Around
Nunavut
July
16, 2004
Print sale in Iqaluit
The 2004 collection from the Panniqtuuq Print Shop goes on display in Iqaluit
tomorrow at the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum.
Visitors can drop by to observe or buy prints by artists Andrew Qappik, Leetia
Alivaktuk, Jolly Atagooyuk, Tommy Angnakak, Enookie Akulukjuk, Noah Maniapik,
Josea Maniapik, Geela Sowdluapik, Ame Papatsie, and Abigail Ootoova.
The print sale and exhibition will continue through August 15. Prices range
from $240 to $420. Doors open at 1 p.m.
July
16, 2004
Archaeologists to open dead mens' chest
A team of archaeologists will visit Baker Lake this summer to investigate three
unmarked graves and a locked wooden chest.
John Avaala was with a group of hunters that came across the site while fishing
and hunting caribou last summer. The group was curious about the metre-square
chest, but returned to the hamlet to tell the mayor about their find instead
of breaking open the rusty padlock.
"We were joking there was a million dollars in there," Avaala told
a Canadian Press reporter.
Doug Stenton, with the Inuit Heritage Trust, will lead an expedition to the
site next month.
July
2, 2004
Residential school alumni hold memorial
The Aboriginal Healing Foundation will hold a day of commemoration for former
students of Canada’s residential school system on Thursday, July 8, at
a ceremony in Edmonton.
Two thousand former students, including many who say they were abused, are
to meet at the Shaw Conference centre to share their experiences and hear about
those of others.
Jose Kusugak, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is to speak, along with
other aboriginal leaders and Governor General Adrienne Clarkson.
July
2, 2004
Belgium eyes seal ban
Belgium’s cabinet has said yes to a proposed law that would ban the importation
of seal products into that country.
Belgium’s minister of trade, Fientje Moerman, brought a proposal to Belgium’s
cabinet in early June that would ban production and trade of any goods made
from seals. Her fellow ministers approved the proposal.
The governments of Italy and the Netherlands are now consider similar bans.
Belgium is also looking at a law that would ban any trade in dog and cat fur.
Italy, France and Denmark have already passed similar laws.
Belgium’s current government is a coalition of French- and Flemish-speaking
Liberal and Socialist parties.
July
2, 2004
NTI happy with election results
A Liberal minority government will make Ottawa more responsive to the needs
of Inuit and other aboriginal people, and will ultimately be good for Nunavut,
NTI president Paul Kaludjak said in a statement Tuesday.
Prime Minister Paul Martin has given “positive signals” that he plans
to tackle Canada’s aboriginal issues seriously, Kaludjak noted in his statement.
Kaludjak expects that a minority government “improves the likelihood that
those positive initial steps will be followed up with concrete steps to improve
the lives of Inuit.”
Kaludjak also congratulated Liberal MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell on her victory.
July
2, 2004
Condom campaign returns to Nunavut
A strange advertising campaign designed to educate Inuit about the dangers
of unsafe sex will make a comeback in Nunavut on Canada Day.
“When in heat, package your meat,” is the new slogan designed by
the Canadian Inuit HIV/AIDS Network for the Canada goose flavour in their Lifesaver
condom covers series. The cardboard condom cases in the past have punned on
country foods such as musk ox and walrus.
The condom covers are supposed to send “youth friendly, light-hearted
messages,” while promoting condom use across the North. The latest condoms
will be available free in health centres in 53 northern communities on July
1.
July
2, 2004
Ell joins Nunavut Economic Forum
The Nunavut Economic Forum has named Jerry Ell as its executive director.
Ell has previously served as president of the Baffin Regional Chambre of Commerce
and the Nunavut Chambre of Commerce. He was also chair of the Amarok Hunters
and Trappers Association and director of the NWT Development Corporation.
Ell will manage day-to-day affairs for the forum from an office in the Igluvut
building in Iqaluit.
The NEF was formed in May of this year when representatives from nearly 40
groups — including Inuit organizations, chambres of commerce, the Nunavut
Association of Municipalities, industry associations, labour, and government
— met in Iqaluit during the annual trade show
July
2, 2004
Ethics boss: Akesuk should say sorry in public
Environment Minister Olayuk Akesuk ought to hold public meetings in his constituency
to apologize for twice violating the Integrity Act, Nunavut’s Integrity
Commissioner, Robert Stanbury, recommends in a report issued last week.
But if Akesuk wants to, he may take nearly half a year just to think about
it.
That’s because Stanbury’s recommendations aren’t binding on
Akesuk until after they are accepted by the Nunavut legislative assembly. The
Integrity Act says MLAs may either accept or reject those recommendations, but
not change them.
And since MLAs are taking a five-and-a-half month break in their legislative
duties this year, the issue will be on ice for a while. The assembly’s
first session ended June 3, and its second session won’t start until Nov.
16.
In his report, Stanbury confirmed that Akesuk violated the Integrity Act not
once, but twice, when in 2003 and 2004 he failed to dislose a debt worth more
than $10,000 owed to the Muncipality of Cape Dorset for back-rent on a social
housing unit he once occupied.
Stanbury said the first violation, in 2003, deprived his constituents of “one
means of judging the merit of his candidacy for re-election.”
Akesuk, who gets $120,000 a year plus other payments under the GN’s generous
benefit and bonus system, is now having $300 deducted from his bank account
every two weeks and sent to the Hamlet of Cape Dorset, which runs social housing
in that community.
Premier Paul Okalik appears unconcerned about his minister’s transgression.
Okalik’s press secretary, Bill Clay, said this week that Okalik will let
MLAs handle Stanbury’s report.
In addition to the recommendation that Akesuk apologize at public meetings
in Cape Dorset and Kimmirut, Stanbury also recommends that:
- Akesuk be reprimanded by the assembly;
- Akesuk make a statement in the legislative assembly, “apologizing
to his peers, his constituents and all Nunavummiut;”
- Akesuk send a letter to all of his constituents acknowledging his wrongful
conduct, apologizing for it, and promising not to do it again, and provide
copies of Stanbury’s report to his constituents.
TOP
| 
Nunavut 99
