Current ads
Jobs
Tenders
Notices
General

Click below

Letters to the Editor

April 25, 2003
April 18, 2003
April 11, 2003
April 4, 2003

April 25, 2003

Iqaluit sewage fiasco could have been avoided

Iqaluit's sewage treatment plant is a facility that should never have been built.

Long before the plant was constructed, the Town of Iqaluit was informed by letter on Aug. 25, 1999, that the system proposed by Hill Murray was not suitable for this type of application.

Several other warnings had been issued from knowledgeable sources in British Columbia who had experience with that treatment method in Powell River, B.C.

The letter was sent to Mathew Spence, then the chairman of the planning committee, warning him of the inherent problems with the Hill Murray system and offering to provide a simple, alternative system for less than half the estimated cost of the proposed one.

Furthermore, the letter went on to offer a trial run to prove its practicality before the town would have to make a commitment.

The correspondence was ignored. The town continued to negotiate with Hill Murray.
I became concerned about the project when I was sent newspaper articles from Powell River about their plant. Having served the community as mayor, I still get information through a network of old associates all over Canada.

After I read this material, I tried to persuade the deputy minister, Mike Ferris, and the town engineer, Mathew Hough, that they should do more homework and talk to the people in Powell River.

The system there was not working, the effluent was not meeting the required specifications of the government, and community complained about the terrible odours.

These problems were not secret. They had been published in the press. They reported frequently on the failure of the plant to meet health standards, and on the fact that the effluent being dumped into the ocean was virtually untreated.

The result of the controversy was that the council and mayor of Powell River lost their jobs.

The big surprise was the operating costs of the Iqaluit plant. They were way over budget and the operation was such that it required very skilled personnel to operate.

Costs being what they are in the North, this would have been astronomical. The system requires 24-hour-a-day skilled care.

All of this was passed on to the town and to the GNWT. I suggested to both principals that a visit to Powell River would cost a few thousand dollars and might save millions in the end.

During my final discussion with Mathew Hough, he told me that they were already committed, and at that very moment he was in the process of signing a cheque for $3 million as a down payment for the plant.

Not long after that call, the news was that Hill Murray was bankrupt and was selling out to another firm. I passed this information on to the local people, but by then it was too late to stop the process. The material was on the ship and the plant was built.

During the testing of the plant, the huge concrete tanks that were to hold the sewage were found to be leaking. This problem was due to poor workmanship and quality control. The tanks had to undergo expensive and costly repairs.

Heated storage for the huge quantities of supplies and equipment needed to run the plant have cost the municipality a lot of money. The basic cost of the present plan was about $7 million. Add to that the bill for repairs to the tanks, then the cost of storage for the special plastic membranes, which by now have deteriorated and would be unusable anyway.

Include the maintenance costs, the heating of the building, and not a single turd has been processed.

It probably makes more sense now to abandon the present plant and build a new facility. The location of the present building is not ideal, due to the massive accumulation of snow at the end of the runway. This does prevent people from getting to work during inclement weather, and could prove to be a major impediment with such a crucial operation.

There is a Scandinavian process for sewage treatment that could be employed and adapted to the present plant. This suggestion was made to the municipality two years ago, and so far, no response.

The cost of conversion would be in the region of $3 million. It is a safe and effective process that does work in Arctic conditions. It works well in Arctic Scandinavia, and could be adapted to the present plant.

Whatever happens now, it will cost more than $12 million to resolve this problem.

Bryan Pearson
Iqaluit

April 25, 2003

Nunavut should accept same-sex couples

For the first time, I felt excited about participating in an upcoming federal consultation on marriage and same-sex couples to be held in Iqaluit on April 30.

I have been reading Egale, Halpern and Hendricks – cases about same-sex couples applying for marriage licenses or who already were married in a "traditional" wedding, but who were either denied their application or not recognized as legally wed.

The Supreme Court levels of the jurisdictions in the provinces involved gave the federal government two years to consult on this issue and try to come up with solutions on same-sex marriage.

The cases were before the courts because the applicants, or the various intervenors, challenged the idea that the law denied them equality rights under the Charter. In the newer two cases, the courts did find that their equality rights were infringed.

But in the end, it did not provide the remedy the claimants sought: legal recognition of a same-sex marriage. The courts thought it was better for the federal government to consult ultimately with the people of Canada.

The federal government has power over the capacity of marriage and defines who can marry; the provinces have the power of solemnization and how the marriage may be carried out. I thought to myself - boy, do same-sex couples face a double whammy – they have to try to convince two governments that they deserve recognition.

I was excited because for once, I felt I had enough knowledge to participate in such a federal consultation.

In the Egale case, which was heard in 2000, the judge in British Columbia found there was no denial of equality rights. He accepted the government's leading argument that marriage is mainly about procreation – a fancy word for making babies – and that same-sex couples cannot biologically produce children and therefore a denial of an equality right does not exist.

In Halpern, in 2002, the three judges in this Ontario case did find there was a violation of an equality right. One suggested legalizing the marriage on the spot; the other suggested an alternative; the third did not really comment. The alternatives that the second judge suggested were a registered domestic partnership regime or a civil union regime.

Because they could not all agree on the remedy, they decided it best that the government provide the remedy – and consult with the people of Canada.

I found it amazing that in the span of two years, the courts could change their views on any given issue and that, with time, people could become more accepting.

I particularly liked the newer cases because they were so starkly different from the first one. The main judge said that to deny marriage was to deny dignity to same-sex couples.

Procreation, he found, is an argument that is really discrimination in disguise. Same-sex couples adopt, have children from previous opposite-sex marriages and so on. The judge also said that to be offered a registered domestic partnership or civil union regime would be to provide a second-rate alternative – a piecemeal.

I think those alternatives provide some recognition. But they do not provide the full sense of belonging.

I thought of coming to the consultation to say that we should provide legal recognition of marriage. Marriage is a longstanding and deeply embedded tradition, in both the Inuit and Qallunaat cultures. It is not going anywhere soon.

We in Canada are not familiar with the domestic partnership regime (although Nova Scotia has adopted it). It is widely used in Europe. Civil unions are more accepted within our multicultural, modern society. But if that were the only option available, it just wouldn't feel right, because it would segregate a group of persons from another group of persons.

I should know – I'm a humanist (atheist) who got married in an Anglican church. I opted for this because I wanted to marry with the presence of my predominantly religious family and friends who I yearned to celebrate with.

My marriage is quite legal, yet I did not hold a belief in the religion it was performed in. It is also quite real. I feel no different than any other married person. To deny such an option to same-sex couples would be to deny such a sense of belonging within family, friends and the community as a whole.

I doubt there will be any same-sex weddings in Nunavut any time soon. The judgment from society would be too harsh at this early time. But the government should take a stand and provide recognition of marriages all the same. It would be a message that it's OK.

At least same-sex couples would know that they could be legally accepted and that society should follow suit. Same-sex couples are not aliens. They are our family, they are our friends, they are our community members.

Piqannirtavut. Inuuqatigiittiaqtavut. We eat with them, we smile with them, we have already accepted them as being people no different than us – we don't even think of their orientation when we socialize with them.

Sexual orientation is not about technical biology or procreation. It is also a bit hard to believe that Inuit culture did not and will not accept same-sex orientation, because, as they say, it was historically not accepted. Inuit culture adapts, more surprisingly than anyone thinks.

The least accepting of same-sex orientation, the politicians and the media say, are the elders. But some of them have already accepted, more easily than us young folk.

These elders possess a larger underlying understanding than technical biology and historical blockage. They understand self-worth, acceptance, that each and every one of us has a place in this world, they understand practicality, need and interdependence (not what is different) and, more than any of us younger folk, they are more willing to admit same-sex Inuit belong with us.

That is what I'd like to say at the consultation, but I'm not as articulate with the spoken word than I am on paper.

Inuk woman
Iqaluit

April 25, 2003

Guy wire should have been marked

I would like to inform you that the guy wire you refer to as near a "utility pole" (April 18) stretches approximately 100 feet away from the pole sloping into a hill at an angle of 30 degrees. Kenneth hit this wire about 90 feet away from the pole.

There was no marker or protective cover warning snowmobilers of this guy wire and many people in this town have hit this wire.

They were lucky. Kenneth was not.

This trail is the main trail for the north side of the town for travel from Arctic College (North 40) to Apex, and this guy wire should have been better marked.

Al Rigby (Father of Kenneth)
Iqaluit

April 25, 2003

Tragedies caused by human error

This month we have again experienced senseless tragedy in Iqaluit caused by human error. Two children are dead because we as adults did not do our job.

When will we learn to mark the guy wires for utility poles (force the power corporation to recognize its responsibility), and as drivers, drive slower with the reality that kids will run out in front of us?

Although it is too late for these kids, we have to ensure that these types of accidents do not happen again.

NPC: Mark your guy wires. Drivers: Drive slowly.

Steve Birrell
Iqaluit

April 18, 2003

KSB flyer intended to inform parents

Concerning the letter from K. Annanack published on March 28: I regret that you find it unacceptable for us to send information to parents through the children. The purpose of the flyer was to inform, not to play politics. As parents, you have every right to know what your commissioners are doing and why, especially in the context of such an important court case.

We have used the FM radio, news releases, meetings with school administrators and the education council to inform the population about our actions. We distributed the flyer to help to clarify the reasons why the school board is going to court, because we heard that people were still confused about the issues.

As to your suggestion that parents were not consulted, I would like to say that the decision to go to court was made by your elected representatives as a result of Makivik not respecting the terms of the political accord they signed. The education council, comprised of representatives of local education committees, was also consulted fully on these issues.

You say that the money spent on the court case would be better spent on education resources. If we did not spend money on the court case now, in future years, millions of dollars earmarked for education could very well be spent on non-education projects, if the "Let Us Share" report recommendations are implemented as is. Our job as commissioners is to protect education.

You say that you have heard that there are no proper Inuttitut and cultural teaching materials. If you have not already done so, may I suggest that you visit your local school and ask to see the social studies program and the materials developed for it, as well as the Inuttitut materials used in Kindergarten and in Grades 1 and 2. We do not claim to be perfect, but Inuit education is improving all the time. Our focus on moving the court case forward has not affected pedagogical development in any way.

Please carefully read the flyer sent to your home, and you will soon find out that our goal is simple: to protect education now, and for the future.

I have a lot more to say, but hopefully this brief letter will clarify some of your most important concerns. Please feel free to contact me personally if you wish to discuss the matter further.

Sarah Aloupa
President
Kativik School Board

April 18, 2003

All GN departments are important

I hope your comment "by demoting Peter Kilabuk to the community government and CLEY portfolios" (April 11) was a mistake.

There are 28,000 Nunavummiut living in 25 Nunavut communities who are directly affected by the success or failure of community government and transportation to support municipal governments.

The leadership provided by the minister of CGT will be critical to the future of Nunavut communities. Your choice of words implies that some GN departments are less important than others to Nunavut. We weren't sure either what your reference to "strengthening the premier's dominance of the civil service" was all about unless it was in reference to the ADM and DM levels. We thought the civil service worked for Nunavummiut.

There are many GN employees who still believe in the notion that a career in the public service is a worthy ideal. In Kitikmeot, I was honoured to be invited to the GN Long-term Service Awards in Cambridge Bay on March 21. There are many GN employees who are making a positive difference in our daily lives in Kitikmeot communities.

It is a tribute to the GN that they have so many employees across Nunavut who have worked five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and more years for Nunavummiut.

Keith Peterson
Mayor of Cambridge Bay
President
Nunavut Association of Municipalities

April 18, 2003

Smoking should be banned at Kuujjuaq school

Smoking should be banned in school yards and around public buildings.

Teachers are role models for children and should set an example by not smoking in school yards.

Here in Kuujjuaq, it is common to see teachers smoking in porch areas and around the school.

Smoking sections should also be established at a distance from public buildings. When entering to go to your work, it is terrible to have to breathe the smoke as you enter the building.

There is a lot of talk about non-smoking restaurants and bars. Why not start by reaching the younger generations?

(Name withheld by request)
Kuujjuaq

April 18, 2003

Police don't help with obnoxious drunks

This is in response to the "Peeping Tom" letter I read in the April 4 issue.

I had called the RCMP to complain about drunks coming at all hours of the night to use our phone. I called in December during the Christmas holidays. We had just moved to Iqaluit in August and to our unit in October.

I was playing a board game with my children. The family evening was interrupted by a loud knock and many doorbell rings. I quickly shut off the lights told my kids to go upstairs, I put away the game. I proceeded upstairs to open the window to yell out at the drunk person.

We had asked them before not to come over when they are drunk. I opened one of the bedroom windows and I yelled "Quit coming here when you're #$@%$# drunk to use the phone, or I'm going to call the cops!"

Well, I was angry enough to call the cops. The guy who answered the phone said "Mary!"

In a stern voice I answered, "I'm not Mary, I'm calling to complain about drunks coming to my house to use the phone at all hours of the night. I have four kids!"

He replied, "Well, do you know the people?"

I replied, "No, but my husband does."

He then said, "If you know the people, we can't do anything about it."

I asked "What about disturbing the peace? Isn't that breaking the law?"

The guy who answered my call was not in the least bit interested in coming over to deal with "disturbing the peace."

The drunk people have quit coming since then, but it would have been appreciated if the RCMP did deal with it, but I had to deal with it myself.

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

April 18, 2003

Are wildlife diseases being covered up?

My son-in-law arrived back from hunting at 8 p.m.

A few hours south from Kuujjuaraapik, near Long Island, the three hunters noticed a few seals lying quietly along an ice bank and they decided to approach.

Unfortunately, they didn't have to kill them and bring the prizes home to feed some members of the community. These five seals were already dead! Some were half-eaten by foxes.

They didn't want to take the risk of touching the carcasses, due to possible diseases. They turned around and asked themselves what may have happened.

The long open slit in the ice which is there every year, could it be possible that these dead seals had been trapped while out of the water and the high tide closed the only way in too soon?

None of the hunters had to deal with such a situation in the past and above all, none of them heard about a similar collective death.

On their way back, they find caribou tracks. As they reached for the three caribou and as they approached them, they all knew that they could get one each and that it may be their last chance for now.

Feeling somewhat sad and worried about the rest of the herd, which don't happen to roam around, they realize that they will soon be dealing with the fact of having to skin three skeletons, as there is hardly any fat covering these survivors.

Yes, my son-in-law, one of the best hunters of Kuujjuaraapik, and his two friends are not very happy about what they've seen.

He still wonders what is happening to the ways he was raised and to the future of hunting and eating his traditional food. He seems sad when we discuss about all sorts of possibilities. Could it be that some facts about diseases such as SARS and bacteriological bombs which could affect our wildlife, are being hidden from us?

Is there anyone really hiding something from the real natives of this continent?

As far as I am concerned and the way that I have personally observed the cover up of lies and deceit from the rich strangers who just think about money and scrutinizing our natural resources for more and more cash.

I feel that the time has come when the Inuit leaders should quit accepting anything that's being presented to them in different forms.

Sad weekend at hunting and sadder life coming ahead due to lack of leadership. Think about the very basic things in life and the most important - the people and the culture.

Danielle Siouiu
Kuujjuaraapik

April 18, 2003

Nunavut hockey players fan favourites

This past weekend we had a chance to observe some of your younger generation participate in a hockey tournament in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

The Nunavut team, by far, was the fan favourite. These fine young gentleman were well-behaved and very mannerly.

I had the opportunity to chat with some of these players, as well as their coaches. There were teams from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and the hosting team from Yarmouth.

These kids from Nunavut will be talked about for weeks to come, about their style of hockey and the good upbringing that they have.

It was a pleasure to have them here and I hope to see them or some others again in the future.

Pam d'Entremont
Yarmouth, N.S.

April 18, 2003

Congratulations to Pita Aatami

I would just like to congratulate Pita Aatami for being elected as president of Makivik Corporation.

I wanted to do this, although he represents a different land claim organization. All Inuit in the circumpolar region must give support to each other. Again, Pita, congratulations!

Joanasie Akumalik
Arctic Bay

April 18, 2003

CGT portfolio not a demotion

The article by Patricia D'Souza (April 11) is somewhat misleading. I refer specifically to where she writes that the premier demoted Peter Kilabuk by moving him from the government's largest department to its smallest. She states he also has responsibility for the department of community government and transportation.

Ninety-nine per cent of Nunavut's population lives in the City of Iqaluit or in one of the 25 hamlets that exist through territorial legislation. The department of community government and transportation has direct responsibility for water and sewage, fire protection services, emergency preparedness, search and rescue, recreation, airports, roads, garbage collection and disposal, community development and municipal buildings.

The CGT department allocates tens of millions of dollars every year for the operation and maintenance of municipal systems. It also allocates tens of millions annually for municipal and transportation capital projects. Add to this the training and development initiatives, and you have a department that rivals any in importance, and runs a close third or fourth in budget requirements.

When the premier gave CGT to Kilabuk, he basically said that you have responsibility for where people live, their sanitation, safety and recreation in the communities, and also how most of the food and other necessities of life get there.

You also have to ensure they receive training to do the tasks and activities in the most effective and efficient manner. And one more thing, we can't give you adequate funding to do it properly. On the plus side, you do have excellent staff.

The only regret here is that Kilabuk and his deputy minister, Tom Rich, will not have enough time to truly do the department justice before the next election.

Robert Janes
Rankin Inlet

April 11, 2003

Thanks for your support

It has been a while since you left us, mom. A person like you is sorely missed by many. A lot of people are better because of you.

God took you from us early and we know He had His reasons. There is not a day that goes by that you are forgotten. Rest well, mom.

The family and surviving children, Steven, Karen, Terrance and Randy, would like to thank all who helped put our loving mother, Minnie Putuook Nungaq, to rest.

Nungaq family
Resolute Bay

April 11, 2003

Help me learn about my culture

I'm looking to learn more about my culture and heritage. I am half Inuit and half white. I was born in St. John's, Newfoundland, to a very young Inuit girl and was adopted at three months. I have been in the U.S. since then.

Now that I have two daughters of my own, I am trying to learn all I can about the Inuit way of life as I will want to pass the knowledge on to my daughters later on in their lives.
I have been in contact with Arctic College to obtain books on learning Inuktitut. I'm very limited to the information I can obtain and have a limited budget.

Any information you could provide me with about culture, language, child-rearing and the old ways would be greatly appreciated.

Keith Mcdonald
Oregon State Prison
2605 State St.
Salem, Oregon
USA 97310-1346

April 11, 2003

In memory of Minnie Eckalook Allakariallak

In the memory of Minnie Eckalook Allakariallak, E9-1636: died March 19, 2003, Iqaluit, Nunavut; born April 19, 1916, near Puvirnituq, Quebec; moved to Resolute Bay in August 1955.

"Love those that I loved, if there is nothing left of me but love, please give me away."
-Anonymous

She is sadly missed by her eight children and 136 grandchildren and great, great, great, grandchildren, in Nunavut, Nunavik, the Northwest Territories and other parts of Canada.

The family she left behind wish to give their heart-felt thanks to the following: Evelyn Chemko and the staff and friends of the elders home in Iqaluit; Dr. Brett Finney, Dr. Margaret Netcher, registered nurse Edith Banfield and registered nurse Terry Lynn; Bishop Andrew Atagutaaluk and Anglican ministers Daniel Aupaluk, Methuselak Kunuk, Joshua Arreak and Caleb Sangoya; Sammy and Rutie Peters; Judge Beverley Browne and the department of justice; the staff of Inns North Tudjaat Co-op, the Hamlet of Resolute Bay, and the South Camp Inn; First Air and Kenn Borek; High Arctic MLA Rebekah Williams; Terry Jesudason; Bryan Pearson; the Hamlet of Pond Inlet; Nunasi Corporation, Qikiqtani Inuit Association and Makivik Corporation; the Resolute Bay Housing Association; and her many friends and family from around the world.

For all the people who came to visit her during her stay at the elders' home, and especially to those who sent their condolences and prayers, there are so many people to thank. We will forever be grateful.

Nakurmiik, thank you, and God bless you all from the Allakariallak, Eckalook, Atagotaaluk, Amagoalik, Audla, Lyall, Pudluk and Roberts families.

Elizabeth Allakariallak Roberts
Iqaluit

April 11, 2003

Grandfather travelled with Capt. Bernier

I just came across your article about Capt. Bernier and thought you might be interested in this fact about him.

I have been told that my grandfather, Flavien Moffet, was a St. Lawrence River pilot near Quebec City. He knew Capt. Bernier quite well at that time.

Moffet moved to Ottawa and, while there, knew Sir Wilfrid Laurier very well, as he was a translator for Hansard and owned and edited the first French newspaper in Ontario, Le Temps.

Moffet was asked by Capt. Bernier to accompany him on the Arctic during his 1911 expedition. You can find in the National Archives a picture of the two of them at the wheel of the ship. An inlet was named after my grandfather while they were there.

The Moffet family arrived in Canada as Maufay in 1653 and lived in the Charlebourg area for centuries, until my grandfather moved to Ottawa around 1887.

Ethel (Moffet) Fulford
ethel6731@rogers.com

April 4, 2003

Why are RCMP asking for money?

I am appalled at the request of the RCMP, looking for money from the people they robbed when they first stepped foot into the North. How dare they!

They are the ones who killed our dog teams. My dad’s two dog teams were shot because the RCMP and the government officials wanted to start a community.

This happened in all kinds of places in the Nunavut settlement area. There were teams in Kivalliq and other places shot for the same reason. The dog teams were the only means of transportation for families who lived out on the land in what they called outpost camps.

Yes, they, the RCMP, have helped in ways with the law and assisting families where they can, communities, too, but to ask the community members for money to buy Ski-doos is unbelievable, and they would only chase them and stop them from their only means of transportation again.

The RCMP station brings in vehicles from the south – why not get their Ski-doos from the south as well? Have you ever taken a look at the headquarters in Ottawa? Well, there is a lot of wasted space – a lot of equipment not used and stored.

The way I see it, the RCMP still owes a lot of apologies to a lot of Inuit, and maybe they can help the Inuit rebuild the teams they destroyed (for those who are still around), and finally pay more respect to those who have teams now and continue to keep the dogs running.

Mr. RCMP head man, think about what you ask for when there are people like me who do not forget hurt forced and placed on the Inuit by killing their only means of transportation.

(Name withheld by request)
Ottawa

TOP

April 4, 2003

Nunavummiut deserve praise for tackling FASD

I would like to express my appreciation and commendation to the people of Nunavut for their dedication to solving community problems.

This was clearly demonstrated during the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Symposium held in Iqaluit recently. As a presenter at the conference, I came away from it with the distinct impression that the attendees were very committed to addressing this problem at the community level.

FASD affects all communities around the world, but not all show the same commitment to develop awareness, prevention, and management programs for those affected in the individual communities.

Nunavut has much to commend it, but not least is the participation of so many professionals willing to rethink old solutions and to develop new models for treatment.

Together, you can make a huge difference for those affected by FASD, whether in the home or in the community at large. It takes a community to raise a child, someone has said, and Nunavut seems uniquely cognizant of that reality.

Fr. Dale Jeffrey
Chaplain
Regional Psychiatric Centre
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
dale.jeffrey@sk.sympatico.ca

TOP

April 4, 2003

Representatives should speak for community

I would like to express my view on "community representatives" of any community in the North.

According to the Merriam Websters dictionary, a representative is defined as follows:

1: Serving to represent

2: Standing or acting for another, especially through delegated authority of, based on, or constituting a government in which the many are represented by persons chosen from among them, usually by election.

I think that representatives should not be allowed to promote their own personal views in annual general meetings of any kind, because they have the same opportunity and right to express their opinions by voting as any other voter.

The reason why I am writing this letter is because it is not fair to non-representatives to have someone who is supposedly representing the community express their own view and defeat majority opinions.

I could express something as a mayor and not have my community support me on my view, thus making people outside of my community believe that my community believes as I do.

I should be able to inform people on how my community feels, even if I do not agree with my community.

So I say to community representatives, stop making decisions based on your own views and go to the polls as I do.

Johnny Oovaut
Quaqtaq

TOP

April 4, 2003

So much to learn about Nunavut

I am writing to you because our class is studying Canada and wants to know more about life in Canada. I know a little about your province, but I really want to know more. I learned a little from books and the Internet but, you know, there is so much to learn.

Do you like where you live? I live in Pittsford. I am 10 years old and in the fifth grade at Thornell Road School. I have two sisters. My parents are Kit and Tim. I like Pittsford. It has really good weather. I like to play with my friend, also named Molly.

I hope you know a lot about Nunavut because I’ve got lots to ask.

What weather do you like the best? I like sunny, balmy weather best, but I bet you don’t really have warm weather there. What sport do you like best? What team? Do you have any main BIG attractions there? Do you have any really good tips on how to keep warm? If any place in Canada is cold and up north, you are. Is your capital building really made of ice?

In conclusion, I would really love some really great information, and I think your towns and cities sound really cool!

Molly G. Stevens
431 Thornell Road
Pittsford, New York 14534

TOP

April 4, 2003

Thanks to Bob Hanson

I want to take this opportunity to thank Robert (Bob) Hanson of Iqaluit for removing snow on the Sylvia Grinnell Park road, up toward the Sylvia Grinnell River.

I enjoy the park in winter as well as in the summer. I enjoy driving out the road and seeing the scenery, hoping to see caribou and kind of getting away from it all.

Thank you Bob for this good community service. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Peter Irniq
Iqaluit

TOP

April 4, 2003

Remembering Wilfred Cormier

Wilfred Cormier, born in Newfoundland, has died.

Wilfred was a long-time resident of the North and Iqaluit, and leaves his wife Oolootie and six grown children.

He died at age 81, in Lion’s Head, Ontario, Jan. 4, 2003, after a long and valiant battle with cancer.

Bryan Pearson
Iqaluit

TOP

April 4, 2003

Thanks to Pai Pa’s taxi drivers

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Kids on the Beach Day Care, First Steps Day Care, Pairivik Day Care, and Les Petits Nanook Day Care, to thank Pai Pa taxi drivers for being so kind, and volunteering their time to drive us all to the movie theatre and return all of us to the day cares after the movie.

Your kindness was much appreciated and will not be forgotten. The children really enjoyed this outing.

Alison Cormier
Iqaluit

TOP

April 4, 2003

KSB has valid concerns about education

The Kativik School Board has some valid concerns and issues related to education in the framework agreement for self-government.

As a parent, I was interested in receiving the information sent home with my child by the school, since it clearly explained the KSB’s position on the topic. All decisions taken on education now will have a direct impact on our children, and it is better to err on the side of caution where education is concerned.

For myself, I would rather not see my children’s educational funding in the hands of certain politicians in Nunavik, where education will not be the number one priority on their agenda.

We are talking about our most precious resource, the current and future education of our children.

Susan Ruston
Kuujjuaq

TOP

Advertising
Specs, rates,
& maps
Multi-paper
buying services
About the market
E-mail ad dept

More Information