Northern_Clips' Circumpolar Blog

Call for Submissions / Polar Film Festival

2012-01-28T19:41:00.001-08:00

Call for Submissions / Canadian Film Institute & International Polar Year Federal Program Office / Polar Film Festival / Ottawa, ON / Deadline Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Canadian Film Institute and International Polar Year Seek Films that Focus on Arctic and Antarctic Regions

The Canadian Film Institute (CFI), in partnership with the International Polar Year (IPY) Federal Program Office, is officially seeking entries for the Polar Film Festival. The two-day moving image event is a featured presentation of the IPY 2012 Conference: From Knowledge to Action, held April 22-27, 2012, in Montréal, Quebec, Canada.

The Polar Film Festival will celebrate the rich diversity of the Polar Regions, as well as examine the many challenges and world-wide implications they face in the 21st Century and onward. As a follow-up to the IPY Film Festival presented by the CFI in 2009, this event highlights the efforts of filmmakers from around the world who approach the Polar Regions from many different industries, research interests, artistic sensibilities, and political perspectives.

The CFI welcomes all films that explore issues and activities of particular relevance to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Any genres of film and video practice - documentary, research, industrial, fiction, activist - from all Polar Regions are encouraged for submission.

Video submissions can be mailed directly to the CFI as a playable DVD or Blu-Ray disc. Digital entries may be submitted via direct download link, or any common digital media format such USB drive or DVD-ROM. Entrants are asked to include production credits, digital stills, director bios and filmography, contact information, and other relevant materials with their submissions.

The submission deadline is January 31, 2012. Please send all submissions to:

CANADIAN FILM INSTITUTE
2 Daly Avenue, Suite 120
Ottawa, ON K1N 6E2
Canada

Email:
info@cfi-icf.ca
Tel: 613-232-6727
Fax: 613-232-6315

The public is encouraged to forward this Call for Entries to relevant producers, filmmakers, researchers, and other parties who may be interested. Please contact CFI Programmer Jerrett Zaroski at
zaroski@cfi-icf.ca for any questions and further information.

About the IPY 2012 Conference
Occurring at a pivotal time for the environment of our planet, the International Polar Year (IPY) 2012 Conference draws international attention to the Polar Regions, global change, and related environmental, social and economic issues. From Knowledge to Action will bring together over 2,000 Arctic and Antarctic researchers, policy- and decision-makers, and a broad range of interested parties from academia, industry, non- government, education and circumpolar communities including indigenous peoples. The IPY 2012 Conference will contribute to the translation of new polar scientific findings into an evidence-based agenda for action that will influence global decisions, policies and outcomes over the coming years. More information on the conference can be found online at http://www.ipy2012montreal.ca.

About the CFI
The Canadian Film Institute (CFI) was incorporated in 1935 as a federally-chartered, non-governmental, non-profit cultural organization. It is the oldest film institution in Canada and the second oldest film institute in the world. More information can be found online at http://www.cfi-icf.ca

The 2012 Great Northern Canada Writing Contest Deadline - April 30, 2012

2012-01-27T10:08:00.001-08:00

Annelies Pool [anneliespool@me.com] on behalf of Great Northern Canada Writing Contest has requested distribution of the following call for submissions:

The 2012 Great Northern Canada Writing Contest
Deadline - April 30, 2012

To enter, submit a piece of prose, either fiction or non-fiction, of up to 1,000 words about life in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut or Nunavik. Previously published items are not eligible.

Entries should be typed and double-spaced with the title, but not your name, on each numbered page. Please submit a separate cover sheet with your name, address, phone number, email address, word count and whether your piece is fiction or non-fiction.

Entries must be mailed to:

Great Northern Canada Writing Contest
Box 1256,
Yellowknife NT
X1A 2N9

We do not accept emailed or faxed entries.

Deadline is April 30, 2012. That means they must be postmarked by that date.

First Prize is $500 and publication in above&beyond, Canada's Arctic Journal.
http://www.arcticjournal.ca/

Special Emerging Writer Prize of $250 and publication in above&beyond, Canada's Arctic Journal, for writers who have never been published for payment. To qualify, identify yourself "emerging writer" on the cover sheet you submit with your entry.

Winners will be announced at the 5th Annual NorthWords Writers Festival in Yellowknife, NWT on May 31 – June 3, 2012.

The following are not eligible: Staff and contractors of above&beyond magazine and their families, writers who have been published in above&beyond in the last five years, organizers and paid staff of the NorthWords Writers Festival and their families.

Commonwealth Foundation call for short films

2012-01-23T06:13:00.001-08:00

Commonwealth Shorts
The Commonwealth Foundation is inviting filmmakers from across the Commonwealth to submit an idea for a short film about relationships. Individual filmmakers or collectives should submit a proposal which explores the theme of love in its broadest sense, whether inter-racial, inter-generational or within and between the sexes. The theme should be relevant to the filmmaker and their community.
We're looking for original, bold and authentic films in any genre which entertain as well as stimulate and encourage debate both locally and globally.
Deadline for receipt of applications is 31 January 2012 (5pm GMT)
>> Eligibility criteria
>> Application guidelines
Click here for the online application form >>
http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/Howwedeliver/Prizes/CommonwealthShorts
All enquiries should be sent to e.dcosta@commonwealth.int

#NWT's old Slave River fur-trade route could provide relief from Alberta's troubled pipeline dreams

2012-01-21T22:21:00.000-08:00

Old fur-trade route could provide relief from Alta.'s troubled pipeline dreams

By David Finch, For Postmedia News January 21, 2012 11:07 PM
David Finch paddled the mighty waters of the Slave River in a voyageur canoe as part of the Slave River Paddlefest celebrations in July 2011.

Long forgotten in the far northeastern corner, Fort Fitzgerald, population eight according to the 2010 census, was once bustling with boats and barges ferrying cargo up the mighty Slave River.

It may boom again, and soon.

[...]

A proven northern route that can expedite shipments from Fort McMurray to oil-hungry customers in China and India may just be the answer.

"We need to look at as many options as possible," says Travis Davies of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, "mostly in terms of moving equipment and components."

As the producers of oil from the bituminous sands continue to expand their operations, Davies notes, "We've got an amazing resource here and we need to continue to explore all kinds of ways to get it to market."

Imperial Oil may also need to consider using water routes up the Mackenzie, Slave and Athabasca rivers to bring heavy machinery to existing operations in Fort McMurray and especially for its Kearl oilsands project currently under construction.

[....]

It would be a hard slog to get any northern oil route approved, as seen by the 30-year-old (and still waiting) Mackenzie Valley pipeline proposal.

If a way were to be found, oil would be the latest in a long list of products transported on the Slave River.

Formed where the Athabasca and Peace Rivers come together, the Slave River was a lifeline for explorers, fur traders and early oilmen.

Our present-day society is built around the road. But 200 years ago the rivers were the superhighways of Canada.

[...]

Explorers in this region included Alexander Mackenzie, who in 1789 travelled the length of the 1760-kilometre-long river that now bears his name. But that big river drained into the Arctic Ocean, not the Pacific.

In 1804 the Hudson's Bay Company built a trading post at today's Fort Simpson — at the confluence of the Liard and Mackenzie Rivers. In 1805 it built another one where the Bear River flows into the Mackenzie River — now Fort Good Hope. The system expanded in the early 1800s, and might have become even greater had it not been for one navigational challenge.

Near the border between Alberta and the Northwest Territories, four sets of violent rapids in one 25-kilometre stretch prevent river travel. In the days of canoes and York boats, river craft had to be portaged around four mighty rapids: Cassette, Mountain Portage, Pelican and Rapids of the Drowned.

All but the Rapids of the Drowned are in Alberta. The total drop is 33 metres. That's why a 40-kilometre portage road links Fort Fitzgerald, Alberta, to Bell Rock, just to the north of Fort Smith in the Northwest Territories.

River navigation is hindered, but not impossible, along this stretch of the Slave River. Were it not for the rapids, large ocean vessels could ascend the Mackenzie River, cross Great Slave Lake, continue up the Slave and Athabasca rivers to the geographical centre of Alberta — the town of Athabasca.

Large and heavy loads could be brought to the massive industrial area further north at Fort McMurray. One of the challenges of the North is its distance from markets and suppliers of machinery and supplies.

But that did not stop the U.S. army during the Second World War. In 1942, Fort Smith had a population of just 250 souls, but it played host to 2,000 American soldiers. They portaged thousands of loads of oilfield and pipelining equipment around the Slave River rapids in aid of the booming oilfield at Norman Wells. Their efforts also made possible the construction of history's most expensive and shortest-lived pipeline. The Canadian American Norman Oil Line (CANOL) cost almost $2 billion in today's currency, or five times the original estimate.

The wartime CANOL pipeline only operated during 1944 and 1945, and delivered less than a million barrels of oil from Norman Wells to Whitehorse in the Yukon — at a cost of about $200 per barrel in 2011 currency.

[...]
David Finch paddled the mighty waters of the Slave River in a voyageur canoe as part of the Slave River Paddlefest celebrations in July 2011.

The Romance of the Far Fur Country - Arctic Canada caught on 1919 silent film

2012-01-20T22:46:00.001-08:00

One of the world's earliest documentaries has been restored and is getting a new screening.

[excerpt] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/magazine-16648847

By Chris Nikkel
Documentary maker

One of the world's early documentaries featured unique footage of the lives of Arctic fur trappers in 1919. After long being forgotten, it's now been restored for modern audiences in Canada, including communities descended from those featured in the silent film.

In July 1919, the RMS Nascopie departed Montreal. It carried supplies bound for Arctic fur trade posts.

But the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) ice-breaker had extra cargo on its annual trip. A film crew is on board.

The ship headed north. As they travelled, a cameraman filmed the Nascopie crashing through ice floes.

When the ship anchored, he went overboard, trudging across the ice with a tripod cradled in his arms. A second camera rolled from the deck, recording it all.

The film crew had orders from the HBC headquarters in London. They were to make a film capturing the company's workings and commercial land holdings, holdings that once covered one twelfth of the earth's surface.

But the HBC wanted rid of the land, and were looking for people to settle on it.

And thus a memo from HBC executives - the film should be "advertising the Company and incidentally its lands, without appearing to do so".

The silent film was eventually called The Romance of the Far Fur Country. It was used to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the historic company in 1920.

Over the course of six months, the film crew crossed Canada. They captured extraordinary footage in the most inhospitable conditions imaginable.

In northern Alberta, they travelled by dogsled over a frozen river. The camera caught a sled tipping, with crates of film equipment thrown into the snow.

On the Abitibi River, in northern Ontario, they filmed from canoes. They ran rapids, portaged hills with canoes on their shoulders and camped in the wilderness. They played with silhouettes against the flowing river, one camera filming the other.

At Lake Harbour, on Baffin Island, one of the most memorable scenes unfolded. An Inuit man named Inqmilayuk sat around a campfire, talking. A white man, who is in fact the captain of the Nascopie, Edmund Mack, listened intently, puffing on a pipe.

"I was but a youth when I learned to hunt, as my fathers did before me", the title reads. It is followed by a cut-away of a man throwing a harpoon.

"She told me that she loved me", reads another title, introducing Inqmilayuk's budding romance with a woman named Innotseak. In the final scene, the lovebirds walk into the horizon, backs to the camera. The screen goes to black like in a Charlie Chaplin comedy, the iris closing in around the characters.

According to Canadian visual historian Peter Geller, these scenes can place The Romance of the Far Fur Country in the context of the history of documentary film, a history dominated by Robert Flaherty, who British film icon John Grierson hailed as the father of documentary.

"Robert Flaherty's Nanook of the North (1922) is seen as a pivotal moment in the history of non-fiction film," Peter says. But he adds a caveat.

"What has been forgotten is that the HBC film shot in 1919 used many of the filmic and narrative techniques to tell its 'Life Story of the Eskimo' that Flaherty would later employ in his film. And outdoing Flaherty, the HBC film used titles in the Inuit language."

Nanook of the North would become a classic of early film. Commercial spin-offs like the "Nanook Fizz" soft-drink, and "Igloo" refrigeration units cashed in on its popularity.

This same iconic status cannot be said of The Romance of the Far Fur Country. When the completed film premiered across Western Canada and in London, it was accompanied by a live orchestra. It played to packed houses. One Canadian newspaper said the film showed "Scenes Never Shown Anywhere Before".

But then the film faded from view. By the mid-1950s, the footage - more than 20 reels in mismatched order - was given to the National Film Archive, what would become the British Film Institute Archive, for safe keeping. In the 1980s, a safety print was made but the footage had only been watched by a handful of people.

It wasn't until Peter Geller went to London to see the footage in the 1990s - and was able to assess its real worth - that The Romance of the Far Fur Country began its long journey back to the screen.

"What is remarkable is that this unique footage has survived into the 21st Century," says Geller, "especially as no comparable motion picture was made during this period in Canada."

And this is where the Hudson's Bay Company Archives in Winnipeg entered the story.

[...]

See also The Return of the Far Fur Country

http://www.returnfarfurcountry.ca/

http://www.returnfarfurcountry.ca/about_the_film.html

[excerpt]

The Return of the Far Fur Country is a collaborative project to resurrect a lost silent film called The Romance of the Far Fur Country. Produced by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1920, the silent feature film has been shelved, stored in pieces and largely unseen in a British archive for the last half-century. This is a project to bring the 8 hours of film footage back to Canada, to reconstruct the original film, then to return these archival moving images to the communities of origin. Collaborating on the project are archivists, academics, filmmakers and community groups.
The goal of this project is to explore the contemporary meanings of these images through consultations with various stakeholders. This process includes the preservation of the nitrate film elements, the re-release of this historic film, and a revisiting of the route taken by the filmmakers in 1920 to host town-hall screenings for communities to contribute names and knowledge to this unique archival collection.
The end result of the project is the distribution of these images and stories to the public through a documentary film, web site, and traditional print publications; contributing to the ongoing discourse of Canada's regional and national identity.

[...] See also NITRATE TREASURES: ACHIVAL HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY FILM

Wed Feb 15 at 7:00 PM

1920, 30 MIN, Silent, BW

http://www.winnipegfilmgroup.com/cinematheque/nitrate_t.aspx

* Q & A and reception to follow

The Manitoba Historical Society in partnership with the Hudson's Bay Company Archives and Five Door Films will host an event to celebrate the return to Canada of rarely seen films documenting the Hudson Bay Company's activities and first nations communities in the Canadian north in the early 20th century. The screening includes excerpts from the newly transferred nitrate film footage of The Romance of the Far Fur Country which premiered on May 23, 1920, at Winnipeg's illustrious Allen Theatre. The film was then released across Western Canada, and was eventually re-cut for a British version and screened in London. Less than a decade later, the film disappeared from public view; the canisters of nitrate film stock were packed away by the HBC in an archive in London for safe keeping — but lost to the world... until now.

The screening will be followed by presentations that will discuss the circumstances surrounding the return of the films as well as the projects that are underway to promote them to wider audiences and to the communities represented in the films.

This event is generously sponsored by the Hudson's Bay Company Archives and the Manitoba Historical Society

Winnipeg Film Group‎
100 Arthur Street #304
Winnipeg, MB R3B 1H3
(204) 925-3456

OUR LOCATION

Cinematheque is located in the heart of Winnipeg's historic Exchange District, across the street from Old Market Square. We're on the main floor of the Artspace Building at 100 Arthur Street at Bannatyne - just one block west of Main.

We are within a block of many great restuarants such as Oui, King's Head Pub, Fyxx Cafe, Mondragon and the Line Up.There is ample free evening parking on the street around us, and there are several close-by pay parking lots.

#YZF #NWT Northwestel Cable 20 needs a videographer in Yellowknife

2012-01-20T17:50:00.001-08:00

Northwestel Cable 20 needs a videographer

Scope: Gather footage of the Team NWT Arctic Winter Games Snowboarding and Wrestling Trials Jan 28/29 (exact times/locations TBD). Conduct interviews with participants at each location (Cable 20 will help arrange interviews and notes on questions). For each event record highlights of the competition, two talking-heads interviews (if possible), ample b-roll.

Footage will be edited by Community TV for 3-minute story in an Arctic Winter Games magazine-style news show. The footage will be used to create stories similar to the Dene Games Trials story in this episode:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvHQLF_umTs

Time required: 1-2 hr max at each location. Raw HD footage file delivery required between 9am and 12 noon Monday Jan 30 to Mark Gill at Northwestel Retail Store location, Yellowknife.

Shooting 1920x1080 @30p. Shooting preferably on pro-sumer video camera such as Sony EX-1 or Panasonic HVX-200. Please let me know what type of camera will be used in advance of shooting.

Fee: Cable 20 will pay $60/hr for shooting time, including camera and audio gear. $30/hr for other time required for file transfer /delivery.

Contact: Chris McNutt, Manager Community Media, Northwestel 867-393-7669 / cmcnutt@nwtel.ca if interested.

Green Party of Canada : Put Our First Nations and Canada's best interests before oil industry profits

2012-01-19T11:46:00.001-08:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <Elizabeth.May@parl.gc.ca>
Date: 19 January 2012 12:06
Subject: RE: Put Our First Nations and Canada's best interests before oil industry profits
To: georgelessard@mediamentor.ca

Thank you for your letter of concern regarding the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline. I strongly oppose the Northern Gateway Project and the overturning of our moratorium on oil tankers on the British Columbia coastline.

This moratorium disallowing tanker ships from entering the coast of B.C. has existed since 1972 and has resulted in the conservation of B.C's coastal ecosystems and prevention of oil spills. If the Northern Gateway pipeline is approved, there will a serious risk of oil spills risking the livelihoods of coastal communities. In December 2010, the Government's own Commissioner for the Environment reported that Canada does not have the proper tools to respond to an oil spill.

The proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline requires 1200 kilometres of pipeline to be built through First Nations land and B.C. wilderness including the Great Bear Rainforest and other protected areas. The complete disregard for the Government's relationship with First Nations communities has been disrespectful. As well, a pipeline this size cannot proceed without a proper process of environmental and economic assessment as well as community consultation. The Harper Government has prejudged the environmental assessment and seems bound and determined to demonize those of us opposed to the pipeline as "foreign radicals."

You can read my open letter to the Hon Joe Oliver at http://elizabethmaymp.ca/news/blogs/2012/01/09/an-open-letter-to-joe-oliver/. In addition, you can sign the petition opposing the Northern Gateway Pipeline at http://elizabethmaymp.ca/wp-content/uploads/Northern-Gateway-Pipeline-Petition.pdf. In order for this petition to be presented to the House of Commons, it must be printed single sided and have a minimum of 25 signatures. Please mail back to my Parliament Hill office at which point I will then present the petition to the House of Commons in an effort to stop this project.

I appreciate your concern for this issue. Please keep up the pressure!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth May, O.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Saanich- Gulf Islands
Leader of the Green Party of Canada

New Democrats on Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline

2012-01-19T11:44:00.001-08:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <Nycole.Turmel@parl.gc.ca>
Date: 19 January 2012 09:48
Subject: New Democrats on Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline
To: Nycole.Turmel@parl.gc.ca

Thank you for your email outlining your concerns with oil tanker traffic on
the coast of BC via the Northern Gateway Pipeline. Please know that I share
your concerns.

First, let me comment on the Conservatives' recent musings about
environmental assessments and funding sources for environmental NGOs. When
it comes to an environmental assessment process, many Canadians have a stake
in both the process and the outcome. New Democrats recognize that this is
entirely legitimate. Interestingly, one must ask themselves: whose interests
are the Conservatives representing? Canadians or the interests of the
American and Chinese companies who will profit from the pipeline?

Furthermore, while the Conservatives feign concern over foreign donations to
Canadian NGOs, they seem to have no problem with one of their favourite
think-tanks, the Fraser Institute, receiving 9% of their funding from
foreign sources! (Annual Report, Fraser Institute, 2010 (pg 39):
http://www.fraserinstitute.org/about-us/who-we-are/annual-reports.aspx)

We are glad that President Obama has listened to people's concerns on both
sides of the border, questioning whether this pipeline is worth the high
environmental and social cost. This outcome is the direct result of this
government's inaction on the environment and refusal to properly regulate
the oil sands. That's why some of our closest trading partners are shutting
their markets to Canadian oil.

For our part, we have been consistent in our call for the government to ban
oil tanker traffic on the BC coast. Building on NDP past work that included
a motion calling on the government to ban oil tanker traffic on the BC
coast, in June 2011 NDP MPs Fin Donnelly and Nathan Cullen laid out a
legislative proposal for a permanent ban on oil supertanker traffic off the
north coast of British Columbia.

We have long felt that these supertankers are all risk and no reward - it's
all about shipping raw bitumen from Alberta's tar sands to Asia.
Additionally, banning oil tanker traffic would effectively stop any move by
Enbridge to ship oil through its planned $4.5 billion Northern Gateway
Pipeline.

You may also be interested to know of our party's efforts to cut subsidies
to non-renewable energy producers, and redirect these revenues into clean
energy projects. We feel that the Conservative government's irresponsible
support for the fossil fuel industry is leaving Canada behind and costing us
billions. (http://www.ndp.ca/platform/tackle-climate-change#section-4-2).

You can read more about our ideas to help achieve a cleaner and healthier
environment by visiting:
http://www.ndp.ca/platform/tackle-climate-change
http://meganleslie.ndp.ca/post/ndp-calls-for-action-against-climate-change
http://www.ndp.ca/press/climate-change-conservatives-inaction-putting-jobs-r
isk

Our team of New Democrat MPs remains committed to putting forward practical
solutions that will move Canada forward and ensure that we maintain a clean,
sustainable Canada for future generations.

Again, I appreciate the time you have taken to voice your concerns. I invite
you to visit our website at www.ndp.ca to learn the latest about our team of
New Democrats. Also, feel free to pass along my response to your network of
friends and family.

All the best,

Nycole Turmel, M.P.
Interim Leader of the Official Opposition
New Democratic Party of Canada

Imagine a World Without Free Knowledge - I support #wikipediablackout! Show your support here

2012-01-18T00:44:00.001-08:00

I support #wikipediablackout! Show your support here http://tinyurl.com/7vq4o8g

Imagine a World Without Free Knowledge

For over a decade, we have spent millions of hours building the largest encyclopedia in human history. Right now, the U.S. Congress is considering legislation that could fatally damage the free and open Internet. For 24 hours, to raise awareness, we are blacking out Wikipedia. Learn more.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:SOPA_initiative/Learn_more

Arctic Cinema and Applied Arts conference, 10-12 April, 2012

2012-01-13T06:39:00.001-08:00

Arctic Cinema and Applied Arts conference, 10-12 April, 2012

Fri, Jan 13, 2012

UArctic's Thematic Network on Arctic Sustainable Arts and Design is organizing a two-day (10th - 12th April, 2012) conference, Arctic Cinema and Applied Arts, which will take place at Inari, Finland, brings together national and international experts from the fields of culture, cinema and arts. The event will be of interest to anyone with a professional interest in art and culture in the north; entrepreneurs within culture, arts, and tourism, artists and art associations, students of culture, arts, and tourism.
http://kulttuuri.luc.fi/conference2012/ACAA.iw3
"...

Arctic Cinema and Applied Arts

What tales are to be told about how the creative industries, artists and entrepreneurs could work together to benefit people living in the North? What can be learned about new ways of engaging communities through the arts and the role of cinema in the Arctic? What is distinctive about art and cinema in the North? These are the sorts of questions that will be addressed at this inaugural conference, hosted by the Institute for Northern Culture in the newly opened Sámi Cultural Centre, SAJOS, in Inari.

The idea of a discussion is at the heart of the conference, and delegates will explore the two central themes: cinema and applied arts from a northern perspective. Entrepreneurs in arts and culture, artists, policy makers and educationalists are invited to consider how the arts contribute to the economic life and general well-being of people living in the North.

About the conference

This two-day (10th - 12th April, 2012) conference brings together national and international experts from the fields of culture, cinema and arts. The event will be of interest to anyone with a professional interest in art and culture in the north; entrepreneurs within culture, arts, and tourism, artists and art associations, students of culture, arts, and tourism. The conference will also appeal to decision makers in development organisations, municipalities etc.

The programme includes internationally renowned scholars, filmmakers and artists...."

Make a short film with LIFT for imagineNATIVE 2012 - Submit Now!

2012-01-11T18:54:00.001-08:00

Make a short film with LIFT for imagineNATIVE 2012 - Submit Now!

LIFT and imagineNATIVE
8th ANNUAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM: CALL FOR APPLICANTS
Make a short film for imagineNATIVE 2012

Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 by 5:00pm

Do you have a great idea for a 5 minute short film? Explore 16mm filmmaking through LIFT's workshops, equipment and facilities (other mediums may be employed). Shoot and edit your ideas to film, and see them on screen at the 13th annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, which will take place in Toronto from October 17–21, 2012!

You will be provided with a LIFT Membership, and be eligible to enroll in any training workshop offered during their Winter and Summer 2012 calendar. You will be paired with LIFT's knowledgeable staff and a specially selected mentor to help you through your various development, production and post-production stages. imagineNATIVE will subsidize some additional costs related to your project, and facilitate aspects of your post-production stages.

Please note: Projects must be realistic in scope and subject matter as they must be completed and transferred to tape by September 25, 2012.

The participant will receive the opportunity to use LIFT's extensive 16mm production equipment and facilities for their film. As every film is unique, equipment and facilities access will be established in the development phase (past equipment and facilities budgets have ranged from $500–$5,000). Any additional equipment, facilities, and production costs will be the responsibility of the participant.

imagineNATIVE will provide a $500 bursary towards production costs and 1,200 feet of film stock will be provided by Kodak. Assistance with transferring and processing will also be provided (approximately a $750 value). All other associated costs are to be covered by the participant.

Eligibility Criteria:

    This call is open to Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit, other international Indigenous) candidates living in or near the GTA only
    Preference will be given to artists who have not had the opportunity to work in film (Note: you do not have to be a youth, but youth may also apply)
    Candidates must commit to attending the LIFT training workshops from March–August 2012. We strongly encourage applicants who are deadline driven and self-starters.
    You must live in Toronto or within commuting distance from the city in order to access LIFT workshops and equipment. Travel subsidy and cost of living are NOT covered by this mentorship.

Your Application Must Include:

    One-page short film idea
    A half to one-page statement on why you would like to participate and how you would benefit from this mentorship;
    Your bio (no resumes or CVs please). Please be certain to indicate your past experience with film, video and other artistic mediums, if any, and your Indigenous affiliation.
    Contact info, including email, mailing address and phone number.
    Email to LIFT@imagineNATIVE.org or Fax to 416.585.2313

Should you have additional questions, please call Daniel Northway-Frank at 416.585.2333 or programming@imagineNATIVE.org

The deadline for submissions is WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012 by 5:00PM

More at
http://www.imaginenative.org/newsdetails.php?id=212

NWT Premier Roland gave Kate & William 692 diamonds during Yellowknife visit last summer

2012-01-10T18:00:00.001-08:00

'Brooch' and 'pair of cufflinks'...included a total of 692 diamonds – 302 for Kate and 390 for William.....Kate and William were given a gift each by the premier of the Northwest Territories while visiting the town of Yellowknife.
These trinkets were modestly listed by the couple's office as 'brooch' and 'pair of cufflinks'.
But both were made from platinum, studded with diamond pave and specially commissioned from world-renowned jeweller Harry Winston, a favourite of A-list stars.
[...]
According to the firm's chairman, Robert Gannicott, it took their best craftsmen 250 hours to make the royal gifts. 'These convey the wealth of respect and affection that we hold for the royal couple,' premier Floyd K. Roland said as he handed over the gems.
The items together included a total of 692 diamonds – 302 for Kate and 390 for William. However, Clarence House insisted that it was 'inappropriate to highlight whether a gift was valuable'..."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2084973/Kate-Duchess-diamonds-Gift-Canada-listed-officials-brooch-revealed-designer-platinum-302-stones.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

'pair of cufflinks'
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/11/article-2084973-0F67D8A900000578-757_634x286.jpg

'brooch'
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/11/article-2084973-0F681F3D00000578-297_634x1183.jpg

Aboriginal Storytellers: Remember To Apply By Jan 16 for Banff's "Hi-Rez Storytelling"

2012-01-09T13:12:00.001-08:00

Aboriginal Storytellers: Remember To Apply By January 16

The Banff Centre: Indigenous Storytellers Invited to Apply
Program dates: February 27 – March 10, 2012
Application deadline: January 16, 2012

Scholarship and financial aid covering 100 per cent of the program fee is available.

Hi-Rez Storytelling is a program designed to support emerging to mid-career Aboriginal filmmakers and new media screen-based writers and producers. During the course of this unique two-week residency at The Banff Centre, participants will develop a project they bring with them to the program, write for multi-platform environments, and learn digital strategies that provide a continuum for contemporary storytelling forms.

Hi-Rez Storytelling will provide one-on-one mentorship and guidance with outstanding faculty and guest speakers. At the end of residency, participants will leave with a developed story, plans for production, and fundraising and/or pitching plans. Participants may be storytellers of any genre who want to explore how to tell and visualize their story, and who wish to explore an Indigenous esthetic in storytelling and interactivity.

http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=1235

For more information about Hi-Rez Storytelling and Aboriginal Arts Self-Directed Residencies, please contact:
Kathy Morrison, Program Manager
Aboriginal Arts
The Banff Centre
Box 1020, Station 21
Banff, AB T1L 1H5
kathy_morrison@banffcentre.ca
Tel: 403.763.6710

Call for submissions: Northern, Art/Experimental video program

2012-01-03T18:01:00.001-08:00

Call for submissions: Northern, Art/Experimental video program

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Western Arctic Moving Pictures <jeremy@wamp.ca>
Date: 3 January 2012 18:27
Subject: Call for submissions: ART/EXPERIMENTAL VIDEO

WAMP is working with SAW video from Ottawa and Yukon Film Society to put
together a Northern, Art/Experimental video program to be showcased at the
National Arts Centre in 2013.

Please contact us with any northern videos/ works in progress you may have
that you think will fit the genre.

The link below is for the prairies scene... 2013 would be for northern scene
http://www.prairiescene.ca/en/

The Venue:
http://www2.nac-cna.ca/en/

Our Collaborators:
http://www.sawvideo.com/

WAMP
http://www.wamp.ca/

Yukon Film Society
http://www.yukonfilmsociety.com/

Full Q&A Notes on #NWTPoli Politics and Social Media for my @CBCNorth radio appearance this morning

2011-12-30T07:54:00.001-08:00

[Notes, not a transcript]
Audio of interview available for download at
http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/56769

1. So, what "on-line activities" did you track during the elections this year?

All the candidates Twitter and Facebook accounts
in both the federal and territorial elections
as well as their (if they had 'em) their blogs and websites…
I wanted to see what new media communication the candidates would bring to bear on the runs… how they would handle the voters.. if they would dialogue with the voters or just spew the standard press releases…

As of December 30th, 2011
Seniors Forum Live stream video had 122 video views http://mediamentor-circumpolar.blogspot.com/2011/09/seniors-all-yzf-candidates-for.html
Chamber of Commerce forum videos http://storify.com/northern_clips/yellowknife-chamber-of-commerce-election-forum-201 had 977 video views
NWT Election form now NWT Politics & Society https://www.facebook.com/groups/NWT.elec.17/
had 180 members during during the elections and now has172 with over 2000 posts on many different issues of concern to the citizens of the NWT
The Election time, NWT style article on http://rabble.ca/news/2011/09/election-time-nwt-style had 1200 readers and the live stream videos of the Northwest Territories, Status of Women Council of the NWTs held an All Yellowknife Candidates Forum on September 26, 7 p.m., at Northern United Place had 839 viewers. http://rabble.ca/rabbletv/program-guide/2011/09/features/nwt-all-candidates-debate

------------------------

2. From your perspective, what stands out for you about this year's elections?

Well two things…
The first being that there was so many candidates using social media..
In the federal race… all candidates had Facebook and twitter accounts…
some with new accounts set up for the election… and others with established pages… same with webpages or blogs….
Same in the territorial race… except in that race.. some candidates did not have an on-line presence at all… that's to be understood.. some communities lack the connectivity and surfers to make it worthwhile …

Second surprise in both races was number of candidates using new media who did not seem to get the would idea that its a two way street and its the give and take that's the key…

----------------------------

3. How does that change things?

We're a big territory.. that's not news…
What may be news to some is that for the first time in our electoral process Twitter and Facebook let the voters of the NWT personally participate in the debate … air the issues… and start the building of a territory wide consensus on those issues…
and those voters..
like students at university and others living down south
or those out of their communities and at Aurora College in Ft Smith or Inuvik
were also able to participate… hear the issues and think about their votes…
using Hashtags #NWTpoli #NWTleg #NWTelec17

4. During the territorial election, you started the NWT ELECTIONS FOR THE 17th assembly Facebook group.
What were some of the issues that people wanted to talk about?

Now called NWT Politics & Society Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/NWT.elec.17/ the group has about 180 members during during over 2000 posts on many different issues of concern to the citizens of the NWT

During the
Direct election of the premier… or at least a change in the way its done now..
Poverty, housing.. the road to Tuk..
The Hache / Hawkins issue
The Turner / Daryl Dolynny issue
pretty much the same topics that you might have see on CBCNorth or in the newspaper… the major difference being that this was the voter talking.. not the pundits… not the journalists.. it allowed the people to voice their opinions on topics of their own choosing

-----------------

FOLLOWUP : Who would you point to for both 'active' and 'inactive' on-line campaigns?

in Yellowknife Centre, Hawkins and Hache have both been on Twitter since 2009… but the differences are amazing… with Hache the scoop and depth of her posts gave and still give us an insight into her character, concerns and interest… Mr Hawkins just touted his campaign and its minutia with little if any opinion or sense of his character

Bea Lepine - Candidate for Hay River North MLA still has 244 members of her Facebook group… and had more during the election…. she did an excellent job of dialoguing with those voters and also continued in traditional campaign methods… in her personal account she has 424 friends.. she lost...

But her main opponent Robert Bouchard's personal page (all he had during the election) lists 434 friends… he won.. wit little on line interaction…

But I think the best examples are from the Federal campaign…

Our former Health Minister, Conservative Sandy Lee, had a very professionally run Facebook and Twitter accounts… but it was evident that's all they were… press photo after press release and little or no interaction with the voters… In fact after asking a simple question about why Ms Lee had not answered the NWT Status of Women's questionnaire on he Facebook page…. one of her staffers from Inuvik banned me from the page telling me "That page is there for Sandy's supporters" only… and the same question asked via Twitter never received a reply.. Of all her Facebook postings I seem to remember only two or three that were not posted by her staff…

On the other hand..
The Green Party's Eli Purchase, the Liberal's Joe Handley and the NDP's Dennis Bevington were all… very much more open and forthcoming… with many postings from not only supporters by others who asked questions… and got answers…

It was refreshing to see that Eli Purchase was doing his Facebook, Twitter and YouTube videos himself… and there was the feeling of hearing his personal opinions and stances on the issues…

So to for Handley and Bevington….
So what I am saying is the Facebook and Twitter are excellent ways for a voter to test the waters… to find out about a candidate's interests and character during an election… and afterwards… if they are well used by the politician… they let the voter keep track and keep in touch with them during their mandate...

- --------------

5. So, what does all this tell you about how connected (as in our on-line presence) we are as a territory and where we are going?

Well … our connectivity will improve… there is no doubt about that…
both to the internet and to our politicians… both the federal and territorial election campaigns have, I think, firmly established that social media are important tools of communication in our democratic society… and are here to stay..and in a region of the size in the NWT… the most important thing is that they give the voter back the power (if we ever had it) to build and establish the oft talked about consensus and then to mandate our politicians to carry out the consensus of the people's will...

Maclean's National Crime Ranking for the NWT

2011-12-20T02:48:00.001-08:00

According to McLean's the severity of crime in the NWT higher than the Canadian average for overall crime.
Only Nunavut is higher.
Fortunately Yellowknife does not rate in the top 100 cities.
http://www2.macleans.ca/crime-chart/

Rank	Province or Territory	Population	% from Canadian average	Rank (violent crime)	Rank (non-violent crime)	% change since 2005*	% change since 2000*
Crime severity index
1	Nunavut	33,220	318	1	2	5.7	38.1
2	Northwest Territories	43,759	311.3	2	1	-0.9	35.1
3	Yukon Territory	34,525	107	3	3	-14.1	-36.1

Northwest Territories, Canada

Overall Rank #2

Population: 43,759 Website: www.gov.nt.ca

Homicide
Rate per 100,000 population:2.3Canadian rate per 100,000 population:1.6
Percentage difference from Canada:40.7%

Sexual assault
Rate per 100,000 population:402.2
Canadian rate per 100,000 population:65
Percentage difference from Canada:518.5%

Aggravated assault
Rate per 100,000 population:68.6
Canadian rate per 100,000 population:10
Percentage difference from Canada:585.8%

Robbery
Rate per 100,000 population:54.9
Canadian rate per 100,000 population:89.1
Percentage difference from Canada:-38.5%

Breaking and entering
Rate per 100,000 population:1629.4
Canadian rate per 100,000 population:577.2
Percentage difference from Canada:182.3%

Auto theft
Rate per 100,000 population:507.3
Canadian rate per 100,000 population:271.7
Percentage difference from Canada:86.7%

METHODOLOGY
Maclean's obtained annual crime data from Statistics Canada for municipal police services serving the nation's 100 largest populations, each encompassing a city or town of at least 10,000 people. Using 2010 rates per 100,000 people for six crimes—homicide, sexual assault, aggravated assault, vehicle theft, robbery plus breaking and entering—in each area, Maclean's calculated the percentage difference from the national rate. The overall crime score ranking for the 100 communities was created in consultation with StatsCan, using its Crime Severity Index (CSI) score and calculating the percentage difference from the national CSI score. Maclean's calculated the ratios by dividing population of the area by the raw number of crimes. Maclean's uses the names of the individual police services as used by Statistics Canada as the "city" name; some are edited for space.

MINISTER’S STATEMENT 20-17(1): MEETING WITH FEDERAL JUSTICE MINISTER ON BILL C-10 HON. GLEN ABERNETHY

2011-12-17T11:01:00.001-08:00

HANSARD UNEDITED TRANSCRIPT
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011 YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
MINISTER'S STATEMENT 20-17(1): MEETING WITH FEDERAL JUSTICE MINISTER ON BILL C-10
HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to update the House on discussions I had with the federal Minister of Justice, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, yesterday. The purpose of this meeting was to bring the concerns of my colleagues regarding Bill C-10 to the Minister and to discuss how best to mitigate the impacts of the bill on the Northwest Territories.
The Parliament of Canada has the right and responsibility to pass national legislation in respect to criminal justice that can significantly affect all the provinces and territories. The motion passed just last Friday by this Assembly details some of the concerns that we have about this bill, and how it may affect our residents and our institutions that respond to crime. But we must be mindful of the fact that Bill C-10 is the latest in a string of federal bills aimed at addressing crime. Since 2006 there have been 18 crime and public safety bills that have gone through Parliament, many of which are now law. These initiatives have had a cumulative impact on our services here in the Northwest Territories.
For the record, Bill C-10 bundles nine bills that were introduced in the previous Parliament into one large piece of legislation. The bill covers everything from sexual offences and drug crimes, to compensating victims of terrorism and eliminating pardons for some offences. The bill also introduces new offences and mandatory minimum sentences, imposes higher penalties and restricts the use of conditional sentences.
We anticipate the changes in sentencing will affect our corrections system where we may see more or see increases in the number of adults in custody as well as more youth in pre-trial and sentence custody. There may also be pressures on our courts and on our Legal Aid Program as more people may contest charges due to the increased penalties.
Additionally, the new legislation may place more demands on our victim services. There may be increased pressures on our community justice programs and will continue to try to deal with matters outside of the court system wherever possible.
Minister Nicholson and I had a positive discussion, recognizing the unique concerns we have in the Northwest Territories. We agreed that we will continue to work together on a number of fronts including: diversion options, potential options for alternative courts, victim services, Aboriginal justice and youth justice.
I extended an invitation to Minister Nicholson to come visit one of our small communities here in the North to see daily life firsthand. He was open and receptive to the invitation.
We will be continuing our discussions with Canada to develop concrete approaches to mitigating the effects of Bill C-10, and work with our northern counterparts in Nunavut and the Yukon to promote our common interest and to share the best practices. We look forward to further discussions with all Ministers of Justice at the FPT Ministers of Justice meeting at the end of January. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Abernethy.

Call for Applications: Hi-Rez Storytelling: Indigenous Storytellers Invited to Apply

2011-12-16T09:38:00.001-08:00

Aboriginal Arts

Hi-Rez Storytelling
http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=1235

Indigenous Storytellers Invited to Apply

Program dates: February 27 – March 10, 2012
Application deadline: January 13, 2012

Hi-Rez Storytelling is a program designed to support emerging to mid-career Aboriginal filmmakers and new media screen-based writers and producers. During the course of this unique two-week residency at The Banff Centre, participants will develop a project they bring with them to the program, write for multi-platform environments, and learn digital strategies that provide a continuum for contemporary storytelling forms.

Hi-Rez Storytelling will provide one-on-one mentorship and guidance with outstanding faculty and guest speakers. At the end of residency, participants will leave with a developed story, plans for production, and fundraising and/or pitching plans. Participants may be storytellers of any genre who want to explore how to tell and visualize their story, and who wish to explore an Indigenous esthetic in storytelling and interactivity.

Scholarship and financial aid to cover 100 per cent of the program fee is available. Travel costs will be the responsibility of the participants.

How to Apply
http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=1235&p=requirements

Self-directed Residencies for Aboriginal Artists

Achieve your artistic vision. The Banff Centre offers self-directed residencies for Aboriginal artists, enabling the time and space for focused work and providing the freedom to conceptualize, create, research, or complete a project.

Aboriginal Arts self-directed residencies are open to writers, composers, singer-songwriters, dancers, choreographers, screenwriters, and playwrights. Residencies can be of any duration and artists can apply to come any time.

Apply now
http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=1235&p=apply

For more information about Hi-Rez Storytelling and Aboriginal Arts Self-Directed Residencies, please contact:

Kathy Morrison, Program Manager
Aboriginal Arts
The Banff Centre
Box 1020, Station 21
Banff, AB T1L 1H5
kathy_morrison@banffcentre.ca
Tel: 403.763.6710

A Place for Artists

The Banff Centre puts the needs of artists above all else, providing time and space for inspired creativity and intense productivity (plus bacon and dessert every day!)

Watch The Video

JOB: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Open Sky Creative Society Fort Simpson NWT

2011-12-14T22:43:00.001-08:00

JOB: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Open Sky Creative Society Fort Simpson NWT

Deadline for Applications: Jan 31, 2012
http://www.cultureworks.ca/jobs/search/job_view.asp?id=3534

Job Title: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Company Name: Open Sky Creative Society
Contact: Ryan Good (oscs.osf@gmail.com)
Occupation: Visual Arts & Crafts - Administrator

City: Fort Simpson
Province/State: Northwest Territories
Country: Canada
Education Level: University (Undergraduate)
Languages: - English

Type of Work: - Full Time - Part-Time

Start Date: Feb 22, 2012
Deadline for Applications: Jan 31, 2012
Prefered Method(s) of Application: By E-Mail: oscs.osf@gmail.com

By Phone: 867-695-3005

Job Description Wage: $25.00/hr
Hours: 25 – 40 hrs/week
This position is dependent on the availability of funding levels therefore hours and terms of contract are somewhat variable.

• Implement the OSCS's programming and administrative operations in consultation with the Board of Directors.
• Research, write and submit operating, project and special grants.
• Research and identify new funding opportunities
• Liaise with funders and prepare project final reports.
• Participate in the curatorial process for the OSC Gallery
• Work with independent contractors where necessary to meet the society's needs (ie. Website development, accounting, graphic design, festival contractors, etc)
• Perform general administrative management activities including correspondence with press, artists, applicants, OSCS members and partner organizations in the Dehcho Region & beyond.
• Coordinate the annual Open Sky Festival
• Research and formulate community outreach strategies. Coordinate performance coffee houses, seasonal workshops & special events.
• Manage & schedule volunteers
• Develop and revise ongoing biannual budget projections & maintain accurate financial records.
• Assist in the development and implementation of fundraising strategies and events
• Network and liaise with advocacy groups & networks locally, provincially, and nationally
• Maintain a clean, well organized, safe working environment

Preferred Qualifications:
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Previous administrative experience
• Knowledge & sensitivity of Aboriginal cultural practices (Dene & Metis of the Dehcho)
• Confidence in the handling of artworks and installation of exhibitions
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work in partnership with the OSCS Board, committees, artists, volunteers, partner organizations & community members
• A strong working knowledge of PC computer applications (word, excel spreadsheets, adobe InDesign).
• Ability to work comfortably with A/V Technology

Additional Assets:
• A certificate in arts administration or a post-secondary degree in business admin/visual arts/visual studies/museum studies and/or demonstrated experience in artist-run centres, not-for-profit organizations, public/private galleries or museums or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven experience working with budgets, researching and writing government & foundation grants
• Previous management experience
• Fundraising and Public Relations experience
• Experience working for the non-profit sector
• Experience working with indigenous cultures

Application must include:
1) A cover letter outlining your experience and interest and relevant skills as they relate to an artist run centre and your views and previous experience regarding volunteerism
2) A current CV
3) Names of three references with contact information

Submissions via email with "OSCS Executive Director" in the subject line should be delivered to:
open_sky_society@yahoo.ca

We will review all applications, but only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Potential candidates will be contacted after the Christmas break.

Open Sky Creative Society
Box 575
Fort Simpson, NT X0E 0N0
(867)695-3005

http://www.openskyfestival.ca

K'alemi Dene Grade 2 & 3 Singers DSC01241

2011-12-14T19:25:00.001-08:00

K'alemi Dene Grade 2 & 3 Singers DSC01241
Originally uploaded by The MediaMentor 

The Yellowknife Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories 2011 Seniors Christmas Tea with the Sir John Franklin Holiday Trio, the K'alemi Dene Grade 2 & 3 Singers and a visit from Santa Claus
©2011 George Lessard December 2, 2011

CRTC opens Canada's North to local telephone competition

2011-12-14T08:41:00.001-08:00

---------------------------- Original Message
----------------------------
Subject: CRTC opens Canada's North to
local telephone competition
From: "CNW Portfolio System"
<portfolio@newswire.ca>
Date: Wed, December 14, 2011 11:14
am
To: "Portfolio E-Mail"
<portfolio@newswire.ca>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

CNW Group Portfolio E-Mail

Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission
Government of Canada Transmitted by
CNW Group on : December 14, 2011 11:00
CRTC opens Canada's North to
local telephone competition
OTTAWA-GATINEAU, Dec. 14, 2011 /CNW/ -
Today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC) announced that it is opening Canada's North to local telephone
competition.

Residents in many parts of the Yukon,
Northwest Territories and Nunavut will have the option to choose from
competing telephone service providers as of May 1, 2012.

"For the first time, many northern residents will be able to choose
an alternate local telephone service provider," said Leonard Katz,
the CRTC's Vice-Chairman of Telecommunications. "Competition will be
introduced as soon as possible to bring choice and innovative options to
Canada's North."
In its ruling, the CRTC has also denied
Northwestel's request to raise by $2 the rates for residential and
business local telephone service. Such an increase is not justified at
this time and is inconsistent with the current regulatory regime.
Moreover, the CRTC found that Northwestel has insufficiently invested in
its network despite its strong financial performance during the past few
years, and is concerned that the company's aging infrastructure is
affecting the quality and reliability of its service.
Northwestel
must provide, within the next six months, a plan detailing how it will
modernize its network. This will form the basis of the CRTC's
comprehensive review of Northwestel's infrastructure and services over
the next two years.
"We are disappointed that Northwestel,
which has until now been the sole provider of local telephone service in
the North, has not made a greater effort to improve its services,"
Mr. Katz added. "Many communities have been plagued by service
outages and certain features are not widely available to customers.
Northern residents deserve to have access to reliable and high-quality
services comparable to those offered in the rest of the country."

During the next two years, the CRTC will closely monitor the
situation in the North as local competition is implemented.

Today's decision follows a proceeding that included a public hearing that
was held in Yellowknife, N.W.T., on October 4 and 5, 2011.
Telecom
Regulatory Policy CRTC 2011-771
http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-771.htm
The CRTC

The CRTC is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises
broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.
Reference
document:
Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2011-302
For
further information:

Media Relations:

http://support.crtc.gc.ca/CRTCSubmissionMU/forms/Mediarelations.aspx?lang=e
Tel: 819-997-9403, Fax: 819-997-4245
General Inquiries:

Tel: 819-997-0313, TDD: 819-994-0423, Fax: 819-994-0218
Toll-free #
1-877-249-CRTC (2782)    
TDD - Toll-free
# 1-877-909-CRTC (2782)

http://crtc.gc.ca/RapidsCCM/Register.asp?lang=E
These documents
are available in alternative format upon request.

Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission
Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications
Commission - More on this organization

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Government of Canada Government of Canada -
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CALL FOR PAPERS: “Inuit Health: Illness Experience & Healthcare Delivery”

2011-12-08T22:33:00.001-08:00

Smithsonian National Museum of National History:
Arctic Studies Center invites papers and presentations for

"Inuit Health: Illness Experience & Healthcare Delivery" session

Session organizer: Andrew Hund, M.A., Ph.D.
18th Inuit Studies Conference
October 24-28, 2012 in Washington, DC.

Deadline for abstract submission: March 1, 2012

This session welcomes papers and presentations addressing the subjective experience of health and illness in Inuit communities; Inuit responses to health and illness (traditional and western); the societal, cultural, political, economic forces as well as environmental circumstances that threaten Inuit health and enhance or diminish the delivery of healthcare. Empirical and theoretical papers from various disciplines, such as medicine, public health, anthropology, social work, sociology, psychology, etc. addressing Inuit health and illness in the circumpolar regions are welcome. Service professionals working on practical public health, clinical, and mental health programs as well as Indigenous/Inuit contributors are strongly encouraged to participate.

How to submit a proposal for the "Inuit Health: Illness Experience & Healthcare Delivery" session.

Please send 200-250 word abstract with title, speaker(s) biographical information, brief background of research project (if any), and presenter(s) name, address, and e-mail address to the session organizer: Andrew Hund, M.A., Ph.D. at axh69@cwru.edu by March 1, 2012.

There may be possible travel stipends for three categories of prospective conference participants: 1) early career scientists; 2) students; and 3) Indigenous/Inuit contributors. These funds (if available) are intended to provide modest assistance with offsetting the costs of air travel, hotel and conference registration fees for outstanding conference participants and contributors traveling from across the north to attend the ISC 18 in Washington, DC.

If this session is not of interest, please note the 18th Inuit Studies Conference, 2012 will be held in Washington, DC, from October 24 to October 28, 2012, and located across the Smithsonian campus on the National Mall. Due to its location, the conference will cover a broad spectrum of topics, including climate change and indigenous people; international cooperation in the Arctic; roles of Museums and museum collections in preserving Inuit languages, heritage, and culture; governmental programs in the northern regions and their interactions with local communities and Inuit cultural/political institutions. The website is: http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/ISC18/

International Participant Information: We invite those who work all over the Arctic to participate in the ISC 2012. If you are not a US citizen and you require a visa to attend the ISC 2012, we urge you to begin the visa application process now. U.S. regulations require security checks for most visitor visa applications, resulting in a review process that may take three months or more.

Regulation Affecting Some International Travelers: U.S. legislation mandates that visitors eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding their airline bound for the U.S. This Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is managed by the Department of Homeland Security. Travelers without the ESTA authorization will not be permitted to enter the United States (see www.DHS.gov).

Canadian Women’s Foundation – Girls’ Fund Grant Deadline: December 20, 2011

2011-12-08T10:39:00.001-08:00

Canadian Women's Foundation – Girls' Fund Grant

Deadline: December 20, 2011

The Canadian Women's Foundation will select approximately 25 programs focused on delivering programs to girls between the ages of 9 and
13 that are using one or more of the following approaches: leadership /empowerment; physical activities/sports; science/math/technology; media literacy; financial literacy; and/or Aboriginal culture and teachings.

Girls' program grants will range from $25,000 to $40,000 annually for a four year period.

Eligible organizations: Incorporated, non-profit organizations with a registered charitable number, First Nations or other organizations sponsored by a qualified donee.

More information and grant applications available at http://www.canadianwomen.org/girls-fund-grants

Arctic Co-operatives Limited Launches New Northern Images Website

2011-12-03T22:59:00.001-08:00

December 2, 2011

For Immediate Release

Arctic Co-operatives Limited Launches New Northern Images Website

WINNIPEG, MB – Arctic Co-operatives Limited is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned Northern Images (NI) website - www.northernimages.ca

The new website has been specifically redesigned to enhance the overall customer experience by improving the ease of navigation, optimizing photo views and providing e-commerce capabilities. The site also contains feature areas and special promotions.

Arctic Co-operatives Limited (ACL) is a service federation owned and controlled by 31 community-based co-operatives in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Its art marketing arm, Northern Images (NI) is dedicated to supporting and promoting the artists and products of Arctic Canada.

ACL purchases art from co-operatives and takes full responsibility for the marketing of the art. Each piece is tagged for authenticity and artists are paid a fair price for their product. Working exclusively with Inuit and Dené artists, ACL/NI promotes their art and distinctive culture to collectors around the world.

Northern Images supports and promotes northern artists and their products by marketing Inuit and Dené arts and crafts in galleries located in Churchill, Inuvik and Yellowknife. These galleries offer a breath-taking selection of authentic sculptures, prints, books, jewellery, giftware, northern apparel and hand-made crafts.

Traditional Inuit art captures the beauty, truth and spirit of Canada's Arctic. Authentic hand-crafted sculptures tell the stories of the imaginations and memories of a truly unique people. Prints and drawings depict the wildlife, landscapes, history and culture of our northern neighbours.

Northern Images is one of the largest retailers of Inuit and Dené arts and crafts in Canada.

For more information, contact:

Debbie Moszynski

Vice-President

Art Marketing Division

1-204-697-2243 Ext. 204

E-mail: dmoszynski@arcticco-op.com

www.northernimages.ca

To arrange an interview, contact:

Lilian Choi

Manager

Communications Department

1-204-697-2243 Ext. 288

E-mail: lchoi@arcticco-op.com

www.northernimages.ca

Call for Submissions - Polar Film Festival

2011-12-03T11:08:00.000-08:00

Call for Submissions / Canadian Film Institute & International Polar Year Federal Program Office / Polar Film Festival / Ottawa, ON / Deadline Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Canadian Film Institute and International Polar Year Seek Films that Focus on Arctic and Antarctic Regions

The Canadian Film Institute (CFI), in partnership with the International Polar Year (IPY) Federal Program Office, is officially seeking entries for the Polar Film Festival. The two-day moving image event is a featured presentation of the IPY 2012 Conference: From Knowledge to Action, held April 22-27, 2012, in Montréal, Quebec, Canada.

The Polar Film Festival will celebrate the rich diversity of the Polar Regions, as well as examine the many challenges and world-wide implications they face in the 21st Century and onward. As a follow-up to the IPY Film Festival presented by the CFI in 2009, this event highlights the efforts of filmmakers from around the world who approach the Polar Regions from many different industries, research interests, artistic sensibilities, and political perspectives.

The CFI welcomes all films that explore issues and activities of particular relevance to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Any genres of film and video practice - documentary, research, industrial, fiction, activist - from all Polar Regions are encouraged for submission.

Video submissions can be mailed directly to the CFI as a playable DVD or Blu-Ray disc. Digital entries may be submitted via direct download link, or any common digital media format such USB drive or DVD-ROM. Entrants are asked to include production credits, digital stills, director bios and filmography, contact information, and other relevant materials with their submissions.

The submission deadline is January 31, 2012. Please send all submissions to:

CANADIAN FILM INSTITUTE
2 Daly Avenue, Suite 120
Ottawa, ON K1N 6E2
Canada

Email: info@cfi-icf.ca
Tel: 613-232-6727
Fax: 613-232-6315

The public is encouraged to forward this Call for Entries to relevant producers, filmmakers, researchers, and other parties who may be interested. Please contact CFI Programmer Jerrett Zaroski at zaroski@cfi-icf.ca for any questions and further information.

About the IPY 2012 Conference
Occurring at a pivotal time for the environment of our planet, the International Polar Year (IPY) 2012 Conference draws international attention to the Polar Regions, global change, and related environmental, social and economic issues. From Knowledge to Action will bring together over 2,000 Arctic and Antarctic researchers, policy- and decision-makers, and a broad range of interested parties from academia, industry, non- government, education and circumpolar communities including indigenous peoples. The IPY 2012 Conference will contribute to the translation of new polar scientific findings into an evidence-based agenda for action that will influence global decisions, policies and outcomes over the coming years. More information on the conference can be found online at http://www.ipy2012montreal.ca.

About the CFI
The Canadian Film Institute (CFI) was incorporated in 1935 as a federally-chartered, non-governmental, non-profit cultural organization. It is the oldest film institution in Canada and the second oldest film institute in the world. More information can be found online at http://www.cfi-icf.ca.

Improved telecommunications will transform Nunaviks health delivery

2011-11-29T10:47:00.001-08:00

Improved telecommunications will transform Nunavik’s health delivery

[image] http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/pub/photos/132_tandberg_internMXP.jpg

The Tandberg "intern" will be Nunavik's tele-health connection to medical specialists in southern Quebec.

Full story

http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674improved_telecommunications_will_transform_nunaviks_health_delivery/

[excerpt]

KUUJJUAQ — Don’t be surprised if you run into a doctor in Nunavik who looks almost like a robot, is about five feet tall, and has wheels for feet, a bar for a back, computer screen for a head and a camera for a hat.

It’s just one of the new “interns,” made by a company called Tandberg, which will make their appearance in community clinics and hospitals throughout Nunavik, said Wayne Labadie, the co-ordinator of information services for Nunavik’s regional board of health and social services.

They’ve already arrived at Kuujjuaq’s Tulattavik hospital and at the Inuulitsivik hospital in Puvirnituq, where they’re the most visible signs of changes in the delivery of health and social services in Nunavik.

The audio-visual hook-ups that are part of the tele-health carts or “interns,” as they’re sometimes called, will give each nurse or doctor in Nunavik instant access to the McGill University Health Centre — and their video conversations about patients will take place in real time on the screen.

The new system will provide more efficient access to laboratory results, quicker access to emails and the Internet, and, by March 2012, everyone in the health system will be able to consult electronic clinical records.

As a result, Labadie told counsellors Nov. 28 at the Kativik Regional Government meeting in Kuujjuaq, there will be less risk and better follow-ups for patients.

The improved telecommunications system is due to a five-year contract worth $9 million from Quebec’s Department of Health and Social Services with the KRG’s Tamaani Internet service provider.

And, after 18 months of preparation, the new and improved telecommunications system for health and social services facilities in Nunavik is ready to roll out.

Called the Nunavik Telecommunications Network, the new system uses the same satellite network and local infrastructure as Tamaani.

But the new network will be separate, more secure, and provide the bandwidth needed by 29 health and social services points around Nunavik.

Youth Protection will see its own “locked-down,” secure system within the new network.

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS #NWT -WIDE YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT

2011-11-28T13:54:00.001-08:00

FROZEN EYES PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY LAUNCHES NWT-WIDE YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT

The Frozen Eyes Photographic Society is officially launching a special Northwest-Territories-wide photographic leadership development program for NWT youth with an ability and interest in photography. Funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage's Youth Take Charge program, this new initiative is looking for 12-15 youth from across the territory.

The project consists of two phases. The first is a professionally instructed week-long workshop in Yellowknife March 18-25. This course will further introduce students to the art of photography and help build their portfolios. In the second phase, participants from the first workshop will travel to a community other than their own to work with a Frozen Eyes mentor and help run a photo workshop for local youth while sharing their knowledge with their peers. The best images from these workshops will be used in a travelling exhibit of NWT youth photography to be shown in northern and southern communities and online.

Interested participants between ages 13 and 19 are required to submit a portfolio by January 16, 2012. Applications should include 5-10 digital photos (jpeg format), a resume, a reference and a brief letter describing why the applicant is interested in participating in the programme.

FEPS was initiated in 2007 after a group of Yellowknife artists developed a photography mentorship program for the Arctic Winter Games. Since forming a society in 2008, FEPS has generously received funds from BHP Billiton Canada, the NWT Arts Council, the City of Yellowknife and now the Department of Canadian Heritage. These funds allowed the group to hold photographic workshops with youth in communities across the NWT, as well as exhibits in Toronto and at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife. The hope is participating youth leave equipped with confidence, leadership skills and a strong knowledge of the technical and creative sides of photography.

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact
Courtney Holmes
Executive Director
867-446-1669
info@frozeneyes.com

Frozen Eyes Photographic Society
Box 20087 Yellowknife, NT
X1A 1R0
http://frozeneyes.com/

NWT needs cash- debt of "$380-million is paying itself off through the territorial housing & power corporation..." Miltenberger

2011-11-27T17:23:00.001-08:00

"... The delay of the contentious Keystone XL pipeline is good news for the Northwest Territories in its decades-long bid to get a natural gas pipeline built, its new premier believes.

Bob McLeod, a former industry minister who was appointed premier last month under the territory's cooperative style of government, has spent much of his career pushing for the Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline. His territory needs it now more than ever.

The government is near its federally imposed debt limit, facing an infrastructure crunch and is anxious for a deal on "devolution," which would hand province-like control over resources and land down from Ottawa.

In short: the NWT needs cash, and a massive pipeline would be a boon.

[...]

The territory's books, meanwhile, are in flux. The NWT had a borrowing limit of $500-million set by Ottawa, which temporarily extended it to $575-million recently. The territory is nearing that new limit.

"We're in negotiations with Finance Canada. In the meantime, we're going to manage our way through this," NWT Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger said. "We're on the right side of 575. And we have enough flexibility left to make it through this fiscal year."

Of the debt, $380-million is paying itself off through the territorial housing and power corporation, he said, leaving the territory in an enviable position, if it had control over its resource revenue. A devolution deal would add $60-million to territorial coffers per year, a significant figure for a sprawling region of 43,000 people. "A borrowing limit is important, but devolution for us is really the next step in our political evolution," Mr. Miltenberger said...."

[...]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/keystone-xl-delay-boosts-prospect-for-completing-mackenzie-pipeline-new-premier-says/article2251312/

REVIEW: Homelessness in Yellowknife: An Emerging Social Challenge

2011-11-26T15:42:00.001-08:00

Homelessness in Yellowknife: An Emerging Social Challenge
http://www.edmontonsocialplanning.ca/content/view/1083/271/

Homelessness in Yellowknife: An Emerging Social Challenge. Nick Falvo. Published by the Canadian Homelessness Network Research Press. 2011.

This report provides a brief overview of characteristics and potential causes of homelessness in Yellowknife. The report then outlines several programs to alleviate this social issue in the city. Finally, recommendations are given on policy affecting homelessness.

The homeless population in Yellowknife is overrepresented by aboriginals living in the city. It is also more likely that homeless persons have predisposing risk factors such as a psychiatric diagnosis, heavy drug or alcohol use, and have inadequate job skills than the general population. Roughly five percent of individuals in Yellowknife experience homelessness at some point in their lives; comparatively, this percentage is approximately one percent nationwide. There is a general consensus among policy makers that unemployment, lack of affordable housing and inadequate social assistance benefits are major factors for homelessness. Conditions in Yellowknife are consistent with the aforementioned.

Program Responses

Program responses to homelessness can be categorized into: emergency shelters, transitional housing, supported independent living homes, independent living support, and public housing. Emergency shelters provide temporary relief and are one of the least desirable types of housing in terms of living conditions and sustainability. Pomeroy states that the average annual cost to support one person at an emergency shelter is $13,000 - $42 000 (as cited in Falvo, 2011). The crowded living conditions within these shelters have been associated with adverse health consequences. Between 2007 and 2008, a Tuberculosis outbreak cost the public health care system approximately $500 000. Furthermore, valuable healthcare resources were allocated to contact people who may have had come in contact with infected clients at the shelter.

The YWCA operates two transitional housing units: one for households with children (Rockhill Transitional Housing) and another for women (BETTY). The Salvation Army provides one of the main transitional housing units for men-the Bailey House. Yellowknife has three supported independent homes run by the YWCA. These homes have 24 hour on-site staffing and house residents who receive social assistance and $1500 for income support.

The third type of housing program is independent living support, where YWCA staff attend private homes to provide assistance to individuals in need. Support staff may assist with administering medication, groceries, appointments, and social activities. Yellowknife also has a public housing program which allows low-income individuals to pay rent that is geared to their income.

Funding

Yellowknife receives funding from three tiers of government for its homelessness programs. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) invest $417 000 in federal funding, three quarters of which have been used to develop the Bailey House. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) allocates $700 000 of its funds to the YWCA for its homelessness programs. The DHSS provides $ 125 000 in the form of the Homelessness Assistance fund. The GNWT also has a Small Communities Fund which grants $200 000 to small communities to start their own programs to relieve homelessness. Municipal assistance is given in the form of complimentary legal services, financial administration assistance, relief of permit fees and some property taxes for the Bailey House, and a donation of land on which the Bailey House was built.

Policy Considerations

Several policy recommendations were outlined in this report. The first recommendation is to form a Homelessness Secretariat. Responsibilities of the Secretariat include creating and monitoring regulations for emergency shelters and collecting and maintaining standard statistics related to homelessness. Along the lines of the first recommendation, the report calls for emergency shelter standards. For example, ensuring there is a minimum number of staff at each shelter at all times and forming procedures on how to handle special circumstances, such as clients with Tuberculosis.

In order to ensure that funds for homelessness programs are effectively utilized, the report emphasizes the importance of members of the Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition to clearly communicate individual intentions within the group. Moreover, the GNWT minister of Health and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) need to create more affordable and supported housing. In a study done for the National Secretariat on Homelessness (as cited in Falvo, 2011), Pomeroy compares costs on various program expenses in Halifax, Toronto and Vancouver, and found that it is significantly cheaper to provide supported or public housing compared to emergency shelters.

The report also suggests the Minister of Health and Social Services be responsible for establishing a program to address the substance abuse issue that is clearly linked to homelessness. A managed alcohol and needle exchange program are two examples of health programs that may benefit Yellowknife.

Weakness

A weakness of this report is that it did not describe potential shortcomings related to the research methodology. An example of this is when the author states that only 21 out of 49 informant interviews were used for the project, but does not explain why.

Intended Audience

This report is useful for those interested in a summary of the homeless situation in Yellowknife. It also provides policy and program ideas on how to deal with homelessness in areas with similar social demographics.

Reviewed by Darlene Lau

References:

Pomeroy, Steve. (2005) The Cost of Homelessness: Analysis of Alternate Responses in Four Canadian Cities.Prepared for the National Secretariat on Homelessness.

New Report Paints Grim Picture of Public Housing in the NWT

2011-11-25T20:26:00.001-08:00

Description: CBC Special Report, Thursday, November 24, 2011, 7:15 a.m.

http://chab.samhsa.gov/Resource/New-Report-Paints-Grim-Picture-of-Public-Housing-in-the-NWT-53016.aspx

JOSLYN OOSENBRUG, CBC: Now there are about 2,500 public housing units across the Northwest Territories. Many of them are in desperate need of repair and so the waiting list for housing keeps getting longer. Now new research out of Carlton University shows the housing situation is only going to get worse unless there are some drastic changes to the system. Nick Falvo is the lead researcher on the study that was published in this year's edition of How Ottawa Spends, released by Carlton University's School of Public Policy and Administration. Falvo teamed up with the Centre of Northern Families' Arlene Hache to take a closer look at the state of public housing here in the Northwest Territories and both Arlene and Nick join me this morning in studio to go over some of the details. Good morning to you both.

FALVO: Good morning.

HACHE: Good morning.

CBC: So, Arlene, let's start with you. You approached Nick right, to do this research? Why did you want to take a closer look at public housing here in the North?

HACHE: From our perspective public housing is the number one issue in terms of how families and people are directly impacted around homelessness and of family breakdown and people giving their children to child welfare because they can't even keep a home. So we were really interested in partnering with the Carlton University to take a more in-depth look at the history of housing in the Northwest Territories, where the resources are, who should be contributing and of course the federal government is on their way out of giving any money to the Northwest Territories. So we wanted to really lay the foundation for the GNWT to be able to persuade the federal government to stay committed to housing in the North, and we wanted to also look at the policies of the GNWT and barriers that are there in terms of people keeping their house or getting into housing, and that's another sort of big unanswered question.

CBC: So, Nick, can you paint us a bit of a picture? What is the picture of public housing here in the Northwest Territories?

FALVO: Well the picture of public housing here is a bit like housing in the rest of Canada, but there's a very important difference and that is that in the North it is very expensive to build and maintain housing and there are three main reasons for that. One is that there is a considerable amount of poverty, especially in small communities. Second, building costs are higher in the North, especially on the Arctic Coast. Third, utility costs are considerably higher in the Northwest Territories than in the rest of Canada. So for all three of those reasons it is quite expensive to build and maintain a unit in the North. So the role of the federal government is very important in terms of social housing nationally, but it is especially important in the North largely because of those cost factors.

CBC: And why are we hearing that so many of the public housing units here are in such poor condition?

FALVO: I think a key reason is the ongoing cost involved. So, for example, when public housing is built in the Northwest Territories there are capital costs, but after the capital costs are factored in there's still about 15 to $20,000 a year needed by the government to maintain that unit, to pay for things like utility costs and it's an expensive undertaking, households are stretched far more here than in the rest of Canada. So one of the factors is that when something needs to be fixed it is expensive to fix it and there's a real cost issue involved there.

CBC: And does that mean that our more remote communities are in a tougher spot?

FALVO: Absolutely. The research finds that when it comes to households living in crowded conditions and households living in houses that need major repairs, the smaller communities are hit much harder than the regional centres and even the regional centres are hit more than most parts of Canada.

CBC: And, Arlene, what about in terms of accessibility to housing? You said that was one of the other elements that you looked at is the access that people have to the public housing system. What did you find?

HACHE: We find that there are specific policies in place that prevent people from getting into housing or maintaining housing. One of the policies, for example, is if you owe money to any housing authority you can't get into any housing in small communities because it's all controlled by the housing authorities. So some of the debt that's owed is as a result of damage that was done to units in spousal violent relationship. So that debt is carried for 20 or 30 years and that person is never able to get back into housing. So we wanted to look at some of the ways that we can shift those policies a little bit so that we can, you know, really take a look at the prevention of evictions from low cost housing.

CBC: Now in terms of the federal government's role, the government has cost sharing agreements with the Northwest Territories and over the last five years or so we see more federal funding go to the North towards housing. So why isn't this enough?

HACHE: I think that that commitment by the federal government in terms of finances to the North for housing was significant, but not nearly enough either to even begin to scratch what we need in the Northwest Territories. The other thing is the territorial government has, more than any other province or territory, really committed dollars to housing. So our own territorial government has shown that kind of commitment. So that's pretty impressive to me. I'm not so impressed about the policy type things, but in terms of real commitment around housing, they've been there and more recently they've really tried to take homeownership units that didn't work out and really struggled to make that subsidized housing and they've told us that those units are full or will be full really soon. So from what I can tell the GNWT is maxing the most that they can, making sure people are in housing. So that's great, but it doesn't change the fact that we have major issues around people not being able to find a house.

CBC: Nick, how big is that gap between what the territorial government needs in order to be able to provide housing for people and what is actually there?

FALVO: Well I'll put it this way, traditionally in Canada you've got the federal government leading social housing and this started in earnest in the early 1960s and generally the federal government would spend at least 50 percent of the costs involved in housing and often substantially more. This is across the provinces and territories. It stopped announcing new ongoing funding for social housing in the early 1990s and some of these more recent announcements, they're one-off announcements, they represent substantial amounts on an annual basis, but they're one-off and they're not putting in place a permanent program. So now we've got these operating agreements that have been in place for decades that are starting to sunset and by 2038, as I'm sure you're aware, these run out completely. So right now each housing unit that exists is in need of about 15 to $20,000 a year a public housing unit to an operation and maintenance. When the federal contribution runs out and they run out on different agreements every year, that unit is very vulnerable. They're vulnerable all across Canada, but especially in the North where the federal commitment is that much more important.

CBC: Now I'm wondering, the Northwest Territories government is trying to get out of providing public housing and they're trying to move away from that and move into home ownership. So is that part of the solution?

HACHE: I think it's a part of the solution, but it's unrealistic because unemployment and poverty in the communities is a huge factor and there's really no evidence that the resources are there or the support is there for people to succeed in homeownership. So a part of the question for me is looking at did homeownership in the communities succeed and if it didn't why didn't it and there's a number of people that just could not manage financially, you know, maintaining their home and looking after the monthly operations of the home. So I think it's simplistic and not wise to just focus on homeownership. So that's a fairly frightening prospect when you're looking at the fact that people don't have jobs and how can they own their own home then, and if you look at, you know, the situation in Yellowknife, the homeownership concept in Yellowknife didn't even operate because you really couldn't buy a home for the cap that they were giving you. So having programs available and whether or not it actually works is a totally different question.

CBC: So, Arlene, what do you see as a solution or a part of the solution for this dilemma?

HACHE: Well I think that that's why we wanted to partner so desperately with Carlton University to really take an in-depth look at that so we don't get lost in really simple talk about what the solutions are. I think that it's a very complex situation. I'm interested in looking at a process whereby we can look at the debt people have in housing and take a look at maybe a system where women who have experienced violence and the debt is related to that, have that debt weighed. They do wave huge amounts of money in my view for business enterprises that go down the toilet, but they don't do that for people who owe amounts of money for housing. So I want to look at a range of things and I'm hoping Carlton University can help us really drill down into what the real solutions will be. They did come up with some recommendations.

CBC: Okay and, Nick, we've just got a couple of seconds, but if you can just tell us briefly what some of the things are that our government can look at?

FALVO: I think for one thing it's absolutely crucial that the federal government step up and recommit to housing. This is not the time for the federal government to be moving back and allowing agreements to expire. It's the time for them to be recommitting, but also homelessness is primarily a territorial responsibility and last spring in May Arlene and I released a research accord looking at homelessness, focusing on Yellowknife as a case study, but making recommendations for the Territory as a whole. Those recommendations have not been acted on and we're looking to the Government of the Northwest Territories to act on those. Men at the emergency shelter in Yellowknife still sleep one foot apart from each other every night at the same shelter where there was a tuberculosis outbreak just a few years ago. So we'd like to see the Government of the Northwest Territories act on that.

CBC: It's a huge scope of a problem. So I look forward to a lot more discussion on this in the future. Thanks to both of you for being here.

HACHE: Thank you.

FALVO: Thank you.

CBC: And that's Nick Falvo and Arlene Hache. They're the authors of a new paper on public housing in the Northwest Territories that's going to be officially released at noon today. It's published in this year's edition of How Ottawa Spends, a publication of the Carlton University's School of Public Policy and Administration.

Content: ALSO SEE:

Government-Assisted Housing in the Northwest Territories and the Role of the Federal Government, Nick Falvo, How Ottawa Spends

Use it or Lose It: The Conservatives' Northern Development Strategy, Frances Abele, How Ottawa Spends

File(s)

Type of Resource: Newspaper

Publication Date: 2011

Journal Name: CBC News

Volume: November 24, 2011

Location: Yellowknife, NWT, Canada

imagineNATIVE and NFB Call for Digital-Arts Proposals

2011-11-23T19:10:00.001-08:00

imagineNATIVE and NFB Call for Digital-Arts Proposals
Deadline is January 9, 2012, and it's open to all Canadian aboriginal artists.

The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival may have only just ended, but already organizers are thinking ahead to 2012.

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/11/21/imaginenative-and-nfb-call-for-digital-arts-proposals-64155

Teaming up as last year with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), imagineNATIVE is soliciting proposals from aborignals artists for "innovative interactive digital media projects," the two organizations said in a November 21 release.

Works from any digital medium and genre are welcome, from interactive documentary to mobile media, interactive animation and photo essay, data visualization and physical installation.

One of last year's selections, De Nort, is in pre-production in Winnipeg, the groups said. It documents life on a northern reserve and will debut at the 13th annual imagineNATIVE, October 17–21, 2012, in Toronto.

"We're thrilled to be renewing our partnership with imagineNATIVE and deepening our connection with artists in the aboriginal digital media community," Cindy Witten, director general of the NFB English Program, said in a statement. "It's a fantastic collaboration, bringing together imagineNATIVE's curatorial smarts and commitment to the digital arts and our role as a creative laboratory working with talented artists to explore the creative application of technology to interactive storytelling."

ImagineNATIVE and the NFB will pick one submission for production. The NFB will be the creative and administrative producer, and imagineNATIVE will provide creative input, the release said, with the project being presented at imagineNATIVE 2013. Budget for the project must fall between $30,000 to $50,000.

Deadline is January 9, 2012, and it's open to all Canadian aboriginal artists. Download submission details here.

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/11/21/nfb.ca/imaginenative/proposals

The 4 Seasons of WAMP: Commissioned Videos

2011-11-21T11:48:00.001-08:00

The 4 Seasons of WAMP: Commissioned Videos

WAMP http://www.wamp.ca/ is accepting treatments/script proposals for short videos. Pitch Your Idea.

Project objectives:

To provide an opportunity for beginner and intermediate media-makers to learn more specific elements of independent media production, while producing a first work.

To promote video production within the NWT and provide means for members to produce independent Media artworks.

Submission Deadlines: December 7th, February 7th, May 7th, August 7th

Ideal Shoot Dates: March, June, September, December

WAMP will be accepting short video scripts and treatments to produce! The selection committee will select 4 short videos to produce that either incorporates one of the four seasons thematically or is produced during one of the four seasons in the NWT. Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate artistic merit and/or a well-developed unique story.

Where appropriate, efforts will be made to pair the awarded script/ filmmaker with a suitable mentor for the production as well as provide opportunities where WAMP members can help out and gain experience working on a video project. Productions with additional support from other organization or funding sources will be encouraged to apply.

Successful applicants will receive:
$1 000.00- Honorarium
$500.00 – Project expenses
$1 000.00 - WAMP Production Credit towards equipment rentals for the project.

Guidelines

Projects will have 2 months to be completed.
Purchase of equipment is an ineligible expense.
Contact Jeremy at WAMP for more information and to submit a script or treatment.
Jeremy Emerson - Executive Director
Western Arctic Moving Pictures Film Society
4916 49th street (basement of Northway bldg]
PO BOX 2487
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2P8
Ph: (867) 766-2586

Water report: 10 years after Walkerton - #NWT C; #Yukon D+; #Nunavut D

2011-11-15T11:35:00.001-08:00

Uneven water standards putting some Canadians at risk more than 10 years after Walkerton: report

'...At the bottom of the list were Alberta (C-), the Northwest Territories (C), the Yukon (D+) and Nunavut (D)... The report expected those at the bottom of the list to improve their standing in the coming years, especially in the Northwest Territories, where an "ambitious review of its water laws" is underway...."

http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/11/15/uneven-water-standards-putting-some-canadians-at-risk-more-than-10-years-after-walkerton/

Waterproof 3 - Canada's Drinking Water Report Card
http://www.ecojustice.ca/waterproof-3
Info graphic
http://www.ecojustice.ca/canadas-drinking-water-report-card-infographic-1
Download the Report:
The Essentials
3 page summary of Waterproof 3
http://www.ecojustice.ca/waterproof-the-essentials/at_download/file
Full Report
Download the pdf file
http://www.ecojustice.ca/waterproof-3-full-report-1
Press release:
National Press Release
http://www.ecojustice.ca/media-centre/press-releases/federal-government-gets-an-2018f2019-for-failing-to-protect-drinking-water

"...the Northwest Territories [...] provide[s] a statutory right to make a complaint about drinking water concerns that must be investigated...."

"...In 2006, all jurisdictions required accredited labs to test water samples. this year, the number fell to 12 as the Northwest Territories no longer requires water samples be analyzed at accredited labs.
In 2006, every jurisdiction except Newfoundland and Labrador, new Brunswick, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut had operator certification programs. This year, only Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories lack operator certification programs."

"...Another fail for the federal government
Federal management of water — for places like first nations reserves, military bases and federal parks — still fails to meet basic benchmarks for safe consumption. in this report card, we find that the federal government is failing in almost every aspect of water protection, even though it should be setting rigorous standards for allowable contaminant levels in our drinking water...."

"...Federal Failure
Canada's federal government gets another 'f' for its poor drinking water protection record, which continues to worsen.
• no progress has been made on the legislative front and there has been little improvement in the quality of water for first nations communities.
• drastic budget cuts virtually guarantee that environment Canada will continue its inability to properly monitor water quality,
as described in a recent auditor general's report. http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_cesd_201012_02_e_34425.html
• some drinking water improvement funds are available only to municipalities that engage in public-private partnerships...."

"...Conclusion - in previous editions of this series, our findings led us to conclude that the biggest risks to drinking water came from gaps or deficiencies in the frontlines of drinking water protection — the laws, programs, policies and personnel directly responsible for delivering safe and clean drinking water.
But now the gravest threat, according to our research and analysis, is that improvements to these frontlines may be undermined by other forces, including pollution from constantly-evolving contaminants, government cutbacks and climate change. each of these factors alone makes a compelling case for why governments must introduce comprehensive and legally-binding plans to protect water at the source — before it reaches our treatment centres and distribution systems.
We possess the capacity to improve our health and our children's health, and we believe Canada can rise to the challenge...."

Northwest Territories Waters act, sC 1992, c 39, s 4, online:
http://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/sc-1992-c-39/32382/

Northwest Territories Min. environment and natural resources,
NWT Water stewardship: a plan for action 2011-2015 (May 2011), online: http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/_live/ documents/content/nWt_Water_strategy_action_plan.pdf

Northwest Territories
The Legislative assembly has passed a motion recognizing a fundamental right to water. All waters are vested in the Crown.

"Authentic" #NWT Souvenirs from Northwest Territories Tourism ? #NWTpoli

2011-11-13T20:09:00.001-08:00

Is Northwest Territories Tourism mandated to promote the NWT or not?

Is this how they support NWT artists, designers and crafts persons?

Selling "Authentic Northwest Territories Souvenir Items"

"Authentic" Northwest Territories License Plates?

"Authentic" Luggage Tags?

"Authentic" Souvenir Pins?

"Authentic" Folding Maps?

No NWT "Souvenir" at http://webstore.spectacularnwt.com/ seems to be from or made in the NWT...
So what makes them "authentic"?

Seems to me that there are enough artists and craftspeople in the the NWT designing and creating products that can be easily produced (if not already being produced) in large enough quantities to meet the needs of this site that Northwest Territories Tourism cannot have a viable excuse for not marking real work from real citizens of the NWT...

Even it that's not so... they could be licensing the production of items from existing work...

Goodness me, they are not even selling "Ragged Ass Road" or "I Break for Ptarmigan" bumper stickers... nor a single book from an NWT author... Not a single photograph from a photographer.... Not even a single print of an original painting from an NWT artist...

Northwest Territories Tourism
4916 47th Street
3rd Floor, Goga Cho Building
YELLOWKNIFE, NT X1A 2N5

Canada Toll-free number: 1-800-661-0788
International: +1-867-873-7200
Contact Email: info@spectacularnwt.com

Call for submissions - True Winter Tales

2011-11-11T12:49:00.001-08:00

Call for submissions - True Winter Tales
Accepting your True Winter Tales between November 2nd and 20th.

On November 2, 2011 11:42 AM

The CBC Book Portal...
http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/2011/11/call-for-submissions---true-winter-tales.html

Can you smell it in the air? Before long, winter will be here... As delighted - or dejected - as you may be by that statement, you must admit that Canadians feel passionately about the season. You either love it, or you hate it. And whether you were born in the snowy depths of a Manitoba blizzard, or immigrated to Toronto and saw your first snowfall only as an adult, everyone in this country has a personal story to share about winter.

And we want yours...

This November, Canada Writes is hosting a Winter Tales Writing Challenge (in association with the Canada Council for the Arts and The Massey Lectures).

And we've got $1,000 to give away!

The Challenge

We are looking for you to send us your true winter stories. Did something special happen to you on that last day of school before Christmas break? Did you find yourself oddly missing the cold that one year you lived abroad? How about any peculiar events that transpired during the great Quebec ice storm of 1998?

The Details

We will be accepting your True Winter Tales between November 2nd and 20th. All submissions must be between 400 and 500 words, and sent electronically through our contact form.

http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/challenges/submit/

There is no fee to participate. And only one entry per person is permitted. Read the full rules and regulations.

http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/challenges/rules-and-regulations---winter-tales.html

The Judge

The Winter Tales Writing Challenge will be judged by author and essayist Adam Gopnik. As this year's Massey Lecturer on the subject of winter, Adam's already in the "winter zone" and ready to read your best cold-weather tales.

The Prize

The winner of our Winter Tales Writing Challenge will receive a $1,000 cash prize from the Canada Council for the Arts. The winning story will also be prominently featured on the Canada Writes site.

Questions? Get in touch with us at canadawrites@cbc.ca

Info on “fracking” for #NWT #NWTpoli

2011-11-08T13:40:00.001-08:00

This link is from the Dene Nation.

Global News | Untested Science regarding Fracking! YOU NEED TO EDUCATE
YOURSELF, WATCH!
http://www.globalnews.ca/pages/story.aspx?id=6442511512

They are concerned about proposed fracking in the Norman Wells area.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2011/11/06/north-normal-wells-fracking.html

Barrett Lenoir
A/Chief Executive Officer
Dene Nation/ AFN NWT
blenoirATdenenationDOTcom
867-873-4081

- - - - - - - - - -

Shale oil play emerges in Canada's Mackenzie Valley

A shale oil play is starting to emerge in the Mackenzie Plain and Franklin Mountains areas of the Central Mackenzie Valley in Canada's Northwest Territories.

Holding leases in the area are Husky Oil Operations Ltd., ConocoPhillips Canada Resources Corp., MGM Energy Corp., Shell Canada Resources Ltd., and Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Ltd. The leases lie generally from 60 km northwest to 180 km southeast of Norman Wells along the Enbridge pipeline that ships crude from giant Norman Wells oil field to Edson, Alta.

The drilling targets of the new play are the Canol-Hare Indian and Bluefish shales of Devonian age. MGM Energy said a geochemical review indicates that the shales are comparable to many of those being developed elsewhere in North America.

http://www.ogj.com/articles/2011/11/shale-oil-play-emerges-in-canadas-mackenzie-valley.html

No fracking way!

As conventional natural gas supplies diminish, energy corporations are looking for new ways to get at trapped reserves. Hydraulic fracturing – more commonly known as "fracking" – is a process where sand, water and chemicals are blasted into rock formations such as shale, coal beds and "tight" sands to gain access to trapped natural gas deposits. This injection process creates cracks in the rock formations and allows the gas to flow up the well.

Communities across Canada are asking questions about fracking as more and more projects as the industry continues to grow both in the United States and in Canada. Serious health and environmental questions are being raised about the effects of fracking on groundwater, drinking water and on people's health.

The truth is not a lot is known about the long term dangers and effects of fracking. The federal government and provincial governments have yet to establish regulations and safety standards that would protect people and drinking water sources. While natural gas is often referred to as a transition step away from more energy-intensive oil, fracking for "unconventional" gas – gas that is difficult to get to – is not a climate solution. Any energy resource that sacrifices water protection and threatens people's health and environmental safety in such significant ways should be halted.

We need the facts about fracks

The Council of Canadians opposes fracking because of its high carbon emissions, its high water use, and the dangers it poses to polluting groundwater and local drinking water. People living in communities where fracking projects are underway have reported water pollution, "burning water," where water from household taps catches fire due to residual methane gas from fracking operations, and health concerns. We are calling for a nationwide stop on fracking.
http://www.canadians.org/water/issues/fracking/index.html

Natural gas fracking reviews launchedCBC News
Posted: Sep 23, 2011 11:31 AM ET
Last Updated: Sep 23, 2011 11:42 AM ET
The federal government is launching two reviews of a controversial natural gas drilling practice known as fracking, to address concerns it may be damaging to the environment.
Fracking releases natural gas from shale deposits deep underground by blasting large volumes of fresh water, sand, and chemicals into the rocks at high pressure.

What is fracking?

Hydraulic fracturing, or "hydro-fracking," is a form of natural gas extraction in which a pressurized mix of water and other substances is injected into shale rock formations or coal beds to release trapped natural gas.
A fluid mixture of water and chemicals is injected under high pressure deep underground, creating or widening fissures in the rock.
Then, sand or other solids, often ceramic beads, are pumped in to keep the fissures propped open so that methane gas can escape from pores and fractures in the rock.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Kent has asked Environment Canada and a panel of independent scientists with the Council of Canadian Academies to conduct two parallel studies of its environmental impacts.
"We also need to know a great deal more...about this. What I'm trying to do now is accumulate the best scientific information about [it] to make sound decisions," said Kent.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/09/23/bc-federal-study-fracking.html

FAQs: Hydro-fracking - Technology & Science - CBC News

www.cbc.ca

An in-depth look at hydraulic fracturing, a process of extracting natural gas, primarily from shale deposits, that has some people concerned about its effects on the environment and human health and calling for stricter regulations.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/04/27/f-fracking-faq.html

An original investigative report by Earth Focus and UK's Ecologist Film Unit looks at the risks of natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale. From toxic chemicals in drinking water to unregulated interstate dumping of potentially radioactive waste that experts fear can contaminate water supplies in major population centers including New York City, are the health consequences worth the economic gains?

Marcellus Shale contains enough natural gas to supply all US gas needs for 14 years. But as gas drilling takes place, using a process called hydraulic fracturing or "fracking," toxic chemicals and methane gas seep into drinking water. Now experts fear that unacceptable levels of radioactive Radium 226 in gas development waste.

Fracking chemicals are linked to bone, liver and breast cancers, gastrointestinal, circulatory, respiratory, developmental as well as brain and nervous system disorders. Such chemicals are present in frack waste and may find their way into drinking water and air.

Waste from Pennsylvania gas wells -- waste that may also contain unacceptable levels of radium -- is routinely dumped across state lines into landfills in New York, Ohio and West Virginia. New York does not require testing waste for radioactivity prior to dumping or treatment. So drill cuttings from Pennsylvania have been dumped in New York's Chemung and other counties and liquid waste is shipped to treatment plants in Auburn and Watertown New York. How radioactive is this waste? Experts are calling are for testing to find out.
New York State may have been the first state in the nation to put a temporary hold on fracking pending a safety review, but it allows other states to dump toxic frack waste within its boundaries.

With a gas production boom underway in the Marcellus Shale and plans for some 400,000 wells in the coming decades, the cumulative impact of dumping potential lethal waste without adequate oversight is a catastrophe waiting to happen. And now U.S. companies are exporting fracking to Europe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEB_Wwe-uBM

Gasland: A film by Josh Fox

www.gaslandthemovie.com

Join the population and help prevent gas drilling from harming your community and communities across the country. We're keeping a running count of everybody who makes their voice heard!

‎"...How much water is used during the fracking process?
Generally 1-8 million gallons of water may be used to frack a well. A well may be fracked up to 18 times.
What fluids are used in the fracking process?
For each frack, 80-300 tons of chemicals may be used. Presently, the natural gas industry does not have to disclose the chemicals used, but scientists have identified volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.
In what form does the natural gas come out of the well?
The gas comes up wet in produced water and has to be separated from the wastewater on the surface. Only 30-50% of the water is typically recovered from a well. This wastewater can be highly toxic.
What is done with the wastewater?
Evaporators evaporate off VOCs and condensate tanks steam off VOCs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The wastewater is then trucked to water treatment facilities.
What is a well's potential to cause air pollution?
As the VOCs are evaporated and come into contact with diesel exhaust from trucks and generators at the well site, ground level ozone is produced. Ozone plumes can travel up to 250 miles. ...."
http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/whats-fracking

GASLAND TRAILER - (2010) Directed by Josh Fox. Winner of Special Jury Prize - Best US Documentary Feature - Sundance 2010. Screening at Cannes 2010.

It is happening all across America and now in Europe and Africa as well - rural landowners wake up one day to find a lucrative offer from a multinational energy conglomerate wanting to lease their property. The Reason? In America, the company hopes to tap into a huge natural gas reservoir dubbed the Saudi Arabia of natural gas. Halliburton developed a way to get the gas out of the ground—a hydraulic drilling process called fracking—and suddenly America finds itself on the precipice of becoming an energy superpower.

But what comes out of the ground with that natural gas? How does it affect our air and drinking water? GASLAND is a powerful personal documentary that confronts these questions with spirit, strength, and a sense of humor. When filmmaker Josh Fox receives his cash offer in the mail, he travels across 32 states to meet other rural residents on the front lines of fracking. He discovers toxic streams, ruined aquifers, dying livestock, brutal illnesses, and kitchen sinks that burst into flame. He learns that all water is connected and perhaps some things are more valuable than money.
http://youtu.be/dZe1AeH0Qz8

My Water's On Fire Tonight (The Fracking Song) http://youtu.be/timfvNgr_Q4
My Water's On Fire Tonight" is a product of Studio 20 NYU (http://bit.ly/hzGRYP) in collaboration with ProPublica.org (http://bit.ly/5tJN). The song is based on ProPublica's investigation on hydraulic fractured gas drilling (read the full investigation here: http://bit.ly/15sib6).

Fracking
Gas Drilling's Environmental Threat
http://www.propublica.org/series/fracking

CAN YOU DO THIS WITH YOUR TAP WATER?
http://youtu.be/U01EK76Sy4A

FRACKING 101
December 06, 2010 BBC World News
http://youtu.be/nPZqXGBlj10

Tell NWT Premier Bob McLeod to Stand up for Canadian justice!

2011-11-07T16:30:00.001-08:00

Stand up for Canadian justice! Tell Northwest Territories Premier Bob McLeod to join other provinces and territories and refuse to pay for the Conservatives' cruel Crime Bill. Together, we can make Canada safer, not meaner.

http://www.leadnow.ca/keep-nwt-safe

In the last few days a group of provinces have taken a powerful stand against the Conservatives' cruel Crime Bill. Quebec and Ontario have said that they will not pay the huge costs for a federally imposed fill-the-prisons approach to justice that has failed everywhere it has been tried.¹ Many other provinces are pushing back, publicly and privately, against policies that will cost us dearly while creating a revolving door for prisoners.²

From prosecutors to prisons, our provinces and territories are responsible for paying for most of our criminal justice system. If the provinces work together and refuse to pay for the Crime Bill's costly and ineffective measures, then the federal government will have to go back to the drawing board and negotiate a better way forward.

This is a crucial moment. The Northwest Territories government is concerned about the bill and its costs. We need to speak together right now to show Premier Bob McLeod that his constituents do not want to pay more money to be less safe.

Tell Premier McLeod to refuse to pay for the cruel Crime Bill, and support a Citizen's Assembly for Canadian Justice!

Opposition to this bill is growing across the political spectrum. Newfoundland and Labrador's Justice Minister, a Conservative named Felix Collins just spoke out and called the Crime Bill a "costly gaffe" that would "undermine democracy."³

Collins said that "most groups, most experts and most witnesses who have given presentations on this bill would advocate that the federal government is proceeding in the wrong direction, and that this procedure has been tried in other areas before and has proven to be a failure."³

Collins is right about the experts. Take the Canadian Bar Association, which represents 37,000 legal professionals. They strongly criticized the Bill for its "punitive approach to criminal behaviour, rather than a focus on how to prevent that behaviour in the first place, or rehabilitate those who offend."³

And then there's tough-on-crime Texas. In 2004 Texas had the highest incarceration rate in the world. In 2005 they had a budget crisis. That's when Texas got serious, and discovered that crime prevention, through drug treatment programs and a host of other proven solutions, is cheaper and more effective than mandatory sentences and other fill-the-prisons policies.⁴

Texas has learned something that Canadians have known for a long time: it is better to help people be a part of society than it is to pay to force them out.

We need a united provincial alliance. Send a message to your Premier and Justice Minister now to make Canada safer, not meaner.

References:

Provinces wont foot bill for crime legislation, McGuinty warns PM: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/provinces-wont-foot-bill-for-crime-legislation-mcguinty-warns-pm/article2222867/
Quebec Justice Minister Jean Marc Fournier says province wont pay costs of new federal crime bill: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20111101/quebec-justice-minister-jean-marc-fournier-says-province-wont-pay-costs-of-new-federal-crime-bill-111101/
N.L. joins Ontario, Quebec in criticism of crime bill: http://m.ctv.ca/topstories/20111102/newfoundland-feds-crime-bill-111102.html
Texas conservatives reject Harper's crime plan - 'Been there; done that; didn't work,' say Texas crime-fighters (CBC): http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/10/17/pol-vp-milewski-texas-crime.html
Critics of omnibus bill 'advocate for criminals,' Conservatives charge (Globe and Mail): http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/critics-of-omnibus-bill-advocate-for-criminals-conservatives-charge/article2205213/
Study: Prevention Fights Crime Better Than Jail (Seattle Times): http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19960620&slug=2335526
Tough on crime will likely lead to more crime, bigger deficit (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives): http://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/news-releases/tough-crime-will-likely-lead-more-crime-bigger-deficit-report
Crime rates fall to lowest level since 1973 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/07/21/crime-rates.html
Open letter to the Government opposing mandatory sentences from over 550 Canadian experts and public health professionals (Urban Health Research Initiative): http://uhri.cfenet.ubc.ca/content/view/90
A Meaner Canada : Junk Politics and the Omnibus Crime Bill (Alex Himelfarb) http://afhimelfarb.wordpress.com/2011/05/29/a-meaner-canada-junk-politics-and-the-omnibus-crime-bill/
What's Wrong With Harper's Omnibus Crime Bill (Behind the Numbers) http://www.behindthenumbers.ca/2011/09/20/whats-wrong-with-harpers-omnibus-crime-bill/
Rough Justice in America: Too many laws, too many prisoners - Never in the civilised world have so many been locked up for so little (The Economist): http://www.economist.com/node/16636027
Salvaging a faulty crime bill (Irvin Waller) http://www.themarknews.com/articles/6942-salvaging-a-faulty-crime-bill
Incarceration and Crime: A Complex Relationship, (The Sentencing Project) http://www.sentencingproject.org/doc/publications/inc_iandc_complex.pdf
For the full text of the bill, see the Parliament of Canada website: http://www.parl.gc.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&billId=5120829

Spectacular Ethical Deficit Northwest Territories

2011-11-06T11:18:00.001-08:00

Spectacular Ethical Deficit Northwest Territories
Originally uploaded by The MediaMentor 

Via Flickr:
N.W.T. government investigating alleged whistleblower
Government worker alleged to have leaked documents about MLA Daryl Dolynny
'...Paul Thomas is professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba, specializing in public sector ethics.

"He seems to have been suffering from an ethical deficit, and he seems to be mixing his private interests with the public interest in a way that's inappropriate,” Thomas said.

Thomas said the Northwest Territories is one of the few jurisdictions yet to enact a law to protect so-called whistleblowers – government employees who shed light on wrongdoing.

The president of the Union of Northern Workers, Todd Parsons, said the territory needs it...."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2011/11/06/north-gnwt-investigates-alleged-whistleblower.html

N.W.T. government investigating alleged whistleblower

©2011 George Lessard mediamentor.ca
editorial comment

First major snowfall of the 2011/2012 winter season in Yellowknife NWT

2011-11-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

WHAT ABOUT THE GNWT? Criminal justice - Five provinces unite with Quebec and Ontario - A majority of provinces worry about the prison costs attached to bill C-10

2011-11-03T16:30:00.001-07:00

When are we going to hear the GNWT position on this issue? Seems to me we should have heard something about this by now....

Justice criminelle - Cinq provinces se joignent au Québec et à l'Ontario -Une majorité de provinces s'inquiètent des coûts carcéraux entraînés par le projet de loi C-10
Criminal justice - Five provinces unite with Quebec and Ontario - A majority of provinces worry about the prison costs attached to bill C-10 http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/335142/justice-criminelle-cinq-provinces-se-joignent-au-quebec-et-a-l-ontario

Quebec will refuse to pay for omnibus crime bill
[excerpt]

"....Quebec's justice minister called the federal government's omnibus crime bill a "Band-Aid solution" Tuesday and said his province will refuse to absorb the added costs associated with it.

Jean-Marc Fournier, testifying at the House of Commons justice and human rights committee, said Bill C-10 will wind up causing more crime, not less, because it is an unbalanced piece of legislation that doesn't focus enough on the rehabilitation of criminals, particularly young offenders.

He said the legislation is meant to put more people in jail and that will result in higher recidivism rates unless more is done to get at the root causes of criminality and to successfully reintegrate offenders into society so they can go on to lead productive lives.

"What we want is a sustainable protection of the public," he said. "We wish to see a reinsertion of the youth in society so that society can benefit from it."

Fournier said Quebec takes a different approach to dealing with young offenders that is more focused on rehabilitation than incarceration and that it is working. He encouraged MPs to take their time and to examine the evidence from his province and to reject the Safe Streets and Communities Act in its current form.

He said young offenders often come out of prison worse than how they went in and attention needs to be paid to the root causes of their criminality in order to prevent them from re-offending.

Fournier said the Conservatives' bill is more of a short-term solution to fighting crime and he repeatedly warned it will mean more repeat offenders in the court and corrections systems.

"C-10 does not take into account the return of the young offender, of the individual into society," he said.

"What you've got is a Band-Aid solution here, you're not curing anything," Fournier told the committee...."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/11/01/pol-omnibus-crime-bill.html

Provinces won't pay for crime bill, says Ontario premier
[excerpt]
"...Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty warned the Harper government that provinces across the country will not pick up the tab for any new costs associated with the federal omnibus anti-crime bill that is expected to be passed into law.

The premier first spoke of his reluctance at paying for those costs Tuesday in Ottawa, the same day Quebec's justice minister said his province would not foot the bill for any new costs.

'It's easy to sit on high in Ottawa and pass laws.'— Dalton McGuinty, Ontario premier

McGuinty on Wednesday appeared to harden his stance on the issue, and suggested the federal government would run into opposition from all provincial governments.

"What we're saying at this point is that crime continues to come down in Ontario and I'd be surprised if any premier of any of the provinces and territories is prepared to welcome new expenditures being foisted upon us by the federal government because they've got some plans with respect to criminal law," McGuinty said.

He said the Ontario government is focused on issues like health care, education and transit.

"It's easy to sit on high in Ottawa and pass laws, but if there are accompanying costs, we're not prepared to accept those here in Ontario. I don't think premiers across the country are prepared to accept those," he said.

"I think there's a corresponding responsibility on the part of the federal government to say if there are new costs, they are going to pick up the tab." ..."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/11/02/mcguinty-crime-bill-costs689.html

#NWT UNION OF NORTHERN WORKERS financial_statements_20082010.pdf and 20122014_budget.pdf

2011-10-31T13:59:00.001-07:00

RT @Northern_Clips: #NWT #NWTpoli #UNW #UNION OF NORTHERN WORKERS #BUDGET 2012 - 2014 - TOTAL EXPENSES 2014 $3,915,456.01 - 2013 $3,804,355.35 - 2012 $3,696,490.63 - 2011 $3,605,325.91
http://www.unw.ca/theme/user/2012__2014_budget.pdf

RT @Northern_Clips: #NWT #NWTpoli #UNW #Union of Northern Workers Statement of Operations 2010 Revenues $4,810,345 - 2009 $4,302,538 - 2008 $3,314,148 financial_statements_2008__2010.pdf
http://www.unw.ca/theme/user/financial_statements_2008__2010.pdf

FROZEN EYES PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY PART-TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

2011-10-28T12:17:00.001-07:00

Patrick Kane [Patrick@uphere.ca] on behalf of Frozen Eyes Photographic
Society has requested distribution of the following job posting:

FEPS Executive Director Position

Frozen Eyes Photographic Society has an opening for an Executive
Director position.

The job description is attached.

The deadline for applications is Monday, Nov 7 at 9 a.m.

Contact:
Patrick Kane
Photography, Up Here Publishing Ltd.,
800, 4920-52nd Ave.
Yellowknife, NT, Canada
X1A 3T1
www.uphere.ca
Patrick@uphere.ca

FROZEN EYES PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY (FEPS) PART-TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION, OCTOBER 2011

PURPOSE

The Executive Director is given the delegated authority by the Board of Directors to provide leadership and management in support of the vision, mandate and objectives of Frozen Eyes Photographic Society.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, by providing overall direction and co-ordination necessary for the effective and efficient delivery of all programs and services of Frozen Eyes Photographic Society. This will include but is not limited to administering the "Youth Take Charge" project, funded by the Department of Heritage Canada, and other current programs and services, as well as any other sources of funding we may access in future.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1.
Program and Service Delivery

Lead the day to day operations of the Society. Plan, formulate and manage "Youth Take Charge" and other ongoing projects. Coordinate board members, contractors, staff and volunteers to meet project deadlines. Continually work to foster a strong youth membership and maintain good standing relationships with schools and organizations throughout the Northwest Territories (NWT). Develop the necessary policies for such programs and services, in order to further the objectives of the Society by working closely with the Board.
Ensure that the Society is in good standing with Legal Registries and government departments; this would include ensuring that obligations with government taxation authorities are kept up-to-date. Identify resources needed to achieve the goals of the Society through project timelines and work-plans in conjunction with the Board. Attend all Board meetings. Encourage team building by facilitating open communication and a positive working relationship with the Board, contractors and volunteers. Identify and obtain needed supplies and equipment for FEPS.

2 Fundraising and Financial Responsibilities

Seek and obtain funding from government at all levels and other bodies including, but not limited to, foundations, community organizations, corporations and business groups for use in the Society's programs and services. This includes seeking new funding sources annually, to maintain and expand programming.
Ensure that the Society's programs and services generate revenue for FEPS whenever appropriate. Monitor existing sources of funding (ensuring that all reporting requirements are met) such as grants, contributions, and in-kind donations and work with key organizations to maintain annual funding.
Identify and research on-going and alternative funding opportunities for the Society and generate proposals for contributions and grant funding. Administer the funds of the Society according to the budget approved by the Board.
Work in conjunction with the President and the Treasurer with regard to all financial issues. Ensure financial documents are maintained on an on-going basis.
Maintain accurate book-keeping procedures as outlined by Society policies and procedures.
Complete all necessary reports as required by the Society.

3 Public Relations

Act as an advocate for the Society and promote community awareness for its programs and services throughout the NWT. Participate in networking and community relations activities on behalf of the Society.
In conjunction with the Board, serve as media liaison for the Society and promote its programs and services. Maintain constant communication with partner organizations and related groups.
Maintain good standing relationships with sponsors, funders, and other community organizations. Provide an annual Executive Director Report at the Annual General Meeting.

Term

The Executive Director is hired by the Human Resources Committee through an as-needed competition. The Executive Director is a part-time position which will be occupied by the selected candidate until the end of their contract term, or they resign from the position, or are terminated by the Board of Directors.

Renewal

This job description is to be reviewed every six months by the Human Resources Committee with any and all changes brought forward for discussion and vote by the Board of Directors.

Super Channel Feature Documentary Award deadline 5 pm on November 27, 2011

2011-10-28T09:40:00.001-07:00

Sylvie Powell [spowell@medialanecom.com] on behalf of Super Channel has distributed the following contest announcement:

Super Channel Feature Documentary Award

Are you a Canadian documentary filmmaker who wants to make the leap from producing hour-long broadcast documentaries to producing feature length documentaries for theatrical release? Super Channel would like to help you make that leap!

The Super Channel Feature Documentary Award will be awarded to two teams to assist in the development of their feature documentaries. Enter now and you could receive the following:

* 15-20 hours of mentorship with a senior feature documentary producer
* $3,000 budget to benefit your project and attend the Hot Docs Forum 2012

The director and producer must each have at least one hour-long television documentary credit, and may not have more than one feature-length (75 minutes +) documentary credit. The director and producer may be the same person provided that this person meets the above eligibility requirements regarding credits in both roles. All entrants must be Canadian citizens.

Visit www.superchannel.ca/creativeaward for our Prizes, Guidelines and Terms & Conditions and for details on eligibility, submission and prizes.

Contest closes at 5 pm on November 27, 2011. Late entries will not be accepted.

Sylvie Powell
MédiaLane Communications Inc.
(613) 290-1497

Dettah NWT gets high-speed DSL Internet from NorthwesTel

2011-10-19T15:34:00.001-07:00

CJCD Mix 100 News

Dettah
http://dettahandndilo.lgant.ca/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dettah
receives high-speed Internet
October 19, 2011

http://www.mix100.ca/news/news/Local/11/10/19/Dettah-receives-high-speed-Internet

Yellowknife, N.W.T. - The residents of Dettah are finally getting
high-speed Internet service.

NorthwesTel has announced
http://www.nwtel.ca/media-room/current-press-releases/?i=5402
that they've installed broadband access equipment in the community, to
allow for DSL service
http://www.nwtel.ca/personal/internet/dsl/ in homes and businesses.

So, why did it take so long to get the community up and running?

The corporate communications manager for NorthwesTel, Emily Younker, said
it's simply Dettah's turn.

"NorthwesTel is always working on our different communities, smaller
communities, looking at remote communities - always looking to expand.
And, when it's the community's time, it's the community's time. It's
feasible for us; we can provide it to all of the residents."

The company built a new radio support system and antennae. Younker said it
took a couple months of design, engineering and implementation to complete
the project.

"When we go in and provide a service in a different community ... it's a
long process, it's a well thought-out process. The infrastructure has to
be put in place. The technology has to be put in place. We're just very
happy that we are able to provide this in Dettah at this time."

Up until now, residents of the community have only been equipped with
Turbo Sticks, which connect laptops to satellites.

Now, Younker said they'll have high-speed Internet across the board.

"High-speed Internet will be available to both business and residential
homes. It will be a vast improvement for business. People will be able to
connect more easily to other communities, as well as allow fast use of
debit machines. So, it will make business flow more easily for business
owners in Dettah."

The principal and superintendent at Dettah's Kaw Tay Whee School were not
aware of the new service. Reps from the Dettah Band Office and the
Yellowknives Dene First Nation were unavailable for comment.

CJCD Mix 100 News
http://www.mix100.ca/news/news/Local/11/10/19/Dettah-receives-high-speed-Internet

PDF FYI: Overview of Canada Council funding to the #NWT in 2010-11

2011-10-17T11:12:00.001-07:00

Overview of Canada Council funding to the #NWT in 2010-11

As part of..

Arts in the Northwest Territories of Canada
A series of documents related the practice and promotion of the Arts in the Northwest Territories of Canada
http://www.scribd.com/collections/2761889/Arts-in-the-Northwest-Territories-of-Canada

Canada Council for the Arts Funding to artists and arts organizations in the Northwest Territories, 2010-11
Research and Evaluation Section – Canada Council for the Arts
Table of Contents

http://www.scribd.com/doc/69158327/Overview-of-Canada-Council-funding-to-the-Northwest-Territories-in-2010-11

Note: A complete listing of grants awarded to individual artists and arts organizations in 2010-11 is available through the Searchable Grants Listing on the Canada Council's website: http://www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/recipients/ol127245536828281250.htm

[Excerpt from "Funding to artists and arts organizations 2010-11 edition"]
'...2.0    Statistical highlights about the arts in the Northwest Territories
Different sources and definitions may provide vastly different information on artists. General surveys like the Census have restricted defintions and yield lower numbers of artists than more detailed surveys.
•    Over $46.9 million was spent on culture by all levels of government in the Northwest Territories in 2008-09. Per capita cultural spending ranks first among provinces/territories in terms of the federal contribution ($821) and third in terms of the provincial/territorial investment ($199).
According to the Northwest Territories Bureau of Statistics' 2008/09 NWT Household Survey:
•    In 2008, 2,948 people in the Northwest Territories produced Northern arts & crafts including carvings, drawings or paintings, sewing or needlecraft, weaving or basket making, jewelry, performing arts, books, plays or music. The majority, 1,879 or 64%, was sewing or needlecraft followed by drawings or paintings (384) and carvings (293)...."

"...Federal government cultural funding to the Northwest Territories, totalling $35.9 million, is primarily concentrated (91%) in two areas – broadcasting and heritage resources (historic parks/sites and nature/provincial parks). The remaining 9% of funding ($3.2 million) is allocated to areas including arts education ($2.5 million), performing arts ($338,000) and multidisciplinary arts ($317,000). In the comparable year (2008-09), Canada Council funding accounted for 1% of all federal cultural spending in the Northwest Territories.
• Between 2004-05 and 2008-09, federal cultural spending in the Northwest Territories increased from $34.8 million to $35.9 million (an increase of 3%). During the same period, Canada Council funding to the Northwest Territories increased from $98,700 to $204,105.
• The largest part of provincial government funding is concentrated in two areas – heritage resources and libraries (84% or $7.3 million). However, funding is also allocated by the provincial government to multidisciplinary arts ($970,000) and broadcasting ($428,000)...."

GEORGE LESSARD
Information, Communications and Media Specialist
Spécialiste en l'information, communications et media
451 Norseman Dr.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
X1A 2J1, Canada
Yellowknife Land Line # (867) 873-2662
Yellowknife Cell # (867) 445-9193
E-mail: mediamentorATgmailDOTcom
GST# 837068543RT0001
Website mediamentor.ca
Twitter Feed on Northern & First Nations Issues
Twitter Feed on Journalism & Media Issues
Twitter Feed on Community Radio Worldwide
Member:
Canadian Artists Representation / le Front des artistes canadiens
Canadian Artists Representation Copyright Collective

Contact Me LinkedIn Facebook Flickr YouTube
Chat themediamentor

#NFB: Get Animated in Yellowknife! #YZF #NWT

2011-10-09T13:18:00.001-07:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jeremy - Western Arctic Moving Pictures <jeremy@wamp.ca>
Date: 9 October 2011 14:08
Subject: NFB: Get Animated!
To:

-----------------------------------------------------------

Western Arctic Moving Pictures is proud to partner with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) to bring you this annual cross-Canada animation celebration.

Please share this e-vite with your friends and family.

We hope to see you there!

Get Animated!

Canada's crazy for NFB animation...

and you can be too.

___________________________________________________________

Get Animated! serves up some of Canada's finest (and funniest!) animation, offering free screenings and a hands-on workshop.

There's something for everyone—so come join us and get animated!

Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre: Auditorium http://www.pwnhc.ca/

4750 48th Street , Yellowknife NT

November 5^th, 2011

1 PM An eclectic collection of entertaining new animation films, from the whimsical to the experimental.

2:30 PM A hands-on workshop demonstrating the basics of animation and giving you the chance to make your own short animated film

*Please bring a USB stick to take your movie home.

4 PM A fun-filled selection of NFB films, featuring some of the NFB's newest animation for kids of all ages.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FILMS AND EVENTS, PLEASE VISIT

NFB.CA/GETANIMATED

Jeremy Emerson - Executive Director

Western Arctic Moving Pictures Film Society

4916 49th street (basement of northway bldg]

PO BOX 2487

Yellowknife, NT

X1A 2P8

Ph: (867) 766-2586

Call for Submissions / Thunderbird Aboriginal Arts / Ancestral Teachings: Contemporary Perspectives

2011-10-08T15:55:00.001-07:00

Call for Submissions / Thunderbird Aboriginal Arts / Ancestral Teachings: Contemporary Perspectives / Toronto, ON / Deadline Date: Friday, October 14, 2011

Ancestral Teachings: Contemporary Perspectives will be an exhibition of contemporary Aboriginal Art taking place at the Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, November 15th - 30th, 2011. The exhibition will showcase artwork that will explore how contemporary Aboriginal artists draw upon the values and lessons from oral culture to explore present-day contexts. The central theme of the exhibition will be the Anishnawbe story of the Seven Grandfather Teachings. However, we welcome submissions that explore the contemporary relevance of other
stories and lessons, or art that embodies but does not necessarily directly engage with the Seven Grandfather Teachings.

The Seven Grandfather Teachings is a traditional Anishnawbe story that imparts seven integral principles to live by:
To cherish knowledge is to know wisdom;
To know Love is to know peace;
To honour all of Creation is to have respect;
Bravery is to face the foe with integrity;
Honesty in facing a situation is to be brave;
Humility is to know yourself as a sacred part of Creation;
Truth is to know all of these things.*

Ancestral Teachings: Contemporary Perspectives poses the questions: How do the Seven Grandfather Teachings influence our contemporary Aboriginal lives? How does contemporary art reflect the story of the Teachings? How do the Teachings influence personal relationships? What relevance might they have for communities, politics or negotiations with institutions or government? This exhibition is open to painting, print making, drawing, new media, performance art, video art, sculpture, installation, spoken word and audio art, bead work, quill work, and textile art that responds to the exhibition theme and purposed questions.

Ancestral Teachings: Contemporary Perspectives is being curated by Vanessa Dion Fletcher, a curatorial intern working with Thunderbird Aboriginal Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurial Centre.

Submission Process
This exhibition is open to all Aboriginal artists, i.e., First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Metis and Inuit.

Please send the following by email in an attachment to Vanessa Dion Fletcher at Vanessa.curatorial@thunderbirdcentre.ca no later than October 14th, 2011

-10 images jpegs/jpgs only, 1 MB max file size each.
-3-5 minutes of video or audio in .mov .mp4 or mp3, max file size 3mb or a url link
-Corresponding image list including, title, medium, dimensions, date, of each art work.
-Short statement (250 words maximum) describing relevance of the art to the exhibition theme.

Selection Process
Exhibition submissions will be reviewed by the exhibition curator, Vanessa Dion Fletcher, and a curatorial advisory panel; those artists whose work has been selected will be notified by October 28th, 2011.

Payment to those participating artists will be made as per CARFAC guidelines upon receipt of the art work.

Email Vanessa Dion Fletcher at vanessa.curatorial@thunderbirdcentre.ca with any questions regarding the exhibition or submission process.
http://www.thunderbirdcentre.ca/

*Source: The Mishomis Book: The Voice of the Ojibway. Edward Benton--Banai

A Matter of Survival: Arctic Communications Infrastructure Assessment Report

2011-10-06T11:01:00.001-07:00

#comms #cdnpoli #north #Yukon #NWT #Nunavut A Matter of Survival: #Arctic Communications Infrastructure Assessment Report http://bit.ly/pTgQ8t via @mayormadeleine

The ACIA Report

The Arctic Communications Infrastructure Assessment (ACIA) identifies the issues and challenges facing governments and service providers in ensuring the Canadian Arctic is properly connected for the benefit of Arctic citizens and all Canadians.

The ACIA report is a 195 page print document, and can viewed or downloaded in full or by chapter in pdf form, from this website.

http://www.aciareport.ca/

#NWT Mackenzie Valley Environmental Audit Released to Public by Minister of Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development

2011-10-05T09:53:00.001-07:00

[ Forwarder's Note: Tried to find the audit at: http://www.aandc.gc.ca ... had no luck.. Perhaps the press release moves faster than their webmaster?]

Oct. 5, 2011, 11:57 a.m. EDT

Northwest Territories Environmental Audit Released to Public

YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, Oct 05, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- The second report to audit the effectiveness of environmental management in the Northwest Territories (NWT) was released today by the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

The audit is a requirement under Part VI of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, as well as under the Gwich'in, Sahtu and Tlicho comprehensive land claim agreements. The audit evaluates the quality of the environment in the Mackenzie Valley by assessing three key areas: the NWT regulatory regime; the monitoring of cumulative impacts; and trends in the environment. It is intended to ensure that responsible economic development occurs within a sound environmental management framework.

"This audit is a key tool for environmental management in the Northwest Territories, and its recommendations will help guide Aboriginal organizations, governments, and other decision-makers," said Minister Duncan. "Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada welcomes the completion and release of the audit. This work will contribute to our ongoing efforts to improve the northern regulatory regimes and enhance environmental stewardship while respecting a strong Aboriginal voice."

The Department is committed to sound environmental management in the ongoing work under the Action Plan to Improve Northern Regulatory Regimes, and in Northern Strategy initiatives under Canada's Economic Action Plan.

The audit contains 13 recommendations. The responsibility for addressing the audit's recommendations will be shared among as many as 30 directly affected parties, including governments, Aboriginal organizations and resource management boards. These recommendations are intended for use by decision-makers to improve the effectiveness of the regulation of environmental and resource management in the NWT.

The audit was conducted by an independent auditor following a competitive bidding process and review by the multi-partner Audit Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee is composed of representatives from regional Aboriginal organizations and territorial and federal governments, and was responsible for supporting the auditor throughout the process. SENES (Specialists in Energy, Nuclear and Environmental Sciences) Consultants Limited was chosen to carry out the audit.

To view the audit, please visit our website at: http://www.aandc.gc.ca .

You can receive all our news and media updates automatically. For more information or to sign up for our Media Room RSS Feed, visit: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/eng/1291225661056 .

                 Contacts:         Minister's Office         Moira Wolstenholme         Press Secretary         Office of the Honourable John Duncan         819-997-0002                  NWT Region         Tricia Melander-Forde         Communications Advisor         Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada         867-669-2605                  Media Relations         Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada         819-953-1160

Élections territoriales 2011- Élections et médias sociaux

2011-10-04T11:19:00.001-07:00

Élections territoriales 2011- Élections et médias sociaux
Originally uploaded by The MediaMentor 

Élections territoriales 2011- Élections et médias sociaux
Pour redonner tout son sens au concept de consensus, un francophone des TNO crée un groupe Facebook pour animer virtuellement la discussion entre la population et les candidats.

Virginie Bouchard

http://www.aquilon.nt.ca/Article/Elections-et-medias-sociaux-201109291636/default.aspx#article

Les 17e élections territoriales auront lieu lundi prochain, le 3 octobre, aux Territoires du Nord- Ouest. Pour aider les électeurs à faire le bon choix, George Lessard, un citoyen de Yellowknife, a décidé d’utiliser les réseaux sociaux pour favoriser les discussions.
« Durant les élections, les électeurs ont peu de chance d’avoir des discussions sur les grands sujets territoriaux », précise M. Lessard. C’est pourquoi il a créé un groupe Facebook. Pour lui, un gouvernement de consensus doit se fonder sur une participation de tous les citoyens. « Le grand consensus dont on parle toujours, c’est seulement un consensus d’assemblée. Le grand public n’a pas de chance de discuter », ajoute George Lessard.
Son groupe connaît d’ailleurs un bon succès, compte tenu de la nouveauté de ce concept : « Il y a environ 200 inscrits. Ça semble peu, mais pour les Territoires du Nord-Ouest, c’est beaucoup », ajoute l’initiateur du projet. » Après quelques recherches, il a constitué une liste d’informations sur les candidats. Certains d’entre eux possèdent seulement un numéro de téléphone et même pas d’adresse courriel, tandis que d’autres ont des comptes Facebook et Twitter. George croit que les candidats qui sont sur les médias sociaux ont un certain avantage, notamment auprès des jeunes : « Si un candidat veut mon vote, je veux savoir s’il peut répondre à mes questions. S’il ne le fait pas, je ne vais pas voter pour lui. L’important dans tout ça, c’est l’engagement du candidat face aux électeurs ».

LegroupeFacebookdeM.Lessardn’apasqu’une fonction électorale. Le concepteur s’attend à ce que les candidats qui ce sont inscrits sur Facebook restent actifs aussi après la campagne : « L’engagement c’est l’engagement. »

To follow the #NWTElec17 results tonight... LIVE / Soirée électorale 2011 - Écoutez en direct! Radio Taïga 103,5 FM

2011-10-03T13:17:00.001-07:00

For those Francophones out of the territory...
CIVR Radio Taïga 103,5 FM diffuse une soirée électorale à compter de 20h ce soir (3 octobre).
Durant toute la soirée notre animateur, Batiste, vous fait part des plus récents résultats, alors que nos reporters, Maxence, Charles-Antoine, Alain et Virginie, vous emmènent sur le terrain dans les bureaux de campagne des candidats de Yellowknife et Hay River.
Radio Taïga CIVR 103,5 FM http://www.radiotaiga.com/node/397
Soirée Électorale ce soir à compter de 20h. Radio Taïga sera disponible en webdiffusion (live stream). Consultez notre site web. #nwtelect17
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/radio-taiga

For those Aglophones out of the territory...
Live Online: Northbeat at 6 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. ET
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/Local_News/North

And for those of you who want the live CBCNorth radio feed tonight... listen here
http://www.cbc.ca/video/radio-popup.html#networkKey=cbc_radio_one&programKey=yellow_knife

#NWT #YZF Videos of Yellowknife Northwest Territories Chamber of Commerce Election Forum 2011

2011-10-01T01:30:00.000-07:00

#NWTElec17 Yellowknife Chamber "...candidates being abused...by rowdy crowds...instances of spitting on candidates..."

2011-09-28T20:55:00.001-07:00

Yellowknife Chamber "...candidates being abused...by rowdy crowds...instances of spitting on candidates..."

Recently arrived in my inbox..... see highlighted paragraphs ...

I've recorded two of the forums... and saw / heard nothing like what is mentioned...

See recordings at
http://rabble.ca/rabbletv/program-guide/2011/09/features/nwt-all-candidates-debate
and
http://mediamentor-circumpolar.blogspot.com/2011/09/seniors-all-yzf-candidates-for.html

Contact Me LinkedIn Facebook Flickr YouTube
Chat themediamentor

From: generalmanager@ykchamber.com
To: 22 candidates in the NWT Election
CC: 22 other non-candidates
Subject: RE: Yellowknife Candidates Forum
Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:01:28 -0600

Hi folks,

The forum is tomorrow evening at 6 PM (start time) at the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly. Joslyn from CBC is our moderator for the evening. We have attached some sample questions that will be asked throughout the evening. The moderator will explain the process, based on our time limits, as to how we will present the questions but everyone will get a fair shake at being heard.

After housekeeping items are discussed she will give each candidate a 30 second speech for opening remarks and the time keeper will flag you down if you speak too long. Time limits of 1 minute per question are being imposed due to the high number of candidates we have confirmed for the event.

The questions will be introduced based on riding draws so that you will not be required to answer every single question but you should be prepared for the questions in advance that you may be asked.

The second half is open microphone. Sound is being run through Pido so we will have good systems and back up to ensure you can be heard. More questions may be asked by the moderator if there is sufficient time or some may be excluded if we run out of time.

Everyone has to be off site by 9:30 so we will try and wrap it up by 9 PM to accommodate the staff at the Legislature.

We do encourage great debate and differences of opinions and ideas but we will quickly put a stop to personal attacks on candidates outside the acceptable realm of the campaign as we have heard there were several instances of candidates being abused at other forums by rowdy crowds who disagreed with their policies or positions. Any repeat instances of spitting on candidates or other abuse and the perpetrators will be escorted off the premises by Legislature security and possibly charged.

The YK Chamber of Commerce, NWT Chamber of Commerce, Northern Aboriginal Business Association, and Chamber of Mines thank you for your participation in this event and wish you all the best of luck tomorrow evening. Please call our office at 920-4944 if you need further information.

D. Tim Doyle, CFP, FMA

Executive Director

Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce

(867) 920-4944 office

generalmanager@ykchamber.com

Senior's All #YZF Candidates Forum for the #NWTelec17

2011-09-28T17:42:00.000-07:00

NOTE:

Due to some internet connection problems early in the event,

only these three segments were archived.

Also please note:

As this was webcast uses a free service,

every time you watch a segment there is an advertisement at the start of the video,

but the ads that appear over the video while they play may be removed

by clicking on the small "X" that appears on their top right hand corner of the ad.

Forum sponsored / organized by:

Yk Seniors' Society / Union of Northern Workers / Yellowknife YWCA / Alternatives North

Webcast produced as a public service by:
George Lessard "The MediaMentor"

First Segment 24 mins:
Ongoing Funding for Seniors Organization & Whistle Blowers

Second Segment - runs 46 mins:
Question from UNW:
What about GNWT Program Review
Question from the YWCA:
How will you support improve ongoing funding for family based shelters?

Final Segment - runs 1 hr 6 mins:
Questions from the Audience and Candidate Closing Statements

#NWT Hub newspaper sold to Northern News Services @NNSLOnline

2011-09-28T09:18:00.001-07:00

The Hub, Hay River's newspaper of record http://www.hayriverhub.com , has been sold to Mike Scott and Northern News Services Ltd. http://nnsl.com of Yellowknife effective Sept. 30. Northern News Services publishes news/north, the Yellowknifer and a number of smaller Northern weeklies.

The sale follows roughly two years of talks and negotiations.

http://www.hayriverhub.com/2011/09/hub-newspaper-sold-to-northern-news-services/

Hub publisher Chris Brodeur bought The Hub in May 1975 from Pat and Harry Engbers, school teachers who founded the newspaper in February 1973. The Hub, in some ways is coming full circle, as it was started with the assistance of Jack (Sig) Sigvaldason on his kitchen table in Yellowknife. He also started the Yellowknifer in 1972 and is co-owner of Northern News Services.

"It has been a fascinating career and life for a city boy from Montreal," said publisher Brodeur, "but after 39 years in the newspaper business in Hay River, 36 as publisher of The Hub, and after having moved to Calgary 12 years ago, it was time to look for a new owner with ongoing Northern roots. Mike Scott, who was born in Hay River, is that person."

"Rita and I loved, and still love the North and the people here. Hay River is a special town with a great 'can do' attitude. Mike and his group will continue to do a great job providing Hay River residents with an award-winning local newspaper of which everyone here can be proud. I wish Mike all the best with his new endeavour back in his home town."

"Purchasing The Hub is an exciting opportunity for Northern News Services," said Scott. "Hay River is the second largest community in the North and has always had strong newspaper readership. We believe we can grow The Hub in concert with our flagship paper, news/north, serving readers and advertisers for many years to come. Expanding into Hay River also brings my partner Jack (Sig) Sigvaldason and I full circle back to Hay River. I started my newspaper career folding sheets for Don Taylor at the Tapwe in the 1960's."

The Sept. 28, 2011 issue of The Hub will be the last issue published by Hub Publications Ltd.

Watch for next week's issue of The Hub for a farewell column from publisher Brodeur.

#nwt #yzf #nwtelect17 Yellowknife All Candidates Video Archive of the Status of Women Council of the NWT Forum

2011-09-27T11:52:00.001-07:00

For interested Yellowknife Voters, students and all Canadians who want to learn more about the politics of the Northwest Territories, Status of Women Council of the NWT's held an All Yellowknife Candidates Forum on September 26t, 7PM, at the Northern United Place. http://www.statusofwomen.nt.ca/

All Yellowknife Candidates Forum organized by the Status of Women Council of the NWT

The video archives of the form are now available online at this location

http://rabble.ca/rabbletv/program-guide/2011/09/features/nwt-all-candidates-debate

GEORGE LESSARD
Information, Communications and Media Specialist
Spécialiste en l'information, communications et media
451 Norseman Dr.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
X1A 2J1, Canada
Yellowknife Land Line # (867) 873-2662
Yellowknife Cell # (867) 445-9193
E-mail: mediamentorATgmailDOTcom
GST# 837068543RT0001
Website mediamentor.ca
Twitter Feed on Northern & First Nations Issues
Twitter Feed on Journalism & Media Issues
Twitter Feed on Community Radio Worldwide
Member:
Canadian Association of Journalists
Canadian Artists Representation / le Front des artistes canadiens
Canadian Artists Representation Copyright Collective

Contact Me LinkedIn Facebook Flickr YouTube
Chat themediamentor

#yzf #nwt #nwtelect17 LIVE WEB STREAMS of All Yellowknife Candidates Forums

2011-09-25T20:14:00.001-07:00

LIVE WEB STREAM on Monday Sept 26
All Yellowknife Candidates Forum organized by the Status of Women Council of the NWT
will be streamed live 7:00pm - 10:00pm via
http://www.livestream.com/rabbletv
(recorded archive available some time later)

and

LIVE WEB STREAM on Tuesday Sept 27 7PM
Yellowknife Seniors' Society all Candidates Forum for the Yellowknife Electoral Districts in partnership with the Union of Northern Workers, Alternatives North and the YWCA from Northern United Place on Tuesday Sept 27 beginning at 7:00 PM will be viewable at
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nwt-news

Embedding of live streams and/or archives is permitted

For more NWT territory wide election talk/issues join the first ever
NWT Elections for the 17th Assembly
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NWT.elec.17/
open Facebook group

Follow hash tag #nwtelect17 on Twitter

http://twitter.com/Northern_Clips

GEORGE LESSARD
Information, Communications and Media Specialist
Spécialiste en l'information, communications et media
451 Norseman Dr.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
X1A 2J1, Canada
Yellowknife Land Line # (867) 873-2662
Yellowknife Cell # (867) 445-9193
E-mail: mediamentorATgmailDOTcom
GST# 837068543RT0001
Website mediamentor.ca
Twitter Feed on Northern & First Nations Issues
Twitter Feed on Journalism & Media Issues
Twitter Feed on Community Radio Worldwide
Member:
Canadian Association of Journalists
Canadian Artists Representation / le Front des artistes canadiens
Canadian Artists Representation Copyright Collective

Contact Me LinkedIn Facebook Flickr YouTube
Chat themediamentor

Yellowknife CRTC hearing 4 October 2011 - Northwestel Review of price cap regulatory framework

2011-09-24T10:08:00.001-07:00

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Notice of CRTC hearing 4 October 2011 Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Review of price cap regulatory framework for Northwestel Inc. and related matters
Notice of Consultation
CRTC 2011-302,
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-302.htm
2011-302-1
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-302-1.htm
Hearing Documents
https://services.crtc.gc.ca/pub/instances-proceedings/Default-defaut.aspx?EN=2011-302&Lang=eng

#NWTelec17 #NWT MLA Candidates contact information (as of 14/09/2011)

2011-09-14T17:34:00.001-07:00

Conversation of Aboriginal Homelessness Continues: Interview With David Ward

2011-09-14T16:56:00.001-07:00

"In Yellowknife we met Cassien, http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2011/08/cassien-aboriginal-homeless-yellowknife-canada/ Gina http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2011/08/gina-aboriginal-homeless-yellowknife-canada/ and Clayton http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2011/08/clayton-homeless-aboriginal-yellowknife-canada/ -- each with a powerful story that not only shares the problems of Aboriginal homelessness but the solutions."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-horvath/aboriginal-homeless-canada_b_953601.html

"...

By no means am I an expert, but I do believe Aboriginal homelessness is what makes Canadian homelessness different than other countries. And I believe it is a serious social crisis that needs to be addressed as a priority when looking at solutions for Canada. We started the conversation with Adrian Wolfleg back in Calgary. Many of you may remember Adrian performed a naming ceremony over me giving me an Aboriginal name. Truly one of the greatest honors of my life.

I am not Aboriginal, and I will never fool myself or others to believe I understand their gorgeous culture and struggles to survive. That said, I felt the best way to share the Aboriginal story of homelessness in Canada was to simply empower my new Aboriginal friends to tell their own story...."

#NWTelect17 #yzf Candidates Arts Forum Sunday, Sept 18th

2011-09-13T12:26:00.001-07:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: ARCC Comittee <theykarcc@gmail.com>
Date: 13 September 2011 13:08
Subject: Sunday, Sept 18th--Candidates Arts Forum

CANDIDATE ARTS FORUM

YELLOWKNIFE Sept 18, 2011: The Artist Run Community Centre (ARCC) is sponsoring a public forum on the arts for candidates in the upcoming Territorial Election.This will be held on Sunday, September 18^th, from 7:00 - 9:00pm at the ARCC in Yellowknife (5013 - 49^th Street).

The NWT Government provides a number of programs and funding in support of the arts in the NWT, and this will be an opportunity for artists and performers to get the views of future MLAs on NWT arts policy.

Members of the NWT arts community are encouraged to attend, including those in the visual arts, music, theatre, film, traditional arts, storytelling, etc.

WHO: Yellowkinfe ARCC, forum organizers Carmen Braden and Adrienne Cartwright
WHAT: Forum for candidates on the Arts
WHERE: Artist Run Community Centre (ARCC), 5013-49th Street, Yellowknife
WHEN: Sunday, September 18, 7pm - 9pm
WHY: To provide an opportunity for candidates of the upcoming Territorial election to speak on the Arts in the North

#Yukon ArtsNet Society, ArtsNet magazine & ArtsNet e-mail list

2011-09-10T13:07:00.001-07:00

ArtsNet Society
http://www.artsnet.ca/
ArtsNet is based in Whitehorse, Yukon. It began in 1998 as a collective of performing arts organizations working on common goals and cooperative activities. It now serves as a cultural industry association for artists, arts organizations and cultural businesses in the Yukon. Its priorities include:
• the sharing of information
• the encouragement of joint planning
• the undertaking of joint projects and programming
• the coordination of performing arts advocacy initiatives
• the development of capital infrastructure for the performing arts

ArtsNet magazine (Yukon, North of Ordinary)
From 2004 to 2008 the association published ArtsNet magazine. The magazine is now being published by Harper Street Publishing. All correspondence and inquiries regarding the magazine should be directed to artsnetyukon@gmail.com. The new magazine website is http://www.artsnetyukon.com/

The Yukon ArtsNet e-mail list
The ArtsNet is an umbrella organization for Yukon arts groups and the Yukon arts community at large. The purpose of this list is to facilitate the communication and discussion of matters related to the arts in the Yukon.
Founded on Mar 13, 2001 the list currently has 1063 subscribers (as of September 2011)
Membership does not require approval
Messages do not require approval
All members can post messages
Email attachments are archived on site.
Members cannot hide email address

To subscribe via the web and to view the list's archives of e-mails visit and click on the "Join this group" button.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArtsNet-yt/
Then you can manage your subscription online.

To subscribe and manage your subscription via e-mail, use these Group Email Addresses… Subscribing and managing you subscription via e-mail does not give you access to the list's on-line archives.

To subscribe, send a blank message to:
ArtsNet-yt-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

(Note: The following commands must be made
from the address you used to subscribe.)

To un-subscribe from the list:
send a blank message to:
ArtsNet-yt-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

To change your subscription to the daily digest mode
(all messages posted during the day are combined into one single messages sent once a day)
send a blank message to:
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To change your subscription to individual emails
send a blank message to:
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To put your email message delivery on hold
send a blank message to:
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List owner's address:
ArtsNet-yt-owner@yahoogroups.com

NNSL on the CRIME RATES as an #nwtelec17 #NWT election issue

2011-09-07T20:09:00.001-07:00

CRIME RATES

Issues

NNSL http://www.nnslnewsroom.com/node/264

Monday, September 5th, 2011

Crime rates and severity have dropped everywhere in Canada except the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Newfoundland and Labrador, according to Statistics Canada. Police-reported robbery rates have also risen in the NWT. Historically, robbery rates in the North have been among the lowest in the country. Youth crime also declined across Canada, with the exception of Nunavut and the NWT, which both showed small increases.Are there not enough police in the communities? Does unemployment, poverty, addiction create a criminal behaviour? What are the solutions? More police? Longer sentences? See the background stories below and leave a comment at the bottom link.

Judge calls out politicians over comments on crime
http://www.nnsl.com/frames/newspapers/2011-03/mar7_11crt.html

RCMP look to build rapport with youth
http://www.nnsl.com/frames/newspapers/2011-03/mar10_11cofio.html

Battling domestic abuse
http://www.nnsl.com/frames/newspapers/2010-09/sep27_10v12.html

"Arctic caucus to push feds for Mackenzie pipeline" Good quotes from Kevin O'Reilly of Alternatives North

2011-09-06T15:33:00.001-07:00

Arctic caucus to push feds for Mackenzie pipeline

By MEAGAN WOHLBERG, SRJ Reporter

• Tue, Sep 06, 2011

http://srj.ca/arctic-caucus-to-push-feds-for-mackenzie-pipeline-p6459-88.htm

Arctic legislators and business leaders expressed their collective support for the Mackenzie Gas Project (MGP) in August at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Arctic Caucus in Yellowknife.
Hosted by GNWT Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Bob McLeod, the summit dealt with Arctic infrastructure, search and rescue, spill response capabilities, mining and development.

But, McLeod told The Journal, the biggest resolution passed was in favour of the proposed MGP to build a 1,996 km pipeline from the Beaufort Sea through the NWT to Alberta.

"We do annual capital visits to Ottawa and Washington, so PNWER will be bringing forward a resolution expressing support for the Mackenzie gas pipeline there," he said.

The proposed $16.2-billion MGP received the okay from both the GNWT and federal government in their final responses to the Joint Review Panel (JRP) report last November. The panel spent five years studying the proposal put forward by the Imperial Oil-led consortium, which includes Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips and the Aboriginal Pipeline Group.

Shell Canada pulled out of the project in June of this year, prompting McLeod to demand a signed deal from Ottawa ensuring the project could go forward by the end of 2011, lest more members of the consortium revoke their commitment.

Of the 176 recommendations made by the JRP report, both governments said they accepted the intent of "a vast majority" of those directed at them, and could eliminate or mitigate any potential adverse effects of the pipeline if it goes ahead.

But for Kevin O'Reilly of Alternatives North, a social justice coalition in the NWT campaigning against the MGP, the governments' apparent acceptance of the JRP's recommendations is misleading.

"They said they accepted the intent of the recommendations, but quite frankly that was a lie," he said. "For most responses there's been no timeline given, no talk of specific funding, specific agencies to lead action, no specific commitments. That means nothing will get done and that's just the way it works."

Alternatives North has questioned the economic viability of the MGP, which it says will need taxpayer subsidies, as well as the GNWT's ability to manage the project so that it gives back to Northerners and protects the environment.

"We wish the government would focus on real economic opportunities," said O'Reilly. "The problem is we haven't even found a way to properly distribute the benefits from diamond mining yet. We should be focusing on that instead."

So far, no fiscal agreement on the MGP has been finalized. Federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver told Postmedia News in July that the project was a "private sector" decision, but admitted that it had been delayed by regulatory reviews.

"If these approvals drag on, they're clearly going to undermine the economics of the project and no one ends up benefiting," Oliver said.

The PNWER Arctic Caucus was formed by legislators and members of the private sector in November, 2009 to identify commonalities among the Arctic jurisdictions of Alaska, Yukon and the NWT.

Arctic Poppy

2011-09-04T23:27:00.001-07:00

DSC_1104-v2
Originally uploaded by The MediaMentor 

Via Flickr:
Some of my 2011 crop of wildflowers planted in the flower boxes around my house in Yellowknife DSC_1104-v2

#YZF #NWT ArtsWeek & TrashFormations Submissions

2011-09-01T14:09:00.001-07:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Aurora Arts Society <auroraartssociety@gmail.com>
Date: 1 September 2011 14:16
Subject: ArtsWeek & TrashFormations Submissions
To:

Submissions for Aurora Arts Society's Artsweek 2011

Due Saturday, September 17, 2011

EXPOSE YOURSELF to art! The Aurora Art Society is celebrating its 10th Anniversary during ArtsWeek September 23 to October 2, 2011.

Artists and arts-inspired individuals are invited to submit their art, craft, or creation for the Art Exhibition (up to two pieces of work - painting, drawing, jewelry, sculpture, fiber arts, glass, ceramics – all welcome) or the Trashformation contest (at least 80% recycled material. Great prizes) on Saturday, September 17, 2011. Work will only be accepted on September 17th between 12:00 noon and 4:00 p.m. in the auditorium at the museum (Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre).

ArtsWeek begins with a gala evening on Friday, September 23, 2011 at the museum followed by a week of demonstrations, workshops and discussions. ArtWeek wraps up with the Annual General Meeting on Sunday, October 2^nd.

For more information visit the Aurora Arts Society website at www.auroraarts.ca and www.trashformation2011.wordpress.com.

September 23 – October 2

www.aurora-arts.nt.ca

Artsweek 2011
Come celebrate the Aurora Arts Society's 10th Anniversary with Artsweek 2011!

This is the 8th Annual Artsweek event. Artsweek is an opportunity for the public to expose themselves to the local visual arts scene, and it's also a chance for local artists to showcase their work and participate in activities and professional development.

A number of free visual arts events happen in Yellowknife from September 23 – October 2.

For the full list, visit www.aurora-arts.nt.ca

ART EXHIBITION – Submit your work!
Sept 23-Oct 2
Museum Auditorium
FREE

Submit up to 2 pieces of your art or craft to be on display during Artsweek!
all is welcome!
Drop off (one day only): Sept 17 12:00-4:00 at the museum.
Opening Reception: Sept 23 7:00pm, museum auditorium

www.aurora-arts.nt.ca

TRASHFORMATION 2011
Sept 23-Oct 2
Museum Auditorium
FREE

IT'S BACK!!! 5th annual recycled art competition! Great Prizes!!!
Make a piece of art from trash

Drop off (one day only): Sept 17, 12:00-4:00pm at the museum.
Opening reception: Sept 23, 7:00pm, museum auditorium

www.trashformation2011.wordpress.com

#NWT Election Facebook page & Twitter Hashtag #NWTelec17

2011-08-31T00:44:00.001-07:00

Here it is NWT voters!... Its that time of the political cycle again!

Invite your sitting MLA and all the other candidates to join!

Voters of the NWT
ARE YOU READY?
It's Election time!
Join in the process...
Exercise your right to an opinion

On Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NWT.elec.17/

Twitter Hashtag
#NWTelec17

Public safety officials - Canadas Arctic a telecommunications backwater: report

2011-08-30T14:53:00.001-07:00

Around the Arctic August 30, 2011 - 4:49 pm
Canada's Arctic a "telecommunications backwater:" report
Operation Nanook 2009 suffered communications meltdown
NUNATSIAQ NEWS

http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674canadas_arctic_a_telecommunications_backwater_report/

Arctic Canada is a telecommunications backwater and without a federal
strategy to increase bandwidth and reduce costs, the North risks falling
even further behind.

That's the conclusion of a study called the Arctic Communications
Infrastructure Assessment http://www.aciareport.ca/ , compiled on behalf
of a working group of public safety officials.

"Canadians are becoming more reliant on communication services in every
aspect of their lives, and the Arctic is no exception," the assessment
says.

"Arctic residents must have reliable, affordable communications
infrastructure to engage in 21st century opportunities—many
communities' long term survival will depend on it."

The Arctic communications scene is riddled by high prices, slow service,
and gaps in service areas.

And governments haven't figured out ways to promote the competition that
could bring down costs.

The bandwidth situation is so bad that in Nunavut, the Department of Human
Resources struggles to fully comply with recommendations from the Auditor
General of Canada, because there isn't enough bandwidth to run needed
computer systems.

And the lack of bandwidth also means that Nunavut's new high-tech drivers
licenses take longer to be issued because the information can't be sent
over the internet.

The report says government workers in the communities have to send out
memory sticks containing driver data on airplanes to Iqaluit so the
licenses can be printed.

"We have a state-of-the-art vehicle pulled by a team of dogs," said
Kathleen Lausman, the deputy minister of Nunavut's Department of Community
and Government Services.

The study was originally commissioned after Operation Nanook in 2009, when
an exercise involving hundreds of soldiers and government personnel
overwhelmed Iqaluit's telecommunications network.

That incident put northern communications on the radar for police,
emergency responders and the military.

It's also on the agenda for a meeting of first responders that was to take
place in Iqaluit Aug. 30.

"Communication infrastructure in the Arctic is fragile, creating a high
level of vulnerability that can jeopardize the safety and security of
Canadian citizens," the report states.

"Information is key for responders to be prepared. Early identification of
requirements for emergency services is important to avoid 11th hour
problems accessing services."

Even though the military has its own communications networks, other first
responders still have to rely on local systems to run their own
communications equipment.

The report calls for the creation of satellite "hotspots" that would allow
officials to use internet, data and voice systems in remote communities
during an emergency.

JOB TV/Print Producer/Writer/Photographer -- Inuvik with the The Inuvialuit Communications Society (ICS)

2011-08-29T11:43:00.000-07:00

Television Producer/Writer/Photographer -- Inuvik
http://www.jobsnorth.ca/jobdetails.asp?sec=jobseek_search&job=35435

Television Producer/Writer/Photographer -- Inuvik -- Inuvialuit Regional Corporation

Company Overview:

Incorporated in 1985, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation ("IRC") is the parent corporation of the Inuvialuit Corporate Group and is responsible for administering the Inuvialuit Final Agreement ("IFA") on behalf of Inuvialuit beneficiaries. Through its various subsidiaries, IRC manages the lands and financial compensation received by the Inuvialuit under the IFA. The corporate office is based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

Category:

Journalism/Writing

Job Description:

The Inuvialuit Communications Society (ICS), is an organization dedicated to sharing our people's journey, celebrating our cultures, inspiring our children and honouring the wisdom of our elders. We are dedicated to using multimedia to share our stories amongst ourselves in the regions, with all Canadians and with people around the world. ICS will produce a minimum of 3 hours of new television programming for each fiscal year with the potential of doing more hours if funding provides. The new series will feature at least six half hour episodes that will air in English and be mastered in Inuvialuktun for broadcast as well. Tusaayaksat is a newsmagazine that features news stories, articles and photo essays. Tusaayaksat mainly produced in English with the main story/article is produced in English and Inuvialuktun using one of the three dialects depending which area the story comes from. The magazine is published four times annually.

Duties:

Reporting to the Editor in Chief, the incumbent is responsible for supervising the publication of Tusaayaksat from start to finish, ensuring the stories are of interest and relevant to the Inuvialuit communities. Responsibilities will include soliciting news submissions, proofing stories, attending meetings, securing usage rights, photographing stories as necessary and other duties as it relates to the magazine. The incumbent will also be responsible for producing the television segments as described above.

Qualifications: The successful candidate must have the following skills & abilities.

Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English or related field and two years of experience in editing, journalism, or editorial research. The ideal candidate will be an efficient problem solver, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as demonstrate a dependable work ethic and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Compensation:

TBD

Education Level:

University Degree

Position Type:

Full-Time

Position Duration:

Permanent

Apply By:

Phone - 867-777-7088

In Person

Fax - 867-777-4506

Canada Post

email - jobs@irc.inuvialuit.com

Bag Service # 21

Inuvik, NT

X0E 0T0

Closing Date:

Friday, September 02, 2011

Multi-disciplinary border-crossing festival Barents Spektakel, Norway Days in Murmansk, Transborder Cafes, Barents Art Triennale

2011-08-29T09:54:00.001-07:00

Pikene på Broen

@PBKirkenes Norwegian-Russian border https://twitter.com/#!/PBKirkenes

Multi-disciplinary border-crossing festival Barents Spektakel, Norway Days in Murmansk, Transborder Cafes, Barents Art Triennale and much more! Follow us!

http://www.pikene.no/

Pikene pa Broen, established in 1996, is a company of art curators and producers, based in Kirkenes, north-eastern Norway, close to the borders of Russia and Finland.

By our art projects we create meeting places and build bridges across national borders and across art genres. Promoting the idea of «Taking the world to the Barents and the Barents into the world» we started a series of «Border-Crossing Exercises» across Barents and other European borders.

Our main projects are an annual festival Barents Spektakel, Barents Art Triennale, Transborder Cafes, BAR International artists-in-residency program and other collaborative projects.

In 2009 Pikene på Broen were awarded Eckbos Legaters Culture Prize 2009. The jury´s conclusion reads: «Pikene på Broen have contributed significantly to making Kirkenes one of the most important towns of Norway and through their art projects they have challenged understanding of geopolitics, centre and periphery».

Contact

Pikene på Broen AS
Storgata 8, PB 180, 9915 Kirkenes
Telephone: +47 78 99 38 79
Telephone/Fax: +47 78 99 38 78
Mobile: +47 91 68 17 41
E-mail: pikene@pikene.no

Luba Kuzovnikova, Art director
Mobile: +47 91 68 17 41
E-mail: luba@pikene.no

Mona Danielsen, Administrative director
Mobile: +47 97 62 92 98
E-mail: mona@pikene.no

Inger Blix Kvammen, Advisor
Mobile: +47 95 06 45 64
E-mail: iblix@online.no

Maria Rusinovskaya, Project manager
Mobile: +47 41 65 71 39
E-mail: masha@pikene.no

Igor Shaitanov, Project manager
Mobile: +47 47 24 08 12
E-mail: igor@pikene.no

Vanja Madsen, Project manager
Mobile: +47 47 24 08 13
E-mail: vanja@pikene.no

2011 Canadian Portrait Competition: "The Miracle of the Portrait"

2011-08-26T10:08:00.001-07:00

2011 Canadian Portrait Competition: "The Miracle of the Portrait"

The Portrait Society of Canada http://www.portraitsocietyofcanada.com/ is a public organization, dedicated to fostering the practice, techniques and aesthetics of

Fine Art Portraiture and Sculpture through public education.

2011 Canadian Portrait Competition

"The Miracle of the Portrait"

December 1-20. 2011

Our 7th Competition in fine art portraiture is an on-line competition and is open to all Canadian visual artists and for those interested in the art of portrait in Canada.
As the only professional Competition in Fine Art Portraiture in Canada this is a unique opportunity to establish public recognition on the specialty subject of the Portrait.

Prizes: Best Portrait $ 1000 00 CAD
Peoples Choice Award $ 500.00 CAD

Participants are eligible to submit digital images of their portrait work. Two rounds of judging and selection are involved. Round one is conducted by the Selection Committee of the Portrait Society; the 50 Top Finalists will be displayed on the Portrait Society Website from Dec 1-20, 2011. The public vote for the Peoples Choice Award, and the final judging will be held on Dec 20. The winner will be announced on dec 20 at 12 noon. The Final judging will be made by independent Judges .
Submissions will be rated for composition, technique, application and overall vitality.
Cash Awards will be mailed to the winners on December 20th, 2011

All entries must be received by November 1, 2011

Rules and Registration
http://www.portraitsocietyofcanada.com/comp2010/form.doc

Feds killing water monitoring regime in the #NWT

2011-08-26T09:31:00.001-07:00

Media Advisory
August 25th, 2011

Yellowknife, NT

Federal budget cuts to Environment Canada will shut down nearly all water monitoring stations in the Northwest Territories. Of the territories' 23 water monitoring sites, 21 will be shut down.

"This is unacceptable, it is a slap in the face," said Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus. "The federal government has obligations through land claim agreements and the government's Water Strategy to protect water quality and quantity. How can you protect water if you are not monitoring for impacts and changes?"

The shutting down of water monitoring stations was revealed yesterday in the Legislative Assembly by Environment and Natural Resources Minister Michael Miltenberger, who received the information from the federal Cabinet.

"The Prime Minister and Cabinet are killing environmental monitoring in the name of fiscal restraint while they continue to subsidize oil companies and spend money on foreign lobbying on behalf of the tar sands," Erasmus said. "The Prime Minister is in our territory today, but he won't even tell us himself that his government is killing efforts to protect fresh water."

Dene and other Aboriginal northerners rely on fresh water systems for drinking, transportation, and for harvesting. Research has shown that upstream industry activities and climate change can impact both water quality and water quantity.

"We are downstream from the tar sands and other sources of pollution," Erasmus said. "With rapid climatic changes, and planned expansion of Alberta's tar sands, it is crucial that we step up our water monitoring regime in the north. The Prime Minister and Cabinet must reverse this move, and include Dene and other northerners in future decisions on water protection and water management."

-30-

For more information please contact: Daniel T'seleie, at the Dene National Office (867) 873-4081

Dene Nation Opposes Revised #NWT Wildlife Act

2011-08-24T21:01:00.001-07:00

Media Advisory

Dene Nation opposes passage of revised wildlife act

For Immediate Release

August 24^th, 2011

Yellowknife, NT

The Dene Nation is insisting that the revised NWT Wildlife Act not be passed in the Legislative Assembly. The revised Act has met staunch opposition from Dene and other residents of the territory, and some proposed amendments in the Act may negatively impact on Treaty and Aboriginal rights. These concerns were reflected in a motion passed by Dene leadership on July 14^th, 2011 at the 41^st Dene National Assembly in Fort Providence, which called for consultation and accommodation with Dene on proposed amendments that could impact Treaty and Aboriginal rights.

"The Dene Nation has serious concerns about the territorial government managing caribou and other wildlife, as many of these species are culturally relevant and are important to the survival of Dene," said Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus. "These efforts by the territorial government to control and manage wildlife species are an attempt to take authority away from Dene in the communities, and this is tantamount to a violation of Treaty and Aboriginal rights."

There is particular concern that changes to the Act could impact the Treaty rights of Akaitcho and Deh Cho Dene, who have not yet completed land claim negotiations.

"Dene are still at the negotiating tables to clarify their Treaty and Aboriginal rights through land and self-government agreements," Erasmus said. "The Wildlife Act must fully recognize the rights of Treaty 8 and Treaty 11 beneficiaries to manage wildlife through appropriate processes. In addition, the proposed wildlife act would prevail over existing land claim agreements and self-government agreements if there was a conflict in law. The existing constitutionally entrenched agreements need to be recognized and implemented."

The Dene Nation is insisting that Members of the Legislative Assembly vote down the revised Act, as Dene and other territorial residents have made it clear - in meetings with the Standing Committee on Economic Development and in other venues – that they do not support the proposed changes.

In revising the Wildlife Act, the territorial government must work with Dene to identify proposed amendments that infringe on Treaty and Aboriginal rights and to change these amendments appropriately.

-30-

For more information please contact: Barret Lenoir, at the Dene National Office (867) 873-4081

#NWT MLA's Statement on Report on Homelessness in Yellowknife

2011-08-19T12:25:00.001-07:00

Member's Statement on Report on Homelessness in Yellowknife
http://homeless.samhsa.gov/(S(i4cf4r45ygzvkn45ffhp5u45))/Resource/Members-Statement-on-Report-on-Homelessness-in-Yellowknife-52309.aspx
8/19/2011 3:21 PM

Member's Statement on Report on Homelessness in Yellowknife

Author(s):

http://www.assembly.gov.nt.ca/_live/documents/content/hn110817.pdf#page=11

Tags:

Description: Bisaro, Assembly 17 8 11

MS. BISARO: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In June, the City of Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition launched a report on homelessness, by Mr. Nick Falvo of Carlton University. I will table the report entitled "Homelessness in Yellowknife: An Emerging Social Challenge" later today.

The findings in Mr. Falvo's report are not surprising. Findings such as: 90 to 95 percent of homeless people are Aboriginal; social and economic factors are major causes of homelessness; those with poor mental health and users or abusers of alcohol and drugs are more likely to be homeless; and that homelessness contributes to high health care costs. These are all well known to government and service providers alike.

The report doesn't just describe the state of homelessness in Yellowknife, it offers recommendations to improve the situation. Because most of the funding for homelessness programs comes from federal and/or territorial governments, these recommendations are directed to the funders. That would be this government. That would be us.

Recommendation number one: create a homelessness secretariat. The GNWT must accept greater responsibility for the issue of homelessness. There needs to be a dedicated staff position within the GNWT to oversee and manage our response to homelessness.

Number two: develop shelter standards and provide sufficient implementation funding. The conditions in Yellowknife homeless shelters create risks for both the staff and the homeless people who use them. The GNWT must develop standards for emergency homeless shelters similar to the standards that have been developed for family violence shelters.

Recommendation three: create more affordable and supported housing for the homeless. Research shows that providing permanent housing for those with mental health conditions costs far less than housing them in emergency shelters, jails, or hospitals, and that it provides a much better quality of life. The NWT must develop more affordable housing, including more independent living and/or supported living units.

Number four: strike a public health taskforce on substance use and abuse. We in the NWT have high rates of alcohol and drug use, and the rate is highest among our homeless people. To quote the report, "unsafe drug use presents a public health risk."
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.

MS. BISARO: To counter the public health risk, a task force should be established to conduct a needs assessment, investigate other successful programs across the country, and then develop a comprehensive policy response with the aim of reducing disease and producing positive health outcomes.

These are all recommendations that can and should be acted upon by this government. I will have questions for the Minister responsible for homelessness later on.

MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Content: Read the full report: Homelessness in Yellowknife: An Emerging Social Challenge

File(s)

Type of Resource: Government Document

Organization: Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories

Publication #: The Sixth Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly

Publication Date: 2011

Location: Yellowknife, NWT, Canada

Tlicho traditional arts and crafts Online Store

2011-08-18T14:14:00.001-07:00

Giselle Marion [gisellemarion@tlicho.com] has requested distribution of the following announcement:

Tlicho Online Store

The Tlicho Online Store has recently opened its retail location in Yellowknife at the Tli Cho Logistics/ Tlicho Investment Corp Office at Bay 25 Stanton Plaza, 100 Borden Drive.

They specialize in selling traditional arts and crafts made by the Tlicho and Northerners. Their products include cardholders, moccasins, purses, mittens, phone cases, coin bags etc.

For more information about their products check out their online store at http://tlicho.ca/tlicho-onlinestore, or email onlinestore@tlicho.com or call 867.392.6925. You can also find them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TlichoOnlineStore .

Please see the attached photo files of their pamphlet and a monthly article they write about items sold on their website!

For more information, please contact:
Giselle Marion
867-392-6925
gisellemarion@tlicho.com

FYI: Petition to Improve health and health care in Northwest Territories - Target: All candidates - NWT Election (Oct 2011)

2011-08-18T13:57:00.001-07:00

Improve health and health care in Northwest Territories

Published by CACHCA on Aug 17, 2011

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/improve-health-and-health-care-in-northwest-territories.html

Target: All candidates - NWT Election (Oct 2011)

Background (Preamble):

In 2014, during the term of the next Government of the Northwest Territories, the current 2004 Health Accord – the deal that sets funding and healthcare service delivery agreements between the federal, provincial and territorial governments – will expire and must be renegotiated. This is a unique opportunity to improve health and health care for all Canadians.

The renewed 2014 Health Accord must be a joint initiative between all provincial, territorial and federal governments and must include key provisions in order to improve the accessibility, equity, comprehensiveness and sustainability of our health system. Among these provisions is the need for action on primary health care across Canada, including increased access for Canadians to Community Health Centres.

Community Health Centres (CHCs) have been around in Canada for many years. But they've always been ahead of their times. CHCs are the only primary health care services that bring together family physicians, nurses and other health professionals under a single roof to provide team-based care, combined with a wide range of other health promotion, outreach and community development services.

CHCs are also the only model of primary health care that thoroughly address the "social determinants of health". This means that while CHC health care providers and program staff respond to people's individual health needs, they also create programs and services that reduce social and environmental problems that cause illness in the first place. All services are carefully tailored to respond to the needs and priorities of the local community that is being served. This results in high-quality, patient-centred care coupled with community care.

Unfortunately, only a fraction of NWT residents currently have access to integrated Community Health Centres. An expansion of access to CHCs in the Northwest Territories will mean accessible, high-quality, preventive health care for more individuals and families. It will also result in healthier communities and a more effective and sustainable provincial health system for all residents of the Northwest Territories!

Petition:

We call on the next Government of the Northwest Territories to commit to negotiating a renewed 2014 Health Accord in concert with the other Provinces and Territories and the Government of Canada, including:

a) A 6% increase in health transfers from the Government of Canada to the provinces/territories for the duration of the accord; and

b) A commitment to NOT subtract any of these new health transfers from other, existing social transfers; and

c) A renewed commitment to the five principles of the Canada Health Act; and

d) Adoption of the following additional seven principles for Canada's health system: "patient-centred"; "quality"; "health promotion and illness prevention"; "equitable"; "sustainable"; "accountable"; "community-oriented"; and

e) A provision within the accord identifying "access to appropriate primary health care" as a priority area for federal and provincial/territorial action.

We also call on the next Government of the Northwest Territories to commit to developing a plan to expand access to Community Health Centre (CHC) services through a combination of new resources for existing CHCs in NWT -- so that they may extend services and programs to community members most urgently in need -- and funding for new Community Health Centres in communities where needs cannot be met by an existing CHC.

CALL: Dogrib speaker sought by new one-hour CBC drama called "Arctic Air."

2011-08-17T16:07:00.001-07:00

Please contact
Penny Gummerson at pennygummerson@shaw.ca 604-625-6911 for more information....

Penny has asked for the following call to go out...

".. I'm a Metis writer from northern Manitoba. I'm now living in Vancouver and working on a new CBC television series called "Arctic Air." I'm wondering if you know anyone who speaks Dogrib? I'm writing about a Dene character in my episode and would like him to speak his Dogrib language..."

"...The television show is a brand new one-hour CBC drama called "Arctic Air." We're still in preproduction and will be shooting in Yellowknife, NT and Aldergrove, BC. The series is produced by Omni Film Productions http://www.omnifilm.com in Vancouver. You can reach me at the production office at: 604-625-6911. I don't think there's a website for the show, yet, but below you'll find an article that gives a little more info on what it's all about..."

Adam Beach Takes Lead In CBC's 'Arctic Air' Drama

9:39 AM 6/22/2011 by Etan Vlessing
Canadian-born Adam Beach is to play the lead role of Bobby Martel in 'Arctic Air,' a CBC drama about renegade bush pilots in the country's north and set to bow in winter 2012.

TORONTO -- Adam Beach has joined the CBC's Arctic Air as the Canadian drama's lead.The series, set in Yellowknife, portrays renegade bush pilots at work and play in Canada's north.
Beach, who also stars in HBO's Big Love, will perform the role of Bobby Martel in the one hour created by Ian Weir and produced by indie Omni Film Productions.
Arctic Air is set to bow on Canada's public broadcaster in winter 2012.
On Big Love, Canadian-born Beach plays the character of Tommy Flute.
Beach's credits include the CBC's North of 60, Flags of Our Fathers and Law & Order: SVU.
Beach is also to appear in the upcoming Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig-starring movie Cowboys & Aliens.

#YZF #NWT Northern Arts & Cultural Centre 2011-2012 Crossing Bridges" season package

2011-08-15T13:30:00.001-07:00

Northern Arts and Cultural Centre

2011 - 2012 "Crossing Bridges" season.

The package information is [available at http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/62354912?access_key=key-1v8w7gd7o6632x72ykxm ]. As you can see we have regular subscriptions available for 5 shows in Hay River, and 6 in Inuvik and Yellowknife. Two special additional shows can be added to the Yellowknife package and one to the Hay River package. All packages offer high-quality entertainment in a variety of genres, from dance to jazz and classical piano, from storytelling to stand-up comedy and Shakespearean tragedy, from Latin to Quebecois music.

Please note the availability dates for the sale of these packages.

Past subscribers may purchase in advance beginning on August 24; the general public will be able to purchase packages beginning on September 1. Individual tickets for all Crossing Bridges season shows will become available on September 11. You may purchase your
package online at <http://www.naccnt.ca>, or in person at the NACC box office in Sir John Franklin High School, or by phone at
867-766-6101, during regular box office hours (Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm).

Feel free to forward or pass this information along to your friends or relatives who may be interested.

Please email Steve Lacey, or phone after August 21, if you have any questions.

See you at the show!

Steve Lacey
Box office manager
Northern Arts & Cultural Centre
steve_nacc@hotmail.com
867-766-6101

Northern Arts and Cultural Centre 2011-2012 Season Package

The Range Street Project

2011-08-14T20:43:00.001-07:00

RT @northern_clips: The Range Street Project - #YZF #NWT http://ow.ly/632ej
RT @Northern_Clips: Range Street: video trailer for the upcoming #YZF #NWT documentary http://bit.ly/pIQCB4

"Photographer Pat Kane and filmmaker Jay Bulckaert will be tackling this project together, shooting a photo essay and documentary film over the next 365 days which will culminate into an exhibit and screening in Yellowknife. The exhibit will also be pitched to film festivals across North America and beyond. We hope to capture a year in the life on Range Street, through all seasons, with an eye towards unbiased documentation and artistic representation. The goal of this project is not to form a political or social opinion, but rather to show the daily realities of this notorious street.

While we have already started production and intend on completing it even if we go broke, projects like this cost money and we are looking for support. If you'd like to make a financial donation, please click on the Donate page. "

Indigenous Film Fellowship (IFF)

2011-08-10T14:58:00.001-07:00

Indigenous Film Fellowship (IFF) will offer a two-year program that will partner emerging indigenous film talent with notable and established filmmakers world-wide

[excerpt, see URL for full details]

http://indigenousfilmcircle.com/

The first year of the program will focus on the development of storytelling through script, while the second year of the fellowship will focus on the production planning and strategizing to help the grantees successfully create solid marketing and financing plans by the end of their two-year fellowship. It is the aim and ambition of both the ISF and the Indigenous Film Circle to strengthen the indigenous film network while also helping each other support and develop strong new talent within the film industry. We hope that this global program collaboration can build a permanent network for indigenous filmmakers and supporting partners world-wide.

The Indigenous Film Fellowship seeks creative, dedicated and talented filmmakers to submit their stories to be developed with the guidance and mentorship of established filmmakers with proven success records who will provide encouragement and refine the awarded fellows talents, scripts and production plans. Our aim is to have the fellows' film projects industry ready by the end of year two of the fellowship for potential financing.

REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be of indigenous background.
Stories submitted must convey an indigenous perspective.
Fellowship seeks stories where the screenplay is not fully developed nor currently funded.
Treatments must be for feature narrative films.
Fellows must be willing to commit two years to the fellowship and complete the work as required by the deadlines.
Applicants acknowledge that if they are accepted, they have one week to confirm their commitment to the fellowship and understand that if they do not meet their deadlines as stated in the fellowship or convey a lack of willingness to participate, can be subject to dismissal.
Applicants must be willing to travel to annual IFF gatherings and workshops.
Applicants must be willing and desire mentorship guidance and critique.
Must complete all portions of the application. Any materials not provided may disqualify an application.
Applications must be completed in either English, Spanish or Russian. If an applicant cannot complete the application in either of these two languages, please write the International Sámi Film Centre (ISF) with a rationale and request at least 30 days before submission deadline. ISF will try their best to accommodate the request(s).
Applications must be received by September 1, 2011; 12:00 am GMT.
Applications must be completed electronically. Do not send postal mail. E-mail only. If not able to, please let ISF know immediately and at least two weeks prior to deadline.

CRITERIA:

The IFF seeks outstanding feature-length narrative projects which are based on strong ideas, well communicated and thoroughly thought out stories, exhibit a high level of creativity and can demonstrate the possibility of being financed for production.
Preferences are made on stories told in an indigenous language, but not required.
Stories must demonstrate an indigenous perspective and applications must address the relevance of their story to their community.
Individuals or teams may apply. A majority of key crew personnel must be of indigenous origin.
The writer or director must have at least one produced short film, feature film or appropriate television credit.

All Requirements must be met in order to qualify for the Indigenous Film Fellowship. Any requirements not fulfilled without the stated prior notice time as stated in the "Requirements" section above, may be disqualified for consideration into the Indigenous Film Fellowship.

OPEN CALL: YELLOWKNIFE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2011

2011-08-09T14:29:00.001-07:00

Western Arctic Moving Pictures is officially accepting submissions
for the:

...YELLOWKNIFE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2011 (OCTOBER)

The Categories are:

Northern Spotlight (Films & Videos from the Circumpolar Region)
Short Fiction
Feature Fiction
Documentary
Animation

DEADLINES:

Early Bird- July 30th, 2011
Regular- August 15, 2011
Late- August 25th, 2011
WAB extended- August 31st, 2011

http://www.wamp.ca/film-festival

Office Hours

Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Ph: (867) 766-2586

Email Us via http://www.wamp.ca/contact

Address

Basement of 4916 49th Street (Kopykat North Building)

Yellowknife, NT

X1A 2P8

Northern_Clips' Circumpolar Blog

Call for Submissions / Polar Film Festival

The 2012 Great Northern Canada Writing Contest Deadline - April 30, 2012

Commonwealth Foundation call for short films

#NWT's old Slave River fur-trade route could provide relief from Alberta's troubled pipeline dreams

Old fur-trade route could provide relief from Alta.'s troubled pipeline dreams

The Romance of the Far Fur Country - Arctic Canada caught on 1919 silent film

#YZF #NWT Northwestel Cable 20 needs a videographer in Yellowknife

Green Party of Canada : Put Our First Nations and Canada's best interests before oil industry profits

New Democrats on Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline

Imagine a World Without Free Knowledge - I support #wikipediablackout! Show your support here

Arctic Cinema and Applied Arts conference, 10-12 April, 2012

Arctic Cinema and Applied Arts conference, 10-12 April, 2012

Arctic Cinema and Applied Arts

Make a short film with LIFT for imagineNATIVE 2012 - Submit Now!

NWT Premier Roland gave Kate & William 692 diamonds during Yellowknife visit last summer

Aboriginal Storytellers: Remember To Apply By Jan 16 for Banff's "Hi-Rez Storytelling"

Call for submissions: Northern, Art/Experimental video program

Full Q&A Notes on #NWTPoli Politics and Social Media for my @CBCNorth radio appearance this morning

Maclean's National Crime Ranking for the NWT

MINISTER’S STATEMENT 20-17(1): MEETING WITH FEDERAL JUSTICE MINISTER ON BILL C-10 HON. GLEN ABERNETHY

Call for Applications: Hi-Rez Storytelling: Indigenous Storytellers Invited to Apply

JOB: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Open Sky Creative Society Fort Simpson NWT

K'alemi Dene Grade 2 & 3 Singers DSC01241

CRTC opens Canada's North to local telephone competition

CALL FOR PAPERS: “Inuit Health: Illness Experience & Healthcare Delivery”

Canadian Women’s Foundation – Girls’ Fund Grant Deadline: December 20, 2011

Arctic Co-operatives Limited Launches New Northern Images Website

Call for Submissions - Polar Film Festival

Improved telecommunications will transform Nunaviks health delivery

Improved telecommunications will transform Nunavik’s health delivery

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS #NWT -WIDE YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT

NWT needs cash- debt of "$380-million is paying itself off through the territorial housing & power corporation..." Miltenberger

REVIEW: Homelessness in Yellowknife: An Emerging Social Challenge

New Report Paints Grim Picture of Public Housing in the NWT

imagineNATIVE and NFB Call for Digital-Arts Proposals

The 4 Seasons of WAMP: Commissioned Videos

Water report: 10 years after Walkerton - #NWT C; #Yukon D+; #Nunavut D

"Authentic" #NWT Souvenirs from Northwest Territories Tourism ? #NWTpoli

"Authentic" Luggage Tags?

"Authentic" Souvenir Pins?

"Authentic" Folding Maps?

Call for submissions - True Winter Tales

Info on “fracking” for #NWT #NWTpoli

What is fracking?

Tell NWT Premier Bob McLeod to Stand up for Canadian justice!

Stand up for Canadian justice! Tell Northwest Territories Premier Bob McLeod to join other provinces and territories and refuse to pay for the Conservatives' cruel Crime Bill. Together, we can make Canada safer, not meaner.

References:

Spectacular Ethical Deficit Northwest Territories

First major snowfall of the 2011/2012 winter season in Yellowknife NWT

WHAT ABOUT THE GNWT? Criminal justice - Five provinces unite with Quebec and Ontario - A majority of provinces worry about the prison costs attached to bill C-10

#NWT UNION OF NORTHERN WORKERS financial_statements_2008__2010.pdf and 2012__2014_budget.pdf

FROZEN EYES PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY PART-TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

Super Channel Feature Documentary Award deadline 5 pm on November 27, 2011

Dettah NWT gets high-speed DSL Internet from NorthwesTel

PDF FYI: Overview of Canada Council funding to the #NWT in 2010-11

#NFB: Get Animated in Yellowknife! #YZF #NWT

Call for Submissions / Thunderbird Aboriginal Arts / Ancestral Teachings: Contemporary Perspectives

A Matter of Survival: Arctic Communications Infrastructure Assessment Report

The ACIA Report

#NWT Mackenzie Valley Environmental Audit Released to Public by Minister of Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development

Northwest Territories Environmental Audit Released to Public

Élections territoriales 2011- Élections et médias sociaux

To follow the #NWTElec17 results tonight... LIVE / Soirée électorale 2011 - Écoutez en direct! Radio Taïga 103,5 FM

#NWT #YZF Videos of Yellowknife Northwest Territories Chamber of Commerce Election Forum 2011

#NWTElec17 Yellowknife Chamber "...candidates being abused...by rowdy crowds...instances of spitting on candidates..."

Senior's All #YZF Candidates Forum for the #NWTelec17

#NWT Hub newspaper sold to Northern News Services @NNSLOnline

#nwt #yzf #nwtelect17 Yellowknife All Candidates Video Archive of the Status of Women Council of the NWT Forum

#yzf #nwt #nwtelect17 LIVE WEB STREAMS of All Yellowknife Candidates Forums

Yellowknife CRTC hearing 4 October 2011 - Northwestel Review of price cap regulatory framework

#NWTelec17 #NWT MLA Candidates contact information (as of 14/09/2011)

Conversation of Aboriginal Homelessness Continues: Interview With David Ward

#NWTelect17 #yzf Candidates Arts Forum Sunday, Sept 18th

#Yukon ArtsNet Society, ArtsNet magazine & ArtsNet e-mail list

NNSL on the CRIME RATES as an #nwtelec17 #NWT election issue

CRIME RATES

"Arctic caucus to push feds for Mackenzie pipeline" Good quotes from Kevin O'Reilly of Alternatives North

Arctic Poppy

#YZF #NWT ArtsWeek & TrashFormations Submissions

Improved telecommunications will transform Nunaviks health delivery

#NWT UNION OF NORTHERN WORKERS financial_statements_20082010.pdf and 20122014_budget.pdf

Public safety officials - Canadas Arctic a telecommunications backwater: report