'Grinch' grabs Centre Square Christmas tree Apparent thief leaves trail of decorations as shocked onlookers watch

Online first at NNSL.com A very important date: NACC's 35th birthday! Volume 48 Issue 77 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019 75 CENTS ($1 outside city) Free lunch on Franklin

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A new kind of (edible) gold rush

Sports Yellowknifer

makes Rotary Club of Yellowknife True North served a free lunch outside the post office Dec. 6. Volunteers spent the previous night cooking chick and vegetable soups while the Salvation Army helped podium in provided more volunteers and space to cook. Co-op Yellowknife and Trevor's Your Independent Grocers donated food, in addition to donations from Food Rescue. Edmonton Pictured, Grade 12 student Adithi Balaji serves up some soup while Grade 9 student Connor tourney Mackenzie looks on. Nick Pearce/NNSL photo

$1.00 outside Yellowknife Publication mail Contract #40012157 "By the time I ran outside it was too late to do anything."

7 71605 00100 5 Katrina Stiopu, describing the camper fire that left her and her eight-year-old daughter homeless, page 7. 2 yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 3 Did we get it wrong? Yellowknifer is committed to getting facts and names right. With that goes a commitment to acknow- 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. News Briefs

photo courtesy of RCMP Gas station robbed Police in Yellowknife are asking for the pub- lic's help in identifying a man they say robbed an uptown gas station Friday night. Just before midnight, the man, donning a black balaclava, entered the Shell gas station on Range Lake Road before demanding cash, Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo according to a media release issued by Yellow- book nook knife RCMP Monday. The Book Cellar, with the assistance of Northwords NWT held a 40th Christmas celebration for the store that featured The suspect used an "edged weapon" during the robbery, RCMP later told Yellowknifer. Police Richard Van Camp and other northern authors on Dec. 1. The event was held at the store as well as the nearby upper haven't specified exactly what kind of weapon hallway of the YK Centre. At back from left are Mindy Willett, Amber Henry, Richard Van Camp and Diane Brookes. At was used. front are Morris Neyelle, Book Cellar owner Judith Drinnan, Bill Braden and Tessa McIntosh. Police say a cashier handed over an undis- closed amount of cash before the suspect fled on foot southbound on Range Lake Road. The male suspect is described as being approximately six feet tall with a thin build. 'Grinch' steals Christmas Police say he was wearing a black/grey camo jacket, grey sweatpants with a black strip, black shoes and a pair of bright yellow gloves. "At the time of the incident, just before mid- night, there may have been customers outside the gas station or in the neighbouring businesses that tree from downtown mall may have observed the incident or recognize the suspect," states Monday's news release. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Yellowknife RCMP at 867- 669-1111. Tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. – Brendan Burke Job rate dips to 10-year low: GNWT report November saw the lowest employment level across the Northwest Territories since 2009. While seasonal employment patterns usually dip in November, they fell by 1.8 per cent this year, according to data released Dec. 6. That translates to 20,700 out of 32,300 people employed full-time in November. The rate fall occurred across all demographic groups and the largest was among males aged 15 to 25, which dropped by 4.9 per cent. Since November of 2016 employment rates in the Northwest Territories fluctuated between 63.7 per cent and 69.4 per cent, a more dramatic difference compared to the Canadian average of 60.4 to 62.9 per cent. – Blair McBride Lights competition stays on Residents now have until Dec. 15 to register for the annual holiday lights challenge staged by the City of Yellowknife and Northland Utilities. Residents can register by emailing their address and a photo of their lights to holiday- [email protected]. Entries will be uploaded to the holiday lights map where residents can photo sourced from Facebook view the lights, plan their holiday lights tour, A photo posted to Facebook by Louis Chartrand shows the aftermath of a culprit stealing the Christmas tree from and vote for their favorite, starting Dec. 16. Vot- Centre Square Mall Tuesday afternoon. ing will remain until midnight on Sunday, Dec. 22. Northland will select five winners from the Daring daytime theft left trail of festive debris top 20 entries selected by residents. Each win- An unknown culprit– apparently taking the the halls of the shopping centre, was taken Louis Chartrand, who took to Facebook to post ner will receive a $150 prize. All who register role of the Grinch to heart – made off with a shortly before 3 p.m. a photo of the aftermath. will be entered in a draw for $100, courtesy of decorative Christmas tree from Centre Square Shocked Yellowknifers shared a Facebook "Grinch vibes today eh?" read another. Northland Utilities. Winners will be announced Mall Tuesday afternoon, according to social photo of the scene shortly after the tree was By 3:30 p.m., staff had cleaned up the area. Dec. 23. Visit www.yellowknife.ca/holidaylights media reports. pilfered. It's unclear at this time if Yellowknife RCMP for more details. Security at the downtown mall confirmed "Just (saw) someone run away with the have been alerted. – Craig Gilbert to Yellowknifer the tree, one of three adorning Christmas tree in center square mall," wrote – Brendan Burke 4 yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 news Council gets earful on cut Indigenous relations position as 2020 budget passes Only Coun. Stacie Smith voted against it, objecting to loss of Indigenous relations position by Simon Whitehouse money to support it. city, you are not transforming anything," she Northern News Services Smith's comments followed a presentation said, noting her 50 years of experience of wit- City council passed its 2020 budget Monday, by social justice advocate Arlene Hache, who nessing Indigenous people being told to stay but not without some flak over its cut of the criticized council over its handling of recon- quiet in board rooms and in government. Indigenous relations adviser position. ciliation efforts and refusal to find money in the "I am here as a witness to let you know that City councillor Stacie Smith, who made budget to fund the position. if we don't transform these systems, racism will headlines the last few weeks in her effort to Hache said based on her 40-plus year career continue to flourish in Yellowknife." retain the Indigenous relations adviser position, and experience working with First Nations, Inuit "Being the only Indigenous person on this said she could not support the budget after and Metis people, she felt it was her responsibil- council can be very much be lonely and I recog- council refused to renew it. ity to let the municipality know it has to do bet- nized that when I took the position," Smith said "This year's budget there were some great ter to "push forward on reconciliation." in response. "I am so grateful for community key points," she said. "Some good efforts (were) "I was incredibly, incredibly disappointed members like yourself who are putting yourself made. However, because of the cat being let out that the representatives of the city diminished out there and speaking the truth after having for of the bag in regards to Indigenous relation- the concerns that were expressed by Coun. Sta- years experience working with rather than to. ships, I'm not going to be giving my approval cie Smith and Chief Ernest Betsina who really That is the best way of putting it and I appreci- for this budget. I've spoken loud and clear in clearly indicated that the loss of the Indigenous ate you coming here so much." regards to my feelings about this. adviser position was a huge loss in terms of Coun. Niels Konge was the only other council- Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photos "Other community members have also relationship building," she said. lor to make a final statement on the passing of the Arlene Hache the last speaker on spoken loud and clear about their opinion about "Without that Indigenous adviser position, budget, noting his support for the process overall. the Budget 2020, scolded city coun- specific roles within the city and I am going to this system will not transform. You can have I do have some concerns with it, principally cil for not renewing the Indigenous stand by that." as many projects as you want, but then you're being that one line item year over year with Relations adviser position. The 18-month term position, announced doing to Indigenous people, you're not doing wages and salaries is actually about 3.6 per cent by the city without a cost figure attached in with." of an increase as opposed to the 1.63 per cent," 1.63 per cent. The budget was approved with 2018, was funded through Indigenous Services She noted that efforts toward reconciliation he said. "So our increase in wages alone is expected revenues of $79,139,109, a debenture 's Urban Programming for Indigenous needs to be done with the guidance of Indigen- outstripping our tax increase. We can get away interest payment of $463,000, debt princi- Persons (UPIP) program. The funding runs out ous people from the area. with it but it will come to cost us at some point." pal repayments of $1,658,000, expenditures of in February and the city has not found any other "If you don't have that point person at the Budget debate wrapped up late last week $92,125,010, which includes a capital invest- after council managed to whittle down a pro- ment of $22,020,000 and amortization of jected 8.48 per cent property tax increase to $14,943,000.

fact Budget comparison file

Budget 2019 Budget 2020 Expenditures: $88 million Expenditures: $92,125,010 Revenues: $75.5 million Revenues: $79,139,109 Debt principal Debt principal repayments: $1.6 million repayments: $1,658,000 Debenture interest Debenture interest payment: $515,000 payment: $463,000 Capital investment: $20.4 million Capital investment: $22,020,000 Amortization (depreciation of Amortization (depreciation of assets): $14.6 m assets): $14.9 m

Property tax hike history: Stacie Smith was the sole city councillor to oppose the 2020 budget, but it 2020 – 1.63 per cent passed on Monday night. 2019 – 1.44 per cent 2018 – 1.86 per cent 2017 – 1.23 per cent 2016 – zero per cent 2015 – zero per cent

Source: City of Yellowknife business Yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 5 Yk's next gold rush Local business hopes edible gold will whet appetites over our mining heritage A Yellowknife business is looking to spark they are interested in incorporating gold into a new gold rush in the city. Jake Olson, owner their dishes. of YK Gold and Silver, started his business Several potential businesses have expressed in 2015 as a simple jewelry exchange, where interest so far, including Sushi North which people can sell items made of gold and silver. launched its gold-covered Aurora dragon roll But it didn't take long for him to see the mar- last weekend. He is hoping at least one more keting poten- restaurant will have gold on their menus in the tial of gold as New Year. an homage to The modestly priced $14 dragon roll is Yellowknife's essentially a normal piece of sushi, except it is mining herit- Focus garnished with 24-carat gold. age. His new- on business "The sushi itself is worth the money," Olson est product – said. "The only way you can make it better is edible gold – with Cody Punter with gold on top." may seem out Seiji Suzuki, the owner of Sushi North, told of place on a Yellowknifer he was immediately sold on the plate but it's already proving to be popular with idea when Olson approached him. customers. "In Japan sometimes for a big celebration "There's just a weird human fascination they put gold on the food and it looks gorgeous. with gold," said Olson. "It's been intrinsic and "Yellowknife is a gold city so it's a perfect essential to money for thousands of years." match." The idea of sprinkling gold on food may One of Olson's top selling products since he seem strange to some, but it is not new a phe- started his business are small vials filled with nomenon. Evidence suggests that using a gold gold flakes and Yellowknife quartz, which are as a garnish dates as far back as ancient Egypt. packaged with information about the town's It has since witnessed a modern resurgence in mining history as well as the mineral itself. the age of viral internet content. And then there Olson has sold 10,000 vials since the product is Goldschläger, a well-known Swiss liqueur launched in 2015. with thin, visible flakes of gold. In addition to the vials, Olson has worked to Olson said he first came up with the idea design similar products in B.C. and the Yukon. after seeing the attention a $100 golden dough- In total his vials are for sale in 40 stores across nut received when it was launched in New York the North and Western Canada. a few years ago. Olson is also working on developing a gold "For a town that was built on gold why infused soap bar with local business Laughing wouldn't we have some of these unique catered Lychen. Cody Punter/NNSL photos gold experiences up here?" he asked. "For those special showers where you want Seiji Suzuki, the owner of Sushi North, has partnered with Jake Olson to have This year, he dipped his toe into the market to treat yourself." gold flakes served on a special sushi roll. by partnering with a high-end maple syrup dis- tributor from New Brunswick to come up with a boutique product. They ended up making 250 bottles of Aurora Gold maple syrup. After launching a month and a half ago there are only 30 bottles left. Given the popularity of the product, he is planning on making another 1,000 bottles by the end of the year. "That's going really well, so that's exciting," he said. Most people's first question is whether gold is safe to eat. It is. However it has no taste, so the appeal is more visual than gourmet. Olson said people's opinions on edible gold are fairly polarized with half being revolted by the idea and the other half being very intrigued. "It's a weird spectrum," said Olson. "It's really cool to see people's reactions." Since the launch of the maple syrup, Olson has reached out to local restaurants to see if

Jake Olson, owner of YK Gold and Silver, shows off a bottle of his Aurora Gold maple syrup. The popular item is one of several products which Olson is trying to use to market Yellowknife's gold mining history.

A gold-covered sushi roll at Sushi North. 6 yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 7 Blaze destroys family's camper home near Dettah

photo courtesy of Katrina Stiopu Katrina Stiopu says her camper home near Dettah burned down Dec. 9. At right, the aftermath. 'All of our winter gear and belongings are gone' by Blair McBride the possessions inside about Northern News Services $20,000. A woman and her daugh- During the night of Dec. 9 ter are homeless after a fire they stayed at Stiopu's brother's destroyed their camper near place and for Dec. 10 they'll Dettah on the night stay with a friend. of Dec. 9. But for the rest of "We were inside "I noticed the week she isn't my brother's place sure where they celebrating a birth- the place I will stay. day. Then I noticed was staying "We will be the place I was stay- couch-surfing until ing in was on fire," in was on we find a place to as Katrina Stiopu sleep. I'm just tak- told Yellowknifer. fire." ing it one day at a "By the time I Katrina Stiopu time. I don't have ran outside it was any plan right now. too late to do any- I don't know what thing. All of our winter gear to do," she said. and belongings are gone. We The Monday night incident had a canvas tent built outside wasn't the first time Stiopu lost as a wood stove for heat." her home. The blaze had already "This is my second time destroyed the camper by losing a home to fire. The first the time the fire department time was in September 2005. arrived, but firefighters put out We lost a $500,000 home. It the flames, Stiopu said. was 4,000-square feet." She and her eight-year-old "I'm in shock and it just daughter had set up their camp- feels like one big bad dream." er near the Dettah Road, about Yellowknifer was unable to five kilometres north of Det- confirm the fire department's tah. She estimates the camper response to the blaze before itself was worth $30,000 and press time. 8 yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 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

FOUNDER (1934-2018): J.W. (Sig) Sigvaldason PUBLISHER, CEO: Bruce Valpy – [email protected] Chief Financial Officer: Judy Triffo – [email protected] MANAGING EDITOR: Mike W. Bryant – [email protected] ACCOUNTING: [email protected] Florie Mariano • Cindy Minor • Amy Yang Assignment editor Craig Gilbert - [email protected] Editorial board: Bruce Valpy • Mike W. Bryant Craig Gilbert • Simon Whitehouse

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NNSL file photo Sports: James McCarthy – [email protected] Renovating the antiquated, inadequate Ruth Inch Memorial Pool would not be unlike putting lipstick on a pig. It's time for Yellowknifers to have an aquatic centre they can be proud of – and before it ends up costing an arm and a leg. ADVERTISING: [email protected] Representatives: Petra Memedi • Laura Whittle James Boylan • Echo Xin Advertising manager: Zerline Rodriguez Administrative assistant: Emmanuel Ramos Social Media manager: Vincent De Leon ADVERTISING PRODUCTION New pool now Production co-ordinator: Jennifer Reyes Diana Mathisen • Zdena Kunderlik Randy Hiebert • Joshua Uson Council's vote to delay the inevitable Customer service: Holly Yestrau [email protected] replacement of Ruth Inch will cost us all Northern News Services CIRCULATION: [email protected] capital investments, is basically the Circulation Director: Emma Thomas Two years is too long. The issue: same thing. And it's a major rookie Jewala Jhankur The suggestion that the city go 24 Ruth Inch Memorial Pool move. Any accountant worth their salt months without any sort of indoor will tell you that's a recipe for disaster, Subscriptions: aquatic centre while the old one reno- We say: or at least compounded misery. It's Print: (mail) $90/year Must be replaced, and re- Online: (entire content) $50/year vated – even if the new pool is twice shortsighted and lacks the fortitude as long -- is difficult to swallow. main open needed to swallow a difficult fiscal pill. The wait-while-renovate option Yellowknife's capital budget pro- made its appearance last week while jected the city spending a lot of city council was trying to pare down a The first eight-kilometre water line money on an aquatic centre over NORTHERN NEWS SERVICES LIMITED 100% Northern owned and operated 8.5 per cent tax increase. to the Yellowknife River was installed the next three years: $9.6 million in Publishers of: A new, state-of the-art aquatic cen- in 1969 at a cost of $7 million. At this 2020, another $28 million in 2021 Inuvik Drum •Kivalliq News tre with a 52-metre pool is expected year's Snowking Festival, the federal and a further $9.6 million in 2022. Yellowknifer • Hay River Hub NWT News/North to cost approximately $50 million, government announced it would chip With last week's deferral, taxpay- Nunavut News/North council was told. This is the direction in a cool $25.8 million of the $35 ers will be staring down almost $38

Member of: council has been heading in since the million the city is expected to have to million next year to stay on the same Canadian Community Newspapers Association city-commissioned Aquatic Centre Pre- spend to replace it. That sounds great timeline, or get used to putting up with Ontario Community Newspapers Association Design Plan was unveiled in October but back in 2012 when the city first a substandard pool for another year, Community Newspapers Association Weekly Newspapers Association of last year. Last week, council was began mulling over a replacement for and paying even more down the road. Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta Press Councils presented with an option of renovat- the submarine line under Yellowknife This isn't good enough. Councillors Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce ing the existing Ruth Inch facility Bay the price tag was an estimated need to find the guts to shell out for a Contents copyright – printed in the North with a 25-metre pool for $41 mil- $10 million. new, substantially improved aquatic by Canarctic Graphics Limited lion, or $48.7 million for a expanded Council of the day could have centre now, with Ruth Inch staying 52-metre pool, or a go ahead with a founded a water main replacement open and operable until it's ready to new building but only a 25-metre pool reserve, then budgeted to make a take its place. Send us your comments at $47 million. small contribution to it each year and In the meantime, get user groups You can e-mail us at [email protected]; mail to Box 2820, Yellowknife X1A 2R1; or drop your letter off Naturally, presented with these new watched it grow, however incremen- involved and start fundraising now. at our office at 5108-50th Street. options, council opted, as Coun. Niels tally, as interest is collected on the Fifteen years ago, Facilities for Kids All letters submitted must be signed with a return address and daytime telephone number so that we Konge later commented, to kick the principal. Because they didn't, the tax- committed to raise $1 million toward can confirm it came from you. Not all letters will necessarily be published. Pref- "can" down the road to next month. payers of today will probably end up funding the Multiplex. The Depart- erence is given to short letters of broad interest or Whether they're imagining some- paying interest to creditors instead. ment of Defence added another $1 concern. We particularly encourage new contributors as how coming up with the cash closer Here's an experiment: get the bank million toward the facility's gymna- we attempt to publish a cross-section of public opinion. to the end of their four-year term, or on the phone tomorrow and tell them sium. Letters of more than 300 words, open letters and worse, intending to pass the burden that you won't be making any mort- These are tough fiscal times but those published elsewhere are seldom used. We reserve the right to edit for length or taste and to on to the next group elected, our gage payments in 2020. How proud the current pool is inadequate for eliminate inaccurate or libelous statements. We may also choose to use a letter as the basis city council has revealed their fiscal the financiers will be that you figured a city of our size and does nothing for a story. inexperience. out a way to prevent your household to make a winter city like ours an Every year the cost of everything costs from increasing more than two attractive place to live. goes up a bit (at least) the same way per cent. Council already knows this. That's we all get older. You could set your Cutting the tax rate not by address- why it's time to get moving now watch by it. Take the city's submarine ing the ever-growing operations before we'll all end up drowning in water line saga, for instance. budget, but by putting off crucial added debt that didn't have to be. commentary Yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 9 A cycle of violence against the planet

NNSL file photo "Remember, 1,000 people joined the climate march in Yellowknife last Sep- tember, columnist Nancy Vail writes. "We are aware watching." For the life of me, I do not understand People who work in women's shelters say why policy makers cannot see the link that it generally takes seven times before a between various resource sector operations woman finally stops returning to her abuser and the people they are supposed to be sup- and finds the strengthen to stand on her own. We asked you! porting; and intimate partner violence. How many more times will we return before with Brendan Burke This is a bold statement but it is a present we too come out of denial and seriously look day reality we see with increasing frequency at alternatives? [email protected] as work on the TransMountain pipeline pro- There is no doubt that we need economic ceeds in Alberta despite protests across the stimulus to survive and that jobs and healthy country and as trucking companies incomes contribute to our overall What is your all-time favourite Christmas song? in the North providing services to health. But all the jobs do not have the mines head for bankruptcy. As to come from the mining sector a consequence, almost 150 local which brings with it a plethora of businesses and those some employ social and financial ills we see on will be without expected money our streets every day. The terri- they've earned at Christmas. And tory does indeed have a wealth of with the same sense of denial that natural resources which lend them- a victim in domestic violence prac- selves well to tourism, education tices when hurt one more time, we and agriculture. We in the North too turn away from the environ- live in the most amazing natural mental and social wounds because terrain anywhere, much of which of our dependence problems. And is still unblemished by the human like the victims in domestic abuse, notes footprint that continues to devas- we forgive the spill, the bank- tate countries everywhere. Leela Mack: Elizabeth Brace: Lynn Charles: ruptcy or the heavy environmental from the But it is not necessarily what "O Holy Night." "I Saw Three Ships." "Songs from the film footprint one more time, believ- lies under the surface that makes White Christmas with ing the partners when they say – trail us beautiful; it's what's on top. Nancy Vail is a longtime Bing Crosby." things will be different this time, I Yellowknifer concerned with Protecting and showcasing that is promise. social justice. what we need to capitalize on. Yes, This awareness came to light mining has a role to play as we from the new cabinet's statement at the Geo- go forward, but not the role it played, almost science forum when the minister of ITI said, unfettered, in the past. "(The) government's priorities line up with It was interesting to note at the tourism the priorities of the mining, exploration, and department's public meetings last week, the geoscience industries. We intend to be allies government spent five million dollars on for miners and explorers looking to respon- tourism related activities in 2018 compared to sibly develop our vast mineral resources. We over 4 million on fighting wildfires. The bulk support the idea of investing in geoscience to of those wildfires were caused or exacerbated better understand our land – and the potential by climate change related activities which that lies beneath its surface. We are commit- is related to resource extraction. That is not ted to building the bridges, roads, and energy denial; it is truth. infrastructure needed to advance resource This does not mean that there is no room Agush Bhanot: Esther Rowe: Christene Brown: development and create economic develop- for mining here or anywhere. It does mean "Jingle Bells. It's a clas- "Go Tell it on the Moun- "What Child is This?" ment." that the focus cannot be exploitation but sic." tain." This is tragic. How soon they forget that rather extraction for the sake of public good. the number one issue during the territorial A polished rock on someone's finger will not and federal elections was dealing with the save us – but lithium, copper, and cobalt just growing threat of climate change of which might. mining practices of the past are one. Having said this, it is hoped that the Mining and exploration may be the cab- government will take a close look at its eco- inet's priorities, but they are not the prior- nomic development strategies going forward ities of many who are concerned about the realizing that the decisions made today will environmental impacts on the land, animals determine whether or not we survive tomor- and people in the Northwest Territories. row. It is time to put our priorities in their We are standing on a precipice and any- proper place. Express yourself: Write a letter to the editor thing the government does now must take Remember, 1,000 people joined the cli- Letters should be short and to the point. No longer than 500 words, please. Your letter should be into consideration the current fragile nature of mate march in Yellowknife last September. relevant to our readers. Emailed letters are preferred. Include your full name and a phone number, as we verify authenticity of all letters prior to publication. We may edit your letter for grammar, length (for our very existence. Scientists give us 11 years We are aware watching. our print version) or any potential legal issues. before moving into climate change disaster if Postscript: This column was written on Email your letter to: [email protected] with the subject line: Letter to The Editor influencing factors are left unchecked. What Chief Drygeese territory, home of the Yellow- are we doing about it? knife Dene, with gratitude. Or by regular mail: Yellowknifer 5108 50 St., Yellowknife, NT., X1A 1S2 Attn: Editor 10 yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 11 12 yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 photo story photo story Yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 13 NACC celebrates 35 years Special show marks the official anniversary of the theatre by Cody Punter Northern News Services The Northern Arts and Cul- tural Centre celebrated its 35th anniversary with a special per- formance on Saturday. The show is an original production that was created in collaboration with NACC and world-class opera singer Kofi Hayford, as well as William Hicks, the former pianist of Luicano Pavarotti. Brendan Burke/NNSL photo "It's the first time this Thirty-five years after its launch, Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) is NNSL file photo ensemble will have this show," "thriving" in a time when small theatres across the country are struggling, says Harold (Jeremy Findlay) tries to get his mother's attention with dynamite dur- said Marie Coderre, executive president Jean-Francois Pitre. ing a NACC tech rehearsal for Harold and Maude on Oct. 5, 2004. director of NACC. The 297-seat theatre has become a staple of Yellowknife community life ever since it first opened its doors in 1984 thanks to funding from The Globe and Mail newspaper. Coderre said a large part of the evolution of the theatre can be attributed to the hard work of Ben Nind, who served as NACC's director from 2004 to 2012. "Ben Nind slowly brought large-scale productions have I knew Tiffany when she was a new aspect to NACC," said become a big part of the the- doing high school shows and Coderre. atre's programming, the com- she's going on to do amazing When it first opened its munity aspect of NACC has things," he said. NNSL file photo doors, NACC was mostly con- always been the glue that has There are also a few stand- Hattie (Amanda Baikie) throttles Amy Lee cerned with putting on local held it together. outs that have learned the tech- (Andrea Evanson) as Elizabeth (Kirsten Watt) tries productions. That all changed The fact that it also serves as nical side of theatre produc- to restore calm. The three southern bumpkins when Ben Nind became the theatre for Sir John Frank- tion under Enslander's watch, photo courtesy of NACC swirl bourbon and talk trash in Chris Foreman's involved. The longtime director lin High School also means that including former apprentices Quebec-based dance company Sursaut performs at the NNSL file photo comedy showcase play Laundry and Bourbon as of the theatre was instrumental it has played an important role Ryan Dempster and Kelsey in bringing in acts in in the development of young Miller, who is working as a Northern Arts and Cultural Centre May 24, 2011. Tanya Tagaq performs at NACC on May part of NACC's one-act play festival, which was the 1990s, she said. He was actors. full-time theatre tech in Cal- 17, 2008. held on July 4, 2003. also the first person to try and Martin Enslander, who has gary. expand NACC's productions worked as NACC's technical "She started as an actor and into the communities outside of director for 19 years, said it moved onto the tech world and Theatre helped Yellowknife. has been an exciting experience now she's doing extremely well "Eventually it became a the- watching the theatre's evolution for herself," he said. atre of national and internation- over the years. Enslander will actually be

photo courtesy of NACC al programming," said Coderre. "When I got here it was flying Miller up to help him While big name acts and community theatre all the with a NACC production that put Yellowknife The Globe and Mail ran a campaign in support of an arts centre in the North. time," he said. is slightly beyond his technical Enslander, who has been ability in the New Year. to theatres across Canada said "We needed to bring some- Yellowknife, said Yellowknife body in so I gave her a shout on the map is extremely fortunate to have to see if she's interested and such a high quality theatre. capable and she's really excited by Brendan Burke of the best in Canada, said Pitre, who "We take it for granted and about the concept," he said. Northern News Services added NACC has become a bucket-list we shouldn't," Enslander said. Moving forward, Coderre "It started with a few people being stop for many artists and tourists alike. "The building has its limitations said NACC is trying to focus interested in doing something different Now a cultural fixture in the capital, but we're very well equipped." on having more Indigenous 35 years ago." Pitre said the enduring success of NACC One of his favourite things programming. According to That "something," says NACC has helped put Yellowknife and the terri- has been seeing the amount of Coderre, the board is currently photo courtesy of NACC president Jean-Francois Pitre, was the tory on the performance art map. The Venere Lute Quartet performs at NACC on September, 9 2011. talented youngsters that have applying for funding to hire a desire to bring theatrical talent – from "I think it gives Yellowknife a high- passed from the stage to suc- full-time Indigenous employee musicians and actors to dancers and er stature, more like mini-Edmonton, cessful careers in the arts. to curate Indigenous content for playwrights – to a northern stage. if you want to call it," NACC's presi- "Leela (Gilday) of course is the organization. At a NACC-hosted celebration dent told Yellowknifer. a standout, Reneltta (Arluk) is "I feel a really cool momen- marking the milestone Saturday night, "To have a facility this nice – with amazing, and Tiffany Ayalik. tum," said Coderre. Pitre said the non-profit organization all the lighting and the sound – for has remained true to its vision over the a small place like Yellowknife, it's past 35 years. great," he said. "Offering something you wouldn't In the last 10 years, NACC has get otherwise, that's always been the expanded to provide programs across mandate of NACC – to push the per- the territory, part of a continued effort forming arts to a new level," he said. to nurture northern, home-grown tal- As some small theatres struggle to ent. keep the lights on, Pitre said NACC is Artist-led workshops are brought to "thriving" under a model that encour- schools in NWT communities, includ- ages new ideas and focuses on "quality ing Fort Smith, Hay River, Fort Simp- over quantity. son, Norman Wells and Inuvik, in a bid "A lot of theatres have had a really to inspire and support youth in pursu- hard time in the last few years to ing a passion for the performing arts. survive. We're doing quite well. Our A mentorship program, meant to books are in good order," said Pitre. give emerging northern artists a plat- NACC's success in a city of some form to launch their budding careers, 20,000 people, said Pitre, is a testa- is also offered by NACC. ment to Northerners' love of the arts Looking ahead, Pitre said NACC – and the overall quality of the centre, will continue to stick with what's which continues to attract top tier worked: bringing northern audiences NNSL file photo international, national and northern a "good quality show," an approach Brendan Burke/NNSL photo Dancers in Crazy Legs Contemporary's perform- talent year after year. he says has paid off over the last three Carmen Braden, left, and Pat Braden entertain guests in the NACC lobby Saturday ahead of ance of 1692 at NACC on March 7. Its acoustics are recognized as some plus decades. the night's main act, Kofi Hayford, Saturday night. 14 yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Sports & Recreation Sports hotline • James McCarthy Phone: (867) 873-4031 • Email: [email protected] • Fax: (867) 873-8507 Carl Bulger Memorial minor tourney returns for second year The Brick wins Midget finals, G&G Thunder takes Pee Wee gold by Nick Pearce Northern News Services Yellowknife minor hockey continued to honour one of its greats this weekend. Hosted at the Multiplex, the Carl Bulger Memorial Tournament saw The Brick emerge victorious versus Nextreme, 3-2, in the Midget division, while G&G Thunder won the Pee Wee final against Crowe Mackay, 6-3. In the tournament's second year of dedi- cation to Carl Bulger, the players honoured the legacy of the longtime community sports supporter, who could often be found cheering on young hockey teams, even if they didn't include his own kids. According to Kacee MacLean, president of Yellowknife Minor Hockey, he was simply "a great guy." The players embodied those values, leav- ing their best on the ice and building team- work skills. That was on display in the Midget finals, where Steve Payne was helping to fill-in while the team's regular coach was out of town.

One point ahead, the third period dwindling, photo courtesy of Steve Payne substitute coach Payne gave his adopted team, The Brick won the Midget division at the Multiplex this Sunday. Back row: Gavin Pellissey, left, Brayden Christofferson, The Brick, a speech. "I told them to look at the other coach and Dawson Enns, Noah Zoe, Ben Toner, Lennie Mager, Ayden Harvey Front: Gavin Payne, Matthew Patzer, Devin Vogel and I said imagine he's telling his kids right now a Evan Round. very motivational speech, and pretend you're in that group," Payne said. gold with the Yellowknife Crunchers in a It worked. The team resisted a last-minute recent Hay River midget tournament. push from their opponents and won 3-2, It was the second year of coaching for walking away with gold over in the Midget Justin Mager, who typically handles the team. Division finals. Winning the gold was a rewarding experi- Part of that's due to Devin Vogel's dedi- ence for his players, he said. cated goaltending, which Payne described as a "Feels great. They worked really hard and "superstar" performance. As a goalie, he stood played as a team and managed to come out up to continued pressure, blocking regular and get the win in the end," Mager said. shots on net as The Brick eked out a lead. As they compete, it's about "work(ing) While that happened, facing tight competi- together with a group of people to put some- tion from both sides, all the players on the ice thing together and beat another team, which is gave dozens of friends and family members in not always an easy thing to do," he said, add- the stands a close, competitive game. ing they develop a new sense of camaraderie "We had some good opposition, but the and sportsmanship by participating. coaching really came out on top," Payne At that age, it's mainly focused on the play- quipped after the game. "But the kids played ers doing their best and enjoying themselves great. They played their hearts out. It was a on the ice. "By the time they get to that age tight game the whole time ... it was a great group there, we're really not trying to change game and they had a lot of fun." anything or introduce new concepts. It's try- "They came together as a team," he said, ing to get them out at the rink and have a Nick Pearce/NNSL photo explaining some players had brought home good time." Ayden Harvey takes a shot at the Multiplex on Thursday.

Cross-country skiing – Yellowknife He'll be up against Ross Paterson of Scotland, the Dog mushing – Fort Providence defending champion, this evening followed by a game ver- sports Gymnastics – Yellowknife sus Scott McDonald of Ontario tomorrow with Bantam boys hockey – Inuvik of Newfoundland and Labrador in his final round-robin Check Midget boys hockey – Hay River contest on Friday. If Koe is one of the top eight teams, he'll with James McCarthy Junior girls hockey – Yellowknife advance to the playoffs, which start on Saturday. e-mail: [email protected] Futsal – Yellowknife See a future edition of Yellowknifer for the results. Volleyball – Yellowknife – Yellowknife Polar Bears back on the road source: Sport North The trials begin It's back to Edmonton for the Polar Bear Club this week- It's that time of year – time to begin the process of seeing end. who will make the teams for the 2020 Arctic Winter Games Back on the ice This time, they'll be competing in the JP Fiset Invita- in Whitehorse this coming March. The circuit is back with its latest tional Meet and it all gets underway tomorrow. The long- The first wave of territorial trials will take place around big-money event of the season. distance events will be up first along with some of the relay the NWT and it all gets underway tomorrow. Here's what The Boost National is happening in Conception Bay, races with the meat of the action getting underway on Friday sports are in play and where: N.L., and that means Kevin Koe is in action. He got under- morning. Basketball – Yellowknife way on the men's side against Matt Dunstone of Saskatch- Everything wraps up on Sunday and you can see a future Biathlon (ski and snowshoe) – Hay River ewan yesterday evening in the opening draw of play. edition of Yellowknifer for the results. sports & recreation Yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 15 Jim, we have a heartbeat on Team North

Northern News Services You know, it's fun being on holiday. Kicking back with a frosty carbonated beverage (not that kind ... I'm decent) and watching all sorts of stuff on my Roku and still working. Am I ever really on vacation? Exactly. Anyway, for those of you who perused Monday's edition of NWT News/North (and I know a lot of you did because I saw copies being bought at my local grocer's customer service counter), you would have noticed that the kick is on to save Team North. There is a pulse as Les Skinner of Inuvik, who's been the boys team's head coach the last two years, is trying his damnedest to save the program. And you'll notice he called it a program, not a team. That's what he considers it to be and I'm not totally against that idea. It is a process with set goals, a code of conduct and rules. More on that later because I Sports have some details to flesh out. As it stands, Team North is Talk entered into the 2020 National with James McCarthy Aboriginal Hockey Champion- ships in Regina this coming May after the entry fees of $1,500 for the boys and girls teams were paid late last month. Some community generosity helped to make it happen and while that's good news, it's not a cause for celebration yet. All that $3,000 did was guarantee spots. Now the real work begins. We know by now that the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the NWT will not foot the bill for the program going forward and, in all honesty, I don't blame them and neither did Skin- ner. When you're shelling out close to $200,000 and getting absolutely no help from your partners in the endeavour, there comes a time to pull the plug. Remember, this is Team North and all three territories are a part of this. If you looked at the books, you would be forgiven if you thought it was a NWT-only venture because, well, it was in terms of the bankroll. But the good thing was the Sports Circle left the door open to provide some support if it was needed and that was confirmed when I spoke with Aaron Wells, the Sports Circle's executive director. photo courtesy of Aboriginal Sports Circle of the NWT The first thing he did was mention the uniforms. All of the Danica Taylor, top, played on the Team North girls squad at the Aboriginal Hockey Cham- Team North uniforms are at the Sports Circle's offices along pionships in Whitehorse this past May. If Les Skinner has anything to do with it, she'll possibly feature on with the helmets, gloves, socks, bags ... you name it. The team the 2020 squad. can be outfitted and right there, Skinner will save a boatload of cash. Check that box as positive. After that, it's a bit lean. There's no cash on hand right their help this time and several times down the road, this pro- In short, this doesn't happen without help from the other now. It has to be raised because you can send the boys and gram is well and truly dead. two territories. Their players are a part of it and so they need girls to Regina looking sharp and all but no hotel room and no Sure, corporate sponsorship is the obvious avenue and to be more involved than just handing over a list of potential food and no rest make hockey player something something. that's how the registration fees were paid, or at least two- skaters and wishing them Godspeed. If they truly believe in The Sports Circle did indicate a possible cash donation thirds of them. There are companies around that would love this program, they'll get in touch with Skinner. After all, this but it won't be the main financial backer nor should it be. It's to jump on board but there's such a thing as donor fatigue. It is the only national hockey championship which involves the done enough over the years and it's time for others to do some isn't that they don't want to help, it's that they can't. You can NWT. It would be a shame if it rolled over. heavy lifting. Nunavut and Yukon should be leaned on big lean on the mines and NorthwesTel and other medium-sized Oh, and by the way, if you think this program is worth sav- time and it's high time those two territories provided some businesses all you want but they'll only be able to provide so ing, why not jump on board and help Skinner out? He could assistance. What has to happen is to make it clear that without much. use the people-power and the extra set of hands.

Sports Card futsal

mira mercer

AGE: 15 Mira will be one of the many players hitting the fut- sal court this week in the hopes of earning a spot on the plane to the 2020 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse. She played with the girls soccer team at the Western Canada Summer Games this past August in Sas- katchewan. 16 yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 sports & recreation Devin Madsen places third in Edmonton Squash Club Open Yellowknife player relished facing new opponents in big-city event by Nick Pearce to work and train toward. other players in the south. Northern News Services Part of that's bucking For him, the commun- When Devin Madsen expectations. Playing in ity improves as it's exposed stepped onto the court in Yellowknife, Madsen often to news levels and kinds of Edmonton this weekend, faces off against the same squash. Varying the compe- it was a different kind of players. While a strong com- tition makes for more well- squash. munity, it's also limited and rounded, experienced players. In the Men's Open tourna- can form something of a "We're all in it together," ment at the Edmonton Squash "bubble," compared to the he said about the Yellowknife Club this weekend, Madsen larger quantity of players and squash community, not- came in third out of roughly clubs in the south, he said. ing Edmonton especially is 10 competitors in his bracket. "Just trying to develop a a relatively quick and easy All together, the club drew little more skill. Playing the opportunity to be in a more about 100 players to test their same people over and over competitive tournament. "It skills this weekend. again can definitely get bor- might get someone else hun- Madsen, who won his first ing at times. It's nice for here, gry as well. And we can all and third matches respective- and coming to Edmonton, it's have that same mentality. We ly against Jeff Williams and easy," Madsen added. can all have that same goal." Clarke Wiebe while losing Certain moves and shots He said he was looking his second to Abdel Rahman in Yellowknife can become forward to another tourna- Elnady, saw the weekend as expected, whereas new play- ment in Whitehorse for that an opportunity to push him- ers in Edmonton forces adjust- reason. After six years play- self beyond the boundaries of ing to new to competition. ing the sport, he continues to the local squash community. The benefit of travelling for enjoy the exercise and con- He had played his first competition in this environ- nections he's built and hopes opponent in tight matches ment is "that different play, that experience is available before, where he proved to photo courtesy of Devin Madsen that different pace, that dif- for others. be a tough opponent. It felt Devin Madsen says that competing in the Edmonton tournament gave him the ferent squash," Madsen said. "Just keep playing, as long "pretty good," to beat him, opportunity to play some tough competition. He added he hopes the as I'm having fun and as long he said. When it came to the squash community takes fur- as I'm enjoying getting on second match, it was a chance ther trips south in the future. the squash court, and it's not at improvement. easily," Madsen said about for sure." and puffing" as he fought to More players participating something I'm dreading," "Seeing that squash and the second match. "It's so Facing his second oppon- return the ball. Those skills in these tournaments means he said. "Just keep playing. playing against that squash, good to play and know that. ent, he played a full game, displayed on the court offered expanding the benefits of Just keep having fun with it. ... I get it handed to me pretty It keeps me humble, that's and said he was "huffing a tangible target for Madsen coaching and learning from That's the main thing." Yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 17 18 yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 19 20 yellowknifer, Wednesday, December 11, 2019