September 16, 2011

International

EU court rejects Inuit challenge of seal trade ban (September 15, 2011): Europe's top court has rejected a bid by Inuit seal hunters and fur traders to strike down an EU ban on products derived from the Arctic animals. The Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice refused to hear the challenge brought by 17 organisations, including Canada's largest Inuit group, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), according to a 12-page decision dated September 6. "Inuit are disappointed that the EU did not see fit to rule on the merits of this case, and have dismissed it, on technical grounds as inadmissible without a hearing," ITK leader Mary Simon said in a statement.

European court ruling another blow to Canada's seal hunt (September 15, 2011): An animal rights activist says a European court ruling has put another nail in the coffin of Canada's commercial seal hunt. The European General Court rejected yesterday a bid by Canada's largest Inuit organization to challenge the European Union's year-old trade ban on seal products. The court in Luxembourg dismissed the group's case, saying the challenge from the Inuit, several seal hunters and industry organizations was inadmissible.

Inuit bid to overturn EU seal ban fails (September 15, 2011): "Inuit are disappointed that the EU did not see fit to rule on the merits of this case" The European General Court has dismissed a bid by a group that includes Inuit to overturn the 2010 European Union prohibition on trade in seal products. The decision, issued Wednesday, struck down an appeal by the industry itself, which is separate from an effort by the federal government to seek a rule change from the World Trade Organization. A separate application by the coalition which questions how the ban would be enforced in Europe, is still before the court.

Arctic states focus on oil & gas cooperation (September 16, 2011): Key member countries of the Arctic Council, Russia and the US, agree that cooperation is the only way to successful exploration of the Far North. Both Moscow and Washington say that rumors about possible ‘Arctic wars’ are exaggerated. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the formation of the Arctic Council, a high-level intergovernmental forum which addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic. On 12 May, 2011, the Council signed the Arctic Search and Rescue Agreement to coordinate international search and rescue coverage and response in the Arctic, and establish the area of responsibility of each member state. Currently, one of the Council`s working groups is busy discussing a new deal which will regulate cooperation between the Arctic states in case there are marine oil spills in the region.

National

ITK plans “From Eskimo to Inuit in 40 years” conference this November (September 14, 2011): Gathering marks 40th anniversary for national Inuit org Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami plans to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a conference in Ottawa called “From Eskimo to Inuit in 40 years,” the organization announced Sept 14. “From the original meeting of the minds in 1971 that kickstarted the land claims process, to the series of constitutional debates leading to the inclusion of Aboriginal rights and freedoms in the Constitution Act of 1982, and more recently, the apology to victims of residential schools, Inuit history is an important chapter in the story of Canada,” ITK president Mary Simon said in a news release. “Inuit history is Canadian history, and our future as a people is fundamental to the future of Canada.”

Arctic research funding of $67M finally announced (September 15, 2011): The federal government formally announced $67.3 million for research on Arctic climate change Thursday, though the funding has already been flowing for months and an official website has long since divulged it. Industry Minister Christian Paradis said the money would keep ArcticNet, a Canada-wide network of mostly university-based researchers, operating through 2018.

Feds confirm $67.3 million for ArcticNet research network (September 15, 2011): ArcticNet plans more Inuit involvement, projects on health and education The ArcticNet research network is seven years closer to fulfilling its ambition to become Canada’s first national polar institute. The Quebec City-based group brings together more than 30 universities, Inuit organizations like Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Government of Nunavut and the Kativik Regional Government, other government agencies and hundreds of researchers in its studies on climate change and its impacts in the Arctic.

On World Suicide Prevention Day, Inuit leaders talk about the lack of support (September 15, 2011): Inuit and non-Inuit alike marked World Suicide Prevention Day on Parliament Hill on Sept. 9 with an urgent message to government to take action against the crisis facing Inuit communities, where the suicide rate is 11 times higher than that in the rest of Canada. The major message was that a lack of support services in the north is leading to a huge number of Inuit, especially youth, taking their own lives. This marks the 5th year in a row that this day has been marked on the Hill by Inuit looking to draw attention to the decimation taking place in their communities.

Gov’t puts climate change trend archive on ice (September 15, 2011): "Ice cores have become very important tools for informing and guiding environmental policy" A one-of-a-kind archive of ancient Canadian ice cores, collected over 40 years by federal scientists as evidence of climate change and pollution trends, is scheduled for “shutdown” within months because of “strategic budget compressions” at Natural Resources Canada, Postmedia News has learned. The plan to put the ice archive on ice, and the “radical downsizing” of an associated Geological Survey of Canada research lab, are revealed in a message issued to fellow scientists last week by federal glaciologist Christian Zdanowicz, who has appealed to universities or other scientific bodies to consider taking over management of the targeted research resource.

Regional

Iqaluit enjoyed drop in crime this summer: RCMP (September 15, 2011): Crime in Iqaluit appears to be sharply down in 2011, at least by one measure, according to RCMP figures released at city council Sept. 13. The figures show the total number of people taken into custody by police is down nearly 20 per cent over the first eight months of 2011.

Crime down in Nunavik: police (September 14, 2011): Kaitivik Regional Police Force now has three officers in every Nunavik community The Kativik Regional Police Force officials say crime continues to drop in Nunavik. During the the first half of 2011, their numbers show a drop compared to the same periods in 2009 and 2010.

New Brunswick man charged with sexual assault in Qikiqtarjuaq (September 15, 2011): A 37-year-old man from Miramichi, New Brunswick faces a charge of aggravated sexual assault in connection with an incident alleged to have occurred just before 5:15 a.m. Sept. 14 in Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut RCMP said in a news release. A woman is now receiving treatment at Qikiqtani General Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Man acquitted of RCMP shooting-threat charge (September 15, 2011): Confusion over word creates reasonable doubt A Cape Dorset man accused of threatening to shoot an exhausted RCMP officer was found not guilty by a Nunavut court Sept. 13. Qavavau Shaa, 19, was charged with uttering threats after he was arrested in July, 2010 for a shooting spree that terrorized Cape Dorset.

Workers at Nunavut government, QEC hold strike votes (September 15, 2011): Union demands 5 per cent annual wage hikes for QEC The union that represents most government workers in Nunavut will organize strike votes in workplaces across the territory starting Sept. 19. “After a year of bargaining with the government, union proposals covering pay, the northern allowance, vacation leave and issues related to health care workers remain unresolved,” Doug Workman, president of the Nunavut Employees Union said in a news release.

Nunavik ill-prepared for air crash: KRG (September 15, 2011): “It was very obvious that we’re not prepared for any type of crash" The First Air flight 6560 crash in Resolute Bay last month was “a wake-up call” for Nunavik to improve its local emergency response services, says the head of the Kativik Regional Government’s transport department. Jack Papak, speaking Sept. 14 at the KRG council meeting in Kuujjuaq, called the Resolute Bay crash a “wake-up call” for the region.

Priest's 'irresistible' photos capture Nunavut history (September 14, 2011): A unique collection of “irresistible” images from Nunavut's past is on display in Iqaluit. The exhibit of drawings and photographs by Guy Mary-Rousselière, a French-Canadian priest and anthropologist, opened Tuesday night at the Nunavut legislature. Mary-Rousselière, a Roman Catholic missionary, worked in the Arctic for almost 50 years before he died in 1994. Much of that time was spent in Pond Inlet.

Nunavut teen killed in dirt bike collision (September 14, 2011): A 14-year-old boy is dead after a fatal collision in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut on Tuesday. The RCMP said a pick-up truck and dirt bike collided on a gravel road near the airport. The crash caused the dirt bike to go up in flames; and the boy was taken to the health centre where he was pronounced dead.

Nunatsiavut to review uranium ban (September 14, 2011): Northern Labrador’s Inuit government has voted to review its ban on uranium mining. Nunatsiavut's assembly said Tuesday that public consultations are set to begin within weeks and a report finished by mid-December. Nunatsiavut imposed a moratorium on uranium mining and development in 2008 — it included a provision for a review after three years. The mining industry has been pushing Nunatsiavut to drop the moratorium.

SPECIAL: N.W.T.'s deficit in mental-health care (September 14, 2011): Almost four years ago, the Northwest Territories government said one of its goals was to improve mental health and addictions services. But the only department with a smaller budget this year than two years ago is Health and Social Services. The territory's main hospital still has no permanent psychiatrist, and where there were once three residential addictions treatment centres in the North, there is now only one.

N.W.T. inmates can cast ballots in jail (September 15, 2011): Elections NWT will set up special "multi-district" polls in jail for the first time so inmates can cast ballots in next month's territorial election. Chief elections officer David Brock said he believes the Northwest Territories is the first jurisdiction in Canada to implement this kind of poll. They will be located in four Northwest Territories correctional facilities, as well as at three Aurora College campuses for students living away from their home riding.

Voisey’s Bay Rescue Workers Competing in National Firefit Competition (September 15, 2011): Members of the Voisey’s Bay Mine Rescue Team are competing in the Firefit Championship Finals this week. Sid Pain is the team’s leader. He says there are three teams of three emergency response personnel competing. Five of the nine competitors are Nunatsiavut beneficiaries.

Makkovik Fish Plant Shutting Down (September 15, 2011): The Makkovik Fish Plant is shutting down for the season. Junior Andersen is the Production Manager. He says this is the last week of operation at the plant. Ten people are winterizing the plant this week.

Another Busy Season at the Torngat Mountains Base Camp (September 15, 2011): It was another busy season at the Torngat Mountains base camp this summer. Wayne Broomfield is the camp’s Manager. He says operations at the base camp wrapped-up at the end of August. There were close to 300 visitors to the site throughout the summer. They included tourists, researchers, film crews, students and Inuit elders.

Free Airfare Offered to North Coast Youth for Trapline Marathon (September 15, 2011): Organizers of the annual Trapline Marathon are offering five youth from the north coast of Labrador the chance to travel to Happy Valley-Goose Bay and participate for free. Heather Angnatok is the Youth Administrator for the Division of Youth, Elders and Recreation. She says organizers of the marathon have partnered with Air Labrador to offer five youth from the coast free airfare to Happy Valley-Goose Bay in order to participate in the event.

Uranium Moratorium Review Process Begins (Posted on September 15, 2011): The Nunatsiavut Assembly voted to pass a resolution to review the legislation that imposed a moratorium on the working, production, mining and development of uranium on Labrador Inuit Lands. Glen Sheppard is the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. He says the nine members voted in favour of the motion and seven members voted against it. Sheppard says a special committee of the Nunatsiavut Assembly was formed and will begin a public consultation process within the next couple of weeks.

Actual Loss of Funds by the NG During 2008 Stock Market Crash Presented (September 15, 2011): The stock market crash in 2008/09 affected investors across the globe. The Nunatsiavut Government was no exception. The Nunatsiavut Government’s stock value was decreased by around $20 million when the stock markets crashed. The actual loss stands at around $3 million.

Keith Russell On Leave Without Pay During Provincial Election Campaign (September 15, 2011): The Nunatsiavut Government Fall 2011 Sitting took place in Hopedale on Tuesday. One Assembly Member absent from the table was Upper Lake Melville Ordinary Member, Keith Russell. The ULM Representative is currently taking leave without pay as he campaigns for a spot in the provincial House of Assembly.

Nunavik MP expected to say no to NDP leadership bid (September 16, 2011): Roméo Saganash will reveal plans today in Val d'Or The race for leadership of the New Democratic Party is officially on. And, according to the L’Actualite magazine website on Thursday, high-profile former Cree leader Roméo Saganash — now the NDP MP for Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou — was also backing him. Saganash is expected to confirm the report Sept. 16 in a speech to the chamber of commerce in Val d’Or.

Climate Change

New Atlas Recognizes World's Newest Island - Direct Result of Climate Change (September 15, 2011): Uunartoq Qeqertaq is the world's newest island: translated from Inuit as "Warming Island," it was attached to a Greenland peninsula as recently as 2002. But Arctic ice began melting with increasing speed, and Uunartoq Qeqertaq was discovered as its own island in 2005. Scientists say the island exists directly because of climate change—and it is now officially included in the latest edition of the Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World.

Queen’s University Researchers to Study Arctic Sustainability (September 15, 2011): Three Queen’s researchers are to play an integral role in a leading-edge $4-million Arctic research project, Arctic Development and Adaptation to Permafrost in Transition (ADAPT). Their research helps generate sustainable development and adaptation strategies for the North. “This is a very exciting and important announcement,” says Scott Lamoureux (pictured), a professor in the Department of Geography who specializes in climate variability and the effect on landscapes. “The funding provided for the ADAPT Project is the first of its kind and is the only funding that will be awarded in a very competitive process.”

Arctic ice hits second-lowest level, US scientists say (September 16, 2011): Sea ice cover in the Arctic in 2011 has passed its annual minimum, reaching the second-lowest level since satellite records began, US scientists say. The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) says the minimum, reached on 9 September, was 4.33 million sq km. That value is 36% lower than the average minimum for 1979-2000.

Earth is losing Arctic sea ice: consequences could be global (September 15, 2011): Satellites began measuring the Arctic Ocean's sea ice in 1979. The all-time lowest quantity of ice was recorded in 2007 and the second lowest was recorded this year on September 9. Data is gathered from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder sensor of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F17 satellite.

Shrinking ice forces thousands of walruses ashore in Alaska (September 15, 2011): The polar bear may be the sympathetic poster child to illustrate the effects of vanishing Arctic sea ice, but the plight of the Pacific walrus is similar and nothing illustrates that better than a video being shared by the U.S. Geological Survey's Alaska Science Center. It reveals an astonishing 20,000 walruses massed together on the northwest coast of Alaska, at a time when they ought to be far offshore and using ice platforms to rest upon between foraging missions in the Chukchi Sea.

Other

Bethel's Frozen Whitefish to release full-length rock album next year (September 15, 2011): How about some Yup'ik language rock? Maybe you missed the fledging Bethel-based band Frozen Whitefish at the state fair -- and on Discovery's "Flying Wild Alaska. There's still time to catch up on the group's MySpace and Facebook pages before their full-length album hits next year.

Cull 70,000 Gulf seals, fisheries group says (September 15, 2011): Cod recovery hindered by seals, fisheries council suggests A fishing industry council is recommending that up to 70,000 grey seals should be killed to test the hypothesis that the mammals are preventing the recovery of cod stocks in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The recommendation is part of a Fisheries Resource Conservation Council report released Thursday.

Leaders urge better recognition of cultures (september 15, 2011): Cathy Towtongie and Josh Littlelight live hundreds of kilometres away from New Zealand but their first trip to Aotearoa this week has presented similarities between their First Nations and Maori cultures. "Where I come from, our people kiss with our noses and we say yes by raising our eyebrows, we say no by squinting our eyes and noses," Mrs Towtongie said.

US takes diplomatic action against Icelandic whaling (September 15, 2011): US President Barack Obama has announced diplomatic measures to be taken by the United States against Iceland in condemnation of its whaling activities. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) welcomed the move and urged the US and other governments to maintain their strong stance against Icelandic whaling. As the end of the country’s whaling season approaches, no endangered Fin whales have been killed this year following earlier US diplomatic moves on the issue.

Denmark moves left on Sept. 15 (September 16, 2011): Greenland elects two young women to Denmark's parliament Danish opposition leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt scored a historic victory Thursday at the helm of a left-leaning bloc and was set to take over as the country’s first female premier. With 99 per cent of the votes tallied, the left-leaning opposition bloc was on 89 seats compared with the government’s 86. The result ended the center-right government’s 10 years in office.