South Slavey sees new life

Tough talk draws ire
MLA says premier misled legislative assembly on GNWT commitment to Dehcho Process
Volume 21 Issue 31
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
75 CENTS
South Slavey
sees new life
Moose hair
tufting taught
Petition calls
for more animal
management
Fort Simpson
soccer picks up
silver medals
Publication mail
Contract #40012157
Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo
2 DEH CHO DRUM, Thursday, March 26, 2015
community
Moose hair tufting magic
Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo
Lucy Simon shows Beth Wiley how to make sure the thread is tight enough to make the moose hair tuft on the hairpin she was making as part of a two-day moose
hair tufting workshop offered by Open Sky Gallery on March 21 and 22.
Lucy Simon passes on 47 years of experience in two-day workshop
offered by Open Sky Gallery
by Andrew Livingstone
Northern News Services
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
Lucy Simon slides the needle through the small piece
of moosehide as Beth Wiley
looks on.
"You have to make sure the
thread is tight, otherwise the
moose hair won't tuft proper-
ly," Simon quietly tells Wiley,
one of the nine participants in
a two-day workshop on moose
hair tufting.
The workshop is one of a
half-dozen being offered to
residents by Open Sky Gallery
since the beginning of March.
From fur mitts, to vest-making
and moose hair tufting, resi-
dents are getting access to
traditional art techniques they
may not otherwise be exposed
to.
Wiley decided to take the
workshop because she set a
goal this year to give Christmas gifts to her family that
were handmade and from the
heart.
"I missed being thoughtful
and thinking about what they
love and their personality," she
said of how Christmas has
become more about malls and
shopping. "It ends up being a
lot more personal."
Moose hair tufting is a
form of embroidering which
produces three-dimensional
images by stitching and trimming bundles of dyed moosehair onto tanned hide or
birchbark. The Dene art form
was pioneered by Boniface
Lafferte (Lafferty), a Métis
woman from the Fort Simpson
area, who was inspired by a
resident nun who was stitching
patterns with wool.
Wiley's project consisted of
a purple flower made out of
dyed moose hair – her mother's favourite
flower is a
purple pansy
– and enjoyed
the chance to
partake in the
workshop.
"We spend so much time
worrying about what isn't here
and it's great to focus on what
we do have."
Simon spent much of her
time working with each person
individually to address questions and troubleshoot aspects
of the moose hair tufting that
gave participants trouble.
Simon, in many ways, is
a national legend known for
her intricate and beautiful
work. For 47 years Simon has
been moose hair tufting, having learned the skill from her
grandmother when she was a
young girl. Some of her work
is on display at the National
Arts Centre in Ottawa and on
the walls of private art collectors all over the world.
One of the biggest pieces
she's ever created was a threefoot eagle she completed in
the early 1970s. She said it
took her nearly six months to
finish and required multiple
layers of dyed moose hair,
especially on the wings. She
estimated she used almost a
quarter of a moose to complete the project, one she is
proud of.
At one point it was on display at the Royal York Hotel
in downtown Toronto, until
an art collector from France
purchased it and
shipped it overseas.
Holly Watt,
a board member
with the gallery
and one of the
workshop participants, said
while she wasn't sure how
she'd fair with tufting, she
was surprised by how well she
picked it up.
"I used to mess around with
my mom's sewing machine
when I was young and I was
nervous about doing it but it
comes back to you quite easily," she said, threading the
needle in and out of the moose
hide that would eventually be
a traditional hair pin. "It's kind
of like riding a bike."
Being able to work with
facilitators like Simon, who
are well-respected for the work
they do is a great opportunity
for artists all skills levels to
learn the art form, Watt said.
"I think a big part of this is
sharing these skills and passing it on to future generations," she said.
COFFEE
Break
feature news
Did we get it wrong?
Deh Cho Drum is committed to
getting facts and names right. With
that goes a commitment to acknowledge mistakes and run corrections. If
you spot an error in Deh Cho Drum,
call the editor at (867) 695-3786, or
e-mail [email protected]. We’ll
get a correction or clarification in as
soon as we can.
NEWS
Briefs
Debate challenge
declined
Dehcho First Nation Grand
Chief Herb Norwegian's request
to debate Premier Bob McLeod
in Fort Providence this garnered
no response from the territorial
government's leader.
In a full-page newspaper ad,
Norwegian said he and McLeod
should debate the issues of the
Dehcho Process in a public forum
to set the record straight on what
has become a contentious issue as
of late.
Both sides have denied accusations that they left the negotiation process, leading to Norwegian
saying the territorial government
"is drunk with power" and inviting
the federal government to resume
negotiations "with or without the
NWT."
Liquor seized
in Fort Liard
A Fort Liard man faces charges
of illegal importation of liquor
after police stopped the vehicle he
was driving and found alcohol.
Fort Liard RCMP made the
seizure during a vehicle check
stop just outside the community
on March 14. Police found three
375-ml bottles of vodka, seven
1.14-L bottles of vodka and other
liquors, six 750-ml bottles of rum
and vodka and a quantity of beer.
The male was arrested and
eventually released from custody
with a promise to appear in territorial court on May 28.
Water agreement signed
with Alberta
Alberta and the Northwest Territories signed a water management agreement that commits both
governments to co-operatively
manage water resources.
The agreement focuses on
aquatic ecosystems in the Mackenzie River Basin which runs directly through the Dehcho region.
The agreement is intended to
help ensure water management
plans take an adaptive management approach that determines
what actions should be taken and
when based on scientific monitoring.
Survey deadline looms
A territorial government survey
on how culture and heritage could
be used to determine the government’s decision-making will close
at the end of March.
The survey focuses on three
major questions: how much influence should our culture and heritage have in GNWT decision-making?; what are the most important
things the GNWT can do to protect, preserve, enhance, present
and document NWT culture and
heritage?; and how do we honour
and respect our aboriginal heritage
and our multicultural future?
DEH CHO DRUM, Thursday, March 26, 2015 3
South Slavey soars again
Dene language gets boost with 17 students
immersing themselves in university program
by Andrew Livingstone
Northern News Services
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
When Dahti Tsetso was young
she heard an elder talk about how
upset he was that young people were
not embracing the language he and
previous generations of aboriginals
spoke.
At the time, Tsetso didn't know
more than a handful of South Slavey
words, even though she had been
exposed to Tlicho and Dene language much of her life. The elder
spoke only his native Dene tongue,
and she listened intently through a
translator at what he had to say.
At the time, she said she was
offended at how critical the elder
was. However, as a grown woman
and a mother of two who sees a
growing disconnect between the
generations and the Dene language,
she now understands what the elder
meant.
"Language is at the heart of Dene
culture," she said in between translating instructions on how to make
cupcakes from English to South
Slavey. "You can be strong with
your culture but if you're missing
the language you're missing a big
part of it."
Tsetso is one of 17 students currently enrolled in the Aboriginal
Language Revitalization program
being offered by the University of
Victoria in partnership with the
community of Fort Providence and
the Dehcho Divisional Education
Council.
Through funding from the federal government the B.C.-based university has been able to create a
program that provides the necessary
support structure for students to
learn the language. Students who
complete the first two years of the
program receive a diploma and
can use it to pursue an education
degree to become certified language
instructors.
Students flourishing
Peter Jacobs, an assistant professor in linguistics at the University
of Victoria and a course instructor
focused on adult language learning methodology, said students who
entered the program with limited
language capabilities have flourished in the first few months of
study.
"From what I observed (of) their
ability to talk and converse in two
months, the hopes are that they
will continue moving forward," he
said, adding the work done outside
the classroom provides a unique
approach to language learning.
"When you're learning something
like French you're not learning context outside of class, the course helps
them find context in their own life
and for communication.
"We argue there is a strong connection between the world view
and culture of each of our nations
and language. Without it, you lose
the richness of the culture and the
world."
Students enrolled in the program
are required to complete 100 hours
of conversation with their mentors.
Course work is done in the classroom – students are required to
complete in-class instruction with
facilitators in Fort Providence from
Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo
Dahti Tsetso, left, holds up a sign encouraging people who speak South Slavey to converse
with her. Tsetso is one of 17 students in an Aboriginal Language Revitalization program being
offered by the University of Victoria in partnership with the community of Fort Providence and
the Dehcho Divisional Education Council. In two months Tsetso has gone from only a few words
to being able to speak in full sentences with the help of her mentor, Violet Jumbo, who is also
an instructor for the program in Fort Providence.
fact
FILE
ABORIGINAL PEOPLE 15 YEARS AND OLDER WHO SPEAK AN
ABORIGINAL LANGUAGE
Deh Cho
Fort Liard
Fort Simpson
Jean Marie River
Nahanni Butte
Trout Lake
Wrigley
1989
78.6
88.6
71.6
83.3
98.1
100.0
100.0
1994
71.0
82.4
60.9
67.4
98.7
62.3
96.2
1999
64.9
78.8
54.9
62.0
74.6
90.7
92.0
2004
61.7
74.5
48.4
63.5
83.5
95.3
79.2
2009
58.2
74.4
42.1
63.6
69.8
87.1
80.7
Source: GNWT bureau of statistics
the communities and the university – but a large portion is completed outside the classroom in a
less formal setting. This, said Violet
Jumbo, who is an instructor as well
as Tsetso's mentor, is where the best
work is done.
When Jumbo began working
with Tsetso, she knew only a few
words. During a lunch-hour mentoring session, Jumbo and Tsetso
converse rather naturally in South
Slavey, Tsetso learning the necessary
instructions to bake cupcakes. With-
out using English, Tsetso said she is
able to learn by doing, and with the
help of phrases in the language, she
avoids falling back on English to
help her understand.
Please see 'Language,' page 4
4 DEH CHO DRUM, Thursday, March 26, 2015
news
Shane Magee/NNSL photo
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
Lindsay Waugh performs a song during the Open Sky Creative Society coffee house March 7 in Fort Simpson.
'Language is at the heart of Dene culture'
South, from page 3
"They encourage us to not
speak in English which helps
us build on our vocabulary
and confidence," she said,
adding the survival phrases
they learned to use if they
don't know what something
is helps them retain the language with ease.
The benefit goes beyond
the language itself, said district education council superintendent Terry Jaffray – it
trickles into strengthening
the community as a whole
and improving employment
access.
"It supports the whole
region because we'll have that
many more fluent speakers
and they've have gained more
confidence and knowledge
in Dene language," she said.
"Even if they don't become
instructors, they'll be more
employable because they'll
have this additional skill set."
South Slavey speakers
declining
According to the territory's 2006 community survey 1,285 people in the territory speak South Slavey,
the majority located in the
Dehcho region. However, the
striking statistic is only 290
were under the age of 35.
Nearly half of all speakers
were 50 years of age or older
according to the survey. With
each South Slavey-speaking
elder that passes on there is
one less person to share the
language with young people.
Between 1989 and 2009,
the number of people in the
Dehcho able to speak South
Slavey dropped from 78.6
per cent to 58.2 per cent,
an alarming decline that has
community leaders and elders
worried about the future of
the language.
This sharp and continuing
decline is of particular concern to the education council,
said Jaffray. A big part of
the reason the council has
lent its support to the University of Victoria Aboriginal
Language Revitalization program.
"We have a number of
language instructors who
are coming up to retirement
and we don't have a pool of
Aboriginal language instructors ready to jump into the
position," she said. "We wanted to facilitate, or be a part
of getting students into a lan-
guage program."
Tsetso hesitates to say the
university program is about
revitalization. The language
has never died, she insists, it
has only lay dormant. Many
young people in the Dehcho
region have grown up around
the language their ancestors
spoke and have heard their
parents or grandparents converse in the language their
ancestors spoke long before
formal communities existed.
The worry now is not
whether it will lay dormant
for a short period of time, but
permanently.
Given that there are still
residents who still speak
South Slavey, a number of
whom are unilingual, Tsetso
said the time for young people
to immerse themselves in
learning the language is now.
"It's the perfect time to
make it stronger instead of
letting it get weaker," she said.
"This program gives us the
tools and challenges us. There
is a lot of support in the program for us to succeed."
The perfect partnership
The partnership the education council has with the Dehcho First Nation is one that
has a common goal in mind;
one that expands far beyond
the classroom, said Jaffray.
"We have our specific
concern about having qualified language instructors, but
we also want to preserve the
language and culture moving forward," she said. "We
try to support the community
by having this program in
our school and it just makes
it stronger when we have
instructors who are confident
and it trickles into the community."
Bridging the generational
gap between elders and youth
in the region is another aspect
of life in the Dehcho where
the program is having a huge
impact. In conversations with
elders, Jumbo said many feel
isolated because of their limited abilities to speak English,
if at all.
"For elders it can be lonely
and with this program they're
able to connect with younger people," she said. "When
everyone is speaking the language, it's good to see the
interaction."
Connecting with future
generations
When Tsetso was 19-yearsold, she told herself that she
wanted to learn her native
language but at the time, it
would have been incredibly
difficult to do. Learning a
language is challenging and
requires strong support and
encouragement from a foundational system like the one
offered through the University of Victoria.
Without this, she said, it
wouldn't have been possible to
do. For Jumbo, the idea comes
down to an analogy told to
her by an elder years ago.
Language and culture are like
two ropes intertwined together, and without language your
rope isn't complete.
"When you have both, the
rope is strong and you're able
to connect more closely with
your culture and traditions,"
she said.
Tsetso's daughter sat at the
counter while her mom and
Jumbo worked through the
baking instructions. Dahti
asks her in South Slavey if
she'd like to help. She didn't
understand what her mother
had said, but for Dahti, she
hopes one day she'll be able to
have that conversation.
"I feel hopeful that I will
be able to share it with my
kids," she said.
opinions
DEH CHO DRUM, Thursday, March 26, 2015 5
Boosting languages
Northern News Services
The program has 17 students,
the vast majority of students from
The role language plays in our
world is incalculable. Without it we the Dehcho, who are immersed
in the language with the goal of
wouldn't be able to share history,
becoming fluent speakers.
express how we feel or
Students are to speak it
share our feelings or opinas much as possible and
ions about any given issue THE ISSUE:
SOUTH
SLAVEY
are told to refrain from
effecting our community
using English at all when
or the world around us.
WE SAY:
they're stuck, having been
Indeed, it would be a
KEEP IT
taught survival phrases
different world without it.
STRONG
to help them grasp the
And for many aboriginal
language better when they
people across Canada,
may not know what somethere is a terrifying reality
thing is.
that the spoken languages which
Preparing students to speak
have shaped First Nations people
the language does more than just
for centuries, could someday, fall
strengthen its presence
dormant.
in the communities. With
Dahti Tsetso is hesia number of language
tant to say South Slavey
instructors in the school
is dying or needs to be
system nearing retirerevitalized, despite the
ment, the program is
name of the program
training the next wave of
she's in to learn the lanSouth Slavey speakers to
guage. The Aboriginal
carry on the work being
Language Revitalization
done by current language
Program, offered by the
ANDREW
instructors in the classUniversity of Victoria and
LIVINGSTONE room.
in partnership with the
Not only does it conDehcho First Nation, the
nect young people to the
region's education council
language, an integral and importand Fort Providence, is giving the
young mother of two the chance to ant part of having the strongest
connect to tradition and heritage
wake a sleeping giant.
possible, it also bridges a growing
The language, she said, will
never die. Despite her limited know- gap between younger generations
and elders. Having a number of
ledge of South Slavey, when she
elders who speak only South Slavey
began the program to become a
helps to build a stronger, more
fluent speaker, something awoke.
culturally-driven community.
The exposure to it she had while
Because of the program, Tsetso
growing up planted the seed of the
language in her. It lay dormant, and is hopeful she'll be able to carry on
the language and pass it on to her
is now awake in her.
children when they get older. This,
The reality is, however, fewer
in itself, speaks volumes to the
people are speaking the language
importance of this program in the
than ever before. Government staDehcho.
tistics on language show a 20 per
cent drop in use over the last 20
years in the region. Having more
than half the speakers older than
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT
50 indicates younger generations,
THE ERODING RIVERBANK
who may speak the language with
limited ability, aren't taking it up as IN FORT SIMPSON?
Yes, it's getting closer to major infrastruca regular form of communication.
ture.
50%
Wrigley
M ack en
zi e Ri ve
NNSL WEB POLL
No, it's just part of living beside the river.
Fort Simpson
Nahanni Butte
Fort
Jean Marie Providence
Fort Liard
Yell
River
Trout Lake
Great Slave
Kakisa 3
Lake
Hay River
50%
Shane Magee/NNSL photo
HAVE YOUR SAY
Are you worried about Dene languages
disappearing? Go online to www.nnsl.com/
dehcho to vote in this week's poll.
DEH CHO OFFICE:
Editor: Andrew Livingstone
9418-100 St. Fort Simpson, Box 435, NT, XOE ONO
Phone: (867) 695-DRUM(3786) Fax: (867) 695-3766
Toll free: (855) 873-6675
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.nnsl.com/dehcho
Published Thursdays
Also read in Fort Liard • Fort Providence • Fort Simpson
Jean Marie River • Nahanni Butte • Trout Lake
Wrigley• Kakisa and occasionally Lynx River
NORTHERN NEWS SERVICES LIMITED
100% Northern owned and operated
Publishers of: Deh Cho Drum • Inuvik Drum • Kivalliq News
Yellowknifer • NWT News/North • Nunavut News/North
Hay River Hub
Member of:
Canadian Community Newspapers Association
Alberta Press Council
2014
KING AND QUEEN OF THE JAMBOREE
Akesha Hardisty, left, and Nathaniel Tsetso were named king and queen of
the Beavertail Jamboree last week in Fort Simpson.
PUBLISHER: J.W. (Sig) Sigvaldason – [email protected]
GENERAL MANAGER: Michael Scott – [email protected]
ADVERTISING – [email protected]
Advertising Manager: Petra Memedi
Call collect (867) 873-4031
or (867) 695-3786, and leave a message
PUBLISHING OFFICE:
Box 2820, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2R1
Phone: (867) 873-4031
Fax: (867) 873-8507
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.nnsl.com
SEND US YOUR COMMENTS
Letters to the editor are welcomed by
the Drum, especially new contributors. We
attempt to publish a cross-section of public
opinion. Not all letters will necessarily be
published. Preference is given to short letters of broad interest or concern.
Letters of over 200 words, open letters and those published elsewhere are seldom used. We reserve the right to publish
excerpts, to edit for length or taste and to
eliminate inaccurate or libellous statements.
We may also choose to use a letter as the
basis for a story. All letters submitted must
be signed with a return address and daytime
phone number.
Opinions expressed in letters and by columnists are those of the author and are not
necessarily shared by the editor or publisher.
Contents copyright. Printed in the North by Canarctic Graphics Limited. No photos,
stories, advertisements or graphics may be reproduced in any form, in whole or
in part, without the written approval of the publisher.www.albertapresscouncil.ca
Member of the Alberta Press Council, an independent, voluntary body that serves
to protect the public's right to full, fair and accurate news reporting. As a non-judicial,
non-government review board, the Press Council considers complaints from the public about the conduct and performances of weekly and daily newspapers in Alberta
and the NWT. The press council encourages the highest ethical and professional
standards of journalism. It serves to preserve the freedom of the press and provide
a forum for greater understanding.
Complaints should go to:
Alberta Press Council, P.O. Box 21067,
We acknowledge the
Edmonton, AB., T6R 2V4
financial support of the
E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 1-780-435-0441
Government of Canada
www.albertapresscouncil.ca
Subscriptions
One year mail $65 • Two year mail $115
Online (entire content) $50/year
Individual subscriptions, multiple user rates on request
through the Canadian
Periodical Fund (CPF) for
our publishing activities.
6 DEH CHO DRUM, Thursday, March 26, 2015
news
Contradictory comments raise ire
MLAs urge territorial government and Dehcho First Nations
to find a solution to prevent process from crumbling
by Andrew Livingstone
Northern News Services
Deh Cho
Political figures from the
Deh Cho Region are unhappy
with the apparent contradiction
in Premier Bob McLeod’s public support for the Dehcho Process and the privately written
suggestion he would terminate
the decades-long negotiations
if an impasse remains beyond
next month.
Nonetheless, they are hopeful the rocky relationship
between the territorial government and the First Nations
group can be fixed and negotiations can move forward.
A Feb. 20 letter from
McLeod to Dehcho First
Nations Grand Chief Herb
Norwegian strongly suggests
the territorial government will
end the Dehcho Process if its
latest deal isn’t accepted.
“If we remain at impasse
in April, we will have to consider termination of the Dehcho Process negotiations,” the
letter states, confirming what
Norwegian has said publicly
for the last two months.
McLeod’s spokesperson
Shaun Dean skirted the contradictory nature of the letter when reached for comment
March 20.
“The GNWT does not feel
that allegations exchanged in
the media is serving the people
of the Dehcho well. Our preference has always been for
a negotiated solution,” wrote
Dean in an e-mailed statement.
Joachim Bonnetrouge,
chief of Deh Gah Got’ie Koe
First Nations, said the fact the
premier has been saying one
thing in public and another privately in communication with
the Dehcho First Nations is
problematic.
“I’m concerned about the
negotiations,” said Bonnetrouge. “It hasn’t been sounding
too good. If that’s the way it
goes, that’s too bad.”
Lloyd Chicot, chief of
Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation in
Kakisa, said having to go back
to his community and try to
explain that negotiations aren’t
happening and why is difficult.
“It’s tough to sit down with
my council and tell them the
negotiations are over, and
it’s only happened since the
GNWT stepped to the table,”
Chicot said. “It’s frustrating at
the community level.”
Chicot said in meetings
with the premier in late 2014,
commitment to negotiations
was given to Deh Cho leaders,
however, he said that seems to
MICHAEL NADLI: Deh
Cho MLA is pushing for
negotiations to resume in
the wake of contradictory
comments by premier.
KEVIN
MENICOCHE:
Nahendeh MLA says Dehcho First Nations and
GNWT appear to be 7,000
km away in negotiations.
have changed since.
“He said there were differences but that we could
work them out,” Chicot said.
“He said one thing and did
something different. It’s really
disheartening. It’s not negotiations. It’s a bullying tactic and
we won’t stand for it.”
Deh Cho MLA Michael
Nadli said the the territorial government’s strong-arm
approach neglects the fact
there are two other parties at
the negotiating table – including the federal government –
and the contradictions coming
from McLeod concern him
greatly.
“I think it’s unfair,” he said
of the premier’s letter and its
apparent threat to unilaterally
terminate the Dehcho Process.
“There are three parties in
the negotiation process, and I
think all three parties need to
decide themselves if they have
reached an impasse."
When asked about the
negotiations by Nahendeh
MLA Kevin Menicoche in the
legislative assembly on March
11, the premier characterized
the Dehcho First Nations’
complaints as “the boy who
cried wolf.”
“The Government of the
Northwest Territories has
never left the table,” he said.
“We’ve never said we would
not negotiate. We are prepared
to negotiate. The Dehcho First
Nations has gone through great
contortions to show otherwise.”
In an interview with the
Deh Cho Drum, Menicoche
said both sides remain far
apart, adding he is displeased
with the premier’s misleading
statements in the legislative
assembly when questioned
about the negotiations.
“That was his stand at the
time that they never left the
table,” said Menicoche. “It’s
new information for me as
well. The Dehcho position is
that we’re willing to talk and
we're 7,000 km away from getting back to the table.
“It’s disconcerting he’d say
one thing in the public and
another thing in the correspondence. You know, he’s a
good negotiator, he brought
devolution home and then he’s
gone and done this. It’s worrisome.”
McLeod’s office said the
premier was out of the country
and unavailable for comment
when contacted March 25.
McLeod’s Feb. 20 letter
paints a picture of two sides
remaining far apart on issues
of land and subsurface rights,
and that because of the differences a “fair and reasonable”
agreement can’t be reached.
“At this time the honourable
thing to do is acknowledge that
there is not enough common
ground on these fundamental
matters, and to suspend main
table negotiations,” McLeod
wrote in the letter.
Bonnetrouge said the takeit-or-leave-it offer from the territorial government rejecting
the Dehcho First Nations’
land request of nearly 50,000
square kilometres is a glaring
issue.
“It’s not much of a negotiation,” he said. “We have
never left the table and I’m
suggesting the negotiations go
on and it’s unfortunate a lot of
negative things are going on in
the press.
“Relationships have soured
and I think they can be patched
up. My hope is the premier will
come back to the table.”
McLeod has publicly
denied the territorial government has threatened to end
the Dehcho Process on at least
three occasions: in the legislative assembly on Feb. 4 and
again on March 11 and in a
March 13 interview with the
Deh Cho Drum.
Abandoned puppies prompt call for action
Fort Providence resident starts online petition to lobby for a bylaw officer
by Andrew Livingstone
Northern News Services
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe
/Fort Providence
Linda Croft opened her
door on March 13 to find a
tiny puppy shivering on her
front step. A few hours later
her daughter called and said
either the same puppy had
showed up at her home, or it
was a different puppy.
"No one had come looking
or asking," said Croft, who
has lived in the community
for nearly a decade. "They
were both adorable and loving.
They were starved and when
we fed them they couldn't get
it in fast enough. They both
had frozen paws and were covered in ice."
For the Fort Providence
resident it was the last straw.
Croft started an online
petition to get support for a
bylaw officer to be hired in the
hamlet to help deal with the
issue of loose dogs and animal
neglect in the community.
The hamlet has a bylaw
stating dogs must be tied up,
but without a bylaw officer
there is no one to enforce it
and it hasn't been for at least
five years.
In 2009, the hamlet council told the Drum it was
exploring the option of hiring
a bylaw officer. The hamlet
used the services of an out-oftown contractor for loose dog
control in the community on
occasion. However, the contractor is no longer being used.
"The community needs to educate people more on the proper
care of a pet," Croft said. "I
don't think it's any longer in
society acceptable to tie a dog
24 hours a day, warm or not,
outside. There are a lot of dogs
that are just tied and left outside. No wonder some of the
dogs are vicious when they get
lose because they don't know
anything about love.
Croft said her husband was
attacked in early March by a
loose dog while he was delivering fuel to the Snowshoe
Inn. She said if he hadn't found
a shovel to keep the dog away,
he would have needed medical
attention. It's not an uncommon occurrence, added Croft.
"Everyone carries sticks
so people can walk in the
community," she said.
"Most of them are friendly,
but you just don't know."
To date the petition has 53 signatures. Croft plans to speak
to hamlet Mayor Tina Gargan
about the issue.
In a letter to the CBC on
the issue provided to the Drum
by hamlet officials, Gargan
said Fort Providence would
welcome a bylaw officer into
the community but it just can't
afford the cost. In the past
training and financial support
was available from the territorial government through the
Department of Municipal and
Community Affairs for officer
positions in small communities, however, this support no
longer exists.
"Our community, like
almost all the others in the
NWT, does not have the private tax base to support this
type of position without government support," said Gargan. "The possibility of that
fact changing is sadly not a
real option now, or in the perceivable future for most of the
hamlets in the NWT."
Gargan also outlined
actions the hamlet has taken
to deal with the issue, including a veterinarian clinic to
help spay and neuter dogs in
the community. Gargan said
the hamlet has paid more than
$19,000 to provide free veterinary services for residents in
an effort to help control the cat
and dog populations.
The last veterinarian clinic
sponsored by the hamlet in
November had more than 50
pet owners take advantage of
photo courtesy of Linda Croft
Fort Providence resident Linda Croft found this
abandoned puppy outside her home on March 14.
the service by bringing their
animals in. Gargan said there
is no plan to stop the service.
The hamlet also helps transport abandoned or unwanted
animals to the NWTSPCA in
Yellowknife. In the past five
months alone, the hamlet has
transported More than 27 dogs
where they are cared for until
they can be adopted.
The cost for these trips
alone exceed more than $
3,000, not counting the hours
donated by community individuals to make this possible.
"It is the hamlet's belief that
this direct assistance provides
a safe and humane approach
to dealing with this situation
within our community in lieu
of a fully staffed and funded
dog control program," Gargan
wrote. "It is our understanding
that few, if any other communities our size in the NWT
that are non-taxed based, are
involved in this type of intervention to address this serious
and ongoing problem. Croft
understands that it isn't cheap
to hire a bylaw officer, but she
said it's something the hamlet
needs to take a serious look at.
"We really need to start
with the pet owners and
education and add in some
enforcement," she said.
Croft said she's faced little
backlash from the petition, but
has experienced some negative
commenting on social media.
She doesn't plan to stop what
she's doing.
"I think the community
needs to have a public meeting
and find a solution," she said.
"I might step on a few toes and
I'm not here to point fingers,
and I'm not laying blame. It's a
proactive approach to an issue
that I think is important."
photo stories
DEH CHO DRUM, Thursday, March 26, 2015 7
Future leaders in training
RANGER
Feature
by Capt. Steve Watton,
Canadian Rangers
Northern News Services
Kaninaskis, Alta
Eighty-four Junior Canadian Rangers (JCR) from the
across the North experienced
an opportunity of a lifetime
at the Enhanced Training Session – Advance (ETS) offered
by the First Canadian Ranger
Patrol Group (1 CRPG).
The one-week training session took place at the Tim
Horton’s Children’s Ranch in
Kananaskis, Alta from Feb.
21 to 27 and concentrated
on core values in traditional,
life and Ranger skills. All
youth received the opportunity to participate in training
focused in the areas of ice
rescue, small party tasking
and responsible leadership and to participate in a
cultural day in Banff.
The emphasis of the training was to provide junior rangers with the chance to interact
and experience cultural differences while building selfesteem and self-confidence
through practical implementation of skill activities in a fun,
safe and secure environment.
"The JCRs were exposed
to opportunities that are not
normally available in isolated
or remote communities," said
Maj. Craig Volstad, Commanding Officer, 1 CRPG,
"The Canadian Forces and 1
CRPG support the progress
of our youth in the North
through the JCR Program by
offering unique and challenging activities during these
training sessions."
Junior Ranger Aaron Constant, 18, from Fort Providence, participates in a classroom lesson about
responsible leadership at the Tim Hortons Childrens Ranch on Feb. 22
Sixteen-year-old Junior Canadian Ranger Brandon Thom from Fort Providence takes part in a
lecture about responsible leadership at the Tim
Horton's Children's Ranch on Feb. 22.
Derrick Vandell, 16, a member of the Junior Rangers in Fort Providence recoils rope in a rescue throw bag
during ice rescue training on Feb. 24.
Derrick Vandell from the JCR patrol in Fort Providence enjoys the panoramic view from the top of
Sulphur Mountain in Banff, Alta., during a cultural
day visit on Feb. 23.
On the left, Junior Ranger Bobby-Lynn Gargan, 15, stands proudly at attention during the closing ceremony of the Enhanced Training Sessions in Kananaskis, Alta, on Feb. 26.
8 DEH CHO DRUM, Thursday, March 26, 2015
alternatives
STREET talk
What are you most looking
forward to about the beginning
of Spring?
with Shane Magee
[email protected]
Fayth Sibbeston
"Walking around outside
because it's not cold out."
Etanda Hardisty
"Warmer weather and playing
soccer outside."
DEH CHO DRUM, Thursday, March 26, 2015 9
Student of the week
Liam McLeod
"Being able to go swimming."
ASHWINDAS DAMODHARAN
Jordanna Snider
"Being able to go outside and
play soccer in the field."
Akhildas Damodharan
"The hot weather so I can walk
in my shoes and not my boots."
Horoscopes March 26 to April 2
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, your hard work will finally come to
fruition this week. You will feel like a huge burden has been lifted
off of your shoulders, and you deserve to take some time off.
TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, don't allow frustration to get the
better of you. A problem you can't seem to solve may have you feeling hopeless, but perseverance will lead you to a solution.
GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Others may need your help this week,
Gemini. You are ready and willing to offer your services and advice
when they are sought. A welcome reward is coming to you.
CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, your career may conflict with
the demands of your relationship if you let them. Find a balance
between the two so you can have your cake and eat it, too.
LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, some exciting changes lie ahead. Now
is a great time to step out of your comfort zone, even if you are a
little nervous to take the first steps.
VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, this week brings a change in your
life, and this change will lead to some great things down the road.
Don't be embarrassed to be excited about this new path.
LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 You may feel pushed and pulled in a
number of directions, Libra. This makes it difficult to pursue your
own personal goals as a result. Speak up if you need more time to
yourself.
SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, a relatively rebellious streak
surfaces this week. Risk-taking is at the center of this new attitude, and you may find yourself doing a little damage control.
SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, you may think that the
grass is greener somewhere else, but that is not always the case.
Seek ways to make your own grass greener.
CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Experiences at home can affect
your sense of security, Capricorn. Take the necessary steps to feel
safer. Surround yourself with friends and family during this time.
AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Avoid making any big decisions this
week, Aquarius. You are preoccupied with something else and cannot devote enough attention to any one task at the moment.
PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Some extra money unexpectedly comes
your way this week, Pisces. Work with a financial planner for some
good ideas.
Taggacho Jose
"I like to quad in the spring."
Age: 10
Parents: Sabari and Praseeja Damodharan
School: Bompas Elementary School
Teacher's remarks: "He completes all his work and is very
thoughtful, and kind to his teacher," said Grade 5 teacher
Sharon Allen. "He's good at completing his lesson booklet
first thing in the morning."
Favourite subject: Math, because he likes learning about
shapes, especially the cube.
Book of choice: Calvin and Hobbes
Favourite food: Hotdogs with ketchup and mustard
Hobbies and pastimes: Playing with his brother
Career aspirations: Engineer
Husband's behaviour looks suspicious
We've been married nine years. For the most part it's a good
marriage. Although I wish my husband was more affectionate, I
decided to love him for who he is and be happy.
There was one incident, right before we got married, where I
caught him flirting with a receptionist at work via texts. I had no
proof of physical interaction. He begged me to give him another
chance and I did. I warned him if I ever found out something
like this was going on, my children from a previous marriage
and I would be out of his life. No explanations or excuses.
Recently he started taking my teenage son skeet shooting. A
girl, 20, works at the range. Looking at our phone bill, I noticed
he often texted one number -- hers -- and there were calls back
and forth. That took me right back to the incident I had forgotten.
So I confronted my husband. He told me she wanted his
advice about a boy. She also confided about troubles at home. He
said he felt sorry for her because she was down on herself and he
wanted to help.
He wasn't defensive and even said all I had to do was say the
word and he would tell her to stop texting and calling.
What's strange is before this my husband turned over a new
leaf. He became affectionate and seemed happier. He told me he
should have done this long ago, and he promised our future will
be different. He also apologized for depriving me in our marriage.
This brings me to a crossroad. I've read men who cheat sometimes feel so much guilt they show more attention to make up for
it. But I should add he is trying to fix up this girl with one of his
work friends, so maybe I'm overreacting.
Marne
Marne, on the surface, your letter is indeterminate. But if
you think about it a little deeper, it's the straw, the confluence
of circumstances, what was there prior to the marriage. He was
unaffectionate and flirting with a receptionist, and you chose to
accept it.
People say, "I decided to accept him as he is," but you decided
to accept a question mark. It was a bit of a bird in the hand. "I
don't know if I will ever have another man, and I have children
to consider."
Flash forward nine years. Here's the same confluence of cir-
DIRECT
Answers
with Wayne & Tamara Mitchell
[email protected]
cumstances. He's texting, and as before you can't determine if
there is more to it. Instead of being unaffectionate, he's changed.
That should make you happy but it doesn't, does it?
One day he decided to be a different person. That's like
finding a diamond in your backyard. It's rare. It's no surprise it
doesn't make you happy because, besides suspicion, where does
your head go? He could have been like this nine years ago.
Again you have to decide what it means. Sit down and talk
with him. "What's happening doesn't make sense to me. We
didn't go to marriage counseling, you didn't have a near-death
experience, I didn't threaten you with 'change or else,' but you
changed. Why?"
Because he cannot show affection to the young girl, could he
be turning those feelings on you? Possibly. Did being around her
waken in him the desire to end his unaffectionate ways? It could
be that, too.
Your husband isn't defensive about her. That can be a good
sign. But you are in the same spot as nine years ago.
Your task is to get to the bottom of why he's changed this
time.
Wayne & Tamara
Thank you! You brought to light exactly the questions I need
to ask. So I did! I truly believe he wants his life to be different.
I will enjoy this and see what happens. I've learned if intentions are not true, eventually the real intentions will show themselves.
Marne
If you have any questions or comments for Wayne or Tamara, please
forward e-mail to [email protected] or write to Wayne &
Tamara Mitchell, Station A, Box 2820, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2R1
sports & recreation
10 DEH CHO DRUM, Thursday, March 26, 2015
Simpson drops final to Behchoko
Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photos
Adrien Tremblay, centre, prepares to block a shot from Behchoko's Tyrone Fish, left, during Mar. 21 action at the Fort Simpson annual soccer tournament.
Fort Resolution teams win three divisions at the Connie Louttit Soccer Tournament;
Fort Simpson takes home two silver medals
by Andrew Livingstone
Northern News Services
Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson
The open men's final was a
battle of two teams who were
more than familiar with one
another.
However, Behchoko played
a disciplined and patient
game, capitalizing on a number of Fort Simpson mistakes
on the floor to win the Connie
Louttit Soccer Tournament
with a convincing 4-1 win
March 22.
The two teams played an
aggressive and at times chippy
round-robin match that led to
a 4-4 draw after Behchoko
turned the ball over in the
final seconds, allowing the
Thomas Simpson Schoolsponsored team to put the
ball in the back of the net.
Winning its semi-final matchup over Fort Resolution 7-0,
Behchoko awaited the winner
of the other semi-final matchup between second-seed Fort
Simpson and third-seed Fort
Liard. In a tightly-played
matchup, Simpson toughed
out a 5-4 win to set-up a rematch with Behchoko.
Despite the evenly-matched
round-robin game, Behchoko
was no match for Fort Simpson this time around.
Playing smart and controlling the ball for most of the
game, Behchoko scored two
early goals in the first half.
Playing rushed and unable to
set up on offense, Fort Simpson was quick out of the gate
in the second half, playing
an aggressive, but controlled
game. The adjustment on the
floor allowed for Chris Stipdonk to re-direct a mid-floor
shot from Adrien Tremblay to
cut the lead to 2-1.
However, Behchoko scored
two quick goals with aggressive physicality, capitalizing
on what looked like a tired
Fort Simpson team who just
couldn't quite recover.
While Behchoko took
home the medals in the men's
open division, Fort Resolution dominated the remaining divisions, winning three
of four with decisive wins.
Teams from Fort Resolution
beat teams from Fort Liard in
under-14 men's (11-2), under16 men's (8-1) and under-19
men's (9-2). Fort Liard won
the under-16 women's division
with a 15-3 win over Fort
Simpson.
Despite the loss of half
the teams the tournament usually has due to a last-minute
date change do to conflicting schedules, more than 140
players and 26 teams from
eight communities, including a team from Whitehorse,
participated in the three-day
tournament.
Organizer Shane Thompson said it was challenging
to change the dates, knowing they would lose a number
of teams. However, he said
the calibre of play he'd seen
all weekend showed soccer is
alive and well.
"Looking at the scores over
the first two days, they were
almost all close," he said, add-
ing it isn't just about soccer.
"The big thing is the majority
of the players have been here
before and it's more of a social
gathering than just about soccer."
Thompson said the talent he saw over the weekend,
from the more skilled players
to beginners leaves him optimistic about where the sport
is heading.
"Soccer in the territory is
good," he said. "We're getting
younger generations coming
up. It's still one of those sports
where kids are playing in all
the divisions because they just
want to play. They really love
the sport."
He said a big goal of the
tournament is to offer a competitive atmosphere for players to become enthralled with
the game.
"Some players have never
played before and we want
them to get into it and carry
on with it as they grow up,"
he said.
SPORTS CARD
SOCCER
ZEHRO'H WAUGH
Zehro'h practices his soccer skills whenever he has the chance – scheduled
practice or not. He enjoys working on his
shooting and dribbling skills and loves
when he gets the chance to compete.
Because of soccer, Zehro'h has learned
a lot about teamwork which helps him in
his life outside of the game.
Fort Simpson's Chris Stipdonk, right, defends against Behchoko's Tyrone Fish,
left, during a rather intense match at the 12th annual Fort Simpson soccer
tournament at the village recreation complex. Behchoko would go on to win the
men's open division with a 4-1 victory over Fort Simpson.
12 DEH CHO DRUM, Thursday, March 26, 2015
news
Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo
EATS FOR HISTORY
Rena Lyn Pascua-Matte from the Fort Simpson Historical Society serves up noodles during a fundraiser at
the recreation complex on Mar. 21.
Trout Lake winter road
closed to daytime use
Northern News Services
Sambaa K'e/Trout Lake
The winter road in and out of Trout Lake is limited to
nighttime use for all vehicles.
Jessica Jumbo, who works for the band, said as long as the
weather stays relatively cold at night, the road should be open
at night for at least another two weeks.
"Everyone is making their runs in and out of the community before this happens," she said.
The community's annual spring carnival kicks off March 27
with handgames, children's talent show and a drum dance. It
runs until March 29. Youth and adult activities will be held all
day Mar. 28 and will include log toss, sled race, egg toss, stick
pull, axe throwing and tea boiling, among many other events.
The adult talent show and drum dance will round out the evening.
A cultural harvesters camp took place this week in the community, hosted by the Dehcho Land Use Planning Committee.
Jumbo said 14 community members and leaders from across
the region arrived in the community on March 24 and were
expected to spend a few days there.
Taekwondo starts back up
in Providence
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
After a short hiatus Taekwondo classes in Fort Providence
will begin again in April.
Classes will begin on April 16 with kindergarten to Grade 3
students from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. on Monday and Thursday, following by grades four to six from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. and Grade
7 to adult from 7 to 8 p.m., Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
There will be no fees to join the classes being offered at
Deh Gah School and will focus on a number of aspects of the
sport.
'We do what are called patterns, learning different movements and learn how to protect yourself if you need to and
learn proper and safe sparring techniques, which are non-contact," said instructor Nicole Jarecki.
She is also planning an in-house tournament for all students in the classes who choose to participate. While she hasn't
selected a date for the tournament, which will be open to the
public for community members to come watch and support the
athletes, she is looking for donations to help make the tournament happen.
Jarecki is working with the school to set up a date, but plans
to have the younger students from kindergarten to Grade 3 run
through an obstacle course and plans non-contact sparring for
the older students.
Jamboree schedule set
Tthenaago/Nahanni Butte
The schedule for the annual Nahanni Butte Spring Carnival
has been set and community members are in for three days of
games, food and music from March 27 to 29.
The carnival kicks off March 27 with a pancake breakfast,
followed by individual games and team tug-o-war. In the after-
COMMUNITY Clips
with Andrew Livingstone
[email protected]
noon there will be snowmobile races, axe throwing, log sawing
and wood splitting, followed by a late-afternoon bingo, community feast and a drum dance with the Wrigley Drummers at
8 p.m.
Saturday there will be a tea boiling, stick pull and dart
throwing, snowshoe races, sled pulling, archery, target shooting and a barbecue to wrap up the full slate of events at 5 p.m.
Traditional handgames start at 6 p.m. followed by another
drum dance.
The final day of events kicks off at noon with a barbecue
lunch and sledding party, following by road broomball and
a volleyball tournament, a crib tournament for singles and
doubles, children's games, road hockey and a youth and adult
talent show at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. Sunday will wrap up
with a poker tournament following the talent show.
Bison Jamboree this weekend
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe/Fort Providence
The Bison Jamboree is underway in Fort Providence and
runs until March 29.
The five-day community event kicked off March 25 with
the feeding of the fire ceremony and a mini-carnival. Youth
were in the competitive spirit on March 26 for youth traditional
games and adult community members were dabbing the night
away at the community hall bingo.
A poker rally, dog sled races, crib tournament filled out a
busy Friday afternoon schedule and a talent show and family
dance was scheduled for 8 p.m. at the community hall.
A pancake breakfast is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. on
March 28, followed by more dog sled races and adult traditional games. The final day of the jamboree is all snowmobile
races along with a community barbecue to wrap up the schedule of events.
Nutrition Fair held by school
Ttek'ehdeli/Jean Marie River
Students at Louie Norwegian School held a nutrition fair in
the community on March 26.
The event was held for community members and students
to attend and looked at a number of topics around the issue of
healthy lifestyles and healthy eating.
Chief Stanley Sanguez travelled to Trout Lake this week to
attend the harvesters meeting with other community members
and leaders from across the Deh Cho. He's expected back in
the community March 26.
The local district education authority held its regular meeting at 7 p.m. at Louie Norwegian School.
Elders in the community will hold a meeting on March 31,
a continuation of a meeting started on March 10.