COVID-19 Concerns Keep Some Kids from School Teachers Warn Holding In-Class and At-Home Instruction ‘Not Sustainable’

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COVID-19 concerns keep some kids from school Teachers warn holding in-class and at-home instruction ‘not sustainable’

Online first at NNSL.com Why did the chicken fly to Fort Simpson? Volume 50 Issue 17 wednesday, May 19, 2021 75 CENTS ($1 outside city)

Comment Old Town ferry Isolation and Mental Health Awareness Month

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What are you most grateful for right now? Roland Laufer, left, and Matthew Grogono made ferries out of recycled materials to transport Yellowknifers and supplies to their homes on the melting ice. Natalie Pressman/NNSL photo

$1.00 outside Yellowknife Publication mail Contract #40012157 “Feeling unsafe is different than being unsafe.” Matthew Miller, president of the NWT Teachers Association (NWTTA) , empathizes with parents fearful of 7 71605 00100 5 COVID-19, but says teaching students both at school and at home isn’t going to fly, page 5. www.NNSL.com Yellowknifer Wednesday, May 19, 2021 A3 Did we get it wrong? Yellowknifer is committed to getting facts and fact FILE names right. With that goes a commitment to ac- knowledge mistakes and run corrections. If you NWT COVID-19 SITUATION AS OF MAY 19 spot an error in Yellowknifer, call 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. Active cases: 18 Days since first confirmed case: 424 Confirmed cases: 160 Days since last confirmed case: 4 Recovered cases: 142 News Completed tests: 22,563 Vaccines Negative tests: 22,409 Scan for the First doses administered: 28,360 (67% of adults) Briefs Pending tests: 22 latest GNWT Second doses administered: 22,960 (59% of adults) Covid-19 statistics GNWT support for flooded Source: Office of the Chief Public Health Officer communities ongoing The GNWT has implemented several measures through the Regional Emergency Man- agement Organizations (REMO) to coordinate support for communities facing floods in the territory. An evacuation order in Fort Simpson remains Steely resolve to build in effect as of May 14 and evacuation centres are supporting evacuees in Hay River and Fort Smith, where about 126 Fort Simpson residents are staying. The Department of Health and Social Services has formally requested federal assistance from J.H. Sissons school the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile to Construction of the new J.H. Sissons school replenish supplies. building was ongoing on May 17, more than eight REMO provided and flew out 4,989 kg of gro- months after the original, decades-old building ceries to Fort Simpson for evacuees on May 15. was demolished to make way for the replacement The same day, the GNWT asked for assistance project. Blair McBride/NNSL photo from the Canadian Armed Forces’ local Rangers to support response activities in the region. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources made tents, stoves, shower kits and personnel available to help set up emergency camps. The evacuation centre in Fort Providence continues to support about 34 evacuees from Jean Marie River. The NT Power Corporation plans to eventu- ally restore electricity to the community with a portable generator. In Tulita and Fort Good Hope, flood mon- itoring by emergency services has begun and community members should be prepared in case an evacuation is needed. Risk levels have been elevated in Aklavik, Fort McPherson and Tuktoyaktuk. – Blair McBride Indigenous employment rose at Gahcho Kué Mine in 2020 The number of NWT Indigenous residents employed at the Gahcho Kué Mine increased to 168 in 2020, the highest number since the mine began production in 2016. Indigenous employment at the diamond mine in 2020 rose by two per cent compared to 2019 and represents 28 per cent of the mine workforce, joint mine operators De Beers and Mountain Province Diamonds said in a report on May 18. Total employment at the mine came to 597 jobs in 2020, 50 per cent of them held by NWT residents, up from 49 per cent in 2019. Other highlights for 2020 include 3.5 million work hours with no lost time injuries from September 2018 to the end of 2020, a 48.6 per cent reduction in recordable injury frequency; 6.5 million carats recovered; and the mine pur- Highway collision draws chasing 75 per cent of its goods and services through NWT businesses and joint ventures. In addition, $748,000 was invested in community initiatives, including a COVID-19 community-response program that provided about $275,000 to buy 330 computers for schools, emergency response food hampers, cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment. – Blair McBride Injuries are unknown as responders redirected Film festival calls for entries traffic Monday afternoon Filmmakers may now submit their works for the Yellowknife International Film Festival’s By Natalie Pressman (YKIFF) 15th year. Northern News Services Applicants are encouraged to submit short or A panel van and small transport truck col- feature length documentaries, dramas, music lided Monday afternoon on the Yellowknife videos or other scripted content through the Highway near the Bristol Monument. film freeway submission portal. Damages appeared on the front of the truck Early bird submissions will be accepted for and on the driver’s side of the van. $5 until May 31, the regular deadline is June Two adults were transported to Stanton 30 for $10 submissions, and Aug. 10 for $15 Territorial Hospital with minor injuries. submissions. Police officers, paramedics, members of the The five-day November festival is dedicated municipal enforcement division and a tow to showcasing new and emerging talent as well truck were present on scene shortly before as established filmmakers from the global polar 4 p.m. Monday. region. While last year’s festival was entirely The municipal division blocked the entrance virtual, YKIFF hopes this year to screen films to Fred Henne Territorial Park and re-direct- at the Yellowknife Capitol Theatre. ed traffic away from the area. – Natalie Pressman Yellowknife RCMP advised that there is no suspicion of criminality at this time. RCMP, MED, Medics and a tow truck were all on scene Monday afternoon. Natalie Pressman/NNSL photo A4 Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Yellowknifer www.NNSL.com Look at that chicken fly! More than $6,000 raised to buy 2,500 pieces of KFC flown from Yellowknife to Fort Simpson By Simon Whitehouse “A big thank you to the before it was to be delivered by Northern News Services anonymous group of five Air Tindi. A group of Yellowknife donors who ordered $4,500 The original plan had origi- businesses organized a mass of Kentucky Fried Chicken nally been to send the chicken purchase of Kentucky Fried coming into Simpson around by Twin Otter but a King Air Chicken for Fort Simpson resi- 8 p.m. tonight,” he said. “The plane had to be added to the dents still dealing with the after RCMP will be picking it up shipment to accommodate effects of last week’s flood. at the airport and Councillor the size of the load. People in- Village of Simpson Mayor Sean Whelly thanked the anonymous donors for sending the chicken in a Facebook Forty businesses and indi- Troy Bellefontaine will help volved estimated the shipment post, Sunday afternoon. photo submtted viduals participated and raised at the Village Store to hand will weigh in at 842 pounds. more than $6,000 to go toward it out.” Sumeet Arora director of been bulk orders,” he said. “It buying 101 buckets of 25 pieces “We know many people are operations with Soul Foods is definitely up there.” of chicken, plus side items like busy assessing their damage said KFC will mark two weeks Arora said the restaurant potato chips and pop, on Sat- and trying to pump water, so being open in Yellowknife on can handle such large orders urday afternoon. plan for a morale boosting treat Monday and obviously the but typically needs about a Village of Fort Simpson tonight. See you then. Every- sale was one of, if not the day’s notice because each piece Mayor Sean Whelly said in one is welcome!” largest, he has seen. of chicken must be breaded a Facebook post on Sunday Organizers were putting the “It is definitely a big order and prepared. afternoon the donation was a last minute touches on the and could be a record. I don’t “So we do have to plan for it very welcome surprise. shipment on Sunday afternoon have the data but there have when it comes to such a large order but we do have the ca- pacity and chicken,” he said, noting that the restaurant has to balance the service for people who are dining in or waiting in the drive-thru. In fact, he said at the time of the order the store was addressing another large order of 18 buckets of chicken by Boxes of KFC from the Yellowknife store were being packaged for an individual taking the food shipping on Sunday afternoon to Fort Simpson. 100 buckets of 25 pieces to a camp. were to be made available for residents Sunday night. “I asked the gentleman if he photo submitted was able to wait an hour or two and he said he was willing and was able to wait,” Arora said. “He was really happy when he got his chicken.” Arora said the store was pleased to be able to contrib- ute to effort by Yellowknife businesses. “We are really happy we could support the team there and taking the time for purchasing KFC for those affected. We really appreciate Boxes of Kentucky Fried Chicken were being packaged for shipping on Sunday afternoon. 100 buckets of 25 that gesture.” pieces were expected to be available for residents Sunday night. photo submitted

Boxes of Kentucky Fried Chicken were being packaged for shipping on Sunday afternoon. 100 buckets of 25 pieces were expected to be available for residents Sunday night. photo submitted www.NNSL.com Yellowknifer Wednesday, May 19, 2021 A5 Some kids to stay home from school due to COVID-19 fears But providing online and in-person lessons too much for teachers, says union By Blair McBride re-assess that decision in two weeks. her keep her son at home for one Northern News Services “I have nothing against the schools more week. and they’re doing all the health pro- “It doesn’t help that he has a cold Several Yellowknife families plan tocols correctly. But I have asthma, right now. (Schools) are kind of strict to keep their children at home after I’m immunocompromised and I don’t on the symptoms,” she said. schools reopened this week over feel safe putting my kids out there and “We’re doing it just for safety rea- anxieties about further spread of then possibly them bringing COVID- sons and just to analyze the safety COVID-19. 19 home,” she said. situation after one week. Just to see All Yellowknife schools except for The mother said her children will about the (COVID-19) cases. If my N.J. Macpherson welcomed back continue with remote learning for the kid was older then I would’ve defi- students for in-person learning on remaining weeks of the school term. nitely brought him back to school. It’s May 17, following the COVID-19 She said the principal at their school just the fact that he’s in kindergarten outbreak at the Range Lake Road indicated online learning would con- and he didn’t really have to do online It’s not sustainable to expect teachers to teach in-person classes and remote classes school that led to the closure of all tinue to be an option, even though learning.” simultaneously, said NWT Teachers Association president Matthew Miller. Blair McBride/ schools and spread to include 69 the woman knows it could be harder Another parent with two children NNSL photo cases. for the teachers to manage. who attend different schools plans N.J. Macpherson pushed its open- “It might be a little trickier for the to keep her daughters at home for at home is an equivalent option. The unsafe work. It is important to re- ing back to May 19 to allow for more teachers. They might load up the least one week and will re-evaluate challenge is requesting a teacher do member, feeling unsafe is different preparation for students and teachers. lessons on a Sunday for the entire her plans on May 23. both simultaneously is not sustain- than being unsafe,” he said. Parents unsure about safety week. They already have the processes She feels the need to be cautious able.” Students’ return to classes comes But some parents of students who of online learning in place from last about returning her children to Miller added that the policy plan almost one week after members of attend Yellowknife Education Dis- year.” school because her daughters both from the Department of Education, the YK1 board of trustees expressed trict No. 1 (YK1) schools won’t send For the students who do return have asthma. Culture, and Employment (ECE) for strong concern that teachers were their children back to school for at to school, she said she hopes that “We basically want to wait to en- reopening schools in 2020-2021 states being pushed to their limits by spend- least one week, said parents who parents speak with their children sure another spike doesn’t happen or that only students unable to phys- ing too much time conducting online spoke on condition of anonymity. about being kind to others so that (if there’s) further spread,” she said. ically attend school due to health lessons. One woman said she plans to keep there is no bullying of kids who had “If we decide to go past two weeks conditions or because they are 19 In an email to NNSL Media, De- her two children at home for the rest COVID-19. we will discuss the rest of the school years or older will be full-time dis- partment of Education, Culture and of the school year, though she might Another parent in Yellowknife will year and work with their teachers to tance learning. Employment (ECE) spokesperson adjust. I feel specifically for N.J. it was He said the association is also con- Briony Grabke said ECE recogniz- a good decision to postpone their cerned about the implications for next es that some families have concerns opening however I feel they should year and the following years if a hy- about the return to classes, but added have taken the week (off).” brid model becomes the norm. that all students are strongly encour- “Does that mean people can opt aged to go back to in-person learning. Unsustainable in and out of classes?” he asked. “It The Office of the Chief Public Matthew Miller, president of makes it harder for teachers to sched- Health Officer (OCPHO) has intro- the NWT Teachers Association ule if a class of 20 turns into a class duced new safety measures for the re- (NWTTA) acknowledges that an of three and then the next day it’s a turn to classes as well, including man- increasing number of families are class of 20 and then it’s a class of datory masking indoors at school for choosing to keep their children at 10. It becomes anunofficial North- students and staff, assigned seating in home beyond this week and are re- ern Distance Learning class. That’s busses and gyms, the suspension of questing that online learning con- a great program, but it’s scheduled assemblies and singing indoors and tinue. that way.” increased ventilation in classrooms. But the association is concerned Miller said he’s not aware of any YK1, Yellowknife Catholic Schools about the impact on teachers’ work- additional supports provided for and Commission scolaire franco- loads if they’re expected to prepare educators teaching remotely and phone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest online and in-person lessons. in-person. three school “have all indicated that “The NWTTA opposes teachers While he sympathizes with parents’ for students who are required to iso- being required to simultaneously and teachers’ anxieties over students late, schools will continue to offer teach in-person and online for those returning to school, he said people support to ensure continuity of learn- electing not to attend,” Miller said. should be able to trust the system of ing,” Grabke said. A student who attends a Yellowknife Education District No. 1 school studies at home on “Whether it is in-person or online, safety measures and to follow them. Efforts to contact YK1 superinten- May 18 as his parents plan to keep him at home for at least one week due to fears that our teachers always offer their best, “We have provided all of our teach- dent Ed Lippert were not successful schools aren’t yet completely safe from COVID-19. submitted photo so families may believe learning from ers with the proper steps to report by print deadline. GNWT funding for proposals to improve vaccine uptake in communities Working with NWTAC to find proposals from Indigenous and local governments By Craig Gilbert cited about delivering this program through our Northern News Services partnership with Health and Social Services.” This funding comes from an existing agreement The GNWT wants to help Indigenous and between the GNWT Department of Health and community governments encourage COVID-19 Social Services (HSS) and the Government of vaccination. Canada called the Immunization Partnership The Government of the Northwest Territories Fund, according to a joint statement. (GNWT) and the NWT Association of Commu- The selection of approved projects will happen nities (NWTAC) said Monday they have a total in collaboration with HSS and will be guided by of $100,000 for proposals “for actions to support the data on vaccine uptake around the territory, vaccine uptake at the community level.” as well as the goal of administering as many The idea is to roll out any successful projects high-quality projects as possible within a con- between June 7 and August 31. The deadline to densed timeframe. apply is May 31. “High vaccine uptake is the best way to protect “No one knows better than community and our community’s vulnerable citizens, including indigenous governments how best to increase the children, from the impacts of the third wave of uptake of vaccines in their respective communi- the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping across Can- ties,” NWTAC president and Fort Smith Mayor ada and the globe,” said Julie Green, Minister of Lynn Napier said. “This funding will allow for Health and Social Services. Vaccinations against Covid-19 using the Moderna vaccine began on Thursday for Elders and support staff creative community level campaigns. We are ex- For applications please see the NWTAC website. at long-term care facilities in Yellowknife and Behchoko. GNWT image A6 Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Yellowknifer www.NNSL.com Behchoko teen faces two years for stabbing uncle Unprovoked attack took place in uncle’s home in November 2020 By Natalie Pressman Wun found it aggravating that the offender Northern News Services was not able to provide a rationale for his A concerned mother told a Yellowknife actions in a pre-sentence report (PSR). At courtroom that her son, convicted of aggravat- the time of the offence, the teen was under the ed assault, changed “pretty much overnight” influence of alcohol and shatter, a cannabis six weeks ahead of his 18th birthday. concentrate. When he loses control, Wun told The teenager was “a kind, thoughtful boy,” the court that the offender could present a involved in volunteer work, hand games and concern to public safety. always considerate to his younger brother Defence lawyer Peter Harte suggested that and cousins. After one trip to Hay River for a the teenager be released from the North Slave hand games tournament at the end of August Correctional Centre (NSCC) and instead serve 2019, his mother testified that something was a lengthy probationary period with strict con- different about him and she “no longer saw ditions and psychological and psychiatric help. Shawn behind his eyes.” Around the time his mother noticed the On Nov. 7, 2020, the teen was staying with changes in her son, who’s now 19, he would his aunt and uncle and their three young chil- complain of hearing sounds of things mov- dren in Behchoko. ing around the house, or someone talking to When his uncle got up one evening to get a him from his closet. In a letter submitted by glass of water, the young man, unprovoked, a former teacher, the offender is described stabbed him repeatedly in the back with a as becoming obsessed with security cameras 10-inch kitchen knife. around the school and sometimes hitting the As the victim bled, the assailant told him, walls and wandering off the property. A 19-year-old resident of Behchoko, convicted of aggravated assault was released on bail Monday. NNSL file “I’m sorry bro. I love you. Don’t die.” Though the guilty party was in counselling photo. Crown prosecutor Billi Wun said the assault for a brief time, once he turned 18 he began best support him. He would have to adhere suggestion of time served would be “a very was neither a consensual fight nor a case of to refuse help. to a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew and refrain from low sentence.” self-defense gone too far. “Often people with psychiatric disabilities alcohol or marijuana consumption. Harte said it’s justified by the “unusual “He attacked him,” Wun said, “and his moral end up in jail because there are no alternatives,” Addressing Wun’s assertion that the offender factors” of “a good kid who suddenly, as a culpability is high.” Harte said. “Here, there is an opportunity to would pose a threat to public safety, Harte result of psychiatric problems, finds himself Considering the numerous stab wounds to take advantage of a very supportive environ- said that keeping him behind bars is only a in conflict with the law.” the victim’s torso and the back of his neck, ment, ” and not allow the young man to “fall temporary solution. He suggested a more Molloy put over his decision to Aug. 31. Wun said it was fortunate that he made a through the cracks.” rehabilitative approach, saying that “if he’s In the meantime, the offender has been re- full recovery. Harte suggested that the teen should be re- released from custody without dealing with leased on a release order requiring him to The Crown prosecutor suggested a sentence quired to provide all documents and instruc- his issues, none of that will teach him what remain in his Behchoko residence at all time of two years followed by one year of probation tions to his biological and adoptive mothers he needs to know.” times, with exceptions only for counselling for the attack. so that they could make decisions on how to Judge Donovan Molloy told Harte that his and meeting with his bail supervisor. www.NNSL.com Yellowknifer Wednesday, May 19, 2021 A7 Vaccine clinics coming to YK schools on May 19 Youth aged 12-17 can receive Pfizer-BioNTech shots

By Blair McBride Tay Whee School will be pro- Northern News Services vided this week. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID- Parents or guardians who 19 vaccines will be offered in prefer to be with their child for Yellowknife schools today, their immunization can bring Wednesday, May 19. them to Sir John Franklin be- The vaccinations will be for tween 4 p.m. 6 p.m. youth aged 12 to 17 who have The NTHSSA asks that only not yet received their first dose, one person attends with the the NWT Health and Social student. Services Authority (NTHSSA) Youth outside of school said in a news release May 16. NWT residents aged 12 to Pfizer-BioNTech vaccina- 17 who do not attend one of tions for other youth in Yel- the visited schools can go to lowknife began on May 6 in Sir John Franklin between 4 the Centre Square Mall. p.m. and 6 p.m. on May 19. Appointments and health Although there is no age for cards aren’t required for the medical consent in the NWT, school clinics. Information will the NTHSSA asks for written be verified with the student consent for the immunization against their electronic medical of individuals aged 13 and record. under. Clinics at St. Patrick High Consent forms are available School will be open from 9 online and should be complet- a.m. to 12 p.m. and at Sir John ed and returned to the school Franklin from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in advance or given to the Vaccination teams will nurse at the time of vaccina- also spend about one hour tion. at École Allain St. Cyr (of- Second doses fered at William McDonald The second doses of the Middle School), St. Joseph vaccine, required for full im- School, William McDonald munization are given between Youth aged 12-17 can receive their first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at schools in Yellowknife on May 19. NNSL photo Middle School, K’àlemi Dene three and 16 weeks after the School, Mildred Hall, Range first dose. Clinics for second has an allergy to part of the (PEG). care products and as an addi- 19 mRNA vaccine. Lake North and Weledeh doses will be offered before the COVID-19 vaccine or its in- This product can be found tive in some food and drinks. Residents should review the Catholic School (offered at end of the school year. gredients, with the most likely in bowel preparation, cough People who have a known online COVID-19 mRNA St. Patrick’s). The vaccine should not be allergen in mRNA vaccines syrups, laxatives, cosmetics, severe allergy to that product vaccine fact sheet for more Details for students at Kaw administered to anyone who being polyethylene glycol contact lens solutions, skin should not receive a COVID- information. Yk businesses send donated goods to Fort Simpson

By Simon Whitehouse six-person tent, four youth sleep- Northern News Services ing bags and a carton of mosquito Several Yellowknife businesses repellent. True Value Hardware sent much-needed camping sup- donated a stove, tent, a flat of plies to Fort Simpson residents camp stove propane cylinders and devastated by recent flooding. bug jackets. Shoppers Drug Mart Mason Dominico, a geography gave multiple boxes of diapers and researcher with Wilfrid Laurier baby wipes. Walmart chipped in University who drove the truck three stoves, a flat of camp stove filled with donated goods on May propane cylinders, 20 bug jackets, 17, explained that the university multiple crib boards and play- has a research station at Scotty ing cards, 20 cases of diapers, 20 Creek, about 50 km south of the cases of baby wipes, 20 tents, 20 Mason Dominico, a researcher in geography at Wilfried Laurier University, trucked donated camping supplies from Yellowknife businesses village. sleeping bags, 20 bottles of bug to Fort Simpson flood evacuees on May 17. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo Overlander Sports provided a repellent and 20 pillows and cases. A8 Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Yellowknifer www.NNSL.com Editorial & Opinions Published Wednesdays and Fridays Comments and views from Yellowknifer and letters to the editor P.O. Box 2820, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2R1 Office: 5108 50th Street, Yellowknife Phone: (867) 873-4031 Fax: (867) 873-8507 Toll free: (855) 873-6675 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.nnsl.com

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CIRCULATION: [email protected] Circulation Director: Amy Yang to focus on child care Subscriptions: Print: (mail) $95/year Too much task switching is stealing time from parents Online: (entire content) $50/year Northern News Services while trying to do their jobs as employ- As teachers, students and support The issue: ers push at-home productivity. staff head back to classroom this Universal child care The territory’s current child-care week, working parents can finally model only allows for subsidized child focus on their jobs during work hours. care if a family successfully qualifies NORTHERN NEWS SERVICES LIMITED We say: There’s nothing convenient about Won’t someone think of the for income assistance. Parents have Publishers of: a global pandemic. Parents, stu- to weigh the cost of child care against Inuvik Drum • Kivalliq News dents and educators in Yellowknife adults? what they would make going to work. Yellowknifer • Hay River Hub NWT News/North returned to life in lockdown following The 19th assembly of the territorial Nunavut News/North the closures of capital-area schools legislature identified universal child May 3. While we’re happy the school truly not programmed to multi-task. In care as one of its priorities its first ses- Member of: communities have made it through fact, we can only keep one task top of sion, but nothing has been tabled as of Canadian Community Newspapers Association the most recent COVID-19 outbreak mind at a time. Any new sensory infor- yet. Initial discussions put a $20-mil- Ontario Community Newspapers Association relatively unscathed, the school-from- mation causes what researchers call a lion price tag on bringing universal Manitoba Community Newspapers Association Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association home model has highlighted an issue “task switch,” which ends up making child care to the territory, which just Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association parents and teachers know too well – us less efficient and more likely to wasn’t in the budget. Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta Press Councils schools are filling the gaps in our child- make mistakes. The 2021 federal budget released Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce care system. Constant distractions from the task in May includes $30 billion over five Contents copyright – printed in the North Teachers don’t train for babysitting. at hand do little to aid workplace pro- years for child care in the NWT. This by Canarctic Graphics Limited They study for at least four years to ductivity – in fact, they hinder it. sounds great, but as Premier Cochrane equip themselves to nurture and en- Dr. Cynthia Kubu, a neuropsychol- pointed out in a media briefing on April Send us your comments gage young minds but an actual day’s ogist who practices at the Cleveland 20, some parts of the territory don’t work includes much more than edu- Clinic Center for Neuro-Restoration, have existing structures to operate You can e-mail us at [email protected]; mail to Box 2820, Yellowknife X1A 2R1; or drop your letter off at our cation-related tasks: classroom and states: “The more we multi-task, the from and the federal government has office at 5108-50th Street. outside supervision, managing parent less we actually accomplish, because we yet to commit to whether the money All letters submitted must be signed with a return relationships and requests, even en- slowly lose our ability to focus enough to can be used to build child-care spaces, address and daytime telephone number so that we can suring students take their necessary learn. If we’re constantly attempting to not just subsidize the ones that al- confirm it came from you. medications. The move to at-home multi-task, we don’t practice tuning out ready exist. Not all letters will necessarily be published. Preference learning has alleviated some of these the rest of the world to engage in deeper Yellowknife North MLA Rylund John- is given to short letters of broad interest or concern. processing and learning.” son was the last to mention universal We particularly encourage new contributors as extra tasks for teachers, and it’s shift- we attempt to publish a cross-section of public opinion. ed them back to the responsibility of When both parents and children are child care during the assembly’s sec- Letters of more than 300 words, open letters and parents. working from home it is all but im- ond session on February 5, 2021. those published elsewhere are seldom used. We reserve While teachers work to engage stu- possible for grownups to focus on the Here’s hoping the third session will the right to edit for length or taste and to eliminate dents via online video conferencing, task at hand. While isolating with their see more than words from the assem- inaccurate or libelous statements. parents must divert attention normally families, working parents must wear bly. The money is there – let’s focus on We may also choose to use a letter as the basis for focused on their jobs to attending to all their hats at once. Everything from the task at hand and make moves to a story. the physical and mental health of their tiny-human tech support, to nurse and set students, parents and teachers up little ones. Humans, as it turns out, are chef – except now they get to do it for success. www.NNSL.com Yellowknifer Wednesday, May 19, 2021 A9 Commentary Languishing during Mental Health Awareness Month

It’s been 13 months since public health officers set up an information “check stop” near the entrance to the Niven subdivision on Highway 4 in April 2020. Yellowknifers are weary from two years of pandemic life as Mental Health Awareness Month, May, passes, columnist Todd Parsons writes. NNSL file photo Northern News Services indicator of our mental health. Take note of any changes in you or your co-workers’ May is Mental Health Awareness Month performance. If procrastination, delayed re- in Canada, and given all that has happened sponses, or absences are increasing, it might in recent weeks it couldn’t be more relevant. be time to check in. So many Northerners have been affected by While most NWT workers have returned the recent NWT COVID-19 cases and ex- to their places of work and we’ve been ex- posures as well as the flooding and evacua- periencing some semblance of normal again We asked you! tion of homes and communities, (recent events notwithstanding), with Simon Whitehouse and we must not underestimate the underlying pressure of the the toll it has taken on our col- pandemic continues to wear on [email protected] lective mental health. us. The ever-present stress of a In our close-knit territory, potential outbreak and the con- even those who are not directly stant vigilance toward every snif- What are you most grateful for right now? impacted are often connected to fle or cough are exhausting. someone who is, and the worry We are tired. We are weary. We we feel for our friends, families, are feeling the weight of our lives and communities is just as real. being perpetually on hold. One All are experiencing higher levels can only write so many articles of stress and anxiety. about coping with COVID-19. This all comes as we enter our But there is indeed some light second year of pandemic life, at the end of the tunnel. As and has piled itself on top of Labour NWT vaccination rates gradually another state of mental health Views increase toward the herd immu- that many of us have been expe- nity threshold, we get closer to riencing for some time now, but Todd Parsons is president of returning to normal. We’ll just haven’t been able to put a name the Union of Northern Workers. have to languish a little while to: languishing. longer. If we think of mental health Fortunately for all of us, as Max Rossouw Shaelah Buckley Kelsey Worth as a spectrum, with depression at one end we learn more about the impacts of men- “Living in the North.” “It is springtime.” “Being up here right now. and flourishing at the other, languishing is tal health on our general well-being, more I’m from Alberta.” somewhere in the middle. It’s the feeling of supports become available. Many employers being stuck in an endless rut. have some form of health and wellness pro- While we dream of the day when we can gram that offers free counselling and other freely travel and attend large gatherings, the mental health resources to workers and lack of a tangible end to our inertia means their families. Check with your supervisor plans are still on hold, and we continue our or benefits provider to see what resources day-to-day in a seemingly endless period of are available to you. waiting. If your employer does not provide these We are social creatures, and it is hard to supports, there are other free resources spend so much time apart from each other available to NWT residents. Contact your and unnaturally reminded constantly don’t local health provider for more information touch, stay apart. Heck, don’t even clear about what is available in your region. your throat in public. And be careful how Many of these resources are available for you say things on social media, you don’t anyone – not just those in crisis. want to be judged! It’s been a confusing couple of weeks, Annabelle Mackenzie Jason Myle Rachel Marin When you’re languishing, you may not and there has been a lot of information – “My family. They’ve always “That we’re living in the ”My job. I get to live in show the typical symptoms of mental ill- and misinformation – circulating online been here for me ever since North. It is not as bad as a tent and work for the ness, but you may notice that you’re not and via social media. The evolving situa- I was young.” other places with COVID- GNWT. And also my able to fully function in a way you’re used tion has made it especially challenging for 19.” family.” to. Maybe you lack motivation for simple workers trying to figure out who is allowed things that you would normally do easily. to work from home, who can get permis- You may find it harder to focus on tasks, or sion to return to work, or what type of maintain momentum to complete a project. leave is available to those ordered to isolate The danger with languishing is that we or evacuate. usually don’t realize we’re experiencing it. If you have any questions about public Too often we only address mental health health or emergency orders or recommen- Express yourself: Write a letter to the editor during a crisis, rather than checking in dations, go directly to the source for an- Letters should be short and to the point. No longer than 500 words, please. Your letter should be relevant regularly and being proactive about mental swers, do not rely on social media. to our readers. Emailed letters are preferred. Include your full name and a phone number, as we verify health. Having a name for what we’re expe- If you have questions or concerns about authenticity of all letters prior to publication. We may edit your letter for grammar, length (for our print riencing not only helps us identify it in our- how isolation requirements or the recent version) or any potential legal issues. selves, but also enables us to assist others evacuations affect your work, reach out to Email your letter to: [email protected] with the subject line: Letter to The Editor who may be suffering. your workplace supervisor, union rep, or Or by regular mail: Yellowknifer 5108 50 St., Yellowknife, NT., X1A 1S2 Attn: Editor The way we work is often an excellent service officer. A10 Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Yellowknifer www.NNSL.com NWT authors shortlisted for national title Catherine Lafferty, Lisa Boivin finalists for 2021 Indigenous Voices Award

By Blair McBride Lafferty offered her congratulations to Northern News Services all finalists who were nominated. NWT Indigenous authors Catherine Laf- “It’s important these awards exist because ferty and Lisa Boivin have been nominated it’s helping bring Indigenous voices to the for Indigenous Voices Awards (IVA). mainsteam and highlights the excellence of Established in 2017, the IVAs seek to all our Indigenous authors across Canada.” nurture established and emerging (or Land-Water-Sky follows Lafferty’s 2018 unpublished) Indigenous authors across memoir Northern Wildflower. Canada writing in English, French and Lisa Boivin, a bioethicist and a member Indigenous languages. of the Deninu Kue First Nation who was Lafferty, a law student and member of raised in Edmonton, was nominated in the the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, was graphic novels and illustrated books cate- nominated for her novel Land-Water-Sky gory for I Will See You Again, published in the category of published fiction prose in in February 2020 by HighWater Press. English. The book was released in October “(The book) is a labour of love to hon- 2020 by Fernwood Publishing. our my brother’s passing and to help my Her novel comprises six storylines that mother heal,” said Boivin, who travelled interconnect throughout the book and take abroad to recover her brother’s remains. place in the NWT in different time periods, “It is a story of death, grieving and heal- from the distant past to about 2030. ing told in simple language for young peo- One of the characters in the book is ple to understand. I had to call on my inner Deeyah, a former foster child who was strength to complete the difficult task. I Deninu Kue First Nation member Lisa Boivin is a finalist for her graphic novel I Will See You Again. photo courtesy of taken away from her family when she was wrote and illustrated my journey to bring the Indigenous Voices Awards young and who returns to the North as an (my brother) home to my mother.” archaeology student to learn about her Boivin said she’s grateful be shortlist- history. ed for the IVAs and proud to be in the “She meets up with a ranger who is company of other talented authors and part-human and part sky-spirit. They illustrators. work together to track down the Nahga,” Her nomination comes shortly after Lafferty said. her second book – We Dream Medicine Lafferty describes the Nahga as a Dreams – was published in April by High- “shape-shifting bush man” and an abusive Water Press. womanizer who seeks to control the land Lafferty and Boivin join three Inuit and its people. writers who are among the five Northern “There is one sky spirit who can face authors shortlisted for this year’s IVAs. up to the Nahga. It’s land, water and sky There are 27 finalists in total for the coming together to stop his terrible reign,” awards across nine categories. Most of the she said. shortlisted works are in English, some in Commenting on the shortlisting of the French and one – the Shaman’s Appren- novel, the IVA jury noted Lafferty’s work tice by Zacharias Kunuk – was written in resembles a “new sort of traditional story, Inuktitut. one that brings the old to life and makes IVA winners will be announced on Na- it come completely alive,” said IVA board tional Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21. Catherine Lafferty, a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, is a finalist for the 2021 Indigenous Voices member Sophie McCall. in a virtual gala. Awards for her book Land-Water-Sky. photo courtesy of Indigenous Voices Awards Meet the Sexoped

Roland Laufer is proud to have built the Sexoped raft to help Yellowknifers travel between town and the melting lake. Natalie Pressman/NNSL photo By Natalie Pressman pane tanks, was secured at the government wharf Northern News Services Monday – not five minutes before a group of If you build it, they will come. Old Town residents showed up to transport a “They,” of course, refers to Yellowknifers trav- wood stove from town to the lake. elling across the quickly-melting Great Slave “When we deployed it, we wondered if it would Lake during break up. be useful and within five minutes, five people To accommodate the transition season, Old showed up with a wood stove,” Grogono said. Town’s Matthew Grogono and Roland Laufer, “There were five people and a wood stove all along with others, built two rafts secured by the standing on it,” he said, speculating that the load government dock. must have been at least 270 kg. Laufer calls the rafts “one of the most beautiful Tuesday afternoon, the Octoped was joined by things” he’s done, helping houseboaters moving the Sexoped, named for its six recycled propane back to shore for summer, commuters transport tanks, to form an 8.5-metre floating platform their bikes from ice to road and, in one case, a at the wharf. resident on crutches move from lake to land. From calling for the used materials to putting the The resident, an occupant of houseboat bay, rafts together, construction took about two weeks asked Laufer if it would be safe to walk across – though only about five days of building time. the the lake with her crutches. Laufer told her This year, Grogono said the water levels will he would make sure it was. continue to rise another eight to 20-25 cm, a The Octoped raft, a structure composed of surplus of water “which is going to need some wood planks fastened atop eight recycled pro- responding to.” www.NNSL.com Yellowknifer Wednesday, May 19, 2021 A11 Buffalo Airways sends fourth cargo plane to Fort Simpson ‘I know most of the people and they have been very good to us:’ Joe McBryan By Simon Whitehouse and forest fires – McBryan mon items included Huggies, and has already donated es- and that the community was Also, thank you so much to Northern News Services said this emergency is unlike tissues, hot dogs and buns, sential items, including water,” very grateful for the donation. the Independent Store in Yel- other floods he has seen in canned good and water. Loblaws stated on Saturday “Whole bunch of stuff lowknife, who got us another A fourth cargo flight from the past. “When you’re living outside afternoon. “The store will just came in,” Whelly wrote. big load of packaged meats Buffalo Airways arrived in “I did one in 1989 and in a tent, you develop a really continue to work closely with “Thanks to MACA and their and other goods too plentiful Fort Simpson Saturday eve- smaller ones over the years,” big appetite, so I think a big officials, as well as other busi- staff (we didn’t forget you to mention. Another big do- ning with pallets of food and he said. “There’s always been vegetable stew will feel really nesses, to get the community Mike Drake) in Yellowknife nation to our community, it other supplies to assist in the a bit of a flood but nothing good,” he said. the additional support they for the care packages (full of is so appreciated. Flown over flood emergency. like this one. Even the big Loblaws provided a state- need during this difficult treats with the big red heart)… by Buffalo Airways.” Joe McBryan, president of flood they talk about that was ment on behalf of Yellow- time.” the airline, said he’s happy to in 1963 right when Hay River knife’s Rochdi’s Your Inde- Travis Rice, an aircraft refu- continue to assist, as some of and Simpson were evacuated, pendent Grocer, confirming eller at Det’on Cho Logistics, his employees gathered items this far surpasses that.” the store has been helping was on site with a truckload on skids and loaded them McBryan sifted through those affected by the flood. of about two pallets of gro- onto an awaiting plane. many of the outbound items “Rochdi Mortada, the ceries, which included fresh Having served the Dehcho last week, noting that meat owner of Rochdi’s Your In- produce to be delivered. region for decades, McBryan and potatoes represented a dependent Grocer in Yellow- Fort Simpson Mayor Sean was aboard the first Buffalo large portion of what was knife, has been in contact with Whelly posted to Facebook cargo flight to bring aid to being shipped. Others com- local officials to offer support that the supplies arrived safely Fort Simpson last week. “So I know most of the people and they have been very good to us and are very down to earth. We donated the first flight, really, just to Tyrone McClean, forklift operator, moves a load of grocery items from a get the ball rolling,” he said. Det’on Cho Logistics truck on May 15. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo “Since then, merchants in Yellowknife like the Co-op store and the Independent have really been generous in supplying food while many, many of the local people sent care packages over.” More than five tonnes, or 11,602 lbs of goods, were sent to the community on A Buffalo plane takes off, filled with groceries and supplies for Fort Simpson residents. Simon Whitehouse/ Saturday, according to Mc- NNSL photo Bryan. Items included about 200 independently prepared hampers for families. McBryan was also highly complimentary of elected leaders in Fort Simpson as well as civil servants at the De- partment of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) who were coordinating the Buffalo Airways president Joe McBryan stands with his pilots responsible shipments. for shipping food and supplies to Fort Simpson this past week, including “The people in Simpson on Saturday. With McBryan are Sarah Mousseau, Ian Bottomley and Kane can really thank their MLA Boklaschuk. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo (Shane Thompson) and their mayor (Sean Whelly), who’ve been in touch with us constantly,” he said. Although he said he has been involved in providing many types of emergency cargo assistance over the Travis Rice, aircraft refueller at Det’on Cho Logistics, helps unload two pallets of donated groceries at the years – including for floods Buffalo Express hangar on Saturday. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

Tyrone McClean, forklift operator, lifts groceries and supplies into the awaiting plane. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

Some of the Buffalo Airways helpers were at the Express hangar on Saturday afternoon receiving donations from Yellowknife grocery stores and shipping them by airplane. Among them were, from left, first officer Reid Swenson, manager of business development Sandy Macpherson, president Jamie MacDonald and Jake Kaye receive groceries and supplies in the Joe McBryan and cargo manager Mike Dunn. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo Buffalo plane. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo A12 Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Yellowknifer www.NNSL.com A tightly seamed community Yk quilters gather for a log cabin class at Champagne Room By Simon Whitehouse a quilt,” she said. a pastime while isolating or a really good customer base,” “It’s great to have an event “When you’re learning some- Northern News Services McGurran was the third spending more time at home. she said. “There’s probably 400 like this, just more so just to thing new it’s really great to place winner of the City of The company not only offers or 500 that quilt, so it’s a huge be able to get together and have people that have done it Quilting practitioners of Yel- Yellowknife’s 2018 Win Your quilting workshops, such as community. And it’s getting socialize and have a time to before walk you through all lowknife joined for a Curvy Space YK competition which the one held on Sunday, but younger.” work,” said Rita Mercredi. the tips and tricks.” Log Cabin Class at the Cham- allows business people to pitch also hosts a long-arm sewing Among those quilters is pagne Room on Sunday af- a business idea for the chance machine in its store to help Kathleen Falck, who actually ternoon. to win a one-year lease in a people put a final finish on took a job with McGurran’s The May 16 event brought downtown location. their quilting work. company recently. She has 11 participants to learn the Almost three years, later, “Before I started my busi- more experience knitting but routine of log cabin quilting her company is not only still ness, people would send their loves the fun in creating new and to support other people thriving, but she remains in quilts down south to be done crafts. interested in the art. her chosen space at the back and it was costly for people.” “I decided, since I’m work- Participants in many cases of the 50/50 Mini Mall. she said. “There was also the ing there, that I should prob- were learning the traditional Music Space, which came chance of losing it.” ably learn how to quilt and practice for the first time and in first place that year and McGurran said that al- it has been really, really fun,” were trying to complete the established a spot in the Gra- though there are about 60 she said. pieces for personal use, gifts ham Bromley Building, closed members in the Yellowknife “‘I’ve been watching You- and for personal fulfillment. earlier this month. Quilter’s Guild, the people she Tube videos constantly and Marilyn McGurran, owner Kerri’s Kreations which serves typically aren’t part of just asking questions. It’s been of Long Arm of the North, came in second moved out of it. a really great community and was holding the event as part a much too small location at “I would say 80 per cent of everybody’s super friendly.” of her business offering. the bottom of the YK Centre my customers do not belong Others were also enjoying Kathryn Paddock a quilter for 15 years holds up her colours. Simon “I typically only have three after 18 months. to the guild and I have I have the company of others. Whitehouse/NNSL photo classes a year from my shop at “I like to think of myself as the back but I find this space in the last one standing,” Mc- the Champagne Room works Gurran jokes. perfectly to spread people out She said that her company for quilt makers and to help has exploded over the course people learn new tricks and a of the pandemic as many quil- new way of putting together ters in Yellowknife have sought

Jennifer Andrews works her sewing machine and the blocks involved in making her quilt. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

Leslie Bromley, a 10-year quilting veteran works on her quilt that she is making for herself. She was working on a new routine of the style of quilting a curvy log cabin and enjoying the company of a group of quilters, Sunday at the Champagne Room. “It’s a bit of a challenge, but a challenge is always good for the brain,” she said. Simon Whitehouse/ NNSL photo ****SAVE FOR FRONT PAGE*******

Kathleen Falck, who has been an employee at the Longarm of the North store for the past month, is really enjoying an early introduction to quilting and the people who practice it. Here she shows some of the colour square work for a 76X76 quilt she is planning for her sister who is graduating with her biology degree this year graduating from the University Kathryn Paddock a quilter for 15 years holds up her colours. Simon of British Columbia Okanagan. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo Whitehouse/NNSL photo www.NNSL.com Yellowknifer Wednesday, May 19, 2021 A13

Alecia Callahan, who has been quilting on and off for the last 15 years, said she Kathryn Paddock a quilter for 15 years holds up her colours. Simon Shelley Ingraham, a 25-year quilting practitioner concentrates enjoys the creative and relaxing aspects of the art. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL Whitehouse/NNSL photo on her piece that she runs through the sewing machine. Simon photo Whitehouse/NNSL photo

Marilyn McGurran, owner of Longarm of the North was on hand to guide and assist quilters putting together Marilyn McGurran, owner of the Longarm of the North Quilting Shop shows off the long arm sewing machine log cabin squares at the Champagne Room at the 50/50 Mini Mall, Sunday afternoon. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL that quilters use to finish off their quilt design. The shop has been open in downtown Yellowknife since photo September 2018. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

Tina Drew, who is a nurse and a trustee with the Yk 1 Education District has been especially busy over the Morgan Gebauer shows some of her quilting handiwork and some of the colourful squares she had put pandemic. Quilting has provided one of the few hobbies that provides a de-stressor and an escape. Simon together. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo Whitehouse/NNSL photo

11 quilting enthusiasts took part in Sunday’s Curvy Log Cabin Class put on by the Longarm of the North quilting company with Marilyn McGurran. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

www.NNSL.com Yellowknifer Wednesday, May 19, 2021 A15 Sports & Recreation Sports hotline • James McCarthy Phone: (867) 873-4031 • Email: [email protected] • Fax: (867) 873-8507 Better later than never for Mother’s Day Run Yk Multisport Club event goes off after one-week delay

By James McCarthy a distance of 5-km. The 10-km Northern News Services runners would have done that twice while the 3-km runners And we’re off and running went to the hospital and back. with the 2021 Yk Multisport “I admit, it wasn’t the most Club season. exciting course in the world,” The first running event of joked Twa. the campaign is always a pop- The 5-km route was the most ular one and even though it popular with close to 80 sign- happened a week late due to ing up to take that one on, he the scariest time we’ve had added, and while the atten- during the entire pandemic, dance this year was down a it still brought out a crowd. bit this year, he was still happy The Mothers’ Day Run, with everything. which was originally set to “It’s a popular event because happen on Mothers’ Day it- it’s on Mothers’ Day so every- self, May 9, happened both in one wants to go out and do person and virtually on May something with mom,” he said. 16. As has been the case in “We had 134 in 2019 and 217 past years, the run was a hit in 2018 so considering all that’s with 152 people signed up to gone on, having 152 people take part either along the Pat sign up was great.” McMahon Frame Lake Trail This year was also a fund- or on their own time. Among raiser for the Yellowknife that number were 29 youth 17 Women’s Society with all years of age and under. entry fees - $20 a head for Cameron Twa, the Multis- adults - going toward the port club’s vice-president, said pot. When the nickels and he kept the virtual option open dimes were counted, a total for people who may still be a of $2,971 will be on its way bit hesitant about running out- to the society. doors among people. Twa said people were able to “It’s good to give people that make an additional donation choice,” he said. “There’s still if they wished and 42 people that hesitancy and there are did. people who are either still in True North Rotary pitched isolation or just getting out in to help organize things, he of it.” added, while the Yellowknife The in-person course saw Physiotherapy Sport and runners - or walkers - begin Rehab Clinic donated prizes at Somba K’e Park and make for participants. Heidi and Josh Boudreau give the thumbs-up as they come through the start/finish line at Somba K’e Park in the Yk Multisport Club’s Mothers’ Day Run their way along the trail toward The run is a part of the on Sunday. James McCarthy/NNSL photo Stanton Territorial Hospital. club’s Fun Run/Walk Series, They would then turn at the which is back for another hospital and make their way year, and the second of six back to what’s known as the events will take place on June “ledge loop” before coming 20 with the Mid-Day/Night- through the start/finish line for Sun Fun Walk/Run.

Meghan Dewhirst, left, and her daughter, Anya Marshall, sprint for the finish at Somba K’e Park in the Yk Multisport Club’s Mothers’ Day Run on Sunday. James McCarthy/NNSL photo A16 Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Yellowknifer www.NNSL.com Masters could get their kicks

Sahara Lafferty tries to make the save during the Canada Summer Games soccer camp at St. Joe’s Field in 2016. The field could become home to a new masters soccer division within a new league proposed by the Yellowknife Bay Soccer Club. Photo courtesy of Rob Hart

New circuit for older players in the works via Yellowknife Bay Soccer Club By James McCarthy looking for some feedback on how that would potentially look. the survey and some of the responses have included things Northern News Services Acorn has a survey up through the NWT Soccer Association such as they’d love to see it or it’s a good way to participate on the feasibility of a masters soccer circuit for male players or it’s just a great idea,” he said. “A lot of the older players The Yk Oldtimers Hockey League has had the sports market 35 years of age and up along with women 30 and up. It went have considered hanging up the cleats the older they get and cornered in town when it comes to giving those aged 35 and live on Monday and the response has been decent so far with I’m hoping to give them a chance to stay in the sport.” up the chance to play in a setting which may not be as fast three dozen responses to date. If it takes off – Acorn hopes it will begin this summer if as they once were. Acorn said it’s been all positive. everything goes well enough - the circuit would be played at Joe Acorn is looking to do the same thing with soccer and he’s “There’s the opportunity to comment once they complete St. Joe’s Field but not the full length of it and not 11-a-side, as is the case with traditional soccer. This would be a smaller version with the field cut in half and games being played width-wise. The proposed team size would be either six or seven per side with two games going at the same time. “It’s a smaller field so you would need less players,” said Acorn. Even with the smaller confines, Acorn said it would still force players to be creative. “There’s less room to move so it would tighten things up quite a bit,” he said. The idea is to run the circuit through the Yellowknife Bay Soccer Club, colloquially known as the Sundogs, and the club is looking to purchase equipment that would fit the dimensions of the field. “We’ve bought four six-foot-by-12-foot nets already because the regular soccer nets at the field would just be too big for what we’d want to do,” he said. “I’m also looking to get a dividing board to put in the middle of each field to stop the balls from going onto the other field.” There’s also the idea of backstops to put up at each end of the field to stop the ball from either going into the playground at St. Joe’s or onto Williams Avenue, he added. The plan is to make this part of a wider-ranging initiative through the Sundogs that would see the creation of a new soccer league in town. Acorn said he would like to have youth be the focus with the masters being a division within that structure. “Our focus has always been to develop players and get them ready to go down south and play in tournaments,” he said. “Obviously, we aren’t going south anytime soon so we’ve been looking at other ways to help improve the game in the city and we feel this is one way to do it.” And if you think this is going to create a conflict with the Yk Adult Soccer League, Acorn said it won’t. “We’ll schedule all of our games around their schedule,” he said. “This isn’t an either-or scenario because we don’t want to compete with them. Our goal is to have at least one game per week (for the masters) and whatever their schedule looks like, we’ll fit ours around that.”

www.NNSL.com Yellowknifer Wednesday, May 19, 2021 A19 Canadian Rangers join flood response

The Government of Canada mobilized the Canadian Rangers in the flooded communities of Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River last weekend after a request for help from community leaders and Premier Caroline Cochrane. photo submitted Operation Lentus will see them mobilized along 600 km of shoreline By Simon Whitehouse working alongside other responders in the Northern News Services region to provide humanitarian assistance The Government of Canada has mobi- and address the immediate needs of these lized 57 Canadian Rangers to help the remote communities.” struggling communities of Fort Simpson Rangers will help with evacuation of peo- and Jean Marie River following a state of ple affected by flooding, assist those who emergency due to flooding. are vulnerable or stranded or in distress Bill Blair, federal minister of Public Safety affected by flooding, according to Poulin. and Emergency Preparedness, announced They will also conduct welfare checks on his Twitter account on May 15 that the on people in the area and will be part of government approved the request for assis- the ongoing Emergency Operations Centre tance from the Northwest Territories. command post in the affected communities. “@CanadianForces Rangers will assist Other tasks will include logistical and communities impacted by or at risk of general support, which will involve things floods,” Blair wrote. like transportation assistance, resupply and The announcement came a day after Fort humanitarian assistance. Simpson Mayor Sean Whelly told two terri- “Canadian Ranger support has been re- torial ministers visiting the village that the quested for a period of six weeks but will communities need military help due to the continue until the situation has stabilized effects of high water from the Mackenzie and is manageable through local and pro- and Liard rivers. vincial resources,” Poulin said. On May 14, Diane Archie, deputy pre- Jessica Lamirande, media relations with mier and minister of Infrastructure, and the Department of National Defence, said Paulie Chinna, minister of Municipal and 57 personnel were sent to work over the Community Affairs, arrived to meet with weekend under “Operation Lentus.” community leaders on the ground. The effort will respond to flooding in a Andrée-Anne Poulin, communications of- 600-km area along the Mackenzie River and ficer with the federal Department of Nation- Great Slave Lake. They are to be activated al Defence, said the government recognizes for six weeks, she added. that high water levels caused by melts and “The Rangers are based in the communities ice jams on the Mackenzie River have led in which they are assisting,” she said. “Based to the need for deployment of Canadian on coordination and assessment conducted Rangers within the region. with our federal and territorial partners, “In response, 10 Canadian Ranger patrols the Canadians Rangers will remain in their were activated in the region on May 15, respective communities in order to offer as- 2021, to provide assistance in dealing with sistance and support the local government’s the flooding,” Poulin said. “The Rangers are response to this situation.”