Current ads
Jobs
Tenders
Notices
General

Click below

City government contributes to land and housing shortage

The article "Iqaluit's Capital Plan in Disarray," published in the July 16, 2004 edition of Nunatsiaq News speaks to a serious problem faced by the citizens of Iqaluit, and indeed Nunavut.

While there are a number of issues raised in this article,

I would like to respond to comments presented by Deputy Mayor Wilson, related to housing shortages and the shortfall in anticipated tax revenue created by scaring off the city's biggest developer, referring to Northern Property Real Estate Investment Inc.

The article portrays Iqaluit's budget shortfall being, in part, related to the fact that a major developer over the years has not initiated any large scale new development since the city council turned down a proposed 48-unit building two years ago. He also implies that "companies aren't building as much as the previous council thought they would because they want to maintain a housing shortage, which keeps rents high and their profits large."

At the same time, Mr. Wilson, who sat on the previous council, did not mention the fact that another developer in this territory, NCC Development Limited, is in the process of completing Phase One of a major development in Iqaluit on behalf of the Nunavut Investment Group Inc., a wholly owned beneficiary company with its head office facilities located in Iqaluit.

Phase One of Inuksugait Plaza will provide an additional 57 residential units and approximately 16,000 square feet of commercial space to the Iqaluit shortage by October of this year, and, in total will accommodate 105 residential units and approximately 60,000 square feet of commercial space, when completed. Mr. Wilson did not mention the tax revenue that will be generated for the city from this private development.

The Nunavut Investment Group Inc. undertook this initiative at a time when the city was concentrating on improving the standards by which future development would occur and went through an extensive process of presentation to and consultation with administration, committee and council in order to move forward with our contemplated development.

The city required approximately $80,000 as a non-refundable payment in order to present our planned development to the city. Additionally the city required a number of off-site improvements and have insisted on approximately $450,000 in performance security to ensure we build in accordance with our development agreement.

As an organization with a belief that we can contribute to the long-term success of Nunavut, we believe the process we encountered, while demanding, was a step in the right direction to ensuring consistency in decision-making by the city so that all developers and builders become comfortable with the process required to move forward on any initiatives they choose to pursue.

One of the major factors in development and construction is risk management. Private lenders ascertain and build in risk in providing loans. Developers and contractors ascertain and build in risk when developing project feasibility analysis, so consistency and equity in city decisions are fundamental to understanding and thereby minimizing risk, which, ultimately is a major factor in determining cost when contemplating investment opportunities.

While Mr. Wilson implies that developers want to maintain a housing shortage to keep rents high, he does not recognize that rents are directly related to both cost and demand. In both cases, the city plays a part as the ultimate land developer, establishing the criteria for independent development initiatives with its policies and jurisdictional requirements, and further controls the availability of land as the primary developer of new parcels of land.

Another factor that has likely contributed to the implied housing shortage is the timing and method by which the city provides and distributes land. As with large development initiatives, independent homeowners are faced with the high cost of construction in Iqaluit. While direct costs are tied to the industry within Nunavut, southern Canada and indeed world markets, the indirect cost associated with availability of land contributes to the problem.

The city has not been able to develop or distribute land in a timely manner, which would allow those residents who wish to build a home in Iqaluit an opportunity to make the timing of their decision more reflective of their schedule, versus the uncertainty of knowing when land may be available, if at all.

In closing, this industry has many factors that contribute to the cost associated with rents, and the city must acknowledge its responsibility in delivering consistent decisions and fulfilling its mandate to provide land in a timely manner. It should not be painting a picture that developers do not wish to build affordably, without examining the impact its policies and consistency in decisions have on independent development initiatives.

Finally, I would ask that Mr. Wilson not paint a picture of all developers with the same brush. We are willing participants in meeting the challenges of this industry to promote the interest of our shareholders, in a manner that fosters partnerships with municipalities and senior levels of governments.

We are here for the long-term and we would ask Deputy Mayor Wilson to recognize our willingness to step up to the plate and contribute to solving the shortage of the housing availability in Iqaluit.

Johnny Mike
President
Nunavut Investment Group Inc.
Iqaluit

Youth need more attention

There are things that are not discussed enough, so I would like to enlighten the issue of suicide and youth.

Like many other Inuit youth, I find myself with a lot of time on my hands, and have come to realize that there are not many activities for people my age and therefore turn to other leisure interests, which may not be the best at times.

There are activities that are designed for the younger adolescents, but not many for the older youth who are left with other problems to deal with. The people who represent us in the political world have to realize that most of the population of our region is made up people under 25 years of age.

There are a lot of good things that are coming from self-government and in the economic field, no doubt about that, but there should be more emphasis on the concerns of our youth today so that we can improve our lives.

We are not brought up in the traditional ways nor the ways of the older generation, for example our parents. We are more open to the outside world and to the technological civilization.

My main concern is our future, but the issue that makes me really think twice, are the facts about suicide rates and substance abuse amongst youth. They should be a big indicator showing that the youth are asking for help, through a very deadly means, which is not good for us nor our culture.

It is a scary fact that many of our youth, mostly male adolescents are the most vulnerable to suicide and substance abuse. I hear about many suicides in other communities as well as my own, so I believe it has been a long calling that have been waiting on an answer, so who will answer the call for help?

We all need to work together instead of fighting against each other. Personally I would like to see more attention placed on Inuit youth, so that there would be a better future for us. We will be the leaders of our people and our lands when your time has gone, so to act now is an investment in our future for the betterment of our people.

We have a unique culture, and we are all strong, and we can beat this disease that has been affecting our lives for enough time now.

The last thing I would like to say is that today is our future. We have act now before our future is out of reach for all of us.

Sarah Lisa K. Alaku
Salluit

Management studies moved out of Rankin?

I am writing a letter of complaint to the GN and the people of Nunavut, especially students.

I am a single parent of two girls who I adore and cherish very much. I am a college student in one of the main campuses in Nunavut.

I am disappointed that I cannot take my kids with me while I am out for my education. I have been informed that there are no family units available in Rankin Inlet, forcing me to leave my kids in my community.

This creates many negative thoughts for me:

1. Just the thought of leaving my kids crushes my frame of mind to study in my courses.
2. My children's importance in getting a parent's guidance is in jeopardy.
3. It's like the air I breath has been like taken away from me.

This is an outrage and something should be done about this nonsense. Being a single parent is hard enough, and this has to happen to us. If the Rankin Inlet campus cannot provide family units for students, why keep the Management Studies Program in the region of Kivalliq?

I hope the GN does something about this situation in Rankin Inlet. I am petitioning to move the program somewhere else where they can provide a good education without having to leave children of college students and separating families for a whole year!

Secondly, living at the residence in Rankin Inlet has its cons. You have to eat out everyday, day-in and day-out at the restaurants, which can be very unhealthy for you!

Rene Tautu
NAC Student
Management Studies
Rankin Inlet

GN controlled by Ottawa's white men in suits

I'm starting to think that Nunavut should lobby for sovereignty and soon. Ever since the Europeans started settling in Canada we the Inuit have been taken advantage of, whether it be with relocation, killing Inuit, killing Inuit dog teams, labeling Inuit as nonhumans, perhaps testing TB on Inuit, and many other cruelties towards Inuit.

Since all these minerals are being found in the Arctic, the government of Canada will take most of the money coming out of our mines in Nunavut. To me, the Nunavut government is just a puppet with no actual powers. To the Canadian government, we are a minority, they will take all our resources and give them to the rest of Canada and abroad.

We, the Inuit, never gave the lands to Canada or the British and French governments. Nor did we ever sign a treaty giving away any part of Nunavut to anybody. We are controlled (including the Nunavut government) by white men in fucking suits down in Ottawa.

They saw us as savages and they might still do. We have no control over the land, waters, and subsurface. If we have all these resources in our lands, we should have a say in everything and have more than 80 per cent or even all the rights to the resources. Imagine suing the Canadian Government for killing dog teams in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. If you think like this too, don't hesitate for one moment and write what you think too.

Nick Illauq
Clyde River
nick_illauq@hotmail.com

Incompetent GN management needs overhaul

The recent findings reported in your July 9 article, "Rights lawyer slams bumbling Nunavut bosses," underlines a growing problem for both our relatively new cabinet and the territory's public service in general.

The problem needs to be addressed soon before the good work over the last five years gets derailed. Having served in our public service for over 15 years in both Nunavut and the federal system, it is apparent to me that:

a) An alarming number of our senior managers in the GN are obviously not all qualifed by any reasonable Canadian standards to perform adequately the tasks that they are assigned to do. This is primarily because of the lack of formal training, or having no relevant experience. Related to this is the fact that the GN as a whole has been slow to promote professional development throughout the system at all levels.

b) Being aboriginal or specifically Inuit does not necessarily qualify a person to just be a senior manager. To think otherwise, despite optimistic and perhaps biased interpretations of certain clauses in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, is plain wrong in the twenty-first century. Equally, just because someone is born in the South of non-aboriginal parentage and has some education and experience does not necessarily mean he or she is qualifed or suitable for the job. I would like to see senior aboriginal managers direct our operations, but a serious candidate for management has to be able to see the big picture, read and write, and have the numeracy skills of a southern college graduate.

c) Whether or not a deputy minister or an assistant deputy minister is Inuit or not, the general public (largely composed of beneficiaries) is entitled first of all to good management in the public service to oversee effective delivery of services or programs. The federal government, since it is paying the tab, is also entitled to see good management.

d) Political pressure to aggressively implement the decentralization plan - or "Paul's Folly." No matter what the cost is, this has often distracted senior management, such as sending the Petroleum Products Division to Baker Lake and the former Department of Sustainable Development to Igloolik, at a time of ever-reducing budgets and high staff turnovers. On top of this, the so-called plan was not fairly and transparently implemented with at least one department, Community Government, making side deals to keep certain favoured employees in their communities, despite the plan's clear identification of their positions for relocation. It is sure nice to know a "flexible DM."

e) Senior management, most particularly at regional levels, in at least several departments, such as Community Government or the former DSD, is very obviously indifferent to the development and morale of more junior staff. This will only be addressed if we have a comprehensive exit interview process, which should be implemented and administered by objective experts from outside the public service.

f) Senior management devotes an unreasonable amount of its time and attention on the petty politics instead of addressing the principles of good governance and open government with transparency. Some of these senior management have television in their offices to keep up-to-date.

g) Over the last four years there has been an obvious inconsistency of practice, experience, policy and formal qualifications of staff in the Department of Human Resources. To address the declining competency levels, the process has to start at the ground level… and that level is the Human Resources department itself.

There is now a pressing need for the complete overhall of the senior management in the GN, preferably utilizing the services of the Treasury Board, before competency issues paralyze the public sector, agitate the union and provide a reason for lawsuits.

(Name witheld by request)
Iqaluit

Thanks from the GREC reunion committee

The first GREC Reunion was held the week of July 5 in Iqaluit and it was a fun-filled memorable week of activities - thanks in large part to corporate sponsors.

These included: Canadian North, Digital Inuk, First Air, the Government of Nunavut, Iqaluit District Education Authority, Royal Canadian Legion, NorthwesTel, Nunavut Arctic College, and the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation. This is just a short list of businesses and organizations who generously contributed to the first reunion.

Canadian North was selected as the number one sponsor for their very generous donations of airline tickets, a discount for travel by participants, free freight, and promotional products.

The person who traveled the greatest distance to come to the reunion, Phillip Hodgson, living in the United States, presented Evie Eegeesiak with a $100 bill from the Iqaluit Dental Clinic for the "Best and Most Teeth Award." Phillip is a horse dentist in Maryland.

Mary Akpalialuk was presented with a "Certificate of Appreciation - for Her Vision" - for seeing and making this reunion happen.

The support and encouragement for higher education added to the nostalgia and emotion throughout the whole week - from the welcoming reception to the very successful dinner and dance.

Thanks and aingai. See you in a few years. Which community will out-do Sanikiluaq?

(Souvenir sweaters - $35 and mugs - $10 are still available: oki@nv.sympatico.ca)

Okalik Eegeesiak
GREC 1970-1991 Reunion Society
Iqaluit

Thank you for your help and support

We would like to thank so very much all the people and-or organizations who helped and supported our families during our grieving when we sadly lost our beloved Akittiq, Andrea Jacqueline Ferguson (Napayok), on June 8, 2004.

We want to especially acknowledge the Ikkayuqtit Committee of Rankin Inlet - they purchased individual tickets to Winnipeg as well as a charter between Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove for family and relatives to attend funeral services.

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the Kivalliq Inuit Association sent a grocery and meat hamper with condolence cards for the family.

All of your help was much needed and appreciated. We pray that each one of these offices and those who coordinated these efforts will be blessed - may God's goodness be poured upon all of you and may He cause your establishments to be successful and prosper.

We were comforted to be approached by numerous friends, relatives and others who knew Aki from all over Nunavut, both young and old. We felt your sincerity in the loss. Finally, a special thank-you to those in Panniqtuq who helped Andrew Dialla, Sheila Maniapik and Akirallaq-Meagan to get to Whale Cove - we needed them there and you made that happen: mutnaluavik from the bottom of our hearts!

(Note: the charter that flew from Rankin Inlet to Whale Cove was coordinated by the Ikkayuqtit Committee, and was not affiliated in any way with Nancy Karetak-Lindell. Again, thank you.)

From: Isiriniq Annie and Jackie Napayok, Akpaliapik Rhoda and Johnny Karetak, Maryanne Inuaraq Tattuinee, James Nanauq Tagalik, Abraham Tagalik, all their children and grandchildren.

Donna Adams
Rankin Inlet

Nunavut youth have no future without housing

On May 25, 2004, Mr. Peterson, the MLA for Cambridge Bay, expressed his concern for homelessness in Nunavut.

In his speech to the Legislative Assembly he remarked that "it is necessary to have shelters for homeless in our territory." He said that often the homeless feel like they are a burden to their family and end up moving from home to home and have no stability. He also said that it is difficult for people to access the government's existing programs if they do not have the basic stability of a dependable roof over their heads and help to access those programs. The homeless in Nunavut do not need a hand-out, they need a hand-up.

On May 27, 2004, Mr. Netser, the MLA for Nanulik, spoke to the Legislative Assembly about the housing crisis in Nunavut. He said that he is frustrated, his colleagues are frustrated, and Nunavut people are frustrated as well.

Mr. Netser said that it is estimated that more than 3,000 Nunavut housing units are required to meet the current needs and this figure does not address continued growth, nor does it address the number of housing units that require extensive renovations and/or replacement. In his comments, Mr. Netser complemented the efforts of the NTI, who are lobbying the federal government on behalf of Nunavummiut and encouraged the Government of Nunavut to do so as well.

On June 1, 2004, Mr. Peterson, in speaking to the issue of a Children's Advocate, quoted Statistics Canada, who report that there are nearly 10,400 children under the age of 14 years in Nunavut, and that this makes up over 35 per cent of our population.

The alarm bell is ringing. If we consider these three separate speeches together, they indicate that our political leaders know full well that we need more housing units right now, and that in the next five to 10 years our children will have no future, since they will not have a place to live unless this problem is resolved.

When we speak of homelessness, we often think of it as a problem with young men. This is not true. In Iqaluit we have families who are homeless and women who are homeless. As a result of this, we already have children who are homeless. It is happening now.

We congratulate our leaders, and encourage them to make housing and homelessness the major issue over the next four years.

Bill Riddell
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Illitiit Society
Iqaluit

Shame on the Bank of Montreal

I cannot begin to express how upset I am at the announced closure of the Bank of Montreal branch in Iqaluit and how short-sighted the southern managers are in their decision to move all the accounts to Pembroke.

First of all, what on earth were they thinking when they chose Pembroke as the proposed home for our business? Many of us travel through Ottawa for vacation, medical or training reasons, and many of us stay at the Southway Inn close to the airport.

If memory serves me right, there is a Bank of Montreal branch right across the road from the Southway that would allow us to do our business in person once or twice a year sitting over a desk from an actual person instead of over the telephone.

Secondly, and more importantly, the bank is missing the point completely when they talk about profits from the local branch; what they are failing to take into consideration is the future profits that they will garner from the business of residents of Iqaluit when, and if, they move to a southern community.

I will not remain with the BMO following this decision and will look to one of the other two banks for my banking needs — and will continue to do so when I move south and require a mortgage, car loan, RRSPs or other banking needs, all of which bring profit to the bank.

The Bank of Montreal has to realize that it is not just closing a branch that is not raking in the profits to which they are accustomed; they are losing a considerable number of clients who will never return to them. Shame on you!

Chris Coles
Iqaluit

Congratulations on a successful performance

I'd like to extend hearty congratulations to the cast and crew of "alterNatives," the Drew Hayden Taylor play performed here in Iqaluit, and featured in last week's paper.

Erin Brubacher and Odile Nelson deserve great credit for assembling a fine cast and crew, and for co-directing and acting in a challenging production. Most theatre companies or drama departments would devote several full-time weeks to a play of this magnitude.

But this group of volunteers had only a few weeks to cast, rehearse and stage this dialogue-heavy, wordplay-laden think-piece. The cast, rounded out by Vinnie Karetak, Aluki Rojas, Lori Idlout and Gary Pon, did a phenomenal job and they should be very proud.

And thanks to Tony Rose, Greg Younger-Lewis, Jim Tegler, and Claude Roussel for a fantastic job off-stage. The Qaggiq Theatre Company was honoured to support your efforts.

Special thanks to the families and friends of the cast and crew for supporting these folks. It's not easy for people with children and-or day jobs to also pursue the arts in their spare time. Take a bow — you are unsung heroes no more!

Finally, community theatre takes a community to be successful. Everyone involved in the production appreciates the support of the many Iqalungmiut who came, laughed and applauded — and, most importantly, encouraged the cast and crew to continue.

We at the Qaggiq Theatre Company will continue to support the efforts of this community to pursue the literary and performing arts.

Look for upcoming arts and culture workshops with Sylvia Cloutier, our artistic director, including a second Theatre For Living workshop in September — a follow-up to last year's workshop and performances at the CASP conference.

Again, congratulations and nakurmiik!

Jonathan Dewar
The Qaggiq Theatre Company
Iqaluit

July 16, 2004

Teenagers don't like being lectured to

Since this is a period when everybody is talking about teenagers, I have decided to write this letter.

How precious our lives are that we are the future of our communities. We understand that our future lies in our hands because we have often been reminded of it. I feel that the teenagers have to speak up.

As a starter, I am writing this letter hoping more adolescents will react and start having control. As a teenager, I would like to say a few words, knowing that there are other teenagers feeling the same thing.

Living as a young adult is a great time to be living, experiencing new things, and meeting new people, but at times, good things in life can easily turn into bad, but that does not mean we have to run away. We have to face the reality.

As hard as it is to deal with our lows in life, sometimes adults do not make it any easier by breathing down our necks. Each teen is different. It would be so much easier to live a life if we could just accept each individual as they are. Everybody has the wrong way to deal with their stress, but unfortunately alcohol and drugs are among them.

And now these days, people are thinking of stopping the alcohol and drug use. What they don't know is by doing that they're interrupting people's lifestyles.

What I am trying to say is that as human beings we don't have the right to control another human soul. That means you can't tell us to quit alcohol and drugs. I mean you can give us the idea to quit, but not literally make as quit.

For most young adults, when a parent tells you that it's awful if you do this or don't do this or that, and make a big deal out of it, it makes us want to go ahead and do more of it.

I'm not saying we don't want to listen. It is just like adults, we can only quit if we are ready. Most of the teenagers also would like to ask their parents: "Why? How dare you say I should quit alcohol and drugs when I have been telling you, my parents, to quit as long I can remember? Why should I listen when you never did?"

For those who are still not ready to quit drinking, know your limits and if you don't want to get into problems, don't find reasons to get revenge.

Anonymous Teenager
Kangiqsualujjuaq

July 16, 2004

Remembering the late Muati Qitsualik

I got news today that Muati Qitsualik died this morning (July 7).

As I sat there thinking about Muati, all sorts of memories came rushing back — the great late-night calls from somewhere on the other side of the river, when I would hear Muati's voice.

She was a character. How sad to realize that there will be no more late calls from my dear friend. I wanted especially to publicly remember some of Muati's tremendous contributions in the work leading to the creation of Nunavut, the Nunavut land claims agreement, and all of its appendages.

Muati was a very gifted communicator who interpreted and translated throughout the land claims process so successfully that you would forget that the little voice in your head-set was not your conscience speaking, but Muati interpreting for you.

I especially felt this impulse to write you because living in Ottawa, I quite often run into Qallunaat wearing something that identifies them with Nunavut. When I inquire, they often tell me their personal stories about how they helped create Nunavut.

From my vantage point (albeit a narrow one from the backrooms of some of the Inuit organizations that were involved in the negotiations), I thought I knew a lot of the weavers of that creation. For sure, without question, I have learned over the years that there are some people who never would take credit, but are deserving of recognition.

Muati is one of those persons. I remember when all the back-slapping was going on when Nunavut came into being, I was thrilled to read one of John A.'s Little Corner articles that took the time to identify and acknowledge the amazing interpreting and translating by Muati, Betty Brewster, Martha Flaherty, and Mary Nashook in that process.

He recognized their tremendous achievements that for the most part, among many, were taken for granted or worse still, unnoticed. For all those unilingual Qallunaat or Inuit on both sides of the negotiating table, Muati was our guide and lifeline. Muati was always professional, never letting her own politics get in the way of her job.

Her ability to translate the nuances of legalese, Inuktitut and Qallunaatitut, always kept me in awe. She was brilliant and stayed with the process from beginning to end — and then some. Many came and went through the doors of the land claims business, but Muati was always close by through it all.

She patiently persisted with the inconsistencies and incongruities of the English language, especially the legalese, until she was satisfied it was right. She was committed to excellence. Although she probably would not have described her work this way, watching her work and working with her, you could see it was a labour of love.

Muati had a real presence that was an asset during land claims negotiations. She was someone the federal government negotiators were always keen to keep happy.

I think it would be fair to say Muati did not suffer fools gladly. I remember when I first encountered Muati, she scared the hell out of me.

I soon began to see that behind that stern look of hers, was a gentle, loving soul that cared tremendously about Inuit. She was committed to social justice. Despite the many battles fought in the struggles to achieve this, she stayed the course.

Muati was much more than the whispering voice in my head. She is someone I respect and care for deeply.

How sad to realize that voice is now silenced. Taima.

Mary Crnkovich
Ottawa

July 16, 2004

Open letter of complaint about BMO closure

Editor's note: The original version of this letter is addressed to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada in Ottawa.

I am writing to file my concern, to file a complaint, and to request a public hearing in Iqaluit on the decision made by the Bank of Montreal to close their Iqaluit branch and provide service from Pembroke, Ontario.

Pembroke, Ontario! Why not New York or Helsinki? They are certainly no less convenient!

The Bank of Montreal came in here and promised us service. I have lived in the North for 30 years and am well accustomed to fly-by-night operations.

Many of us were very careful before taking our business to the BOM. We got to know the employees that moved north. We built relationships. We developed a trust. We are now watching those same people being shamed and embarrassed by their company — who make these horrific decisions without any thought to the consequences it has, or any accountability to what others must now pay for their actions. A public hearing is the very least they can do.

The BOM has reportedly 5,000 customers in Nunavut. Our population is only 29,000 and more than 50 per cent of our population is under the age of 15. You do the math — where else in Canada do they carry that high a percentage of the available customers?

This comes down, pure and simple, to corporate greed. They cannot say they are not making a profit. They are not making as large a profit as they want. This is wrong.

Moreover, it is deceitful. I say deceitful because when they won my business they didn't say — hey, we might close up one day, with little notice, and you're going to have to pay thousands of dollars to move your business to another local bank. I feel like I've been swindled, that my business has been taken under false pretenses.

I, and every other Bank of Montreal customer in Nunavut now has to pay for their move and the fattening of their profit margin. It will cost me a minimum of $3,000.00 to move my mortgage two buildings to the left. I am outraged.

So, yes, please, hold a public hearing. These fat cats need to hear first-hand what the price of their corporate greed is.

Shame. Shame on you BOM. Even greater shame for what you have done to your own employees.

Mary-Lou Sutton
Iqaluit

July 16, 2004

Road paving: the City of Iqaluit thinks we're fools

This letter is for the City of Iqaluit. Why are they not following through with the capital plan they promised the residents of Iqaluit?

Two weeks ago, the city engineers announced that paving in Iqaluit was completed and that five km of road was all we would get and that BBS would finish the second coat as well as Apex Road, and the Road to Nowhere. This would cost the city $4 million for a mediocre job. Among the reasons given was that they did not have the right ingredients to create perfect asphalt.

Are we being taken for fools? This is ridiculous!

Here are some facts that everyone should know.

1. Paving that was done 30 years ago is still good in some parts of the city, and has resisted harsher weather conditions that we have today;
2. The paving contract was given to a local bidder, BBS, a company that thought they could do paving. In front of Northmart, it took three days to get started. Their equipment is faulty and out-of-date. Their paving plant caught fire two or three times in the past;
3. Paving should be done in June or July when it's warmer, and not in September or October when it snows or rains.
4. Paving should be done at night when all businesses are closed so that it's safer to work and there is less traffic. In June and July it's light out all night. There is no good reason that paving can't be done at night;
5. An experienced crew is needed;
6. This city should have contacted. professional companies down south. It's easy to assemble and disassemble a paving plant. They do it when they build highways.

We are the capital of Nunavut. The city has the responsibility and obligation to pave all roads in Iqaluit. If all roads are paved, I estimate the community can save an average of $300,000 a year in repairs, not including government vehicles and company vehicles.

Let's look at how money was wasted. How much money did the street names cost? How much does it cost to keep the signs in storage? If we stop paving, how much money was wasted on surveyors?

We should have paved roads and sidewalks before street names. This is an example of irresponsible people wanting to look good.

It would be much easier if we could get everyone together to hire a crew from the South and do everything all at once. I guess it would be a better deal cost-wise. Remember, we must think ahead for the long-term future, and not a four-year mandate only. Roads should be wider, with three lanes in new subdivisions, not two.

To conclude, if the city doesn't respect its capital plan, then it's our duty as citizens to ask the Nunavut government to cancel the

$50-million capital plan.

The city has to stop pointing fingers at its citizens breaking rules and regulations, because the city is guilty of breaking its own rules. If we don't inquire and dig deep, it will be hidden from all of us.

Robert Tailleur

Mark Hobson

Iqaluit

July 16, 2004

Saying hi to fellow Nunavummiut

We just wanted to say "hi" to our fellow Nunavummiut from the beautiful city of Vancouver, British Columbia.

We are here, of all places, to do some research on documents relating to Inuit from early as the late 1800s up until now. We have been finding some interesting and also shocking information about government and Inuit affairs. Such examples are the books written by Qallunaat in the 1950's called "The Eskimo Book of Knowledge" and "Book of Wisdom" that were supposed to train Inuit to live in the modern world at the time. It is both funny and disturbing to hear, but these are the kinds of stuff people, mostly Inuit, should know and learn from.

We are privileged to have been invited by a UBC professor to look at the documents and feel that other Inuit should have access to this kind of information. It is amazing what we don't know about our own history as Inuit and how we have been treated over those years by outsiders. We are hoping to bring this to life, and we are hoping that generations ahead of us will know without having to do some intensive research. We just felt that we needed let people know what we are doing.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us through e-mail.

Tommy Akulukjuk (takulukjuk@yahoo.ca)
David Joanasie (d_joanasie@yahoo.ca)
Vancouver

July 16, 2004

Nunavik needs own seat in Parliament

My message to Nunavik voters: I have trouble understanding why the Inuit people in Nunavik don't have a voice in Quebec's National Assembly or in Ottawa.

During the recent federal election, a separatist Bloc Québécois candidate from Val d'Or, over 1,000 km away from any Nunavik community, won the Nunavik-Eyou seat.

This elected candidate knows nothing about Inuit culture and tradition. Nunavik is the fastest growing area in Quebec and needs local representation in both the federal and provincial cabinet.

If the American government can build roads into the most northern towns in Alaska, then I am sure our government can do the same in Nunavik to help bring down the costs of transport and travelling. How can such decisions be made if there is nobody to represent the needs of Nunavik?

My message to the people of Nunavik is that they should wake up and fight for a voice in Ottawa and Quebec City and push both goverments to create a riding for the Inuit of northern Quebec so they can make their own decisions and not have a stranger in Val d'Or make them feel well-represented when everyone knows that's a lie.

James Charron
Montreal

July 16, 2004

Put sexual abusers away forever

I just read something very disturbing, as I have been sexually assaulted as a little girl myself, or should I say even as a four-year-old and that would make me still be like a little baby at that age.

Anyway, I send my deepest sympathy to that family, as I know how it feels.

Over the years, I always have had so much anger for pedophiles and sexual predators. I can even say right now that I have no respect whatsoever for those who are pedophiles and sexual abusers and who target the innocents of the young children or even babies.

I know that there are people out there in this community, and in Nunavut, who are protecting these friggin' pedophiles instead of protecting us and those who have been abused or are still getting abused.

I don't think it's fair that they get protected when we suffer for many years. Some of us are still suffering, even if we don't show it all the time.

Anyway I just had to respond to the mother who wrote that letter on behalf of us who have been sexually assaulted or abused, and for those that are still getting sexually abused by those bastards.

Put them away forever, throw away the key, and flush it down the toilet. That's all I can say for now.

Pauline Oolayou Alainga
Iqaluit

Nunavummiut not treated as well as Ontariomiut

Due to a snowmobile accident during the week of December, 2003, I was medevaced all the way to Ottawa because of a serious eye injury. While at the emergency ward, I was treated very well.

Then, after the treatments and the X-rays were done, I had two or three appointments with the eye institute. Being aboriginal and from Nunavut I was usually the last person for the eye doctor to see.

Please don't get the idea that I did not appreciate the whole treatment. Nunavut health services provided me with an escort — thank you very much!

Then I was again sent, with an escort, to the Ottawa eye institute after seven months and was examined by eye doctors for about two minutes and was told there would be an eye doctor coming up to Iqaluit on June 14, 2004, and I would be contacted for this visit.

Today, June 28, 2004, I am still waiting for some kind of an appointment for treatment for my eye injury. My right eye is still blind and prevents me from hunting.

I am sure that I am not the only one who thinks that Nunavummiut are not treated as well as Ontariomiut when it comes to getting treatment in the white man's world.

Jake Ikeperiar
Hall Beach

July 9, 2004

Thank you for your help

This is one of the hardest and easiest letters I have ever had to write, but in order for me to try to get to terms with what happened, I feel everything here needs to be said.

On June 8, 2004, my beautiful daughter, Andrea Napayok Ferguson, passed away after she was hit by a car while crossing a street in Winnipeg. She was only 22 years old. I waited 21 years for her to come home to me. Now my only chance of getting to know her will be through the words of her friends and when I join her in heaven.

If you are a friend of Andrea or "Aki," as she was better known, please write to us and tell us about her, or send us a picture, and help us fill this void. Thankfully, Andrea came to Pangnirtung to visit us when she was a teenager, so her brothers up here, John, 18, Matthew, 12, Quaraq, 11, and sister Lisa, 16, will have a memory of her while she was still alive.

My family and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped us say goodbye to her properly.

I don't know where to start, because so many people and organizations helped us. We lived in Pangnirtung and the accident happened so far away that getting to my daughter seemed like an impossibility. There was no way we could afford to go to her. All I could do was pray for her. So we applied to Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. for emergency compassionate travel assistance so I could go to my daughter's side while she was in a coma.

We were turned down. We were told by NTI staff that they can only pay for two people to go see her, and they decided it would be the grandparents who got the tickets. I had no problem with that as I have allowed Andrea's grandparents, Annie and Jackie Napayok, to raise her, as per their wishes, without any verbal objections from me, because I was taught by my parents to listen to the wishes of elders.

I told NTI that I am Andrea's father and they should pay for my trip because I am a card-carrying beneficiary of our land claim. The answer I received was even more shocking than the initial refusal. I was basically told that my daughter would have to die before they could pay for my ticket, because under the Compassionate Travel Assistance Program, they can only pay for two people. However, under the bereavement travel program, they can pay for three people!

After I had heard the news that my daughter's life support was cut off, I was told that NTI approved travel for me alone to attend the funeral in Whale Cove.

My family and I in Pangnirtung felt I should not go to the funeral alone, I knew I had to bring my spouse and my three year-old daughter, whom we have adopted from Andrea. But we needed over $2,000 for their air fares. Fortunately, unbeknownst to us, my nieces Diana, Sheila, and Sandra Kilabuk, and their mother, Daisy Dialla, sprang into action and got together an amazing fund-raising drive for us.

Diana even went on the CBC radio with the help of CBC's Karliin Aariak to put out a plea for donations. They managed to raise well over $2,000 in a single day!

This was a lot of money, but when we got to Rankin inlet, we found out that we did not have enough money for Sheila's air fare and my daughter Megan's air fare to Whale Cove. However, there was another miracle waiting for us in Rankin.

We were approached at the airport by a very kind and compassionate person, Emily, sister of our MP, Nancy Karetak-Lindell. She said we might be able to get on a charter paid for by our MP. I believe she bumped off a couple of people to get us on the charter.

So we got on a Calm Air flight to Whale Cove, and we were fortunate enough to go on standby. We returned to Rankin via the charter. Thank you Emily, you were an angel that day. Thank you Nancy Karetak-Lindell for your kindness and compassion.

The past couple of weeks have been a very painful, confusing and humbling experience for us. Thank you for caring enough to help us. We will be forever grateful.

Thank you Andrea for Megan, she looks just like you.

Andrew Dialla and Sheila Manniapik
Pangnirtung

July 2, 2004

Nunavut’s arts future not very rosy

Thank-you very much for a good Nunavut Arts Festival, held in Rankin Inlet, June 18-25, 2004.

I attended as a Qallunaaq artist, exhibiting monochrome photographic prints and attending the festival seminars and AGM, as well as the discussion on the proposed Nunavut arts and crafts five-year business plan.

Economic Development Minister David Simailak opened the Nunavut Arts Festival with a short speech about an impressive 30- to 100-million dollar arts industry in Nunavut.

However, throughout the festival, Nunavut’s arts future didn’t look very rosy, and the carving trade appears to be in for decline or at least set to continue its no-growth well into the future.

The good thing is that carvers were speaking up at each seminar. Saila Kipanek of Iqaluit encouraged everyone to speak up and say his or her artist issues. But it didn’t look like as if anyone was recording these golden information nuggets at the seminars.

“We are given very little time to teach in schools.”

“Sales?”

“Where are the youth?”

“Why is no recognition being given to master Inuit carvers and artists in our area or other areas who will soon or have already passed on?”

“There is no stone.”

Unfortunately, the lack of carving stone dates back to the 1998 Nunavut carvers conference in Cape Dorset. Theresie Tungilik summed it up with her 1998 speech given at the carvers conference, stressing that Nunavummiut take ownership of the arts now.

The seamstresses at the AGM asked why they should even attend the same meetings, when the discussions are always about carvers, and no seamstress issues are addressed.

Elections were held and the AGM ended. The next day the new Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association board met and elected Ame Papatsie of Pangnirtung as the chairperson.

Then, without any new member board training, for six and a half hours the NACA five-year business plan was presented to the new NACA board by the contracted author.

In summary, the proposed plan is to drop services to Nunavut artists and become a lobbyist to government on behalf of Nunavut artists, to lobby on issues like the carving stone supply problem, which the proposed NACA five-year plan says: ‘... will need long-term advocacy work to reach resolution.”

Ouch.

An Inuit art sales chart drawn to show visually the current state of Inuit art from the 1950s to today, showed a sharp increase of sales in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, then a leveling off with no increase in sight. The market is mature, we are told.

This was believable, as the Boston gallery owners said a few days earlier that they are not interested in bears or birds, but in something new. The people who bought in the 1950s through 1970s are not collecting, are deceased, or are selling their “vintage” Inuit art collections.

Today, it’s a new time with new buyers.

Karen Williamson, an independent Canadian curator, questioned the chart and said that Inuit art is moving into other media, like film, as is shown by Atanaarjuat. She said the overall Inuit art sales chart may really be moving upwards then down.

First Nations art in the United States is financially strong. Starting in the 1970s, when First Nations people and their tribes were shown in film as positive and with a positive historical place in United States history, sales of Inuit art began leveling off.

The changing of the “igloo tag” floored the people from the Boston galleries when they learned of it at the festival. They questioned whether Inuit art buyers are being confused after years of igloo tag branding.

Another shocker was to hear and read that some southern galleries are suggesting the dropping of “Inuit” from Inuit art and to change the designation to “Canadian” artist.

Jim Shirley, of the Match Box Gallery in Rankin Inlet stressed the importance of the days gone by craft shops, suggesting bringing back the craft shops in all of the communities.

The next day a gallery owner from Switzerland and a Canadian independent curator echoed Jim Shirley’s craft shops comments as a place for tourist to see the local communities’ artwork. Both emphasized artist ownership.

You could feel the artistic power and importance of Nunavut seamstresses in our lives watching the hip fashion show. Models in all shapes and sizes who ranged in age from four to 20, proudly showcased the talents of Nunavut seamstresses with their own modeling talents.

It’s time for a Nunavut arts policy.

Jim MacDonald
Monochrome Photographer
Rankin Inlet

July 2, 2004

Hunting info on Nunavut elections

Information regarding elections in Nunavut is being gathered in the hopes of creating a web site database that may be accessed by the public.

This database would provide election results from territorial elections, federal elections, hamlet elections, Inuit associations, District Education Authority elections, Hunters and Trappers’ elections, and any other associations that have available election information.

To do this, we need the public’s help in recovering some of this information. Specifically, we are looking for election results, election dates, lists of candidates, voter turnout, etc., for elections taking place from 1980 to the present for the following organizations: all hamlets in the Baffin, Kivalliq and Kitimeot regions; NTI; regional Inuit associations (Kivalliq, Kitikmeot, Qikiqtani and predecessors such as BRIA); Hunters and Trappers; District Education Authorities; and any other electoral information you may have.

A database of this sort will prove to be a useful tool for all Nunavummiut, and will offer the public easy Internet access to records concerning Nunavut elections for years to come.

If you know where we may find some of this information, or if you can provide us with any other helpful resources, please contact Jenny or Stephanie at Box 1554, Iqaluit NU, X0A 0H0 or at tierney_jenny@yahoo.ca.

Stephanie Blenkiron
Iqaluit

July 2, 2004

Remembering Mary Shem

I was interested to read the article about the young fashion student creating the Inuk Barbie doll, honouring her Inuk-Cree grandmother, Mary Shem.

It must have been in 1948 that Mary Shem came from Fort George (relocated, now Chisasibi) to work for the nurse, Iona Andrew, at Inukjuak. The nursing station had been built just the year prior.

My family left Inukjuak in 1949, and I recall that Mary was no longer there when I returned, now married, in 1954.

I have been talking to my brother in Ontario, who remembers that Mary went south to hospital for treatment. He also recalls seeing her about 1962 at the railway station in Cochrane, Ontario, with a couple of children.

Mary had a sister at Kuujjuarapik, now deceased, Lizzie Tuktu, and there are still some of her family there. A cousin of Mary Shem, with whom I’m in regular contact, Martha Kasudluak, lives at Inukjuak.

This is possibly not of interest to your general readership, but I thought Christy Marcus might like to have the information, if you would pass it on to her.

I remember Mary quite clearly, a small, pretty girl in her late teens or early twenties.

I enjoy catching up on Nunavik and Nunavut goings-on on the Internet.

Freddie Knight
Winnipeg

July 2, 2004

In memory of Simon Qappik

Simon Qappik: We will never forget you.

---

Jaypeetee and Apeah would like to thank everyone for their love and support this past year.

We will never forget you Simon.

Sometimes it’s as if you’re still here. You left us so much. We have memories we will always cherish and share with each other and our children. We have the many lessons you taught us about standing up for what was right. You showed us what it meant to be loyal to those we loved.

So many of us still call you our best friend. We were all proud to know you. You brought so many of us together. You left us each other. And we will always do our best to look after each other to honour your memory.

Whether it’s playing hockey or football, camping or hunting, we’ll never forget you and we all look forward to seeing you again someday.

The Qappik Family and Friends
Pangnirtung, Iqaluit and Ottawa

TOP

Advertising
Specs, rates,
& maps
Multi-paper
buying services
About the market
E-mail ad dept

More Information