Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
Gerald Antoine was re-elected chief of the Liiddlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson on Aug. 28. "I'm really honoured to again be asked by people to be their leader for the next three years," he said. "Now we need to look at how we can do things the Dene way and how we can work with our people so that things get better for our community and our families."
According to an update posted to the First Nation's Facebook page, Antoine received 87 votes in the band election. His opponents Herb Norwegian received 76, Steven Jose received 30 and Howard Hardisty received 26.
Voters also elected eight councillors: Kele Antoine, Brian Martineau, Sharon Allen, William Michaud, Ernest McPherson, Hilda Tsetso, Catherine Nahanni and Eric Menicoche, according to the post.
Antoine, 63, was born in Fort Simpson and has had a long and varied career. He has worked as an interpreter at Nahanni National Park Reserve, a radio announcer and with elders, he said.
"I got to know a lot about a number of different areas that contribute to the work that I'm doing," he said. "I'm very thankful that I got to have those experiences."
There will be an official welcoming ceremony for the new chief and council on tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the at Fort Simpson Arbour. All community members are invited.
SA国际影视传媒� Ezra Black
GNWT developing 10-year arts strategy
NWT
The GNWT is developing a 10-year arts strategy aimed at boosting the territory's cultural sector.
A recent request for proposals stated a NWT Arts Strategy will express the territorial government's role in supporting the arts, and will be implemented jointly by the departments of Education,
Culture and Employment, and Industry, Tourism and Investment.
The government has set aside $50,000 for the strategy, and set a deadline of Jan. 30, 2019 for the document.
The RFP states the strategy should express the government's "values, vision, goals and priorities" for supporting the arts over the next decade, but does not specify what the GNWT's overarching vision is for the future of the arts in the Northwest Territories.
The existing arts strategy has not been updated in 14 years.
SA国际影视传媒� Sidney Cohen
Man arrested in Wekweeti following firearm possession
Wekweeti/Snare Lakes
A 23-year-old man was arrested in Wekweeti last week after Behchoko responded to a complaint he was armed and dangerous.
NWT police dog services arrived at the scene by chartered plane late Aug. 29.
After the man fled, a loaded shotgun was found by police at the location he was last seen.
A search resumed the following day and the man was later found in a vehicle during a traffic stop Thursday night.
The man was found unarmed and taken into custody to Yellowknife on Friday.
Based on complaints from the community, police believed the man posed a danger to the public with the firearm but charges were not laid.
An investigation is ongoing.
SA国际影视传媒� Simon Whitehouse
CRA to open Northern service centres
Beaufort Delta Region
Three new Canada Revenue Agency Northern Service Centres are set to open in Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit before the start of the next tax season.
Dedicated telephone lines will be set up in the centres to assist territorial residents outside of the capitals with their needs.
According to a news release from the Canada Revenue Agency, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, minister of national revenue, made the announcement in Whitehorse Aug. 24.
The centres come after recommendations made in consultations with Northern residents regarding tax obligations and are meant to help Northern residents and businesses overcome the unique obstacles faced in the North when it comes to filing taxes.
"The North has unique needs and priorities that sometimes require innovative solutions developed in consultation with the people who live here," said Premier Robert McLeod in a statement.
"Our government looks forward to continued collaboration with the Government of Canada to help ensure that Northerners get the services and support they need and continue to have a meaningful say in decisions about the North and its future."
- Samantha McKay
MLAs hold fall caucus retreat
NWT
The caucus of the 18th Legislative Assembly met for a three-day retreat in the Monfwi riding beginning on Aug. 22. MLAs and staff members travelled to Lac La Martre Lodge to prepare for the upcoming sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
"It is vitally important for members to come together for the fall caucus retreat to get us away from the daily distractions," said Julie Green, the caucus chair and an MLA from Yellowknife.
While Green said the topics of discussion are confidential, she said both regular MLAs and cabinet ministers were able to discuss priorities as equals.
"These discussions tend to be much less polarizing than, say, budget negotiations because there's neither spending no decision making at stake," she wrote in an email response.
The third session of the 18th Legislative Assembly will reconvene on Oct. 11.
-Paul Bickford, with files from Tim Edwards
