Nunavut News, May 4 edition

ᓄᕙᔫᐊᕐᓇᕐᒥ ᐱᑕᖃᓕᖅᐳᖅ ᒥᑦᑎᒪᑕᓕᖕᒥ ᑎᑭᐅᒪᔪᓄᑦ 20–ᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᖕᓂ ᑲᑎᙵᖃᑎᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᐃᑦᑐᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᖕᒥ, ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓄᓕᒫᓄᑦ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᒧᑦ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒥ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᖓᓂ ᐊᒥᓱᓄᑦ ᑲᓂᒻᒪᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᖃᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ

Covid case in Pond Inlet Up to 20 people were in contact with infected person says public health officer in territory's first pandemic case

MONDAY, May 4, 2020

Volume 75 Issue 1

Business owners not satisfied with aid

$.95 (plus GST)

Restrictions on social gatherings clarified

PHOTOS: Getting out on the land during Covid spring Plane skids off runway in Kugaaruk

Sending hugs from afar photo courtesy of Lori Rudyk Publication mail Contract #40012157

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"This court must send a clear message to all inmates that prison riots will not be tolerated."

– Judge Paul Bychok delivers 33-month sentence to inmate who was a key figure in 2018 prison riot, page 12.

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Did we get it wrong?

News/North is committed to getting facts and names right. With that goes a commitment to acknowledge mistakes and run corrections. If you spot an error in News/North, call (867) 873-4031 and ask to speak to an editor, or email editorial@ nnsl.com. We'll get a correction or clarification in as soon as we can.

News Briefs

First Covid-19 case in Nunavut NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020 3

Infected person in contact with around 20 others: Patterson

by Rajnesh Sharma

Northern News Services

Mittimatalik/Pond Inet

Steven Theriault

Arrest warrant for man who fled scene of fatal crash Behchoko Police have issued an arrest warrant for a man they say fled the scene of a deadly crash on Highway 3 near Behchoko on April 22.

A female passenger was killed following a single-vehicle rollover near Mosquito Creek, south of the community, around 5 p.m. April 22.

Police believe Steven Theriault, 44, was driving.

Theriault is described by police as Indigenous, "5'8" (177 cm), 230 lbs. (105 kg) with black hair and brown eyes."

"While RCMP believe Steven Theriault may still be in the Northwest Territories, he may also have departed for Alberta," state police.

Anyone with information on Theriault's whereabouts, or the whereabouts of the second male occupant who also left the scene of the crash, is urged to call Behchoko RCMP at 867-392-1111.

– Brendan Burke

RCMP lay 17 charges following Cape Dorset armed standoff Kinngait/Cape Dorset After shots were fired in Cape Dorset on April 25 and an armed standoff lasting several hours ensued with police, 17 charges have subsequently been laid against a 28-year-old man.

Paul Etungat is scheduled to appear in court on June 2 to answer to charges that range from sexual assault, to possession of weapon dangerous to the public to uttering threats.

Etungat appeared before a justice of the peace and he's being kept in jail until his next appearance in court.

Residents of Cape Dorset were placed on temporary lockdown during the afternoon of April 25 while police negotiated with an armed man close to the landfill and nearby mountains.

The man eventually surrendered and there were no injuries.

Police remind residents to ensure firearms and ammunition are stored separately and securely. Gun trigger locks are available in every detachment in Nunavut for free.

– Derek Neary

A resident of Pond Inlet has contracted Covid-19.

The person is reportedly doing well and is in isolation, according to the Government of Nunavut.

A rapid response plan has been initiated for the territory’s first Covid-19 case in Pond Inlet. The team as already been deployed and was expected to arrive in the community early Thursday afternoon, announced Dr. Michael Patterson during today’s press conference.

The team, consisting of three health-care nurses, will immediately initiate containment measures and assist with contract tracing, said Patterson.

Contact tracing has already started and around 20 people who were in contact with the infected person have been swabbed in Pond Inlet. These swabs, which were collected overnight, will be analyzed in Iqaluit today, said Patterson, adding Iqaluit’s GeneXpert device can provide results within a couple of hours.

This testing capacity available in Iqaluit that has been reserved for a “high risk” situation, he explained. This is a situation where “getting information quickly is obviously very important.”

These individuals identified through contact tracing will be swabbed twice. The Department of Health plans to send a second set of swabs to be tested to the public health lab in Ontario.

Depending on the flight schedule, it usually takes around six days from Pond Inlet to get test results from the south. For chartered flights, the wait time

ᓄᓇᕘᑉ ᖁᑦᑎᓛᖓᓂ ᓘᒃᑖᖑᔪᖅ, ᓘᒃᑖᖅ ᒪᐃᑯᓪ ᐹᑐᓴᓐ, ᓴᐅᒥᖕᒥ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᑐᓵᔨ ᐅᓖᐱᑲ ᐃᑭᓪᓗᐊᖅ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐃᖃᓗᖕᓂ ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕ 30–ᒥ.

Rajnesh Sharma/NNSL photo

Nunavut's top doctor, Dr. Michael Patterson, left, and translator Ooleepika Ikkidluak at the legislative assembly in Iqaluit on April 30. They listen attentively to reporters who ask questions about the territory's first Covid-19 case in Pond Inlet. could be two to three days, informed Patterson.

“We want to ensure that we don't miss a false negative with the GeneXpert. And so until we're certain that the machine is working properly, and we know how reliable it is, we're going to continue to do both tests,” explained Patterson.

In the past, the GeneXpert device was used for testing tuberculosis.

Currently, less than ten people within Pond Inlet are under investigation for Covid-19.

At this time, the full details of how the infected individual got Covid-19 is unknown. Through contact tracing the health team is trying to determine who else has been exposed to the virus.

“If through that we can't figure it out, then we will cast a wider net trying to find the source of this individual’s infection,” said Patterson.

tion that we're just not going to share because we don't want to contribute to blaming or shaming people. Nobody wants to catch Covid-19. Nobody wants to bring it back to their community. And we don't ... I don't want to contribute to any of that.

So there are parts of this that we will not discuss,” he said.

The chief public health officer said from the onset of the pandemic it was just a matter of time before Covid-19 arrived into the territory.

“We anticipated that sooner or later the virus would be detected in the territory,” said Patterson. According to him, what is surprising is “it’s taken this long to get here.”

“Our primary focus now is to detect and contain the virus to prevent further transmission within the community and to other communities,” said Patterson.

Final report on Whati crash released No new revelations in fatal 2018 incident

by Blair McBride

Northern News Services

Tax slips delayed Kivalliq The Department of Family Services' Income Assistance Division has informed Nunavummiut that T5007 tax slips for 2019 Income Assistance recipients have been further delayed and will be issued by mail the week of May 18.

To provide greater flexibility to those who may be experiencing hardships during the Covid19 outbreak, the Canada Revenue Agency has deferred the filing date deadline for 2019 tax returns for individuals until June 1.

For further questions about T5007 tax slips and what income assistance recipients can do, they are asked to please call their community income assistance worker.

For those who choose to file their income tax early, the income assistance worker can provide them with an estimate of their T5007. They will, however, be required to file an amended income tax return once the T5007 is mailed in May. – Darrell Greer

“We will probably have a pretty exhaustive list of contacts over either today or tomorrow,” added Patterson. However, how long it will take to complete contact tracing is dependent on how much transmission has occurred, he explained.

Nunavut’s first positive test result for the Covid-19 was identified on April 29. During the press conference held at 11 a.m. today, Patterson revealed it was 12 hours ago when the positive case was detected.

The infected individual developed symptoms last week and was swabbed on April 23.

Based on the information known, Patterson said the individual has been isolating at home.

Patterson consistently told reporters that he would not reveal or discuss information about the infected individual for privacy and protection reasons.

“There's some informa-

Whati

Transportation and Safety Board of Canada photo

Investigators probing the deadly Air Tindi plane crash near Whati in January of 2019 recovered the aircraft's cockpit voice recorder (CVR), which records conversations, radio transmissions and other cockpit sounds.

The Transportation Safety Board concluded in its investigation that flying with inadequate instruments led to the crash.

Flying with inadequate instruments led to the fatal Air Tindi crash near Whati in January 2019, the Transportation and Safety Board (TSB) of Canada said in a news release.

The release is a summary of the TSB's investigation into the crash of Jan. 30, 2019 that killed two flight crew members and destroyed the Beechcraft King Air 200 plane.

The aircraft departed Yellowknife Airport just before 9 a.m. and was heading for the Whati Airport on an instrument flight rules flight itinerary, TSB said.

Before departure, the flight crew noticed that the right-side attitude indicator wasn't working. That device helps pilots assess the aircraft's orientation with the horizon when the ground isn't visible. But because they expected it to eventually become operative during the flight, the crew decided to depart using only the left-side attitude indicator.

"Before starting their descent to Whatì Airport, the crew attempted to troubleshoot

the still faulty right-side attitude indicator, but was not successful. During the descent, for undetermined reasons, the left-side attitude indicator also failed," the release said.

To control the plane, the captain tried to use "partial panel flying techniques," or flying while one or more of the main flight instruments aren't working.

That attempt failed and the aircraft departed controlled flight and went into a spiral dive. The crew was unable to regain control of the plane in time to avoid crashing.

Air Tindi lost contact with the aircraft between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. between 24 and 32 kilometres outside of Whati, the TSB said after the initial investigation in 2019.

"The investigation determined that the crew did not effectively manage and mitigate the risk associated with the unserviceable right-side attitude indicator.

"Crew resource management was also not effective and resulted in a breakdown in verbal communication, loss of situation awareness and the aircraft entering an unsafe condition," the release said.

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ᓄᑖᒥ ᑎᓕᐅᕈᑕᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓅᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂ ᐅᖓᓯᒌᒋᐊᖃᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑲᑎᓐᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᑐᓕᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕ 24, 2020–ᒥ.

A new order about social distancing and gatherings came into effect on April 24, 2020, banning any gatherings of five or more people.

Rajnesh Sharma / NNSL photo

New order for public gatherings outlined Social distancing to be observed in workplaces, businesses, no more than five people may gather

by Rajnesh Sharma

Northern News Services

Iqaluit

A new order addressing social distancing and gatherings was outlined by Dr. Michael Patterson at an April 27 press conference, limiting social gatherings to five people or less.

This order, which went into effect on April 24, is issued under the public health emergency. Its aim is to provide clarity for Nunavummiut about what is considered acceptable for gatherings and social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to this new order, all organized public gatherings that involve more that five people are not permitted. Concerts, marriages, funerals, memorial services and community and sporting events fall under this category.

All social gatherings are also restricted to five people or less. Such gatherings include social gatherings in private dwellings as well.

Play groups, club meetings and meals with people who

do not reside together are all considered social gatherings.

"It is strongly recommended that Nunavummiut limit contact with anyone who is not a member of their immediate household," said Patterson. "Any social gathering carries a degree of risk, especially when we are looking at individuals from multiple different households mingling together."

Restaurants will continue to remain closed, except for take-out or delivery. They must adhere to rules of social distancing during their services.

All businesses related to personal services must remain closed. This would include hairdressing, barbering and massage therapy.

Services from dentists, veterinarians and psychologists are also closed unless there is an emergency situation.

Public playgrounds, municipal parks and day-use areas of territorial parks will continue to remain off-limits.

Businesses that limit customers to no more than five

at a time can be open.

Any business that is large enough to maintain a two-metre social distance within the workplace can also remain open. This, for example, would include places like grocery stores and pharmacies. The rule of limiting customers up to five to enter does not apply to large business places.

"This new order does not mean that restrictions are being loosened, or that the Government of Nunavut has re-assessed the territory's position or tolerance for risk," said Patterson. "Instead, the definitions under this new order have been aligned with definitions being applied in other jurisdictions."

The order will be re-evaluated based on whether the situation with Covid-19 is getting better or worse for Nunavut. There is no set date for this order to be terminated.

Nunavut's top doctor encourages Nunavummiut to exercise caution at all time, practise social distancing, wash hands and surfaces thoroughly and frequently.

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Sahtu Youth photo campaign offers support to isolated young people

photo courtesy of Kyanna Lennie-Dolphus

Youth coordinator Kyanna Lennie-Dolphus snapped a selfie during a "moment of clarity" while out for a walk in Tulita as part of the Sahtu Youth Network Youth Photo contest. The mental wellness campaign called on young people in the Sahtu to reflect on their experiences during Covid-19.

'I know some people are struggling'

by Brendan Burke

Northern News Services

Sahtu

Kyanna Lennie-Dolphus knows what it's like to feel alone.

Living in the isolated Sahtu community of Tulita, population 477, Kyanna Lennie-Dolphus struggled with anxiety and depression as a teen.

Now a NÄą o Ne P'ene youth coordinator with the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board, she's seeing firsthand how Covid-19 is impacting young peoples' mental health amid mandatory isolation orders.

"I know some people are struggling," she said.

Lennie-Dolphus also

works with the Sahtu Youth Network, a land-based cultural initiative that tackles mental health while aiming to preserve and revitalize Indigenous language and culture.

In light of Covid-19, plans for two upcoming traditional on-the-land camps have been halted.

In an effort to ensure young people in the Sahtu remain connected and supported despite the disruptions, the youth network launched the #SYNSahtuStrong Youth Photo Contest.

"We thought we'd do something to let the youth know they're still being supported and that there's still ways to connect to each other about

photo courtesy Jeanette Tobac

"It shows me as a Dene woman still motivated to learn my traditions during the pandemic in a safe social distancing manner," Jeanette Tobac writes about her moose hide photo.

how we feel," said LennieDolphus.

The contest called on youth in Tulita, Norman Wells, Deline, Fort Good Hope and Colville Lake to document their experiences during the pandemic with a photo and a 150-word writeup. The campaign encouraged young people to get out on the land and many participants did just that.

Jeanette Tobac, of Fort Good Hope, submitted a photo of herself tanning moose hide.

"It shows me as a Dene woman still motivated to learn my traditions during the pandemic in a safe social distancing manner," Tobac wrote.

Others took selfies on the land or in their homes.

Getting in on the action herself, Lennie-Dolphus snapped a selfie during a "moment of clarity" while outside for a walk.

"I was thinking about how lucky we are as Dene people to call this place our home; our people, our families and how much generosity we

photo courtesy of Hannah Taneton

Winner Hannah Taneton shares a photo of her late grandmother, who inspired her to learn about her culture and its traditions. She's now passing that knowledge down to her sister in the very same teepee. show each other throughout the whole Sahtu," she wrote.

The entries, broken down into different age groups, were placed in a raffle and the winner was randomly selected.

Hannah Taneton snagged the grand prize, an iPad, earlier this week. She submitted a photo of her late grandmother Jane sitting in a teepee preparing moose hide.

After her grandmother passed away, Taneton set out to learn traditional skills.

"Today I'm so thankful to be working in her teepee and teaching my sister to work on the hide," she wrote.

Despite the challenges brought on by Covid-19, Lennie-Dolphus said there are silver linings, too.

"People are spending more time with their fami-

lies; they're getting out on the land – something many haven't done in quite a long time. It has its ups and downs, but I think people find a lot of peace just from being out on the land; knowing they can still connect," she said.

To keep youth connected and engaged, the Sahtu Youth Network is planning more photo contests over the next few months.

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amazing on-the-land stories

ᐊᓕᑲᒥᖅ ᔪᐊᑕᓐ ᐃᑉᐱᐊᖅ ᐊᖅᓴᕐᓂᖅᑕᖃᐅᕐᔪᐊᒐᔪᒃᑐᖅ3 ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒑᕐᔫᑉ ᖁᓛᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᑯᓂᐊᓘᕙᒃᖢᑎᒃ.

ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒑᕐᔪᒃ

ᑲᔾᔮᕐᓇᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᒥ ᐅᓂᒃᑳᑦ

Alikamiq Jordin Ippiak Northern lights in Chesterfield Inlet from the middle of April.

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Chesterfield Inlet

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MLAs want to focus on small business in economic restart

MLAs grilled members of cabinet on their plans to help businesses, including regional airlines, recover post-Covid-19.

photo courtesy of Canadian North

'We should be looking to make it stronger and more resilient'

by Blair McBride

Northern News Services

NWT

The GNWT on April 29 unveiled a draft of its strategy for economic and social recovery from the Covid19 pandemic, and received a lukewarm response from MLAs, some of whom want the focus to be on aiding small business immediately.

During a PowerPoint presentation of The Emerge Stronger Plan, a "Three Phases of Planning" slide outlined some of the health, business and government sector response and recovery measures taken so far and the actions the GNWT could take in the future to guard against similar emergencies.

Some of response actions so far have included setting up isolation centres, supports for homelessness, income assistance and the expansion of tele-health and remote learning.

Within the health sector, the GNWT proposes a review of the legislative framework, new screenings and support for vaccination efforts.

For business, the proposals include strengthening essential supply chains, diversifying the economy and boosting local production.

For governance, the draft calls for acceleration of digital government, enhancing tele-work capacity and improving social care.

"If a house falls down because of a hurricane, we shouldn't expect

to build it the same way. We should be looking to make it stronger and more resilient," said presenter Martin Goldney, secretary to Cabinet and deputy minister for the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Cabinet ministers, including Premier Caroline Cochrane joined the virtual meeting and live-stream broadcast.

How the post-pandemic future will look varies across all parts of society, Goldney explained.

International tourist arrivals will take time to recover and it's not yet known if NWT tourism can shift towards domestic tourism; some businesses will close or scale down and many will have more debt, while others will become more resilient; territorial airlines will change because their ridership is based on tourist and business travel; consumer behaviours might shift towards more online shopping; and workplaces could be open to more flexible hours and remote work.

In responding to the draft strategy, most MLAs lauded the effort but criticized the draft's lack of concrete solutions for NWT businesses caught in the economic downturn.

Rylund Johnson, MLA for Yellowknife North, said the Three Phases of Planning are fine but the recovery plan is missing funding commitments.

"I'm concerned about the lack of detail in this presentation and

(that) this push to start committees and engage stakeholders is really an excuse to not get money out the door to small businesses. We've seen that (the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment)'s position is that money will be used for recovery, meaning not right now, and we're relying largely on the feds through CanNor for funding," said Johnson.

Can't have businesses closing "But if we're going to rely on entrepreneurial spirit to build our recovery we can't have businesses closing their doors right now. We need to be supporting them. I'm concerned that this presentation has zero dollars attached to it. I want to see some economic stimulus spending."

In response to Johnson, Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek said "there's billions of dollars in support coming from the federal government and it requires us to be involved with what they're doing. The GNWT will start spending money but we want to be careful before we commit to too many things."

ITI Minister Katrina Nokleby said she recognizes the frustration felt when business goes south and that her department is very busy with its capital projects and client lists.

"We have the complexity now of having to add additional health and safety requirements. We also have to deal with small communities that

perhaps are fearful of southerners coming in. I know there's concern around these contracts staying in the North, even if the business aren't Northern-owned."

Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson and Thebacha MLA Frieda Martselos both asked what the GNWT would do to help regional airlines recover. The pandemic has caused a substantial drop in passenger numbers and corresponding reductions in flights to remote communities.

Nokleby said the GNWT anticipates a second round of funding from the federal government to help out smaller, regional airlines.

Ottawa announced earlier in April that it would provide $15 million for struggling airlines in the territories.

Frame Lake MLA Kevin O'Reilly expressed disappointment with the GNWT's delay in setting up a Covid-19 business advisory council, after the Yukon government had already done that in late March.

While O'Reilly said he supports the joint special committee proposal, he went on to emphasize that the GNWT should focus its resources on areas it can control.

"We can't control commodity prices or financing. I want to make sure our government is not going to spend too much time on trying to help the diamond mines recover.

We don't have deep enough pockets. We need to shift the focus to small business where we have some influence particularly when

it comes to government spending," said O'Reilly, who added that the government needs to address food security and the unequal access to internet across the territory.

The MLA for Frame Lake also took aim at what he said were Wawzonek's comments to the federal finance committee and her focus on big infrastructure projects.

"These are not shovel ready.

They have to go through extensive environmental assessments. They're years away. There's no business case for them. We need a new fiscal relationship with the federal government where we can keep our own revenues."

In response, Cochrane said she's "sorry to hear the MLAs are not satisfied with (the business advisory council). I know that everybody wants an answer today. Covid-19 hit about six weeks ago. We spent the first two or three weeks just focusing on the health and safety of our residents. And then we focused on preparing our systems to abide by the health orders. We haven't forgot about the economy. The work is (ongoing)."

Wawzonek also responded to O'Reilly's comments, saying the GNWT wants to focus on all development projects, ensuring it is working from a "position of vision."

"We want to make sure we have dollars ready for these projects, but we need to be flexible with investment," said Wawzonek.

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From 'soul-crushing' to flickers of hope for Inuk business owner Kirt Ejesiak says many Covid-19 aid programs come with a serious hitch and more funding is needed

by Derek Neary

Northern News Services

Iqaluit

Kirt Ejesiak has spent the past five years growing his company and the past month trying to figure out whether various Covid-19 funding programs will enable his business to remain viable.

Ejesiak is the chair and CEO of Arctic UAV, an Iqaluit-based operation that uses drones for aerial imagery.

The crisis spurred by the coronavirus brought demand for Arctic UAV's services to a crashing halt.

Scrambling to find relief, Ejesiak swiftly formed the Inuit Business Council (Nunavut), comprising several fellow Nunavut entrepreneurs.

In the early days of April, introductory federal aid for businesses wasn't of any assistance to Ejesiak at all. He wasn't eligible.

"The problem with having criteria that don't fit the typical Northern business, it's disheartening. It's really soul-crushing," he said at the time.

"I'm really under water if there's no support coming to us."

Inuit businesses don't want to take on more debt, he said, noting that Inuit Business Council (Nunavut) members are seeking an interest-free, no-fee $250,000 line of credit and a forgivable loan of up to $50,000.

There are extenuating circumstances that Nunavut business owners have to contend with, Ejesiak said, namely planning for this summer's sealift when up to a year's worth of supplies have to be ordered amid the uncertainty of Covid-19.

"A lot of businesses have (already) prepaid for goods, prepaid for insurance," he said. "With revenues virtually going to zero, a lot of businesses are worried that we're going to miss the boat, literally ... if you miss that opportunity, that window to ship your goods up north, you literally miss the entire year. Who's fault is that, right?

Is the government going to help us for the entire year because we missed the boat? Those are the extraordinary cases that we're trying to make.

"If I don't make any revenues this year, I can tell you that I won't be in business in one year."

Ejesiak also faces a roadblock in accessing the 75 per cent wage subsidy for employees because he has up to 10 independent contractors that he hires and those contractors don't fit within the federal government's framework. His own pay comes from a dividend at the end of each year, if there's enough profit, he said.

"Those dividends don't count as wages (either). In a nutshell, that's the problem," he said.

The Inuit Business Council (Nunavut) is calling for the Government of Canada to relax such restrictions.

Funding programs continue to be amended and new ones are added almost weekly. Ejesiak said he's now hopeful that the recently announced up-to-$100,000 in capital per small business through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) will at least be enough to "keep the lights on."

"CanNor seems to be the most responsive," he said.

On April 18, the Government of Canada's allocated $306 million for Indigenous businesses, but details on that initiative have yet to emerge, Ejesiak noted.

"For me and other Inuit businesses that I've spoken to, the devil's in the details. How quickly can we get this money out the door and how do we get it to the people that really need it," he said.

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) and Kakivak Association announced a $1.5-million aid package on April 15 to help businesses offset operating expenses and provide a wage subsidy for Inuit employees, all non-repayable.

ᑰᑦ ᐃᔨᑦᓯᐊᖅ, ᐃᒃᓯᕙᐅᑕᕆᔭᐅᔪᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᔨᒻᒪᕆᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ UAV–ᒥ, ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᐅᔪᓂ (ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ) ᑐᓂᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᑲᑐᔾᔭᐅᔪᒥ ᓂᐱᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᖕᓄᑦ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᖅᑎᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᓇᓱᐊᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᖅ-19– ᒧᑦ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᖃᖅᑎᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓂᕈᐊᒐᒃᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᖅᑎᐅᔪᓄᑦ.

photo courtesy of Kirt Ejesiak

Kirt Ejesiak, chair and CEO of Arctic UAV, has formed the Inuit Business Council (Nunavut) to give a collective voice to Inuit entrepreneurs trying to navigate Covid-19 funding options for business owners.

However, Ejesiak and other Inuit Business Council (Nunavut) members examined the particulars to apply for the QIA/Kakivak programs and found the amount of information required to be submitted was too invasive. He sent the QIA a letter outlining the concerns.

The QIA/Kakivak response to Ejesiak indicates that requiring "basic financial information" is a "critical form of due diligence" and is consistent with obligations attached to other longstanding business aid programs

that Kakivak offers. Glenn Cousins, manager of business services with Kakivak Association, confirmed no changes will be made to application requirements.

"Overall we have had a positive response and continue to receive and approve applications under the program," Cousins stated.

The problem, Ejesiak explained, is that the QIA's regional development corporations are, in some ways, in competition with certain small Inuit businesses.

"We're not willing to share information with our potential competitor ... I can tell you anybody that I've talked to, no way (they'll provide detailed financial information)," he said, adding that showing receipts to validate expenses should suffice.

Ejesiak said he knows of another Inuk business owner who hasn't yet qualified for any of the defined funding programs.

"Small businesses are in crisis," he said. "We need support and we need it now."

Federal funding elicits mixed reviews Confusing processes, onerous paperwork and uncertainty casts doubt for business owners

by Derek Neary

Northern News Services

Nunavut

Federal funding promises for business suffering under Covid-19 have been numerous but the details are sometimes "very confusing" and not always what they seem on the surface, said Valter BotelhoResendes, executive director of the Kitikmeot Chamber of Commerce.

"The promises of funding are made public via the direct-to-public press conferences daily, then sometimes hours later the reality of what was promised comes out with the many stipulations and pre-requisites of the businesses situations," Botelho-Resendes stated.

The Kitikmeot Chamber Resendes asked. "Many (chamhas members who are calcu- ber) members are applying lating losses in the millions over and over (answering) virtually the same of dollars application due to the questions, just pandemic, he to many differnoted. Some ent agencies of new startthe federal govups have ernment ... the revenues of application promore than cess feels like a $200,000 but black hole with they fail to no end in sight." qualify for Valter Botelho-Resendes, V i c t o r assistance because they executive director, Kitikmeot Tootoo, presiChamber of Commerce dent of the Bafdon't have tax fin Regional reports prior Chamber of to October Commerce, said some federal 2019, he explained.

"Why didn't the govern- programs are helpful, such as ment simply create a one-step the Canada Emergency Busifunding system?" Botelho- ness Account, which extends

"The application process feels like a black hole with no end in sight."

a $40,000 line of credit with $10,000 of that forgivable if paid off by December.

The Government of Canada's recently-announced Northern Business Relief Fund is "promising" as it will help with fixed costs for four months but no cash is flowing from that initiative yet, he noted.

What he found most disappointing is the federal wage subsidy program.

"It doesn't really help with cash flow as it only allows you to deduct the federal income tax component of the business's regular payroll remittances.

"With theses subsidies, it will take over a year for the business to realize the total

benefit available. By then, there may no longer be a business," said Tootoo.

"I realize the government can't fully fund all the economic needs of all businesses hit by this pandemic, but something that provides an assistance to cash flow for payroll would have been better than the current structure of these wage subsidies."

The Government of Nunavut's $5,000 Small Business Support Program involves "onerous" paperwork and Tootoo wasn't sure how many businesses would qualify.

Likewise, he said the Qikiqtani Inuit Association/ Kakivak Association's business relief fund "will help some small business owners

but not all."

Botelho-Resendes added that it's unreasonable for the federal government to expect commercial landlords to forgive 25 per cent of rent.

"Why on Earth would a landlord do that? Many of our members are commercial landlords and, yes, maybe the banks have given them some leeway on payments for now but at some point they will have to pay those mortgages," he said.

"They simply can't afford losses as some are huge rental amounts a month."

There's also a tax burden that lies down the road for hard-hit business that access government aid programs, Botelho-Resendes said.

news

NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020 9

Dene Nation pleads with bootleggers to end harm

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

'Too many families are struggling. Too many kids are being hurt.'

by Simon Whitehouse

Northern News Services

NWT

The Dene Nation's national chief is calling out bootleggers and the damage that they are doing to communities throughout the North.

Norman Yakeleya has been adamant in recent weeks, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic state of emergency was announced in March, that the influx of alcohol in Dene Nation communities is out of control.

He has repeatedly stated that the negative impact of liquor in Dene communities has been "magnified" during the Covid-19 crisis as it has continued to fuel public gatherings despite public health bans of groups by chief public health officer Dr. Kami Kandola.

Yakeleya expressed condolences to the Tlicho government after a Behchoko woman was killed in a vehicle rollover on Highway 3 on April 23. As alcohol was determined to be a factor in the tragic incident, an arrest warrant was issued for

the driver on April 27.

The Dene Nation chief said the incident was another sad reminder of how alcohol distribution has had a historically devastating impact on Dene communities.

"Like many other Dene communities, our young people are leaving us too soon and our young people are in the dark clouds and are lost," he said during an April 24 news conference.

He pleaded with people selling alcohol illegally to stop and for all levels of government and individuals to step up to protect communities and families.

"Too many families are struggling. Too many kids are being hurt. Too many people are hurting each other," he said. "We're asking the bootleggers if they would really think of what you're doing. Is it really worth the money of the prices they are doing in the booze?"

In continued consultation with chiefs across the North, as well as elders and knowledge-keepers, Yakeleya said

it's important to identify problems associated with alcohol and for Dene communities to take ownership of it. He reiterated that 10 communities keep fighting to get RCMP officers while eight require nurses.

There's also a need for specialized addictions treatment centres in the NWT, said Yakeleya, who named the Alkali Lake Alcohol Rehab Centre in British Columbia as a leading example.

The Dene Nation convinced the GNWT to limit liquor store hours and to put a cap on the amount of alcohol sold during the pandemic, but the territorial government is only part of the equation.

"There's legal and illegal activities happening around (the alcohol problem) to contribute to what the chiefs are asking, both the Government of the Northwest Territories and our own community members who are known as bootleggers," Yakeleya said, pleading for all to do their part to keep Dene communities and families alive and prosperous.

He added that communities

having access to money from the government has contributed to the bootlegging problem.

"That is a major issue that the chiefs are looking at," noting the Indian Day School settlement funds, as well as other forms of social assistance. He said a lot of those cheques are in the thousands of dollars per recipient. At least one grand chief has told him that teaching financial literacy is becoming more important.

"So if you go and look in the communities, there is money there because the government takes the responsibility of the public housing unit or units owned by a person, and they pay for all the bills," he said. "They even give them a vouchers and they are even giving them money to go to the store to buy things – and that is all on the government.

"You know they are creating a dependency and that is really hard to break."

Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge of the Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation in Fort Providence said last week that the RCMP

NNSL file photo

"We're asking the bootleggers if they would really think of what you're doing. Is it really worth the money of the prices they are doing in the booze?" says Dene National Chief Norman Yakeleya. has complained to him about the community's ATMs not being able to keep up with the cash demands among members, particularly because of

federal money pouring in.

"The drug dealers and the bootleggers, they know when our towns are flush with cash," he said.

Virtual health care on the rise

NWT medical director excited for the potential to expand care delivery from a distance

by Simon Whitehouse

Northern News Services

Somba K'e/Yellowknife

The Covid-19 pandemic has left many patients in isolation and unable to visit their health-care providers in a personal setting, but many doctors and specialists see a new era for virtual health care as a result.

Dr. Sarah Cook, the territory's medical director, said she's excited for the potential to expand virtual health care in the NWT to allow patients and practitioners to consult through consumer video apps like Zoom, WhatsApp, Facetime or Skype.

The pandemic and the need to maintain selfisolation and physical distancing has increased the demand and awareness of virtual health care.

"We've always done phone consultation in the Northwest Territories but we've really ramped virtual care up since the pandemic started and we've also added the option of video encounters," Cook explained. "The reason why this is so important is because it's allowing us to provide care to patients while maintaining physical distance. It enables people to have care from home, and not come into health-care facilities where there might be an increased risk of viral transmission."

The GNWT has had forms of tele-health service since 1998, often accessing doctors and specialists in the south from health centres in the NWT via phones or monitors. What's different with virtual care is that patients can be tended to without having to go into a healthcare facility. They can get health care through their own devices from the comfort of their own homes.

Cook said patients interested in the service are asked to make appointments through their doctor's office, as normal. Patients can then

identify the app that they prefer to use if it's determined that virtual care is needed.

Physicians are provided GNWT-approved devices, so it would never be a practitioner's personal device in use.

Dr. Eugene Landsbergen, a family physician and travelling locum based in Sundre, Alta., has provided regular health services in Fort Providence and Fort Simpson for the past two years.

Since the pandemic started last month, he has been using virtual health care with Facetime for family doctor checkups, preventative care, examining infectious illnesses and colds, gastrointestinal care and emergency treatments, among others.

a positive trend coming from the pandemic experience.

"I think, like with every crisis, something good might come out of it and I think more virtual care that's being recognized and being allowed by the college of physicians and surgeons is a good thing in order to save some health care dollars and save patients' valuable time."

Cook said the benefit of the service goes beyond family physicians as specialists and sub-specialists have made use of the service as well, including occupational health therapists, speech language pathologists and physiotherapists.

Some drawbacks He recently conducted an entire clinic virtually from Alberta to assist patients in Fort Providence, avoiding travel into the NWT and threatening the spread of the virus.

"I had never done it before and it had always been in person," Landsbergen said of virtual care during the pandemic. "I think in time we will have to go physically again but, for the moment, because people know me, it was kind of pleasant to meet in this bit of an unorthodox way. It was pleasant to greet patients and see the connection we still had even if it was virtual."

However, Landsbergen said there have been instances where he has found that virtual care can have challenges involving poor connectivity and image quality.

"With the skin, for example, looking at a (skin) rash, it's hard to do, and your physical exam capacities have to be relayed through a registered nurse that does the exam – and certain exams are easier to do for a physician than for an RN on the ground," he said.

Overall, Landsbergen sees virtual care as

Hundreds of phone appointments In the last two weeks of March, the GNWT's rehabilitation team provided 227 phone appointments as well as 50 tele-health appointments and 20 video sessions across the territory, she said.

While the service adds convenience for the patient, Cook said she has also received positive feedback from practitioners in recent weeks.

It turns out that virtually observing the home environment of a patient can help the practitioner increase the quality of health care.

"Speech language pathologists, for example, have been able to observe their clients in their own natural settings," she said. "If they're observing children and their speech patterns, they've been able to see how they interact with their own parents, their siblings and their pets in their own environment."

Likewise, occupational therapists have been able to assist patients and better analyze how specific pieces of furniture impact their health, while physiotherapists have been able to help adapt exercises in a person's home, Cook said.

Cook acknowledged that there are down-

sides to the medical technology, particularly the concern of privacy breaches with apps.

Currently the territory is allowing for virtual health care to be done by unregulated apps and these risks are explained to patients so that they understand their privacy information could be breached, but this will change, said Cook.

"Using unregulated apps is not a long-term solution by any means and we recognize that there are those privacy concerns," she said.

"In the territory, we will need to make a decision going forward as well as which regulated app makes the most sense to us, but for now we're enabling people to use any of these unregulated apps, just because it's so, so important that we enable virtual care to reduce people having to be present in person and reduce people having to travel for appointments as well."

Dr. Ewan Affleck, a longtime Yellowknife physician, co-chaired a Canada Virtual Task Force on behalf of the College of Family Physicians and Surgeons and in conjunction with the Canadian Medical Association and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

In February the task force released a report stating that Canada has to improve virtual care.

Among its recommendations include eliminating barriers to virtual care; improving legislation, policy and education matters around its promotion; and improving the overall health infrastructure for information to be exchanged by virtual means.

"While the majority of Canadian physicians' offices and health-care facilities are now using some form of electronic record keeping and a majority of households have internet access, there remains in Canada a large deficit in the ability to use electronic means to exchange health information across delivery points and to provide publicly insured care," the study states.

news

10 NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020

ᓄĪØflî

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

College graduations potentially postponed until fall 2020 President's decision to hold grads hinge on public safety amid Covid-19

by Rajnesh Sharma

Northern News Services

Iqaluit

Graduation for Nunavut Arctic College students will be contingent on the Covid-19 situation, with safety of Nunavummiut being a key determinant, said Pauloosie Suvega, Nunavut Arctic College's (NAC) president.

"I think the safest decision was felt that we could move things like graduation and convocations later to the fall," said Suvega.

The decision to postpone graduations was made last month, after the Government of Nunavut declared a public health emergency on March 20.

At the moment, the plan is convocations and graduations for all three NAC campuses in the territory have been moved to September 2020, informed Suvega.

"We will work with the chief public health officer and will assess at that time if these events could continue," he said, adding the plans will remain flexible in order to adapt to changing conditions.

The safety of the Nunavummiut is the top priority, he stressed.

Graduations, he explained, are often held in a community setting.

"We do want to try and ensure that were holding these convocations and graduations where students are closer to home," he said.

However, the possibility of having virtual ceremonies has not been ruled out, said Suvega, noting this will depend entirely on the situation at that time.

Once the safest plan has been determined, NAC will notify students about the ceremonies. At that time the details of related to the ceremonies will be shared.

NAC is presently focusing on assessing how each student within the various programs can attain a successful completion.

Some of the programs require practicums, which are difficult to undertake under the current environment, explained Suvega, adding some students normally get job placements or summer jobs as part of their studies.

"Those will be a little bit harder to come by this summer and may prove to be challenging. So we're looking for ways to get students to what we're calling that successful completion point."

This may result in amending or alternating a practicum, as long as

ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᓯᓚᑦᑐᖅᓴᕐᕕᖓ ᐸᕐᓇᒃᐳᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔨᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᓂᑦ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒍᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᑦᑕᓇᙱᓛᒥ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᖓ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐊᖑᒍᓂ, ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓯᓚᑦᑐᖅᓴᕐᕕᐅᑉ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖓ, ᐸᐅᓗᓯ ᓱᕕᒐ.

Rajnesh Sharma/NNSL photo

Nunavut Arctic College plans to notify students about the ceremonies once the safest plan is determined, says the college's president, Pauloosie Suvega. it does not compromise the academic integrity of the program, said NAC's president.

Suvega reiterated each program will be assessed. It will be possible

to complete some programs, while others may have to be cancelled or suspended until fall.

"Ultimately we want to ensure students will receive their certifi-

cates or diplomas for successfully completing their programs so they can continue with their plans for further studies or seek employment," Suvega said.

ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅ ᒥᕝᕕᐅᑉ ᓯᓚᑖᓅᖅᐳᖅ ᑰᒑᕐᔪᖕᒥ

ᐅᓇ ᑭᖕ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅ ᖃᖓᑕᔪᖅ ᐸᕙᓘ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᑎᓱᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᒥᕝᕕᖕᒥ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᕿᒧᒡᔪᖕᒧᑦ ᑰᒑᕐᔪᖕᒥ ᐊᐃᑉᐹᓂ.

photo courtesy of Barnaby Immingark

This King Air plane flying for Buffalo Airways slid off the runway and into a snowbank in Kugaaruk on April 28.

ᖃᖓᑕᓲᓕᕆᔩᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᙱᓚᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᑭᒪᔪᖃᓚᐅᙱᓚᖅ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᒥ ᐸᕙᓘ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᓂ ᐅᓯᑲᑦᑕᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᒥᒃ ᒥᕝᕕᐅᑉ ᓯᓚᑖᓅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑰᒑᕐᔪᖕᒥ ᑕᒪᑐᒪᓂ ᐅᓐᓄᓴᐅᔪᒥ. ᒪᐃᔭ ᑕᑎ ᐊᑉᓴᒃᑕᐅᓐ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐸᓖᓯᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᖃᑦᑎᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᐅᐸᒃᓯᒪᕗᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᑕᑯᓚᐅᖅᖢᓂ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅ ᓄᖅᑲᓚᐅᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᒥᕝᕕᐅᑉ ᖃᓂᒋᔭᖓᓂ ᐸᐅᕋᐅᔭᖓ ᓂᐅᙵᒃᓯᒪᓪᓗᓂ. "ᑭᒃᑯᓕᒫᑦ ᖁᓄᐃᑦᑑᔮᙱᑦᑐᑦ," ᐊᑉᓴᒃᑕᐅᓐ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ.

ᒪᐃᔭ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᒃᑯᑕᖃᓚᐅᙱᓐᓂᖓᓂ ᐳᔫᕐᓂᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐃᑭᑦᑐᒥ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐅᑕᖅᑭᕗᖅ ᐅᓂᒃᑳᓕᐊᖑᓪᓚᕆᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ. "ᓱᓕ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑕᐅᕙᓪᓕᐊᕗᖅ," ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᑉᓴᒃᑕᐅᓐ, ᐃᓚᒋᐊᖅᓯᓪᓗᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᖅ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᕿᑎᐊᓂ 1-2 ᐅᓐᓄᓴᒃᑯᑦ, ᖃᖅᑲᒥ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᐅᑎᖓᓐᓂ. ᐅᖃᖅᑎᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᕙᓘ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᖏᓐᓂ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅ

ᑭᖕ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖑᓂᖓᓂ ᑎᓱᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ ᖃᑦᑐᔪᕐᒧᑦ. ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᐅᔪᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᙱᓚᑦ. ᐅᓯᑲᑦᑕᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᑦᑕᓇᔾᔭᐃᖅᓯᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᔾᔭᐅᓯᒪᕗᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᕙᓘ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᓂ ᐅᖃᖅᓯᒪᕗᑦ. ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᑰᒑᕐᔪᖕᒥ ᑕᒪᑐᒪᓂ ᐅᓐᓄᓴᐅᔪᒥ ᓇᑎᕈᕕᐊᖅᐳᖅ, ᖃᓐᓂᒐᓛᒃᖢᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᓄᕆᓪᓗᓂ ᓂᒋᕐᒥ ᐱᓇᖕᓇᒥ 53 ᑭᓛᒥᑐᒥ/ ᐃᑲᕐᕋᒥ, ᐅᖃᐅᓯᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐊᕙᑎᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂ.

communities

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020 11

Residents grow restless in Fort Smith Some people want to know when Covid-19 isolation is going to end: SRFN chief

by Paul Bickford

Northern News Services

Thebacha/Fort Smith

Chief David Poitras is sensing that some people in Fort Smith are getting tired of staying home because of the Covid19 pandemic.

"I think some people are starting to be restless, not knowing when this isolation is going to end," said the leader of Salt River First Nation (SRFN) on April 23. "Some people are OK with it. Myself, some days I'm OK and some days I get restless, too. But I know what could happen if I get Covid, so it kind of keeps me isolating."

Poitras has been working from home, but he has been getting lots of phone calls and participating in teleconferences.

"I can tell by how they sound in talking to them," he said. "They sound like, 'I'm david poitras getting tired of this.'"

However, Poitras said people need to stick with the guidelines from the NWT's chief public health officer in order to stay safe.

"We have to, whether we like it or not," he said. "We don't have many options. Covid-19 is a killer."

Like elsewhere in the NWT, schools, recreational facilities and many businesses are closed in Fort Smith, except for essential services.

One of those essential services is the Petro-Canada gas bar owned and operated by SRFN. "We have a lot of safety measures in place," said Poitras. "Like we installed Plexiglas between the guy at the till and the customer.

We use the back door to enter now and the front door to leave. And only three people at a time in there. And we closed the bathroom to the public, not because we wanted to, but it's safer for our staff."

In addition, the Tim Hortons outlet at the gas bar has been temporarily closed.

NNSL file photo

Chief David Poitras of Salt River First Nation believes some people in Fort Smith are getting a little restless about when the isolation created by the Covid-19 pandemic will be over.

"We closed that for safety, too, because it just brought too many people over there," said Poitras. "The bigger the crowd, the harder it is to manage for the safety of our staff."

The chief hasn't heard of any concern about the food supply in Fort Smith.

When some smaller communities were setting up checkpoints on roads, there was Facebook discussion about whether Fort Smith should do the same.

Poitras noted the discussions included a couple of members of Salt River First Nation.

Community

Report

"I discouraged that because people don't have authority behind them to do that," he said.

Poitras said the NWT is in totally unprecedented times, although he noted sickness also spread over the land in the early decades of the last century.

"My mom told me stories about some of the flu," he said.

"My great-aunt was a medicine woman and helped look after people. At that time, nobody knew about social distancing and the viruses came in and just wiped out a lot of people."

As of April 23, there were no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Fort Smith.

"That's a blessing," said Poitras.

12 NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020

news

ᓄĪØflî

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

Key figure in Baffin Correctional Centre riot sentenced to 33 months in prison 'This court must send a clear message to all inmates that prison riots will not be tolerated,' judge states

by Derek Neary

Northern News Services

Iqaluit

An inmate who played a central role in the June 20, 2018 Baffin Correctional Centre (BCC) riot that cost taxpayers close to $1.9 million has been sentenced to 33 months in prison.

Gary Arnaquq, 38, held an "extremely high level of responsibility" for the incident, according to judge Paul Bychok's April 24 decision.

Arnaquq was found guilty of participating in a riot and causing property damage to BCC's Charlie Unit in excess of $5,000.

Arnaquq's prison time for some of his previous offences would have been served as of Oct. 23, 2019. However, his participation in the riot kept him at BCC awaiting conclusion of his subsequent court proceedings, which is known as remand time. Normally, an offender is given 1.5 days credit for each day in remand. In Arnaquq's case, Bychok only credited him an equal number of days to the 172 days served in remand because Arnaquq refused

to attend court at least eight times, creating legal delays.

The day of the riot saw prison guards twice respond to Charlie Unit inmates trying to dig holes through their cell walls in an effort to smuggle drugs into the prison. At around 9:40 p.m., corrections officers attempted to enter dorm two, where they suspected inmates were attempting to dig a hole in the wall for a third time.

Arnaquq positioned his body against the door to prevent the guards from entering the dorm. Ignoring orders to disperse, he began shouting for other inmates to join in, hollering: "There's only a couple of them, they can't take us," and "Let's get 'em."

More inmates came down the hall and the situation grew increasingly confrontational.

Arnaquq started yelling, "Get the guards! Get the guards!"

The prison staff retreated and locked the entryways.

They watched a fullblown riot ensue involving up to 27 inmates. The rampage continued until 6 a.m. the following morning.

"ᒥᔅᑕ ᐊᕐᓇᖅᑰᑉ ᐱᔮᕆᓪᓗᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᖏᑦ ᐅᓗᕆᐊᓇᖅᑐᒦᑎᑦᑎᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓅᓯᕆᔭᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᑦᑕᓇᔾᔭᐃᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᑭᒃᑯᓕᒫᓂᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᒥ," ᐃᖅᑲᖅᑐᐃᔨ ᐹᓪ ᐸᐃᓴᒃ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᔫᓂ 2018–ᓂ ᐊᓄᓪᓚᒃᓰᕕᖕᒥ ᐸᒡᕕᓵᕆᓂᕐᔪᐊᖑᔪᒥ.

NNSL file photo

"Mr. Arnaquq's deliberate actions threatened the lives and safety of everyone in the facility," Justice Paul Bychok stated in regards to a June 2018 prison riot at the Baffin Correctional Centre, pictured.

Amid the smashing and banging, one guard said he heard Arnaquq shout, "Let's burn the building down."

When it was all over, "the rioters had left Charlie Unit completely uninhabitable," Bychok's decision reads.

Indeed, dozens of BCC inmates consequently had to be moved to penal facilities in the south.

Bychok noted that Arnaquq, who has 56 prior convictions including 12 for violent offences, professed to be a

changed man. The offender has three children, including a one-year-old daughter born while he was in prison and whom he's never held.

"He has started directed Bible study and Jesus has touched his heart. He stated he has stopped using drugs and is 'trying to get out of violence,'" the judge wrote in his decision.

"He stated he is finally 'free' of the devil and those earlier influences which 'ruined my life.' Unfortunate-

ly, he continued by trying to minimize his role in the riot."

It was actually Arnaquq's second time being sentenced for involvement in a riot.

"This court must send a clear message to all inmates that prison riots will not be tolerated and will result in strong penalties on conviction," the judge stated.

"I must also consider how Mr. Arnaquq's actions are to be measured against the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. Mr. Arnaquq failed

to observe Inuuqatigiitsiarniq – respecting others, relationships and caring for people.

And, he did so in the most serious of circumstances.

"Mr. Arnaquq's deliberate actions threatened the lives and safety of everyone in the facility on 20 June, 2018.

"I have already highlighted the staggering postriot repair costs and its drain on Nunavut's scarce financial resources. In a very real sense, Mr. Arnaquq hurt all Nunavummiut."

communities

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020 13

Covid renders Wekweètì residents quiet but vigilant against pandemic Residents of Tlicho community Wekweeti are staying vigilant in the face of the pandemic, according to at least one resident.

Wikimedia Commons photo

Despite the community’s isolation it hasn’t faced many problems with low supplies

by Blair McBride

Northern News Services

Wekweeti

The Covid-19 pandemic has made the pace of life in the small community of Wekweètì even slower and quieter than it was before.

Sitting on the shores of Snare Lake, the Tlicho community of about 140 people is one of the most remote in the NWT, accessible only by winter road or plane, with more than 150 kilometres of wilderness separating it from the nearest community of Gameti to the west.

Along with all other schools in the territory, Wekweètì’s Alexis Arrowmaker School is closed, confining children to their homes during the day for their mostly paper-based assignments provided by the Tlicho Community Services Agency, said interim senior administrative officer Leanne Rabesca.

Wekweètì’s Elders are abiding by the social distancing guidelines and staying at home.

Its church has closed, along with the youth centre, which has been set aside as an emergency self-isolation building in case coronavirus reaches the community.

The five-room Snare Lake Lodge hotel has limited its potential customers to essential services personnel such as government officials, medical professionals and technicians, said Zia, who manages the lodge and local store Hozila Naedik’e. She declined to provide her full name.

"There is no longer room service (at the lodge)," she said.

"There are protocols with their companies before they even come here. They've already been tested. They have to social distancing at the store and they don't have contact with the community. They just do the work they have to do when they come here."

Quiet but healthy For Madeline Judas, the community nurse at the health centre, the quietness of Wekweètì has its benefits.

"Ever since (Covid) started I’ve been posting up posters around the community and in the store explaining that if anyone isn't feeling good we can test them. The posters advise them to always wash their hands. But it seems like the community is kind of quiet. I haven't seen many people come to me. It seems people are healthy here," she said.

"I can test the people who want (the Covid test). But I haven't seen anybody come to me. There’s hardly any flu or anything like that in the community."

Judas is the only permanent health professional in Wekweètì.

A doctor and nurse visit every six weeks.

But the slower pace of life has presented quiet difficulties for the community as well.

The winter road closed on April 10 and the pandemic has reduced the regular six flights per week into Wekweètì to just three, said Rabesca. It constrains the community’s access to the outside world and makes people anxious when they travel.

"It’s quite a change for us here. We have to wait longer to come back."

Supply freights on the flights are heavier now that only three arrive per week, and they often take priority over passengers.

"If there’s a scheduled flight tomorrow and there were passengers then the airline would bump some or most of them and transport food instead. And they would be rescheduled," Rabesca said.

The most difficult aspect of the pandemic for her is being unable to attend the funerals of loved ones.

"When people pass on we want to travel to the communities

and mourn them but we can’t. We can’t go to the other communities and support them. It’s only immediate family (who are allowed). We can’t do mass gatherings. It’s a big change and it’s hard."

Despite the community’s isolation it hasn’t faced many big problems with low supplies.

The Tlicho Government sends out food hampers and the community government office is well-stocked with masks and gloves, said Rabesca.

"One of the Tlicho Government staff members are making (masks for us)," she added.

The store hasn’t run low on any supplies except for sanitary

products like hand sanitizer and bleach, said Zia. Sanitization protocols for public places haven’t phased her because she believes that health precautions like thoroughly cleaning and wiping down surfaces on a daily basis - especially in a small community - was always a good idea even before Covid.

"When you have a close knit community where everyone knows everyone else by first name the community comes first at all costs. I think everyone in Wekweètì is doing their part and is well-educated about what to do. We’re standing strong together."

Community

Report

photo story ᓄphoto stories

14 NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020

Connecting to the land ᒋᐊᕆ ᐊᖑᕼᐃᐊᑐᒃ ᐊᑐᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᖅᑯᓯᑐᖃᖅᑎᒍᑦ ᐅᓈᕐᒥ ᕿᓄᐃᓵᖅᖢᓂ ᐅᑕᖅᑭᕗᖅ ᐊᒡᓗᒥᑦ ᑭᖓᔪᖕᒥ ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᑉ ᖃᓂᒋᔭᖓᓂ.

Gary Angohiatok, using a traditional harpoon, waits patiently at a seal hole at Kingayok near Cambridge Bay. photo courtesy of Doris Angohiatok

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

ᐳᕆᐋᓕ ᑲᓪᓗᒃ, ᑭᐅᕋ ᐅᐃᔅᑦᕗᑦ ᐊᓪᒋᐊᒃ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᓈᓇᑦᑎᐊᖅ ᐱᐊᓚ ᐊᓪᒋᐊᒃ ᖁᕐᓗᖅᑑᕐᒥᐅᑕᑦ ᑲᔾᔭᐅᓴᒃᐳᑦ ᐅᓪᓗᕐᒥ ᖁᕐᓗᖅᑑᑉ ᓂᒋᐊᓂ ᓇᐹᖅᑐᖃᕐᕕᐅᔪᒥ.

Northern News Services

The traditions and culture of our people are alive and well.

Spring is here and comes with it the 24 hour daylight.

The warmth of the sun beams down and spring thaw begins.

This is a time of year when families gather at their spring camping grounds to fish, seal hunt, or hunt for caribou. Traditions are passed onto the youth as they were passed on to their parents them, where girls become women and boys become men.

Soon the women and girls will be plucking geese and making dry meat while the men and boys hint and gather.

Welcome back Spring.

– Rita Pigalak, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

photo courtesy of Bella Algiak

Brealie Kalluk, Keirah Westwood Algiak and grandmother Bella Algiak of Kugluktuk enjoy a day south of Kugluktuk at the treeline.

ᑲᑎᙵᓂᖃᕐᓂᖅ ᓄᓇᒧᑦ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᕐᒥ ᐳᕋᐃᑎ ᑐᒃᑐ ᑕᓗᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᓴᓇᕗᖅ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᑦᑎᐊᖓᓂ ᖃᒧᑎᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᑕᒪᑐᒪᓂ ᐊᕐᕌᒎᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ ᔮᒃ ᑲᑉᕕᑐᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᔅᑲᐃᓗᕐ ᔮᓐᔅᑕᓐᒧᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᐱᔭᕇᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ.

Brady Tucktoo of Taloyoak made his very first sled at school this year and thanks Jack Kabvitok and skyler Johnston for teaching him from start to finish. photo courtesy of Micheal Tucktoo

ᓵᓐᑐᕋ ᖃᒪᓂᖅ ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᖕᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᑲᔾᔭᐅᓴᒃᐳᖅ ᐃᓗᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑐᐱᖓᓐᓂ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᑉ ᓄᙳᐊᓂᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ ᐃᖃᓗᒐᓱᒃᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᒫᒡᑕ ᑰᖓᓂ.

Sandra Qamanirq of Arctic Bay enjoys the comforts of her tent during last weekend fishing trip at Magda River. photo courtesy of Sandra Qamanirq

ᐱᖅᑯᓯᑐᖃᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓕᖅᑯᓯᖓ ᐃᓄᖁᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐆᒪᑦᑎᐊᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᖃᓄᐃᙱᓚᑦ. ᐅᐱᕐᙶᖅ ᑎᑭᑉᐳᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓇᒃᓴᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᑲᕐᕋᓄᑦ 24–ᓄᑦ ᖃᐅᒪᐃᓐᓇᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ. ᐅᖅᑰᓂᖓᓂ ᓯᕿᓂᑦᑎᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐅᐱᕐᙶᒥ ᐊᐅᒃᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᐅᔪᖅ ᐱᒋᐊᖅᐳᖅ. ᐊᕐᕌᒎᔪᒥ ᐃᓚᒌᑦ ᑲᑎᖃᑎᒌᒃᖢᑎᒃ ᐅᐱᕐᙶᒥ ᑕᖕᒫᕐᕕᖏᓐᓂ ᐃᖃᓪᓕᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ, ᓇᑦᑎᕋᓱᖕᓂᕐᒧᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᑐᒃᑐᓕᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ. ᐱᖅᑯᓯᑐᖃᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᓲᖑᕗᑦ ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᓄᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑎᒍᑦ, ᓂᕕᐊᖅᓵᑦ ᐊᕐᓇᙳᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓄᑲᑉᐱᐊᑦ ᐊᖑᑎᙳᖅᖢᑎᒃ. ᕿᓚᒻᒥᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᕐᓇᐃᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓂᕕᐊᖅᓵᑦ ᑲᖑᕐᓂ ᐃᕆᑕᕐᓂᐊᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓂᒃᑯᓕᐅᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᖑᑎᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓄᑲᑉᐱᐊᑦ ᐊᖑᓇᓱᒡᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑲᑎᖅᓱᐃᓗᑎᒃ. ᐅᑎᕋᕕᑦ ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᑦ ᐅᐱᕐᙶᖅ.

news

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020 15

Donated laptops sought for students around NWT NNSL Media's Yellowknife headquarters will serve as a collection hub

books or laptops over several weeks and it is hoped the devices can be sourced from organSomba K'e/Yellowknife izations with surpluses. Windows-based, new The move to remote and online learning or used notebook computers that are no more after the shuttering of schools across the than three years old are preferred. Desktops NWT poses challenges to students in homes are not preferable because of their size and and communities that lack access to comput- logistical complexity. ers.

So far Global Storm has partnered with IT support company Global Storm is aim- one pan-territorial Indigenous organization ing to fill that need with its new donor to provide notebooks in its schools and with program to provide notebook computers in NNSL Media, whose downtown office will homes across the NWT. serve as a collection point for the donated "In the Tlicho and Dehcho regions alone devices. there is an urgent need for 200 notebooks," "We're in a central location and we'll help Global Storm CEO Kirby Marshall said. out. I've been writing about how critical it is Marshall learned about the specifics of the for the education system that we have strong need based on research in those regions where internet connections in the North," said NNSL the Yellowknife-based company provides IT CEO and publisher Bruce Valpy. and communications services.

"I hope the notebook donation program is "In the Dehcho, our client did a phone successful. Education is a shambles outside of survey. They called every home in the seven Yellowknife anyways. The graduation rates Dehcho communities and asked about techno- are very low and people drop out." logical availability. They did that in the past Before the devices are passed onto Global few weeks. We have accurate, recent informa- Storm they'll undergo a five-step process at tion on this," he said.

NNSL. Marshall realized the implications of conThe notebooks will be sanitized according nectivity problems in the communities in to NWT health guidelines, their basic details February. will be logged, asset tags will be added if need "I knew right away that we would be going be, they won't be powered up or turned on at to remote education. Yellowknife is fairly well NNSL, and NNSL will remove any Microsoft connected and funded, but many communities license information tags before transporting are missing the pieces. them to Global Storm for final delivery.

"I went to educators in my client base and Once the company receives the notebooks, talked to them and started the discussions but Global Storm will wipe the hard drives I (realized) I can't buy notebook computers according to NIST 800-88 Clear guidelines because the supply chains are disrupted. The and Windows OS will be reinstalled using portable devices are being snapped up by software licensed by the relevant education hundreds of millions of people working from authorities. Donor licensing will not be used. home and students at home around the world. Global Storm will install, set up and configI'm able to get only two or three or four com- ure all the needed software for each end user. puters a week if I'm lucky."

The procurement of notebooks is part Marshall said he asked several large com- of Global Storm's larger Northern Remote panies and organizations for help but had little Learning Plan that seeks to connect all hardluck because the supplies of computers had ware and software necessary to remotely dried up. That's when he turned to the idea of provide the full array of education services to in-home students across the North, according a notebook donor program.

The goal is expected to exceed 500 note- to a company document on the plan.

by Blair McBride

Northern News Services

Pixabay image

Global Storm is seeking new and used notebook computers to distribute to remote communities to help students connect to the internet and online education.

In partnership with other NWT IT companies and a satellite provider, Global Storm has developed a compact, portable system that can be transported easily to any NWT or Nunavut community by air. It would take about seven days to move from crew mobilization to functional broadband internet availability.

While necessary devices such as switches, routers and firewalls are readily available, Global Storm said "last mile" capability is a common problem for many communities but easy to quickly resolve.

"This challenging time has presented an opportunity to assist the most vulnerable children in our Northern communities," said Marshall. "They are our future."

The Northern Remote Learning Plan is the latest effort to accelerate computing access for remote communities, but it's not the only one.

For at least 15 years the Smart Communities Society in Yellowknife has been receiving used computers from the federal and territorial governments, the RCMP, private donors and other sources to refurbish them and dis-

tribute them to school boards.

"We've (recently) broadened our mandate and have been able to give them to community organizations and Indigenous communities," said executive director Chris Hunt, who added that since 2008 the society has given out more than 10,000 computers.

The most it ever managed to distribute in one year was about 1,000, Hunt said.

Laptops are the most sought-after items, but the society also receives desktops.

In Hunt's view, the need for computers in remote communities is very high, and he estimates 2,000 to 4,000 are needed in the NWT. "We're still researching it, but we find some communities are 15 years behind in terms of access.

"I think it's a good moment for people to pause and realize how tough it is. These are our communities, 29 primarily Indigenous communities. It's not fair. If they didn't have access to books that wouldn't be acceptable.

The term 'digital literacy' is pretty appropriate. We need to put the 'digital' in 'digital literacy' first."

16 NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020

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Editorial & Opinions

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

wh mK5

Comments and views from NUNAVUT NEWS/north and letters to the editor

ᐃᓱᒪᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᖃᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᑐᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒥ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᕐᒧᑦ ᒪᓕᒋᐊᓕᖏᓐᓂ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᐅᔾᔨᕆᔭᐅᒐᔪᙱᑦᑐᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐅᓂᒃᑲᐅᓯᐅᒐᔪᙱᑦᑐᖅ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᖃᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᖅᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑐᐊᕕᕐᓇᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᖃᕐᓂᐅᔪᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᕆᔨᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᐃᓯᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᕆᔭᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᕿᓂᕈᓐᓇᐅᑎᖃᕋᑎᒃ. ᐅᓇ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᖅ ᐃᓕᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᐊᑐᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᓄᖅᑲᖓᑎᑦᑎᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᓕᒫᓄᑦ ᑲᑎᓐᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᑎᑦᑎᓇᔭᖅᑐᒥ ᐅᓗᕆᐊᓇᖅᑐᒥ ᐃᓄᓕᒫᓄᑦ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐅᕙᓃᑉᐳᖅ ᐃᓄᓕᒫᓄᑦ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᖓᓐᓂ. ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᓪᓗᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᖃᑦᑎᐊᕐᓗᓂ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᓱᓕ ᓂᕈᐊᒐᒃᓴᐅᕗᖅ ᒪᓕᒐᓂᑦ ᐊᑐᓕᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᔾᔪᑎᖏᓐᓂ. ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ ᖁᕐᓗᖅᑑᒥ, ᕼᐋᒻᓚᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᒪᓕᒐᕋᓛᓕᕆᔨᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᓕᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐅᑯᓂᖓ ᑐᐊᕕᕐᓇᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᑐᓕᖅᑎᑦᑎᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᓄᖅᑲᖅᑎᑦᑎᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᖃᔅᓯᒐᓚᖕᓂ ᐱᕋᔭᖕᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᐸᑎᖕᓂᐅᔪᓂ. ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕ 18–ᒥ, ᐱᖓᓱᓂ ᒪᓕᒐᕋᓛᓕᕆᔨᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᐅᔪᒧᑦ ᐊᒥᓱᐊᓗᖕᓂ ᐃᓯᒐᐅᔭᖃᐅᖅᑐᓂ ᓯᓚᑖᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᓇᓂᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᕈᑎᒃᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᐸᑎᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ. ᐃᓱᒪᒋᓇᒍ ᓱᓕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᓯᒃᖠᔾᔪᑕᐅᔪᒥ 30–ᓂ 40–ᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᖕᓂ ᐃᔨᖅᓯᒪᔪᐃᓐᓇᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᕈᓯᕐᓂ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᕆᔭᐅᔪᒥ ᒪᓕᒐᕋᓛᓕᕆᔩᑦ

ᓯᕗᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᐃᓯᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ, ᑭᖑᓂᐊᒍᑦ ᐸᑎᖕᓂᐅᔪᖅ ᐊᖓᔪᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑭᒃᑯᓕᒫᑦ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᔪᓂ ᑐᓂᔭᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐃᓂᖅᑎᕆᓂᐅᔪᒥ. ᒪᓕᒐᕋᓛᓕᕆᔩᑦ ᐱᓱᖕᓂᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐱᔭᕆᐊᖃᕋᓱᒋᔭᐅᔪᒥ ᓱᑲᖓᓂᐅᔪᒥ–ᐊᒃᖢᓈᕐᒥ ᓄᖅᑲᖅᑎᑦᑎᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐸᑎᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᖃᑦᑎᐊᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᑐᓂᓯᑐᐃᓐᓇᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓂᖅᑎᕆᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᑐᑭᓯᓇᖅᑐᓂ ᒪᓕᒋᐊᖃᕐᓂᖃᓗᐊᕐᓇᑎᒃ ᐃᓕᓯᒪᔪᓂ ᖃᓄᖅ ᑖᒃᑯᐊ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᑦ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ, ᐅᑯᐊ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᑦ ᓴᖅᑭᑎᑦᑎᔪᓐᓇᖅᐳᑦ ᓱᕋᐃᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᓅᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᓄᑦ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᕆᔭᐅᔪᓄᑦ. ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥᐅᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᓪᓗᐊᖅᐳᑦ ᑲᑎᙵᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᒥᓲᓗᑎᒃ ᐸᑎᖕᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᑦᑎᐊᕙᐅᙱᓚᖅ ᓴᐳᔾᔨᓯᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᖏᓐᓂ, ᓴᓂᓕᖏᓐᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂᓪᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐊᒥᓱᓄᑦ ᑲᓂᒻᒪᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ – ᐱᓗᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᓄᑖᖑᔪᒥ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᒥ ᐱᑕᖃᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᒥᑦᑎᒪᑕᓕᖕᒥ. ᐊᑕᐅᓯᑐᐊᑦᑎᐊᒥ ᖃᓂᒪᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᖕᒥ ᐅᐸᒃᓯᒪᑲᑕᒃᑐᒥ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᒥᐅᑕᒥᑦ ᐅᐸᒃᓯᒪᔪᒥ ᑲᑎᓐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᖏᕐᔪᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᐊᐃᑦᑐᐃᓂᐅᔪᒥ. ᐱᑕᖃᙱᓐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᑐᓂᓯᓪᓗᐊᙱᓚᖅ ᐃᒃᐱᒍᓱᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᖃᓄᐃᔾᔮᙱᓐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥᐅᓄᑦ. ᐅᓗᕆᐊᓇᕐᓂᖓ ᐊᐃᑦᑐᐃᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓱᓕ ᐱᓪᓚᕆᐅᕗᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐅᒡᒍᓇᖅᑐᒥ ᐊᒃᑐᐃᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒥᓱᓄᑦ ᖃᓂᒻᒪᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᒃᐱᒋᔭᐅᕗᖅ ᑲᓇᑕᓕᒫᒥ. ᖃᓄᑐᐃᓐᓇᒥ, ᓄᓇᖃᖅᑎᐅᔪᓂ ᒪᓕᒃᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒥ

ᑎᓕᐅᕈᑕᐅᔪᓂ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖅ ᐱᐅᓂᐅᔪᒧᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᖅᑑᕗᖅ ᓇᓕᒧᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᒥ. ᖁᑦᑎᓛᖑᔪᖅ ᓘᒃᑖᖅ ᒪᐃᑯᓪ ᐹᑐᓴᓐ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᖓ ᔪᐊᔾ ᕼᐃᒃᔅ ᐊᓯᐅᑎᑦᑎᓇᓱᐊᓚᐅᕋᓗᐊᖅᐳᑦ ᑲᑉᐱᐊᓱᖕᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᑐᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᑐᐊᕕᕐᓇᖅᑐᓂ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐅᖃᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᒫᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᖅᑲᖅᑎᑦᑎᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᖅ ᑲᑎᓐᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓇᔭᙱᓐᓂᖓᓂ ᕿᓂᕈᓐᓇᐅᑎᖃᕐᓇᑎᒃ ᐃᓯᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᕆᔭᐅᔪᒧᑦ. ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐃᓄᓕᒫᓄᑦ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᖓ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᓂᖃᙱᓚᖅ. ᒪᓕᒋᐊᖃᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᐅᑯᓂᖓ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᖃᓄᖅ ᖃᖓᒃᑲᓐᓂᖅ ᓴᖑᑎᑕᐅᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ, ᑐᑭᓯᓇᑦᑎᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᐋᔩᖃᑎᒌᒃᑎᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᕆᔨᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗᑦᑕᐅᖅ ᐃᓄᓕᒫᓄᑦ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᖃᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒧᑦ. ᐲᖅᑎᑦᑎᓲᖑᒋᕗᖅ ᓇᓗᓇᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᐱᖅᑯᑕᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᑭᓇᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᓗᓂ ᑎᑎᕋᐅᓯᐅᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐳᓚᕋᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᒥ ᐱᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᑐᒧᑦ, ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᓄᓇᓯᐅᒻᒥ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᔭᖃᑎᖃᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᒡᓗᒥᐅᖃᑎᒋᙱᑕᒥᑦ. ᐊᑐᓕᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᖅ ᑐᑭᓯᓇᑦᑎᐊᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓱᒪᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᖃᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ. ᐱᓪᓚᑲᐅᔭᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᑑᑎᖃᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᒪᓕᒐᕐᒥ ᕿᓚᒻᒥᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᙳᕈᓐᓇᖅᐳᖅ ᐅᒃᐱᕈᓱᒍᓐᓃᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᑭᕋᖅᑐᓕᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᖑᔪᓂ ᓴᐳᔾᔨᓯᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥᐅᓂ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᕐᒥ ᐊᔪᕐᓇᖅᓯᑎᑦᑎᕕᒡᔪᐊᕈᓐᓇᖅᐳᖅ, ᐊᔪᕐᓇᑦᑎᐊᒻᒪᕆᒡᓗᓂᓘᓐᓃᑦ.

Common sense needed to enforce Covid rules Northern News Services

An often overlooked and under reported facet of declarations of health emergencies by territorial government are the sweeping powers given to law enforcement, namely the ability to enter residences without a warrant.

This measure is in place for enforcement around the ban on public gatherings that would present a serious threat to public health and falls under the Public Health Act. It should be used with discretion, but it is still an option in law enforcement's tool belt.

Recently in Kugluktuk, hamlet peace officers put those emergency measures in action while breaking up a series of illegal card games.

On April 18, three Kugluktuk peace officers came to a home that had dozens of pairs of shoes outside and entered to find evidence of a card game.

Despite that an alleged 30 to 40 people were all hiding in bedrooms at the home when the officers first entered, eventually the game was busted and everyone involved were given warnings.

The issue:

Covid enforcement

We say:

take a Measured approach

The officers walked a moral tightrope while breaking up that game and were prudent enough to only issue warnings. Without clear guidelines in place for how these measures are to be used, these situations can breed messy breaches of civil rights.

Nunavummiut should know that gathering in large numbers for card games is not the right way to protect your Elders, neighbours or community during the pandemic – especially with a newly confirmed case in Pond Inlet.

It takes just one sick person interacting with a community member who attends a gathering in a home to cause a full-blown outbreak.

The now single case in Nunavut should not provide a false sense of security to Nunavummiut. The threat of infection is still very real and the devastating effects of the pandemic

are being felt around the country.

In any case, getting residents to follow orders for their own good is a tricky balancing act.

Top doctor Michael Patterson and Health Minister George Hickes tried to dispel fears around the use of emergency powers by stating that the current ban on gatherings would not justify unwarranted entry into a residence. But that's not how the Public Health Act is worded.

Guidelines for uses of these measures and how they will eventually be reversed, need to be clearly communicated to law enforcement or bylaw enforcement as well as the general public for accountability.

It also eliminates any grey area questions around whether someone can be written up for visiting a family member in need, or riding in a car with someone you don't live with.

Enforcement needs to be tightly tethered to common sense. Overzealous application of the law is a quick recipe for distrust and resentment which would make the jobs of protecting Nunavummiut from Covid very difficult, if not impossible.

news

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

Teachers going the extra mile

ᐃᓕᓴᐃᔨᐅᔪᖅ ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᖅ, ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᖃᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᐸᕐᓇᐃᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐅᓪᓗᕈᒻᒥᑕᖃᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᓄᑦ. ᐅᓇ ᑲᓕ ᕼᐋᓐᓴᓐ ᐸᕐᓇᒃᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᑐᓂᐅᖅᑲᐃᓂᕐᒥ ᐴᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂ ᐅᓪᓗᕈᒻᒥᑕᒐᒃᓴᓂ. ᖁᐊᓇ ᑲᓕ!

photo courtesy of Kelli Hanson

NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020 17

ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᖅ ᐊᑦᑎᖅᓱᐃᓂᖅ: ᖃᐅᔨᒪᕕᓯᐅᒃ ᐃᓐᓇᑐᖃᖅᓯ? ᐃᑲᔪᕈᓐᓇᖅᐲᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᑕᐅᓇᓱᒃᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᑕᒡᕙᓃᑐᑦ ᐊᔾᔨᖑᐊᕐᒦᑦᑐᑦ? ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᑦᑎᖅᓱᐃᓂᕐᒧᑦ, ᑕᐃᓐᓇ ᐱᖓᓱᓂᒃ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕐᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᖅᓱᓂ ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᒃᑯᑦ ᑕᑯᓂᐊᖅᑕᐅᕕᖓᑦ ᓴᓇᔭᐅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ, ᖃᓪᓗᓇᑎᑐᑦ, ᐅᐃᕖᖅᑎᑐᓪᓗ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᓗᓂ, ᑐᕋᒐᖃᖅᐳᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᔭᐃᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐃᓄᖕᓂᒃ ᐊᔾᔨᖑᐊᕐᓃᑐᓂᒃ ᑲᑎᖅᓱᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᖃᕐᕕᖓᓐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑐᖁᖅᓯᓯᒪᕕᖓᓐᓂ ᑎᑎᖃᑐᖃᕐᓂᒃ ᐊᔾᔨᕕᓂᕐᓂᒡᓗ

ᒪᕐᕉᒃ ᒪᒃᑯᒃᑐᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐊᕐᓇᐃᑦ ᐊᒫᖅᑐᑦ ᓄᑕᕋᓛᓂᑦ ᐊᒪᐅᑎᖏᓐᓂ ᑐᓄᐊᒍᑦ, ᓇᐅᔮᑦ, 1948.

A teacher in Cambridge Bay has been busy preparing and serving lunches for school students. Here is Kelli Hanson all set to give out bagged lunches.

Quana Kelli!

Cambridge Bay Tea Talk with Navalik Tologanak email: helent@qiniq.com

UPLUKKUT IQALUKTUUTIAMIT. INUIN NAAMAINNAQTUT. HILA ALIANAQHIJUQ. TUKTUHIUQTUT QUANARUNAQTUKTUQ AMIHUMIK. NUTAQQAT UUTILAITTUT ILIHAKVINGMUN. ILIHAIYIIT KIHIMI HAVAKTUT. ILIHAKTUKHANIK IHUAQHAIJUT TUNIJUHANIK NUTAQQANUN. ILIHAIJII KELLI HANSON NIQIHANIK TUNIHAIJUQ NUTAQQANUN. QUANA IKAJUQTUQ. MAMAQTUNIK NIQINIK AIKHIVAKTUT. QUANA KELLI ILIHAIJIIT IKAJUQTUT. HAMLATKUUTLU NIQIHANIK TUNIKHAIJUT INUNGNUN. QUANA IIGAJUTLU NIQINIK QILLAQMIT. ILANGNIT INUINLU QABLUNAATLU HAVAGIALIKPAKTUT. NIUVIKVIIT ANGMAUMAJUT UPLUK TAMAAT. IILLAA INUIN NAAMAINNAQTUT.

ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ street talk with Lindsay McCart, Quqshuun Ilihakvik Elementary School Gjoa Haven

Welcome to springtime weather in Cambridge Bay. The weather is warming up and as time goes by during this pandemic, many residents are able to enjoy the warmer outdoors, lots of kids playing out.

Many families head out across or to West Arm to go sliding on the fun hills around Cambridge Bay. The ice road to West Arm is popular, a fun time for families. During this pandemic it is important to get out of the house and get some fresh air. We have had a lot of snow fall, snowplows are busy clearing up snow here and there.

The caribou hunters are still busy harvesting fresh caribou for the residents of Cambridge Bay. We are so thankful for hunters providing fresh meat, especially for our Elders. We are so grateful, quana Beverly Maksagak and your crew for looking after us during this pandemic.

For few years it was hard to harvest caribou but lately it has been plentiful. Someone up there is looking after us all.

There is a teacher by the name of Kelli Hanson who has been busy few couple of weeks now giving out lunches for both the elementary and high school students. Kelli applied for a grant to purchase and prepare

ᑕᕐᕆᔭᒐ ᓇᓕᐊᒃ ᐱᐅᒋᓛᕆᕕᐅᒃ?

ᑲᓇᑕᒥ, ᐋᑐᕚᒥ. ᓄᑕᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᑎᑦᑎᔾᔪᑎᒃᓴᐃᑦ ᐃᓚᔭᐅᖃᑦᑕᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᔾᔨᖁᑎᕕᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐸᐸᑦᑎᕕᖕᒥ (ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᒃᑯᑦ ᑐᕌᕈᑎᓕᒃ www.collectionscanada.ca/inuit-ᒥᒃ). ᑕᑯᒋᐊᕐᓂᐊᖅᐸᐃᑦ. ᐊᑏᑐᖅ ᑐᔪᐃᓂᐊᖅᐳᑎᑦ ᑐᓴᖅᑎᑕᑦᑎᓗᑎᒃ ᐅᑯᓄᖓ ᐅᕙᓂ ᑐᕌᕈᑎᓕᖕᒥ photo@nnsl.com ᐅᕝᕙᓗᓐᓃᑦ ᑎᑎᖃᕐᓂᐊᕐᕕᖕᒧᑦ ᑐᔪᖅᑕᐅᓗᑎᒃ ᐅᕗᖓ Box 2820, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2R1

S. J. Bailey/LIbrary and Archives Canada photo

Two young Inuit women carrying babies in their amautiit on their backs, Naujaat, 1948. MIKAN no. 4326932

Project naming: Do you know your elders?

Can you help identify the people in this old photograph?

Project Naming is a trilingual Web exhibition and searchable photographic database available in Inuktitut, English and French. The goal of this project is to identify Inuit in the photographic collections of lunches for kids.

Very healthy lunches are made and about 75 to 100 lunches are made Monday to Friday and are ready for pick-up between 11:30am and 1:00pm or until all lunches are all picked up. Kelli gets help from other teachers and staff.

We are so thankful for looking after our kids and making them happy, it makes the parents happy that kids are happy. The food for the lunches are purchased locally at the stores in Cambridge Bay. With not many travelling in and out of town by airplane, the airline company Canadian North have been flying in many food and freight to keep the stores stocked up well with food during this pandemic.

ᓵᓐᓂᐊ ᐊᓇᐃᑦᑐᖅ "Trolls"

Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa.

The new information is added to these historical photographs at (www.collectionscanada.ca/inuit). Come visit.

Please send submissions to photo@nnsl. com or mail to Box 2820, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2R1.

Residents of Cambridge Bay are very grateful for all who are making sure there is food, meals continue to be prepared by Qillaq Lodge and Department of Healthy Living for providing meals for our Elders and those who are in need.

It is so wonderful that so many volunteers and citizens making sure food is available during this time. Wanting to help people in our community is so awesome. Quana to everyone helping out.

Be careful out there as the roads are slippery, look after your Elders.

We are thinking of our friends/relatives from Nova Scotia and Fort McMurray. Stay strong.

God Be With You Son.

ᐳᕆᐋᓐ ᕼᐊᓗᒃᑕᓕᒃ "Frozen"

Sonya Anaittuq "Trolls"

Brianne Halluqtalik "Frozen"

What is your favourite film? ᒦᓴᓐ ᓇᕼᐊᒍᓕᒃ "IT"

ᐳᕌᓐᓴᓐ ᐆᒐᒃ "The Grizzlies"

Mason Nahagulik "IT"

ᔪᕋᐅᔭᔅ ᐳᑭᕐᓇᒃ "Annabelle Comes Home"

Branson Oogak "The Grizzlies"

Uriash Puqiqnak "Annabelle Comes Home"

ᓚᒃᓯ ᖄᒪᓐ ᖁᒃᓲᓐ "Annabelle"

Lexi Carman Quqshuun "Annabelle"

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commentary

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Some Northern businesses dying is not an acceptable consequence of Covid-19 Northern News Services

The statement that "some businesses will fold" may make the leadership in the GNWT feel they are being open and honest but it could well have the opposite effect on their efforts to revive a severely wounded Northern economy.

This statement was on page five of the Covid-19 Economic and Social Recovery plan released April 29. What it does is tell their staff "we know businesses are going to fail. So don't feel bad when they do. Nothing you can do." The GNWT didn't take on Covid-19 saying From the "We know people will Publisher die."

Economic recovery Bruce Valpy is the is where the passionpublisher and CEO of ately, oft-repeated cry NNSL Media. of "We are all in this together" becomes an empty platitude. When it comes to the economy, we are not in this all together. As I pointed out early on in a column asking the question: Do Northerners have what it takes to defeat Covid-19, GNWT workers got a raise on April 1, at the very same time businesses were laying off, shutting down, wondering what financial calamity means in every future moment.

Are we to begrudge them that raise, those of

NNSL Meda has a page devoted to Northern business in the Northwest Territories. us on the brink? No, but it would not be meanspirited to say: "GNWT workers, we need your help to keep our businesses alive and our people employed."

The fact that the NWT is now Covid-free is an indisputable win for the GNWT leadership, staff and the people they serve. But there is a major element missing in the bureaucracy's battle to save our economy: EMPATHY. It's not difficult, when faced with a deadly disease, to do the right thing, to go the extra mile, to adapt and scramble to get the job done, because you know your family is at as much risk as your neighbour's. But when it comes to business, when you have a stable income, you lack that stress felt by workers and business owners in the private sector.

Acting quickly to do the right thing won't come naturally, if it comes at all. Not because you are not a good person, but because you don't face the same harsh fate.

I am finding first hand in my business dealings with GNWT staff, emails or phone calls may or may not be returned for days or weeks, with no explanation why. I know too, after living in the North for the last three decades, the GNWT has a reputation for this in the business community, pre-Covid-19. Why? Because they are not in business. Their livelihood depends on satisfying supervisors, directors and managers, not the people or businesses they serve.

Public service is not seen the same as customer service.

But now public service is more than customer service, much more. It's helping Northern families stay afloat on stormy economic waters.

"Spend and buy North" must become as passionate and heartfelt a war cry as STAY SAFE. People will be turning to GNWT staff for survival, from loans, to sales, to information, to a roof over their heads, even food. You are our

NNSL ad

frontline staff, our essential workers, our safety net. Thinking no one cares hurts worse than the fear of what's to come.

So answer phone calls as quickly as you can.

Answer emails promptly, even if to tell a person when you can help them. If an application for any service lacks a checked box, contact the person to help them fill it out, don't send it back or to the bottom of the pile.

If this happens folks, call your MLA for help. The politicians have to set the standard at the top, for the people they lead. Otherwise, eventually we will all be in this together – a shrunken territory with a morally bankrupt government. Remember, there are 5,000 GNWT employees to serve 45,000 people in 14,760 households. That's one position for every three households. Better not hear anyone in the GNWT say they are too busy to help those two neighbours.

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commentary

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Offenders need to know their rights Northern News Services ous peoples are suffering from addictions, impoverishment I was astounded to learn that the latest incarceration rates and victimization because they face difficult circumstances of Indigenous peoples in the North is at nearly 100 per cent that have adverse effects on their lives. These circumstances capacity. are directly attached to colonialism including the This is a staggering number but not surprising residential school legacy. This myriad of hardship when the docket in the courthouse on an early morcontributes to committed criminal acts that are not ning hearing shows the last names on the rolling of one’s own desire but of external matters that are screen, most of them well known family names. often out of one’s control to act within the law.

Indigenous people in the north make up more I’m not saying that what Jamie Gladue did was than half of the population. Our communities are acceptable (or even forgivable for that matter), but I small. Northerners know whose who and what do believe that due to her history, she should have family line a person comes from. Sadly, those been given the opportunity to be heard. That is standing in front of the judge charged with petty what the Gladue program does: it provides a way crimes are often so caught up in the system with for Indigenous offenders to unravel the burdens breaches and failures to appear that they end up that are often not theirs to bear. It gives a chance going to jail for nothing other than the crime of from offenders to put down the heavy weight that being a marginalized person forced to live in a disNorthern they have been carrying around their entire lives. It criminatory society. The unfair system that we call a path for Indigenous offenders to walk down Wildflower offers justice is actually doing more damage than good. through reintegration and healing if they so choose, Catherine Lafferty is a Yet the NWT government still has not taken these yes Gladue sentencing reports are voluntary. published author and an disproportionate statistics seriously enough to do The Yukon government has successfully impleIndigenous Law Student mented their Gladue program and it is doing what it something about it. I recently wrote an email to the who grew up in Yellowknife. is supposed to be doing: reintegrating and lowering Justice Minister asking if there were any Gladue institutionalization rates effectively. It is proving to writers employed in the justice department in order be highly successful in decreasing the numbers of to help mitigate this problem. I was disappointed Indigenous people from reoffending. If the NWT is struggling when she confirmed that there were not. to find Gladue writer training, we know we can turn to our There is one thing that really irks me about the GNWT. neighbors in the north for assistance without question.

It’s that decision makers tend to think that they are doing So far, NWT Courts are still not implementing this as a everything they can by doing things their way and only their mandatory obligation. It is beyond shameful that the governway. The GNWT often doesn’t go along with the rest of the country. The reason for this, we are told, is that it’s because we ment of the NWT hasn’t done more to try and mitigate the are remote, our population is low in comparison to other prov- over incarceration rates of Indigenous peoples. inces, it’s hard to find skilled workers. Excuse after excuse.

I don’t want to hear the lame rationale that judges, lawyers and probation officers who are working in the North are But there is no excuse for not making the small effort to already well versed in the history of colonization just because implement an affordable program that can reduce the over incarceration rates of Indigenous peoples in the justice system. they live and work in the north and therefore perceive themselves to be culturally aware of Indigenous matters presented Gladue writers are proven to be an effective source of to them in court and for that reason there is no need to invite lowering incarceration rates across the country. For those that Gladue writers in on the game. I don’t want to hear that diverdon’t know what a Gladue writer is, here’s a brief explanation. Back in the mid 90’s Jamie Gladue, a young Indigension methods with the GNWT in the city of Yellowknife are ous woman stabbed her partner in the chest and he died. She working because they aren’t, nor are they inclusive or diverse. was charged with manslaughter and sentenced to three years Last time I checked there was a panel of all non-Indigenous imprisonment. The reason why this case received national people that sat on the diversion committee with the John Howard Society. Committee members can easily dismiss a case on attention was because the judge who sentenced her did not account of a roll of the eyes. consider section 718.2(e) of the Criminal Code and made the Community justice committees on the other hand are terrible decision that it did not apply to her because she lived doing the best they can with the small amount of funding off-reserve. they receive from the GNWT, however more work needs to Section 718.2(e) of the Canadian Criminal Code makes it be done on behalf of the courts to ensure that offenders know so that the courts shall take into consideration all available sanctions, other than imprisonment … with particular attention their rights. They need to be advised that they have the right to request to be sentenced in the community depending on the to the circumstances of Aboriginal offenders. If Jamie Gladue severity of the crime committed. Exercising those rights and were to be sentenced with 718.2(e) taken into consideration, having a court worker walk someone through the motions of her criminal actions would have been factored against her those rights is what is missing in NWT Courts. life history which the court later learned was in fact tragic I’ve seen firsthand how sensitive details of an offender's and culturally oppressed. Like Jamie Gladue, many Indigen-

NNSL file photo

Indigenous people are disproportionately represented in jails North of 60, columnist Catherine Lafferty writes. personal life get set aside when a legal aid lawyer stands in front of the judge and dismisses those crucial pieces of information that might just make the difference between healing and recovery or institutionalization.

Those details don’t seem to matter when it comes to the law but they do matter and the judge who has had a privileged upbringing can ever fully understand what it is like to live in poverty and suffer from the effects of poverty. No amount of similar cases that have gone through a courtroom can provide a judge with the insight into what it is like to be on the other side of the bench because they simply haven’t lived it.

Even just one Gladue writer is enough to make a difference. I’m sure cuts in other divisions of the government can be made, especially in those job sectors where zero productivity is happening. Jobs that are staged to make it look like they are serving the Indigenous population. In case you haven’t noticed, yes there are government workers going to work and twiddling their thumbs doing nothing but collecting a hefty pay cheque without guilt.

If we want to see less homeless people living on the streets, less break and enters, less alcohol related violent crimes resulting in death then we should be doing more to prevent offenders from choosing a life of crime to survive. To prevent a young person from building up a long record of re-offenses, petty crimes and carrying that over from young offender to adult. The justice system is only adding to the problem by not working to find a solution that is right in front of them, starting with the Gladue case.

Slamming the gavel down hard on the bench is not going to solve anything. It’s only going to stop someone from committing a crime for a few months while they serve a light sentence.

Rehabilitation and reintegration are key to healthy communities.

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Around the North

If you have an item of interest from your community, call (867) 873-4031, or email: editorial@nnsl.com

photo courtesy of Rick Groenewegen

Honouring a fallen Mountie

On April 24, the RCMP Detachment in Hay River held a moment of silence in memory of Const. Heidi Stevenson, who died in the line of duty during a mass shooting in Nova Scotia on April 19. Moments of silence were also held at detachments across the country to honour the constable, who spent most of her career in various communities in Nova Scotia and also served for three years with the RCMP Musical Ride.

Talent show continues

NWT The Gwich'in Tribal Council has been trying to help keep people busy during times of physical distancing and that continued late last month.

Week two of Gwich'in's Got Talent wrapped up on May 3 under the theme of a Gwich'in Sock Hop: a song, a hop and a cup of tea.

The challenges for competitors included the fastest tea boil, held under Labrador rules, singing a 20-second Gwich'in song and performing the most owl hops in a row.

There were four age categories – child, youth, adult and elder – with prize money up for grabs in each group. Whoever did the most owl hops and boiled the tea fastest won $135 while the song winner was chosen based on how many reactions a person received at the council's Facebook page.

The winners were announced on May 3 and weren't known as of press time.

– James McCarthy

Mayor addresses MPs on Covid-19

Thebacha/Fort Smith On April 17, Mayor Lynn Napier of Fort Smith made a presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance via videoconference.

Napier, who's president of the NWT Association of Communities, was one of only two mayors in Canada to present to the committee as a member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

According to an April 20 message to Fort Smith residents, Napier spoke about the need for the federal government to provide financial support directly to municipalities across the country to cope with the Covid-19 epidemic, specifically funding to support housing, broadband connectivity and infrastructure.

She argued that expansion of the Gas Tax Fund is the best way to get stimulus dollars to communities.

– Paul Bickford

Smith's Landing First Nation bans house parties, gatherings

Thebacha/Fort Smith Smith's Landing First Nation (SLFN) has banned all house parties and other social gatherings on the Thebacha Nare Reserve for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ban became effective April 9, following the approval of a motion by band council.

The motion states that SLFN's chief and council want to take reasonable steps aimed at protecting the vulnerable population

and all SLFN members from the potentially deadly effects of Covid-19.

It also states that they agree to support measures set out by the chief public health officers of the GNWT and Alberta.

The Thebacha Nare Reserve is in northern Alberta, just south of the NWT border and Fort Smith.

– James McCarthy

Storytellers set to begin

Inuvik Some of the town's most well-known elders will be telling some stories in the coming days. All they need is some artwork to go along with it.

Caremongering Inuvik is organizing a story-telling series with tales being read by people such as Lillian Elias and Winston Moses. The idea is to get drawings, paintings or sketches from people that will be used alongside the stories that are told with a focus on living on the land or a reminder of being with family and friends.

Anyone is welcome to submit a piece for consideration and you can get more details by visiting the Caremongering Inuvik page on Facebook.

– James McCarthy

Workshops wrap up

NWT The Aboriginal Sports Circle of the NWT is keeping busy, even though its office in Yellowknife is closed due to Covid-19.

The Sports Circle recently completed a series of online wellness workshops through the Zoom network. Everything began on April 20 and wrapped up on May 1 with such events as physical literacy hosted by Beth Hudson, the Sports Circle's leadership development co-ordinator, planting seeds with Ray Solotki of the Inuvik Community Greenhouse and Vinyasa Yoga for Beginners with Jennie Vandermeere.

All of the workshops were available free of charge.

– James McCarthy

Preserving Covid-19 memories

Thebacha/Fort Smith Several groups and communities around Canada have begun cataloguing what it's like to live in these times and Fort Smith is getting in on it as well.

The Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre is in the midst of collecting stories, photos and objects with the goal of showing future generations of people what it was like to live during the

Covid-19 pandemic.

You can fill out a survey, the link of which you can find at the museum's Facebook page, and give your information that way or you can e-mail the museum and they will get in touch to arrange an oral interview.

– James McCarthy

Run 31 in 31

Thebacha/Fort Smith We've been told staying active is one of the best ways to ride out Covid-19 and the recreation department in Fort Smith is giving people a way to do that.

For the month of May, the department is urging people to go out and walk or run 1-km per day each day for the 31 days in the month.

It doesn't have to be every day as people can set their own schedule.

The eventual goal is 31-km total by May 31.

People need to adhere to physical distancing while out and about and are also being encouraged to share their adventures on social media.

– James McCarthy

Poster challenge at Smith school

Thebacha/Fort Smith Joseph Burr Tyrrell School in Fort Smith has launched a Positive Poster Challenge.

All community residents are invited to make bright posters for the school's fence to cheer up the town during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Residents can drop off their posters at the home of a teacher, who will laminate the creations and place them on the fence.

– Paul Bickford

Support for Metis families in Smith

Thebacha/Fort Smith The Fort Smith Metis Council has received Indigenous Early Learning Child Care funding that will provide resources to help parents of Metis children.

The support will involve weekly grocery gift cards for Fort Smith children aged up to six years who are registered members of the Northwest Territory Metis Nation.

The monetary amount will be based on the total number of applicants. The funding will be in effect until June 30.

The Indigenous Early Learning Child Care funding comes from the federal government.

– Paul Bickford

news

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Buffalo Airways plane skids off runway in Kugaaruk ᐅᓇ ᑭᖕ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅ ᖃᖓᑕᔪᖅ ᐸᕙᓘ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᑎᓱᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᒥᕝᕕᖕᒥ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᕿᒧᒡᔪᖕᒧᑦ ᑰᒑᕐᔪᖕᒥ ᐊᐃᑉᐹᓂ.

photo courtesy of Barnaby Immingark

This King Air plane flying for Buffalo Airways slid off the runway and into a snowbank in Kugaaruk on April 28.

The crew are safe and there were no passengers on board

by Derek Neary

Northern News Services

Kugaaruk

A Buffalo Airways cargo plane went off the runway in Kugaaruk during the afternoon of April 28.

"It looks like everyone is OK," Mayor Teddy Apsaktaun said, adding that he could

see that the aircraft had come to a stop beside the runway with a bent propeller.

RCMP and firefighters responded to the scene, but the mayor said there's no indication of smoke or fire.

He's awaiting a formal report on the details.

"It's still under investigation," said

Apsaktaun, adding that the incident occurred between 1 and 2 p.m., Mountain Standard Time.

A statement from Buffalo Airways said a King Air aircraft slid into a snowbank upon landing in the community.

The crew are safe. There were no passengers on board.

The Transportation Safety Board has been notified of the incident, the news release from Buffalo Airways stated.

Conditions in Kugaaruk during that afternoon were blustery.

It was reported that there was light snow and wind blowing from the southwest at 53 km/h, according to Environment Canada.

ᓄᓇᕘᑉ ᖁᑦᑎᓛᖑᔪᒥ ᓘᒃᑖᖅ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᕗᖅ ᖃᓄᐃᑦᑕᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᖃᓱᒋᐊᖅᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᖅ-19 ᑭᒡᓕᖃᖅᑎᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐃᓚᖏᓐᓂ ᐅᑯᓇᓂ, ᖃᓪᓗᓈᑦ ᓄᓇᖓᓐᓂ ᐊᒥᓱᓄᑦ ᑲᓂᒻᒪᓐᓇᐅᔪᒥ ᕿᑎᖅᐸᓯᐅᓃᑦᑐᓂ ᐊᑦᑎᒃᓯᒋᐊᖅᓯᒪᓂᖃᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐅᓄᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᓯᕗᓕᐅᖅᑎᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐃᓚᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᖃᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᒪᑐᐃᖓᑦᑎᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖃᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓕᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᖃᓱᑎᑦᑎᕙᓪᓕᐊᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᖅ-19–ᒧᑦ ᑭᒡᓕᖃᖅᑎᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᖁᕝᕙᕆᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒥ ᑮᓇᐅᔾᔭᒃᓴᓂᕆᔭᐅᔪᓄᑦ, ᓄᓇᕘᑉ ᐃᓄᓕᒫᓄᑦ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖓ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑭᓱᓄᑦ ᐱᔾᔪᑕᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᖅᑎᑦᑎᓇᔭᖅᑐᒥ ᑕᒫᓂ. ᐱᖓᔪᐊᓐᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓕᐊᖑᔪᒥ, ᓘᒃᑖᖅ ᒪᐃᑯᓪ ᐹᑐᓴᓐ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᖓᓱᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᑭᐅᔭᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᑦ. ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᖑᔪᖅ ᓈᒻᒪᒋᔭᐅᔪᑦ ᓴᖅᑭᑎᑦᑎᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓱᒃᑲᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑕᒻᒪᔭᙱᑦᑐᓂ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᖅ-19–ᒧᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ. ᒪᕐᕈᖓᓂ ᐱᔾᔪᑕᐅᔪᖅ ᐅᒃᐱᕐᓇᑦᑎᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᕙᔫᐊᕐᓇᖅ-19–ᒥ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᑦ ᑲᑕᒃᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᖃᓪᓗᓈᑦ ᓄᓇᖓᓐᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖕᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥᐅᑦ ᐊᐅᓪᓛᕐᕕᒋᒐᔪᒃᑕᖓᓄᑦ. ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖅ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᐅᓂᐅᔪᖅ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᐱᓯᒪᐃᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᑦ

ᐱᑕᖃᙱᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᖅ-19–ᒧᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ. ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᐃᓂᑐᐊᖑᕗᖅ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐋᖅᑭᐅᒪᑎᑦᑎᓂᖓᓂ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓕᖓᓂᐅᔪᒥ. "ᖃᓄᐃᓕᖓᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐅᑯᓇᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᑐᑭᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᔪᕐᓇᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᑐᓂᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᒥ ᖃᖓᐅᓂᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᒪᑐᐃᖅᓯᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᑎᑭᐅᑎᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐅᑯᓇᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐱᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᒥᒃᖠᒋᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᓗᕆᐊᓇᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓄᓕᒫᓄᑦ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᑦᑕᓇᔾᔭᐃᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᓐᓂ," ᐹᑐᓴᓐ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ. "ᖃᐅᔨᒪᕗᖓ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐅᑎᕈᒪᕐᔪᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᒥᓄᑦ, ᐳᓚᕋᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᓇᒡᓕᒋᔭᒥᓂᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓅᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᓄᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ. ᑭᓯᐊᓂ, ᐲᖅᓯᓵᓕᓗᐊᕈᑦᑕ ᑭᒡᓕᖃᖅᑎᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᓂ, ᐊᖏᒡᓕᒋᐊᖅᓯᓂᐊᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᐅᓗᕆᐊᓇᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥᐅᓄᑦ. "ᑲᒪᑦᑎᐊᙱᒃᑯᑦᑕ ᓅᑉᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐅᑯᓇᙵᑦ ᑭᒡᓕᖃᖅᑎᑕᐅᓂᐅᔪᓂ, ᐲᖅᓯᓇᔭᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᖅᖢᑕ

ᐱᓕᕆᓚᐅᖅᑕᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓴᒃᑯᓯᒪᔭᕆᐊᖃᓚᐅᖅᑕᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᖄᖏᖅᓯᒪᓕᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᕐᓄᑦ 7–ᓄᑦ." ᐱᓪᓚᕆᐅᕗᖅ "ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓕᖓᐃᓐᓇᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ," ᐅᖃᐅᓯᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᐹᑐᓴᓐᒧᑦ. ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᑐᑭᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᒡᒐᓂᑦ ᐅᐊᓴᒐᔪᒡᓗᑕ, ᐊᖏᕐᕋᖅᓯᒪᐃᓐᓇᕐᓗᑕ ᐊᔪᕐᓇᙱᑐᐊᕌᖓᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐋᖅᑭᐅᒪᑎᑦᑎᓗᑕ ᐃᓅᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᓂ ᐅᖓᓯᒌᒋᐊᖃᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ -- ᒥᑭᓛᖑᔪᒥ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂ ᒦᑕᓄᑦ. "ᐅᑯᐊ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᑦ ᐱᐅᓂᖅᐹᖑᓯᒪᕗᑦ ᓴᐳᔾᔨᓯᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᖅ-19–ᒧᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᐱᐅᓂᖅᐹᖑᕗᖅ ᓴᐳᔾᔨᓯᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓚᑦᑎᓐᓂ, ᓄᓇᓕᑦᑎᓐᓂ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ," ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ. ᐱᖓᔪᐊᓐᓂ, 219–ᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑕᐅᕙᓪᓕᐊᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᖁᐱᕐᕈᐃᑦ ᐊᐃᑦᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᑐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ 361–ᓂ ᐃᓄᖕᓂ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑕᐅᔪᓐᓃᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ. ᑲᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐅᓄᕐᓂᐅᔪᖅ ᐃᓄᖕᓂ ᐅᐸᒃᑕᐅᑦᑕᐃᓕᒪᓃᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ ᑕᒪᒃᑭᓗᒃᑖᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᔾᔨᒌᙱᑦᑐᓄᑦ ᐅᐸᒃᑕᐅᑦᑕᐃᓕᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖕᓂᑦ 342–ᖑᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᐃᑉᐹᓂ.

photo story

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020 25

Beaufort bids winter adieu

One of the last sunsets in Inuvik in 2019, shot Dec. 1 at East Three School. A good reminder that we might as well enjoy the sunlight while we have it.

Eric Bowling/NNSL photos

landscape Feature

by Eric Bowling/Inuvik On the Beaufort Delta, it's getting to the point where the sun is up before the alarm goes off and sets before many people's bed time. A sure sign of spring in the air as the Aklavik-Inuvik ice road began its 72-hour closure notice and the mercury rises above zero. With Inuvik's sunsets and crystal forests soon to be a memory, here's a highlight of some of the nature photography our reporter has taken since arriving here in October.

Above: The moon rises over Mike Zubko airport at around 4 pm on Dec. 12. At left: A fox the editor has nicknamed "McCloud" runs along a parking lot it was scavenging on Dec. 4. Below, left: A misty sunset captured looking out from Boot Lake Road in Inuvik, Jan. 7. Below, right: Fireworks over the Sunrise Festival Bonfire, Jan. 4.

26 NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020

news

ᓄĪØflî

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

'We were invited in,' says Kugluktuk peace officer ᓄᑖᒥ ᑎᓕᐅᕈᑕᐅᔪᒥ, ᐊᑎᓕᐅᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᒥ ᓗᒃᑖᖅ ᒪᐃᑯᓪ ᐹᑐᓴᓐᒥ ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕ 24–ᒥ, ᐅᖃᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᕆᔨᐅᔪᒥ ᐃᓯᕆᐊᖃᙱᓚᖅ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᕆᔭᐅᔪᒥ ᕿᓂᕈᓐᓇᐅᑎᖃᕐᓇᓂ ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐃᒡᓗᖃᖅᑎᐅᔪᖅ ᐃᓄᒡᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᖃᖅᑐᒥ ᐃᒡᓗᒥᒃ ᑐᓂᓯᒍᓂ ᐊᖏᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ.

Peace officers have not entered a dwelling without a warrant after card games get busted

by Rajnesh Sharma

Northern News Services

Iqaluit/Nunavut

The Government of Nunavut has made it clear that they will not allow bylaw enforcement to enter homes without warrants during the pandemic.

On April 24, chief public health officer Dr. Michael Patterson signed a new order that states a peace officer is not permitted to enter a dwelling without a warrant unless the occupant or person in charge of the dwelling provides consent.

The issue was a hot topic during government's April 22 press conference in Iqaluit.

A few days prior to this discussion, Kugluktuk peace officers had entered residences to break up illegal card games.

Peace officers have not entered any dwelling in Kugluktuk without a warrant, said Timothy St. Croix, the comRajnesh Sharma/NNSL photo senior peace officer.

A new order, signed by Dr. Michael Patterson on April 24, states a peace munity's "We didn't enter any place officer is not permitted to enter a dwelling without a warrant unless the without a warrant. We were occupant or person in charge of the dwelling provides consent. invited in," St. Croix told Nuna-

Supporting Northerners impacted by Covid-19 This column was authored and contributed

by Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs for the federal government.

The Covid-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted the day-to-day lives of all Canadians and many Northerners are concerned about their future, their jobs and about the safety of their loved ones.

These are unprecedented challenges that require all orders of government to work together to support the health and safety of Canadians.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, I have been in regular communication with Indigenous and territorial partners to hear about their concerns and the needs of their communities – about what is happening in their regions and how we can work together – how we can help.

The recent announcement made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is a result of that collaboration and consultation. The federal government is providing $130 million in support to the North to assist with health preparation and response; continuity of air transportation services to Northern communities; food security and affordability; and support for businesses.

We recognize the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on health systems right across Canada and that poses a significant challenge in Canada's North, where services are not always easily accessible and there is limited capacity. This funding is designed to be as flexible as possible for the territories to use for what they need, including health system capacity, preparedness and costs related to isolation and quarantine measures.

All of the territories have done a tremendous job in working to keep their communities safe and we support them in these efforts.

We are investing $25 million to increase the subsidy on many nutritious food items and other essential goods through Nutrition North Canada. We have also extended the subsidy list to all 116 communities eligible for the program to include more items such as soap, hand sanitizer and other hygiene products.

It is critically important that we also ensure continued supply of these goods as well as medical supplies, equipment and professionals.

That's why we are working with the territorial governments to provide support to Northern airlines that fly to remote and isolated communities.

We are investing $15 million in funding through CanNor to provide non-repayable support for businesses in the North. This will support many businesses with their operating costs not already covered by other government programs.

This pandemic will continue to have an impact on all Canadians, including in the North. In addition to these new investments, we are supporting Canadians with the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, providing $2,000 a month to eligible Canadians as well as with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, which will cover 75 per cent of an employee's wages to keep them employed and maintain that employee/employer relationship. These are important measures that will help Canadians get through this pandemic.

We know there is much more to do and the federal government will continue to work with all partners to address the unique challenges and needs of Northerners.

vut News on April 29.

There has been a misconception that Kugluktuk peace officers have been entering dwellings without a warrant, according to St. Croix.

"We will not enter (any dwellings) under any circumstances without warrants, unless invited in," he stressed.

During the April 22 press conference, Patterson said the peace officers had not engaged with his office.

"I'm not aware of the circumstances of when the officers went into houses or how that's being done," Patterson explained.

"I believe they've also been using the bylaws that the hamlet has passed and they're enforcing those acts that are separate from the authority of the public health emergency."

Health Minister George Hickes assured reporters that law enforcement agencies and public health officials cannot enter private homes without a warrant, unless there is an

extenuating circumstance or consent.

The original order, signed on March 20, initially authorized peace officers to enter a dwelling without a warrant if "the occupant or person in charge of the dwelling consents; or the dwelling, or something in or only accessible through the dwelling, is a serious and immediate risk to public health."

Michael Bryant, executive director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), wrote a letter to the Government of Nunavut on April 8 expressing concerns about "orders permitting warrantless entry into premises," which were stated in the original order of March 20.

Referring to most recent order, Bryant commented on April 29, "warrantless searches are no longer authorized, although clarity is needed to confirm that landlords cannot override the privacy rights of their tenants."

ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᑦ ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐸᓖᓯᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᒪᕐᕉᖕᓂ ᒥᓂᑦᓂ ᓂᐱᖃᙱᓐᓂᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ 11:00 ᐅᓪᓛᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕ 24–ᒥ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᔭᐅᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᓅᔪᓐᓃᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ ᓅᕙ ᔅᑰᓯᐊᒥ ᒫᓐᓇᓕᓴᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒥᓱᓂ ᐃᓄᐊᖅᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᓄᑦ, ᐃᓚᖃᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐸᓖᓯᒃᑯᑦ ᐸᓖᓯᐅᔪᖅ ᕼᐊᐃᑎ ᓯᑏᕙᓐᓴᓐ.

photo courtesy of RCMP "V" Division

Cam Bay silent for Nova Scotia

Members of Cambridge Bay RCMP Detachment taking two minutes of silence at 11:00 a.m. on April 24 to honour the victims of Nova Scotia's recent mass killings, which includes RCMP Const. Heidi Stevenson.

NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020 27

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

Sports & Recreation Sports hotline • James McCarthy Phone: (867) 873-4031 • Email: sports@nnsl.com • Fax: (867) 873-8507

Four athletes move on

NNSL file photo

Drew Bell, seen during the 2018 Arctic Winter Games, was the no. 2 choice in the Greatest Nunavut Athlete Of All Time as chosen by those who responded.

by James McCarthy

Northern News Services

Nunavut

Right, so we have our top four athletes from your votes for the Greatest Nunavut Athlete Of All Time.

Several people visited the Nunavut News page on Facebook and gave us their choice of who they’d like to see move on from the choices that were given. From that, here’s who made the final cut:

No. 1 – Jordin Tootoo No. 2 – Drew Bell No. 3 – Susie Pearce No. 4 – Andy Attagutalukutuk That foursome was ranked higher more often than others and that’s how they ended up finishing when the votes were tabulated. Thanks very much for voting and for being so enthusiastic about it.

Now, moving forward, we’re going to amend the competition a bit. Several people who commented

photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Jordin Tootoo, seen during his time with the New Jersey Devils, was the no. 1 choice in the Greatest Nunavut Athlete Of All Time as chosen by those who responded.

weren’t particularly happy with the choices. For example, some mentioned Sean Nipisar of Whale Cove should have been an option and yes, he was left out. It wasn’t intentional by any means. James Tautu of Chesterfield Inlet was another choice that was suggested.

So with that in mind, here’s what we’re going to do: We’re going to open the floor up to one more round of suggestions.

No rankings, no nothing. You get to

choose. From our choices, we will take the top four and move them into the tournament. And here’s an added bonus: when you nominate someone, tell us why you’re nominating them.

We’ll post this at the Nunavut News Facebook page on May 4 at 12 p.m. EDT and you will have until May 11 at 11:59 p.m. EDT to get your nomination in. Again, the top four athletes who receive the most votes will move into the tournament with the four who have already been

selected.

Also, this isn’t scientific by any stretch of the imagination and it’s not meant to crown the ultimate athlete there’s ever been. It’s to have a bit of fun and get people talking about something other than Covid-19. By the sounds of what was posted, this subject is a popular one so let’s keep the debate going.

You get to choose no matter what happens so get your choices in for the next four. Good luck.

sports & recreation

28 NWt/nunavut nEWS NORTH, Monday, May 4, 2020

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

From the dressing room to the emergency room Northern News Services

Me? Oh, I'm fine. Just watching my kids chase each other around the house. In other words, just an average day under Covid-19. I should be thankful neither of them has scissors in their hands, right? They say we'll get through this together and come out stronger.

They'd better be right.

Anyway:

ᓗᐊᕋᓐᑦ ᑐᕘᓇᐃ-ᑖᑎᕝ ᑕᐅᖅᓰᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᕗᑦᐹᓪᒥ ᐊᓐᓄᕌᖏᓐᓂ ᐃᓅᓕᓴᖅᑕᐅᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᓐᓄᕌᓄᑦ ᐃᓚᐅᖃᑕᐅᓕᕐᒪᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᑯᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᔭᐅᕝᕕᐅᔪᒥ ᑯᐸᐃᖕᒥ ᐅᓇᑕᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓄᕙᔫᐊᕐᓇᖅ-19–ᒥ. ᓲᖃᐃᒻᒪ, ᓘᒃᑖᖑᖕᒪᑦ.

That's Dr. Duvernay-Tardif There have been some wonderful stories of people doing their little thing to try and help contain Covid-19.

More often than not, it involved celebrities dancing in their living room and kvetching about how hard they have it and how they're struggling but Laurent Duvernay-Tardif of the Kansas City Chiefs is taking care of business in a different way.

You see, Duvernay-Tardif is taking the fight to Covid-19 directly by trading in his football pads for a facial shield and stethoscope.

That's because Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is a graduate of McGill University's medical school. He's now working in a long-term care centre in Quebec helping out where he can and while he won't say where it is exactly (smart decision, I say), he said it's all about wanting to help.

In an issue of Sports Illustrated, DuvernayTardif recalled how he was being trained for his new job and his trainer remarked that he was the guy who just won the Super Bowl, which he did with the Chiefs in February.

Here's how Duvernay-Tardif replied: “Indeed, I told him, and now I want to help.”

This is literally an all-hands-on-deck sort of situation we're all facing right now and while Duvernay-Tardif is one of many, it's nice to know that not all sports heroes wear cleats.

photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has traded his football gear for medical gear as he's now joined the staff at a long-term care centre in Quebec to fight Covid-19. He is a doctor, after all.

See, honey? I can see you …

You know how the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan is playing its games paid has blown wide open. So much so that the NCAA has decided to allow its athletes to behind closed doors? Exactly. You knew that. finally make a few bucks off their own face Well, one player's fiancee is making sure he and name. sees her even if she can't get in.

The sledgehammer that is the overseer of Ryan Carpenter pitches for the Rakuten all things post-secondary athletics-related in Monkeys and can't be with his fiancee while the U.S. has put through a motion that would he's over there and she can't get in. Somehow, allow scholastic athletes to make money off of she arranged with the team to have her face their name, image and likeness in a bid to get pasted to four effigies of fake fans that dot a jump on federal anti-trust laws in the U.S. the seats around the stadium. That's so she This is quite the about-face because under the can watch him every time he old rules, you couldn't accept pitches. a Happy Meal from a booster Listen, I get that it's sweet because it would be seen a gift and I'm sure it was done with and because you're in school the best of intentions and I and not professional, how dare have no doubt that they are in you accept a free Happy Meal? love but that would get creepy with James McCarthy That's ruining the spirit of amaafter a while. Looking over teur sport, dontcha know? and my wife has the same I have an idea as to why the look on her face every single time I see her.

NCAA is doing this and it all has to do with In my house, the same look on my wife's the NBA G-League. face usually means I've done something I You see, several blue-chip prospects have shouldn't have. turned their nose up at playing collegiate basketball for upwards of four years and are And finally …

Good Idea: The NCAA allowing athletes to signing entry-level contracts under what's known as the Pathway Program with the NBA's get paid through third-party endorsements. approved minor-league system. That way, they Bad Idea: Why the hell did it take so long can start making a bit of money once they for this to happen? leave high school – if they aren't ready for the The debate over college athletes getting

NBA by that time – and play their way into the NBA that way.

This is going to single-handedly kill college basketball if it picks up steam and you know the NCAA doesn't want anything to ruin

its multi-billion-dollar cash cow. They will probably deny it but you know that's why the NCAA has done an about-face.

Until next time, folks …

Sports Talk

Sourdough starters

photo courtesy of Raelene Chursinoff

Raelene Chursinoff outside her home with a cooler full of sourdough starter kits she made for her former customers in Inuvik. Self-isolation has fired up Inuvik's culinary arts scene as residents cook away the Covid-19 blues.

sports & recreation

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Firth sisters inspire a new generation

Aklavik Olympians Sharon and Shirley Firth help inspire people to keep facing their obstacles, no matter how many tries.

Olympian skiers the focus of new episode of Molly of Denali

by Eric Bowling

Northern News Services

Inuvik

Sharon Firth has been a lot of places she never thought she would be, but she never expected to see herself in a cartoon.

She and her late sister Shirley are the focus in a new episode of Molly of Denali, a budding children's show about a Gwich'in / Koyukon / Dena'ina Athabascan family who run the Denali Trading post in rural Alaska. It's produced in partnership between PBS and CBC. In this particular episode, Sharon teaches 10-year-old Molly about the power of determination by telling the story of she and her sister's adventures in cross country skiing. It aired April 18.

"It's a new animated show and TV series with Indigenous characters," said Firth. "The character, Molly, is 10 years old, is so positive and exciting. She never lets anything get in her way. She tries hard because she says Shirley and Sharon tried it.

"We're here to help one another and promote each other as we can. It's up to each one of us to encourage and help one another. You don't have to be an athlete or in sports, but everything you do in life, just do the best you can.

We're going to trip and fall, but as the show says just stand back up."

Although just in its first

season, the show has been many years in the making.

Firth said she was approached by the show's creator, Gwich'in artist Princess Daazhraii Johnson, several years back and the idea snowballed from there.

"It is so wonderful and amazing, it was the right place at the right time," said Firth.

"Princess Daazrhaii knows my niece Tanya, Shirley's daughter. Tanya was talking about it and this sparked Princess' name and she asked me if I would be interested. We got so inspired about it, because we're trying to inspire young people.

"It was a long process, two to three years."

After collecting 79 medals over four Olympic appearances for Team Canada, as well as three World Cup runs and a World Championship, the sisters have plenty of experience to draw on over 20 years of racing. Born and raised in Aklavik, Sharon said she was drawn into the skiing world as a child both for the love of being outside and the travel.

Being an Olympian did require some sacrifices, however.

"When we were training, it was sort of like a lock down.

We really had to separate ourselves from the party scene.

We had to be so disciplined," she said. "You're competing with the giants of the world and it was all about promoting the North and indigenous people, showing we are in that

category too and can do great things in our lives."

When Sharon's not inspiring children in cartoons, she's doing it in real life. As a youth program advisor for the North-

west Territories, Firth said she was still skiing daily as part of both her physical health and maintaining good social distancing.

She said the most important

thing for her was to show kids growing up that they can do anything they set their minds to if their hearts are in it.

But now she can also look back at her time as a cartoon.

photo courtesy of Princess Daazrhaii Johnson

"I was just so proud of it," she said. "We used our traditional clothing and we used wooden skis, and that's what Molly used.

"It's come full circle."

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amazing on-the-land stories

ᑲᔾᔮᕐᓇᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᒥ ᐅᓂᒃᑳᑦ

N[Z/su, mw 4, 2020

On the land

Do you have an amazing story from your adventures on the land? Tell us your story and show us your photos for a chance to win $100.

Submit your story and photo to our Nunavut News Facebook page, editor@nunavutnews.com, or by mail to Nunavut News, PO Box 28,

Iqaluit, NU, X0A 0H0.

Entries will be placed on our Facebook page.

They may also appear in this newspaper and other Northern News Services publications. The story and photo with the most combined likes and shares at the end of the week wins.

ᑏᑐᕆᒃ ᓵᑯᕆ ᕼᐅᑲᓇᒃ

ᖁᕐᓗᖅᑐᖅ

ᑏᑐᕆᒃ ᑕᖕᒫᕐᕕᖓ ᖃᓂᒋᔭᖓᓂ 100 ᒪᐃᔪᔅᓂ ᓂᒋᕐᒥ ᖁᕐᓗᖅᑑᕐᒥ. ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕ 2020 ᐊᔾᔨᓕᐅᕆᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᑕᖕᒫᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᑲᔾᔮᕐᓇᖅᑐᒥ ᓄᓇᒥ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᓂ.

Dettrick Zacary Hokanak

Kugluktuk

Dettrick's camp nearing 100 miles south of Kugluktuk.

April 2020 shot of camp with beautiful natural settings.

ᐃᓴᐱᐅᓪ ᒥᑭᔪᒃ ᑯᑐᒃᑐᖅ ᐅᑭᐅᑉ ᕿᑎᐊᓂ ᑲᔾᔮᕐᓇᖅᑐᒥ ᓂᐱᓕᖅᑐᒥ.

Isabell Mickiyuk

ᓴᓂᑭᓗᐊᖅ

Sanikiluaq

Dripping in the middle of winter under the beautiful sunset.