Stuart Walter, Author at My True North Now https://www.mytruenorthnow.com/author/stuart/ Sat, 18 Jun 2016 23:43:19 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 Yellowknife RCMP issue warning for suspicious door-knocker https://www.mytruenorthnow.com/13454/news/yellowknife-news/yellowknife-rcmp-issue-warning-for-suspicious-door-knocker/ Wed, 08 Jun 2016 18:55:39 +0000 http://www.myyellowknifenow.com/?p=13454 Over the past few weeks, Yellowknife RCMP have received reports of a suspicious male knocking on doors in the NWT capital. Police say when the door is answered, the male says he’s […]

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Yellowknife Cub Scouts bring fur to Alberta Cubaree https://www.mytruenorthnow.com/13401/news/yellowknife-news/yellowknife-cub-scouts-bring-fur-to-alberta-cubaree/ Mon, 06 Jun 2016 22:10:35 +0000 http://www.myyellowknifenow.com/?p=13401

Yellowknife Cub Scouts were in Alberta May 28th and 29th for the Alberta Cubaree, a mini jamboree with over 300 youth in attendance.

woggle making

The YK Cub Scouts brought along some world-famous genuine Mackenzie Valley fur to share with their fellow cub scouts.

The territorial government's Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) provided the scouts with two seal skin pelts.

They were used by the cub scouts in attendance to create 300 seal-skin "woggles" - items used to hold the scout's neckerchiefs on.

The Yellowknife Scouts Facebook page said the woggle-making station was one of the most popular at the event.

The GNWT says fur is an important part of the territory's heritage and that it's important to share our history with southern neighbours.

Cub Scouts are an age group of scouts for young people aged eight to ten.

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Madeline Lake fire ‘under control’ outside Yellowknife https://www.mytruenorthnow.com/13164/news/yellowknife-news/madeline-lake-fire-under-control-outside-yellowknife/ Thu, 19 May 2016 18:34:36 +0000 http://www.myyellowknifenow.com/?p=13164

The territorial government's Department of Environment and Natural Resources has declared the fire near Madeline Lake under control. 

Read: Madeline Lake fire reaches eight hectares, being held by crews 

The fire, which reached eight hectares in size, was first reported on May 14 roughly 25 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife off the Ingraham Trail.

As of Wednesday afternoon, fire crews were still in the area involved in mop-up operations. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

While there are no active wildfires in the territory, the fire danger is currently medium to low across the NWT with the exception of Fort Providence where the danger is high.

For the latest wildfire information in the territory, head to the NWT Fire website or Facebook page.

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Yellowknifer drafted by WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders https://www.mytruenorthnow.com/13001/sports/yellowknifer-drafted-by-whls-prince-albert-raiders/ Fri, 13 May 2016 21:54:57 +0000 http://www.myyellowknifenow.com/?p=13001

A Yellowknife hockey player's dream of playing in the National Hockey League has suddenly become more attainable.  

Connor Fleming, 15, was selected in the 10th round of the Western Hockey League's (WHL) 2016 Bantam Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders with the 211th overall pick.

Growing up playing competitive hockey in Yellowknife wasn't always easy for Fleming. He says travel was often an issue given the territory's remoteness.

"Each year it seems we travel further and further and it costs more," he said. "You want the best competition (you can get) so you have to travel further as you get older."

[caption id="attachment_13002" align="alignnone" width="750"]Photo courtesy of Yvonne Fleming Photo courtesy of Yvonne Fleming[/caption]

Fleming says one advantage of playing in the NWT was being able to represent the territory at the 2016 Arctic Winter Games.

He told 100.1 The Moose that representing the territory was a big honour for him and that he wanted to make everyone proud of him back home.

In the end, his team did just that - capturing a silver medal.

Read: AWG 2016: Team NWT wins women's hockey gold in Iqaluit

[caption id="attachment_13003" align="alignnone" width="741"]Photo courtesy of Yvonne Fleming Photo courtesy of Yvonne Fleming[/caption]

Curt Brownlee, a scout with the Raiders, said he noticed Fleming "right away" at a mid-season tournament in British Columbia.

He said that Fleming's skating made him stand apart.

Raiders director of player personnel - Ron Gunville - said that Brownlee had "fallen in love" with Fleming's compete and effort level. That was enough for the team to take a chance on him.

While Fleming was drafted by the Raiders and will be attending the team's rookie camp in August, he won't be playing for them come September.

Under Canadian Hockey League rules, players must be at least 16 years of age before they can have a regular spot in the lineup.

15-year-olds cannot have a permanent role in the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League (OHL) or Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) unless they are granted exceptional player status, which has only ever been granted to five players.

None of the five players granted exceptional player status played in the WHL, due to the fact that the Western Hockey League drafts differently than the OHL and QMJHL.

In both Ontario and Quebec, 16-year-olds are drafted by the teams and can immediately make the jump to the league once drafted. In the west, players are drafted at 15 and have a development year.

Even though he was taken in the 10th round, there's no reason for Flemming (or anyone else taken that late) to be worried about not being "good enough" to make it to the NHL.

There are countless examples of players being selected late in their Major Junior draft that have not only gone on to play in the NHL, but have enjoyed successful careers as well.

Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals was taken in the ninth round by Saskatoon in 2004, Tyler Johnson of the Tampa Bay Lightning was selected in the 11th round by Spokane in 2005 and Connor's favourite player - Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens - was picked in the ninth round by Vancouver in 2007.

Fleming recently tried out for the Cariboo Cougars major midget team in Prince George, BC. He was offered a roster spot for next season.

The Cougars will be the host of the 2017 Telus Cup, the Hockey Canada national midget championship.

When asked about the possibility of Connor moving away from home at the age of 15, his mother Yvonne said she's very proud, but scared at the same time.

"Connor's worked really hard in pursuing his hockey," she said. "He shows a lot of commitment and a lot of pride from being from the NWT.

"As a parent no one wants to see their kid leave home especially at the age of 15, but Connor's been presented with the opportunity of a lifetime and one that I'm sure a lot of kids would like to have.

"I guess for me I'm very happy about the opportunity Connor has in front of him but at the same time very humble.

"There's a lot of coaches that have helped Connor and a lot of people here and without those people in your corner ... there's a long road ahead and we have those people to help."

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Annual YWCA toiletry drive kicks off in Yellowknife https://www.mytruenorthnow.com/12944/news/yellowknife-news/annual-ywca-toiletry-drive-kicks-off-in-yellowknife/ Thu, 05 May 2016 22:59:10 +0000 http://www.myyellowknifenow.com/?p=12944 Lynn's Place

The YWCA in Yellowknife has kicked off it's Diana's Closet toiletry drive.

The name comes from the Roman goddess, Diana, who looked after women.

The annual event, which runs until the end of May, will benefit the families who stay at YWCA family violence shelters and transitional housing apartments across the territory.

The organization is asking for community support by donating new toiletries.

The items most needed are:

  • Soap
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Baby products (diapers, diaper cream, powder)
  • Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss
  • Lotion
  • Combs/brushes
  • Pads and tampons
  • Men's razors and shaving cream
  • Deodrant

These items can be dropped off at Sutherland's Drugs, Weaver & Devore or the YWCA administration building.

Alayna Ward, the director of community relations for the YWCA in Yellowknife, says the drive is essential and something the YWCA depends on every year.

She added that it's a simple gesture, but means so much for people to be able to feel good about themselves as they try to get back on their feet.

[caption id="attachment_12945" align="alignnone" width="919"]Banner from therYWCA Yellowknife Facebook Page Banner from the YWCA Yellowknife Facebook Page[/caption]

 

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Child struck by vehicle at Yellowknife intersection https://www.mytruenorthnow.com/12911/news/yellowknife-news/child-struck-by-vehicle-at-yellowknife-intersection/ Tue, 03 May 2016 23:23:22 +0000 http://www.myyellowknifenow.com/?p=12911

A child was sent to Stanton Territorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle at a Yellowknife intersection Tuesday afternoon.

The incident happened shortly before 4:00pm at the intersection of Range Lake Road and Finlayson Drive.

No further details will be released at this time as police continue to investigate.

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The Stanley Cup and NHL alumni visit Yellowknife https://www.mytruenorthnow.com/12862/news/yellowknife-news/the-stanley-cup-and-nhl-alumni-visit-yellowknife/ Mon, 02 May 2016 21:15:04 +0000 http://www.myyellowknifenow.com/?p=12862

The Northern Tour of Legends wrapped up this past Saturday in Yellowknife.

The tour, a combined effort between Project North, Scotiabank, First Air, Canadian Tire and the National Hockey League, started on April 28th in Kugluktuk, Nunavut and made stops in five other remote northern communities before wrapping up in Yellowknife at the Legislative Assembly.

Read: Stanley Cup to make stop in Yellowknife

The Stanley Cup, along with Lanny McDonald, Mark Napier and representatives from all of the partners, traveled over 5,000 kilometers over the three-day tour and delivered 50 bags of new hockey equipment to Kugluktuk and Igloolik.

[caption id="attachment_12864" align="alignnone" width="960"]Phil Pritchard, the keeper of the Cup, brings the Stanley Cup out at the stop in Cambridge Bay. Photo courtesty of Project North Facebook group Phil Pritchard, the keeper of the Cup, brings the Stanley Cup out at the stop in Cambridge Bay. Photo courtesty of Project North Facebook group.[/caption]

The final event of the tour took place in Yellowknife on Saturday evening. Hundreds of people turned out to get their picture taken with the Cup, as well as to meet and get autographs from McDonald and Napier.

The line waiting for a chance to take a picture with the Cup

Both McDonald and Napier were more than generous with their time, staying at the legislature until every fan had gotten an autograph and picture.

[caption id="attachment_12868" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Lanny McDonald signing a young fans' Oilers sweater Lanny McDonald signing a young fans' Oilers sweater.[/caption]

Diana Hart, a spokesperson with Scotiabank, said that the timing for the Yellowknife event wasn't the greatest but it was something that couldn't be avoided. The tour arrived in Yellowknife a short time before the event began at 8:30pm and they were on a flight back south early the next morning.

[caption id="attachment_12869" align="alignnone" width="1024"]McDonald and Napier talking with fans McDonald and Napier talking with fans.[/caption]

Though it wasn't the first time for most of them in the North, they all said this was the most memorable trip and they would all come back in a heartbeat.

[caption id="attachment_12870" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Napier talking with fans Napier talking with fans.[/caption]

This was the second time in the span of seven days that NHL alumni had been in Yellowknife.

Read: 'Time to give back': Flames alumni to attend Memorial Challenge

[caption id="attachment_12871" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Lanny signing autographs McDonald signing autographs.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_12872" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Napier signing autographs while Lanny speaks Napier signing autographs during the presentations.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_12873" align="alignnone" width="1024"]McDonald and Napier signing autographs McDonald and Napier signing autographs.[/caption]

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Stanley Cup to make stop in Yellowknife https://www.mytruenorthnow.com/12809/news/yellowknife-news/stanley-cup-to-make-stop-in-yellowknife/ Thu, 28 Apr 2016 21:31:14 +0000 http://www.myyellowknifenow.com/?p=12809

The Stanley Cup will be making a stop in Yellowknife on April 30th.

The Cup is currently on a tour of several Nunavut communities as a part of  the Northern Tour of Legends.

The tour is a combined effort between Project North, Scotiabank, Canadian Tire, First Air and the NHL to bring the Cup, NHL alumni and hockey equipment to remote northern communities.

[caption id="attachment_12810" align="alignnone" width="880"]Route the Cup will take in the North Photo courtesy of the Project North Facebook group[/caption]

The Stanley Cup is accompanied by NHL alumni Lanny McDonald and Mark Napier.

A brief stop was made here in Yellowknife today en route to Kugluktuk.

[caption id="attachment_12811" align="alignnone" width="960"]The Cup makes a stop in Yellowknife Photo courtesy of the Project North Facebook group[/caption]

Yellowknife is the only stop in the NWT. This will mark the second time in a week that NHL alumni will be in the capital.

Read: 'Time to give back': Flames Alumni to Attend Memorial Challenge

 

The Cup, as well as Lanny and Mark Napier, will be on display at the Legislative Assembly on Saturday April 30th from 8:30pm until 10:00pm.

Project North is an Ottawa based not-for-profit organization whose main goal is to improve the lives of Children in the north.

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RCMP come out on top at 10th Memorial Hockey Challenge https://www.mytruenorthnow.com/12696/sports/rcmp-come-out-on-top-at-10th-memorial-hockey-challenge/ Mon, 25 Apr 2016 21:13:05 +0000 http://www.myyellowknifenow.com/?p=12696

After the exciting 5-4 overtime win last year for the Yellowknife firefighters, fans were expecting another close game.

However, this year's event was anything but a nail-biter.

The RCMP jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to two goals from Andrew Tucker. The Mounties' lead grew to as big as 4-1, but the firefighters came back and the first period ended with a score of 4-3.

The second period was a back and forth affair, resulting in a score of 8-6 after two.

Coming into the third period, everyone expected the game to remain tight, as it was last year, and had been for 40 minutes. They couldn't have been more wrong.

G Division came out strong and scored four unanswered goals to claim this year's Memorial Hockey Challenge. The final score was 12-6.

All proceeds from this year's event went towards the family of Deagan Clavette, a young Hay River boy battling a rare form of mast cell disease, and YK Cares.

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Shred Kelly headlines Spring Thaw https://www.mytruenorthnow.com/12669/news/yellowknife-news/shred-kelly-headlines-spring-thaw/ Sun, 24 Apr 2016 00:43:55 +0000 http://www.myyellowknifenow.com/?p=12669

Saturday night is the annual Folk on the Rocks Spring Thaw.

The event will be headlined by Shred Kelly, who performed at the summer festival last summer.

Shred Kelly is a folk band from Fernie, BC. Since the start of 2016, the band has had tours in both Germany and the United States. They currently have three albums out; "Goodbye July" which came out in 2010, "In The Hills" which was released in 2012 and "Sing To The Night" which came out January 2015.

Read: Yellowknife's Folk on the Rocks facing legal action

Sometime during the course of the night, the preliminary line up for this years Folk on the Rocks will be revealed.

The show is scheduled to start at 8pm at the Explorer Hotel.

Tickets are $50 and available at Erasmus Apparel.

Read: 'Conservative budget' in place for 2016 FOTR after year of loss

[caption id="attachment_12670" align="alignleft" width="812"]Poster from the Folk on the Rocks website Poster from the Folk on the Rocks website[/caption]

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