Need help for Christmas?

Inuvik Community Corporation (ICC) will be holding an election on Dec. 7 to fill its chair and three director positions.

Voting will take place at the Inuvialuit Development Corporation office on Mackenzie Road, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. An advanced poll will be held at the ICC office on Nov. 30. Contact the office if you need a ride to the polling station.

Chair candidates include Johnnie Lennie and Duane Smith. Director candidates are Peggy Day, Richard Gordon, Ethel-Jean Gruben, Ronald Gruben, Bernice Joe and Raymond Tingmiak.

Need help for Christmas?

The Santa's Elves project, organized by a group of anonymous volunteers, is up and running again and is looking for people in need of a Christmas hamper.

Community members in need are asked to apply for a parcel of food and gifts in person at Inuvik's Public works office. The application deadline is Dec. 4. Only one application per household will be accepted.

Rec hockey seeks players

Men and woman hockey players of all skills levels are invited to play a fun pick-up game of hockey every Friday night at the Midnight Sun Complex.

Ice time runs from 10:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. there is a small fee for players, for more information contact Andrew at the Inuvik Drum office.

Flu vaccine clinic

Inuvik Public Health will be holding a H1N1 vaccine clinic today and tomorrow.

Shots will be administered at the Public Health office located on the first floor of the Semmler Building. The clinic will run from 1 to 5 p.m. The clinic is open to the general public over the age of six months. Public Health officials are strongly urging people to get vaccinated.

Busy days at high school

Samuel Hearne Secondary School students are welcome to attend two after-school programs.

A homework program will be held every school day in the library from 3:40 to 5 p.m. Any students looking to get extra help with school work are urged to attend. The school is also inviting students to join the small engine repair club on Thursdays at 3:45 p.m. Run by Randy Palsson, the club is held at the automotive shop. Drop by and check out the new four-stroke OHV motors.

Turkey dinner

The Anglican Church will be holding its annual turkey dinner on Saturday at 5 p.m. The menu includes turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, salads, vegetables, fresh buns or bannock, a selection of delicious desserts, coffee and tea.

Ticket prices vary. Contact Sarah or Greta at the church office for information and to purchase tickets.

New bylaw officer

The town was to introduce its new bylaw officer at Wednesday's regular council meeting.

The newest town employee comes from Vancouver Island and replaces outgoing officer Dez Loreen, who resigned from the position earlier this month.

Communication plan

Council began discussion on improving communication with residents.

Several ideas were considered including having council sessions broadcast on the community channel, others suggested hosting meet and greet sessions with the public.

Some councillors argued that residents have ample opportunity to meet council during its four scheduled meetings during the month.

Laptops for councillors

Councillors supported a plan that would give them access to laptops on loan. The plan is aimed especially for councillors who are travelling and don't have access to a laptop. Council is also looking to cut back on the amount of paper it generates. While most councillors thought the plan was a good idea, Coun. Vince Sharpe said the town could put the money to better use.

Bylaw review plan

Council agreed to a suggestion by Mayor Denny Rodgers to undergo a review of the town's bylaws.

Rogers said a bylaw review schedule should be implemented.

"This and the budget are two of the most important things we can do as a council."

Coun. Alana Mero agreed. "We are doing the town's business, we should make sure we're up to date," she said.

Inuvialuit go to Washington

Beaufort Delta

A group of 11 Inuvialuit elders and youth from Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk and Ulukhaktok returned home Nov. 22 after a week-long trip to Washington, D.C., where they saw an exhibit of Inuvialuit artifacts at the Smithsonian Institute.

The artifacts, including tools, art and clothes, are part of the museum's MacFarlane Collection. Hudson's Bay Company trader Roderick MacFarlane collected the artifacts in the 1860s around the Anderson River area of NWT.

The trip, meant to allow residents to connect with their heritage on a deeper level, was partially paid for by the Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Centre and partially through a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant.

Phasing out harassment

Tuktoyaktuk

A group of Canadian Rangers worked on anti-bullying exercises with Mangilaluk School students last weekend as part of the Rangers' Prevention of Harassment and Abuse through Successful Education (PHASE) program.

The program, which ran Saturday and Sunday in the community, deals with harassment, abuse, addiction and suicide and promotes a healing environment, particularly for young people.

Sledding skills

Ulukhaktok/Holman

Grade 10 students at Helen Kalvak Elihakvik learned how to build sleds at a workshop last week put on by elder Winnie Akhiatak. They worked through the week and finished with three functional hand-made sleds and the skills to make more in the future.

Making mukluks

Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson

Local instructors Elizabeth Colin, Rebecca Francis and Mary Mitchell are teaching Fort McPherson's youth how to sew fur mittens and make mukluks at the youth centre on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

So far, 15 youth are participating in the program, which began at the beginning of November and runs through December.

Co-ordinator Ruby Koe said one of the youngest participants is Jayme Nerysoo, who's eager to finish the pair of mukluks she's making for herself.

Tell us a story

Aklavik

Canadian storyteller Carol Leigh Wehking captivated students at Aklavik's Moose Kerr School last week, regaling them with dramatic folklore.

"There was a good little crowd here," said librarian Mary Theresa Rodgers. "The kids seemed to enjoy it - they were pretty quiet."

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