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Letters to the Editor

February 1, 2002

February 8, 2002

February 15, 2002

February 22, 2002

February 1, 2002

The GN’s paid "volunteers"

Today, our government and their employees are adding a new twist to the word "volunteer."

The very word means "to give of one’s self freely." No one is forcing you to be a volunteer. If we give something of ourselves that costs nothing, what have we gained? Nothing.

We have all of these great volunteers willing to give of their time, if and only if they don’t have to use their own vacation time, and only if they don’t have to lose their daily pay.

Where I come from a volunteer gives, but receives nothing — only the satisfaction of knowing they gave something of themselves to help others, to benefit the community, to receive the joy of giving and to receive pleasure in knowing they are part of something great.

You may think you are helping the Arctic Winter Games because you are freely giving them your time, but let’s face reality.

If you have leave with full pay and benefits, the Arctic Winter Games is getting nothing but premium-paid volunteers.

Theresa Rodrigues
Iqaluit

TOP

February 1, 2002

Saddened by Peter Gzowski’s death

I was very saddened to hear of the death of Peter Gzowski.

The first time I met Peter was in 1988 in Yellowknife, I felt right away that he had a great commitment to Canada. He also came to Rankin Inlet to promote literacy.

He was someone who made me feel that I belonged. He always had a huge impact on the people he met. His work, his charisma and his voice of wisdom and knowledge will inspire all Canadians. We have lost a real friend!

On behalf of all Nunavummiut, our condolences and heartfelt sympathies to Peter’s family. Peter will be greatly missed for his work on literacy and for his vision.

Peter Irniq
Commissioner of Nunavut

TOP

February 1, 2002

Are co-ops really community-based?

A clarification is clearly required to your editorial last week, which refers to us as part of Nunavut’s "whining classes" for trying to determine our rights under Article 24. Need we remind your readers how all Inuit firms have been scratching our heads for years wondering what Article 24 is supposed to do for us?

We have legitimate concerns about the way a specific Government of Nunavut contract was handled last summer. For your newspaper this is just a story you know nothing about, but for us this is about business survival. Unfortunately, the only way we could get anyone’s attention to talk about our legitimate concerns was to go to court. Wasn’t the government’s NNI policy supposed to avoid just this type of thing from happening?

Even the media had no interest in this story until we went to court and now we have to suffer Nunatsiaq News making us out to be whiners. Your comments are not fair.

Our lawsuit is not about the local co-operatives, and we never alleged that they are not Inuit firms. The local co-op members in our communities are our neighbours. We know who they are.

But the GN policy uses the terms "Northern, Inuit, and Local." You get part marks for each category and a full bid adjustment for having all of these qualifications.

We allege that Arctic Co-operatives Ltd. is not local and they are really the ones who went for the contracts, not the local members. That is what we have been told. If so, why would an umbrella organization in the South, which has the strength of many member organizations all across northern Canada, be given the same adjustment as a small, community-based business. We live or die on the opportunities that exist only in our communities. We can’t subsidize one member’s poor performance with strong profits in another community.

These are common-sense questions and concerns. Too bad we have to go to court to get answers.

Ike Haulli
Savik Enterprises Ltd.
Igloolik

TOP

February 1, 2002

We need quality care in Kuujjuaq

Why are Inuit patients treated differently than non-local people? It seems like there is no human rights existing in our hospital.

Some nurses show attitude problems towards us, as if we have done something wrong to them. We cannot even see a doctor without an appointment, and when we finally see one, our sickness is already gone, not there anymore.

We need quality care in our community, especially since we have lost a lot of patients, and we should get normal check-ups for cancer at a certain age, instead of being just sent home without getting treatment.

We lost a very loving, caring person last year who could have been saved and cured. She was complaining for three months before she was diagnosed with liver cancer, and she was only sent down South when her nose was badly bleeding and she had pain behind her lungs. The doctors finally diagnosed her with liver cancer a month before she passed away.

It was very hard for me to accept that she was going to die. She wanted a good friend of ours to save her life, but that friend of ours was far away in California, so I made some calls to California.

That doctor said yes, she could have been cured if they had found out earlier.

As I have been listening to CBC Iqaluit, it really woke me up when they started talking about how nursing systems are poor in Nunavut. I think we also have a poor nursing system in Nunavik, too.

(Name withheld by request)
Kuujjuaq

TOP

February 8, 2002

Inuktitut needs legal protection

For many years I have wanted to write this letter. I feel this is the perfect time to bring this up, with the recent talk about the Inuktitut protection bill.

For a very long time I have seen our language put up in signs, published in papers, books, posters and displays, with many spelling and final mistakes. And for a long time it has been brushed off with the excuse that our written language has been in existence for a very short time and has gone through some changes.

It is even safe to say that each generation has different ways to write. Many people will admit that they do not know how to write using medials and finals. Even people with very strong oral skills may not have written skills at the same level.

Some also use dialect differences as an excuse for spelling mistakes. Using the Inuit Cultural Institute standard, there is a correct way to write, no matter what dialect you are writing in. I believe very strongly that all dialects must be respected and should be published in their correct way.

The ICI standard allows us to be able to write in all dialects in a phonologically correct way. Though we may not come to an agreement on which dialect to standardize any time soon, we can start by using the ICI standard in our writing.

I would like to thank all entrepreneurs who name their businesses in Inuktitut. It is very important for our unilingual elders and our chidren to see our language in use.

I would also like to urge all those who have their signs in Inuktitut to be sure that they have written them correctly and if there are mistakes, to correct them. And to those who publish Inuktitut writen material, please give Inuktitut the same attention as you would English or French.

I have always wondered, if it were an English spelling mistake, how fast and at what cost would it be fixed. Cost has also been used as an excuse for not correcting mistakes. Replacing signs, letterheads and the legal coverage can get expensive. I believe it, and my thought is, you should pay for the consequences of not having done it right the first time.

We must stand up for our language and for our children, and say stop publishing mistakes in Inuktitut.

Jeela Palluq

Ottawa

February 8, 2002

More predictions for 2001

I enjoy Mr. Amagoalik’s "Little Corner," but I would like to pin-point one of his predictions and add some of my own:

1. Osama Bin Laden will surface for air in China.

2. A "trillion" will become an operative number.

3. High-ranking officials of the Nunavut government and NTI will quit before their terms are up.

4. A heavenly object will be detected and become a world concern.

5. A talk of a road from Manitoba to the Kivalliq region will turn into railroad tracks.

6. Prediction accuracy: 1 out of 5 = fluke; 2 out of 5 = Big Deal; 3 out of 5 = Not Bad; 4 out of 5 = Request His Autograph; 5 out of 5 = Believe!!

Emil Arnalak

Arviat

February 8, 2002

Many thanks from the Kilabuk family

Our dear mother, Annie Kilabuk Sr., passed away on the 16th of January, 2002. She leaves many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren to rest in peace after she celebrated her 80th birthday this past December 28, 2001.

We thank the Lord for having shared us his love through her passion for the well-being of others. She would often say and wished for us to be reminded: "That we are not alone, and that we have a friend forever by our side, Jesus Christ our Lord."

In return for all the kind and warm support our family has received during our loss, we would like to say thank-you to all the individuals and organizations who generously spared time, and helped us through this difficult period.

We say thank-you to the many residents of Pangnirtung who provided food, meals, and comfort and said kind words of wisdom. Thank-you to all those who called from different communities with their thoughtfulness.

Thank-you, to the many residents of Pangnirtung, Iqaluit, Qikiqtarjuaq, Arctic Bay and Clyde River for your kindness, generosity, thoughts and prayers.

Thank-you to all those who sent the wonderful flowers and cards. They were heart-warming during the funeral.

We would also like to thank: Canadian North, Kenn Borek, First Air, Nunasi Corporation, Olahnie Coman, Donna Lee, Katherine Trumper, the Hamlet of Pangnirtung, the Pangnirtung Youth Church Group, Department of Education regional staff and regrettably others we may not have named.

Special thanks to those who travelled to Pangnirtung to see and be with us and the family during the funeral service. We are forever grateful.

To that end, we know she is now in the loving care of our God’s open arms, because she has always longed to join many friends and relatives in Heaven where God awaits.

May God bless you all.

The Kilabuk family

February 8, 2002

KRG clarifies position on Internet plans

I want to respond to the misleading article entitled "KRG and co-ops duke it out over Internet access" which appeared in the February 1, 2002, edition of Nunatsiaq News. I also wish to take this opportunity to provide Nunavimmiut with an update concerning the KRG telecommunications project.

First of all, I did not go "on the local radio to explain why the KRG’s approach to providing Internet services in Nunavik is better than what the region’s co-operative federation has proposed" nor had I any intention to do so, much less criticize business decisions made by the FCNQ.

In August 2000, the Katutjiniq Board of Directors (composed of representatives from all major organizations of Nunavik including the FCNQ and the business sector) adopted a resolution supporting a telecommunications project proposal put forward by the KRG council for the implementation of technologies to allow Nunavik organizations, businesses and residents access to the Internet and related technologies. We have, since then, been working within the scope of this mandate.

The project is divided in two phases. During Phase I, we have connected most major organizations in Kuujjuaq to the KRG network and evaluated the performance of this new technology, which is in use in some communities of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

We have at the same time monitored the operating costs so that a realistic and sustainable business plan for all communities in Nunavik can be developed. The government of Quebec provided $350,000 to KRG for the pilot project. The Kativik Regional Government, Kativik School Board, Makivik Corporation, Air Inuit, Kativik Municipal Housing Bureau, the northern village of Kuujjuaq and the Kativik Regional Police Force are all connected to the KRG network in Kuujjuaq using wireless technology. Upon completion of the pilot project, a consultant selected by the government of Quebec was hired to assess the technology as well as the equipment purchased for the project.

The technical report, tabled in October 2001 to representatives of the governments of Quebec and Canada, demonstrates that the technology is very efficient, versatile and can sustain the various applications that the clientele of the region had expressed an interest in, including multi-point video-conferencing and private telephone networks.

Based on the report, an additional amount of $550,000 was granted by the government of Quebec to initiate the implementation of the same system in all other northern villages. KRG then purchased, through a public call for tenders, 13 satellite dishes, one for each community, and had them delivered on the last ship in the fall of 2001.

In October 2001, KRG began a Nunavik Internet needs assessment study in order to collect data on the current use and growth of Internet technologies in Nunavik. Between October 2001 and January 2002, regional organizations, municipalities, landholding corporations, businesses and more that 10 per cent of all Nunavik households were surveyed about their current use of Internet technologies and their future needs.

This report and a business plan will be tabled to the federal and provincial governments on Feb. 15 along with a request for funding in order to finalize the implementation of Phase II of the project. Depending on the response of the governments, the regional network should be in operation in the summer of 2002.

With the data that we now have in hand, it is clear that the implementation of Internet technologies in Nunavik will require substantial financial assistance from Canada and Quebec. KRG’s objective is to secure funding to enable all Nunavimmiut, regardless of the size of their community, to gain access to the Internet at the same time, and at a reasonable cost.

KRG’s objective is to provide equal opportunity to all those individuals or businesses who want to become local Internet service providers and sell Internet services within their community or throughout the region. Once connected to the KRG network, these service providers will have the choice of selling the service through wireless, cable or dial-up technologies.

We have no intention of being the local service provider, or of creating unfair competition with the FCNQ or the private sector. Indeed, we have offered to connect the FCNQ to our antennas, but they have refused because they want to manage the system from the satellite to the user, from one end to the other.

Therefore, in our mind, there is no fight between the FCNQ and the KRG about telecommunications. It is simply that we are proposing an Internet solution that offers more possibilities. Moreover, it responds to requests from many organizations and governmental departments to have the capability of video-conferencing, streaming audio and, potentially, local cellular telephone service, and our technology permits all of this.

Johnny N. Adams

Chairman

Kativik Regional Government

February 8, 2002

Iqaluit needs more post office boxes

I moved to Iqaluit to work for the Government of Nunavut, and I know that there are more people who will be moving to Iqaluit to work.

I know that there are about 200 vacant jobs waiting for the housing available. I know that those vacant jobs will be filled as soon as any housing is in place.

When I moved to Iqaluit I went to the post office to see if I could get a mailbox for me and my family to receive mail, but they put me on a waiting list. They told me that it would take about six months before I got a mailbox.

That makes me wonder, what about all those other people who are also on the waiting list to get mailboxes? I’m talking about people who have already moved to Iqaluit to work and the many other people I who will be moving to Iqaluit.

My request is that maybe they could expand the post office or open a new post office to make it more convenient for the people of Iqaluit.

This may not be the right place to ask, but I think if the city council pushes the Canada Post Corporation, they would expand or create a new post office for the city of Iqaluit.

Thank you for your understanding and consideration for the people of Iqaluit.

Solomon Awa

Iqaluit

Editor’s note: A version of this letter has been sent to John Matthews, mayor of the city of Iqaluit, with copies to Canada Post and to the Iqaluit post office.

TOP

February 15, 2002

Sovereignty has a price

I’d like to offer a few of my own comments on the subject matter covered in your Feb. 1, 2002, editorial: "Arctic Sovereignty: dead in the water."

First of all, I feel compelled to point out a minor error regarding the establishment of the Crystal Two airfield in 1942. It was not, as stated in the editorial, built by Strategic Air Command. In fact, Crystal Two was one of several Arctic airfields — collectively known as "The Crimson Route" — established by the United States Army Air Forces for the purpose of ferrying desperately needed fighter aircraft to Great Britain, which was at the time, on the verge of being overrun by Nazi Germany.

Strategic Air Command, which did not exist until well after the end of WWII, established a base at Frobisher Bay in 1958 for the purpose of supporting their air-to-air refuelling tankers, which in turn supported their squadron of nuclear bombers. The base was operational for only a short period of time, closing down in July 1963.

The historical error notwithstanding, I wholeheartedly agree with the content and tone of the editorial.

It is refreshing to finally see the sad truth about the disgraceful state of Canada’s armed forces and the subsequent relinquishment of our sovereignty revealed in the media, which has not traditionally been kindly disposed toward the military.

It is even more refreshing to see that the editor has sagaciously acknowledged the sanctimonious and hollow posturing of the hypocritical poltroons in power, and by extension, the servile lap dogs who occupy the cheap seats in the House of Commons. For the past 40 years, successive Canadian governments, with the tacit approval of the Canadian electorate, have slowly, deliberately and maliciously suffocated our military to the point where Canada has lost the capacity to monitor and defend its borders.

It may come as a surprise to the luminaries in Ottawa that sovereignty is not maintained simply by the pretentious braying of political jackasses. Sovereignty has a price. If we are not willing to pay that price, then we must be prepared to accept the protection of those who are willing to do so on our behalf and under terms which are not necessarily going to be in our best interests.

Freeloaders have little to complain about if the service is not to their liking.

Robert Eno
Iqaluit

TOP

February 15, 2002

Beware of language laws

Federal and provincial governments have already dabbled with language legislation, and I think it’s safe to say that it turned out to be a flop.

The Canada we all know is very wide and diversified, and every time we try to legislate language or culture from a central government viewpoint, it has always stepped on the basic freedoms we as Canadians would have hoped to enjoy.

But for the first time, Nunavut may be able to set the agenda for Canada by proposing to devolve language or culture to the responsibility of municipal governments, which I believe is the closest government to the will of the people. A territorial or provincial government would be in charge of facilitating the process of defining local aspirations, and reflecting the true needs of the people.

Eva Aariak, if you hear what I’m trying to say, give it some time before somebody takes a large swipe at everyone’s rights, one more time.

Mitch Gingras
Ottawa

TOP

February 15, 2002

Mourning the death of Titirarti

I was saddened to hear of the recent death of Alex Spalding, known to Inuit from Naujaat (Repulse Bay) as Titirarti.

I knew Alex when he worked as the Hudson’s Bay Company clerk in Naujaat in 1949-50 and again in 1953. Because Inuit could not pronounce his English name, they named him Titirarti — the writer (clerk) at the Bay. The last time I spent any time with Titirarti was when he was working on his Inuktitut dictionary in Salliq (Coral Harbour) in 1968.

Titirarti made a huge contribution to the Inuktitut language and to our writing system. In collaboration with Nunavut Arctic College, he published an Inuktitut dictionary in 1998. The dictionary, written in the new standardized orthography, is a collection of words using the Aivilingmiut dialect. The dictionary is well written and the words collected are spelled accurately.

Thomas Kusugaq of Naujaat assisted Titirarti with the work. In the acknowledgments in the Inuktitut dictionary Spalding wrote: "I must here give special thanks to Thomas Kusugaq, my friend and companion at Aivilik in the early 1950s, who worked so graciously and diligently with me on the word-lists which were the basis for this dictionary. He helped me paraphrase many words, sharpening the meanings and connotations of each entry, and he was an unfailing source of intelligence and patience in the whole endeavour."

When I cannot find words in English his work becomes very useful to me. The word "aqartuq" is not within the English language; Titiraqti explained it as "dandles or plays with the baby on her knee."

The word "aurtuq" — he stalks seals crawling on his belly (one of the spring seal-hunting methods) is another example. Titirarti’s work has contributed to the preservation, protection and promotion of the Inuktitut language.

On behalf of many people from Naujaat, my original home, I would like to say "qujannamiik" for having been our friend. Your work, Alex Spalding, has had immense impact on the Inuit culture and language. Thank you for your commitment to the Arctic.

Titirarti is remembered fondly by those who knew him. We pass on our condolences and heartfelt sympathies to his relatives.

Peter Irniq
Commissioner of Nunavut

TOP

February 15, 2002

Polish man wants Nunavut postcards

My name is Jerzy Matuszczak. I am a 45-year-old man from Krakow, Poland, who collects blank postcards. I already have over 25,000 and hope one day that it will be the biggest collection in the world.

I would like to ask you to help me and send some blank postcards from Nunavut.

This is my mailing address:

Jerzy Matuszczak

31-462 Krakow

ul.Pilotow 22/21

Poland

Thank you all for kind help.

Jerzy Matuszczak
Krakow, Poland
danwit@markom.krakow.pl

TOP

February 15, 2002

A poem for Valentine’s Day

I Love You

I love you

I know many words

But I cannot describe you

Though you do not glitter

Like a rare gem

I treasure you more

For you are my living jewel

Though money masters the world

For it buys anything

I find you more valuable

Because with you — I own everything

I know many words

But I cannot describe you

I love you

Emil Arnalak
Arviat

TOP

February 15, 2002

KidLit standards?

Noel McDermott ("The crisis in Nunavut schools," Nunatsiaq News, Feb. 1, 2002) seems to imply that the dominant culture is the criterion for measuring the performance of Nunavut education and, perforce, Inuit culture, when he is quoted as saying, "Where is the Inuktitut Harry Potter? We’re not even at Chicken Licken yet."

If one begins by measuring the difficulties of a project from that false standard, one will inevitably get discouraged and burned out soon. Is it not better to discover strengths and move from there? And if one does not see strengths in another culture, then one should not assume a leadership role within it.

Barry McGrory
Toronto
teka01@rogers.com

TOP

February 22, 2002

Municipal elections a cause for concern

Every year, we vote on Dec. 12 for our municipal governments.

The elections are very serious for the communities, but some communities have problems.

I have two main concerns with people voting when they live down south. Once they’ve lived in Nunavut for a year or more, it’s OK for them to do that according to the policies.

It’s seasonal workers that are allowed to go to hospitals and are given driver’s licenses, and allowed to vote. Are these same people allowed to vote within their own communities on top of voting in Nunavut communities? Why is this so?

The other concern is that elections officers should not be allowed to vote. They should vote for their local government and for their mayors. They only vote to break ties if there is a tie. Other communities electing mayors use a coin-toss, and whoever calls it and gets it, wins.

Once the votes are counted and elections have closed, can the elections officer vote too? If there was a tie, that is? When there’s a mayorship election?

I’m sure I’m not the only one with concerns regarding elections. It’s hard to know who to ask and exactly who is going to answer these concerns. It’s important that there be clear policies and that they should be easy to understand. It should be set up properly.

Ludy Pudluk
Resolute Bay
Translated from Inuktitut

TOP

February 22, 2002

Iqaluit getting 700 new postal boxes

I would like to respond to the Feb. 8 letter from Solomon Awa, "Iqaluit needs more post office boxes."

It is regretful that some customers do not have access to a postal box in the post office but, as residents of Iqaluit know, office space is an issue in the city.

Since the City of Iqaluit became capital of Nunavut, the population has increased rapidly and is projected to be 10,000 by 2008. With this in mind, Canada Post initiated a study to determine the present and future postal needs of residents of Iqaluit. We investigated the availability of real estate for expansion, franchising opportunities and expansion of the present post office location.

Unfortunately, the only viable option is a short-term solution. In an effort to improve service and alleviate congestion at the counter, we are targeting June 1 to have 700 new postal boxes installed in our present facility. This should take care of our customer’s needs for the next 12 to 18 months.

Once the city completes its street-naming project, we will be in a better position to expand delivery services and provide a more permanent solution for our customers in Iqaluit.

We thank you for your patience and understanding.

John Caines, media relations
Canada Post
Ottawa

TOP

February 22, 2002

Iqaluit dump an environmental liability?

The following letter is addressed to Sheila Fraser, the Auditor General of Canada and Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.

I understand that you made a presentation to the Standing Committee on Operations of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly last February 5, 2002.

You are quoted in the Feb. 8 issue of Nunatsiaq News as stating that the Nunavut Government should be identifying and evaluating the cost of cleaning up contaminated sites and you further said:

"I want to be very clear that I am not saying that there are serious environmental issues in Nunavut. I don’t know this. My point is that the new government does not have all of the information it needs to answer this important question."

I do not doubt that the Nunavut Government must gather further information to gain a true picture of its environmental liabilities. However, some environmental liabilities are well known and require immediate action.

The Government of Nunavut still promotes the dangerous practice of burning municipal garbage in open pits. This practice is a holdover from the 1950s.

However, the type of garbage that we now produce is quite different. The environmental and public health effects are well documented (particularly by the United States Environmental Protection Agency). Burning of municipal trash at low temperatures results in the release of dangerous chemicals such as furans and dioxins and heavy metals.

The smoke is also a dangerous irritant that exacerbates conditions such as asthma and other respiratory problems that are prevalent in Nunavut. In the case of the City of Iqaluit, the burning of garbage occurs less then a kilometre from residential areas and even closer to areas that are used for traditional practices such as camping and fishing. We frequently are assaulted by the noxious smoke, owing to changing winds and the inversions that are typical for Iqaluit.

The Government of Nunavut, which permits this hazardous practice through its general sanitation regulations under the Health Act, has no action plan to eliminate open-pit garbage burning.

Beyond the significant environmental and public health effects, it means that Nunavut will not, in the foreseeable future, be able to sign on to the Canada Wide Standards for Dioxins and Furans. It also means that Canada, which fought hard for the creation of the international toxins treaty to stop the long-range transport of toxins to the Arctic, is not keeping its own house in order.

I bring these matters to your attention so that you may report on them in the future and perhaps spur the government into action.

c.c.

Ed Picco, Minister of Health and Social Services, MLA Iqaluit

Paul Okalik, Premier and Minister of Justice, MLA Iqaluit

Hunter Tootoo, MLA Iqaluit
Paul Crowley
Iqaluit
pcrowley@nunanet.com

TOP

February 22, 2002

Iqaluit recyclers want credit

I am writing in response to the article titled, "City gets cash for hazardous waste education program," published Feb. 15, 2002 (p. 25).

The article’s title incorrectly identifies the City of Iqaluit as the recipient of a $100,000 grant from Environment Canada’s EcoAction program. EcoAction granted the funds to the Iqaluit Recycling Society.

The Iqaluit Recycling Society is a relatively new non-profit organization in the city that exists to support the recycling program implemented by the City of Iqaluit and works with the city to ensure the program’s success. Our group is managed entirely by volunteers, although the funding received will allow us to hire a co-ordinator to implement the many programs being initiated.

It was disappointing to see that Nunatsiaq News did not contact anyone from the Iqaluit Recycling Society to comment on this story. The funding was not applied for nor granted to the corporation of the City of Iqaluit and the City of Iqaluit should not be looked to as the "voice" for Iqaluit Recycling Society.

The Iqaluit Recycling Society is a group that is completely separate from the City of Iqaluit itself. We do, however, want to continue to work co-operatively with the City of Iqaluit to maintain the ongoing success of the city’s new recycling program. The funding from EcoAction will provide our volunteer group with the resources to do just that.

In the future, I hope that Nunatsiaq News will give the credit for volunteer efforts to the people who truly deserve them.

Frances Gertsch
President
Iqaluit Recycling Society
iqaluitrecycles@nunanet.com

TOP

March 29, 2002

Thank you to those who helped our family

This is a thank you letter on behalf of my family in Pond Inlet. We had lost my older brother, Peter Takawgak on Nov. 29, 2000.

First of all, I would like to mention Caleb Sangoya who had raised funds for purchasing airline tickets. Our family members who live in Ottawa are Leah, Nancy and Siusie who were able to join us for funeral services here in Pond Inlet.

I also would like to acknowledge:

Nunasi Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Jiutanie and Lena Sangoya, Cathy Towtongie, Paul Kaludjak, Andrew Tagak and Methusalah Kunuk. The teachers in Pond Inlet and the Government of Nunavut staff also helped a lot.

People who brought food to my mother’s house are David Paaksik’s family, Toonoonik Sahoonik Co-op, Northen Stores, Nauraanuk Daycare in Pond Inlet and other members of the community also contributed greatly. Rev. Joshua Aareak who took care of all of us during the funeral service. The nurses in the Pond Inlet Health Centre, the nurses in the Iqaluit Hospital and all those that came to see the family. There’s also the Ottawa General Hospital who provided the casket. The doctors and nurses who took care of my brother and they made sure all the comforts and conveniences were there.

Personally I would like to thank the Baffin Larga House staff who allowed me to stay there. Even when I didn’t spend the night there, they went out of their way to make sure that I ate.

Thank you,
John Takawgak
Pond Inlet

TOP

March 29, 2002

Nunavut needs energy conservation programs

I would like to make a few comments to Nunavut residents regarding energy use in Nunavut that I hope will get people thinking.

It is obvious to me that something must be done about the way we treat energy soon, as the current system is extremely expensive, inefficient and damaging to the environment. With our growing population, high cost of living and other costly problems, energy is the one area where we can actually save money and build for a future of self-sufficiency.

Only, however, if we begin to alter our present practices.

I am personally involved in efforts to install and maintain wind turbines in Cambridge Bay, as that is one fairly obvious way to improve our energy situation, but what all of us really need to do is to look at our own consumption of heat and power, and at our appliances, light fixtures and other uses of energy and think of the bigger picture as we buy, install or use them.

Use fluorescent lights, keep windows and doors sealed, and try to buy the best and most efficient appliances even if there is more initial cost and inconvenience in doing so. Governments need to look at ways to make their subsidies work toward long-term reduction in energy use, instead of making us complacent about the way things are.

Consider rebates on fluorescent fixtures, financial rewards for using less electricity, and other innovative and progressive ideas. Help our power corporation with their efforts to use waste heat and with other projects, such as wind energy and micro-hydro.

Hamlets should examine such things as waste-water recycling, co-generation of power, and co-operation with retailers and organizations to encourage the sale and use of efficient appliances, especially horizontal axis washers.

Existing organizations such as the Arctic Energy Alliance should do more to actively promote their recommendations, especially to ordinary residents. Schools should include responsible energy use awareness in their curriculum.

Energy costs are a huge part of the overall cost of living in Nunavut, and that cost of living must come down for us to really have a decent lifestyle and a healthy economy. With lower energy costs, Nunavut can reduce its dependence on the south, and lower the cost of living.

Greenhouses, bakeries, tanneries and other industries now not viable, could become so once we have driven electricity or heat costs down far enough. Existing activities, too, will become better, larger, and more profitable with lower costs. Lower energy costs should drive down grocery prices, decrease the pressures on families, increase local jobs, and stretch the buying power of Nunavut residents.

All these things are crucial for the future of our children. When it comes to the use of energy in Nunavut, the old adage "the easiest dollar to make is the one you save" is particularly relevant, and it is time we all started applying this old bit of wisdom. When so much of our economy depends on the south and its taxpayers, to do otherwise is irresponsible.

Peter VandenBrink
Cambridge Bay

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March 29, 2002

Farewell to long-time bank manager

I’m a bit disappointed with the management of the Royal Bank in Iqaluit.

Louis Courtemanche, the former bank manager, was a friend of many people here, especially the older generation. Louis was probably the longest serving banker in Nunavut — he even told me that the first Inuk to get a bank account was Joe Tikivik.

I’m sure there are many stories of that nature in him. Louis mixed well with the locals. He could be seen snowmobiling and exploring the countryside here around Iqaluit and at times he took up the offer to come hunting with us. Many times he went boating with Ben Ell and his boys.

But it seems Louis was put out to pasture without an appropriate farewell. The bank made a business decision and Louis and his wife Elisabeth were shipped out. I think Louis deserved more than that.

Farewell Louis and Elisabeth — come again.

Tagvauvusi.
Abraham Tagalik
Iqaluit

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