Stanton contractor sues for $9.7 million Kelson Mechanical Inc. claims it was short-changed by general contractors 1257+:(677(55,725,(6 Our beautiful

Volume 74 Issue 32 MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2019 $.95 (plus GST) North

Dene gamers in training

Paul Bickford/NNSL photo Sharon Pekok, centre, the recreation director with K'atlodeeche First Nation, and Stacey Sundberg of Dettah compete in a finger pull match – officiated by Tyler Lafferty of Fort Simpson – during a train- ing session for Northern Games and Games on the Hay River Reserve. The training for would-be instructors, coaches and officials was presented by the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the NWT.

Land rights Nearly half A plan critical to of NWT to save Indigenous housing Team autonomy: has issues: North columnist report

Publication mail Contract #40012157 "There's different ways of communicating."

7 71605 00200 2 – Premier on her decision to stay silent during a post-first ministers press conference, page 6. 2 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 3 Did we get it wrong? News/North is committed to getting facts and names right. With that goes a commitment to acknowledge mistakes and run corrections. If you spot an error in News/North, call (867) 873-4031 and ask to speak to an editor, or email editorial@ nnsl.com. We'll get a correction or clarification in as Our beautiful North soon as we can. Submit entries via Facebook messenger to our NNSL.com page each week by 4 p.m. Thursday and we'll post the con- testants each Friday on our Facebook page. They may also appear in this newspaper and other Northern News Services publications. The photo with the most votes at the end of the week's voting will receive $100. News Briefs Santa's Elves still need help Members of Santa's Elves Inuvik are asking the public to keep up the donations for their annual holiday hamper drive to ensure every- one has a happy Christmas. Last year, the Elves raised nearly $7,000 to help construct 134 hampers for 435 people. Residents can help out in a number of ways – they can donate money for the cause or they can adopt a family, actually putting the package together for the people in need. All donations are anonymous. Anyone who asks where their hamper came from will be told it was from Santa Claus. Anyone hoping to get involved should email the Elves at [email protected]. – Eric Bowling

Beaufort Oil Barges under construction in China Beaufort Sea There may be a moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the Beaufort Delta, but that has not stopped the government of the from commissioning four new oil/ deck cargo barges for hauling fossil fuels around the waters of the Beaufort Delta. The official steel cutting ceremony for the four ships was held in Jiangsu Jinling Shipyard WINNER: Lloyd Castada Co. Ltd. in Yizheng, China on Oct. 10. Con- Prosperous Lake struction of the barges is expected to take nine Aurora and stars at Prosperous Lake. months. Designed to be capable of carrying liquid petroleum as well as container cargo, the barges will be double hulled and will be able to carry 3,600 tonnes in the ocean and 1,200 tonnes when sitting in rivers 1.52 metres deep. Each barge will be able to carry up to three million litres of fuel and they are being con- structed for service in the Beaufort Delta. – Eric Bowling Simpson addresses council on college NWT On Nov. 26, Education, Culture and Employment Minister R.J. Simpson addressed the inaugural meeting of the Aurora College Transformation Academic Advisory Council. In October of 2018, the GNWT committed to transforming Aurora College into a poly- technic university. The council links Aurora College with eight post-secondary institutions: Wilfrid Laurier University, Ryerson University, , Southern Alberta Institute of Tech- nology, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Ontario Tech Univer- sity and Yukon College. – Paul Bickford Dene Nation, DFO and Coast Guard sign deal Beaufort Sea The Dene Nation and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the Canadian Coast Guard have signed a contribution agree- ment. It will provide funds to the Dene Nation to hire a fisheries co-ordinator to develop the Dene position on the new Arctic Region announced by DFO and the Canadian Coast Guard in 2018. "The recently-signed contribution agree- ment between Dene Nation and the Canadian Coast Guard is a step in the direction of finaliz- ing a memorandum of understanding (MOU)," stated Dene National Chief Norman Yakeleya in a Nov. 29 news release. Rosario Banday Chris Alexander – Eric Bowling Cameron Falls Somba K'e/ Cameron Falls blanketed by snow. Taken at the ice caves. 4 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 news NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 5 Almost half of NWT homes have problems: report

NNSL file photo A home in Paulatuk. A house is considered to have a problem if it has an "affordability, adequacy or suitability issue," according to a report on the state of the housing stock in the NWT. NWT Housing Corp. looking at serving as hardware store to smaller communities by Tim Edwards help with home repairs. programs have been making 4,000 households were hous- supplementing rent for 245 their communities, as well Northern News Services "Lots of times in the small a difference, despite the work ing programs over the past households, 626 instances of as helping families get out of NWT communities there's no hard- left to be done. four years," he said. emergency repair support, homelessness, major repair to A new NWT Bureau of Sta- ware store or a lack of avail- "The NWT Housing Cor- Those situations include 107 instances of helping sen- privately owned homes, and tistics report paints a worrying ability to get contractors to poration has assisted nearly building 100 new units, iors secure housing to age in supportive housing." picture of the state of housing do the work, so a lot of these across the NWT. repairs on the homes are just In 2019, 42.7 per cent (or not getting done," said Wil- 6,308) homes across the NWT liams. "So, one of the things had at least one housing prob- that we were looking at in lem, according to the report. the new year is increasing This ranged from 30 per cent programming in that area, in Sachs Harbour, at the bot- where we may get our local tom end, to 90 per cent in housing organization to serve Colville Lake at the top. as a hardware store in the "A house is considered to smaller communities to pro- have a housing problem if it vide material which could be has an affordability, adequacy purchased." or suitability issue," stated the One of the corporation's report. major programs to address An affordable house, housing issues across the according to the report's cri- territory right now is help- teria, is one in which less than ing communities create com- 30 per cent of the household munity housing plans, which income is spent on housing will serve to guide the Corp.'s costs. The measure of adequa- investments, government cy is whether it has running policy, as well as assisting water and does not require communities and individual major repairs. Suitability is investors. whether it has the enough and "Whati will be the first appropriate bedrooms for its one completed (in the coming occupants. weeks)," said Williams, "and In addition to managing that community was select- public housing across the ter- ed just because they had the ritory, the NWT Housing Cor- all-weather road going in and poration is tasked with pro- there's potential for growth viding housing assistance to in the community. The com- homeowners. NWT Housing munity, in the plan, will let Corp. president and CEO Tom us know what the immediate Williams said the agency is needs are and what are the still reviewing the data associ- longer term needs are, and ated with this report, and that every community has different these reports from the NWT needs and they have different Bureau of Statistics help it solutions to meet those need." guide its operations. Williams said there are 15 Williams said the hous- community housing plans in ing corporation only operates various degrees of completion "seven or eight" public hous- right now. ing units in Colville Lake, The community's priorities the community that faced the will be backed, in the plans, most issues in this report, and with data about the state of that most homes there are pri- housing in the community and vately owned. relevant government program- In this situation, the hous- ming. ing corporation may be able to Williams said Housing's 6 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 news Northern issues a priority for premiers Premier Caroline Cochrane took part in her first Council of the Federation by Nick Pearce Cochrane attributed this to a falls emerging from those ailing New Brunswick, Manitoba, Sas- Northern News Services difference in styles. sectors. katchewan, and Alberta said the Toronto "There's different ways of Asked if she would pursue bill made resources development Fractious federal politics communicating," she said. similar efforts for the Northwest "virtually impossible" and would greeted the country's lone "Some people will use their Territories, the premier said "I be a huge economic burden. woman premier as she joined time, and some people will pick think it would be foolish for Cochrane said she needed her 12 counterparts for a meet- and choose when they speak any jurisdiction to turn away more time to study the bill. ing in Ontario Monday. things." financial support from the fed- "I think that in honesty, I've Northern priorities emerged Cochrane said the meet- eral government," and added been premier just over a month. as one of the touchstones of ing was in the south, and that resource flexibility would be a I would need to study Bill C-69 the meeting, along with the consequently much of the media key concern. more," she said, explaining premiers urging for a federal attention focused on southern The Northwest Territories she knew what it was about, opt-out of national pharmacare, issues. isn't immune to resource woes: but hadn't done a full enough support for jurisdictions facing "I'm respectful to let them in July, the Conference Board review to discuss it. ailing resource economies, and have the chance to speak to their of Canada released a grim eco- Another result from the more healthcare money for from politicians," she added. nomic outlook for the territory meeting was to call for an opt- the federal government. The Northern priorities as mines mature and markets out option for jurisdictions con- Speaking to News/North emerging from the meetings slump. cerned about the federal gov- after the meeting, Premier Caro- were heavy on nation-building. The premiers also urged ernment's national pharmacare line Cochrane pitched herself Infrastructure, including roads the federal government to plan. Cochrane was receptive to as a consensus-builder in an into communities, were front "improve" Bill C-69, a bill over- the plan, but also left the door increasingly strained relation- and centre for the premiers' hauling environmental rules for open to support other jurisdic- ship between the federal govern- plans to work with the federal large resource projects. tions if they choose different- photo courtesy of Ramón Vasconcelos/Flickr ment and Canada's premiers. government. Parallel to this are Cochrane's predecessor, ly from a "one size fits all" Northwest Territories Premier Caroline At a press conference follow- climate change efforts, she said. former premier Bob McLeod, approach. Cochrane participated in debate at a meet- ing the closed-door meetings, That same meeting featured and other provincial leaders "We need whatever resour- ing of the Council of the Federation, all of premiers from Western Canada premiers that oversee resource- slammed the bill as a threat to ces we can get within the North- Canada's premiers, that generated four took up much of the air space. In heavy economies like Alberta's national unity this summer. west Territories. I'm open to fact, Cochrane didn't get a word Jason Kenney asking the federal In the letter, McLeod and whatever package they're will- topics of interest for a meeting with the in edgewise. government to budget for short- his counterparts from Ontario, ing to give us," Cochrane said. prime minister in the New Year, one of them being "Northern Priorities." news NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 7 Subcontractor sues for $9.7M in Stanton dispute Kelson Mechanical claims it's been left out of millions in unpaid earnings by Brendan Burke As a result of either a breach of Northern News Services contract or negligence on the part Somba K'e/Yellowknife of the defendants, Kelson claims it's A subcontractor that provided been left out of millions in unpaid labour and materials during the con- earnings following the construction struction of Yellowknife's new $750 of the hospital. million hospital is seeking nearly The original subcontract for Kel- $10 million in unpaid work from its son's work was $50 million, accord- general contractors, News/North has ing to its claim. learned. But after a series of changes in Kelson Mechanical Inc. filed a the scope of Kelson's work requested statement of claim against Clark by Bird and Clark, that price grew to Builders and Bird Design Construc- $57,412,854, Kelson claims. tion Inc. general contractors for the Kelson says it has only received Stanton Renewal Project, in Febru- $48,347,265 to date. ary. Because the company says it com- In September 2015, the territorial pleted its work in accordance with the government entered into a contract contract, it is seeking $9,065,589.33 with Boreal Health Partnerships and for labour and services provided. its partners, paying Boreal $300 mil- Kelson claims both Clark and lion to build the facility. Bird were aware that the changes to The new hospital, which opened the scope of the work would result NNSL file photo in May of this year, was funded in the plaintiff incurring additional through a public-private partnership costs. A nearly $10 million lawsuit claims general contractors Clark Builders and Bird Design Con- between the territorial government "Clark Builders and Bird and/ struction shorted subcontractor Kelson Mechanical Inc. for work done at Yellowknife's new and private companies. or Boreal Health Partnership have Stanton Territorial Hospital. Boreal Health Partnerships, along refused and/or neglected to pay the partners, BCSJV, have since filed a and owing to Kelson under the sub- breaches of the subcontract." with its multiple partners, are named amount which is due and owing to statement of defence, denying "each contract," continues the statement. Filing its own statement of defence in Kelson's lawsuit, collectively as Kelson," states Kelson's claim. and every" allegations levelled by Furthermore, Clark and Bird against Kelson's claim, Boreal Health "Project Co," as well. Kelson says it's entitled to a full Kelson, while filing a counterclaim allege it was Kelson that breached its Partnerships and its partners want the Clark, Bird and their partners, compensation from the defendants. against the mechanical company. contract by failing to fulfill all obli- claim tossed, saying Project Co was known collectively as "BCSJV", were By refusing to pay up, Kelson says Clark and Bird say their subcon- gations stipulated by the subcontract "at no time" in a business relationship brought on as contractors for the all defendants have effectively been tract with Kelson included a "firm – a claim Kelson has rebutted in a or contract with Kelson. project. "unjustly enriched" to the tune of price contract" of $50 million plus response to the statement of defence. The back and forth legal action, In May 2016, according to court almost $10 million due to the com- value added taxes. The statement of defence main- still winding its way through the civil documents, Kelson entered into a pany's work on the Stanton Renewal "Kelson was not entitled to any tains a change in the work of scope courts, comes as a NWT judge recent- subcontract with Clark and Bird to Project – work the company says increase in the subcontract price," does not constitute a change under ly awarded a drilling company almost supply labour, materials, tools, equip- "enhanced the value of lands and reads the statement of defence from the subcontract. In its counterclaim, $700,000 in unpaid work in a dispute ment and mechanical work for the premises therein." BCSJ V. BCSJV is seeking general damages with Clark Builders over remediation project. Clark Builders, Bird and their "BCSJV has paid all amounts due from Kelson as a result of "Kelson's work at Yellowknife's Giant Mine. 8 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 1257+:(677(55,725,(6 Editorial & Opinions Published Mondays Comments and views from News/north and letters to the editor Yellowknife office: Box 2820, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2R1 Phone: (867) 873-4031 Fax: (867) 873-8507 Toll free: (855) 873-6675 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.nnsl.com South Slave office, Hay River: Paul Bickford, Bureau Chief Phone: (867) 874-2802 Fax: (867) 874-2804 Email: [email protected] Mackenzie Delta office, Inuvik: Phone: (867) 777-4545 Fax: (867) 777-4412 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nnsl.com/inuvikdrum Baffin office, Iqaluit: Phone: (867) 979-5990 Fax: (867) 979-6010 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nnsl.com/nunavutnews Kivalliq office, rankin inlet: Darrell Greer – Bureau Chief Phone: (867) 645-3223 Fax: (867) 645-3225 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nnsl.com/kivalliqnews

Founder (1934-2018): J.W. (Sig) Sigvaldason PUBLISHER, CEO: Bruce Valpy – [email protected] Chief Financial Officer: Judy Triffo MANAGING EDITOR: Mike W. Bryant – [email protected] Editorial board: Bruce Valpy • Mike W. Bryant • Craig Gilbert

ACCOUNTING – [email protected] NNSL file photo Florie Mariano • Cindy Minor • Amy Yang Tuktoyaktuk, on the Arctic Ocean and safely north of the 69th Parallel, has little to do with Fort Smith, which sits on the 60th. Assignment editor Craig Gilbert - [email protected] The journey toward self-determination for the Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Territories means devolution, which means Photo: Emily McInnis - [email protected] fewer services delivered by a smaller GNWT, and more services delivered by robust Indigenous community governments.

Sports: James McCarthy – [email protected] Business: [email protected] Arts: [email protected] Indigenous government Reporters: Brendan Burke • Simon Whitehouse Nick Pearce

Advertising production Production co-ordinator: Jennifer Reyes and the future of the GNWT Diana Mathisen • Zdena Kunderlik Randy Hiebert • Joshua Uson Customer service: Holly Yestrau [email protected] The territorial government will have to shrink, transform or ADVERTISING [email protected] probably both to yield to future devolution Representatives: Northern News Services Petra Memedi • Laura Whittle Indigenous residents. James Boylan • Echo Xin The self in self-government The issue: None of the 19th Assembly's prior- Advertising manager: Zerline Rodriguez refers to the people in distinct and Devolution's next phase ities talk about shedding the Depart- Administrative assistant: Emmanuel Ramos autonomous communities who have Social Media manager: Vincent De Leon We say: ment of Health, but they don't con- been waiting for their treaty rights Communication is critical template a bigger GNWT, either. CIRCULATION: to mature like a long-term savings [email protected] If we're hard on the GNWT, which Circulation Director: Emma Thomas bond. is a convenient acronym that refers Jewala Jhankur The governing has to come from action. Shifting those departments to a diverse group of public servants, Subscriptions: One year mail $90 somewhere else. It's why progress from the GNWT to Indigenous bodies from bureaucrats like policy directors Online (entire content) $50/year toward the ideal for Indigenous would check off a number of the pri- to front-line workers like nurses, doc- governments from the Dehcho to orities of the 19th Legislative Assem- tors and teachers, it's because we

NORTHERN NEWS SERVICES LIMITED the Beaufort becomes a zero-sum bly, including settling land and self- have high expectations and what it 100% Northern owned and operated exercise: if a local body is going to Publishers of: government claims, implementing – what they – say and do still mean Inuvik Drum • Kivalliq News Yellowknifer • Hay River Hub expand the cache of public services the UN Declaration on the Rights a lot. NWT News/North • Nunavut News/North Member of: it has control over and responsibility of Indigenous Peoples, establishing A vote for devolution shouldn't be Canadian Community Newspapers Association Ontario Community Newspapers Association for, an upper level of government is more culturally respectful mental seen as judgment on the present, Manitoba Community Newspapers Association Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association going to have to give something up. health and addictions programming but for the vast potential of the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta Press Councils In the Northwest Territories, that's and, not least of all, creating more future. Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce Contents copyright – printed in the North probably going to mean a leaner jobs in the communities. Chiefs, MLAs and cabinet min- by Canarctic Graphics Limited GNWT. The simplest conclusion is that isters need to start asking and We acknowledge the Nous reconnaissons In Antoine Mountain's column this the GNWT will shrink or even cease financial support of l'appui financier du answering questions about settling the Government of gouvernement du week, he points out the treaties that to exist in its current form. That isn't Canada. Canada. all those outstanding claims and apply to what is described now as a knock on the largest employer exactly what future devolution will Member of the Ontario Press Council. The Ontario Press Council was created to defend freedom of the press on behalf of the public the Northwest Territories, 8 and 11, in the territory, the body that when look like from a bird's eye view, what and press alike, and to consider specific, unsatisfied complaints embody a nation-to-nation conver- transferred from Ottawa in 1967 by from readers about the conduct of the press in gathering and pub- it will mean on the ground, and, lishing news, opinion and advertising. sation. Canada is a "bystander" to the first commissioner of the NWT to most importantly in a lot of places, Complaints should go to: The Ontario Press Council, 2 Carlton St., Suite 1706 Toronto, Ont., these agreements with the British reside here, Stuart Hodgson, brought who decides what happens to the M5B 1J3 Email: [email protected] Fax: 1-416-340-8724 Crown. There is no consideration responsible government to the Can- riches hiding underneath it. www.ontpress.com given to a regional body acting as a adian frontier. The potential of a Northwest Ter- go-between for the go-between. It may be that the GNWT will not Send us your comments ritories of Indigenous governments Email us at: [email protected] with the subject Control over health care and edu- disappear but transform into a body with full and proper control over their line "My opinion"; or send mail to News/North at Box 2820, Yellowknife X1A 2R1; or drop your letter off at cation, Mountain writes, was the ori- that hosts meetings of the leaders of traditional lands is limitless. The only our office at 5108-50 Street. All letters submitted must be signed with a return address and daytime ginal goal of the Indian Brotherhood, the various Indigenous governments alternative to open and earnest com- telephone number. We will do our best to ensure that letters submitted by 3 p.m. on Thursday are printed in but its direct descendent, the Dene in place of a legislature of MLAs, munication now is conflict down the Monday's News/North. Nation, hasn't pursued that course of while representing interests of non- road. editorial – opinions NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 9 How self IS self-government?

Norman Yakeleya, centre, was initiated as national chief of the Dene Nation at the 48th Dene National Assembly in Hay River in late August, 2018. He's pictured with Bill Erasmus, left, outgoing national chief of the Dene Nation and Francois Paulette, right, elder from Smith's Landing First Nation. Col- umnist Antoine Mountain argues that the evolution of self-government in the NWT remains little more than another exercise in colonialism. NNSL file photo

Northern News Services and education, the real original struggle. What has happened is that the regions and People, and still handled by government. Friends, the novelty of self-government is One person who gets the real standing of the communities who have already given up all the It all comes down to the lands. Whose lands a perfect example of how colonialism really Dene Nation more than anyone else is former best they had end up running what the GNWT are these and who has the right to speak for works. premier, Stephen Kakfwi. is supposed to do anyway, municipal services. them? The teacher has left the room, so someone He sees that one former political organiza- The land itself is beyond the reach of the Mahsi, thank you. from the class is now in charge. tion more as a secretariat, basically there to To properly understand the pro- meet once a year, but really, to just cess one go-to person is the Cree take and compare notes with other lawyer, Sharon Venne. groups, no more. To make it look When you go back far enough, good, a deal with GNWT now and we of the First Nations pretty well then. all started out on the same footing. Throughout all of this, the age- We were each enticed into treat- old and proven tactic of divide and ies, in our Northern cases, 8 and 11, conquer has served every change in to basically give government access government to set aside Indigenous to our lands and resources. rights, simply to get at more and All the rest, ‘for as long as the more of our lands. sun shines and the rivers flow', We in Radelie Koe, Fort Good icing, to make it happen. MOUNTAIN Hope, learned this only too well last These so-called "legal" docu- summer, trying to save the best of ments were signed with the English View our moose-hunting grounds, in the Crown and still remain as such, Antoine Mountain is a Tuyeta Region. contracts between sovereign nations. Dene artist and writer Even with our land settlement, originally from Radilih The nation state of Canada is Koe'/. going back almost forty years now, still basically a bystander. He can be reached we learned that even though these In the North the government of at: amountainarts.com. lands still fall within our land the NWT also found ways to get settlement, the government still got involved in anything to do with to decide who can go in there, for Dene lands. mining, gas, oil, whatever. People like Sharon Venne can follow the We were lucky enough for a majority of our exact same process, how the provinces ended up people who just wanted to keep the Ramparts dealing directly with Ottawa, bypassing Indians River the way it is. on reserves, in the matter of funding. Whenever people bring up the subject of Our original political struggles, with the self-government, I always have more questions Indian Brotherhood of the NWT did gain some than even suggestions. ground, enough anyway to stop the original The only ones who are trying to talk self- pipeline idea. government, the Deh Cho and Akaitcho, are not But to this day the Dene Nation has yet to being allowed to do so. Instead it's called "nego- even consider getting back our rights to health tiations," with time always on the side of Ottawa.

We asked you! with Eric Bowling What are you getting your parents for Christmas? [email protected]

Alina Villeneauve: Zoe Minakis: Chanelle Bergeron: Larissa Mitchel: Rylon Rogers: Aliana Gruben: "I don't know!" "I'm going to make "A puppy." "I'm getting my dad a "I'm going to get my "I'm getting my dad a them a card." tool kit and my mom dad a new car." new shirt and my mom some air pods." new earrings." 10 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 news Students want to see Holocaust sites East Three Secondary class needs $70,000 for trip to Eastern Europe by Eric Bowling ted he was having his own existential crisis in Northern News Services how the group was going to get from point A Inuvik to point B. A dozen graduating students from East "What we see here is an opportunity for Three Secondary School are hoping to take a a real authentic learning experience for these solemn tour of Holocaust Memorial Sites next kids," he said. "We've got a lot of sticks in the June and have launched a fundraising cam- fire, we've written letters asking for sponsor- paign to get there. ships, we're trying to do as much fundraising Every year, English 30-1 students learn as we can. We have a very committed group of about the Holocaust through literature, reading kids and a very committed group of parents. Night by Elie Wiesel and watching Schindler's "When I'm full of anxiety, I've had parents List. But for the students of the say, 'Hey we can do this, we've class of 2020, the reality of what got six more months.' So we're happened had a really powerful doing what we can," said Jenks. Eric Bowling/ NNSL photo impact on the students. If all goes according to plan, Caden Sutton, left, Anibe Abba, Lane Voudrach, Maddysen Kingmiaqtuq-Dev- "People I know are connected "It's so sad at the end of June the group will lin, Fitsum Hailu, Lexis Mcdonald, Parker Carpenter, Lauren Ross, Alexis Lucas to it, so it will be a real life- and really fly out from Whitehorse to Ber- are among the graduates hoping to visit Holocaust sites in Europe in 2020. changing experience for us. It's lin, Germany. not pretty, but we want to learn important to There, the group will visit about it," said student Parker the Holocaust Memorial before Carpenter. "It didn't seem like learn about." taking a train to Poland to begin it was real, but people actually Parker Carpenter visiting major historical sites. to go through that. It was really First off, the Warsaw Ghettos, hard to hear, you wouldn't want then Krakow before moving on that to happen to your worst to Auschwitz. The tour will then enemy. move on to Prague to visit more "It's so sad and really important to learn memorials before flying back to Canada. about." "We felt like we should pay our respects to Now, he and his classmates are working to the people who went into the camps and didn't save up the $70,000 needed to get themselves make it," said student Alexis Lucas. and two chaperones to Europe for a 10-day "People should have awareness about indif- educational tour unlike any other. ference. There's people out there who don't East Three English teacher Gene Jenks, receive much help." who would be one of the chaperones, said he Students are planning to do bottle drives, has never seen a group of students so motiv- concessions stands and a number of fundraiser ated to expand on a learning subject. When events to help cover their costs. the students pressed to find a way to pay their A GoFundMe has also been set up to help respects to the victims of the Holocaust, the the students achieve their goal. Anyone inter- idea of seeing the sites first hand came up and ested in helping out can visit https://www. the group decided to go for it. gofundme.com/ and search for Eugene Jenks He noted the students were well aware of to find the Central Europe and the Holocaust what they were getting into, though he admit- Student Tour campaign. commentary NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 11

Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) deputy chief Jordan Peterson and Grand Chief Bobbie Jo Greenland-Mor- gan participated in the GTC special assembly on self-gov- ernment in Aklavik Sept. 21, 2018. If Indigenous peoples' fundamental rights are not included in self-governance regimes, as set out in the Treaties, Indigenous govern- ments will still be under the thumb of the federal govern- ment, columnist Catherine Lafferty writes. NNSL file photo

Walk the path with us, or get out of the way

Northern News Services are written down on paper. Indigenous nations Indigenous peoples are often left standing Indigenous peoples are continuing down the There is a lot of talk lately about the "rise" need to be the ones leading the way at these at the bottom of their own totem pole and path we have always been on. The one that of Indigenous governments. But what does that tables. capitalism is at the top. A five dollar bill each has never led us astray. The one that has been exactly mean? Who are we referring to when The government will argue that no year as a reminder that we have an agreement trail-blazed by our ancestors. The path that we talk about rising? Is it the government one owns land except the government, yet with Canada, a promise that Canada will live has been made by those who have died fight- that is rising to the occasion to make an hon- Indigenous Nations were never conquered up to the Treaties. This promise, that I have ing for their rights. We are walking the trail est effort at playing fair and being respectful because they simply never surrendered. yet to see come true, is not making things any of those that have led the way. The path that towards Indigenous Nations? Are Therefore, the government cannot better. Why should we accept this? It's insult- is entrenched with cultural significant value they finally listening? claim ownership over land, but ing. Yet these are the exchanges we make and systems and integrity for all living things. The dictionary says that the surprise, they still do and will con- many wait in line not seeing the underlying Indigenous peoples are forging onward as word "rise" it is to "move from a tinue to do so until challenged. factors and the aforementioned meaning we have always done and will continue to lower position to a higher one" or to I staked my claim on the land behind this practice of handing out five dol- do so in order to ensure our rightful place in "get up from lying, sitting, or kneel- a few years ago. I was given per- lars bills to Treaty holders in the North. this country as sovereign nations and no less. ing" and to "increase in amount, mission to occupy the land parcel So, do I think Indigenous self-governance There is room to walk this path with us, but extent, size, or number." That last from my band. It's a small way of is on the rise? I can't answer that question those that choose not to, need to get out of one makes sense when referring to asserting my rights as an Indigen- because I won't lower to it. I believe that the way. the fact that there is a rise in the ous person. My presence on the number of claims made against the land is a way of showing the gov- government for wrongful treatment ernment that I am here and I'm not of Indigenous peoples. going anywhere. Yet, why should Indigenous Nations have never Northern I have to prove to the government stopped exercising their sovereign- Wildflower that I belong on my own territory? ty. Indigenous peoples have been Why should the onus of proof be fighting against injustices since Catherine Lafferty is a on Indigenous peoples to prove published author who Canada was formed and I believe grew up in Yellowknife. their inherent rights? The answer we are winning that fight. Progress Her next book, Land- can be found in the corrupt gov- Water-Sky, is set to be is now being made at negotiations released later this year. ernmental policies and practices tables across Canada. Precedence that are set out over the land cre- has been set by many Indigenous ated by those that were once in Nations and the bar is high. But there is much positions of false power in an effort to control more work to do. Many First Nations lead- Indigenous peoples for the purposes of finan- ers are sitting at the negotiations table right cial gain. now all over Canada working on the chapters I stood in line for the annual five-dollar of their self-government agreements but if bill that is divvied out by the government Indigenous peoples' fundamental rights are each year in recognition of the Treaties that not included in those self-governance regimes, were signed a hundred years ago. I let it col- as set out in the Treaties, then I don't believe lect for a few years until it grew to about there is true self-governance in play and at the fifty dollars. If I waited to collect this money end of the day Indigenous governments will until I was ninety years old, I would have still be under the thumb of the government no $500. This is not even enough to buy a week's matter how many chapters of an agreement worth of groceries for my family. 12 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 Around the North If you have an item of interest from your community, call (867) 873-4031, or email: [email protected]

Paul Bickford/NNSL photo arrive alive The Grad Class of 2020 is offering a designated driver service for the Christmas season. Among this year's two dozen graduates are: front row, left to right, Tarek Chicot, Molly McMinn, Nicole Griffiths, Zoe Walsh and Julie Rowe; and back, left to right, Shyla Boyce and Bryce Smith. Computer courses offered Sewing class gets new instructor Lli Goline/Norman Wells Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard Christmas gets competitive Those looking to learn basic computer programs were in luck Participants of the traditional sewing program put on by Acho Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence thanks to Aurora College. Dene Koe First Nation will have a new instructor to learn from. Residents in the holiday spirit have been invited to light up An introductory Microsoft Word course was set to begin Nov. "Loretta Kotchea will be taking over our traditional sewing their homes in a Christmas decorating contest put on by the 26 and run until Dec. 5 with an introductory Microsoft Excel workshops," states a bulletin on social media. Hamlet of Fort Providence. course scheduled to run Dec. 7 to 19. New dates have also been announced with workshops now Prizes for first, second and third will be awarded in the Both courses were set to take place on Tuesday and Thursday set to take place on Monday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Christmas lights and decorations category, the Christmas star evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Norman Wells Learning Thursday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. category and the wreath category. Centre. "Loretta will be teaching how to make beaded ornament A single prize will be awarded for the best inflatables display "We will be offering an intermediate level course for both decorations and small Christmas decorations from now until category. Excel and Word at the turn of the new year so that we can con- Christmas," states the bulletin. "If you would like to take part in this contest, please leave tinue to grow our expertise with these productivity tools," states "The cost is free!" your name at the Hamlet Office to participate," states a bulletin a bulletin on social media from Aurora College. All workshops are set to take place at the Gathering Place. – Erin Steele – Erin Steele Please see Eye, page 14 photo story NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 13 Kids inspect Hay River Reserve home Youngsters check out two-storey, five-bedroom house at the invitation of K'atlodeeche chief by Paul Bickford about what it looks like if lived in and had stood empty part of this project because it's Northern News Services those needs are met or not for years. so important to them because Hay River met." Liam said he would be they're the ones that motivated A group of students on the Two of the students – Liam checking to make sure noth- us to move forward in mov- Hay River Reserve recently Martel-Tourangeau and Kate- ing was broken in the house. ing families into homes right received a unique lesson on lynne Poitras – wrote Chief Katelynne said she would away," said the chief. housing. April Martel of K'atlodeeche be checking the furniture, the Martel said he hoped that On Nov. 25, the nine First Nation (KFN) with their temperature and if it was a the houses would be occupied youngsters – in kindergarten concerns about homelessness clean house. by the start of December. to Grade 4 at Chief Sunrise and delivered the letters per- They and the other students Education Centre – were given sonally. – all between five and 10 years clipboards and invited to run "So Chief April asked them of age – carried out their mis- Ryker Nestle ensures through checklists to inspect to come back and be part of sion and checked the lights, a window is up to par a house ready to be occupied. this today so they could kind windows, cupboards, doors when he and other Ashley Beck, a teacher at of see the follow-up," Beck and many other things. students from Chief the school, explained it was a said of the inspection of the Martel said it was the idea Sunrise Education follow-up to a "kindness pro- two-storey, five bedroom of KFN executive assistant Centre assumed the ject" undertaken during the house. Natasha Landry to invite the last school year. It was one of the six houses children to inspect the house. roles of house inspect- "They were trying to make fixed up and transferred to "We want the kids to be ors on Nov. 25. the world a better place," Beck KFN earlier this year by the said. "So they identified basic NWT Housing Corporation. human needs and then talked The house had never been

Liam Martel-Tourangeau looks into a cupboard on Nov. 25 while he and other youngsters made sure an empty house on the Hay River Reserve was ready for occupancy.

Paul Bickford/NNSL photos Ayden Tambour displays a completed checklist after students from Chief Sunrise Education Centre inspected a house on the Hay River Reserve on Nov. 25.

On Nov. 25, Chief April Martel of K'atlodeeche First Nation and student Cameron Fabian go over what needs to be inspected in a house on the Hay River Reserve.

Katelynne Poitras, left, and Aaleyah Yakinneah run through a checklist while inspecting a house on the Hay River Reserve on Nov. 25. 14 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 around the NWT

Computer, from page 12 assistance is advised to contact Inuvik's economic development The gala will feature handgames, a jigging contest, a visit officer Holly Campbell at (867) 777 7126 or Holly_Campbell@ from Santa Claus and other activities. on social media. gov.nt.ca. – Paul Bickford Judging is set to take place Dec. 16 after 6 p.m. Winners will – Eric Bowling be announced Dec. 17. Prizes range from $100 to $300. Smith's Landing plans party – Erin Steele Salt River holds Christmas gala Thebacha/Fort Smith Thebacha/Fort Smith Smith's Landing First Nation will be hosting its membership Salt River First Nation in Fort Smith will be presenting a Christmas party on Dec. 8 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Roaring Rapids Eye doctor coming to town Children and Youth Christmas Gala from 2 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 15. Hall in Fort Smith. The party will feature dinner, a visit by Santa Tsiigehtchic The event is for Salt River First Nation members 15 years of Claus and door prizes. A group of eye doctors will be passing through Tsiigehtchic age and under. – Paul Bickford to help with the community Dec. 9. Anyone who wants to see the optician to order new glasses can just drop in between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., but people who need to see the eye doctor, particularly if they haven't for several years, should call the Health Centre at (867) 953 3361 and book an appointment. Anyone interested in helping with the administration four hours before the clinic opens can make $22 an hour. – Eric Bowling Healthy Families Collective Kitchen Tsiigehtchic Fort McPherson's Healthy Families Co-ordinator Agnes Francis will be visiting Tsiigehtchic Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. to do a collective kitchen at the Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute. The kitchen will help teach parents of children six and under good nutritional practices and some new recipes along the way. There are five spots available. Anyone interested should con- tact Aboriginal wellness coordinator Alison Cardinal at (867) 953 3201. – Eric Bowling Ulukhaktok Economic Development Office closed Eric Bowling/NNSL photo Ulukhaktok Inspiration Anyone with economic development issues will have to go Town of Inuvik senior administrative officer Grant Hood, left, and MACA School of Community Government through the Inuvik office after 2 p.m., Dec. 3 as the Economic superintendent Dana Morand, right, present Raven Firth with the First Responder Inspirational Student of Development Office of Ulukhaktok is closing until further the year during Town Council's Nov. 25 Committee of the Whole meeting. Each year the town and municipal notice. affairs present awards for outstanding academic achievement. No reason was given for the closure. Anyone who needs NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 15 Sports & Recreation Sports hotline • James McCarthy Phone: (867) 873-4031 • Email: [email protected] • Fax: (867) 873-8507 Training the trainers in traditional games Would-be instructors, coaches and officials gather on Hay River Reserve from all over NWT for week-long workshop by Paul Bickford Similar training was offered in Yellowknife last year. used as a hunting game and it was practice for accuracy out Northern News Services And McLeod hopes such training can also be offered in on the land. It was a hunting tool, essentially. And there are Katl'odeeche/Hay River Reserve other communities. hundreds of games and they all have a story attached to them." People from all over the NWT gathered on the Hay River "Anyone interested in Northern and Dene Games can take Sharon Pekok, the recreation director with Katl'odeeche Reserve recently to learn more about traditional games. this training," she said. "Whether you're wanting to be a coach, First Nation, said she learned a lot by taking the training. Those games fall into two categories – Northern games like whether you're wanting to be an official, if you're wanting to "The reason I wanted it here was so that I could have the one-foot high kick, two-foot high kick and musk ox push, and start your own program in your community, or if you simply training, or anybody else if they were interested to come and Dene Games such as stick pull, finger pull and handgames. want to learn more about your ancestral history." do the training, so that we can actually start doing these dif- "We're trying to build capacity in the Northern and Dene McLeod noted traditional games are becoming more popu- ferent events with the kids, whether it was Northern games or Games communities," said Shawna McLeod, community lar. Dene games," said Pekok. development manager with the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the "There's a lot more interest in the communities and the Steve Cockney Sr., an elder originally from Tuktoyaktuk NWT, which presented the training sessions from Nov. 25 to Northwest Territories as a whole," she said. "So it's good to now living in Inuvik, said he was on hand at the training to 29. "So we're trying to provide opportunities, like training for see." ensure the Northern Games are brought down to youth in the people who are interested in starting their own programming McLeod believes people connect to their roots through the proper way. in the communities or wanting to get involved with the North- traditional survival games of the Dene and Inuvialuit people. "The experience that they're getting now is something that ern and Dene Games in any way." "Each game that was played was played traditionally for a we hope that they can carry on throughout the years and pass The five days of training attracted 25 participants from purpose. So each game that we introduce has a history con- it on to the next generation," he said. Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik, Yellowknife, Behchoko, the Hay River nected to it," she explained. "For example, the snow snake was Cockney noted there are over 300 Northern Games. Reserve, Fort Smith, Tulita, Paulatuk, Dettah, Fort Provi- dence, Fort Simpson, Fort Good Hope and Whati. "People are really excited to bring it back to their com- munities," said McLeod. "They want to use these games in different ways for programming. People want to bring it back to their carnivals. People want to bring it back to introduce it to the youth in the communities to eventually coach or send a team to the Traditional Games Championships." sports Check with James McCarthy email: [email protected]

It's trials time NWT It's official – we can begin thinking about the 2020 Arctic Winter Games. The first wave of territorial trials will be happen- ing around the NWT beginning on Dec. 12 and here's a list of what will be happening and where: Basketball – Yellowknife Biathlon (ski and snowshoe) – Hay River Cross-country skiing – Yellowknife Dog mushing – Fort Providence Gymnastics – Yellowknife Bantam boys hockey – Inuvik Paul Bickford/NNSL photo Midget boys hockey – Hay River Sharon Pekok, centre, the recreation director with K'atlodeeche First Nation, and Stacey Sundberg of Junior girls hockey – Yellowknife Dettah compete in a finger pull match – officiated by Tyler Lafferty of Fort Simpson – during a training ses- Futsal – Yellowknife Volleyball – Yellowknife sion for Northern Games and Dene Games on the Hay River Reserve. The training for would-be instructors, Curling – Yellowknife coaches and officials was presented by the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the NWT. source: Sport North Kevin Koe comes up short Leduc, Alta. The Canada Cup of Curling is in the books and for Kevin Koe it was close but no winner's cheque. Koe and his rink managed to make it to the final of the men's draw on Dec. 1 in Leduc, Alta., and took on John Epping of Ontario for the title. Koe had booked his place in the final thanks to finishing atop the field in the round-robin but Epping ended up on top when it mattered as he defeated Koe, 7-4, to win the $40,000 first prize and secure his rink a berth in the Canadian Olympic Trials in 2021. Koe's rink ended up with $25,000 for coming in second. Racquets at the ready Hay River The town of Hay River was busy earlier this month with the sounds of birdies hitting racquets. The Scott McAdam NWT Badminton Championships were in Hay River on Dec. 6 and 7 with several players look- ing to win one of the championships up for grabs. Some of the participating communities this year included Ndilo, Det- tah, Fort Smith, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson and Yellow- knife along with players from the host community. See a future edition of News/North for the results. 16 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 sports & recreation Is it over for Bill Peters, Mike Babcock and Marc Crawford? Not even close

Northern News Services was no honest mistake because it was edited player Akim Aliu and kicked players on the he went to Coach after the apology and asked Oh, look … someone else gave Donald and published with no facts whatsoever. It was bench. Mike Babcock apparently used ques- for the suspension to be lifted because he felt I Trump and his supporters more ammunition. meant to be a cheap shot and it backfired spec- tionable coaching techniques and Marc Craw- was sincere and I learned my lesson. He didn't Jessica Kwong, formerly of Newsweek – I tacularly. And we continue to wonder why so ford allegedly used forceful tactics to get his have to do that but Coach agreed. Amazing say formerly because she lost her job because many people hate us. point across. how things work out and I've never forgotten of this – decided to regale us with some fake Anyway … If all of this is true, then they need to that act of kindness. news and tell us that Trump would spend the answer for it. There's no room I told you that to tell you American Thanksgiving tweeting and golfing. They will be back for any kind of abuse in sport, this: Peters, Babcock and We all know where he went and Kwong paid Bill Peters is out of a job because he be it racial, physical, mental Crawford aren't bad people. for her "honest mistake" with her job. No, that allegedly used the N-word around former or emotional. Now, several Sports They just did stupid things for players have come forward to which they need to atone for. corroborate what these three Talk I highly doubt they are done have been accused of doing so with James McCarthy in hockey circles and they will something's there. Peters has be back to work again at some already issued an apology and point. Hockey is going through we've yet to hear from Babcock and Crawford its reckoning right now, if you will, and if but this needs to be addressed. these three need to be the catalysts for it, so Much like the situation surrounding Don be it. Cherry, there are also people who are sticking up for, in particular, Babcock and Crawford. Your move, creep They may have done stupid things and they Mark Borowiecki of the Ottawa Senators may have crossed the line but it doesn't mean has become everyone's new favourite hockey they're bad people. And lest you think I'm player after his heroics in Vancouver on Dec. 2. trying to apologize for what they've allegedly BoroCop, as he's now known, was out and done, I'm not. They're responsible for their about for a walk in the Gastown section of the actions and they need to own them, if it's city (nice area, by the way) before the Senators proven. took on the Canucks and noticed someone But if they're going to become the next breaking into a car to steal a backpack. Boro- victims of the cancel culture, then we should wiecki chased him down and clotheslined the cancel ourselves out as well. I don't care who thief after the guy charged at him with his you are – we have all said or done some- bike. thing so stupid that we wish we could take it Borowiecki has become a legend and the back. Anyone who tells me they haven't is a Senators had some fun with it by superimpos- damn liar and a terrible one at that. No one is ing his head onto RoboCop's body and re- immune to it. We've all had that moment. making the trailer for the original movie into I've had multiple moments where I've been BoroCop, voice-over and all. This is too good photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons guilty of synaptic flatulence and when I know and it shows that you simply don't mess with Marc Crawford is under investigation by the Chicago Blackhawks for alleged I've screwed up, I take full responsibility. No hockey players. Why don't people understand past incidents involving apparent abuse of players. If he did it, he should own one made me do it. I chose to do it. Like that that by now? up to it. time I chose to use the F-word to refer to an Anyway, good on you, BoroCop. opponent during a high school football game. Not that F-word but the one which is a pejora- And finally … tive term to a gay person. I said it and I paid Good Idea: Taking my annual vacation. the price for it. The side judge heard it, threw Bad Idea: Knowing I'll still be working his flag in the air and I got the objectionable through it. conduct penalty, which means automatic dis- As tragic as it is to some of you and as qualification from the game. wondrous as it is for some of you, I will be It cost me three games and it was a school- vacating my chair for the rest of the month as mandated suspension, not a league one. The the company is kicking me out for my annual worst part of it? Turned out one of the people vacation. Some of you have asked where I will who helped out with our game prep was gay. be going so here are my detailed plans: Coach told me and it was meant to be a secret From my bed to the living room couch with but I was told to meet with him in private and the odd movement involving the Honey-Do List apologize in person. I did and it was one of only in my house, it's the Honey-Do-It-Or-Else the most humbling experiences of my life. He List. I'm not totally disappearing as I will still accepted my apology, said he understood it be doing Sports Talk and the odd story but was done through emotion and simply asked Nick Pearce will be the go-to guy for all of that I don't say it again. We ended becoming your sports needs. He's a super reporter and all- very good friends after that and since that day, around nice human so please be kind to him. I I have never used that word in any context. shall return in January. The sidebar to this? Unbeknownst to me, Until next time, folks … Merry Christmas!

Sports Card speedskating

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AGE: 6 Community: Hay River Jaxin was one of the 70 competitors that took to the ice in Yellowknife earlier this month for the Yellowknife Speed Skat- ing Club's Ability Meet. He was part of a seven-racer contingent from Hay River that made the trip up to the capital. jaxin coombs sports & recreation NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 17 A plan to save Team North Les Skinner looks to save National Aboriginal Hockey Championship participation for territories by James McCarthy Skinner understands the reasons why the Northern News Services Sports Circle pulled its support – footing NWT the entire bill for all three territories – and The future of Team North's participa- he doesn't begrudge them for doing that. tion at the National Aboriginal Hockey But he said it's too important a program Championships was thrown into doubt this to let die. past July after the Aboriginal Sports Circle "There are so many positives that have of the NWT announced it would no longer come out of the program," he said. "It's a fund the tri-territorial initiative. U18 program and you can start playing at Enter Les Skinner of Inuvik, who is now the age of 15 and we have had players that looking to save Team North. young suit up. We have a team elder as Skinner, who's coached the boys team part of the line-up and that helps the young three of the last four years, is in the process people re-engage with their culture. We of coming up with a way to have the rule that anyone who ensure Team North's participa- plays must be in school unless tion at the 2020 championships they've graduated." in Regina and beyond. "I'm not There's also lifestyle lessons Skinner said he's not giving the players learn, he added. up on this without a fight. giving up "We have a zero-tolerance "I've been talking with policy on alcohol," he said. people in both Yukon and on this yet." "Anyone who drinks is off Nunavut and there's been no – Les Skinner the team. Tobacco is another real commitment except to say area where we're strict on. We that there's interest in a rela- preach proper nutrition for the tionship of some sort," he said. players, we have them take part The first hurdle toward trying to keep in goal-setting. We're giving them all of the everything alive was met late last month things they need for the next chapter of their when the entry fees for both the boys and life after hockey and develop them as posi- girls teams were paid in full - $1,500 each. tive role models for their community." That money came courtesy of a $2,000 In announcing its decision this past July, donation from NAV Canada, Skinner's Wells said the Sports Circle would be will- employer, and Hockey North covering the ing to work with any group or people that remainder of the fees. wanted to take over the program and that But that only reserves a place in the offer is still there, he said. tournament. The job now is trying to come "We've had preliminary discussions with up with the rest of the resources, which Les on what kind of support we would pro- includes uniforms, accommodations and vide, if any," he said. transportation. "It's too soon to say what exactly we According to the Sports Circle's 2018- could do, including anything financial, 2019 annual report, the cost of sending because we're waiting to see if it's a go but Team North to the 2018 tournament in Nova we'll help if we can. A lot of kids in the Scotia was $194,960 which included trans- North play hockey and I'm happy to see portation, food, freight, accommodations people want to keep it alive and I hope Les and other miscellaneous costs. can get the resources together." The uniform situation could be solved For Skinner, it's much more than just a thanks to the Sports Circle as it still has one-off event. everything required to outfit both teams. "Some see it as a hockey tournament but Aaron Wells, the Sports Circle's execu- I see it as a program," he said. "There are tive director, said that's one area where his so many kids who get scouted for junior photo courtesy of Aboriginal Sports Circle of the NWT organization can contribute. teams and school teams and it gives them "We have it all: uniforms, helmets, a bit of southern exposure. It makes it less Sam Skinner of Inuvik wheels with the puck during action at the 2019 National gloves, bags and other miscellaneous stuff," intimidating if they do go down south to go Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Whitehorse this past May. Team North's par- he said. "We would be happy to give that to to school or to play hockey because they've ticipation at future championships was up in the air after the Aboriginal Sports Les and that will help alleviate the cost of seen it and they've done it. I'm not giving Circle of the NWT announced it would no longer operate the program on its own starting from scratch." up on this yet." but a plan to keep it going is on the books. 18 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, December 9, 2019 19 20 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, December 9, 2019