NWT
The Tlicho Government says it's "extremely disappointed" with the GNWT for taking it to court to try to resolve negotiations around a road to Fortune Minerals Ltd.'s NICO cobalt-gold-copper-bismuth project, 160 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife. The road would travel through Tlicho lands.
Grand Chief George Mackenzie says his government will continue to negotiate with Fortune in good faith but is disappointed it has to expend resources to defend itself in court.
- Tim Edwards
Suspect arrested for Inuvik firearms offence
Inuvik
A person was arrested after a report of shots being fired in Inuvik on Thursday morning.
The suspect was taken into custody without incident at an Alder Street area residence, according to RCMP, and no injuries were sustained throughout the event.
The RCMP stated they were not making any more information available, and that the investigation was still underway as of press time.
- Tim Edwards
New leader for Rangers
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
Lt.-Col. Tim Halfkenny is the new commanding officer of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, having taken over from Lt.-Col. Luis Carvallo at a ceremony in Yellowknife on Wednesday.
"The Canadian Rangers and Junior Canadian Rangers are a valuable asset and are proof of a successful partnership between the Canadian Armed Forces and Indigenous peoples," stated
Halfkenny in a news release, adding that he was deeply honoured for the opportunity to assume the post.
-Tim Edwards
Yellowknife street festival to exceed last year's
Somba K'e/Yellowknife
Yellowknife's Festival on Franklin, set for June 22, will host double the vendors as it did last year.
The street festival will feature live music, a bounce house, kid's corner, facepainting booth, a water balloon fight for kids, a dunk tank for brave adults, as well as a bevy of food options.
It takes place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on a section of Franklin Avenue, downtown, that will be closed to traffic.
- Tim Edwards
Arsenic in Yellowknife
The Department of Health and Social Services has updated an interactive map showing arsenic levels in lakes around Yellowknife.
The latest environmental data shows that Niven Lake, Range Lake and Fiddler Lakes have arsenic levels above Health Canada's drinking water guidelines, said Dr. Andre Corriveau, the NWT's chief public health officer, on Friday.
However, the three lakes are safe for swimming, fishing and other recreational activities, he said.
Corriveau said the three lakes had not previously been tested for arsenic.
Their arsenic levels, "wouldn't be a concern for one gulp or even if you made tea once in a while," said Corriveau, but drinking from them should be avoided nonetheless.
The government also expanded its arsenic-impacted "area of interest," to just north of Long Lake.
– Sidney Cohen
IRC to host summer literacy camp
Inuvik
The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) announced on June 7 that it will host a summer literacy camp for youth ages six to 12 years old.
The camp will engage youth in fun and educational activities meant to help prevent "summer learning loss" states the IRC website.
Storytelling, reading, arts and crafts, field trips, music and sports will be some of the featured activities.
The free camp will run daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Inuvik, Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk.
Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Interested participants can register on the IRC website.
– Samantha McKay