Inuvik Community Celebrates

Billy Day wins NAAF Environment Award

by Zoe Ho

INUVIK HAS BEEN BUSY WITH QUITE A NUMBER OF CELEBRATIONS AND EVENTS! Both young and old from all over the ISR and further got together on 31st December 2006, for a New Year’s Feast and Dance at Ingamo Hall. The large turnout enjoyed drum dancing by the Inuvik Dancers and Drummers, and then took their turn square dancing, there was so much joy in celebrating with family and friends! There was a delicious spread sponsored by the Inuvialuit and Gwich’in, caribou meat in gravy and baked ham with pineapples, even dried fish and dessert. It was also Leonard Harry’s 65th birthday! He drum danced along at various points that night, and the smile on his face showed how happy he was to have so many celebrating with him.

On January 7th , The Sunrise Festival was a success. The town gathered at a location near the golf course to enjoy sipping hot chocolate and to watch fireworks! Our toes were cold but our hearts warm as the fireworks burst over our heads in beautiful formations, and you could hear children and adults going “ooh…wow…” in awe throughout the show. The two bonfires helped as we all huddled around them. Thank you Town of Inuvik, for the gift! It really helped chase away the blues from the darkness. Chelsea Elias also celebrated her 10 th birthday on the 6th of January. Her friends want to say “Happy Birthday” and the same to Shanna Allen, who turns 12 years old on Feb 21st!

One Of The Biggest Reasons To Celebrate

THIS MONTH IS THE RECOGNITION OF BILLY DAY’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY. He is the recipient of the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Environment this year. The awards ceremony was held in Vancouver on the 27th of January. It was televised on APTN and Global TV the next evening. If you ask anyone who lives in the ISR who Billy Day is, they will tell you he is a man who spent most of his life advocating for the protection of the environment and wildlife. He also used his translation and communication skills for public good, and is a key negotiator of the IFA. He traveled extensively to all the communities, speaking to people in their languages to create understanding and awareness of Inuvialuit issues. Many still remember how well spoken he was on radio programs, and are thankful that although Billy did not like being in the limelight, he was willing to be there speaking for his people when they needed to get their rights recognized by the government. Congratulations Billy Day!

ARCTIC WINTER GAMES TERRITORIALS CAME TO A CONCLUSION ON THE 13TH OF JANUARY. Heats were held at Ingamo Hall, the Midnight Sun Recreation Center, SAM School and the Aurora College Gym. The events for competition were Soccer16 and under boys, Bantam Hockey, Wrestling and Arctic Sports All Categories. What was truly inspiring at the games was the spirit of co-operation amongst the competitors. Although the Junior Girls Arctic Games trials had to be repeated on 13th January when results were tied on the 12th , the weary girls continued to urge each other on; at one point, Vanessa Anikina had some doubts about whether she could kick the “seal” in the Alaskan High Kick but Kristen Green, her competitor was there by her side, showing her how she should stretch and prepare herself for the kick. Sachs Harbour coach Christina Elias said, “In Arctic sports, they always try to help each other out”.

BUSINESS IS GOOD FOR INUVIK IN THESE USUALLY QUIET WINTER MONTHS . All the hotels are booked, and taxis are zipping around town as the public hearings for the National Energy Board and Joint Review Panel kick off at the Midnight Sun Recreation Center on Jan 25th . Right now, the hearings are very technical, but it will be more interesting as the Joint Review Panels start their hearings to collect information on social and environmental impacts of the Mackenzie Gas Project on February 14 th . Anyone can speak up as long as you sign up

Billy Day Achievements

- Beaufort Sea Integrated Management Planning Initiative

-Development of first proposed Marine Protected Area in the Western Arctic, Tarium Niryatait

-Founding Member of Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-operative

-First President of COPE (Committee for Original People’s Entitlement)

-Key signatory for IFA at the door! Do take this opportunity to share your opinions, as the NEB will weigh all evidence and opinions before making its final decision.

THE JOINT SECRETARIAT HAD A SERIES OF MEETINGS HERE IN JANUARY.

Boogie Pokiak conducted a Cultural Awareness Workshop at Aurora College January 16 th to 17th . Many working for DFO in the south attended to learn about Traditional Knowledge and the history of the Inuvialuit.

THE SALVATION ARMY IN YELLOWKNIFE BROUGHT THEIR C RACKBUSTERS WORKSHOP TO INUVIK FEBRUARY 7 TH TO THE 10TH. The 4-day workshop was developed in response to a five-year trend of noted increase in substance abuse across the North. This workshop allowed those in a supportive role and the general public to learn about resources available for them in the NWT and included training to help address the lack of early stage recovery support. It was taught that working with substance abusers through the stages of change could enable them to eventually make informed decisions. This adds to the positive impact of anti-tobacco programs and wellness programs implemented at the youth centre this month.

SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO TRADITIONAL ARTS STUDENTS BY ATCO TO LETIFA RUBEN AND MAGGIE PAPIK, AND FROM CIBC/GNAF TO MARY O'KEENA. This will help provide opportunities to better their skills and marketing experience. These artists can bring their skills back home to help other artists practice the self empowering culture of traditional arts. They even had a fashion show, whic h was lots of fun. We will be interview ing them in the next issue!