Around
Nunavut
July
30, 2004
Kiviaq goes to court
Kiviaq, the pugnacious Inuk lawer, activist, and municipal politician once
known as David Ward, has finally take his longstanding crusade for Inuit rights
to the Federal Court of Canada.
Earlier this month, Kiviaq filed a statement of claim before the federal court,
alleging that Canada is failing in its fiduciary obligations to Inuit by not
providing Inuit with any legal method of asserting their legal identity - which
prevents Inuit from getting benefits given to status and treaty Indians.
"I wrote a brief one time in law school called "The Forgotten People,"
and that's what we are as far as Canada is concerned. We can't define ourselves
and we have no legal rights. We legally do not exist in our own country,"
Kiviaq told Nunatsiaq News.
Kiviaq said he's received some moral support from Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik,
who told him that the GN is "trying their own approach to get approximately
the same thing that I'm doing."
But although he's received many calls from individual Inuit, he's not getting
any formal help from any Inuit organizations.
Kiviaq will be represented by lawyer Terry Glancy of Edmonton, and is getting
funding from Justice Canada's Court Challenges program to help him pay the cost
of mounting the case.
"I have a cancer now and I have to take a firm stand. I don't want any
more Inuit to die because of this," Kiviaq said.
July
30, 2004
Summer of booze and
assaults in Kugluktuk
During the first three weeks of July, the Kugluktuk RCMP dealt with 100 calls
and more than 50 drunken residents.
Several serious assaults were linked to boozy arguments that turned violent.
Last week, a frightened youth called police, saying her mother was being beaten
up by her father.
The RCMP say an intoxicated adult male, who was later arrested, apparently
had become "upset" with his common-law spouse and started to assault
her, kicking her twice in the head.
The RCMP also received two complaints of sexual assaults on minor children
under 12 and two other complaints about drunken parents who were neglecting
their children.
In its latest community newsletter, the RCMP detachment in Kugluktuk reminded
parents "that if you intend to drink please ensure that you arrange for
a babysitter prior to commencing."
July
30, 2004
Dial-up internet for
Grise Fiord
Residents of Grise Fiord, Nunavut's most northerly community, now have access
to dial-up Internet service.
The service is provided by Northwestel's Sympatico dial-up service and will
cost residential customers $24.95 per month for 100 hours of use.
According to a news release from Northwestel, the introduction of this service
is part of company's plan to bring dial-up Internet service to northern communities,
including Arviat, Baker Lake. Chesterfield Inlet, Clyde River, Igloolik, Kimmirut,
Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, Repulse Bay and Whale Cover, that do not currently
have local access the Internet.
Last year, the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commision accepted
Northwestel's proposal to provide Internet services in 40 northern communities.
The project costs Northwestel about $37,000 per community.
July
30, 2004
Encourage drinking
in moderation, says NAHO report
A report from the National Aboriginal Health Organization says safe-drinking
education is necessary and singles out excessive booze consumption or binge
drinking rather than alcoholism as the cause of social problems in northern
communities.
"It is the quantity in binge drinking that results in problems,"
says the report, researched and written by former Nunavut Arctic College instructor
Marja Korhonen.
The report says communities and governments need to work towards a "culture
of moderation" in Inuit drinking habits.
"Intoxication is an expected and tolerated outcome… though this may
have historical roots in observations of whalers or explorers, the pattern can
be changed," says the report.
But giving up booze isn't the way, the report suggests. Rather it's developing
"controlled drinking" habits. The goal of encouraging drinkers to
cut down or a "harm reduction" strategy is, according the report,
"a less stressful, less guilt-producing path to change, while reducing
community, family and individual physical and mental harm."
The report also favours the establishment of community-based treatment over
regional treatment facilities.
However, it says the only program now offering this approach is through Tungasuvinngat
Inuit's treatment program for Inuit in Ottawa.
July
30, 2004
Lows continue in Baker
Lake
Three times this month, Baker Lake has recorded a record low temperature. Last
Thursday's record low took over 50 years to break, according to Environment
Canada.
The previous record low of .9 C. for Baker Lake on that date was set in 1946,
the year observations started in the community. A new minimum of .3 C. was also
set on July 25, breaking the former low record of 1.2 C set in 1990.
July
23, 2004
New census report looks at kids
Inuit kids are much more likely to speak an aboriginal language than North
American Indian or Métis kids.
That's one of the findings contained in Statistics Canada's Portrait of Aboriginal
Children Living in Non-Reserve Areas, which analyzed interview results from
the parents of 227,000 aboriginal children under 14, a group that also includes
all Inuit kids across Canada.
Inuit kids lag behind North American Indian and Métis children in some
areas:
- Only about one-third of Inuit have attended a preschool program;
- Only one out of four Inuit children aged 6 to 14 read or were read to every
day.
There were also "marked differences" in aboriginal language skills
between Inuit and off-reserve North American Indian or Métis children.
Among Inuit under 14, about three out of four kids speak Inuktitut, but among
off-reserve North American Indian kids, only one out of four can speak an aboriginal
language and only about one out of ten Métis kids can.
The report says this difference is due to the remoteness of Arctic communities.
Nearly all Inuit children get help from their parents with Inuktitut and more
than half receive help from their teachers.
Most of the Inuit parents felt it was very important to speak and understand
Inuktitut, although only two out of three of the North American Indian parents
and half of the Métis parents felt that way.
But among all groups, parents with higher levels of education are less likely
to have children who can speak or understand an aboriginal language.
Nine out of 10 Inuit children whose parents had not gone beyond elementary
school could speak or understand Inuktitut, but that ability to speak and understand
Inuktitut drops to only five out of 10 for Inuit children whose parents have
completed some post-secondary education, possibly because these institutions
are often located outside of communities where Inuktitut is spoken.
July
23, 2004
Highs and lows in Nunavut
Temperatures in Nunavut have managed to break some long-standing highs and
lows this month. On July 8 in Rankin Inlet a record high of 25.5 C was set,
breaking the previous record of 25.2 C in 1996.
However, Baker Lake temperatures hit a low on July 17 of 2.1 C, beating a 1947
low of 2.2 C.
Environment Canada predicts warming in western Nunavut by this weekend, with
warming to reach the Baffin region next week.
July
23, 2004
Labrador to train nurses
A new program in Labrador aims to reduce the high turnover of nurses by training
local Inuit nurses who want to work and live in the region.
The program was developed with support from the Newfoundland and Labrador government,
the Labrador Institute and the Labrador Inuit Association, in cooperation with
the College of the North Atlantic, the province's public college.
The program, to start in January, 2005, will allow 16 Inuit to complete their
high school studies and take first-year university courses together in modules
at the College of the North Atlantic's site in Happy Valley/Goose Bay. The students
will stay in Labrador for a second year of nursing studies before heading off
to Cornerbrook, Newfoundland for the final two years of the program.
July
23, 2004
Scott named Indian Affairs minister
Scott named Indian Affairs minister
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Andy Scott, member of Parliament for Fredericton-York-Sudbury in New Brunswick,
is the new federal minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and federal
interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.
Scott, who was named to Prime Minister Paul Martin's cabinet on Tuesday, replaces
Andy Mitchell, an MP from central Ontario.
Mitchell, who was named as INAC minister only last winter, now goes to the
agriculture portfolio.
Scott was first elected as an MP in 1993. Before running for office, he served
as executive director of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, senior policy advisor
to N.B. Premier Frank McKenna, assistant deputy minister in the province's Department
of Intergovernmental Affairs, and director of Official Languages.
After his re-election in 1997, Scott was sworn in as Solicitor General, but
he resigned in 1999 after he was overheard discussing government business in
an airplane. He has served on several House of Commons' Standing Committees
including Health and Canadian Heritage. He has also served as chair of the justice
and human rights standing committee.
Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell was not reappointed as Parliamentary Secretary
to the Minister of Natural Resources.
Ethel Blondin-Andrew, MP for Western Arctic, was appointed minister of state
for northern development.
"I am pleased to welcome Ethel back as part of our team," said Martin.
"With her deep knowledge of the North, our deliberations are broadened
by the perspectives Ethel brings to cabinet discussions."
There was a delay in Blondin-Andrew's appointment pending the result of a judicial
recount following the federal election on June 28. The application has since
been withdrawn.
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.
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