AROUND THE NORTH: Mangilaluk School welcomes largest graduating class

Tuktoyaktuk
A graduation ceremony for the largest graduating class in the history of Tuktoyaktuk's Mangilaluk School was hosted on June 20.
There were a total of 21 students in this year's graduating class, which consisted of students in Grades 10 through 12.
"I'm very excited to see this group graduate. They're a fun and big group," said principal Krista Cudmore.
Some of the graduates are going straight to work, while others are eyeing Aurora College for their postsecondary plans. A few will remain at the school to improve their grades and build on their credits.
— Aaron Hemens

Baseball camp offered
Tulita
Youth interested in learning the ins and outs of baseball will have their chance, thanks to the Sahtu Baseball Camp hosted by the Hamlet of Tulita.
Youth ages 7 to 14 are invited to attend the camp scheduled to take place July 5 to 7 in Tulita.
"We will be running a baseball camp where everyone will learn the basic skills of the game. There will be fun baseball games every night," states a bulletin on social media.
"Saturday night there will be a skills competition where the participants will compete for prizes."
Those interested are asked to talk to the recreation director to sign up.
— Erin Steele

Show and shine on for second year
Hay River
The second-annual Wally Schumann Sr. Memorial Show & Shine will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 27.
The event, which will be held across the road from the Hay River Heritage Centre, is for car buffs, collectors and restorers. It will feature cars, trucks, motorcycles, off-road vehicles and special interest vehicles.
— Paul Bickford

Char with tags
Beaufort Delta Region
Harvesters who encounter char with various tags attached to them could receive up to $500 if recaptured.
Researchers from Fisheries and Oceans Canada attached the three tags – satellite, archival and T-bar tags – to char found in various river systems.
"Information from tags will increase our understanding of changes in abundance, migration patterns, the seasonal changes in temperature/depth preferences, and the spatial areas occupied by the Dolly Varden during the summer in the Beaufort Sea," wrote Fisheries and Oceans Canada in a bulletin report.
Harvesters who recapture the char are asked to sample the tagged fish at a char monitor, or have them analyzed by staff members from Parks Canada or at the Territorial Parks. Alternatively, harvesters are asked to contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada in Inuvik.
Harvesters can receive $500 for recapturing char with a satellite tag, $200 for those with an archival tag and $25 for char with a T-bar tag.
A Northmart gift card or gas will also be included if the tag is returned and catch information is provided.
— Aaron Hemens

Nomination deadline approaches
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
One deserving volunteer is set to be awarded the title of "citizen of the year" in Norman Wells after the nomination period closes on June 25.
The Town of Norman Wells council invites residents to submit nominations for the award by submitting the volunteer's name and the reason for the nomination.
"The criteria for a deserving individual is a person who has consistently demonstrated volunteer commitment and effort within the community for a period of not less than two years," states a Town of Norman Wells bulletin on social media.
Nominations are accepted at the Town of Norman Wells office.
– Erin Steele

Gerry Cheezie elected chief of Smith's Landing FN
Thebacha/Fort Smith
Gerry Cheezie is the new chief of Smith's Landing First Nation, which has reserve land in northern Alberta just south of Fort Smith.
Cheezie won the position over Wilfred Paulette, the only other candidate for chief in a June 12 general election. Cheezie collected 70 votes, while Paulette garnered 58 votes.
Four councillors were also elected from a field of eight candidates. The winners were Geronimo Paulette (71 votes), Thaidene Paulette (68 votes) Delphine Paulette-Clarke (64 votes) and Tony Vermillion (59 votes).
The four unsuccessful candidates for council collected from 49 to 58 votes. Voting took place at Roaring Rapids Hall in Fort Smith and in Edmonton. Many of the band's members reside in Fort Smith, while others live just south of the NWT/Alberta border or in Fort Fitzgerald, Alta.
The election was called before the band council dismissed Chief John Tourangeau on May 10.
– Paul Bickford

Solar energy system installation
Paulatuk
Team members from Green Sun Rising, a renewable energy company based in Windsor, Ont., are collaborating with residents in Paulatuk to install a solar panel system on the hamlet's office building.
The team arrived in Paulatuk on June 14 to install the panel's mounting system the following day.
"Materials were run to the arena and are staged there. More modules scheduled for charter on Sunday, tomorrow," said Klaus Dohring, the company's president.
The installation process of the mounting system was completed on June 16, and the group began adding on the panel's modules shortly after.
"The small roof has 24 modules installed. Norman, a local worker, is of good help. The second charter came in and brought most of the remaining modules, but there are still 10 modules in Inuvik which need to come in, by regular air," said Dohring.
The company has completed 19 solar system projects in remote Northern communities in the NWT and Nunavut.
— Aaron Hemens

T-ball program underway
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Kids ages four to seven-years-old are set to have their opportunity to play ball this summer thanks to a free t-ball program by coach Sydney Marie.
The t-ball program is set to take place Wednesdays and Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the baseball field in Fort Providence, states a bulletin on social media.
"Tee ball is a non-competitive program designed to: have fun, practice good sportsmanship and start to develop basic baseball skills," it states.
Parent and caregivers are asked to provide water bottles, hats, sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing and running shoes for their participating children.
"Parents are welcome to participate, watch or volunteer to coach," states the bulletin.
— Erin Steele

Union, health authority reach tentative deal
Hay River
The Union of Northern Workers' bargaining team struck a tentative deal with the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority, it announced in a June 12 news release.
The deal includes a 6.4 per cent wage increase before compounding over the life of the five-year agreement. It also adds a $250 increase to Northern allowances.
On job security language has been improved and the bargaining team extracted a commitment from the employer to seek staff reduction through attrition and voluntary resignations before layoffs, the news release stated.
Maternity and parental leave are also expected to improve, along with additional articles providing for compassionate care leave, which is targeted toward employees experiencing domestic violence.
More details are expected to be released ahead of the union members' vote. If passed, the contract will be in place until it expires on March 31, 2021. Members had been without an agreement since March 2016.
— Nick Pearce

46th annual Kingalik Jamboree
Ulukhaktok
The hamlet of Ulukhaktok hosted its 46th annual Kingalik Jamboree celebrations throughout the community from June 14 to 16.
The opening night began with remarks from Mayor Laverna Klengenberg and the crowning of the king and queen, as well as the prince and princess. Donald Inuktalik was named this year's king, with the queen title going to Julia Ekpakohak. Naomi Klengenberg and Billy Goose were named princess and prince.
Residents engaged in a wide variety of events the following day, which included tea boiling, fish filleting, bannock making, duck plucking and more.
Later that evening, musicians provided tunes for community members at the Helen Kalvak School gym. Residents played musical chairs and did some spot dancing. A talent show gave participants the chance to show off their singing and jigging skills.
The jamboree concluded with a community cookout while residents engaged in nail driving, foot races, harpoon throwing and more.
There was a drum dance ceremony hosted at the school's gym, followed by a community screening of The Grizzlies film.
— Aaron Hemens

National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
Residents were set to enjoy a packed three-day celebration for National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21 to 23 in Norman Wells.
The weekend celebration was set to kick off on Friday with a youth eco-challenge at 11 a.m., an imperial luncheon at 1 p.m. and a family dance and talent show at 7 p.m.Saturday events were set to include canoe races at 1 p.m. and an adult talent show and licensed dance at 9 p.m.
The celebrations wrapped up on Sunday with a community feast.
All events were set to be held at the arena with the exception of the canoe races which were to be held at the NTCL dock.
— Erin Steele

Household waste collected
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
Residents were invited to join the household hazardous waste collection event put on by the Hamlet of Fort Providence on June 13 to do their part for the environment.
"Help protect our environment by keeping hazardous waste out of the landfill," stated a bulletin from the GNWT on social media.
Items collected during the event included waste fuel, used oil, paint, batteries, aerosol cans and solvents.
Individuals were also allowed to bring in pesticides, mercury items, cleaners, fertilizers and pharmaceuticals.
The household hazardous waste collection event was set to take place between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the community hall in Fort Providence.
— Erin Steele