. Inflatable Design Group /YouTube photo

The 20-foot-long inflatable colon – a semicircle large enough for visitors to walk through – is part of an effort by the health authority to raise awareness about colorectal cancer in the Deh Cho.

NWT Chief Public Health Officer Andre Corriveau will lead a presentation beginning at 3 p.m. at the rec centre.

As an educational tool, the colon will be used to demonstrate the various afflictions of the digestive organ including Crohn’s disease, polyps and diverticulosis.

Following Corriveau’s presentation, a feast is scheduled alongside the colon viewing.

The colon was created by Inflatable Design Group, also responsible for a number of other exhibits including the giant inflatable brain, the giant inflatable breast and the giant inflatable knee.

– Erin Steele

Guiding members through grief

Tthek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River

A five-day workshop in Jean Marie River aims to help community members navigate through the difficult stages of grief.

Hosted by Jean Marie River First Nation, the workshop – scheduled to have taken place Feb. 26 through March 2 – addresses the stages of shock and denial; anger; depression and detachment; dialogue; and bargaining and acceptance.

After that, comes a return to meaningful life.

“This is a five day workshop to address the various stages of grief and learning to move into acceptance to be free of pains from the past,” states a bulletin advertising the workshop.

“Life can be beautiful.”

The workshop comes on the heels of a five-day addiction workshop, also hosted by the band, which was held the week prior.

– Erin Steele

Learning Dene Zhatie

Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson

As part of an ongoing effort to revitalize the language of Dene Zhatie, or South Slavey, Aurora College is offering free language classes for adults.

Gladys Norwegian, who in January didn’t seek re-election as Jean Marie River chief, is set to be the instructor.

According to the NWT Bureau of Statistics, 44.6 per cent of people in the Deh Cho region 15 and older could speak South Slavey in 2014, down from 57.8 per cent in 1989. However, the 2014 figure makes a slight comeback from the 2009 figure of 43.5 per cent.

The classes are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings, March 6 through April 26, between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Aurora College in Fort Simpson.

– Erin Steele

Coolest celebration in the Deh Cho

Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson

Fort Simpson will be abuzz with activity for its annual Beavertail Jamboree, which kicked off March 4 and will run through March 11.

The community winter festival, dubbed the “coolest celebration in the Deh Cho” has a jam packed schedule including tournaments, feasts, sporting events, fireworks, a drum dance, a talent show, bingos, and much more.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for March 8 – though many activities are set for prior to the ceremonies – which will be followed by a magic show and a drum dance with guest drummers from Tulita. Closing ceremonies are scheduled for March 11.

The annual event has been running for more than 40 years.

– Erin Steele

Medicine Man to visit Fort Liard

Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard

Time slots are filling up quickly to meet with medicine man, Joseph Camille, who is visiting Fort Liard March 5 to March 8.

The band is booking one-hour sessions with Camille those days between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for interested community members.

“If you are suffering from emotional, mental, physical or spiritual concerns, we have help for you,” states a bulletin advertising the visit.

The visit is hosted by Acho Dene Koe First Nation.

A medicine man is traditionally someone who heals and helps people, and can also be referred to by various other titles.

– Erin Steele

Support available for community radio

NWT

As of Feb. 20, there was still territorial government funding up for grabs for community radio stations.

“Up to 15 community-based radio stations in the NWT (excluding Yellowknife) are eligible to receive funding,” states a bulletin advertising the program.

“To be eligible, community-based radio stations must ensure programming includes content in Indigenous languages.”

The application process will be merit-based and is administered through the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

Up to $10,000 per radio station per fiscal year is available through each multi-year agreement.

Stations that receive funding will be required to report yearly on expenditures and details of its Indigenous language content.

– Erin Steele