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Back to March, 2003 Archive Index
Letters to the Editor March 7, 2003 - 6 letters A new family member Ted and Sonja: Marie and I and your entire family in Nunavut would like to congratulate you both on the arrival of a beautiful, healthy baby boy. What a beautiful and joyful date to celebrate! You named him Katak Adam Irniq. Katak Adam Irniq will be loved, celebrated and pampered like his angujuk (older brother) Jacob Ijiraq. I wanted to share the joys and happiness of our Inuit culture through Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. In our Inuktitut language, Katak means a doorway of an iglu or a qarmaq (sod house). We have chosen the name Katak for strength and vision of our new little inngutaq (grandson). Anaanaga (my mother) is back in our family. In life my mother was a visionary, a strong woman, who knew her own culture. There was never a moment wasted when she did not use Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit traditional knowledge). She often told me never to knock down Inuksuks, if I do, I may shorten my life. I want to share with you information about the age-old naming tradition of our culture. Traditionally naming of the child was planned prior to the birth. In Naujaat-Repulse Bay, children were named after relatives, friends of the family, heroes, body parts, animals or spirits. Some were named to carry on the life of the person they were named after. Katak's older brother Jacob Ijiraq was named after a friend of the family. Ijiraq is a spirit name. My maternal grandfather, Ivaluqut Ipuittuq, lived in our family three times through his name. My mother must have been very attached to her father and loved him very much. The children of my grandfather, who live in Gjoa Haven, are calling Katak Adam, their najak (for older sister by men) and angujuk (for older sister by women) by three of her (Katak's) younger sisters. A child given an Inuktitut name is referred to and treated as the person he or she is named after. My mother called her sons, named Ivaluqut Ipuittuq, "ataata" (father) and gave due respect. I will call Katak Adam "anaanaga " (my mother). Traditionally, Ted would refer to his son as "anaanattiaq" (grandmother) and Iguttaq, Ted's sister, named after Katak's daughter, would refer to Katak Adam as "anaana" to recognize the mother-daughter relationship between them. As grandparents, we will make sure our inngutaq (grandson) will know his past and we hope that he can use it as his strength for his future. We are so very happy for you. Thank you Ted and Sonja. Mom and Dad March 7, 2003 Thanks for being at our wedding We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who made our wedding and reception on Feb. 14, 2003 such a wonderful and memorable experience:
This will be forever remembered in our hearts. Ed and Ruth deVries March 7, 2003 Thanks from the Elks Lodge On behalf of the members and executive of the Elks Lodge I would like to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors of our many events and fundraising functions. The help of these people has enabled the Elks to support some very worthwhile causes over the past two years. They have also shown very strong and caring support for the community at large without thinking of cost or profit in the consideration of our charitable needs in this city. Our heartfelt thanks for a job well done, our worthy friends: Betty Ann Eaton, Rick Levesque and the staff, Dianne Webb and the crew, Peterson and Auger, Dave Draper and the bottlers. On behalf of the lodge, thank you. Dave Angrove March 7, 2003 What the GN is doing about RSV As a follow-up to your commentary on RSV (Feb. 28), I would like to explain some of the challenges we have in Nunavut in coping with this virus. This is a common virus and the underlying cause of most bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under two years of age. Most children are infected by age two, and for many, the symptoms are no more than a mild cold. However, for reasons we don't yet understand, Inuit babies develop severe respiratory disease at 10 times the rate of non-Inuit children. In general, it is known that breast feeding can give babies up to 90 per cent protection against many common infections. It is also known that overcrowding and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke are associated with higher rates of respiratory infections in children. Certainly hand washing, not coughing or sneezing near a baby and avoiding bringing young babies out to crowded events decrease the chances of the infant catching this virus. All health centers in Nunavut have pamphlets (in four languages) explaining what RSV is and what can be done to reduce the risk of a baby catching this infection. Health centres also have treatment protocols for bronchiolitis in place and work very hard to ensure the best care for these infants. But there is no specific "cure" for bronchiolitis. Treatment is supportive only — ensuring the infant has enough oxygen and fluids while their own immune system fights the disease. A vaccine would be the most effective preventative method. One is currently being developed but unfortunately it will be many years before it is commercially available. In the meantime, a vaccine-like product (Synagis) is given to premature babies and those with heart-lung defects (it is not recommended for other children) to protect them during the RSV season. The department of health and social services is funding Dr. Anna Banerji's research on lung health in Baffin children in order that we might have a better understanding of the factors associated with transmission of this virus in Nunavut, as well as investigating other potential infectious causes. Also, Dr. Thomas Kovesi from the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario is conducting research on the relationship between indoor air quality and respiratory infection in infants in Nunavut. These studies should facilitate the development of specific preventive measures. RSV remains a huge challenge for all involved in health care in Nunavut, and most of all for the tiny infants who suffer severe respiratory distress. Dr. Geraldine Osborne March 7, 2003 KSB chair "out of line" In reply to the story "Aatami issues radio address in self-government talks" (Feb. 14), bringing light to a leadership issue in Nunavik may be useful. The apparent "confusion" among Nunavimmiut that your journalist portrays in that article does not take the whole picture into account, and insults the Nunavik population's intelligence. The confusion, at best, should be attributed to the present leadership of the Kativik School Board and its president. Sarah Aloupa places her focus on the political issue of self-government. She states that the mandate to negotiate self-government does not belong to Makivik Corporation. She has also responded to the question of the school board's court action, that its mandate comes from the fact that it is an elected body. This argument is confusing since, to public knowledge, the election of an all organizations meeting took place in October 2001, where a majority voted to approve the negotiation process that effectively mandated the Nunavik Party to negotiate with two levels of government. Sarah Aloupa seems confused either because of her lack of knowledge of the political process or a lack of far-seeing direction. And perhaps from a confusion of what a democratic process is. Her community elected her to be a commissioner to the school board. Now, can the lack of "consensus" in her community as to the number of votes for her prevent her from becoming a commissioner? No. The democratic process allowed her to become installed in her position. Consensus does not mean total unanimity. Any society, especially the Inuit society knows that unanimity on any decision is difficult to attain, and so decisions have most often been made by majority. Any Inuk living in a small, tight-knit community understands this well. The school board argument for the lack of "consensus" of the Nunavik Commission Report is weak. The school board's argument for Makivik's supposed lack of mandate to negotiate is weak. Aloupa's response to Aatami's talk on the radio was to "inform" Nunavimmiut to actually call her so that she could distribute the upcoming negotiations framework agreement to them, for fear that, "once again," the people were not being informed. This fear-mongering should stop. Past experience has shown the Nunavik Commission travelling to each single community to consult with the population, and thereafter distribute its report freely for all to read, not to mention a presentation of the Nunavik Commission report, once again, to all of Nunavik. The population was given the time to read the report, and listen to the community radio. All opportunities and freedoms exist in Nunavik, as elsewhere, to obtain information necessary to make informed decisions. Elected leaders, especially those who do not understand political process should not take it upon themselves to take responsibility for issues beyond their understanding. Sarah Aloupa is way out of line, and she should step down from her podium of being the self-perceived saviour of Inuit and concentrate on improving the academic success of our students. Name withheld by request March 7, 2003 A kind Iqaluit cab driver This is one of those times when I must write to say how kind some people are - especially when you really need some help. To make a long story short, I came home after a very long and late board meeting, only to find that my door-lock was frozen. After trying for almost half an hour, I was cold to the bone and exhausted. There was no one around and I could not rise my neighbours for help. Thanks to a very kind taxi driver, I finally got into my warm apartment. He wouldn't take any money and said, "Just remember that someone helped you today." So, to that kind person, I say, thanks. We need to show how kindness makes this world a better place. Elise Maltin RSV info hard to find in Iqaluit This is in response to the letter submitted by Dr. Geraldine Osborne, the chief medical officer for the Government of Nunavut (March 7). About one month ago, my daughter was diagnosed with RSV. As a parent, I try to keep up with all the health information and hadn’t even heard of RSV until I saw an article on the subject, and then shortly after that my daughter contracted it. After the doctors gave me information about RSV, I then tried to get more information on the disease. This was not an easy job. The Baffin Regional Hospital didn’t have any written information on the subject, so I called Public Health. I was told they had no information on RSV either. I couldn’t believe it, considering the high number of infants in Iqaluit as well as the rest of Nunavut who have contracted RSV. I had to resort to the Internet for the information I needed. Not everyone has access to a computer, so where do they get more information on the subject? They go without knowing all they should know. If Nunavut has pamphlets available to the public, as Dr. Osborne stated, then the GN needs to do a better job to get the pamphlets and other information out there so everyone can have the necessary information at their disposal. Knowing more about your child’s health conditions and understanding it is so important. I hope the information gets out there soon! Name withheld for my daughter’s
sake March 14, 2003 "Our land?" Never will I understand the shortsighted bureaucrats who submitted the name "Nunavut" as an appropriate choice for this territory. I doubt that any scrutiny was exercised to see what the influence of this possessive name could have. As an example, some time ago while drinking coffee at a local restaurant, an unsavory drunk came up to me and yelled "Qallunaat go home. This is our land!" "Our land" has become the base element for many arguments and misunderstandings among Nunavummiut. On the other side of the Atlantic there is a place called Ireland. It struggled for centuries with England to gain independence. Conflicts between the Catholics and Protestants plus the terrorist activities of the IRA are historical. Although we work side by side today, history and my coffee shop experience shows us that we are only two steps away from our own form of ethnic cleansing. This Monday I will be wearing the green of the Irish. A subtle reminder that this territory is called "Our land" not "Your land." Wally Bootsma March 14, 2003 Money, or human lives? With blizzard season upon us, many of us prep our vehicles, call the taxis, take the newly formed transit system or put on layer after layer in order to walk to work. But what happens when the taxis get off the road and the city shuts down? For a lot of us, we get to stay home, but for some of the more unfortunate, work is still on schedule. And what if we don’t conveniently live in the same building where we work, or don’t have a $50,000 SUV? We get punished for it. Our pay gets docked for things that are not in our control. There is a group of people in Iqaluit who despise blizzards because most of the city shuts down. They put a lot of influence on senior management to keep operations running and to make that extra buck. It seems that these people are clearly expressing what they feel is more important. Money, or human lives? Jason Currie March 14, 2003 Should Iqaluit be closed in a storm? I am just appalled that a local businessman was complaining about the city being closed too soon on stormy days. As it works out, taxis go off the road because there are some areas that are really bad, like the Arctic College corner, the Road to Nowhere, some parts of the Apex Road, and Tundra Valley, so when there are only limited areas open on a stormy day, it is really hard to tell who is going where, and usually, the roads are closed anyway when there is a storm. As for offices, how are the employees who do not own vehicles going to get to and from work when there are no taxis on the road? I don’t own a vehicle, so I can’t even get to work when taxis are off the road, and I know that I am not the only one who depends on taxis to get to and from work. Name withheld March 14, 2003 Should smoking be banned in bars? I’d like to know the reasoning for the guidelines in Iqaluit’s upcoming anti-smoking bylaw. Why is it that only bars and places restricted to people over the age of 18 may allow smoking? This is a great step in protecting kids from second-hand smoke diseases but what about the rest of the population? Anyone over 18 is not immune to cancer, so why has their health been ignored in this new bylaw? Is the city saying that the health of an 18-year-old is more important than a 19-year-old? The right to breathe clean air should not be restricted to an age group. I’d also like to say that this new bylaw may open doors to possible lawsuits against the City of Iqaluit. Why is one business like the Tulugaq Bar exempt from the bylaw, and another business like the Kamotik Inn covered by it? Steven Lonsdale March 14, 2003 Kitimeot Corp. not accountable to NTI I wish to correct a gross inaccuracy in your March 7 article "NTI to review regional birthright corporations." The tone of the entire article and, in particular, the statement "However, the regional development corporations report directly to NTI" creates the wrong impression about the ownership and accountability of our company. Kitikmeot Corp. is the wholly owned birthright development subsidiary of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, the regional organization representing Inuit of this region under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. I report to the chair and board of Kitikmeot Corp., which is accountable to, and appointed by, the board of KIA. Our corporation reports regularly to the KIA board of directors, both operationally and financially. We have always been fully accountable to KIA. The relationship between Kitikmeot Corp. and its parent organization, KIA, has always been responsible, responsive, businesslike and fully accountable. We welcome the review, in particular to economic funds received from KIA and NTI. Charlie Lyall We are not negative Quotes attributed to me in the March 7 article "NTI to review regional development corporations" might have given beneficiaries a sense that the motivation for this review is negative. I would like to clarify that this is simply not the case. NTI has taken several steps over the past couple of years to strengthen its accountability to the people it represents. This review is simply a further step in that process. The development corporations were set up nearly 10 years ago to help ensure that Inuit participate acitively in Nunavut’s economy. Every year NTI provides $1.8 million to the regional Inuit associations, which provide funding to the regional development corporations, and to the community economic development organizations, as well as other funding provided by other Inuit organizations, such as the Atuqtuarvik Corp. NTI also provides grants to small business (Nunavut Sivummut) totalling $300,000 annually through the regional community economic development organizations. The development corporations report annually to NTI via a committee process. Our organization is obligated to ensure continued growth. It makes sense to take a look at how the development corporations are working after a decade of operations and to find ways to strengthen them. A review at this time is a sensible way of ensuring that Inuit economic well-being is being achieved in the best way possible. No one should be worried about it. Paul Kaludjak March 21, 2003 Iqaluit RCMP beg for money to buy snowmobiles? It was with sadness that I read about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police having to go begging to the citizens of Iqaluit for funding to purchase two snowmobiles so that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police can do its job (March 7). I could not believe that the proud police force of Canada is now at the level of begging. Did no one in "V" division foresee the necessity of snowmobiles in the Arctic? Or did the dollar overcome common sense? I guess at year-end it looks good for the commanding officer of "V" division or the city of Iqaluit detachment commander to have money left in the budget. Perhaps the RCMP should look into its financial resources and supply the funding for two new snowmobiles and avoid further embarrassment to the dedicated members trying to do an excellent job on Band-Aid finances. The members who decided to look into asking the public for money should at least be congratulated as people of conscience in providing a policing service to the public. I’m sure that when they signed on to becoming members of the RCMP they never envisioned begging for money to do police work. Any thoughts in this letter are my own and not related in any way to my occupation. Jim Grittner March 21, 2003 Iqaluit parent opposes standardized testing Recently it was brought to my attention that the Iqaluit District Education Authority (IDEA) was arbitrarily pushing ahead with standardized testing for Grades 3, 6 and 9, based upon an Alberta English-based testing model, without any real attempt at input from parents or staff, and apparently without permission from the department of education. As a result of a discussion with other concerned parents about this issue, I felt compelled to write the minister of education expressing my concerns. Being a past member and chairperson of the IDEA, the issue of standardized testing is nothing new to me. However, in the past, the IDEA had always opposed the use of such testing in our school system based on numerous considerations, including the fundamental question of what exactly would we be achieving by conducting such testing. At that time, as now, I have seen more compelling arguments against conducting such testing to convince me that this is a direction that we in Nunavut do not want to head toward. The legitimacy and validity of the entire issue of standardized testing continues to be hotly debated in education circles in many parts of Canada and the U.S. A fact not well known is that our school system continues to use mainly the old GNWT curriculum from kindergarten to Grade 9, with some Nunavutized additions, mainly in Inuktitut, and students don’t begin to use the Alberta curriculum until they reach Grade 10. Consequently, Iqaluit incurs its largest dropout rate at the Grade 10 level, in part due to the sudden change in curriculum and cultural-language issues. Add to this the structure of our bilingual education streaming system, where students in the Inuktitut schooling stream in Nunavut make a transition from a full Inuktitut curriculum into the English-based curriculum stream at Grades 4 and 5. To this end, it is a proven fact that students whose first language is English do dramatically better than their English-as-a-second language peers in every subject and grade that is based in the English learning stream. This only sets those ESL students up for failure and embarrassment if subjected to the proposed English-based standardized test. So really, what would we possibly hope to gain by testing kids in Grades 3, 6 and 9 based on an Alberta, or any other English-based curriculum, in Nunavut? In my opinion, it would do more damage than good and until I see real compelling arguments to the contrary, I will continue to oppose standardized testing in Iqaluit. I also read with great amusement in the Nunavut Hansard last week, where Iqaluit Centre MLA Hunter Tootoo declared that those concerned parents who foolishly oppose standardized testing are making uninformed assumptions and should instead start attending IDEA meetings to get our facts straight. I have two things to say to that: The only one making foolish uninformed assumptions is our grandstanding Iqaluit Centre MLA, who if he wasn’t so busy looking for political sound bites, would have done some informed research of his own and realized he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. It is the duty of the IDEA to put forth their agenda to the community and not to force arbitrary and paternalistic decisions upon the parents, and students, of this community without any input or approval from them. To date, they have completely failed to do this in any form or format. On an ironic note, isn’t it interesting that the chairperson and another member of the IDEA, who are staunch promoters of standardized testing, in fact, home-school their children in English. Sounds like hypocrisy is alive and well to me! John Thomas March 21, 2003 Indigenous cultures must decide their own fate Kia ora. I am a Maori from New Zealand and I have just read the article on whether there are those parts of our culture that we wish to retain for ourselves. In our culture we have two words that are used to define knowledge – that which is "Tapu" (sacred) and that which is "Noa" (common). In our culture, the less that common folk know about something, the more sacred it is, the more common the knowledge, the less important it becomes. The question one needs to ask is: How important is one’s culture to one’s self? How common do you wish to make those treasures that you hold in high regard? Who else will protect those customs and practices that have been held in trust for you by your ancestors? There comes a time in any indigenous culture where it must decide its own fate, and the choice is simple, either retain those customs and values that make you unique in this world or join the faceless multitude. Taonui-a-Kupe Rickard/Whaingaroa March 21, 2003 Things that make you go "hmm" On Friday, March 7, 2001, Iqaluit Centre MLA Hunter Tootoo read a statement in the legislative assembly to have Jack Anawak removed from cabinet. In that statement, Tootoo used the following two quotes from Jack’s comments on March 5, 1999, during the leadership debate: "We have to give our ongoing support to our Premier, because the Premier is not only representing us, but also the people of Nunavut." "We each have our own constituents, but we all have to keep in mind that our first priority will be the people of Nunavut as a whole." I also note that in your March 7 paper the story "Anawak’s future in cabinet lies with fellow MLAs" written by Patricia D’Souza with files from Jim Bell in Iqaluit, uses the exact same quotes. I know that you will argue that these are public records and that you did interview Tootoo but I personally think it is really ironic that quotes read in the assembly would appear in a local newspaper on the same day they are both released. Hmm! Editor’s note: There’s no conspiracy. The written transcript of the March 1999 leadership forum is available to any member of the public through Nunavut’s legislative library. And in the interest of full disclosure, readers should know that Mike Courtney is Jack Anawak’s former executive assistant. March 21, 2003 NTI still looking at benefits options This letter is to clarify a key point in your recent article "NTI can’t afford cash payouts to beneficiaries," (March 7). It is true that the work NTI did in 1999-2000 on taxation and other implications of paying direct cash benefits did raise some very real difficulties that were pointed out at our recent board meeting in Kinngait. However, NTI is continuing to examine benefits options in accordance with the resolution of our last annual general meeting. We are also going to be finding better ways to inform Inuit of the benefits they are already receiving under the land claims agreement. Sometimes those benefits can seem invisible, even though they are very real. Paul Kaludjak KSB should stick to education Last week, my son came home with a document sent from our school board. This is document is titled, "A statement by the Kativik School Board concerning negotiations for a new form of government," and it’s in three languages. These papers must have been sent to all the schools in Nunavik. As a parent, I have strong objections about the school board using my son and school children to deliver political messages. My son had no idea what he brought home. He probably thought it was an educational memo sent to parents from the school. It seems the administration of the school board down South is being too political and not concentrating enough on educational matters. We hear they have brought our other regional organizations to court. How come we the parents have never been consulted before a serious move like that was made? The Kativik School Board must be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on the court case. Instead, this money could be used for much needed educational resources required by our schools. I hear there are no proper Inuttitut and cultural teaching materials. There does not seem to be a cultural curriculum in place after 25 years of the KSB’s existence. How can we expect to have Inuit professionals like nurses, doctors, electricians and so on when this school board does not focus entirely on education? My understanding is that Makivik Corporation represents Inuit in Nunavik on the political front. The Kativik School Board should be concentrating on its mandate, which is education. I have a lot to say, but I will end my letter by saying do not use our school children to deliver political messages. K. Annanack March 28, 2003 Baseball bats for peeping toms My name is Mary Arnakaq and I live on Apex Road at house 2213-C. I have had several experiences now with what I think are peeping toms. Last night I found a painter’s ladder and a milk crate outside my bedroom window. A couple of weeks ago it was a wooden chair, and before that it was a sealift crate. The reason I’m writing this letter is because I’m trying to do my own investigation and I would like anybody who might have seen somebody carrying such items late at night to contact me. I have called the cops each time and they don’t seem to know what to do. For example, they threw the wooden chair by the garbage box when I asked them what they were going to do with it, and last night they asked me if I wanted to keep the ladder! Sure. I’ll have it conveniently handy for them to use again. They ended up taking it with them. This morning I followed the footprints to try and trace them back to where they came from. I didn’t go far because there were already fresh footprints. If the cops had traced them back that night, they probably would have had better luck than me, but they looked like they didn’t want to be out in the cold late at night and they looked bothered by being called so late at night for something as little as the call that I made. So much for their protection! For the peeping tom: I’m going to be waiting inside my bedroom window with a baseball bat or even an ax or hammer and smash it through the window into your face. I have a dog now and I’m going to train him to attack intruders. I’m mad as hell. Mary Arnakaq March 28, 2003 City can’t ban smoking in private clubs I would like to take this opportunity to address a letter in the March 14 Nunatsiaq News regarding Iqaluit’s recently passed smoking bylaw. The writer wonders why the city has chosen not to ban smoking in bars and establishments that allow access only to individuals over the age of 18. While it is council’s intent to protect the health and safety of all residents, the city (under the territorial jurisdiction of Nunavut’s Cities, Towns and Villages Act) does not have the legal authority to impose its bylaws inside private clubs. Because half of Iqaluit’s drinking establishments are private clubs, the city has decided to go the "under 18" route so as to maintain an even playing field for local bar owners. Council is hopeful that the territorial government will pass its own anti-smoking legislation, as well as make amendments to the CTV Act, to extend municipal jurisdiction to private clubs. John Matthews March 28, 2003 Gymnastics club thanks contributors The "Leaps of Faith" article on gymnastics (March 7) said that an $8,000 removable spring floor was donated by the Royal Canadian Legion. The Legion did not pay for the floor — only a portion. The spring floor was bought by the Iqaluit Gymnastics Club through various fundraising endeavours, of which the Royal Canadian Legion was one contributor. Thanks to all the organizations that contributed and thank you for the article about gymnastics. I am sure more interest has been sparked. Ronald Kennedy March 28, 2003 Suicide prevention should be a community matter The suicide epidemic touches everyone directly or indirectly. For front-line workers, you want to be able to do more and perhaps at least know some of the answers as to why so many people commit suicide. There are conferences, workshops, seminars, meetings, and sometimes walks to show we are trying to do something to prevent suicides from happening too often. Governments have tried to do something to prevent it. Different groups and government agencies tried to do something and we should commend them for trying. Many, many people have gotten together to try to come up with a suicide prevention plan. What we really need to start doing is take the intervention home and start from there. The Nunavut government needs to start recognizing what many communities have been saying for years. Give them funds to start programs on suicide intervention. Schools are trying, but they are tied to curriculums they have to follow. As in everything, government agencies have procedures and protocols to follow but in Inuit society, you see a problem and try to correct it. With governments, they see a problem, but they get so many people involved in trying to do something it actually gets complicated and no one wants to take responsibility for tackling a problem head on. If and when the Nunavut government recognizes that suicide intervention/prevention is a community matter, then it should look at providing the municipal governments with funds for suicide prevention. It would then become the municipality’s responsibility to see how the funding should be spent. We cannot depend on schools alone to talk about suicide prevention, we need to start trying to prevent it ourselves. David Mablick March 28, 2003 Please send info about Inuit prehistory CD-ROM Kia ora mai ra — Greetings from a Kai Tahu (South Island tribe) in Aotearoa-New Zealand. I have accessed your site through Archaeologica. I ask as someone who has a deep and long-standing interest in how the outer areas of our planet were settled, and by whom. (You probably know that our archipelago was the last land mass to be settled, first by my ancestors, now known as Maori.) I would like to buy a copy of this exciting-sounding CD. No reira, ka nui aku mihi mi a koe a koutou. Keri Hulme March 28, 2003 The dumbing down of Nunavut? I just wanted to make a couple of comments on the editorial, "Dumbing down of Nunavut?" (March 21) I personally feel that the GN needs to revise a lot of its job descriptions to — as they say — remove artificial barriers for Inuit. I don’t see this as a dumbing down, necessarily, that is if the exercise is a shift toward competency-based job evaluation and professional accreditation. Other jurisdictions in Canada have moved toward competency-based recognition for apprenticeship and internship programs. And personally having gone through the Nunavut Unified Human Resource Development Strategy’s public careers program, I see potential for a tremendous job training initiative for Inuit. I think we should ask the GN through the MLAs to tie in a solid job training initiative for Inuit with the revision of GN job descriptions. On a different note: I wonder if we should expect salaries and benefits to be "dumbed down." Jay Arnakak March 28, 2003 NTI clarifies NNI policy To clarify your recent article "NTI presses GN for info on NNI policy," (March 14), Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. believes the NNI isn’t being properly implemented by the Government of Nunavut. The NNI policy calls for the GN and NTI to carry out an annual review to help determine how well the policy is meeting the GN’s land claim obligation to increase Inuit participation in government contracting. Because data on last year’s contracts has not been provided by the GN, it has not yet been possible to carry out the annual review. The annual reviews and the three-year comprehensive reviews are both useful tools for NTI and the GN to determine whether the NNI policy needs adjustment in order to work better and ensure beneficiaries benefit to the greatest extent possible from the Nunavut land claims agreement. John Lamb March 28, 2003 GN should get serious about suicide I wonder when the Nunavut government is going to get serious about the amount of suicide among the youth of Nunavut. Don’t say "it’s up to the community." You were elected and highly paid to fix the problems. Bloody well get on with it! Or resign. Start kicking ass where applicable. Don’t spend massive amounts of money on southern experts and their families, who will accomplish nothing apart from their own bank balances and getting work for relatives. We have had about 10 recreation directors in the past 15 years, and between them they have not organized any youth groups or activities for youth — too busy flying to Yellowknife. Check the records. J. Darkhill
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