Trapping workshops sharpen skills for optimum pelts at optimum prices
ULUKHAKTOK (May 15, 2013) A workshop in Ulukhaktok today will give hunters and trappers additional training to help ensure trappers get top dollar for their quality pelts at auction.
As part of the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs (GMVF) program, representatives from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), in partnership with Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) and Fur Harvesters Inc., will be holding this one-day workshop. Located at the ENR Shop, the workshop will run from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., with evening sessions available if necessary. A stew and bannock lunch will be provided for all participants.
Representatives from both ITI and Fur Harvesters will give live demonstrations using traditional tools on how to grade and handle seal. The workshop will also provide high quality beaver pelts and sealskin for sale to local crafters.
“Training is vital to ensure continued success in the international fur market, and we want our trappers to get the best financial returns for their hard work,” said ITI Minister David Ramsay. “Workshops demonstrate industry best practices in pelt handling and fur grading, and help ensure the wild fur harvested in the NWT remains of the highest quality.”
The GMVF program helps the Government of the Northwest Territories work in partnership with local harvesters and the fur industry to promote the traditional fur economy in the territory. Trapper workshops are an integral part of the ITI mandate to keep trappers knowledgeable about current trapping regulations, trap standards and new technology as it arises.
For more information, please contact:
Colin Okheena (Ulukhaktok)
Renewable Resource Officer I, Inuvik Region
Environment and Natural Resources
Tel: (867) 396-4505
Francois Rossouw (Yellowknife)
Fur Marketing/Traditional Economy
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Tel: (867) 873-7478
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NWT Medevac Patients to See Improved Services with Opening of the Air Ambulance Facility at Edmonton International Airport
YELLOWKNIFE (May 14, 2013) –Effective May 14, the new Air Operations Centre at the Edmonton International Airport will begin taking NWT patients through the GNWT medevac program.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that our patients receive good medical care while being transported to Edmonton hospitals in a safe and timely manner,” said Minister of Health and Social Services, Tom Beaulieu. “We have worked in partnership with Alberta Health Services to develop procedures and plans so that our patients are able to get to the hospitals in a safe and timely way, while maintaining high standards for their medical care. I believe that we have achieved our goal and in fact have improved the quality of their care.”
Read MoreTerritorial premiers drive Canadian future with northern vision
May 10, 2013
WHITEHORSE—Canada’s three northern premiers have renewed their commitment to work together to build a strong vibrant North for the benefit of all northerners and Canadians.
Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski held discussions with Northwest Territories Premier Bob McLeod and Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak at the 11th annual Northern Premiers’ Forum in Whitehorse on May 9 and 10.
Premiers agreed to renew the 2007 pan-territorial document, A Northern Vision: A Stronger North and a Better Canada to help set strategic direction and reflect increasing national and international interests in the North.
Read MoreDriving the Canadian future with a Northern Vision
May 10, 2013
COMMUNIQUÉ
WHITEHORSE—Territorial premiers met in Whitehorse for the 11th annual Northern Premiers’ Forum on May 9 to 10 to further their work to create a strong and vibrant North.
Premiers believe in the power of a forward-looking pan-territorial vision and remain dedicated to working together to build a strong, vibrant North that creates opportunities for northerners and benefits all Canadians. At their meeting, they committed to review and renew A Northern Vision: A Stronger North and a Better Canada, taking into consideration emerging areas of interest for the territories.
Expressing the interests and insights of northerners is more important than ever, given growing national and international interest in the North.
Read MoreNWT potential touted at Offshore Technology Conference in Houston
HOUSTON (May 10, 2013) Northwest Territories’ resource potential was front and centre at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas this week.
Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay and Chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure Robert Hawkins attended the conference, which is focused on offshore resource development and attracts more than 80,000 attendees, many of whom are global leaders in the oil and gas industry.
Minister Ramsay promoted the NWT’s onshore and offshore resource riches to an audience of over 700 people as part of a panel discussion with energy ministers from Libya and Angola and senior oil company executives from Petronas, Kuwait Petroleum Company, Petrobras, and Pemex Exploration and Production.
“We know that the Arctic holds a special and strategic place in the world – politically, environmentally and especially economically, and a lot of that is because of our abundant petroleum potential,” said Minister Ramsay. “The world-class potential of the Canol shale oil as a major energy source continues to grow, and the Offshore Technology Conference helped us to spread the message that the Northwest Territories is open for business to socially responsible companies that ensure benefits from development accrue to the northern economy and residents.”
Read MoreOn the Air update
On today’s show: We’re renewing our education system to provide a better learning environment that meets our kids’ needs. Congratulations to this year’s Outstanding Volunteers. And come on out to a devolution public engagement session. We’re in the North Slave and Dehcho this week.
Link: http://www.gov.nt.ca/ontheair/archive/13-05-10.shtml
Read More2013 Outstanding Volunteers Honoured
YELLOWKNIFE (May 7, 2013) – NWT volunteers will be recognized at the 2013 Outstanding Volunteer Award ceremony in Hay River on Friday, May 10, 2013. The annual awards provide an opportunity to recognize volunteers and volunteer organizations for their outstanding contributions in communities across the territory.
“The people we recognize with the Outstanding Volunteer Awards selflessly devote their time to making our communities a better place,” said Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs Robert C. McLeod. “MACA and our partner, the Northwest Territories Association of Communities, are grateful to these outstanding volunteers who add so much to our communities. The people nominated for these awards always lead by example and inspire others to take action and make our territory a better place for everybody.”
Read MoreGNWT submissions on NWTel Modernization Plan
YELLOWKNIFE (May 6, 2013) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is participating in the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) proceedings to review Northwestel’s Modernization Plan and Other Matters. GNWT submissions to the CRTC may be found on the Department of Finance website.
The CRTC has invited Canadians to share their views on questions related to:
- Northwestel’s modernization plan;
- The regulations that Northwestel must follow;
- The appropriate subsidy regime to fund telecommunications services in the North; and
- The implementation of competition in the North.
The GNWT encourages members of the public, businesses and other NWT organizations to participate in the proceedings. Those interested in participating will have to register as intervenors with the CRTC by May 9, 2013. Registered intervenors will be able to submit comments now, at a hearing in Inuvik or Whitehorse, or by July 8th when final comments are due.
The GNWT often participates in CRTC proceedings that could have an impact on the North, led by the Department of Finance. The GNWT strives to take a balanced approach that considers the greatest public good and ensures the interests of Northerners are considered in regulatory decision making.
For more information:
Shaun Dean
Press Secretary
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2304
Email: shaun_dean@gov.nt.ca
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FireSmart workshops promote community protection from wildfire
YELLOWKNIFE (APRIL 26, 2013) – The first Northwest Territories Local FireSmart Representatives Workshop will be held in Fort Smith from April 30 – May 1, 2013.
“A collaborative FireSmart approach will help us reduce the wildfire risk to our communities,” says Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) J. Michael Miltenberger. “This workshop will help communities develop capacity to adopt and promote FireSmart principles while working towards becoming recognized as FireSmart communities.”
The FireSmart Program provides a proactive approach to Community Wildland Fire Protection, planning and implementation to mitigate wildland fire risk; reduce wildland fire severity; and prepare homeowners and communities for wildland fire occurrences. Community Wildfire Protection Plans have been developed for all communities in the forested areas of the NWT. ENR is working with communities to implement these plans and identify and reduce wildland fire risk.
More than 40 local representatives from NWT communities and agencies are expected to attend the workshop, which is being held at the Thebacha Campus of Aurora College.
Information on the FireSmart Program can be found on-line at www.nwtfire.com, at your regional ENR office or your local FireSmart representative.
For more information:
Ella Stinson
Communications Planning Specialist
Environment and Natural Resources
Tel: (867) 920-3310
Email: ella_stinson@gov.nt.ca
NWT has significant presence at Northern Scene in Ottawa
YELLOWKNIFE (April 26, 2013) – Northwest Territories (NWT) Commissioner George Tuccaro and Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty took part in the launch of Northern Scene at the National Arts Centre (NAC) yesterday. More than 70 artists from multiple disciplines will be representing the NWT during the festival, which will be held in Ottawa from April 25 to May 4, 2013.
This year’s Scene is the sixth in the series of national biennial festivals produced by NAC to showcase the work of artists from a specific region in Canada. The 2013 multi-disciplinary festival features the work of 250 of the best established and emerging artists from the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as well as Nunatsiavut and Nunavik. Northern music, theatre, dance, visual and media arts, film, literature, storytelling, food and fashion events will be presented at six venues over the ten-day run.
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