Current ads
Jobs
Tenders
Notices
General

Click below

January 27, 2006

City in financial fog, homeowners say

One only needs to read last week’s article on the city’s budget meetings (“Proposed tax hikes anger ratepayers, Jan. 20, 2006”) to gain an understanding of the financial fog that hovers over City Hall.

More than 80 Iqaluit homeowners have come together under the umbrella organization Namminiq Angirraliit Iqalunni Association to offer a tax-paying voice and perspective to the city’s current budget deliberations.

After reviewing in detail the city’s budget proposal and reviewing past financial statements for the city, NAIA wrote council with questions on the budget that in our opinion needed to be answered before informed budget choices could be made. We followed up this letter with a presentation to council last week which underlined our concerns about the need for council to have good financial information before making the tough choices that all councils must make in passing a budget.

Instead of answers to our questions, the Chief Administrative Officer, Ian Freemantle, again chose to reach back into the city’s archives to quote outdated studies completed prior to the election of this council. Councilors and observers were provided with a long and confusing explanation concerning financial scenarios considered back in 2002.

Mr. Freemantle was accurately quoted in your paper as saying, “I won’t put this city $26 million in debt — I won’t do it.” (A proposal not even on the table in the 2006 budget discussions). Citizens of Iqaluit have to question why, in any case, Mr. Freemantle would view this decision as his and not the council’s.

It did not go unnoticed that in Mr. Freemantle’s response to a request by homeowners to control tax increases, he was only prepared to discuss borrowing as an option to higher taxes. Clearly, Mr. Freemantle is refusing to look at expenditures such as a cutback in the proposed 10 per cent salary and benefit increase (totaling $1.1 million) which was quietly buried in the numbers put before council.

The citizens of Iqaluit have elected this city council to exercise good judgment in making decisions that are in the best interest of our community. To make sound decisions, councilors need clear financial information that provides them with an opportunity to choose between what administration would like in the budget and those priorities that council sees as reasonable, manageable and affordable for our community.

If councilors are not able to turn to public and provide clear, compelling arguments as to why choices were made, then administration has failed in their duty to provide them with the information they need.

Council will consider the budget again on Jan. 30. NAIA hopes that between now and then that our membership receives the answers to the financial questions posed in our letter. We also hope that council considers our recommendations on the budget process. Above all, NAIA hopes that councilors enter those Jan. 30 meetings with clear financial information on which to make very difficult decisions, so they can explain those decisions to citizens on Jan. 31.

NAIA Board of Directors
(Iqaluit Homeowners’ Association)
Iqaluit

January 27, 2006

Spousal abuse is not the Inuit way

When I write for the newspaper I try to think the Inuit way and deliver my ideas in the Inuit tradition so that they can be understood.

I am writing about ningaqtailiniq (avoiding violence) in defense of both men and women. I am direct in my letters because my Nattilingmiutiut, Aivilingmiut and some Amitturmiut dialects are direct.

When I was a young boy and I was getting education from my father, education as a future husband and how to be a good husband, he used to tell me never to “ningaq” (beat) my wife. He said that wife beaters were laughed at. That was a punishment, he said, for the wife-beaters. He would then say, “I have never touched your mother.”

During my term as Commissioner of Nunavut, the premier asked me if there was anything I would like to include in the Throne Speech. I included “Inuuqatigiittiarniq,” because that was the unwritten customary law that allowed Inuit to survive the 10,000 years, survive by helping each other. Another important concept is tapiriingniq (teaming up) with one another. Inuuqatigiittiarniq and tapiriingniq are something that we can practice by being good neighbors and working as a team.

Where both men and women practice ningaqtailiniq, tapirringniq and inuuqatigiittiarniq, it is a huge responsibility. It takes a lot of thinking but if both partners are committed, violence can be avoided. The point is, we Inuit have always practiced Inuusittiaqarniq (leading a good prosperous life.)

These important words can ring like a bell, throughout Nunavut. By having both men and women working together to solve our problems of alcohol and drugs, we can bring the ways of our ancestors into our present life. We must use the wisdom and knowledge of the elders and integrate it into our daily life.

Remember, as Inuit, we were always told to avoid confrontations, as these tactics are not helpful. Is it important to you to work together? Let’s do it for our children and grandchildren.

Peter Irniq
Iqaluit

January 27, 2006

Calling all exorcists: is suicide caused by demons?

There have been talks and meetings about suicide victims for so many years now. There have been phone-in shows through the CBC, and many “walks for life” over the past years.

There have even been some organized prevention groups and some committee members. It works for awhile, only for a period of time, or just for a few months.

I think we the people who have been volunteering have been the real problems. We are not even dealing with the real problem. We need to go and search deeply into the hearts of men. But do we know how?

Do we think we can help a person who is at risk just by listening to the radio? Do we think some Gospel music that we play every day on the radio will solve the problem? Do we think a kid will read the pamphlets on the bulletin boards? I don’t think so!

If you want to resolve the real problem; you have to face the real problem face to face! Dig right into the heart until it is submerged. Don’t give up or leave the person until what is in the heart comes out!

But the problem is not going to be resolved if you do not have the gift to cast out the demons.

You will be the victim as well. In that case, ask and look for the right person throughout Nunavut. Perhaps even look as far as America to find the right gifted person, or persons.

We need a really gifted person or persons to deal with the problems and who have the gift for casting out demons. If you need to use an exorcist, use an exorcist to resolve the problem until the work is done and completed.

We never had these kind of problems before alcohol and drugs were introduced to Nunavut in what used to be called the Northwest Territories. We have more kids than we have social workers who can handle kids who are at risk. At school we have social problems and no one to resolve them.

Some parents or grandparents spend long hours throughout the night playing cards and gambling, some go out to bingo and buy Nevada tickets with all the money they received that day and spend the whole cheque with nothing left for food, or money for the children.

If we cannot cast out our own little demons we will need someone else to cast out our demons for us. It’s as simple as that and we will need the right gifted person to do it for us. Walking around is not going to cast out demons. You will need to dig right into the heart of the person to find out who is inside the person.

We would need at least two priests who could go to each community to visit the people who have depressions and possessions. The priests who are gifted would have to be on wages.

Don’t even think that a person who is at risk can be helped just by religion, and just by listening to the music and dedications on the local radio. The person is up against the black brick wall! They need help quickly and confidentially. Some will take less time and some will take hours and hours, but you must not give up until the work is done.

If we want to resolve the problem, we must go to the heart and deal with it; setting up meetings and committees is not going to resolve the problem; we have tried that hundred times already and it didn’t work.

We have called out to the ministers and pastors, but nothing seems to work. It is time to work on it in a proper way, not by walking and talking. I have the solution for it and I hope you are reading me clearly. If not, you will still be talking to the black clouds and it will just drift away and pass you by.

Get to the heart and cast out the demons that are causing suicide. Don’t play games with it anymore. You have tried it before and it did not work. So games are over; you don’t play games with the spirits.

Get to the point; go to the person, sit down in front of a person, and ask the spirit inside of a person: “Who are you?”

Keep asking until the demon response to your questions. Do not just ask, ask by the highest Name; ask by the Name of Almighty God; ask by the powerful Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth; who died on the Cross and rose again from the dead; don’t give in until the demon is cast out and has left the person. Victory in Jesus.

William Noah
Baker Lake

January 27, 2006

We would pass savings to customers, retailers say

In response to the letter from Vicki Aitaok of Cambridge Bay, “Food mail benefits retailers, not consumers.”

We want to assure your readers that we are equally concerned with the high price of food in Canada’s North, which is the reason we are lobbying Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to create a new and increased food-mail subsidy rate for highly perishable and nutritious foods.

At the current perishable food-mail freight-rate the transportation charges on a single four-litre container of milk from Yellowknife to Cambridge Bay is approximately $4.08. The new rate we are lobbying to achieve would see the transportation costs on this same four-litre container of milk reduced to $1.66.

The $2.42 savings from the improved freight rate would be passed along to consumers and not pocketed by the retailer, as you state in your letter. In fact, there are over 140 northern and remote communities in Canada that are eligible to benefit from an increased subsidy.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, working with Canada Post, regularly monitors and audits the pricing of food mail eligible products throughout the North to ensure the subsidy is reflected in the prices of products sold.

It is often forgotten when comparing prices that retailers operating in remote locations are impacted by much higher operating costs, which include electricity, heating oil, maintenance, repair, and building costs. These expenses all factor into the prices of items sold.

We are proud to be part of the communities we serve and intend to do all we can to reduce costs and improve pricing. With the support of customers and local and regional governments hopefully our federally elected representatives hear our message and do the same.

Jim Deyell
Director, Public Affairs Northern Canada
The North West Company
on behalf of the Affordable Food Alliance
www.affordablefood.ca

January 20, 2006

Defending the inuksuk

Firstly, I would like to thank and congratulate Arctic Co-ops for showing a real inuksuk on it's 2006 calendar. Besides helping to make us Inuit proud, you are helping to preserve, protect and promote Inuit culture. In saying so, I will continue to write articles and to portray Inuit culture and language accurately, the way my ancestors have taught me, through my parents and other Inuit elders.

In early 1950s, Thomas Kusugaq, and Alex Spalding, a clerk with the Hudson's Bay Company in Naujaat-Repulse Bay, compiled Inuktitut words and defined the inuksuk as a: "traditional stone beacon usually made of piled stones on some prominent point or hill, as a guide to travelers and hunters or to give other information about game or directions." This type of Inuksuk was made by Inuit 10,000 years ago and is the one I promote and defend. It is used by Inuit in Nunavut as a proper name. This word can be found in the Inuktitut dictionary, published by Nunavut Arctic College.

In the same Inuktitut dictionary Mr. Kusugaq defines Inunnguaq (pretend Inuk) as a "representation of a person or human being, picture, sculpture, doll, mannequin, robot, android." The Government of the Northwest Territories used to commissioned Inuit to build Inunnguat (plural) and call them Inuksuit (plural.) When ever we see Inunnguat, with heads, arms and legs, this is what we mean.

We Inuit would appreciate if our fellow-Canadians would respect our culture and not alter our inuksuk, because it is our identity and one of our most treasured techonologies, since time immemorial. We are happy that others appreciate our symbols but we do not want the meaning taken out of our symbols. We Inuit have used the inuksuk for survival and assign a lot of value to its preservation.

I wish Inuit organizations and our elected representatives would begin talking more about copyrighting the important Inuit symbols such as the Inuksuk.

When our culture is interpreted the right way, we are stronger and have more pride. Teaching our children and our grandchildren, the accurate way, will allow them to have strength for their future, from their past. Thank you.

Peter Irniq,
Iqaluit

January 20, 2006

Nunavik Module offers help to abused women

I would like to comment on your guest editorial of Nov. 25, 2005, entitled "You are not alone."

First of all, I would like to express my appreciation for the writer's courage in telling her story. The events she describes are part of the daily reality for many women around the world, as well as in Nunavik. I have been working with the Inuit of Nunavik as a social services practitioner since 1993 and have listened to many similar stories.

It is true that for many women, it is very difficult to obtain the help they need and it can seem as if there is no hope. The writer has provided us with a very clear description of some of the factors that can keep women trapped in abusive situations.

However, she also offers hope and encouragement. She has found her way out and is living proof that a new life is possible.

At the Northern Quebec Module, we regularly receive clients from Nunavik who are living in abusive situations. At every opportunity we try to help these women examine their relationships and the alternatives available to them. As part of our work, we have recently developed and information handout that will soon be available in three languages (English, French, Inuttitut), and will be distributed throughout Nunavik. It is called "Resources for Women Living in Difficult Situations."

In closing, I would like to echo the writer's message to all women living in abusive relationships and tell them:

• You are not alone.
• You deserve a life free from abuse.
• There are people out there who can help you.
• Keep seeking help until you find something that works.
• Never give up.
• Have faith in the possibility of a better future.

Lynn Sparks, MSW
Social Services Department
Northern Quebec Module
Inuit Patient Services
Montreal

January 20, 2006

Thank you to the Smiths

The Smiths have gone. After a productive 25-year commitment to Iqaluit, this fine couple have both retired to southern Canada.

Diane Smith, who was suffering from cancer, came to the conclusion that she needed to be near special medical care in order to get proper treatment. During her many years in this community, she contributed as a volunteer to the church and for many other activities in town. The Smith kids did all their early education here and have gone on to successful careers. Richard Smith, a 25-year veteran of the high school as a shop teacher, helped and encouraged young people to develop skills that would enable them to find work in the ever-changing North. Both Richard and Diane made a difference to the life of the community. This brief comment is a thank-you to them.

Bryan Pearson
For the community of Iqaluit
Iqaluit

January 20, 2006

Northwest Co. overcharges on cheque cashing fees

In the mid-1900s, the HBC came up to Nunavut and basically pillaged our resources, with minimum returns to the people through trade in furs.

Today the trading in furs is not there anymore, but the pillaging goes on through exorbitant fees. I understand that in any community in Nunavut, the people who have no choice but to cash their cheques at Northern are charged at least 5 per cent. I would call this highway robbery except we have no highways and therefore I will call it simply legalized robbery from the people who have no choice or very limited choices.

How much more work is involved in cashing a $50 cheque than it is to cash a $1,000 cheques? Ten to 15 seconds maybe?

The same thing holds true for cash transfers, albeit at a different percentage. To me this is taking advantage of people who, by and large, are usually at the bottom end of earning ability and who have no choice but to go to your stores. Then you turn around and accept their money when they buy stuff from your stores.

You can explain to me all the legal reasons why you can do that, but it does not excuse the overly bloated fee structure you have put in place.

By copy of this letter I am asking that the department responsible for consumer affairs take a look at not just your company, but any companies who charge those kind of rates, because I think it is time that the people who kept your company afloat for the last 300 years, the Inuit and First Nations, really understand the kinds of tactics that are being used by your company to get more money out of them, even more than just selling them goods that are sold at inflated prices.

Jack Anawak
Ottawa

Editor's note: The HBC left northern Canada in 1987, when they sold their northern retail stores to a group of investors who eventually called themselves the "Northwest Company."

The good old days

My adopted grandson, Roger, who is 11 years old, is my hunting companion and he is always asking questions.

Roger once asked me on one of our hunting trips why I never miss what I shoot at. (He himself rarely misses what he shoots.) I replied, "Well let me think a minute." I was born when we were still living in igloos and depended on our dog teams during our hunting trips. Today, you shoot for fun and a good aim. "In those days, you thought before you shot. You waited until the caribou or other animals were in line, then you shot. There were many times when you killed two or more caribou with one shot," I said. This was before gay rights, and day care centres. Voting for a political party was unheard of. Our lives were governed by our grandparents, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and we stood up to take responsibility for our actions. Having meaningful relationships meant getting along with your cousins. The only time we closed our doors is when the snow started to drift in. Fast foods were the ones you ate right away, when you caught a fish or an animal. You could buy a new snowmobile from the Hudson's Bay Co. for $600, but who could afford it? That was too bad, because gas was only 85 cents a gallon. In my days, the only medicine was cod liver oil. When it was time to take it, we ran away. Thank God, for we used cod liver oil when we ran out of seal oil for our qulliq, or soapstone lamp. "Pot" was something your grandmother cooked in. We were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused," and say there's a generation gap.

Andre Tautu
Chesterfield Inlet

PSAC members help homeless family

Recently, Public Service Alliance of Canada members from throughout Nunavut, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories met in Iqaluit to attend a PSAC-sponsored union development program (UDP) to promote social consciousness and change.

A portion of the varied agenda included attending the launch of a newly published work by Jack Anawak titled Who is Equal.

In the course of his introduction to this human rights text, Mr. Anawak alluded to the plight of the Atagoyuk family, documented on the front page of the Dec. 9 Nunatsiaq News.

Jack Anawak's mention of this family's housing dilemma stimulated UDP course participants to offer a monetary donation of $220 with the hope that, in a small way, it will provide some comfort to the Atagoyuk family and more focus on the Nunavut housing situation.

UDP participants recognized that this family's circumstances are not unique, with many others here in Nunavut and elsewhere lacking basic affordable shelter. All others having means to assist those in need would do well contributing anything they could manage.

With a federal election quickly approaching, we would urge everyone to carefully examine the various candidate platforms so your decision can make a positive difference.

Gary Popoff
NEU and PSAC
Iqaluit

Thanks from Aakuluk daycare

The children of Aakuluk daycare would like to thank the following local businesses that supported and made our third annual Christmas calendar raffle a Sucess: Canadian North, First Air, Northmart, D.J. Sensations, Uqsuq Corporation, Kakivak Association, Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, CIBC, Partylite, Princess House and Official Baby Company Representatives.

Lynn Kilabuk
Aakuluk Daycare
Iqaluit

Osuitok Ipeelee: 1923 - 2005

The late Osuitok Ipeelee at work outside his home in Cape Dorset. (PHOTO COURTESY OF DORSET FINE ARTS)

---

To the art world he was known as one of the best sculptors to emerge in contemporary Inuit art. To the people of Cape Dorset, Osuitok was respected as an artist but also as a skilled hunter, leader, and cultural communicator.

In the early 1950's, Jim and Alma Houston travelled by dog team across southern Baffin Island, heading for Cape Dorset. As they came across Inuit camps they would explain that they were interested in crafts and sculptures.

Unfailingly, the name of Osuitok Ipeelee was mentioned as the best carver in the area. When they finally met the man himself, his work bore out his reputation. Houston immediately recognized him not only as a master sculptor, but also as an artist whose imagination went far beyond the borders of his own culture.

So began a long and fruitful friendship, with Osuitok acting as Houston's assistant and guide in Houston's role as the government's Area Administrator. Osuitok often commented on his role in the early craft shop, confirming that he and Houston were the very first ones to start making prints in Cape Dorset. Two of Osuitok's images were included in the first print collection from Cape Dorset released in 1959, but he moved quickly back to carving, which was his preferred medium.

"Osuitok was one of the most notable sculptors in the Eastern Arctic," says Jimmy Manning, manager of the Arts Division of the West Baffin Co-operative in Cape Dorset. "I would agree with many that he was the best of his generation."

Osuitok started carving as a young man and learned by watching his father, Ohotaq. "My father used to carve crib boards out of ivory from the walrus tusk, and he would take it out to the ship to sell it. I would just surprise my father because I started to think, 'Maybe I could do that, too.'" Osuitok carved miniatures of kayaks and fox traps and other elements from his daily life for trade with the Roman Catholic missionaries based in Cape Dorset. These delicate replicas were much admired by his contemporaries sparking the reputation of Osuitok, which was established by the early 1950's.

Osuitok's talent was first publicly recognized in 1955 when he was commissioned to carve figures on the mace of the Government of the Northwest Territories. He then created a carving of H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth combining indigenous materials (stone and whalebone) with copper for her crown. This was presented to her on the occasion of her visit to Canada in 1959. His range as a three-dimensional artist continued to expand; in fact, there were few things he wouldn't try. His technical mastery of his medium was evident in everything he produced, but his best work had an inventive quality that distinguished him from most of his contemporaries. Mr. Manning confirms: "He was dedicated. He took his work very seriously."

Osuitok's work has been included in many group exhibitions nationally and internationally. His first solo exhibition was at the Canadian Guild of Crafts in Montreal in 1973; this was followed by several solo exhibitions in Toronto, Montreal, New York, and Mannheim, Germany. His list of commissioned work is extensive and includes the creation of an authentic "inukshuk" for the Department of External Affairs in Ottawa. The larger than life figure "in the likeness of a man" was built in Cape Dorset in 1970 and then shipped to Ottawa to be reassembled and installed.

His work is represented in major collections including the National Gallery of Art, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto Dominion Bank Collection and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. In 1978 he was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. In 1993 the Academy honoured him with a special medal and a publication to mark an exhibition of his work in Toronto which they organized. In 2004 he received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for the arts.

Leslie Boyd Ryan
Dorset Fine Arts
Toronto

Patricia Feheley
Feheley Fine Arts
Toronto

Tahera's Jericho Mine a great story

It was heartening to see the Tahera Jericho mine story in your number two slot for the top 10 news story of the year 2005.

It is indeed a great story of how a Canadian junior company is taking a prospect into production. It is also a tale of financing, marketing and plain old perserverance.

We hope that this is the first of many mining and exploration success stories that your paper will report over the years to come. At advanced exploration stage, we're looking forward to hearing about Cumberland's Meadowbank, Miramar's Doris North, Wolfden's High Lake, Baffinland's Mary River, and Comaplex's Meliadine projects moving forward.

In earlier exploration stages, there are Starfield's Ferguson Lake, Stornoway's Aviat, Shear's Churchill, Twin Mining's Jackson Inlet, True North's Beluga, Committee Bay's, as well as BHP Billiton's and DeBeers's various projects.

Nunavut has great geological potential that can be realized to bring benefits like jobs, business and training opportunities. Nunavummiut need to be aware of these opportunities and the youth need to take advantage of education and training to participate in a meaningful way.

Mining is not all about guys with hard hats digging in the dark any more. It's about men and women in a wide range of careers from financing, to camp services and expediting, to operating and maintaining high-tech computers and other equipment, as well as the environmental management of the mining process.

We believe that exploration and mining will be the cornerstone of Nunavut's economic future. We trust that Nunatsiaq News will be there to tell the story.

Lou Covello
President
NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines

January 20, 2006

Communities must start protecting women

A colleague of mine recently gave me a copy of the Nov. 25 guest editorial letter that appeared in the Nunatsiaq News.

As I was reading this woman's letter, I was submerged by a feeling of sadness for all the women experiencing daily violence and abuse from their spouses, but I was also feeling proud!

I was proud that a woman found the courage to speak up and reach out to all the women living under the terror of their husbands, boyfriends or fathers.

Having worked in the Nunavik health care system for several years, I cannot help thinking that the system is letting these women down, and to hear a woman victim of violence say that she has no one to help her brings tears to my heart because I know she is right.

Local community members working for Social Services or the Department of Youth Protection are finding it extremely difficult to do what they are mandated to do as they are continuously threatened with retribution from those abusing husbands and fathers.

And yet, everyone turns a blind eye on the situation and shrugs their shoulders when hearing of another woman who got beaten or worse, killed.

Demand tougher sentences for the abusers and all people who commit acts of violence! How can you expect a woman to report her abusing husband and lay charges against him when she knows he will be out of jail the next day and beat her again or even kill her for reporting him? Where can she go? Who will protect her and her children? The court who released her husband with conditions the next day? She knows better than that.

To the woman who found courage to write her letter and denounce the violence, I say thank you, and I hope your words will touch others like they touched me and that communities will start protecting women and speak up against violence.

(Name withheld by request)
Puvirnituq

A Christmas thank-you

I would like to take this opportunity to say Merry Christmas and thank you to my family: Joe, Martha, Louisa, Sam, Lavina, Abelie and Samule Eqila.

I love you all and peace be with you.

And second of all I want to say special thank you to Johnny Meeko Jr. and family, especially to Louisa and Nellie, for their hospitality and their friendship through my hard times. I love you lots. Thank you.

Christine Ekidlak
Sanikiluaq

January 6, 2006

Community action can prevent suicide

I was reading the article on the in-depth research on suicide. I believe that everybody in Nunavut has been affected by suicide.

We here in Rankin inlet did a workshop in November of 2002, called “Bridging the Gap between Elders and Youth.” We had five completed suicides in the month of October of that year and I was concerned that it was just going to get worse if we in the community did not do anything.

I applied for funding through the Department of Health and was approved for the small cost of $10,000. I approached a number of elders in Rankin to be included in the workshop. They all agreed to attend. I also asked the youth if they wanted to be a part of it.

The initial numbers that I wanted scared the facilitator, who was from Yellowknife. She was concerned that 100 was too many — 50 youth and 50 elders. I assured her that there would be many people there to help out. We finally agreed to have 50 in total: 25 youth, 25 elders.

Eventually the numbers grew when community members heard what we were trying to do. The workshop was a huge success, in my opinion, as it gave both elders and the youth a perspective that they never had before. The youth learned about the hardships that the elders went through and survived. The elders learned that the youth have other worries besides what new video game they are going to play.

The workshop really did bridge the gap and I am very happy to say that we haven’t had any completed suicides since November of 2002. I hope that we do not experience any for many years to come. One suicide is too many.

I am one of those who has been left behind by three brothers and many, many cousins and close friends. I know how hard it is to get up and try and go through hard situations but as the elders always say, “Anigurumaamiyuq,” which means “it will pass” and things will get better. They are right. Things always seem to be too big to bear. Talk to friends, family or someone you respect.

The whole community is there to help and this is true of all communities in Nunavut. No one wants to lose a community member to suicide. If you are contemplating ending your own life think about what other people are going through.

I applaud those that are trying to fix this problem of suicide.

Louis Taparti
Rankin Inlet

January 6, 2006

Nakurmimarialuk from Kangiqsujuaq

On behalf of Kangirsujuarmiut, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Makivik Corp. and Air Inuit for giving my community the shrimp to distribute to every beneficiary and money to issue food basket certificates to the needy.

Because of your generous gifts, we are enjoying the delicious shrimp and the needy will have enough food throughout this Christmas season. You also gave them a chance to buy gifts to their loved ones, which would not be possible without the food basket certificates.

Nakurmimarialuk from the bottom of our hearts. We are truly blessed by God through you.

Mary A. Pilurtuut
Kangiqsujuaq

January 6, 2006

Food mail benefits retailers, not consumers

I find it extremely interesting that northern retailers are going to make the food mail program an election issue during this upcoming federal election.

According to CBC North, the Northern and the Arctic Co-ops want the rates lowered. Up front, this sounds like a great idea — northerners can afford to buy more healthy food such as milk, cheese, fruits and vegetables. The only problem is that the Northern and Co-op stores across Nunavut pay cheap rates for food mail already, yet none of this is being passed on to the consumers.

Lower food mail rates aren’t going to affect me, the consumer. It is only going to pad the stores’ pockets even more. I can bring in food from Yellowknife far cheaper than I can buy it locally. I can buy a 4-litre jug of milk from Yellowknife at their retail prices, ship it up here and pay half of the local price of $13.99 for this same jug of milk.

Go ahead northern retailers, make this an election issue. I hope all northerners will finally speak out about who this program is really benefiting.

Vicki Aitaok
Cambridge Bay

January 6, 2006

Last minute shoppers are boorish

While sitting in my car on Christmas Eve waiting to pick up my loved one, who works at Northmart, it amazed me to see the number of people trying to get into the store after closing time and how upset they were that the store was closed.

The employees at Northmart have worked many hours leading up to the holidays. Remember Midnight Madness when the store was open until midnight?

Management employees were there from 8:00 a.m. and got out of there anywhere between 12:30 and 12:45 the next morning. There was no split shift. Management works the whole day no matter what the hours!

The following day, the store hours were extended again until 10:00 pm and the employees were back there at 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 that night. Those are very long hours, and Sunday hours have been extended also.

Being in the retail business, Northmart does not have the luxury of closing its doors between Christmas and New Year’s Day like the government and other organizations in the community.

The hours are posted on the door. Why can’t the people of Iqaluit show a bit more respect to the Northmart employees and plan their shopping for a time when they know the store is not closing in 10 minutes! It doesn’t matter if you are a manager or a cashier, the employees do not deserve the unfairness that the public puts upon them!

Many should plan out their day better and not show up five minutes before closing to do a big grocery or retail order.

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

Advertising
Specs, rates,
& maps
Multi-paper
buying services
About the market
E-mail ad dept

More Information