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CKLB Radio asks GNWT to help them back onto the air The off-air Aboriginal broad- caster known as the voice of Denendeh is hoping for al- most 1 million in core fund- ing from the GNWT. See page 2. Olympic biathletes share love of sport across territory Homegrown Olympic biath- lete Brendan Green and his partner fellow competitor Rosanna Crawford visited youth across the NWT. See page 18. SHOW YOUR SKILLS Territorial youth compete in the NWT Skills Competition. See page 15. Fort Smith drama students highlight teen struggles Normal an original play written and produced by Fort Smiths high school drama students confronts bullying addiction and suicide. See page 14. Domestic violence court expands into Hay River An alternative court for low- risk offenders of domestic violence is now in service for the communities of Hay River Enterprise and Katlodeeche. See page 3. V IS IT W W W .N O R J.C A A national award winning independent newspaper serving northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories since 1977 1.00 April 28 2015 Vol. 38 No. 50 Federal budget gives 500-million boost to NWT borrowing limit Ottawa considers lifting limit on self-liquidating debt By MEAGAN WOHLBERG The 2015 federal budget released last week held two pieces of good news for the NWT government in its pursuit of the nancial exibility needed to invest in critical economic infrastructure projects. Canadas latest Economic Action Plan which came out Tuesday af- ternoon proposes an increased borrowing limit for the territorial government bumping up the cur- rent 800-million debt ceiling to 1.3 billion. Though the territory had been asking for an additional 500 million more leaders had no complaints about Ottawas decision. An increased borrowing limit marks a continuing evolution of the government of the Northwest Territories. It is recognition that a mature government must have s- cal exibility so it can carry out ef- fective planning for the future and better manage the territorial econ- omy NWT Premier Bob McLeod said during a press conference Wednesday morning. ApartfromtheraisedcapMcLeod said hes also been notied that Fi- nanceCanadahasagreedtoexamine thewayitcalculatesdebtconstrained Minister Michael Miltenberger. Its going to allow us to have debt thats self-nancing not go against our borrowing limit. That way we can use our borrowing limit money to do other things. makes them self-liquidating Milt- enberger said those debts could also potentially be excluded. Not a spending spree Premier Though an extra 500 million in allowed borrowing gives the GNWT some room to maneuver when it comes to infrastructure McLeod said the government understands this is borrowed money and not an invitation to start a spending spree. We are not running up the credit cardbillstopayforconsumergoods whatwearetalkingaboutisborrow- ingprudentlytomakestrategicinvest- mentsinterritorialinfrastructurethat will help support the growth of our economy and address the cost of liv- ing the premier said. Like a home improvement loan we are talking aboutpotentialborrowingtomakein- vestmentsthatwillincreasethevalue of our economy and our territory. See No new projects on page 6. underthelimit.Specicallytheterri- torysself-liquidatingdebt-money borrowedforinfrastructureprojects that eventually pay for themselves - may no longer count towards the 1.3 billion limit. The really big piece of this in ad- dition to the 500 million is the reg- ulatory change said NWT Finance ThoughFinanceofcialsstillhave to work out how much debt could be consideringself-nancingintheNWT itslikelyitwillapplytothe200mil- lionofNTPowerCorp.debtalongwith projectssimilartotheDehChoBridge. Furthermore if the GNWT works out deals with industry for future mining access roads in a way that The really big piece of this in addition to the 500millionistheregulatorychange.Itsgoing to allow us to have debt thats self-nancing not go against our borrowing limit. Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger PhotoPaulBannister Mother-daughter duo Olive and Janelle Pascal of Aklavik celebrate a special convocation together at Aurora Colleges Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith where Olive completed her Bachelor of Education degree and Janelle her Ofce Administration certicate last Friday. See pages 10-13 for more. 2 Tuesday April 28 2015 POLITICS ABORIGINAL NEWS BRIEFS Police rescue man walking on thin ice in Behchoko Emergency rescue workers from Behchoko teamed up to save a man found walking on thin ice near the community last week. On the afternoon of Apr. 23 local RCMP were dispatched when a man was reported as walking around Marian Lake which already had patches of open water from warming temperatures. After attempts to negoti- ate with the individual were unsuccessful a trio of rescue workersventuredontotheunstableicetoretrievetheman who was then transported to Stanton Territorial Hospital. Tlicho Government Speaker arrested jailed for drunk driving TheSpeakeroftheTlichoGovernmentPeterArrowmaker hasbeenarrestedandchargedwithdrunkdrivinganddriv- ing while disqualied. Arrowmaker is currently serving a 90-daysentenceasaresultandhasbeenbannedfromdriv- inguntil2024.FollowingthearresttheTlichoGovernment announced they are in search of a new Speaker a position Arrowmaker has held since being appointed in 2007. RCMPinvestigateweekendshooting and high speed chase in Yellowknife Police in Yellowknife are investigating what they believe to beatargetedshootingthattookplacetheeveningof Apr.26 leaving one man with non-life threatening injuries. Police led a pursuit as suspects attempted to evade police though two suspects were eventually arrested. A third individual was arrested separately and later released. Evidence from early investigations indicates it was a targeted attack by parties known to one another. On the morning of Apr. 27 RCMP had located a rearm believed to have been used in the shooting. The investigation is ongoing. NNSL 3.3125 x 5.75 CALL FOR NOMINATIONS The Department of Education Culture and Employment ECE is accepting nominations for inductees to the 2015 Education Hall of Fame. Nomination forms are available online at www.ece.gov.nt.ca or visit your local District Education Council ofce or Regional ECE Service Centre for assistance. DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS FRIDAY MAY 1 2015. For more information please contact ECE Public Affairs at 867 920-6147 or email ecepublicaffairsgov.nt.ca. Aboriginal Affairs minister offers interview to off-air CKLB Radio Territorys Aboriginal radio station looking to GNWT for core funding all staff now laid off By MEAGAN WOHLBERG CKLB Radio has been off the air for nearly a year in the Northwest Territories due to funding issues with the federal government but that seemed to be news to the Aboriginal Affairs ministers ofce who offered an inter- view to the station regarding the federal budget last week. CKLB program director Deneze Nakehko received a message from AANDC Min- ister Bernard Valcourts press secretary Emily Hillstrom last Wednesday offering the station an interview with the minister to discuss the most recent Economic Action Plan. But CKLB run by the Na- tive Communications Soci- ety NCS of the NWT shut down programming in July last year after years of fund- ing disputes with the depart- ment of Canadian Heritage. Themajorityofstaffwerelaid off and all news and Aborig- inal language programming was stopped leaving only automated music on the air. As of last Friday the nal remaining staff at the sta- tion - including Nakehko - were laid off. In his response Nakehko thanked Hillstrom for the offerbuttooktheopportunity to explain the situation and relay a message back to Ot- tawa about their new budget. For the life of the Conser- vative government our core fundinghasdiminishedbeen infrequentandunreliable.We are no longer able to pay staff or offer any Dene language or original radio programs. We were hoping for some good news with this current budget but for us it is more of the same actually worse than the same he wrote. Unfortunately our dedi- cated audience are left unin- formed and unable to fully participateinthedemocratic processes of this country. Please inform the Minister that he and the Conservative governmenthavefailedtoad- equatelysupportagenciesthat wouldotherwisecommunicate the work that they do to the people of the North. That response was also shared with Canadian Heri- tageandtheCanadianRadio- TelevisionandTelecommuni- cations Commission. Nakehko said he found it odd that he was offered an in- terview when CKLB has often been denied opportunities to question the federal govern- ment in the past. The station was the only news agency un- able to ask questions during both Prime Minister Stephen Harpers visit to the NWT for the devolution signing and his following Northern tour in 2013. CKLB looks to NWT government for funding The NCS board met for its AGM on Apr. 17 in Yellow- knife where the directors discussed the future of the radio station known as the voice of Denendeh due to its once thriving Dene language content and presence in the small communities. Nakehko said the meeting didnt result in much positive news for the station but said theyhaventgivenupyet.NCS CEO Les Carpenter met with theNWTgovernmentsdepart- mentofEducationCultureand EmploymentECElastweek toseeiftheGNWTcouldoffer more funding support. NCSislookingfor990000 from the department which would essentially make the GNWT the stations core funderbasedontherationale that the territory is the only jurisdictionwithDeneamong its ofcial languages. They are also hoping CKLB might benetfromongoingnegotia- tionsbetweentheGNWTand Ottawa over co-operation on ofcial languages. ECE spokesperson Jac- queline McKinnon couldnt give any details on the con- versations but said a follow up meeting is being planned for further discussion. Though CKLB received a combination of federal and territorial funding totalling morethan550000between July 2014 and January 2015 - including 102500 from ECE - most of that funding was back-dated for previous scal years and had to go to- wards paying past-due bills. Itwasntuntilthestationhad shutdownthatitbeganreceiv- ingfederalinstallmentsforthe 2014-15 scal year. Canadian Heritage blames incomplete reporting on the part of NCS for the funding delays. AccordingtoNakehkocore fundingforthestationhasgone down over the years mean- ing the station has struggled to stay aoat in terms of pay- ing staff and maintaining its aging equipment. NCS wants to see block funding for more than one year at a time. NakehkosaidHeritageof- cialswerentawarethatCKLB was off the air until January despite two reports led late lastyeartothedepartmentex- plaining the situation which raisesquestionsastowhether or not representatives are reading the reports. Still NCS has put in its an- nualrequestforfundinginthe hopesthatamorepositivear- rangementcanbeworkedout with the federal government. PhotoLesleyJohnson CKLB Radio is looking for close to 1 million a year in core funding from the GNWT to re-start programming. The station run by the Native Communications Society of the NWT stopped its news and language broadcasts last July. Tuesday April 28 2015 3 JUSTICE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Come TO MONSTER RECfor INOVATIVE PRODUCTS and SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. 926 MACKENZIE HIGHWAY HAY RIVER NT Phone 867-874-2771 Toll Free 1-866-327-0717 www.monsterrec.com Hay River launches domestic violence treatment court Program provides restorative justice pathway for low-risk offenders By DALI CARMICHAEL OffendersofdomesticviolencecrimesinHay Riverandthesurroundingareanowhaveanalter- nativetotheterritorialcourtsystemshouldthey choose to claim responsibility for their actions. The Domestic Violence Treatment Option DVTOCourtstartedoperatinginthecommu- nity-aswellasEnterpriseandtheKatlodeeche FirstNation-asofMondaywithtwonameslisted on its rst docket. The new alternative court which will hold sessions every three weeks is available to those agged as low-risk offenders andaimstotreatthe symptomsthat leadtocy- clicaldomesticviolencewithlong-termresults. Ihavenearly20yearsdoingthisandthisis oneofthebestdevelopmentsIveseenasfaras dealingwithdomesticviolencesaidHayRiver criminal defence lawyer Michael Hansen. It seeks to enable people and give them the op- portunity to avoid the mistakes that theyve made in the past because they cant change their past but they can change their future. Once in DVTO clients are expected to en- roll in the Planning Action Responsibly To- ward Non-Violent Empowered Relationships PARTNER program. Theapproachisbasedonhavinggroupses- sionssaidChiefJudgeChristineGagnon.The participantslearnfromtheirexchangewithother participants and it builds strength. Over the course of ve weeks the offenders willattendweeklysessionslasting2.5hourseach covering eight modules and four main topics. Therstthemeisdeningdomesticviolence and all its forms looking at how it applies to participants lives said Dawn Anderson a di- rectorwiththeJusticedepartmentwhohelped developPARTNER.Otherareascoveredinclude personalchoicethecausesofviolenceandemo- tional response. Every step in the program is gearedtowardtheindividualleavingtheprogram with the self-control that they need to change. Once initiated Fort Smith probation of- cer Stella Walterhouse will lead the program. Three individuals from correctional services have also been trained to deliver PARTNER along with four mental health and addictions counsellors. These facilitators will be paired together to allow multiple staggered sessions to take place simultaneously. TobeconsideredforDVTOtheoffendermust takeresponsibilityforhisorhercrimeandplead guilty. A ltering process helps to determine who ends up in this course of treatment. First theRCMP-asfrontlineworkerslayingdomestic violence charges - use their discretion to deter- mine whether the offender should be in DVTO orterritorialcourt.Shouldthecaseheadtoter- ritorialcourttheCrowncanadviseatransferto thealternativecourtascanthedefencelawyer and the judge hearing the case. Once in the treatment stream the offender must go through a screening process run by probationserviceswheretheycompleteaques- tionnaire as well as an assessment conducted using a spousal abuse risk assessment tool. There is a full global assessment thats done oneachoftheoffenderssaidCindyCaudronre- gionalmanagerofprobationservices.Thescreen- ing will take into account factors like previous criminalbehaviourandsubstanceabuseissues. Were not just focusing on domestic violence andnotpayingattentiontoalltheotherfactors. Since 2011 Yellowknife has piloted seven PARTNER sessions - ve in Yellowknife and two in Behchoko. Of 39 clients 37 have com- pleted the program. UnlikeinYellowknifetheHayRiverprogram will accept referrals from community counsel- lors working with clients who have committed not just physical but emotional nancial and psychologicalformsofdomesticviolence.They will go through a similar screening process. Should the client fail to complete any part of the program or reoffend while attending it their case will be moved to territorial court. Alternatively upon successful completion of the program there is a chance the clients case could be fast-tracked through the court system and their sentence time reduced. To those who view DVTO as a literal get out of jail free card Hansen adamantly stated the program requires tremendous dedication. Thisisntaneasywayouttheeasywayisjust togoanddoyourtimehesaid.Theresgoingto bealotofworkthepersonwillhavetocommitto. Hay River was chosen as the rst commu- nity for the programs expansion because of its easy access to available program resources and its relatively large population. DependingonHayRiverssuccesswithDVTO organizershopetoexpandtheprogramfurther intotheterritorythoughnoofcialplanshave been announced as of yet. There is a need for this type of program everywhere not just in the North not just in Canada Hansen said. Domestic violence is all too common an occurrence throughout the world and we cant have a cookie-cutter approach we have to develop programs that adapt and address the unique circumstances of each community. PhotoDaliCarmichael Suspicious package seized at Yellowknife courthouse By MEAGAN WOHLBERG Yellowknifes courthouse was on lockdown Thursday afternoon as RCMP and emergency responders had to evacuate and cordon off the building to investigate a suspicious package. The re departments full hazmat team was deployedatthelocationalongwithEMSstaff police and other emergency responders be- tween approximately 230 and 530 p.m. after RCMP received a report of a suspicious pack- age received at an ofce within the building. According to RCMP it raised alarms due to similar events recently taking place in other courthouses across the country. In light of recent occurrences of suspicious packagesbeingfoundatsixcourthousesinMan- itoba last week employees in Yellowknife were asked to be aware and to report any unusual packagestoauthoritiessaidtheRCMPsmedia liaisonCst.ElenoreSturko.Atthistimeitisun- known if this package is in any way related to other investigations across the country. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident. The employees who re- ceived the package did not open it but those in direct or indirect contact were isolated and screened as a precaution with Stanton Ter- ritorial Hospital put on alert. Anareaaroundthebuildingwastapedoffby policeascrewspreparedforapossibleemergency. As of Friday afternoon RCMP were condent the building and surrounding area were safe. Nodetailshavebeenreleasedaboutthecon- tentsofthesuspiciouspackagewhichwasseized at the court building and has been sent for lab analysis.Theeventremainsunderinvestigation. PhotoMeaganWohlberg Emergency responders seize a suspicious package at Yellowknifes courthouse Thursday. Criminal defence lawyer Michael Hansen left Chief Judge Christine Gagnon Justice depart- ment director and PARTNER developer Dawn Anderson and regional manager of probation services in Hay River Cindy Caudron give a brieng on the new Domestic Violence Treatment Option DVTO Court now operational in Hay River. 4 Tuesday April 28 2015 The Northern Journal is an independent newspaper covering news and events in the western Arctic and northern Alberta. 2013 CCNA BLUE RIBBON CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013 C M C A AUDITED The Northern Journal is published weekly by Cascade Publishing Ltd. Printed at Star Press Inc. Wainwright AB. Publisher................................................................................. Don Jaque 867-872-3000 ext.21 donnorj.ca Editor.........................................................................Meagan Wohlberg 867-872-3000 ext.24 newsnorj.ca Reporter....................................................................... Dali Carmichael 867-872-3000 ext.25 reporternorj.ca Comptroller ..................................................... Dixie Penner 867-872-3000 ext.23 dixnorj.ca Advertising.............................. Heather Foubert Hay River 867-874-4106 adsnorj.ca Administration............................................Jeremy Turcotte 867-872-3000 ext.26 adminnorj.ca Production Manager ......................................Sandra Jaque 867-872-3000 ext.22 sandranorj.ca Graphics........................................................Paul Bannister 867-872-3000 ext.27 graphicsnorj.ca Letters to the Editor Policy The Northern Journal welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and include a phone number so the author can be veried. Names will be withheld on request in special circumstances where the reasons are determined to be valid. The Journal reserves the right to edit letters for length libel clarity and taste. Opinions expressed in letters and columns are not necessarily those of the publisher or editor. Advertising Deadlines Display ad deadline is Thursday at 400 p.m. Classied ad deadline is Thursday at 500 p.m. Email adsnorj.ca Subscription Rates Prices include GST. 47.25 in Fort Smith 52.50 elsewhere in Canada 105 in the USA overseas 164.30. EDITORIAL LETTER TO THE EDITOR Fostering economy through ingenuity wisdom leadership Large-scale developments are tempting when times are good but the sudden slow- down resulting shutdowns and loss of jobs are like a kick in the gut. High Level Alta. has a resource-based economy in the doldrums suffering. Pre- mier Jim Prentice in his bid for re-election is touting the need to diversify the Alberta economy moving it away from dependence on petroleum extraction. A government cannot simply wave a wand and make that happen. The realization and initiative have to emanate at the community level as well. La Crete Alta. 110 km east of High Level is thriving. It has a diversied economy with a base of agriculture plus a sawmill and numerous small-scale manufacturing en- terprises mainly family-based. About the same size as Fort Smith La Crete had ap- proximately 75 new housing starts last year and is even busier this year. All NWT communities are resource-de- velopment dependent and are hurting from low oil prices and minimal demand for min- erals. Furthermore as you travel further north the price of food and other commodi- ties increases incrementally as the high cost of freight and operations are added in. The cost of power increases as well to the point where it is unaffordable in many small com- munities. With fundamentals like that so expensive the cost of living in NWT com- munities is unbearable. With no economy and high costs the situation is untenable. The NWT government is committed to a resource-based economy. Led by the federal government environmental assessments have been minimized and permitting pro- cesses streamlined doing everything pos- sible to promote more resource develop- ment. The doors have been ung open the welcome mat is out messages are broadcast beseeching exploration companies to come dig drill and extract. Still few come. There is currently not enough demand for those products to incur the high operating costs in the North and still make money. As Alberta learned being dependent on a resource-based economy means a roller- coaster ride of highs and lows feast and famine. Large-scale developments are a windfall great when times are good but the sudden slowdown resulting shutdowns and loss of jobs are like a kick in the gut. Nobody wants that. The North has to come up with some- thing else to moderate those cycles. What other options are there for developing an economy Freight costs will eat into prot margins of any export commodity far from markets. There are too few people with too little expertise in the North to do anything on a large scale. Why not be like La Crete The NWT can learn from La Cretes community-based in- novation ingenuity and wisdom and seek new solutions for economic development that lower living costs in the process. To start reduce the need to import south- ern food. The more food that is grown lo- cally the more dependence will be displaced. Growing food creates jobs. That builds local economies and makes communities stronger. There are several converging social move- ments that help that cause. The 100-mile diet postulates that eating food grown close to home is much healthier and better for the environment. There is also a movement to- wards small-scale farming. One need look no further than the community greenhouse in Inuvik or the Northern Farm Training Institute in Hay River for examples of in- novation. Both were the vision of inspired individuals not an outgrowth of the main- stream economy. Despite the obvious po- tential they are still only regarded as hob- bies or recreation. Governments should be developing that as a way of life instead of focusing on resource extraction which will happen anyway if demand is sufcient to produce a prot. There is a need for new expensive power dams and diesel plants. If individuals were to produce their own electricity it would reduce that need. Many people would love to install solar panels or wind mills to sup- plement their electricity and reduce power bills. Every time someone did that it would mean less draw from the grid and a reduc- tion of need for central generating capacity. An ambitious few would generate a surplus that would be sent into the system further reducing the need for expensive capacity. Change like that could happen in a decade if incentives were put in place. Governments typically think big in pur- suit of economic development. That is the wrong approach in the North. Building com- munity-based economies is the way. Foster food and electricity independence to bring down the cost of living. Strong communi- ties are then better able to take advantage and minimize impacts if resource develop- ments do come along. Editor I enjoyed reading your article featuring Bob Bromley who provided a very deep and balanced view about the current process through which ITI is trying to release its draft fracking regulations without previous public consultation and refusing to discuss whether fracking in NWT should or should not go ahead to ITI it is already a done deal. I hope to see more balanced views like this in your paper in the future. You have just gained a new reader Jenn Broadbridge Yellowknife Bromley provides balanced view of fracking By AHS HEALTH PROMOTION Immunization Awareness Week April 25 to May 2 is an excellent reminder that immu- nization remains one of the safest and most effective methods to decrease the risk of ill- ness for you and your family. As recently as the early 1900s the major- ity of deaths in Canada were due to an infec- tious disease. Today less than ve per cent of deathsareduetovaccine-preventablediseases thanks to modern immunization programs. Unfortunately some diseases are making a comeback in part due to low immunization coverage rates. In the past year there was a measles outbreak in Quebec after unimmu- nized travelers brought back the disease with them. Measles was spread to vacationers at Disneyland in part due to the low rates of im- munizationamongvisitors. In2013outbreaks occurred in southern and central Alberta also brought back by unimmunized travelers. In the past decade we have also seen outbreaks of mumps across Canada with Alberta being a hot spot. In this outbreak one of the original cases was an unimmunized traveler. By following Albertas recommended im- munization schedule we can enjoy low levels of vaccine-preventable disease and prevent those diseases from visiting Alberta. All parents are encouraged to ensure their children are immunized on time. Immuniza- tion begins at two months of age and contin- ues throughout your life. It is also important that parents protect themselves and ensure their own immunizations are up to date. If you plan to travel outside of Canada it is rec- ommended you contact Public Health so they provide information and immunization to help lower your risks of becoming sick abroad. Immunization is safe and works by expos- ing a person to a dead or weakened germ. The immune system responds as if an infec- tion is occurring and creates protective cells and antibodies. It is this response from the immune system that helps prevent disease if a person is exposed to the full-strength germ later on. ImmunizationsareavailabletoallAlbertans through their local public health centres. Im- munizations that are routinely recommended for infants children and adults are available without any out-of-pocket cost. Babies children and adults deserve the healthiest life possible. Let us work with you in keeping you healthy by protecting you and yourchildrenfromdiseaseusingimmunization. More information on immunization can be found at www.immunizealberta.ca. More on how to access immunization ser- vices can be found at www.albertahealth- services.ca contacting Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-LINK 5465 or by calling your local public health centre. Editors note Residents of the NWT can get information on immunizations at their local health centre at www.hss.gov.nt.ca or by calling the Ofce of the Chief Public Health Ofcer at 867 920-8646. This is Immunization Awareness Week PhotoDaliCarmichael The crackling echo of ice breaking up on the Hay River is a mixed blessing for local residents. Though it is a welcome sign of spring those who make their homes on its shores are on alert for signs of ooding. So far there have been no indications of ooding this year. Tuesday April 28 2015 5 COLUMNS 15 Years Ago... Simpson dumps NTPC Fort Simpson has awarded the contract for its com- munity power generation to Jupiter Power of Calgary a job that has been done by the NWT Power Corp. for decades. The village council passed the motion at its meeting last Monday evening. Issue April 25 2000 20 Years Ago... Heritage Canada restructuring management A reorganization of Heritage Canadas management will mean the eradication of several Parks Canada of- ces across the North in the coming weeks. Under the new organization plan for Heritage Canada in the NWT Ken East director of the region will be stationed in Yel- lowknife along with a program coordinator for tourism and cost recovery fees. Issue April 26 1995 30 Years Ago... Interprovincial Pipeline project reviewed A meeting of the NWT government to identify the so- cial environmental and economic issues of the Inter- provincial Pipeline IPL project in the North was held April 17 and 18 in Yellowknife. The meeting was also an assessment of the governments performance in the IPL project says Darryl Bohnet chairman of the meeting and territorial co-ordinator for the IPL project. Issue April 25 1985 ARCHIVES Northern Journal 2015 Join us online Like Northern Journal on Facebook and get the weekly news delivered to your feed FACEBOOK FEEDBACK As Fort Smiths unofcial ambassador or at least biggest fan Richard Van Camp never returns to his hometown without bringing a few gifts for his friends family and elders. Van Camp visit lled with gifts and surprises Patricia Sepp Shanna Schaefer Jonathan Bird Roger Vcw Teri Van Limbeek Sandra Wilson Shari Ol- sen Mary Summers Sandi Beamish Dannell Johnston and MaryKei Fournier like this. Folk on the Rocks announces 2015 lineup Duane Randhile likes this. By DAWN KOSTELNIK How do these people set snares with no trees My new school sits on top of one of the many rounded rock hills that form slight denitions in the endless miles that make up our backyard. Our house is sitting on some type of pil- lar off the ground. Weird one side of the house is wrapped andbankedinsnowtheother side is barren and rocky. Black is the contrast in the never-ending white. Further up past the school I can see many boxy houses there is not a lot of colour from where Istand.Roundedrocksonthe hills have been swept clean of snow and show faces of black smooth stone. Even the snow is strange. I can walk anywhere that I like and not sink up to my knees. Snowshoes would be useless here. Snow banks and the snow in general are hard andwindswept.TheBombar- dier with all of its weight barely dents the surface of the snow. Blocks of snow are carved easily with a long knife and stacked to create porches in front of doorways that act as Arctic entries to keep snow and wind out of houses. These porches also allow you to dig your way out if you are buried after a whiteout. You can break through a snow porch and get out. People begin to arrive up to welcome us. Everyone shakes hands and smiles lots I am nervous who can smile that much My red In- dian parkie creates a stir and a crowd of young girls forms around me. There is much touching and patting of my red stroud parkie. They trace the embroidered ow- ers with many ngers and I am not liking this. OwWhatwasthat Again I feel the sting. It feels like a really bad bee sting. I look into the faces that are way too close to my face there is no change in any of the ex- pressions that are up close and too personal. Again the bee bites I dont inch this time. Again they bite and again. I stare right back so this is how it will be. The strange sounding chat- ter dies down and the girls begin to back away. I cant understand what they are saying but I know that the next few months are going to be rough ones. When I un- dress that night I have little black bruises covering my arms and legs where I have been pinched. P.S. How can a Northern story be told without hav- ing a discussion about honey bucketsOuthousescouldnot be dug this far north in the permafrost if you could nd dirt as the rock is obviously too hard. So hail the bucket While under construction the year before last the Cap- tain installed an indoor toilet for me on Valentines Daydo you remember what you got on Valentines Day two years ago It was a cold year that year I was very happy and I remember it still. www.thewhitegirl.ca White Girl The Edge of the World Sober thoughts Waking up from our stupor By CARIBOU LEGS What is a sober thought A sobering thought wakes you up and gets your attention quickly. In other words it is a thought that has a big or surprising impact on some- thing you had not thought of before or puts something in a completely different light. A good example of a sober- ing thought is the needless violence towards women. A sobering thought is cuts to education housing and mental health programs. Sobering thoughts are all around us. We dont have to walk far to recognize a so- bering thought. When we sober up from drinking or drugging that is like saying we are coming to our senses and waking up from our stu- por. It forces you to take ac- tion and seize the moment in a good way. It forces us to re-invent ourselves and change our beliefs. It forces us to look into diversity and seek better outcomes. I recently was levelled with a sobering thought What if I became seriously ill or plagued with an injury that took away my running for good Thats sobering. As a result I learned to be more careful avoid stressful think- ing when Im running a race or even just training because Im prone to act in a careless manner when Im running dangerously close to the edge ofcliffshighwaysandpeople. In running marathons I tend toswerveinandoutofhuman trafc. Theres a mass start at the race and Im eager to get away fast and break free of the log jam in the early stages of a marathon. I dont need injury or to injure oth- ers when running Its about managingpersonal boundar- ies. Im grateful for the bless- ings of physical activity eat- ing healthy and getting fresh air experiences. In life much like the same asrunningamarathonIhave to be mindful of not running interference with people places and things. I have to respecttheboundariesofoth- ers regardless of race creed or sexual identication. Its a sobering thought to be mind- ful of others as we walk our lifes course and journey for celebration. Sometimes we find ourselves running in place struggling to get ahead simply because we forget to address some of the simple truths that govern our po- tential to make progress. A sobering thought without ac- tion is worth nothing. I was following the wrong people and was misinformed and misguided along the way. Their goals became my goals. I learned what stalled me fromprogresswhichis going outside and enjoying the great outdoors. Procrastina- tion. I put off my routines by watching too much TV. I am clearly addicted to the com- puter screen as well. I was getting programmed by un- natural devices in place of natural things like the wind air sun rain trees and ani- mals. Today I seek a healthy balanceofindoorandoutdoor activities. These sobered me up and awakened my spirit to live in a good way. Takingactionandchoosing better situations for myself seems to sober me up from being motionless. It moti- vates me to get off the couch and express my true inward identity the ways of my an- cestors. A peaceful way of life without the drama of todays hustle bustle and bling bling. Caribou Legs is a Gwichin ultra-marathon runner who teaches youth about addic- tionandmentalhealthissues. 6 Tuesday April 28 2015 POLITICS FINANCE Spring on the land Thinking about heading out on the land to enjoy the spring weather or to go on a hunt In springtime there is an increased risk of becoming stranded or injured due to changing weather and ice conditions. Everyone should take precautions to ensure personal safety on the land. Bring an emergency kit check weather and ice conditions and always tell someone where youre going and when you will be back. Emergency preparedness is everyones responsibility. Be prepared. For more information on emergency preparedness visit www.maca.gov.nt.ca. No new projects yet on the books premier says Regular planning process to decide use of new available funds Continued from page 1. According to the territorys own Fiscal Responsibility Policy at least 50 per cent of money invested into capital infrastructure must come from the governments operat- ing surplus. The 2015 territorial budget pro- jected an operating surplus of 147 million but revenue growth is expected to slow to a standstill over the next ve years while ex- penses continue to rise. The GNWT will need to develop a scal strategy that aligns government expenditures to actual revenues Finance deputy minis- ter Mike Aumond told The Journal. This is the path the current government has taken and future governments will need to con- tinue to take. The GNWT has also tried to keep a 100-million cushion between its debt and the borrowing limit - something it had to cut into last year due to the costs of climate change on re management and hydro power. That cushion is likely going to have to grow along with the new borrowing limit Milten- berger said but just how large it will become has yet to be determined. Money not yet earmarked McLeod said the new available funds will certainly not be spent on day-to-day opera- tions nor will they be accessed in the near future. The government of the Northwest Terri- tories does not have this money earmarked for any new projects already but it will im- prove our ability to plan going forward he said. Both McLeod and Miltenberger said infrastructure that lowers the cost of energy and assists in resource development projects are considered priorities. Among the possibilities is an all-weather road to MacKay Lake 250 km northeast of Yellowknife where diamond mining com- panies currently invest 22 million a year to build an ice road along with renewable energy technologies that will help bring down diesel usage in thermal communities and Yellowknife. Decisions on new investments will be made through normal planning processes with MLAs and other stakeholders. This is the second time the 17th Assembly has managed to raise the federal borrow- ing limit for the GNWT. The limit was rst raised from 575 million to 800 million in March 2012. McLeod credits the territorys prudent scal management for the successful ne- gotiations with Canada which began in late 2013 with former federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. The Nunavut government also received word of a raised borrowing limit in the budget from 400 million to a new cap of 650 million. Both increases will be final- ized upon Governor in Council approval in Ottawa. PhotocourtesyofPrimeMinistersOfce 2015 Federal Budget Highlights The North 34millionoverveyearsstartingin201516tocontinuesupportingmeteorological and navigational warning services in the Arctic. 30.8 million over ve years starting in 201516 for measures to enhance the safety of marine transportation in the Arctic and further strengthen marine incident prevention preparedness and response in waters south of the 60th parallel. 5.7 million over ve years to help secure new market access for Canadian seal products including establishing a system to certify seal products resulting from traditional hunts from Aboriginal communities. Natural Resources Extending the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit until March 31 2016. 80 million over ve years starting in 201516 to the National Energy Board for safety and environmental protection and greater engagement with Canadians. This funding will be fully cost-recovered from industry. 22 million over ve years starting in 201516 to Natural Resources Canada to renew the Targeted Geoscience Initiative. 23 million over ve years starting in 201516 from Natural Resources Canada to stimulate the technological innovation needed to separate and develop rare earth elements and chromite. 86 million over two years starting in 201617 to extend the Forest Innovation Program and the Expanding Market Opportunities Program Aboriginal Canadians 200 million over ve years starting in 201516 to improve First Nations education. 12 million over three years to Indspire to provide post-secondary scholarships and bursaries for First Nations and Inuit students. 2 million per year ongoing for mental wellness teams in First Nations communities. 248.5 million over ve years in Aboriginal labour market programming. 33.2millionoverfouryearsstartingin201617tosupporttheSurveysonAboriginal People. The Surveys on Aboriginal People collect socio-economic and demographic information on the Aboriginal population both on and off reserve. NWT Premier Bob McLeod left credits successful meetings with Prime Minister Stephen Harper for the increased borrowing room. Tuesday April 28 2015 7 POLITICS INTERNATIONAL Visit Diggerz Powersports online at www.diggerz.ca 2 Aspen Road Hay River NT X0E 0P0 867 874-3224 OUR BIGGEST SALE TO DATE HUGE SAVINGSALL WINTER CLOTHING IS 35 OFF NEW NON-CURRENT SIDE BY SIDES STARTING AT 8999 THATS 4500 OFF MSRP NEW NON-CURRENT FULL SIZE ATVS STARTING AT 5499 THATS 3500 OFF MSRP ALL WITH FULL WARRANTY SPRING INTO SAVINGS U.S. Consul predicts increased American interest in NWT Diplomat makes nal tour of the territory to cap off three-year term By MEAGAN WOHLBERG Last weeks tour of the Northwest Territo- ries will be the nal one for Peter Kujawinski as U.S. Consul General but denitely not the last time the diplomat will venture North of 60 to take in more of the sights. The U.S. representative for Alberta Sas- katchewan and the Northwest Territories is nishing his term this August and spent last week touching base one last time in the terri- tory where he met with political leaders and took in an array of cultural experiences. AfterthreeyearsintheroleKujawinskisaidhe canseeeconomicdevelopmentpossibilitiesare openingupfortheNorthandwiththemoppor- tunities for more co-operation with the States. The long-term trends here in terms of increased economic activity are only going in one direction and thats up he told The Journal from Yellowknife last week where he met with the premier several ministers and the NWT Commissioner along with First Nations and community leaders. Theressomuchpotentialhereanditsanop- portunitynotonlyforAmericanbusinesses...but Imprettyconvincedthattheamountofinterac- tions that the Northwest Territories is going to havewithAmericansnotonlytouristsbutalso thegovernmentisgoingtoincreasebecauseof theverycommonintereststhatwehavehesaid. Kujawinski expects much of that develop- ment will be tied to advancements in critical infrastructurenotingthepotentialsofferedby theInuviktoTuktoyaktukhighway.Theconsul gottoseeconstructionontheroadwayrsthand withavisittoInuvikandTuktoyaktuklastweek and remarked on the magnitude of the project. Its going to be the rst all-weather road reaching the Arctic Ocean in all of Canada but toacertainextentitsalsoallofNorthAmerica because in Alaska we do have a very old basic roadthatreachestheArcticbutthisoneisgoing tobetherstthathasservicesthatanordinary touristcanreachwhichisjustabsolutelyfasci- natinghesaid.Especiallyforpeoplewhowant to check the Arctic Ocean off their bucket list this Inuvik-Tuk highway is going to be a really big deal for American tourists. I would not be surprised to see a lot of Americans. Further changes to the seasonal Arctic sea ice cover that is decreasing through climate change also offer economic opportunities he said whether those be to cruise ships or vessels related to shipping. Just to hear that they would love a deepwa- ter port in Tuk I think that thats very much a long-term desire of theirs and its interesting to see how theyre preparing for what many people consider - both in the States and in Canada - to be a denite increase of activity in the Arctic he said. Kujawinski highlighted many interests and issues shared by Alaska and Canadas North whether they be health outcomes for isolated communitieshighenergycostsinfrastructure decitsorjointactivitywhenitcomestoevery- thingfromArcticsearchandrescuetosea-oor mapping.Itsthoseopportunitiesforseamless co-operation that Kujawinski said the U.S. is hopingtoaddressduringitstermaschairofthe Arctic Council over the next two years. Increasingourjointactivityandourco-oper- ationwhenitcomestotheCoastGuardandlots ofotherthingswillonlybeforthebetterhesaid. During his latest travels to the NWT Ku- jawinski also met with several sports repre- sentatives to talk about the possibility of a high-prole American soccer player making a visit North in June. Though his next visit will be unofcial Kujawinski said he intends to continue pro- moting productive relationships between his home country and Canadas North especially when it comes to industry and tourism. When I come here Im just struck by how beautiful this place is and when I leave I can denitely promise that Im going to come back - probably more as a private citizen than as an ofcial - but its been a great experience. Im going to be a tourist promoter for Yellowknife. U.S. Consul General Peter Kujawinski left goes dog sledding with NWT Commissioner George Tuccaro while in Yellowknife last weekend. PhotocourtesyofU.S.ConsulateGeneral-Calgary 8 Tuesday April 28 2015 INDUSTRY OIL GAS Smiths Landing First Nation P.O. Box 1470 Fort Smith NT X0E0P0 Ph 867 872-4950 Fax 867 872-5154 Wishing you many more successes in the future. Congratulations Thebacha Graduates Smiths Landing First Nation Thebacha Business Development Services 68 Portage Ave. Fort Smith . 867-872-2795 . www.thebacha .ca Celebrating Aurora College Graduation To learn about small business loans entrepreneurial support and training and the business service centre contact TBDS. Cant find a job Create your own Come see us about our youth 18-34 Small Business Program. Best Wishes to the Aurora College Graduating Class of 2015 By MEAGAN WOHLBERG Creating new regulations for hydraulic frac- turing or fracking in the Northwest Territo- ries is putting the cart before the horse when it comes to the Dehcho region First Nations leaders said last week in Fort Simpson. Representatives of the Dehcho First Na- tions DFN voiced a resounding no to the GNWT panel that visited Fort Simpson last Tuesday to engage the public on new rules for oil and gas companies wanting to conduct horizontal fracking in the territory. DFN will not allow or consent to hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas reserves in Dehcho traditional territory reads the First Na- tions statement to the panel. We consider the proposed GNWT regulations illegitimate and improper. We expect you to take no for an answer. DFN Grand Chief Herb Norwegian couldnt be present at the meeting due to ongoing land claim negotiations with the GNWT in Yellowknife but sent resource management coordinator Dahti Tsetso with the statement outlining DFNs position. According to the chief the new rules are a violation of the existing Interim Measures Agreement IMA for the region that is still negotiating its land claim. In the IMA the Crown must conrm explicit support or non- support from the First Nations for oil and gas issuances on Dehcho territory. Jurisdiction over oil and gas developments of any kind - including fracking - is still un- resolved between DFN and the Crown under the Dehcho Process the statement reads. The GNWTs move to bring forward new terms and conditions for oil and gas explora- tion by introducing new fracking regulations without the support of affected DFNs is not permitted under the terms of the IMA. The statement also outlines concerns DFN has with the possible environmental impacts from fracking including air pollution sur- face and groundwater contamination and impacts on ecosystems. Industry Tourism and Investment Minis- ter Dave Ramsay said there have been no oil and gas issuances in the Dehcho and there- fore the IMA has been respected. Thegovernmenthasnotinitiatedanoiland gas exploration issuance cycle in the Dehcho at this time he said in a written response to The Journal. Should one occur in the future it will be conducted according to established legislation regulating development in the Mackenzie Valley and commitments set out in agreements with Aboriginal governments. Ramsay added that the regulations are consistent with the GNWTs commitment to strengthen existing rules handed over to the territory through devolution. This is not the rst time the Dehcho has said no to fracking. In 2013 the Liidlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson passed a reso- lution calling for a moratorium on fracking until further research could be conducted on impacts to the land water and human health and until there were proper regulatory re- quirements and safeguards in place for the unconventional drilling process to proceed. The GNWT panel has been touring com- munities throughout the territory since Apr. 9 stopping in Inuvik Fort Good Hope Tu- lita and Norman Wells before heading to Fort Simpson and Nahanni Butte. Further public meetings will be held in Fort Liard Hay River Fort Smith and Yellowknife with dates to be determined. The draft regulations will be available for comment for 90 days or until the end of June. Theycanbefoundonlineatwww.iti.gov.nt.ca. Dehcho First Nations reject new NWT fracking rules PhotoJimAntoineTwitter Residents of Fort Simpson take part in a public meeting on the NWTs newly proposed regulations for hydraulic fracturing hosted by a panel from Industry Tourism and Investment. Tuesday April 28 2015 9 POLITICS MUNICIPAL Congratulations on your hard work and achievements With all good wishes for a very happy and successful future in your chosen fieldsyour chosen fields George Tuccaro Commissioner of the NWT AURORA COLLEGE CLASS OF 2015 The South Slave Divisional Education Council would like to congratulate all the Aurora College graduates on their achievement and wish them the best as they pursue their careers. The South Slave Divisional Education Council would like to congratulate all the Aurora College graduates on their achievement and wish them the best as they pursue their careers. www.facebook.comSouthSlaveDECwww.facebook.comSouthSlaveDEC Creating Futures Fort Smith is proud to be part of the education centre of the NWT. The Town of Fort Smith Congratulates the Aurora College Graduating Class of 2015 Good luck to all of you By MEAGAN WOHLBERG A bitter labour dispute in Hay River could come to an end this week if town council agrees to the unions proposal for binding third-party arbitration to solve the strike thats kept residents locked out of their rec- reational facilities for 10 weeks. Union representatives contacted the Town of Hay River on Thursday expressing their desire to approach a neutral third party to decide on a nal agreement for the more than 30 employees who have been picket- ing since Feb. 6. Third party arbitration will allow workers to return to work as soon as possible remove Union asks for third-party arbitration to end Hay River strike all pressures from the community and begin to rebuild a harmonious relationship between the town and its employees stated the letter addressed to Mayor Andrew Cassidy. Towncouncilwassettodiscusstheproposal during an in-camera session Monday evening after press time for this issue of The Journal. If the town agrees to enter the process the arbitrator will then set the terms of a new three-year collective agreement for the work- ers. Whatever decision is reached through the arbitration process will be binding for both parties. The town says it wants an end to the strike so do we and this is the sure way to do it Union of Northern Workers president Todd Parsons said in a press release Thursday af- ternoon. The only outstanding issues are the wage increase and applying that increase to the housing allowance. Lets have an arbitra- tor settle that. A third attempt at negotiations failed last Monday after the town rejected the unions nal offer which asked for a 2 per cent an- nual wage increase over three years plus a 500 signing bonus to each employee. The town had come up to a 1.5 per cent annual salary bump for the workers earlier that morning when Cassidy said they were handed the unions bottom line. According to the union tensions had risen afterworkersheardthatthreepositionsmaybe cut following the strike. Neither the town nor unionwouldconrmanypositionswillbeletgo. Since the strike began the town has stuck to its original offer of a 1 per cent annual in- crease while workers had been asking for a 2.5 per cent raise in the rst year followed by a 2.25 per cent raise over the last two years of the three-year contract plus additions to their travel and housing allowances. The strike kept recreational facilities closed all winter cancelling hockey gure skating and some curling events and has impacted the rst half of swim season. PhotoscourtesyofPSAC-North Striking workers burn a letter from the town asking them to end the strike and come back to work after talks failed for a second time in March. Approximately 30 municipal employees in Hay River have been on strike since Feb. 6. 10 Tuesday April 28 2015 CONGRAT THEBACHA CAMPU Alice Mawdsley of Fort Smith accepts her Social Work diploma from Aurora College president Jane Arychuk right and board governor Sydney OSullivan. Heather Burch of Ottawa beams with her new Bachelo of Education degree. Destiny Martin of Fort Smith receives a load of owers celebrating the completion of her Business Administration certicate. Theresa Kakfwi of Colville Lake shows off the traditional stole she beaded to celebrate getting her Bachelor of Education. A total of 37 students in the schools of Arts Science Business Leadership Education and Health Human Services celebrated their convocation at Aurora Colleges Thebacha Cam EDUCATION AURORA COLLEGE GRAD Tuesday April 28 2015 11 ULATIONS US GRADS OF 2015 Dvonne Desjarlais of Fort Smith is hugged by her mom Meika McDonald after receiving her Business Administration diploma. Ofce Administration certicate graduates Myra Sanguez left Stephanie Pandke and Savannah Fortier gather for a grad sele. Lee Mandeville of Yellowknife celebrates the completion of his two-year Environment and Natural Resources Technology diploma. or Janelle Beck of Hay River is joined by her family to celebrate her certicate in Ofce Administration. mpus last Friday afternoon in Fort Smith. PhotosPaulBannister 12 Tuesday April 28 2015 EDUCATION AURORA COLLEGE GRAD CONGRATULATIONS Aurora College Graduates 2015 Wallys Drugs Pharmacy . Souvenirs . Magazines . Newspapers Toys . Cards . Stationery . Lottery Ticket Centre Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday CLOSED 867-872-2134 We wish you all the best in your future endeavours Students always save 10 on Groceries Hardware and Dry goods Excludes tobacco products. A valid student ID must be presented. Kaesers Stores Ltd. 76-80 Breynat St. Fort Smith NT 867-872-2345 Kaesers supports AURORA COLLEGE throughout the year. on Groceries Hardware and Dry goodson Groceries Hardware and Dry goods CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES By DALI CARMICHAEL Aurora College students in Fort Smith proudly donned their mortarboards and long gowns last week as they attended this years convocation ceremony at Thebacha campus. After years of dedication and hard work 37 graduates received their degrees and di- plomas in the schools of Education Business and Leadership Arts and Science and Health and Human Services on Apr. 24. Friends families and loved ones looked on asGeorgeTuccaroCommissioneroftheNWT and Education Culture and Employment MinisterJacksonLaffertyaddressedthecrowd with well wishes for the students before hand- ing out diplomas. KeynotespeakerJessicaCarrieranalumnaof theSocialWorkdiplomaprogramencouraged the students to nd their own pathways to suc- cess. Coming from Carrier the sentiment was unsurprising over the last three decades she has helped countless others achieve their own personal and professional goals. ThisyearsBoardofGovernorsBOGawards were also announced during the ceremony. First-yearBachelorofEducationstudentKaren Lepine-McFeeters who sits on the BOG as the studentrepresentativewasgrantedtheStudent Leadershipaward.TheInnovationandCollege Improvement award was given to Sarah Roso- len manager of the South Slave Research Cen- tre. The Service Quality award went to Chris Westwell an information technology analyst with the school. Pearl Bird received an honou- rary certicate in Adult Education for her ded- ication to her role as the Aboriginal Skills and EmploymentTrainingStrategycoordinatorfor the NWT Mtis Nation. Allison McArthur a Bachelor of Education graduate took home the Town of Fort Smith award as well as her teaching degree. She was alsonamedStudentAssociationStudentofthe Year along with newly-certied ofce admin- istrator Stefanie Pandke. ENRTP grad Tyanna Steinwand made her home town of Behchoko proud as this years valedictorian. The event marked the rst convocation cel- ebration of Auroras three campuses. Students attheYellowknifeNorthSlavecampuswillhave theirceremonyonMay2whileAuroracampus inInuvikwillholditsgraduationeventonMay8. Hard work rewarded at Aurora College Thebacha grad PhotosPaulBannister BEd. graduate Allison McArthur is given the Town of Fort Smith award and one of two Student of the Year awards. Certied ofce administrator Stephanie Pandke shares the honour of taking home a Student Association Student of the Year award. ENRTP grad Tyanna Steinwand of Behchoko took to the stage as this years valedictorian. Aurora College president Jane Arychuk Education Minister Jackson Lafferty and NWT Commissioner George Tuccaro join the convocation celebrations. Tuesday April 28 2015 13 EDUCATION AURORA COLLEGE GRAD 1-877-872-2216 Education is the key to unlocking your potential Congratulations to all of the Aurora College Graduates Visit our website www.nwal.ca Tel 867 872-2216 Fax 867 872-2214 For Charter Reservations Call toll-free 1-877-872-2216 email chartersnwal.ca Congratulations Graduates We are confident that you will continue to succeed in life. Keep up the good work 872-2489 195 McDougal Rd. Fort Smith Visit hrblock.ca for an office near you and get Instant Cash Back today. HR BLOCK www.hrblock.ca By DALI CARMICHAEL As Theresa Kakw accepted her Bachelor of Education BEd. degree at last weeks gradua- tion ceremony in Fort Smith she incorporated her culture into her robe woven into a V-stole personalized with her own beaded designs. For the rst time Aurora Colleges Theba- cha campus invited its graduating students to sew their own stoles to wear at convoca- tion adding a traditional element to a mod- ern-day milestone. Completing my education is a big step for me said Kakw who calls the small hamlet of Colville Lake home. The stoles look nice and its part of our tradition to make stuff for ourselves especially for big celebrations. This is something that I can contribute to celebrate my own success. About 12 students took advantage of the new beading project which is set to become an annual tradition available to any graduate who shows interest. Each stole is decorated to match the individual students identity. I wanted to have a little piece of home with me because its so far away said Priscilla Ha- ogak another BEd. graduate who hails from the far North. Sachs Harbour is the furthest northern community in the NWT and Im studying in the most southern community in the NWT. My heart is at home Ive had a lot of community support from home. Basic stroud beads and threads were pro- vided for the students who were also welcome toincorporatetheirownsuppliesintothepiece. Instead of beads I chose to do seal skin with seal skin inlays Haogak said noting she received the black and white fur from her mother and from teachers at the college. IwasneverareallygoodbeadersoIjustg- uredthesealskinwouldsuitmystylealittlebit better.Mystolehasmylastnameonititwasmy grandfatherstraditionalInuvialuktunnameso that has a lot of signicance. Not a lot of people in my family have gotten their education so I justwantedtohelpcelebratethatwithmyfam- ilyshesaid.Italsohaspolarbearsandulusto represent the people that are closest to me and helpedmecomethisfarbecauseitsbeenalong hardjourney.Onthebackofthestolethereisthe Banks Island and I put a little bead at the bot- tom the southern tip of it to represent Sachs. Like the rest of their peers the sewers had to make time for the project within their busy schedulesoftentakingmomentsbetweenhome- work classes employment and family time to sew a few stitches. They were welcome to sew in weekly beading circles held at the school or to take their pieces home to work in solitude. IstartedmineinJanuarysaidJoanneFran- cisanotherBEd.studentfromFortMcPherson. Withallthehomeworkandstudyingandevery- thingIcompleteditaweekbeforeconvocation. Francis with the help of her sister-in-law carefully pieced together her project bit by bit. Everything on my stole represents some- thing she said. I have the mortarboard hat and the diploma. I have eight owers and each owerhasarepresentationofsomething.Theres seven of us from the Beaufort Delta who will obtain a diploma each ower represents one of them. Theres an extra ower to represent everybody that supported me. More than just a decoration to wear at the ceremony the stoles are keepsakes that serve to remind the students of how much they can accomplishwhentheysettheirmindsonagoal. Its traditional it ties in with our education and each one of us I think has something that is represented from home Francis said. Were not all from Fort Smith so it was nice to have something close to us. Grads weave tradition into convocation with beaded stoles PhotoPaulBannister Aurora Colleges graduating class of 2015 was invited to create their own stoles for convocation. The sewers include Erma Baton left April Alexis Joanne Francis Kristen Froese Allison McArthur Larissa Lusty Theresa Kakw Olive Pascal Priscilla Haogak and Destiny Martin. PWK drama students produce coming-of-age play 14 Tuesday April 28 2015 ARTS CULTURE THEATRE By DALI CARMICHAEL High schoolers no matter which crowd they run with - be it the nerds the plastics the alternatives or the jocks - they are all just looking for a way to fit in and be accepted for who they are. That was the theme at the heart of Nor- mal a smart and multifaceted play written and produced by PWK high school drama students in Fort Smith which had its debut last weekend. In the same vein as modern coming-of-age stories like Mean Girls Freaks and Geeks and The Breakfast Club Normal intertwines the lives of several students at a moment in time when they are each facing their own set of unique challenges. Ultimately they real- ize there isnt really such a thing as being normal because everyone has their own cross to bear. The production started out as an assign- ment for the Grade 10 and 11 drama classes said Kelsey Smith the teacher who facili- tated and directed the play with her hus- band Sean Smith. The students had an idea of breaking down high school stereotypes she said. To confront and address those stereotypes she wanted her class to dig deep into their own experi- ences. I asked students to write something they could speak honestly about. They came back with their own monologues and scenes and from January up until a week before the performance each piece was put together to create Normal. The plot focuses mostly around three main characters John the new guy in town played by Daniel Wiltzen with a crush on the prettiest girl in school Allie the love interest secretly battling a sub- stance abuse problem in the wake of her recent transition to a foster home personi- fied by Isabella Bourque and Tyler an out gay teen who is mercilessly bullied by his peers until he takes his own life played by Shawn Tourangeau. Text message conversations read aloud by the characters - complete with abbrevi- ated txt talk and emojis - serve as smooth transitions between scenes and distinctly set the story in contemporary times. The device provides many opportunities for comic re- lief though it also illuminates the pervasive and inescapable nature of modern bullying a phenomenon where kids are harassed at all hours in their homes through cell phone and internet interactions. Overall Normal tackles some dark mate- rial. A monologue by Allie explains her ten- dency to drink away her pain. A spoken-word delivery of Tylers suicide note paints him as a martyr for other gay and bullied teens and pleads for youth to be more accepting of their peers differences. However the writers said they were only trying to reflect the realities some students face. I hope it was believable because thats what the life of a teenager is Bourque said. Sometimes people forget issues are happen- ing so we wanted to draw attention to them. The students enjoyed the overall experi- ence of highlighting issues that matter to them and many look forward to creating their own play again next year. It was awesome to put it all together. It was pretty difficult not only to write the story but to intertwine those characters Wiltzen said as he reflected on the performance. Its hard for people to fit in. Being welcoming is the first step to solving the biggest problem of all bullying. It was a lot of work but it was still amaz- ing and so worth it Tourangeau said giv- ing praise to the Smiths for their help and dedication as directors. I wanted to high- light teenage suicide because its real and it happens everywhere. Its not a thing thats talked about enough. PhotosDaliCarmichael Grade 10 and 11 students from PWK High School wrote produced and preformed their own school play this year. Like any good coming of age story Normal confronts teenage struggles. Shawn Tourangeau plays Tyler a gay teen constantly harassed by bullies until he takes his own life. Tourangeau wants to draw attention to the issue of teenage suicide to help prevent it. John the new kid acted by Daniel Wiltzen front gets picked on by bullies played by Riley Mandeville-Hessdorfer left Ian Gauthier and Anthony Vermillion. Students build condence at NWT Skills Competition Tuesday April 28 2015 15 EDUCATION TRADES By DALI CARMICHAEL Some of the territorys young builders cooks and stylists traveled to Yellowknife last week where they had the opportunity to explore career options in the trades and demonstrate their existing abilities. Justunder100studentsfromtheNWTand one from Nunavut competed in the 17th Ter- ritorial Skills Competition an annual event hosted by Skills Canada NWT on Apr. 21. ThecompetitionwentwellsaidJanFullerton executive Director of Skills Canada NWT. We had81registeredcompetitorswhichisthehigh- estnumberthatwevehadsinceNunavutsepa- ratedfromSkillsCanadaNWTin2005toform its own organization Skills Canada Nunavut. Our numbers were solid in most contests although were still working to increase par- ticipation in a few contests that are newer and where there are fewer registered apprentices in the NWT such as cabinet-making and millwright Fullerton said. Some 875 students from secondary schools across the NWT also toured through a simul- taneous Career Expo where 19 exhibitors had their trades on display thanks to contri- butions from the department of Education Culture and Employment ECE. Fromautoservicetoweldingvideoproduc- tion to esthetics baking to sewing youth were exposed to a wide variety of potential career paths.Forthoselivinginsmallcommunitiesit might have been therst time they were made aware of the existence of certain careers. A relatively new component added to the expooverthelastfewyearsgaveyouthachance to truly experience different lines of work. One of the activities that weve been in- cluding in our Territorial Skills Competition and ECE-sponsored Career Expo are try-a- trade stations Fullerton said. These are interactive stations where students visiting the event can try things hands-on. Someoftheactivitiesincludedcomputersim- ulations of the more dangerous elds like min- ingweldingheavyequipmentoperationandre suppression. Others provided a taste of the real deallikemakinggrapecaterpillarsatthecook- ingstationgivingmini-manicuresatasmallsalon andsplicingwireswithprofessionalelectricians. The youth-driven conference was estab- lished to offer expanded work opportunities to new generations but also to help them build condence and experience personal growth as they challenge themselves to learn in a new environment Fullerton said. It also allowed young Northerners work- ing and studying the same trade to network with peers and future employers. Its Fullertons hope that students walked away from the event understanding that col- lege and apprenticeships are viable career options and that university and academia are not the only routes to success. Its not primarily an instructional envi- ronment but there is usually still learning involved through trying new projects and tasks Fullerton said. Auto Service Secondary GOLD Morgan Stride Yellowknife Auto Service Post-Secondary GOLD Dalton Atwell Hay River Heavy Equipment Service Post Secondary GOLD Tony Liske Yellowknife SILVER Andrew Debogorski Yellowknife BRONZE Alex Chapple Yellowknife Small Powered Equipment Secondary GOLD Drake Snook Yellowknife SILVER Austin Kitekudlak Ulukhaktok BRONZE Jacob Klengenberg Ulukhaktok Welding Secondary GOLD Torin Dowe Yellowknife SILVER Bryan Coulson-Seaton Hay River BRONZE Jesse Mackie Hay River Welding Post Secondary GOLD Andr LeBlanc Hay River SILVER Trent Broome Yellowknife Electrical Post Secondary GOLD Garrett Simms Yellowknife SILVER Ivan Pelov Yellowknife BRONZE Leland Chinna Fort Good Hope Plumbing Post Secondary GOLD Jordan Bedingeld Yellowknife SILVER Stephen Ryan Yellowknife BRONZE Philip Goulet Yellowknife Cabinetmaking Post Secondary GOLD Robert Warren Yellowknife SILVER Graeme Chan Yellowknife Carpentry Secondary GOLD Sara Ibey Yellowknife SILVER Andrey Balasanyan Yellowknife BRONZE Joshua Roberts Yellowknife Carpentry Post Secondary GOLD John MacEachern Yellowknife SILVER Levi Jones Yellowknife Millwright Post Secondary GOLD John Paulette Yellowknife Graphic Design Secondary GOLD Lia Fabre-Dimsdale Fort Simpson SILVER Hannah Isaiah Fort Simpson BRONZEEthanMoreau-BetsakaFortSimpson TVVideo Production Secondary GOLD SimonVonAllmenRaelynnVonAllmen Yellowknife SILVER Madison JamesSavannah Lane Yellowknife BRONZE Thoriso MahlatsiMatt Hart Yellowknife Photography Secondary GOLD Amy Badgley Inuvik SILVER Natalja Westwood Ulukhaktok BRONZE Desiree Brown Yellowknife Hair styling Secondary GOLD Sophia Chalker Yellowknife SILVER Kristen Elias Inuvik BRONZE Treyleen Neyelle Yellowknife Sewing Cultural Secondary GOLD Janessa Blake Fort McPherson SILVER Maegan Klengenberg Ulukhaktok BRONZE Claudia Koe Fort McPherson Baking Secondary GOLD Anita Kolback Yellowknife SILVER Karis DeKwant Inuvik BRONZE Cynthia Simmons Yellowknife Cooking Secondary GOLD Katherine Cameron Yellowknife SILVER Mathew Tesselaar Yellowknife BRONZE Briant Kotchea Yellowknife Workplace safety Secondary GOLD Nathan Wilson Aklavik SILVER Ethan Hartley Aklavik BRONZE Dwight Stefansson Aklavik 2015 NWT Territorial Skills Competition Winners Yellowknifes Sara Ivey takes home the gold medal in the high school carpentry competition.Kyle Schaubroeck from Arviat Nunavut joins the territorial skills competition as a guest competitor in the small powered equipment category. PhotosTaraMarchiori Its not primarily an instructional environment but there is usually still learning involved through trying new projects and tasks. Jan Fullerton Skills Canada NWT Say it in 25 words or less for only 3.50 Extra words are 20 centseach.Businessclassifieds are 10 for 30 words and 25 centsforeach additionalword. E-mail your advertising to adsnorj.ca or fax it to 872-2754 or call 872-3000 ext. 26 FOR SALE FIREWOOD. Cus- tom cut sizes - split green dry bagged. Wood Gasification Outdoor wood boilers. Delivery from Fort Smith to Hay River Yellowknife. Contact Dave at 867 872-3435 or cell 872-0229 or email dhehnnorthwestel. net. UFN FORT SMITH CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING BLANKET CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Blanket advertising reaches all 122 weekly newspapers in Alberta and the NWT with a combined circulation of over a million readers. Call our Northern Journal sales desk at 867-872-3000ex.26fordetails. 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Coming Events FORT MACLEOD 70s Reunion. Sept. 11-1315. The grooviest party ever If you attended F. P. Walshebetween1969and1980 RegisterNowonFacebookFort Macleod70sReunionBox2496 Fort Macleod AB T0L 0Z0. Employment Opportunities GPRC Fairview Campus re- quiresHeavyEquipmentTechni- cian Instructors to commence August 15 2015. Visit our web- site at www.gprc.ab.cacareers for more information JOURNALISTSGraphicArtists Marketing and more. Albertas weekly newspapers are looking for people like you. Post your resumeonline.Free.Visit awna. comfor-job-seekers. MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION In-demand career Employers have work-at-home positions available.Getonlinetrainingyou need from an employer-trusted program. Visit CareerStep.ca MT or 1-855-768-3362 to start training for your work-at-home career today Equipment For Sale A-CHEAP lowest prices steel shipping containers. Used 20 40 Seacans insulated 40 HC DMG 2450. 1-866-528-7108 www.rtccontainer.com. 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Only 269. GSTbased on 25 words orless.CallthisnewspaperNOW fordetailsorcall1-800-282-6903 ext. 228. Travel GRIZZLY BEAR TOUR. Experi- ence a one day y and cruise adventureto KhutzeymateenBC thissummer.CalgaryandEdmon- ton departures. 1-866-460-1415 www.classiccanadiantours.com. EMPLOYMENT TENDERS AND LEGAL NOTICES Tuesday April 28 2015 17 WWW.NORJ.CA 6.8103 in x 6.3125 in EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The Town of Fort Smith has an opening for a one year term ClerkReceptionist. Reporting to the Director of Corporate Services the ClerkRecep- tionist acts as receptionist cashier processor of applications for various required licenses and other duties associated with the position. The ideal candidate will have excellent communica- tion and public relations skills computer experience and organizational skills. This role requires strong attention to detail and the ability to work under minimal supervision. Completion of Grade 12 and a minimum of 1 year related experience is required. Experience in a municipal setting would be an asset. Salary Benefits Salary is currently under review. The Town also provides a Northern Allowance of 7715.79 annually as well as a group benefits package. Closing Date May 1 2015 To view a job description please visit our website at httpwww.fortsmith.cacmsjobs. Qualified candidates are invited to forward their resume to Director of Corporate Services Town of Fort Smith Box 147 174 McDougal Road Fort Smith NT X0E 0P0 Fax 867 872-8401 Email receptionfortsmith.ca Town of Fort Smith ClerkReceptionist One Year Term 12345 12345 3 wide version 3.75 wide version 12345 12345 3 wide version 3.75 wide version Place your ad in this newspaper and province wide with a combined circulation of over 800000 for only... 995plus GSTHST Value Ad Network Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association toll free 1-800-282-6903 x228 email andreaawna.com or visit this community newspaper the most out of your advertising dollarssqueeze Place your ad in this newspaper and province wide with a combined circulation of over 800000 for only... 995plus GSTHST Value Ad Network Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association toll free 1-800-282-6903 x228 email andreaawna.com or visit this community newspaper the most out of your advertising dollarssqueeze Program-value-ad.indd 1 72511 1230 PM Biathletes spread encouragement to kids of the NWT 18 Tuesday April 28 2015 SPORTS RECREATION BIATHLON We look forward to continuing to support the Veterans Seniors and Youth of Fort Smith in the future. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 239 was pleased to make the following donations in 2014 Total Donations in 2014....................10679030 Anna Gervais AWG - Soccer................................................................................640.00 Connor Steed AWG - Hockey ...........................................................................1000.00 Kim Bennett Trek for Tourettes......................................................................2000.00 Fort Smith Cadets.................................................................................................10000.00 Hay River Cadets On Passing of Branch President..........................................250.00 Fort Smith Volunteer Ambulance CPR Dummy...........................................2500.00 PWK High School Band Trip..............................................................................2000.00 Fort Smith Curling Club Little Rocks Tournament Costs...........................2000.00 Ferron Beamish AWG - Volleyball......................................................................500.00 Dalton Beamish AWG - Dene Games................................................................500.00 Jeremy Beamish AWG - Volleyball......................................................................500.00 Fort Smith Minor Hockey AWG - Jr. Female Hockey Team.......................2000.00 Joel Rhymer Skating Camp...................................................................................250.00 Lillian Villebrun Member in Need...................................................................1000.00 Blaine Walterhouse Chuck Herons Funeral ......................................................500.00 AlbertaNWT Command PolioYouth Fund ...................................................571.25 Fort Smith Seniors Canada 55 Games..........................................................2000.00 Northern Life Museum Listen Up Project......................................................5000.00 T. Rohne Nike Track Meet.................................................................................1200.00 Fort Smith Paddlefest ............................................................................................2500.00 JBT School Playground Equipment.................................................................5000.00 Aurora Open Golf Tournament YouthSenior Prizes.....................................500.00 Megan Walsh PWK Attendencer Award............................................................125.00 Shawn Tourangeau PWK Attendencer Award..................................................125.00 Pelican Rapids Golf Course Tournament Prizes....................................................1000.00 Fort Smith Animal Shelter Annual Calendar .................................................3000.00 Wood Buffalo Park Day ........................................................................................1000.00 Thebacha Wood Buffalo Astronomical Society Dark Sky Festival................400.00 Delores Bourke Member in Need........................................................................500.00 The Hospital Activity Book Advertisement........................................................229.95 PWK High School L. Hobart Volleyball Tournament.................................7500.00 PWK High School Award Plaque.......................................................................... 25.00 Alzheimers Society Collected and Matching Donation...............................4006.10 Connor Steed Canada Winter Games - Hockey.............................................1000.00 Circle of Friends Halloween Prizes.....................................................................500.00 PWK High School Snack Program ..................................................................7000.00 Fort Smith Cadets Operating Costs ...............................................................16500.00 JBT School Snack Program................................................................................7000.00 Fort Smith Mtis Council Film Project - Carla Ulrich .................................2500.00 Fort Smith Health and Social Services Sutherland House Donation ........ 1700.00 Pentecostal Church Christmas Donation...........................................................500.00 Northern Lights Special Care Home Christmas Donation.............................500.00 Salt River First Nation Mens Shelter Donation................................................500.00 RCL Branch 239 Donation to Community Poppy Fund.......................... 1768.00 Fort Smith Minor Hockey Hockey Camp.......................................................7000.00 By DALI CARMICHAEL Two of the countrys top athletes spent last weektouringtheterritoryinspiringyouthfrom theBeaufortDeltatotheDehchowiththeirsto- ries of hard work determination and success. HayRiver-bornbiathleteBrendanGreenand his partner and teammate Rosanna Crawford took time out of their spring training to tour schools in the NWT. With nishes in the top ve for both biathletes on the World Cup cir- cuit this past season and the Sochi and Van- couver Olympic games under their belts the duo felt this was the best time to encourage kids to reach for their own goals. We pitched an idea to the Northwest Ter- ritories Power Corp. NTPC Green said. After the Olympics last year Rosanna and I both visited all the schools in the Hay River area and we thought itd be fun to reach out further. We wanted to see more of the far North and more of the remote communities as well. The Power Corp. was more than will- ing to support that idea. FromApr.20to24theduomadesevenpre- sentationstokidsatEastThreeSecondarySchool in Inuvik Chief Julius School in Fort McPher- son and both Bompas Elementary School and Thomas Simpson Secondary School in Fort Simpson. They explained the dynamics of the sport - a combination of cross-country skiing and rie shooting - and aired videos from their international races to demonstrate. I think they liked it they seemed pretty en- gagedGreensaid.Wetalkedaboutourjourney ourridetogettingtothatOlympiclevelandsteps alongthewaytheimportanceofsettinggoals. Greenalsospokeofhis2012backinjurythat requiredseveralsurgeriestoxandlefthimwon- deringifhecouldeverraceatanelitelevelagain. Even if youre on track and youre reach- ing your goal its never easy. Its always going to be a difcult journey and theres always going to be unforeseen challenges and set- backs along the way he said. Perhaps more relatable than his injury Green told the youth about the challenges he faced as a competitor from a small Northern town like having access to less training re- sources than athletes from bigger regions. Even though Brendans from a Northern community thats further south than these kids it can still feel really isolated Craw- ford said. Any small step along the way even if something feels a little silly can maybe help towards their bigger goals and dreams. During the tour Crawford said many of the kids were curious to know how the athletes stay in shape during the off-season. Forusitsafull-timejobdoingbiathlonshe said. Now that were at such an elite level we traintwiceadayeveryday.Wereonthebiath- lon range from 830 to 1200 so that involves a shootingworkoutandaphysicalworkout.Then we go home and take a nap and eat some lunch andinthoselittlehoursinbetweenwelldoour physio exercises to make sure our bodies stay niceandstrong.Intheafternoonwedoanother workout. Lucky for us in biathlon its a cardio sportsointhesummerwecandorunningand biking and road biking hiking and swimming. The main thing we do is roller-skiing. The couple said they couldnt have reached their level of success without help from their families friends and sponsors and enjoyed having a chance to give back to the commu- nities that consistently cheer them on. The support from the North has been so in- credible Green said. Its amazing how shar- ing your goals with others can lead to a lot of opportunitiesjustthroughyourcommunityor yourpeers.Inthelead-uptothe2010and2014 Olympics the support from all over the North wassoamazing.Iwasreallyluckytohavethat. We have a pretty cool lifestyle Crawford said. We travel the world so it feels really nice to share it with the younger generation and hopefully inspire them to follow some- thing theyre passionate about. Dreaming of the 2018 Olympics With the 2014-2015 racing season behind them Green and Crawford are both think- ing of the future including the 2018 Olym- pics in South Korea. We have world championships in every non-Olympic year Crawford said. This year they were in Finland and next year theyre in Norway so thatll be a good goal for us. Were both taking it year by year Green said. Were both still kind of developing in the sport and every year it seems like were getting a little better. PhotocourtesyofBrendanGreen Hay River Olympic biathlete Brendan Green and his partner and teammate Rosanna Crawford front and centre visit with Grade 7 students at East Three School in Inuvik as part of a week-long tour around the NWT. Trapper celebrates 19 years of teaching youth on the land Tuesday April 28 2015 19 NORTHERNERS TRAPPERS Fort Smith District Education Authority PICHE SCHOLARSHIP Applications for the 2015 Piche Scholarship Award will commence on April 13 2015 and close May 19 2015 at 330PM Application criteria can be picked up at the FSDEA office at JBT or call 872-2011 and criteria can be mailed. Completed applications are to be mailed to Fort Smith District Education Authority P.O. Box 131 Fort Smith NT X0E 0P0 or dropped off in person to JBT School no later than May19th at 330PM. Please leave a message at 872-5543 for details. WESCLEAN NORTHERN SALES LTD. Ph 867 875-5100 Fax 867 875-5155 E-mail infowescleannwt.com web www.wescleannwt.com Avalon Cat Hair - long Size - medium Gender - female Avalon is a very loving and beautiful cat. She is spayed and is up-to-date with all her shots.If you think you have a home for a Avalon please call the shelter at 872-5543. Please leave a message at 872-5543 for details. WESCLEAN NORTHERN SALES LTD. Ph 867 875-5100 Fax 867 875-5155 E-mail infowescleannwt.com web www.wescleannwt.com Avalon Cat Hair - long Size - medium Gender - female Avalon is a very loving and beautiful cat. She is spayed and is up-to-date with all her shots.If you think you have a home for a Avalon please call the shelter at 872-5543. Please leave a message at 872-5543 for details. WESCLEAN NORTHERN SALES LTD. Ph 867 875-5100 Fax 867 875-5155 E-mail infowescleannwt.com web www.wescleannwt.com Avalon Cat Hair - long Size - medium Gender - female Avalon is a very loving and beautiful cat. She is spayed and is up-to-date with all her shots.If you think you have a home for a Avalon please call the shelter at 872-5543. SpayedNeutered Up-to-datewithroutineshots House trained DoraFemalekitten Grey tabby Looking for a new home Dora is a sweet little baby who needs someone to take care of her. Your heart will melt the minute you pick her up and hold her in your arms. By DALI CARMICHAEL For almost two decades one Fort Smith trapper has passed on the traditional land- based lifestyle to high schoolers taking them for week-long trips in the bush where they learn skills for wintertime survival. This past winter marked Louie Beaulieus 19th annual PWK high school winter camp at his site on Piers Lake a three-hour snow- mobile ride out of town. While the students change year after year the lessons they learn about connecting with the land stay the same. The idea for the camp came about in 1996 when then-French teacher Claude Doucet and former natural resources ofcer Sholto Doug- las - who used to run trapping workshops at the school - approached Beaulieu about tak- ing the kids out on the land to learn. Claude wanted to do beaver trapping at the end of the year when it was warm and nice Beaulieu said. He was happy to make it hap- pen. We borrowed some beaver houses from a local trapper. It was late in the year so we couldnt go far. We taught some kids how to set beaver traps and we made a camp where we hung around for a few days. After a successful trial run with about 12 students Beaulieu and his crew decided to expand the camp the following year. Even- tually he started hosting the excursion on his own trapline. Until the early 2000s the camps ran every February with anywhere between two to 17 students in attendance. In those rst years there was only one cabin on the property kids and teachers lived in tents heated by wood stoves fueled by logs they had chopped. More recent pupils of the land get to enjoy a more luxurious experience by comparison ven- turing out at the end of March when there is a chance of warmer weather with cabins to sleep in and a kitchen to cook in. In the camps 19 years there has only been one major incident when about two years ago one of the ve cabins sitting on Beau- lieus property went up in ames. I guess we didnt teach them about wood stoves well enough Beaulieu said. A few years removed he can now laugh about the incident. Despite the re there have never been any serious injuries on his watch the trap- per said an achievement he attributes to his survival lessons. Lose a pair of mitts Students are taught to sew their own. Dont have a shelter for the night The kids are expected to build their own from spruce bows ropes and tarps. They test it out by sleeping there for the night de- pending on the severity of the weather. The teens also learn how to use a compass and how to make basic repairs to their sleds in case of emergency. Subsistence training is integral to the camp. Beaulieu teaches his brood the best ways to set up a sh net in the ice how to set traps and how to skin and butcher the animals they har- vest. Sometimes - like during this last trip - he goes out alone leaving the group with other instructors so he can hunt for bigger game like caribou. Upon his return he shares his har- vest with the group using the opportunity to make delicious drymeat. Frequently Environment and Natural Re- source ofcers visit the winter camp. They use the students to help conduct seasonal ecological studies on snow density and the health of timber in the area. Some parents were apprehensive about the idea initially Beaulieu said but now most are excited about the unique learning opportu- nity available to their children. Withthe20thtripcomingupin2016Beaulieu doesntseethewintercampprogramstopping any time soon. It has turned into a tradition it- selfafunrightofpassageforFortSmithyouth. They keep asking me and its really hard to refuse Beaulieu said. I get to meet a lot of different students from different cultures. Most of the students once theyre out there theyre really good. I dont know if they still use the skills we show them when they come back but again a lot of times well get repeats and when we get repeats I try to make them help me out more to see if they still remem- ber what they did last year. PhotoDaliCarmichael PhotosHilaryTurko Trapper Louie Beaulieu along with a rotating army of volunteers has been teaching Fort Smith teens winter survival skills at his Piers Lake property for almost two decades. A typical visit to Beaulieus camp starts with ensuring students have the basic necessities including rewood for heat. The teens are expected to pull their weight in running the camp. Sustenance training including ice shing trapping and sometimes even snagging a caribou are always part of the winter camp curriculum. High school students return from whirlwind European tour EDUCATION TRAVEL 20 Tuesday April 28 2015 By DALI CARMICHAEL It was a blur of activity for the large group of PWK high school students who spent their spring break traipsing around Europe. Every other year the school runs a Travel Club allowing the students to experience life outside of the small community of Fort Smith. ItwasatripofalifetimesaidRyanEvans16. Aftermonthsoffundraisingfortheirtripwith auctions and sales this years lucky batch spent 12daysonaneducationaltourthroughLondon ParisandVeniceRomePompeiiandCapriItaly. With a total of 37 tourists including chap- erones this marked the schools second larg- est group to make their way around the globe. Despite some soggy springtime weather the students had a blast cavorting around Trafalgar Square taking seles at the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles and riding a gondola to the top of Capri where they were met with a stunning view of the Gulf of Naples. After being bitten by the travel bug some of the young adventurers said they are already itching to set out on their next excursion. The PWK Travel Club visits Buckingham Palace in London on the second day of their European trip. Students and chaperones line up in the rain to visit the famous Roman Colosseum. Several students highlighted a gondola ride to the top of Capri as their favourite excursion of the trip. With warm weather and a stunning view its not hard to imagine why. PhotosAlKarasiukKatelynHoltorfIsabellaBourque