No changes planned after ENR shooting Fort Simpson man wants more firearms training for wildlife officers 1257+:(677(55,725,(6 Two-school educator recognized Volume 75 Issue 19 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 $.95 (plus GST) Homes razed by fires in Inuvik Premier creates 150- job Covid secretariat 'The Dope Experience' hits Inuvik Last putt of 2020 Eric Bowling/NNSL photo Kevin McLeod lines up a perfect putt. Roads End Golf Club in Inuvik closed out its summer with a bang, hosting a mixed tournament that drew 15 teams to com- pete for the final glory of the year on Aug. 27 to 28. See more photos on page 15. Publication mail Contract #40012157 "I thank all of you for adapting to keep each other safe." 7 71605 00200 2 – Chief public health officer Kami Kandola points to the success of the school year this far, page 6. 2 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 news Five MLAs stayed home from caucus retreat in Fort Smith Many cited personal reasons for not attending by Blair McBride Jackson Lafferty, MLA for Monfwi, con- Northern News Services firmed to NNSL Media that he wasn't present NWT for the event for personal reasons. Members of the legislative assembly held Rocky Simpson, MLA for Hay River their caucus retreat in Fort Smith from Aug. South, was the fifth member who missed the 28 to 31, but five MLAs didn't attend. gathering of legislators as he was travelling Katrina Nokleby, MLA for Great Slave, outside of the territory, said a representative announced in a Facebook post on Aug. 28 that from his constituency office. she didn't plan to join the caucus retreat. At the retreat, former NWT premier Joe "Since the passing of my mom, I have not Handley gave a presentation on the territory's had a chance to deal with her estate nor prop- consensus style government, according to erly grieve, therefore I have decided to head to a Facebook post from Frederick Blake Jr., B.C. in the coming days," she wrote. Speaker of the assembly. Nokleby's post made no reference to her Handley, who was also MLA for Weledeh, removal from the executive council on Aug. served from 1999-2007, with his tenure as 26, an extraordinary and dramatic session premier spanning the latter four years. of the legislative assembly where each MLA Blake's posts also showed retreat members took turns explaining why they supported a attending a fundraising auction for repairs to non-confidence motion against her. Jackie the St. John's Anglican Church. That auction Jacobson, MLA for Nunakput, was the sole was held at the Salt River First Nation office. member to abstain from the vote. According to Katie Weaver, spokesperson Lesa Semmler, MLA for Inuvik Twin for the legislative assembly, members joined Lakes, also announced on Facebook that she confidential caucus meetings in Fort Smith would join the meeting by teleconference, and also met with leadership representing the rather than in person. Salt River First Nation, the Fort Smith Métis "Although this week was a difficult week Council and the Town of Fort Smith. in the legislative assembly, I do have good They also toured the Fort Smith Fire working relationships with all my colleagues. Centre and visited natural sites around the In consensus government, we have to be able community. to agree to disagree while still continuing to work together," she stated. Five MLAs didn't attend the caucus Jacobson also did not attend the retreat, according to Rylund Johnson, MLA for retreat in Fort Smith from Aug. 28 Yellowknife North. Efforts to contact Jacob- to 31. son were not successful. NNSL file photo news NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, September 7, 2020 3 Did we get it wrong? News/North is committed to getting facts and names right. With that goes a commitment to Multiple homes in Inuvik acknowledge mistakes and run corrections. If you spot an error in News/North, call (867) 873-4031 and ask to speak to an editor, or email editorial@ nnsl.com. We'll get a correction or clarification in as destroyed by early morning fire soon as we can. NEWS Briefs New round of ARC grants to support physical activity The NWT Recreation and Parks Associa- tion (NWTRPA) has relaunched The Active, Resilient and Connected (ARC) grant pro- gram "to continue supporting commun- ity recreation through the challenges and restrictions that we face in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic," NWTRPA active communities director Bri Krekoski said in a news release. From Sept. 1 to Oct. 16, community gov- ernments and organizations can apply for grants ranging from $375 to $1,000 "to help community members stay active." Applications will be approved on a first- come, first-served basis. ARC grants offered in June helped to support activities like out- door yoga classes, homemade fishing poles and online jigging classes. Programs can be online or in-person but must be free and open to the public, the release said. – Natalie Pressman Heath and social services appoint new medical director Dr. Anne-Marie Pegg will soon take over from Sarah Cook as Territorial Med- ical Director (TMD) the Northwest Territor- ies Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) announced Tuesday. The role provides direction on decisions related to medical staff and services across the NWT's health and social service sys- tem, the release said. On top of her medical practice in the NWT, Pegg has also held a number of senior roles within Doctors With- out Borders. She will replace Cook in November, fol- lowing Cook's announcement earlier this summer that she would not be seeking another term in order to spend more time with family while continuing to practice medicine. – Natalie Pressman Public health emergency extended through Sept. 15 The territory-wide Public Health Emer- gency has again been extended on the advice photo courtesy of Kristian Binder of Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) Dr. An aerial view of the remains of several houses that were destroyed in an early morning fire Aug. 29 in Inuvik. Kami Kandola, the department of health and social services announced in a news release Tuesday. GoFundMe drives set up for five families The latest extension continues through September 15. who lost everything in blaze The release said that the territory is work- by Eric Bowling badly burned and the roof of a second home," reads a GoFundMe set up by Erin ing to address the challenge of rapid testing Northern News Services adjacent building was also damaged. It took Sydney. "They will need funds for accom- supplies. Inuvik another eight hours to fully extinguish the modation and living expenses for the next "As Western Canada's rate of infection An early morning structure fire smouldering fires, deal with the rubble and little while until they can get back on their reaches levels not seen since the beginning destroyed at least two buildings and dam- restore utilities to the neighbourhood. feet." of the pandemic, our territory must remain aged several more on Wolverine Road in Two notices were issued in the morning Alestine's restaurant announced it would vigilant to protect our communities and our Inuvik Aug. 29. asking residents to stay clear of the area as provide dinners for the victims of the fires health system," the release states. The Inuvik Fire Department was called crews cleaned up debris and demolished the after receiving an anonymous donation and – Natalie Pressman at around 3 a.m. and dispatched 14 person- remains of the destroyed structure. the Town of Inuvik is donating all profits nel and six vehicles to stop the blaze. According to the fire department, sever- from its upcoming Fall Fair drive in movie NWT campgrounds Homes on both sides of burning struc- al individuals sought medical attention for to the affected families. to close later in fall ture were smoking when firefighters burns and smoke inhalation. Acting Inuvik Five GoFundMe pages have been set up arrived. RCMP evacuated the neighbour- RCMP detachment commander Cpl. Paul by relatives and friends of the families who The closing dates for campgrounds hood as there was significant risk of the fire Howlett said one woman had to be airlifted lost everything in the fire. in almost all territorial parks have been spreading to other buildings. to an Edmonton hospital for treatment of "In the early morning of Aug. 29 Ali- extended to Sept. 30. The heat of the blaze melted cable lines smoke inhalation and burns, but no other son, Tony, Emerson and Elina lost their "As Northerners, we are fortunate to have and damaged a transformer, knocking out major injuries have been reported. home, vehicles and all worldly belongings some spectacular parks and campground power and telecommunications. The occu- The cause of the fire has yet to be deter- in a house fire. Thankfully, they all made facilities throughout the territory," said pants of the burning home were able to mined and is under investigation. it out of their home safely. Things can be Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister escape and received medical attention for The community has seen an outpour- replaced, people cannot," reads one page Shane Thompson in an Aug. 28 news release. burns and smoke inhalation. ing of support for the residents who lost started by Sherri Lennie. "We are asking "This extension offers an opportunity for Firefighters were joined by personnel their homes. Inuvik-Twin Lakes MLA Lesa our community to come together for the all residents to enjoy some extra time in them from the RCMP, municipal enforcement, Semmler posted on her Facebook page that family, to help raise money for them on while it is still warm enough." NWT Power Corp., Inuvik Gas, Public anyone impacted by the fire should reach their new journey after this tragic fire.