Current ads
Jobs
Tenders
Notices
General

Click below

Letters to the Editor

Ocotber 4, 2002 - 4 letters
Ocotber 11, 2002 - 8 letters
Ocotber 18, 2002 - 4 letters
Ocotber 25, 2002 - 9 letters

October 4, 2002

Gratitude to Premier Paul Okalik

My sincerest gratitude to Premier Paul Okalik for making a very brave and very important public statement about his personal struggle with alcoholism.

When I see the damage the disease of alcoholism is wreaking across Nunavut, in terms of crime, violence, sexual assault, and family breakdown, it absolutely breaks my heart.

When will the day come that binge drinking and blackouts aren’t called "a party," but instead a dangerous and deadly obsession?

Knowing respected public figures like Okalik are in recovery goes a long way to reducing the shame which clouds this disease — there should be no embarrassment in admitting to a problem and working to get better, only brighter days ahead.

Now Okalik’s public statement just needs to backed up by some serious resources and infrastructure for recovering alcoholics across the North.

(In the spirit of recovery and to protect my loved ones, please attribute my letter to "Anonymous.")

Anonymous
Montreal

TOP

October 4, 2002

Dog slaughters should be taught in history books

It is not hard to believe what Asunaa Kilabuk had to go through. (Sept. 27).

In fact, I believe everything that he says. If I were to live the life that many Inuit had to go through in this period of residential schools, dogs being slaughtered, the Inuit questioning their own way of life, having to relocate for the sake of not having to go to jail, it is hard to believe that this was going on only 50 years ago in Canada.

I hope that Canada has this in the history books as they have Europeans, explorers, whalers, missionaries, and so on, as part of the whole idea that Canada is a great country with great people.

I would believe and support my own people because I know that it has happened. There is evidence to prove that all of these areas of the lives of many Inuit is not just being said because we want to blame the federal government for us being where we are today with many difficult social problems.

I believe what Kilabuk said because why would an 11-year-old in the 1950s make up a story that his dogs, their only means of transportation, be killed?

I just do not understand that if you preferred to live in a small settlement and not in a bigger community like Iqaluit in the 1950s, your dogs would be killed. It is just so frustrating to think that my people had to go through so much because of colonization.

Are these stories of the lives of the indigenous people of Canada in the Canadian history books? Are some of these things even taught in the education system of Nunavut? Or are these things considered inappropriate for us Inuit to know about? What I believe is inappropriate is trying to forget all of this.

I did not even learn much about my ancestors when I was in school. Sure we learned the basics that our people migrated through the Bering Strait from Asia, but the rest of the studies was from other countries in the world. It should be taught in schools, our history should be taught in schools. Our children deserve to know.

It may be hard for many people to have to hear and see in the paper the things that they had to go through, but at least we would be hearing the truth. It’s not something to be ashamed of, because it’s not our fault. It’s something we should use to help our people get stronger.

Maybe because we’re focusing on wrong areas or starting from wrong areas that our way of trying to help other people is not working as it should be. Maybe if we start from the root of the problem, it would help other people to really open up their eyes and minds.

This is not an easy task, but what is? Life is not an easy task because it’s life, it’s just life. It’s not meant to be all sunny days and blue skies. It’s like a teenager who grew up without a family. For most of his life, he will try and understand why his life is the way it is and feels like he will always have a gap in his life.

Probably most of Nunavut is wondering why they feel they have a huge hole in their lives. For the most part, it’s because we feel like we have not been told the truth about all that has happened to our people.

I don’t think that Canada is a bad country by any means, in fact, I think that Canada is a great country, but it would be all that more wonderful if it didn’t keep the truth from it’s people.

Rita Anilniliak
Iqaluit

TOP

October 4, 2002

Nunasi boss dumps on editorial

My letter is written in regard to your editorial of Sept. 6, 2002.

I have several comments to make about what I consider to be irresponsible journalism. Before I do that, I am demanding a retraction of the lie that you printed about Nunasi’s Web page not revealing current financials to its shareholders.

I have no idea, sir, just when you "researched" your information for this editorial, but I can tell you that Nunasi’s 2001 audited balance sheet and income statement for the fiscal year 2001 with a comparison to 2000 has been up since the beginning of August. Considering the fact that these statements were approved and ratified by the directors and trustees in late June, I do not believe that we can be accused of not revealing current information to our shareholders.

Shame on you, Jim Bell, for attempting by association with the Enrons of the world to imply that the birthright corporations and the people that are responsible for them are dishonest.

I have worked for the Inuit of Nunavut for over 30 years now. I have worked hard to gain their trust, and to see you try to destroy that with one swoop of your poison pen angers me. Why would you want to do that?

The fact is, it was Nunasi that five years ago pioneered the concept of community meetings with all of our shareholders. I visited hamlet council meetings, held meetings with the senior students in every school, and held public meetings every evening. How transparent is that? Where was your newspaper when all of that was going on? This past year, Norterra, a Nunasi subsidiary, did exactly the same thing. Again, I did not see any coverage of that event.

Our shareholders are real, not theoretical. Once again the implication suggests something less than it should be. Your insinuation that our attempts to share information with our shareholders is "rarely enough to provide a semblance of accountability" is false and obviously designed to arouse suspicions.

You even go so far as to suggest growth and success are bad words. We are proud of our accomplishments and, for your information, hundreds of thousands of dollars in dividends have been distributed to the regions over the past four years and many hundreds of employment and training opportunities have be created in our companies.

My question back to you sir, is what is the meaning behind your attempt to discredit our efforts and to suggest that we are being less than honest and forthright with our shareholders?

I consider your "pane of glass/black enamel" comment a personal attack on my reputation. I guess in the end you epitomize the old saying, "never believe everything you read in a newspaper."

Fred Hunt
President/CEO
Nunasi Corporation
Yellowknife

Editor’s note: When the editorial was written in early August, Nunasi’s 2001 financial statements had not been posted on their Web site. When the editorial was published, on Sept. 6, the new information was available on Nunasi’s Web site, but the editorial had not been updated. Since we corrected this error in our Sept. 20 issue, there’s no need for a "retraction." As for the editorial itself, it consisted of fair comment on matters of great interest to our readers. We did not mention Mr. Hunt in the editorial, and we made no "personal attack" on him or anyone else.

TOP

October 4, 2002

Municipal workers aren’t incompetent bozos

I appreciate your attendance at the conference [the annual general meeting of the Nunavut Association of Municipal Administrators, September 2002] and the news coverage you gave us, but I feel that your story (Nunatsiaq News, Sept. 27, 2002) requires a response.

You have made us, the municipal employees, come out looking like a bunch of incompetent bozos when the truth of the matter is there are a lot of good competent people working at the municipal level.

The training gap referred to is just that, a gap, it is not a measure of capabilities. It’s just showing that there is no training available in those areas and to fill these positions with local people these gaps must be filled. By filling these gaps we will be in the position to keep the jobs in the communities instead of bringing the expertise in from the South.

A perfect example is Cambridge Bay where we now have all senior management positions filled by local people. I am the only outsider. Our director of finance is a lady who has worked her way up from receptionist to take the senior position. Our director of community wellness is originally from Kugluktuk. The assistant finance officer is a local lady. The director of recreation is another Cambridge Bay born person. The director of municipal works has lived here for years and at one point was a water truck driver.

It can be done but we have had to do it on our own. Fortunately we had the infrastructure here, such as Nunavut Arctic College, to work with. We were also able to capitalize on in-house training programs that we developed.

Rankin Inlet is another example that has developed their own people. Arviat manages new housing construction for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. Qikiqtarjuaq does extensive contracting and has developed a successful clam harvesting business.

Your article was very negative, and rolling all the communities into one ball is not fair. This is like saying that all cars are the same. I stress the point that we have a lot of good capable and qualified individuals working at the municipal level, but like any organization we have our share of problems.

For years the municipal governments have been the training ground for governments and birthright organizations, so we must continually develop new staff. To do this we need good practical training programs in place. This is what we have been working toward for years. We now have a partner that is commited to see this through.

We are not condeming the department of community government and transportation, we are complimenting them on committing to work with NAMA and see this training move ahead. NAMA is proud to be accepted as a partner with CG&T and after I am gone I believe the commitment of both CG&T and NAMA will see this partnership through to a successful conclusion.

You never mentioned that we worked with CG&T to get the lands officer training up and running last January, and the second semester is currently running. You never mentioned that CG&T partnered with NAMA to run the foreman workshop in Arviat in May, which was very successful.

These are the type of articles we want to see. Let’s be positive for a change. I am tired of the negativity every week.

Elwood Johnston
President

Nunavut Association of Municipal Administrators

TOP

October 11, 2002

Iqalungmiut should speak up on issues

I am going to comment on some issues that have been made public either through the paper or the radio.

1. I am appalled at the thought of one of the city councillors voting against the banning of smoking in public places.

He must be thinking in his own little protective shell. There are a lot of children out there who are being taught not to smoke because it is bad for you, as well for teenagers.

Being seen as a role model and as a councillor, he should practise and promote healthy lifestyles, instead of "promoting smoking is OK."

know he has children and I would like to know if he would like it if his children were sitting in the mall in the middle of a smoking area and inhaling the toxins from the cigarettes.

I don't think so.

The way to stay healthy in a community is to ban smoking in public places: nine feet from the entrance to the hospital and public health buildings, in taxis, at airport entrances and store entrances, in hotels and everywhere the public commutes through.

We need healthy children for a healthy future, Mr. Councillor.

I encourage Iqaluit residents to vote him out of office, because this issue of tobacco use is always going to be an issue among the Inuit.

Inuit have to start thinking of healthier lifestyles by doing active things, walking, hunting, community activities, by being involved with the youth of Iqaluit. We are forever trying to promote healthier lifestyles through programs delivered by the health departments and there is always a shortage of funds reaching the community level.

You can see the hard work that the ladies do at the public health in Iqaluit, namely Mrs. Arreak, working very hard on publications promoting healthier lifestyles. Keep up the good work public health employees, as well as the CHRs in the communities of Nunavut.

2. The story on the Premier announcing the proposed detox centre for Nunavut. I thank him for thinking of others who need help and don't want to leave their home settings, but get better in the surrounding area. Congratulations, Paul Okalik. This is good and a new trail of promotional programs toward healthy lifestyles in the sober community will, I believe, make your communities healthier.

3. The detox centre would work well with the institution we need (another jail) since they are both under the jurisdiction of the justice department. The Premier, who is also the minister of justice, should be able to work with all the people who work on this issue and achieve what the Inuit of Nunavut need. I fully support your request for a new jail in the Kitikmeot or Kivalliq regions.

4. This one is exciting to hear about. The first elder's clinic that opened its doors to elders in Rankin Inlet so the elders have a voice and a place to learn more about their health. This is a great step to take since quite a lot of people tell us younger people that the elders' knowledge is power and we can learn from them. Way to go Rankin Inlet!

I know that each and every community in Nunavut has the power to do the same, so by following this example and maybe adopting the model, each one can achieve the goals and visions of the community members.

5. This story of Northern Property Real Estate buying out and owning all the private houses and apartments in Iqaluit, less a couple, is very scary to me. That company will now have a monopoly on the cost of rent, unless the town puts a limit or ceiling on how much they can charge, or anyone else for that matter. The already known shortage of housing for the public is going to skyrocket.

The already high rent in the private dwellings is probably going to get higher and not better, again looking at the previous news bulletins of the Nunavut government buying apartment buildings (which they should lease to own to their employees) is going to affect the housing situation.

The employees of the government who live in public housing should be forced to move out to government staff housing and give the public houses or apartments to the local community members who are waiting in line for a home.

I would like to express my feelings, as a former Iqalungmiutaq, of how the community members should start saying things, demand answers to your questions and concerns. If you don't say anything, no one is going to hear you but if you say something, whether interesting or not, to the public and councillors, then you will start a dialogue that will turn into action.

Mary S. Alainga
Ottawa

TOP

October 11, 2002

Confusing information about student assistance?

Last spring, I enquired about getting funding to return to school down south. I was told that I would have had to be away from Nunavut for less than a year.

This morning, I enquired about funding for a family member who has been away from Nunavut for less than a year. I was told that they would have had to have been a Nunavut resident for the past 12 months.

Is the government being run by an individual's preferred ideas, or by whatever information they want to give away at the time?

A few months ago, the criteria was "away from Nunavut for 12 months or less." Today the criteria is "resident of Nunavut for the past 12 months."

I raised this question to the politicians who look for our votes several months ago and it was being "looked into."

I'm glad I'm not holding my breath.

Martha Toka-Peet
Winnipeg

TOP

October 11, 2002

Repulse and Coral oppose GN medical travel plans

This letter is written further to the letter of Paul Landry regarding medical travel (Sept. 20).

In the not too distant past, the communities of Repulse Bay and Coral Harbour were reduced to being served by only one airline as a result of the practices of the department of health and social services. The bulk of the medical travel was accorded in favor of one airline over another, rather than having the services split equally.

Fortunately for the people of Repulse Bay and Coral Harbour, services of more than one airline have been reinstated to our communities.

Prior to the reduction of services to one airline, several letters pertaining to the preferential treatment in the medical travel situation were written to the minister of health, with no response.

After the services of more than one airline were reinstated, the department of health and social services committed to split medical travel equally among the carriers. Not much time passed when people started to question how long the equal splitting of service would last and how long it would take for the situation to revert to the preferential treatment of one carrier over another.

The scenario has arisen twice in the past two weeks whereby the medical travel was performed by way of charter, resulting in the scheduled airlines leaving with empty seats. A third related charter was scheduled for Oct. 2, for six patients travelling to Rankin Inlet, rather than using the scheduled service providers.

Should this practice be permitted to continue, it will only be a matter of time before the people of Repulse Bay and Coral Harbour are once again relegated to the services of only one carrier. Due to the limited size of the aircraft, baggage once again will be left behind, or loaded before the end destination.

Persons wishing to travel on non-medical - personal or business - trips once again will be over-charged for additional services required or be forced to stage their trips in segments because of the limited space.

Furthermore, a number of patients have written letters to the local health centre requesting travel only with a specific carrier yet these requests are for the most part, ignored. This situation has personally affected me twice in the past two weeks.

Brian McQuarrie
Senior Administrative Officer
Repulse Bay

TOP

October 11, 2002

House arrest too lenient for child molester

I am very disappointed and hurt.

I read in the paper last week that this so-called "man" of 34 years was convicted of molesting two young girls aged five and 10 and got 16 months of house arrest and is still able to work during the day.

What is going on with the court system up here?

This so-called "man" molested two little girls who were innocent and trusted him - and he gets another chance? Are you saying to him that it is OK to molest little girls, but just don't do it out in the public, only in your house?

I know this individual, because I grew up with him and went to school with him.

This man was convicted of molesting children when they were so very young, gets 16 months house arrest, and still gets a chance to do what he wants, while the two very precious little girls are suffering down south.

If I were a family member of those two little girls that were molested, I would appeal this case, because it's too easy for him to get away with what he did.

I am not trying to bring up the family, because I understand how much they are probably hurting, as I am, but it's because I don't want a child molester on the loose.

I am way too angry, because I was also molested as an innocent little girl for so many years.

Anyway, I just have one more thing to say, just one more thing I'd like to ask the court system up North.

Are you guys saying that it's OK to molest and murder and get away with it?

It sure seems that way, because over the past few years, there have been murders happening and those people are out loose living happy lives, while the family members of the ones that were murdered are suffering.

Let's put a stop to molesters and murderers by starting some kind of protest, every time we hear there will be a trial for these kinds of offences.

Pauline Alainga
Iqaluit

TOP

October 11, 2002

Iqaluit hotels don't respect the Inuit language

I am not impressed with the Frobisher Inn's hotel services. They are not geared toward the elders who are unilingual in Inuktitut.

I just talked to an elder who stayed at the hotel and he said that elders don't know how to manage the phone because the guide book is all in English with no Inuktitut syllabics written in it.

Even in the dining room, all the menus are in English, with nothing in syllabics. He told me he chooses whatever is on the menu and gets things he doesn't want. There are no Inuktitut-speaking waiters or waitresses who work there, even at the front desk.

It seems like the elders are left out in the cold because they don't speak or read English.

The hotel is in Nunavut. It should at least have Inuktitut written on the information to serve everybody equally, not just in the English language.

I wonder if all the hotels are the same?

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

TOP

October 11, 2002

Still seeking stories of my dad

I am still asking people who have memories of my father to e-mail me.

For those who have already e-mailed me, thank you very much. Your letters have helped me understand a bit about my dad. I also ask that if people have pictures of him, send me copies, as I don't have very many pictures of him.

My mailing address is: Box 417, Unit 45, Lac La Biche, Alberta T0A 2C0.

I would also like to say hi to all my family members up there and tell them I miss them very much.

Akuluk from Tanya, Grant, Ethan, James and Trysten.

Tanya Nowdlak-Gladue
poohbear032179@yahoo.com

TOP

October 11, 2002

A big thank you from the Evalik family

We would like to extend our heartfelt thank you to all our family members, friends and the organizations who were there with their many acts of kindness during the hardest time for us.

You have shown us how very special our son and brother Eric Norman Tulugak Evalik was to each and every one of us.

The phone calls, visits, cards, gifts, floral arrangements, food and donations to the Cambridge Bay Minor Hockey Association were greatly appreciated.

To everyone who worked so hard to make the service in celebration of Eric's life so beautiful, we extend our appreciation for the comfort this provided.

To everyone who provided food for the reception afterward, thank you, for the delicious food.

A special thank you to all our family members, for you made coping with the situation so much easier.

Thank you to everyone from the bottom of our hearts.

Charlie, Millie, Peter (Gail), Joey (Shauna) and Cody Evalik
Cambridge Bay

TOP

October 11, 2002

Iqaluit service clubs come through once again

Last year, the Nunavut Hearing Impaired Charity Organization asked for help from various groups and organizations to raise money to purchase and install sound field systems in some area schools.

Well, I did the same this year, and thanks to the generosity of the service clubs of Iqaluit and a few private donors, I was able to order 26 more sound field systems at a cost of approximately $32,000 plus shipping.

At present we're a little short, but I'm sure we'll manage to raise enough to cover the cost of shipping the units from Toronto, Ontario, up to Iqaluit and points north.

Once again, thank you to the B.P.O. Elks, the Royal Order of Purple, the Royal Canadian Legion branch 168 and to the Rotary Club of Iqaluit.

You take enough thumping throughout the year. I hope a little bit of pumping helps out.

Edgar A. Lafave
Iqaluit

TOP

October 18, 2002

Man got slap in the face for sexual assault

I’ve heard it all now. I have lived here all my life and I’ve never heard of such an outrageous sentence for sexual assault. ("Iqaluit child molester gets house arrest," Oct. 4.)

Arlooktoo Takoonagak got a slap on his face for sexual assault on two kids. The kids are going to be hurt for the rest of their lives and may have a hard time trusting another man.

Being a victim also, I understand what the kids are going through. I understand all the nightmares that they are going to have.

What makes you think that he is not going to do it again? Why doesn’t he get jail time for a serious offence? Why does he still have a job?

This man has a job with pay, with benefits and he has to be at home in the evenings. This man pleaded guilty so he can get away with it.

In the same issue, you will notice that a teenager got caught stealing in a warehouse and got 30 days of open custody. Another man assaulted his girlfriend and got 30 months. Takoonagak sexually assaulted two kids and got house arrest.

What does this tell the men in Nunavut – that it’s OK to play around with kids, you won’t go to jail?

Name withheld
Iqaluit

TOP

October 18, 2002

Makivik responds to Nunavik businessman

This is in response to the letter from Harvey Mesher ("Makivik muscles in on local business? Sept. 27).

We would like to start by saying that the construction division of Makivik Corporation is fully licensed to carry out construction of the marine infrastructure and Nunavik housing programs funded by the federal and provincial governments.

The construction division operates on a non-profit basis so as to maximize the extent of marine infrastructure facilities and the number of social housing units built in Nunavik.

From time to time, the construction division engages subcontractors to perform specialized work for us. One such subcontractor has been engaged to do drilling and blasting work on our behalf. While present in Kuujjuaq, its services were requested by 11 beneficiary private homeowners to drill wells for them. In order to assist these individuals, it was decided to allow the

subcontractor, through Makivik’s construction division, to perform such work at cost.

We have verified in the Nunavik Business Directory that there is no company registered as carrying out drilling work in Kuujjuaq. We are also aware that Mesher, along with three other individuals, purchased a well-drilling rig to carry out their own personal well-drilling.

Perhaps Mesher should first ask himself why one of his partners in the well-drilling rig was among the first to sign up and pay to have a well drilled through Makivik.

Finally, to answer Mesher’s question, it is the construction division’s intention to provide similar services for private homeowners in other communities, should they so request.

Eileen Klinkig-Studli
Special projects manager
Makivik Corporation

TOP

October 18, 2002

Speaking up about the Education Act

With the government introducing the first Education Act made in Nunavut, we must voice our thoughts and concerns. If we don’t say anything, then all this red tape will be shoved down out throats. We must take time to examine what is being set to become law.

When federal day schools were introduced to us our way of life changed forever. In some sense it was good, but our way of life was altered to please the white man. There are a lot of smart young kids out there and the law says that all teachers must do their best to educate them with the best of their knowledge and prepare them to attend post-secondary education.

We get a good number of high school graduates across Nunavut and some of them have the desire to attend university down south. This is why we must keep on top of their schooling – to see if they are being taught all the courses they must pass to be accepted into universities in southern Canada.

We put our trust in the educators that they are doing their job properly so our kids can have a better future. Educators face new challenges when they first come north. They are eager and are full of energy, but some eventually run out of gas and lose the desire to teach. This is part of the reason why so many kids drop out.

I had the honour of attending my daughter’s graduation and when the day came it was a day that made me proud to watch my own receive her Grade 12 diploma. But the joy did not last very long.

After the ceremonies, we were told that our daughter could not attend the university of her choice, which was in B.C., because she did not complete one course, Math 30. This was a huge blow to the entire gang, mostly to my daughter. She had her mind set on attending university in B.C.

A job is a job, but we Nunavummiut must not let this go on any further. We have suffered enough since schools were established up here. Our governments in the past have always stated that young people are our future. Our future started when we were dragged away from our secured homes into schools across this barren land that we call home.

When the Education Act becomes law, I hope there will be a clause to have a watchdog on educators to see if they are teaching to the best of their ability. Every person in Nunavut has a right to the best education since we only live once.

Jim Ningeocheak

TOP

October 18, 2002

Success has to do with the character of a nation

Inuit have been able to overcome great obstacles and have had some great accomplishments. Anyone can see that we are able to succeed in what we strive for, but we must begin to realize that success does not depend on us alone but in our obedience to the God of the Bible.

Our grandfathers had little light on the ways of God, but their decision to act on that light is the reason for our success. It now depends on us for this success to continue but it will take more responsibility and accountability.

Governments and corporations now share in that responsibility and accountability because they have the bulk of the resources and finances.

The Inuit have one of the highest suicide rates in North America. We have rising rates of alcohol and drug abuse, family violence, sexual abuse and child abuse. We have a very high unemployment rate and many people live below the poverty line. We also have a very high illiteracy rate and drop-out rate.

Community leaders live day to day wrestling with social problems when they should be planning expansion and other great projects. Is it really possible to rise above our problems? What in the world is the solution?

The governments and corporations are more into secular methods of healing (which is not bad) because of the policy of separation between church and state. That separation definitely should continue, but that is not the issue. The issue is healing for our nation and we need to seriously look into God’s way of doing things.

Leaders most often think in terms of creating jobs and providing good education and they usually think that our natural resources are the key to our success. Our success has to do with the character of our nation. We must have life before creativity. That is real progress.

Qalingo Tookalak
Puvirnituq

TOP

October 25, 2002

Suicide is not our tradition

Are you sad? Are you giving up on life? You have a problem and it seems like it’s going to go on forever?

But you know something? It will go away, no matter what. Your problems will be solved.

Talk to someone, anyone. Get it out. Pour out all of your problems and sadness. You will feel much better. Once you get it out you will feel much happier.

If you are giving up on life, try and think about your parents, kids, grandparents, friends. Think of them first. Think of what it will do to them if you commit suicide. Think long and hard about what it will do to them.

No matter what, someone out there cares about you and loves you for who you are. Talk to someone. Suicide is not our tradition. It’s not the Inuit way. Please talk to someone out there. Don’t give up on life.

Life is so fragile and precious — cherish it. Love yourself and help others, those who need help.

But most of all, remember always that God is beside you holding your hands, helping you to get through hard and sad times.

God bless you, whoever you are.

(Name withheld by request)
Qikiqtarjuaq

TOP

October 25, 2002

Nunavut Tourism not involved in reception

I would like to clarify a few of your statements regarding the cultural event held at the Unikkarvik Visitor’s Centre (Oct. 11).

The event was the Premier’s welcome to Nunavut reception, hosted by the Government of Nunavut. The venue was the visitor’s centre, but it was not sponsored by Nunavut Tourism.

The centre is often used by different organizations and groups for various functions.

This does not necessarily mean that such functions are sponsored through funds allocated to Nunavut Tourism for tourism development and promotion.

Marilyn Scott
Unikkarvik Visitor’s Centre
Iqaluit

TOP

October 25, 2002

Social services centre needs funding to fulfill dreams

Thank you for publishing Denise Rideout’s story, "City to create social services information centre" (Oct. 11).

As she mentions in her report, a meeting was held on Oct. 5 to discuss the services that could be provided by the Community Tukisiniarvik Centre that will be established next year as part of the City of Iqaluit’s Continuum of Care initiatives.

There was strong support for the centre from the mayor and from the more than 30 people who attended the meeting during the day. Many creative suggestions were offered regarding ways in which the centre could help Iqalungmiut.

Participants were encouraged by the presentation on Tungasuvvingat Inuit, the Inuit community centre in Ottawa, and clearly would like to see the Iqaluit centre develop into something like the Ottawa centre with its wide range of programs and services.

Naturally, we hope that this will happen eventually, but we must begin with the resources available to us and build from there. This being so, we envisage that at the beginning, the centre will be made up of relatively modest programs that provide advice and assistance to Iqalungmiut or refer them to other agencies that can assist them.

It will not be able to provide all of the support, learning and counselling programs available at the Ottawa centre or even all the services suggested by participants at the Oct. 5 meeting. One very useful role of the centre will be to help bring together a number of the support programs and services that already exist in Iqaluit.

If and when solid funding is found, the role of the centre will grow and it will be able to offer some of the other programs and services mentioned in the story. One of my responsibilities is to try to secure this funding. With continued support from city council, the Nitsiik Committee and from Human Resources Development Canada, I am optimistic that this will happen.

I am happy to report that we have funding for the set-up and furnishing of the centre, rent for a suitable building and for staff training and salaries for six months next year. We are working with other agencies in the city to identify and secure a suitable building, and early in 2003 we will be looking for staff.

Elisapi Davidee
Iqaluit

TOP

October 25, 2002

Let all of Nunavut benefit from harvester support

I have been collecting my thoughts and watching the news about Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.’s hunter support program, which took the form of a lottery this year.

As a beneficiary, I am totally against it. It has turned into annual free support for anybody who needs snowmobiles or motors in the name of hunting. It has turned away from the very people it was meant for.

It gives support to people who have full-time jobs and vehicles to get around town. But that same support could be put to better use by a subsistence harvester or families living in outpost camps.

The money should be given to the HTOs as part of their budget so they are not cash strapped. They can do more for the communities.

Get the communities better food processing centres so they can prepare better food storage for the future. Let’s stop spoiling ourselves with something that we have been given to use wisely.

Have communities buy major food harvesting vehicles so there are more spin-off food benefits. We have seen that a community that works together is rewarded with more for its people.

I am writing not because I’m jealous of the people who have benefitted from the program. I’m only trying to voice my opinions on a very popular free-for-all in hopes that we can all work together to better our lives and our communities for our very own sake.

Let all of Nunavut benefit, not just a few.

Levi Palituq
Clyde River

TOP

October 25, 2002

Anawak's speech should be required reading

I just read on the Nunatsiaq News Web site a profoundly important social document that could be the blueprint for the solution to the youth suicide crisis and broader social problems of the eastern Arctic.

Jack Anawak, Nunavut’s minister of culture, language, elders and youth, took a profound and refreshing message to an elders gathering in Igloolik last week. Nunatsiaq News deserves credit for reprinting it in its entirety and for making it available on the Internet.

Anawak’s initiative left me with optimism that someone with insight and sensitivity clearly understands the problem and is confident in leading the way to solutions. I lived in the Baffin and Keewatin more than a decade ago and the level of youth suicide and other serious mental health problems preoccupied communities at that time.

For too many years, scarce resources were allocated to the search for conventional mental health intervention strategies. Despite this, the problem persisted — indeed accelerated. Communities in pain waited for outside solutions that never came.

Anawak’s cultural analysis is a wake-up call. His philosophy is crafted with profoundly simplistic clarity. He outlines the proud history of the Inuit culture and the strengths found in traditional, but lost, values. His assessment of the current problem is focused and valid.

However, it is the solution that distinguishes the minister’s initiative. He argues that the solution is not found in social workers, nurses and mental health workers. Arguably such professionals are vital to the maintenance of good mental health programs once implemented, but they are not where solutions are to be found.

His challenge to elders to take personal responsibility to mobilize local, culturally sensitive resources and restore lost values resonates. He demonstrates innovative and refreshing leadership that deserves widespread support.

The minister’s message should be taken to every community in Nunavut. The text should be required reading and every public body should table it for discussion. It should be read aloud in Nunavut churches and should be the topic of traditional open forums on local radio.

Paid professionals would be well advised to pay close attention to this message, and embrace it. It should be included in every staff orientation package and cultural sensitivity training session in Nunavut.

However, his solution won’t work in isolation. It will demonstrate the resourceful and effective leadership of community elders but significant barriers to success still exist. Until families have reasonable access to adequate and affordable housing, fundamental social problems will continue to undermine such initiatives.

It is well understood that the roots of chronic family violence, substance abuse, physical and mental health problems in the eastern Arctic can be found in generations of families forced to exist in overcrowded, unhealthy and substandard housing.

Minister Anawak demonstrates the understanding, clarity and passion to deliver the message – and the solution. I believe his challenge to Nunavut elders will bear fruit if the momentum continues. Let us hope they take up the challenge. And let us hope the minister of housing is equally creative in finding a solution to the housing problems.

Perhaps this is a good time for Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to secure his place in history with a legacy that includes a lasting solution to the chronic housing crisis of the eastern Arctic.

Patti MacEwan
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia

TOP

October 25, 2002

Thank you for searching for my son

On July 16, 2001, the RCMP found my only son, Jerry Qiyutaq.

All I want to say is thanks to the staff of the Baffin Correctional Centre and to the warden. But thanks most of all to the inmates who were there when the incident happened.

They were my only help. They kept my spirit alive and they kept my hope alive.

Thanks a lot guys for being there for me. And to the people of Iqaluit who took part in searching for him, thank you very much.

Peter Akavak
South Mackenzie Correctional Centre
Hay River, NWT

TOP

October 25, 2002

Parking space disappearing at Iqaluit high rise

I applaud the city and the city council for experimenting with a bus service in this traffic-congested city.

We can tell other Nunavummiut that we now have bumper-to-bumper cars at lunchtime, from the hospital to the Four Corners, almost a half-kilometre of snarly northerners eager to get home for a quick lunch and to turn around and line up the other way. We have way too many vehicles for our size of roads.

The other problem is that the Tulugaq Bar owners have secured all the required permits allowing them to reduce parking at the high rise with a large addition, further reducing parking.

Parking and traffic flow have to be priorities in any new development happening in Iqaluit. That hurdle should be a part of any city permitting process.

Abraham Tagalik
Iqaluit

TOP

October 25, 2002

Thanks for making space contact a success

We would like to thank all the sponsors who helped make Joamie School’s contact with the International Space Station an overwhelming success.

Our appreciation goes out to First Air for their help with the first northern space contact and for future contacts in the Arctic, NorthwesTel for their technical assistance, the Driving Force for ground vehicles, the Legion and Nunavut Power Corporation for their contributions, and John Graham the airport manager for setting up his astronaut display at Joamie School.

We have already begun work on the next space contact, which will be held jointly by Manordale Public School in Ottawa and a school in Kuujjuaq.

Ron Ralph, Steve McFarlane and Lori McFarlane
Ottawa

TOP

October 25, 2002

Sexual abuse is Nunavut's core problem

In response to Pauline Alainga’s letter, I would like to congratulate her for speaking up in her letter to the editor about sexual abuse (Oct. 11).

Speaking from experience, it needs to be addressed more and more. It will forever be the core problem of Nunavut unless more people share and recognize their own past experiences, such as Pauline’s.

If Nunavut is to live up to its expectations, then we all need to step up, stand up, and speak out.

Ask for help. Life is too precious.

Sky Aurora Wah-Shee
Iqaluit

TOP

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

More Information