Minister to hear foster concerns GNWT says Diane Thom will meet with foster care coalition representatives

Online first at NNSL.com Where the future of NWT squash can shine Volume 48 Issue 85 WEDNESDAY, january 22, 2020 75 CENTS ($1 outside city) Friends search for Sladjana

At your service News RCMP boss Alt North A member of the Community supports Foundation's Odd Job Squad installs a billboard is the bearing missing Sladjana Petrovic's face officer Monday. The signs are funded by Yellowknife 'unofficial Centre MLA Julie Green, Val Braden and Crime who drew Stoppers. "People have volunteered to help in opposition' anyway they can," says Green. weapon Photo courtesy of YKCF

$1.00 outside Yellowknife Publication mail Contract #40012157 "We can't thank Overlander enough for this machine." 7 71605 00100 5 – Rodney Taparti, recreation coordinator in Naurjaat, NT, which is receiving a used skate sharpener, page 3. 2 yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 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 Theft reported at Sam’s Monkey Tree Pub Police are investigating a reported break-in and theft at Sam’s Monkey Tree Pub. Yellowknife RCMP received a report about a break and enter at the Range Lake Road res- taurant and bar just before 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, spokesperson Julie Plourde confirmed to Yellowknifer. The pub’s owner, who took to Facebook to ask for the public’s help in identifying the alleged perpetrator – captured by a surveillance camera – told Cabin Radio the suspect broke into the pub just before 5 a.m. on Friday. The owner said the man, wearing a grey Blair McBride/NNSL photo hoodie, black pants and a neck warmer, made off with a few bottles of alcohol after breaking Bill Stirling, owner of Overlander Sports, poses beside the skate sharpening machine the shop is donating to the a door in the pub – causing thousands of dollars community of Naujaat. in damages. Mounties seized and review video foot- age of the incident, and are “in the process of assessing damages and/or stolen items,” stated Plourde. No arrests had been made in connection with the theft as of Tuesday. Overlander helps – Brendan Burke No charges in downtown dumpster fire A criminal investigation into last week's downtown dumpster fire has not yielded any arrests or charges, state Yellowknife RCMP. Nunavut hamlet The blaze, contained to a garbage dumpster in the basement of Franklin Avenue’s Northern Yellowknife business donates sharpening machine to Naujaat United Place, was quickly quelled by members by Blair McBride The 20-year-old machine, which is still in Naujaat," Kusugak said. of the Yellowknife Fire Division (YKFD), who Northern News Services good working order would cost $20,000 new The sharpener will be a welcome addition responded just before 2:30 p.m. Jan. 14, stated The North helps out the even-further on the shelf, Stirling said. for the hamlet, where people take their skates a news release from the city. North with hockey. It doesn't get much more Details are still being sharpened on when to one person for sharpening, said Rodney The building was partially evacuated and no Canadian than that. the 750-lb device will be delivered to the Taparti, Naujaat's recreation coordinator. injuries occurred. Residents of the hamlet of Naujaat in remote hamlet in the Kivalliq , just "This will be much better as a machine At the time, police stated early investiga- Nunavut are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a north of Hudson Bay. Stirling said it would be like that should do a better job on the blades tion indicated the fire may have been “human new ice skate sharpening machine donated by placed on a pallet and flown there. and it will housed on-site at the arena," said caused.” Overlander Sports in Yellowknife. Lorne Kusugak, Community Government Taparti. A “person of interest” linked to the fire was The sporting goods shop recently replaced and Services Minister told Yellowknifer that "It will be a lot better having it there, espe- interviewed by RCMP. its sharpener with a newer model and "put he passed on the name of Naujaat when cially when players are in from out of town “While the early investigation indicated the out some feelers to recreational places" to see talking with Stirling about communities that when we're hosting the Circle Cup fire may have been human caused, there is no who might want the old one, as Bill Stirling, might need a sharpener. senior men's tournament. determination of criminal intent and there are owner of Overlander told Yellowknifer. "It's always nice to see a business make "We can't thank Overlander Sports enough no charges at this time,” stated RCMP in a "The people from Naujaat responded real- a gesture like this to help out a community, for this machine and it will be appreciated in news release issued Tuesday. ly quickly about it. They're super excited." especially one that loves hockey as much as Naujaat for many years ahead, I hope." The territory's fire marshal is tasked with determining the cause of the fire. The fire marshal could not be reached for comment by press time Tuesday. Murder suspect has Yk ties –Brendan Burke Long John Jamboree Suspect wanted in connection with a shooting in Edmonton AGM set for Jan. 30 by Brendan Burke non-non-life-threatening injuries, state Edmon- Edmonton and Northern , the program Northern News Services ton police. is offering a $50,000 reward - expiring on July Supporters of the Long John Jamboree sup- Police in Edmonton are searching for a mur- Yussuf was charged in June. 21 - for any information leading to the arrest of porters are invited to the event's AGM Jan. 30. der suspect with ties to Yellowknife and Hay Police say he is "considered armed and dan- Yussuf. Organizers issued a news release Tuesday River. gerous," and therefore should not Sheppard stressed tipsters that indicated the festival was "in the black" According to a news release issued by be approached. can remain anonymous, and after a couple of years of challenges provided Edmonton Police Service on Tuesday, the force's Cheryl Sheppard, media won't have to testify in court. by the weather: the blizzard of 2018 that forced homicide unit is continuing its search for twenty- spokesperson for Edmonton The suspect is known to the cancellation of Saturday events, and the nine-year-old Amin Yussuf, who is wanted on Police Service, urged residents use several aliases including warm temperatures of last year that precipi- -wide warrants in connection with the not to engage Yussuf in the event Abdirizak Yussuf, Craig Yussuf, tated a last-minute move into town, and some March shooting death of a 26-year-old victim. of an encounter with the suspect. Mohemed Yussuf, Mohemed schedule jigging. Yussuf is charged with first degree mur- Sheppard said the investiga- Mohamed and Mohammed Far- The AGM is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the der, two counts of attempted murder using a tion has led police to believe rah. Mermaid and Moon Boutique, 4909 47 St. The firearm and unauthorized possession of a fire- Yussuf may be in the territory, Police describe Yussuf as a Jamboree itself is tentatively scheduled for arm, according to Tuesday's news release from adding he is known to have "black male, with brown eyes March 27 to 29. Edmonton Police Service. "associates" in the NWT. and black hair. He is six feet tall The release indicated the festival's "centre- "Yussuf has connections to Yellowknife and Wanted posters will be dis- and weighs approximately 180 piece," the De Beers Inspired Ice NWT Ice Carv- Hay River in the , as well tributed by RCMP members in pounds." ing Championships, are set to return as well. as Edmonton, Alberta; Prince Albert, Saskatch- Yellowknife and Hay River in Yellowknifer has reached out "Other events include activities for kids, ewan and Toronto, ," stated police. the coming days, added Shep- Amin Yussuf to Yellowknife RCMP and is sports tournaments in the snow, city tours by Abubeker Gemechu Abduraman, 26, was pard. awaiting a response. air, live music in the Brrr Garden, the ever- killed on March 24 in Edmonton. Edmonton Police Service has teamed up with Edmonton police urge anyone with informa- popular Cabin A Sucre and many others," the Edmonton police say Abduraman was located the Bolo Program, an initiative that uses social tion on the whereabouts of Yussuf to contact the news release stated. "Some events are organized deceased inside Xhale Lounge, a hookah bar media to amplify public appeals from police in EPS directly at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a by the Jamboree board and volunteers, others by located on 101 Street in Edmonton, after officers the search for wanted suspects, particularly those mobile phone. Anonymous information can also local businesses or service organizations. responded to a weapons complaint. alleged to have committed serious crimes. be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- – Craig Gilbert Two other people were shot and sustained In tandem with Crime Stoppers and police in 8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250. 4 yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 news Hockey Day in Canada weeks away Ron MacLean and NHL alumni to appear

by Simon Whitehouse Stanley Cup as well as demonstrations of traditional activities and Northern News Services games, traditional foods and music and a game of shinny. Tickets went on sale Monday for the rare appearance of The day will wrap up with a Hockey Day in Canada banquet, hockey heroes of NHL's past. hosted by Evanka Osmak and Ken Reid at the St. Patrick High Grant White, director of community services, laid out plans School/Weledeh School gymnasium at 6 p.m. Representatives for the four-day Hockey Day in from Hockey Canada and NHL Canada weekend (Feb. 4 to 8) Alumni will be in attendance. that will feature Hockey Night in On Friday, there will be a Canada host Ron MacLean and "Breakfast with the Cup" featur- several NHL alumni taking part ing former NHLer Andrew Fer- in events in Yellowknife. ence at the Multiplex Gym at Last June, announced 7:30 a.m. White said there will that a bid by the City of Yellow- be activities throughout the day knife was successful. that will include a Lunch with For months the city has been the Bunch, hosted by True North working closely with the Yellow- Rotary, as well as on-ice clinics knives Dene First Nation and Sco- and school visits. tiabank through an organization On the same day there will committee that has put together be a High School Challenge Cup the program for the event. with the female game at 1:15 p.m. The full schedule can be refer- and the male game at 3:15 p.m. enced on the city's Hockey Day in In the evening, there will be Canada Event Schedule page. an Alumni Classic at the Ed Jeske On Feb. 5, there will be a Arena at 7 p.m. featuring NHL "Music of Hockey Day" which Alumni, Hockey Canada repre- will be hosted by Ron MacLean sentatives and local talent. at the Northern Arts and Cultural Tickets will be available for Centre at 8 p.m. most major events at city hall and On the bill will be the Band, , and through the city's website. former NHL star Bryan Trottier. Chief Ed Sangris of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in Local talent will include the Dettah Drummers, Digawolf, Dettah – a diehard Edmonton Oilers fan – said it will be a "huge Wesley Hardisty and Karen Novak. opportunity" to showcase to and international the ele- White said that on Thursday, Feb. 6, there will be several ments of Dene culture like traditional food, culture, hand games events throughout the day that will include school visits, hockey and , including in the Dettah community on the Thursday. clinics and a referees clinic. NHL alumni, Ron MacLean and "We have some of our staff working closely with the city and others are expected to appear. Hockey Day in Canada organizers since at least before Christ- Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo In the afternoon, there will be a Yellowknives Dene First mas," he said. "I think it will be a huge opportunity to showcase Grant White, the city's director of community Nation Celebrations from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Dettah which will our culture and traditions. services provided an overview of the four days involve Trottier, Ron McLean, and the Stanley Cup. The Dettah "People are excited." planned for the City of Yellowknife's first Hockey event will include a feed the fire ceremony and arrival of the Visit NNSL.com to see a full schedule of events. Day in Canada activity. news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 5

Blair McBride/NNSL photos Student Yanick D'Aigle, left, speaks with his mentor Harriet Paul and fellow student Angélique Ruzindana. Tlicho mentors pass skills in language on to learners Students meet for two hours per week by Blair McBride wrap up at the end of March, with Northern News Services the partners meeting for at least one A group of Yellowknife students hour-long session per week. are building cultural bridges by A classroom portion of the course learning Tlicho from elder-mentors. comprises a two-hour weekly lesson Fourteen students and 10 elders with Tlicho teacher Georgina Fran- gathered at the College Nordique Jan. kie focusing on vocabulary and basic 13 for the introductory session of the conversation. A Tlicho 2 course, for latest Tlicho 1 beginner's course. more advanced learners is also part Learners paired up – some in of the second semester. groups of three – with elders based Attendees at the first session gave on activities through which they self-introductions and expressed want to learn the Tlicho language. their expectations for the mentor- College Nordique has offered ship program. Tlicho courses for a few years but The elders said they joined the the mentoring program only began mentorship scheme to share their last September. language and culture with learners. "Before we offered the elders Students' motivations for learning program, our Tlicho students often Tlicho ran the gamut from profes- mentioned that they didn't have the sional reasons like wanting to know confidence to practice with Indigen- physical and medical vocabulary to ous people outside the classroom, assist in their work, to lighter rea- Students and mentors meet at the College Nordique for the introductory session of the Tlicho nor the opportunity," Josée Cler- sons like seeking to master Tlicho language mentorship program, on Jan. 13. mont, executive director of College numbers through bingo or the ter- Nordique told Yellowknifer. minology used in filleting fish. Angélique Ruzindana, said that her don't know if I'm going to speak it gible. "This program offers them more Elder Jonas Sangris from Dettah role as a mentor is a natural progres- but it brings me an understanding of "It allows the racism and preju- support, the opportunity to develop told the meeting that after working sion of many years of working in where people are coming from. The dice to fall off the table because not only their language skills, but for years in politics he was finished Tlicho. language has a whole way of looking there's no room for it after that. a relationship with a Dene person, with the stress of that world and "I was a court interpreter. I at life. I want to see through their Once you have that understanding perhaps make a new friend and learn wants to focus on sharing his cul- worked at CBC in Tlicho for 28 eyes how they look at the world. of each other and where you're com- their culture." ture. years as a broadcaster and host. I You're not Dene but you become ing from, understanding of the lan- Its first semester ran until the end Harriet Paul, an elder who joined went to air in the morning and did Dene. It rubs on you." guage, understanding of the legends, of December and the second will a group with Yanick D'Aigle and the regional news and the weather One of Lafontaine's specific understanding of the land it really and community announcements and goals of the course is learning how allows you to embrace all of that in a international news. I did daily inter- to make a traditional Dene dress for good way. That's the best part of it." views and old time stories." ceremonies. College Nordique is sponsoring This is her first time joining the The program's first semester the course through a $25,000 grant program and she said her group will proved successful because it was from the federal New Horizons for meet two or three times a week. as much about language as learning Seniors Program. "I like talking and teaching. I'm specific activities, said mentorship The funding will pay the instruct- going to do bannock and cinnamon coordinator Lila Erasmus. ors and elders for their time. buns and do it all in Tlicho." "The elders were wonderful in Official numbers on language For Caroline Lafontaine, who teaching the students. One of the proficiency vary, but a total of 2,235 works in Yellowknife with the elders took their students out snaring people over the age of 15 have the Department of Canadian Heritage, on the land and ice fishing. Other ability to converse in Tlicho across learning the language comes down students made uppers and beaded the territory, according to a NWT to educating herself about the people card holders. Some of them did Bureau of Statistics report from of this region. dry fish, learning how to fillet fish 2014, the most recent year for that "I've been living here on Dene and I think some did dry meat also. data. land for 16 years and going on 17. Some of them also did card games That report showed an upward Josée Clermont, executive director of the College Nordique, The Tlicho course is part of the in Tlicho." trend for Tlicho ability, with 1,511 left, and student Nicholas Sowsun listen as elder Jonas process of getting closer and learn- Erasmus explained that the deep- people having conversational ability Sangris tells the group that he wants to share his culture with ing and getting rid of prejudices. I er value of the program is less tan- in 1989 and 2,167 in 2004. other people. 6 yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 news Buttons and billboards join search for Sladjana 60-year-old woman missing since Boxing Day by Brendan Burke Alex Laporte stated on Jan. 10. "People have volunteered to help in Northern News Services "With no news – that's the hard part, anyway they can," Green told Yellow- With the launch of a new billboard just trying to keep hopeful," Braden told knifer in an email. and button campaign, community mem- Yellowknifer. Green, an acquaintance of Petrovic, bers are holding out hope that their friend Braden and Yellowknife Centre MLA added buttons will be handed out by Sladjana Petrovic, missing since Boxing Julie Green are behind the "Find Slad- volunteers at various locations around the Day, will be located. jana" button campaign, which launched capital in the coming days. "You try to keep hope alive," said last week. The buttons, funded by the Braden is hoping the latest effort to Val Braden, clutching a batch of buttons pair and designed by Janet Pacey, aim to raise awareness will lead to something bearing Petrovic's face outside the Frank- keep Petrovic's name on the minds of the meaningful. lin Avenue post office on Monday. public, said Braden. "By putting her face up there, hope- Braden, a longtime friend of Petrovic, Meanwhile, two billboards – re-pur- fully it might tweak somebody to remem- handed the buttons out to passersby, shar- posed from Green's fall election signs ber that they've seen her," she said. ing information with residents at the busy – were installed Monday at opposite ends "We're just to keep her name out there street corner. of town (one near Old Town, the other by so people don't forget about her," con- It's the latest push in an ongoing the Co-op uptown). The billboards, fund- tinued Braden. campaign to raise awareness about the ed by Green and Braden with the help Police describe Petrovic as "Cauca- 60-year-old's disappearance in the hopes of Crime Stoppers, urge members of the sian, 5'7" / 170 cm, 257 lbs / 117 kg, (with of finding answers. public to share any and all information a) heavy build, shoulder-length salt and Serbian-born Petrovic, who has a that may help RCMP in locating Petrovic. pepper brown hair and blue eyes." small circle of friends and no family in "We just want to make sure the public She was last seen wearing a dark blue Yellowknife, hasn't been seen or heard is aware of who she is and that she is jacket, with a light blue liner and a pink/ from since Dec. 26. still missing, and that we're trying to find red shirt, along with running shoes. She She was last captured on CCTV video some clues," said Braden. was seen carrying a grey/black bag or walking towards Franklin Avenue after The signs were set up by members purse. leaving her 53 Street apartment around of the Yellowknife Community Founda- Anyone with information related to 3:40 p.m. Police believe she may have tion's (YKACL) Odd Job Squad. The the whereabouts of Sladjana Petrovic crossed Franklin Avenue before heading YKACL Employment Services-run is asked to contact either Yellowknife towards Somba K'e Plaza. initiative connects under-employed indi- RCMP at 867-669-1111 or Crime Stop-

Brendan Burke/NNSL photo There is no evidence to suggest Petro- viduals who self-identify with a disability pers at 1-800-222-TIPS, nwtnutips.com, Val Braden hands out vic was met with foul play, Yellowknife with short-term work around town, from (click on "submit a web tip") or text: a "Find Sladjana" button RCMP detachment commander Insp. lawn mowing to house cleaning. nwtnutips to 274637. outside the Franklin Avenue post office Monday. news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 7

NNSL file photo Tammy Roberts, executive director of the Foster Family Coalition of the NWT, said the group's board members are scheduled to meet with Health and Social Services Minister Diane Thom Jan. 30. Health minister to hear foster family concerns at Jan. 30 meeting Spokesperson for Minister Thom confirmed the meeting Tuesday by Brendan Burke accountability and oversight from Child and Northern News Services Family Services. The territory's health minister will meet Some said they've faced lies, verbal abuse with the Foster Family Coalition of the NWT's and harassment from child protection workers. board later this month to address major con- Roberts is hopeful the Jan. 30 meeting will cerns raised by caregivers who say the child result in meaningful action. welfare system, broken and in "crisis," con- "The board is optimistic about meeting with tinues to put children at risk. the minister and department staff next week," Health and Social Services Minister Diane Roberts wrote in an email. Thom will meet with the board Jan. 30, Tammy "We are hoping to discuss how we can work Roberts, executive director of the Foster Family together to make services better for families Coalition of the NWT, told Yellowknifer Mon- and the children they care for," she added. day. Trista Haugland, media spokesperson for Following a Dec. 12 meeting between foster Minister Thom, confirmed the meeting on care providers, adoptive parents and repre- Tuesday. sentatives from Health and Social Services, "Minister Thom is committed to finding including Child and Family Services executive ways to work with and learn from foster parents director Colette Prevost, Roberts and the non- to make things better for front-line workers, profit coalition sent a 27-page letter to Thom, family and children and youth in care," stated calling for a "long overdue" sit-down to address Haugland. persistent problems plaguing a "failing" system. "(Thom's) focus right now is to find ways "This is our modern residential school to work to address the serious issues that have crisis," wrote Roberts. been raised and to make sure that children, and The letter, summarizing the concerns raised youth in care are safe and cared for and that by caregivers at the December meeting, was those entrusted with their care are heard, sup- accompanied by a host of recommendations. ported and able to help them thrive," continued They include calls to make full-time respite Haugland. care staff available in the capital and to estab- Haugland added it's still being determined lish a child and youth advocate position in the which "key staff members" from the health NWT. department will be able to attend the meeting. Ongoing concerns and frustrations raised Meanwhile, Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie in the letter were echoed by several foster Green is welcoming the meeting between both caregivers who sat down with Yellowknifer last sides. week. "They deserve a comprehensive answer from A damning 2018 report from Canada's aud- the Department of Health and Social Services. I itor general found many of the deficiencies am hopeful that their meeting with the minister identified in the territory's child welfare system will be constructive," Green told Yellowknifer four years earlier had only worsened. In 2018, in an email. 66 per cent of foster families were not properly "As an MLA I will continue to hold the screened, and health and social service author- government accountable for the safety and well- ities in the NWT did not maintain the required being of children in care. There are no easy regular contact with 90 per cent of children or immediate answers to these long-standing placed in foster care, a 30 per cent spike from problems," stated Green. 2014. Glenn Wheeler, who led the 2018 audit into "Exhausted," unsupported and underappre- NWT Child and Family Services, could not be ciated, foster parents said they've seen next to reached for comment. no progress at the ground level since the audit's The coalition's board is made up of up to release - despite reassurances from the health two volunteers from each region in the terri- department that improvements have been made. tory. There are currently seven sitting board Foster caregivers and adoptive parents members out of a possible 14, with vacancies in all decried major, enduring shortcomings in Hay River and the Sahtu. 8 yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 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] Health and Social Servi- Website: www.nnsl.com ces Minister Diane Thom has been handed an awful FOUNDER (1934-2018): burden with the child and J.W. (Sig) Sigvaldason family services mess, cited PUBLISHER, CEO: Bruce Valpy – [email protected] twice now by the Auditor Chief Financial Officer: General of Canada. But Judy Triffo – [email protected] it is her burden and she MANAGING EDITOR: must do what others Mike W. Bryant – [email protected] before her have failed – ACCOUNTING: [email protected] fix the systematic failures Florie Mariano • Cindy Minor • Amy Yang within her department's Assignment editor Craig Gilbert - [email protected] child and family services Editorial board: division. Bruce Valpy • Mike W. Bryant NNSL file photo Craig Gilbert • Simon Whitehouse

Copy editor: Brett McGarry

Photo: Emily McInnis - [email protected]

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

Sports: F for 33 per cent James McCarthy – [email protected]

ADVERTISING: [email protected] Representatives: Petra Memedi • Laura Whittle progress James Boylan • Echo Xin Advertising manager: Zerline Rodriguez Administrative assistant: Emmanuel Ramos Social Media manager: Vincent De Leon Foster families crying for help tells the real story of a broken

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION system, not talking points and progress reports Production co-ordinator: Jennifer Reyes Northern News Services Diana Mathisen • Zdena Kunderlik time and energy to take a step back Randy Hiebert • Joshua Uson The chance of there being social The issue: and cast a critical eye on where all of workers in the NWT working the front their time and energy is going. Customer service: Holly Yestrau Foster care fiasco [email protected] lines of childcare and welfare that Health and Social Services Minister don't care about children has to be We say: Diane Thom, along with her cabinet CIRCULATION: [email protected] zero, or close to it. Blame the bosses colleagues – all of them, save Premier Circulation Director: Emma Thomas Empathy for others and a passion to Caroline Cochrane, are new to the Jewala Jhankur help those unable to help themselves executive council -- has been handed Subscriptions: tend to be common traits among the an awful burden. But it is her burden Print: (mail) $90/year sort of people who dedicate their lives was delivered in 2014, but "many of and she is going to have to get results Online: (entire content) $50/year to our most vulnerable. What they see the services provided to children" are if she and her government hope to day in and day out is not pretty, and worse. In fact, the department's focus credibly claim that they're fixing the it's their job to help fix it. They deserve on "changing its processes without problems identified in the auditor gen- our respect and admiration, which is sufficiently considering the impact of eral's report. NORTHERN NEWS SERVICES LIMITED 100% Northern owned and operated one reason why it's maddening to hear introducing complex changes into an So far, the news has been less than Publishers of: complaints from foster families more already overburdened system" in the encouraging. Drum •Kivalliq News than a year after the Auditor General intervening years actually contributed Her department's own progress Yellowknifer • Hay River Hub NWT News/North of Canada's damning report on child to the problem. update, released Dec. 19 of last year, Nunavut News/North and family services, which follows Some statistics were stark enough boasts that a third of the 70 action

Member of: another damning report from 2014. to be included in the report's executive items identified in August had been Canadian Community Newspapers Association The foster families Yellowknifer summary: one, that the NWT Health "completed." The other 47 were all Ontario Community Newspapers Association spoke to last week are at their wits' and Social Services Authorities, which classified as "on track." The health Community Newspapers Association Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association end. Some have dropped out, or are oversees five including Yellow- department tried to cast a silver lining Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta Press Councils threatening to do so – a fact borne out knife, did not maintain the required on the update just days before foster Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce by the alarming revelation from Fos- regular contact with almost 90 per families stepped out in front of the Contents copyright – printed in the North ter Family Coalition executive director cent of the children placed in foster government's jargon and talking points by Canarctic Graphics Limited Tammy Roberts that the number of care or other placements, compared and painted it all black. foster families in the NWT has plum- to just under 60 per cent in the 2014 The reality is, six years after the meted from 230 in 2011 to 156 in audit. Another, that the "majority" of auditor general first raised the alarm, Send us your comments 2019. foster homes were not adequately a 33 per cent completion rate can only You can e-mail us at [email protected]; mail to Box 2820, Yellowknife X1A 2R1; or drop your letter off Foster parents say their being screened. Adding to that, 14 of 22 be seen for what it is, a fail. Unfortu- at our office at 5108-50th Street. harassed and lied to by childcare work- children placed were left in the care of nately for the children and their foster All letters submitted must be signed with a return address and daytime telephone number so that we ers while being left in the dark about people who hadn't had a criminal rec- supports who find themselves needing can confirm it came from you. Not all letters will necessarily be published. Pref- the needs of the children dumped on ord check performed on them. the help of the GNWT, the higher-ups erence is given to short letters of broad interest or their doorstep – sometimes in the Equally alarming was the note that are still acting as if they get do-overs concern. We particularly encourage new contributors as middle of the night. Listening to them, the department still hadn't even evalu- on their homework. we attempt to publish a cross-section of public opinion. it's clear the system is broken. ated whether the funding and human There has been enough paper Letters of more than 300 words, letters and But digging into the 2018 auditor's resources allocated to health and pushed around on this file to fill those published elsewhere are seldom used. We reserve the right to edit for length or taste and to report makes it clear the rank-and-file social service authorities are enough Yellowknife Bay. It's high time for the eliminate inaccurate or libelous statements. We may also choose to use a letter as the basis of the health department, for the most to get the job done, "despite multiple people at the top of the social services for a story. part, are making the best of the chaos commitments to do so." division to realize their actions have still being created by the decision- Reporting clearly remained a sore consequences in the real world, not makers at the top. point for the hawks in the Auditor just on their quarterly metrics or per- The report states the Department General's office. And that's a bad sign. formance reviews. Until this happens, of Health and Social Services not only History is strewn with the remains of in the words of the auditor general, hadn't improved since the last report organizations that didn't spend the "children will remain at risk." commentary Yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 9 One step from a banana republic

Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo art from the dump Co-curator Sarah Swan, left, embraces Walt Humphries whose art was on U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jeremy Wentworth display over the weekend as part of a temporary exhibit at the Prince of Wales A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) loadmaster watches as pallets of fire Northern Heritage Centre. The museum hosted an Art Party on Jan. 19 for Hum- suppressant are loaded onto a cargo plane Jan. 16 at Nellis Air Force Base, phries displayed work that included art workshops and demonstrations from Nevada. Dene Elder Francois Paulette said in accepting the Order of Canada he local artists. Swan was seen providing exhibition tours of several of Humphries intends to focus on climate change, and sees more catastrophes like the Aus- pieces, some of which the Yellowknifer columnist created decades ago. tralian wildfires happening in the next five years, columnist Nancy Vail writes. Northern News Services their fire seasons. Further, the provinces are With fires raging in Australia, Africa, considering bringing another 14 moth-balled Indonesia and the Amazon, it is irresponsible water bombers out of storage to participate in for any newspaper, elected official, private that crisis. We asked you! industry or senior level bureaucrat to be pro- We are glad to do it. It's the Canadian way. with Simon Whitehouse moting increased mining without ensuring it Please do not think that the income tax is fully carbon neutral during this paid by the people who work at the [email protected] time of climate change crisis. mines goes to the Northwest Ter- Make no mistake, we are a ritories. Only a very small portion world in crisis and the worst is yet does. Most of that money goes to Should Yellowknife fly foreign flags at City Hall? to come. the provinces where the majority And here in the NWT, we know of the workers come from. And that when senior level bureaucrats while it is assumed that the mines slide from senior positions in min- are paying taxes to offset the ter- ing companies into senior level ritories' budgetary spending, that government positions, all chances is simply not true. Their account- for healthy, objective governing is ing departments work over time gone. notes looking for tax loopholes with the We are one step up from a from the trail result that they contribute little to banana republic. our operating expenses. Don't be When government leaders Nancy Vail is a longtime fooled. This is the one percent at from around the world gathered in Yellowknifer concerned with work and they are not here for the Davos, Switzerland on January 20 social justice. public good. for the World Economic Forum, In much the same way that the Greg Canning: Andrea Lucier: Jonathan Temple: Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chair- first colonizers offered colourful beads, trin- man said in his opening address said that kets and alcohol to our First Nations people "I don't really see why "Only if there are rep- "No, because it is a "adherence to the current economic system in exchange for furs, the mines now donate they would. resentatives from that Canadian institution represents a betrayal of future generations money to non-profits in a display of goodwill and territorial flags are country working at city and a government owing to its environmental unsustainability." and community spirit. It's all for the sake of fine. No point in flags hall, such as is the building." And in his new year's address, Fort Smith's public image and good public relations and from other ." policy at JTFN." own Mark Carney, now the United Nations' has little to do with sustainable development special envoy on climate action and climate or the creation of a healthy environment. Dif- finance, said we are in a climate crisis and, ferent toys, same game. We are being bought like managing a financial crisis, the disclo- and dragged into an artificially created econ- sures of climate risk must become compre- omy that digs massive holes in this beauti- hensive. Climate risk management needs to be ful and precious life-giving earth to produce a transformed and investing for a net-zero world few pieces of polished rock. must become mainstream. Diamonds are not a girl's best friend. A Finally, while accepting the Order of Can- healthy mother earth is. ada, Dene Elder Francois Paulette said that This is not to say that all mining is bad; his focus is also now on climate change and at best, it is misguided and in terms of cost- warned us to prepare for catastrophic occur- benefit analysis. Only mining that can contrib- rences in the next five years. ute to healing our planet and helping us move Yet mining companies in the territories toward a green economy should be pursued. continue to eye and get approval for expansion And the training and jobs that we should be Dale Bouchard: Kavitha Balaji: Grace Loreen: because of the mistaken notion that mining talking about if we hope to survive as a spe- "Sure, who is it going "I don't think it should. "Sure. This is Canada will somehow save us and some newspapers cies is recycling, green energy and infrastruc- to hurt? We're a very The territorial and fed- and we can fly what- and elected officials support that stance. This ture repair. diverse country." eral buildings are okay, ever flags we want." is not only irresponsible it is morally wrong. During this time of climate crisis, are we but not the city." In the meantime, Australia burns from seriously taking the steps we need for long- drought conditions which is certainly climate term survival or are we still living for short- related and coal combustion of which mining term pleasure and gain? plays a part is a huge source of GHGs which We can be an intelligent species if we cause climate change. choose to be and as such, we should only be We need not offer editorial comment on taking those actions that future generations Express yourself: Write a letter to the editor where the companies wanting to expand min- will thank us for. Letters should be short and to the point. No longer than 500 words, please. Your letter should be relevant to our readers. Emailed letters are preferred. Include your full name and a phone number, as ing activities here come from, we can say that Gaping holes in a fractured earth will not we verify authenticity of all letters prior to publication. We may edit your letter for grammar, length (for firefighters from the North and other parts be one of them. our print version) or any potential legal issues. of Canada have gone to their country to fight Postscript: Just because we have always Email your letter to: [email protected] with the subject line: Letter to The Editor fires and the federal government is looking done something one way doesn't mean it's Or by regular mail: Yellowknifer 5108 50 St., Yellowknife, NT., X1A 1S2 Attn: Editor to build 14 new water bombers to help during right. 10 yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 photo story photo story Yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 11 Yellowknifers celebrate World Snow Day snow day Feature by Simon Whitehouse

Northern News Services The City of Yellowknife was among 342 cit- ies in 45 countries that were registered across the globe to recognize World Snow Day. The international event, which is run by the federation Internationale de Ski, aims to get families and children outside in a single week- end to enjoy the snow. The event, held Sunday, was bright and cold and brought out many families across the city including at the Yellowknife Ski Club, city hall and area biking trails. About 20 fat bikers gathered at Barren Ground Coffee's new location at 52 Street for a group ride throughout area trails. Claudia Haas assists her son Josef Yeoman, two, Shannon Jennings, secretary with the during his first time on skis during World Snow Yellowknife Mountain Bike Club, which was Day on Sunday. hosting the event with the partnering support of Ecology North and the city, said she was look- ing forward to the participation from new and experienced bikers. Tania Hercun, Cherie Jarock, and Yvonne Pike flip pancakes at the Yellowknife Ski Club. "It is very exciting and more than I expected," Jennings said among much hustle and bustle at the coffee shop. "I was banking on about 15, Cameron Mason, including people we were lending bikes to." Borealis Bike Tours Unlimited and Over- Participants with the fat bike tour in celebration of World Snow Day start their adventure at Barren Ground Coffee. 13, waxes his skis lander Sports were lending a total of nine bikes in the clubhouse. for the event. Two newer fat-bikers – Rogine Olayvar and Andrea Lowing – who bought bikes in the fall, Fat bike enthusiasts gathered at were out enjoying the day together. Barren Ground Coffee Jan. 19. "This is our first winter," said Olayvar. "But we have mostly used our bikes for commuter purposes." Lowing said the event allowed them both to expand their trail riding experience. "The reason why I got my bike in the fall was to keep biking year-round," Lowing added. "It is totally new to me. It is fun and we are going to take a totally new route. It is just cool to learn all of the different places to go and meet people who like to do the same things." Across town at the Yellowknife Ski Club, more than 200 skiers had the chance to get out on the club's trails. Club volunteers were also Andrea Lowing and her Rocky Mountain Blizzard 20, Thierry Burgess, left, and Elisabeth Burgess registering visitors for the event, feeding skiers left, and Rojine Olayvar, with her Blizzard 10, prepare to were among a group of first-time visitors to Yellow- pancakes in the chalet and assisting with gear hit the trails for the World Snow Day ride. knife from Los Angeles, California who also got to and clothing rentals, among other tasks. experience a classic winter day with some snow- Kerry Wheler, events director, said the club shoeing on World Snow Day. recognizes World Snow Day every year and that the event gives the club the opportunity to show the facility. "We've been busy since 10 a.m. this morning with lots of people coming and trying skiing for the first time," Wheler said noting that there was plenty of gear provided by both Overlander Sports and JH Sissons School, including ski boots, skis and . "There was one point today where there were no adult boots available." Tourists were spotted at the ski club, includ- ing some who rarely get the opportunity to enjoy Canadian winters. Thierry Burgess, his wife Elisabeth and others were spotted putting on snowshoes before heading out during a week- long trip from the . "We are tourists from Los Angeles, Califor- nia and this is our first time in Yellowknife," Thierry said. "It is unbelievable." Others who are local headed out for the first time on skis. Claudia Haas was with her children, Josef Yeoman, two, and sister Annamarie, five. "I'm not much of a skier but it is a good activity for them," Claudia said as she was dis- assembling her kids' gear. "This is Josef's first time on skis. We came only intending to take part for a short time, but we ended up staying an hour and a half." Somba K'e Civic Plaza was also the site of some ultimate frisbee play, with a "Frosty Claudia Haas (back left) enjoys the afternoon Reception" event put on by the Yellowknife Talya Meserah-Zdyb, 12, Jaedenz White, 13, and Solaya Meserah-Zdyb, 14 ski together as skiing with her children Josef Yeoman, two, (fore- Ultimate Club. part of a day out with the army cadets. ground) and Annamarie Yeoman, five, right. 12 yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 community At your service If you have an item of interest from your organization, call (867) 873-4031, or email: [email protected] Alternatives North shines a light on social justice Jointly founded by the Catholic Diocese and the NWT Federation of Labour in 1991

editorial as the "unofficial opposition" of 2010 and was accepted in early 2011 by the the NWT, Yellowknife-based organization review board. Service Alternatives North has advocated for social "The powers that be recognize the partici- and environmental justice since its founding pation of Alternatives North. We have people Story in 1991. It was jointly founded by the Catholic with environmental experience working on with Blair McBride Diocese and the NWT Federation of Labour. the remediation," McDonald said. Alternatives North is a coalition of indi- The group's work with the board is ongoing e-mail: [email protected] vidual volunteers and organizations. There and on Jan. 21 its members gave a presentation are between a dozen and 20 active, regular about the remediation project to the Macken- Serving the community comprises a var- volunteers, as Ben McDonald, a director with zie Valley Land and Water Board. It has also iety of activities, and sometimes that includes the group told Yellowknifer. given workshops on perpetual environmental shaking things up and questioning established "We're mostly involved in social justice, care as it relates to the remediation. patterns of thinking. anti-poverty work, Aboriginal rights, environ- Sometimes the group's work is less about photos courtesy of Alternatives North Referred to years ago in a News/North mental causes and bringing attention to cli- formulating new ideas than it is acting on Activist Suzette Montreuil, left, lis- mate change," said McDonald, who joined the what is already known or on the books in tens as author Joan Kuyek speaks. organization in 1992. terms of environmental policy. The wage for Hay River stands at $24.75 an hour and $23.78 an hour in Inuvik. Focus on resource extraction Speeding up legislation "We calculated that to combat poverty The NWT being heavily dependent eco- "If environmental legislation is there but and to indicate that it's not only high prices nomically on mining and resource extraction, the regulations haven't been passed yet we try [behind the high cost of living], it's low Alternatives North has focused a lot of its to influence that to speed it up." wages," said McDonald. work on the environmental effects of those One of the aims of the group's anti-poverty "Living Wage rates show what it takes industries. work has been calculating a living wage for to live decently in the NWT. To ensure this The group is one of the non-governmental Northerners, and for at least the last three basic standard of living, we can either raise organizations that is a member of the Giant years it has published calculations on its wages, decrease costs or increase subsidies," Mine Oversight Board, itself part of the website. said Alternative North's Suzette Montreuil remediation project to contain and manage the The group found that each parent in a in the post, and who worked on the calcula- Author Joan Kuyek speaks at the arsenic trioxide and other pollutants left over family of four in Yellowknife must earn tion research. "Either way, we have to do Rethinking the Future of NWT Mining from Giant Mine after it was closed in 2004. $23.95 an hour working 37.5 hours a week for something to help lower income working event, organized by Alternatives North The organization applied to become part a decent standard of living, according to an of the Giant Mine Remediation Project in late online post last October. at Northern United Place Jan. 14. Please see 'Unofficial, page 14 news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 13 Giant Mine remediation faces public hearings

Nick Pearce/NNSL photo Dozens of community members and Yellowknife organizations appeared for the first days of hearings into the remediation plan for Giant Mine. City, YKDFN raise concerns as plan moves for approval by Nick Pearce overall goals, despite not settling on finalized remediation plan would comply with the stan- ario before and that the Yellowknives would Northern News Services plans. dards set forth in the United Nations Declara- need compensation and apology from Ottawa, A week of public hearings kicked off Mon- This includes details such as the thickness tion of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. noting the government has already denied day at the Nova Hotel in Yellowknife to weigh of tailings covers, or the extent the project can In addition to the Yellowknives' concerns several claimants. the federal government's $1 billion plan to fill a pit, she said. they will be left out of environment monitor- Another Yellowknives member heard dur- clean up Giant Mine. "We have certainty on what we want to do ing, they also express fears about the storage of ing public questions, Morris Henry Beaulieu, The plan up for discussion is the culmina- and that's what we're asking for approval (for)," hazardous materials on Indigenous lands. nonetheless called for compensation for the tion of over a decade's worth Plato said. In response, project mem- damage caused by Giant Mine. of work and aims to secure a As talks opened and the bers said they will ship hazard- "YKDFN should be one of 20-year water licence, and a remediation team warned of ous materials off-site, dispose the richest First Nations in the five-year land-use permit for potential costs between $15 and of asbestos as regulated, and Northwest Territories," he said. clean-up. An approval from the $20 million if the plan was freeze the arsenic. "I shouldn't have to come here Mackenzie Valley Land and delayed, the following hearings However, Black pointed out and beg for compensation." Water Board could clear the revealed simmering concerns the options for addressing arsen- way for licensing this year, and over the project. ic were already decided, name- City says progress has lead to the start of work by 2021 In its presentation to the ly that it would be left under- stalled at the latest. board on Monday, the Yellow- ground, potentially forever. The City of Yellowknife The plan's goals for the site knives Dene First Nation stated Plato said an environment- also raised a number of con- include: the remediation process has al assessment approved the cerns, stating in a presentation • Building a water treatment "not accommodated our Treaty indefinite freezing, and that slide that "progress and co- plan and Aboriginal rights." YKDFN signed the environ- operation has stalled" with the • Cleaning contaminated natalie plato Calling for a community mental agreement, and that the chief edward sangris remediation project. soil and sediments benefits agreement and com- Yellowknives will be part of Broadly, it took issue with • Capping four tailing ponds munity monitoring of the site, any further review of waste the certainty around the pro- • Stabilizing and closing the underground the Yellowknives also argued the arsenic management. ject, the structure of its water licence and the mine freeze-in-plan was not a permanent solution. Plato said there was research funding for site's long term security. • Taking down over 100 buildings "(YKDFN members are) watching. They're alternatives, but the freezing was the best While outside the immediate scope of the • Building a landfill to store non-hazardous pretty on keen on what's been happening and option currently on the table. hearings, the city has also shared concerns of waste why it's taken so long," Dettah Chief Edward "We sympathize that this is not the pre- socio-economic benefits of the project flowing The plan also aims to freeze roughly Sangris told reporters Monday. ferred choice, but this is what we have," she to community members. 237,000 tonnes of arsenic dust underground. "They don't want to live in fear of living said. The Project's responses to the City's out- There are other elements yet to be completed: next door to something that's really going to standing concerns have mostly refused to a risk assessment to be done by February, and harm them," he added later. Board hearings don't cover acknowledge the validity of the concerns stress study on health that is slated for this year. During public questions, YKDFN member compensation, apology (leading to) a consequential absence of effort As the remediation team fielded questions Louise Bealieau, asked just that: Are the fish The Yellowknives have called for compen- in addressing them," the city's presentation Monday and Tuesday, several parties flagged and berries around Dettah safe to eat? She was sation and an apology for the damage caused stated. uncertainties surrounding final design plans. assured they are. by the mine. However, this falls outside the "Rather than working to resolve the issue, These aren't necessarily uncertainties, board's hearings mandate, the Yellowknives the project's effort has been in denying their according to Natalie Plato, deputy director 'This is what we have' were told. applicability and value." of the project, because the team is set on its Joanne Black of YKDFN asked how the Chief Sangris said he had faced this scen- Hearings will run until Friday. 14 yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 news RCMP boss defends officer conduct in December gun pointing incident Inspector says police officer faithfully followed risk assessment protocol by Simon Whitehouse RCMP officer who she said appeared under- Northern News Services cover. He had the gun raised in one hand before A highly publicized drug-trafficking inves- producing a police badge in the other. Police say tigation in December involving a Yellowknife he also had a "POLICE" vest. RCMP officer holding an innocent bystander at Laporte said he had faith his officer followed gunpoint has come to a close. appropriate risk assessment by approaching the But the RCMP's detachment commander vehicle. stands behind how his officer handled the situa- "We understand it is quite unsettling to tion, given the level of uncertainty and risk have a contact with a police officer under these involved. circumstances," he said. "The officer on scene In December, CBC North reported that Mika apologized before moving on the call. Kondo, a 28-year-old resident was approached Laporte said RCMP has attempted to reach by a police officer with his duty pistol drawn on out to Kondo and that an invite remains open for her as she sat in her car at around 7 p.m. on Dec. her to discuss the situation in further detail. 3. The incident took place on 52 Street near the Laporte told council that the inves- Mary Murphy Home. tigation of the case "concluded recent- Yellowknife RCMP Insp. Alex Laporte ly" and that three people were arrested. recounted the incident on Monday during his City Coun. Steve Payne commended the work monthly crime statistics report at city council's that the RCMP does to protect the public. He government priorities committee. encouraged them to "keep up the great work." He said RCMP acknowledged that the inci- "I don't think the majority of people know dent was "quite unsettling" for both Kondo and what you guys go through on a daily basis and the officer. He added that the officer apologized that you have to deal with the lowest of the low to Kondo after realizing he got the wrong person. and very dangerous people," he said. "I have no "It is quite unsettling for a citizen to be doubt the officer used whatever experience he exposed to this," he said. "It is quite unsettling had at that point to make the right decision." for a police officer to have to come to that reso- Payne said he was thankful for the RCMP lution where they feel that the risk is so elevated service. that they need to use tools that they carry to "I'm sure that it was not only the lady who got protect themselves and by default have to protect drawn on, but it must have been hard for him as NNSL file photo the public." well," he said. Yellowknife RCMP detachment commander Insp. Alex Laporte delivered a list of crime statistics to council for December and January. Laporte said his 'Highly fluid' situation 'Hard for him as well' organization regretted an incident where one of his officers pulled a gun on a Laporte added, however, that his officer was The RCMP was provided a list of questions acting in the context of a "highly fluid" situation following Laporte's presentation including a fur- misidentified suspect in a drug-trafficking investigation. where police were in the midst of trying to locate ther definition of "highly fluid," if there is a policy on, what the make of the vehicle was that police a violent drug dealer believed to be in the area. with police where they need to be identifiable Yellowknife City Councillor," she wrote. "We were looking for in this incident, and if the Laporte told council that police had been when using an intervention option and whether can say that a "highly fluid" situation in general conclusion of the case ended up near where the investigating an apartment complex "outside this was followed through correctly, whether refers to a situation that is moving or changing takedown incident occurred. downtown" where drug dealers had committed or not the RCMP was satisfied that the officer rapidly. The officer was wearing a POLICE vest, an act of violence against another drug dealer. identified himself sufficiently as a police officer, and produced his badge. In respect of the privacy Police had information about the location of the why the officer wouldn't have used a loud hailer Officer wearing 'POLICE' vest for vehicle owners of a similar type of vehicle as Marie York-Condon, RCMP spokesperson perpetrator and an associated vehicle which hap- to call Kondo out of the vehicle while remain- that which was described as the suspect vehicle, pened to match the type that Kondo was driving. ing behind cover if the risk for the situation offered the following response on Tuesday: we will not be providing details or description. As reported by Yellowknifer, Kondo, seated was determined that high, more detail about "There isn't much more detail we can release, The investigation into the original call for ser- vice has been concluded as no criminal charges in her Honda Civic Coupe with her sister in the case being closed and what arrests other than that which Insp. Laporte provided could be brought forward." the back seat, was suddenly approached by the were made - including what they were based in his response (Jan. 20) to a question from a 'Unofficial opposition' Alternatives, from page 12 residents." In line with its character as a coalition of groups, Alterna- tives North was involved last May with the formation of the Yellowknife chapter of Our Time For A Green New Deal. That group is "the YK chapter of the national, non- partisan, youth-led campaign to push politicians to support a Green New Deal – a vision for a community-driven climate plan that's in line with Indigenous knowledge and UN climate science – and elect those that do," according to Our Time's Facebook page.

Formation of Our Time "We helped them with the logistics of getting things started, like meeting rooms and promotion," McDonald said. Our Time Yellowknife is currently lobbying MP Michael McLeod to support an NDP plan to establish a Canadian ver- sion of Green New Deal legislation that would mitigate the effects of climate change and economic inequality. Green New Deal policies have been espoused south of the border by such politicians as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders. As Alternatives North looks to the future, it wants to continue its role in providing – as its name suggests – alternatives to development in the North. "We've tried to come up with alternative economic models like when some people wanted fracking in the Sahtu, or drill- ing projects in the Beaufort Sea. We tried to come up with economic alternatives to that, like tourism, alternative energy deals, or better child care," McDonald said. Yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 15 Sports & Recreation Sports hotline • James McCarthy Phone: (867) 873-4031 • Email: [email protected] • Fax: (867) 873-8507 As far as they can go Yellowknife Wolfpack peewee development team drops D final at Saskatoon Challenge Cup by James McCarthy Northern News Services Getting to the D final normally means you aren't playing for the big title in any tournament. But for the Yellowknife Wolfpack peewee development team, it's a suc- cess simply because of the level of competition they were up against. The Wolfpack, who play as the CR Oilers in league play, were the lone Northern team at the Saskatoon Challenge Cup earlier this month and got the chance to win the D final but fell to the St. Albert Sabres of Alberta, 5-2, in the decider. Darren Wicks, the team's head coach, said it was a great effort from a group of players who simply fell into a spot of bad luck. "We were there with all of the best teams," he said. "We held our own against some real good hockey players and we weren't beaten in all of our games. Getting to the (D) final was our goal and the kids should hold their heads up." That bad luck started in the round-robin as the Wolfpack lost all three of their pool games in close games, starting with a 6-5 loss to the Strathcona Warriors from Alberta. Strathcona scored the eventual win- ner six minutes into the third period but the Wolfpack weren't able to find an equalizer before time ran out. Next up was the Humboldt Bron- cos from Saskatchewan, which ended in a 6-4 loss. The Wolfpack got down, 6-2, and started the comeback but ran out of time. Their final game photo courtesy of Jenna Scarfe was against the Saskatoon Kodiaks The Yellowknife Wolfpack peewee development team pose for the team shot following their final game at the Saskatoon Chal- and all of the damage was done in lenge Cup earlier this month. They are, in front, Vincent Hottin; second row from left, Tucker Beck, Hayden Murray, Nolan Dusome, the second period as Saskatoon put four past goaltender Vincent Hottin TJ Noyce, Callum MacLean and Blake Remo; third row from left, Matthew MacKay, Mario Hernandez, Ryder Wicks, Blake Rose, to win, 4-3. Rylan Scarfe, Corwin Simmons, coach Shaun Murray and head coach Darren Wicks; back row from left, coach Andrew MacKay, From there, it was off to the D coach Lee Scarfe, Wesley Lizotte and Ryan Clarke. pool playoffs and a date with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the quarter- Callum MacLean and Ryder Wicks trol of the game early in the second Wicks said he was the best player on going tomorrow as they take on the final, where the boys finally found led the way offensively with a pair of period and never looked back. the ice for the Wolfpack. Bow River Bruins in their the win column, 4-3. Ryan Clark goals apiece, part of eight different "I was looking back at the results "Most minutes played of any goal- opening contest. scored the game-winner midway players who hit the scoresheet for the and saw how the other teams did," tender at the tournament, by far, and It's the same type of tournament through the third period and Hottin Wolfpack. said Wicks. "Strathcona got to the B our most valuable player" he said. as they had in Saskatoon, said Wicks, was able to shut the door the rest of "We were rolling by that semi- final, the Kodiaks lost in the C final "Matthew MacKay and Ryan Clarke with some of the same teams they the way. final," said coach Wicks. "The play- and Humboldt lost in the A semifinal. were our best defensive pairing. They played. The Saskatoon Thunder were up ers were getting into that groove and We just came up short every time." were shutting down the rush, some- "We know what we'll be up next in the semifinal and the Wolf- our lines were on fire." Hottin was the team's workhorse times on a double-shift." against," he said. "We want to com- pack were never in trouble in that one Their luck would run out in the between the pipes as he played every Next up for the Wolfpack is the pete and we want to be in each as they blew out the Thunder, 8-3. final, though, as St. Albert took con- single minute of every game and Peewee Classic in Regina and it gets game."

Resolution plays host to Dene games and is hap- opened up their spiel with three losses to Ontario, Newfound- pening in Fort Providence. land and Labrador and B.C. sports Everything will wrap on Saturday and you can see the next See the next edition of Yellowknifer for the next update. edition of Yellowknifer for a full recap of the proceedings. Check Triple-knockout for with James McCarthy Team NWT stumbles out of the gate The Canadian Open wrapped up in Yorkton, Sask., on e-mail: [email protected] The New Holland Canadian Juniors are well underway in Sunday with of Ontario beating of Langley, B.C., and the NWT's rinks are still looking for some Ontario for the big prize. success. It wasn't as kind to Kevin Koe as he and his rink failed The second wave begins The boys rink hails from the Fort Smith Club but to make the playoff round in the triple-knockout event. Koe We'll have a better idea of what Team NT will look like counts Yellowknife's Adam Naugler at the second's position. started off with back-to-back wins in the A bracket over Peter for the 2020 in a few days as the second As of Monday, the boys have yet to find the win column with De Cruz of Switzerland and Epping before dropping his first wave of territorial trials gets underway tomorrow. close losses to Alberta, B.C. 1 and B.C. 2. They were set to game to of Newfoundland and Labrador to send Four sports – speedskating, , and play Newfoundland and Labrador on Monday afternoon and him to the B bracket. – are happening in the city while the other wrapped up the round-robin against Saskatchewan and Ontario He then lost to Mike McEwen of Manitoba in his next sports are being held in various communities. Inuvik will host yesterday. contest, sending him to the C bracket, where he would lose to snowshoeing and Arctic sports, is in Hay River, Fort The girls rink from the Inuvik Curling Club have also Yannick Schwaller of Switzerland, bouncing him out. 16 yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 sports & recreation Arctic Winter Games flight ready Air North provides direct Yellowknife- flight for parents and fans by James McCarthy Ed Peart, Air North's man- uled flight. travel involving the NWT; the people and groups to come up available and that's an option Northern News Services ager of charters, said putting "We got a real good rate airline also handled a charter with solutions." for people who may miss Those lucky enough to the flight out there came after and so we opened it up to flight for parents and fans Peart is anticipating a full out on this flight to get to make one of the teams for the contact from Doug Rentmeis- everyone who wants to go," heading to the 2014 Games in flight and if that happens, Whitehorse and join us for the 2020 Arctic Winter Games ter, Team NT's chef de mis- he said. "We had talked with Fairbanks, . That was there may be a second sched- Games." this March will have their sion for the Games. other airlines but everything organized by Louise Schu- uled flight but there's no guar- One thing Rentmeister flights looked after through "Doug came to us to see worked out with Air North mann of Hay River and was a antee of that happening. said can't be helped is the charters. what we had in and it puts people in White- near-full flight. "You never say never in accommodations once the Those parents mind for trans- horse at a pretty affordable "We're lucky that we this business because we'll plane lands in Whitehorse. lucky enough portation," he price." can respond to this sort of look at all of the options on "The accommodations to have their "We opened said. "We knew This isn't the first time request and be flexible to the table at any time," he are going to be the challenge child make one the interest Air North has opened up its others' needs," said Peart. said. "We do have our new because it's pretty tight," he of the teams for it up to would be there fleet for Arctic Winter Games "We always try to work with Yellowknife-Vancouver route said. the 2020 Arctic and so we came Winter Games everyone who up with a plan will have the wants to go." to get a sense chance to go over of how many and cheer them – Doug Rentmeister people would be on. interested. Mak- Air North ing it a scheduled has set up a flight had its scheduled flight for parents risks but we had a good feel- and fans to make the trip to ing it would be well-received Whitehorse for the duration and it just made sense to do a of the Games and it's prov- direct scheduled flight." ing to be quite popular. As of Rentmeister said the ori- press time, roughly one-third ginal idea was to have a char- of the available seats are still ter flight but there were lots up for grabs and it's only been of requests, leading to the available for about a week. decision to make it a sched-

Simon Blakesley photo Parents of athletes heading to the Arctic Winter Games will have their transportation worries checked off the to-do-list as Air North has provided a scheduled direct flight to Whitehorse for those looking to make the trip over. sports & recreation Yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 17 Next generation hits the courts NWT Junior Squash Championships a chance for younger players to shine by James McCarthy Northern News Services The Racquet Club's high performance squad got the weekend off and that meant the next wave of junior squash players coming through got the chance to show their stuff. The NWT Junior Squash Championships wrapped up at the Racquet Club on Sunday with a total of 20 players from Yellowknife and Fort Smith battling it out for one of the big prizes in territorial squash. Jeff Hipfner, the club's head squash pro, said there were plenty of good matches in all three divisions of play. "This was the first tourna- ment for a lot of the kids and they all had lots of fun," he said. Fort Smith had three play- ers competing across all of the divisions and Jason Jones came close to hitting the top of the A division. He ended up finishing third but impressed Hipfner with his play all week- end long. "Jason's result wasn't a surprise to me," he said. "He went with us to the Jesters tournament in Alberta back in November and he played real- ly well down there so it was great to see him have that type of result here last weekend." Carter Robertson ended up on top as he beat Loic Hipfner in the final.

Hayden Murray won the photos courtesy of Jeff Hipfner B division as he defeated Nik Carter Robertson, right, gets set to return a shot Koe in the final and coach as Loic Hipfner tries to avoid getting in his way during the A division final of the NWT Hipfner said it was a dominat- Junior Squash Championships at the Racquet Club on Sunday. ing performance. "He's come a long way The C division final was ment, there was also a chance across was one of work ethic. very quickly – he hasn't been a battle of the Peters as Peter to get in some extra prac- "He really pushed the idea playing for a long time – but Staples overcame Peter Kani- tice with Colin Whitney, who of working hard to reach a fact nwt junior squash it's exciting to see how much gan for the title. coaches at the University of goal," he said. "If you want to progress he's made," he said. "Both of them were playing Calgary. be at the top, you have to put file championship results "He will be playing up a divi- in their first tournament and Whitney worked with all in the time and it was good sion the next time and he will had a great final game," said of the players for the duration for the kids to hear that from definitely be a future high per- Hipfner. of the weekend and Hipfner someone who's training some formance player." In addition to the tourna- said the message Whitney got of the top junior players out there. When we go down south All from Yellowknife unless noted to play, we're playing kids A division who are putting in 10 to 15 Champion – Carter Robertson hours per week and that's what Runner-up – Loic Hipfner you need to do if you want 3rd – Jason Jones (Fort Smith) to be a really good player." Seeing the kids active, though, B division is the big goal, he added. Champion – Hayden Murray "Seeing kids playing other Runner-up – Nik Koe sports is great because you'll 3rd – Sofia Ardiles be in good shape but it's all about putting in the time," he C division said. "If you put in three to Champion – Peter Staples five hours a week, you'll be Runner-up – Peter Kanigan average but if you do 10 to 3rd – Skyra Pike 15 hours, you're going to be good." Source: Racquet Club Sports Card

AGE: 10 Emily will be on the Team NT Arctic Win- ter Games gymnastics team when the Games begin in March. She qualified for the team through the territorial trials Peter Kanigan, left, and Peter Staples were the finalists in the C division back in December and will be one of the of the NWT Junior Squash Championships at the Racquet Club on Sunday. emily hutchings youngest members of the entire roster. Staples managed to overcome Kanigan in the battle of the Peters. 18 yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 Yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 19 20 yellowknifer, Wednesday, January 22, 2020