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December 23, 2005

Thank you to Lasaolasie

Lasaolasie, thank you so much

for the many days you made sure we were happy,

while you were still with us.

Your few faults do not seem much to matter

Because of your intelligence love approach to life

You've shown us love is everywhere.

Nipisha Bracken ’05

December 23, 2005

Karate team says thanks

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The Kuujjuaq Karate Team would like to thank all the people and organizations of Kuujjuaq who generously supported their team and made this year’s annual competition a huge success! They would also like to thank the RCMP for funding $20,000 towards this trip, allowing more of our students to participate and demonstrating a belief in our youth.

Karate teams from Ontario, Alberta and across Quebec gathered at Dawson College in Montreal earlier this month for the Kentokukan Karate Fall Classic Tournament.

Some 24 Kuujjuammiut between the ages of seven and 17 years participated. Their performance, behaviour and attitude would make all of you very proud.

The Kuujjuaq Karate Team brought home three gold medals, five silver medals, three bronze medals and five honourable mentions (4th place).

We have an exceptional group of athletic youth and everyone’s support throughout the past four years has allowed our youth to pursue their goals and build lasting friendships, confidence, knowledge and discipline.

Thank-you for all your support!

Sensei Mandy Graham

Kuujjuaq

December 23, 2005

When the police say stop, stop

With regard to the Nunatsiaq News article recently about “Lar” the RCMP dog, I think the real point to the issue is when an RCMP officer requests a suspect individual to stop, and for whatever reason the person refuses to stop, I believe that the suspect then assumes the consequences of his or her actions.

Furthermore, if the hard-working members of our RCMP detachment, including “Lar,” become any busier in their workload, perhaps a few more “Lars” would make the apprehension of suspects easier, and this community a safer place for everyone.

The bottom line is that if a police officer requests you to stop, then stop, or be prepared to be apprehended by a police officer, with or without four legs.

Mark Hall
Iqaluit Resident
Iqaluit

December 16, 2005

Thank you to Nunavut Tunngavik

I was in Iqaluit recently to see my uncle Lausalasie, who has been sick and in his last days with us. I would never have had the opportunity to see him if it wasn’t for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

I would like to thank NTI for helping me come home to see my uncle Lausalasie during his last days with us, especially Mary Akpalialuk for her special kindness extended to me during that time.

It was helpful seeing my uncle before he passed away, and all my relatives and many friends. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, from my family here, to everyone back home, who I miss very much. I’m always thinking of you, always.

Emily (Eyetsiak) Bailey
Alberta

December 16, 2005

Tony Ullikatar deserves thanks too

I would like to thank Steve Mapsalak for his kind words about the three of us on the issue of residential schools, but I would also point out another person who deserves recognition and was instrumental in getting our lawyer Steve Cooper, and that is Tony Ullikatar.

He was determined that we were going to get legal representation and we appreciate his assistance.

Jack Anawak
Ottawa

December 16, 2005

A big thanks from the Atagoyuk family

I would like to say thank you to the people who came and donated to us.

A big thanks to Jay Wisintainer for the insulation, plastic and staples, and for the help he gave my husband to install insulation on the roof. Thank you to QIA for insulation, plastic, plywood and nails. Thank you to NCC for the heater they provided us.

And a really big thanks to Uqsuq Corp. for the kerosene and naptha fuel. Thank you to Rebecca Veevee and her husband Jacques for more insulation and carpeting. And to the elders home, mainly Elisapee Gordon and driver Mishakie Killukishak, thank you for all their generous help from the beginning when we became homeless.

Thank you to the family members of ours who let us sleep over when we had no fuel. Sorry to anyone I did not name but thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you also to Jim Bell for writing the article.

Veronica, Soloman, Steven and Annie Lucy Atagoyuk
Iqaluit

December 16, 2005

Truth and reconciliation commission needed for res-school survivors

The announcement made by the federal government on compensation for residential schools was bittersweet to me. I, and many others, have maintained for a long time that money was not an issue on this matter. Over the last few years, however, I realized that there are many components to the process of healing for these types of crimes and wrongdoings.

First of all, an acknowledgement of wrongdoing and the damages caused is needed. Along with that, an offer of a sincere apology is needed. The Statement of Reconciliation issued by the federal government January 1998 was just that — a statement, not an offer. A sincere and meaningful offer is still needed, including recognition of the suffering by the parents and families involved.

Secondly, criminal justice needs to be addressed. If you do something unlawful, you have to answer to the criminal courts. No one from the Bernier school was charged, because the NWT Justice Department felt the allegations were “minor in nature.” Since when did sex crimes and acts of terror become considered minor in nature?

Then, counselling programs are needed.

It should be recognized that more than one treatment may be required for some and follow-up is needed. Just because the cost of travel and living up here is so high is not an excuse for exemption. We, in the North, have the same needs as everyone else.

Compensation for damages is also part of the healing process. While no amount of money will make you forget the harm done, it is a token of retribution. Just remember, however, that $10,000 in the South will go a lot further than up here.

While efforts made by the government are to be acknowledged and commended, I feel that we have been short-changed because the differences up here have not been recognized.

Half measures just will not do. It is my hope that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will fully address all of our needs to move forward.

Marius P. Tungilik
Iqaluit

December 9, 2005

Thank you to Iqaluit's trucked service workers

The installation of piped services to Lower Base this past summer marks the end of an era. While many folks have welcomed the advent of a seemingly endless supply of water (an illusion really), I feel rather indifferent to the idea.

Having briefly experienced, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the earlier era of honey buckets, a 100-gallon water barrel in the front porch, and a kitchen sink that drained to the outside via a pipe protruding through the outside wall, trucked services were to me, a wonderful luxury and nothing at all to carp about.

I want to extend a long-overdue and sincere thank you to the men who provided trucked services to Lower Base and who continue to provide this service to other parts of Iqaluit.

Theirs is a thankless job. They go about their business, quietly and efficiently, providing an essential and valuable service to this community. Despite the fact that it can be a nasty and dirty job at times, never once did I detect even a hint of sullenness or negativity from these men. There was always a friendly smile and a wave from them, even during the worst weather.

It can be argued that like everyone else, they do what they do for the pay cheque. But at the end of the day, ask yourself this: what do you do for your pay?

Paper-pushers like me could fall off the face of the earth and no one would likely be the wiser, but if the men who provide trucked services were not around to do their jobs, the results would be immediate and ugly.

Gentlemen, I salute you. I appreciated your hard work, dedication and unstinting service. You should feel very proud of what you do for a living.

Robert Eno
Iqaluit

Three prominent elders pass away

Nunavut has lost several of its elders from the Nattilingmiut and Utkuhiksalingmiut descendents.

Luke Nuliajuk died of cancer last week in Uqsurtuuq (Gjoa Haven). He was a most renowned and beloved Inuit drum dancer, a wonderful entertainer and a role model for the youth.

Nuliajuk was a very charismatic man. He was named after "Nuliajuk" the boss of all the animals under the sea. Like many other Nunavutmiut,

I have watched Nuliajuk drum dancing in Naujaat-Repulse Bay, my home town, and in Talurjuaq (Taloyoak), Uqsurtuuq, and Kangiriniq.

In 2000 the Inuit of Aivilik and Nattilik descendents formed the Huqulajiiit (Qilaujjartiit) Society to preserve, protect and promote traditional Inuit drum dancing. Nuliajuk was invited to participate during all of our drum dance festivals. When he would get up to dance everyone would clap their hands with excitement. He was a very powerful drum dancer. His rhythm reached into the hearts of many people, both Inuit and non-Inuit. Whenever he finished dancing, spectators would give him a standing ovation. Nuliajuk always smiled and was very respected.

His sister, Martha Qamukkaaq (the correct spelling of her name but she was known as Kamookak) also died earlier this year from cancer. She was an extremely good Inuit singer; she was a keeper and caretaker of the songs of our Inuit ancestors. Whenever Nuliajuk got up to dance, she would sing for her anik (younger brother). She was over 90 years old when she died. She was nominated by her beloved community members and I was honoured during my term as commissioner, to grant her a Commissioner's Award at the highest level, for promoting and preserving Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. I went to Uqsurtuuq to present the award.

Elder Judas Aqilgiaq, who was also in his 90s, the husband of my aunt Mary, died recently as well. People such as Nuliajuk, Kamookak and Aqilgiaq, all promoted Inuit culture, with a great deal of joy, dignity, and vision! They demanded that Inuit culture be kept alive and be accurately promoted! In the name of our ancestors and our elders, whom I have mentioned were my mentors. I am determined to follow in their footsteps.

There was a drum dance last week in Gjoa Haven to celebrate Nuliajuk's life. On behalf of many people, I would like to give them a standing ovation, Til we see you again...

Peter Irniq
Iqaluit

NYC promotion a good idea

It's excellent to have exposure in the big cities of the States and I applaud the work by Nunavut Tourism, but I'm curious to know how that happened. (Nunatsiaq News, Nov. 18)

Just thought the reporter could have provided more information on how the ad became a reality in New York City.

There are no details as to who they contacted and how they got such a wonderful idea for such great exposure.

Think big and we can get big results! It can be detailed for others to possibly gain access to more media coverage and to get advertising for the outfitters up there! Thanks.

Suzie Napayok
Yellowknife

Top doc asks for apology

There is a well-known acknowledged standard of information sharing for public health purposes in Canada:

"Parties should mitigate possible risks of harm or injury as a result of stigmatizing communities or groups of individuals when disclosing information to the public or any third party user."

It was with this principle in mind that the Department of Health and Social Services released information to the media about HTLV-1. We did not disclose exactly how many people are infected with HTLV-1, nor where they live. We expected the same adherence to these principles to be shown by the media, given the harm that would arise otherwise.

Yet in your Nov. 4 issue, you quoted an anonymous source who claimed that "the HTLV-1 virus started in Clyde River." As your reporter was told, until a territory-wide seroprevalence study has been completed, the extent of the presence of HTLV-1 in Nunavut is unknown.

Your article has already resulted in the stigmatization of the community of Clyde River. Residents there have, since the allegation was published, been met with scorn when traveling to other communities.

Nunatsiaq News owes the community an apology for your poor judgment, as well as a commitment to all Nunavummiut that you will not behave in such an irresponsible manner in future.

Dr. Isaac Sobol
Chief Medical Officer of Health
Government of Nunavut

Nunavut social services neglects best practices

I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Baffin Island this summer, for the first two weeks of August.

A part of my trip afforded me the chance to visit with the Inuit families that I know in Cape Dorset. A week prior to my arrival, I learned of the suicide of a 14-year-old Inuit girl. I visited with her mother when I was there and listened to her confusion and sorrow about what had happened to her girl.

One teenage suicide is enough, but, perhaps not to the surprise of those who know about these things, a few days into my trip, another promising young Inuit girl from Cape Dorset took her own life. On the evening of her suicide we watched her perform for us tourists, throat-singing all on her own, with an astonishingly strong voice.

We were all shocked to hear of her death the following morning.

A month later, in mid-September, some of our Inuit friends came to visit us in Chicago. We had organized an exhibit and demonstration of Inuit art at Northwestern University, which was a very successful event. During their visit we learned that two more young teenage Inuit girls from Cape Dorset had taken their lives since my departure in mid-August.

We were horrified, and no less so when we learned that the government had not yet dispatched any crisis counselors or social workers to help the community deal with these losses, and stave off the possibility of copy-cat actions. We learned that one mental health professional was scheduled to arrive the following month, some time in October!

We are social workers ourselves and this lack of professional response goes against not only "Best Practice" protocol, but also against common sense. Where are the mental health professionals necessary in this type of crisis? Clearly the Inuit are not being served and indeed are being harmed by this neglect.

The Inuit are at a loss as well. They are torn between the old culture and modern ways of life. The best they can do takes the form of the "Birthday Song," composed by the renowned printmaker and elder Kananginak Pootoogook, which instructs the children to rejoice in the celebration of another birthday milestone. He wrote this song to encourage the youth not to take their own lives. While the song is lovely, this should not be the first line of defense to protect the Inuit youth.

When one child commits suicide in Toronto, Montreal or Chicago, crisis counselors are immediately sent to the community, to the child's school and to the families involved to provide mental health assistance not only to help the mourners, but also to prevent further damage at the hands of other teens.

This is what is known as "Best Practices," and is the standard of care. Why would the native communities in Canada's North receive any less care?

A society is judged not by its successes, but on how it deals with those most in need.

Alisa Lewin-Waldman, LCSW, ACSW
Eliot I. Waldman, LCSW, ACSW
Wilmette, Illinois

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