Sunday 4 December 2016

NWTAA's LIVING SMALL – Tiny Homes in the Subarctic video - Part One

NWTAA's LIVING SMALL – Tiny Homes in the Subarctic - Part One
With …..
Chris Clark, architect and MC
Chair. Continuing Education Committee
NWT Association of Architects
Appearing at:
05:26 - Ann Peters, planner apeters@dillon.ca
11:41 - Molly Milligan , real estate agent mollym@cbyk.ca
17:28 - Robert Warburton, developer rob@cloudworks.ws
23:27 - Vince Barter, architect - vincedhb@northwestel.net
29:01 - Wade Carpenter , houseboat dweller & builder Wade_Carpenter@gov.nt.ca
35:05 - Etienne Croteau , tiny house dweller  info@flavourtrader.com
43:09 – Questions and Answers
Watch the video at: https://youtu.be/tZ_7CNMS6PU
Ben Russo | Executive Director
NWT Association of Architects
Tel: (867) 766-4216
Fax: (867) 873-3654
contact@nwtaa.ca
http://nwtaa.ca
Office & Courier Address
4807- 49th Street
Yellowknife, NT   XIA 3T5
Mailing Address
PO Box 1394
Yellowknife, NT   X1A 2P1

Saturday 3 December 2016

Northwest Territories registered the highest annual increase in insolvencies at 46.7 per cent

The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada's report on September insolvency in Canada shows that personal bankruptcies in Northwest Territories registered the highest annual increase in insolvencies at 46.7 per cent
http://thechronicleherald.ca/…/1421107-personal-bankruptcie…
The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada
https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/bsf-osb.nsf/eng/home

Thursday 24 November 2016

Feel the Inukness #BexxStudio #video "... u know u wanna dance; don't fight the feeling!




Feel the Inukness #BexxStudio #video "... u know u wanna dance; don't fight the feeling! (made by Becky Qilavvaq / starring Anguti Johnston)..." 230,634 views https://youtu.be/iawDXQGQsr0

Thursday 27 October 2016

Herbalist, author and teacher Beverley Gray joins The Boreal Herbal with Beverley Gray: Ep 1


Herbalist, author and teacher Beverley Gray joins #mushroom expert Robert Dale Rogers on a quest for #boreal #fungi. Northwestel Community TV production, October 2016.

Friday 21 October 2016

John McFadden on his Acquittal of Obstructing Police Charge in Yellowkni...









John McFadden on his Acquittal on Obstructing Police charge in Yellowknife NT







For more on this story see
Yellowknife journalist found not guilty of obstruction (CBCNorth)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/john-mcfadden-decision-expected-1.3814759
'Free McFadden' T-shirts support Yellowknife journalist on trial
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/free-john-mcfadden-t-shirt-1.3674422
Yellowknife Court Reporter on Trial for Obstructing Police by  Cody Punter July 1, 2016
http://www.canadalandshow.com/yellowknife-court-reporter-trial-obstructing-police/
Exiled to the North, a Reporter Finds a New Enemy in the RCMP by Dave Bidini July 7, 2016
http://www.vice.com/en_ca/read/exiled-to-the-north-a-reporter-finds-a-new-enemy-in-the-rcmp
ICYMI: Objection! Local Journo's Trial an Expensive, Questionable Circus
Nobody looks good in the case of an NNSL reporter charged with obstruction of justice
Sep 1, 2016

Monday 10 October 2016

Northern Lights Time Lapse Oct 10, 2016 Northern Lights in Norman Wells, NT, Canada





Northern Lights Time Lapse Oct 10, 2016 Northern Lights in Norman Wells, NT, Canada

Tuesday 20 September 2016

Sun At Midnight - trailer






“…The Sun At Midnight was filmed along the Dempster Highway, near the Richardson Mountains, in Ft. McPherson and in and around Yellowknife and BehchokÇ«, all in the Northwest Territories of Canada. A significant portion of the film was shot near the Arctic Circle on Gwich’in traditional lands. This is the first time a feature film has been produced in this region….”

Monday 18 July 2016

Yellowknife NWT Town Hall on Climate Change #CanClimateAction





Yellowknife NWT Town Hall on Climate Change #CanClimateAction
https://youtu.be/X5RTY-6f7CE
NWT MP Michael McLeod and the City of Yellowknife, along with Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna, will hold a town hall discussion to engage citizens, including Indigenous peoples, in a discussion on clean growth and climate change. The purpose of the town hall series is to raise awareness of climate change issues and get various communities across the country involved in finding viable solutions. Feedback from Canadians will contribute to Canada’s approach on climate change.
Event: Town hall
Date: Monday, July 11, 2016
Time: 7:30 p.m. [MST]
Location: Somba K’e Civic Plaza 

Thursday 7 July 2016

NWT Ice Roads Commorative Historic Monument Dedication











The Historical Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and Parks Canada dedication ceremony for a plaque celebrating the role ice roads have played in opening up the north to settlement and resource development.
WHEN: July 7, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Rotary Park, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Commemorating the Establishment of Ice Roads in the Northwest Territories
With Jonah Mitchell, Parks Canada; Chief Edward Sangris of the Yellowknife’s Dene First Nation with the Dettah Drummers; Dr. Tom Andrews, NWT Member of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and Mark Heyck, Mayor of the City of Yellowknife
https://youtu.be/P6Py26Z-6EQ

Friday 27 May 2016

Implementing the right to housing– a guide for local governments and civil society

Implementing the right to housing– a guide for local governments and civil society
https://www.scribd.com/doc/314022758/Implementing-the-right-to-housing-a-guide-for-local-governments-and-civil-society
"… The right to housing is not just a rallying cry. It, like human rights more generally, offers concrete standards that can be implemented and measured for progress. The results can be transformative and can shift us away from charity toward social justice.
The right to adequate housing
Housing is the basis of stability and security for an individual or family. The centre of our social, emotional and sometimes economic lives, a home should be a sanctuary; a place to live in peace, security and dignity.
Increasingly viewed as a commodity, housing is most importantly a human right. Under international law, to be adequately housed means having secure tenure – not having to worry about being evicted or having your home or lands taken away. It means living somewhere that is in keeping with your culture, and having access to appropriate services, schools, and employment.
Too often violations of the right to housing occur with impunity. In part, this is because at the domestic level housing is rarely treated as a human right. The key to ensuring adequate housing is the implementation of this human right through appropriate government policy and programmes, including national housing strategies…."
From
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Housing/Pages/HousingIndex.aspx
Implementing the right to housing: a guide for local governments and civil society
English | http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Housing/GuideSubnationalReport_EN.pdf
French | http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Housing/GuideSubnationalReport_FR.pdf
Spanish | http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Housing/GuideSubnationalReport_SP.pdf

Thursday 19 May 2016

"... Those of you who were part of the early days of northern broadcasting will be saddened to hear that Art King passed away ..."

Terry Rudden posted https://www.facebook.com/terry.rudden
"... Those of you who were part of the early days of northern broadcasting will be saddened to hear that Art King passed away in St. John's, Newfoundland earlier this week. Art was one of the original program officers at Secretary State's Northern Native Broadcast Access Program, which funded the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation, TNI, Wawatay, NNBY and other groups, creating the foundation for Television Northern Canada and eventually the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. He spent most of his career supporting and promoting Indigenous communications in Canada, and was a friend, a guide and an ally to the movement.
Thanks, Robert Boulay, for the sad news. Art's daughter Dana will be posting an obituary on the weekend...."

He was doing that when I was with Taqramiut Nipingat Inc (TNI) in Nunavik in the 1980s... The early years of TVNC... Pre APTN...

George Lessard
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Skype themediamentor
http://mediamentor.ca
@Northern_Clips http://twitter.com/Northern_Clips

Sunday 15 May 2016

Statistics Canada’s "Economic Importance of Arts and Culture " GDP of culture industries in the Northwest Territories fell –2.7% Nunavut +2% Yukon +1.2%

"… #StatisticsCanada's release today of the #Provincial and #Territorial #Culture #Indicators, 2010 to 2014 report is providing insight into the #economic #importance of #arts and culture across Canada.
Income and Expenditure Accounts Technical Series – Provincial and Territorial Culture – Indicators, 2010 to 2014 Release date: May 11, 2016 Catalogue no. 13-604-M ISBN 978-0-660-04937-3
The figures in the report measure the contribution of culture to the Ontario economy for two unique perspectives:
Arts, culture and heritage products represent $25.3 billion of the province's gross domestic product (GDP) and over 276,000 jobs. This "product perspective" includes the contribution of culture products (goods and services) produced in both culture industries and non-culture industries. […]
– Yukon: GDP of culture industries in Yukon grew 1.2% in 2014, following a flat 2013. Visual and applied  arts (+6.6%) was the largest contributor to economic growth. GDP of sport industries rose 1.5%, following a 4.8% gain the previous year. Economy-wide GDP in the territory rose 2.0% in 2014.
Jobs in culture industries increased 3.0%, following job gains of 1.2% in 2013. Jobs in sport industries grew 5.8% after decreasing 1.9% the previous year. Overall, total jobs in Yukon grew 6.4% in 2014.
– Northwest Territories: GDP of culture industries in the Northwest Territories fell 2.7% in 2014 after advancing 2.9% in 2013, with governance, funding and professional support (-4.5%) largely contributing to the decline. GDP of sport industries also fell 3.4%, following an increase of 1.2% the previous year.
Economy-wide GDP in the territory rose 5.4% in 2014.
Jobs in culture industries rose 4.8% after job gains of 1.9% the previous year. Jobs in sport industries increased 2.1%, following a 1.0% decline in 2013. Overall, total jobs in the Northwest
Territories increased 3.1% in 2014.
Nunavut: Nunavut's GDP of culture industries advanced 2.0% in 2014 after increasing 1.7% in 2013. GDP of sport industries was unchanged, following gains of 3.0% in 2013. Economy-wide GDP in the territory grew 6.0% in 2014.
Jobs in culture industries edged down (-0.2%), following job losses of 2.1% in 2013. Jobs in sport industries declined 1.3% sport industries declined 1.3% after falling 6.3% the previous year. Overall, total jobs in Nunavut rose 0.4% in 2014…."
– Read the full PDF report from Statistics Canada here.
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/13-604-m/13-604-m2016081-eng.pdf

George Lessard
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
E-mail: mediamentor@gmail.com
Skype themediamentor
http://mediamentor.ca


Thursday 12 May 2016

Re #NWT, #GNWT and the YELLOWKNIFE SMALL HOMES SURVEY #SMALLHOMESSURVEY #NWTPoli #YZF #X1A

#IMHO Re: YELLOWKNIFE SMALL HOMES
The Small homes should also fit/be in sync with the
NWT Housing Corp Home Ownership plan.... see
3 books hand-picked by George Lessard
NWT Housing Corp Home Ownership Information
https://www.scribd.com/collections/15146981/NWT-Housing-Corp-Home-Ownership-Information

And, of course... since housing like this and the issues they represent are a territory wide issue...
Not just a Yellowknife ... 
The small / tiny homes issue is/should be debated/applicable territory wide...
not just in Yellowknife.
..

"...YELLOWKNIFE LAUNCHES SMALL HOMES SURVEY
In response to residents' interest in diverse housing options, the City of Yellowknife is exploring the viability of a residential small home zoning designation. As the first phase of public engagement, the City of Yellowknife is seeking the public's input through an online survey.
The benefits of Small Homes are numerous and include lower land and construction costs as well as a reduced environmental footprint.
The survey explores the public's interest in small homes and regulations that will shape the development of small homes neighbourhoods, including setbacks, height and parking requirements.
Residents have expressed a growing interest in affordable housing options, and gathering and documenting this input is important for the City to accommodate residents' needs. We look forward to hearing what residents say during this first phase of information gathering," said Mayor Heyck.
For more information and to access the online survey before May 27, visit...."
https://www.yellowknife.ca/en/doing-business/Small-Lot-Zoning.asp


George Lessard
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
E-mail: mediamentor@gmail.com
Skype themediamentor
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George Lessard,   Freelance Media Creation, MediaMentor
photo
      
Mobile: 867 445-9193
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Friday 22 April 2016

Lark Productions seeking Canadian Artists to Cast in a new CBC series….

Lark Productions seeking Canadian Artists to Cast in a new CBC series….

"... Lark is now casting Canadian artists for a groundbreaking CBC series that celebrates art in all its forms. They are looking for artists from a wide variety of media.
Description – Lark Productions is searching for creative, confident, energetic artists looking to showcase their skills and talent on national TV. Lark is now casting Canadian artists for a groundbreaking CBC series that celebrates art in all its forms. They are looking for artists from a wide variety of media. From painters, sculptors and mixed media artists, to tattoo, pinata, graffiti, carving, clothing, and jewellery design, street chalk art, animators, toy or doll artisans. All creative media are accepted.
Lark Productions wants to hear from you if :
– You want an opportunity to showcase your talent on a televised, national stage
– You have basic art skills
– You are enthusiastic to take on an art challenge outside your specialized medium
– You are comfortable on camera and have an outgoing personality
– You aren't afraid to get a little competitive.
Casting is currently open so apply today by sending your name, photo, bio, contact info and 2-3 samples of your artistic work to casting@larkproductions.ca Please include links to any relevant pages or media articles...."
http://ebosscanada.com/classified/lark-productions-seeking-canadian-artists-to-cast-in-a-new-cbc-series.html

Thursday 21 April 2016

Yellowknife’s “dark empty hole” a haven for the homeless - Nearly one in five homeless in city's downtown core are Inuit

 April 21, 2016 - 1:15 pm

Yellowknife's "dark empty hole" a haven for the homeless

Nearly one in five homeless in city's downtown core are Inuit

JANE GEORGE

"...YELLOWKNIFE — You don't have to go out of your way to find homeless people in the capital of the Northwest Territories.
That's because Yellowknife's downtown core, which city councillors and developers call "a dark empty hole," has become a haven for the homeless.
On April 20, when temperatures climbed to minus 5 C under sunny skies, many homeless people were hanging around the Yellowknife post office and in front of the Centre Square Mall on Franklin Avenue. [...]
Nearly one in five homeless surveyed were Inuit, many from western Nunavut, most had lived in the city for more than 10 years, and, like Palluq, more than three in four had been homeless for more than 180 days.
According to a similar 2014 survey of homelessness in Nunavut's three largest communities, the Government of Nunavut found fewer than 100 homeless Nunavummiut — a low number which many contested as being 10 times too low.
If that survey was accurate, this would mean there are only a handful of homeless, like in Cambridge Bay, where the GN plans to spend $470,000 in 2016-17 on a homeless shelter.
Some put the actual number of homeless closer to 400 in Yellowknife, where a one-bedroom rental apartment in the city centre costs $1,650 a month. [..]
"There have always been people on the streets. But there weren't the numbers we have now — they're extremely visible," said Gino Pin, an architect whose company designed several buildings in Cambridge Bay, including the Kiilinik school, the new Nunavut Arctic College residence and the hamlet office.
He's spearheaded the "Homeful Partnership" group in Yellowknife, which hopes to put money and energy go into a "housing first concept" instead of a downtown redevelopment beautification plan, which is also on the table.
But that doesn't solve the root problems of the downtown or homelessness, Pin said, citing Homeful Partnership's motto: "homes for our homeless, a city safe for everyone and a healthy vibrant downtown core."
With eight facilities for the homeless in Yellowknife, there is still not enough shelter for everyone, said Pin, who would like to see housing, perhaps with some form of supervision in place, built to take people off the city's cold streets...."
http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674yellowknifes_dark_empty_hole_a_haven_for_the_homeless/

George Lessard
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Housing as a Health Care Investment - Children’s HealthWatch

"…Housing as a Health Care Investment - Children's HealthWatch
Housing as a Health Care Investment, is a new report released by the National Housing Conference that examines research conducted by Children's HealthWatch. The findings show that homelessness and unstable or unaffordable housing can harm the health of vulnerable infants and young children and contribute to higher health care spending.
Previous research from Children's HealthWatch demonstrated the harmful impact homelessness has on the health of young children and that the negative health outcomes are compounded when a mother is homeless both before and after her child is born. New findings from Children's HealthWatch researchers show affordable and stable housing made possible through rental assistance is associated with better health outcomes for infants in vulnerable families. …"
http://homelesshub.ca/resource/housing-health-care-investment-affordable-housing-supports-children%E2%80%99s-health
Direct URL to PDF
http://media.wix.com/ugd/19cfbe_4d4761b6e25b416584cd348504660cb4.pdf

George Lessard
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Monday 18 April 2016

An "ombudsman for the homeless" now there's an idea for #Yellowknife! @CJAD800

An "ombudsman for the homeless" now there's an idea for Yellowknife!
"...just over 3000 homeless people in Montreal.." in percentage/per capita, I wonder how that compares with Yellowknife eh?
"...Serge Lareault will be the voice of the city's over three thousand homeless people, identify their needs and create strategies to meet them, acting as a consultant, policy maker and a liaison for the city.
Lareault has been working on homelessness issues for the past 20 years - he headed up the community group L'itinéraire which also publishes the magazine of the same name. [...] Lareault said among his goals is to educate people about the homeless and to train city workers including police on how to deal with them.
"It's sure that in a city like Montreal, the relations are really not good. It's important to develop a vision at the SPVM to be sure that they are there to help the homeless and not to arrest them," said Lareault.
Pierre Gaudreau, coordinator for the RAPSIM homeless advocacy group, said it's a good step towards solving the myriad issues facing those living on the street.
"It's complementary with the action of the city services," said Gaudreau.
The city's goal is to reduce the number of its homeless by two-thirds by 2020. Its most recent figures showed just over 3000 homeless people in Montreal...."
http://www.cjad.com/cjad-news-community/2016/04/18/montreals-new-ombudsman-for-the-homeless-has-big-job-ahead

George Lessard
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
http://mediamentor.ca

Friday 8 April 2016

Arlene Hache's comments on [Yellowknife's] "...Downtown businesses say public drunkenness, violence alarming customers..."

Please read Arlene Hache's comments on this posting from CBC News via Facebook

Downtown businesses say public drunkenness, violence alarming customers
'There's not enough being done,' says Ragged Ass Barbers owner James McGaughey
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yellowknife-downtown-business-drunkenness-1.3526259

Arlene Hache's comments https://www.facebook.com/ArleneHache/posts/10153830632920141?fref=nf&pnref=story
"…I am not sure if violence in the downtown has worsened in the last three months or not, but I have certainly seen people of all ages being attacked, harassed and frightened by the violence going on around them, in the mall and other parts of the downtown. There have been assaults and sexual assaults in broad daylight and some of those have been "random acts of violence toward strangers" who just happened to be walking down the street. Regardless, residents who witness downtown violence have a right to be in a public environment free of violence and fear.

All Yellowknifers, including the marginalized and vulnerable women and men downtown who are seen to be the problem deserve to feel and more importantly be safe. The suggestion that downtown violence is to be tolerated because the people involved know each other and it is just an escalated argument is a mischaracterization. It is also misplaced, disregarding, discriminatory, offensive and dangerous. It is the acceptance of violence as the norm that contributes to the downtown problem and is a key reason it has escalated over the years.

The RCMP, the City of Yellowknife and some service providers have taken the position that the downtown problem is one of addictions rather than one of violence and it has served to muddy the waters - leaving Yellowknifers frustrated, angry and at risk. It has led residents, particularly those who are homeless and marginalized to believe that they are unprotected and so need to protect themselves because no-one else will.

In my experience, there is a stark difference between managing addictions and managing violence. If we don't get that straight, all residents of Yellowknife will continue to be at risk. When I was the Executive Director of the emergency shelter for women who were homeless, we housed women who were intoxicated to make sure they were safe and didn't freeze. They were incredible women with a superior level of strength, courage and pure determination that many people failed to recognize or honour. The women withstood inhumane levels of violence and victimization from childhood onward and were far more at risk of being assaulted and violated than they were of assaulting others.

Having said that, on occasion some of the women responding from trauma exhibited threatening and violent behaviour that was self-harming or targeted other residents and staff. In those instances, the RCMP were called to intervene because keeping the community safe is exactly their job. I took the position that the women could return the very next day if they were stabilized and able to not threaten others. In the 25 years I was at the Centre only three were not able to return for long periods of time because of a long-established pattern of violent behaviour - a pretty amazing outcome when you consider some women who stayed at the Centre were refused admittance to Stanton Hospital and even the Fort Smith Women's Correctional Centre because they were considered too high-risk.

Over the years, many of the RCMP responded quickly understanding how risky the shelter environment was with only one person on staff. Others refused in spite of the risk, waiting for the fatal blow before agreeing to show up. One night I had to leave my house and threaten to sit my ass at the RCMP detachment until they agreed to remove a woman with a long history of violence from the shelter who was threatening staff and other residents.

Bardak says that having a roundtable for discussing these issues is missing, but in fact there have been multitudes of navel-gazing roundtable discussions on homelessness, addictions and mental health issues over the past two decades. The City of Yellowknife disbanded one of those roundtables to establish a Community Advisory Board because they didn't like what they heard at the table and decided to go it on their own. The Yellowknife Homeful demanded housing NOW for homeless individuals two years ago, but did little more than join in the navel gazing exercise.

What Yellowknifers and taxpayers across the North really need to consider is this: A ton of health and social programs that purport to meet the needs of Northerners with addictions, mental illness and other social issues that contribute to homelessness have been established, but do they work or contribute to the problem?

The former Minister of Justice Dave Ramsay who was sent packing said the justice system in the North was the best in Canada. The current Minister of Health and Social Services Glen Abernethy who should have been sent packing claimed the same about health services in the North. So, according to those two leaders - no see, no hear, no do.

In terms of Yellowknife, there are five emergency shelters, one for men, one for women, one for families, one for women and families fleeing violence and one for youth. There are three transition houses, one for men, one for families and one for women fleeing violence - none for the women housed at the Centre for Northern Families.

The Bailey House operated by the Salvation Army and Lynn's Place operated by the YWCA were given mortgage-free buildings worth millions of $$ by the Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition. Both organizations receive $200,000 core funding each year to provide wrap-around services to tenants and both charge them between $900 - $1,700 a month in rent. Both organizations established rules that prevented the people they said they served from accessing their services and both lobbied to be excluded from the Residential Tenancies Act so they could evict people without cause and without notice. In fact, the Bailey House was half-empty for years as a result of the rules.

The City of Yellowknife lobbied to establish a day shelter where people who are intoxicated could go during the day, but many of the people hanging out in the banks and post office say they are banned from going to the facility. No doubt because they were violent, but then what do you expect when people under the influence are gathered together under one roof. The day shelter concept is on its 4th version so what else do you need to know to tell you it is the wrong approach.

Aside from the shelter and transition house, the Salvation Army is funded to delver a withdrawal management program for people with addictions and a residential program for people struggling with mental illness and mental health problems. Two of the women from the shelter at the Centre for Northern Families lasted a week before they were unceremoniously tossed to the street with their belongings packed in garbage bags.

Then you have Stanton Territorial Hospital that either refuses to admit people with mental illness or boots them out within a day or two - in theory well enough to survive, but in reality killing themselves once they are out the door. In addition, the Tree of Peace offers addiction and wellness programs and has a complete monopoly on deciding who and when people will go for treatment. Yellowknife Health and Social Services has staff assigned to coordinate services for adult people with mental illness and disabilities and Family Counselling has a number of counsellors who won't get out of their office. There is also a healing program for men who use violence in relationships and a healing program for residential school survivors.

Whew!!! Imagine what that looks like to MLAs outside of Yellowknife who have to explain to their constituents why there are no services in the smaller communities.

Now for those who persistently portray that I am a complainer without offering solutions, I offer this: Make the services who have been given taxpayer $$ accountable for their non-service. The RCMP is not responsible for addressing addictions, but they are responsible for community safety. They need to step up and do their job…."

George Lessard
Suite 108, 600 Gitzel St, (Ft Gary apts)
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
X1A 2R4
Cell/text/iPhone /FaceTime # (867) 445-9193
E-mail: mediamentor@gmail.com

Wednesday 6 April 2016

Lakes near Yellowknife contaminated with arsenic, mercury years after mine closing

Lakes near Yellowknife contaminated with arsenic, mercury years after mine closing  by IVAN SEMENIUK - SCIENCE REPORTER - The Globe and Mail - Published Wednesday, Apr. 06, 2016 "… The Ottawa study includes data from 25 lakes within a 25-kilometre radius of Yellowknife. In some cases, it found arsenic concentrations in the water as high as 136 micrograms per litre – more than 13 times the recommended limit for drinking water and 27 times the level deemed adequate for the protection of aquatic life. The highest concentrations were found in lakes within four kilometres of the Giant Mine site. […]
André Corriveau, the territory's chief public health officer, said he first learned of the findings last fall and has been gathering information for a public-health advisory, which he hopes to issue before the lakes thaw.
Dr. Corriveau added that his concern about the potential health risk is "low but not zero," since it is unlikely that anyone would be drinking from the lakes on a regular basis. The lakes are not widely used for recreation, he said, and have only recently become more accessible because of a new road. But he said anyone who may be camping or fishing should be made aware of the contamination. […]
Another surprising find relates to the elevated mercury levels in the lakes. The chief concern is not the total amount of mercury found, but the unusually high proportion that occurs as methyl mercury, a compound that is more deadly to humans than mercury alone. In lakes nearest the mines roaster, up to 44 per cent of the total mercury is in this form. The Ottawa researchers posit that bacteria living off sulphur emissions from the mine are responsible for converting mercury into methyl mercury.
While environmental contamination from the Giant Mine, along with a smaller mine that closed in 1971, is not a new theme, most of the attention until now has been directed toward the mine sites rather than the surrounding region. […]
Data from ongoing monitoring of 98 lakes by the territory has now been posted as an open file by the Northwest Territories Geological Survey.
"There's really been a ramping-up of research efforts," Dr. Palmer said, adding that a clearer picture of the extent and activity of the contaminants would be essential for determining what kind of risk they may pose.
Adam Houben, a PhD student who is lead author on the study and who did much of the sampling and analysis of the lakes, said the findings offer an example of the unforeseen consequences that can arise from resource development, much of which takes place outside of the public's awareness.
"There are real impacts on communities and on the greater landscape as well," Mr. Houben said. …'
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/yellowknife-lake-has-high-levels-of-arsenic-mercury-years-after-mine-closure/article29544969/
Factors Affecting Elevated Arsenic and Methyl Mercury Concentrations in Small Shield Lakes Surrounding Gold Mines near the Yellowknife, NT, (Canada) Region by Adam James Houben, Rebecca D'Onofrio, Steven V Kokelj, Jules M Blais Published: April 6, 2016
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0150960
NWT Open File 2015-06 The concentration of arsenic in lake waters of the Yellowknife area
http://www.nwtgeoscience.ca/sites/default/files/nwt_open_file_2015-06.pdf

George Lessard
Suite 108, 600 Gitzel St, (Ft Gary apts)
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
X1A 2R4
Cell/text/iPhone /FaceTime # (867) 445-9193
E-mail: mediamentor@gmail.com
Skype themediamentor
http://mediamentor.ca
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Monday 4 April 2016

Federal housing authority to address 'unique needs of housing in the North,' says CEO

Federal housing authority to address 'unique needs of housing in the North,' says CEO
"...The federal budget allocated up to $177 million over two years, to provinces and territories through the Investment in Affordable Housing initiative: $8 million will go to Yukon, $12 million to the Northwest Territories and $76.7 million to Nunavut.
The remaining funds will be spent to address housing in Nunavik ($50 million), the Inuvialuit Settlement Region ($15 million) and Nunatsiavut ($15 million).
Overall, the federal budget proposes $2.3 billion in new spending to make housing more affordable for Canadians, with $739 million of that set aside for First Nations, Inuit and Northern housing.
"The state of the housing stock is abysmal," in First Nations communities, Siddall said. "The fact it exists in a country like ours is something we should be ashamed of."..."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/housing-first-nations-cmhc-federal-budget-1.3520115

Saturday 2 April 2016

3rd NWT Anti-Poverty Roundtable wraps up

3rd Anti-Poverty Roundtable wraps up


http://www.gov.nt.ca/newsroom/news/3rd-anti-poverty-roundtable-wraps

YELLOWKNIFE (March 31, 2016) - Representatives from the GNWT, Aboriginal governments, communities, non-government organizations and businesses met in Yellowknife this week to continue collaborative efforts to identify and implement effective solutions to combat poverty in the Northwest Territories. They shared success stories, provided updates and set shared priorities for the coming year.

The Roundtable focused on the five pillars from the Anti-Poverty Strategic Framework:

  • Children and Family Support
  • Healthy Living and Reaching our Potential
  • Safe and Affordable Housing
  • Sustainable Communities
  • Integrated Continuum of Services

The Territorial Anti-Poverty Action Plan is intended to be a living document. The Roundtable was structured to build on successes and set priorities for the upcoming year.

Roundtable discussions will form the basis of the Progress Report and ‎update to the Territorial Anti-Poverty Action Plan.

Quotes

"Eliminating poverty is a shared responsibility. This is why it is important to have these annual roundtables as it provides an opportunity for all of us to share successes and set attainable measures for the coming year to help us achieve our goal."

 – Glen Abernethy, Minister of Health and Social Services\

Quick Facts

  • Working Together – An Action Plan to Reduce and Eliminate Poverty in the NWT was tabled June 1, 2015, in the Legislative Assembly.
  • GNWT Anti-Poverty Action Plan Building on the Strengths of Northerners 2014/15-2015/16 was tabled in October 2013.
  • Building on the Strengths of Northerners: A Strategic Framework toward the Elimination of Poverty in the NWT was tabled in June 2013.
  • The GNWT allocates $500,000 annually from the Anti-Poverty Fund to Aboriginal, regional, and community-based groups for projects to fight poverty.

Media Links

Media Contacts

Andrew Livingstone
Senior Cabinet Communications Advisor
Office of the Premier and Cabinet
Government of the Northwest Territories
(867) 767-9000 ext. 11091
andrew_livingstone@gov.nt.ca

Backgrounder


Tuesday 29 March 2016

Re: 3rd Annual NWT Anti-Poverty Roundtable March 30-31

For those of you who may be interested in the  3rd Annual NWT Anti-Poverty Roundtable happening on March 30-31 2016
Here are a few reminders of things past....

and the Detailed Agenda - 3rd Anti-Poverty Roundtable.
Building on our Success
https://www.scribd.com/doc/306290737/Agenda-3rd-NWT-Anti-Poverty-Roundtable

NWT Draft Anti-Poverty Strategic Framework Public Briefing
Published on Jun 4, 2013 https://youtu.be/okEPSMDPDO4

See document updates February 2014 links below...
Northwest Territories "Standing Committee on Social Programs"
(Yellowknife) Friday, May 31, 2013 -- The Standing Committee on Social Programs, chaired by Mr. Alfred Moses, will receive a public briefing on the draft Anti-Poverty Strategic Framework with Minister Glen Abernethy and Ms. Bronwyn Watters, Chair of the Anti-Poverty Steering Committee. The Committee will be discussing the next steps involved in implementing this strategy.
When: Monday, June 3, 2013
Location: Committee Room 'A' of the Legislative Assembly building
Time: 10:30am -- 12:00pm
The media is welcome to attend this meeting.
For more information, please contact:
Gail Bennett, Principal Clerk, Operations
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
Phone: 867-669-2343 or toll-free 1-800-661-0784
E-mail: gail_bennett@gov.nt.ca

Still photos of the event can be seen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/george-lessard/sets/72157633977189005/

Strategic framework sets priorities for the elimination of poverty in the NWT
YELLOWKNIFE (June 6, 2013) -- A new strategic framework for the elimination of poverty outlines the GNWT's commitment to ensuring all residents of the NWT have the chance to enjoy the benefits of living in a prosperous, well-governed territory and to participate fully in a healthy, just society. "Building on the Strengths of Northerners" is an integrated approach that will position NWT residents to achieve long-term economic and social sustainability.
[http:/....] Accessed Feb / 2014
http://www.scribd.com/doc/209821884/Government-of-the-Northwest-Territories-Anti-Poverty-Action-Plan
"Poverty is complex, and there is no single solution," said Glen Abernethy, Chair of the Social Envelope Committee of Cabinet. "Social policies that help our residents achieve their full potential make our communities attractive and welcoming. Those communities create a strong, diversified economy that shares its benefits and keeps residents healthy. We know that investments in healthcare and education pay off in our economy. Investments in our economy make our people and the programs and services they rely on flourish. We hope that people in every region and every sector will want to partner with us to achieve a poverty-free NWT."The strategic framework identifies five main priorities for action:
- Children and Family Support
- Healthy Living and Reaching Our Potential
- Safe and Affordable Housing
- Sustainable Communities
- Integrated Continuum of Services
The GNWT will now develop an action plan to address these priorities in partnership with community and regional agencies.
The priorities for action identified in Building on the Strengths of Northerners align with the 17th Assembly's goals and priorities of supporting residents to be healthy, educated people free from poverty; addressing housing needs; ensuring sustainable, vibrant, safe communities; and effective and efficient government.
[Above from: http://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/strategic-...
Original URL for "Building on the Strengths of Northerners" PDF
http://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/sites/default/files/anti-poverty_report.pdf]
See also
http://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/publications/reports/building-strengths-northerners-strategic-framework-toward-elimination-poverty-nwt

Synthesis of priority actions to reduce and eliminate poverty in the NWT 2010 - 13
Compiled by Julie Green
http://www.alternativesnorth.ca/Portals/0/Documents/Poverty/Anti%20Poverty%20Priorities%20Synthesis%20Summary.pdf
----

2014/15 -- 2015/16

Minister's Message
In June 2013, the anti-poverty strategic framework, Building on the Strengths of Northerners, was tabled in the Legislative Assembly. Building upon the strategic framework, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Anti-Poverty Action Plan describes our commitments to address the needs of those most vulnerable and those at-risk of falling into poverty, while promoting the prosperity necessary for the Northwest Territories (NWT) to grow.
Government alone cannot eliminate poverty. To that end, the GNWT is committed to continuing our work in partnership with non-government organizations, community and Aboriginal governments, business and industry and other partners towards the development of a multi-stakeholder NWT action plan.
Glen Abernethy
Chair of the Social Envelope Committee of Cabinet
http://www.scribd.com/doc/209821884/Government-of-the-Northwest-Territories-Anti-Poverty-Action-Plan

For more information:
Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2302
Email: brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca

Sunday 20 March 2016

aptn Investigates: Mean Streets of Yellowknife

aptn Investigates: Mean Streets of Yellowknife
"... The small, northern city of Yellowknife claims to have more homeless people living on its streets than Canada's largest urban centre of Toronto. How did this happen? Kathleen Martens pounds the pavement to find out...."
http://aptn.ca/news/2015/10/23/mean-streets/


George Lessard
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
X1A 2R4
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Saturday 19 March 2016

20 sites added to UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserve include Ts' Tu' in Canada's Northwest Territories

20 sites added to UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserve include  Ts' Tu' in Canada's Northwest Territories
"…Ts' Tu' (Canada)'Located in Canada's Northwest Territories, the area is the homeland of the Saht'to'ine (The Bear Lake People). It includes Great Bear Lake, the last pristine arctic lake, and part of its watershed. The Taiga that covers much of the site is important to wildlife species including the muskox, general moose and caribou. The only human residents in the site are the traditional First Nation Dene D'line (whose name means 'where the water flows'). Their community of 600 is established on the western shore of the lake, where they live off harvesting and limited tourism activity…."
http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/242382329/20-sites-added-to-unesco-world-network-of-biosphere-reserve


George Lessard
Suite 108, 600 Gitzel St, (Ft Gary apts)
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
X1A 2R4
Cell/text/iPhone /FaceTime # (867) 445-9193
E-mail: mediamentor@gmail.com
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Canadian Artists Representation Copyright Collective

Thursday 17 March 2016

Yellowknifer pranks telephone scammer #Mac owner Benji Straker records conversation with man from 'Windows Service Centre'

As a long time MAC user, I thought you might like this

"... Yellowknifer pranks telephone scammer #Mac owner Benji Straker records conversation with man from 'Windows Service Centre'
Yellowknifer Benji Straker took one telescammer for a ride recently.
Telescammers are people who call your home hoping to gain access to your private details, like your bank account information.
The scammer telephoned Straker from what appeared to be a local number. He said he was from a Windows Service Centre and that he needed Straker's information to access his computer remotely.
Straker, who has an Apple computer and doesn't use Windows, decided to have a little fun and began recording his conversation with the man. (Caution: the video contains foul language.).."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yellowknifer-pranks-telephone-scammer-1.2573269

George Lessard
Suite 108, 600 Gitzel St, (Ft Gary apts)
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Cell/text/iPhone /FaceTime # (867) 445-9193
Skype themediamentor
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Member:
Canadian Artists Representation / le Front des artistes canadiens
Canadian Artists Representation Copyright Collective

Monday 14 March 2016

Aggie Brockman made Kevin O'Reilly and Suzette Montreuil admins of the Alternatives North Facebook page


Aggie Brockman made Kevin O'Reilly and Suzette Montreuil admins of the Alternatives North Facebook page March 9 at 8:42pm https://www.facebook.com/groups/113897550655/

Sunday 13 March 2016

Senate to release Binnie’s final Senators’ expense arbitration report on March 21 re Nunavut Conservative Sen. Dennis Patterson […] NWT Liberal Sen. Nick Sibbeston

Senate to release Binnie's final Senators' expense arbitration report on March 21 "…The Senate's powerful Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration Committee will publicly release Senate arbitrator Ian Binnie's long-awaited report  March 21 on the 14 Senators who challenged Auditor General Michael Ferguson's 2015 audit findings over $1-million in inappropriate Senate spending.
The report will be released a day before the Trudeau government's first federal budget which some say is a strategy to try to minimize negative coverage. But the chair of the Senate's Internal Economy Committee denies it. […] The 14 Senators who chose to take their cases to Mr. Binnie are: […] #Nunavut #Conservative Sen. Dennis Patterson […] #NWT #Liberal Sen. Nick Sibbeston …"
http://www.hilltimes.com/2016/03/14/senate-to-release-binnies-final-senators-expense-arbitration-report-on-march-21/53704

Friday 26 February 2016

Superior Propane @SuperiorPropane #FAIL in #Yellowknife #NT #YZF

Superior Propane just called me. Why? Apparently because, according to them, I sold “my property” at 451 Norseman in December, that they were about to remove the propane tank and bill me for the removal.. (It’s a big tank at the back of the house and would need a crane to lift it over the house… so it ain’t gonna be cheap) When I explained that I have been a customer of theirs as a tenant, not an owner, the lady said that was not possible because they do not give take accounts from tenants. I told the caller to check their records… over 8 years ago I opened an account with them as a tenant, not a property owner, nothing has changed (other than the fact that I closed my account with them back in December of last year, set my final fill-up with them for Dec 22nd. and have since paid their bill in full
I also pointed out that since as a tenant, I had never asked for the tank or ever paid tank rental, if they tried to charge me for the removal of the tank... I would see them in court....
Superior Propane 346 Old Airport Rd, Yellowknife, NT
https://www.superiorpropane.com/city/yellowknife/
1-877-873-7467
https://twitter.com/SuperiorPropane


Friday 29 January 2016

We Live in the Arctic, 1947









We Live in the Arctic, 1947 "The Kitikmeot Heritage Society was recently contacted by the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections and Archives with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and they have preserved and digitized a 1947 film titled, 'We Live in the Arctic'. Which includes some scenes from Canada around Paulatuk and with the RCMP were in Cambridge Bay, the power schooner Tudlik, and Inuit hunters cooking caribou meat over a fire (scenes from Canada begin at ~ 28-36 min).
The film was made by Alaskan homesteaders Bud and Connie Helmericks during a flight along the north coast of Alaska and into Canada. Restoration of the film was made possible though a grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation."

January 14th, Yellowknife driver Neil Johnston was traveling along a remote section of Highway 1

"In the late hours of January 14th, Yellowknife driver Neil Johnston
was traveling along a remote section of Highway 1 when he came across
a young couple whose vehicle had gone into the ditch. They were shaken
but uninjured. There was no cell coverage in the area, but Neil got a
message through to our Operations Centre and asked them to contact the
RCMP. He shoveled snow away from the exhaust and grill to ensure the
vehicle remained running and stayed with the couple until the police
arrived on scene.
We would like to recognize Neil for his act of kindness and
demonstrating what it means to be a professional driver."

https://www.facebook.com/WestcanBulkTransport/photos/a.647162651967463.1073741826.232503896766676/1237314082952314/?type=3&theater

Wednesday 20 January 2016

Report recommends Ottawa set up new fund for northern infrastructure


Report recommends Ottawa set up new fund for northern infrastructure

"... A federal board is warning Ottawa that doling out infrastructure cash based on population is shortchanging the North, where costs are much higher and communities are small.
In a report to be released on Wednesday, the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board is calling for changes to the way infrastructure money is spread across the country.
The federally appointed advisory board is particularly concerned with the rules for the New Building Canada Plan, a $14-billion, 10-year program that started in 2014. There is an urgency to the debate given that the federal Liberals have said the fund has about $10-billion left, and the government's priority is to fast-track approvals under that program while it works on rules for the additional infrastructure spending promised during the election campaign.
"Since the majority of infrastructure funding is based on a per capita formula, it puts the north at a disadvantage compared to the south due to a substantially lower population," says the report, which recommends Ottawa set up a new fund specifically for northern infrastructure.
"People don't realize how difficult it is to live up north," said Hilda Broomfield-Letemplier, president of Pressure Pipe Steel Fabrication Ltd. in Newfoundland and Labrador and a member of the economic development board that is releasing Wednesday's report.
While the rest of Canada works itself into a frenzy over $7 cauliflower and other unpleasant aspects of a low Canadian dollar, northern Canadians have been dealing with exorbitant prices for years.
Getting food and other goods across the North is a costly logistical challenge owing to a wide range of infrastructure issues, including inadequate sea and airports and the reliance on ice roads and airstrips...."

 


Tuesday 5 January 2016

"Every Liberal MP is About to Get a Gram of Pot in the Mail" by @KivancJake

One wonders if the three northern (Yukon, NWT & Nunavut Liberal) MPs will ever get the mailing due to the screening of mail to the territories by the RCMP at the Canada Post distribution centers...


Every Liberal MP is About to Get a Gram of Pot in the Mail


A BC pot activist and former NDP candidate has mailed out a gram of pot and a copy of his history of cannabis book to all 184 Liberal MPs across the country, and he's not afraid of the police.

Dana Larsen, who was previously in the news for mailing BC Premier Christy Clark a half ounce of marijuana, is no stranger to this type of self-promotion.

Larsen told The Province he knows the pot mailing move isn't legal, but that he's totally OK with the possible threat of legal action—based mainly on the fact that he doesn't think the police will do anything.

"It's not legal to mail people weed ... but most of Canada's marijuana laws are made to be broken, so that's just another one," he told the BC newspaper.

"I don't think any Liberal MP is going to call the police, and if they do I don't think the police are going to come after me for a gram of pot."

The gram of doja is bundled with a copy of his book Cannabis in Canada: The Illustrated History, which tells the tale of how marijuana in Canada has come so far from its humble beginnings as just another herb, man. The book costs $10, which is roughly around the same street price of the dank it's sent with.

When asked by VICE if any Liberal MPs had received the pot yet, the party could not immediately confirm, although a media spokesperson called the move "very ambitious."

Toronto Police Const. Craig Brister said that the legality surrounding the issue is a little tricky, mostly because of the various investigations that need to be done for such a small amount of pot. Brister said that even if it's obvious that Larsen sent it, the amount of effort that would be needed to prove he sent a gram of pot in the court of law would render it a waste of time.

Brister did note, however, that if the RCMP could prove that Larsen sent all 184 grams, it could be a larger issue for him, but that the person who opened the mail is definitely not getting in any shit.

"There's no two situations that could be handled the same," he said. "Like, if you found a bullet on the side of the road, you brought it home, and you called the police, I'm not going to come and arrest you. That doesn't make sense. There has to be a level of common sense with these situations, and this clearly isn't one that warrants a [serious reaction]."

The BC RCMP detachment was not immediately available for reply as to whether they would be pursuing charges against Larsen.

Follow Jake Kivanc

@KivancJake

on Twitter.

http://www.vice.com/en_ca/read/every-liberal-mp-is-about-to-get-a-gram-of-pot-in-the-mail?utm_source=vicefbca