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Around Iqaluit
September
17, 2004
Iqaluit teenage actors
tackle bullying
Up-and-coming thespians will perform an interactive play this weekend in Iqaluit,
as part of a local theatre group's program to create social change through actions
on stage.
Qaggiq Theatre Company hosted a six-day workshop with teens in Iqaluit this
week, which developed several short plays based on the teens' experience of
bullying and youth violence.
The performance will begin at 2 p.m. at the high school. Entry is free, and
audience participation is encouraged.
September
17, 2004
Halloween still Oct.
31
After a lengthy debate, city council decided not to change Halloween from Oct.
31 to Oct. 30.
This year, Halloween falls on a Sunday.
The council finally decided not to move the "Spook-a-rama" event
for city teens or trick-or-treating to Saturday night.
Most councillors felt that moving a holiday would set a bad precedent, particularly
as Halloween only lasts a few hours.
"It's ridiculous," said deputy mayor Chris Wilson.
September
17, 2004
Camp for Life near
Iqaluit
Iqaluit community activists hope a special mass camping trip on the land this
weekend will take a bite out of Nunavut's growing number of suicides.
Mary Akpalialuk, who came up with the idea to host the event, said people can
join the weekend of outdoor fun, as long as they show up this afternoon (Sept.
17) at 1:30 p.m. at the Arctic Winter Games arena to walk to the camping site
near Apex.
There is no fee for the camp or any other expenses.
Anyone who misses the march to a valley near Apex can join the group over the
weekend for activities like sewing and tanning caribou hide.
Akpalialuk said she was inspired to organize the event, called the Walk for
Life, after a rash of six suicides in April, half of which were in Iqaluit.
"We decided we've got to do something about it and help people,"
she said. "I've lost so many relatives to [suicide] since the '80s."
Capt. Ron McLean, who's helping coordinate the event, said the weekend will
help campers take a break from the hectic pressures of day-to-day life.
"Before, Inuit were living totally off the land, counting on one another,"
he said. "Now you've got phones, and fax machines, and radio and TV, and
alcohol and drugs are so prominent.
"This is going to be part of a healing process, encouraging each other
to live for today."
Organizers hope that event will build interest in creating a drop in program,
especially for youth, where anyone can stop by and play games, practice sewing,
or enjoy other activities. For information, phone 979-5595.
September
17, 2004
Man with old DUI record
can't drive for Pai-pa
In a closed discussion on Tuesday night, Iqaluit's city council decided not
to reverse a decision denying a man's request to work for Pai-pa Taxi because
of a record of convictions for drunk driving, dating from 10 years ago.
Raynald Racine, who arrived in Iqaluit about a month ago, was to work for one
of Pai-Pa's owner-operators.
Neither Racine nor the owner-operator realized that an Iqaluit bylaw regarding
the qualifications for taxi drivers could allow Ian Freemantle, the city's Chief
Administrative Officer, to quash Racine's licence application.
According to the by-law Racine's past offences, even though they occured more
than five years ago, could be "deemed to be a threat to public safety."
Moreover, in his application, Racine apparently didn't respond positively to
a question about whether he had a criminal record because he thought it referred
only to convictions within the past five years.
"This man, earlier in his life, had been convicted of impaired driving
on three occasions, failure to provide a breath sample and assault, but they
were all 10 years ago," said Pai-pa owner Craig Dunphy.
"They said the guy has only been in town for 30 days, why should we give
him a job? If they're going to say that, they should change the bylaw that you
have to live in town for six months, or a year. They can't make discretionary
decisions made on a whim because somebody doesn't speak English well enough.
To me, it reeks of discrimination."
Dunphy said council is punishing Racine for his past.
"The city council of Iqaluit has judged him again. Basically, what's happening
here is that the CAO and council are playing God. You can work, you can't work.
Where does it stop?"
Dunphy said he is looking "at several options" for future action.
"We're not going to lay down and play dead. They're taking this bylaw
and twisting it to suit themselves."
September
17, 2004
New "sustainable
subdivision" up for discussion
Iqaluit can expect to see 320 new residential units from the $14.2 million
subdivision it's proposing for the plateau area that stretches from Nunavut
Arctic College to the Upper Base road, the city's director of lands and planning,
Michele Bertol, told city council at its Tuesday night meeting.
Lots in the new subdivision will cost $50,000, with more than 100 units to
be built in the first of three building phases. Most units will have an unobstructred
view to the sea, Bertol said.
Designed to be a "sustainable subdivision," the new residential development
will encourage environmentally friendly building practices. New units will have
to be energy-efficient, face south and have enclosed porches to prevent heat
loss.
Some larger lots are also planned to provide space for "clustered"
units, such as townhouses.
Several councillors said obliging prospective builders to comply with more
stringent building regulations could lead to "premium prices" for
housing and mean the new housing development would serve the city's elite.
The proposed development will have two access roads, one above Nunavut Arctic
College and another near the new justice centre.
Several of the lots closest to the city are already earmarked for institutional
buildings, such as an expansion for the Nunavut Arctic College and new RCMP
detachment building.
The public is invited to share ideas on the new development on Monday from
5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Anglican Parish Hall.
September
17, 2004
Young Samaritans save
woman
Three weeks ago, a group of young people, who were out on a walk in Iqaluit,
saved a woman's life through their quick response to an emergency.
The four, Jean Simpson, Jimmy Twerdin, David Frost and Shirley Kunuk, entered
a smoke-filled home after they heard the sound of a smoke alarm from outside.
Inside the residence, a woman had fallen asleep after she had put a pan on
the stove. The overheated pan had begun to burn and fill the house with smoke,
although the woman continued to sleep.
The four called the fire department, which credited them with saving the woman's
life.
At Tuesday night's city council meeting, the four were honoured by the Iqaluit
Fire Department and the City, receiving certificates acknowledging their life-saving
gesture.
September
17, 2004
Recyclables to stay
in Iqaluit
The council decided not to ship four sea cans containing bailed recyclable
materials from Iqaluit to Haycore Canada Inc. in Drummondville, Quebec, at a
cost of $15,787.40. Instead, the council decided to stockpile the containers
"for future decision."
At the same time, the council decided to spend up to $10,000 to bring in a
consultant to conduct hazardous waste training for staff.
The training will coincide with the household hazardous waste collection during
Iqaluit's new "Waste Reduction Week," from Oct. 18 to 24.
September
17, 2004
City to muffle noise
City councillors gave two readings to a bylaw designed to keep Iqaluit quiet
from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and create a "quiet zone" around the Baffin
Regional Hospital and Elders Centre.
The bylaw says no one will be able to engage in "any activity that unreasonably
disturbs the peace or tranquility of a neighbourhood."
These acitivities include the operation of noisy equipment, vehicles or vehicle
with a trailer and horns or other warning devices.
The bylaw will also put the lid on activities or sounds that disturb residential
areas, such as setting off fireworks, animals' barking or whining, "yelling,
shouting, hooting, whistling, singing or fighting," loud music, and leaving
vehicles running for more than 10 minutes.
Offenders can look forward to a fine of $125 for a first offence and a fine
of $200 if they break the bylaw twice within one two-month period.
The bylaw won't affect city or emergency vehicles or others who get an exemption
from Iqaluit's Chief Administrative officier.
Hunters, some councillors worried, could be affected by the bylaw, but were
told the bylaw is mainly intended to curb joyriding and unnecessary or excessive
noise.
The bylaw now goes into its third and final reading.
September
17, 2004
Museum seeks more
members for AGM
Nunavut's main museum has rescheduled its annual general meeting after failing
to reach quorum earlier this month.
The Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum needs at least nine members to show up to
its meeting on Oct. 14 to approve annual reports and elect a new board of directors.
For more information, phone Brian at 979-5537.
September
10, 2004
IDEA plans French immersion survey
The IDEA will soon survey parents in Iqaluit about whether they want French immersion available in their children’s schools.
While the department of education considered chopping French instruction from some schools this year, the IDEA is moving in the other direction, lobbying Heritage Canada to finance a questionnaire on whether parents want to expand the French curriculum.
The survey would compliment the group’s efforts to draft a four-year funding proposal to the same federal department to increase second-language school services.
No date has been chosen for the survey, which will be discussed at the IDEA’s meeting on Monday.
The increased interest in French comes after IDEA members claim to have rescued French classes from cutbacks at most of the community’s schools this year.
Katherine Trumper, an IDEA member, said the Government of Nunavut toyed with the idea of cutting French classes from the curriculum in all but one English school in Iqaluit, until she and former IDEA member Kathy Smith lobbied to keep the status quo.
Suzanne Lefebvre, French curriculum coordinator for the department of education, said the government was considering the cutbacks because of budget pressures but confirmed students will have as much French language instruction this year, as they did before.
September 10, 2004
IDEA seeks funding for better English instruction
Iqaluit’s education authority wants the federal government to boost funding to classes for students studying English as a second language in Nunavut.
IDEA members expect to hear from staff on Monday about whether the federal commission of languages will provide the extra funding.
At their last meeting, IDEA member Katherine Trumper said students speaking Inuktitut as their mother tongue often struggle with school because the education department isn’t giving them enough support.
Trumper said that the federal government should treat Nunavut the same as Quebec, recognizing that the majority of Nunavummiut speak English as a second language.
Iqaluit education authority seeks replacement
The Iqaluit district education authority invites residents of the community to apply for a board seat, vacated shortly before the board adjourned for the summer.
Anyone interested in applying for the replacement position should contact the IDEA Office Manager at 979-5314.
The IDEA will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13, in the Nakasuk school library.
September 3, 2004
Food bank party a success
Live, outdoor music drew a crowd in Iqaluit. (PHOTO BY GREG YOUNGER-LEWIS)
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Chilly weather was no deterrent for Iqalungmiut who gathered in front of Nakasuk School for an outdoor concert and barbecue last Friday, organized by the Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank.
The cold weather may have shortened some people’s stay but Jen Hayward, a food bank volunteer, says the crowd remained “steady all night,” with people listening to music, examining crafts for sale and perusing garage sale items.
By the end of the evening, when headliners Jamal Shirley and Don Corbett took the stage, there were just one or two dozen hardy people left on the grounds.
The Food Bank raised $2,700 and collected two overflowing truckloads of food that will go to hungry families this winter, and called the event an enormous success.
“The community always surprised me,” Hayward says, referring to donations from the Elk’s Lodge as well as Arctic Express, which loaned the group a truck to move stage blocks all afternoon.
“Next year we’ll try to order up some nicer weather.”
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