No changes planned after ENR shooting Fort Simpson man wants more firearms training for wildlife officers

1257+:(677(55,725,(6 Two-school educator recognized Volume 75 Issue 19 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 $.95 (plus GST)

Homes razed by fires in

Premier creates 150- job Covid secretariat

'The Dope Experience' hits Inuvik

Last putt of 2020

Eric Bowling/NNSL photo Kevin McLeod lines up a perfect putt. Roads End Golf Club in Inuvik closed out its summer with a bang, hosting a mixed tournament that drew 15 teams to com- pete for the final glory of the year on Aug. 27 to 28. See more photos on page 15.

Publication mail Contract #40012157 "I thank all of you for adapting to keep each other safe."

7 71605 00200 2 – Chief officer Kami Kandola points to the success of the school year this far, page 6. 2 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 news Five MLAs stayed home from caucus retreat in Fort Smith Many cited personal reasons for not attending by Blair McBride , MLA for , con- Northern News Services firmed to NNSL Media that he wasn't present NWT for the event for personal reasons. Members of the legislative assembly held Rocky Simpson, MLA for Hay River their caucus retreat in Fort Smith from Aug. South, was the fifth member who missed the 28 to 31, but five MLAs didn't attend. gathering of legislators as he was travelling , MLA for , outside of the territory, said a representative announced in a Facebook post on Aug. 28 that from his constituency office. she didn't plan to join the caucus retreat. At the retreat, former NWT Joe "Since the passing of my mom, I have not Handley gave a presentation on the territory's had a chance to deal with her estate nor prop- consensus style government, according to erly grieve, therefore I have decided to head to a Facebook post from Frederick Blake Jr., B.C. in the coming days," she wrote. Speaker of the assembly. Nokleby's post made no reference to her Handley, who was also MLA for , removal from the executive council on Aug. served from 1999-2007, with his tenure as 26, an extraordinary and dramatic session premier spanning the latter four years. of the legislative assembly where each MLA Blake's posts also showed retreat members took turns explaining why they supported a attending a fundraising auction for repairs to non-confidence motion against her. Jackie the St. John's Anglican Church. That auction Jacobson, MLA for , was the sole was held at the Salt River First Nation office. member to abstain from the vote. According to Katie Weaver, spokesperson , MLA for Inuvik Twin for the legislative assembly, members joined Lakes, also announced on Facebook that she confidential caucus meetings in Fort Smith would join the meeting by teleconference, and also met with leadership representing the rather than in person. Salt River First Nation, the Fort Smith Métis "Although this week was a difficult week Council and the Town of Fort Smith. in the legislative assembly, I do have good They also toured the Fort Smith Fire working relationships with all my colleagues. Centre and visited natural sites around the In consensus government, we have to be able community. to agree to disagree while still continuing to work together," she stated. Five MLAs didn't attend the caucus Jacobson also did not attend the retreat, according to , MLA for retreat in Fort Smith from Aug. 28 North. Efforts to contact Jacob- to 31. son were not successful. NNSL file photo news NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 3 Did we get it wrong? News/North is committed to getting facts and names right. With that goes a commitment to Multiple homes in Inuvik 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 destroyed by early morning fire soon as we can. News Briefs New round of ARC grants to support physical activity The NWT Recreation and Parks Associa- tion (NWTRPA) has relaunched The Active, Resilient and Connected (ARC) grant pro- gram "to continue supporting commun- ity recreation through the challenges and restrictions that we face in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic," NWTRPA active communities director Bri Krekoski said in a news release. From Sept. 1 to Oct. 16, community gov- ernments and organizations can apply for grants ranging from $375 to $1,000 "to help community members stay active." Applications will be approved on a first- come, first-served basis. ARC grants offered in June helped to support activities like out- door yoga classes, homemade fishing poles and online jigging classes. Programs can be online or in-person but must be free and open to the public, the release said. – Natalie Pressman Heath and social services appoint new medical director Dr. Anne-Marie Pegg will soon take over from Sarah Cook as Territorial Med- ical Director (TMD) the Northwest Territor- ies Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) announced Tuesday. The role provides direction on decisions related to medical staff and services across the NWT's health and social service sys- tem, the release said. On top of her medical practice in the NWT, Pegg has also held a number of senior roles within Doctors With- out Borders. She will replace Cook in November, fol- lowing Cook's announcement earlier this summer that she would not be seeking another term in order to spend more time with family while continuing to practice medicine. – Natalie Pressman Public health emergency extended through Sept. 15 The territory-wide Public Health Emer- gency has again been extended on the advice photo courtesy of Kristian Binder of Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) Dr. An aerial view of the remains of several houses that were destroyed in an early morning fire Aug. 29 in Inuvik. Kami Kandola, the department of health and social services announced in a news release Tuesday. GoFundMe drives set up for five families The latest extension continues through September 15. who lost everything in blaze The release said that the territory is work- by Eric Bowling badly burned and the roof of a second home," reads a GoFundMe set up by Erin ing to address the challenge of rapid testing Northern News Services adjacent building was also damaged. It took Sydney. "They will need funds for accom- supplies. Inuvik another eight hours to fully extinguish the modation and living expenses for the next "As Western 's rate of infection An early morning structure fire smouldering fires, deal with the rubble and little while until they can get back on their reaches levels not seen since the beginning destroyed at least two buildings and dam- restore utilities to the neighbourhood. feet." of the pandemic, our territory must remain aged several more on Wolverine Road in Two notices were issued in the morning Alestine's restaurant announced it would vigilant to protect our communities and our Inuvik Aug. 29. asking residents to stay clear of the area as provide dinners for the victims of the fires health system," the release states. The Inuvik Fire Department was called crews cleaned up debris and demolished the after receiving an anonymous donation and – Natalie Pressman at around 3 a.m. and dispatched 14 person- remains of the destroyed structure. the Town of Inuvik is donating all profits nel and six vehicles to stop the blaze. According to the fire department, sever- from its upcoming Fall Fair drive in movie NWT campgrounds Homes on both sides of burning struc- al individuals sought medical attention for to the affected families. to close later in fall ture were smoking when firefighters burns and smoke inhalation. Acting Inuvik Five GoFundMe pages have been set up arrived. RCMP evacuated the neighbour- RCMP detachment commander Cpl. Paul by relatives and friends of the families who The closing dates for campgrounds hood as there was significant risk of the fire Howlett said one woman had to be airlifted lost everything in the fire. in almost all territorial parks have been spreading to other buildings. to an Edmonton hospital for treatment of "In the early morning of Aug. 29 Ali- extended to Sept. 30. The heat of the blaze melted cable lines smoke inhalation and burns, but no other son, Tony, Emerson and Elina lost their "As Northerners, we are fortunate to have and damaged a transformer, knocking out major injuries have been reported. home, vehicles and all worldly belongings some spectacular parks and campground power and telecommunications. The occu- The cause of the fire has yet to be deter- in a house fire. Thankfully, they all made facilities throughout the territory," said pants of the burning home were able to mined and is under investigation. it out of their home safely. Things can be Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister escape and received medical attention for The community has seen an outpour- replaced, people cannot," reads one page in an Aug. 28 news release. burns and smoke inhalation. ing of support for the residents who lost started by Sherri Lennie. "We are asking "This extension offers an opportunity for Firefighters were joined by personnel their homes. Inuvik-Twin Lakes MLA Lesa our community to come together for the all residents to enjoy some extra time in them from the RCMP, municipal enforcement, Semmler posted on her Facebook page that family, to help raise money for them on while it is still warm enough." NWT Power Corp., Inuvik Gas, Public anyone impacted by the fire should reach their new journey after this tragic fire. The campgrounds normally close in mid- Works and Advanced Medical Solutions. out to her and she would see what she could "The money will be used to replace September. It took until 5:34 a.m. to get the fire do to help. everything and anything they need." – Paul Bickford under control, with two homes destroyed. "In addition to the families affected, the Links to donate to the cause can be The wall of one nearby building was fire has pushed out two elders from their found at nnsl.com. 4 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 news Man shot by ENR officer calling for change to officer training GNWT spokesperson says situation was 'unpredictable' and 'unpreventable'

by Natalie Pressman said he can't make sense of an about. They've seen it, they've Northern News Services ENR officer firing four shots in done it." Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson an inhabited area where children After a story on the shoot- Fort Simpson resident Dennis and Elders could be. ing was published in the Aug. Nelner heard four gunshots go off "If you're going to dispatch an 31 issue of News/North, ENR one evening last September. The animal you go right up and do Joslyn Oosenbrug wrote in an last one he felt. it, don't pump him full of holes," email that, "the way this incident "It felt like someone just he said. "We had firearms all the unfolded was entirely unpredict- smashed me on my thigh with a time in our household. There were able, unpreventable and unfortu- two-by-four," he said. When he gun racks on the wall, they were nate," but "to infer a connection stood up and took a few steps, the never lock up. That's the era we between Mr. Nelner's own experi- bullet fell out of the back of his come from. A friend would sleep ence using firearms and his know- right leg. over on a Friday night and say ledge of ENR's training and fire- A GNWT Environment and we're waking up Saturday to hunt." arms procedures, or the training Natural Resources (ENR) offi- and experience of the particular cer was called to respond to a Generation gap officer involved in the incident nuisance bear in downtown Fort Since the generation next didn't in question, is irresponsible and Simpson. One of the bullets he grow up the same way, they don't misleading." fired at the animal went through have the same comfort level with On their current training prac- Nelner's fence, through the wall firearms, he said. tices, ENR spokesperson Darren of his home, ricocheted through On top of more practice to Campbell explains that all ENR his kitchen and eventually hit his solidify "muscle memory" neces- officers take part in annual profi- thigh. sary when handling firearms, ciency testing and range courses, Investigations by ENR and the Nelner suggests former wildlife in addition to the federal-approved RCMP found the officer "took officers train up-and-comers. training course required to obtain reasonable actions to stop an "A lot of these guys are retired a valid Firearm Possession and immediate threat," and cleared but they're not in wheelchairs," Acquisition Licence, which all the officer and the department of Nelner said. He recalls a for- ENR officers hold. any wrongdoing. mer officer in Fort Simpson who Campbell says the officer dis- But Nelner told News/North he called himself the bear slayer. charging the bear had also recent- believes officers should be bet- "They are the guys you want to be ly completed Wildlife Attack ter trained. he said he knows the training with." Response Team training, an inter- officer wasn't there to try to hurt "That's how traditional know- nationally led training program Photo sourced through Facebook anyone, but he worries "this inci- ledge is passed on. That's why for conservation officers that dent could happen again." there's so much respect for Elders, includes tactical response train- Dennis Nelner was accidentally shot through his home by an offi- Nelner grew up hunting. He they know what they're talking ing. cer responding to calls about a bear. news NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 5 'Greater political will needed to make change' Former Liberal volunteer David Merner is taking his shot at the top Green Party spot

by Natalie Pressman Northern News Services NWT The Green Party of Canada is set to replace Elizabeth May with a new leader this October. Yellowknifer has reached out to all nine candidates to hear more about their platforms, especially as it pertains to residents North of 60. Green Party of Canada members can cast their ballots for the next leadership of the Green Party of Canada from Sept. 26 to Oct. 3. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. David Merner, a graduate of Harvard Col- lege, the University of , Oxford Univer- sity and the University of , has advised ministers at the Department of Justice and Privy Council Office in Ottawa and volun- teered for organizations like The Land Con- servancy of B.C., the Habitat Acquisition Trust and Mediate B.C. Merner volunteered for the for more than 30 years and ran for the Liberals in Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke in 2015. He joined the Green Party of Canada when Prime Minister announced the purchase of the Kinder Morgan pipeline. photo courtesy of the Green Party of Canada Merner says that campaigning during Covid David Merner was a Liberal party volunteer for 30 years times is "different," but that because much of and even ran in B.C. for the party until he switched over the the campaign has been outside, "people seem Green Party of Canada in 2015 of the signing of the Kinder Morgan pipleline. Now he's looking to become the next Green more relaxed and happy that we're doing it in leader. public parks and beautiful places." "I've never laughed so much on a campaign." plan in the Green Party is the concept of con- role in innovation. Often, it's expensive to people and the problems that are getting in our necting people to two things: one is high-speed figure it out and get it going. But then once way can be solved. Yellowknifer: I wanted to ask you about internet and, secondly, an East-West-North you've cracked the code on deep change, you Whether it's problems of a racist justice how you respond to calls of defunding the electrical grid that's powered by renewables. can share it really easily. And that's been my system, very difficult food production, all police and the RCMP? If we can make the shift off fossil fuel and experience in my work in the justice system. the things we've talked about, if we have the David Merner: I think the police them- onto renewables and if we can make the shift If you look around the world, find the best right kind of leadership focused on innovation, selves would agree with some of that idea. onto high-speed internet, we will transform ideas, bring them together and just build, you on treating people with respect, on building They're the first ones to say we'd much rather our economy. And it's something we could do, can really change a habit fast. together, I really believe we can solve the huge treat people as people and would much rather actually, quite quickly. We have the engineer- problems we're facing. deal with the real problem. Often it's addic- ing skills, what we don't have, again, is the YKr: If you had to leave Northern readers We know that Northerners identify fantastic tions, or mental health, or even poverty. Our political will to make this shift happen over with just one message, what would that be? solutions to all of these problems. system criminalizes all those things. the next five to 10 years in a really concerted DM: It would be a message of hope. We just need to believe in knowledge, We need to solve these problems and it's national effort. With the right kind of leadership, we have including the traditional knowledge and skills not by locking people up that we solve these If we did this, it would be the biggest job huge resources. We have huge talent in our of Northerners. problems. So let's listen to all the folks that creation project in Canadian history, bigger are saying we need a fundamentally different than building the transcontinental railways. way of treating people, especially Indigenous And this is a top priority for the Greens in people in Canada. terms of getting our economy moving again Indigenous people are vastly over-repre- and transforming the future for many young sented in Canada's prisons and they're vastly people who now have to leave their commun- under-represented in our legal professions, ities to get education, to connect to the global judges, lawyers, police, so on. We need to economy and to get services. totally change that around. We need trans- formational change. And I think the police YKr: Another key Northern issue is access would be the first to say, yeah, we need to to food, especially in some of the more remote make big changes. We've had dozens and doz- communities. How do you address that? ens of reports on how this has to change. And DM: I always look for what's already work- you know what's lacking? It's the political will. ing really well. If you can see what's working We don't have the kind of leadership in well already, you can build on that and then these systems where people are ready to take it you really push for transformational change. on in a serious way. We do not have in our jus- One of the approaches that seems to be tice system in Canada, the kind of persistent, really working well, is the idea of local green- effective, transformational leadership, that is houses that are powered through local energy essential (to making big changes). sources. I'd be a real fan of saying the federal government needs to step up here, we put in a YKr: How do you address the issue of con- lot of money as taxpayers into helping to pay nectivity and high-speed internet in the North? for food in the North and rightly so. We should DM: I think it's critical. Access to high- keep doing that, but let's also enable people speed internet is a way of keeping our young through large local greenhouse projects pow- people in the community. It's a way of con- ered by local energy to grow their own (food). necting all people to the global economy and And it seems to be starting already. There's it's really critical for Canada's economic future. some real success stories around this. There's The whole Green Party game plan around the some big issues around cost, especially the economy is helping people access education, cost of energy, but these are issues that we can access services like health care and justice solve. Solar panels, for example, of course in services and that all depends on access to high- the wintertime, that won't work so what about speed internet. geothermal? And so at the heart of our economic renewal The federal government should play a key 6 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 news New school year going 'extremely well' so far Education ADM says they are working to quell parental anxiety

by Blair McBride More would be known about Northern News Services adherence to the regulations in a few NWT weeks, he said. The school year in the NWT under Chief public health officer Dr. new Covid safety measures over the Kami Kandola, who spoke alongside last week has been going "extremely MacDonald, said that it was good to well," said John MacDonald, assistant see so many back-to-school posts on deputy minister of the Department of social media. Education, Culture and Employment "I thank all of you for adapting to (ECE) during a teleconference with keep each other safe," she said. "Edu- reporters on Wednesday. cation authorities have worked very "I think everybody is generally hard to take plans and tailor them to very pleased with the progress so far." schools across the territory. Everyone Most schools opened their doors should be proud of this milestone. It's on Aug. 31. Some schools, such as in to preserve learning and to reduce the Sahtu region reopened last week. the risk and anxiety for parents going MacDonald said there is a lot to work." Blair McBride/NNSL photo of anxiety around the reopening of Ian Cockburn teaches his Grade 6 class of 18 students at North School in Yellow- schools but that the government is Outbreak protocol knife on Sept. 1. working to ensure education bodies Kandola said that if a child was learn about the Covid safety routines in a school setting up to two days who attend different schools becom- offenses since last week, each occur- public health order issued on July 16. and understand why they're import- before becoming symptomatic, the ing infected with Covid, the whole ring in the North and South Slave With Covid-19 still spreading ant. class would be isolated but the school family would have to self-isolate for regions and were due to failure to around the world and a vaccine not "There have been situations where wouldn't necessarily have to be 14 days to prevent any further spread follow self-isolation protocols. yet on the horizon, the focus should due to anxiety, rumours (and) gossip closed down. into the schools or workplaces, Kan- "Both were NWT residents. Most be on figuring out how to find a bal- ... we have had to refer matters to "We would follow up on the con- dola said. people are taking responsibility and ance and live with the virus, Kandola our colleagues in the Chief Public tacts. If the child has siblings we have The screening procedures out- following the rules. But when others said. Health Officer's office and enforce- to look at the circumstances of the lined in the GNWT's Education Bul- choose not to take responsibility they "The strategic analysis we need ment with ProtectNWT," MacDonald case. If we have good tracing ability letin provide a guide for parents, put everyone at risk," Kandola said. to be looking at is how we live said, without elaborating. "But that's we would know who was exposed Kandola said. If children show one Those offenses bring the total with Covid and (find) that balance of more based on a lack of understand- and be able to isolate them for 14 major or two minor symptoms of number to 18 in the NWT. Sum- increasing freedoms but mitigating ing. It's been more of a communica- days. Covid they should stay home and a mary offenses come with a charge of risks because we could be living with tions effort than anything else." "We know from March onwards health care provider should be con- $1,725 and are issued by the GNWT's this for another year, hopefully not For the most part, students of all that shutting a school down is a very tacted and the child should be tested Compliance and Enforcement Task- two. The top priority is the ability ages have been adapting well to the serious public health decision. And for Covid. If the test is negative and force. to do rapid testing and mass surveil- new health guidelines and processes, there are unintended consequences the symptoms are improving, the Dennis Marchiori, deputy chief lance and quick contact tracing." MacDonald said, adding many par- on learning, on mental health and on child can return to school. public health officer, who was also If those capabilities are in place ents have taken time over the summer whole host of other issues that would Families would not have to self- part of the teleconference said the then further freedoms for the NWT to educate their children about the need to be considered before we isolate in those cases, Kandola said. circumstances of the latest viola- could be afforded. importance of wearing masks and would close down the school." Dr. Kandola also announced tions related to failure to follow self- "That is my long-term vision," following Covid protocols. In the case of one of two siblings that there were two new summary isolation rules in accordance with the Kandola said. news NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 7 GNWT plans 150-employee new Covid-19 Secretariat The new department may cost at least $50 million

by Blair McBride to adjust to the impacts of Northern News Services Covid-19." NWT Lukewarm response from The GNWT on Thurs- MLAs day created the Covid-19 The announcement of Coordinating Secretariat, a the secretariat was met with centralized body to manage mixed responses from MLAs the government's response to who joined the committee the pandemic and a possible meeting. second wave. Jackson Lafferty, MLA The secretariat is for Monfwi questioned if the expected to be in place for up investment of resources in to two years and its estimated the new organization would cost over that time will be only build up the government at least $50 million, accord- bureaucracy and take away ing to Sandy Kalgutkar, from investments in smaller deputy minister of finance, communities. who spoke in the Standing , Committee on Accountabil- MLA for Deh Cho said the ity and Oversight meeting. cost is "mind blowing" and Premier said that in the future it could and other MLAs also spoke lead to cuts in budgets. in the meeting. Cochrane acknowledged The objective of the sec- that the cost of the secretariat retariat is to establish a clear is large but said the federal accountability and respon- government's Fresh Restart sibility framework; provide funding package will help resources to managing the offset the costs. GNWT's pandemic response The allocation of more while retaining resources for staff to the secretariat will managing the government's help avoid what happened ongoing operations; ensure when the pandemic reached consideration of health, eco- the NWT in March, when nomic and legal impacts in "we took in people from future actions, while main- many different depart- taining the independence of ments but it wasn't sustain- the chief public health offi- able. People were burning cer; and support clear and out quickly. We can't expect coordinated communications employees to do it off the as they relate to the pan- sides of their desks," she said. demic. , MLA The secretariat will be for asked for more GNWT screen grab located within the Depart- details on the secretariat's Premier Caroline Cochrane announced the creation of 150 new government jobs that will directly coordin- ment of Health and Social budget. Services and led by associ- "I'm concerned about ate and deal with the response to the Covid-19 pandemic on Thursday. ate deputy minister Russell the tremendous cost and Neudorf. He will report dir- the allocations of staff. I'm ectly to Cochrane. Neudorf concerned the Covid money is currently associate deputy isn't being spent on the small minister in the Department communities. Everything of Municipal and Commun- is becoming centralized in ity Affairs with primary Yellowknife again," she said. responsibility for the Emer- The premier said the cir- gency Management Organ- cumstances of the pandemic ization. mean that this might not A total of 150 positions be the right time to look will be created in the new at de-centralization and the organization, with 126 being response to Covid must be full-time, 12 part-time and coordinated and not too 12 as relief positions. Most spread out. positions, 84, will be in the , Minister of capital, meaning 44 per cent Health and Social Services will be based in other com- told MLAs that even though munities. the costs for the new organ- "Early on, it was made ization are high the govern- clear that the challen- ment needs the secretariat. ges Covid-19 presents to It will, among other pur- the Northwest Territor- poses, help boost Covid test- ies requires a coordinated ing capabilities. approach," said Cochrane. "We've hired one staff "The Covid-19 Coordinat- member for rapid testing," ing Secretariat pulls together said Thom. Covid-19-related supports "We want to hire one and resources from multiple more. Doing 2,000 tests per departments, teaming them week is our goal," she said. up to meet the challenges of We want to do that in management and oversight of next six weeks. We want to the GNWT's response in the hire more staff to be able to best and most efficient way. do that." This is a necessary move and Neudorf said more one that I am confident will details on staffing would be benefit Northwest Territor- announced in the coming ies residents as we continue weeks. 8 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 1257+:(677(55,725,(6 Editorial & Opinions Published Mondays Comments and views from News/north and letters to the editor Yellowknife office: Box 2820, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2R1 Phone: (867) 873-4031 Fax: (867) 873-8507 Toll free: (855) 873-6675 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.nnsl.com South Slave office, Hay River: Paul Bickford, Bureau Chief Phone: (867) 874-2802 Fax: (867) 874-2804 Email: [email protected] Mackenzie Delta office, Inuvik: Phone: (867) 777-4545 Fax: (867) 777-4412 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nnsl.com/inuvikdrum Baffin office, : Phone: (867) 979-5990 Fax: (867) 979-6010 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nnsl.com/nunavutnews Kivalliq office, rankin inlet: Darrell Greer – Bureau Chief Phone: (867) 645-3223 Fax: (867) 645-3225 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nnsl.com/kivalliqnews

NNSL file photo Founder (1934-2018): When a troublesome bear became aggressive in Fort Simpson, an attempt to eradicate it ended in a resident being short J.W. (Sig) Sigvaldason PUBLISHER, CEO: Bruce Valpy – [email protected] in his home. Chief Financial Officer: Judy Triffo COORDINATING EDITOR: Craig Gilbert – [email protected] Editorial board: Bruce Valpy • Brett McGarry • Craig Gilbert ACCOUNTING – [email protected] Florie Mariano • Cindy Minor • Salleah Wagas Apology owed to Assignment editor Brett McGarry Photo Editor: Thomas Jono – [email protected]

Sports: James McCarthy – [email protected] Business: [email protected] Arts: [email protected] ENR shooting victim

Reporters: Simon Whitehouse • Natalie Pressman Blair McBride Environment department offered tone deaf response when

Advertising production Production co-ordinator: Jennifer Reyes shooting victim suggested officers get more training Randy Hiebert • Joshua Uson Northern News Services training an officer would need, but Customer service: Holly Yestrau [email protected] Getting shot by a government The issue: there is merit to the idea. ADVERTISING wildlife officer is not something Culling wildlife It is also not clear if Nelner has [email protected] Representatives: people usually have to worry about. received any monetary compensa- Petra Memedi • Laura Whittle But that was not the case when We say: tion for the incident, but what he James Boylan • Echo Xin Dennis Nelner was shot in the leg Listen to community surely has not received is an apol- Advertising manager: Zerline Rodriguez while sitting in his home in Fort ogy for the ordeal. Instead he has Features coordinator: Emmanuel Ramos Social media manager: Wesley Cook Smith. government officials berating him In September of 2019 a call was kitchen and ended up putting a hole for questioning the training officers CIRCULATION: [email protected] sent out for an aggressive bear clean through his leg. received. Circulation Director: Amy Yang roaming through Fort Simpson. Nelner, who grew up hunting and ENR spokesperson Joslyn Oosen- Jewala Jhankur brug wrote to News/North saying Subscriptions: Unidentified officers were dis- personally knows former wildlife One year mail $90 patched in the community to find officers, insists that retired ENR offi- "to infer a connection between Mr. Online (entire content) $50/year and destroy the bear. In the incident cers that still live in the NWT should Nelner's own experience using fire- that followed, in an attempt to shoot be hired to conduct at least some arms and his knowledge of ENR's the bear in the middle of the com- training because "that's how trad- training and firearms procedures, munity, a stray bullet went through itional knowledge gets passed on." or the training and experience of NORTHERN NEWS SERVICES LIMITED the a wall and hit Nelner in the right the particular officer involved in the 100% Northern owned and operated There is little doubt that ENR Publishers of: thigh. does its due diligence in training its incident in question, is irresponsible Inuvik Drum • Kivalliq News Yellowknifer • Hay River Hub NWT News/North • News/North Luckily he did not sustain life officers. Firearms would not be pro- and misleading." Member of: altering injuries. Nelner described vided to those who did not train to After being shot in his home, it is Canadian Community Newspapers Association Community Newspapers Association his recovery as good as it was going more than fair comment for Nelner Community Newspapers Association use them. Weekly Newspapers Association Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association to get, experiencing some pain if he Spokesperson Darren Campbell to question whether the officer who Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta Press Councils Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce remains seated for too long. even said that the officer in ques- fired four shots in close proximity Contents copyright – printed in the North by Canarctic Graphics Limited Since the shooting the wildlife tion had recently participated in to the community received the right officer who works for the Depart- "internationally led" conservation training, or to question whether the We acknowledge the Nous reconnaissons financial support of l'appui financier du ment of Environment and Natural course which included tactical train- correct officer responded to the call. the Government of gouvernement du Canada. Canada. Resources (ENR) has been cleared ing. For ENR to publicly apologize to of any criminal wrongdoing and It's great that the department Nelner would be an admission of Member of the Ontario Press Council. The Ontario Press Council was created to defend freedom of the press on behalf of the public charges will not be laid. has the resources to participate guilt, which is likely what it is try- and press alike and to consider specific, unsatisfied complaints from readers about the conduct of the press in gathering and publishing This is likely the best outcome for in large courses and surely these ing to avoid for legal reasons. But it news, opinion and advertising. Complaints should go to: all parties involved as Nelner does training sessions look great on a would be right thing to do. The Ontario Press Council, 2 Carlton St., Suite 1706 Toronto, Ont., M5B 1J3 not believe there was any bad intent resume, but perhaps Nelner has a Attempting to control the narra- Email: [email protected] Fax: 1-416-340-8724 www.ontpress.com in the incident, but he does believe point. Would it be more useful for a tive and not owning up to a truly officers could use some more train- trainee to get hands-on experience unfortunate accident is not the most Send us your comments ing before being put into a situation from people who have served in the effective way of instilling confidence Email us at: [email protected] with the subject line "My opinion"; or send mail to News/North at Box like that. same communities, who know the in the communities. 2820, Yellowknife X1A 2R1; or drop your letter off at our office at 5108-50 Street. All letters submitted Four shots were fired in an terrain and the animals and what to Taking the time to listen and must be signed with a return address and daytime telephone number. We will do our best to ensure that attempt to subdue the bear. It was expect when you have to put down learn from those affected and those letters submitted by 3 p.m. on Thursday are printed in the fourth that pierced Nelner's said animals? who have experience on that land Monday's News/North. house wall, ricocheted through his It would not represent all of the would be a start. editorial – opinions NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 9 Yayyyy, kids are back in school!

NNSL file photo Ian Cockburn gives a high five in the air to one of the students in his Grade 6 class at Range Lake North School in Yellowknife, on Sept. 1. Northern News Services Education helps them become more con- All schools are supposed to have good masks. Three cheers for those schools. Woohoo, our kids are going back to fident and to speak out more. School is also sanitation and hand washing, with desig- Parents, this part is very important. school. This is exciting news because it one of the places where kids make nated entrances and exits. Student Check your kids every morning because means the NWT is safe: right now we still friends for life. assemblies will not be allowed they will be sent home if they have one of have no Covid-19 cases! Woohoo! Some kids may have an and no sharing materials or the following: fever, shortness of breath, or a Kids in school means that parents don't unstable life at home, where there snacks. new or worsening cough. need childcare while they're working. That's is a lot of alcohol and/or drug use Children in younger grades are Also keep Little Johnny home if he has awesome news for a lot of people who can't and all of the social problems that at lower risk of being sick, so they two of the following: muscle aches, sore work from home. Having kids in school can comes with it, including physical, won't have to physically distance throat, headache, runny nose, diarrhea, save parents a lot of money that they would mental, spiritual, emotional and/or in the classroom. vomiting, loss of appetite, general unwell- have to pay for childcare. sexual abuse. Not cool. But they need to keep six feet ness, or if he's lost his sense of smell or taste. But it's about a lot more than money! Coming to school provides a away from others when they're in And of course, they must stay home if Regularly going to school helps children safe place for the child to be for the halls and outside for recess. they've been in close contact with someone feel comfortable in their surroundings and seven hours, with food, friends Eschia! Good luck with that. who is suspected of having Covid-19 or if to develop friendships and relationships with and good role models. WHEN Grade 7 to 9 students have to they recently travelled out of the NWT. Be other children and school staff. It also sets THE stay three feet away from each cool, stay home! the foundation for future learning. What to expect at school other, including the space between Check with your school to see how extra- Schools provide the major part of the for- The GNWT has laid out HEART desks. Grade 10 to 12 students curricular activities are affected. mal education that kids need to live in soci- some basic guidelines and allows says No need to comply with adult physic- We do know most schools don't offer ety, including for finding and holding jobs. schools to set their own rules al distancing of six feet and in things that involve singing or music as they Now you're talking! as long as they comply with the Roy Erasmus Sr. is Yellowknife there will only be 10 are considered high-risk. a certified wellness Interacting with others helps our kids guidelines. counsellor and coach to 15 students in classes. And, different schools will have different learn about different people. Teachers help While classrooms will be dif- who survived heart Students should always have a rules about dropping off and picking up your them to process the differences and similar- ferent depending on what grade disease. mask with them because they will kid. ities with other people and to respect the dif- you're in and where you're going need to wear it when they can't So, talk to your children about the import- ferent values, cultures, beliefs and thoughts. to school, some things are similar. physically distance or are not in a ance of sticking to these rules. Don't scare This all helps them to live in peace and For instance, teachers must always be wear- classroom group, for instance on the bus or them; just tell them the truth. Everybody harmony with others. Right on! ing face shields. in busy hallways. Some schools will provide needs to follow the rules ... just in case.

We asked you! with Paul Bickford What do you think about schools reopening?

[email protected]

Brittany Hendrickson Emma Lafferty George Low Trisha Laye "Nervous of the outcome if the Covid does "Excited, but it's a little confusing when my "It's a little worrisome. We have four Kin- "I think here in the North, because Covid come and what happens then. The kids, it Mom told me about all the things in the dergarten to Grade 1 students ... As far as isn't here, we're fairly safe. I think we can scares them." school happening." Covid-19, so far we've been kept pretty free feel comfortable about sending our kids of that and I hope that continues into the back to school. Down south, not so much." school year." 10 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 news Two-school educator recognized Divisional Education Council names 2020 winners of Excellence in Education Awards by Paul Bickford parents, but I'm at the stage now where I'm Northern News Services teaching the children of students I would have Hay River taught," he noted. A Hay River educator has been honoured The 51-year-old Milovac began his teaching with one of the 2020 Excellence in Educa- career in 1991 in Fort Smith, before moving on tion Awards, which are presented annually by to Fort Resolution and then to his hometown the South Slave Divisional Education Council of Hay River. (SSDEC). In announcing the award, Curtis Brown, the Mario Milovac, currently the vice-principal superintendent of the SSDEC, praised Milovac and program support teacher for Princess Alex- for positively impacting thousands of students andra School and Harry Camsell School, was at Harry Camsell School and Princess Alexan- named the winner of the Program Staff Award. dra School. "In all honesty, it was a bit of a surprise," "His strong instructional practices, com- said Milovac, who found out about the hon- bined with his solid understanding in social- our on Aug. 27 during a Zoom conference of emotional learning, helped to create an educators. environment within the classroom that resulted Those eligible for the Program Staff Award in fewer behavioural issues each year," Brown include teachers, administrators, consultants noted. and education assistants. Two other recipients of the 2020 Excellence "It's clearly great recognition," Milovac said. in Education Awards were also announced. "I do appreciate it. It's not anything that I think The Partner in Education Award went to any teacher generally strives for. You forget the Brian Green and the Lutsel K'e Co-op. things that you do throughout your career. But As the manager of the store, Green was I think the part that touched me most was that honoured for the assistance he has offered the nomination came from the teachers that I to the staff and students at Lutsel K'e Dene work with here and it was supported by others. School. "It's a good feeling to know that the work The Jill Taylor Above and Beyond Award that you do is making a difference." recipient is Todd Sturgeon. As the program support teacher, Milovac As the SSDEC's manager of information assists other teachers in developing program- systems and technical services, Sturgeon has ming at the two schools. for more than 15 years ensured teachers and "It's great to be able to collaborate with students have the technology services and sup- them," he said. "However, it really is the work port they need. that you do with the students that is the most The Zoom meeting during which the Excel- impactful. You don't go into this kind of a lence in Education Awards were announced career without hoping you make a bit of a dif- was a replacement for an in-service conference Paul Bickford/NNSL photo ference." normally held in Hay River prior to the school Mario Milovac, the program support teacher at Princess Alexandra School Milovac said he has been very blessed to year. The SSDEC conducted the in-service and Harry Camsell School, is this year's winner of the Program Staff Award, work in Hay River the majority of his career. conference through Zoom this year because of one of the Excellence in Education Awards presented by the South Slave Div- "You not only get to know kids and their Covid-19 restrictions. isional Education Council. news NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 11 'The Dope Experience' teaches the pitfalls of substance abuse

Dope Experience facilitators and instructors show off some of the creative designs youth have put together during the week. Back row, Dez Loreen, left, and Emily Blake. Front row from left, Ashlee Daw, Ady McLeod, Maddysen King- miaqtuq-Devlin and Sami Blanco. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo

'Kids are smart, they want information and they want reasons why you should or shouldn't do something'

by Eric Bowling age level and talk about what ment legalized marijuana, it Northern News Services are some reasons why people was up to all the territorial Inuvik might choose to use drugs and provincial governments Black lights, disc jockeys, and alcohol, then explain to to roll out the education plan. filmmakers, puppet shows them what it actually does "This program is a part of and T-shirts. to their brain and body and that," said Blake. These are just a few of why they might not choose "They didn't just want to the things the organizers of to do those things because it's talk about marijuana. They The Dope Experience used not healthy and giving them did consultations with youth to teach youth about cannabis other options. and were talking about other and the pitfalls of substance substance issues across the abuse. Lots of reasons , like The Dope Experience is "There are lots of reasons alcohol. We also really want- a health education workshop why people take substances. ed to focus on positive skill that uses the arts to engage One of the reasons is they're building, that's where the young people. bored or don't feel good, so media and arts come in. We It was developed by non- we're talking about things talk about things like self- profit groups Western Arctic other things they can do – care and wellness." Moving Pictures (WAMP) make a video, paint a picture, In Inuvik, the experience and the NWT Association talk to someone. was hosted by the Inuvik of Communities (NWTAC) Having only started last Youth Centre where youth along with the GNWT. November, The Dope Experi- made home-made tie-dyed The program was put on ence is crafted specifically to T-shirts or a stop-motion in Inuvik from Aug. 24 to 28. each community it goes to. animation with puppets. Facilitator Emily Blake In some places, schools They participated in explained the approach was get involved and entire class- mediation sessions, photog- to explain drugs to youth in es participate. In other cases, raphy projects, disc jockey a way they can understand, it's handled on more of a cas- lessons, discussions on health instead of the classic "just ual, drop-in basis. The age of and wellness and one person say no" approach which has participants ranges from 10 filmed a short exposing a been shown to not be very to 16 years old, depending on secret chicken cult in Inuvik. effective. the needs of the community. "We did a nature walk and "Kids are smart, they want Initially the workshop had talks about feelings," said information and they want was supposed to be held in centre supervisor Maddysen reasons why you should or the spring, but schools shut- Kingmiaqtuq-Devlin. "Issues shouldn't do something," she ting down in the face of the the kids might have in their said. "We also do a question Covid-19 pandemic torched community, drug and alcohol box so kids can ask questions those plans. Instead, a week- addictions and support sys- anonymously if they're not long "boot camp" was set tems they could access." comfortable asking them in up and has been making the Overall, Blake said the public. rounds throughout the sum- week was a fun and creative "We talk to kids in a way mer. one with all sorts of activities that's appropriate for their "When the federal govern- for the youth who dropped by. 12 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 editorial – opinions Answer to a complaint from a civil servant in the GNWT Northern News Services demic circumstances, some people assembly August 25, 2020: I recently ran into a GNWT were carrying a heavy load, mainly 1. Reduce rates of Indigenous worker downtown Yellowknife essential services, while many were people being incarcerated where I often hang out. This person carrying a lighter load in the non- 2. Reduce rates of Indigenous didn't like my column last week – essential services. children being placed in The big reveal about the I can accept that my foster care GNWT in the Katrina judgement of GNWT 3. Reduce high rates of addic- Nokleby affair. staff was unfair to an tions and increase treatment I have known this unknown quantity of support options person for many years. hard workers. My friend 4. Increase housing supply for When they stopped me works hard I am sure. Indigenous communities with a fixed stare, I lis- Modern journalism 5. Increase employment for tened to their complaint. ethics demands if one Indigenous workers Essentially, they said my person is maligned, that 6. Encourage Indigenous- column was "unfair." is unacceptable, so an owned businesses The GNWT work- apology is owed. I agree 7. Increase Indigenous gradua- force mirrored any work- and apologize to those tion rates force in terms of slack- people. My friend also That's my answer to my GNWT ers and keeners. They From the insisted they consider friend, the civil servant. Imagine knew lots of people who themself a 'civil servant' if the total talent, intellect, educa- worked tirelessly dur- Publisher rather than a "bureau- tion and experience of over 5,000 ing Covid. "The payroll Bruce Valpy is the crat." I promise not to civil servants were committed and department was work- publisher and CEO of use the 'B' word in print focused on this mandate? ing hard," I joked. They NNSL Media. again about GNWT staff. Developing an Indigenous NNSL file photo didn't think that was However, working economy and workforce would lift A hard working civil service doesn't always mean progress if funny. hard doesn't add up to everybody. Healthy communities their goals are not clear, writes publisher Bruce Valpy. I heard other stories about progress if the right goals are not set and healthy families would be able some GNWT workers during and without proper plans to achieve to grow, be happier, more self-reli- How much has changed except Indigenous population has yet to see Covid spring and summer. Decks real results. The GNWT has a man- ant and more productive that they geography? DIAND staff were far a widespread and significant benefit were being built, landscapes date set by the MLAs. The previous can now. better off than the people they were of that representation. cared for, a general sprucing up of assembly had hundreds of mandate History traces the transfer of supposed to help, a lot of the fund- So while I stand corrected by my GNWT homes. I am all for this items. This time, they settled on a most of the responsibility for the ing went to their salaries and the friend about the efforts of GNWT as it increases the general value of pared down list of things to do. lives of Northern Indigenous people same is true of the GNWT. workers, I can't accept they are Northern real estate and is good I propose the following list from what was once the federal What is different, or should be accomplishing any more than did for Northern businesses at a critical adapted from Department of Indian and Northern different is that we have a majority the ugly and colonial federal depart- time. So we can agree due to pan- MLA Rocky Simpson speech in the Affairs in Ottawa to the GNWT. of Indigenous leaders in charge. The ment that came before them. around the NWT NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 13 Around the North If you have an item of interest from your community, call (867) 873-4031, or email: [email protected]

photo courtesy of the GNWT Barge bonanza! Four new barges have arrived in Tuktoyaktuk from . The new ships are double-walled and built to handle larger amounts of fuel to make more supply runs around the Delta. Responsible for moving fuel, dry goods and other essential products to coastal communities along the Beaufort Sea and Mackenzie River, the new ships are designed to carry larger volumes of fuel, which will allow Marine Transportation Services (MTS) to make fewer deliveries. The four double walled barges cost $20.7 million to build and deliver, with the federal government covering three quarters of the cost and the GNWT covering the other fourth. The barges were constructed at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard.

Power set to go out Volleyball tournament shuttered been approved for $10,000 in funding to help support commun- Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson Thebacha/Fort Smith ity residents with grocery cards. Power outages are something NWT residents are used to but While there's still no word on what will happen with the The hamlet expressed appreciation to the federal govern- there is a planned one in Fort Simpson today, Sept. 7. scholastic sports season in the NWT as of yet, one annual tour- ment and Community Food Centres Canada for providing the NTPC is shutting things down for most of the village nament has already announced it won't happen. funding to help it offer emergency food relief in the community. between 6:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. today in order to relocate The Lawrie Hobart Memorial Volleyball Tournament has Enterprise residents were advised to watch their mailboxes at power lines. been cancelled for 2020 with the announcement being made on the end of August, as the grocery cards were to be mailed out. Not everyone felt the sting as residents close to the shoreline the tournament's Facebook page on Aug. 17. Covid-19 was the – Paul Bickford of the Mackenzie River weren't affected by the shutdown while cause of the cancellation. those closer to the highway are playing the waiting game. The post stated that it hopes to return for 2021. Team Galusha lends a hand – James McCarthy Last year, 37 teams – about 350 students – participated in NWT the event. Along with the host community of Fort Smith, teams is always a fan favourite whenever she attends Smith seniors set annual meeting came from Hay River, Fort Resolution, Yellowknife and N'Dilo. the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and now, one of her shirts is Thebacha/Fort Smith – James McCarthy helping out a great cause. The Fort Smith Seniors' Society has set the date of its annual One of Galusha's game-worn shirts from the 2020 edition general meeting. It will be held on Sept. 25, beginning at 1:30 Grocery cards in Enterprise of the tournament was auctioned off on eBay in support of p.m. at Fort Smith Centennial Arena. the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, which helps buy life-saving – Paul Bickford Enterprise The Hamlet of Enterprise announced on Aug. 19 that it has Please see ATN, page 14 14 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 around the NWT

ATN, from page 13 extension. You can contact the recreation department for more informa- equipment for babies across the country. tion. Galusha and her teammates – Jo-Ann Rizzo, – James McCarthy and – all signed it and when the bidding came to a close on Sept. 3, it fetched $202.50. Arctic home chef challenge – James McCarthy A weekly culinary contest has been underway in Aklavik, Free gravel for homeowners with a pizza challenge on Aug. 26 followed by a Sept. 2 break- Aklavik fast challenge. Homeowners in Aklavik are getting two full truckloads of A third surprise challenge is scheduled for Sept. 9. gravel to repair driveways in the community. Put on by Nutrition North Canada, the contest is open to all A posting from the Hamlet of Aklavik office notes the two Akalvik residents, with a limit of one entry per household. Any- loads of gravel will be deposited on any privately-owned drive- one who enters the contest will be given a special bundle which way and will even level it out for property owners. includes ingredients and instructions. Anyone interested in the gravel should contact the hamlet Anyone who completes the challenges can enter to win a office as soon as possible to get their name on the list. The prize. If interested, contact Mary Jane Walker at maryjane_ hamlet said the gravel will be distributed once the list has been [email protected] or Gladys Edwards at the Aklavik Health filled. Centre. The contest is being sponsored by Nutrition North, the – Eric Bowling Gwich'in Tribal Council, Northern Store and the GNWT Health and Social Services Authority. Chipewyan language workshop in Smith – Eric Bowling Thebacha/Fort Smith Smith's Landing First Nation will host a Chipewyan lan- Smith's Landing to help harvesters guage workshop from Sept. 8 to Sept. 18. Thebacha/Fort Smith The workshop, set for the Boreal Sun Building, will consist Smith's Landing First Nation has announced that it will be of evening sessions from Monday to Friday and will be facili- offering a fuel subsidy under its Harvesters Support Program. tated by Bertha Catholique. It will be available to all eligible members who harvest, trap The workshop will be an opportunity to learn or revitalize and/or hunt. The subsidy is set at 205 litres of fuel per house- language skills through oral teaching and writing. hold. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be a limit of 10 – Paul Bickford participants. – Paul Bickford Smith Legion plans reopening Thebacha/Fort Smith Paul Bickford/NNSL photo Fitness memberships get extended The Fort Smith Royal Canadian Legion Branch #239 is Lli Goline/Norman Wells planning to reopen on Sept. 4. CAMPGROUND CLOBBERED Covid-19 has played with havoc with everything on the The branch has approval for a maximum of 23 patrons, plus Fraser Pike – a co-owner/operator of the 2 Seasons planet and that includes the fitness centre in Norman Wells. one bar staff member and one executive member to ensure Adventures campground – stands on driftwood cov- The town's recreation department is offering people the Covid-19 rules are followed – for a total of 25 people. ering a road at the site. The driftwood was forced chance to extend an existing membership by two months if The plan is for Friday and Saturday openings until the end ashore by high water and wind on the evening of they were affected by the town's shutdown on facilities at the of September. Aug. 29. start of the pandemic. All membership types are eligible for the – Paul Bickford photo story NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 15 Last holes of golf for 2020

Northern News Services Inuvik Roads End Golf Club closed out its summer with a bang, hosting a mixed tournament that drew 15 teams to compete for the final glory of the year Aug. 27 and 28. Golfers followed a best ball format and the chilly August weather held back to let them get one last round in before winter.

Loni Ruben fires a rocket off the tee at the second hole. Players competed in a best ball format with prizes at every hole.

Tanya Gruben chips her pink ball onto the green during the tournament. Golfers played a round of golf Aug. 28 and finished off during the afternoon on the next day.

golf

Feature Faralinne Ruben eyes the ball as she by Eric Bowling makes a putt on the first green. She was on Glen Tingmiak drives his shot skyward during one of three women's teams to join in the two- the second day of the tournament. Athletes com- day tournament. pleted the tournament in three rounds between the two days.

Elton Ruben puts a shot over some rough path and onto the green during second day action at the Roads End Golf Club.

Chris Gruben chips a shot towards the green during the afternoon of the second day. Ashley Lennie watches her drive Gruben was on fly off the second tee on Aug. 29. one of 12 men's Athletes had to bring their own golf teams registered carts and carriers because most of Tom Anthony watches a putt drive for the two-day the club's stock were destroyed by straight to the money on the first tournament. a bear. hole. 16 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 Sports & Recreation Sports hotline • James McCarthy Phone: (867) 873-4031 • Email: [email protected] • Fax: (867) 873-8507 Shooting for the very best

NNSL file photo Alex Reeves is the vice-president of the Hay River Shooting Club. Renovations and upgrades to the shooting range have improved usability and more improvements planned, says club VP by Paul Bickford "The road was in very rough shape three years ago," said The addition also includes a viewing and warm-up room. Northern News Services White, noting that improvements were made a few weeks ago. "It's a nicer environment," said White. "You can bring the Hay River Gravel has been added to about three-quarters of the road whole family and that does happen a fair bit." The shooting range in Hay River has existed for approxi- and the rest will be done later. On the range itself, the berm at the far end has been raised mately a half-century, but it has undergone some significant from about 10 feet high to 20 feet high. changes in the last few years and more may be on the way. Upgraded shooting shed And last summer the berms along the side of the range were Many of the changes have taken place under the leadership At the range itself, there have been changes to the shooting raised to 20 feet and now stretch 100 metres from the shooting of Dominic White, the president of the Hay River Shooting Club shed – the building from which club members fire at targets on shed. and vice-president Alex Reeves, who were both elected to those the 450-metre-long range, the longest in the NWT. "It was a vast improvement and makes the range safer," said positions about three years ago. Part of the original red shooting shed was removed and an White. "The members that were here felt that it was appropriate to addition built three years ago. "And that was a lot of thanks to Carter Industries. They put us in those positions because we do most of the things here," "All we did was upgrade the building technically," said donated the time and the equipment. Otherwise we wouldn't said Reeves. White, noting that 24 feet was replaced on the 72-foot-long have been able to afford it. We don't charge very much – $65 a One of the big changes is the number of members in the club. structure. "We replaced what we tore down." year for a membership, $20 of that goes to insurance." Three years ago, there were about 40 members, said Reeves. The old shooting shed was and is completely open air, but the In fact, much of the work done at the range is with the sup- "And the most we had is this year and last year with about 120 addition is insulated, wired for a generator and has a wood stove. port of private donations and the Hay River business commun- members." Both the older and newer sections of the structure have ity. There have also been physical changes at the range, which is shooting booths on the firing line, but the openings can be Even a grader has been donated for use by the club. located just off Highway 2, about 12 kilometres south of down- closed off to the elements in the addition. "The fact that we have a grader is a huge improvement for town, on land leased from the territorial government. White said that helps with heat retention and keeps the shoot- us because now we're able to plow the road in the winter," said Change is immediately noticeable by turning onto the short ers dry and away from bugs, noting the range is used all year White. access road, which has recently undergone improvements. round. Right now, there is a trap-shooting shed on the other side of the right berm. "In the past with the berms being so low, it was one or the other," said White. "If somebody wanted to shoot clay pigeons with a shotgun, then nobody could be shooting here. Now you can have simultaneous operations." The club is also in the process of building shorter ranges for pistols and archery to the right of the main range. Reeves said those new ranges should be completed in a little over a year. White thinks that continuing improvements to the shooting range will attract more members to the Hay River Shooting Club. "Absolutely," he said. "It's the old adage. If you build it, they will come. If you have a decent facility for people to use, I think that more people will use it." Plus, White noted, additional ranges will mean more income for the club. "For us, what's important is we need rental income to keep the club alive, as simple as that," he said. "If we rent the facility out, then we have to shut it down to the membership because it's one range." The range is sometimes rented to organizations like the RCMP and the Department Environment and Natural Resour- ces for training. White said that, if there are multiple ranges, one range could be rented out and the membership could continue to use another one. sports & recreation NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 17 If you want to coach basketball, learn from John Thompson

Northern News Services In putting this together, I read kingpins. people will tell you is absolute Was there anything bet- a story about how Jaren Jack- It was in 1989 and Thomp- garbage. His defensive style ter in college sports than the son, one of Thompson's former son got wind of Edmond III of basketball was copied by 1980s and 1990s? No. players, jokingly thought his befriending some of Thomp- many teams, the thought being Football had the Univer- name was "motherf-----r" son's players. Thompson, who if it worked for Georgetown, John Thompson sity of Miami Hurricanes and for the first few practices. had contacts all over, sent a it will work for them. He was patrolled the side- the "outlaw" image under the Dikembe Mutombo, another message to have Edmond III inducted into the Basketball tutelage of Jimmy Johnson Georgetown alumni, appar- come to see him at his office Hall of Fame in 1999, the lines for Georgetown (I'm still a Michigan supporter, ently laughed when someone at the McDonough Gymna- same year he retired from University's men's by the way). The Hurricanes asked him about Thompson's sium on the Georgetown cam- coaching, a fitting final chap- basketball team from circa 1991 are the reason there use of salty vernacular. pus. It all apparently started ter to someone who was the 1972 to 1999. He is now a penalty for overzeal- Thompson didn't care. He out fine – Thompson merely face of Georgetown basketball took a terrible team ous celebration. didn't care about the language, asked Edmond III to leave his for a generation. and turned it into one Notre Dame was cool to didn't care what you thought players alone. So like the headline says, if of the most formid- watch, especially Raghib about his team, didn't care Edmond III tried to sweet- you want to be a good coach, able ever seen. Ismail before he became the what you thought about his talk Thompson into believing learn from John Thompson. highest-paid player in Can- coaching style. That's why I everything was fine and the He not only knew how to win photo courtesy of Georgetown University adian Football League history like him – the sort of person players weren't doing anything at basketball but he won at and, at the time in 1991, the whose last crap was given a illegal. life and a lot of people won highest-paid football player on long time ago and if you look Thompson wasn't satisfied because of him. the planet. hard enough, you'll find it with that explanation and, as Basketball had the better running down the highway the story goes, proceeded to rivalries, though. Duke, North somewhere. go postal on Edmond III to Carolina, Kentucky, Kan- Thompson was a huge the point that he stood up, sas, UConn believer in stuck his index finger between Sports Card (University of education; Edmond III's eyes and, using Archery Connecticut), Sports according to the most tender-loving verbi- Michigan, the school's age, gently suggested that he 1257+:(677(55,725,(6 Michigan athletic depart- didn't care about his reputation State, Syracuse Talk ment, 76 of the and that he wouldn't allow ... every single with James McCarthy 78 players who Edmond III to ruin his players' AGE: 13 one of those played all four lives. Tayla competed at the NWT Archery teams had a years of their The message was received Championships last months in Yellow- legitimate shot at winning the eligibility under Thompson and Edmond III is now serv- knife and placed very highly. national title every year back graduated with a degree. He ing life in a federal institution. She's a Canada Winter Games veteran then. also kept a deflated basketball Thompson won just one and was part of the Team NT archery out- Georgetown was another on his desk to remind players national title in his career, fit at the 2019 edition in Red Deer, Alta. school that was a threat every that a basketball career rested that coming in 1984, but Tayla Minute time they took to the court on a "tenuous nine pounds he deserved more. He also and the main reason was of air" but the degree was a bristled at the notion of being because of John Thompson, necessity. the first black head coach to the school's head men's basket- He wasn't shy about pro- not only win the national title ball coach from 1972 to 1999. testing, either. Recall when he but the first one to lead his He took over a program that walked off the court one night team to the Final Four (1982) was one of the worst in the in 1989 to show his displeas- because he felt it implied country at the time and turned ure against Proposition 42, he was the first black coach it into a powerhouse seemingly a rule brought in that would capable enough to do it, overnight. deny athletic scholarships to which most rational-thinking Thompson died on Aug. students who didn't meet cer- 30 at the age of 78 and the tain academic requirements. response to his death was Thompson felt it would hurt unanimous: sorrow. Thompson students from poorer back- was beloved by everyone in grounds. the basketball community not Count me in among that only because he was a great group. People who don't get coach but a father figure to how scholarships work will anyone who ever played under tell you the reason players his tutelage. want the scholarship is so they Upon becoming head can screw around for a couple coach, Thompson instituted of years, enter the draft and the policy of not allowing the make a killing in endorse- media to talk to freshmen ments. I've said this before and players in their first semester. it bears repeating: you need to The reasoning was that they assume that your child will not didn't need that pressure right make it in professional sports. off the bat and I agree with It's not impossible but it's close that. You want to talk to some- to such. A lot of student ath- one? Talk to the coach. The letes hope for the scholarship coach is the one who should because it guarantees them a answer for their team. If a chance to get a four-year edu- player wants to talk, great. I cation with a degree at the end love talking with players as of it so they can make some- often as I can, especially if the thing of themselves. coach makes them available. Oh and if a player was Thompson's trademark late for practice, they would character trait was the towel feel his wrath. Thompson over the right shoulder. He was told the story about how his an imposing man – 6 ft., 10 father woke up for work every in. tall – but it was the towel. morning at 5 a.m. without an Even if you didn't know any- alarm clock and if he could do thing about Thompson, you that, the players should have knew about the towel. no problem dragging them- Another character trait selves in on time. was his rather liberal use of But the one story I always profanity, something a lot of love reading about was when coaches will tell you they do Thompson confronted Rayful but don't like doing. Thomp- Edmond III, one of Washing- son never shied away from it. ton, D.C.'s most notorious drug 18 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 19 20 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, September 7, 2020

Northmart donates $15,000 to food bank Funds used to purchase new appliances by Eric Bowling "It's really helpful." Food bank vol- Northern News Services Now, with two fully functional fridg- unteer Vanessa Inuvik Food Bank got a much-needed es and a back room packed full of food, boost over the summer from the community McInnes figures the food bank had enough Adira assembles to keep its shelves stocked and even replace resources to keep its operation going until packages to be old freezers and refrigerators, including a September as the summer is typically slower delivered to cli- $15,000 donation of credit at Northmart. than winter. ents Aug. 27. Food bank board chair Angela McInnes She said on average the food bank sup- The Food Bank said they were able to replace a freezer thanks plies 100 people around town with food, was able to to a previous donation and were about to alternating every second week of the month stock its shelves purchase three much-needed appliances when with the Arctic Food Bank. they were offered the credit with the local "We have it broken down by the number and replace grocer. of adults and children in the home," she said. its remaining "It's paying for all our food," said McInnes. "We are able to keep up over the summer, but old appliances "When we got the money for the freezer from during the winter we could use more help." thanks to a Kristian Binder, we started getting the rest of While the food bank will always need $15,000 credit our stuff, the fridges and the other standing more donations to maintain its operations, at donation from freezer. this point they're also in need of volunteers to Northmart. "We figured we were going to have to pay make deliveries, prepare donations and other for it, but then we found out we have this Eric Bowling/NNSL photo tasks. $15,000 credit. McInnes said anyone interested in volun- "It really gave us a nice boost and the fact teering or in need of a food package should that we're able to buy the rest of the appliances contact the food bank at (867) 620-0391 or and we're able to consistently buy food. over Facebook.