Town to change lanes on taxis 'There's an opportunity there to be more realistic with ... the hours of operation'

Volume 49 Issue 8 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021 $1.00 (.95 + GST)

The

HHay River, Noubrthwest Territories

A new enterprise

Paul Bickford/NNSL photo Originally from Fort Smith, Meika McDonald has reopened a gas station and convenience store in Enterprise.

News We asked you Sports Is 24 long- Are you term sad to see The end of care beds winter go the skating enough? away? season

Publication mail Contract #40012157 "I sent a little video of my son and his friend playing hockey and just included how great our hockey association is." 7 71605 00200 2 – Jillian Zdebiak helped hockey win $10,000, page 9. 2 ▼ Wednesday, April 14, 2021 www.hayriverhub.com www.hayriverhub.com Wednesday, April 14, 2021 ▼ 3 Did we get it wrong? Hay River Hub is committed to getting facts fact file and names right. With that goes a commitment to acknowledge mistakes and run corrections. If you nwt covid-19 situation as of april 12 spot an error in Hay River Hub, call 867-873-4031 or email [email protected]. We'll get a correction or clarification in as soon as we can. Active cases: 2 Days since first confirmed case: 388 Confirmed cases: 78 Days since last confirmed case: 8 Recovered cases: 76 Vaccines News Completed tests: 16,684 First doses administered: 24,103 Negative tests: 16,612 Scan for the Second doses administered: 14,471 Briefs latest GNWT Pending tests: 16 Covid-19 statistics Total doses administered: 38,574 NWT premier reacts to Source: Office of the Chief Public Health Officer passing of Prince Philip Premier Caroline Cochrane expressed her sadness in learning of the passing the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth, died on April 9 at the age of 99. "Many Northerners will remember his visit to the in 1970 as part of the celebrations around the hundredth anniversary of the cre- ation of the Northwest Territories," Cochrane stated on April 9. She noted that Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth visited , Tuk- toyaktuk, , Fort Smith and , where they kicked off a canoe race down the . "Prince Philip was a man who made many sacrifices in his life so we could enjoy the freedoms we have today," Cochrane stated. "This was most evident during his time as a decorated naval officer during the Second World War. He spent much of his life working to help others and provide opportunities to those who may not have been as fortunate." The premier said that, through his community work and philanthropy, Prince Philip empowered millions of young people around the world to strive for greatness and believe in themselves, including many Canadians. She also said Prince Philip's work in the volunteer sector and his interest in NNSL file photo wildlife conservation left long-lasting Health and Social Services Minister Julie Green visited Hay River on April 9 for discussions with several organizations impacts around the world. about the number of new long-term care beds needed in the community. "On behalf of all Northwest Territor- ies residents, I want to extend my deepest condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the entire Royal Family during this difficult time," Cochrane concluded. Community garden holding general meeting The annual general meeting of the Is 24 enough? Hay River Community Garden is set for April 14, beginning at 7 p.m. at Branch 250 of the Royal Canadian Legion. Health minister visits to discuss halving of Hub's new LTC bed count Memberships for the 2021 season will be sold at the meeting. Paul Bickford opposed to or Yellowknife, the Makepeace also pointed to the issue of The in-person gathering will have a [email protected] minister added. "So we wanted to hear from and Fort Providence possibly capacity limit of 35 people. people have we thought this through properly." affecting the number of new long-term care It will also be available over Zoom. The number of new long-term care beds Green said another issue raised during beds needed in Hay River. needed in Hay River was the main focus when the discussions is how to account for people's The Seniors' Society chair added the gov- Teen poetry contest Health and Social Services Minister Julie preferences about where they want to go into ernment should also get a better understand- Green visited the community on April 9. long-term care. ing of the need in the community. at Centennial Library Green held closed meetings with several For example, she noted 23 per cent of the "You can get people isolated in a normal A teen poetry competition is being groups – the Town of Hay River, the Hay people in Woodland Manor are not from Hay home and, if they never go to the doctor, presented by the NWT Centennial River Seniors' Society, K'atlodeeche First River. nobody knows what they're doing, how their Library. Nation and the Hay River Metis Government health is, what mental state they're in or health Young people aged 12-19 years can Council. Home sweet home community state they're in," he said. "And it creeps up on submit original and unpublished poems Since 2015, the GNWT had planned to "And they've chosen to be there because you pretty fast." of any format in English or translated. build a 48-bed long-term care facility in Hay that's where their children are or for some In March, Green released new projections The poems can be up to 300 words River, but that number has now been tenta- other reason," she said, noting that at least one that foresee an additional 169 long-term care in length. tively cut in half, awaiting a final decision. person from Hay River is in long-term care beds being required in the NWT by 2034. The closing date for the competition "Twenty-four is the place that we're work- in Inuvik. That is a significant reduction from 2015 when is April 30. ing from right now," Green told The Hub Green added there was also discussion projections identified a need for 435 beds in on April 12. "And one of the things that we about the need for more seniors' housing. the same time frame. Francophone association wanted to accomplish on Friday was to figure "I think that, if Elders had a decent place to The minister said she is confident in the to hold annual meeting out whether we had missed any factors in our live that is sized for their needs, the pressure recent numbers from the NWT Bureau of The Association franco-culturelle de calculations of the number of beds needed." on long-term care would be reduced, and it Statistics. Hay River has set its annual general One of the major issues that came up was would be a benefit to the people themselves "But we did want people to verify for meeting for May 8 at Branch 250 of the Hay River's catchment area, which includes because they would be able to stay in their us that we thought of all the inputs that we Royal Canadian Legion. the and Enterprise, but not homes," she said. needed to think about," she said. Five positions are up for election Fort Resolution and Fort Providence, she said. Green noted she visited on April 9 at the Green stated the GNWT remains commit- on the board of directors – president, "So I think that what will happen is we invitation of Hay River South MLA Rocky ted to building a new long-term care facility in vice-president, secretary, treasurer and will ask the Bureau of Statistics to look again Simpson. Hay River, and she would like to see construc- administrator. at the numbers with Fort Res and Fort Provi- Tom Makepeace, chair of the Hay River tion start by this time next year. The general meeting will also be dence in mind, and see what difference that Seniors' Society, sounded pleased with the There are currently 25 long-term care beds made available via video conferencing. makes." meeting with Green. at Woodland Manor. People in those communities may be inter- "I think it was pretty productive," he said. As of March, eight people were on a wait ested in long-term care in Hay River, as "There were some good questions." list. 4 ▼ Wednesday, April 14, 2021 www.hayriverhub.com Hub Historical Quote 2011 "The most effective way to do it is to do it." CCNA Opinion – Amelia Earhart The

HHay River, Northuwest Tebrritories Established in 1973 An intersection Published Wednesdays by Northern News Services Limited Phone (867) 873-4031 Fax (867) 873-8507 [email protected] www.nnsl.com Display ad deadline: of interests 4 p.m. Friday prior to Northern News Services a large, national corporation Wednesday publication It's been a few weeks since operating in a community. Subscription rates: a curious stop sign caper in Sometimes such a corpora- In Canada $70 Hay River, but it's still kind tion is not as aware as it Online $50 of difficult to know what to should be of what's going on make of it. at a local level. REPORTER Paul Bickford Just as a The Hub can [email protected] reminder of what confidently say ADVERTISING happened, on editorial that because this Petra Memedi March 24, CN newspaper was [email protected] [email protected] installed two stop signs – one the first to inform CN's media facing each way to halt traffic operations in Montreal that heading into and leaving Old the signs had been removed. Town – at the railway crossing On the other hand, you

on the have to sort of begrudgingly NNSL file photo near Porritt Landing. admire CN for taking action On March 24, CN erected stop signs at this railway crossing on There was the predictable on what it perceived as a the Mackenzie Highway. The stop signs were taken down by the reaction on Facebook ran- problem. No advisories to GNWT two days later. ging from surprise to outrage local or territorial govern- among motorists who had ments and no public input, stop signs in the first place. section of many interests. been easily passing over the just up go the stop signs. It's just that it was so surpris- So it is only right and prop- rarely-used crossing for many However, that is not the ing to see something happen- er that all the affected parties years. way things work in Hay River ing without the usual process. have a say in whatever will or On March 26 the GNWT or the NWT. Of course, there needs will not happen at the cross- removed the signs, just two Now that the signs have to be a reasonable process ing. days after they were put in been removed, who knows to decide if there is indeed However, it will be interest- place. The territorial govern- how long it will be before any a need for greater safety at ing to see how long that pro- Founder (1934-2018) ment was unaware that they kind of safety control is added the railway crossing. And it cess will take and how com- J.W. (Sig) Sigvaldason PUBLISHER, CEO were going to be erected in to the crossing, other than the will obviously have to involve plicated it will become. Bruce Valpy the first place, just like the existing warning signs. Town CN, the GNWT, the Town of It will be a fascinating [email protected] Town of Hay River. folk may be in for consulta- Hay River and motorists. The textbook case to compare a Chief Financial Officer On the surface, the placing tions, public hearings, studies, crossing is a CN spur line, it's corporation taking action on Judy Triffo of the stop signs by CN and reports, and a bureaucratic coordinating editoR over a territorial highway, it its own versus something hap- Craig Gilbert the quick veto by the GNWT tangle that may go on for is in Hay River and any new pening only after consultation [email protected] could be just one of those months or years. safety controls will affect with government and that quirky things that occasion- That is not to say that CN motorists. shadowy and dreaded group – ally happen when you have was correct in erecting the Quite literally, it is the inter- stakeholders. Are you sad to see the end of the winter sports season? Publishers of • Hay River Hub • Inuvik Drum • Kivalliq News • Yellowknifer • NWT News/North • Nunavut News/North You

Hay River Hub 14B 66 Woodland Dr. Box 4434 Said Hay River, NT X0E 0R8 Canada Post #2180316 Return undeliverable Canada mail to above address Mail Reg. #07426 ISSN 0714-5810 It!

Miya Taylor Alexis Pearn Sydney Danielsen Nathan Taylor "Yes, because I loved "It's always sad to see "I know a lot of my "I just want winter to go curling. I practise curl- winter leave, but I'm friends are. But I have a away. It's been here for- ing. And one time I looking forward to little two-year-old who's ever now." We acknowledge the financial support of the curled with my grandma spring." not going to be in it for . and grandpa." a couple of years, like Nous reconnaissons l'appui financier du hockey and figure skat- gouvernement du Canada. ing." www.hayriverhub.com Wednesday, April 14, 2021 ▼ 5 Town considers reducing demands on taxi services Changes to Taxi Licence Bylaw before council Paul Bickford demands," he said, noting there are now times [email protected] when a driver can work for an entire Sunday and make $10 over 24 hours. The Town of Hay River is considering The recommendations are that, on Sundays reducing the required levels of service by the and statutory holidays, the operators would community's two taxi operations. provide one taxi between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. On March 29, council passed first and "So outside of the hours presented there, second readings of changes to the Taxi there wouldn't be a taxi service unless the Licence Bylaw, and then decided to give the companies choose to do so," said Smith. public more time to comment on the proposed "Again, this is minimum requirements." changes. From Monday through Thursday from 6:30 The deadline for feedback is April 14, and a.m. to 6 p.m., there would be two taxis per council will consider third and final reading operator, particularly to meet the demand of photo courtesy of Garth Mackie of the bylaw changes on April 26. getting people to flights to Yellowknife. The Town of Hay River is considering a bylaw that will change the required Glenn Smith, the town's senior adminis- From 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through levels of service for the two taxi operators in the community. trative officer, told council that taxi service Thursday, there would be just one taxi per has been a long-standing issue, including company. service has diminished. "If we force a business to operate 24 hours complaints about unanswered calls and long "What we're basically doing is agreeing a day and lose money, it won't be long before waits for a cab. Weekends differ to lower the amount of customer service and we don't have one and then we're in a worse Smith said the operators have told the town "And then on the weekends between Friday hours of availability of taxis," he said. "Those off situation than we would be without cover- about the challenges they face, including dif- and Saturday, two taxis between 6:30 a.m. two things don't seem to line up to me and I'm age for that couple of hour period," he said. ficulty in hiring, harassment of cab drivers, and 3 a.m.," said Smith, explaining the 3 a.m. just wondering if it's prudent to be changing "So I think there's a balance in there some- and unsafe hours and conditions. timing is designed to cover the closure of bars the bylaw when we're still in the middle of a where right now." "It's been difficult for them to meet the and other establishments that are usually open pandemic." Garth Mackie, the owner/operator of requirements of what we currently require until 2 a.m. Coun. Keith Dohey wondered what would Island Taxi, said he and the owner of Reliable in our bylaw, which is a 24-7 service with a "We do feel like there's an opportunity happen if someone needs to get to the hospital Cabs jointly put forward recommendations minimum of two taxis on all hours," he said, there to be more realistic with what the hours outside of the proposed service hours. for change. noting that is especially difficult in light of of operation are, or the primary demand at "So I kind of worry in a sense that there's Mackie said the most significant change in Covid-19. least is, to keep these companies operating," going to be the potential of increasing even the proposed bylaw would be the end of the Smith said, in consultation with the oper- Smith said. more the pressure on the ambulance service," requirement for service 24 hours a day. ators and looking at other communities, town Coun. Brian Willows said he is a little bit he said. "That's the most important thing we were administration came up with the proposed concerned that the proposed changes appear However, Dohey recognized there is prob- looking at going forward," he said, adding changes. to be based on the past year's experience ably a more realistic approach to taxi service that 24-hour-a-day service is not necessary in "It sets hours that are meeting the primary during Covid-19 when the demand for taxi than the current situation. Hay River.

Paul Bickford/NNSL photo snow mover Dave Vokey uses an ATV to clear snow from the driveway of his Vale Island home on April 10. Snow clearing by homeowners was a common sight around Hay River on that day following a snowfall the previous day. 6 ▼ Wednesday, April 14, 2021 www.hayriverhub.com All parties believe highrise fire was 'intentionally set'

Highrise owner Harry Satdeo was not given regular updates on the RCMP investigation into the March 2019 fire at the Mackenzie Place highrise apartment building in Hay River. In this photo from Febru- ary of last year, Satdeo stands in Apt. 1102, the site of the fire that has forced the highrise to remain closed ever since. NNSL file photo

Police won't pursue charges in Mackenzie Place fire, but fire marshal ruled it was caused by arson Paul Bickford "We are not able to provide specif- fire investigation, all of these types of [email protected] ics of why or what we believe to be factors contributed to our determination the evidence of intentionality, so as to of arson," he said. The RCMP has confirmed that it did protect the integrity of the investigation Dewar said that the work of deter- not keep the building owner updated or any future evidence that could come mining criminal responsibility lies with on the recently-closed criminal investi- forward," she said. the RCMP. gation into the March 2019 fire at the York-Condon said the investigation "The fact that a criminal investiga- Mackenzie Place highrise. did not yield enough evidence to support tion did not result in a prosecution does "In general, if there is no indication criminal charges. not alter the Office of the Fire Marshal's that a person who has an interest in a determination of the cause of the fire," building or business is required for the RCMP decision doesn't he said. investigation, then the investigation will affect fire marshal The Office of the Fire Marshal con- follow its own path until conclusion and Fire marshal Chucker Dewar said his cluded its investigation just two days there is no requirement for updates to office believes the high-rise fire was an after the fire and it was then taken over the parties," said Marie York-Condon, arson because of a multitude of factors, by the RCMP. a spokesperson for the RCMP's G Div- including statements from firefighters "There is no other information forth- ision, in written responses to questions and fire scene indicators. coming to our knowledge," said Dewar. from The Hub. Those fire scene indicators include "But if something were to come forward After the RCMP announced in late burn patterns, which can show the fire's of course we would consider it and look March that the investigation was closed, direction of travel and lead investigators at it, and make a determination whether building owner Harry Satdeo said he to areas where the fire originated. we needed to reopen or revisit the inves- had received no information from the Investigators from the Office of the tigation. But that's not the case in this." RCMP during its investigation. Fire Marshal (OFM) also collect sam- The 16-storey Mackenzie Place has "I am disappointed that we emailed ples to determine the presence of any been empty of tenants since an esti- the RCMP about two years ago and we flammable liquids or flammable materi- mated 125 people were displaced by the haven't heard a thing from them," he als. fire on March 15, 2019. said earlier this month. "And to see this "In addition, we try to eliminate all A public health order issued by the report now, it's kind of amazing." other things," said Dewar, explaining GNWT because of environmental con- Satdeo, the RCMP and the NWT Fire that would be things that could have cerns still restricts access to Mackenzie Marshal all believe the fire was inten- possibly started a fire, such as electri- Place. tionally set. city, heating sources and equipment, and Meanwhile, the owner is seeking York-Condon declined to explain smoking material. funding to continue making repairs to exactly why the RCMP believes that. "So in this instance, in the Hay River the building. www.hayriverhub.com Wednesday, April 14, 2021 ▼ 7 Ready for the road

Paul Bickford/NNSL photo Originally from Fort Smith, Meika McDonald has reopened a gas station and convenience store in Enterprise. New operator reopening Gateway Gas in Enterprise Paul Bickford rest is history." said. "So I'm doing my gas and convenience "I feel like my entrepreneurial spirit allows [email protected] McDonald purchased the property in Janu- piece first, and then I'm going to approach the me to have vision with things like this," she ary 2020 with the intention of opening on April kitchen, and then I'm going to develop the hotel said. "This is what I do for a living." Enterprise is about to reclaim its role as a 1, 2020, until the arrival of Covid-19 in Canada and get that up and running." McDonald said it has been challenging to place where travellers and hamlet residents can and the restrictions on the NWT/ bor- In fact, McDonald also hopes to create a find staff and she is also deciding whether to fill up their vehicles with gas and buy snacks der, just 80 kilometres south of Enterprise. full-service campground at the location with operate on a seasonal basis for just the warmer for their journeys. "With our border and Covid, I had to make maybe a dozen sites. months. The newly-named Gateway Gas and Con- some tough decisions," she said. "So I post- "There's a lot of moving parts in this busi- "I'm going to run shorter hours, 11 a.m. to 7 venience plans to open this week. poned it until this year. And now I'm just going ness," she said. p.m. for now, just in case I have to run it myself, The service location has previously oper- to give it a whirl and see how it goes." Despite the delay in opening the first piece which is fine," she said. "And I have one gal ated under different owners, most recently as In the interim, there were improvements of her development plans, McDonald is confi- who will work with me on a part-time basis." Lisa's Place, before being put up for sale in made, including renovations to the building, dently looking to the future. McDonald is basically dealing with the mid-2019. upgraded washrooms, new lighting and refur- "I'm excited and I am optimistic, but I don't situation as she finds it. Meika McDonald, an owner/operator of the bished pumps. come with a history of gas stations and conven- "I'm just being open-minded and flexible, new business, sees opportunity at the location. McDonald said she has many plans for ience stores," she said. "So for me I feel like I'm but it's not taking away from my excitement," "I'm a Northerner and I drove by it all the the business, which includes a kitchen and a learning, which I think is great." she said. "I'm still excited to be here and open time and I just thought it was a remarkable nearby nine-room hotel, formerly known as the McDonald, who is from Fort Smith, has a this little store and develop the properties." business, and been interested in it for a long Twin Falls Inn. background as an entrepreneur, noting she has McDonald believes that consistency of ser- time," she said. "And it came up for sale. The "I have taken a phased approach here," she been in business since her early 20s. vice will be the key to success.

The carnival will also include an online talent contest in moose hide-making course from May 3 to May 31. AROUND THE various age categories ranging from young children to adults. The First Nation is looking for four interested people to Photo or video submissions must be made no later than 6 participate. Members of SLFN will be given priority. SOUTH SLAVE p.m. on April 16. Voting will take place on Facebook from The course will be facilitated by Celine Marlowe. Paul Bickford is the reporter for The Hub. Send your ideas to: April 17 to April 23. [email protected]. The carnival will also feature a poker rally and a celebra- Fort Smith museum tion of the Enterprise team in the Walk to Tuk physical activ- ity initiative of the NWT Recreation and Parks Association. offering workshops Enterprise Spring The spring carnival is being presented by the Hamlet of Thebacha/Fort Smith Enterprise. Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre in Fort Smith Carnival planned Participants are being advised to dress warmly as access to is offering two workshops in April, both instructed by Cathie Enterprise the Community Hall will be limited to only the washrooms. Harper of Yellowknife. The Enterprise Spring Carnival is set for April 24, begin- On April 16 and April 17, there will be a gathering basket ning at 1 p.m. at the Community Centre. The annual event will workshop. Participants will create a gathering basket that can feature various fun competitions including nail hammering, SLFN to offer course be used to collect country foods or food at the grocery store. egg toss, log throw, tea boiling, snowshoeing and more. on moose hide-making On April 18, there will be a kid's fish mobile workshop. Gift cards of between $10 and $40 will be presented as Thebacha/Fort Smith More information, including on the registration costs, can prizes. Smith's Landing First Nation (SLFN) will be hosting a be obtained by contacting the museum. 8 ▼ Wednesday, April 14, 2021 www.hayriverhub.com Museum society sets AGM Up to 12 board members to be elected Paul Bickford Hotel, better known as The Zoo. [email protected] The building was moved to the museum grounds in 2019 by the The new leadership of the Hay Department of Infrastructure, but River Museum Society, to be chosen has not yet been open to the public. at its annual general meeting later Lakusta said work on the build- this month, will have a number of ing's interior began last summer. significant decisions to make over "So this spring and early summer, the next year. we're going to complete the restora- Tom Lakusta, the current chair- tion of the inside of the building and man of the society, said the new also look at the outside and see if board will decide how to use a his- there is more stuff we can do there," toric building moved to the grounds he said. "But it should be ready for of the Hay River Heritage Centre exhibits I'm hoping for July 1." in 2019, how to offer access to The new board will decide the centre in keeping with Covid-19 whether the exhibits in the building restrictions, and how to continue to will be specific to the Hay River develop the museum. Hotel or generally about the town. The AGM will be held on April Lakusta said there will also be 25, beginning at 1 p.m. at The Ptar- continuing work on other exhibits, migan Inn. and making the heritage centre and "We'll be electing a board of up its grounds as attractive as possible. Paul Bickford/NNSL photo to 12 people," said Lakusta, add- Normally, the Hay River Herit- The Hay River Museum Society will hold its annual general meeting on April 25. The society ing the meeting will also receive a age Centre, which closes for the operates the Hay River Heritage Centre, which has not yet reopened from its winter closure. financial report and review activities winter, is open for visitors from the from over the past year. spring to the fall. tour you get a tour guide to help you remaining on the board. and the site, and there's some more "We've actually been quite active, However, it was closed in 2020 spend time at those different exhibits "I really enjoy my involvement work to do and I'd like to continue the things we have done," he said. because of Covid-19, except for that you find the most interesting with the museum," he said. "And I'll that work and being involved," he "Even though we couldn't open scheduled guided tours. and somebody who's knowledgeable probably let my name stand to be on said. "It's been really exciting and our doors fully to the public, we did Lakusta said that arrangement, to talk about those exhibits." the board." enjoyable, and I think we're creat- tours and we also got an awful lot which began in July and ran until Whether that arrangement will When asked about remaining ing something in Hay River that's of development work established, September, worked well. be repeated in 2021 will be decided chairman, he said that will be a making a big difference for our as well." "We had, I believe, a couple of by the new board. decision of the new board, but he community." Lakusta said this year the soci- hundred people come through and Once the board is elected, it will would probably consider remaining Lakusta said, aside from requir- ety will be setting up exhibits and do tours," he said. "It was actual- choose a chair, vice-chair, secretary in an executive capacity. ing a board, the society needs volun- displays in a large building from ly a really nice way to show the and treasurer. "We've done an awful lot of work teers to work on the heritage centre, the otherwise demolished Hay River museum's exhibits, because on a Lakusta expressed interest in on the museum in the last few years both inside and on the grounds. www.hayriverhub.com Wednesday, April 14, 2021 ▼ 9 Living life on the edge

Among the par- ticipants in the April 3 season- ending showcase by the Hay River Figure Skating Club were coach Heather Coak- well, left, Mack- enzie McMeekin, assistant Shailyn Mabbitt, Mila Gour, Emilianna Poitras-Dewar and Isobelle Queen. photo courtesy of Marilyn Marshall

Hub Sports Figure skating club ends season with performances for families Paul Bickford In a normal year, the skaters all learn mul- And Babiuk had new skating skills to dem- able to stay and watch the whole thing." [email protected] tiple routines and there are choreographed onstrate. She said that the stands are usually packed group numbers. "I learned a lot more than I have any other for the annual show. Members of the Hay River Figure Skating "But this year we were not able to do that," year because I really focused hard on skating Young skater Babiuk said there was one Club demonstrated the skills they learned this said Harris. "So this year was just about the this year," she said, adding she has been skating benefit to having fewer spectators. winter at a season-ending showcase. kids getting to show their families what they've for about seven years. "It was a lot less nerve wracking with less However, it was not exactly a skating car- learned over the season. And then they each had Babiuk said that this year's show was dif- people," she said, nival they presented on April 3, but it was still one group number that they did, but we weren't ferent. Harris hopes things will be back to normal better than what happened in 2020. allowed to combine groups." "It was obviously very fun, but it was a lot next year for the skating carnival. "Last year, it got cancelled due to Covid," The older skaters also each got to do a solo different because there wasn't a bunch of people Still, she said this year's showcase was good. said Jaime Harris, the president of the club. performance. in the stands," she said. "The parents were all happy with it," she She said this year's event was as normal as Harris said the skaters enjoyed the showcase Because of capacity restrictions, only a max- said. "The kids got to skate. So they find it fun it could be. and performing in front of their families. imum of 40 people were allowed in the stands at and they like it." "I think we just told everybody it was like Daphnée Babiuk, a 13-year-old skater, a time – four family members per skater. The Hay River Figure Skating Club has 41 an end-of-year showcase kind of thing," said enjoyed performing in the showcase. "Parents were only able to come and watch members, and all but a few of them participated Harris. "It was pretty fun," she said. their own skaters," Harris said. "They weren't in the season-ending showcase. Minor Hockey gets $10K assist Funding announced during televised NHL game Paul Bickford ger Big Assist from Hockey NWT, Pokiak, who had been con- [email protected] which sent out an email to hockey tacted a couple of weeks in associations in the territory. advance of the public announce- Hay River Minor Hockey saw "And so I forwarded it off to ment of the funding, said she is its name displayed on a recent basically all of our membership," thankful for Zdebiak's efforts in broadcast of an NHL game. she said, noting anyone could obtaining the support. However, it was not just an then nominate the association. "The object of the money is to appreciative shout-out for the And Jillian Zdebiak, who has provide opportunities for kids to good work it is doing. an eight-year-old son playing nov- play hockey," she noted. The Hay River association ice hockey in Hay River, did just Kruger Products is Canada's was listed among 10 associations that. leading manufacturer of tissue across Canada to receive fund- "I sent a little video of my son products for household, industrial ing from Kruger Products and its and his friend playing hockey and and commercial use. first-ever Kruger Big Assist. just included how great our hock- "It's been a difficult year for The hockey associations will ey association is," said Zdebiak. Canada's hockey families, and each receive $10,000 to cover the She said it was great to see our goal is to support their love cost of registration for hockey Hay River's name on the screen and participation in our nation- families in need of an off-ice during the NHL game. al sport," said Susan Irving, the assist. "I actually got choked up," she chief marketing officer with Kru- Pennie Pokiak, president of said of getting the support for the ger Products, in an April 6 news Hay River Minor Hockey, was hockey association. "When you release. pleased to receive the support. have a child in hockey, you see More than 450 minor hockey "It is very exciting," she said. how much work and effort they associations from across Canada "Exciting for the community and put into it. So to be able to give applied for a Kruger Big Assist to NNSL file photo exciting for our association." back a little bit, it actually worked help families struggling to afford Hay River Minor Hockey has received funding support from a new Pokiak had heard about Kru- out. It was just really nice." registration fees. program called Kruger Big Assist. 10 ▼ Wednesday, April 14, 2021 www.hayriverhub.com www.hayriverhub.com Wednesday, April 14, 2021 ▼ 11 12 ▼ Wednesday, April 14, 2021 www.hayriverhub.com