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Not all Nunavut students are lazy procrastinators

My name is Mary Kootoo and I am pleased to say that I am furthering my education. I attend Holland College in Charlottetown, taking Business Administration, a two-year program.

I am appreciative to FANS (Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students) for their support. I think it’s wonderful that the Nunavut government is investing in their future. If not for their help, I would not be able to do this, and I feel superb that I am able to set an example for my child, who is seven.

I read the Nunatsiaq News every Friday via the Internet. I really enjoy reading the letters to the editor.

However, I don’t often agree with some of the letters that are written, whether it be partially or entirely. I think I’ve waited far too long to write my letter. Every now and then, there is a letter criticizing either the students or the government regarding education.

First of all, I’d like to mention that I know there are issues that need to be resolved within the government to better deliver these kinds of programs to Nunavummiut.

Second, Nunavut students need to prepare emotionally and mentally for the changes that lie ahead, because when deciding on what field or occupation she or he wishes to pursue, the chances are that the courses are not offered in Nunavut.

I’d just like to state that not all of Nunavut’s students are lazy; that not all Nunavut students are just in it for a free ride; that not all Nunavut students quit midway, and that not all Nunavut students procrastinate.

Mary Kootoo
Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Tourist complains about poor airline service

I would like to lodge a complaint about the ability to travel in the High Arctic.

I’ve been here four times at different times of the year and have had this problem with First Air more than once.

Not only is the travel expensive, but the schedules are sparse, and when they cancel flights they make no effort to rebook you on another available flight. Most recently I was in Resolute Bay when the Wednesday flight was cancelled due to weather.

It didn’t seem that bad, but that is the airlines call for safety — but, to then not fly the next day and not call to make some other arrangement is inexcusable.

I’m a surgeon who has a schedule I must meet and I was there for five days waiting for a flight.

My polar bear hunt was extremely successful, with wonderful people, but trying to leave on any kind of changed schedule has been a nightmare.

For the amount of money they charge for the ticket, the service should be much better.

R. Douglas Yajko, M.D.
Denver, Colorado
rdyajko@comcast.net

April 30, 2004

Iqaluit’s hunting grounds are sacred

Years ago my father told me, “Animals need space. Animals need peace.”

My father is long dead. Over the years, I’ve always tried to attach meaning to his words.

Today, I understand. My father was referring to the abnormal increase in the volume of noise caused by reckless hunters and weekend joy riders.

In the 1960s and 1970s outboards and snowmobiles replaced dog teams. Our dog teams were systematically being wiped out by the RCMP, acting on directives from the federal government in Ottawa. The tranquil silence of our hunting grounds is now polluted by the vengeance of noise.

The long reach of the feds still controls us all. Our past leaders, such as Arnakallak, are yet being stripped of their powers, and the impact their words have on our young hunters.

Our hunting grounds are being treated with disrespect because of the folly of government officials regarding the harvesting of wildlife and use of land. In a nutshell, my dad was telling me:

• animals leave sacred hunting grounds;
• animals move with other animals;
• animals’ new sanctuaries are unable to sustain the increased numbers;
• legitimate hunters are blamed; and,
• questionable conservation practice is legitimized.

Arnakallak, in his wisdom, would say to his people:

• hunt in an area for a short while, then move on;
• do not hunt nor trek on a hunting ground that has already been visited;
• allow animals to feel at home and welcome in all hunting grounds;
• respect hunting grounds and regard them as sacred; and,
• avoid undue disturbances of all wildlife.

The sacred hunting grounds in Iqaluit are losing their prominence. It’s not too late to correct the errors of our ways.

Jacopoosie Peter
Iqaluit

GN fisheries strategy to be released soon

I read with great interest Jim Bell's editorial on April 16th entitled "Decolonizing Nunavut's fishery." The article makes a number of good comments particularly as it relates to the historical development of the fishery, the importance of the Baffin Fisheries Coalition, as well as the misguided reporting of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.

However, where this article falls off track is in its unjustified criticism of the Government of Nunavut. First, it suggests that Nunavut does nothing more than complain to Ottawa about unfair quota allocations. We do indeed take every opportunity to highlight the fact that we have a meagre 34 per cent of our adjacent fishery resources in light of comparisons to other jurisdictions. There appears to be little use in throwing around numbers like $98.5 million when in fact we only have access to 34 per cent of this value.

The GN has done far more than to just highlight the inequitable sharing arrangements in our adjacent fisheries. In 2001, we spearheaded, along with our partners at NTI and the NWMB, the formation and development of the Baffin Fisheries Coalition.

The key purpose of the BFC was and continues to be to build the critical mass necessary for true fisheries development in our offshore fisheries as well as to ensure royalty revenues from the fishery are reinvested into fisheries development in Nunavut.

Further, in 2002, the GN implemented a new program entitled the Fisheries Development and Diversification Program. With core funding of $350,000, this program was initiated to support community-based fisheries development and diversification activities such as test-fisheries, feasibility studies, etc.

During this past fiscal year, we used these funds to leverage more than a million dollars from other sources, and funded more than 20 projects throughout the territory, focused primarily on inshore fisheries development.

The editorial also suggests that the GN does not know what kind of fishery it wants for Nunavut and that we have no strategy or approach to move forward with. Had the editor contacted our department he would have been informed that we indeed have a vision for both offshore and inshore fisheries development.

We have recently completed a Strategic Framework Document for Nunavut Fisheries, and the feedback received from this will be used to finalize a Nunavut Fisheries Strategy that is consistent with the priorities of the current Nunavut Economic Development Strategy.

There is little doubt that in time Nunavut will develop both a capital-intensive large-scale offshore fishery as well as a community-based small-boat inshore fishery. We have, and are continuing to develop programs and support structures to support both of these sectors. The key will be to ensure that these fisheries are developed in the best interests of Nunavut and not that of southern interests who claim to be acting in the interests of Nunavut.

If you want to address the real problems facing fisheries development in Nunavut, then you need to look at the basic support structures that exist in other established fisheries throughout Canada and around the world. These include basic infrastructure support such as harbour and port facilities and marine service centers; core science programs; fisheries diversification programs; as well as an equitable distribution of resource allocations. For the most part all of the above support structures are non-existent in Nunavut.

Federal support through the key initiatives identified above is what opened up the Labrador coastal fishery in the 1970's and beyond, and this is what it will take to open up Nunavut's fishery. DFO in particular has the ability to provide that support to Nunavut through its existing programs such as its Small Craft Harbours program, Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy funding, and its core science budget as well as other recently released Aboriginal fisheries funding programs. The problem is that not one penny from these programs has yet to be spent in Nunavut, and, in fact, DFO uses the Nunavut land claims agreement as a tool to continue to exclude us from most of them.

Until we see a significant shift in federal policy in the above-noted areas, it will be extremely difficult to see the development, for example, of a community-based small boat inshore fishery.

Carey Bonnell
Acting Assistant Deputy Minister
Department of Environment, Nunavut

KIA's business corporation in bad shape

A former KIA president has publicly made some disturbing comments like "I left KIA in great shape" in this newspaper on Feb. 27, and to an extent I don't have any clue why the former KIA president made a comment that doesn't seems to reflect the KIA's history.

Back in June 2001, NTI came in to rescue the financially-troubled Sakku and the financial rescue cost $700,000 of Inuit money. In those years, the KIA's investment corporation saw its entire board of directors replaced for financial mismanagement for reasons that are unknown up to today. It's like Inuit money went disappearing into thin air in front of the un-keen eyes of the KIA authority at the time.

At one time, record-keeping at the KIA investment corporation was so haphazard that an auditing firm found itself unable to audit the KIA investment corporation's books. In October 2001, when the KIA investment corporation was still heavily burdened by crushing debt, the NTI AGM membership approved a bail-out for the financially-failed KIA investment corporation, for a total of $2.2 million worth of Nunavut Inuit money.

What financial chaos. On those two occasions, the KIA investment corporation cost a total of $3 million wiorth of Inuit money, just in that period of time.

Don't forget, the KIA investment corporation has a loan to pay back. There is no "great shape" in this history of financial chaos at the KIA investment corporation. Election time doesn't mean you can just talk your way into win the top job at NTI just like that.

Concerned NTI beneficiary
Johnny Mike (E6-753)
NTI Card # 7520189026
Iqaluit

Manitok Thompson sounds like Chicken Little

So how come Manitok isn't happy with an extended deadline for nominations of the Liberal members? Sounds like Chicken Little to me.

If she truly cared, it seems to me she'd grab the opportunity as a grace time to do more campaigning. I don't see anything improper or being of "unfair influence" in this race.

So what is she planning to contribute as an independent? It seems to me that Manitok wants to get in at the federal level no matter how she does it, just as long as she gets in.

It's not about why, even. It kind of reminds you of the fellow a few years ago who was an NDP for a while and when things didn't go his way, he went independent too. That didn't last long either.

If I were Manitok and was intent on proper and fair influences, I'd campaign like a concerned citizen and lobby for support instead of quitting and crying "Not fair!"

Maybe Nancy is too popular and Manitok knows it? We all know better.

Suzie Napayok
Yellowknife

Gun registration should be voluntary

I listened to the CBC North radio news with interest today about Monday's unannounced fly-in visit by Cabinet minister Albina Guarnieri and Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell to a couple of northern communities in the three territories to gather input on the gun registry.

One of the reasons I'm proud of living in Canada instead of the U.S. is gun control. I think the controversy over the past few years since the implementation of the gun registry has improved education and safety around firearms.

The gun registry, however, has hurt the Liberal Party of Canada by turning ordinary Canadians into criminals. I'm intrigued at how the role of the MP for Nunavut has changed from one of spinning Ottawa's Firearms Act for Nunavummiut to one of gathering input from Nunavummiut about how the Firearms Act negatively affects their everyday life.

According to our current gun laws, half the people in Baker Lake are criminals. When I talk with my students, half of them have loaned a rifle or shotgun to somebody without checking to make sure they have an firearms licence or a possession licence, half of them have bought ammunition for somebody, and half of them have guns sitting around the house without trigger locks on them and not locked up in a cabinet with the gun and the ammo separated.

On an even more serious note, I will always be convinced that the tragedy of Baker Lake resident Hatti Amitnaaq, who was killed by a yearling polar bear at Corbett Inlet on the Hudson Bay coast a few years ago, was due to the family not having ammunition in the camp because of the Firearms Act. There was a rifle in the camp, but no ammo.

Two of my students are orphans because of bureaucratic stupidity from Ottawa that allowed their mother to be killed and eaten by a polar bear.

A political solution to the gun registry fiasco that might get the Liberal government off the hook would be to make registration for long guns optional and voluntary. Restricted weapons should be in the gun registry as always.

It would be easy to require every gun owner to maintain a list of his or her unrestricted long guns with serial numbers in a safe place at home. Guns could then be added to the registry if they are stolen. Names of people with outstanding gun violations would be added to the registry as always.

All the measures that were in place at the time of the urban terrorist massacre at L'école polytechnique with a restricted weapon - a military-style assault rifle - would have caught Marc Lepine before he killed the 14 women - if the measures had been enforced.

Laws cooked up in Quebec for the whole nation, including the wilderness of Nunavut, without thoughtful input from Canadians, are bound to backfire. The really stupid ones also end up costing the government and taxpayers $2 billion.

Orin Durey
Baker Lake

Legion the last line of defence for education

I have just read the article on Nick Newbery's junior high school texts, and the support given by the Royal Canadian Legion.

This brings me back 18 years, to the time when McGill University approached me to write a text book for the Inuktitut as a Second Language courses that we were teaching at Nunatta Campus. It was a worthy idea, but to our embarrassment none of the usual funding organizations would give us any money.

Finally David Wilman approached the Legion, and the text got published. The college stopped giving these fully intensive courses in 1999, but the texts are still in print, and there is still a demand for them.

Eighteen years later I am heartened to see that the Legion continues to step in to help in cultural education when the usual sources turn their backs. Old soldiers know all about the importance of the last line of defence.

Mick Mallon
Iqaluit

Nunavimmiut have the right to ask questions

As Nunavimmiut we are becoming very concerned and disturbed about the way a small group of leaders are conducting their business in Nunavik, such as what occurred before and during the Makivik AGM.

Usually, we welcome a candidate who we think has the knowledge and the ability to do the work for the position.

Instead, a leader may see these candidates as a threat and work behind the scene to ensure they are not elected by the people. An elected person now appears to be hand-picked. They may not necessarily be the best person for the job, but someone who will not challenge the leader.

People who knew Mary Simon well realized she had a vision with experience, and if elected would do an excellent job in assisting Nunavimmiut to develop economically.

But none of this was considered. Instead, she was seen as a threat because she was someone who could challenge situations.

Earlier in her tour Mary met up with some of the Makivik executive members. What was witnessed was quite disturbing.

Mary was not welcomed by some of them; people who had practically cradled her when they met her before would not even look at her now. Mary knew it would be a challenge to run, not because of the other candidate running against her, but because of the attitudes of these people and the influence they might have on the population.

Witnessing this, one wonders where all this is coming from.

It became very evident at the Makivik AGM when Mary Simon was slyly attacked by the president, live on radio. This incident shook up much of the Nunavik population.

At this time, she had addressed some important questions to the self-government negotiating committee. These were questions many Nunavimmiut would also ask regarding the self-government process.

The response was not from the people who she addressed the questions to, but from the Makivik president, stating she would not be asking these questions if she had been living in Nunavik, implying she did not know what was going on.

Mary Simon reacted to this statement very strongly, because there had been discriminatory words and actions prior to this meeting coming from him.

Generally, we would ask why these questions would be made into a big issue with the kind of experience that Mary has in politics. The fact of the matter is, throughout her career, Mary has worked almost solely for the Inuit at the international, national and regional level.

We know that Mary has all the experience necessary and is very aware of issues in Nunavik. Furthermore, why would it be of concern, even if she had to become familiar with some issues when the other candidate stated during his campaign that he is still learning his position after three years into his term.

It is time, as beneficiaries, that we take a hard and serious look at the election procedures that are used during the Makivik Corporation elections.

First of all these elections should not be held during the Makivik AGM. Secondly, candidates who are running for re-election to their positions in the corporation should be removed from their position for a period of time. In other organizations, candidates are usually removed from their job when they are running for election, whether it is for a one-month period or longer.

Another issue of concern in Nunavik is that people are slowly losing the freedom to voice their opinions on political issues. When people have a different opinion, they are seen as going against the political line. This is not good.

Unless we have an open and honest debate, we will not secure a good future for our children. It is beyond our understanding why some people seem to find it a threat when others make the choice to work more carefully on the development of our region.

Although Mary Simon was not elected, her campaign tour was definitely not a waste of time. It has raised much awareness and it made Nunavimmiut understand the importance of taking the time to plan well for our future and the future generations to come.

As supporters of Mary Simon, we encourage Mary to continue to have the passion that she has always had in helping her fellow Inuit.

We know you have the ability to work in the best way possible. We will continue to support you in your efforts. We are sorry for not having been at the AGM to give you the support that you needed.

(Name withheld by request)
Kuujjuaq

A final thank-you

I have recently been told that I'm terminally ill and I would like to say a few thank-you's to the following people:

Thank-you to my family; the Aknavigaks; the Ohokannoaks; the Koahas; Kelvin Ng, who is my best friend, and his family; the first board of directors for the NIRB, the NIRB transition team and our lawyer Wild Bill Tilleman, who was a great support for a number of years; and Joe Kunuk, the former mayor of Iqaluit, who I respected during the race for capital of Nunavut.

Thank you all for your support over the years and I wish you all the best in the future.

Last, but not least, thank you to my beautiful wife Vivienne and my daughter Ovik, who have supported me 100 per cent.

Larry Pokok Aknavigak
Cambridge Bay

April 9, 2004

Thanks from Iqaluit Parents and Tots

The Iqaluit Parents and Tots Association take this opportunity to thank the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Nunavut Trade Show for their kind and generous donation to our organization.

The BRCC/Nunavut Trade Show charitable auction raised nearly $20,000, which they have distributed to over 20 daycare and early childhood centres across Baffin communities. Iqaluit Parents and Tots is grateful for the donation and will use the funds to supplement our children's English, Inuktitut and French book collection and lending library.

'Good on ya' BRCC, and good luck with the 2004 Nunavut Trade Show and charitable auction!

For more information on Iqaluit Parents and Tots, call Vivian Loo at 979 1052.

Board of Directors
Iqaluit Parents and Tots Association
Iqaluit

UI surplus should be used for education

I would like to start by thanking Sheila Fraser, the Auditor General of Canada, for reminding me that we still have people in Ottawa willing to tell us what is really happening.

You have raised my hopes and fueled my interest, giving me a renewed feeling of importance as a Canadian citizen. I found myself wanting to know more.

As I hoped most Canadians would do, I went through the audit reports on the federal government's web site. I was so excited when I read the report on Human Recourses Development Canada (HRDC) and discovered that this department had an excess of 43.8 billion dollars.

I'm a 30-year veteran of the workforce with aspirations of furthering my post-secondary education. So you can imagine my surprise when I read that the government was considering a new rate-setting process.

I don't think that during a time when education and employment for all Canadians is in real need on government support, that Canadians will stand by and allow this government to give big corporations another tax break. I believe it's time that business start paying their share for the education that they demand their prospective employees to have.

The problem is HRDC doesn't recognize post-secondary education as a way of seeking employment. I quote from a letter my friend received saying "we have determined that, as you are in a training course of your own initiative, you have not proven your availability."

How can anyone who wishes to pursue a professional career by going to school be considered unavailable to the workforce? Their value grows ten-fold with each year of education and every graduate reduces the possibility of him/her ever needing benefits again.

I would like to state a few facts that everyone should agree on:

• education is our ticket out of poverty;
• most post-secondary students live below the poverty level;
• the shortage of senior management, middle management, professional and paraprofessionals is at an all-time high;
• politicians, community leaders and educators are constantly reminding everyone that education is the key to success in today's world.

Here's my suggestion, which I feel would be beneficial to every aspect of our economy. I want our government to revise the Employment Insurance Act so that post-secondary education will be recognized as actively pursuing employment, and benefits can be collected for the duration of a student's course of their choosing.

I am not suggesting that employment benefits replace post-secondary funding programs, but in fact work together to increase the student's income, lowering the stress and increasing their chance of success.

My goal for writing this letter is to encourage the participation of every Canadian citizen in the decision-making process. Forty-four billion dollars translates to approximately $1,400 for every man, women and child in Canada.

We now know that our politicians need to be monitored very closely and, with an amount of this magnitude, I believe that it's imperative that this matter be debated openly and on a national level.

In the 2003 federal budget, the government announced that it would consult on a new rate-setting process to be implemented for 2005, so there's still time to have them listen to us ordinary citizens.

Speak up before it's too late.

Richard Plamondon
Cambridge Bay

Procrastination a problem for northern students

We sometimes hear people ask why it is that post-secondary students from the North frequently give up and come back home early rather than stay to complete their studies in college or university.

Among other reasons, I would like to suggest that procrastination might be to blame. At least it was one of my biggest problems as a student. I think that students should start learning in their early school years that it is necessary to meet deadlines with school assignments.

By the time a student gets to college, they should have an ingrained attitude that putting homework off until the last minute, or even later, is not a good way to approach an education, and will likely lead to self-sabotage.

It is very easy to be distracted in a place such as Montreal, where there are so many thrilling things to see and do, and forget about doing homework. If this happens, it is also easy to get bogged down until you have no choice but to quit.

Some students think their work has to be perfect before they can hand it in, which also can lead to procrastination. Sometimes you just have to accept that good enough is good enough, and let it go at that. If it is so that God gives us no more than we can handle, why should any student try and outdo the Almighty Creator?

It might also help for students to respect that their professors have deadlines to meet, such as deadlines to get assignments marked on schedule. They cannot do this without getting the assignments from the students on time.

A student who does not procrastinate about their homework is likely to become an employee who also gets things done on time. As many of us have learned, it can become mentally painful to procrastinate too long, and when anyone is feeling such discomfort, it is tempting to look for a scapegoat for our situation.

Meanwhile, the procrastinator, himself, is only to blame, because he is the one choosing to put off what he is supposed to be doing. In fact, meeting deadlines is merely good manners and shows respect for those who depend on us.

I would like to wish all students success with this paper writing and exam preparation season. For your own sake, please just do it.

Bob Mesher
Kuujjuaq

Makivik Corp. shouldn't profit from Nunavut

I, being an Inuk from the Nunavut territory, was not satisfied with the medical travel agreements between the Government of Nunavut and Canadian North and First Air.

First Air no doubt has made hundreds of millions from our territory since they started their multi-million dollar business. Five years from now, our government should have Canadian North as their only airline providing medical travel for patients from Nunavut, as does First Air in their own boundaries.

Canadian Airlines was forced to move out from Kuujjuaq.

First Air should not be allowed to have any medical contracts, not even a single penny should go from Nunavut to Makivik Corporation.

The most expensive airline in the North should be called Last Air. Last Air does have the most expensive ticket prices in Nunavut and there for should bring their prices down. Last Air should have seat sales for Nunavut residents at Christmas or other special events, not only for Toonik Tyme.

I am urging everyone who is in Nunavut to support our airlines and get them to bring their prices down.

We are nice enough to let you fly in our territory and make millions, therefore Canadian Airlines should be allowed to fly through Kuujjuaq and get medical contracts and make millions of dollars from Nunavik, to be fair.

(Name witheld by request)
Iqaluit

Mary Simon treated badly at Makivik AGM

It is not our tradition to be unwelcoming towards our fellow Inuit. That is exactly what happened to Mary Simon when she had questions for the Nunavik negotiators at the Makivik Corp. Annual General Meeting last week.

I really feel that the negotiators (Minnie Grey, Harry Tulugak and Maggie Emudluk) should never let Pita Aatami or anyone else answer self-government questions.

I am tired of hearing elected representatives accusing concerned citizens of not wanting self-government. Stop twisting their words and start listening to their concerns.

We know everyone will vote at the end and we all know what the question will be. "Do you want self-government, YES or NO?"

Of course, we want our own government. Concerns, comments, discussions, and debates must be welcome and be out in the open, so that we do not surrender our rights once again.

I was shocked when Pita Aatami, the president of Makivik Corp., commented on the fact that Mary has not been a resident of Nunavik for many years and that she is out of touch. I could not believe that such a personal comment was let go. No elected delegates intervened and stopped him.

It showed that the president did not support or respect Mary in running or being elected. There should not be any interference when people run for office.

Only after the election results did we hear Pita congratulating Mary for her efforts and accomplishments. It was way too late. It was very obvious that Mary was not welcome anymore.

I am certain that if a comment like this were made to the president, or to the delegates, that it would be unacceptable. Why was it acceptable then?

Earlier in that week, we had heard Pita giving his full support and respect to Guy St-Julien, the Liberal MP for Abitibi-Baie-James and Nunavik, reassuring him that he would vote for him again.

Delegates then applauded his work and the help he gave our region after his speech. What about our own Inuk who did exactly that and much more for her own people? All I am saying is that no elected representative supported Mary at that time before the election.

We know Mary has been away. She was serving Nunavimmiut while she was away. I am very proud of her and of her accomplishments. Perhaps she intimidated everyone with her success.

It was very bad that Pita made Mary upset by commenting that she does not know what we are doing now. We heard Mary for five minutes, responding upset, as though Pita had wanted it. That five minutes made many voters' change their minds, forgetting the amount of work she has done for her people.

If we measure her experiences and accomplishments, we cannot even compare it to any other elected people at this time.

There should be a policy about who says what during election-time. Too many personal comments are still acceptable. I feel that a good representative should be able to be on both sides, because we will always have different opinions. I believe that a good elected representative does not go on anyone's side.

I am disappointed that Mary was not elected, since she has done tremendous work, and the fact that she is a woman and dedicated her whole life serving the Inuit all over the north. We have lost the opportunity to see what she could have offered to us.

Nakurmiik.

Sarah Airo
Kuujjuaq

Canadian North's $8.5 million name shame

In April 1997, before the Nunavut territory came into being, staff at the Nunavut Implementation Commission's office announced a contest open to all Canadian citizens (except NIC commissioners and staff.)

The design contest was for a new Nunavut territorial flag. I bet you that the "price" for the NIC flag contest is a pittance compared to what Air NorTerra's directors approved for the use of an airline name.

In June 5, 2003, it was reported in the Montreal Gazette that the Inuit-owned airline Air NorTerra had paid $8.5 million just to use the Canadian North name. The money was to pay for a name. A name. Notice, the money was not spent to buy aircraft or hardware, the money was used to buy an intellectual property item.

As a concerned beneficiary, I brought this matter up with Joe Attagutaaluk, the secretary-treasurer of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association in the summer of 2003. I also brought it up with Cathy Towtongie of NTI (Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.) this winter. But neither has written me a letter, although the latter had asserted that NTI staff was looking into it.

If this $8.5 million was your money, what would you do if the board consulted you on the price for the use of a name?

Shame, the board hadn't consulted you. Shame, the board had no faith in the individual and collective creativity of the Inuit in general, and the beneficiaries of the Inuvialuit peoples and the Nunavut Inuit in particular.

The first question is: "What does that make of the directors of Nunasi Corporation or Air NorTerra and their respective attitude toward the Inuit?"

The other questions are (not in any particular order):

• Canadian North. Is that an original?
• Canadian North. Is that the only name the board liked?
• Canadian North. Why spend $8.5 million dollars on the name?
• Canadian North. Was it worth $8.5 million?
• Canadian North. Any chance you can ask for a refund of the $8.5 million?
• Canadian North. A lot of loonies.

Adla Itorcheak
Iqaluit

Deep appreciation from the Takawgak family

We wish to acknowledge, on behalf the Takawgak family, our deep appreciations to our friends down here and from the North, to name a few, from Hall Beach, Pond Inlet, Nunavut, and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., in Iqaluit.

Thanks also to First Air, City Church, the Inuit Community Centre in Ottawa, the staff of Baffin Larga House, and Hulse, Playfair and McGarry Funeral Services.

And thanks for the support from our relatives, who came to Ottawa, from the Far North, for the burial on January 27, 2004, of my son Jason Takawgak, who died on January 16, 2004.

From all of us, parents, Johnny, Tapitia, and brothers, Lee, Ivan, Ruben, Enookie, John, Jesse and Barry.

John and Tapitia Takawgak
Ottawa

For sale: One NTI membership

For sale: one NTI (Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.) membership, with full benefits, for only $250,000.

Reason for selling:

NTI has done nothing for me and I have not benefited from any of its programs.

Pauloosie Nuyalia
Iqaluit

Gender-bending MLAs?

I finally saw the swearing-in ceremony of the newly minted slate of Nunavut MLAs on television, and, after laughing for a little while, I thought I'd go ahead and comment on two things that struck me about the ceremony. I may lose in some way over this, but it is tongue-in-cheek.

1. The spectacle of some thoroughly Eskimo MLAs deliberately doing their oath in Eskimo English, instead of in Inuktitut, to nail down the Eskimo character of the Nunavut government; and,
2. The gender-challenged fashions of some MLAs. Some men appeared to wear silapaaq/atigiit with akuqs, traditionally ornamental in women's apparel.

Okalik wore one with akuq-like indentations on the sides, Evyagotailak wore one with an outright akuq (perhaps excusable if such are the traditions of his region), and Simailak's was just sooo flowery. An Arctic Liberace?

Well, after Nunavut, 30 years in the making, deserves 30 years of grace from unkind criticism, but some things are just too good to pass up.

Peter Ittinuar
Toronto

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