Best New Artist
Carsen Gray says she felt honoured and grateful to be named Best New Artist at this year’s Indigenous Music Awards on May 19.
Gray, who returned home to Skidegate this winter, was also nominated for Best Pop Album and Best Radio Single for her first full-length record, Carsen Gray. Sharing the awards stage in Winnipeg was Gray’s partner, Joey Stylez, who picked up Best Rap/Hip Hop Album for Grey Magic.
Islanders can catch Carsen Gray in Tlell this August at the Edge of the World Music Festival, as well as fellow IMA winner DJ Shub, whose PowWowStep won Best Instrumental Album.
Breast cancer checks
Women can book a breast screening at several on-island locations from June 14 to 21.
The BC Cancer Agency’s mobile mammography coach will offer screenings outside the Skidegate Health Centre on June 14, and outside the Haida Gwaii Hospital/Ngaaysdll Naay in Queen Charlotte on June 15 and 16.
Next, the mobile mammography coach will stop at the Northern Haida Gwaii Hospital from June 17 to 20, at the Haida Health Centre in Old Massett on June 21, and in Port Clements on June 21. The mammography coach visits Sandspit every second year.
To book an appointment, call the BC Cancer Agency at 1-800-663-9203.
Silent set
With Edge of the Knife now filming at the Yan village site, cast and crew are asking boaters to stay clear to reduce background noise.
The Haida language film will be shooting at Yan until June 30. For updates, visiting the Edge of the Knife Movie page on Facebook.
Tow Hill Hall?
After holding choir practice at Masset Airport and theatre events in the woods, Tow Hill residents are looking at building a community hall.
The Tow Hill Community Association says a community hall would mean less driving into town and restore a focal point to Tow Hill following the closure of the Trout House.
The proposed site for the hall is next to the former restaurant.
In a letter that received support from the North Coast Regional District, board member Etchi Zaleski said the association is applying for a B.C. Rural Dividend grant to cover the cost of a feasibility study. Final construction might take five years.
Besides providing a better space for dance, yoga, and music rehearsals than people’s sheds and living rooms, Zaleski said the hall could provide a venue for the Haida Gwaii Higher Education Society’s new Reconciliation Studies program, as well a satellite gallery for the Haida Gwaii Museum, and a performing space for the Haida Gwaii Arts Council.
Crab fisher to pay $15,000
A commercial fisher who caught Dungeness crab in a closed area near Masset in 2015 will pay a $15,000 penalty.
Van Tan Le was convicted in April for fishing for shellfish when the commercial fishery was closed. The Prince Rupert man caught the crab over four days between June 21 and 30 in 2015.
Along with a $1,000 fine, Le will pay a $14,000 penalty that will fund the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat on Haida Gwaii.
