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August 25, 2006

North Greenland-High Arctic travel is very difficult

I want to share my sentiments on the need for continued contact between Nunavut and Greenland.

It’s true that the discontinuation of flights between the two northern communities has made contact very much more difficult.

Contact with North Greenland, between Grise Fiord and Qaanaaq, has been made much more difficult since 9/11. We have extended family there we can’t readily visit anymore. The cost is too much and the border laws are like an Iron Curtain now.

A study should be made to see if a northern air route can be feasible between Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord, Qaanaaq and Pond Inlet on a round-trip or monthly basis, or even on traffic need. Many communities have family ties with Greenland, even Igloolik.

Larry Audlaluk
Grise Fiord

August 25, 2006

GN ignores Nunavut Inuit in the South

Thank you to Bryan Pearson for bringing up the issue of the “when-Nunavut-Inuit-die-in-the-south-let-them-rot” kind of attitude that the Nunavut government has.

Of course we don’t live in Nunavut so why the heck should the Nunavut government take care of us? If Nunavut government would like to keep the Inuit in Nunavut, they should provide adequate housing for everybody instead of having 10 people living in a single family home. No wonder there is a return of head lice and tuberculosis.

The Nunavut government will not pay for any education funding for me, when I apply, I get directed to some idiots who don’t really care about someone applying for funding from Winnipeg. Without education, I cannot make enough money to get insurance for my burial, people like me live from pay-day to pay-day, never mind worrying about how I am going to be buried.

Leaders of the Nunavut government, don’t put this letter aside until you’ve walked in my shoes. After many contacts in trying to get some funding for my schooling, I gave up on the Nunavut government. I was in school, I could not afford to complete it, and after I was forced to quit it, I got $600 in the mail. I applied for funding in July of 2005, I got the $600 in February of 2006, long after I had to quit my schooling. Dealing with Nunavut last year was a joke.

A couple of months ago, I dealt with INAC to find out if some kind of burial assistance were available through them when Nunavut Inuit die in the south. There is none.

It’s about time the Nunavut government leaders start holding all their meetings only in Nunavut, and quit flying here and there for every little item that has to be taken care of that can easily be taken care of by telephone or teleconference.

Heaven knows, many of you already have enough in benefits to take care of you in your lifetime.

My headache is gone. Thank you Bryan.

Martha Peet
Winnipeg

August 25, 2006

Port, training centre should go to Nanisivik

Being from Arctic Bay, I think common sense is not being used by local, territorial and federal people, whether they are elected, bureaucrats or ordinary people, about the selection of a deep water port location and the location of a training center for the military in Nunavut.

Nanisivik is the suitable place for it.

Arctic Bay is in a very good position to propose that Nanisivik become the deep water port site and a location for a training center for the military. It meets all the needs and requirements: location, cost and logistics.

A deep water port was built in Nanisivik by a lead and zinc mining company long ago, and sea-going vessels from around the world docked at the deep water port to pick up lead and zinc back from the late 1970s through the 1990s and 2000s. Canadian coast guard ships use the port all the time.

One time there were at least three vessels sitting at Nanisivik at the same time, waiting for calls and to refuel. And because of the jet service at Nanisivik, the Coast Guard ships were able to do a crew change.

Why would the territorial and federal governments want to build a deep water port when there is one already? Why would the federal government want to build a training center when Nanisivik is a good location and the infrastructure is already there?

The military has studied the site in the past as a possible location. It would cost less to build one, since most logistical issues are in place: building foundations, roads, infrastructure, and so on. Nanisivik is also close to Landcaster Sound, where foreign ships and submarines enter the Northwest Passage. It would only make sense as a site to monitor ships and submarines going through the area. It is a good site for the purpose of maintaining sovereignty.

Nanisivik is also equipped with an airstrip that jets and other aircraft can land on, whether they are passenger, cargo, military, charters, and or small aircraft.

The High Arctic communities, Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord and Arctic Bay, would get their jet service back. The mayor of Arctic Bay cannot make a complaint right now about the poor First Air service because the mayor is also the First Air agent.

But the three High Arctic communities are always complaining about bumped passengers, bumped cargo, bumped mail, cold meals, confined spaces, mechanical problems with aircraft, and so on. It would not look good when the mayor who works for First Air, has to make a complaint to First Air about its services.

Arctic Bay and its people already have experience with shipping and with people from around the world. Icebreakers and other ships have gone to Nanisivik when there is still solid ice. The shipping companies have worked with the residents on how to deal with shipping routes while the community is carrying on with traditional hunting.

The people of Arctic Bay also welcomed outsiders to work in the mine. It would not take much costs to build Nanisivik as a site for both a deep water port and a military training center. A lot of infrastructure is already there. Sure, there would be disadvantages, but the community has learned from the past.

Wouldn’t it be a good news story that the Canadian government and Canada has a well established center for military training, sovereignty monitoring system and that it was built by both the Inuit and the government?

So, please think. Use common sense.

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

August 25, 2006

Kugluktuk starts school year with multi-national staff

My name is Richard Harrington. I am the “second year” principal at Kugluktuk high school.

I wish to report on some significant changes this year to our staffing personnel. As you may know, our students registered on Aug. 9, although the teachers were present in the school on Aug. 1.

We began the year with a four-day session of “Tribes” training, a system that is geared to foster an inclusive and cooperative method of teaching.

We have several new teachers this year, who, in my opinion, are bringing many varied and significant skills to the students of Kugluktuk.

We welcome Stephanie Konstantinou, our student support teacher. Stephanie is an energetic and positive individual who already has made a strong contribution to student affairs.

We welcome Attila Csaba, via Ottawa and originally from Hungary. Attila is well known in Nunavut for his advanced coaching skills, particularly in table tennis. He also is a “high-energy” person who has actively joined into our many extra-curricular activities.

We welcome Alpha Jalloh, via British Columbia, and formerly from Sierra Leone, Africa. Alpha is teaching our Grade 7 class and is also making his mark quickly in the school.

We welcome Rosemarie Meyok as our language specialist. Rosemarie is well known for her extensive background in preserving the language and culture of the community.

Soon to arrive in the community are Navaid Bhatti, via Ontario and India. Navaid is a well-qualified science and computer specialist. Kenneth Gunn is expected soon as well. Kenneth was in the Canadian army for eight years, and has degrees in science. He also has a background in coaching several sports.

I refer to our staff as the “United Nations,” as we have people from Britain, the United States, Hungary, Africa, India and — of course — Canada.

The Kugluktuk Grizzly sports program is still very active. We are busy planning for several specific athletic teams and hope to host several Nunavut tournaments. We plan a photography club, driver training, cultural trips, and activities and other events to foster a spirit of cooperative fun and appreciation for the educational process. In all activities, we hope to remember the Inuit “IQ” principles and to implement them in our planning and events.

I am confident that we have begun the new year in a spirit of cooperation and I am very optimistic that our students will find this a rewarding year.

Richard Harrington
Principal
Kugluktuk High School

August 25, 2006

Still waiting after 400 years

Martin Frobisher was able to load some 2,000 tons of “fool’s gold” on board his tiny little sailing ships in 1577 and haul it all back to the United Kingdom.

I don’t think that we, 400 years later, could do the same thing. I am sure he was wishing he had a dock.

Well we are still wishing four centuries later. It is quite remarkable that the Government of Canada has failed to commit money to building a proper facility in this vital and important northern community. Canadian Coast Guard vessels working in Canadian waters have to refuel in Greenland. Each and every town and village in Greenland has a dock.

The idea of building a dock in Kimmirut is the most ludicrous concept ever. The costs would be astronomical. A road linking Iqaluit to that community would cost more than $500 million. The operation and maintenance alone would bankrupt this government. Without a road, there would be no point in having a dock in Kimmirut.

The advantages of a permanent dock on Frobisher Bay would enable the ease of unloading ships on which we so heavily rely. It would reduce turn-around times, greatly reduce insurance costs, and enable shipping companies to set reliable schedules. It would facilitate crew and passenger changes, and it would also lengthen the season.

A dock would allow the Arctic fishing fleet to offload their catch and have it flown, fresh or frozen, by the local carriers to markets in Montreal and New York, thereby providing them with a back haul. This in turn would help reduce the cost of operating empty aircraft south and hopefully bring down air fares.Tourism would benefit.

Iqaluit City Council should add this issue to its agenda and begin a campaign to encourage the responsible agencies, including the military, to put into effect the creation of a dock and bring about the end to 400 years of waiting.

Bryan Pearson
Iqaluit

August 25, 2006

Too many pregnant women smoke

I would like to bring up a topic that arises once every few years, but is always quickly forgotten about.

Most women in our culture stop drinking when they get pregnant, but why is it that many of them continue smoking? I suppose I understand human psychology enough to accept that it may occur behind closed doors, but I am absolutely amazed to see pregnant women smoking in public without a care in the world.

I’m even more surprised to see their friends, co-workers and sometimes spouses outside with them having a cigarette and laughing about one trivial thing or another.

How is it that this has become so accepted that it seems most people don’t even notice? Why do otherwise intelligent pregnant women feel comfortable having smoke-breaks at work, outside, where children and teenagers can see as they pass back and forth from school? One should expect that as a community we would do more to let these mothers know that we do not approve.

You know how hard it is to quit, and the anxiety you feel when it has been too long since your last puff. Why bring an innocent child into the world addicted to an evil you wish you could do without?

It also increases chances for autism, asthma, ADHD, infertility, low birth-weight, heart problems and dozens of other health issues for your child.

We would not stand by and watch a pregnant woman drink alcohol, so please join me in letting them know that smoking while pregnant or breast feeding is an inexcusable selfish act. We realize it’s hard, but for the love of your unborn child please try.

If you wish to print this, please do not include my name. I work with a number of pregnant smokers and would likely be assaulted.

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

August 18, 2006

Inuit should question authority

Authority — who has it, and should we give into their authority so willingly?

Back in June, a teacher in Salluit was forced to stop teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution, because it offended Inuit values and beliefs.

And I recently saw a documentary called Age of AIDS on PBS Frontline, where United States congressman Jesse Helms opposed any funding to fight the spread of AIDS around the world, because it conflicted with his religious values.

It didn’t matter that there were millions of lives that could have been saved from the deadly virus. Anyways, this is not about religion or Inuit values or AIDS or Darwin’s theory.

The question I have is about who has the authority to speak for us, or more importantly, make decisions on our behalf as a society and give them authority without question?

Who has authority, besides the obvious elected people, but even if they are elected, do they have the right to speak on our behalf? And do they have the right to make decisions based on their personal values? Or should we force them to make a decision based on society’s needs in general?

Inuit values is an interesting concept. We can’t generalize, or lump people into one category, but it seems as if it’s okay to say that there’s the Inuit way of doing things.

We come from the same ancestry, with similar values and beliefs as a people, but we also have the free will to think for ourselves as an Inuk, (one individual), and always had disagreement.

There’s a common word at least at home, “isumasuqtuq,” that he or she is making up their own mind or decision, and we don’t seem to think like that anymore, that we can make up our own minds and decisions without fear of reprisal. That’s what people in authority seem to forget.

The point I am trying to make is, why should the teacher in Salluit be punished or forced to change his teaching, just because a person in authority doesn’t agree with his teaching? Or why does a congressman have the right to block funding that has the potential to end the suffering and dying of millions of people, just because he held to his beliefs?

What is more important is that we seem to be more of a complacent society, because someone claims to speak on Inuit ways or values, and someone who speaks on their religious beliefs, even though we don’t agree with them.

With all the new technology — email, internet, television — we should be able to have debates on various issues that affect us today, without prejudice or fear of reprisal. I wonder how many people feel the same way about issues, but are afraid to speak out, because they think that their views are different or do not comply with the rest of society.

If we truly value our freedom, and believe that everyone is equal, then we should really start questioning our leaders on what their intentions are and what they would do with their authority to improve our society.

Robert Tookoome
Iqaluit

August 18, 2006

Insurance firm clarifies Iqaluit position

Arctic Insurance Brokers Ltd would like to reply to a letter authored by Hunter Tootoo and published in your July 28 paper.

For the record, Arctic Insurance Brokers have acknowledged the efforts of Hunter Tootoo in assisting us in the establishment of our office. Upon the termination of Hunter’s consulting contract, a letter was sent to all of the clients of Arctic Insurance Brokers. We are including a copy of that letter that explains that we have progressed beyond the consulting arrangement and require a full-time commitment. Hunter’s busy MLA life causes a conflict of his time demand that both positions require.

An immediate mandate of our firm going forward is to hire a full-time person to assist in the growth and manage the increasing demands of the insurance industry and the Iqaluit office. We are interviewing many local people for the position and anticipate that the new position created will be filled shortly.

The resident office currently employs two full-time people and anticipates the hiring of an additional person in the near future. We are proud to be a local participating business in Iqaluit

Arctic Insurance Brokers Ltd. is the only insurance brokerage in Canada with resident offices in all three territories. We believe that you must invest in the communities that you do business in and we practice what we preach.

Hunter, we thank you for your original assistance and wish you well in your endeavours in the future.

James G. Mones
President
Arctic Insurance Brokers Ltd.

August 18, 2006

The plight of bereaved Inuit families

Inuit families whose relatives die in places other than Nunavut have a very difficult time dealing with northern and southern agencies when trying to get their deceased loved ones repatriated to their homeland for burial.

So far, the Government of Nunavut does not accept responsibility for assisting in cases where the deceased has lived outside of Nunavut for any length of time.

In most cases, the relatives of the deceased do not have the means of dealing with the high costs of air fare, funeral agencies, and all the other costs associated with these tragedies.

In some cases, airlines have kindly provided free transportation, but funeral companies in major cities have to be paid for the body preparation and embalming, procedures mandatory by law in all provinces, and very costly.

Some time before the final land claims agreement was signed, I approached the interim premier, Jack Anawak, on this very subject. I suggested to him that the federal government has always accepted responsibility for repatriating the deceased person to the North, therefore it was incumbent on the new government of Nunavut to ensure that a system was in place to deal with these unfortunate people.

After all, they are Inuit, there are not many such cases, and most of them are totally destitute. Surely Inuit have the right to be buried in their home land. Southern provincial governments are not interested in paying the costs involved.

All Inuit are beneficiaries of this land claim and should be dealt with accordingly, without putting their families through a tough and difficult time.

Bryan Pearson
Iqaluit

August 18, 2006

Igloolik doper urges banishment

I want to comment about the piece where Ed deVries said that in Igloolik everyone is a pothead.

That is not true, there are lots of young people who I know who do not smoke pot. I am concerned that Igloolik residents will be labeled now as potheads.

I am myself a heavy user.

So please get that man out of Igloolik before he really screws us up.

Also, there is also another man who will need to be sent out of Igloolik too, since he sells joints that are .3 grams for $30. That man [not Ed deVries] is the worst offender, since he also buys girls for drugs and money.

It would be very hard to quit since I have been smoking marijuana for a long time and am trying to quit smoking marijuana, and these two major distubutors are not helping.

I prefer that individual persons not affiliated with any gangs should be the only ones selling marijuana in Igloolik, since the money would stay in Igloolik.

Please withhold my name for I am afraid that someone would hire a goon to go after me.

(Name withheld by request)
Igloolik

August 18, 2006

Marijuana Party candidate clarifies position

To the readers, and in particular the residents of Igloolik, I feel I must write in response to the attention being given to my life recently and publicly.

My apologies to Mayor Quassa and all those offended by statements reported in this paper in relation to my aquiring and then wanting to donate some carvings and artifacts. It was never my intention to bring about this much anger and oppression over an act of honesty and generosity.

The “problem” existed long before my time and the methods employed to address the problem usually cause more problems!

I have no need to bash anyone or anything here.

We all make choices. I chose to stop being afraid of the truth and to work towards a better life for my children and for all the young people who want to work toward a future for themselves, free of the lies and shame associated and propagated by law enforcement and governments from the south.

Anyone of us can abuse anything. Cannabis Marijuana is something that can be turned into an asset sustaining life, here, now, and in the future.

I am talking about eating, fuel for heat and transportation, medicine, cloth, canvas and so on.

By adapting and re-directing the negative and turn the presence and enjoyment of cannabis into a positive (as they try to do on beer commercials) we together can change for the better, for the future of all our children and grandchildren.

I believe this and stand by my belief.

Thank you for this opportunity to respond publicly.

And just so the facts are straight, I did plead guilty to two charges and I will be sentenced by a judge in Igloolik on Sept.25. No ”back room deal,” no jury. Just me and the judge. Hope that makes it simple enough for everyone.

Ed deVries
Igloolik

August 18, 2006

There is help for alcoholics

My parents are both alcoholics, but I sure won’t take their inventory. Last Aug. 4, 2006 someone wrote that his or her mother is an alcoholic. “Help for Nunavut’s alcoholics: Let it be known” was the title.

I know for a fact that Nunavut has a problem with alcohol but that doesn’t mean I can save the world. I would like to but I cannot force anyone to stop drinking. I can only help them if they ask for help.

I am writing this to make sure that people who suffer from being around alcoholics can also get help from Al-Anon or Alateen meetings or learn how to start these.

Here is the website for those who are interested in reading about Al-Anon and Alateen:

www.al-anon.alateen.org.

I strongly recommend it to those who have alcoholic parents or anyone who lives or has lived with an alcoholic. We call it “King Alcohol.” It is the hardest thing to do to stop drinking, but it can be done. I did it!

For more than 50 years, Al-Anon (which includes Alateen for younger members) has been offering hope and help to the families and friends of alcoholics. It is estimated that each alcoholic affects the lives of at least four other people — alcoholism is truly a family disease. No matter what relationship you have with an alcoholic, whether they are still drinking or not, all who have been affected by someone else’s drinking can find solutions that lead to serenity in the Al-Anon/Alateen fellowship.

So why is it so disturbingly common to Nunavutmmiut? She or he asks? Actually, Nunavut isn’t the only place where people have chosen to drown their sorrows and problems with alcohol. It seems awfully large in the small community of 6,500 people, but it’s all over the world.

If you want information about treatment centres, I suggest that you go and ask whoever is doing that kind of work in Iqaluit, or wherever you are. Sorry about that. I don’t live in Iqaluit. I live where there is help, where I can go and get what I need.

I’m not saying there is no help in Nunavut. You can make Alanon or Alateen happen, all you have to do is start a group. Find a parish hall that isn’t used every night and start your own Al-Anon/Alateen meetings.

If you want information about alcoholism, (which I had to do when I was going to adult high school) I read what is called “The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.” This book will tell you all about alcoholism. That is one of the best books I have ever read about alcoholism.

(Name withheld by request)
Ottawa

August 18, 2006

What Ed forgot to mention

After reading the article about “Rev.” Eddie deVries, I was shocked to learn that there are people in this world who are that ridiculous.

It was obvious that he’s a “pothead.” One of the main side effects of smoking marijuana is that it affects your brain, which is clear with Ed deVries, so I’m not sure if the “Church of Universe” or “Canada’s leading experts in cannabis research” taught this man about the effects of drugs, such as having difficulties in thinking and problem-solving, increases in the heart rate, anxiety, and panic, just to name a few.

The other concerns are the long-term effects; learning skills are impaired and facts show that people who use this drug have lower achievement than non-users.

Also, marijuana causes aggression and causes careless behaviour. People wonder why the crime rate and levels of agressiveness in Nunavut are so high. Ed answered it perfectly. He also mentioned that he is “helping young mothers feed their babies.” He forgot to mention the harm he is doing to the babies — smoking marijuana impairs the baby’s development.

A “traditional healer” and a “therapist” helps decrease problems within one’s self and the community, not create more problems and the last I heard, Inuit beneficiaries don’t have to pay for medicare, so why is he charging these people for his so-called “medicine?”

As an Inuk myself, I hate to see people taking advantage of us. It is sad and it hurts because I see crime rates, suicide rates and poverty rates rise and it’s people like deVries who do not help these rates decrease. I am writing this letter to inform people with information that he forgot to mention.

(Name withheld by request)
Kuujjuaq

August 18, 2006

Iqaluit judokas make Nunavut proud

Eugene Dederick and Nathalie Martel of Iqaluit, Nunavut recently attended the Junior Juvenile Candian Judo Championship in Lethbridge Alberta from July 1-7.

I would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for their moral support and financial contributions:

• Brian McLeod, Qiqiktaaluk Corporation;
• Thomasie Alikatuktuk, Qiqiktaani Inuit Association;
• Monica Ell, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.;
• Jeff Seeteenak and Kyle Seeley of Sport Nunavut.
• Rick Lavebre, First Air.

Also I would like to acknowledge Mario Des Forges for his tireless effort in promoting judo in Nunavut, we already miss you here in Iqaluit, and you have taught each one of us to never give up on training and pursuing our goal to become better athletes and contribute to the community.

I would also like to thank all of the parents who support their children in the sport of judo. Also I would like to congratulate Jo-Anne Falkiner and Gordon McKay on getting their black belts. They are the first two to aquire black belts in Nunavut.

Finally, I would like to thank Eugen and Nathalie for their outstanding behaviour during the tournament, training camp, and travelling to and from from the tournament. You two made my job very easy and a lot of fun.

The two of you should be proud of yourselves, because you have achieved a lot in judo, and I hope you guys will continue with the sport, and I look forward to seeing you getting your black belts in a couple of years, and hopefully teach a new generations of judokas.

Hajimi.

Robert Tookoome
Judo Nunavut
Iqaluit

August 11, 2006

Inuit have observed cannibal polar bears for many years

In a recent article on CNN.com, polar bear researchers say they observed polar bears turning to cannibalism in the southern Beaufort Sea. This behaviour is considered new for this region and is attributed to climate change.

Andy Derocher, chair of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Polar Bear Specialist Group, is quoted as stating, “Nothing like this has ever happened before, despite quite extensive research.”

However, cannibalism among polar bears is not a new behaviour to Inuit who have coexisted with polar bears for hundreds of years. It is also not new behavior to several senior, world-renowned polar bear researchers, including Mitch Taylor, Ray Schweinsburg, and Thor Larsen.

These researchers have summarized and confirmed instances of polar bear infanticide and cannibalism across the Arctic. Ian Stirling has also confirmed that infanticide undoubtedly occurs in his book Polar Bears.

Inuit hold polar bears in high esteem because of their keen intelligence. Prior to the introduction of the rifle, Inuit hunted these animals for food and clothing with knives, harpoons and dogs trained to hunt polar bears. Inuit became expert polar bear hunters and acquired a wealth of knowledge of the animals’ behaviour through constant and long-term observation. Inuit continue to closely observe bears in their natural habitat, and this knowledge continues to be passed down to succeeding generations.

For example, Inuit have frequently observed very large male polar bears stalking smaller polar bears. They have also observed males killing cubs, possibly to make female bears more accessible for breeding. Inuit have also observed, but less frequently so, polar bears fighting with each other to gain access to a female in oestres. Inuit have come across dead polar bears and, like crime scene investigators, examined the scene to deduce what took place. In some cases, it was the result of larger bears hunting smaller bears.

David Tuktujuk is a polar bear hunter and a guide for big game in Repulse Bay. He states that cannibalism among polar bears is not new. Inuit who lived off the land witnessed incidents of polar bears stalking other polar bears, especially in lean times. David witnessed a male polar bear stalking a female polar bear with two cubs at the floe-edge. He also observed cubs hiding from a male polar bear.

Barthelemey Nirlungayuk is a hunter from Kugaaruk. He and Joe Angutingunniq witnessed a polar bear that stalked, killed and consumed parts of another polar bear.

Inuit have observed that, like all other wildlife populations in the Arctic, there are natural cycles that contribute to the occurrence of this behaviour. Because cannibalism is not new among polar bears, its apparent emergence in the southern Beaufort Sea may be more complex than simply attributing it to climate change. It may be indicating the population is overabundant, thereby forcing bears to compete for limited food.

Raymond Ningeocheak
2nd Vice-President
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

August 11, 2006

Another volunteer for Rev. Eddie’s jury

I read the article about our “busted politician.” (Nunatsiaq News, July 28)

I get the impression that Rev. Eddy is more interested in paying the tax man $10,000 a month than he is in healing the community of its troubles. On top of that, Reverend Eddy, you certainly are not living a life of poverty.

You do not appear to be struggling too much, whereas your “patients” send their kids to school with empty stomachs. How can you say you want to heal communities, knowing fully that you are taking a family’s income, child tax, and art work in return for a high. People sell everything they own, even their welfare purchases to be “healed” by you.

Wherever you came from, marijuana may be used socially, but here in our community and others it is abused. You are not healing our community, you are adding to its destruction.

In this article, you are quoted “they are all potheads,” referring to the people of Igloolik. If that is the kind of respect you have for us, then take your quack ministry and practice back to your land of make-believe and let us heal our community in a more sensible way.

I am another who would be willing to accept jury duty on your trafficking case, and don’t worry, there are more of us out there than you think.

I would like to sign this, but with threats that have been made against those in town who interfere with the drug culture here, that is impossible.

(Name withheld by request)
Igloolik

August 11, 2006

Igloolik is “strong,” mayor says

Statements made by Ed deVries in your article “Busted pot politician plans carving giveaway” has outraged Igloolikmiut (Nunatsiaq News, July 28, 2006). The person interviewed by John Thompson is not originally from Igloolik, and certainly does not speak on behalf of Igloolikmiut.

Unfortunately, even though comments by Ed deVries as appearing in the article are not true and misleading, they have tarnished our community. They are also demeaning to the community and its people, while insulting Inuit who are strong and strive in pursuit of traditional culture, values and knowledge.

Ed deVries certainly has no right to imply to the rest of the world that Igloolikmiut are potheads. Similarly, suggesting that he is a healer, and merely provides cannabis as a form of medicine to treat widespread sickness in the community surely indicates the misleading nature of this self-interested politician.

For council and the community, all this misleading information is very disturbing and has gone too far. Clearly, not everyone in Igloolik is a pothead, and certainly not everyone is at his door selling carvings and artifacts in exchange for pot as he implies.

Consequently, Mr. deVries needs to apologize to the community. For council and the community’s view, he also needs to consider how he is using Igloolikmiut to further his own personal and political agenda, instead of claiming to represent the views, long-term interests and well being of the community.

The disturbing nature of Ed deVries’ statements are particularly revealing when we see our children and youth getting the wrong impression that selling illegal substances is okay, and that being a pot head as he describes it is okay too. That is so wrong; it boggles the mind why a person says these things. This is not our future, and we certainly will not allow that for our community or any other Nunavut community.

In Igloolik, as in many Nunavut communities, many young parents are struggling to feed and clothe their families. But with cannabis so readily promoted and available because of people like Ed deVries, young parents are getting cash-strapped and being lured into believing their children will not know wrong from right. Consequently, this may be a continuation of colonialism, and some would even argue genocide.

A further concern of council and the community involves law enforcement. In this particular case, which appears so obvious, what are law enforcement agencies doing about these situations? What does it take to get action? Alternatively, with the appearance of no action, residents suggest the community take justice into its own hand, even though it has no recourse within the existing legal system.

Finally, we want to assure the rest of Nunavut that people like Ed deVries should not be welcome to our growing communities, and certainly should not become who they claim to be when they certainly are not. We have future generations who are going to be handling community affairs and lead our communities for the betterment of our future.

But with people like Ed deVries telling our youth that doing and selling drugs is just part of life, then our future will be bleak with no sense of what is right and wrong in the eyes of the law.

Is this what we want in our community? Certainly not, for there are much better things to look forward toward. In this regard, I wish to remind everyone our community is strong and has a lot to give to the rest of Nunavummiut.

Paul Quassa
Mayor
Igloolik

August 11, 2006

Dope hurts lots of people in Igloolik

This letter is in reference to the article that was featured on July 28, regarding the leader of the Nunavut Marijuana Party, who lives in my hometown of Igloolik.

He openly taunted community members and authorities about his very successful business as a drug dealer in the community and how he is serving the good of the community, in the sense that pot is therapeutic. He then goes on to say how he is contributing to our welfare town by buying carvings in exchange for cash or pot.

I remember a previous incident in Baffin Island about a man who ran a booze can, and who went as far as wanting cession from Canada, defying all that we hold dear in our laws, which are in place to protect us as Canadians.

How we put up with such arrogance, I don’t understand. Although I am told by the elders who suffer the consequences in silence and shame that natural justice always prevails. I am too impatient, and want things dealt with as they occur within the law, whether western or traditional. (Banishment perhaps?)

I can understand that if he is monolingual and his clientele is limited to the younger Inuit who use pot that he doesn’t, or refuses to see, how his dealings affect the community at large. Has he seen what I have seen, and witnessed very unhealthy situations, which are just a few of the ripple effects of his making?

I have seen the pain and the helplessness of the elder-victims, who could certainly benefit from a few therapists’ sessions, so they can cope with the vicious cycle of drug addictions, and the violence induced by the need for drugs in their own homes.

Elders, who thought they hid their old age pension cash in a safe place for the night, but discover it taken by any of their grown children in the middle of the night, while they slept. They know who took it but are afraid to tackle the thief because when the thief needs a fix, he or she is agitated, quick to anger, which can become a violent situation within the home.

So the elders suffer in silence and shame, worrying about how they will survive the rest of the month until the next pension cheque. Keep in mind that they have to feed their grandchildren and the grown children who stole the cash, since not all dope-heads in Igloolik are exceptionally good carvers. This cycle repeats itself endlessly.

I have seen children with nothing to eat, while their parents were off selling their few possessions for a toke. I have heard younger women openly talk about sex in exchange for drugs.

I have spoken with elders going out on medical leave who are asked to carry packages to their destination. It’s the children and the elders who are victimized by drugs. I can’t see how their lives are being improved by drugs.

So I fail to see how this man is providing pain relief to the children and the elders. I also see the partners of drug dealers who are helplessly trapped in drug-dealing activities inside their own homes.

Long after the perpetrators are gone, the women may have taken the fall for their partner, served time in jail, and now having a criminal record, their employability becomes limited and their reputation tarnished. I consider these the worst-off victims, along with their children. They suffer the long-term effects and for the moment, are not living in safe homes. Since when is a drug house a safe home?

Tolerance for drug dealing is also bought and paid for at a price. In-laws are bought the equipment and vehicles they could never afford so the drug dealer buys a sense of belonging and protection in the community.

And occasionally one can become a perpetrator such as myself, simply by getting on a plane and the (community mule or middleman dealers) partner comes rushing to the airport with an urgent package, just as you are boarding.

If you are a woman, familiar with spousal violence, and you see the fear in her eyes, you take it to spare her another beating. It further personalizes it if she is a relative and you know that she and her children often spend time at the women’s shelter.

Then you become part of the problem, if you carry it. You have been told that the partner of the head drug dealer will be at the airport to pick it up. With this one personal experience, the female partners of the drug dealers were doing all the dirty work and risk-taking, which tells me clearly that the dealers aren’t men enough to do their own dirty work.

If this activity were taking place anywhere else but Igloolik, I would suggest that citizens’ advocacy groups work to clean-up their towns, which can be done jointly with the RCMP, but since I am from this town I assume the passive approach will be banishment, which further defers taking real action.

Out of sight, out of mind, making room for the next drug dealer to move in.

I wish to have my name withheld as I have mentioned a specific incident that could further jeopardize abused women caught up in this activity.

(Name withheld by request)
Igloolik

August 11, 2006

First Iqaluit dock plan developed in 1979

Plans to build a dock in Iqaluit have been on the drawing board for many years.

In 1979, the federal Department of Transport sent a team to survey and perform diamond drilling in the bed rock situated at the site known as Inuit Head. It had been determined that Inuit Head was the ideal location, due to the depth of water at low tide.

The plans at that time included a 400-foot-long dock suitable for all sizes of ships, a mobile crane on tracks suitable for the heaviest lifts, a huge warehouse enclosed in a compound, and a road that tied into the existing road to the causeway.

It was in the late 1950s that the American military constructed what remains of the so-called causeway. It was composed of huge rocks that were quarried on site and pushed into the bay to form the basic pier. A series of caissons were sunk into the bottom of the bay to help support the structure. A large area at the end was built to allow enough space for a ship to tie up and for trucks to load, turn and haul their loads to the site of the new runway and the SAC base. Its surface was paved.

This facility was built for that purpose only, but it did allow for civilian use some years later. Unfortunately, it was not built high enough and during winter, ice floes slowly destroyed the surface, which eventually led to its unservicability.

The causeway was used for smaller ships that would carry goods from the larger ships unable to sail into much shallower water. However, the basin at the tanker terminal is deep and suitable for much larger vessels. Hence the decision to use the point at Inuit Head.

The idea of building a suitable dock in just any community in Nunavut is not practical. The infrastructure exists in Iqaluit: a fully functional airport and fuel supplies.

Bryan Pearson
Iqaluit

August 11, 2006

At GN, no accountability for carrying out policies

I would like to comment on your editorial that you wrote regarding an energy policy for Nunavut, or lack of one.

For the last year, I have contacted over a dozen people in as many departments, from municipal to territorial to federal, proposing ideas on various programs that could be implemented to help Nunavummiut save energy.

Aside from the current global interest in climate change issues, Nunavut is facing its own set of unique challenges, of which I believe two to be on the top of the list of major roadblocks to Nunavut’s social and economic future.

These challenges, as I see them, are waste management and energy management. I’ve yet to come across anyone or any department that is dealing with waste management, but when I locate one, I will be sure to write again.

As for energy management, there is one department that surfaced a few years ago and put out what is called the “Nunavut Energy Management Program,” which has several pilot programs that on the surface seem like a good start. However actually getting into the program seems to be a whole other matter.

Your comments on establishing an energy policy, although well-intentioned would still leave Nunavut with the problem of who is actually going to implement it and enforce it.

If you ask me, what we need is more accountability. It’s all fine and dandy to write up a bunch of policies, but if the policy simply sits on a shelf collecting dust, then why bother writing one?

In my opinion, we already have all the policies we need in the Pinasuaqtavut, and direction for implementing this with guidance from the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. What we need now are department leaders who can establish goals, develop plans, and be accountable for ensuring those plans are carried out in the most efficient manner possible.

I’ve only been a resident here for a short few years but I’ve already seen more then I care to of money being wasted due to a lack of accountability, and an attitude from some of simply not caring.

As far as energy management goes, if anyone actually reads this, I have a product that I’ve been testing called the Fitch Fuel Catalyst which current testing on over a dozen different vehicles in Cape Dorset, Iqaluit, and Rankin Inlet is resulting in a fuel reduction of over 30 per cent.

With a current fuel budget of over $40 milliion a year you would think someone would be interested in looking into this. If you know anyone in Nunavut like that, I would be very interested in speaking with them.

As for waste management, if anyone reading this knows where this department is please let me know as I have a bone to pick with them as well.

Claude Constantineau
Cape Dorset

August 4, 2006

Help for Nunavut’s alcoholics: let it be known

My mother is an alcoholic. Does this sound familiar to you?

Here in Nunavut, this rings true for many children, youth and young adults.

All my life, I have been forced to live with this. As a child, it never really occcurred to me how much it could affect so many aspects of my life or the lives of others. Society as a whole is affected.

Alcoholism can be very disruptive to one’s emotional, physical and mental state. Alcoholism leads to so many problems, such as crime, abuse and suicide. It causes sadness, depression, shame, anger, pity and sometimes even hatred amongst people. The list goes on. Even as a child I felt sadness, I felt the anger and fear, even if it wasn’t as strong as I feel it today, I still felt it, I was still affected, and I still cried.

What baffles me is that people know a lot of this. Alcoholics themselves know this.

So why is it so disturbingly common to Nunavummiut? Why do some Inuit choose to drown their sorrows and problems with the bottom of a bottle? Why do they not hold faith for a better future? Can they not see other alternatives leading to a life of happiness? Do they know what they are doing to the people they love? To the people that love them?

In my opinion and the opinion of others I’m sure, it is an illness where someone cannot cure themselves. And it is they themselves who need to decide to seek professional help. But where does that professional help come from? What steps do they need to take in order to know what to do and where to go for help? I’ve seen an ad in the paper for Alcoholics Anonymous but is AA enough for them? Is it enough for us?

I want information about treatment centres, what they do and where they are. Is help such as this being provided and if so, is there financial aid provided for people who choose to attend a treamtment center?

I want to know where to get information on alcoholism and what people can do to help. I want to know the percentage of alcoholism in Nunavut compared to the rest of Canada. I want to know what Inuit think and feel about alcoholism.

Can you tell me the answers to all these questions? Is there even such a place in Nunavut to find these answers? Is there hope for my mom? For me? For you? For Inuit?

If somewhere out there, there is such a place to find these answers, let it be known. People should be aware of the options thay have, both victims of alcoholism and those who are exposed to alcoholism.

It is a small request for such a massive issue, and it is only the first step in people’s possible recovery but the first step is the most important and the first step is just knowing the support they might have should they decide to seek help. Let it be known.

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

August 4, 2006

Igloolik is overrun with pot-heads

I read the article on Mr. Devries. (“Busted pot politician plans carving giveaway,” July 28.)

What a joke. This is one guy who’s been using his product way too many times.

I live in Igloolik and am not a pothead. I’ve used pot in the past of course but I grew up.

Igloolik has such strong traditional ways and values, but you wouldn’t know it on a day-to-day basis because of the “potheads” overrunning the place.

What I see with all the pot being used is not medicinal use. Instead it is very much abused. We have kids in elementary school with drug problems. You can still ignore that?

Let me share some things that you, the “pothead” is refusing to see, all for the love of getting “high.”

I see kids not growing up to their potential. I see families selling everything they own to pay for pot. I see elders heartbroken. I see family members hurting one another when they are “low.” The “low,” unfortunately, comes after every “high” and it will make you do stuff that you will surely regret.

I see suicides when they can’t cope. I see people become criminals. I see people not caring. I see your drug dealers living well with the money you had to scrounge for. I see your drug dealers paying for stuff that you only dream about with thousands of dollars cash. I see devoted people who endlessly look for donations and fundraising to feed our children at school every day (Thank you Carolyn Macdonald and others at Northern and Co-op for all your help every month.)

I work for a living. I pay taxes that are intended to feed and clothe your children and I wish that were so.

There have been way too many drug dealers in Igloolik. How much money has Igloolik and Hall Beach spent on search-and-rescues for drug runners who haven’t made their destination due to weather? This is where we live guys, it’s a joke because of drugs.

And Reverend Eddy you are already a joke with your Marijuana Party.

I have to admit it seems that most of Igloolik are “potheads,” but we care about what you do to our community, which is not “healing” by the way. I don’t think I’m alone in saying that you are not welcome in our community.

Lastly, this would certainly be the one and only time that I’d love to be on a jury.

If you decide to publish this, I wouldn’t feel safe about publishing my name due to the possibility of my children being targeted.

(Name withheld by request)
Igloolik

August 4, 2006

Want a good job? Get rid of your dog team

Dogs are dogs, and are considered to be man’s best friends.

But we must decide now and to make a final decision. A dog can be your best friend, but must be controlled, because it is an animal, and dangerous to others. When my oldest son was about eight years old and was playing outside as usual, a vicious dog attacked him. That was about 1968.

It is not a pretty sight to see your loved one attacked by your neighbour’s dog and you have to be careful not to be attacked too when you have to rescue your loved one. His head was badly ripped like a piece of cardboard paper. Some people use their dogs as guard dogs, which is a wrong thing to do today.

This shows some people have no mercy for their fellow men. If a dog is a killer, it interprets who the real master is.

Secondly, if we dearly love our spouses, and our children we should be hunting for permanant jobs seriously and not just looking after our dogs. It is good to have dogs, but is it more important to sit around and beg for food for our family and for our dogs?

I think I would look for a permanent job instead. Sometime in the future, there would be some very high paying jobs coming up. Stop whining, start working, do less hunting and fishing and stick to your job.

I had my own dogs before. One was a pet at times, and I also had dog teams for few years, and not long enough. I loved them as I should, but I had to decide what was best for my family and my job.

I cried when I first shot a dog at the fishing camp, because it bit one of my nephews. It was not easy. Back in 1968, my best dog was shot by the special constable just because it was loose, a very pretty dog and very friendly. It had to be shot for no good reason at all. In fact it tried to come home even though it was already wounded and dying. It was not a pretty sight to look at, my own dog trying to come home while dying.

Once I had a half-wolf and half-husky dog. One time it got lose and we were on our way to go to church and it gently bit my arm by surpise just to let me know that he was lose. The second time he got lose, he ran over to someone walking by and gently bit that person by the arm, so I had to make decision to get rid of him even though I hated to lose that beautiful grey dog.

I had to make a very emotional and a very important decision — either my dog or my fellow man’s own lives. So I got rid of my own best dog.

When you want to get a good job, you should not have anything hindering your very important job. Stick to your job. I love to hunt, and love to go fishing. But in the future, it will be very important to get a job for your own good and for your family,even if it mean less hunting.

I know it is not a easy thing to get rid of your dog or dogs. But dogs cost alot of money and it is not a pretty sight to clean up all those droppings, and it is not a good smell in the warm weather.

Communities are growing, so are the dogs roaming, barking, mating, poaching, dirtying our backyards, and mostly, you have to hunt for them, feed them, water them, and pet them which most of us don’t have time for anymore.

I have been reminded through our local radio not to talk about dogs, but we are now living in the settlements, in modern days with jobs, whether it be adminstration, or high tech, or even janitorial work.

Some of us are not able to feed our own families. Why should we beg for our pets too? Get rid of some of your things, such as your pet dogs that are just sitting around by someone’s property or the hamlet beach — less dogs, less worries, and less work for nothing.

Let the rich people worry about extra things to do. Fewer pets mean less poverty too. I hope that you will be convinced and take my advice. I went through it. I had that very experience. So take my advice very seriously.

William Noah
Baker Lake

August 4, 2006

Okalik’s position on military base clarified

For the record I would like to clarify the position of Premier Paul Okalik regarding the location of possible investments in Nunavut by the Department of National Defence.

In the last two editions of Nunatsiaq News there have been references to the premier supporting a specific community for the location of a military training base.

In fact, Premier Okalik has not stated a preferred location; rather he has publicly supported the federal government’s commitment to investing in national defence infrastructure in our territory.

Following the Conservative Party campaign commitment to locate specific military assets in specific communities, the premier reminded the federal minister responsible that expectations have been raised in these communities.

Both privately and publicly, the premier has advised that if the final decisions differ from the campaign commitments, the federal government must make every effort to identify economic development investment opportunities in communities where promises were made.

Bill Clay
Nunavut Premier’s Office

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