1257+:(677(55,725,(6 Premier visits Yukon border Volume 75 Issue 38 MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 $.95 (plus GST) 'Take Covid seriously,' says mother of ill man Fort Good Hope's Myrine Kakfwi lies in an Edmonton hospital in critical condition from coronavirus complications

Five confirmed Covid cases in Fort Liard

John B. Zoe's vaccine took "about two seconds"

Gwitchin chief calls drilling auction a failure

photo courtesy of Dolly Pierrot Myrine Kakfwi, left, lies in an induced coma in the ICU of the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, as his father Wayne Kakfwi stands beside him.

Publication mail Contract #40012157 "We have to look beyond that and make sure that the company is viable for a long time."

7 71605 00200 2 – Air Tindi president Chris Reynolds looks to the future as company buys seven Dash 7 planes, page 7. 2 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 news NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 3 Did we get it wrong? News/North is committed to getting facts and fact file names right. With that goes a commitment to acknowledge mistakes and run corrections. If you nwt covid-19 situation as of Jan. 22 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 Active cases: 7 Days since first confirmed case: 308 soon as we can. Confirmed cases: 31 Days since last confirmed case: 3 Recovered cases: 24 Common symptoms: Fever, (60 per cent), muscle News Completed tests: 11,454 aches or pain (53 per cent), cough (53 per cent), Negative tests: 11,411 Scan for the sore throat (33 per cent), diharrhea (13 per cent), latest GNWT Briefs Pending tests: 152 Covid-19 statistics difficulty breathing (seven per cent) Man accused of drunk- Source: Office of the Chief Public Health Officer driving stolen fire engine Inuvik A man is in custody in relation to a fire truck theft that occurred in Inuvik on January 19. RCMP say they were called in to investi- gate after a 105-foot ladder truck was taken without permission from the front of the Inuvik Fire Department headquarters at some point between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Police were called at 8:40 p.m. and multiple RCMP detachments from the Beaufort Delta were involved in the hunt for the missing truck. A witness spotted the truck making its way south towards Tsiigehtchic by way of the Dempster Highway. Police eventually conducted a traffic stop on the truck along the highway before it reached Tsiigehtchic an arrested a lone male. A 43-year-old man, who has not yet been identified, is facing charges of theft of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle while

impaired, refusal to comply with demands for photo courtesy of Dolly Pierrot an alcohol test and failure to comply with con- Myrine Kafkwi, left, lies in an induced coma in the ICU of the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, as his ditions. A court date has not been released yet. – Eric Bowling father Wayne Kakfwi stands beside him. Canadian Women's Foundation seeks applicants Take Covid-19 seriously, says NWT The Canadian Women's Foundation is seek- ing applications for their Safer and Stronger grants program, focused in addressing "rising risk of gender-based violence in the pandemic." mother of critically ill man After receiving a $19.6 million investment from the Government of Canada's Department of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), Fort Good Hope's Myrine Kakfwi has been in the foundation is encouraging organizations that support women experiencing gender-based an Edmonton hospital for over six weeks violence to apply for funding ranging from $10,000 to $200,000. by Blair McBride ting better. He was up and he was Facetim- be put inside his right lung to stop air from Applications will be accepted on a rolling Northern News Services ing us and going for short walks to regain leaking out. basis until Feb. 15, 2021 or until the funds are Edmonton his strength. He was going to be transferred "That means he is well enough to have fully distributed. A resident of Fort Good Hope is warn- down to the lung unit for recovery. On that inserted," Pierrot said. "His oxygen level "Gender-based violence was at unacceptable ing Northerners to take Covid-19 seriously Christmas Day he Facetimed me while I was (also) went from 55 per cent to 45 per cent, levels before the pandemic, especially for mar- after her son caught the virus and has been cooking dinner. He wanted it to be like he meaning that he requires less support and ginalized women," Paulette Senior, president in intensive care in Edmonton for more than was at home as usual." he's been coughing more, also good because and CEO of the foundation said. three weeks. That was the last time she spoke to her he can cough on his own." Canadian Women's Foundation spokes- Myrine Kakfwi moved from the Sahtu son. But Myrine's situation is still dire. person Kate Hawkins stated that while the community to Edmonton about two and a On Dec. 30 she called the hospital and "The doctors have warned us that they're program will support organizations across Can- half years ago with plans to study carpentry was told by the doctors that Myrine was not sure we'll get him back as the normal ada, the Foundation is "encouraging applica- at the Northern Alberta Institute of Tech- transferred to the ICU of the lung ward. He Myrine we know. He's been under sedation tions from the territories," and is "committed to nology (NAIT). He had been apprenticing was put into an induced coma on Dec. 28. for too long. It's not good for his mental advancing gender equality initiatives in rural, since he arrived in Edmonton and lived in an In a three-way call with Myrine's father health," Pierrot said. remote, and Northern areas." apartment with his older brother Gabe. Wayne, a doctor explained that Myrine was "The doctors said it's a waiting game. Our – Natalie Pressman His mother Dolly "Dee" Pierrot describes critically ill and asked the parents to come emotions are just like a roller coaster. This Myrine as a caring and funny young man down to Edmonton. Both took flights the hospital is quite busy and that ward is quite De Beers donates 213 who enjoys hunting, trapping and playing next morning. Wayne flew down from Nor- busy." guitar and video games. man Wells, where he lives. Despite their fear and uncertainty, Myr- computers to NWT schools Gabe follows Covid-19 precautions and "He had developed two bacterial infec- ine's family has been overwhelmed by the NWT practices physical distancing even inside the tions in his lung. One was Strep A infec- support they've received from friends, stran- Nine schools in Yellowknife and NWT apartment. tion and the other was Methicillin-resistant gers and communities near and far. communities are the proud owners of brand "My older son is vigilant and spends most Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). He was on "We've been getting so many phone calls new computers as De Beers Group announced of his time alone in his room," Pierrot said. life support and on a ventilator. His right lung and messages," she said. donations that aim to help students' learning Myrine however, went in and out of the was leaking. They gave him a serious amount "Fort Good Hope did a fundraiser event during the Covid-19 pandemic. apartment frequently and regarded Covid-19 of antibiotics." and raised $3,500. Norman Wells did a Yellowknife's École Sir John Franklin High as a "hoax," Pierrot said. His parents have been in Edmonton for fundraiser auction that raised about $12,000. School, Yellowknife Education District 1 Route The 30-year-old changed his mind about more than three weeks, with each taking Deline and Tulita did fundraisers too. The 51 Learning Institute, École St. Patrick High the virus after Dec. 5, 2020, when he began turns to be by his side in the hospital. money will go towards our meals and hotel School, and École Allain St-Cyr as well as Beh- showing symptoms of the virus. "We're just going day by day," said Pier- stays in Edmonton. We've had people who choko's Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, Whati's "By Dec. 7 he was coughing a lot and rot. formed prayer circles. We've had well-wish- Mezi Community School, Gameti's Jean Wet- was coughing up blood," said Pierrot. "He "There's some positive news and then ers from all over including from Vancouver rade School, Lutsel K'e's Lutsel K'e Dene and his older brother called the ambulance some negative news. The ventilator caused and New Brunswick and all over Alberta." Schoolm and Ndilo's Kalemi Dene School and Myrine was taken to the hospital at the the hole to get bigger in his right lung. In Pierrot said that after Myrine's Covid-19 received 213 computers distributed this week. University of Alberta." order for some antibiotics to work he needs symptoms worsened, he came to regret his A news release issued by the mining com- They were tested for Covid-19. Gabe's to be off the ventilator, but he needs that position that it was a hoax. She hopes that pany on Jan. 21 stated that eight iPad mini result came back negative. Myrine's was to breathe. This week they said he's had people who doubt the severity of the corona- tablets were also being provided to the Deninu positive. improvement in his left lung and in the top of virus consider what the effect it had on her Kué First Nation in Fort Resolution to help "The nurse told me he had a collapsed his right lung. The Strep A ate through most son, who was healthy, outgoing and athletic elders in the community remain connected to right lung and double pneumonia. And he of his right lung. He caught a third infection before his diagnosis. families and friends while they are isolated at had a hole in his lung. Myrine had child- in his right lung (on Jan. 15). He has a slight "Covid is a real thing. It's dangerous. You home. hood asthma so he was more susceptible to fever that comes up during the day." can die from this disease. Be careful. Be safe. – Simon Whitehouse breathing problems. He went through all the Some signs point to Myrine's condition Wear your mask all the time. Sanitize all symptoms and was in isolation for 14 days. improving. On Jan. 21, a lung specialist the time. Keep your distance. You just don't "(Eventually) it seemed like he was get- plans to assess Myrine to see if a valve can know who has it." 4 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 news One in five Acho Dene Koe residents tested for Covid-19 Five confirmed cases in Fort Liard, but CPHO says if public health hasn't called, you have no reason to worry by Blair McBride and Craig Gilbert Northern News Services Acho Dene Ko/ Fort Liard Five confirmed Covid-19 cases in Acho Dene Koe (Fort Liard) have brought to 30 the number detected in the North- west Territories. Chief public health officer (CPHO) Dr. Kami Kandola said last week 50 people deter- mined to be contacts were iso- lating and about 100 Covid-19 tests have been performed by a GNWT rapid response team deployed to the Dehcho com- munity of about 500. Health workers are giving those in isolation advice – including to stay in isolation – via phone. Kandola said it's part of the contract tracing process. "A contact is someone who public health believes could have spent 15 minutes or more with a person who got Covid- 19 and was within six feet of them," she explained. "That means just because you saw Blair McBride/NNSL photo someone who had Covid-19 Territorial medical director Dr. AnneMarie Pegg speaks to reporters as Premier Caroline Cochrane and Environment and Natural while walking around in town or passed them quickly in the Resources Minister Shane Thompson look on Jan. 17. The Covid-19 vaccination clinic scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Fort Liard store, you don't have a lot to will go ahead as planned despite the recent Covid cases, Pegg said. worry about." Kandola said direct con- Kandola reminded the pub- ure notifications issued by new cases, new contacts who net in an effort to identify the tor Dr. AnneMarie Pegg said tacts are more likely to have lic to stick to healthy habits the CPHO have no reason to should be isolated, and pre- source of infection," Kandola the cases in Fort Liard were been exposed to the virus than like physical distancing, hand- worry. vent additional transmission," said. detected because an individ- "contacts of contacts. washing, and mask-wearing. she said. No new positive corona- ual came forward after the "At this point, you're quite But she said residents of the Mystery case in YK probed An investigation is ongoing virus cases have been identi- public health advisory was far away from the original community who haven't been "No matter where you into the Covid-19 case identi- fied. issued about the Hay River source of infection, and there contacted by public health are in the NWT, it is more fied in the capital Jan. 15. Monitoring for other cases signal. is usually a low risk of having officials, who did not have important than ever for you to That case has no known ori- will continue through waste- "With the public health been exposed to Covid-19 – contact with someone infected get tested for Covid-19 at the gin, though Kandola said it is water analysis, symptomatic order there's been a great especially in the NWT where with Covid-19 and who were first sign of any symptoms," highly likely the source has case testing and targeted uptake from the community," there is no community trans- not in any of the locations at Kandola said earlier in the passed their communicable asymptomatic screening. she said. "People are inter- mission yet." the times identified in expos- week. "This will help identify period. In Hay River, meanwhile, ested in being tested, people The rapid response team 189 people have been tested are being supportive and kind was at Yellowknife's Aven for Covid-19 after a "signal" of to one another. There's been Manor testing staff and select- the disease was detected in the a great welcome to our rapid ed residents based on suspi- town's wastewater. The timing response team. The nurses cion the case was connected to of the result raised suspicion have had good cooperation the long-term care home. that the person first diagnosed from the community. And all "To be clear – there is no with Covid-19 in Fort Liard of those signs would indicate identified exposure risk. This had self-isolated in the Hub that there's incredible motiva- is part of a reverse contact- after returning to the territory. tion on behalf of the com- tracing exercise to cast a wide Territorial medical direc- munity." news NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 5 NWT man gets 14 months for sex assault on sleeping teen Crown Prosecutor Jacqueline Halliburn told the court that the event has 'changed her life'

by Natalie Pressman places where they should feel Northern News Services safe." NWT "They are abused by no An NWT man was sen- fault of their own," she said tenced to 14 months in cus- "often by men under the influ- tody for sexually assaulting a ence of alcohol. sleeping teenager in the Beau- In this case, the victim was fort Delta region. "at the mercy of (the offend- On the night of the offence, er)," "an invited guest into the man had been invited over their home," Smallwood said. to the residence to drink with The court heard that a another resident of the victim's number of letters of support household. The man, 24 at the were submitted on behalf of time, went upstairs to use the the offender. "I don't know washroom on the second floor that I've ever had a case with and subsequently entered the this many letters of support," sleeping girl's room instead said defence lawyer Kate Oja. of rejoining his friend down- At the time of the offence, stairs. the court heard that the man The offender, who said his had been "getting blackout memory of the night is lim- drunk every weekend" and ited, was physically removed using crack cocaine. He is from the residence. now 14 months sober, since A publication ban prevents November 2019. News/North from disclosing "The letters suggest that if information that could iden- (he) can maintain sobriety, he tify the victim, including the won't re-offend," Oja said. name of the offender and the Before receiving his sen- NNSL file photo community where the 2018 tence, the man apologized for An NWT man faces 14 months in custody for sexually assaulting a sleeping teenager in the Beaufort offence took place. actions. He thanked his wife Delta. Though the girl asked for and family, who were present her victim impact statement in the courtroom, for their After the man's 14 month "The victim appears quite or another court again," she family and the community I to not be read out in court, love and support and said he sentence, he will be on proba- angry as you can understand," said. "It will require hard believe (he) can continue to Crown Prosecutor Jacqueline hopes to continue treatment tion for two-and-a-half years. Smallwood said. "Some day work, but with the support of make those good choices." Halliburn told the court that with his counsellor while in The offender will be barred you may be able to apologize the event has "changed her custody. from use of firearms for 10 in person, but it will have to life" and "impacted her ability Smallwood said she years after his release and will wait until she wants to speak to interact with people in a "accepts that he is genu- remain on the sexual offender with you." normal and healthy way." inely remorseful for what he registry for 20 years. Smallwood acknowledged The court heard that the did" and that his "efforts for In addition to continuing that the crime is a major sexual offence led to the girl drop- rehabilitation are to be com- with counselling as directed, assault and that denunciation ping out of school, feeling mended." the man was ordered to avoid and deterrence are necessary ashamed, embarrassed, guilty While the man's guilty plea contact with the victim. considerations for sentencing. and depressed. is considered late since trial He is prohibited from She also noted that the letters In delivering her sentence had already begun when the attending her place of resi- submitted on the offender's on Jan. 18, Justice Shannon new plea was entered, Small- dence, employment or educa- behalf are "supportive" and Smallwood said it was "aggra- wood said it is still mitigat- tion. If the man arrives at "attest to the changes (he) has vating" that the man abused a ing since it "saved" the victim a location where the girl is made in his life and (his) value minor asleep in her own home. from testifying and removes present, he must leave and in the community. She noted that many girls any lingering doubt about may only return once she has "I believe if he stays sober in the NWT are abused "in what may have happened. vacated. he will not be before this court

Blair McBride/NNSL photo They never had a chance Vincent Nasken of Wekweeti crouches by the snare wire he tied to a branch and around which he placed twigs to make it look more natural to any passing rabbits. 6 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 news Canadian Cancer Society 'very concerned' with smoking prevalence in territory Smoking in North more than double national standard

by Simon Whitehouse ally each year due to cigarette smok- Northern News Services ing. NWT Additionally, 30 per cent of all The number of smokers per cap- cancer deaths are related to cigarette ita in the NWT remains more than smoking, Cunningham added. double the national average and stub- "There has been some progress," bornly so, something that should he said. "The NWT recently did worry policy makers within the ter- bring in some updated legislation ritorial government, according to the but there is so much more that can Canadian Cancer Society. be done." Rob Cunningham, senior policy Nonetheless, out of all provinces analyst with the society, said and territories, the Northwest Ter- although there are some signs of ritories remains second-last in the progress, smoking rates remain far country when it comes to smoking too high in the NWT. rates – only behind Nunavut. "My general comments are that Broadly speaking, the GNWT the smoking prevalence rate is 35 per needs to attack the problem through a cent when Canada-wide it is 15 per "comprehensive strategy" that would cent," Cunningham said. involve taxation, legislation and "So the NWT is more than double enhanced cessation-type program- the Canadian smoking prevalence ming, Cunningham recommended. rate and we are very concerned by An increase in the age limit to that." purchase cigarettes to 21 years of The rates are drawn from the age, which has been done in Prince Canadian Community Health Survey Edward Island, would be a worth- and were last updated in 2017-18, while step, he said. photo courtesy of Rob Cunningham Cunningham said. But the figures "The thing is that there is evi- Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst with the Canadian Cancer Society, says the GNWT show that there is a long way to go dence that (raising the age limit needs to do much more to reduce the smoking prevalence rate in the territory, which is more for the territory in lowering tobacco will) reduce smoking and that makes use. sense because if the minimum age than double the national average. He pointed out that in 2001, the is 19 and you're 17 or 18, there is a rate was at 47 per cent, so some greater chance you will know some- said. The Canadian Cancer Society GNWT is right that the key thing it get them addicted, said Cunning- improvements have been made. one who will get you cigarettes," he made a submission in December to can do is ban flavoured cigarettes." ham. But the progress over 20 years is said. "If you push that age limit to 21 the GNWT's proposal to ban fla- Vaping, which is increasingly "The sooner the GNWT adopts a not nearly enough when considering it is harder and will make a big dif- voured cigarettes. becoming "cool" among teens, is regulation, the sooner we will be able that tobacco remains the leading ference on smoking rates." "We supported that proposal being marketed in the traditional to protect kids from the marketing cause of preventable death in Can- Another step would be to ban and, in fact, strongly supported it," ways that tobacco companies have strategies of the tobacco companies," ada, causing 48,000 deaths nation- flavoured e-cigarettes, Cunningham said Cunningham. "We believe the always appealed to young people to he said. news NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 7 Once in a lifetime: Air Tindi buys new aircraft despite pandemic cuts New Dash 7 planes a part of aviation company's long-term plans by Natalie Pressman a-half, before the airline industry Northern News Services – and the world – became plagued NWT by Covid lockdowns and border clos- Amid Covid-19 cutbacks, Air ures. Tindi has acquired seven new Dash They bought the Dash 7s from 7 aircraft – a four-engine plane ideal Trans Capitol Air Ltd. – a Toronto- for taking off and landing in short- based airline that focuses on inter- distance and hostile conditions. national work like United Nation The Yellowknife-based airline is relief and peacekeeping. the largest operator of Dash 7s in the While the timing is "unfortu- world. They are joined by the British nate," Reynolds said the opportunity Antarctic Survey, Transport Canada to buy the seven planes was "once in and the U.S military who use the a lifetime. aircraft for specialty missions. "It's not something that we would Air Tindi services communities have ever picked to do during the throughout the NWT by transporting pandemic but it means so much for groceries, fuel, commuters, tourists, the viability of the company, the lon- medevac passengers, and a host of gevity of the aircraft and the support other supplies on charter and cargo for the communities," he said. flights. "Through very good cooperation Since runways in many Air Tindi with our lenders and debt financing, destinations are short – sometimes we were able to get the deal done." abandoned – and often unpaved, Air Reynolds said the recently- Tindi president Chris Reynolds said acquired Dash 7s will be used large- the Dash 7 is "the aircraft of choice ly for parts, though he assured the for a lot of what we do. investment is entirely forward think- "It is the only large aircraft that ing. Even without the recent pur- photo courtesy of Chris Reynolds can carry the amount of cargo and chase, Air Tindi would still be years Air Tindi has purchased seven Dash 7 aircrafts from Toronto airline Trans Capitol Air Ltd. passengers of its kind to the local away from having to worry about communities of Whati, Wekweeti, losing its Dash 7s, he said. ther notice. Canada's largest airline Dash 8 aircraft up for sale "to ensure While Reynolds said the border Gameti, Lutsel K'e, to Nunavut com- With the additional air- cited "stifled demand from ongoing that we are operating more cost closures "still hurt" and that the munities like Kimmirut and Grise craft, news hires will fol- travel restrictions and blanket quar- effectively." Kablutsiak said the fleet airline is worried about the level of Fiord. No other aircraft of its size low in the future, said Reynolds. antine rules" as the reason behind consolidation had begun even before business during the coming summer, can land at those communities," he When the pandemic struck in March, the suspension. Network capacity is Covid-19 "damages" set in and the which is the airline's peak season, he said. "The performance of the air- Air Tindi began tightening its oper- down 80 per cent from 2019, accord- airline had already begun shifting said, "We have to look beyond that craft is unmatched." ations. ing to Air Canada. focus to its ATR aircraft. and make sure that the company is While well-suited to the North, The airline's flight schedule was Canadian North has also made "It's not cheap to be operating viable for a long time." the Dash 7 is niche. Only a lim- cut in half, resulting in layoffs and adjustments by selling its Dash 8 air- airlines, especially in the North," he The new Dash 7s help to do that, ited number were produced, which grounding 40 per cent of the com- craft. Company spokesperson Kevin said. "We have to be mindful of how he said. makes it difficult to acquire more of pany's fleet. Kablutsiak said that when Canadian we spend our resources, how we use "It's something that we're proud them and spare parts. Air Canada announced that it North's Dash 8 lease expired in Octo- the resources and decisions that we we operate," he said. "It would be Air Tindi has been working to would be suspending service to ber, the airline chose not to renew. make when it comes time to updating a real loss for the North to lose the secure the aircraft for a year-and- Yellowknife from Jan. 23 until fur- The airline also put its other two our fleet." aircraft altogether." US Arctic refuge drilling rights auction a 'complete failure:' Gwitchin chief Only half of land put up for auction bid on, almost all by Alaskan government

by Eric Bowling claimed a tract of land with a bid of approximately $778,000 Northern News Services and Anchorage-based Knik Arm Services LLC took the other Inuvik tract with a bid of $1.6 million. Four additional submitted bids An Arctic Indigenous leader is expressing optimism that were not completed. vital caribou calving grounds will remain free from oil and Initially, the Bureau of Land Management announced gas mining. it intended to only sell 400,000 acres of land, but quietly The outgoing Trump administration doubled down on increased that number to 1.1 million in December. In total, the efforts to sell drilling rights within the of Iizhik Gwats'an tracts leased amount to roughly 500,000 acres. Leading up to Gwandaii Goodlit – or the Sacred Place Where Life Begins the lease sale, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the – refuge before power transferred to U.S. President Joe Biden. leasing could generate $1.8 billion in tax revenue over a dec- According to records, 11 of the 22 tracts of land offered ade. When the dust settled, 0.8 per cent of that was generated, were bid on. Nine of those bids were the Alaskan government meaning only $16,560,000 was raised for the federal treasury. through its development bank which offered up $12 million in Now, the hopeful drillers will have to wait up to 60 days for total. the sales to clear antitrust review and receive approval from It's vindication for Vuntun Gwitchin First Nation Chief the U.S. Department of Justice, which puts their ambitions on Dana Tizya-Tramm. a collision course with an incoming federal government that is "We see this as a complete failure, especially with most of 100 per cent against the entire operation. Malkolm Boothroyd/malkolmboothroyd.com photo (the bids) being state-owned corporations, the Alaskan govern- Biden has repeatedly vowed to protect the refuge and with A bull caribou walks off into the mist at the Arctic ment is now losing money," he said. Since 2017 "we have seen a Democrats now controlling both houses, there is little in his Refuge in Alaska. Attempts to auction off portions complete disregard for good governance, due process, law, sci- way to stop him. On top of that, a significant portion of global of the refuge for oil drilling have resulted in only ence and for any meaningful engagement or consultation with capital ranging from major U.S. banks to a multi-trillion dollar the Indigenous communities that are affected." Investment Fund have made it public policy to not finance any 11 lease sales and less than one per cent of Alaska's Industrial Development and Export Authority oil and gas exploration in the refuge. expected generating revenue. authorized itself to spend up to $20 million on the protected In the wake of the weak sale, Tizya-Tramm said he feels lands after concerns were raised about a lack of interest from much more confident the caribou will be able to rear their "The judge openly questioned why she was being sought the industry. They passed the resolution during an emergency calves in peace for decades to come. to seek a preliminary injunction before the actions have been meeting Dec. 23, which included a 90-minute public hearing He noted a recent denial of a preliminary injunction by a taken when she can simply reverse the leases once they've been which was overwhelmingly against the motion, with 39 people U.S. District Court judge may look like a loss for the Gwich'in issued," said Tizya-Tramm. "Right there, that makes it even speaking out against and two speaking in favour. on the surface, but in the fine print it paves the way forward for easier for the Biden administration to point towards the judge's Texas-based oil company Regenerate Alaska LLC also the Biden administration to prevent any drilling. statements and to order the reversal of the lease sales." 8 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 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 Wekweeti chief Charlie South Slave office, Hay River: Paul Bickford, Bureau Chief Football, left, receives Phone: (867) 874-2802 Fax: (867) 874-2804 his Covid-19 vaccination Email: [email protected] from nurse Lianne Mantla, Mackenzie Delta office, Inuvik: in the Youth Centre, on Eric Bowling Phone: (867) 777-4545 Wednesday. As Covid-19 Fax: (867) 777-4412 Email: [email protected] vaccinations ramp in the Website: www.nnsl.com/inuvikdrum territory, the government Baffin office, Iqaluit: needs to communicate on Trevor Wright Phone: (867) 979-5990 our economic recovery Fax: (867) 979-6010 NNSL file photo 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

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Advertising production GNWT must formulate a plan to boost economic recovery Production co-ordinator: Jennifer Reyes Randy Hiebert • Joshua Uson Northern News Services Customer service: Holly Yestrau leaders to stand up and tell them [email protected] Despite the public waiting for The issue: whether it's time to start prepping ADVERTISING any sign of a return to normalcy for [email protected] Economic recovery for the summer or to start applying Representatives: months, chief public health officer for another grant or loan. Petra Memedi • Laura Whittle Dr. Kami Kandola is not making any We say: James Boylan Draw a plan To Johnson and other MLAs mak- promises just yet. ing such inquiries, Kandola said that Advertising manager: Zerline Rodriguez Social media manager: Wesley Cook Last week, while getting her vac- 75 per cent immunity might not be Digital advertising representative: Echo Xin cine alongside residents in Wek- reached in southern jurisdictions weeti, Kandola told reporters that light to travel without having to until the end of 2021. CIRCULATION: isolate, though she hasn't been so [email protected] it remains too early to say whether These predictions are not rock Circulation Director: Amy Yang specific. travel-related restrictions will be solid but based on current vaccine Subscriptions: altered this coming summer. The overarching message would One year mail $75 delays and distribution issues, it's Online (entire content) $50/year be to not yet plan for travel or having "Wait until we get more data not out of the question. visitors this summer. (about the vaccines). Wait over the With all this lingering uncertainty, next few months. Don't book air- This is most likely a case of Kan- dola and her office shielding them- the GNWT needs to step up to fur- plane tickets," she said at the time. ther help our territory. Currently, the issue is a lack of selves from the potential blow-back Recently, the Business Advisory NORTHERN NEWS SERVICES LIMITED studies and data around whether the of making promises that can't be 100% Northern owned and operated Council, set up to work with the Publishers of: vaccine being administered in NWT kept, but it doesn't exactly instill con- Inuvik Drum • Kivalliq News Department of Industry, Tourism and Yellowknifer • Hay River Hub communities will prevent the spread fidence in either the vaccine or our NWT News/North • Nunavut News/North Investment, has stopped meeting Member of: of Covid-19. government's plan to get us back to Canadian Community Newspapers Association due to their feeling that the Premier Ontario Community Newspapers Association normal. Manitoba Community Newspapers Association The vaccine has proven to be Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association and cabinet are not listening to their Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association effective in preventing infected indi- Yellowknife North MLA Rylund Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta Press Councils concerns and there is no clear plan Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce viduals from experiencing severe Johnson recently pressed for Contents copyright – printed in the North for economic recovery. by Canarctic Graphics Limited symptoms from the disease, but it's answers during a government com- still unknown whether those positive mittee meeting. With so many minds working We acknowledge the Nous reconnaissons financial support of l'appui financier du cases could still transmit the virus to “I have lots of constituents who behind the scenes in so many gov- the Government of gouvernement du Canada. Canada. others. have tourism businesses and they ernment departments, how has want to know if they should have a there not been any plan for eco- Member of the Ontario Press Council. The Ontario Press Council A lot also depends on how fast was created to defend freedom of the press on behalf of the public southern jurisdictions reach the summer season or not. It affects our nomic recovery? Why was private and press alike, and to consider specific, unsatisfied complaints from readers about the conduct of the press in gathering and pub- magic mark of 75 per cent immun- entire infrastructure,” Johnson said. business not taken into account in lishing news, opinion and advertising. Complaints should go to: ization. Many seasonal businesses are the now nearly abandoned Emerging The Ontario Press Council, 2 Carlton St., Suite 1706 Toronto, Ont., M5B 1J3 With the current rate of vac- stuck between a rock and hard place Wisely plan? When are NWT resi- Email: [email protected] Fax: 1-416-340-8724 www.ontpress.com cinations in southern provinces, and trying to plan for the busiest time dents, at the very least, going to be more recently delays in acquiring the of the year and best opportunity to able to get back to normal within our Send us your comments Pfizer vaccine, it's unclear when a make money. At a time when federal own borders now that vaccination is Email us at: [email protected] with the subject line "My opinion"; or send mail to News/North at Box critical mass for immunization will and territorial relief funding is drying starting? 2820, Yellowknife X1A 2R1; or drop your letter off at our office at 5108-50 Street. All letters submitted be reached. up and people have already suffered If the powers that be have any must be signed with a return address and daytime telephone number. We will do our best to ensure that Her statement also seems to greatly at the hands of Covid-19 and concern at all for the state of the letters submitted by 3 p.m. on Thursday are printed in imply that only those who have been related restrictions, people need NWT's economy, they should priori- Monday's News/North. vaccinated will be given the green answers and reassurance. They need tize its recovery. editorial – opinions NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 9 Nanook of the North, 100 years later

Wikimedia Commons photo A still from Robert Flaherty's silent black and white film Nanook of the North. Northern News Services bears for sustenance has managed to remain I chose to take a class on Inuit law and intact despite efforts of ignorant animal rights film for my spring semester. Our first assign- organizations trying to stop Inuit hunting ment was having to watch a one-hour film practices. from 1922 called "Nanook of the North" The use of certain articles of clothing has We asked you! which was like watching a Northern Charlie not changed much in the last one hundred with Paul Bickford in Hay River Chaplin where the beginning of the film plays years either, furs and hides that were worn to out almost like a comedy as we see Nanook's withstand the cold are tried and true in the [email protected] family emerge from his kayak one by one, Northern climate, yet now, they are revered all akin to what a clown car might look like with over the world with communities like Iqaluit the lively promenading music in the back- often hosting fashion shows displaying beauti- ground. But Nanook's life was so much more ful seal skin boots and white arctic fox furs Are you happy the NHL is back? than a comedic rendition following the life of in an appreciative nod to the brilliant signifi- an odd mime. cance of Inuit culture. Inuit peoples in the North Watching Nanook of the North have had to endure the harshest brought to mind a story I had once of climates since time immemor- heard about an Inuit family that was ial, yet Inuit culture is thriving. lured from their home in Labrador Inuit hunters have the power and and taken to Europe in the 1800's skills to take down the most for- only to be tricked and made to be midable of all species on earth, put on display in a facility that could the polar bear and some can only be akin to a zoo, and it was almost single handedly roll in a there where they eventually died. two-ton walrus from the strong Scientific racism is what research- undertow of violently lapping ers called this act of utter human Arctic Ocean waves as seen in indecency. Scientific racism also the film. To catch these large Northern occurred at the hands of doctors who and dangerous creatures with the Wildflower worked in despicable and immoral sharp end of a spear, one has to sanatoriums disguised as hospi- Catherine Lafferty is a embody the strength of 10 men, published author and tals where they experimented on outdoing any Olympic javelin an Indigenous Law Indigenous peoples, their body parts thrower, not to mention having Student who grew up in removed for reasons that still remain Yellowknife. Jaidyn Henderson Dason Vermillion to have nearly perfect aim every a secret today. time. When the HMS Erebus and Ter- "It's good. At least I have a show to "It's good. I kind of like watching the Building an igloo takes ror, Franklin's expedition of 1845, watch." NHL sometimes." Nanook less than an hour in the film and he disappeared, the Inuit peoples in the area told makes it look so easy. His family helps to stories of meeting starving men at around that pile snow blocks and carve them into place, timeframe who could be described as zombie insulating the cracks with snow. Once the like creatures having been met with the fate of igloo is done they huddle to keep warm. We scurvy – if they didn't die from the cold first. viewers, at home in the luxury of our heated No man could have survived in such a climate living rooms and cozy pajamas, see clearly the without the help of the Inuit peoples who are breath escaping from Nanook's mouth and the stewards of the land. tops of his children's heads in the black and Those who garner the traditional know- white contrast of the age-old film. Children ledge are true gatekeepers of the Arctic, are bare as they are packed on their mother's equipped with the ability to provide shelter backs in an amauti to feel the warmth of their even now with seal skin blankets, a raw diet mothers' skin as she works. packed full of nutrients that can keep one I own a pair of tailor-made polar bear strong, and the warmth of the Qulliq. wind pants, the kind with strips of printed One hundred years after "Nanook of the polar bears down each side, Nanook on the North" made its big debut Inuit traditional cul- other hand had an actual pair of real polar ture is still a day to day practice for many and bear pants that he wore throughout the film, that is something to be stressed, more so than a heavy shield of protection from the cold what one could ever capture in the oblivious and wet no doubt. Despite the fact that the effort to tell the story of the Inuit peoples in filmmaker was quite ignorant and hyperbolic the mere making of a one-hour long documen- in his captions, at one point stating that the tary film. Keira Durocher Gwyneth Devera family almost perished in a storm while What I took out of Nanook of the North "Yeah, because it's fun. The only part "Yes, because I really like hockey and he filmed, what I found to be true was that was that despite hidden historical efforts to I don't like about it is when my dad I just like watching hockey." much of the lifestyle that Nanook and his injure a beautiful culture the grounds under family lived is still a lifestyle today for many which those that tried to do so were impene- screams." Inuit peoples living on the land in the north. trable just like the permafrost below the sur- Cultural practices of hunting seals and polar face of the tundra. 10 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 news Premier visits Yukon border Vaccine is 'the light at the end of our tunnel'

by Eric Bowling border. Not only that, but the most Northern News Services amazing thing for me was they were Inuvik all hired from Tsiigehtchic and Fort As a senior, Premier Caroline McPherson. Cochrane will be an early receiver "That's what we want to see." of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, The trip is part of a series of visits but she is encouraging anyone who she's making around the territory to is eligible to get the shot as soon as get a better grasp of how things are possible. organized at the ground level. "I know that people are afraid and "In The House there was a ques- there's all kinds of thinking out there," tion on the border and the operation," she said. she said. "But we need that herd immunity. "So I made a commitment that I "When my time comes, we're not would go down and see the Alberta bumping cues; it's being doled out border, but I always think that it's according to priority. important as a minister to know what "But I'm over 60 and my time is we're dealing with in terms of our pro- coming soon, and I will be in that grams and services, so when I made line-up, and I'm hoping that as many that commitment I decided I would people as possible, at least 70 per cent also make the commitment to go up to of our population, will take the vac- the Yukon border. cines. "It's so I can see the operation for "It's the light at the end of our tun- myself, get an understanding, talk to nel." the staff and actually see if operations With vaccines beginning to roll out need to change or are sufficient as across the territory, Cochrane said she they are." was encouraged by the numbers so far. She added the area around the Cochrane spoke to News/North fol- Beaufort Delta was unique, and there lowing a recent trip through the Beau- was nothing like it further south in the fort Delta Jan. 6 to see how the border territory. control is handled first-hand. "The little bit of sun you did have She said she was impressed with was amazing," she said. "It was abso- how the system was set up and how lutely phenomenal. the officers were all residents of the One thing I can say about the North area. is every single region that I've trav- "The biggest thing that stuck out elled to is spectacular in its own way photo courtesy of the GNWT for me was the staffing," she said. and none of them are the same. Premier Caroline Cochrane, centre, meets with members of the border patrol at the NWT- "We have all Indigenous people "It's always a treat to go up to the Yukon border on Jan. 6. Cochrane said she wanted to get a first-hand view of how people working at the Yukon-Beaufort Delta Beaufort." coming into the territory are screened for Covid-19. NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 11 Around the North If you have an item of interest from your community, call (867) 873-4031, or email: [email protected]

Smith's Landing plans byelection Thebacha/Fort Smith Smith's Landing First Nation (SLFN) will be holding a byelection on Feb. 2 to elect one councillor. Voting will take place in Fort Smith, Fort Fitzgerald, Alta., and Edmonton. An advance poll will also take place in Fort Smith on Jan. 26. Nominations for the byelection were to close on Jan. 19. A candidates' forum will take place on Jan. 25 at the Salt River First Nation Conference Centre in Fort Smith. – Paul Bickford

DKFN to host healthy family retreats Deninu K'ue/Fort Resolution Deninu K'ue First Nation (DKFN) in Fort Resolution has accessed funding from the GNWT to host healthy family retreats at Mission Island. The program is designed for Fort Resolution families to stay at Mission Island for five days. There will be full use of cabins, the smokehouse, the gaz- ebo kitchen and washrooms. Firewood, groceries, generator and gas will be provided. DKFN will work with each family to see what type of sup- ports would be needed. For instance, Elders could be hired to teach traditional knowledge skills, such as snare and trap setting, net setting, fish preparation, sewing, cooking and/or storytelling. Interested persons should contact DKFN for more informa- tion by Jan. 22. – Paul Bickford Top in territory for Covid-19 vaccine uptake Ulukhaktok Residents of Ulukhaktok are being asked to give them- selves a pat on the back after the hamlet was reported to have vaccinated 80 per cent of the adults in the community, more than any other community in the Northwest Territories. "Sharing those pictures, messaging your friends, talking to Paul Bickford/NNSL photo your relatives and encouraging everyone you know to come out and get their vaccine too," said Stacey Kozak. "I am so gnwt gets into printing business incredibly impressed with all of you doing your part to protect Derek Mundy is the owner/operator of Hay River's Poison Graphics, which has received the territorial gov- yourself, your families, your neighbours and your Elders. This ernment's inaugural NWT Manufacturing Innovation and Technology Contribution: $100,000 toward the community has a lot to be proud of. purchase of a $330,000 specialized printer. "Great work Ulukhaktok!" The vaccine requires two shots 28 days apart and has been NWT Senior Men's Curling Championship and NWT Men's Both of those bonspiels were to be held in Yellowknife at shown to have 94.1 per cent effectiveness against preventing Curling Club Championship. Both of those events will take the end of January. symptomatic Covid-19 in trials. place March 17 to 22 and the deadline for teams to register is – Eric Bowling tomorrow, Jan. 26, at noon. Please see Go, page 14 NWT Ski Day to be celebrated in Smith Thebacha/Fort Smith NWT Ski Day will be celebrated in Fort Smith on Feb. 22. The free event is being presented by the Fort Smith Ski Club and the NWT Recreation and Parks Association. There will be free use of the trails for non-members of the club, free ski lessons for anyone, and free rentals. Lessons will start at 11 a.m. and will run for approximately 90 minutes. Anyone is welcome to ski for free between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Participants are being requested to register in advance for lessons or rentals. – Paul Bickford

Polar Pond Hockey called off Hay River For the third time in four years, Polar Pond Hockey won't be happening in Hay River. Organizers made the announcement on social media on Jan. 20, stating that the current public health restrictions were the cause for cancellation. Terry Rowe, who works on the tournament's organizing committee, said that there wasn't much interest among the committee to work toward making the tournament happen this year considering the circumstances. The 2018 tournament was called off because of the Arctic Winter Games happening in the town that year while warm weather nixed things the following year. – James McCarthy New deadlines on the horizon NWT The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer has given the go-ahead for several territorial curling championships to move ahead in Yellowknife at the end of the month but there are others that are still to be played. They're also happening in Yellowknife and they include the 12 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 news Green entrepreneur donates solar cookers to communities Klaus Dohring has been establishing solar power networks in the North for eight years by Eric Bowling melted, and I had water dripping onto my neck." Northern News Services He said 1,000 watts per square metre is con- Inuvik sidered "full sunshine," and that he has record- Students in Tuktoyaktuk are gearing up to ed 1,140 watts on a late afternoon in Paulatuk. assemble a new solar cooker donated by a green He said his company, Green Sun Rising, was entrepreneur with a long history in the North. planning to pay another visit to Tuktoyaktuk A solar energy entrepreneur for 13 years, once the pandemic clears, but in the interim Klaus Dohring started getting involved in pro- added he wanted to draw attention to another jects in the Arctic about eight years ago. Since solar technology he felt the North could make then, he's set up dozens of solar power systems good use of – solar heating. and donated solar cookers to several commun- Dohring said the technology would be high- ities, including in Paulatuk and now Mangilaluk ly effective in the North, suggesting it would School in Tuktoyaktuk. be more efficient than using solar for strictly "A solar cooker is a beautiful way to dem- electricity production. onstrate the power of the sun," he said, adding collectively his systems are now producing Crazy canucks enough energy to save up to 170,000 litres of "Canadians are crazy about solar photovol- diesel fuel each year. "To my best of knowledge, taic and that's good," he said, but they spend nobody has done as much diesel reduction via more on heating structures than powering solar systems as we have." them. Solar cookers are large, bowl-shaped mir- As luck would have it, he sells home heating rors which concentrate sunlight to a single point systems, too. in the centre of the bowl. A specially painted "My solar thermal collectors have 80 per black pot is placed in the path of the reflected cent peak efficiency," he said. "They're also sunlight, which can boil a litre of water in nine practically maintenance free. It's free heat minutes under good conditions. energy coming in whenever there is sun. I can As it needs sunshine to work, Dohring save you approximately half of your annual said the cooker could be usable by as early as energy needs for domestic hot water with a March, so long as the user keeps strong winds solar thermal system." from cooling it down. An unassembled solar Green Sun Rising has installed numer- cooker with a specialized pot costs $880-plus ous solar systems for organizations in Inuvik, shipping. including Stanton's, the Inuvik Liquor Store "You can boil water, you can boil stew, it and the Children's First Centre. allows you to cook fast and hot," he said. "You Dohring says in addition to about 30 systems need to follow the sun every half-hour, give or in several other Arctic communities across the take." North, including Tuktoyaktuk and Paulatuk. photo courtesy of Green Sun Rising Wind is the enemy of such devices. A plan to come up to Tuktoyaktuk to install Klaus Dohring demonstrated a concentrated solar cooker he donated to Paul- "I have worked in March, in Inuvik," he said. two more solar energy systems is in the works atuk. Dohring has also donated a cooker to Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk "The temperature was -30 C. The sun came out. for the summer, depending on how the pan- All the snow and ice on the front of the modules demic goes in 2021. for the students to assemble. commentary NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 13 Start paying for self-isolation again

Northern News Services because of the self-isolation system and all the other precautions governments and community governments did not support the So, there's six cases of Covid-19 in Fort Liard and fifty people we had in place. GNWT continuing to pay for any stays at the isolation centres. who came into contact with them are self-isolating. In a document entitled Call to Action the chamber Business stakeholders advised that they do not want personal Whoa. It didn't take long, did it? Huh! What do you claimed that GNWT could save $36 million if we or discretionary travel to be covered by the GNWT, and people mean?! stopped paying for self-isolation costs for residents embarking on voluntary travel should have more options to isolate The GNWT recently stopped paying for people to who leave the territory for personal or non-essential at home to help reduce those costs." self-isolate unless their travel outside the NWT is for travel. Not long after the report came out, the GNWT announced things like medical, visiting a terminally ill relative, MLAs listen when you tell them you can save $36 they would soon stop paying for self-isolation for people who or to attend a funeral ... and days later there's an out- million. embarked on personal or discretionary travel. break in a community! I don't know when the GNWT consulted with After the cases were discovered in Liard, someone said, "It The GNWT should immediately start paying for people but in November they came out with a report was just a matter of time ... but we are all prepared." all self-isolation again. Here's why. entitled "What We Heard, Evolving Covid-19 Self- I agree, it was just a matter of time. But what I mean is that it Before the Christmas break, the person who Isolation Policies In The Northwest Territories." was just a matter of time that Covid hit the communities after the brought Covid-19 to Fort Liard would have been self- The GNWT asked "Are you willing to allow GNWT decided it was no longer going to pay for self-isolation at isolating in a regional center. It looks like because WHEN individuals from your community to self-isolate in hotels for people. GNWT is no longer paying the bill for self-isolation, THE their homes?" Almost 50 per cent of the answers were Think about it. If travellers have to isolate in a large com- the person went home and voila: five cases as of Janu- straight no. Only 25 per cent said yes. And another 25 munity, it's going to be extremely difficult to bring Covid into the ary 19. Not cool. HEART per cent said "yes, but on a case-by-case basis." small communities. But if people are now isolating in the com- Before that, there was not one case in a small says No Another question was "Should the GNWT con- munities, here comes Covid. community. We had the best system in Canada. So tinue to pay for all isolation centre stays, including And where will the saved money go? To Education? To Social why did the GNWT make changes to something that Roy Erasmus Sr. is discretionary travel?" Only about 35 per cent of programs? Not according to the NWT Chamber of Commerce. a certified wellness wasn't broken? counsellor and coach respondents said straight no. The Chamber put out a press release on June 25, 2020 called Well, if you've been reading the papers, the busi- who survived heart So only 35 per cent of the people said they defin- "NWT Businesses Want a More Balanced Approach to Protecting ness community through the NWT Chamber of Com- disease. itely did not want to pay for self-isolation for people Public Health and Supporting Economic recovery." merce has used ads, letters and press releases to put who left the territories for unnecessary travel, but Well, I'm a co-owner of a business and I say saving a few tremendous pressure on the GNWT to stop paying almost half of the participants said travelers definitely million dollars is not worth the possibly fatal medical risks to the self-isolation costs for non-essential travel for some time. should not self-isolate in the communities? communities and to all northerners. In early September the Chamber sent letters and had business- Hello!!!!! Half of the participants do not want travelers to The GNWT should immediately start paying for all self- es send form letters to all the MLAs and to the Premier saying we isolate in the communities. So, why did the GNWT go ahead and isolation again. Before we hear about the next community that have not had a case in five months and only five cases in total. change their policy? Because of the business community. has six cases and 50 people who have to self-isolate because they What the letters did not say is that we only had five cases The report says, "Some representatives from Indigenous came into contact with the sick people. John B. Zoe's vaccination 'took about two seconds'

John B. Zoe speaking at a workshop on educa- tion in 2019. He writes that he was struck by the work that has gone into vaccination efforts in the NWT. NNSL file photo

Dear editor, I'm at home now, much more chipper, feeling fine and Health care workers out front, the many dedicated behind the I got my vaccination last Tuesday. looking forward to normal and honestly, receiving the first scenes, the support of many levels of leadership, the develop- I received my injection of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine dose of the vaccine was well worth the experience. ers. In the end, in reality, it took about two seconds. in Behchoko. Here is a summary of my experience of how Upon reflection, I could see the amount of planning that John B. Zoe, it came to be: About a week ago, I was notified by the local went into rolling out the vaccination. Mahsi to all the many Behchoko Mary Adele Bishop Health Centre to confirm my availability about a scheduled day to receive the first dose. A few days later the Health Centre called back to give me a time to be at the vaccination location at the local Sportsplex where there will be a sign to enter the building. This mid-morning, I went to the designated entrance, there was a reminder to wear a mask. Upon entering there was a receptionist with a mask to verify if I was there for the vac- cine and asked for permission to take my temperature, then I was given a sticker to put on my coat to let the next step people know that my temperature had been taken. There were other people there. After a few minutes, my identification is verified. There was also an interpreter if I wanted to use my language. Once that was done I went to the next available table where a Tlicho nurse was administering the vaccine. The nurse verifies my name and asks how I was currently feeling and if I was on any medication and if I had any other experience with past flu shots and that the injection process is very similar and asks which arm I would like to take the shot in. It was over before I knew it. I was given a card with infor- mation that says the type of vaccine I was given, the lot num- ber, the date of the first dose and the due date for the second dose. I was instructed to wait in a designated area for at least 15 minutes to be monitored before leaving, I chatted with other people while waiting and I left after my time was up. 14 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 around the NWT

New, from page 11 a class-action lawsuit, according to a after July 31, 2007, their estate may tion should contact Pascal by way of ule by another day, meaning more posting made Jan. 18. submit a claim for potential payout. the Aklavik Events and Announce- public skate time. Nick Saturnino, NWT Curling's According to the post by Jayn- In order to submit a claim on ments Facebook group. The arena will now be open on president, previously told News/ eta Pascal, who is offering to help behalf of a deceased claimant, the – Eric Bowling Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon to the North that the reason those two provide applications and connect applicant must be named the execu- public and again from 2 p.m. to 4 were pushed back was because of interested persons with experts to tor of the estate or the estate admin- Arena schedule expands p.m., also for a public skate. worries over Covid-19 transmission help them complete the application. istrator. Otherwise, they will have Rules around capacity still apply Lli Goline/Norman Wells from people who may have been Anyone who attended the school to apply to a territorial court for with a maximum of 25 people The Ray Persson Arena in Nor- returning from out of territory over during the 19-year period, or in the appointment. allowed in the building at one time. man Wells has expanded its sched- the holiday season. event they have passed away on or Anyone seeking further informa- – James McCarthy – James McCarthy Go out on the land Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson The Deh Cho Friendship Centre in Fort Simpson has received some funding from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and is passing it on to the public. From now until March 31, the Inuvik fire centre is offering people a chance No injuries were to get some financial help as part of reported after a Jan. its "Take A Family On The Land" 15 structure fire on program. People can apply for fund- Natala Drive. The Inu- ing by telling the centre where and vik Fire Department when they're planning on going, said they responded to what they plan on doing, who's all going and what supplies will be the call at 8 a.m. and needed. had the fire under con- You can get in touch with the trol in less than a half- centre for all of the details. hour. As seen in the – James McCarthy photo, the building and a utilidor sustained sig- Day school survivors nificant damage. eligible to join lawsuit Eric Bowling/NNSL photo Aklavik Survivors of Aklavik Day School or their descendants, which was operated by the federal government from Jan. 1, 1950 to April 1, 1969, are eligible to submit a claim under NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 15 Sports & Recreation Sports hotline • James McCarthy Phone: (867) 873-4031 • Email: [email protected] • Fax: (867) 873-8507 Lookin' sharp at practice

Paul Bickford/NNSL photo Hay River Home Hardware has donated about 125 practice jerseys to all minor hockey players in the community. Displaying and modelling the jerseys are, left to right, Kirsten Fischer, the director of the peewee division; players Ethan Fischer, Liam Steinwand, Delaney Buckley and Ryder Korotash; and Wayne Korotash, the co-owner of Hay River Home Hardware. Hay River Minor Hockey receives donation of about 125 practice jerseys for players

by Paul Bickford things here and there when sponsorship like that. So this ey, also appreciates the dona- kids. So they own them," he "It is definitely something Northern News Services they needed it, but nothing is pretty exciting for us." tion of the practice sweaters. said. "So when they're done, if that Melissa and I are talking Hay River of this amount or this signifi- Pokiak said a practice "The kids love it," Fischer they decide not to play hock- about," he said. "Now that the Remember those days cance." sweater went to every single said. "They were very happy. ey anymore, they keep them, biggest core of kids have got when you had to rifle through Korotash said he and his young player in all divisions So we gave them out on Tues- or they'll grow into the next the sweaters, it will be easier bins of old sweaters and such wife, Melissa Hofmann, who – initiation, novice, atom, pee- day (Jan. 12). They were real- level." and not as expensive to get for in the hopes you'd find one co-owns Hay River Home wee, bantam and midget. ly excited." Korotash, who himself the new kids that are coming which looked like it hadn't Hardware, have always been "We've never had prac- Korotash said that the played minor hockey in Hay into initiation next year and if seen better days? big believers in making sure tice sweaters, and typically players will own the practice River, said Home Hardware some of them outgrow them." From now on, teams in that they give back to the if we want to play a game sweaters. will probably make an annual – with files from James Hay River Minor Hockey will community. when we're on the ice within a "We bought them for the donation of practice sweaters. McCarthy not have to worry about pin- "And we figured this was group we would just put pin- nies to divide the players into a great way to do it," he said. nies on," she said. separate sides for scrimmage "The kids needed some prac- Pokiak explained that one games during practice. tice sweaters instead of wear- advantage of having the prac- Instead of pinnies – vests ing their tournament sweaters. tice sweaters is that they will Sports Card that can be worn over sweat- Everything kind of fell into save the game sweaters for Curling ers of various colours – all place, and we're always big on tournaments. 1257+:(677(55,725,(6 minor hockey players now giving to kids' organizations." "What was happening is have reversible practice sweat- Korotash declined to say some kids were starting to ers thanks to a recent donation how much the donation cost wear the game sweaters in from a Hay River business. Hay River Home Hardware. just normal practices, and we INUVIK About 225 of the practice Pennie Pokiak, the presi- didn't want that happening Tyra Bain throwing a rock during the sweaters – white and blue – dent of Hay River Minor because the reason why we Inuvik Curling Centres one-on-one youth were presented earlier this Hockey, is very pleased about only wear our game sweaters challenge. She will now face off against month by Hay River Home the donation of the practice for tournaments or games is her sister Tamara in the U16 quarter Hardware. sweaters. we want them to last as long finals in Inuvik next week. Wayne Korotash, the co- "That was unique in the as they can," she said, noting Tyra Bain owner of Home Hardware, sense that it was for the entire the game sweaters come in said it was a significant dona- association," she said. "Each light and dark colours. tion for the business. division has a sponsor and "They're expensive and we "It was the first time that our sponsors do purchase try to make them last four to we had gone to a sponsorship new sweaters when required six years for a set," she added. of this amount," he said, not- for that specific division, "So we kind of frown upon ing the business would previ- but never for the entire asso- our kids using them just in ously donate things like fund- ciation. So since I've been normal everyday practice." raising prizes during tourna- involved in minor hockey, Kirsten Fischer, the direc- ments. "We would always which has been probably 12 tor of the peewee division donate for that and odd little years, we've never received a with Hay River Minor Hock- 16 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 17 18 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 NEWS/NORTH nWT, Monday, January 25, 2021 19 You think you have it tough?

Northern News Services of spending a few days in Last week, I had some a hotel room in Melbourne fun talking about the hard while the quarantine period times Evander Kane is going comes to an end and it's an through when it comes to his absolute nightmare for her. finances. You know, the guy Don't believe me? Just lis- who's made $53 million in ten to this list of gripes: his National Hockey League While other players in lifetime files for bankruptcy quarantine have been busy with close to $27 million in doing their best to prepare debt? Yeah, that tool. and practice for the big show This week, it's time to and simply trying to bide look at another aspect of their time as best as they why profes- can, Sierra sional athletes took to social and their media to talk hangers-on Sports about first- tick us off world prob- to no end Talk lems such and we go to with James McCarthy as no fresh Australia for sheets on a this. It's the daily basis, Australian Open tennis tour- no housekeeping and having nament and it's all set to kick to wash their plates in the off Feb. 10 in Melbourne. sink. All of the biggest stars in Oh, but it gets more tra- tennis are ready to serve it gic. up for more than $70 mil- Tomic has been forced lion in prize money and with to play World of Warcraft it comes all the snottiness, for up to 11 hours per day, self-servitude and woe-is-me according to the put-off attitude you can handle. Sierra, and she's been play- For starters, Tennis Aus- ing Pokemon. Again, other tralia has been flying players players have been able to and their entourages into the make the best of a tough country on charter flights situation. Sierra is worried with everyone expected to about sheets and Pokemon. quarantine for 14 days before The food in the hotel isn't heading out. I've never been up to their liking – Tomic is to Australia but I do know it a vegetarian, apparently – so has one of the strictest bor- they've had to order in food. der controls anywhere on the That isn't the greatest, either, planet and you can bet they said Sierra, and it's such an made sure those players who expensive venture. I can give needed to quarantine did so. her that one. Vegetarians But some players didn't need different food and if like being stuffed up inside Tomic has a specific diet, he hotel rooms and that included needs the right food. Novak Djokovic, the reigning But here's the biggest and and defending men's singles most troubling situation of champion. Djokovic sent all. Are you ready? Sit down a letter to Tennis Australia if you need to and grab a earlier this month with a list hold of something firm. Col- of demands – and yes, that's ouring books and Play-Doh what they were – including at the ready, kids. Take a the following: deep breath. Kiss your loved private housing with tennis ones one last time. The worst courts for players, a shorter thing of all is ... time in isolation than the Vanessa Sierra has to common schmucks who have wash her own hair. In quar- to spend 14 days inside four antine. By herself. Prayers walls, in-person access to up for Vanessa Sierra and coaches and better food. her hair, y'all. She doesn't The beauty of a list of wash her own hair, you see demands is that they can be – she has hairdressers do it submitted and they can be twice a week for her. turned down. That's what So you people who have the premier of the state of been in lockdown or been Victoria, Dan Andrews, did placed on furlough because when he was told of what you can't go to work or who Djokovic and his fellow are trapped because you travellers wanted. He said can't go outside, or who are thanks but no thanks. No unemployed because you've special treatment at all and lost your job because of rightly so. These players Covid-19, or who may be knew what they were getting on the verge of losing your into and if they want to play, living arrangements because they follow the rules like you can't afford to pay rent everyone else. Sounds simple or mortgage – quit your enough, right? bellyaching. Vanessa Sierra Not to be outdone in has to figure out how to this entire mess is Vanessa wash her hair without some- Sierra. Who is that, you may one doing it for her. be asking? That's OK – I So remember this, gang: had no idea who she was, just when you think you either. Apparently, she's have it tough, remember that the girlfriend of Australian there are those who have it player Bernard Tomic, who's tougher. qualified to play in this Remember those mil- year's tournament. They're lionaires stuck in quarantine, having to suffer the indignity won't you? 20 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, January 25, 2021