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Back
to May 2003 Archive Index
Letters to the Editor
Professors willing to teach Inuit studies for free The Inuit Studies program plays an important part in the preservation of the Inuit cultural heritage and the transfer of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. It provides a unique opportunity for young students to take courses in traditional crafts and skills and in the context of the program, Inuit ideas and values are taught by respected and knowledgeable Inuit elders for all the Nunavut regions. During the past five years it has been our privilege to participate in a few courses on oral history, and we were impressed by the efficacy of the program in communicating Inuit knowledge from the elders to the younger generations. The teaching staff, the elders, and the students all worked with commitment to the shared goals of the transfer of knowledge. In Canada, this program provides a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between Inuit and Qallunaat traditions that causes so many problems in contemporary Nunavut society. The Inuit Studies Program has integrated teaching and research in a very effective way so that Inuit students were involved in interviewing their elders, along with acquiring skills and experiences interviewing, transcribing, and translating and other important skills. It offers a fruitful context for the combination of oral and literary traditions. Thus the program has resulted in an impressive number of publications in English and Inuktitut on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit that meets both educational and practical standards (see the current need of school books in Nunavut) as well as high academic standards. After only a few years, more than 30 books, including glossaries, were published. Moreover, a few Inuit students who followed the program also published their own papers in academic journals. The program also developed international cooperation, enabling Inuit students to travel to France and the Netherlands to assist academic staff in teaching Inuit language and culture. Obviously the Inuit Studies Program is now in a state of transition. It was developed under the inspiring guidance of Susan Sammons and Alexina Kublu, and Maaki Kakkik has just been appointed as a successor to Alexina Kublu. The program should receive all possible support to retain its momentum. We read with some relief in Nunatsiaq News that you have the intention to expand the program and develop it into a major department of Arctic College. In that perspective, it is essential that the program receives adequate funding. The teaching of an Inuit Studies Program is far too important to skip it for a year. On our side, we will support the program in any way we can, and we are prepared to offer a three-week course in the program without compensation. We think the program is unique, as well as effective, and can serve as a model for other aboriginal communities in Canada. Jarich Oosten Frédéric
Laugrand May 30, 2003 Beating up wives, not the "F-word," is obscene It amazes me that there is more attention given to the content that was quoted by the man who uttered those words, than his actions. The most vulgar thing in the whole article was not the "F-word," but rather the range of sentence faced by the man for committing such a crime. Once again leniency is taking precedence. I suppose in a place such as Iqaluit, beating up women is not as vulgar or as shocking as swear words are. This I find ironic, because anytime you go outside in Iqaluit, there is sure to be some child uttering those words. All you have to do is wait for the bars to close to hear the same words shouted in the streets. Yet beating up the wives is done behind doors and acknowledged to be present but not quelled. Read any article regarding domestic homicide and, frighteningly, you will read time and again the same events in the exact sequence as was written in the newspaper. Domestic violence always starts the same way, and escalates, until one day the woman is dead. If "disciplining" women is part of our culture and does not change or move on, then our culture will die, or worse, have no heart. Remember how some of the Arab nations view their women as having little or no value. We must provide a better future for our daughters and any female relatives, or as the homophobic society will discover: women will be few, or even worse for the bigots, they will marry white people. Tolerance it seems is geared toward only abusive people, anything else is considered "vulgar."
May 30, 2003 Thanks for supporting theatre group's inaugural effort On behalf of the Qaggiq Theatre Company and the "Shutting Down" Theatre For Living workshop participants, I would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for their generous assistance in helping to make our six-day workshop and two-day CASP Conference performances resounding successes: The Nunavut Literacy Council for funding and planning, David St. Louis and the City of Iqaluit Department of Recreation for transportation and workshop space, Doug Lem and Nunavut Catering and the John Howard Society of Nunavut for lunches, Glenn Cousins and Northmart for breakfasts and snacks, and QIA and Kakivak Association for financial support. And sincere thanks to our workshop facilitator David Diamond of Headlines Theatre, and our workshop helpers Robert Tookoome (on loan from Kakivak Association), Gorretti Panika (on loan from the Nunavut Literacy Council) and Lisa Stevenson. Finally, thanks to our participants and CASP conference attendees who partook in our interactive performances; your hard work and courage was inspiring. We look forward to many more youth projects. Iqaluit should be proud of you. Jonathan Dewar May 30, 2003 Thank you from the Manniapik family
The Manniapik family would like to thank all the individuals, families, relatives, friends and organizations during our very difficult time. We will forever be grateful! Taukie Manniapik left behind a wife, children and great-great-grandchildren, and many relatives and friends who all loved him dearly. Even though he left us with great sorrow and sadness, we will always be thankful for the endless love, caring, support and friendship he graciously gave to everyone. Lucy Maniapik May 30, 2003 Less talk, more action needed on suicide I have a big concern about the suicide rate here in Nunavut. There was a conference just held in Iqaluit, and all that talk will not do any good. The people and the counsellors are not doing anything when they get back to the communities. When are they planning to do something about it? It really hurts to see family and friends suffer when a loved one decides to take their own life. They even leave little children behind, not caring what their futures are going to be like, with the hurt they are going to grow up with, the longing for a parent who is just not coming back. When is this going to end? Is it ever going to end? There should be things done in the community to prevent suicide. Support groups finally come to help, after a suicide, when they could've been more available in the community. They should have public meetings about it, and do something about it, before it is too late. I've been hurt by suicide, lost friends and relatives to it. It really affects you when someone from Nunavut becomes a statistic when someone could have done something about it. There are people available out there, don't give up. If you are thinking of suicide, think of how your siblings, parents, grandparents, and friends are going to feel, when they don't have you around anymore. They will grieve, hurt, suffer, feel pain. When suicide occurs, the whole community grieves, and most of all your loved ones suffer. If you need help, seek it. There are friends, relatives, nurses, preachers, or talk to anyone you feel comfortable with because life is so precious and everyone was put on earth for a reason. You may feel at times that no one cares for you, or loves you, or you become pregnant and are scared, or you have done something terribly wrong, and you think there is no other way but suicide. For the past many years, I've had a hard life. I was sexually molested when I was young, lost a parent, got pregnant, raised a child alone. Hardships are here. But anigurviasaliinnait, just take it one day at a time, and things will get better. Don't think that suicide is the only way out, because it is not the way out. I'm not saying I'm perfect because I'm not. I just want people to seek help when they are not happy. (Name withheld by request) May 30, 2003 Most Nunavummiut oppose gay marriage Why is it that whenever anyone has an opinion or a point of view that is different from a homosexual's point of view, that person is automatically declared homophobic? Who is trying to impose their beliefs on someone else's beliefs here? Is it the politically incorrect Christian fundamentalist or the homosexuals? I am about to get myself labelled a homophobe, just for expressing my point of view, so all you biblephobes out there, here is my point of view on the issue of gay marriages: No, I do not agree with "gay marriages." So there, I'm sure I am now a homophobe in the eyes of the gay community. The simple fact of the matter is this: Marriages are between a man and a woman. That is what we believe because we choose to believe what the Bible teaches. You also can choose to believe otherwise, that is your basic human right. Although I do not go to church every Sunday and may have the odd "cold beverage," once in a while, I believe that marriages should only be between a man and woman as the Bible teaches. Believe me, I am not a poster boy for a Christian man. We "the homophobes" will oppose gay marriages, since we choose to believe that God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. That is the opinion of the vast majority of Inuit, whether you like it or not, and that is the point of view of most Nunavummiut. I guess Nunavut will be known as a homophobic territory. I suggest that if the MLAs would like to keep their jobs they should oppose gay marriages because you all know you will be in the hot seat in the very near future when elections come around, if you choose to support gay marriages. We the voters of Nunavut, particularly Baffin South, will make sure this issue will be front and centre and not on the back burner. Some MLAs have stayed very quiet on this issue and some have not. Enoki - You da man! Some have been staying quiet probably to avoid the dreaded homophobic label, but this is a very big issue for Inuit and when the elections roll around, their views and where they stand on this issue will be heard. Or maybe they can surprise us and show some backbone right now and tell us where they stand. Stop trying to walk the fine line. Your campaign for re-election started a long time ago. From a homophobic, Bible-thumping, Christian fundamentalist Inuk from the Baffin South riding. Chris Pudlat My adventure with Thomasie Naglingiq
In 1961, I received an invitation to attend the nomination convention for the Progressive Conservative Party in Yellowknife. I had no idea what such a convention was all about. Until that time in my life, I had never attended a meeting of any sort. I was asked to bring an Inuk with me, all expenses paid. The very idea of traveling all the way to Yellowknife was a major journey in those days. It would take a minimum of three days. I met with a group of Inuit to see who might be interested in going with me. Without any hesitation whatever, everyone said I should take Thomas Naglingiq. Thomasie had a fair knowledge of English. He agreed and off we went, a 10-hour flight by DC-4 to Montreal, a Trans Canada Airways DC-8 jet to Edmonton and a DC-6 to Yellowknife. What we didn't know at that time is that the organizers had decided to give the delegates from the eastern Arctic 50 convention votes each – 100 votes altogether, and more than all the others put together. We were absolutely overwhelmed by the huge welcome we received at the airport. We couldn't understand why we suddenly became so popular. Meals, drinks, invitations to houses – it was wonderful. We were so naive – the candidates wanted our votes. Thomasie enjoyed the fame and conducted himself with dignity. He played the role very well. Later he told me he had no idea what all the commotion was about. Then came the candidates' speeches. John Scott led off with the usual PC platform. Then came Gene Rhéaume. He spoke about the North and communities we knew and people we knew. He had to have our vote. The difficulty came when we had to write the name of the candidate on the ballot slip – 50 times each. Thomasie could hardly manage and I couldn't spell "Rhéaume" for the life of me. But in the end we made it and Rhéaume became the candidate for the PCs in the Northwest Territories, in the newest and largest riding in Canada and in the world. He lost the election to Tibbie Hardy, the widow of the former MP for the Mackenzie. But he won the next election only a year later. We had a wonderful adventure. We saw a lot of Canada and Thomasie often talked about it. It was a historic time in Canada. Thomasie never did get involved in politics. I was bitten by the bug and remained active for some years. Thomasie, on the other hand, married his life-long companion, Natsiapik, and raised a big family. I buried my old friend this week. His family, friends and grandchildren came out to pay respect to a fine man of the North. Bryan Pearson May 23, 2003 A story of strength and survival I would like to add to the article about the Aupaluk pair who were stranded on the land (May 2), with some more information about the truly remarkable nature of this story. First of all, some facts to clarify the situation: Edward Saluarsiak, 20, is paralyzed from the waist down, but enjoys driving a snowmobile whenever he can. On Tuesday, April 22, Edward and Susie Oningnak, 22, took part in a fishing contest about 20 miles southwest of Aupaluk, along with most of the community. When the weather started to get colder with some snow, the two decided to go home early, just before 7 p.m. When everyone else came home around 9 p.m. in blowing snow, and Edward and Susie had not yet made it back to town, a search was immediately begun by many volunteers. The search became more intense by 3 a.m. with more local volunteers, many of whom would not sleep at all for the next two or three days. This was the first time Edward had been away from town for more than a few hours, and the nurse felt his medical condition warranted a medical emergency, with the possibility of a burst bladder, kidney failure, and-or internal bleeding. The KRG and KRPF tried to bring in a helicopter or plane for the next two days, but the weather was miserable, with very low clouds alternately bringing freezing rain, blowing snow and rain. The Sureté du Québec assumed control of the search and rescue operation on the afternoon of Thursday, April 24. The KRG helicopter, piloted by Peter Duncan, with searchers Vallée Saunders and David Watt, arrived late the next afternoon, on April 25, and began searching immediately, while the SQ plane arrived the next morning, on Saturday, April 26. In the meantime, Tasiujaq and Kangirsuk both sent volunteers in several waves, so that by midnight a group of 12 fresh, out-of-town volunteers joined the Aupaluk searchers, who had been without sleep for over 36 hours. At the height of the search, more than 80 volunteers from Tasiujaq, Aupaluk, Kangirsuk and Quartaq, headed out in teams every six hours, around the clock. Most family members of these searchers came to support the community as volunteers in the command center, or to help out in the homes of those out on the land and to visit and comfort the families of the lost people. School staff members provided meals for the entire town by operating a restaurant-cafeteria in the daycare center, with the food paid for by the SQ. This meant nearly 200 people worked as volunteers during the last four days of the search, in a town with a population of only 150! We must thank all of these people, men women and children, for their tireless work and support, for their energy and time and for their prayers. We thank the SQ, KRPF, and KRG for their support and direction during the search. We thank the communities of Tasiujaq, Kangirsuk and Quartaq for their volunteers. Even Kangiqsualujjuaq was offering volunteers by phone. They were ready to go at the exact moment that we received news that Edward and Susie had been found. Also, a special thanks to Kangiqsualujjuaq for their very generous monetary contribution to our effort, which helped with expenses that the SQ did not cover. Thanks, too, to all the people from around Nunavik who called to offer support and encouragement. A very heartfelt thank-you to the mayor of Aupaluk, Johnny Akpahatak, and my fellow volunteers in the command center office, all of whom worked around the clock, sleeping on the floor when necessary, to be able to answer the satellite phone and radio calls coming in from searchers at all hours of the day and night. Some final notes to clarify the story: Even though the SQ decided to officially call off the search due to fading hopes that Edward and Susie were still alive, the local search, with the support of the KRPF, was not about to stop. After the SQ had left, the KRPF and the northern village of Aupaluk continued the search with the helicopter, as seven more 45-gallon drums of fuel were flown in that same day, and teams were scheduled to continue throughout the night and for as many days as it would take to find our lost people. It was two members of the Tasiujaq team, which was continuing a grid search, who found Edward and Susie when they went off the trail for a break. Edward had the energy and strength to drive one of the snowmobiles back to have some tea and food at the team's qamutiks, which had been left a few kilometers away. Then, once they were ready to come home, Edward again drove the entire 20 miles back to Aupaluk, since this is the most comfortable way for him to support himself. To the dismay of the nurse, Edward and Susie were brought straight to their respective homes where they sat and greeted everyone, who then flocked in to welcome them with hugs and kisses and tearful cries of joy. After an examination, Edward and Susie were both found to be in perfect health, several pounds thinner and sunburned, but without any serious problems, and even Edward's toes were not frozen in any way. A miracle and a story of strength and survival, if ever there was one. As a final note, we are waiting for a debriefing with the SQ, KRPF, searchers, and Edward and Susie, to evaluate our efforts and plan for a better operation next time. A meeting is also planned to determine which groups will assume control of such a serious search and rescue, and to finalize the respective roles and responsibilities of the municipality, the KRG, KRPF, the Sureté du Québec and the Canadian Rangers. God bless everyone who shared in the wonderful happiness of finding Edward Saluarsiak and Susie Oningnak alive and well. Martin Scott May 23, 2003 Nunavik needs better emergency services It is out of frustration that I am writing this letter, in order to receive, hopefully, better and much faster services. I emphasize faster reaction time, because this is not the first time this has happened to our community. When something very serious happens, especially late at night, our police and medical staff do not respond quickly enough to our time of need. I have travelled to another community and I've seen it happen also. We try to call the police, but to no avail. Sometimes we have to call the fire department or call another village in order to get a response. This would not be allowed anywhere down South. The people in charge would be fired or transferred. It is because of these problems, which come due to their incompetence, that we need a major overhaul improvement. Some people have died or were permanently scarred for life who would still be with us if these people who are in charge did respond immediately. I do not know if this letter will improve our situation but sometimes it takes a long time to change things. But it's a start for me anyway. Peter Qumaluk May 23, 2003 Praise for the NITC Commendations are few and far between, so I would like to bring attention to the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee's post-secondary scholarship program. For the 2002-03 school year, improvements were made to an otherwise onerous application process. The system is more flexible and less an exercise in bureaucratic pain for administrators and students alike. Deadlines for supporting documentation are consistent with when universities, and students, can provide such material. Education is the future of Nunavut – it is important for students to feel connected to and supported from home. Thomas Hadlari Don't let homophobia continue in Nunavut My immediate reaction to some of the comments made at the meeting on same sex marriages was of surprise and disappointment ("MPs bring gay rights debate to Iqaluit," May 2). I was a bit taken aback by the homophobia. Homophobia is the means by which the homophobic faction in our society secures for itself a disproportionate share of the society's privileges. Intolerance is the means, not the end. This misconception affords those who proclaim themselves to not be homophobic a way out. All they have to say is that they do not hate homosexuals and they are exonerated. But this declaration alone will not do. It is not enough to tolerate homosexuals (just as it was never enough to simply tolerate people of a different race). It is incumbent upon us all to actively work toward a society that shares its wealth equally. This wealth may be in the form of education. It may be in the form of health care. And it may be in the form of human rights – rights which include the ability to be recognized publicly, officially, by one's colleagues and by one's government as being married. To deny a same-sex couple this right, that most of us share, is to diminish us all. It is to advocate for a society that believes not in rights but in privileges, where some have and some do not. Some can and some cannot. I am reminded of the time in this country when Inuit did not have the right to vote. From radio clips of the meeting, I heard someone imply that only heterosexuals have "healthy marriages." The word procreation was used. The Christian fundamentalists had their say. I am pleased that people felt comfortable expressing their views on this issue. However, Mr. Bell, I agree with you. We should have a government that tolerates a variety of views – that supports a multitude of different cultures. But we must not allow one group, no matter if they are the majority (especially if they are the majority), to deny the rights of another. The history of Nunavut is rife with such injustices. Let's not let this one continue. Dan Page May 16, 2003 A call for tougher censorship policy Like many of your readers, I was disgusted to see the "F" word used in your paper. I suppose it didn't bother me enough to write you a letter, but your response to those expressing concern about vulgarity is simply intolerable. Justifying the use of the "F" word because it is part of the English language is extremely immature. Would you let your children use this rationale for swearing? There are many words in the English language that are not appropriate for use in a community newspaper which, as one reader commented, may be read by children. Indeed, no major national newspaper would print such crude language. Perhaps more troublesome to me is your statement that you offer "no apologies." It is a general courtesy in life to apologize for offending someone, even if you think you were in the right. This is especially true if you've offended your customers, those of us who pay $1 each week to keep you in business. Your disrespect for the concerns of readers combined with your non-existent censorship policies have really changed my view of Nunatsiaq News. Next time I will think twice before buying your paper. R.J. Carr May 16, 2003 Still trying to get an education I have yet to get help finding education funding. I received a letter from the GN minister of education last year stating I do not qualify for funding under the Education Act. Because I have been out of Nunavut for more than a year, I would have to return home for more than three months to qualify for funding. When I get correspondence from people supporting my situation, they stress that education is a must for our people to administer ourselves. This is encouraging and it allows me to keep trying. But there is another side to this situation. A relative said to me, "There are some that consider you no longer a northerner." I thought about this over and over again. The GN, department of education, ministers, MLAs and our people talk about getting Inuit in the workforce to manage Nunavut. Yet there is so much following of policies to the T that they are overlooking the very foundation of our beginnings as a territory. Our goals are no longer realistic. It may be a cynical view, but it is the truth for me. Why are people afraid to step up to address the need for educated Inuit? Why has not one politician even advocated to our government to help Inuit that are keen on getting educated? They sure can talk about moving ahead and the urgency of getting Inuit in the workforce with training and education. Yet there is no true spokesperson to address the core issues of the changes that must be made quickly to ensure Inuit get the best opportunity. I challenge one leader, any leader to make a statement that Nunavut beneficiaries are entitled to an education, freedom of expression, to provide the best needs for our families by any means possible and to advocate for all Inuit. Also, I wanted to congratulate Commissioner Peter Irniq and his wife on their grandchild and to thank him for sharing the process of names. I wanted to share my daughter's name. My daughter did not have a name right away as we waited for an elder to confirm her name as customarily done. It was an unusually mild winter in southwestern Ontario when she was born. There was hardly any snow at all through Christmas. But the moment she was born it snowed such thick and fluffy snowflakes it amazed everyone in the hospital. My emotions were high from being through the whole process of the birth of my first-born. I knew it may be a day or two before she got her Inuk name from our elder. Being a proud new father I reflected on my life and was thankful and proud to be Inuk. We were not going to give her any English names as we wanted traditional names. But I had the strong need to call her something, so I gave her a nickname that is reflective of my people. I nicknamed her Aputi to honour the uniqueness of our people. It's helped us with travel, shelter and access to our animals. There are many more ties to snow than we can ever explain. I nicknamed her that out of respect for my mother, father and grandparents. Her Inuk name is Qakugialluk, on my mother's side, an aunt that was adopted as an infant that passed away. She was my mother's youngest sister in the Jessie Oonark family of Back River/Chantry Inlet. On behalf of my daughter Aputi, and from an Inuk still wanting an education, good fishing and enjoy your tea this spring. Moses Aupaluktuq May 16, 2003 Collector wants Nunavut license plate I have a license plate collection of every state in the U.S. and every Canadian province except (you guessed it) Nunavut. I have a souvenir plate a friend in Montreal sent me, but I would like someone to send me a real one off a wrecked or abandoned vehicle. I would be happy to pay for it plus shipping and would also be happy to send a plate from sunny California if someone would like that. Ed Riggins May 16, 2003 Gays are hiding, Iqaluit needs a road About your article on gays in Nunavut ("MPs bring gay rights debate to Iqaluit," May 2), I have a comment. There should be gays but they are just hiding. Also, about the Iqaluit to Kimmirut road ("Iqaluit economic committee says no to Kimmirut road," May 2) they really need a road because they are so close to each other. And Hall Beach and Igloolik need a road too. Mary Qammaniq Sodexho story should raise alarm bells Your story about Piruqsaijit teaming up with Sodexho to provide service operations at mining camps across Nunavut ("Rankin Inlet firm joins forces with service-industry giant" April 18) should raise a number of alarm bells, especially when you read the accompanying story about Sodexho's track record. Having a multinational like Sodexho take over the food services at the various camps is one thing, but further on in the article you state they also have their sites set on the health-care industry. This is where every citizen in Nunavut should be very concerned. A hospital's support workers need specialized knowledge and training to prepare and serve food, clean and sterilize rooms, process laundry, keep records, maintain equipment and do other work that is vital to patient safety and cleaning. These workers will need to be well-trained and will have to constantly upgrade their education and that requires time and money. Will a private, for-profit company be willing to pay for constant upgrading of personnel? It is also important that the people who clean our hospitals and provide the meals for our family members in hospitals are paid a decent wage. They are performing important services for the community and they deserve a decent living wage. In addition, we should remember that a corporation like Sodexho will not be providing these services for the good of the community. Sodexho will come to Iqaluit and Rankin for one reason – profit. And we can be sure those profits will not be reinvested in the community or even in the North. Before we open the door to Sodexho we need to know more about their motivation and we have to be ready for the consequences. Bob Haywood May 9, 2003 Representation without permission This letter is in regard to James T. Arreak's statement that he represents the views of the "majority" of Inuit, in "MPs bring gay rights debate to Iqaluit" (May 2). I would just like to say he, nor anyone else, asked me what my views were on this matter. What I am trying to say is that he should have conducted some sort of survey or a meeting of what he thinks are the views of the "majority" of Inuit before telling the committee this. I'd just like to say that he does not represent my views on human rights and I encourage anyone else who does not share the views of James to speak out as well. For the record, I don't think the debate should be on gay rights, but on human rights. We are all human and deserve equality, no matter what our gender, religion or sexual orientation. Patrick Sageaktook May 9, 2003 "F" word less offensive than violence In response to the letter from Thomas Weetaltuk of Montreal, who was outraged by use of the "F" word in a story in Nunatsiaq News ("Iqaluit man awaits sentence on vicious wife-beating," April 18), I was outraged by everything else in the article. C. Clark May 9, 2003 Developers should work with Arctic weather – not against it Let the brief storm on April 20 be a warning to all. Canada's Arctic region can be one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Blizzards of that magnitude were common throughout the 1950s and 1960s and into the early 1970s. The gale force winds could last for two to three days or even longer, closing the community and burying everything under mountains of snow. It could take a few days to get the place functioning again. Houses at that time were small and did not have the sophisticated amenities they have today. They were close to the airport and required only basic services. All government employees were supplied with food rations, which they kept in their living quarters. We relied on cases and cases of Carnation milk, powdered eggs, canned bacon and butter. All foods were either canned or dried. Therefore, survival in a storm was easy. The Inuit in the Eskimo Village, as it was called, could withstand all conditions. Of course, they had been doing it for centuries. Before the construction began of the so-called Butler Buildings about 1959, government engineers carried out extensive wind and snow drifting tests before any construction took place. Even with all their efforts, there were still areas that blew in, and people had to be dug out. Weather patterns have changed. The community is spread out all over the place, many live far from the central core. It seems that community plans have no idea just how bad the weather can get. Tens of millions of dollars of homes are built in areas that are vulnerable to weather isolation and fire hazards. A good example is last week's very violent storm when a valuable home was destroyed. The firefighters ran out of water. During some of the major storms of the 1960s and 1970s, this community lost its recreation centre, curling rink and several other important facilities. The 150-foot-long Anglican Church hall was blown across the road, without any damage to the building. The Tundra Valley development is one area that could prove to be a real catastrophe in the event of fire. One house fire could easily leap to neighbouring homes. A good example of what could happen is the storm of February 1985, when winds of over 100 mph and temperatures around -40 C blew for 10 days. Many homes ran out of oil, water and food. A team of volunteers managed to get oil to some houses. If such a storm was to happen now, the effects could be devastating. With such damage potential in mind, the town council during the late 1980s enacted a bylaw that required all areas slated for new development to have water and sewage services in situ before any construction was permitted. As it turned out, the only development that was ever planned ahead of construction was the area near the graveyard. The road was built, sewage and water pipes installed, lots serviced, street lights installed before any homes were built. Building in areas such as the Road to Nowhere is not safe or practicable. Houses perched on unstable pipes 20 feet in the air are susceptible to severe vibrating and wind damage. The recent storm made access to parts of that area impossible. The recent development of major businesses in the West 40 area is another example of poor planning. The road that passes the end of the runway is the most vulnerable section in town. In past storms, it has taken up to three days just to cut through the drifts. Forty years ago when it was blocked, one could cross the runway to gain access. Those days are gone. It is urgent that the local authorities give their utmost attention to the safety of residents when planning future developments. The cost of retrofitting the most vulnerable areas with piped services will be huge. Canada's many mining towns have used an above-ground piped system. Nanisivik used the same system. This is a viable option and one that could work for the homes in Tundra Valley, for minimal cost. One area that should be considered for future development is the hillside that runs from the power plant to the North 40 area. That area could be terraced into three or four tiers, which would allow for pleasant views and southern exposure. Due to its location, it is well-protected from high winds and, more importantly, noise from the airport. The hillside would provide building sites for hundreds of housing units. This is the Arctic, a beautiful and yet dangerous place. We should never lose sight of its sometimes violent and unforgiving nature. Bryan Pearson May 9, 2003 A letter to the president of Arctic College Last week, we received the saddening news that the Inuit Studies program at Nunavut Arctic College might have to shut down because of lack of funding. For many decades, we have been deeply involved in academic research in the North and many of us have participated in the program. We greatly appreciate its value for the development of Inuit culture in Nunavut. Therefore, we wish to express our disappointment at this decision and plead for the maintenance and expansion of this important program. The Nunavut Arctic College Inuit Studies Program, developed under the active leadership of Susan Sammons and Alexina Kublu in 1996, is unique of its kind. The program is indeed totally run in the North by Nunavut Arctic College and is offered locally to Inuit students coming from many communities in Nunavut. Its curriculum, carefully developed by senior NAC instructors, in close consultation with Inuit elders, covers a wide series of topics relating to historic and contemporary Inuit society and culture, and ranging from techniques of survival on the land to identity and world view. Its teaching methods, involving Inuit students and their NAC instructors working in close cooperation with Inuit elders and southern or local academic facilitators, are truly innovative and highly collaborative. The program also emphasizes the worthiness of team work, of in-depth interviewing and researching, and of recording, transcribing and safeguarding oral traditions and oral history for future generations. It also enables Inuit students to develop their own perspective on the topics investigated and contributes to bridging the generation gap among the Inuit of Nunavut. Finally, and not the least, the program has been instrumental in the production of three series of bilingual Inuktitut-English books Interviewing Inuit Elders, The Transition to Christianity, Memory and History in Nunavut, one of which is available on the Web, thus contributing to keep the memory of elders as a heritage for future generations. Other reasons to maintain and expand NAC's Inuit Studies Program can be mentioned: its direct link with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangiit; its partnership in research programs, inter-institutional agreements and various programs of exchanges of students with Canadian and European universities; and its foreseeable importance in the activities of the University of the Arctic (of which Nunavut Arctic College is a member). We thus plead collectively for the maintenance and expansion of the Inuit Studies Program in the curriculum offered by Nunavut Arctic College. This program is absolutely necessary, well-run, extremely productive, given as a model to follow, and a perfect example of a collaboration on a par between Inuit and universities inside and outside Canada. We do hope that you will be able to find the necessary resources to keep this program alive and thriving. If necessary, we are ready to support your efforts in trying to find solutions to overcome the problem that was reported to us. Do not hesitate to contact us for that purpose if needed.
May 9, 2003 A heartfelt thank-you from the Palliser family We'd like to thank all Inukjuakmiut for the support and food that they gave to the late Minnie Palliser's survivors, plus all those who consoled and visited the family and gave flowers for our mother's grave. A special thank-you to Inukjuak Tulliup Nipinga, Inukjuak Co-op, and to the kitchen staff of Nunavimmi Pigiursavik. Thank you to special visitors: Annie Inukpuk of Umiujaq, Carole and Lyndsay Anne Novalinga of Puvirngnituq, and Patsy and Lyndsay Anne Tulugaq of Kuujjuaq. Thank you to Puvirnituq staff of Inuulitsivik Hospital and the Inukjuak staff at the CLSC, and thank you very much to Kristin Kirby for the lovely bouquet of flowers. Thank-you to all those who mailed and e-mailed letter of condolences, by phone, and by local radio. Our mother survived nine years after her first stroke. She kept getting small ones over the years until the last one, which took place in January 2003, and which she didn't manage to bounce back from. She left her survivors in peace on Feb. 11, 2003, at 5:23 p.m., when her kidneys failed. Our mother was a real role model for us. She had gone to Paris, Alaska, Norway and to many Canadian cities to perform throat chanting; she had gone to a lot of Nunavik communities representing elders; she made clothing such as amautiks and kamiks; she sculptured soapstone; and she was a natural midwife. Our hearts are full of loving and wonderful memories of her here on Earth. She led a rich and full life to the very end. We rest assured that she has joined Our Father for she was greeting him, her mother, her father, and women by the name of Mina and Sarah in the last couple of her days. Kids say the darnest things: A couple of days after my mother's death, one of her great-grandsons surprised his mother when he announced, "When I die I'd like to be buried next to my Aippaq (his wife, for he was named after our father) in the hilly rocks." A couple of days later he came back to his mother again and announced "If you guys refuse to bury me next to my Aippaq, I'll change my mind about dying." Thank you all who knew my mother and greeted her with respect and love. God bless you all. Caroline Palliser May 9, 2003 A plea for more nurses Pudloo Nowdluk died of cancer on April 24, 2003, at the Baffin Regional Hospital, leaving behind his children Noah, Leetia, Kooyoo, Elisapee, Levi, Nancy, Arnakallak, Saila, Andrew, Lena, Appa and Mark, who was adopted out at birth. He leaves behind his brothers and sisters Enokee, Jacopie, Kilabuk and Arnaq. Pudloo also leaves behind 23 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. We want to thank our spouses and children for understanding, as we left them for many hours at a time. We thank our employers for their support in giving us time to be with our father, for the beautiful flowers and food provided by them and from friends after the funeral. Thank you to Nanook School for the beautiful wreath. We thank all our aunts, uncles and cousins who stayed with our father during the evenings so that he would not be alone. We would especially like to thank Dr. Atkinson at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, Dr. Finney of Iqaluit, Dr. Netcher for her previous care, Bryan Pearson, Reverends Methusaleh Kunuk, Daniel Aupaluk and Ron McLean, the department of health and social services for our father's return before he passed, and all the nurses, both in Ottawa and Iqaluit. Our father had a hard time returning to Iqaluit because of the lack of nurses at the Baffin Regional Hospital. We thought of promoting nursing in Nunavut as our desperation grew to get our father home before he passed. We truly encourage Nunavummiut to look at becoming nurses, as they carry out a very important job. Without them, our loved ones cannot be sent home. Thank you for everything. Our father was a very good hunter, carver, teacher and provider. We will miss him dearly. The Nowdluks and their families May 9, 2003 An open letter to Canada Post I am a resident of Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut. Like many other people here, I am frustrated by the amount of time that one has to spend waiting in line at the post office. For example, I had to line up three times this past week: the waiting period the first time was 12 minutes, the second 21 minutes, the third 27 minutes. I don't believe these delays to be the fault of the staff; they are friendly and do their best. What is desperately needed is another wicket terminal. I don't know what decides the ratio of computer terminals to people in post office statistics, but this is no average 6,000-person town. It is the territorial capital and, being a government town, I would venture to suggest there's a far higher turnover of mail and people using the post office than you would get in a southern community of comparable size. To have a sole computer handling the daily business of a government town is hopelessly inadequate. One now dreads or puts off going to the post office because it's always time-consuming. Many people here have jobs and little free time during office hours, and then families to get to when the day is over. Neither do business people appreciate having to waste this sort of time on a regular basis. No one needs constant lineups at the post office. It has been suggested that Canada Post doesn't feel it makes a lot of money out of the Iqaluit office, but believe me, there are not a lot of people here who feel they're getting value for the money or satisfaction from this branch and, I repeat, it's no fault of the staff. They are probably as fed up as we are having only one wicket terminal. Canada Post holds a monopoly on regular mail delivery here while also claiming to offer service. There are many of us who feel you're not providing that service but that the situation would be alleviated if a second computer terminal were installed. Go on, surprise us, do it this summer and watch the current sense of frustration melt into smiles of satisfaction. Nick Newbery Inuit studies program must be continued On behalf of the Association Inuksiutiit Katimajiit Inc., a non-profit Canadian corporation that publishes the international scholarly journal Etudes Inuit Studies and organizes the biennial Inuit studies conferences, I would like to express our distress at hearing that Nunavut Arctic College's Inuit studies program will be suspended. This is the only academic program in Canada specifically devoted to teaching Inuit culture and language. Over the years, it has enabled a large number of young Inuit to get better knowledge of their culture and history, particularly through interaction with elders who come to the classroom as professors. Much of these elders' knowledge has been made accessible to the general public by way of a series of remarkable books in Inuktitut and English. If Nunavut is to abide by its stated goal of having both Inuktitut and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit become prominent, the college cannot do without this unique program, which is essential to the development of Inuit language and traditional knowledge. Is there not a social and political willingness to know and teach about Inuktitut and Inuit culture in a land where 85 per cent of the population are Inuit? Or are all those discourses about the prominence of Inuit ways in Nunavut just empty words? NAC's Inuit studies program must be continued by all means. Louis-Jacques Dorais May 2, 2003 College ignored Inuit studies for seven years So, the official story is that the Inuit studies program has collapsed because a "seasoned instructor" abandoned it. I wonder if there is an alternative explanation. That seasoned instructor joined the interpreter training program seven years ago, in a full-time teaching position to train interpreter-translators. For seven years, she and her supervisor also ran an Inuit studies program over and above the full-time responsibilities they were being paid for. Every year for seven years, the supervisor requested funding for the extra position needed to run two two-year programs, and for the supplies needed. Every year for seven years, the college turned down these requests. For seven years, the two women carried a double teaching load. In addition, working with students, elders and visiting professors, they produced a series of internationally applauded books on Inuit culture, for which the college was delighted to claim responsibility. (The professors' expenses were not paid by the college. In fact, even the sealskins used in the practical courses had to be donated!) In December 2002, the seasoned instructor informed the college that she intended to move on to a more senior position, one with a single set of responsibilities. And we are expected to believe that in April 2003 the situation has taken the college completely by surprise! We should add to the story that the college abruptly cancelled its successful Inuktitut literacy program in the fall of 1999 – not quite six months after the creation of Nunavut. I would suggest that the cause of the collapse of the Inuit studies program is much deeper, and more institutional, than a career move by a long-term employee. Your headline referred to the problem as a "glitch." I think of it as "The seven-year glitch." Mick Mallon May 2, 2003 Thank you, Annie May-Popert, for speaking out Election day has come and gone, and for many of us, our dreams of change in the foreseeable future have dimmed. But thank you for daring us to dream, and bringing us out to vote. We have told you that we heard you, and that we believe in what you brought up for discussion. For many of us, the ballot box was the only place we could really tell you of our support – the not so nice happenings in the last month spell reality out very clearly. Speak out against the status quo and you will be attacked, personally, professionally, and economically. Silence pays, and pays well. Don't rock the boat. Speak the truth without blame and judgment. You have done a lot of that and we thank you. To dare to speak to us in the way you have, to talk about things we may not always like to talk about takes courage. If we care about each other, we owe each other truth. Thank you Annie, for caring enough to take risks on our behalf, and on behalf of our children and grandchildren. You have been encouraging and supporting people in the work you have chosen to do these past years. You encourage us to go beyond our comfort zone, to take the risk of change for the better, because we are worth it. You've done your best to model it for us too, without resorting to talking about "those people." We have noticed. Thank you. Thank you Annie, for taking a stand now, and for your willingness to walk the hard road we have ahead even without the support of the whole region. There are more than 600 of us ready and willing to move forward, and we will, one day at a time, with respect, honesty, and with caring and compassion for everyone. When we heard you talk after you had lost, our heart went out to you. We know that place so well, but the point is you took that chance for us, win or not, and we are really proud you took that step for us, because we took a step too. We also heard you say that when you fight for what you believe in, you are loud so that tells us that you will continue to voice your message as well as ours. Nakurmiimarialuk Aani, upigijammarialugivattigit. Some of the 688 May 2, 2003 Outraged by "F" word I was outraged to see the "F" word printed in full. ("Iqaluit man awaits sentence on vicious wife-beating," April 18.) This has been read in the whole of Nunavut and Nunavik including young and old. Thomas Weetaltuk May 2, 2003 Disappointed by language I was very disappointed to find your newspaper using unacceptable language. ("Iqaluit man awaits sentence on vicious wife-beating," April 18.) I used to think the CRTC had a code of conduct, and even if it didn't, as a parent trying to raise decent children in an anything goes society, I'm appalled that you would allow this. I do not see any value in the degradation of women by a wife-beater being communicated in your weekly newspaper. I should not have to be concerned about going into the local store and finding language of this sort published on the front page. This is demoralizing. I would appreciate a response and your comments. Stephen Wood Editor's note: The word "fuck" has been part of the English language since the 1500s, when it was likely imported from the Dutch, and is usually considered to be vulgar slang. Nunatsiaq News has been using it in print for years, almost always in direct quotations that reproduce what others have said. In this case, its use was essential to help readers understand the savage brutality of the attack, and the accused person's attitude toward his victim. We make no apologies. May 2, 2003 Another disgruntled reader So Patricia D'Souza objects to an elementary school workbook used by a substitute teacher in an Iqaluit schoolroom ("Offensive material removed from Iqaluit schools," April 18.) But could she please present her opinions on the editorial page – where they belong – and not embed them in a news story on the front page of the paper? It is unpardonable for a reporter to describe the incident in question as "offensive," "alarming," "frightening," and "heartbreaking" in a purported news item without attributing such characterizations to real sources, named or otherwise – especially when evidence of any public reaction to the affair is so woefully slim. Meanwhile, I note that your newspaper – ever the paragon of promoting the true Inuit culture – offered its readers in the same issue a double-page feature about another recent Iqaluit happening ("Fear was not a factor"). Eight (count 'em) full-colour photos illustrated an "event" dedicated to selecting northern winners of a fancy Caribbean vacation, as a reward for the privilege of eating a cocktail of putrid blood, country food guts and worms. Talk about your cultural change. Talk about something offensive, alarming, frightening and heartbreaking, indeed. And you can quote me. Emanuel Lowi May 2, 2003 Publisher withdraws offensive workbook I am writing in response to an article in Nunatsiaq News entitled "Offensive material removed from Iqaluit schools" (April 18). For over 15 years, S&S Learning Materials has taken pride in providing Canadian educators with over 700 products for their classrooms. All of our resources are written by teachers for teachers. We clearly made a mistake in the editing of this resource, when first published in 1996. On behalf of our company and the author, we apologize to all who found the content offensive. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. As publishers, it is our responsibility to ensure the accuracy of information taught to our children today and that it is communicated in an accurate and respectful manner. It is for this reason that this matter is not taken lightly. Effective immediately, this resource has been pulled from our line and will not be re-issued to the marketplace until such a time that the Iqaluit District Education Authority has approved the revised publication. Lisa Solski
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