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June 30, 2006

Bylaw officers: tough job, little support

Community residents reach for their phones pretty quickly when they want their local bylaw officer (or whatever other names they go by in each community). Whether it be loose dogs, noisy kids, vandals, speeders or similar things, they depend on their bylaw officer for a rapid response.

This brings up many questions, that until now, have not been properly thought out.

In many communities the bylaw officer works in an impossible situation with little back-up or protection. Often they are expected to handle far more than what their job description outlines and place themselves in dangerous situations where people are drunk and abusive, where they lack protective equipment and are expected to restore order under very challenging conditions.

When this kind of job was first thought up, little thinking went into how a person is supposed to deal with the things that can crop up in a community.

We all know that communities now are becoming more dangerous. Drunks with loaded guns. Frustrated people who don’t care who they hurt. Frightened families and mounting abuse. While the RCMP is highly trained and more highly paid, with proper equipment and working conditions, the bylaw officer has none of these things — yet is often expected to act in the same manner as the police.

This is not fair to the individual who may often be placed in risky situations. No thought has been given to this and little training, no equipment and usually, no plan exists to support and protect this person.

Bylaw officers are also at the mercy of their hamlet councillors, mayors and SAOs, who rarely understand the full range of the work they do. These people don’t understand the day-to-day pressures.

Often, with no support, bylaw officers are at the mercy of the politics of the hamlet council office, being drummed down under the pressure of those whose relatives get a speeding ticket, whose dog got locked up for being loose. They take a high level of abuse from within their own hamlet organization.

As a result, many have burned out or simply walked away from their jobs over the years. Many have fought to improve how things are done, to educate their SAO and council. It is also very difficult for many bylaw officers who have a mishmash of a job description that not even the hamlet, RCMP and CGS can seem to agree on.

This leaves the poor bylaw officer scratching their head at what it is they should be doing, as no one else can get their act together and ensure the training and support they need.

We know our towns are full of uptight and aggressive people these days and we expect the bylaw officer to get involved in keeping the peace — how do we expect them to put themselves on the front line of danger for poor pay, poor support, poor coordination between agencies, poor equipment and no one listening to what they are trying to communicate? Some bylaw officers are called upon to deal with awful crime scenes and suicides, without the benefit of a staff psychologist, like the RCMP.

Do councils fully understand what they are asking of their bylaw officers? I don’t think so. After all, they are on the front line out there everyday, handling big and small situations and dangerous ones too.

Don’t abandon them and throw their concerns to the wind. Think about this and take the right action to listen to what they are trying to tell you.

Leaders, show some leadership and provide them with what they need to sort out the problems they’re talking about.

Caroline Anawak
Ottawa

June 30, 2006

Thanks from visiting Pentecostals

We would like to express our appreciation to Rick Lefebvre and First Air for helping us to travel to Iqaluit. It was our desire to be a blessing and encouragement to the community, and First Air’s special rate made it possible for us to get here.

We in turn have been touched by the warmth of the people of Iqaluit in general and by your Mayor, Elisapee Sheutiapik, and MLA Patterk Netser in particular. Brian Twerdin made our coffee break at the Grind and Brew a memorable one. Pastor Wayne and Linda Moore of the Iqaluit Pentecostal Church were great hosts taking care of our every need.

It was our joy to visit the Elders’ Centre, the Women’s Homeless Shelter in Apex and the Men’s Homeless Shelter. We also held a barbecue mainly for children in Iqaluit and Apex. We trust that our gifts and prayers have helped to brighten the lives of many.

The beauty of your land has inspired us, as we have seen afresh the creative handiwork of God. We have enjoyed wonderful times with the believers of various churches in your city, and have marveled at the diversity of the cultures represented here.

Again, thank you First Air for your kindness.

Sandra Gill and the Women’s Team
Eastern Ontario District
Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada

June 30, 2006

A successful fundraising sale in Montreal

A very first mega-garage sale encourages the board members of the Association of Montreal Inuit to do more in the future. The mega-garage sale took place on Saturday, June 17, 2006 in Pierrefonds.

In an effort to raise money by selling donated items such as clothing, household items, a bike and much more, AMI made a profit totalling up $655.28. Bargains were made, some people even came strolling back to purchase more items.

It was a very happy and successful day for everyone involved. The profits will go towards the monthly feasts, activities organized for Inuit of Montreal, as well as projects aiming to promote the association.

The garage sale almost didn’t take place because the weather forecast didn’t seem too promising. The organizers decided to go ahead with it anyway, since a lot of people had already been informed about it. At the end, it turned out to be a great day and everybody was pleased.

The board members of AMI would like to thank everyone who so willingly and enthusiastically donated their stuff. The board also extends their gratitude towards Makivik Corp., First Air, Air Inuit and Kativik School Board for donating their promotional items. This fundraising event couldn’t have been successful without your support and contributions.

June 23, 2006

We're committed to safe schools, IDEA says

Let's be clear - having safe schools is of paramount importance to the IDEA and violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Nothing in the proposed new IDEA policy on school conduct undermines a principal's ability to respond quickly and strongly to unsafe situations. In fact there is language in the policy that emphasizes this point: "It is not the intention of these guidelines to restrict the professional judgment of principals in dealing with specific students, but rather to provide general direction for all Iqaluit schools."

When the IDEA talks about more restorative based programs, we are speaking about putting more effort into preventing violent events. One of the most important points in Sara Minogues's article regarding the IDEA's work on developing new approaches to school conduct (Nunatsiaq News, June 16) is that there are far too few programs and services in our schools to help kids with behaviour problems - and this compromises our goal of having safe schools.

The IDEA has spent the last 18 months examining what approaches should be taken in our schools with students who threaten the safety of other students or staff. We heard from many teachers who were frustrated that there were so few options available to them to deal with students who were disruptive or violent.

So the IDEA researched the resources available in our schools for kids with behaviour problems or kids who were struggling. There are virtually no diagnostic services readily available to teachers who want to assess students, no follow-up services even if a student is assessed with a behavioural problem, and far too few mental health specialists who can work with students through difficult periods.

We also heard from parents and from a number of teachers that suspensions, as a tool for fixing problems, don't work. We agree. That's where the advisory committee on suspensions and expulsions plays a role in identifying the gaps and involving the community in decisions that the IDEA feels impact the community.

Earlier this year, on the recommendation of one of our schools, the IDEA funded a workshop by David Rattray, an aboriginal counselor with 22 years experience working with troubled aboriginal youth and communities. In David's experience suspensions don't work because students see it as being a holiday, they don't receive any educational program while at home, and it creates a feeling of alienation from the school. Suspensions don't build confidence in our youth or a sense of self-worth. Suspensions create a sense of powerlessness and reinforce with many parents the negative feelings of their own school experiences.

We appreciate that the Nunatsiaq News article captured our frustration that while the Nunavut Education Act gives DEAs the statutory authority to develop alternatives to suspensions and expulsions, no resources have been made available for DEAs to develop these programs.

The IDEA's draft policy on school conduct is an attempt to carve out a middle ground between punishment based approaches to discipline in our schools and a restorative approach focusing on healing and restoring peace which is more consistent with traditional Inuit approaches to discipline.

We have one more workshop planned for our draft policy. In September the IDEA will meet with community elders to get their perspective on traditional restorative practices and ask for their views on the policy and in particular, what prevention and intervention measures should be taken with disruptive or violent students.

In that workshop the IDEA hopes to capture the essence of a quote from Renee Fossett's book (In Order to Live Untroubled - Inuit of the Central Arctic, 1550 to 1940. The University of Manitoba Press, 2001, p. 208) "Crime and punishment were not relevant ideas in the Inuit justice system. The maintenance of an orderly society was. The Inuit attitude towards law and order was... in essence... not to execute law and justice, but exclusively to restore peace."

The IDEA appreciates the publicity the Nunatsiaq News article has created about drafting the policy and welcomes all comments as we prepare to finalize it.

In the meantime, Draft # 6 of the IDEA Student Conduct Policy will soon be available on our website www.Iqaluitdea.net.

Christa Kunuk
Chair
Iqaluit District Education Authority
Iqaluit

Violence in the schools becoming acceptable?

I read with great interest the June 16 articles discussing the violence sometimes faced by teachers in Nunavut schools. I really hope the various DEAs wake up to the fact that we simply cannot continue treating violent and abusive students with kid gloves.

I wish violent incidents were more the exception than the norm, but given my own experience it seems violence is becoming more prevalent and acceptable. In one Nunavut school I taught in I was punched in the face and the following day suffered a broken finger. Of course, neither of these students was expelled.

I really hope that the DEAs clue in to the fact that violence against school staff is one of the reasons why they choose to leave for the South.

One of the goals of a good education, of course, is to develop responsible citizens. I fail to see how dealing out a measly five-day suspension for assaulting a teacher accomplishes this. Its time to take the blinders off and see that this small percentage of punks are dealt with appropriately.

Darcy Steele
Arctic Bay

Students who bully others should be expelled

I was very disconcerted when I read the article in your June 16 issue, Discipline issue pits parents against teachers.

I am a parent of a student at Inuksuk High School and I certainly am not one of the group of parents who want to see fewer suspensions and expulsions.

As I read through the article, I realized that of the more than 500 students at Inuksuk, only four were expelled for very serious expenses and only 20 were suspended for less serious offences. This amounts to an expulsion rate of less than one per cent, and a suspension rate of only four per cent.

This seems to me to be a very commendable record, given that there are students at the high school who range in age from 13 to 21 years and older.

I was more disturbed when reading further that the IDEA represents parents who view suspensions as unproductive. Well, who is representing the parents of the 95 per cent of students who were not suspended or expelled, and who want a safe, healthy environment for their children to learn in?

I certainly would not put myself in a situation where someone was threatening or bullying me, so why would I send my child to a school where young adults who attack and bully others are not removed?

I do believe that every child should have an education, but when a young adult is a danger to others and-or themselves, safety should supercede education. How many students skip school, drop out, or take alternate classes because bullies have made school life intolerable?

Principals and teachers have many years of training and we entrust them with the care of our children. The IDEA should be supporting the schools instead of, as Jimmy Jacquard said, handcuffing the principals. The Department of Education has a large, competent, experienced staff responsible for Nunavut schools.

Does the Education Act support what the IDEA is proposing? Or are the professionally trained educators and the Department of Education staff totally out to lunch? Are the only ones with the right answers a small IDEA-appointed group who represent less than five per cent of the parents in Iqaluit?

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

Parent helping son steal bicycles?

My son's bike was stolen last Tuesday night (June 13).

I spent every day looking for it. Almost a week later my son's friend recognized it being used by another boy.

Immediately my son went to pick it up, only to be told by the man of the house that it was not his bicycle and that he had found it in a pile of garbage along with tires and parts.

However the bike was in one piece and being used. After a while, the bike was returned to us, minus wheels, tires, pedals and other essential parts. No boy would be able to take all those parts off in just a few minutes.

As a parent you should tell your kids that it is not okay to take other peoples' property.

Quatsia Qavavau
Iqaluit

June 23, 2006

Possible, but costly

Your editorial of June 16, 2006 on a deep water port for Nunavut and its location seems a little one-sided.

Make no mistake that such a road could be built. And it would be one of the great feats of construction in the world, right up there with the Siberian railroad and the Alaska Highway.

Yes, it could be done. But ohhh - the cost.

Neil Langer
Iqaluit

June 23, 2006

Family of Charlie Akpalialuk says thanks

The family of the late Charlie Akpalialuk would like to acknowledge the following people, whose generosity and support are immeasurable.

Our dear brother, father, grandfaher, and great grandfather lived an abundant life of 80 years of age. He spent his last few years at the Iqaluit Elders Home.

We, the family would like to extend our sincere gratitude for helping our family through this difficult time. Your thoughtfulness and prayers were overwhelmingly moving. Thank you for all that you did for him and for our family. Your support through these last few years will not go unnoticed.

Our sincerest apologies if we forget anyone.

Mary Akpalialuk
Iqaluit

Judo sensei says thanks, and farewell

I wish to thank everyone in Iqaluit for supporting Judo Nunavut.

I would like to give special thanks to:

Friends and associates:

• Shodan Rick Lefebvre, who took time off his hectic schedule to provide advice and guidance to the youth, and to me;
• Jo-Anne Falkiner, who helped me develop judo in Iqaluit and helped me put together projects in addition to assisting with the judo lessons;
• Gordon McKay and Robert Tookoome, for sharing the passion of judo and volunteering for special events;
• Renée Russell, Pierre Dubeau and Claude Martel for their involvement with the club;
• Ron Woodman, our Judo Nunavut bingo caller;
• Emilie Rousseau, a precious collaborator for the years 2004-2005, who helped with the school program and the development of programs.

School Program collaborators:

• Darlene, David and Hilary, the best principals in Nunavut, you believed in my program and gave me a chance; and all the teachers who worked with me each week, and the school staff who helped to organize and who volunteered to make the Judo Day competition a success: thank you all.
• Terry Young, who helped me get started by donating judo mats.
• Iqaluit Businesses and Services:
• Thank you First Air, Northmart, DJ Specialties, Fantasy Palace and Baffin Flowers.
• Thank you to all Iqaluit residents who sponsored Judo Nunavut when playing Thursday night bingo.
• Thank you to the John Howard Society who supported the school program from 2002-2005.
• Thank you to Justice Canada and the Crime Prevention program, as well as the Association des Francophones du Nunavut and École des Trois-Soleils, who supported the pilot project in 2001, and provided space for the first and second Judo Day in 2002 and 2003.
• Thank you to the media: CBC North (Patrick), Nunatsiaq News (Jim and John), News North (Chris), Iqaluit Cable and EATV, CBC Radio (Romy), Raven Rock (Glenn), CFRT (Ghislain and Sylvain), for allowing the young athletes to gain exposure and to talk about their sport; and for your participation in different programs and for giving visibility to Judo Nunavut.
• Thank you to the Government of Nunavut and the Iqaluit MLAs: Paul, Ed and Hunter; CLEY (Stéphane and Johnny), Sport Nunavut (Kyle and Frank), Brighter Futures, ADI, for the financial support to Judo Nunavut and the competitive athletes.
• Thank you to the City of Iqaluit, for funding and support for the Nunavut Judo Day;
• Thank you to the City of Kuujjuaq and Jennifer for the youth weekend; and special thanks to Giovanna and Judo Kuujjuaq.
• I received technical and advisory support from Judo Québec and Judo Canada. Special thanks to Patrick Vesin, Patrick Esparbès, Serge Piquette, Daniel De Angelis.
• Thank you to all the judokas and international athletes who came to Iqaluit to share their knowledge and their love for their sport with the youths: Nicolas Gill, Nathalie Gosselin, James Kendrick, Jean-François Villemure, Marie-Hélène Chisholm, Maryse Guilbeault, France Morin and Fred Féréal.
• Thank you to Jukado, Gillsport and Trophées Claude Fortin.

Finally, thank you to the judokas, and a special thought goes to Eugene, Zach G., Zach C., Natalie, Nicole and Gabrielle. I hope you continue to enjoy judo and that you will keep this sport alive in Nunavut.

Mario Des Forges
Iqaluit

GN can’t be trusted to find sound solutions

Who speaks for the Government of Nunavut? Who speakes for the City of Iqaluit?

The issue of transportation and infrastructure has brought to the forefront the bigger issue of who speaks for the people of Nunavut. Is it a few people with specific agendas or is it the people of Nunavut? To ask the question brings the answer.

I haven’t seen a great wave of people beating down the doors of politicians about a deep-sea port in Kimmirut and a road from there to Iqaluit. The only people benefiting from all these pipe-dreams are consultants.

Anybody who has traveled overland from Kimmirut to Iqaluit would know that this is a ludicrous idea. Also, what would it achieve? Extend the sealift season by an extra month? Maybe, but at what cost?

Has anybody looked past their nose at what the trucking costs would be to supply the population of Iqaluit? Would the resulting final cost of landing products in Iqaluit be lower? What would it do for all the people living in all the other communities of Nunavut?

With this kind of money, you could do some minor improvements to all beach facilities in Nunavut to facilitate the work of all those involved in sealift operations in all the communities and put in place an effective subsidy system that would benefit all the people of Nunavut, to lower freight rates and lower the cost of living in all communities.

It is bad enough that, for political reasons, we are still debating the benefits of shipping from Montreal directly to Keewatin communities, compared with the cumbersome and expensive method of getting goods from Winnipeg to Churchill by train and then on barges to each community. There are still people who, for pure political reasons, will not admit that it is cheaper and just as efficient to ship to the Keewatin from Montreal.

How can we trust that the same people will lead us in sound solutions that will really look at the big picture?

And I haven’t even approached the issue of a deep-sea port for Iqaluit! Ask yourself why you always see an idyllic picture of a big ship anchored at high tide to represent the project. Please show us what it would look like at low tide, which is where the problem is. Maybe then people will come to their senses.

Please withhold my name as this letter could create a backlash for my business, as you can imagine.

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

June 16, 2006

QC has colonial attitude to Inuit

I am writing in reply to the June 9 letter from Brian McLeod and Peter Keenainaik in which they comment on my guest editorial, “The Baffin fishery is controlled by foreign interests.”

The colonial attitude exhibited by these writers towards Inuit is offensive.

Apparently, the leaders of Qikiqtaaluk Corp. do not believe that Inuit should be trusted with developing economic opportunities that will benefit their communities. We are being told to wait another generation to develop an Inuit-managed community-based fishery.

According to Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Qikiqtaaluk Corp. is mandated with “increased business growth for Inuit entrepreneurs.” As a birthright corporation, it was formed to assist communities with economic development. Instead, it has joint ventured with foreign enterprises to compete for 0A turbot quota against those same communities that it should be helping.

As a resident of a community that is adjacent to the 0A fishery I do not intend to wait for another generation to take control of our fishery away from their foreign partners.

I believe that we should have economic independence from the government. We depend on the government too much (welfare, healthcare, handouts and many others). Maybe Brian does not want to see us get our independence economically. Has Brian become a captain, since they’ve been in the fishing business for 20 years?

This is the second time an official representative has told me not to go into the fishing business. A guy working for the Baffin Business Development Corp. told my friend that he will do everything in his power to make us lose. Who’s the beneficiary here?

Nick Illauq
Clyde River

June 16, 2006

Farewell to John Howard

I am no longer with the John Howard Society of Nunavut or the Nunavut Crime Prevention Fundraising Foundation.

I wish to thank all the many persons who supported me over the past years.

Evelyn Chemko
Iqaluit

June 16, 2006

In memory of Elizabeth Karlik

Elizabeth Aliani Ikliqvik Karlik , May 14, 1936 — Feb. 8, 2006.

It seems like forever since she was last with us, but it also feels like yesterday that she was so very sick with lung cancer. We would like to take this time to thank some key members of our community who helped us through those difficult days.

First of all we would like to thank Dr. Wiens, and the home care nurse Anna for their hard work and determination to make sure she was comfortable during her final days, as well as nurses Sue and Judy for making home visits, and Jacintha for translation.

We would also like to thank the Bishop Reynald Rouleau OMI, and Fr. Joseph Meeus for the prayers and her last communion, given to her the Sunday before she passed away.

And thank you to the following:

•  Rick Penner and the fire hall crew for all their help and support before and after the service.
•  Mayor Lorne Kusugak and the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet for the use of their container, as well as for clearing the roads on the day of the funeral.
•  Jeela for the use of her two Calm Air tickets, as well as NTI for two members of the family to be flown in from Kugaaruk.
•  Simon Kowmuk for providing his Bombardier on the day of the burial service.
•  All the people, organizations and businesses who brought food. This was very much appreciated.

And to all our family and friends who have been there for us throughout, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Husband: Pierre
Daughters: Rita, Lynn
Sons: Patrick, Ambrose, Gabriel, Arsene
Rankin Inlet

June 16, 2006

Freshly farmed char at Red Lobster

I should have mentioned this some months ago, even a year ago. I went to a Red Lobster restaurant in Winnipeg with my mother for some seafood when we were both down there. I was very surprised to see on the menu some “fresh char from B.C.”

I indicated to the staff that there are no char that originate from British Columbia and she wondered if there was a mistake. I said I thought they might have meant salmon. She said she would check and come back.

Upon her return she indicated that — yes indeed, the char was from British Columbia — from a fish farm.

How did that ever happen? Our original fish is being sold from points southern to other points southern — for a very healthy sum of dollars I imagine. I found it strange that our char from the North isn’t being purchased by these popular restaurants. Could it be we aren’t advertising enough? And how did the char fisheries farms begin? Was there some sort of arrangement with the powers that be to export the char or capture them live to grow them in farms down there? Does the fishing industry in the true North know this is happening?

I would think we should be first to sell our own char, after careful thought and approval, considering the lack of jobs and resources to be found in Nunavut. I thought I’d do my Inuit civic duty and pass this along. Some of these questions need answers and I wouldn’t know where to start getting them.

I’m quite sure the rest of the Inuit population would like to know as well. Something very fishy about this.

Suzie Napayok
Yellowknife

June 16, 2006

A message to crack dealers

Whoever you are that is selling crack cocaine please read this letter. You are ruining my family members and countless others who were too naive to know that this drug has a powerful hold once it has a grip on you.

My sibling, who is young and very pretty, is going on a downward spiral thanks to your greed and ignorance. How dare you sell drugs to kids and ruin the future leaders of Nunavut.

Whoever you are, and you know who you are, either up here or in the South, you better think twice about what the drug is doing to our young people. Stop it! I hope that I will not face you, but instead that the RCMP will do the right thing and bust you now.

For those of you who think that this drug is so good, think again, it makes a loser out of the addict. In the end you lose everything and everyone who loves you.

And when you say “I only do it sometimes,” that “sometimes” is your ticket to a terrible addiction that will be hard to tackle without professional or family support. Everyone, please be careful about this drug and many other drugs. It’s not worth it one bit.

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

June 9, 2006

Give us some of that old-time discipline

I read with great interest the article, “Visiting clergyman witness to Kangirsuk’s violent crisis.”

I’ve often thought that Inuit kids lack the discipline their forefathers once had and wasn’t quite sure how to convey my views. Rev. Brian Burrows touched on one subject that we Inuit do not acknowledge: that Inuit communities in general can no longer discipline their kids.

Inuit children were taught valuable lessons that they needed to survive in the harsh environment that they lived in: how to hunt, sew, build igloos, provide for the community, etc. If the kids weren’t disciplined properly, they really didn’t have a chance to make it in the real world as everyone had to contribute in order for a community, albeit a single clan or a bigger tribe, to succeed.

Nowadays, kids do not need the skills required back then to make it. There’s government help in many situations like schooling, housing and even feeding yourself. It doesn’t matter if they do not know how to build shelter or clothing, as these things are provided for. They really don’t need education either as income support, welfare and other social benefits are now available. Mind you, lacking education doesn’t amount to much for quality of life, but it is sufficient to survive.

The system has failed in that Inuit ways of disciplining have somewhat been forgotten. The western way also hasn’t fared so well in us creating healthier communities and lifestyles either. We have to come up with something that will actually work in this day and age. Perhaps the two cultures have to try and start meeting halfway before something that will benefit everybody is found.

I commend Rev. Burrows for stating something that we do not always hear or don’t want to hear. He spoke the truth.

Peter Ivalu
Iqaluit

June 9, 2006

It takes time for animals to adapt

In response to Jane George’s article about global warming not hurting polar bears, (Nunatsiaq News, May 26, 2006) Mitch Taylor mentions that if climate change is threatening polar bears, then all species are threatened.

He is only partially correct. Some animals (think mosquitoes) will flourish in a hotter climate while others (like butterflies, amphibians, and yes, polar bears) will dwindle. That is because they are bellwether species — an animal that is very sensitive to a change in its natural habitat.

Taylor is correct in his assertion that polar bears have been around for over 100,000 years. However, animals take time to evolve and adapt.

Were humans releasing carbon dioxide 100,000 years ago? No. Is the change in the climate now due to our activities? Yes, according to the U.S. National Academy of Science, the U.S. Meteorological Society, and various governments around the world.

We can take steps to lessen the impact, but putting our head in the sand is not going to help.

David R. Celebrezze
Columbus, Ohio

June 9, 2006

Let us now praise Dr. Peter Irniq

I would like to congratulate Peter Irniq on being honored with a Doctorate degree from the Acadia University on May 15th. I am very proud of his many achievements. He has promoted awareness and preservation of Inuit language and culture in a variety of capacities, through his writings, presentations and demonstrations, most recently in his role as Commissioner of Nunavut.

He has also played a major role in advocating social justice with regard to the legacy of abuse in residential schools, protecting Inuit rights on animal rights issues, promoting awareness on climate change implications, and many others.

His love for our land and the people of Nunavut is obvious. Being raised in the Repulse Bay area living a traditional lifestyle and being exposed to southern ways brought him unique challenges and opportunities to see both sides of many issues. He has travelled all across the North and around the world advocating Inuit rights in his official roles as minister of economic development for the NWT, executive director of the Kivalliq Inuit Association and ICI, deputy minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth and many others. He has built Inuksuit in Nunavut and abroad. He made sure to keep in touch with elders, which ensured his closeness to others and strengthened the accuracy of Inuit culture representation.

Good for you, Doctor Peter!

Marius P. Tungilik
Vanier, Ont.

June 9, 2006

BFC “amused” by letter on their turbot monopoly

I read with amusement the May 26, 2006 article, “The Baffin fishery is controlled by foreign interests,” a guest editorial by Nick Illauq.

Nick reports that “A February 2006 article in the IntraFish newsletter reports that “Royal Greenland recently announced plans to add two vessels to its operations in Canada to target turbot and other species.”

What Mr. Illauq does not tell you is that the article in question was not put in Intrafish by anyone from Royal Greenland but was written by a freelance writer. This writer received the background information not from Royal Greenland officials but rather from several parties that were attending a turbot management plan meeting in Iqaluit from May 7-8, 2006.

The reader is not informed that immediately following the release of this article, Royal Greenland made a release in Intrafish, on May 9, 2006, stating the information as portrayed in Feb. 6 edition of Intrafish was incorrect, as follows: “Royal Greenland does not have any trawlers fishing in Canada, nor does Royal Greenland plan to have trawlers fish for Greenland halibut/Greenland turbot in Canada in future,” the company said. “Royal Greenland is selling for various companies and valuates their business in the past and future very highly.”

Mr. Illauq goes on further to state: “The Intrafish article stated that ‘as its operations in eastern Canada are close to Greenland, the company can utilize processing facilities in Greenland without affecting the quality of the fish produced.’”

This comment is misleading and false. BFC is no different than the other factory-freezer trawlers that operate in the North. They land their product in a Greenland port where it is trans-shipped to markets in Europe and Asia. Not one pound of the production is further processed in Greenland ports.

The vessels off-load in Greenland because of the short turnaround period, three to four days, whereas it would take up to two weeks to sail to Newfoundland ports, off-load and then get back to the 0A fishing grounds. By off-loading in Greenland ports, the harvesting vessels can increase their overall harvesting efforts in a short harvesting season by more than 30 per cent. It is a question of economics.

The article further states, “We should not stand by and allow our Canadian fishery to be taken over by foreigners masquerading as Canadians.” BFC has a majority interest in both the Inuksuk and Oujukoaq. BFC also retains all fishing licenses in its own name. BFC retains control of both of the companies that own these vessels.

There is a great deal of foreign investment in the current Canadian offshore shrimp sector. BFC has done nothing differently here than many of the other operators in the offshore shrimp business. We have also followed all Canadian rules and regulations regarding the Canadianization of these vessels.

From the period 2001 to 2006, BFC has proven that the 0A turbot fishery is a good fishery, but the harvesting seasons are short. To ensure the viability of our vessels, we have made strategic alliances with southern companies whereby we can source a supply of fish for our vessels to harvest when they cannot harvest in 0A and 0B, or in the northern shrimp fishing areas. We continue to work towards maximizing the benefits for Nunavummiut from our adjacent fisheries.

Ben Kovic
President
Baffin Fisheries Coalition

June 9, 2006

Iqaluit is one massive garbage heap

Glorious spring. Never before in my 20 years in Iqaluit have I seen such a profusion of colour in spring. The blues, the yellows, the reds, the oranges, the browns and blacks and most of all the ubiquitous whites blossom forth with each receding inch of snow.

Yes, garbage is everywhere in super abundance. And we do not seem to care.

As citizens of this unique city of Canada we no longer have the right to act as stewards on our once beautiful city and surrounding land. It appears we have given up all responsibility to properly maintain that which has been given to our care.

Certainly we have experienced a lot of stormy weather over the winter, but that is no excuse for not taking the time and effort to prevent the elements, plus ravens and dogs, from turning our fair city into one massive garbage heap.

We need now to turn our energy and initiatives into a clean-up plan and schedule that will maintain an acceptable degree of cleanliness for the entire year. A healthy change in attitude would be healthy start.

Frank Pearce
Iqaluit

June 9, 2006

Let kids be part of great debate

Is it an irony that the Nunavik debate on evolution comes at a time when Dan Brown’s infamous book The Da Vinci Code compels all who read it?

For those who have not read The Da Vinci Code and its prequel Angels & Demons, the focus of the book is never far from the Science vs. Religion debate.

While reading Angels & Demons I came across a paragraph noting how the theory of evolution is only taught in half of America’s schools. After reading this statement, I reflected on my own school years and came to the realization that I was not taught this theory in school. This is not surprising, however as I attended Catholic schools in Ontario for over 10 years. Even though I was not taught the evolution theory in school I was certainly aware of it, many thanks to television and media.

One of Dan Brown’s characters in his book is a Catholic priest/scientist. Being a scientist and a priest is almost an oxymoron. Science and religion go together like oil and water and Mr. Brown’s character is in constant conflict with his scientific research and the beliefs of the Catholic Church. Dan Brown presented a very good argument on why a man of faith would seek scientific knowledge to counter his catholic beliefs. Simply put, God created this beautiful earth and all of the universe around it. Science is merely a means of understanding the intricate recipe God used to perform his work.

Science and religion are two separate entities seeking the same answers and solutions. To affirm the theory of evolution is not to contradict religious belief. In fact, they should complement each other.

In retrospect I am disappointed the Catholic school I attended did not teach me the theory of evolution because I would have at least had the choice on what I believe. Both religion and science promote democracy and the free choice of deducing our own decisions.

The theory of evolution is one of the biggest and greatest debates of modern mankind. Please do not prevent your children from engaging in this great debate.

Shawn Ittinuar-Edwards
Iqaluit

June 9, 2006

High praise for Nunavut speed-skaters

With the conclusion of the short track speed-skating season, I’d like to pass my compliments along to the organizers and skaters in the Nunavut speed-skating clubs.

In the NWT, we don’t see a lot of the Nunavut skaters in a normal season, but this year were with them at the Arctic Winter Games and the 2006 Canadian Age Class Short Track Championships held in Whitehorse.

In the March 17 edition of Nunatsiaq News you provided an Arctic Winter Games summary of the Nunavut medal count and made brief reference to the success of Nunavut speed-skaters.

I’d like to add my comments to say just how terrifically the Nunavut skaters performed. Having coached speed-skating since the early 1990s I’ve watched the progress of the Nunavut skaters from their earliest days in the sport and what a difference there is!

At the Arctic Winter Games, Nunavut skaters competed well in all categories and won more than their share of the medals. It was truly a delight to see a team that used to struggle step up to a position of dominance at the games. So great is the improvement that for the next games, I’ll use Nunavut skater improvement as an incentive for my skaters to train harder.

What a great thing for the sport that another team has developed to the point where the once dominant NWT is not just looking over its shoulder to see who’s coming along, it’s now having to do it’s share of looking ahead to see who has to be caught.

In Whitehorse, Nunavut had four skaters competing at the Canada Post Age Class Short Track Championships. With only a small team from the NWT, I had the pleasure of coaching both the NWT and Nunavut teams through the event. The kids skated admirably and were terrific representatives for Nunavut as they competed against the best skaters from each province and territory in their age category.

Most impressive for Sarah Ali and Nathalie Martel was the improvement they made over the weekend after adjustments were made to their blades. Rarely would a skater make extreme blade adjustments in mid-competition, but it was apparent that adjustments would result in improvement. While both girls had difficulty in their first race after the adjustments, they stuck with the changes and immediately started improving.

After each race, the girls were looking for feedback and then trying to make skating changes to become better. Their achievement of multiple personal best times attests to the success of their efforts. Coaching is so easy when the skaters are eager and wanting to improve.

Manasie Kendall continued to show the enthusiasm and progress that he demonstrated at the Arctic Winter Games, and a gutsy effort that was noticed by many of the provincial coaches. Manasie became stronger as the meet progressed, also producing multiple personal best times. He never quits, no matter where he is relative to the other skaters in a race and always strives to make personal improvement. How good would the world be if everyone tried so hard to be better at whatever they are doing? Manasie constantly looks for feedback, listens well, and puts it to good use.

Aqpiq Peter’s skating drew lots of comment from coaches across the country as well. He has such quick starts, is such a smooth skater and accelerates to pass so well he’s hard not to notice. Aqpik is a pleasure to watch and like the other Nunavut skaters, he’s extremely coachable. Together, Aqpiq and I would plan race strategy before each race and he’d go out and do his best to make it happen. Aqpiq was able to pull off passes at the Canadians that an athlete with so little competition experience should struggle to accomplish. Aqpiq has exceptional skills that simply need more training and competition opportunity to develop.

Competing at the Canadian Championships level is about winning medals for only a few exceptional skaters. For most, it’s about competing well and making improvement. The Nunavut skaters didn’t win any medals at the competition but were extremely successful. They won the admiration of coaches from across the country. Nunavut can certainly be proud of your athletes.

My hat is off to John Maurice of Iqaluit and all of the parents who have worked hard to develop the Nunavut speed skating program. They’ve provided a terrific and invaluable opportunity to a lot of kids.

David Gilday
Coach
NWT Speed Skating

June 9, 2006

Don’t let politics stifle evolution debate

I’ve been following with interest the issue of teaching evolution in high schools in Nunavik as reported and commented on in Nunatsiaq News in recent weeks. I would like to offer the following thoughts.

People often confuse the concepts of fact (or observation) and theory. “Theory” is often used colloquially (and incorrectly) to indicate the possibility of something being true or having happened (e.g., “it is my theory that...”). In science, a theory is a testable framework or proposal to explain a set of facts or observations. This failure to properly distinguish fact and theory leads many people to think that when scientists talk about the “theory of evolution,” they are referring to the possibility of evolution having occurred.

This is not what scientists are talking about. Few scientists today would dispute the “fact” of evolution, which has been solidified through intensive scientific study, research, and thinking since Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species in 1859. In his book, Darwin put forward his theory of natural selection to explain the myriad of facts and observations he had assembled about the natural world. So a (not “the”) theory of evolution is a proposal to explain the processes of evolution, or how evolution has occurred (and is occurring). It is not the idea or fact of evolution which scientists are debating. Natural selection is one theory of evolution, and it has been tested, refined, modified and elaborated through scientific study of the natural world ever since Darwin’s time. Scientists continue to creatively debate “the theory of evolution”.

To find their place in modern society, students need to develop the critical, creative, and rational thinking skills, which the study of science can help to provide. Therefore, I think it would be a grave mistake to deprive them of the opportunity to learn about and debate the theory of evolution in order to serve the interests of certain politically-motivated ideologues who want to extend their sphere of influence through mind-control and brainwashing.

Keith Hay
Regina, Sask.

June 9, 2006

From mouths of babes, bigotry

I am an Inuk who has experienced different “southern” cultures. Part of this experience has been prejudice and racism directed against me, as a minority. 

I accepted this as ignorance and fear on the part of the racist person.

 My 10-year-old just had two friends visiting, who suggested a name for a new pet. One casually said “Nigger. I had a pet named that before.” Shocked, I tried to explain how horrible a word that is, but these kids seemed de-sensitized to its meaning.

 Inuit have become so prejudiced, that they don’t even realize the gravity of their words.

 Too often, I hear derisive comments or nervous laughter directed at the Qallunaak, Portigee, Uivik or Sineesee. 

While Inuit may have been made to feel inferior by colonialism and other cultures in the past, there is no excuse for their current mindset.

 The words coming from the mouths of our babes are shameful. It is time for Inuit to quit the racist attitudes and deal with their prejudices head on.

Name withheld by request
Iqaluit

June 9, 2006

QC defends foreign partners

We are writing on behalf of Qikiqtaaluk Corp. in response to Nick Illauq’s guest editorial of May 26, under the supermarket tabloid heading, “The Baffin fishery is controlled by foreign interests.”

First, Qikiqtaaluk Corp. disputes the use of our company’s name in the diagram that accompanied the article, with the inference that QC’s fishing company is “effectively managed and controlled by foreign interests.” It is true that our partners in Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries Corp. are from Iceland. QC owns 51 per cent of the company and Nataaqnaq Fisheries Ltd. owns 49 per cent. Most importantly, QC retains 100 per cent control of all its fishing licenses. Further, QC has the option to buy out our partners over the next decade.

QC made certain throughout its negotiations to create Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries Corp. so that QC would retain full control of its licenses and effective control of the fishing business.

Mr. Illauq’s editorial further implies that such a partnership is both uncommon and somehow unpatriotic. Your readers should know that many of the vessels in the Canadian shrimp fishing fleet are owned by foreign interests, and a number of the companies have foreign shareholders. Fishing, like mining, forestry, or agriculture, is a global business. We have not seen any comparable editorials protesting the arrival in Nunavut of large international mining companies like BHP or DeBeers.

It is worth asking the question why QC would form this partnership rather than one with a Canadian company. The answer is fairly simple. None of the Canadian companies we spoke to were prepared to enter into a genuine partnership in which they would hold a minority position.

QC has been in the fishing business for over twenty years, collecting royalties on a number of different shrimp and turbot allocations. The real profits from our licenses were going to other companies. In recent years the Board of Directors of QC made the decision to get more actively involved in the fishing business, as there is more money to be made (as well as risk) in active ownership than in just receiving royalties.

Within the current arrangement QC owns 51 per cent of a $12 million factory freezer trawler, and is making money on fishing operations as well. From a business point of view this is a much more satisfactory arrangement than leaving others to do the fishing. It is also much more likely to give Inuit a genuine chance to eventually control the Nunavut economy than any deal we were offered by east coast companies.

We have to look at the underlying theme of the article — the idea, presented as some kind of scandalous conspiracy, that BFC (and possibly QC, although this is not stated explicitly stated) is allowing “our Canadian fishery to be taken over by foreigners masquerading as Canadians.”

What could possibly motivate us to let that happen? QC is deeply committed to Inuit ownership, Inuit management, Inuit employment and Inuit training programs. The creation of Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries Corp., and QC’s cooperation with BFC in training Inuit and crewing our vessel, is a huge step in the direction of Inuit self-determination. We simply would not give away Inuit assets. It is our job to increase them.

QC also questions another premise of Mr. Ilauq’s editorial, that if only the fishing allocations were handed over to the communities they would automatically be better off. This is a political idea, not a business argument, and is not based on observed fact. Creating a successful business is a long and difficult process, requiring experience, skills, initiative and determination. Even with those qualities there is no guarantee that a business will succeed, and no safety net if it doesn’t.

We are not saying that people in Baffin communities are not capable of creating successful businesses, but it will take time. In order for the Baffin region to have successful community-based fishing businesses over the long term, intelligent people like Nick Illauq will need to spend five or 10 or 15 years working on fishing boats and getting business experience. We are still a generation away from having a fully Inuit-managed fishery. To get a single Inuk through to being a Captain will take that long.

In the meantime, the best way to optimize benefits to communities will be by developing joint ventures with experienced companies, with the option to buy them out over time, or to develop a business association on behalf of communities, like BFC. QC is prepared to work with community businesses to develop joint fishing ventures, and we have the skills and financial strength to make them work. We would be happy to talk to you any time, Nick.

Brian McLeod, President
Peter Keenainaik, VP and Manager of Marine Development
Qikiqtaaluk Corporation

June 9, 2006

Abuse details best left unpublished

As I read the front page article “Pedophile sentenced for molesting young girls” in the June 2 issue, I was absolutely appalled at how the reporter, Sara Minogue, went into detail on the sexual abuse one nine-year-old victim had to endure at the hands of a pedophile.

You may argue that the public has the right to be informed of what happens in Iqaluit, in Nunavut or in the rest of our country. This time, your news report definitely crossed the line as to what the public should know. I find it extremely offensive that the reporter gave herself the liberty of writing out in such explicit detail the sad events. Publicizing the name of the accused guilty party is fine to me. We have the right to be informed if a pedophile lives in our neighborhood. That particular person is responsible for his own actions. Although the young girl’s name is not mentioned, she and her family do not deserve to have such a story go in explicit detail. How would you feel if this would happen to you? Would you want a reporter to write this about your child?

Nunatsiaq News has definitely crossed the line here in what is regarding public information. There is a limit to what we should and shouldn’t know. This is not a question of freedom of speech. It’s what we call privacy and respect.

As a reader, I enjoy your newspaper. I hope I don’t come across any more of this type of reporting in the future.

Brian Martel
Iqaluit

June 9, 2006

Contaminated gravel a good thing?

I would like to ask Geoff Baker and John Thompson what kind of “common sense” is used in a decision to take contaminated gravel from one spot where it is known to exist, and spread that gravel all over town? Using it on the roads and under buildings widens the problem and puts everyone at risk.

Is it wise to put the poisoned gravel where children play, ride their bikes and where dust is blowing most of the time? When the snow melts and rushes over this gravel all around town, where does it go, folks? Into the bay — where it contaminates the fish and wildlife. So how much sense does it make to keep on doing this?

Since the U.S. Air Force made the mess, they should clean it up. There is nothing Americans understand more than the value of litigation. Now that Nunavut is growing its own lawyers, put them to work on getting funds to clean up the site.

If the contaminated gravel continues to be used, it is only a matter of time before the lawyers will be busy on behalf of local people made ill by exposure, and we will all see the sorry result of current day “common sense.”

If that happens, I hope the people making these decisions today are put on the witness stand to explain their wisdom. The town will continue to grow, gravel will be needed, so let’s figure out a real solution instead of using what they call the same “management plan.”

Sherry Shorthouse
Iqaluit

June 9, 2006

Doris Saunders, the revered Labrador oral historian, passes away

Labrador and the rest of Canada suffered a great loss on May 28 with the passing of Doris Saunders, who founded and edited Them Days magazine.

A lot of important Labrador history and culture has been preserved thanks to her vision and commitment.

We can certainly be grateful for the way she insisted in writing out the words the same way they were spoken by our elderly Labradorians, many of them long gone.

These days, with mass media and ease of travel causing dialects to blend and English to be spoken for the ears of the general Anglo populace rather than for unique regions, we are fortunate that Doris captured a lot of the original Labrador vocabulary and parlance. (Labradorians are different than Newfoundlanders.)

It is ironic that Doris preserved the memories of so many Labradorians, yet lost her own memory through Alzheimer’s.

But she will not be forgotten.

Bob Mesher
Kuujjuaq

June 2, 2006

Is the KSB censoring evolution?

I was reminded of stories out of backwoods — and backwards — towns in the southern U.S. when I heard CBC’s coverage and later read in Nunatsiaq News of the hurdles faced by a Nunavik teacher trying to teach about evolution. This is Canada and this is scary.

Evolution was not a traditional belief in any culture. Darwin, a Christian man himself, was deeply troubled at the implications of his findings. But the evidence just kept building and still does – from the fossil record to animal observations to DNA analysis.

The latest attempt to debunk evolution is the entirely bogus “intelligent design” explanation. Why don’t we instead respect the intelligence of our kids who, after being offered up the evidence, can choose to believe whatever they want to?

There should be room to learn about religion (all religions) and alternative theories in social studies classes but, please, leave science alone.

A topic that arose in the same article is the school’s systematic obstruction of support for youth struggling with sexuality issues. Those that took down the signs for helplines have themselves been partially to blame for our high northern suicide rate. It is known that gay, lesbian and bisexual young people kill themselves at up to seven times the rate of heterosexuals — thanks to rejection and social ostracization among other factors.

Despite the Kativik School Board’s explanation as to why they discourage teaching about the theory of evolution (found on their website posting on May 23 at www.kativik.qc.ca); discrimination, teaching of only one religion (as per Nunatsiaq News) and discouraging a teacher’s prerogative to teach evolution sounds an awful lot like censorship to me.

I had understood traditional Inuit culture to be inclusive and non-judgmental. Is it not so for some people in Salluit?

Madeleine Cole
Iqaluit

June 2, 2006

Volleyballers say thanks

The Iqaluit Open Volleyball Championship organizing committee would like to thank everyone for a wonderful weekend during the Victoria Day weekend tournament in Iqaluit. It is wonderful to see the interest and level of volleyball increasing.

We could not have done without you.

Congratulations to Karen Nungaq of Kimmirut for being the Most Sportsmanlike Player in the women’s division and Iqaluit’s Sonja LeBlanc for getting the Most Valuable Player award.

Noah Nirlungayuk of Rankin Inlet was awarded the Most Sportsmanlike Player in the men’s division, while Mark Young of Pangnirtung got the Most Valuable Player award.

It was a wonderful final game between Iqaluit’s Team Baffin and Team Rankin Inlet in the women’s gold medal match. We hope to see you again next year.

We would like to thank: Canadian North; First Air; MLA Hunter Tootoo; Petersen Auger Coca Cola; Baffin Gas Bar; Iqaluit District Education Authority; T. Fox Graphics; Nunavut Volleyball Association; and all the players from Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, Kimmirut, Iqaluit and Pangnirtung, especially all the referees and scorekeepers, and all the volunteers who did an excellent job!

BJ Barnes, Sonja LeBlanc, Mary Akulukjuk Flaherty, Kevin Kullualik and Jeannie Arreak-Kullualik
Tournament Organizing Committee

June 2, 2006

GN climate change position driven by ideology?

I read with interest your article: “Global warming won’t hurt polar bears, GN says”. (Nunatsiaq News, May 26, 2006)

 I can’t imagine why you would quote the National Center for Policy Analysis “study,” which is not a scientific study at all, but a fossil-fuel financed PR effort designed to misinform the public with politically motivated misinformation. The so-called “study” refers throughout to qualified climate scientists as nothing but “global warming alarmists,” and relies on blatant agenda-driven cherry-picking of the science in support of its conclusions. This is the antithesis of science.

 In discussing the issue of global warming, it’s important to distinguish between honest scientific conclusions, and agenda-driven ideology. The NCPA is clearly promoting the latter.

 Your article left me wondering what motivates Mitch Taylor to deny the evidence that suggests that polar bears will be unable to adapt to the ice-free summer Arctic Ocean predicted by the middle of this century? Who is this man? What is his agenda?

Why not balance Taylor’s opinion with a view of the risk of global warming to the polar bear by quoting qualified biologists who have studied the issue, rather than a right-wing think tank dedicated to misleading and misinforming the public?

Michael Seward
Edmonton

Editor’s note: First, whether you agree with his reasoning or not, Mitch Taylor is one of North America’s leading polar bear biologists. He has “studied the issue” and his conclusions are newsworthy. Two, we quoted the National Center for Policy Analysis to suggest to the reader who it is that the GN might actually be lining up with. Three, there is no need to “balance” the quotations from the National Centre’s study, since we’ve provided voluminous coverage of the environmental side of the story for more than 10 years, and will continue to do so.

June 2, 2006

RCMP are busting the wrong drugs

I am writing this letter to say that the RCMP are busting the wrong drug!

Marijuana is not harmful like crystal meth, cocaine and crack and here are the RCMP focusing on marijuana.

What about the stronger drugs that are ruining lives of Nunavummiut? All these stronger drugs are here in Iqaluit and yet why aren’t the dealers getting caught for selling them?

I’ve heard a lot of stories that the stronger drugs are ruining families and friends. Best friends are growing up, and then take crack and all of a sudden they are not best friends anymore. All their pay cheques are going to these very addictive and very dangerous drugs!

Iqaluit is growing so fast that there are more drugs than the RCMP can control. All these new people are coming to Iqaluit to make quick cash and leave and they keep coming back and selling more serious, dangerous and addictive drugs.

What will it take for the RCMP to wake up and smell the crack? If I could I would help the RCMP catch those assholes that are ruining the lives of Nunavummiut. I wish I could just go to the dealers and throw them back to wherever they came from.

I don’t smoke drugs, but growing up, I used to smoke hash and marijuana and I was always asked to try other drugs, but I would always say no ‘cause I heard too many stories that if you try stronger drugs then it is harder to quit them. I do have friends who smoke marijuana, but they are always calm and relaxed. I for one am with marijuana even though I don’t smoke, and not for the harder drugs!

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

June 2, 2006

Is NTI irresponsibly endorsing uranium mines?

If James Eetoolook, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.’s vice-president, feels he is informed enough about uranium mining by visiting existing uranium mines in northern Saskatchewan and to support NTI’s uranium policy for peaceful and responsible uranium for nuclear power, this gives me the courage to state my concerns because I, too attended a uranium hearing in Salzburg, Austria in 1992 that was attended by representatives from over 30 countries that were negatively affected by uranium mining and the uranium industry.

In late 1980s, I founded the Baker Lake Concerned Citizen’s Committee to oppose the Kiggavik uranium mine near our community.

The committee expanded to include regional and territorial communities under the name of the Northern Anti-Uranium Coalition or “NAUK.”

We worked very closely with well-informed (on uranium mining and its by-products) experts, including people like: Dr. Rosalie Bertell, president, International Institute of Concern for Public Health; Dr. Gordon Edwards, chairman, Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility; Dr. Robert Del Tredici, author of At Work in the Fields of the Bomb; and Dr. Jim Harding for all kinds of questions we wanted answers to.

It’s been almost 15 years since we struggled with our concerns. We made a difference, because of the unity we built. It included Inuit and non-Inuit living in the region, people outside the region, people who earn their living from the land and people who go to the office.

I am not as active as 15 years ago. It’s not because my concerns have ceased, or that uranium mining is now less dangerous.

It’s just that I feel so defeated when powerful people like James Eetoolook, and NTI who are supposed to protect our rights and our livelihood, as stated in their mission statement, irresponsibly endorse uranium mines, without first consulting with the people, mainly the beneficiaries.

To me it is so unethical and uninformed for the NTI to tell the uranium industry that they support it for peaceful and responsible use. It’s just like someone telling me to use the box of 22-250 only to get caribou, hoping I will obey.

It is us beneficiaries and the millions of dollars from the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement that gives NTI the power to make decisions. What about NTI excluding the protection of the caribou herds and its habitats in their uranium policy? How irresponsible can they get?

I urge the concerned Nunavummiut, especially beneficiaries, to create unity and establish a committee if they have concerns about uranium mining. This is no longer a Baker Lake concern. The Kitikmeot is now facing the same concerns we had.

Unlike 15 years ago, today we have the means of technology to communicate and to get the information we want.

They were children 15 years ago and we worked hard to speak for them and today they approach me and send me copies of their concerns about uranium mining.

Young people can control their future and they can search and get all the information they need through the Internet, and they can calculate exactly who is going to benefit from uranium mining and balance out the negative affects it’s going to have on the environment and wildlife.

Fifteen years ago they called us “radicals,” or said that we were using scare tactics, or making statements just based on emotions. Today, we can make informed decisions.

James Eetoolook and NTI should not have to make decisions for us unless we request their support.

Joan Scottie
Baker Lake

June 2, 2006

Iqaluit greenhouse plan moving forward

Your May 26 article “Compost plans keep sprouting” said that “the multi-million dollar plans of the Iqaluit Greenhouse Society appear to be on hold.”

On the contrary, our work toward building a combined greenhouse and community centre is moving forward. Last spring, Iqaluit city council approved a lease for the greenhouse in the new sustainable Arctic subdivision, across from the NPC plant. We then secured the funding for a detailed design, needed in order to reach a more accurate cost estimate. Working with one of Canada’s leading greenhouse architects, we completed that design in December.

It hardly needs saying that raising the $8 to $10 million needed for a community greenhouse (or for anything in Iqaluit, for that matter) is a major undertaking.

So in parallel with our design work, we’ve been preparing for the major fundraising effort ahead. A good deal of this work focused on federal environmental programs. Unfortunately, many of those programs were cancelled by the new government, so we’ve turned our attention to the foundation and corporate sector until new federal programs are put in place.

While this fundraising work proceeds, we’re continuing our community awareness work. Although we’re still occasionally told that gardening isn’t an Arctic or Inuit pastime, more and more people, Inuit and Qallunaat, say they look forward to when the greenhouse is built, because they or their kids would really enjoy growing their plants, and they know it will be a healthy contribution to their community.

Is it taking a long time? Yes. Will it be worth it? You bet. If you want to find out more and help it happen, write to us at: iqaluitgreenhouse@yahoo.ca.

John Lamb
President, Iqaluit Greenhouse Society
Iqaluit

June 2, 2006

Garbage-spreading contractors should be prosecuted

Iqaluit, the capital city of Nunavut, has become a disgusting mess.

In all the years that I have lived here, I’ve never seen anything as disgusting: garbage, wrecked cars, potholes, which all seem to add up to an environmental catastrophe.

The construction at both the middle school and the hospital have produced more trash than any other construction site ever seen. SNC Lavalin have polluted the green belt across from the hospital. They have dumped tons of garbage, crates, and styrofoam in what is known as Toonik Lake. SNC Lavalin should be prosecuted for this mess.

But the city, it appears, have done nothing. They couldn’t care less. They sit by, whilst the contractors, who are only temporary visitors to this city, mess the place up.

The city itself has permitted the dumping of snow and garbage into the area surrounding the same lake. Hundreds of truck loads of crap have been hauled there. If it’s harmless, why not dump it into the bay?

The community of Apex has become nothing more than a slum: dreadful roads, no drainage, garbage lying everywhere. Why the residents of this bedroom community sit by and wallow in this dreadful mess is beyond comprehension.

The city landfill dump has become a huge environmental disaster. A huge mountain of garbage — foodstuffs, dead animals, wood and paper — that will remain in its frozen state for many years to come. What are they going to do with it?

It is plainly apparent that the city government is incapable of managing the very basic care of the community. Vast sums have been spent on a huge fleet of bulldozers and huge sums have been spent on a sewage treatment plant that is still not functioning.

They have failed to watch over non-resident contractors to ensure they don’t run roughshod over the community whilst making great profits that are not being ploughed back into the community. They have not enforced the bylaws that would deal with these offenders.

Poor town planning is a major contributor to much of the chaos. It is incumbent on the voters of Iqaluit that they elect a city council that has a better sense of the needs of the community and is willing to take on the polluters.

Fancy wooded parking devices only hide the real mess. Surely the kids of the community that have to walk through the crap that surrounds their school must be shown that there is another way, otherwise they will grow into the same kind of people who don’t give a damn.

Bryan Pearson
Iqaluit

June 2, 2006

Stop dreaming about the old days: shoot all the dogs

Since way back in the mid-1960s snow machines have taken over and dogs are useless. That is how it is nowadays. They are tied up in town and never ever run for exercise or to pull a qamotik anymore.

And yet we are still feeling more for the past than about today. But that is history now and should be forgotten.

I have seen some dogs tied up by my driveway when I come from hunting, when I am coming in or taking off with my big qamotik and skidoo. They are just there to eat leftovers from their masters.

They are never taken out on the land to protect their masters anymore. Some are just tied up all-year-round facing extreme wind chills in the cold winters and they are fed, nothing more, but with no exercise. In the summer they face mosquitoes and extreme hot weather, still tied up and still with no place to run to, away from the bugs and hot sun.

The elders are still dreaming away about the usefulness of dogs in the 1950s, but some of us are too old run the dogs with sleds, and the materials are too expensive to buy. Even the dogs cost money.

Why can’t we just stop dreaming about starting dog teams and get rid of our dogs for good? Keep one dog for protection from the wild animals, such as grizzlies and wolves, if we must. Why let the poor dogs suffer?

Some owners never even water their dogs in the hot summer days and the dogs suffer from dehydration. On the long weekends, the dogs are often loose and roaming around town so they can be free for a change, knowing their masters are out for a long time.

We live within low-dropping slopes here where I live. When the snow and ice melt, all that dog shit runs off into our drinking water, plus all that dog urine. This is not a short-time summer camp. This is where we live all year round, a permanent hamlet. Some dogs are only 50 or 100 yards off the shoreline and tied up for all four seasons.

They should all be shot where they are in a mercy killing to stop them from dirtying the shorelines, and to stop them from agonizing in the extreme weather and hot sun.

On top of that, we hunt for our dogs nowadays and let our dogs sit at home and wait for free handouts. The old Inuit philosophy is that, if you cannot build an igloo you should not have a wife, or else you and your wife will freeze to death in no time at all. I’d say if you cannot even look after one wife why should you even have dogs?

Some of the men have many wives and they are not even able to make a water hole. I’ve heard that some of our men are all muscles, but they actually wait on some 80-year-old for her to make an ice hole for them and then they go down to fetch water from her hole.

What a life today. It is nothing but a big dream. Don’t fall in love with the dreamer.

William Noah
Baker Lake

June 2, 2006

No “right” to teach evolution

I have been following with interest the “debate” around evolution and the other subjects that Salluitmiut educators are dealing with.

I have been to Salluit several times and have many friends there.

Many claim that we “conservative, evangelical, bigoted” Christians have our collective “heads in the sand” on these issues. I say it is not that we have our heads in the sand: rather it is that we have “raised our heads above the mud” of social liberalism.

It is not just in Salluit that these issues are being raised — indeed please don’t think it is “a right” or a good thing or an honour to educate your youth as we do in the South.

Ian Ridpath
The Three Cord Ministries
Milton, Ont.

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