Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
There will be a new sign to welcome people into the village of Fort Simpson, should a recent request-for-proposals be answered.
The Village of Fort Simpson issued the request seeking “the design and fabrication of a Welcome Sign for the Village,” according to a bulletin issued by the village.
“As a basis for design and concept ideas, we would encourage a review of Welcome Signs in neighbouring communities,” states the bulletin, specifically mentioning Fort Smith, Hay River and the Fort Simpson Community Garden sign.
Applicants were asked to provide at least two designs each, and include references, a fee schedule and timeline.
The deadline was set for Aug. 31 at 3 p.m.
– Erin Steele
Paddlers sharing stories
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
An epic canoe trip embarked on by a couple and their one-year-old was the subject of a talk scheduled for Aug. 26 at John Tsetso Memorial Library in Fort Simpson.
Canoeing With Little Ones was set to be a story-and-photo-sharing session by Leanne Robinson and Dwayne Wohlgemuth who journeyed 1,100-km from Whati to Great Bear Lake and back to Behchoko with their son.
The trip, which they completed in 2016, took more than two months.
The Yellowknife-based couple did a three-week “test paddle” prior to the trip, according to another news source, but the Great Bear Lake trip was their first long one with the baby.
The talk at the library was free and scheduled for between 7 and 8 p.m.
– Erin Steele
Preschool to start
Deh Gah Got’ie Koe/Fort Providence
The Aboriginal Head Start (AHS) preschool program is getting set to open its doors for the school year Sept. 4 in Fort Providence.
The program, open to all three and four-year-olds born in 2014 and 2015, is free but parents were asked to register their children prior to class starting.
Preschool hours on Sept. 4 are between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
There are eight AHS centres in the territory, according to the organization’s website.
“Our program principles help create a learning environment that is based on caring, creativity and pride following from the knowledge of our traditional community beliefs, with a holistic and safe environment,” it states.
– Erin Steele
Berries harvested in Deline
Deline/Fort Franklin
As the days get cooler and summer draws to a close in Deline, a group was scheduled to head out berry picking Aug. 24.
A bulletin posted on social media encouraged the community to get out there before the berries spoil.
The event, organized by Marlene Tutcho at the Parks Canada Office/Traditional Knowledge Center, was scheduled for between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., weather permitting.
“I will make arrangements for rides for those who don’t have vehicles,” the bulletin states.
– Erin Steele
School back in session
Tulita/Fort Norman
Summer is officially over in Tulita, with most students at Chief Albert Wright School getting back to it Aug. 24.
Grade 2 to Grade 12 students were back to school at 8:45 a.m., and students in junior kindergarten, kindergarten and Grade 1 were scheduled back for Aug. 27.
“Please for safety reasons your child should have indoor shoes, ones that don’t mark the floors,” states a back-to-school bulletin from new principal Dean Bernard.
“Welcome back!”
In related news, on Aug. 22, the hamlet was set to hold a Farewell Summer Students community barbecue at the arena.
– Erin Steele
Handgames for three days
Tulita/Fort Norman
A busy weekend of fun was scheduled in Tulita for the fifth annual handgames tournament Aug. 31 to Sept. 2.
Thursday was set to be the travel day, with activities scheduled over the next three days.
Friday was set to include a 9 a.m. breakfast, a 12 p.m. feeding of the fire ceremony, lunch, registration, supper, and then a drum dance following the handgames.
Saturday was scheduled to be similar, but with bingo and a talent show after the handgames.
On Sunday, the handgames were set to continue with a 6 p.m. supper, followed by another drum dance.
The tournament included both youth and adult teams, with teams of five and three respectively.
– Erin Steele