Dentists 'astounded' to be left out of talks Federal and GNWT officials to discuss how to resume care delivery in communities 1257+:(677(55,725,(6 Hub wants more people on the ice Volume 75 Issue 28 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020 $.95 (plus GST) Halloween in Tuk Comment: The next million-dollar duck Comment: Support for the Covid secretariat Veteran Fort Simpson courier calling photo courtesy of Kannessa Cardinal Rayleigh Kregnektak, age 5, dressed up as a it a career dark princess for Halloween in Tuktoyaktuk. Publication mail Contract #40012157 "Some people think the education gap will not be solved in our lifetime. They think it's big, too big, too complex, but ... they're totally wrong." 7 71605 00200 2 – MLA Jackson Lafferty says education is key to increasing the number of Indigenous people working for the GNWT, page 15. 2 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, November 9, 2020 news NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, November 9, 2020 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 Judge gives Fort Good 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 soon as we can. NEWS Hope killer seven years Briefs Colten McNeely stabbed Lloyd Edgi to death in 2017 by Natalie Pressman wound was a 10-centimetre blow to Edgi's through corrections Canada to keep Northern News Services heart. (McNeely) safe and allow him to make prog- Radilih Koe/Fort Good Hope Regardless of McNeely's "reckless" ress," said the judge. Colten McNeely was sentenced Wednes- actions, Mahar said, his "wanting to make A number of Edgi's family members day to seven years in prison after stabbing amends is not entirely without merit." and friends were present in the public gal- his friend Lloyd Edgi to death in Fort Good "This was a gross overreaction of the lery to hear McNeely's sentence. The NWT Hope three years ago. situation he found himself in," the judge said, Supreme Court heard Monday about how McNeely was originally charged with however "(McNeely) did not specifically Edgi's death impacted so many of their lives. second-degree murder. Justice Andrew intend to cause (Edgi) harm." Mahar called the Nov. 2 hearing "heart- Mahar found him guilty of the lesser crime breaking," acknowledging the hardships los- of manslaughter as McNeely's judgement Upper end of manslaughter ing Edgi has caused for much of the com- was "severely" impaired from alcohol and he Mahar told the court that manslaughter munity of 500 people. Mahar expressed appeared to be acting in self-defence. is a particularly difficult crime to sentence particular sympathy for Edgi's two young "The situation arose as a result of jealousy because of its broad spectrum of culpability children, who will grow up without their and intoxication," Mahar said in delivering ranging from near accident to near murder. father. his sentence. This offence is at the upper end of that scale, The judge also acknowledged McNeely's On the night Edgi died, the two men were he said. apology and the remorse he showed for his arguing over an affair between McNeely and "Were it not for the level of intoxication, actions. Edgi's partner. Edgi first assaulted McNeely this would have been second-degree murder. The offender told the court that he wishes Photo courtesy of Ken Smith on his house porch leaving McNeely with a The risk of death was clearly present." he "could take (Edgi)'s family's pain away," Gwich'in Tribal Council Grand Chief bloody nose before leaving the scene. Mahar told the court he would also rec- and that, "if time in jail could bring him Ken Smith, right, was presented a pair During the two-week trial, McNeely told ommend McNeely serve his sentence in the back, I'd be happy to serve all the time I've of gifts on behalf of the Gwich'in Nation the court he later sought out Edgi to sort Northwest Territories "if at all possible," as got." by Dene National Chief Norman Yake- things out with his friend but armed himself he considers McNeely to be "a vulnerable McNeely also said he anticipates never leya Oct. 27. with a hunting knife for fear Edgi might inmate." being welcome back into Fort Good Hope. still be angry to the point of violence. When He said that McNeely appears before the Mahar said he hopes that changes. He GTC grand chief honoured by McNeely found Edgi, Edgi begun pushing court as a young man, and no evidence that told the gallery he hopes the community can Dene national chief and hitting him. McNeely used the knife to the events of Edgi's death were within char- "move to a place where some limited amount Somba K'e/Yellowknife stop the assault. acter for McNeely. Mahar also acknowledged of forgiveness is possible." Gwich'in Tribal Council Grand Chief Ken McNeely stabbed Edgi nine times – all the present Gladue factors. "Mr. McNeely," Mahar said, "I hope you Smith was presented a pair of gifts on behalf of the in the area of his upper left chest. The fatal "I believe every effort should be made can forgive yourself, too." Gwich'in Nation by Dene National Chief Norman Yakeleya on Oct. 27. The Dene Nation medallion and vest are presented to each of the five regional grand chiefs in the Northwest Territories who sit on the Dene Nation Executive Council. The med- allion was made by Lucy Ann Yakeleya and Judy Lafferty, and the vest was made by D'Arcy Moses. "I was surprised by the gesture," said Smith. "But I am very honoured to accept that medallion on behalf of the Gwich'in. "It's certainly isn't an item I will wear lightly. It's something I wear with tremendous pride, but also a level of responsibility. We must continue to move forward in the best interests of not only the Gwich'in people but more broadly the Dene Nation as a whole." – Eric Bowling Hay River pool expected to open today, Nov. 9 Hay River Preparations for the reopening of the commun- ity swimming pool have been going very well. During the Oct. 26 online meeting of town council, Stephane Millette, the director of recrea- tion with the town, said the pool's mechanical systems are operating well so far, along with the pool filters and pumps. "We do expect to be open to the public on Nov. 9," he said. Millette added that there is enough staff to allow the pool to be open seven days a week. It has been closed since March because of Covid-19 restrictions. – Paul Bickford ICC Elders Committee seeking new councillors Inuvik Inuvik Community Corporation is putting out a call for nominations to the Inuvik Elders Commit- tee, with five seats available. Open to Elders who are 60 years of age or older, the term is for a one-year commitment. Nominations opened Nov. 2 at 9 a.m. and will remain open until 5 p.m. on Nov. 30. Election Day is Dec. 16 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Forms can be picked up at the ICC office on Paul Bickford/NNSL photo 102 Mackenzie Road. A terms of reference form is also available from the office, which will outline MAD HattER the roles and responsibilities of anyone who takes Nine-year-old Camryn Hunt – dressed as The Mad Hatter from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland – performed the office. on Halloween with a group of fiddlers, guitarists and a ukulele player from Linda Duford's Purple Pick Studio. – Eric Bowling They were entertaining seniors gathered on Oct. 31 in the clubroom of the Hay River Seniors' Society. 4 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, November 9, 2020 news NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, November 9, 2020 5 Dentists surprised to be left out of gov't meeting Dentists haven't travelled to communities since lockdown took hold in March by Blair McBride locations of phase one resumption of dental services." to three months to be part of these discussions as we Northern News Services However, Dr. Roger Armstrong, president of the are stakeholders. The lack of communication is just Lli Goline/Norman Wells NWT/NU Dental Association and owner of Great simply astounding." Federal and territorial leaders are scheduled to Slave Dental Clinic in Yellowknife, is puzzled as to Dr. Pirjo Friedman, a dentist at Adam Dental meet this week to discuss the resumption of dental why the association has been left out of government Clinic who has been making dental visits to the travel to small communities, but NWT dentists say discussions. communities for 10 years, said neither she nor her they've been left out of the discussion. "We have received no communication about this employer, Dr. H.M. Adam, were informed about the Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) upcoming meeting or the topics being discussed, let government talks. Minister Julie Green said in the legislative assem- alone being invited to be a part of these discussions," HSS did not immediately respond to a request for bly Nov. 3 that the meeting would happen between he said. "We have been requesting over the last two comment. officials with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and HSS. Many dentists in Yellowknife haven't been able to make dental trips to the communities since March when pandemic restrictions emerged in the NWT, leaving patients with the sole option of flying to Yellowknife for emergency procedures.