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Nunavut's departing commissioner says farewell

Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Ann Hanson on her appointment as Commissioner of Nunavut. Her experiences as public speaker; in journalism; with CBC; and having served as Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, will allow her to be an excellent head of state for Nunavut. When I heard of her appointment, I was extremely happy.

When I was named the Commissioner of Nunavut in 2000, I said I would do two things: promote Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in a very big way with the help of Nunavummiut; and develop the Commissioner's office, ensuring that the Inuit way is a significant part of it. It seemed that both Inuit and non-Inuit felt extremely at ease to utilize the Office of the Commissioner.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remember my parents' words as I thank the people of Nunavut, of Canada and the international community. My mother, someone with a huge heart for others, always encouraged me to help others. In carrying out my duties as Commissioner, I tried to help others feel good and be proud of themselves, as Canadians and as Inuit. As Commissioner, from April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2005, I carried my mother's heart with me, in addition to mine, in performing my duties.

A notable event is when, in 2000, the Mayor of Baker Lake invited me to recognize people for Commissioner's Awards. From then on, Commissioner's Awards became a way to recognize individuals in Nunavut. To March 31, 2005, I have recognized close to 400 individuals for contributions to communities, and to their fellow Nunavummiut, for Bravery, Volunteer, Youth and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Traditional Skills).

I want to acknowledge the co-operation and support that I received in Nunavut. I want to thank all the members of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly, both former and present: the mayors and community councilors; the associations and organizations and finally the residents of Nunavut, without whom my term as Commissioner would not have been as successful. My visits to the smaller and larger communities, for awards, cultural events, levies, meetings, and at times losses had a mixture of sadness, recognition, pride, rejoicing and most of all, fun. I participated at traditional drum-dances, throat-singing and the more modern drum dances in Kangiqtugaapik-Clyde River.

In thanking the people of southern Canada, I would particularly like to mention two people, whose support and promotion of Nunavut was greatly acknowledged and recognized, their Excellencies Adrienne Clarkson and her husband, John Ralston Saul. I am thankful for the cooperation between Nunavut and Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia for their work in helping to promote Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. Also, I mention the joining of the Nova Scotia/Nunavut Legion Command and my involvement in laying a "Nunavut Stone" in Sackville, or speaking at the annual general meeting in Bridgewater, where we showed that we can establish partnerships and most of all friendships!

I owe a lot of my accomplishments in this position to Teresa Irene Katak Irniq, my daughter, who died in April 2000, much too young. In accepting her passing, I was helped to shape my resolve to provide leadership to youth, for them to know more about their history and language and use that for their future strength, pride and self-identity.

I recognize the elders and youth in Nunavut, who were always eager to learn and teach about their history and share their wisdom and knowledge. I have come to realize that Inuit are the kind of people who can take one step back, and two steps forward. I hope, as Inuit, you will always remember that we are talented, creative, dynamic, national and international, and victorious! I also recognize all the residents of Nunavut who are not Inuit; who love and share our land; who work the jobs; who bring different languages and ways and give us new options to choose from. You, all the residents of Nunavut, have been very wonderful people to represent.

Let us always work in the name of Inuuqatigiittiarniq - in the name of tapiiriit - working as a team. On behalf of my wife Marie, who worked with me as equal partner, let me say, qujannamiik, quana, ma'na, nakurmiik, merci beaucoup, thank you very much!

Peter Irniq
Iqaluit

Federal tax system unfair to Nunavummiut

I applaud Jose Kusugak, the president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, for lobbying the federal government in attempts to have it abolish the GST for Northerners.

However, a Department of Finance official, Pat Breton, replied that the GST is most effective when it's applied uniformly. Effective for whom? And why insist the policy remain static when the reality is that the northern incomes do not conform to the "uniform?"

Pat Breton also stated that the government provides tax relief through the northern residents deduction. This is true, as the relief provides exemption on taxable income and thereby provides a larger refund, where otherwise there wouldn't be if there were no deduction.

However, the northern residents deduction is a narrow tax relief in many ways. It's only available to the main head of the family (it doesn't take into account that there may be many income earners within a household, which is the reality of many Inuit homes); the maximum allowable has remained the same for several years; there are two parts to the deduction (the basic deduction and the cost-of-living deduction), which makes it complex to determine which household member should claim it for their advantage.

But the most important thing that Pat Breton failed to mention is that the deduction is only advantageous if you have an earned income above the basic tax exemptions. In other words, the deduction is useless for low income people and people on income support. Therefore, many poor northerners are actually affected by the GST in proportion to their incomes.

Northerners are paying heavily for the "uniform" application of federal social welfare programs, in ways that I've termed a "double whammy."

First, eligibility for the GST rebate and the Child Tax Credit is assessed based on income, regardless of where you live. Thus, a northern income is considered the same as one based in the south, without taking into account that many wages are inflated to absorb the higher cost of living. A $20,000 northern income would be, for example, $15,000 in actual southern terms. But the assessment would be based on the $20,000 income and therefore the earner would likely get less GST and Child Tax Credit than his southern counterpart.

Second, the GST rebate and the Child Tax Credit cheques would be set at amounts that are the same as for Southerners, without taking into account the triple costs of food, clothing and other necessities. A $200 cheque buys a lot for a Southerner, but a pittance for a Northerner.

The Liberal federal government has remained staunch on their social welfare programs with respect to the North. Take for example, its position on the Employment Insurance program a few years ago, when an Inuk EI claimant tried to lobby the federal government to increase northern employment insurance cheques to take into account the higher cost of living. That was rejected also.

What does it take to change the federal government's position? Maybe if Prime Minister Paul Martin had visited a Pond Inlet grocery store back when he visited that community immediately after being elected in 2004, he would have gained some sight into what Inuit have to pay for their bare necessities?

But seriously, many more of us, including major associations and lobby groups in the North have to support Jose Kusugak and ITK in a concerted and well prepared effort to give reasons why the federal government should change its self-beneficial, baseless-seeming policies on "uniformity."

Sandra Omik
Iqaluit

Hopes fellow Nunavummiut are homophobic

I am writing this letter to say how disappointed I am in the person I voted into Parliament.

I was very surprised to hear on the radio about Nancy Karetak-Lindell voting for gay marriage. I can assure you that you will not have my vote again in the next election.

I can admit that I am homophobic, it's just the way I am. I hope that many of my fellow Nunavummiut will feel the same way and not put her back in office in the next elections.

Just because the Liberals vote for this, this does not mean that she has to follow what they say. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person who feels this way.

Phil Kingwatsiaq
Cape Dorset

Ed Mckenna - wrong again

Ed McKenna may be the last to know (or care, for that matter) what I own or manage ("Should Nunatsiaq News apologize?", April 22), but to correct the erroneous information he provided last week, I offer the following corrections.

I am not Vice-President of Nunavut Operations for Northern Property REIT - I resigned that position in June of 2003, almost two years ago. I am a trustee of that company. (There's a big difference, Ed. Check it out. I go to four meetings a year!)

There is no "large retailer in Iqaluit" called "Arctic Management Services Ltd."; but there is a large retailer called "Arctic Ventures 2000 Ltd.", commonly known as "Arctic Ventures," and I proudly admit to being its president and owner - but everyone already knew that (except perhaps Ed).

If Ed McKenna is so interested in full disclosure, why didn't he list the businesses that Stu Kennedy has ownership in or manages?

Kenn Harper
Iqaluit

James "Taalualuk" Houston a life-saver in Inukjuak

I remember James Houston, in Inukjuak, better known as Port Harrison at the time, in 1948-49 when he was here with his wife. I think he was working with the federal government and he was teaching Inuit how to carve soapstone and teaching Inuit women basket weaving.

Many people did not know how to carve, and it was the very first time that people started carving and women started basket weaving. He also bought all of the carvings and baskets to take with him once he left for the South.

I remember my father and other Inuit people taught him how to speak Inuttitut. James Houston gave lots of help to the people of Inukjuak even after he returned because after they were able sell carvings and straw baskets to Hudson's Bay Company.

Many people in Inukjuak remember him as Taalualuk (Big Chin) because he had a long chin. He had to teach the Inuit in tents and at church because at that time we had very few houses in Inukjuak.

When people talked about him after they found out that died, they said he was a life saver because people were able to trade with baskets and carvings to buy food for their families. Our condolences to family of Taalualuk.

Johnny Williams
Inukjuak

Hamlet of Rankin's bingo policy a disgrace

I'm disgusted with the way lottery licences are being issued here in Rankin Inlet these days.

Here is the following schedule for radio bingos for the next few weeks:

• April 22: $18,000
• April 29: $10,000, Hamlet Rec. Dept.
• April 30: Doesn't Say, Doesn't Say
• May 3: $8,000, Sr. Men's Volleyball
• May 6: $10,000, Hamlet Rec. Dept.
• May 7: $10,000, Girl's Soccer
• May 10: Doesn't Say, Sr. Women's Volleyball
• May 13: $10,000, Hamlet Rec. Dept.
• May 14: $5,000, Jr. Girl's Volleyball

First of all, I would consider none of these organization to be not-for-profit or charitable. I don't think that bingos should be subsidizing government-run programs or trips taken by able-bodied adults who can maintain full-time jobs.

Secondly, the timing of these bingos is going to create a cash-flow shortage in the community.

The one million dollar question is who is this going to be hurt? The kids! Their parents are going to spend everything they have in the hope of winning the big one.

I cannot believe the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet issued this many licenses with huge jackpots in this short time-frame; it is a disgrace they did not think about the kids. The kids are going to suffer for the next few weeks. They won't have any new clothes and they won't have anything in their bellies.

This action is so negligent and irresponsible. I believe the time has come for the Nunavut government to intervene and put a halt to these bingos so that the kids don't suffer. They have to set clear and strict regulations on who can hold bingos, the timing, jackpot amounts etc.

Please withhold my name, I'm relatively new in the community and if my name is published many people are going to be upset at me because they are using bingos for the wrong reason. This is clearly abuse of lotteries.

(Name withheld by request)
Rankin Inlet

History versus historical fiction

This letter is in response to Kenn Harper’s article “February 29, 1920 — Robert Janes’s Last Journey” (Part 4 of 4) appearing in the March 11, 2005 issue of Nunatsiaq News.

Up until now, I have been impressed by Harper’s history articles, which, for the most part, have been accurate. However, Harper’s portrayal of Janes’ death is seriously flawed and should be corrected in the public record.

Harper wrote that Janes saw Nuqallaq and called to him after the first shot, which missed its target. Later, when Janes lay on the ground wounded, Harper described the victim as crying out in agony and then making eye contact with Nuqallaq before the Inuk shot him in the head. The eyewitness statements heard at the Inquest and Preliminary Hearings — 10 or more — and the coroner’s report provide the proof that this is not what happened.

Nuqallaq, the Inuk chosen to kill Robert Janes, was hidden behind a door of an igloo and an overturned qamutiik some 45 feet away from his intended target, when he fired the first two shots. When the second only wounded the white trader, Nuqallaq ran to his igloo to get more cartridges and reload his gun.

During Nuqallaq’s absence from the scene, Janes had fallen after being pushed by Aatitaaq and had called to Ululijanaaq to help him before turning himself on his stomach. According to the Inuit who had gathered around, Janes tried to get up, but ended up partly on his side and leaning on his elbow, when Nuqallaq arrived back on the scene. The witnesses stated they could not see any blood at that time, likely because Janes was lying on the side where the second shot had wounded him — his right side.

At the urging of the only elder present, Nuqallaq, now five feet from the victim, quickly shot him in the head — from above and behind — as indicated by the entry wound on the left side above his ear and the exit wound on the right side below the ear, as described in the coroner’s report. At no time was there ever any eye contact between the killer and his victim. Nor did anyone state that Janes had ever called out to Nuqallaq.

As with many popular historians, Kenn Harper writes a compelling story — but in this case it was inaccurate.

On the other hand, his version of Janes’ death has a familiar ring — as I came across a similar story in oral history transcripts obtained some years ago at either Arctic Bay or Igloolik. Since this story differed so greatly from the statements made by those actually at the crime scene, I discussed the differences with the participating elders in the Pond Inlet History Project. After some discussion the consensus of the group was that those who actually witnessed the crime and the direct descendants of those individuals are the most likely ones to have the accurate facts.

An elder also followed this with the remark that “We Inuit know that the white man doesn’t always tell the truth” — words that would later come back to haunt me, and described in the “Preface” of the revised paperback edition of Arctic Justice due out later this spring.

As well, history should not be confused with “historical fiction,” which too often takes liberty with the facts to dramatize events, leaving readers with a distorted view of what really took place. I strongly encourage Harper to keep writing his “history” articles, but for the sake of the readers of Nunatsiaq News, I urge him to stick to the facts found in original primary sources and confirmed by other sources.

Shelagh D. Grant
Adjunct Faculty
Canadian Studies Program
Trent University, Peterborough

Thanks for help with tournament

On behalf of the Iqaluit Amateur Hockey Association (host community), I would like to thank all the volunteers (player evaluators, canteen workers, officials, timekeepers, fundraisers, chaperones), who assisted in making the 2005 PeeWee Territorial Championship tournament from April 8 to April 10 a success.

I would like to thank Sport Nunavut and Hockey Nunavut for their assistance behind the scenes to bring everyone and everything together despite the weather complications we experienced this year.

I would finally like to thank all athletes and coaching staff for the great sportsmanship displayed throughout the weekend on and off the playing surface.

Once again, thank you to everyone.

Robert Kavanaugh
President, IAHA

Nortext doesn't own Ayaya

In your otherwise accurate article on the Arctic Wisdom project "Photographer to send message from top of the world," (April 15), you stated incorrectly that Ayaya is owned by Nortext.

Ayaya Marketing and Communications is majority-owned by Inuit shareholders and Nunavut residents. Some shares are held by the Roberts family, who own Nortext, and there is a strategic alliance between the two companies.

I will be leaving Ayaya May 9 to join Nunavut Tunngavik as their Chief Executive Officer. I will no longer be an owner as at that date.

However, I understand that the other shareholders intend to continue Ayaya's mandate as Inuit and Nunavut-owned.

Joe Adla Kunuk
President

Should Nunatsiaq News apologize?

Kenn Harper insists that he be identified as the author of the mean-spirited letter on Stu Kennedy's resignation from city council published prominently in last week's Nunatsiaq News.

But what neither he nor your newspaper has disclosed is that Kenn Harper is Vice-President of Nunavut Operations for Northern Property REIT, the Calgary-based property developer with over 600 residential units in Iqaluit. Nor has Kenn Harper disclosed that he is president and owner of Arctic Management Services Ltd., a large retailer in Iqaluit.

These disclosures should have been made because Northern Properties REIT has been in conflict with City Council in the past, while Arctic Management Services Ltd. competes with similar businesses in Iqaluit owned by Stu Kennedy. Have these private interests contributed to Kenn Harper's negative view of Stu Kennedy's five years of public service on city council?

The Nunatsiaq News provides a regular platform for Kenn Harper in its pages, and when, as a noted Arctic historian, he confines himself to his interesting Taissumani column, his views are welcome.

But too often in the past, and now with this recent letter, your newspaper has allowed Kenn Harper to promote his own private interests, sometimes in lengthy columns on property development issues. This relationship is especially troubling when companies in which Kenn Harper is involved also advertise in the Nunatsiaq News.

You owe it to your readers, and to the maintenance of journalistic standards, to do better than to publish without disclosure letters like Kenn Harper's of last week, and you owe Stu Kennedy a public apology.

In the interests of full disclosure, I serve as a volunteer member of the executive committee of Namminiq Angirraliit Iqalunni Association. I don't, but some might see this role as having potential for conflict with a rental property developer. This letter is not intended to represent Namminiq Angirraliit Iqalunni Association or anyone else's view other than my own.

Ed McKenna
Iqaluit

Editor's note: Ed Mckenna makes an extremely serious allegation. It would be defamatory if it were made about members of any other profession, and it is not supported by any evidence that we can find.

For the record: In mid-2002, we published one letter to the editor from Kenn Harper that attacked a city council decision denying a development permit for a building proposal made by Ninety North, a company associated with Northern Properties REIT. We identified his interest in this business when we ran the letter.

At around the same time, we published a long letter from Robert Billard, a local architect, who defended council's decision. We also ran a long letter from John Matthews, then the mayor of Iqaluit, who defended council's decision. The evidence shows that we actually devoted more space to the views of Harper's opponents than to Harper's views. A review of the relevant news stories we published at the time reveals the same thing. And for the three years since that time, we haven't been able to find even one opinion piece or letter in our archives that would have been written by Harper on a development issue.

In conclusion, we're not sure what McKenna means by "too often in the past."

There's no need for us to apologize to Stu Kennedy or anyone else. Kenn Harper's letter was neither libelous or obscene, and we balanced it, on the same page, with another letter expressing the opposite view. Besides, you don't surrender your right to freedom of expression simply because you happen to own a business.

Energy costs threaten Nunavut

Thanks to the URRC we now seem to have accepted an electricity rate increase - at least an increase with which most people can live - until such time as the "fuel riders" are applied.

The problem with which I am sure most people will agree is that there is a limit that power rates, including "fuel riders," can increase. There is a point beyond which Nunavut will "self-destruct;" meaning that there is a point when the combined fuel and power rates will literally kill all economic stimulus, a point beyond which they will stifle any worldwide competition we can hope for and a point that will discourage people with the needed skills from moving here to work. It takes little imagination to visualize what repercussions this would have on our already hard-pressed jobless society, and in turn upon our government.

Nunavut has little or no way of mitigating the impact of fuel price increases. Let us take a look at power costs. We are not connected to an electrical grid system. Currently we have no viable alternate power such as that generated by hydro, nuclear power, piped gas, wind or solar energy that may be less expensive. We must rely totally on fossil fuel energy resources.

Rising fuel costs will likewise affect transportation costs, which in turn affects the cost of all our commodities. Similar with power alternatives and unlike our fellow Canadians to the south, we are very restricted in our means of transportation.

For the present our fate is inextricably linked with the price of fossil fuel. Some predict that the world supply of conventional oil will soon peak within the next five to 10 years, if in fact it has not peaked already. The more optimistic estimate it will peak in about 30 to 50 years time. It is reasonably safe to forecast that although fuel costs will continue to fluctuate both up and down, that in the long run these fluctuations will be on an increasing scale.

It appears obvious the government will need to adjust their subsidies in relation to rising oil prices. Also, it would appear logical that one of their major tasks, at this point in time, is to thoroughly examine and calculate how much of an energy cost increase our economy can tolerate before these costs become defeating and destructive. We may have already reached or are close to that threshold and do not know it. Even if we accept a more optimistic view, in preparation, it is still wise to create a forecast model now. All levels of government will need this information if they are to plan for our future.

Frank Pearce
Iqaluit

We will remember Ben Williams

Since learning of Ben Williams' death last week, I've been grieving with his many family and friends in Iqaluit, Arctic Bay, Inuvik, and across Canada.

Ben was a bright young man, loved and loving in his family, skilled and confident on the land, and dedicated to serving and protecting the public through his chosen career in the RCMP. Those who knew and loved Ben will remember him always in the prime of life, his ready smile a demonstration of his zest for living.

I treasure the memory of a certain day last summer, when I attended the second birthday party for Ben and Virginia's daughter Kiersten. It was a glorious sunny day at Apex, with the sky deep blue and the water reflecting in an even deeper shade: perfect for a birthday picnic. Friends and family of all ages gathered for food, games, laughter, and the pleasure of watching a little girl opening her many gifts. Ben was busy enjoying his little girl's special day, and capturing her fun with a video camera.

In this past sad week, when my thoughts were never far from Ben's family, I also had the opportunity to share a very happy moment with another family who were friends from Iqaluit. At the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards dinner in Saskatoon last Thursday night, I found myself seated at the same table as Allan and Eliza Kingdon, and their daughter Fauna, the recipient of the 2005 Youth Aboriginal Achievement Award. What a wonderful honour for Fauna, for her family, and for all those in Iqaluit who played a role in shaping her into the impressive young woman she is. How fortunate to have the chance to celebrate in the midst of a time of grief.

Yes, life goes on, and we will continue to celebrate amongst the living. As we carry on living though, we will remember Ben Williams. He lived his short life to the fullest and contributed to the lives of others. He leaves a big empty place in his family, in the community, and in the RCMP. We feel the pain of that empty place keenly, and yet there is something to celebrate too, in the memories held by each of us whose lives were enriched by knowing Ben.

My thoughts and prayers are with Virginia, Kiersten, Aiden, Rebekah, Glen, May, Virgil, and all of Ben's family.

Nora Sanders
Regina

Corporations control everybody

It's almost impossible to find a poor or working-class community that has only one problem. Can you imagine a small community where there are simply no jobs for people to work at but where everybody in the South lives in a nice house?

Living in the North is very expensive, especially when you have to buy food and clothing and household items. I've lived in Montreal for five years now. I grew up in Puvirnituq and I know exactly what I'm talking about.

We have two big stores, we call them the co-op store and Northern store, owned by wealthy people living in the South. I call these corporations, wealthy individuals, factory owners, landlords, business people and investers, "oppositions."

The "oppositions" control us and our lives in a number of different ways. The power is exercised through control of resources. Ownership of factories and businesses gives power over people's jobs and job security. Ownership gives the power to set prices, to ensure higher profits, to control supply and demand, to make the necessities of life scarce. The GST for shipping and handling is no excuse.

We are paying a lot of money to the "oppositions" for nothing. They sap energy and destroy morale. The Inuit government or Inuit organizations should think reasonably because our tax will never be cut and our provincial governments are not much of a help.

I believe that Inuit can make a tremendous business by themselves, but they need to get education. Problems can be solved if people learn to act collectively. Because tax policies have concentrated more wealth in the hands of fewer people, more people are finding themselves increasingly economically disadvantaged.

We need to wake up and learn about the politics because our social problems are caused by the new political economics.

Raingi Uqaituk
Montreal

Thanks for helping with Moshi Shaw's funeral

On behalf of my family, the Kilabuks, Shaws, Fortins and Pisukties, I would like to thank all the people who contributed to laying my late niece Moshi Shaw to rest.

First, I would like to thank Romi Nychka for her tremendous effort in raising money to get my niece from the hospital in Montreal to the funeral home then to Iqaluit.

She could have just dropped everything after she found out that Social Services couldn't pay. Instead she rounded up people in Iqaluit who chose to remain anonymous.

Thanks a lot. Without caring people like you guys, things would not happen.

I would also like to thank Qaumagiaq Mitsima for supplying us with caribou, the elder's home and the Tamaataviq Boarding Home for their kindness in donating food for after the service. Thanks to Martha Turqtuq for cooking and opening her home for us to gather at after the service, and to Ooleepeeka Veevee and Marc Denault for accommodating my late niece's three sons and ex-husband.

I also thank Reverend Ron MacLean, Methusaleh Kunuk, Sammy Peter for notifying and supporting the family with grieving. Special thanks to Louise Mayo and the Native Friendship Center staff for their support. Many thanks to those I may have forgotten for there were many many people who helped in the process.

Annie Pisuktie
Montreal

Matthew LaPage: Dec. 9, 1984 - March 25, 2005

We wished to thank everyone in Kuujjuaq who showed their support and sympathy throughout our time of our need, both locally and in other parts of the Arctic and down south.

We would also like to thank all the different organizations, the KRG, the Kuujjuaq municipality, and Northern Store. We would truly like to thank as well the Roman Catholic Mission and the Anglican Church for their support, along with the Kativik Regional Police Force and the Tulattavik Hospital staff.

We are forever grateful that you did the best that you could do for our only son, brother, and uncle. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you all.

The LaPage Family
Kuujjuaq

Nunavik amalgamation won't happen for years

This letter is in reference to the article which appeared in your newspaper, dated April 1, 2005.

I do not know what Greg Younger-Lewis understood when he interviewed Pita Aatami on various issues related to Makivik undertakings, but he has written a very misleading article and has misinformed many people on the Nunavik Government file and I would like to rectify it.

The negotiators have been traveling to the Nunavik communities to inform residents about the content of the Agreement-in-Principle which is about to be finalized. It is hoped that it will be signed by the negotiating parties by June 2005.

Of course, the amalgamation of the KRG, KSB and NRBHSS will not happen this June as mentioned in your article.

Once the AIP is signed, the negotiations leading to a Final Agreement will begin. The work on the Final Agreement will probably take another year and will be put to referendum in Nunavik when it is concluded. This will allow every Nunavik resident over 18 to express their wishes. We are hoping this will be by the end of 2006 or early 2007.

This Final Agreement will include a detailed Implementation Plan, which is now being drafted and will continue to be developed with the involvement of all the institutions that are to be amalgamated.

On that point, I would like to make clear that Makivik is not to be amalgamated in the Nunavik Government as it will remain the official Inuit representative for Nunavik issues, much as NTI in Nunavut.

The implementation of such an important project cannot be taken lightly and a lot of hard work will go into it. The merging process itself will probably take five to six years, leading up to the "amalgamation date" in which the Nunavik Government will be created. The proposed timeline indicates that this will take place approximately in the year 2010 or 2011.

No one has been told "if they want to keep their jobs, they have to move north." Jobs in the present institutions are very important and the people in those jobs are even more important.

That is why the negotiating parties are working very closely with the organizations that will be affected and have also developed separate working tables with all the unions of these institutions. In no way is the creation of the Nunavik Government conditional to the moving of all employees to the North.

The Makivik AGM will receive an update from myself, Harry Tulugak and Maggie Emudluk as to the present status of the negotiations and more particularly the content of the AIP. It is our hope that the Agreement-in-Principle will be endorsed so that we can take the next step towards negotiating a Final Agreement.

For anyone wishing to receive information, I and the other negotiators are available to answer any questions. There is also the new website which welcomes questions and comments at www.nunavikgovernment.ca.

Minnie Grey
Negotiator

Thanks from Snow Challenge organizers

The organizers of the Nunavut Snow Challenge would formally like to thank a number of people and organizations who made the 2005 Nunavut Snow Challenge a success.

We thank Premier Paul Okalik for his continued support and assistance from the government of Nunavut; and Paul Kaludjak, President of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., which donated $15,000.

That much was needed in order to top up the prizes at the last minute. We also wish to thank Mosha Cote of Canadian North, who donated airline tickets as part of the prizes, Globalstar for providing satellite phones, Woodies for gift certificates to use as prizes, Nunasi Corporation, Atlas Van Lines, Nunavut Performance and of course, Nunavut Emergency Management.

A very special thank-you to those in Kimmirut who seem to go unnoticed each year, you are not forgotten! Thanks to the Hamlet of Kimmirut, the mayor Mr. Arlooktoo and his council, Mr. Tommy Akavak, and everyone in Kimmirut that looks forward to the arrival of the racers each year.

Our deepest thanks go to the racers from Nunavut and Nunavik who are brave enough to challenge this each year, the volunteers, and the spectators, as well as Mosesie and Mike who opened the race with a prayer that our racers return safely. Thank you to Thomas Bragard and Damien Beauregard!

Jay Wisintainer
Production Manager
Nunavut Productions

Eddie Weetaltuk set an example with his life

I am sending this letter as a show of my appreciation to the people of Umiujaq for their support and comfort shown to myself and my relatives during the funeral of my uncle, Eddie Weetaltuk.

This was a man proud of his Inuit heritage, who, in his passing, had a letter written to Inuit in general, stressing that all should go out into the world and be proud of who you are and where you come from.

He wanted all Inuit to feel no less than their fellow human beings and that we are all just as capable as the next person to succeed in whatever walk of life we choose for ourselves.

He himself got to see much of the world at an early age when he enlisted in the Canadian army and served in the Korean War. He was also very content with his move from Kuujjuarapik to Umiujaq. He liked the fact that the people of Umiujaq made him feel very welcome in their community and accepted him as one of their own. I would like to thank all Umiujaqmiut for this special gift bestowed upon Uncle Eddie.

In keeping with his service to the Canadian military, Rangers from the communities of Kuujjuarapik, Umiujaq and Inukjuaq were represented well during the ceremony. Furthermore, the Junior Rangers were also present. On behalf of all my relatives, I would like to pass on a profound thank-you for this honour you have shown my uncle.

I am sure that after the busy life he had enjoyed, he is now resting peacefully. Thanks again to all who have expressed their condolences and given myself and my family members comfort during this time of mourning.

Anthony Ittoshat
Montreal

Too many drunks taking taxis

Taxi services are getting so bad, because of passengers having to be in the same taxi with all the drunks. Have you been verbally abused, threatened, verbally sexually harassed by a drunk person in a taxi that you paid $5 for?

We need a better taxi service without getting all that shit from the drunks who they pick up while you are waiting for the taxi driver to bring you to your destination. They drive you all around trying to get other clients to the closest location.

All the taxis try to pick up as many people as they can so they can make money, even if the person is violently drunk and talking really loud and swearing in front of little kids. We parents need to get a better taxi service so the children won't see violent and swearing ridiculous drunks in the same taxi.

The taxi picks you up, then picks up another one and drops off the customer that has the closest place and picks up another drunk at the bar or drops a drunk at the Legion first, while you are getting all the harassment from the drunk. The driver doesn't do a thing about it even when there's a little kid in the taxi.

Why don't the customers complain about this when they get all the harassment? If we pay $5, we need a one-person service to our destination without any pick-ups or drop-offs.

The City of Iqaluit needs to get the taxi company to better their service. Seems like we are paying $5 to get harassed, especially when the children and kids get to see all the violence in the taxi.

The Legion and the Storehouse need to get their own taxis for their drunks. I hope the city council hears about this.

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

Departing ADM says their's still hope for Nunavut

After five years in Nunavut, our family will soon be leaving. Before doing so, however, I wanted to express my faith in the mission of this still relatively new government and territory.

Too often we hear the critics point out all that is wrong with Nunavut: less often do we hear about its accomplishments. Nunavut did not create the challenges it faces - it inherited them. And Nunavut is not ignoring the challenges it faces - it is dealing with them in the best way it can. Too often we hear that the issues facing Nunavut must be resolved now, as if waving a magic wand is all that is required to put things right.

Nunavut's "magic wand" was the creation of the territory itself. The establishment of a government for Nunavut has allowed it to focus its limited resources on issues of importance to Nunavummiut in a way that was not possible for the people of the eastern Arctic prior to 1999.

Without it, Nunavut would not have departments dedicated to developing education and health systems that focus on the specific needs of this territory. Its bureaucrats would not be lobbying Ottawa on Nunavut-specific issues. Its schools would not be developing Inuit lawyers. And Nunavummiut would not have a department dedicated to the protection and promotion of Inuit culture and language, which is, in the final analysis, the very reason Nunavut was established in the first place.

This initiative called Nunavut is one that is being watched by many around the world, and I say that without exaggeration. I have given many talks over the past five years to representatives of a number of foreign governments struggling to find ways to deal with their aboriginal peoples, and who look to Nunavut as a possible example of "best practices."

Is there still room for improvement? Absolutely. But the challenges faced by the new territory were not created overnight, and will certainly not be resolved overnight. What will contribute to Nunavut's continued advancement is the steady determination of its people and government to continue working toward building a better society.

Nunavummiut are living in historic times. We are the generation that will, in our old age, be able to say that we were there when Nunavut was created, and that we had a hand in its development. We leave Nunavut irrevocably linked to it. It has given us lifelong friends and a child, who will always be a Nunavummiut. And it has created in us advocates for this wonderful ideal that is Nunavut. We can only hope that we gave to it as much as it gave to us.

Anthony Saez
Former:
Assistant Deputy Minister of Justice
Acting Deputy Minister of Justice
Assistant Deputy Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth

Mine training idea still has life

I was disappointed that a recent article painted a negative picture of what is, in fact, a positive story about economic development in Nunavut (re: "DIAND says no to Kitikmeot mine training scheme," March 18). I'd like to clarify the following points.

In Budget 2004, the federal government announced $90 million over five years for northern economic development. Across the North, the Government of Canada and key economic players immediately began work to design approaches for investing these funds. In the meantime, in order to maintain momentum and take advantage of current and emerging economic development opportunities, $10 million was made available to the territories during 2004-2005.

Nunavut's portion of the federal funding for 2004-2005 was $3 million. This funding became available in late fall 2004 and by March 2005 $2.5 million had been approved against projects. This is a major accomplishment given the amount is about 10 times what is usually available to the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Nunavut Regional Office to disperse on northern economic development through INAC's Innovation and Knowledge Fund.

Proposals were solicited from several sources, including the Nunavut Economic Forum (NEF). The Kitikmeot mine equipment training proposal was one of these. The Nunatsiaq News article repeatedly refers to INAC "rejecting" the proposal from the Kitikmeot Corporation. This project wasn't "rejected," as it was never eligible for consideration under program criteria in the first place.

In part, the project was ineligible because it proposed for the Kitikmeot Corp. to purchase the equipment from Nuna Logistics, a company in which Kitikmeot Corp. owns a 25.5 per cent share.

The training proposal is still worth examining, though. In fact, we have indicated to the NEF that the project should be looked at as part of the Nunavut Mine Training Focus Group initiative. I look forward to reviewing the submission under a more appropriate program.

We would have been happy to outline this to Nunatsiaq News, however, we weren't given the opportunity. Reporter Greg Younger-Lewis requested information on March 11 about economic development projects and was told official announcements were planned the following week during Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Andy Scott's visit to Nunavut. At no time was the Department asked to comment specifically on the Kitikmeot training proposal.

Work continues to identify priorities and develop territory-specific investment plans for Nunavut's remaining share - $24 million - under INAC's northern economic development fund. I believe Nunavummiut will benefit greatly from the $2.5 million awarded to 13 projects this past year. All unspent funds will be incorporated into future years' expenditures, meaning Nunavut can plan for projects through 2009. We encourage Nunavummiut to contact our office for more information.

Stephen Traynor
Acting Regional Director General
DIAND, Nunavut Regional Office

Editor's note: Nunatsiaq News began soliciting comment on the mine training funding issue about three weeks before the story was published.

Good riddance to Stu Kennedy

Stu Kennedy's reasons for resigning from council are unacceptable. So the work got hard and he didn't get his way. The administration didn't ask "How high?" when Stu said "Jump!"

But he was elected to do a job for a period of time and he has violated the trust of those voters who put their faith in him and put him in office. (Please note that I was not one of them.)

But good riddance anyway. They say that a by-election will cost about $20,000. That's far less than Stu Kennedy has cost the town in lost opportunity and missed revenues from projects he opposed, in the five years he's been there.

Kenn Harper
(Name used at author's insistence)
Iqaluit

Open letter to Stu Kennedy

It was very disappointing, and somewhat alarming (for those of us concerned about how Iqaluit is being run), to hear of your resignation from council last week.

It seemed that you were the only one standing up for the vision that citizens have for this community, rather than acquiescing to the outdated model that the CAO was bullying us into having. It seemed that you were the only one challenging staff and demanding some accountability. Is it because you were the only one with a critical mind and eye? Is it because you were the only one who was willing to go on record with the hard questions?

If we no longer have someone scrutinizing our multi-million dollar heavy equipment purchases and maintenance contracts, will we not have anyone left to challenge the excuse that we don't have enough heavy equipment, and what we have is not working, for snow removal in an Arctic community.

If we no longer have someone asking the question of why someone should be awarded a $15,000 bonus for taking the obvious and universally detrimental route of cutting services and raising homeowner taxes to meet a budget, will we not have anyone left demanding that the budget be met through improved efficiency and creative solutions?

And when environmentally responsible programs such as public transit and modern waste management practices are set up to fail as expensive targets for easy elimination, will no one challenge whether the problem is actually in program mismanagement and inefficient implementation?

Many members of the public appreciated your work on Council as a ray of hope for maintaining accountability and forcing some progressive thinking in how Iqaluit is managed. Thanks for your efforts. We're sorry now that we didn't tell you earlier that you are not without support, even if that's how it felt, sitting at that council table.

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

Nunavut should recognize same-sex marriage

Every person should be recognized as equal citizens in Nunavut and Canada. Policies of exclusion perpetuate violence, discrimination and isolation. That is why I hope the Government of Nunavut will move to allow same-sex marriage in the territory.

Homophobia is no different than racism, and just as destructive. The Nunavut government should embrace equality by joining the many other regions in Canada that have legalized same-sex marriage.

Ken Erickson
Calgary

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