September 1, 2011

International

MILLER: Alaska’s regulatory stranglehold (August 31, 2011): Bureaucrats stymie economic development in the Last Frontier Gov. Sean Parnell just wants Washington to leave Alaska alone. The Frontier State’s North Slope currently satisfies 11 percent of the nation’s daily thirst for oil. The Republican governor thinks that percentage should be higher, but the Obama administration is stopping him from doing what needs to be done for America’s energy security. Mr. Parnell believes it’s possible to boost output enough within 10 years to send a million barrels of black gold through the pipeline daily. “It’s an aggressive goal, but it’s achievable,” he told GOP leaders and activists at the Conservative Political Action Convention cruise, which docked in the capital of Juneau.

National

Residential Schools: Canada’s Inglorious Educational Past (September 1, 2011): Critics claim that Canada’s residential schools were part of a cultural raid designed to replace aboriginal culture and heritage with European values | Many of these schools have a severe negative impact on native people who suffered rampant sexual and physical abuse

Mental health strategy draft doesn’t go far enough (August 31, 2011): Copies of the “confidential” draft of Canada’s highly anticipated mental health strategy are circulating widely among “targeted stakeholders.” So let’s take a look at what’s being offered up. Canada is the only G8 country without a mental health strategy, so the document – and, more important, the underlying philosophy that we need to make life better for those with psychiatric and psychological illnesses – is long overdue. […]Seek innovation with first nations, Inuit and Métis. Some communities, such as aboriginals, have specific challenges like sky-high rates of addiction and suicide that need particular attention.

Regional

Diet crisis develops among Inuit people (September 1, 2011): Healthy fare too costly or unavailable: study Six out of 10 Inuit in Canada's Far North don't get enough to eat or are eating the wrong things, says a comprehensive study by a team of McGill University researchers. They warn preventive measures are desperately needed to help ward off diabetes, heart disease and other ailments that already plague other aboriginal peoples in Canada and the United States.

Canadian Arctic a bandwidth desert, report says (August 31, 2011): High prices, gaps plague system Arctic Canada is a telecommunications backwater and without a federal strategy to increase bandwidth and reduce costs, the North risks falling even further behind, according to a study compiled for a working group of public safety officials. “Canadians are becoming more reliant on communication services in every aspect of their lives, and the Arctic is no exception,” says the report, called the Arctic Communications Infrastructure Assessment. “Arctic residents must have reliable, affordable communications infrastructure to engage in 21st century opportunities — many communities’ long-term survival will depend on it.”

Canada’s Arctic a “telecommunications backwater:” report (August 30, 2011): Operation Nanook 2009 suffered communications meltdown Arctic Canada is a telecommunications backwater and without a federal strategy to increase bandwidth and reduce costs, the North risks falling even further behind. That’s the conclusion of a study called the Arctic Communications Infrastructure Assessment, compiled on behalf of a working group of public safety officials. “Canadians are becoming more reliant on communication services in every aspect of their lives, and the Arctic is no exception,” the assessment says.

Nunavut takes over social programs in Cape Dorset (August 30, 2011): The hamlet of Cape Dorset, Nunavut, is handing responsibility for social programs and child protection services back to the territorial government. Mayor Cary Merritt says the hamlet has had staffing problems for the last few years and that the territorial government has more resources than the hamlet. The government will take over on Sept. 30.

Nunavut loses a leader (August 31, 2011): Peter Kritaqliluk, who chaired the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee, was "a strong advocate for Inuit” Family, friends and colleagues packed Arviat’s Anglican church Aug. 30 to say goodbye to a well-respected leader. Peter Kritaqliluk, a former mayor of Arviat and current chair of the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee, died Aug. 27 of cancer. Justin Merritt worked with Kritaqliluk at the NITC, where Kritaqliluk served until his death.

QEC to do big expansion of Iqaluit power plant (August 30, 2011): “The existing plant has been in service for 50 years” Even before the lights went out in Iqaluit Aug. 29, Qulliq Energy Corp. already saw that the capital’s diesel-fired power plant is aging rapidly. But the problems with two generators at the plant, which forced the utility to implement rolling blackouts, which essentially brought business to a halt for most of the day, underscores Iqaluit’s need for a new source of electricity. “The existing plant has been in service for approximately 50 years and is showing its age,” reads a permit application for a major expansion of the Iqaluit power plant, which QEC filed in November, 2010.

Better search-and-rescue coordination needed in Nunavut: Aglukkaq (August 31, 2011): Concern followed the crash last week of a First Air flight outside of Resolute Bay, Nunavut. Twelve people died in the crash and three survived. Local leaders say the tragedy highlights the need for search-and-rescue capabilities in the North. However, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said that given the vastness of the area it would be impossible.

Nunavut Housing Corp. to create board of directors (August 31, 2011): Looking for applicants with construction, real estate experience The Nunavut Housing Corporation will appoint a board of directors by the end of the year, according to its president. Alain Barriault said the creation of a new organizational structure has been an issue for years. “The governance of the housing corporation is an issue that was brought up as far back as the 2007 [Auditor General’s] report on the performance of the housing corporation,” Barriault said.

Nunavut students wait for funding (August 31, 2011): Students in Nunavut are heading back to school but for many pursuing post-secondary studies much-needed funding hasn’t been distributed. Money is available from many organizations, including the Kakivak Association - which provides financial assistance for rent, tuition and books – but with school starting next week many students already have bills to pay.

Gjoa Haven to hold liquor plebiscite (August 31, 2011): Residents in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut will vote in a plebiscite next month on whether to allow the importation of alcohol. If it is approved, residents will be able to order a limited amount of liquor into the community of 1,000, located on the southern end of King William Island. A petition of at least 20 names was submitted to the territory’s minister of finance asking for a plebiscite, the first public vote on alcohol since 1990 when the community opted to ban its importation and sale.

Nunavut business student wins scholarships (August 31, 2011): Trent University student Laura Arngna’naaq is working towards a career as a managerial accountant Laura Arngna’naaq, a university student who lives in Kingston, Ont. has earned two prestigious scholarships, one, a Sun Life financial scholarship from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, and the other from the Royal Bank of Canada’s Aboriginal Student Awards Program.

Arctic has great riches, but greater challenges (September 1, 2011): At the rim of the Arctic Circle in Canada, gold mining firm Agnico-Eagle is learning how tough it is to operate in a remote region with temptingly large, but frustratingly inaccessible, reserves of oil, gas and minerals. Commentators rarely mention nightmarish logistics, polar bears and steel-snapping cold when they confidently predict that as the Arctic warms up, melting sea ice and shorter winters will open up the expanse to exploration.

Send an Iqaluit teen to see Tumivut: Alianait (August 31, 2011): Festival starts “Tickets for Teens” campaign Next week Iqaluit’s Alianait Arts Festival will present a back-to-school concert featuring award-winning throat singing and hip hop quartet Tumivut. Their Sept. 9 show at Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit marks the first Nunavut show for Tumivut, whose name means “our footsteps” in Inuktitut. And it should be a “youth-focused” event, said Alianait’s executive director Heather Daley.

Narwhals in Cambridge Bay delight hunters, muktuk-lovers (August 30, 2011): An amazing sight drew the curious to the shore in Cambridge Bay on the evening of Aug. 25: the swelling ripples of swimming narwhal pods. While pods of narwhals have been seen at least twice over the past 15 years in Cambridge Bay, narwhals aren’t commonly seen there. Maps of the whales’ range in the Canadian Arctic don’t show that they ever pass anywhere near Victoria Island.

Advanced Explorations update on Tuktu iron ore project (September 1, 2011): Advanced Explorations Inc announced further drill results from its Tuktu Iron Ore Project located in Nunavut, Canada. Drill-hole 11TT011 intercepted 8 metres of high quality banded iron formation grading 50.27% Fe within a broader 165.25 meter interval of BIF grading 33.61% Fe. The same broad interval also included 14 metres of 46.34% iron.

Cache Completes Nunavut Exploration Programs (August 31, 2011): Mr. George A. Brown, President and CEO of Cache Exploration Inc. CA:CAY -15.91% , is pleased to announce that a preliminary geological assessment and rock sampling program was completed during July and August at each of the six prospecting permit areas in Nunavut. Dr. David Lentz, P.Geo., is a Qualified Person as described in National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information contained in this news release. Cache was granted six prospecting permits in February 2011 which cover 207,874 acres in the south-east portion of Nunavut

Zone Resources discovers 4 new zones of iron formation at Moore (August 31, 2011): Mineral explorer Zone Resources (CVE:ZNR) said Wednesday that field work has started on its iron properties within the Nunavik region in northern Quebec, already finding four new zones of iron formation at its Moore asset. The Moore-Ross iron property, which spans about 6,900 hectares, is situated in the Labrador Trough and covers historic iron formation zones.

Minister in Nunavut for Fisheries Meetings (August 31, 2011): Fisheries Minister Clyde Jackman is in Nunavut today for a three-day round of meetings with his counterparts. Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers and the Atlantic Council branch are gathering in Iqaluit. CCFAM enhances collaboration between the federal and provincial governments on issues related to the fishery. The Atlantic Council has a similar goal, but is comprised exclusively of ministers from the Atlantic provinces, Québec, Nunavut and the federal government.

N.W.T. election campaign heating up (August 31, 2011): Although the election is not yet underway, many candidates have already started campaigning by posting signs throughout the territory. David Brock, chief electoral officer for the Northwest Territories, says that is allowed but those hoping to become an MLA in October can’t receive any financial contributions until they’ve officially become a candidate. The campaign period begins on Monday and all nominations forms must be completed and submitted to election officials by Sept. 9.

Nain Male Sent Out for Medical Treatment Following an Assault (August 31, 2011): A male from Nain was sent to Happy Valley-Goose Bay for medical treatment Wednesday morning following an assault. Constable Learning is with the Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP detachment. He says Nain RCMP responded to a call that a male had received several serious lacerations following an incident with another male from the community.

PC Nominations Called for Upper Lake Melville (August 31, 2011): The Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is calling for nominations in the Lake Melville district. Nominations opened Wednesday at noon. Nunatsiavut Ordinary Member, Keith Russell, has already expressed his intent of running for the nomination.

Nain Church Receives New Organ (August 31, 2011): The beautiful sound of a brand new organ emanated from the Moravian Church in Nain this week. The instrument, valued at around $20, 000, was delivered to the community on Tuesday. Church elders eagerly waited as the organ was being taken off the Dutch Runner. Then three of the elders gave their new instrument a go when it arrived at the Moravian Church.

Climate Change

Second giant ice island set to break off Greenland glacier (August 31, 2011): Astonished scientist says he was 'completely unprepared for the gob-smacking scale of the breakup, which rendered me speechless' New photographs taken of a vast glacier in northern Greenland have revealed the astonishing rate of its breakup, with one scientist saying he was rendered "speechless." In August 2010, part of the Petermann Glacier about four times the size of Manhattan island broke off , prompting a hearing in Congress. And researcher Jason Box of Ohio State University said another section, about twice the size of Manhattan, was now close to doing the same, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

Cutting soot emissions could be climate quick fix (September 1, 2011): Reducing soot emissions from diesel engines and other sources could be the fastest, most economical way to slow the melting of Arctic sea ice, researchers say. Mark Z Jacobson of Stanford University says that controlling soot could reduce warming above parts of the Arctic Circle by almost three degrees Fahrenheit within 15 years - amost canceling out all of the last 100 years' warming.

Two major Arctic Ocean shipping routes open simultaneously as ice recedes (September 1, 2011): Two major Arctic Ocean shipping routes have opened simultaneously for only the second time since satellite observation began in the 1970s, researchers say. Satellites in 2008 saw the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic and the Northern Sea Route above Russia were open simultaneously for the first time since satellite measurements started, and researchers say it has happened again, the European Space Agency reported in a release from its Paris headquarters this week.

Northern Sea Route setting Arctic commerce records (August 31, 2011): The tanker that just set the all-time speed record for crossing the Northern Sea Route over Russia has successfully passed through Alaska’s Bering Strait and delivered its natural gas cargo to Thailand. “The STI Heritage arrived in the Bering Strait on July 29, having completed the NSR passage in a time of just 8 days,” the Marine Log blog reported on Aug. 30. “The vessel arrived at her final destination, Map Ta Phut, Thailand on August 16, 2011, completing the total voyage (from her previous discharge in Houston) of approximately 9,000 Miles.”

Other

Arctic geologists wanted; only the bold need apply (August 31, 2011): One memorable Arctic trip in a battered DC-3 twin-engined propeller plane still makes Tom Hoefer laugh nervously. "They were having problems with it and the pilot came back ... and said 'If I yell at you that you need to do something for me, I want you to open the back door and I want you to throw out all this fish we have on board,'" he recalled.

Scientist made sure people in the North worked together (August 31, 2011): 'Marty never gave up creating excitement about the Arctic' From the navy to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, from cabinet ministers to news anchors, Martin Bergmann brought people together in death as he did in life. "He made sure that everyone who worked in the Arctic worked together," said Monique Carpentier, who recruited him for the position as director of the Polar Continental Shelf Program five years ago. "Marty never gave up creating excitement about the Arctic."

Tom Paddon, President and Chief Executive Officer (August 31, 2011): Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation is pleased to confirm the recent appointment of Tom Paddon as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr Paddon brings extensive mining expertise to the company following a 15 year career at Vale Newfoundland and Labrador, Ltd. During the early days of Vales Voiseys Bay Project, Mr Paddon played a large part in building the relationships that were to become critical to the companys success in the region. Mr Paddon assumed a pivotal role in negotiating the Impacts and Benefits Agreements with Innu Nation and the Nunatsiavut Government, including leading the negotiations to resolve Inuit concerns regarding project shipping.

Factbox: Main exploration projects in Canada's Nunavut (August 31, 2011): Here are some of the main exploration projects in the giant Canadian territory of Nunavut, listed by company:

New book details Lester Pearson's role in securing Canada's North (August 30, 2011): A new book about the history of Canada's territorial claims in the Arctic has shed fresh light on the impressive, behind-the-scenes manoeuvring by Canadian officials in the 1920s to secure control over the vast region and its untapped resources — a key part of the current Conservative government's vision of Canada's economic future. And among the public servants identified for the first time as helping to resolve Canada's last significant territorial dispute in the Arctic is a young foreign affairs officer who would go on to much greater fame — including a Nobel Peace Prize — for his diplomatic deftness: future prime minister Lester B. Pearson.

Arctic oil exploration: Potential riches and problems (August 31, 2011): With a seemingly insatiable demand for oil and gas, the world constantly needs to find new supplies. With current oil reserves coping with increased pressure from emerging markets in China and India, the Arctic and its seas are seen as being of crucial importance. US oil giant Exxon Mobil, which this week signed a multi-billion dollar deal with Rosneft to explore the Russian Arctic, described the area as "among the most promising and least explored regions for oil".