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Back to November, 2002 Archive Index
Letters to the Editor November 1, 2002 - 2 letters Don’t blame the court for suicides Our blaming other people or the justice system has gone long enough in dealing with suicide in the North. I’ve heard more than once about a young person committing suicide because he or she has to go to court. Young and old end up in court for breaking the law. Then we, the people in general, start thinking it’s because the one who ends up in court is a bad person, but that’s not the way it is. We start doing things that aren’t right, not just breaking the law, when we cannot deal or understand the root of the pain we have inside us. It’s so easy to blame what we can see or hear when it’s that problem that is making us do what isn’t right. That problem has been passed down to us through generations, that feeling, where it makes you feel that you can never do the right thing. It’s time for us parents to look deep inside ourselves to get rid of that problem, so our younger generation will start acting the way they have to. We all think our children start copying other children. That’s true in some ways. But that’s not always right. They start feeling the pressure because they are so vulnerable. Us as parents are looking beyond them and blaming their friends. We have to heal from our past, so we can start helping our children. We have to start from inside ourselves and work our way up to our children. I know it’s very easy to blame other people for any problems that occur in our lives. I do the same thing, but I can now think before I jump to any conclusions. Our tradition is the hardest of all to deal with because it is really hard to let go of. In our tradition, men or boys are not supposed to cry for any reason. Why? Because that’s what makes the male population look like weaklings. For example, when a baby boy starts crying, he is told by his parents that "Boys don’t cry." When we are born we all have the same feelings that we are supposed to have today, not just some of them. We start using alcohol and start smoking pot to stop these feelings because we do not know how to use them. We were not given the chance to live them day by day as we were growing up. pThen we start destroying property or breaking in to deal with our pain. We end up being caught, charged and going to court. Then we (young people) are being blamed for being bad and if I commit suicide then the people start blaming the court for that. Take the shield away from your face, the one that you use to make people think that you are not hurting inside you. We (young people) can feel your pains even when you do not tell us. We know you older people are hurting inside like us, but cannot express it because you also do not know how, like we do. The feeling that you had to have was also taken away from you when you were growing up. Let us help each other and see what happens. I know we will not be able to stop all suicides that will happen, but at least we will be looking at the root of our problem. And stop blaming others or the justice system for that. As the saying goes, this is just the tip of the iceberg. This is for you, yes, you who thinks that your life has no meaning or that it’s not going anywhere. You think, "No one cares about me!" "No one loves me anymore!" Parents, friends or we care about you! We cannot just hold or tell you that we love you, as we used to when you were a baby. If we try to do that you do not feel comfortable. You think your parents are nosy and trying to control you all the time. We try to control you, but we are finding out that we are just pushing you away. Talk to us. Let us know what you are feeling. We will try to work something out. If you cannot talk to your parents, talk to someone who you can talk to. There’s a lot more to be said, but to make the readers stay focused on the matter I better stop here. (Name withheld by request) November 1, 2002 Ecstasy and the Legion don’t mix Some girls went to the Legion all messed up on ecstasy on Oct. 26. One of the girls fell to the floor and stopped breathing and her heart stopped as well. Mind you the Legion staff didn’t do anything. The only person that did something to help her was a guy by the name of Jason (he used to work at the Legion up until a week ago). Thank God that he decided to go out that night or else that girl would have died. It makes you wonder what the hell the Legion staff were doing — apparently not their job or else they would have noticed that something was wrong with her. That’s pretty scary stuff. People in town and also the communities come here to go to the Legion to drink and have a good time. The staff should be more responsible for the patrons who are there. That’s why they work there, is it not? I don’t think that they all understand that if something happens to somebody that’s there, it’s their responsibility. (Name withheld by request) Editor’s note: Despite what the letter-writer may think about the Legion, we believe that those who insist on using ecstasy should at least take personal responsibility for the consequences. Ecstasy tablets sold on the street are notorious for their impurities, and may contain many chemicals other than MDMA, the active ingredient. People who use the drug should also be aware that ecstasy places extra strain on the heart, liver and kidneys and should NOT be combined with alcohol. Users are advised to drink lots of water or juice to avoid dehydration. People with Internet access can find more information about the drug here: http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/mdma/mdma.shtml Many Kuujjuaq kids suffer from parents’ drinking I am writing to voice my opinion about the matter of alcohol use and abuse by many people in town. Inuit have developed a different physiological character than non-natives. One can readily observe this, for example, if the hands are bare on a cold day. White people would be soon wincing in pain, whereas an Inuk would not be too concerned. A learned colleague of mine has a theory that Inuit metabolize alcohol at a much higher rate than the general population. They feel the effect more strongly and, it would follow, are more susceptible to the disease of alcoholism, much the same way as some communities have a high number of diabetics. Anyway, the issue I am getting at is of the neglect and abuse the children of heavy drinkers have to endure. The words "need" and "must" I will try to avoid. It seems that social services does not have the staff and resources to adequately deal with the situation. Children in worst cases are removed, only to be returned when the adults sober up, and so it goes again and again. I think that if the main goal in a parent’s life is to be drinking, then the children should be taken from them. We have a responsibility to care for those who are unable to care for themselves. A residence should be opened in Nunavik for those kids. As it now stands, kids are given a place to stay only if they become a "difficult case." A safe and caring home should be available to all our children even if it is in an institution. When dropping by the school I am left with the impression that it is a place under siege, just getting by, as often students come from these abusive circumstances. There is hell to pay if we turn a blind eye, and we pay it year after year. Our leaders are sensitive to your opinions so let them know if you feel this is an important issue. Perhaps a few less back-patting galas are in order. Let’s get our priorities right. Anonymous November 8, 2002 Orkney lass seeks Nunavut pen pals I watched with great interest the recent TV coverage of the Queen’s Golden jubilee visit to your community and I decided, therefore, to write and see if any of your readers would be interested in starting a pen friendship with me. I would particularly like to write to Inuit from your area, for friendship and to exchange information on our lifestyles and cultures. As regards to myself, I am a 37-year-old Scottish woman and my interests and hobbies include the following: writing letters, music, dancing, films, animals, spectator sports, politics, travel, and learning all about different cultures and countries throughout the world. I also enjoy collecting postcards, mugs, spoons, flag lapel pins and national costume dolls. I hope you will be able to print my request and I look forward to hearing from any interested correspondents. Miss Avril Seatter November 8, 2002 Language rights, human rights a concern in Greenland I’m from Greenland and right now we have discussions about our minorities here in Greenland. The discussions are about Danish people who can’t speak and understand Greenlandic, children of parents from both countries who can’t speak or understand the Greenlandic language, people who can’t speak or understand the Danish language and so on. Right now, our acting president of the parliament has declared that politicians may only speak Greenlandic in the parliament. That created an outcry about racism and trying to keep the minority out of political influence. A lot of the unilingual people speak only Danish, are highly-educated, and are our resources in the leadership jobs which are now mostly occupied by Danes. Greenland has a long history of being colonialised and ruled by the Danish government, and it’s relatively new for us to have all these well-educated people who can’t speak or understand the Greenlandic language. That is now a paradox many of us feel. But we also need each other, so therefore it would be interesting to hear more about Paul Okalik’s proposals for a new human rights act in Nunavut and how you try to solve your problems. Greetings from an Inuk from Greenland... Karo Olsen-Jensen November 8, 2002 In memory of Qaunnaq He was murdered not long ago, There is not a day that passes without me thinking of him. Little brother, my heart yearns for him, missing him terribly, his sweet voice asking me: "Got some coins?" I hear it all the time. A year has passed since my little brother passed away, yet he continues to be on my mind. Unforgettable, for he lived among us. I think upon Qaunnaq’s friends with pride, since they befriended him though he would live such a short life. I appreciate them. God be with you. I miss you tall brother. We are fine, your Aippaq Lucy is fine too, she has a little sister now, Irruasiaq, who is adorable. We have sweets at home that you used to like so much, and cigarettes too. I’ve also got a two dollar coin. I miss you, we miss you. When you arrived one day, a baby in an amautik, there was great joy, which remains in my heart to this day. That time, your little hands and feet, they were all blue. We so looked forward to your arrival, the whole family, and this bundle of joy came in. Qaunnaaq, we think of you this week more more than usual. We are fine, having accepted that you are no longer on earth with us. You are in my thoughts. When we go hunting, you were always with us. Your presence is sorely missed, and I miss going hunting with you. Inuuk, you left us with peace and patience, and hope. We shall continue to walk on the good path. Inuuk, I am sorry for having been unkind to you, and that your life ended so suddenly. Inuuk, I love you and want to see you. This is in memory to Qaunnaq who died one year ago. He died in pain and we, as a family, also felt the pain. These words were written by the family, Annie Uqaittuq, Juanie Uqaittuq, Leah Angiyou, Laly Irqumiaq, Dora Koperqualuk, Mathew Uqaittuq, Raingie Uqaittuq, Lisa Koperqualuk, Jimmy Uqaittuq, Alasie Koperqualuk, and Tuamie Uqaittuq. Lisa Koperqualuk November 8, 2002 Breast cancer is high among non-Inuit women This is not about any specific clinics currently in the news. Mr. Picco’s comments in the Legislative Assembly that there is very low incidence of breast cancer in Inuit women shows a total lack of awareness and respect for non-Inuit women in Nunavut who have a very high incidence of breast cancer in their family background. This is a public government, so he cannot be allowed to get away with only addressing one part of the population. It also presupposes that the Inuit women in Nunavut who have breast cancer are too few to be concerned about. This in itself is very frightening. Even a small group of Inuit women is way is too many, and their situation, whoever they are, is not helped by comments like this. We, the general public, are constantly told of the need to be vigilant to protect ourselves and to get regular mammograms, yet there is no way to do so unless you are rich, able to pay your way to the South or are lucky enough to have a travelling job that allows you to stop somewhere in southern Canada to have one done. If you can have any of these lucky things going for you, then the government of Nunavut’s Department of Health will cover the actual cost of the screening itself only. So, we do have a two-tiered health service already — if you can afford all the expense of travel, meals and accommodation elsewhere, or your employer can, then you can have your breast-screening paid for. If not, too bad for you. This is economic discrimination at it worst. It is completely unethical and should no longer be tolerated. In Nunavut, we have seen even our banks organize "Run For The Cure" events to raise funds and awareness about breast cancer, yet our own GN has a curious attitude and policies that work directly against people accessing much-needed regular screening tools like mammograms. I am outraged, as I know of several GN employees who, in the past, have had to leave Nunavut to access services and give up their jobs or suffer silently in them. So even as an employer, the GN lacks workplace wellness sensitivity. What will it take to push through this veil of ignorance that surrounds this issue? It appears that only if women in Nunavut already have pronounced lumps and bumps will GN agree that they should go somewhere and fund the whole trip and test — that is not prevention and early intervention — that is a policy that is too little too late. Wake up Health and Social Services, our needs are no different than women everywhere. For far too long you have been able to hide behind these weak assertions that the incidence is too low to worry about. Be worried. We women are and we vote. (Name withheld by request) Thank you for helping I would like to express my appreciation to the following individuals and organizations: • Baffin Regional Hospital for providing airline tickets for Inuusiq Komoartok and myself to be with my late aunt Enoosiq Davidee on her last few precious days on Earth. If it were not for them, we would never have been with her on her final days. • Larga Baffin for looking after her while she was in Ottawa for cancer treatment. • Sapanga Saqruq, Pitsiulala Koomarjuk and Neevee Noble for caring for her and escorting her in Ottawa. • Evie Amagoalik, for providing support for Inuusiq and myself on the day of her death. • Doctors, nurses and volunteers at Ottawa General Hospital for their professional care. • Tammaataqvik for providing food. • Leesa Mikidjuk for providing transportation for family members during the funeral service and Reverend Daniel Aupaluk and St. Jude church members. Thanks to the elders’ facility and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. for beautiful flowers. • Thanks to Leetia Koagak and Rosemary Cooper for assisting us in cleaning up her former residence. Enoosiq Davidee (May 14, 1946 to Nov. 2, 2002). God bless your soul. Quatsia Qavavau November 15, 2002 Did lack of dog teams cause sickness? I came to Nunavut in 1959 and at that time I ran into a lot of Inuit who had just returned from a lengthy stay in a southern hospital recovering from tuberculosis. No matter what community I worked in it was the same thing — lives seemed to have changed in some way. There did not seem to be the amount of food around that there used to be and I heard stories of people being hungry. I imagine this happened in the early 1950s. It now makes me wonder if not having dog teams was the cause of so much sickness. Bill Hughes November 15, 2002 Glad to find Nunatsiaq News I am writing from Val-David, Quebec, in the Laurentians area north of Montreal. I have discovered Nunatsiaq News for the first time, as it appears in a list of links of newspapers from Canada and around the world on the Web site of La Presse de Montreal. I find your Web site well presented, well organized and highly professional as well as interesting and informative. It is great to find a source of news not only about Nunavut, but from Nunavut. I will be consulting your Web site again and again, and I will recommend it to family members, most of whom have lived in the North in the past. Keep up the good work. David Dubinsky GN should support birthright corporations I am writing to express my disappointment with the Government of Nunavut for how it has handled the fuel contracts in the Baffin and Kivalliq regions. The decision is bad. It doesn’t matter who owns the company that lost — there will be increases in costs in all Nunavut regions. The buying patterns for the Kivalliq will change to Montreal. The government knew this and still it move in this direction. The fact that the Northern Transportation Company Ltd. is 50 per cent owned by Inuit is embarrassing, because we should be trying hard to support our companies, not trying to destroy them. The decision the government made affects NTCL and its many customers in a big way. The savings you make up front are a mere fraction of what it will cost in the long run in increased freight and handling costs. It seems to me that the government and the media are often really hard on our birthright corporations. We should require a higher standard of our corporations and I don’t think there is a problem with them meeting those expectations but it seems that they are always being treated poorly in Nunavut. The government has tried to do what the last government tried to do. Congratulations, you succeeded. The reason the old government didn’t succeed is that people were given an opportunity to provide feedback. The regions fought back and argued against what the then-government tried to do. The argument was strong and still is but there is no opportunity to discuss this issue with the government. This leads me to wonder, whose agenda are we following? The old saying is if you smell a rat there probably is one close by. It may surprise the government and media that there really are people who support our birthright corporations. Maybe some time should be spent getting to know our point of view. We apparently already know yours. I have gone from mad to very deeply concerned, as we all should be. I hope they don’t proceed with this direction. We do not need this. Wilf Wilcox November 22, 2002 Too many released inmates in Iqaluit? I am a concerned citizen from Iqaluit. I’ve been hearing on the radio about this inmate being released and staying in Iqaluit because the settlement where he was from doesn’t want him back. I do not agree that these criminals that are released here in Iqaluit stay here just because their communities don’t want them back. Does this mean that any criminals from other communities can commit a crime in their home town, because they will be dumped in Iqaluit? It sounds like they are saying it is OK to stay in Iqaluit so that you can keep on committing crimes, such as child abuse and so on. This is not correct at all, because we have enough criminals walking around this town. It is so dangerous, now more then ever, knowing that there are strangers from different communities being dumped here after spending time in BCC. I don’t think it is fair for us to always have to look behind us because there are those ex-cons or what ever you want to call them walking around in this city. I also don’t want the people who don’t want that person back to think that I am against their decision. I am sure I would feel the same way if I lived in their community. Its just that I don’t think it’s fair to keep offenders in Iqaluit because there is more help here. Even if there’s more help here, a child abuser will always be a child abuser even if he gets help. Pauline Alainga November 22, 2002 Thanks for Bill MacKenzie’s headstone Many thanks to Chris West and Robert for their help in producing a magnificent granite headstone for Bill MacKenzie’s grave. I also wish to offer heartfelt thanks to the crew at Baffin Building Systems for their kindness in providing a load of concrete for the gravesite and for their efforts in setting the beautiful headstone in place. Bryan Pearson November 22, 2002 We chose Baffin Regional Hospital After living in Iqaluit for a year, we had the choice of going back to Gatineau, Que., to have our baby. But we decided to have the baby here. On Friday, Nov. 8, Isabelle Ulluriaq was born, helped by Dr. Botha. At no moment during the pregnancy, with the extraordinary follow-up and the kindness of the nurses and doctors, did we regret our choice. Thanks to Dr. Green, Dr. Vokosuk, Dr. Finney, Dr. Knight, Dr. Brown, Dr. Vipond, and mostly Dr. Botha. We had an extraordinary experience, full of love, respect, and professionalism. The nurses in particular performed well, over and above the call of duty. A special thank you to Towata for her support and kindness during all the follow-up appointments, to Winalda who helped us all night with labour, and to Laura for the nice explanations, and a big thank-you to all the other members of the staff. Also big thank you to the two very nice guys who performed the ultrasounds. Emmanuelle Pedneaud Jobin Give bus service a fair chance I was very happy to be able to try out the new bus service that was run as a pilot project in Iqaluit for a one-month period. I would support a decision to continue this service in Iqaluit for both environmental and social-economic reasons. I understand that the city of Iqaluit will now have consultants look at the feasibility of running the bus permanently. The earliest that a service would take place, if at all, would be in January. I would encourage the city of Iqaluit to talk to the people who took the bus during the pilot period. Perhaps the city could organize focus groups made up of riders of the bus and the bus driver to assist in planning a permanent route selection and timetables. I feel that a one-month pilot period is inadequate to properly assess the feasibility of the service in terms of numbers of riders and route selection. Many people were not aware of the stops or the schedule, did not receive copies of the schedules in their post office boxes, and did not have a fair chance to really try it out. The colder weather is just about upon us — it would be good to continue the service that has been proven to be popular even with very little time to set it up or publicize it. Let’s give it a fair chance and let’s just have a public transit system in this town. It’s time. Elise Maltin November 29, 2002 Fair treatment? I recently heard about the Eskimo disc number, and that a singer has written a song about them. I have been told that in the 1950s and 1960s, some Inuit who worked for white agencies, especially the church and the RCMP, thought they could control everyone and gave food and clothing only to their own relatives, and that is why the system was started. Should make a song about that. I wish we had a fair system today so that all the people could have it easier. The same people always get the free new houses and our bosses always get the free machines and boats without being fair to everyone. Check the records if you don’t believe me. I think it would help prevent suicides if people were treated fairly by our own Inuit bosses and elected councillors. John Darkhill November 29, 2002 Thanks for helping us We would like to thanks the following people for helping us during the illness and death of Simanek Kelly: Jonah Kelly and his family; Martha Kilabuk and family; Annie Nattaq and family; Annie Shoo and family; Bobby Gunn and family; Sally Gunn and family; Elisapee Kilabuk and Neevee Kilabuk; Makituq Michael; Rhoda Kilabuk and family; Aitee Baines and family; Elisapee Taiviti; Josie Pudlat and Leeveedee Atagoyuk; Moe Qavavau; Leah Akavak; Ningeorapik Tikivik and family; Emeelayuq Arnaquq and family; Naudluq Arnaquq and family; Susie Arnaquq and Lucy Arnaquq; Oodlooriaq Pudlat and family; Neevee Takpaungai and family; Jeannie Padluq and family; Bryan Pearson; Daniel Aupaluk; Mike Gardener; the young offenders facility staff; DPW employees; Dr. Finney; the nurses at Baffin Regional Hospital, and the people who came to console us in our time of need. Thank you very much. Sandy Kelly and Akalayok
Qavavau November 29, 2002 Alcohol-damaged children obvious in Kuujjuaq I am writing in response to the letter, "Many Kuujjuaq kids suffer from parents’ drinking" in the Nov. 8 issue of Nunatsiaq News. I am new to Kuujjuaq. However, it is not difficult to see the obvious problems associated with children if one works in health and education. The sad thing is that some of these children are affected by alcohol before birth, and are born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effects. Women are informed about the dangers of drinking (and drugs) in pregnancy, but they see a newborn child who often looks "normal" and they do not realize that the learning, behaviour and discipline problems that will follow them all their lives are the result of the alcohol they consumed before delivery. Workshops are given to health and education professionals on how to deal with these children, but we must work harder to stop it before it happens. It is not enough for "community leaders to be sensitive to our opinions." People depend on them to take a leadership role in education and prevention. Why not form a committee of representatives from all sectors (education, health and social services, municipal, law, youth, church) to work together to develop a strategy? If the general public is concerned, they should be prepared to get involved — to volunteer. I wonder how many Kuujjuaq residents know that an excellent effort on the part of some concerned citizens, a program called "Safe House for Kids," a drop-in center where kids could go to get off the street and away from difficult home situations, was discontinued due to a lack of volunteers ? But the first three responses I had to my question about volunteer opportunities in Kuujjuaq was "There are none!" I recognize that I am in another culture with sometimes different values, but we all have something to offer. Why not start a short "Introduction to Kuujjuaq" evening organized by the town council every four months? Get people out by offering a little music, a small display of art, and invite local organizations to send a representative. Advertise the date with flyers at the school, the hospital and the stores. Let us know about your community and that we are welcome to become a part of it. It is after all our home away from home. Anonymous
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