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January 6, 2006
The top 10 stories of 2005
News that made a difference
NUNATSIAQ NEWS
- Climate change shines spotlight on Arctic: When people around the world
heard about the Arctic in 2005, it was almost always in connection with global
warming, through international stories such as the Arctic Wisdom event in
Iqaluit, the UN climate change conference in Montreal, and the ICC human rights
petition.
- Nunavut’s first diamond mine nears completion: After getting their
long-awaited permits and licences, the Tahera Diamond Corp. was well ahead
of schedule in the construction of the Jericho Mine near Contwoyto Lake, the
first of at least four new Nunavut mines expected in the near future.
- Fire guts St. Jude’s Cathedral: The people of Iqaluit and Nunavut lost
a priceless landmark and a sacred place of worship when an arsonist set fire
to St. Jude’s Cathedral late last year.
- Inuit demand compensation for dog slaughter: Led by the Makivik Corp.’s
showing of Echo of the Last Howl, Nunavik and Baffin Inuit attracted national
attention to the dog-slaughter compensation issue.
- A plague on both your houses: Thomas Berger, the conciliator brought in
to help resolve the four-year-old implementation contract dispute for the
Nunavut land claims agreement, issued a preliminary report urging that all
sides consider a major attitude adjustment.
- Nunavummiut get serious about electricity: The Qulliq Energy Corp.’s
badly-needed rate increases kicked in on April 1, 2005, followed by a small
fuel surcharge in the fall. At the same time, consultants began studying the
idea of a hydro-electric plant near Iqaluit.
- GN reforms staff housing rents: The GN gets mixed reviews for its new market-based
staff housing rent system.
- Iqaluit port dream gains backers: The City of Iqaluit accelerated its lobby
work on getting a deep-sea port for the community, while Conservative leader
Stephen Harper promised to build one if his party forms the next government
after the Jan. 23 election.
- Child protection scandal rocks Nunavik: Northern Quebec’s child protection
system is “not currently functional” says a leaked report done by
the Quebec human rights commission that Nunavik officials have yet to make
public.
- The Inuit of Labrador join the club: Members of the Labrador Inuit Association
held a series of celebrations and signing ceremonies to mark the settlement
of their land claim. They’ll get $140 million, and a new Inuit government
for their region, which they’re calling “Nunatsiavut.”
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