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March 25, 2005

Gratitude from the Kilabuk family

We would like to express our gratitude to all those that helped us when my nephew J.D. (Joanasie Daniel Nookiguak) suddenly left us.

We would especially like to thank J.D'.s friends and teachers at Attagoyuk Ilisavik in Pangnirtung. We received tremendous support during our time of sorrow.

We also would like to thank First Air & Kenn Borek for giving discounts to our family members. We are thinking and praying for his grandparents, younger brother and relatives in Arctic Bay.

Qujannamiik from the bottom of our hearts and God bless you all.

Kayrene Kilabuk and family
Pangnirtung

March 25, 2005

Aboriginal languages in first place?

I heard a week or so ago, that Inuit would like to have Inuktitut made the third official language of Canada.

I understand why, for that is a very good reason. But shouldn't Canada make all aboriginal languages of Canada the first official language of Canada? With English the second and French the third?

That way all aboriginal languages will be preserved. What do you all think of that? Although, I don't know if non-aboriginals will like being put second place when they have been used to being in first place for their rights.

N. J. Salluviniq
Winnipeg

March 25, 2005

Congratulations to Peter Kiatainaq

I would like to congratulate my second cousin, Peter Kiatainaq, who once again brought home the gold and the cup for winning the Ivakkak race this year.

Angs (I call him "Angs" - short for "Anitsak") is an inspiration to all of us and makes us very proud. He won because of his skills, perseverance, and the love he has for his dogs. I hear that his team is really good and obedient to him.

My son Joe, 10, is really inspired by him. He was given a dog last year and he named her Minu after Peter's dog team leader.

During the race this year, our dog had four puppies. Although we, the parents think it takes a lot of responsibility to have dogs, we will keep all the puppies for the sake of our son. This way, he could learn to take responsibility and teach his team to musher. Maybe, one day, he will participate in Ivakkak. Just thinking about it makes me emotional.

Nalligivagit Angs, again congratulations!

Mary A. Pilurtuut
Kangirsujuaq

March 18, 2005

Yet another conspiracy theory

What happened to the Inuit of the Clyde River and Sam Ford Fiord area? Did they witness an explosion of some sort?

Inuit elders tells stories of one night the night sky lighting up as if it was daylight. Seven elders claim that this explosion occured and they also claim that after the explosion there were many metal strips all over the land.

The areas hit mostly were lakes and shores where there were villages.

What happened? Who did this? Why did they do it? Were they trying to eradicate the Inuit? Were they doing experiments of some sort?

I want to see some answers to these questions. We the Inuit never did anything to anybody and yet we get this. That same year, people started dying of TB. Half of my father’s family died off down south. All his brothers got sent down as well. Why did all these incidents happen around the same time (dog slaughters, relocations, this explosion)? I wish somebody can tell me what happened, otherwise I consider the Canadian government was trying to kill us off.

Nick Illauq
Clyde River

Editor’s note: This question was mostly answered nearly 20 years ago, when MLAs asked questions about it in the NWT legislative assembly. The sudden lighting of the night sky was caused by “flash bombs,” used by U.S. air force crews experimenting with night-time aerial photography in the 1950s. The flash bombs worked just like the flash devices used with with most cameras, illuminating a huge area long enough for it to be photographed from an aircraft.

March 18, 2005

Thanks from the Nakashuk family

Our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Malaiya Nakashuk, passed away Feb. 16, 2005. She was 81 years old.

We would like to thank the elders’ centre staff for providing care for over five years while she was no longer able to care for herself, and of course Elisapee Gordon for always making us feel comfortable while we were visiting our mother. Harry Flaherty, Qaumariaq Mitsima and Oolanee Coman provided her with country food which was all she wanted, and we greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness.

A special thank you to Dr. Jakubec and nurses at the Baffin Regional Hospital for supporting and caring for her during the last few hours of her life. We also would like to thank Tammaatarvik for bringing us food and providing transportation during the funeral service and to Ron McLean for coming to our home and helping us arrange the service.

We are especially thankful to Jamesie Josephee for giving us free cargo to send our mothers’ casket from Yellowknife to Iqaluit. You are forever in our hearts. To all of you and to many more we have not mentioned, thanks again for all your support. May she rest in peace.

The Nakasuk Family
Iqaluit

March 18, 2005

Too many irresponsible snowmobile drivers

I’ve seen one too many irresponsible skidoo drivers here in Iqaluit.

Just last week I witnessed a vicious accident when a skidoo motorist collided with a van. Luckily enough, no one was hurt, but only shocked and scared.

Just earlier another hot shot drove right by me at 40 to 50 miles per hour at least without the thought of slowing down. There is no question that some one will eventually get hurt, or even worse.

There have already been deaths in the past few years due to ski-doo accidents in Nunavut alone. You bylaw officers need to do something about this, not only bylaw officers but everyone else. Something needs to be done about this recklessness.

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

March 18, 2005

In Memoriam: Rhoda Koihok Maghagak, March 4, 1955 - March 12, 2004

It has now been one year since our beloved sister, mother and daughter, Rhoda Maghagak, of Cambridge Bay, passed away violently, from a stabbing incident and yet, no one has been found by the RCMP, as to who did this nor why.

It has been a very frustrating year for our family, especially for our father, who waits patiently for news, if anyone has been found or what the RCMP has been doing about this case, without any positive news to put a proper closure on her death.

We also recognize that the police is doing all it can to find the answers for us in the Maghagak family, but the longer we wait, the heavier the burden is on all of us, because of the uncertainty of the circumstances of her death, as we know that the person or persons who killed her are still living in our community or have moved on to another community, and we’re sure he or she will do it again, because he or she got away with it, this time.

We have been kept up to date on a weekly basis since Rhoda’s death, as per our request at the time of her death from the RCMP and as always, no new news or new leads have been forthcoming from the DNA or forensics tests that they have been conducting in their labs in Edmonton and Toronto.

But a couple of men in Cambridge Bay has been threatening some of our family members and some of the caseworkers, who are not even involved in her death but are involved in the healing and counseling of our family and friends, but nothing seems done about it to curtail or to put a stop to these very mean and hurting threats that we don’t need at this time of our grieving.

I would like to thank, on behalf of my family, many, many people who have helped us walk through this tragic period of our lives, including the police officers at the Cambridge Bay detachment.

Because of your continuing support and encouragement, we have made this year a little bit easier to bear, even though we have not put a proper closure to our sister’s untimely death and therefore, we are ever grateful for your support and visits to comfort us.

We all can only hope that this matter be put to rest soon, so that we can put our lives back together and move on.

Allen Maghagak and family
Ikaluktutiak

March 18, 2005

BFC responds to the Nattivak HTO

I wish to comment and clarify some of the misleading comments made by Mr. Koalie Kooneeliusie, chair of the Nattivak Hunters and Trappers Association, in his letter to the Nunatsiaq News dated Feb. 4, 2005.

“There is a world of difference between the two fishing types” — We are glad that Mr. Koalie Kooneeliusie mentioned this and it is important that we clarify the difference for everyone as follows:

BFC believes in a balanced approach to the fishery, one that use trawlers and hook and line vessels. By using both gear types you are taking a combination of both smaller and larger fish: Trawlers on average take smaller fish; however hook and line vessels take on average larger fish.

There are always pros and cons to every type of fishing, but what Mr. Kooneeliusie did not tell you is that the majority of the larger fish being harvested by hook and line are the mature, female, egg-bearing fish that are essential to the growth of the biomass.

Is this any different than catching polar bears, where we make sure that we do not harvest the mature females, so that the population can increase? The key to a sustainable fishery is to have a balanced fishery. If you harvest the majority of the larger females what will this do to your stock?

“Vessels were allowed by DFO to take two times the legal amount of small fish.” — All the vessels that fish in 0A are monitored by DFO, with an onboard observer, and we meet all rules and regulations as provide by DFO.

“Fishermen do not like fishing on BFC boats.” — This is both misleading and false. Throughout 2004 we have worked very hard to increase Inuit crews on the vessels. On the Inuksuk I we now have Inuit workers on a rotation basis, on shrimp, two trips on and two trips off. In some cases, we have had workers stay on for three trips before getting off. The reality here is that, as in any business there will be some workers who are not prepared to work in that industry and in this case make it difficult for the other workers who do want to succeed.

“Have not been paid on time, and they are not going to work on them in the future.” — This is again misleading and false. It is important to point out that BFC does not pay the workers, but rather they are paid directly by the vessel owners. Other than the Inuksuk I, BFC has no input or direction on the payment schedules for any of the crew whether they be Inuit or others. With regards to the Inuksuk I, the workers are paid as per their contracts, and overall they are paid faster that the industry norms for the offshore shrimp and turbot fishery. Workers sign contracts when they go on the Inuksuk 1, and yes, in some cases the crew have not lived up to their contract, and as in any industry, if you do not live up to your contract then you may not be entitled to your full pay.

“Their goal was to get us to rejoin the BFC and allow them to fish 0B quota.” — Of course, BFC would like to see Nattivak HTO rejoin BFC. It is important to point out that BFC has never fished any of Nattivak’s 0B turbot quota with the Inuksuk I or any other vessel. Yes, BFC did say that it would like to harvest the 0B quota on their behalf. However, we made it very clear that this was their quota and it was theirs to do with as they wished. Considering that BFC is owned by Inuit-owned organizations, does it not make more sense for the Inuksuk I to fish this quota for them on their behalf?

“When BFC was formed, they promised they would be fishing 60 per cent of their quota with trawlers and 40% with hook and line.” — This is correct and we still believe in that objective, however, despite us informing Mr. Kooneeliusie and his board as to why our 2004 hook and line percentages were down, he again elected not to tell you why BFC’s percentage of hook and line caught fish in 2004 was low in comparsion to 2002 and 2003.

In 2001, all of the 0A turbot allocation was harvested by trawlers and not hook and line vessels because there simply were not any hook and line vessels in Canada with the capacity to harvest in 0A. In 2002 and 2003, after calling for proposals, and again not finding Canadian hook and line vessels with the capacity to harvest 0A turbot, we received permission from DFO to use several foreign hook and line vessels, and as a result the percentage of hook and line harvested 0A turbot increased from 0 per cent in 2001 to 32 per cent in 2002 and 2003, real progress to a balanced fishery.

Again in 2004, BFC requested of DFO to allow the use of several foreign vessels in 2004, under the condition that the vessels would be Canadianized for 2005. Because of all the issues regarding the Canadianization of the Inuksuk 1, DFO rejected our request, knowing very well that the percentage of 0A turbot to be harvested with hook and line vessels would be down compared to 2002 and 2003. We now feel confident that our percentage of hook and line caught fish will increase in 2005 and beyond, since several hook and line vessel were Canadianized in late 2004 and are ready for the fishery in 2005.

BFC is certainly not favouring factory freezer vessels versus hook and line vessels, but rather a balanced approach to the fishery. BFC made the decision to charter a factory freezer trawler as its first venture into the fishery because it offered it more flexibility as follows:

• The vessel has a much larger carrying capacity, and considering the distance from offloading ports it felt it was more important to have the vessel fishing longer than to have it steaming back and forth to port.

• Because of the harsh environment the larger trawlers can fish longer during the season than hook and line vessels. These large trawlers can fish in ice conditions while the hook and line vessels cannot.

• BFC wanted a vessel that could fish both shrimp and turbot. A trawler can do this and a hook and line vessel cannot. By having a multi-purpose vessel BFC was simply reducing the risk factors and increasing its chances of success.

• Any vessel, whether factory or hook and line, has to maximize its fishing days, and with the abundance of shrimp in the south, the Inuksuk 1 could be kept busy year-round and not for just half of the year.

• By having success with its first vessel, it could reinvest some of the proceeds back into the development of the inshore fishery.

In conclusion, these misleading statements being made by the Nattivak HTO are inappropriate, and being fueled by southern self-generating interests who will be really financing and managing the fishing operation for Nattivak HTO. It should be pointed out that the individual that Nattivak is working with is a middle man who brokers vessels and services.

In 2001, this individual was acting as agent for a foreign vessel owner that was fishing for BFC. In 2002, both BFC and the vessel owner decided that they did not need a middle-man and the cost associated with that individual, so they decided to deal directly with each other.

We are prepared to work with Nattivak HTO, and as a member of BFC, we would support their effort to gain a portion of any future 0A turbot increase, and work towards maximizing Inuit employment.

Ben Kovic, President
Baffin Fisheries Coalition

March 18, 2005

Pedestrians have no right-of-way over motorists

Now more than ever there is growing concern for public safety in Iqaluit. With the growing population and the rapid influx of vehicles there is a significant threat to public safety.

Many concerns are about pedestrian and vehicle safety, due to the high number of vehicles on our roadways, as well as the number of pedestrians.

It is unfortunate that in this day and age, many pedestrians hold the misconception that they have the right-of-way over vehicles, providing them with a false sense of security.

The only time a pedestrian has the right-of-way when crossing a road is at a designated crosswalk, or a four-way intersection when it is safe to cross.

If a pedestrian is wishing to cross the road where a crosswalk is not designated, it is the pedestrian’s responsibility to wait until the way is clear before crossing.

At no time is a driver of a vehicle responsible for stopping and letting a pedestrian cross the road where there isn’t a marked crosswalk provided. By doing so, the driver puts both the safety of the pedestrian and the driver at risk.

Though it may be a simple task, many people do not know how to properly and safely cross the road. This may be because of the lack of road safety education in our school system, as well as our own negligence as parents and guardians in teaching road safety to our children.

When crossing a road, each person is required by law to cross at a designated crosswalk, in a straight line, going from one side to the other, using the shortest crossing distance.

It is unlawful to cross at an intersection on a diagonal route through the middle of the intersection. This, as well as crossing where there are no crosswalks, is known as jaywalking.

When entering a marked crosswalk, pedestrians must stop and ensure the way is clear. If not, the pedestrian should first extend their hand, providing awareness to all drivers of their presence at the crosswalk.

For drivers, it should be a common practice to make yourself aware of all the designated crosswalks in Iqaluit, and be cautious about your speed and driving habits when you are in these general areas.

One unfortunate factor during our winter months is that it is virtually impossible to maintain relatively safe road conditions.

As drivers we are responsible to drive in a responsible, professional, and most important, a safe manner.

If we adhere to the speed limits throughout town, which are consistent with 30 to 40 kilometres an hour, this should provide a safe environment for pedestrians and vehicles.

It cannot be stressed enough to drivers: please, do not give up your right of way to another vehicle or to a pedestrian outside of a designated crosswalk. The liabilities and consequences far outweigh the gratitude for the gesture.

The City and you, together we can make Iqaluit a safer and more enjoyable place to live.

Robert Kavanaugh
Iqaluit Bylaw Department
Iqaluit

March 18, 2005

Bad gas in Winnipeg 17 years ago

About 17 years ago I was one of a number of people in Winnipeg whose car was infected with bad gas pumped from a Gulf Canada service station.

Gulf Canada refused to acknowledge responsibility and instead, in my case, blamed my Petro-Canada service station for ruining my catalytic converter and destroying my spark plugs and other parts with horrible carbon gunk.

Coincidentally, about one year after the bad gas had hit Winnipeg, Petro-Canada bought Gulf Canada. Within a few weeks Gulf Canada admitted that it was their bad gas with a tainted addictive and not Petro-Canada that caused the problem. I received $1,400 in compensation for the damage to my car and expenses.

Hope this information helps you folks. It is a terrible experience that I shall never forget — especially having Gulf continue to deny there was a problem and trying to make me out as a liar — and then trying to make Petro-Canada out to be liars.

Joanne Thibault
Winnipeg

March 18, 2005

NTI responds to DIAND

In justifying why DIAND is still refusing to enter into DEW line clean-up economic and environmental agreements with Inuit, you quoted Steve Traynor, acting Regional Director General, as saying, “We certainly do want northerners to benefit from jobs and contracts but ultimately we have to make sure that we clean up those sites and come into environmental compliance. So, it’s always a balancing act between those two issues.”

Traynor has not explained why it is that high Inuit employment and contracting come at the expense of a proper clean-up and environmental compliance. That is colonial thinking, something which we at NTI are always attempting to change.

As you reported, the Department of National Defense and NTI have been cooperating for several years with the clean-up of DND’s DEW-Line sites in Nunavut through cooperation agreements implementing Article 24 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

It is projected that DND’s clean-up project will result in over 2,000 seasonal Inuit jobs and $120 million in Inuit firm contracts. Levels of Inuit employment are over 70 per cent; Inuit contracting to date is 73-90 per cent. As well, DND and Inuit cooperate on environmental standards, site specific clean-up plans, monitoring and other aspects of the cleanup. The result is a low-cost, high economic benefit model of contracting, which meets Article 24 requirements.

In contrast, DIAND’s approach falls short of Article 24, and consists of issuing vague, undefined messages to potential contractors.

DIAND, the federal agency primarily responsible for Inuit economic development and implementing the land claims agreement, needs to join the 21st century.

Paul Kaludjak
President
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

March 18, 2005

This film critic gives one thumb down

The GN has recently identified a need to help the film industry and maybe get to push forward a few projects that would not happen in Nunavut otherwise.

This will create good publicity for Nunavut and help a few more people from the North to make a living. This is a very commendable initiative.

The problem is that the very first concrete action taken by this group is to throw a party.

How typical of these people spending the government dollars. Create a big love-fest and invite all the cronies. The airlines, the hotels, and consultants wil be very happy again, but will there be any money left after to actually help anybody on the streets?

By the way, I hope that they have lots of baseball caps, mugs and T-shirts produced for that new group. We desperately need more promotional items paid for with the taxpayers’ money.

(Name witheld by request)
Iqaluit

March 18, 2005

Can’t puff and in a huff

I think my personal rights are being curtailed due to misuse of power by the Workers Compensation Board.

In full compliance with the Workers Compensation Act, the Legion in Iqaluit erected a smoking hut for the use of its patrons. Within hours of the building’s delivery to the Legion, a sheet of thick plywood was screwed over the doorway and a sign closing the building was attached to it, signed by the compensation board.

While I fully support the board’s work in limiting worker injury, I do not see in the legislation that the board has any jurisdiction on any matter that does not involve the workplace.

It is possible that staff on break may have intended to avoid the winds by entering and smoking in this shelter, but that should not attach any liability to the employer, in my opinion.

As a smoker, as many in Nunavut are, we have been certainly put in an uncomfortable position in having to smoke outside to avoid hurting employees of establishments and to avoid irritating the non-smokers.

Fair enough, I guess, since we are not relying on the free enterprise system to offer non-smoking facilities in Nunavut.

I must offer a caution to any reader who may think that it is fair to enforce one person’s rights over those of another. This time it may be smoking as the issue. Next time it may be car exhaust for you drivers or junk food for other people. Who will stand up for your rights?

Why is all of this occurring in Nunavut? I would suggest asking your MLA if Nunavut is receiving money to enforce these laws as they did not originate here and I doubt they want to offend so many voters.

(Name witheld by request)
Iqaluit

March 18, 2005

Where’s the DIAND monitoring plan?

This month, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development was required to explain its failure to put a Nunavut General Monitoring Plan in place.

When the Prime Minister of Canada signed the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA) in 1993, in Article 12.7.6, he agreed to develop a plan to monitor Nunavut’s environment. To reassure the territory they would not have to pay for this monitoring plan, DIAND signed a funding agreement in 1993 with the territorial government.

Four months ago, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. petitioned the Auditor-General of Canada to make DIAND Minister Andrew Scott explain why the monitoring plan was not in place. This is a reasonable request because all federal departments are required to have sustainable development plans. DIAND, with responsibility for all Crown lands in Canada’s three territories, is expected to have a plan that covers the most sensitive environment in Canada.

Earlier this month, Minister Scott responded to the Auditor-General and offered classic DIAND excuses. He said the success of the monitoring plan depended on the Government of Nunavut, various management boards, and other federal departments and agencies — even though DIAND has failed to provide these agencies with the resources to do the job. The absence of the monitoring plan was the fault of all these other organizations, not DIAND, said minister Scott.

In responding to the Auditor General, DIAND picked through its old filing cabinets and came up with a short list of monitoring activities they have undertaken, most of which are in Nunavut’s West Kitikmeot region and the Northwest Territories. When you don’t have anything to show for your efforts, every little thing counts.

Rarely a day passes that climate change and Nunavut’s fragile environment are not in the national and international news. Inuit are constantly told their homeland is experiencing severe change, so much so that the Inuit Circumpolar Conference is suing the United States government for its contribution to global warming in Inuit lands. DIAND’s failure to take the lead in organizing the monitoring of this sensitive environment is nothing short of reckless.

DIAND is responsible for 82 per cent of the land in Nunavut and most of the fresh water, and they are the most powerful federal agency in the North. The NLCA requires them to develop a plan to coordinate the monitoring of the environment, and to provide this data to the Nunavut Planning Commission so intelligent decisions can be made about the use of the land and water. This is not an expensive initiative but it does require leadership and commitment to the environment. DIAND, in spite of its large presence in the North, has never been able to provide that leadership.

Inuit are still trying to persuade the Government of Canada to deliver on the promises they made to improve the quality of life, but we are discovering that the government always gets what it wants and delivers only what it is forced to. This is just one more example of how the federal government is failing to meet its obligations to implement the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

Paul Kaludjak
President
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

March 18, 2005

Thanks to Iqaluit and Nunavut

I would like to say a special thank-you to all my friends and clients, curling buddies and staff of RBC and my special Girl Guides.

I have enjoyed your company, and thank you for letting me participate in your financial and personal lives. The past two years have been a wonderful experience living in Iqaluit, and I have now accepted a transfer with the Royal Bank of Canada to Dawson Creek, BC.

Qujannamiik.

Sheila Karnes
Dawson Creek, B.C.

March 11, 2005

We have many successes, BFC says

I read with great interest your editorial “A different kind of fishing derby,” Feb. 4. However there are several issues that need to be clarified, as follows:

“Net dragging destroying the ocean bottom” — There is no evidence that this is happening in Nunavut waters. In fact, there has not been any research done in Nunavut waters to support this claim. There is no evidence that net-dragging destroyed the Newfoundland cod fishery, but rather it was possibly a combination of a number of variables: periods of overfishing by many stakeholders; increased abundance of seals; and environmental conditions, just to name a few.

“This is our fish and the Inuit need to protect it from interests like the BFC, who want to take as much as they can and leave us eventually with nothing” — I wish to remind everyone that BFC shareholders are all Inuit-owned organizations, all located in Nunavut. Furthermore, BFC supports the philosophy of keeping the overall 0A turbot allocations at a very low level until the research has been done to support increased allocations. With a biomass of 113,000 tonnes and 0A allocations at 4,000 tonnes, we are indeed fishing with conservation in mind.

“There is no guarantee that BFC will survive” — We take exception to this comment, in particular if you look at the objectives of BFC and what it has achieved. It has been a great success, as follows:

• It raised Nunavut’s profile in the fishing industry in Atlantic Canada, the industry now knows where Nunavut stands on the issues of allocations of shrimp and turbot in its adjacent waters, and the unfairness it has received in the past. We are now organized, more vocal and fighting for an increase in Nunavut’s share of its adjacent resources. Only by being united can we continue to make such progress. Through the efforts of BFC and the Nunavut Fisheries Working Group made up of NTI, NWMB, and the GN, Nunavut’s share of its adjacent fishery resources has increased from less than 20 per cent in 2001 to some 38 per cent in 2004. This is real progress.

• Increased employment levels on the fishing vessels. We now have increased Inuit crews on the Inuksuk 1 who are now on a rotation basis on the vessel. Not only will they fish in Nunavut’s adjacent waters but also stay on the vessel when it fishes in the South during the winter months.

• Carried out a number of training programs over the last three years. We championed a longer term training proposal to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada for $5.4 million. This program has been approved and will start in mid-February, it will not only focus on workers on the factory floors, but a plan that will work towards moving Inuit into managerial and technical positions on the vessels. We should also add that BFC has committed a financial contribution to this long term training plan of over $1 million. The key to our overall success is having our people trained properly.

• We have chartered a factory freezer vessel for two years with an option to buy it. By chartering first, as opposed to buying it outright, it gives us the opportunity to see first-hand the costs of running factory freezing fishing vessels. Based on this sound financial information from actual harvesting results we can then make business decisions, and as such decrease our risk in the operation of this or any other factory vessel.

• We have set aside $2 million into a vessel acquisition account to be used for our equity investment once we make the decision to acquire a vessel or vessels. Only by investing in such a venture can you control your own destiny and make the decisions in running your own operations.

• We have set up a $500,000 research and exploratory fishery fund and through this fund have supported many projects over the last three years that will benefit the development of the fisheries in Nunavut. In 2004, we contributed over $100,000 towards a $600,000 0A turbot survey. The results of this survey were encouraging and as a result it is quite likely that we could see an increase in the overall 0A turbot allocations in 2006. BFC is on record as saying that it would support communities like Qikiqtarjuaq to receive a portion of any increase in 0A turbot allocations.

BFC has a sound business plan, and if you look at the great success it has achieved to date, why would it not succeed in the future?

There has to be a sector champion and BFC has filled that role. Do you not measure the success of any business by how successful it has been in meeting its goals and objectives? Based on these criteria BFC has been a great success.

Ben Kovic, President
Baffin Fisheries Coalition

March 4, 2005

Zoning bylaws hurt small service businesses

I am writing in response to rumours that the salon near Tundra Valley operated from the owner’s home is being shut down due to breaches of city by-laws.

I would first like to explain that I am a former small business owner within the same industry and had to shut down my operation due to the lack of commercial space available here in Iqaluit.

I believe that the current zoning laws limit our capital’s service industry potential and as a result the citizens are the ones who ultimately suffer. As a citizen I would like the opportunity to have a selection of services and products at my disposal, but what I get in reality is a limited selection forcing me to accept the standards that current vendors supply, which most times is not very satisfactory.

Not limiting commercial zoning will increase the selection of services and promote healthy competition. A wide range of products and services is needed so that we will no longer need to look to the South to satisfy our consumers.

The laws and regulations of the city’s by-laws are not testaments and can and should be amended when and if needed.

Furthermore, I don’t understand the city’s commercial zoning in the first place, as residential areas are located near industrial sites such as West 40 and the Federal Road. Has the city placed “zones” only to subsequently aid themselves, or those that represent the city?

The current situation is not fair, and as a result small businesses don’t stand a chance for survival, not because of poor quality but because of highly inflated rent costs. Thanks for listening!

Sharon Angnakak
Former operator of Arctic Glow Salon Spa

Iqaluit

Editor’s note: They aren’t rumours. The City of Iqaluit’s development appeal board recently overturned a council decision that would have provided a conditional development permit to Carole Collin for the operation of a spa business.

March 4, 2005

Rankin spousal abuse program should be used everywhere

Hi, I am writing this as a recent client of the spousal abuse program here in Rankin Inlet.

I believe that this program is needed by every community in Nunavut. The program taught me a lot about who I am and where I came from, and more importantly, it ended the cycle of violence in my family tree.

I grew up an angry person, even when I seemed fine on the outside, I was angry about something inside. It feels good to be able to teach my children that violence solves nothing. It only makes things worse. It was hard to talk about my problems at first, but later on I found that this was a step in the right direction to stopping violence.

If you are an abuser, seek help! There is help available out there. There is no shame in accepting that you are abusive and want to stop. I find that it is worse to be an abuser.

Think about it this way, how would you feel if someone were abusing your son or daughter? Now look at your partner, I’m pretty sure their parents don’t want their child to go through that too. If you love your partner, show it with care, kindness and affection, not with your fist. Love is not meant to hurt you.

The government should try hard to get funding for a program like this one, it would help a lot of families live a healthier and more happy life. Stop the cycle! End the violence!!

(Name withheld by request)
Rankin Inlet

March 4, 2005

Quataq students jump for healthy hearts

Students at Isumasaqvik School in Quaqtaq recently participated in fundraising for the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Students collected $471 in donations as a part of the foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart program. On Feb. 14 students skipped and played several heart-healthy games to celebrate their success.

Averill McWhirter
Quaqtaq

March 4, 2005

Double standard on freedom of religion?

Your editorial page on Feb. 11, 2005, makes reference to two different CBC interviews. The first was your reference to the interview that Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell had with the CBC on her position on Bill C-38, and then there was the letter from Johanne Coutu-Autut from Rankin Inlet making reference to some comments made by Tagak Curley on a CBC North TV newscast.

With reference to Nancy’s interview, your advice to her is to put her conscience first. I have no problem with that. That is what all elected officials need to do — to be true to their conscience.

You wisely counsel Nancy that “her greatest obligation to her constituents is to give them her best judgment... She cannot rely on her constituents to make the decision for her. By all means, she should listen to them. But in the end, Karetak-Lindell must not allow her constituents to dictate her vote. As a trustee of the public good, her vote is hers, not theirs.”

In the letter to the editor on the same page written about Tagak Curley, however, the author states to Mr. Curley, “You represent all people in your riding. Not everyone shares your personal religious views.”

It is your editorial, together with this letter, which in my view illustrates the double standard that is so evident in the debate on same-sex marriage. The Nunavut MP should vote according to her conscience. We all agree.

But in the case of Mr. Curley, he is being told to keep his conscientious beliefs to himself, and that somehow his public comments on the CBC are out of order, even if they are in line with his conscience and personal belief.

The bottom line is that while church and state are separate, no elected official can separate certain faith assumptions and religious beliefs (be they humanistic or theistic) from public policy. Each, at the end of the day, must vote according to their conscience.

When you say that “freedom of religion is already guaranteed by the Charter of Rights,” it is as clear as the day that this freedom does not include, in the eyes of some, the right of an elected official to state his conscientious beliefs publicly on the CBC. They must be, in that view, completely privatized and not spoken aloud.

Such a view is the antithesis of freedom of speech and freedom of conscience, the very first rights that are guaranteed in the Charter. Meanwhile, the Charter is used to justify a humanistic religion, the faith that man, and man alone, is the measure of all things, as the only acceptable state policy and state religion.

The judges become the new civil priests, and their interpretation of the Charter becomes the sacred writings which must be believed by faith that sexual orientation, without any definition whatsoever, is a human right in the same category as ethnicity and gender. That cannot but open the door to a pansexual agenda in which every sexual behaviour is indiscriminate.

To those who say this is nonsense, I ask, “Why don’t you insist that the term ‘sexual orientation’ be defined, then?”

Johanne Coutu-Autut’s comparison of Mr. Tagak Curley’s views to Nazi thought was particularly inappropriate, inasmuch as Mr. Curley, in a 10-minute news feature seen all over the nation of Israel on Channel Two on Feb. 18, was able to communicate to the nation his great love for the Jewish people, as well as for the Arabs.

The facts are, the Jewish people themselves see him as a champion of their right to exist, rather than as an enemy of human rights.

Roger Armbruster
Niverville, Man.

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