Never afraid to tell it like it was

16 Pages·2013·6.48 MB·English

H
UB NEWS SPORTS INSIDE
T H E
Asian restaurant Junior curlers Polar eggs on sale
Huskies hockey on top
reopens hit the ice
Hay River protests
New years resolutions
Lights awards
HAY RIVER, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES WEDNESDAY, January 9, 2013 ● 41st Year No. 45 ● $1.00 (.95 + GST) ● PM#40012157
Never afraid to tell it like it was
Vern Tordoff, town councillor form 1988 to 2005, succumbs to cancer
ANGELE CANO "There was never a question of
[email protected] where you stood with him. I think a
lot of people appreciated that about
Known to his family, former col- him."
leagues and residents as a straight For example, Tordoff was the
shooter and hard worker, Hay River only council member to vote
and the North bid a sad goodbye to against the building of the current
Frank Laverne (Vern) Tordoff last aquatic centre.
month. "He wasn't afraid to vote against
Tordoff was perhaps best known what was popular if he thought it
in Hay River for his time on town was right," said Rod Tordoff. "A
council serving as a councillor and good politician might tell everyone
deputy mayor for almost two dec- what they wanted to hear, but if
ades, according to town records, he thought he was right, he wasn't
from 1988-2005 – a total of six afraid to say it. There was not a
terms. phony bone in his
On Dec. 14, he body."
died of cancer in ▼ Son Ken Tordoff
Yellowknife, where "He wasn't afraid to of Hay River echoed
he had lived for the those sentiments,
vote against what
past year and a half. noting his father
"He passed away was popular if he became involved
in his big easy in local politics to
thought it was right."
chair," said son Rod keep taxes low and
Tordoff of Yellow- Rod Tordoff ▼ because he felt com-
knife. pelled to change the
Born on April way town business
25, 1932, in Lon- was handled.
don, Ont., Vern Tor- "He tended to
doff moved to Hay River in 1975. piss people off, but he kept getting
Earlier in his life, he served as elected," his son said. "I think he
an aircraft mechanic with the Royal only lost one election and that was
Canadian Air Force. He moved when he ran for mayor. He was
west after meeting his wife in the always pretty straightforward. He
service. After living in Red Deer calls things like he sees them and
and Grande Prairie, they decided to takes no BS from anyone."
move north. Vern Tordoff was also an active
Tordoff initially moved north to member of the Royal Canadian
run the General Motors franchise Legion, where he was a past presi-
Hay River Motors. When that car dent and an honorary lifetime mem-
dealership closed in the mid 1980s, ber.
coinciding with the closure of Pine Tordoff was married for almost
Point Mine, he continued to run KT 60 years to his wife, Sylvia, who
Bus Services and worked in Cor- predeceased him.
rections for 10 years. He lived in Hay River until mov-
Plus, he was the father to four ing to Yellowknife in 2011, and
boys – Rod, Ken, Doug and Tom. spent a total of 37 years in the
Tordoff is also remembered as NWT.
an astute businessman and pol- "My mum wouldn't leave," said
itician, especially for the way he Rod Tordoff. "He liked it up here,
conducted himself inside council too. They both golfed and spent
photo courtesy of Ken Tordoff
chambers. summers at the golf course, even
Frank Laverne (Vern) Tordoff liked to soak up the rays on a warm day. Tordoff died on Dec. 14.
"He was never afraid to tell you though they went south for one
what he thought," said Rod Tordoff. month in the winter. It was home."
Two men charged in drug busts
Police seize marijuana, cocaine and cash
MYLES DOLPHIN tion led officers to a hotel from Grande Prairie, Alta., Police say the matter is of marijuana, some crack "Members were able to
[email protected] room registered in the sus- had allegedly brandished a still under investigation. cocaine, cash and drug-related execute two Controlled Drugs
pect's name. knife during an earlier alter- Twenty-four hours later, on paraphernalia. and Substances Act search
Hay River RCMP officers After obtaining a search cation. Jan. 2, RCMP officers were The 46-year-old home- warrants within a 24-hour
certainly did not waste any warrant under the Controlled The accused was arrested called to a Hay River Reserve owner was arrested and period," said Sgt. Chad Orr.
time in making their first drug Drugs and Substances Act, the and charged with trafficking residence where underage charged with drug possession "All of the Hay River mem-
busts of 2013. RCMP's police service dog and possession of a controlled drinking was reportedly tak- for the purpose of trafficking bers are working very hard to
In the early hours of Jan. 1, and handler located roughly substance, flight from police, ing place. and breach of probation. meet the community's prior-
at approximately 4 a.m., Hay one ounce of cocaine. possessing proceeds of crime, According to an RCMP The accused appeared ities. Anyone with informa-
River Traffic Services pulled Police also found a con- assault with a weapon and news release, a drug investiga- before a justice of the peace tion about the drug trade in
over a vehicle and conducted siderable amount of Canadian Motor Vehicle Act offences. tion and search ensued. and was released on several the Hay River area is encour-
a drug investigation. currency in the room. The accused is scheduled After police obtained a conditions, and is scheduled aged to call the Hay River
According to an RCMP They were later informed to appear in Hay River ter- search warrant, they alleged- to appear in Hay River terri- detachment or Crime Stop-
news release, the investiga- that the suspect, a 24-year-old ritorial court on Jan. 30. ly seized over three pounds torial court on March 27. pers."
2 ▼ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 www.hayriverhub.com
www.hayriverhub.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 ▼ 3
Back in familiar territory
Did we get it wrong?
Hay River Hub is committed to get-
ting facts and names right. With that
goes a commitment to acknowledge
mistakes and run corrections. If you
spot an error in Hay River Hub, call Asian restaurant opens in Hay River
874-6577 and ask to speak to an editor,
or e-mail [email protected].
MYLES DOLPHIN
We'll get a correction or clarification in
[email protected]
as soon as we can.
Some familiar faces in the local
NEWS restaurant industry are back after a
lengthy absence.
Briefs The Inthavong family – Ping,
Sammy and Vicki – have returned to
the old Salt & Pepper restaurant loca-
An evening in tion in the Godwin Mall.
They began renovations in early
the Dragon's Den November and opened the brand-new
The Dragon's Den evening, Woodland Wok & Grill on Jan. 5.
where high school students will "The whole time we were gone
pitch entrepreneurial ideas to local my parents kept talking about coming
businesspeople, will be held on Jan. back to Hay River," said Vicki.
16 at Princess Alexandra School. The family operated the Salt &
The event is being presented by Pepper's first incarnation between
the Hay River Rotary Club. 2004 to 2007, so this is familiar terri-
It is scheduled to start at roughly tory for them.
7 p.m., according to Tom Lakusta "The restaurant was always packed
of the Hay River Rotary Club. and we really liked our customers,"
– Myles Dolphin said Ping.
In 2007 they left for Lloydminster,
Alta., to be closer to relatives and they
Christian music
operated a small restaurant there until
band to perform earlier this year. Myles Dolphin/NNSL photo
Irish contemporary Christian "As nice as it was, it wasn't for us Kirk Quickstad, left, Vicki Inthavong, Ping Inthavong and Sammy Inthavong are happy to be
band Bluetree will be performing at and we were constantly talking about back in Hay River once again.
the Hay River Pentecostal Church Hay River," said Vicki.
on Jan. 18 as part of a multi-city Earlier this year when business at Langille said. "We want to keep amounts of cleaning. Asian and western culture, or "east
youth centre tour. the Salt & Pepper was struggling and things fresh and new. A lot of work "The kitchen was really dirty, we meets west" according to Vicki.
Bluetree, an independent band it was time for a breath of fresh air, has been put into this new place." had to scrape the grease off the walls The family has lived all over Can-
from Northern Ireland, is best Godwin Mall owner Bernie Langille The extensive renovations include and ceiling," said Quickstad, Vicki's ada but they say Hay River is their
known in Christian music circles made a call to the Inthavongs and a fresh coat of paint, new lights, boyfriend, who has helped out with favourite place.
for the song God of This City. inquired about a possible return to a bevy of new kitchen equipment, the renovations. "I've never been to a town with so
– Myles Dolphin Hay River. new beer coolers, a new floor in The new menu will feature a var- many friendly people before," Vicki
"This is an old partnership," the dining room and copious iety of dishes described as a fusion of said.
Winter market
set to reopen
After the Christmas break, Hay
River Commons Co-operative Lim-
ited will be reopening its winter
market at Ecole Boreale on Jan. 13.
The co-operative will also host
a special market at Chief Lamalice
Complex on the Hay River Reserve
on Jan. 20.
The market will be returning to
its regular location at Ecole Boreale
on Jan. 27.
– Angele Cano
First Nations leaders
to meet
Dene National Chief Bill Eras-
mus is planning
to take part in an
Assembly of First
Nations Chiefs on
Jan. 24 to address
issues facing their
people and nations.
Bill
The meeting of
Erasmus
indigenous Nations
Leaders is sup-
ported by the Dene First Nation.
First Nations Leaders and the
Assembly of First Nations are
urging Prime Minister Harper to
attend the meeting.
– Angele Cano
Performance
and art
Resident and classically trained
singer Myra Berrub with be per-
forming with Fort Smith singer
Karen Zaidan for a concert at 7:30
p.m. at the Hay River Library on
Jan. 26.
Berrub and Zaidan who per-
formed at the Hay River Inter-
Angele Cano/NNSL photo
national Lute Festival last year will
SECRET SANTA HELPERS
be performing a series of songs
alongside a silent auction for the From left, Edna Dow, the lady behind Secret Santa, along with Anna Crosman and Cynthia Lau-a, pose before Christmas at the
Hay River Beautification Commit-
Secret Santa headquarters at the Hay River Pentecostal Church. Secret Santa is an annual Christmas collection of food and toys
tee.
for needy families in the Hay River area.
– Angele Cano
4 ▼ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 www.hayriverhub.com
H HISTORICAL QUOTE
O UB
PINION 2011
"Now is the accepted time to make your regular
CCNA
annual good resolutions. Next week you can
begin paving hell with them as usual."
––MMMaaarkTTwwwwwaaaaaiinnn
H
Light box not UB
THE
such a good idea
HAY RIVER, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Established in 1973
Perhaps members of the Hay River Chamber
Published Wednesdays by
of Commerce thought they could improve the
Northern News Services Limited
winter blues by erecting a monstrous box of light
R
next to town hall. E
T
R
The electronic sign, which appeared out of the O
blue towards mid-December, has been the bane R REPe Cano
of many Hay Riverites' existence ever since. NIOgel
It's puzzling to witness its content because it's SEAn
[email protected]
almost acting like a giant, pixelated travel guide:
Welcome to Hay River where you can fish, golf
and ride a snowmobile. n
hi
Most, if not all residents of the community, ERolp
TD
already know that. ORes
It's advertising local activities to local people. REPMyl
With the exciting news that Hay River will be [email protected]
hosting NWT Tourism's 2013 annual general Nve
Gu
meeting, shouldn't more efforts be made to pro- SIne
mote our activities, say, ND DEaison
outside of Hay River? AM
EDITORIAL O a
Twenty-four hours a How about an NWT Ice Day? HOThayl
day, the sign taunts us PS
[email protected]
with repetition. During the evening and night-
time, it shines brightly with the power of a light- This is not our favourite time of NWT Ice Day sometime in February.
y
e
hnoeaursbey tMo atchkee ndzisiem Palya coef Hmigahnryis ere.sidents of the ydeaarkr.. CAhnrids ttmhearse i sa orev erre. gItr'es tctaobldly a nndo youIt tmhinakk easb oseunt site, ibceec haeulspes, mwhaekne RTISINGna Delor
Lighthouses serve to guide people to safety holidays in the near future. winter fun and is a vital piece of the DVEatri
when they are travelling on troubled water, and In fact, there are no statutory NWT identity. AK
[email protected]
they are a symbol of strength and greatness. holidays in the NWT until Good Fri- NWT Ice Day could be when
Looking at Hay River's new beaming sign doesn't day at the end of March. Northerners celebrate the joys of
N
encourage you to do anything except turn away. That's a long time. ice – ice fishing, ice sculptures, out- SIGsa
Eo
Why not place the sign elsewhere and change Some provinces have realized door hockey, snowmobiling and dog C DDar
HIy
the content? It could be turned into a very use- the dearth of holidays at this time sledding on frozen ponds and rivers, APerr
ful addition for the town, whether it is used to of year and created their own. Feb. and more. GRSh
[email protected]
congratulate local residents or sports teams, or 18 seems to be a popular date. Plus, the holiday could have a
used as a calendar for local events. At this rate, There's Islander Day on P.E.I., Louis serious side. It could show the world
t
very few of the temporary guests in Hay River will Riel Day in Manitoba and Family how important ice is to the NWT's anay
stdl
ethvee rr isgehet diti,r eucntlieosns o tnh eCyo uhratoprpeeilnle t oS tbreee td. riving in DaYye itn, sienv etrhael prNoWvinT,c ews.e struggle wmaeyn to. f Tlihfea ta cnodu tlhde c noavetur raelv eernyvtihroinng- min assisten Fin
A strategic location would ensure that passing through almost three months with- from ice roads to preserving the dri
AK
motorists could see its content without the risk out a statutory holiday. What we Arctic ice cap. We could hold con- [email protected]
of an accident, unlike its current location, where need is a winter holiday to call our ferences to get people together – PUBLISHER
J. W. (Sig) Sigvaldason
it might distract drivers at a somewhat busy own. Our first thought was NWT including community representa-
[email protected]
intersection. Snow Day, mainly because it's the tives and scientists – to talk about GENERAL MANAGER
Michael Scott
The Hay River Chamber of Commerce is plan- absolutely perfect name for a holi- ice and climate change.
[email protected]
ning on officially unveiling the sign at the end of day. But there's already World Snow We could even invite tourists to MANAGING EDITOR
Bruce Valpy
January. Day. Then we thought some more visit on NWT Ice Day and experi-
[email protected]
Please do everyone a favour and review your and have come up with something ence the world of ice before it's
Publishers of
strategy for it. even better. We propose creating gone. • Hay River Hub • Deh Cho Drum
• Inuvik Drum • Kivalliq News
• Yellowknifer • NWT News/North
What changes do you hope to make in 2013? • Nunavut News/North
Hay River Hub
8-4 Courtoreille Street
As January rolls in and it's time for New Year's resolutions, Hay River, NT X0E 1G2
Canada Post #2180316
Return undeliverable Canada mail to above
The Hub asked Hay Riverites about any changes they plan to make this year. address
Mail Reg. #07426 ISSN 0714-5810
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It! We acknowledge the financial
support of the Government of Canada
through the Canadian Periodical Fund
(CPF) for our publishing activities.
Jackie Larocque Angel Beggair Treiva Plamondon Zachary Boss
To be better in school and To get better at school and I want to get on the honour My goldfish died recently. I'm
PHONE [phone]
sports. get into photography. roll. probably going to get a new
FAX [phone]
one. And maybe I'll go to the
[email protected]
pool more.
www.hayriverhub.com
www.hayriverhub.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 ▼ 5
Community channel on satellite
Hay River TV Society's community channel 5 will be broad- wages for the 2013 fiscal year by amending the bylaw. Presently
COUNCIL
cast across the territory by the end of January. the mayor makes $42,700 part-time annually while councillors
The channel, which airs community announcements, church receive $8,837, which does not include honorariums paid for sit-
services and scheduled town council meetings, will be available Briefs ting on various boards and committees.
on satellite by the end of this month. According to the current bylaw indemnities are set to increase
This means communities across the North would be able to with Angele Cano annually according to the customer price index.
tune into Hay River's community channel. Council has yet to Town council requested the compensation not be increased
decide if they will broadcast on the wider scope but will still be e-mail: [email protected] for 2013.
broadcasting regular meetings locally.
The announcement came during a presentation by society a condenser fan was left on. Aside from ice repairs a water RCMP addresses bullying
president Gary Hoffman at a Jan. 7 regular meeting of council. metre and waterlines needed to be replaced.
Sgt. Chad Orr reported a busy end of year for the RCMP
Hoffman also said the TV society could purchase a higher resolu- "The curling rink came dangerously close to losing ice," said
in terms of calls but also many successful community events.
tion camera for council chambers. director of recreation Lyle Hannan. "Thanks to volunteers the ice
RCMP responded to 166 calls in November and 158 in December.
was able to be saved, but this is an item that's been long overdue
Orr reported that a presentation on anti-bullying was delivered
Dicey ice at looking at."
to students at Harry Camsell School. He said the WITS program
Hannan said the drop in temperature going unnoticed could
An issue at the recreation centre caused some problems with (walk-away, ignore, tell someone and seek help), is a more pro-
have been due to the busy season and reduced staff.
the facility's ice surface over the Christmas holidays which is active approach that introduces coping skills for students. Orr
pushing staff and council to look at its maintenance procedures. said anti-bullying programs had been delivered in schools before
Frozen wages
The recreation centre's ice surface needed to be repaired due but lacked practical coping strategies for students.
to a drop in temperature in the ice compressor room because Council reaffirmed its commitment to freeze councillor's "Hopefully this program catches on," said Orr.
Polar Eggs hit the shelves
Locally-produced eggs sold throughout territory
MYLES DOLPHIN shelves and in restaurants by send eggs to Fort Smith, Fort
[email protected] December. Simpson, Fort Providence
Wallington personally and a variety of restaurants
delivered some eggs to people across the territory.
The first NWT-produced in Yellowknife a few weeks "We might have to start
eggs to be sold in NWT stores ago, which led to pictures looking at automatic egg
in more than a decade are appearing on social media packers soon," he said,
finally avail- and caus- explaining that it would be
able. ▼ ing some to easier and quicker to pack
The eggs believe the the large volume of eggs they
come from "There will eggs were grade.
the territory's be somewhere already avail- The machines they use can
only egg pro- able in stores. grade close to 1,500 dozen
ducer, Hay in the range With these eggs per hour.
River Poultry of 40,000 large orders "The machines are run-
Farms Ltd., sent out, Wal- ning great, we're starting to
and are sold eggs on lington said get the hang of them, and
under the the market. " the company we've been dealing with some
Polar Egg would now humidity issues but every-
brand. The Kevin Wallington▼ probably wait thing is going really well,"
c o m p a ny until this he said. Myles Dolphin/NNSL photo
Polar Egg sales and marketing consultant Kevin Wallington displays 12 and
operates out week to get The facility employs six
of a new back to busi- people. 18-egg cartons, ready for delivery.
grading facil- ness and start An 18-egg carton of Polar
ity in Hay River's industrial crating orders for Jan. 14. Brand eggs are selling in Hay and a 12-egg carton of polar
area. Beyond Hay River and River for $3.99 compared to eggs sells for $2.99 compared
The company's sales and Yellowknife, he hopes to $4.29 for a southern brand $3.15 and up.
marketing consultant, Kevin
Wallington, said the eggs
have been on NorthMart
shelves since Dec. 19. On
Dec. 20, they were busy pre-
paring orders for other local
stores, packing cartons of 12
and 18 eggs.
"We delivered about 1,500
eggs to NorthMart this week
and probably another 10,000
to Super A Foods," Walling-
ton said. Other stores such
as the Ehdah Cho store on
the Reserve will also sell the
eggs.
"There will be somewhere
in the range of 40,000 eggs
on the market this week," he
added, saying a large order
was made for various Yellow-
knife stores as well.
Flora Bocat, in charge of
dairy at the NorthMart, said
the eggs started flying off the
shelves almost as soon as they
were placed there on Dec. 19.
"I was so happy to tell
people we had them," she
said.
The deliveries are right on
schedule for Polar Egg. At the
egg grading facility's opening
on Oct. 26, Wallington said
he hoped to have eggs on
6 ▼ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 www.hayriverhub.com
www.hayriverhub.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 ▼ 7
SHUB FESTIVE SKATE
PORTS
Hay River hits the ice with Santa, page 9
Huskies come out on top
Bantam hockey team outscores opponents 28-5 in tournament
MYLES DOLPHIN were missed during the
[email protected] game.
Coach Dean McMeekin
The Hay River Huskies said he was proud of his
hockey team emerged vic- team, and glad to see teams
torious at the annual Huskies from High Level and Yellow-
Hay River Bantam Invita- knife taking part in the tour-
tional Tournament held Jan. nament.
5 and 6. "The boys worked hard
Playing against two and deserved to win, they
teams from Yellowknife should be proud," he said.
and one from "The High
High Level, Level team
the Husk- ▼ is an A-level
ies beat the team. They
"It's nice to see
High Level have try-outs
North Stars that our boys can and pick their
in the final team from
compete with that
by a score of over 50 play-
4-2 over the level." ers. We have
Alberta team. 13 bantam
Dean McMeekin ▼
Dawson players in
McMeekin Hay River, so
was named the game's most no one gets cut. It's nice to
valuable player after scoring see that our boys can com-
three goals in the first period pete with that level."
alone. The Huskies and North
With solid goalkeeping Stars finished first and Myles Dolphin/NNSL photo
from Colton Charlton, the second following the end of Huskies coach Dean McMeekin gives his players instructions before the second period in Sunday's final
Huskies skated circles around the round-robin tour, with 13 against the High Level North Stars.
the North Stars defence and and 10 points respectively.
continuously created scoring Both Yellowknife 23 goals respectively. "The Hay River vol- possible, and we're really ment, won the most sports-
opportunities. teams – the Haks and the Tournament organizer unteers were wonderful. It happy that Yellowknife was manlike team award.
The final score doesn't Bruins – had a much harder Louise Schumann said the takes a lot of them to make able to send two teams." The Huskies will be in
represent the Huskies' dom- time and were badly out- event wouldn't have been an event like this success- The Yellowknife Haks, Grimshaw, Alta., on Jan. 12
ination in the game, several scored throughout the tour- possible without contribu- ful," she said. "The travelling with only nine penalty min- and 13 for their next tourna-
breakaways opportunities nament, giving up 24 and tions from many people. teams also make this event utes throughout the tourna- ment.
Curlers hurry hard to second place
Team wins right to play in U-18 championships in March
MYLES DOLPHIN "Some of them have played
[email protected] together for a couple years,
but not as a team," Delorey
Four Hay River curlers said of his players.
have returned from the NWT With the result, the team
Junior Curling Champion- has qualified for the 2013
ships with a satisfying second- Optimist International U-18
place result. Curling Championships set
The tournament, which for March 27 to 31 in Surrey
took place in Yellowknife and Langley, B.C.
from Jan. 3 to 6, included Outside of the usual week-
teams of various skill levels ly training session that takes
and experience. place on Tuesdays, Delorey
The Hay River team came asked his players to take the
back with a split record, win- sport a bit more seriously.
ning two games and losing "I stressed the importance
two. of committing to the sport a
Coach Paul Delorey said bit more," he said. "They did
the team's result was more or really well in Yellowknife and
less expected. now they want to go to the
"We played against a U-18 championships, so they'll
young, inexperienced team have to keep working hard."
that was more or less just Scheper, who is the team's
starting out and we played third and a curler for more
against people who have been than seven years, said he
curling for a while," he said. enjoys the game because it's photo courtesy of Paul Delorey
"We ended up right where fun to play. The Hay River under-18 curling team consists of, from left, Nicholas Cockney, Jaymar Marzan, Nathan
we should have, halfway in "I want to work on strategy Scheper and Logan Gagnier.
between." and improve my shots before
The Hay River team – going to Vancouver," he said. they got a head start on us," almost three decades. up, which led to melting and out and fill it up slowly with
comprised of Nicholas Cock- Scheper added it wasn't he said. Over the Christmas break, almost resulted in losing the small floods. The paint ran
ney, Jaymar Marzan, Nathan always easy falling behind to Coach Delorey is a long- he invested a lot of time and ice completely. out of the circle and it didn't
Scheper and skip Logan other teams at the tournament. time curler, having played effort in keeping the curling "It's been a struggle since look its best, but I was able to
Gagnier – are 15 and 16 years "Sometimes we'd suddenly the sport for more than rink's ice from disintegrating Christmas," Delorey said. "I patch it up and we're back to
old. fall behind by five points, so 45 years and coached for after the compressors froze had to chisel some of the ice playing conditions."
8 ▼ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 www.hayriverhub.com
Protest-
ers block
the Deh
Cho Bridge
march in
support of
the Idle
No More
movement
on Jan. 5.
Myles Dolphin/NNSL photo
Joining the fight
Hay River residents attend Deh Cho Bridge blockade to support Idle No More movement
MYLES DOLPHIN ried about the treatment of and Deh Gah Got'ie Dene First between the bend leading up thing from that?" she added. to meaningful consultation
[email protected] Aboriginal treaty rights and Nation Chief Wayne Sabourin to the bridge and a police bar- "That's why the movement is before a final decision was
how it will affect her children's earlier that morning kept them ricade. still carrying on." made on a modified land use
At least a dozen Hay River- future. off it. Darlene Lamb, also from Chief Lloyd Chicot of permit granted to Paramount
ites were among a large group When asked about the "The Fort Providence Hay River, held up a sign that Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation in Resources Ltd. in 2005.
of protesters who blocked the meeting between Prime Min- RCMP have been in constant read: "Harper: encourages col- Kakisa attended the protest Brenda Bouvier, who drove
Deh Cho Bridge on Jan. 5 to ister Stephen Harper and First consultation with the chief onial rapist attitude." with roughly 15 other residents from Enterprise with her son
show their support for the Idle Nations leaders scheduled for and his councillors," said Cpl. She believes the Harper of the tiny hamlet. Atticus, suggested an inter-
No More movement. Jan. 11, she said she wasn't Barry Ledoux of the Yellow- meeting was orchestrated for Chicot said he wanted to esting alternative to the trad-
Close to 100 people from optimistic about it. knife RCMP. "This morning all the wrong reasons. show his support for Chief itional closed-doors approach
various neighbouring com- "If the chiefs are united, we met at 10:30 with the chief "The only reason he agreed Spence and thought the to meetings.
munities – Fort Simpson, then maybe something positive and one of his advisors. We to meet with them (the leaders) upcoming meeting was a posi- "It should be televised," she
Kakisa, Fort Providence, Hay can come out of it," she said. came out to check the scene is because his numbers are tive sign of things to come. said.
River and Wrigley, among "I'll wait and see the out- and to find the safest place for dropping," she said. "(Liberal "It's a continuation of what After weeks of nation-wide
others – gathered at the north come of the meeting," she people to gather. Because of Party leader hopeful) Justin we've been asking, which is to protests, Harper announced a
side of the bridge around 2 added, a statement echoed by the rise of the bridge, the crest, Trudeau met Chief Spence at meet with the federal govern- meeting with a delegation of
p.m. and held up colourful many other protesters at the the environmental conditions the beginning of the movement. ment to ensure our rights are First Nations leaders scheduled
signs with a variety of slogans, bridge. and the number of people here, He has respect for aboriginal protected," he said. "They're for Jan. 11. A few hours after
decrying the federal govern- Initial plans made earlier we all came to the conclusion people and wanted to hear rushing all these bills through the announcement, Attawapis-
ment's omnibus Bill C-45. in the week had called for that for safety reasons, they from them. Harper didn't do – some are good, but a lot of kat Chief Theresa Spence, on
Hay Riverite Pam Snow- protesters to march across wouldn't go on the bridge." anything until he noticed his them are bad. A few years a hunger strike since Dec. 11,
shoe was among the first pro- the bridge and to be present Following an opening numbers were down." ago our community took the said she would join the meet-
testers to arrive at the bridge. on both sides, but a consen- prayer by K'atlodeeche First "I'm glad that he will be government to court for lack ing as well.
She said she's supporting the sus reached between the Fort Nation Chief Roy Fabian, pro- meeting with Spence on Jan. of consultation, but they're still "I'm just really overjoyed
movement because she's wor- Providence RCMP detachment testers marched back and forth 11, but can we expect any- doing it." to hear that the prime minis-
In 2007, the Federal Court ter will meet with us on Jan.
ruled in Ka'a'gee Tu's favour in 11, but I'll still be here on my
two related court cases when hunger strike until then," she
it deemed that the government said from Victoria Island, near
violated the community's right Ottawa.
Rally in the Hub
ANGELE CANO few seconds. A few protest-
[email protected] ers moved onto the street
and wouldn't let cars pass,
Spirits were high and the but they were coaxed off
mood was one of solidarity as by fellow demonstrators,
around 90 people gathered in who reminded them the
Hay River's downtown core protest was supposed to be
on Dec. 21 as many others peaceful.
did the same across the coun- One of the protest organ-
try. izers, Barbi Bouvier, spoke
In only two days, a few in support of events currently
dedicated Hay Riverites being held across the country.
planned and executed the She also spoke out against
rally in support of treaty omnibus Bill C-45, saying
rights and in opposition to that part of the bill affects
Bill C-45. People were also treaties and takes away
rallying support behind Chief decision-making powers of
Theresa Spence of Attawapis- people attached to treaty
kat First Nation in northern lands and waterways.
Ontario who launched a hun- "We're saying enough is
ger strike to make a statement enough," said Bouvier. "The
to the federal government. discussion of this bill was
Homemade signs and without meaningful consulta-
flags were held, drums were tion between the federal gov-
played and slogans were ernment and the aboriginal
chanted. People from all people."
over town and from different A few in the crowd spoke
backgrounds, from aboriginal out about how the bill will
to non-aboriginal, came out affect everyone, aboriginal
to support the movement and and non-aboriginal alike, as
spoke out in solidarity. it applies to stewardship and
Honks of support from protection of land, bodies of
passing cars sounded every water and resources.
www.hayriverhub.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 ▼ 9
A skate with Santa Claus
RECREATION
Feature
by Angele Cano
Northern News Services Parents, kids and volun-
Hay Riverites came out teers were able to skate with
to the Don Stewart Recrea- their favourite holiday hero,
tion Centre on Dec. 16 for enjoy plenty of snacks, enter
the annual skate with Santa draws and leave with treats
Claus. to spare.
Jhet Maher gets help lacing skates from mom
Shelley Maher.
Brothers Nathan Scheper, Erik Scheper, pose Santa and Phyllip Scheper, with Santa at the annual skate
with Santa on Dec. 16. From left are.
Above, Tyrell Wilgosh enters a draw at the
annual skate with Santa Claus event at the
Don Stewart Recreation Centre on Dec. 16.
Left, Tyson Maher, Kim Ivanko and Conner
Rosie and Aisha Benning staff the hot chocolate McKay-Ivanko navigate the ice together.
and snack table.
10 ▼ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 www.hayriverhub.com