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Back to January, 2003 Archive Index
Letters to the Editor January 3, 2003 - 6 letters Opposed to move of PPD jobs to Baker Lake The premier of Nunavut is still pushing for moving the petroleum products division to Baker Lake. If he is so adamant about decentralization, why are 11 Nunavut Power Corporation jobs still in Iqaluit? On another point, Manitok Thompson has stated her position on the PPD relocation. But we are still waiting for Mr. Jack Anawak to voice his opposition on behalf of his constituents. Jack, speak out! Justin Merritt January 3, 2003 Jordin Tootoo will help Canada win This Canadian junior men’s hockey team is truly a Canadian team, geographically speaking. Our team has a player from Nunavut for the first time, and also the first Inuk to play for a Canadian junior team. Way to go, Jordin Tootoo. A character guy like Jordin Tootoo will help Canada win the world title for the first time since 1997. He has the talent of his Uncle Frank, from Baker Lake. In 1989, I moved from St. John’s, Nlfd. to Chesterfield Inlet to teach. While there I decided to keep playing some hockey. At a tournament in Baker Lake, (I went with the Chesterfield Inlet hockey team with guys like Paul Autut, Luke Simik, and David Kadjuk), we played against a team from Baker Lake that had a player named Frank Tootoo. This guy definitely could have played professional hockey. He was a smooth, effortless skater, great puck-handler, and had a wicked accurate shot. This Inuk had loads of natural talent. In 1992, I moved from Chesterfield to Cape Dorset and again played some hockey there. It was there that I heard of the exploits of Terence and Jordin Tootoo from my students (Leo Manning, Saggi Pudlat, Taq Toonoo, and Matthew Jaw), who said to me, "Brian, you have to see these guys play they are unbelievable." Good luck Canada, and with a player like Jordin Tootoo, the drought is over. Brian O’Grady January 3, 2003 Inuit recommended Pond Inlet site to HBC In regards to "One culture’s justice is another’s crime" (Dec. 20) I believe that the facts may not be accurate and the truth may have been reversed in the following comment: "That was where he built Pond Inlet’s first RCMP detachment, and where the Hudson’s Bay Company established a trading post soon after." I believe that HBC would say otherwise. From my recollection of interviews with the elders throughout the years, I have always been told that the HBC had established a post before the RCMP (as per Beaver Magazine and others). The elders also have mentioned that it was because of the recommendations of Inuit, due to the Pond Inlet area being the most sheltered area, that they recommended to HBC and others that the community be established here in Pond Inlet vs. the traditional sites that whalers and others such as the Gold Syndicate and Robert Janes had chosen. I may be totally out to lunch on this but, I was always under the impression that when Sgt. Joy came to Pond Inlet to investigate the murder, he had no place to stay and therefore boarded in with the HBC that winter. The court was held at a warehouse of Hudson’s Bay Co. If I recall correctly, after Sgt. Joy did the investigation and recovered the remains he came back to the HBC post in Pond Inlet as the RCMP did not have their own establishment. This may be insignificant but should it be true, Inuit were the ones that recommended Pond Inlet to the non-Inuit who had little knowledge of sheltered areas and who often established sites that were the most accessible to whaling ships such as Button Point (Sannirut), Mount Herodier (Igarjuaq) and others. Appitaq Enuaraq January 3, 2003 NAM has campaigned against violence too Lest it be forgotten, many mayors and councils of Nunavut are on the frontlines regarding domestic violence, child abuse and many other forms of violence against women and children. The Nunavut Association of Municipalities has been actively engaged for the past two years in trying to get a child advocate established in Nunavut. And when it appeared that the federal Department of Justice was going to be soft on a man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teenage girl, the hamlet council of Cambridge Bay raised awareness of this issue by asking the Department of Justice to consider banishing the man for three years when determining the sentence for this crime. For the past three years, the same hamlet council has struggled to keep its women’s crisis shelter open by justifying to the GN why we require additional funding support. It’s nice to see the ministers from the government of Nunavut taking a stand alongside the mayors, councils, and other folks who recognize that violence against women and children is clearly unacceptable and intolerable in this day and age in Nunavut. Keith Peterson January 3, 2003 Tootoo is golden What a treasure you have sent to the World Junior Hockey Tournament. Jordin Tootoo has won the hearts of the crowds here in Halifax and is a wonderful ambassador for your territory. The tenacity and determination with which he plays hockey make him a pleasure to watch. Shelly MacDonald January 3, 2003 Rankin will fight the good fight against PPD move What makes Rankin so special? Because I don’t have the skill to write a book I will answer it thus. Rankin Inlet is situated on the western shores of Hudson Bay. It isn’t an old community by Nunavut standards, but its history and the history of the surrounding area is as varied as any of the other Nunavut communities that have been around a lot longer. People of many diverse and unique cultures call Rankin Inlet home. It is a melting pot. Consider that neither of our MLAs were born here and a lot of current residents, both Inuit and non-Inuit, weren’t born here either. But no one really cares where you came from as long as you contribute in some small way to the overall social, economic and some times political fibre of the community, you are welcome. When people decide to settle down in Rankin Inlet, they do so because it feels like home. It’s like the communities you read about in Reader’s Digest, where something of significance and human triumph happens and you put the Digest down, reflect, and say "Geeze, I would love to go there." So you might ask yourself, what makes Rankin Inlet different than any other community? Well, for one thing, it makes us protective of our friends, neighbours and the community. We know who our people are — they are our volunteers, our referees, and people who give love and support when we have been touched by personal or community tragedy. I often wonder, what if the people who were affected by the decentralization initiative in Iqaluit had the support we are giving our residents? Would it have been different? Rankin Inlet has within its population many Inuit who are highly skilled in financial, administrative, legislative, communications, and community development tasks. Most of the people who will be affected by any initiative to move the PPD to Baker Lake are Inuit who have those skills. Not only is the government expecting Rankin Inlet to give up the economic benefit provided by our people who work at the PPD, but it is also expecting the community to give up skills and abilities that the Inuit have worked so hard to develop should the incumbents decide to move. To a degree, these are community skills that residents bring to local boards, agencies and organizations that they serve on. It is interesting that your editorial failed to mention that. Your editorial says: "At the same time, though, many community residents, especially Inuit, now have jobs they might not otherwise have had a chance to get. That’s an indisputable benefit." My question is, what about the Inuit who are going to lose their jobs because of this ridiculous idea? Is that an indisputable benefit? I would like to know what or who gives Paul Okalik the authority to make a statement about what is in the best interests of Nunavummiut? Yeah, maybe the Nunavummiut who live in Baker Lake. It certainly is not in the best interests of almost 10 per cent of the population of Nunavut who live in Rankin Inlet. I would really like to see the cost-benefit analysis and socio-economic studies that he used to make that statement. I suspect it is more in the interests of Okalik and a few others who have vowed to make life miserable should he not support the move. Neither the Ikuma report nor the phase-three plan for decentralization make any mention of moving PPD to Baker Lake, as is pointed out in the letter the Rankin Inlet MLAs wrote to Okalik. You know what part of your editorial I thought was the most subjective? That Okalik has no choice but to take this position. This is not the first time the government has pressed on anyway. That sounds like Alan Rock and other justice ministers talking about gun control. You seem to have missed the point of what the community of Rankin Inlet is doing. It’s not only employees, it’s also the citizens, councillors and MLAs who are truly concerned. It’s not just a group of employees. It’s the whole community. You and Okalik just don’t seem to grasp that. What the hell happened to government for the people by the people? Lastly, you state, "If the PPD transfer to Baker Lake makes economic and administrative sense, then the Government of Nunavut should make it so." Well, here’s a news flash. It doesn’t make any sense at all. Governments all over the world strive to attain the three "E’s" of effectiveness, efficiency and economy in the quest for good public management when pursuing new initiatives. Lofty paradigms, don’t you think? The effectiveness of the move of PPD to Baker Lake can only be ascertained by the measurable goals and objectives relating to the mission and mandate statements, as stated and achieved in the business-operating plan of the amalgamated corporation. Making a statement like Okalik made without the benefit of some sort of plan other than a concept, which is basically what Ikuma is, really hints at a hidden agenda. Determining the efficiency of the move and the amalgamation of PPD and NPC will require an analysis of the relationship of the economy required to achieve the economies required to achieve the effectiveness outlined in the business-operating plan. That will take years. The economy of the move to Baker Lake will be measured by how much it costs to move and to maintain the effectiveness and efficiency that the PPD in Rankin Inlet now enjoys. I suspect the move will not prove economical at all. Economically, the government is taking income from Inuit employees in Rankin Inlet and moving that income to another community. The government is incurring relocation expenses that are unnecessary. The government will spend a large amount of money on training and other development costs in the other community, because the Rankin Inlet residents will not go. Either that, or the people who will fill those jobs will not be Inuit. It could be that’s the intent. Maybe the $19 million the government hopes to save on its latest tender will be the final price-tag on the amalgamation. In administration, the government will create a dog’s breakfast, with file transfers for at least six months. They will lose or misplace vital files and data during the move and the government will lose the corporate memory that the current employees of the PPD have accumulated over the years. I believe the Nunavut Implementation Commission’s mandate on decentralization was flawed from the beginning. The intent should have been to provide employment to the intended decentralized communities that was more friendly to the natural, cultural and geophysical environment. All those resources that have been pissed away on the implementation of Footprints could have been used to develop and create self-sustaining jobs and industry in ventures more appropriate to the natural skills, abilities, history and geography of the intended communities. I am pretty sure that if you asked the people of Baker Lake if they would prefer to have the PPD moved there with 16 administrative jobs, or take $5 million to improve and create new arts, crafts, tourism opportunities and other sustainable community industries, they would take the $5 million. Not everyone in Nunavut wants to be a bureaucrat. In closing, I would like to tell the employees of PPD in Rankin Inlet to not worry too much. Your community will keep fighting the good fight on your behalf. The next election will see the politicians who are intent on disrupting your life gone and clearer heads will prevail. The next legislative assembly of Nunavut will ensure that the community, the social fabric and a true sustainable economy within Nunavut are the highest priorities. Robert Janes Are our Christmas donations appropriate? I am the chairman and founder of the Tunijjusairut Foundation, and I would appreciate some feedback on our Christmas project. We ship about a ton of freight each year to the Baffin region — Christmas gifts for kids, and donations to the sewing program, including sewing machines, wool and fabric. I need to know if the gifts are appropriate, and also what type of sewing materials are needed, as we see this as a tangible way of supporting families. We very nearly didn’t make it this year. Air Canada withdrew its support, unlike Canadian North, which has always been ready to ship the freight from Edmonton to Iqaluit. However, Air Canada did come through after some media attention, and we hope everything got there in time for Christmas. This year I will ship the sewing machines after Christmas to avoid peak shipping time. Because I am so far away, I rely on local feedback to determine the best way to run our program, which gives 100¢ on the dollar to families. No one makes a thin dime off this registered foundation. Any and all comment is appreciated. My e-mail address is clarketrim@shaw.ca. A very happy and thankful Christmas to all the kids in the Arctic, from our family to yours. Peter M. Clarke January 10, 2003 Shelagh Grant responds In response to Appitaq Enuaraq’s letter that suggests Inuit recommended the Pond Inlet site to the Hudson’s Bay Company (Jan. 3) — I agree. Arctic Justice describes how the HBC Superintendent and Staff-Sgt. Joy landed together at Albert Harbour to look for an Inuk to guide them into Eclipse Sound. Until that time, only the entrance to Eclipse Sound bore the name of "Pond’s Inlet." It was the HBC that officially named their trading post Pond Inlet. However, as to the question of who arrived first — the RCMP or the HBC — the answer is neither. When plans to build an RCMP detachment on Bylot Island were cancelled in early June 1921, a secondary plan was put in place whereby a police officer would accompany the HBC to Eclipse Sound to investigate the alleged murder of Robert Janes. His passage on the HBC supply ship and his accommodation at the trading post was paid for by the RCMP and he was to be provided with any assistance required, such as transportation and an interpreter. Thus, according to official police records, the Pond Inlet RCMP detachment was established in September 1921, even though a separate building was not erected until the following year. In other words, the HBC trading post was established at the same time as the police detachment. While there is no written documentation as to whether HBC would have proceeded without a police presence, it is questionable in light of the reported murder — hence my statement quoted in the article. As well, the court did not take place in an HBC warehouse, as suggested by Enuaraq, but two years later in the main room of the police detachment. (Nor for that matter did the inquest in January/February 1922 or the preliminary hearings that July.) The coroner’s jury and witnesses retired briefly to an HBC warehouse to view Janes’ body, but the inquest was held in the main building. The preliminary hearings, on the other hand, took place at the AGES trading post at Button Point. This is a complicated story, often times distorted in the retelling by third parties, and further confounded by inaccuracies in previous publications. Enuaraq’s confusion is entirely understandable. In researching and writing Arctic Justice, the Inuit testimonies taken prior to the trial and the stories told later by Inuit elders were invaluable in identifying the sources of these misunderstandings — especially those elders who were present at Janes’ execution or the trial, or were related to those directly involved. Police and other records were important to establish the names of participants, times, dates, locations, procedures, and reasons for the government’s actions. Shelagh Grant January 10, 2003 Congratulations to Qikiqtarjuaq’s graduates On behalf of Qikiqtarjuaqmiut, I would like to congratulate the following who graduated from Inuksuit School in November: Taina Audlakiak, Patrick Kooneeliusie, Kathy Kooneeliusie and Olasie Kooneeliusie. This is the biggest graduation that ever took place in the community. The family of the graduates and the people of the community packed the gym for the graduation. The graduates were given an opportunity to talk and every graduate encouraged the younger students to stay in school and graduate one day. Once again, congratulations graduates. John Ayaruaq January 10, 2003 Fighting the quiet fight It is interesting to note how people can have selective memories. I take the case of Justin Merritt, who is a member of the council of Rankin Inlet and suggests in a letter to the editor ("Opposed to move of PPD jobs to Baker Lake" Jan. 3) that I should speak out on the issue of the Petroleum Products Division’s move to Baker Lake. I do not feel the need to do all my fighting for Rankin through the media and have largely confined my objections to the proposed PPD move to the Cabinet room, other than the letter to Premier Paul Okalik of Sept. 25, 2002, I wrote jointly with Manitok Thompson, MLA for Rankin South, of which Merritt was in receipt (as acknowledged by our conversation on Jan. 6, 2003). Perhaps Merritt would prefer to see my name in the headlines objecting to the move, but I have always felt that as an Inuk I would prefer to do things quietly but effectively. The letter of September to the Premier is quite self explanatory and spells out the very real concerns that I and the staff of PPD had with regard to the move. Jack Anawak January 10, 2003 Thanks for your support The children of the late Tauya Akpalialuk, who passed away on Nov. 3, 2002, would like to express their huge thanks to the nurses and doctors at the Baffin Regional Hospital. We also want to thank the individuals who went to Pangnirtung to spend time with our families: Metuq Nowdluk, Elisapee Kilabuk, Paluapik Qaunirq, Iqaluk Jugalak, Ida Atagoyuk, Leetia Tikvik, Olahnnie Coman, Lucy Magee, Keesa Nowdluk, Jimmy Papatsie, Japeetee Etuangat of Iqaluit; my brother Johnny Kooneeloosie, Qumuqtuq Kooneeloosie, Leah Kooneeloosie, Levi Etuangat and Joopie Qiyuktaq of Qikiqtarjuaq; Joavie Etunagat and his wife and daughter of Clyde River; and the people in the community who visited and gave us comfort. Thank you to the organizations and committee who provided store-bought food to our family, including the department of education, the daycare, the Hunters and Trappers Association, the Angmarlik Centre, Kayrene Kilabuk and Daisy Dialla with the Nuasaiyit committee. Thanks also to Rev. Mike Gardner, Daniel Aupaluk, Mary Akpalialuk Alainga, Eva Onalik and Canadian North and minister Peter Kilabuk and family for the wonderful flowers. Thank you to minister Ed Picco for helping us out with the airplane to get home to Pangnirtung to see our relatives and spend time with my mother in her last few hours. For those people I didn’t mention who helped us, I apologize and for the people who said they were thinking of us and that we were in their prayers. Meeka, Leopa, Juda, Johnny, Leesee, Neevee, Geela, Bettyann and Marie-Jo January 10, 2003 My predictions for 2003 1. There will be an oil spill in the Nunavut territory causing major concern to Inuit. 2. Dangerous substances will be detected in northern food (such as PCBs or lead). 3. Two northerners will become millionaires by playing a weekly draw. 4. There will be a new wave of MLAs at the Nunavut legislative assembly. 5. Nunavut and the Quebec government will tug for northern Quebec Inuit. 6. There is a major digging somewhere in the world whose intent is to plant an explosion. Emil Arnalak January 10, 2003 Many thanks to Air Inuit This is to express my gratitude. Since the 1980s, when Air Inuit in Nunavik was created, we meant to create economic opportunities as well as create jobs. To date, what was set out to be done has gone beyond the original idea, and our airline has helped the region enjoy these benefits for the people: 1. Regional organizations in Nunavik, such as the Avataq Cultural Institute, Taqramiut Nipingat Inc., and municipalities get funding to support of their activities. 2. Nunavik residents without income are given assistance by way of food or household items when they are in need. 3. When family members are sick in another community, we are given discounts on ticket prices. 4. When we lose family members in another community, we are given discounts so that we can be with other grieving family members. 5. Religious gatherings in the Nunavik region are given discounts for their airline tickets. 6. Requests by Nunavimmiut for recreational tournaments, music festivals, and elder’s meetings for discounts. 7. Since Air Inuit was created in the 1980s, we have never experienced a loss of passengers. There are others that I am thankful for also. For many years now, Air Inuit has given 75 per cent subsidies to Inuit travelling on scheduled flights to communities. During Christmas we are given Christmas trees if we request it, we are given shrimp, and they assist us in many other ways as well. For all these reasons, I say thank you to Air Inuit and encourage them in their continued excellence. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to their staff members. Kakinik Naluiyuk January 10, 2003 Please help Taloyoak soccer team I am writing on behalf of the Taloyoak Rovers junior boys soccer team. We play in the Nunavut territorial soccer division. We are planning to attend the soccer championships in Kugluktuk from Feb. 7 to 9. In addition, there is a soccer tournament called "Super Soccer" held in Yellowknife that we are hoping to attend as well. We believe it is important for all members of our soccer team to be able to travel and play in tournaments. Due to our isolation, we must travel in order to have competition. For this reason, we are attempting to raise enough money for all our members to travel to Kugluktuk and Yellowknife. Any donations in the form of goods, services or money would be appreciated. Thank you for your time in considering this request. Please feel free to contact me by phone at 867-561-5181 during school hours or by e-mail at jbuckley@trilan.com. Janine Buckley Are ITK and CBC killing the Inuit language? I have been quite frustrated with some Inuit organizations killing the Inuktitut language. One of the most visible is a poster ITK has posted in some nursing stations and other public places. The title of this poster is, "Ajungijjutigijavut isaanujujtivut" which I believe was meant to say "Ajungijjutigijavut inuujunnarutivut." This error is the most correct part of that poster unless the message was "Creenuit" (combination of Cree and Inuit language). If I were the president of such an organization and had worked so hard to promote Inuktitut and the preservation of Inuktitut language both in written and oral format, I would be totally embarrassed even to show my face in public, coming from a national Inuit organization that appears not to even care if Inuktitut is preserved or not. I do happen to know the president and I do know that this was not intentional. There are other culprits, such as CBC, which has been known to grossly mispronounce or not even come close to the proper word needed. Such language deterioration of such words or suffixes is what is the norm today, such as "Tuit" in words like "Uqaqtuit." Most of the Inuktitut that I was familiar with prior to CBC lingo were suffixes such as "tut, tunn" which are plural indicators and depend on which region you come from. Other such words are like "quqiuti, aulausilirijikkut, unnuksak’kut," which I believe should have been "qukiuti, aulausirijiit and unnusakkut" and many others that I do not care to mention. The only reason I am picking on ITK is because it is our national Inuit organization. This does not mean that the other organizations and agencies that serve the Inuit majority in Nunavut are any better. Most times I can stand idly by when it is a personal letter, but when it comes to public notices and other documents that are posted for public information, the first and foremost of consideration should be our children and their descendants to come. If we can stop just protesting about the preservation of Inuktitut and actually start doing something about it by first making sure that we proofread before posting to the public, we may have a better success in saving the Inuktitut language. In short, start at home (meaning our very own organizations) and help each other out.
Appitaq Enuaraq January 17, 2003 Thanks for helping with Iqaluit celebrations I would like to thank the following people and organizations for their kind donations and support. Without their donations or support, the two-week-long Christmas celebrations would not have been possible. • City of Iqaluit for all its support and the use of Abe Okpik Hall. • NorthMart for all the discounts provided and the Elder’s hampers. • Qikitani Inuit Association, a donation of $500. • Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, $500 donation. • Canadian North, prize donations. • Capital Construction, prize donation. • Iqaluit Enterprises, feast donations. • Danny and Ningeolak Tiglik, prize donations. And a very heartfelt thank you to the following people for all their support and for volunteering their time: Jeremiah Veevee, Pitseolak Alainga, Matthew Alainga, David Akeeagok, Kakkee Joamie, Johnesah Joamie, Kaiva Nuveyah, Adam Nakashook. Last but not least, thank you to all the people who came out and participated in the dances and games. Gideonie Joamie January 17, 2003 Team Nunavut has young New Brunswick I am a teacher at L.E. Reinsborough School in Dalhousie, New Brunswick. I teach kindergarten and Grade 1. The school is located in Dalhousie, a small town where athletes will be located during the Canada Winter Games next month. It is in between Bathurst and Campellton, where most of the game sites are. Each class in my school has been given a province or territory to cheer on and learn about for the games. Our class has received Nunavut. On behalf of myself and my students. I want to welcome all members of the Nunavut Canada Winter Games team and wish them success in the games. I also want to congratulate all involved in the Web sites I am using to research your great territory. I am truly excited about learning all I can about Nunavut and sharing it with my students. I especially like the site that gives me sound and enables me to play these simple phrases and words to my students. I only wish I could do them more justice when I try to repeat them. Once again, good luck to all athletes. Deborah MacKenzie January 17, 2003 Seeking information about Pond Inlet I am currently researching a project on Pond Inlet, Nunavut, and I am truly amazed at how beautiful your territory is! I am a 14-year-old student from Ontario and after researching Pond Inlet I wish that I could move up there, not just as a tourist, but as a year-round resident. I think that it is wonderful that everyone is trying to keep the traditions alive. Too many traditions are being forgotten today. Thank you for your time, and any information that you could send me regarding Pond Inlet would be greatly appreciated. Kaitlin Nichols Thank you for your support On my behalf of my family, I would like to express my gratitude for the kindness and support we received from many people on the death of our mother, the late Annie Grey, on November 19, 2002. It truly was in God’s hands what we went through while my mother was dying. In our ordinary lives we usually plan our activities, such as travel, work, vacation or hunting. But my mother’s departure from us was well-planned in God’s hands as unexpected things happened after she died. Unexpected wonderful things happened while we were preparing for the burial in her home community of Aupaluk. Some of my relatives came unexpectedly, as if they were meant to be there for the funeral. There were kind messages from many people who expressed their memories and appreciation of my mother. I would also like to acknowledge my relatives who provided me and my daughter with their support while I was with my mother in her last few days at the Tulattavik Health Center. I would personally like to acknowledge as follows: the Community of Aupaluk, the Ungava Tulattavik Health Center, the Municipality of Kuujjuaq, Benjamin Arreak, the Makivik Corporation, and Iola Metuq, Anglican Minister of Kangirsuk. God bless everyone and have a happy new year. Roda Grey January 24, 2003 Youth doing positive things It is exciting to hear that so many Nunavut youth will be participating in the Canada Winter Games. It should be noted that these athletes will also be joined by three talented cultural performers from Nunavut. Melody Kuneluk, Leo Ussak and Quentin Crockatt were chosen from a very large group of youth from across Canada to sing, dance and perform during the opening ceremonies and during other events. We hear so often about the problems that Nunavut youth face. It is wonderful to hear about the positive things that many of our youth are involved in.
Kim Crockatt January 24, 2003 Thanks for your donations On behalf of all the children, parents, and prenatal women in Pangnirtung, we would like to thank the following organizations for their donations and financial assistance: Northern Properties REIT, Auyuittuq Building Services, Department of Education, Department of Community Government and Transportation, and the Hamlet of Pangnirtung. Thanks to your contributions, we now have a fully renovated building where we can safely hold our pre-school, parenting, traditional sewing, cooking, and pre-natal classes. We also hope to introduce new programs in the coming years that will further advance the development of our young parents and children.
Sheena Machmer January 24, 2003 Discovering Nunavut on the Internet I must admit that I had never heard of Nunavut until I ran into a resident of Nunavut on the Internet. After chatting with this person, I thought how interesting a place this Nunavut must be, and did a search on it. What I found while viewing photos was perhaps one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I hope to vacation in Nunavut real soon. (I will, however, wait for winter to be over first.) My only disappointment is that I never got the person’s name who opened my eyes to such a beautiful place. Thanks, whoever you were in the Hudson Bay area for this wonderful information. Timothy M. Santiago January 24, 2003 Nault responds to Jan. 10 editorial In response to your editorial ("Canada’s newest colony?" Jan. 10 2003), I would like to take this opportunity to provide your readers and the people of Nunavut with the facts on the Government of Canada’s commitment to the territory. The Government of Canada remains committed to the transfer of provincial-like responsibilities for the management of natural resources to each territorial government. We must recognize, however, that the devolution process is complex and all three territories are at different stages of economic, political and social development. In Nunavut, the youngest of all three territories, we are at the early stages of the devolution process. This involves building a solid foundation that can support devolution, through our collective efforts to improve and implement key Nunavut legislation for resource management, as well as institutional and capacity issues. Through consultations with stakeholders, for example, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development has established both the Nunavut Waters and Surface Rights Tribunal Act and the Nunavut Mine Site Reclamation Policy, which are effective resource management tools for the territory. The resource development industry in Nunavut is just one area where Nunavummiut can benefit — whether through direct royalties, training, education or employment. In 2003, the territory could potentially have three new mines, of which two are said to be the most promising gold deposits in the country (Doris Hinge, Meadowbank). Both of these promising mine sites reside solely on Inuit-owned land, meaning Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. will collect all royalties from these sites on behalf of Inuit beneficiaries. The Government of Canada only receives royalties for mine operations that take place on Crown Land (federal government-owned land), with a portion of the royalties going to Inuit under Article 25 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA). The creation of Nunavut was the culmination of more than 20 years of negotiation with the Inuit people and federal and territorial governments. The establishment of the Nunavut Government, as set out under the NLCA, is enabling the territorial government to make decisions on issues which are key to the future of the territory, and to make decisions regarding their own spending priorities. These decisions are being taken by those most knowledgeable about the issues and most affected by the consequences of those decisions. The recent Speech from the Throne also reiterates the Government of Canada’s commitment to collaborate with other governments and Aboriginal organizations to build the capacity for social and economic development in First Nations and Inuit communities. I remain committed to my role to help these communities succeed by improving access to resources and clearing a path to sustainable development. Robert D. Nault January 24, 2003 Tobacco-selling councillor in a conflict of interest? Congratulations to our city council for the backbone they’re showing with respect to addressing one of Nunavut’s most serious public health issues — smoking. But every news story on this issue seems to end with a clip from Councillor Stu Kennedy suggesting that maybe we shouldn’t go too fast, or that some element of a proposal is going too far, etc. I’ve read the city’s Conflict of Interest Bylaw (#526). It requires that councillors "self-declare" any conflicts, and act accordingly. As someone with a financial stake in the continued high volume of sales of tobacco products in the community, is councillor Kennedy not in conflict of interest? And should he not act accordingly? Jack Hicks January 24, 2003 N.B. student seeks info about Nunavut sports facilities I am a middle school student at Superior Middle School, Bathurst New Brunswick. I am writing this letter of my own free will. Our team is doing a project about the Canada Winter Games. Our group got the joy of picking Nunavut! I was glad because I have an aunt and uncle who live there. (Ed and JoAnne Evans of Kugluktuk). I need to know if there are facilties in Nunavut where the Canada Winter Games could be held. I also need to know which city would be best to hold the games in if the games were held there. Thank you very much and I would really appreciate it if you answered back. Thanks again! Maggie Evans
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