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Letters

August 1, 2003
August 8, 2003
August 15, 2003
August 22, 2003
August 29, 2003

Have the negotiators of the land claim failed their own people?

When I arrived in Frobisher Bay in 1956, every Inuk owned his own home.

Now, after all these years, very few local Inuit can say they are homeowners. The majority are totally dependent on the government for the roof over their heads.

Sadly, some of those who took the step to own a house have discovered that it isn't an attractive option.

What is ironic about this question of property taxes is the fact that the Inuit and those who came before them have lived in and near Iqaluit for more than 4,000 years.

What has the "land claim" done for them? Why was there no provision in the claim to permit any Inuk who wanted a piece of land for a home to simply be given a lot? What has happened to the rights of the individual?

I understand that the land claim of Nunavik, northern Quebec, makes that provision, so that any Inuk wanting a piece of land pays one dollar, whereas an Inuk in Iqaluit must first enter a lottery, and then, if lucky, wins the chance to get a lot, pay as much as $50,000 or more for the privilege, not to own, just to lease the lot, and then pay a fee every year and property taxes on top of that.

Have the negotiators of the land claim failed their own people? Was it an oversight?

Most of the negotiators were too young to have ever owned a home. Is there some way that this oversight can be addressed? I hope so, not only for the sake of the individuals facing eviction, but for future generations, who, I believe, have a right to the land that belonged to them and did so long before there was a Canada.

Bryan Pearson
Iqaluit

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Thanks for helping with Inuit circumpolar games

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Inuit Circumpolar Games committee, especially Ernie Bernhardt and Beatrice Bernhardt, for their dedication and commitment to make these games a reality.

A very big thank you to the sponsors, First Air, Diavik Mines, and countless others to have all of us Arctic sports athletes well-fed and taken care of in Kugluktuk. This great and enjoyable event we had in Kugluktuk was memorable and special among all the athletes that participated. Without these dedicated people this event would not have been possible.

Also, thanks to Allen Anavilok, John Taipana, Steve Cockney, and the rest of the officials, for fair and equal treatment of all athletes, a job well done. To the people of Kugluktuk, their hospitality was priceless, culture-oriented and not to mention all the traditional food they fed us and fattened us up with just before competition started.

Despite that, world records were broken in the kneel jump, toe jump, and the one-foot high-kick in the junior men's category.

I think all the delicious country food contributed to all these new world records. In conclusion, I encourage all the younger athletes to continue in pursuing new records and to continue in their training to reach the unreachable.

Rene Tautu
Arctic Bay

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Non-Inuit can still do useful work for Inuit

I would like to express my appreciation for Jose Kusugak's comments in his Aug. 8 commentary "Who speaks for Inuit?"

As a non-Inuit social services practitioner who has been working with the Nunavik Inuit for the past 10 years, his question "Should only Inuit speak for Inuit?" has personal resonance for me.

I have struggled with the issues of Inuit versus non-Inuit roles in the development and provision of social services and constantly questioned myself as to whether I am doing the right thing. My objective has always been to advocate for Inuit clients to ensure they receive the best possible services and to support my Inuit co-workers in their own professional development.

However I have not found this so easy to put into practice. No matter how well intentioned non-Inuit are, it is no simple matter to translate one's own cultural and professional experience into something that is relevant and helpful to Inuit communities.

My experience has been that most northern organizations do not make sufficient effort to help non-Inuit learn to do this or to support us when we are struggling or make "mistakes." Often our honest efforts are not much appreciated and we are subjected to certain negative attitudes such as the commonly held belief that "we are only there for the money."

Of course, people work to earn money - few have the luxury of being able to work just for the fun of it. However, most people look for work that they also find personally satisfying and those who choose to work with the Inuit usually do so because of genuine interest and commitment.

Obviously, there are many dedicated Inuit who are well able to act as their own advocates and look after the needs of their communities. It goes without saying that these people are best suited to take the lead in "speaking for Inuit."

However, there are simply not yet enough Inuit with the skills and education to meet all the needs. I believe people like myself can fill a useful role, and as long as there is a place for me within the Inuit community, where I believe I can do meaningful work, I will persevere in my efforts to advocate on behalf of Inuit and promote their greater participation in social service delivery.

I hope that all Northern organizations follow Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami's example and look for ways to ensure that Inuit and non-Inuit employees are able to work effectively together for the benefit of the Inuit community.

Lynn Sparks
Montreal

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Municipality of Iqaluit blows all its projects

I am now living in Calgary after living in the North for much of the past 10 years and a good friend of Rick Bradley.

I found your article truthful on both sides of the story.

The problem in which the town is involved with is not just a northern one. Calgary is facing the same problems with development costs, as is the town of Cochrane, Alberta. The solution is to offer to the developer the requirement to have them build the roads, and if required, extend the utilidor system.

The contractors are the ones making money from developments and this should factor into the bottom line.

Having one government body charge another for the benefit of the private sector does not encourage developement.

Jonah Kelly, an Order of Canada recipient, is also in the same mess as Rick? The council problem will remain so long as there are paid honorariums for those who clearly serve themselves.

Hire an outside contractor to monitor those projects, someone to oversee the work. The town has blown every project it has ever done.

The garage in Cape Dorset is bigger and run more efficiently than the garage/dump in Iqaluit and the Iqaluit services are outsourced because of narrow thinking against the union and its last strike. The solution is a complete purge of all the deadweight.

John Bray
Calgary

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Igloolik mayor didn't urge Arvaluk to run in Amittuq

On your June 27 issue, I would like to make a clarification.

James Arvaluk made a comment to reporters that the mayor of Igloolik had asked him to run in the Amittuq riding in the general election.

I don't recall ever telling him to run for Amittuq.

I know James has done a lot for his riding, and I wish him luck in his future.

Elijah Evaluardjuk
Mayor of Igloolik

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Atlanta teacher wants cultural exchange with Nunavut

I am a high school geography teacher in Atlanta, Georgia who is about to teach a unit on Nunavut.

I am trying to contact a high school in your area that would possibly be interested in setting up some kind of cultural exchange program.

Would any of the schools in your area be interested in contacting me with their name and address?

Mike Raymer
Atlanta, Georgia
raymers@mindspring.com

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Nakasuk planning 30th anniversary reunion

Nakasuk School is planning a 30th anniversary celebration on Sept. 30. Do you remember the opening of Nakasuk School in Frobisher Bay, Northwest Territories?

If you were a member of the 1973-74 staff, please contact Ronald Kennedy at Nakasuk School, (867) 979-5335 (phone) or 979-5994 (fax).

Can you help locate the following people? They are:

R.B. Carson, principal; J. Lynn Borthwick, kindergarten; Florence J. Rachanski, Grade 1; Barb Zauchner, Grade 1; Mrs. L. Bobb, Grade 1; Mrs. Sonya Harper, Grade 2; Ross Harper, music teacher; Mrs. Jacqueline M. Smith, Grade 3; Marj Buckham, Grade 3; Mrs. J. Clovis, Grade 3; Mrs. Mhairi B. Butterworth, Grade 4; Miss Pat Pope, Grade 4; Anne Marie MacEachern, Grade 6; plus office staff, caretakers, the tech centre and classroom assistants.

If you were a 1973-74 kindergarten student, please contact Rosemary Twerdin or Meeka Kakudluk at Nakasuk School.

Ronald Kennedy
Nakasuk School
Iqaluit

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Why Inuit should be exempted from the gun law

Equality and exemption for Inuit were brought up by Tanis Fiss of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation on CBC radio on Friday, Aug. 11.

Why should the Inuit be treated differently from the rest of Canadians?

Let's talk about equality first. Inuit have been mistreated since democracy arrived in the North. If we were treated as equal to the rest of Canada, we would have no housing problem. The housing in this harsh territory is outrageous, with overcrowding and very few houses being built in each community of Nunavut.

The rents range from $32 per month up to, in some cases, $4000 per month. For those people who rely on income support (social assistance), their income support is way too low.

If you don't know it, a family usually has at least between six to 10 people living under one roof.

Those who are fortunate to be in the work force know jobs are very limited in most remote communities. The majority of their income goes to rent and leaves them with hardly any money to buy nutritious food.

So they, in turn, go out hunting over the weekend to support their families.

Health issues are among the biggest concerns throughout Nunavut. Our nurses are being burned out from over-work and living with a completely different culture.

Although there are a number of things I could write about equality, I'd like to get back to why Inuit should be treated differently, by exempting them from the gun control law.

I fully agree with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., not because I'm a beneficiary, but because I care about my fellow Inuit.

Yes, it's true that we used different methods for hunting for thousands of years. When Qallunaat introduced guns to Inuit, we only used them for the purpose of hunting wild game such as caribou, polar bears, seals, walruses, beluga and narwhal and everything that is edible. Most Inuit, at least 80 per cent of the population in Nunavut, are full-time hunters, because it's their only means of eating meat.

Let's face it, education was not introduced to us until the late 1950s, and in some areas not until the early 1960s. For those who have never entered education systems, it is very difficult for them to get into the work force.

So, they hunt for themselves and for their extended family. I can only see that it's their way of life. The only life they know is to hunt and feed their families and those who are widowed or elderly. If you can only understand the hardship we have to go through.

In some remote communities there is only one store with no competition, so the stores can skyrocket their prices.

If you don't know, we rely on aircraft to bring in meat and fresh produce, but the majority of the time, what the merchants call "fresh produce" is rotten when it eventually gets into a community.

Our weather is a factor most of the time, with very thick fogs in springtime, very heavy snow in the fall, and blizzards and white-outs in the winter. Believe me, the beef, pork, chicken and other meats are very expensive.

We envy people living down south, because they are able to get fresh meat at different kinds of stores. We have to settle for frozen meat, bought with our last dollar. If you can afford it, you can order fresh meat from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, but that is not the case for Inuit.

These are different factors and obstacles we have to go through, trying to survive in this harsh, unforgiving land. Those who do not believe me should come up to one of the most remote communities and find out for themselves what it's really like and not take things for granted.

We Inuit hunt for food and consume practically everything that is harvested, unlike people from down south who only do sport hunting - their only interest is to get the biggest bulls with the biggest antlers, and so on.

We use all the caribou meat and the antlers are usually carved by the carvers for very little income. Inuit respect their rifles and will not use them until they are out hunting.

After the scare of mad cow disease, and not knowing where the meat was coming from, we were reluctant to buy meat from the only one store or two stores, so we hunted more caribou, knowing that the meat is good.

We eat caribou in a variety of ways, frozen raw, cooked, dried, or raw and freshly killed. The only thing in a caribou we don't eat is the intestines and bones. Any country food is the best.

I myself have tried eating frozen beef before, but it does not beat caribou meat by a long shot.

I'm 100 per cent Inuk and most proud of it. Inuit are very proud of our culture and we don't want to lose our traditional hunting rights now or ever.

Johnny Ayaruaq
Qikiqtarjuaq

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Iqaluit ratepayer says $4 million borrowing not needed

The speeding drivers of gas-guzzling, ozone-depleting vehicles have been appeased, again.

I wonder how many times the roads have been paved, and if city council plans to shell out that project money every few years?

Sidewalks and boardwalks for the safety of pedestrians should have been considered over the comfort of drivers.

While that band-aid project takes place, the stench of the sewage lagoon hangs over the town, people are being evicted from their homes, and now the council wants $4 million for another unnecessary project, the treatment and storage of water.

I have yet to see the social issues of this city being addressed.

I think it's time the councillors get their heads out of the clouds and get back to reality.

Anonymous
Iqaluit

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Beneficiaries' money shouldn't be spent on tax deadbeats

I've been debating with myself whether to write this letter to the editor, but seeing how tax deadbeats can and do get the attention of politicians, it compels me to say something.

When we don't pay our bills, we get threatened or sued by collection agencies (all fine and well, since products and services that we want would disappear because no one would pay for them).

I think it's the same thing with not paying municipal taxes. It all seems so abstract and out of reality - these taxes that we have to pay.

But, think for a moment - some of these products and services that we've come to expect from the city have to be paid somehow. Some of these monies go to vehicle inspections and maintenance, or are supposed to. Our recent experience here in Iqaluit with deaths resulting from the use of municipal trucks brings home the fact that our tax dollars go to pay for various things, including the inspection and upkeep of our essential services.

I don't appreciate my beneficiary money going to bail out people who obviously take more than they receive.

We're not rich and moneyed to the ying-yang, but we try and do our part according to our capacities.

So, if you ask me, if these people deserve our consideration, they are an additional burden when the money they don't pay as individuals is intended to pay for things that we need as a city and as a territory.

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

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It's the perpetrator who is responsible

I would like to express my opinion about sexual abuse after having read the letter in Nunatsiaq News, "Child molester was victim of Ed Horne," (Aug. 1).

Who is to blame? I say the perpetrators themselves, no one else, whether they are survivors or victims of sexual abuse or not.

Yes, it is unfair and unjust that victims turn into abusers. But I say that they are curable and have to want to get over the pain of their own sexual abuse. They have to stop being their abuser's victim. They have to strive to become survivors, because there is a difference - a victim is still under the control of his or her sexual abuser.

A survivor is somebody who decided to deal with the pain and to go through the pain and then move on. Eventually, a person who has dealt with their abuse will come upon a day when they themselves will find themselves helping other survivors.

The court has to realize that sexual abuse of any sort is a crime that deserves to be taken seriously.

House arrest is just a set-up for failure. It's no wonder some abusers commit more crimes when they could be in jail, hopefully seeking help for their sickness.

As for Ed Horne, I myself have very personal issues toward him, as he has hurt my childhood by hurting my brothers. But life goes on.

I do not know if receiving a big lump sum of money was their choice, but I say it was a bad set-up for failure for most of the people that he has hurt. Yes, money today seems to be the only means of living, but the reality is that for some it was a very bad set-up, especially when there is easy access to drugs and alcohol.

I'm hoping that something will be done to better the system that is in effect, because it is not working for some of his victims.

I've already lost one brother to suicide, and I don't want to lose another to a system that I know can be made better by the right people. I'm hoping that something can be done.

(Name withheld by request)
Cape Dorset

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Mine debate provokes hostility among Baker Lake residents

Comments made by Boris Kotelewetz in your Aug. 1 issue compelled me to write this letter.

He finally admitted what the people of Baker Lake have known for years. He represents only himself and a few friends only. He considers the majority idiots driven only by money. It does not matter to him if the mine comes or not. He made his money already. This shows how little Boris knows the people, people literally on a starvation diet because they have no money. And that is today. Welfare just doesn't cut it.

Unlike Boris and the other councillors, the majority have faith in our water board and other territorial and federal regulators and agencies to protect the environment and the people.

After all, they have been watching other mines in all parts of Canada for decades.

And Boris was wrong when he said people go around saying they are trying to prevent development. What the people say is Boris doesn't want Inuit to succeed.

Nick Nungnik
Baker Lake

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Jack Anawak was proven to be right

When will the "most honourable" premier, Paul Okalik, do the honourable thing and admit he was wrong in taking away MLA Jack Anawak's portfolio and kicking him out of cabinet this past March?

After all, Jack's stand on the transferring of jobs from Rankin Inlet (his constituency) to Baker Lake had nothing to do with Jack's performance as a minister.

Nevertheless, Okalik has finally come to some sense by announcing that the 13 positions in Rankin will remain there, and instead, 15 positions will be transfered from Iqaluit to Baker.

What about Jack Anawak? Will the premier do the honourable thing and publicly apologize to him by admitting that the MLA for Rankin North was right and return his marbles, um, I mean, his portfolio? After all, the world is watching.

Bill Gawor
Rankin Inlet

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The epilogue and the end

On July 31, the premier of Nunavut announced that the PPD jobs would stay in Rankin Inlet.

Later that day in Baker Lake, he announced that power corporation jobs would relocate to Baker. Way to go Baker, but keep diligent, as these jobs were to be transferred to you almost two years ago.

A lot of people worked hard to convince the cabinet and premier that this was as it should be:

• The staff of PPD for putting up with a troubling year.
• Our MLAs, Manitok Thompson and Jack Anawak, both of whom spoke against the PPD move, both at a cost to their jobs, one more than another.
• The people of Rankin Inlet for their petition, and the mayor and council of Rankin Inlet, who fought, not for jobs but for people and their lives and their families.
• The premier. Anybody can make a mistake. Fixing the error takes guts.

Justin Merritt
Rankin Inlet

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Garbage, garbage everywhere

What is it that visitors to Iqaluit notice most about the town? All the garbage everywhere!

During my first few months in town, I thought that people threw their garbage onto the ground because there were not enough garbage cans.

Not so. A few days ago, I saw a classic example showing that people don't care enough to keep their town clean. The basketball courts in front of Nakasuk School were strewn with pop bottles, candy wrappers, chip bags, plastic bags, and cigarette packages, all within a few feet of a big blue garbage can.

I recently picked up all the garbage in our back yard, only to find it full of the same kind of stuff a few days later.

Do people here like to live in a town full of garbage? Most of these items could easily fit in your pocket until you reach a garbage can to dispose of them properly.

If each person did his or her small part to keep their garbage off the land, there would be a lot less pollution and the town would be a much nicer place to visit and to live in.

Let's take some pride in our community and keep it clean

Geri Loukes
Iqaluit

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Pre-election politicking?

This is an open letter to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. Why is the legislature being so lenient on their fellow member from Rankin Inlet North?

It seems like since Jack Anawak lost to Paul Okalik for the premier's job, he's been trying to bring disorder to the House using his political tactics.

Well, maybe he is doing the right thing for his constituents by speaking out against the cabinet.

However, the legislature operates on a so-called consensus government, a form of governance that he fought so hard for. He insisted that the new territory have a consensus government while serving as the Interim Commissioner. We now have to live with the fact that our legislature operates without party politics, which means, the House does not abide by any set ideas or principles and it operates as it sees fit.

He continues to say that party politics is foreign to Nunavut Inuit. Okay, if politicking based on one's beliefs is foreign to Inuit, why is he doing it right now?

I wonder if he is trying to win votes from his constituents knowing he might not win in the next territorial election. Remember, he almost didn't get voted into the seat he currently holds right now.

In his letter to the editor on Aug. 1, he claims that the Government of Nunavut should not cater to southern laws. Why would he say that when he himself is politicking like a true politician with elections just around the corner?

The Nunavut cabinet has to practise its authority and reprimand someone by the likes of Anawak and kick him out of office since his constituents aren't likely to vote him out of office. Consensus government or not, with Jack in the House there is no consensus. The Legislative Assembly had better get rid of that dissident of an MLA if it will continue to pretend that it is a government based on consensus.

Peter Piugaattuk
Iqaluit

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Some people buy food before dope

In response to the letter in Nunatsiaq News, written from Cape Dorset on July 25, concerning dope use being a natural thing.

I have to disagree with it because not everyone, as the writer puts it, spends all their money on drugs and leaves their family hungry.

Although people here do drugs, they at least buy food first before dope.

I'd say dope is no use if it just creates more problems, like letting your children be hungry.

(Name withheld by request)
Cape Dorset

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Rankin MLA defends Iqaluit homeowners against tax sale

It is with some trepidation that I write this letter, because really, one of the MLAs for Iqaluit or all of them should be doing this.

I listened to the radio and heard that some people's houses are going to be sold out from under them because their taxes are unpaid.

This is to me a matter of great injustice especially for those who are either original Iqalungmiut, or at least, long-time Iqalungmiut. Some of these people originally stepped on these Iqaluit shores long before any of us even knew where Iqaluit was.

Is this what we fought for in the negotiations for our land claims, so newly created bodies like the Iqaluit City Council can make Inuit homeless? I do not think so.

The Government of Nunavut should start acting like a government for the people of Nunavut instead of catering only to Kabloonaq laws and do something for their constituents. My question to the MLAs for Iqaluit would be, where are you and why are you not doing something for these people? Is it because the Inuit who are being evicted are not influential enough for votes in the upcoming territorial election?

You should be defending your constituents, not because it is politically advantageous to you, but because it is the right thing to do.

I feel for the people who must be undergoing a lot of stress and uneasiness as a result of the measures being taken against them.

Jack Anawak
Iqaluit
janawak@assembly.nu.ca

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Fundraising records lost in Joamie fire

Along with the other devastating losses that we have all experienced in the fire at Joamie School, all the records for the "Jump Rope for Heart" campaign were destroyed.

The students at our school raised almost $11,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and we had a great time working on our jump rope skills.

On behalf of everyone who supported our fundraising drive and physical education activities, I would like to express our extreme gratitude.

Unfortunately, we won't be able to issue charitable donation receipts to anyone who made contributions, as we had promised. That project was going to be tackled over the summer.

Also, we will make every effort possible to straighten out the student participant rewards program, since many of the prizes were lost in the fire, along with countless other materials.

Thank you again for your support, and our apologies for being unable to fulfill our commitments.

John Maurice
Joamie School

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Child molester was victim of Ed Horne

I am so sorry for the 41-year-old Iqaluit male who forced himself on a girl under the age of 14 on May 15 — a girl with a "mental deficit."

I am sorry for him because he, like so many others, is a victim of convicted pedophile Ed Horne.

This male victim of Ed Horne was sentenced to nine months house arrest for sexual assault and sexual interference with a minor child. The conditional sentence was given rather than jail time due to this man being a victim of Ed Horne.

What I want to know is this: Will Ed Horne be punished for his part in this crime against yet another child? Now that we are witnessing a second (or maybe a third) generation of Ed Horne victims, will he be punished for his legacy of destruction? He will soon be eligible for release and yet his grievous damage continues to devastate countless victims. When his punishment is considered completed, he will be released.

What kind of society do we have when we cannot protect our children, our disabled and our most vulnerable citizens? Such crimes must receive the harshest possible penalties. Perpetrators must receive appropriate rehabilitation if they are to be released into society. And most of all, victims need support and counselling so that we may stop this cycle.

I hope that this young girl has support, care and protection to survive this terrible thing that has been done to her.

Lydia Bardak
Tizzard's Harbour, Nfld.

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Violent and abusive behaviour is disgusting

This is in regard to the article on Kyle Amegainek and the comment of the defence lawyer. ("Cambridge Bay woman beaten with broom for hours," July 18.)

Defence lawyer Greg Nearing said Amegainek has had a lot of related convictions but "he's not on the high end of the scale."

What do you have to do in order to be considered "high end of the scale?" This person has been in and out of court since he was young for the same offence.

It is disgusting to be violent and abusive and consider it to be normal behaviour. In this day and age, to do such violent crimes to women, it should be considered at a high end of the scale when someone such as Amegainek does repeat offences for such crimes and gets only months at a time.

Anonymous
Cambridge Bay

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