Yellowknife wonders where to put empties Environment department says it's working with bottle depot owner on reopening

Online first at NNSL.com Northern- made face shield available in city Volume 49 Issue 21 WEDNESDAY, june 3, 2020 75 CENTS ($1 outside city) MS Month ends with parade

Comment Regular MLAs owe cabinet minister an apology Sports Award renamed for Blair McBride/NNSL photo Mercer- Courtney Dalton, left, Brenda Dalton, Laurie McLean, Alyx McLean, Bryce Jamerson and Jaida Dalton pose for a photo before the MS Awareness Parade Sunday, which wrapped up MS Awareness Month. Sproule

$1.00 outside Publication mail Contract #40012157 "It is becoming increasingly apparent this cabinet wants to govern in a way which lends itself easily to micromanagement, power and control." 7 71605 00100 5 – Columnist Nancy Vail thinks MLAs should have removed from cabinet last week, page 9. 2 yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 3 Did we get it wrong? Yellowknifer is committed to getting facts and names right. With that goes a commitment to acknow- $55M lottery winner lives ledge mistakes and run corrections. If you spot an error in Yellowknifer, call 873-4031 and ask to speak to an editor, or email [email protected]. We'll get a correction or clarification in as soon as we can. in Yk, hails from Deline News Laura Tutcho bought an $11 ticket at the Reddi Mart Briefs by Blair McBride remembered. "So I went on bers haven't changed, Grand- Northern News Services the internet to check the ma!'" Yellowknifer/NNSL Laura Tutcho from Yellowknife is the numbers." Since she learned about pay wall returns (sorry!) winner of the $55 million Lotto Max jack- Tutcho was the only play- her win, she has been con- We don't want to do it but if we are to con- pot, as the NWT & Nunavut Lotteries er in Canada to match all sulting with financial advis- tinue bringing you the standard of journalism announced on Monday, putting to an end seven main winning numbers ers and making future plans Northerners have come to expect since News of the mystery of who won the giant prize of in the draw – 3, 12, 25, 36, for the money. the North was launched 75 years ago, we have May 1. 37, 42, and 49. "Her priority is to use the no choice but to start charging for the online The winning is the largest lottery jackpot "I was in shock! "I said, money to help her immedi- newspapers. the NWT has ever seen, the organization said. 'Oh, my god!' My grandkids ate family," the organization It's a good deal if you think about it. Sub- "I'm just beside myself. It's so exciting came in right away, and my said. scribers get seven digital news papers – NWT and overwhelming!" said Tutcho. grandson asked, 'Are you all Originally from Délıne, News/North, Nunavut News, Yellowknifer, She bought the winning ticket for $11 right, Grandma?'" Tutcho has worked as a free- Weekender, Hay River Hub, Inuvik Drum and at the Reddi Mart convenience store in "I just kept looking at lance interpreter and dedi- Kivalliq News every week for less than a dol- Yellowknife. the ticket, and looking back cated her efforts towards lar. And that dollar is especially important now "My granddaughter told me that some- at the numbers. My grand- the revitalization of the that many of our advertisers are on the ropes one in Yellowknife won the jackpot," she daughter told me, 'The num- laura tutcho Sahtúgot'ıne language. due to the Covid-19 shutdown. So please, buy an annual subscription to keep Northern print journalism alive or buy a single copy and support Northern food banks. You'll really miss your community news- paper if it's gone. Mahsi Cho, Quyanainni, Kandola OKs Yk co.'s Merci, thanks, and keep reading! – Bruce Valpy

Norn withdraws motion to remove cabinet minister face shields for sale The motion seeking the removal of Infra- structure Minister Katrina Nokleby was withdrawn Friday morning, spurring varied 'PET-G' plastic units intended for non-medical use responses from some MLAs and a prominent by Blair McBride NWT business consultant. Northern News Services , MLA for Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh, Yellowknife company ArTech Engrave is said in a statement "after an honest and open now selling its own face shields as personal conversation, I am convinced the minister protective equipment (PPE) in the Covid-19 understands the concerns of regular members era. and that the executive council will take the Made of a plastic called polyethylene appropriate actions to address our concerns." terephthalate glycol, or PET-G, the shields Premier said all mem- are intended for non-medical use in settings bers of the new government were still trying where people work in close quarters with to figure out how to work effectively with each others. other when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. "(They can be used) in salons, spas, and "Minister Nokleby and I have heard from for everyday use if people choose to use them members and I can assure you that all cabinet instead of face masks," said ArTech owner ministers are committed to working together Jane Arychuk, on Monday. with all members of the Legislative Assembly Going for $20 apiece, her company has on behalf of NWT residents and will continue already sold about 120 shields to individuals to find ways to improve our working relation- and groups, including the NWT Disabilities ships and collaboration," she said. Council and NWT Inclusion. – Blair McBride A total of 250 of the items were manu- factured in Inuvik by the Arts, Crafts and Fatal crash on Hwy 3 Technology Micro-manufacturing Centre and One man was found dead at the scene of a shipped south to Yellowknife, where ArTech single vehicle collision on Highway 3 Sunday. packaged them. Customers can assemble the The collision occurred near Boundary shields at home. Creek, approximately 314.5 km. Police were The company, based in the Kam Lake called shortly after 3 a.m. area, worked with the Aurora Research Insti- The 48 year-old male driver was declared tute in Inuvik on a design that could be dead at the scene. Police are investigating. approved for use by chief public health officer – Craig Gilbert Kami Kandola as a shield. Kandola authorized ArTech and Poison Graphics in Hay River to create the shields Man falls through ice that met Health Canada specifications, the on Rae Lake, dies GNWT said in a news release on Monday. The body of a Gameti man was recovered "We're thrilled that we were able to come from Rae Lake after the RCMP responded to up with a design that works for non-medical a call of a snowmobile going through the ice, use and that we can help out companies as Saturday. they reopen and keep their staff and custom- Police issued a news release on Monday stat- ers safe," said Arychuk. ing that Gameti RCMP received a call at 11:30 The new shields are part of a growing a.m. on May 30 of the man potentially going trend for producing PPE, sanitary items and through the ice surface. other supportive devices in the NWT for use The NWT RCMP search manager, along with during the Covid-19 pandemic. the police dog services and forensic identifica- At least 30 individuals and companies tion services assisted in searching for the man. across the NWT are manufacturing such A helicopter search was also conducted and items, including face masks, shields, hand photo courtesy of ArTech Engrave a hole in the lake ice with a toboggan nearby sanitizer and disinfectants. were found, according to the news release. The Department of Industry, Tourism and The new face shield was designed in collaboration between ArTech He was found submerged in water. Investment (ITI) is also offering assistance Engrave and the Aurora Research Institute in Inuvik. Police indicated in the news release that they through its Support for Entrepreneurs and are assisting NWT Coroner Services with the Economic Development (SEED) program for locally is more important than ever. to be in place for a long time, and additional Coroner's investigation and that a post-mortem companies and artists who want to manufac- "It is important for us to consider how PPE will be required for many businesses as examination has been ordered. ture PPE and non-medical masks. much economic stimulus exists within our they prepare to reopen. It makes good eco- – Simon Whitehouse Addressing the local production of PPE, own procurement policies and practices," she nomic sense for NWT businesses to supply Katrina Nokleby, minister of ITI, said buying said. "Physical distancing measures are likely this local demand." 4 yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 photo story Yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 5 Volunteers take trash out of sand pit area Northern News Services items are temporarily deposited in a secondary trash area on the Trash accumulation in Yellowknife's natural spots is ongoing, north side of the sandpits. Volunteers later load them into trucks with or without a pandemic, but local volunteers are doing their and drive them to the dump. bit to clean things up. "I joined the Yellowknife Cleanup Facebook group in May volunteer A hardy bunch from the Yellowknife Cleanup group put on because I consider myself an environmentalist and it disgusts me their gloves and grabbed their garbage bags for a day of picking to see people tossing garbage," said Christine Martin. Feature up trash at the sandpits on Saturday. "Since Covid, I knew that some community clean-up pro- "May 16 was our first cleanup session. It was good," said grams have been put on hold. I'm glad this group is holding regu- by Blair McBride organizer Stephanie Harris. "We found and hauled away about a lar cleanup sessions. I feel like people use the sandpits as a free ton of junk. There has been at least 24 tires, a deep freezer, three dump, but it really isn't." TVs, a toilet, a hot water tank, large mattresses, and big and small propane tanks. Nothing is off limits." The volunteer turnout was smaller on Saturday than May 16 – five volunteers compared to the previous eight – but the group still collected at least four bags of trash and some larger items, including an old coffee maker, a rice cooker and even a rusting engine block that was found partly sunk into the sand. "I'd like to do these sessions throughout the summer. I've been coming out here since I was a kid and seeing junk all the time. I used to just shake my head or think 'someone else will clean it up,' but I'm doing something about it now. People need to know what's going on out here," Harris said. The bags of garbage are taken away to the dump and larger

Christine Harris rests her foot on the engine block that she transported to a secondary trash Gail Nesbitt, left, Christine Martin, Darrel Byrne, Landon Byrne (sitting on shoulders) and Stephanie pile on the north side of the sandpits. Harris pose during the Yellowknife Sandpits Cleanup 2.0 on Saturday.

Stephanie Harris, left, and Christine Martin secure a winch to a discarded Christine Harris, left, tries to reverse her vehicle through the sand as Landon engine block before Harris tried to haul it out with her four-wheeler. Byrne and his father Darrel watch.

Landon Byrne holds a plastic wheel well Darrel Byrne holds some garbage Gail Nesbitt holds some of the lit- and bottle he found while picking up trash Christine Martin cleans up in and a backpack that someone ter she picked up on the southern at the sandpits. front of a pond at the sandpits. had tossed out at the sandpits. edge of the sandpits. 6 yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 7 City council to double budget for restoration of Bristol plane 'This is not the same as painting a building,' heritage committee chair says by Simon Whitehouse for a lower price. In the end, she supported the Northern News Services proposed figure with the rest of council. City council is prepared to dish out $101,500 "I don't feel comfortable with us inflating to cover the increasing cost of repairing and our estimate by that much when we already maintaining the Bristol Freighter plane monu- have indication that there's not that much com- ment located at Highway 3 and Old Airport petition in town," she said. "Is there anything Road. preventing someone from just now bidding the After discussion during Monday's govern- maximum amount and getting the contract ance and priorities committee meeting, coun- because you're the only one bidding?" cillors supported the expense, which has risen Coun. Julian Morse, who chairs the herit- from an estimated $55,000 in 2018. age committee, said the project has been a The city is aiming to have the project done priority of the committee for a few years and this year, council heard. the cost is warranted given the style of project The Bristol Freighter was the first wheeled and the worsening condition of the monument. aircraft to land at the North Pole in 1967. The "I would say, yes, it has been surprising plane had been owned by Northern aviation how expensive it is, but when it comes down pioneer Max Ward, who retired from service to it, it is quite a specialized project," he said. in 1969. The model is known for having ser- "This is not the same as painting a building, viced the North for many years during the which is effectively a cube where you need to 20th century. It made regular stops at trading roll paint onto it. It's a very technical painting posts, oil and mine sites, Arctic islands and job with all sorts of taping of the different lines schools. on the plane. You're preserving the kind of the In 1970, the Yellowknife Museum Society colouring of the plane and from my under- bought the plane from Wardair Canada Ltd. standing, painting a plane is just an expensive for $1 and erected it at the entrance to the city thing to do in general. We're not even painting soon thereafter. this thing with aviation-grade paint." On Monday, senior administrative officer Mayor Rebecca Alty and Bassi-Kellett said Sheila Bassi-Kellett explained that the previ- given the nature of the city's online procure- ous council had approved spending $55,000 to ment process – whereby those bidding don't upgrade the paint job and repair work needed necessarily know how many others are going on the plane, as it has not seen fresh paint since for the same contract – the project could come 1996. But when it went to tender in 2018, the in well under the amount budgeted. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo bids received were much higher. Grant White, director of community ser- Yellowknife city councillors showed support for spending $101,500 on a In 2018, only one contractor expressed vices, said the area used to have a fence in an repainting and maintenance upgrade of the Bristol Freighter aircraft monu- interest in the project and the quote at that time attempt to discourage people from climbing ment at the corner of Highway 3 and Old Airport Road Monday. was $72,269. the monument. According to Monday's memorandum, "Every year, it just got vandalized people there's $186,068.59 in the heritage reserve, would cut (the fence), people would go under," which will be tapped into to cover the Bristol White said. "So because of the remoteness of Freighter repairs. The heritage committee had that you know a fence isn't really a deterrent. already budgeted $35,000 in other expenses We never really have considered putting cam- for 2020. eras as was suggested." Coun. Shauna Morgan had some reserva- Council is scheduled to vote on the item at tions about the increased amount and pushed the June 8 regular council meeting.

James McCarthy/NNSL photo the fifth season begins It's that most wonderful time of year in Yellowknife: construction season. The unofficial fifth season of the calendar year is off and running in the capital with Old Airport Road getting its seemingly annual facelift. This year, the south- bound lanes between Range Lake Road and Byrne Road will be closed until further notice as they will undergo paving. According to the city's website, sewer repairs near Range Lake Road and paving of Norseman Laneway in Northlands are also part of the work being done. As well, 54 Avenue between 49 Street and School Draw Ave. will be closed as the city begins replacing water mains and sew- ers in that part of town. That was also set to begin today. There was no indication from the city as to an approximate timeline on how long the construction will last or how much it's costing. 8 yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 Editorial & Opinions Published Wednesdays and Fridays Comments and views from Yellowknifer and letters to the editor

P.O. Box 2820, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2R1 Office: 5108 50th Street, Yellowknife Phone: (867) 873-4031 Fax: (867) 873-8507 Toll free: (855) 873-6675 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.nnsl.com Rocky Simpson inexplic- FOUNDER (1934-2018): ably backed a motion J.W. (Sig) Sigvaldason calling for the removal PUBLISHER, CEO: Bruce Valpy – [email protected] Katrina Nokleby from cab- Chief Financial Officer: inet. Nokleby, as minister Judy Triffo – [email protected] of Industry, Tourism and MANAGING EDITOR: Investment, is respon- Mike W. Bryant – [email protected] sible for collecting on the ACCOUNTING: [email protected] almost $2 million loan Florie Mariano • Cindy Minor • Salleah Wagas Simpson and his company Assignment editor Craig Gilbert - [email protected] failed to pay back to the Editorial board: Business Development Bruce Valpy • Mike W. Bryant and Investment Corpora- Craig Gilbert • Simon Whitehouse tion. NNSL file photo Copy editor: Brett McGarry

Photo: Emily McInnis - [email protected]

Reporters: [email protected] Simon Whitehouse • Brendan Burke Blair McBride

Sports: James McCarthy – [email protected]

ADVERTISING: [email protected] Representatives: Conflict at heart of move Petra Memedi • Laura Whittle James Boylan • Echo Xin Advertising manager: Zerline Rodriguez Features coordinator: Emmanuel Ramos Social Media manager: Vincent De Leon to remove minister ADVERTISING PRODUCTION Production co-ordinator: Jennifer Reyes Zdena Kunderlik • Randy Hiebert MLAs should include themselves in legislation barring Joshua Uson • Wesley Cook candidates owing money to government from running Customer service: Holly Yestrau [email protected] Northern News Services There is no shame in a business CIRCULATION: [email protected] One curious item that went without The issue: losing money borrowed from the Circulation Director: Amy Yang discussion during last week's attempt Conflict of interest government. Business owners take Jewala Jhankur to remove Katrina Nokleby from cab- We say: major risks every day in an effort to inet was how Hay River South MLA create jobs and investment. Northern- Subscriptions: Legislation should include Print: (mail) $90/year Rocky Simpson came to second the ers expect government to support Online: (entire content) $50/year motion. MLA candidates owing money businesses because of the necessary For anyone keeping score, Simpson risks they're required to take in an was elected to the legislative assem- effort to grow. bly last fall owing nearly $2 million to the Local Authorities Education Act in Undoubtedly, there will be piles of NORTHERN NEWS SERVICES LIMITED 100% Northern owned and operated the NWT Business Development and 1988. unpaid debt owed to the government

Publishers of: Investment Corporation (BDIC). Nokle- The legislation forbids NWT resi- once the carnage of Covid-19 has Inuvik Drum •Kivalliq News by, as minister of Industry, Tourism dents from standing for election to been fully assessed. The private sec- Yellowknifer • Hay River Hub NWT News/North and Investment (ITI), is responsible for a community government council if tor is strewn with minefields no one Nunavut News/North the BDIC, and as such, is where the they – or the corporation they control can predict.

Member of: buck stops when it comes to ensuring – owes the community government But that's why we have conflict of Canadian Community Newspapers Association debts owed to it are being collected. more than $500 for more than 90 interest rules. They're there to help Ontario Community Newspapers Association It was an obvious conflict of inter- days. honest people ward off potential Manitoba Community Newspapers Association Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association est but that didn't stop Simpson from The reasons are obvious. A mayor trouble should they be beckoned by Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association putting his name to MLAs' attempts Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta Press Councils or town councillor whose business the call of political office. Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce to remove the minister, nor MLAs owes the town they're governing For some reason, MLAs never Contents copyright – printed in the North from turning a blind eye to his inclu- money has a business – and per- extended the conflict rules they put by Canarctic Graphics Limited sion in the effort. sonal -- interest in seeing that debt in place for people seeking municipal When Simpson's debt first became disappear, and one potential way to office to include candidates for the public – three days after defeating make that debt disappear is to con- legislative assembly. This is a major Send us your comments former ITI minister Wally Schumann trol the entity you owe money. This is oversight. You can e-mail us at [email protected]; mail to Box 2820, Yellowknife X1A 2R1; or drop your letter off in last fall's territorial election -- North- conflict of interest 101. Simpson could've avoided his at our office at 5108-50th Street. ern News Services asked him whether Thus, when Simpson seconds a conflicts had the rules been there to All letters submitted must be signed with a return address and daytime telephone number so that we he could effectively represent his con- motion calling for the removal of the prevent him from running while owing can confirm it came from you. Not all letters will necessarily be published. Pref- stituents while owing such an enor- minister in charge of his debt, that money. His money woes also entangle erence is given to short letters of broad interest or mous sum to the GNWT. might as well have been Concept his son, RJ Simpson, a former general concern. We particularly encourage new contributors as He insisted his business problems Energy seconding the motion. manager at Concept and now a cab- we attempt to publish a cross-section of public opinion. have nothing to do with his job as an Likewise, his failure to publicly dis- inet minister sitting across from him Letters of more than 300 words, open letters and MLA. close that he owed money to the BDIC in the legislative assembly. those published elsewhere are seldom used. We reserve the right to edit for length or taste and to "That's Concept Energy," he said, during last fall's territorial election, If Rocky Simpson wants to put eliminate inaccurate or libelous statements. We may also choose to use a letter as the basis referring to the company he owns, means Wally Schumann – who was his name to something that demon- for a story. which had taken out the loan from minister of the agency at the time strates good faith, it ought to be legis- the BDIC in 2011. and thus, bound not to speak of the lation that forbids candidates running The thing is people instinctively debt because it was before the courts for MLA if they owe the government know there is little daylight between -- could argue he wasn't just in a race money. a person and their business. MLAs against Rocky Simpson but Concept No one could argue Concept Energy understood that when they passed Energy as well. was behind that one. commentary Yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 9 Down with Nokleby

Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo Cabinet minister Katrina Nokleby speaking in the legislature building's foyer. As has been said many times in the past, consensus government does not allow for healthy and robust debate, transparency and accountability, colum- nist Nancy Vail writes. Northern News Services by keeping her post came from the NWT If the confusion in the legislature over & Nunavut Chamber of Mines. They have We asked you! the removal of Industry, Tourism and Invest- found the perfect ally. Yet, small businesses with Blair McBride ment Minister Katrina Nokleby from cabinet in Yellowknife and likely elsewhere through- pointed out anything, it's that the system of out the North suffered horribly during the [email protected] government we have is not working. pandemic. Some business operators here said It was a brave move for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh sales dropped 90 per cent. Thank goodness MLA Steve Norn to put forward the motion for help provided by the federal government. calling for the removal of Katrina Nokleby as Though Prime Minister Justin What would you do this summer if head of ITI and unfortunate that Trudeau invited Cochrane along it did not reach the floor for more with other provincial and territor- border restrictions were lifted? transparency and debate. Sadly, it ial leaders to a gathering shortly only contributed to the sense of a after the election to discuss the weak government. importance of climate change, it We can only hope, too, that did not even make the top 10 list abandoning that action does not of priorities in the territories when give this cabinet the mistaken that was produced shortly after that notion that whatever they do is OK. meeting. And while the Yukon, It's not. which is now practising party As has been said many times politics, declared a climate change in the past, consensus government notes emergency, any hint of that here does not allow for healthy and from the trail was ignored. We chose to pursue robust debate, transparency and infrastructure projects that, for the accountability. Thus representa- Nancy Vail is a longtime most part, would feed the mines. tion for all residents of the NWT Yellowknifer concerned with That speaks volumes. is often not heard. Questions from social justice. The pandemic took care of Hash Manickum Michael Gannon Jeff McKay the regular MLAs who represent things in its own way, though, giv- "I would visit family "Take a trip to the Sun- "Maybe go to Nova them are too often ignored. I truly feel for the ing the Earth time to heal. Let's hope policy in Edmonton or they shine Coast in B.C." Scotia to see my MLAs who were willing to support the motion makers reflect on the changes we have seen. who, in the end, were left holding the bag. This non-confidence motion last week was would come up here." mom." In a style of government where former pre- not about gender or personal agendas. It was mier Bob McLeod once said, all you need is about whether the job being performed meets two or three regular members to support you the needs of constituents throughout the North and you can do what you want, it is becom- and tackled the diversity of issues in a bal- ing increasingly apparent this cabinet wants anced way. We have already seen other cab- to govern in a way which lends itself easily to inet ministers thrown under the bus for over- micromanagement, power and control and to reaches of power, lack of transparency and leave concerns from regular MLAs unheard. more critical decision-making areas falling This is not government by the people for the into fewer and fewer hands. It is no wonder people. Instead, it is more like a corporation regular MLAs are asking questions. headed by a CEO. Yet we are not a business, Since we have a consensus government we are people who live here because we love mostly by definition rather than practice, this land and this territory. perhaps the public does need more tools to Before this new slate of MLAs was elected keep their governing bodies in check. If and before the pandemic hit, there was an new employees are not working out, they are Aidan Cartwright Jacob McGee Pat Gallagher urgent cry across this country, and indeed the removed after a short probationary period. We "We'd probably stay "Stay here and go "I would go see my world, for more emphasis on climate change slug it out with under-performing MLAs for here and enjoy the mountain biking." son in Vancouver and and that policies going forward needed to take four years. summer. Hopefully it's see my other kids in environmental impacts of all projects into If last week's activities proved anything, it not too smokey." Toronto." account. The voices of those questioning some is that we need a style of government where of these environmentally destructive projects all voices are heard with open and honest such as Taltson expansion and the proposed debate. We do not have that now and there is road into Nunavut have been ignored. no indication of us moving in that direction. It has not gone unnoticed that while We do not have consensus or conciliation; we the minister of ITI attended many climate have confrontation and it's not working. change rallies before the election, she has not Let's hope there is a strong grass roots attended any since then, while rarely missing group willing to bring this difficult task of an opportunity to attend mining gatherings. Express yourself: Write a letter to the editor looking for alternative governing frameworks Letters should be short and to the point. No longer than 500 words, please. Your letter should be Where is the balance? to fruition. This government won't because it relevant to our readers. Emailed letters are preferred. Include your full name and a phone number, as Caroline Cochrane and herself have stated has a vested interest in what is, but we need we verify authenticity of all letters prior to publication. We may edit your letter for grammar, length (for publicly that their doors are always open to an alternative so that we can continue to enjoy our print version) or any potential legal issues. representatives from the mining sector. It is no living well in this democratic country we call Email your letter to: [email protected] with the subject line: Letter to The Editor wonder then that a letter of support for Nokle- home. Or by regular mail: Yellowknifer 5108 50 St., Yellowknife, NT., X1A 1S2 Attn: Editor 10 yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 commentary Yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 11 MLAs owe the people of the NWT and Katrina Nokleby a public apology

Northern News Services asking how his region is benefitting, pointing out vague prac- Hopefully, when the session opens in the 19th Legislative tices that don't deliver on promises of jobs and benefits for his Assembly today, an apology is tabled or issued or expressed constituents. There were many such questions posed by the by the ordinary MLAs, first to Minister Katrina Nokleby, sec- other ordinary MLAs, all doing their jobs in impressive fash- ondly to the people of the NWT. ion. Hay River South MLA Rocky Simpson even Last week's disruptive attempt to oust Nokleby asked Nokleby how she was going to handle the would have been extraordinary in ordinary times "Old Boys Club" operating in her department. but should have been unthinkable in the midst of a Any one of these MLAs is cabinet material but pandemic. there can only be so many cabinet ministers. The It was especially disappointing after watch- strength of consensus is based upon the abilities, ing these same disgruntled MLAs in a committee experience and integrity of the MLAs not in cabinet, meeting Tuesday afternoon with Nokleby and her to defend those of us not in government, the people. department, Industry, Tourism and Investment, dis- In her answers to changing the contract system, cussing the real issues plaguing the people outside never before have we heard such frank discussion their walls - the faltering economy with all the bad of the "Old Boys Club" in and out of government, it is going to bring, a struggling education system, with Nokleby talking about people who "game" the the existing problems of a hugely unemployed and system and "the bait and switch of, 'oh, we've got marginalized Indigenous population made worse. From the these people' and then, 'oh, now we've got the con- Thebacha MLA gave a suc- tract we're going to hire these people.'" She com- cinct analysis of different types of construction con- Publisher mitted to instructing her staff to start answering tracts, pushing not just for Indigenous involvement Bruce Valpy is the their emails. May seem a small matter but to those but for involvement of Northern business. Kam publisher and CEO of people attempting to seek assistance or do business Lake MLA asked out of the 87 NNSL Media. with the government, an unanswered email can be percent of government contracts awarded to North- excruciating limbo. ern business, how many Northerners were actually In the end, the attempt to remove Minister given jobs instead of imported southern workers. Frame Lake Nokleby was nothing more than a workplace gripe. The veter- MLA Kevin O'Reilly spoke on the merits of proposed infra- an MLAs who backed it should be ashamed, if not for alarm- structure projects, lamenting the length of time – he predicts ing an already alarmed electorate, then for being so politically NNSL file photo 11 years total – for the environmental assessment of the pro- inept as to take a run at a strong minister. If they were a scrag- Some MLAs elected to the 19th Legislative posed Mackenzie Valley Highway. He followed that by urging gly pack of hungry wolves chasing after swift caribou, they Assembly, including Katrina Nokleby, left, and Minister Nokleby to focus on getting decent internet into the would still be hungry. Over 1,500 Northerners were so dis- Steve Norn and RJ Simpson, top, embrace after communities and asked her department to do more to help tressed, they signed a petition demanding Nokleby stay. Many, taking their oaths of office during a special cere- small business. many more confused Northerners asked: "Why?", "Why now?" mony Oct. 11, a day that after the events of last Deh Cho MLA requested the level of "Poor communication," MLAs complained about the minis- week feels like a lifetime ago. Indigenous employment in the GNWT's Infrastructure depart- ter. Well, unlike the rest of us working people, they can stand ment, using his own experience to illustrate the difficulty of in the assembly and lambaste their "managers" without much But the crisis we face is not about you MLAs, it's about Indigenous staff getting promotions, even interviews for senior legal restraint, nor fear of being fired, then sit back down the pain coming to the people of the NWT. Apologize, offer positions. He questioned the benefits coming to his constitu- having done their job. Only Yellowknife North MLA Rylund up tangible proof you are fully committed to the job, common ency from the Deh Cho Bridge project. Monfwi MLA Jackson Johnson had the good sense to get out in front of the political courtesy, and get busy mitigating the severe and lasting symp- Lafferty delved into the details of the Tlicho Road contracts, blunder at the 11th hour Thursday night. toms Covid-19 brings to the NWT. 12 yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 13 Empties pile up as bottle and recycling depot remains closed

The Bottle Shop- Recycling Depot in Yellowknife remains closed and the GNWT said it is working with the oper- ator to ensure its health and safety measures plan is ready before it can open. Blair McBride/NNSL photo

GNWT says Yellowknife depot a 'priority,' owner silent on the subject

by Blair McBride while they wait for the depot to open. operations. In the meantime, ENR recommends that Northern News Services "It would be nice to know when they might Residents who wish to have their recyclable residents remove caps, rinse bottles and store The Bottle Shop-Recycling Depot in open, but I understand why it's not open yet," items picked up can email andrea.harding@ the bottles in a dry place so they're ready once Yellowknife remains closed and it's unclear she said. yk1.nt.ca with their address and a pick up time. the depots open their doors. when it will open, leaving Yellowknifers lit- Les Rohac and his wife Margita were less erally holding the bag. patient, saying that when they drive around Bottle depots are among the businesses town they see residents' balconies full of bags and services permitted to open under the first of empty containers. phase of the GNWT's Emerging Wisely Covid "It's easy to control the flow of people (at lockdown recovery plan. the depot). I don't understand why it's still Establishments seeking to resume oper- closed. I have a place to store the empties at ations must implement a series of safety meas- home but it's bothering me." ures before they can open their doors, such Some Yellowknife residents are stepping up as completing Workers' Safety with their own solution while the and Compensation Commission depot is closed. risk assessments, developing an "Why isn't Range Lake North School exposure control plan and having it open yet started a collection program for enough supplies of personal pro- refundable, recyclable bottles and tective equipment and sanitation when other containers on Tuesday as a fund- products on site. raiser for its Forest and Nature But while some beauty salons, things are School Program. barber shops and fitness gyms in People can drop off the items Yellowknife have opened, all bottle opening?" every Tuesday between 9 a.m. shops in the NWT are still closed. Benjamin Lacroix and noon. "No NWT depots are open On June 3, the school will at this time," said Joslyn Oosen- begin a free recycling pickup brug, spokesperson for the Department of drive from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. using a large cube Environment and Natural Resources (ENR). van from Yellowknife Beverages. "We do not have a specific date for the "We're trying to help people out who might Yellowknife Bottle Shop to reopen, but ENR is not have transportation or who have large working with the operator to open as soon as amount of bottles accumulated over the winter possible. The Yellowknife depot is the NWT's and who want to get rid of them before the largest and services nearly half the population, weather gets too warm and it makes a smell," and reopening is a priority." said organizer and teacher Andrea Harding. Depots aren't subject to any additional rules "We set up an account at the bottle depot last on opening, Oosenbrug said, but ENR wants to year, where all of the money collected was put ensure all operators have the right plan ready towards our Nature School Program. We raised before they can open. just over $1,100. This year we're hoping to raise "Like any other businesses, individual bottle $5,000 by the end of June for the program. We depots will open as soon as they can," she said. might do more bottle drives after next week if Efforts to contact Yellowknife Bottle Shop it's successful." owner Adam Pich were not successful. Harding and a staff member from Yellow- Questions and concerns from Yellowknife knife Beverages planned to pick them up today. residents about the depot are piling up just as Funds raised will go towards buying addi- fast as the empties. tional equipment and safety supplies for the "I feel bad because I have no place to put my Forest and Nature School, such as a stove for a bottles," said Benjamin Lacroix, who showed wall tent, first aid kits, tarps for the tent's roof, up at the shuttered depot on Friday with $100 tools, a hand-washing station and animal hide worth of bottles in his vehicle. "The website scraping tools. The tent still needs additional says it's open, but it's not. I don't want them to work, such as adding canvas and secure doors, throw them in the garbage. Why isn't it open Harding said. yet when other things are opening?" The collected containers will be stored at Jilisa Chernecki said her family has been Range Lake North in an outdoor storage facil- leaving their empty containers on their balcony ity and passed on to the depot once it resumes 14 yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 15 Staffing steady in Yk 1's $38M budget for '20-21 Education department still has to sign off on plan for coming school year by Blair McBride Northern News Services Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (Yk 1) is heading into the new school year with a leaner $38 million budget and with about the same number of staff members if funding for Indigenous sup- port programs materializes. The draft budget, still subject to approval by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), is slightly less than the actual projected budget for the current 2019-2020 school year of around $39.8 million. The budget proposes that Yk 1's projected expenses for the next school year comes to $38.1 million with a net deficit of $300,000. Its expenditures break down into 64.4 per cent for school pro- grams, 17.39 per cent for inclusive and special needs schooling, 10.10 per cent for maintenance, 4.21 per cent for administration, 2.43 per cent for Aboriginal Languages education and 0.57 per cent for accommodation. As Tram Do, director of corporate services told the meeting members last week, ECE provides around 80 per cent of Yk 1's revenue, with a property tax allocation from the City of Yellow- knife accounting for 18 per cent and two per cent from Yk 1-gen- erated revenues. Funding from ECE is based on full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrolment. Since September of 2018 there has been an increase in enrolment of 40 students at Yk 1's six schools, with another five students from Kaw Tay Whee School in Dettah attending Yk 1 schools. A total of 2,143 students were enrolled at Yk 1 schools in 2019-2020, according to an ECE document on NWT education bodies. NNSL file photo Yellowknifer has asked Yk 1 for the total number of staff it Yellowknife Education District No. 1 released its draft budget last week. Salary increases for teachers employs, but has not yet received a response. aren't included in Yk 1's budget for the 2020-21 school year because a new collective agreement hasn't The most notable change in the budget is with staff hired been signed yet. through funding related to Jordan's Principle, the concept that Indigenous children living on and off reserve receive equitable Other expenses could include technology or internet service tion). Whatever the GNWT settles with the NWTTA would be access to government-funded public services. required for working from home, or personal protective equip- what we receive in additional funding when we negotiate the In the past, the number of students requiring Jordan's Prin- ment. contracts and funding with our staff and any increases with our ciple support, in the form of various educational resources like In response to an inquiry from Yellowknifer as to whether the staff," Do said. teaching staff or literacy support has "increased every year" and data on those expenses was available, Huculak said it had not yet Negotiations between NWT education districts and the "our schools have been very vigilant in applying for that funding been released. NWTTA have been paused during the Covid-19 pandemic and for students who might otherwise be falling through the cracks. New contract not ready the current contract with Yk 1, which expires on Aug. 31 would Our staffing numbers will be almost exactly the same as I am The proposed budget didn't include salary increases for Yk 1 carry on until talks resume, possibly in the fall. expecting Jordan's Principle funding to continue," said Yk 1 super- staff because the new contracts aren't yet in place. NWT Teach- However, the three-year contract that Yk 1 has with adminis- intendent Metro Huculak. ers' Association is still negotiating a collective agreement with the trative assistants, maintenance staff and custodians – represented "We received about $2.2 million of funding for Jordan's Princi- territorial government. by the United Steelworkers union – was included in the proposed ple for our schools (in 2019-2020)," said Do. "We haven't received "We're assuming there will be no new increase until we hear budget and those staff members will receive a 2.5 per cent salary approval for the next school year. Principals are in the process of what the GNWT has settled (with the NWT Teachers' Associa- increases. applying for Jordan's Principle funding. Hopefully by August or September we will have confirmation as to how many positions we receive funding for." Other staff changes include seven new child and youth care counsellor (CYCC) positions, one part-time French teacher and one less FTE junior kindergarten instructor on reserve. The CYCC positions are among 49 such new roles created across the NWT to provide mental health support for children and families. Funding for the seven CYCC positions will come from the Department of Health and Social Services, after ECE rerouted $500,000 from school counselling for the new budget. Counsel- ling services are actually increasing for Yk 1 students, from 4.05 positions to 8.75 (seven CYCC roles and 1.75 Yk 1 counsellor role). Few details were given in the meeting about the possible impacts of Covid safety measures that schools will implement in September. However, Do said that the measures could affect some school programs. "Speciality programs that we provide to students like choir, band, athletes, industrial arts, drama (might not be the same) when we reopen in September," she said. "We're all working on safe school plans for September. Those plans will be revealed as soon as we have them developed and approved. Some specialty programs we provide may or may not be there and if they are there they may look slightly different than what we're normally used to." There will be added costs for the intensified cleaning pro- cedures at schools, Huculak said, but the actual costs weren't yet known. Expenses related to the pandemic have been tracked by the district and they might be reimbursed through federal funding, Do said. "If staff had to be physically at work and had to travel out- side of the territory for medical treatment and had to come back and self-quarantine, (those) two weeks of self-quarantine (were) tracked separately and we could maybe get reimbursed if the GNWT is successful in getting funding," she said. 16 yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 Sports & Recreation Sports hotline • James McCarthy Phone: (867) 873-4031 • Email: [email protected] • Fax: (867) 873-8507 Junior female athlete award renamed for Mercer-Sproule Sport North renames Junior Female Athlete of the Year in her honour

by James McCarthy less other regional and nation- Northern News Services al championships in all of her Robin Mercer-Sproule's six chosen sports. death late last month gener- Traci Mercer-Sproule, ated plenty of sadness but also Robin's widow, said she was many happy memories of one able to tell her late wife about of the North's most prolific the honour just before she athletes. died. She was inducted into the "I got to tell her about that NWT Sport Hall of Fame in and the fundraiser that they're 2018, ensuring her legacy in doing in her memory for the sport will live on forever and hospital," she said. "She had a Sport North made sure that big smile on her face and said legacy continued to grow. 'Right on'. She was definitely Late last month saw the OK with it." federation re-christen its This will be the first year Junior Female Athlete of the the renamed award will be Year Award to add Mercer- handed out but it's anyone's Sproule's name to it and it will guess as to when it will be now be known as the Robin given to the winner. May Mercer-Sproule Junior Female is usually the month of the Athlete of the Year Award. annual awards banquet but it's Doug Rentmeister, Sport been postponed owing to the North's executive director, Covid-19 pandemic. said it was an easy decision for Rentmeister did hint in an everyone involved to make. earlier interview with Yellow- "The suggestion came knifer that the awards could NNSL file photo from the staff and the board be handed out during the next Robin Mercer-Sproule, left, has her hand raised by Alfred Moses, then minister of municipal and com- approved it," he said. "We Hall of Fame induction cer- munity affairs, as she was inducted into the NWT Sport Hall of Fame in 2018. Mercer-Sproule has received were looking at other options emony, which is scheduled to about what to do and this happen in November. another gesture as Sport North has renamed its Junior Female Athlete of the Year in her honour. was what we came up with." No matter when it is, Traci Mercer-Sproule's accomplish- Mercer-Sproule said she plans ments are rivaled by very few on being there to present the as she represented the NWT trophy. at the Arctic Winter Games "I wouldn't miss that for in five different sports, begin- anything," she said. "It's just ning at the age of 11 when she another example of this city competed in figure skating in going above and beyond to 1976. She then competed in recognize one of its own and basketball, hockey, volleyball this is just a fantastic honour. and broomball when that was Robin would have been hon- a demonstration sport in 1988. oured to be able to present it She also played in count- herself if she could." sports & recreation Yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 17 Remember when this happened? track and field Feature by James McCarthy

Northern News Services now but we thought it would Today was supposed to be be nice to go back into the the day when buses hit the vault and pick out some pho- highway to head to Hay River tos from last year's event. It for the start of the NWT Track was also supposed to be the and Field Championships. end of the scholastic sports They aren't happening for season in the NWT. reasons best known to us by Enjoy.

Tobi Taylor-Dusome of St. Pat's sticks the landing on her way to setting a new record in the master women's long jump.

Taylor Schear of K'alemi Dene School puts every- thing into her effort in the midget girls shot put.

Sir John Franklin won the overall and school grand aggregate titles at the 2019 NWT Track and Field Championships in Hay River as well as the most sportsmanlike team. Holding the most sportsmanlike trophy, left, is Robert Paddock; holding the overall grand aggregate trophy is Stephen Messier and holding the school grand aggregate trophy is Jaleel Tulloch. The school will remain as grand aggregate champions as the 2020 event has been cancelled due to Covid-19.

The William McDonald duo of Wesley Lizotte of St. Joe's grimaces as he prepares to leap Nikhilesh Gohil, left, and Alexander Hannah Courtoreille takes flight as she prepares – and clear – 1.37 metres in the peewee boys high jump, Fast come down the stretch during the to hit the sand in the junior girls long jump. setting a new meet record in the process. bantam boys 1,000-metre race. 18 yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 19 GNWT moves Walt Humphries' weather-worn mural indoors Mural, once on display outside old hospital, was discovered on a gravel pile by Brendan Burke mural would be moved into storage working with Mr. Humphries and Northern News Services before finding a home at new Stan- conservation experts to determine Walt Humphries' weather-worn ton Territorial Hospital once it was restoration needs for the mural. We mural has been moved to indoor up and running. It opened its doors look forward to putting the mural storage. about a year ago. The mural was on display again … to highlight the The territorial government also nowhere to be found. North's culture and heritage," stated has plans to restore the renowned Following news of the mural's Hanna. piece, once a beloved fixture at the resting place, the GNWT covered "It ended up being a good news old Stanton Territorial Hospital, that the painting with a tarp last week. It story," Humphries said in an inter- was recently found abandoned and was moved to a warehouse on May view. "I think we caught it at the exposed to the elements near the 27, according to spokesperson Greg right time, but there is going to have emergency wing of the new hospital. Hanna. to be a little bit of work done." "The mural is now safe inside," Hanna said in an email that the Based on what he's seen, Hum- Humphries, an acclaimed artist and government hired a local moving phries said restoration is doable. He longtime resident, told his friends company to "move the mural while said he thinks the GNWT will do and followers on Facebook Thurs- exercising care and respect for the photo courtesy of Bill Braden the right thing by covering the asso- day. artwork to ensure it was properly Piecing together seven panels of plywood at his trailer in ciated costs. A few weeks ago, a friend of handled and stored." Northlands, Walt Humphries painted the sprawling mural in With a happy ending potentially Humphries stumbled across the Humphries completed his labour 1992. on the horizon, Humphries said resi- mural – a sprawling eight-and-a- of love over two months in 1992. dents will enjoy seeing the mural half-metre-long, two-and-a-half- The mural first stood outside the old site wrapped up this past winter – up, the contractor will consult with up again. metre-wide painting that captures hospital – a bright and bold welcome that's when it was placed in the grav- Humphries to come to a decision of "I think they'll feel good about it. the old Stanton building along with sign for patients and visitors alike el heap. Hanna estimates the mural where the mural will be re-installed. I try to do art that's good for adults a host of colourful characters – near for 25 years. In 2015, it was moved had been there about five months. "As some work is likely to occur and kids alike. the new hospital's emergency room. "from its original outside location to Hanna said the government is this summer and next summer as "I think the mural tells the story It was sitting in a heap of gravel next a new outside location near the old committed to restoring the piece part of a phased approach, we expect of Yellowknife, the story of the hos- to a stack of steel beams. hospital," wrote Hanna. The move with the help of Humphries and con- the mural to be re-installed and pital," said Humphries. Humphries was shocked by the was necessary to facilitate the con- servation experts. That likely won't back on display by the end of sum- He'd like to see more murals discovery. As work began to decom- struction of the new Stanton Ter- happen until sometime this summer, mer, 2021," stated Hanna, adding the commissioned around town created mission the old Stanton hospital, ritorial Hospital, he stated. when landscaping work is scheduled timeline also hinges on how much by artists based across the terri- now known as the Stanton Legacy The mural was moved once again at the former Stanton site. Before restoration work is required. tory – "something to remind them Site, Humphries said he was told the after construction work at the legacy landscaping designs are wrapped "The GNWT is and will be of home." 20 yellowknifer, Wednesday, June 3, 2020