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February 24, 2006

Editorial omitted holes in education

Your editorial on the growing number of gaps in Nunavut’s social safety net (February 17, 2006) overlooked perhaps the most important gap of all — the education gap.

Every year Nunavut loses hundreds of young people from our school system long before graduation. They leave without the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a territory rich in opportunities.

Many paths to Nunavut’s success lead back to the education system. Our government’s success in achieving a representative workforce and functional government is directly related to having educated young Nunavummiut available for jobs that we have long relied on southern Canadians to fill. Our economic goals, be it to develop mines, fish our offshore resources, or develop made-in-Nunavut trades people, are all reliant on a workforce with a high school education. The usefulness of Nunavut’s boldest new economic investment — broadband — assumes a certain level of literacy necessary to make the most of the information technology now available in all our communities.

When the performance of our public education system is measured by graduation rates, Nunavut lags far behind even our sister Territories. And since 1999, the growth in the number of graduates in Nunavut has in fact slowed, when measured against the number of young people in our school system. We simply cannot continue to quietly accept graduation rates that leave 75 per cent of our students to fall through the social safety net.

We heard last week about the Government of Nunavut’s renewed commitment to their priority hiring policy where a target of 50 per cent Inuit employment is to be achieved by 2008. How great it would be if we could hear a comparable target for increasing graduation rates by 2008.

While it is true that there are many competing priorities for public funds in Nunavut, there must be recognition that some investments impact the success of all others. Closing the education gap by increasing the number of students who graduate from our schools will require more than a status quo budget. Closing the education gap will require accelerated spending in services that support our struggling students; it will require an overhaul to our approach to a high school education; it will require an accelerated investment in making our curriculum relevant to our young people; and it will require a greater investment in recruiting and retaining made-in-Nunavut teachers.

Our schools should be about hope. Our schools should educate our young citizens and graduate them so they can transform our communities. Closing the education gap must surely be one of our most urgent priorities.

Christa Kunuk, chair
Iqaluit District Education Authority

Note: In December 2005 the IDEA released a research report on Nunavut’s Education Gap. A copy of the report can be obtained at the IDEA office or on the IDEA website at www.iqaluitdea.net.

February 24, 2006

ICC chair supports Canada-Greenland air link

Kenn Harper’s comment on the need for “people-to-people” links between Canada and Greenland is well taken. To get to Nuuk from Iqaluit requires a connection via Copenhagen, Denmark!

Lack of communication is a huge disincentive to developing and maintaining economic, social and cultural ties with Greenland. Politically, it makes it difficult to work together to address international issues such as the recent challenge we faced with the restrictions issue on trade in marine mammal products.

With the ICC Assembly coming up in Barrow, Alaska this July, it certainly would be helpful in practical and economic terms if we had an airline route between Canada and Greenland.

I hope the re-establishment of the direct link will be given a priority soon.

Sheila Watt-Cloutier
Chair
Inuit Circumpolar Conference

February 24, 2006

Extreme violence an every day event in Nunavik

I have lived in Nunavik for the past 10 years, and have lost many friends and acquaintances to death.

I think it’s sad. In the first year I moved to the North, 1996, there were only two or three deaths a year.

Does anyone realise how severe it has become? The stabbings, beatings, shootings, sexual violence and suicide have become every-day events. People now hear of such incidents and shrug it off as if it was a regular daily affair for them.

What is going on? Are people really that blind? It’s frightening and very sad to see.

A place we call home, a place where we never used to have to fear for the safety of our children, never needed to lock our doors, where all were once welcome, no longer exists.

Our police officers have grown weary. No longer do they have the heart to carry out their duty. They suffer as we do, in some ways more. Our government is turning a blind eye to all of it, casually brushing us off with “agreeable” excuses and false hopes and promises of help.

Maybe we can open someone’s eyes, go back to the news articles and find any and all violently caused deaths (10 years’ worth) perhaps post a memorial page, a reminder of all those who we’ve loved and lost, as a reminder, perhaps of what we have become, what we are teaching our children.

This is just an idea, but I really would like to hope this idea can give something to others to consider.

I thank you for your time. Keep up the good work.

Name withheld by request

Kuujjuaq

February 24, 2006

Peacenik seeks Inuktitut translations

I am working on a peace project that translates 20 geographic terms into 20 languages. I have completed and-or acquired translations for 14 of the languages from English to Russian to Chinese to Swahili to others. I am intentionally including several of the languages that are in danger of vanishing.

Inuktitut represents a major language spanning the continents and islands of the northern hemisphere and I would like to include it as one of the 20 languages of Planet Earth. Similarly, Hawaiian is one member of the Pan-Pacific Islands that I am including as well to represent the vast area of the Pacific Ocean inhabited by aboriginal peoples with beautiful languages.

Can you help me with the Inuit translation from English?

Here are the 20 terms in English. I would greatly appreciate a translation of these into Inuktitut in its native characters (Unicode font preferred for international interpretation and representation by computers everywhere):

We are one

One earth

One world

Our shore

Our sea

Our sun

Our moon

Our sky

Our air

Our clouds

Our rain

Our wind

Our water

Our streams

Our soil

Our fields

Our plains

Our valleys

Our hills

Our mountains

H.B. Hill
Bainbridge, Washington
hbhill@seanet.com

February 24, 2006

Statistics Canada should use interpreters in Nunavut

In recent months I have several times had interviewers from Statistics Canada knock on my door asking me to participate in a survey of some sort.

I’m always happy to do so, as I believe that governments need accurate data on which to base decisions and that it’s a citizen’s duty to participate. I’m less happy, however, with the fact that six years after the creation of Nunavut, StatCan is still flying in interviewers from the South and not providing them with interpreters. For almost all StatCan surveys in Nunavut (the Aboriginal Children’s Survey being a rare exception), there is no local employment, and no ability to communicate with unilingual Inuktitut speakers.

This morning I asked one of their interviewers why, if StatCan is unwilling or unable to hire Nunavummiut for their regular survey program, they don’t hire a bilingual Inuk to accompany him.

His response was that the surveys are supposed to be confidential (although this survey wasn’t on a particularly sensitive topic), and if there was an interpreter along, then peoples’ responses would no longer be private. How ridiculous — StatCan is deliberately, on “principle,” refusing to allow Nunavummiut to complete most household surveys in Inuktitut! Surveys that go uncompleted for this reason are coded “22” — “unable to complete because occupant doesn’t speak an official language.”

Of all the federal departments and agencies operating in Nunavut today, Statistics Canada has to be the most persistently colonial in its approach. Can you imagine the uproar that would result if they handled data collection in Quebec in a similar fashion?

Maybe it’s time for a bit of uproar here... The opinions and living conditions of unilingual Inuktitut speakers are as important as anyone else’s, and it is wrong to exclude them from the “national” data that Statistics Canada collects.

Jack Hicks
Iqaluit

February 24, 2006

Schools should create special “reading” days

Retirement is wasted on the elderly!

This is a revelation reached after two years of retirement. My reason for this is simple: I now have much more time for reading and what I have discovered is that in the past year and half I have learned more than in the previous 10 years of my life. What is equally important is that my English has improved.

Even at my late stage in life I can now communicate in my first language more effectively, both in speech and in writing, than ever before. My vocabulary has both been reinforced and enlarged. The dictionary is a constant aid. All of this is attributed to more reading — the reading I failed to do earlier in life. In spite of the fact that I also learn from a few informative radio and TV programs, it has been mainly through reading that most of my learning has taken place.

The problem that bothers me now is that I should have had these new-found knowledge and language skills when I was a younger person, when it could have been put to greater use.

Okay — why am I writing this message? For anyone who has read this far, here is my response.

We are told that nation-wide surveys and other studies show there are far too many young persons in Nunavut with lower than average language skills in our official languages. In a rapidly changing world that is captured by an ever evolving technology, reading for the sake of learning or for pleasure no longer seems to be in vogue. And yet, we must have proper linguistic and comprehension skills to progress and survive in an increasingly competitive world. We must also learn how to learn.

I therefore propose that all schools devote two complete days to reading and language arts per term. Every teacher should be involved whether it is in the field of science, physical education, social studies and mathematics — not just those instructing language arts and skills.

Emphasis should be on extra-curricular reading in any language including Inuktitut or English or French. The major purpose of this exercise is to engender a greater appreciation for the written word and love for knowledge whether it is on the internet, in books, magazines, newspapers or any other publications.

The possibilities and permutations are too great to detail in this letter, however they are as instructive and as beneficial as our imagination will allow. By the way, “reading” (and listening to the radio) exercises our imagination much more than viewing our non-literary forms of information.

Frank Pearce
Iqaluit

February 24, 2006

Accountability lacking in Jerry Ell sentence

Nunavut has the highest rate per capita of violent crime? Nunavut has the highest rate per capita of suicide?

There are individual stories of violence; a woman is killed by her spouse after he has been brought before the courts for spousal assault several times and then released back to the residence?

There is a nine-hour stand off with an armed man in Iqaluit, he is accused of sexually assaulting at least one person and disarming a police officer and then the courts give him back his access to firearms and a short period of probation?

Nunavut is coming together. Youth are talking to youth about suicide, women’s groups are holding workshops on violence, government is funding and facilitating meetings, police are engaged with the community.

But where is the judicial system? What is the role of the courts in addressing the social challenges in Nunavut? The jails we have are full, so do we need more jails? Are the people in jail getting the help they need while in custody or after they return home? Is there a deterrent or punishment or accountability for crimes?

There certainly was not for Mr. Jerry Ell’s violent and dangerous behavior. The judicial system is expected to protect the victims, and the community. What has the judicial system done for the victims of violence? What has the judicial system done to support the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our community? What has the judicial system done to ensure Mr. Ell will not act in a violent manner towards others again? What message has this decision sent to all the victims of violence?

At the very least I would have expected that Mr. Ell would have been given a lengthy period of time to do community service work, where he would be required to help the people who he has intimidated and show his remorse and reconciliation with the community. Or was he given special consideration?

I just can’t believe that a person could be accused of this number of violent crimes, involving firearms, sexual assaults, and assaults to police officers and then not be held accountable. What is the judicial system saying to people who commit acts of violence?

As an elected representative in my community I am shocked and appalled at the outcome of a number of very serious violent situations that have occurred in Iqaluit. There are so many dedicated people in this community who work with victims of crime and abuse, who have been let down by the judicial system.

More importantly there are many victims in our communities who have been hurt again, this time by the ones who are expected to defend them. Why?

Glenn Williams
Deputy Mayor
City of Iqaluit

Editor’s note: In the incident that Mr. Williams refers to in his letter, which occurred Oct. 19, 2004, a large section of Iqaluit’s white row housing area was evacuated for about six hours during an armed standoff between police and an Iqaluit man barricaded inside a house. Jerry Ell was arrested after a brief struggle, then charged with six criminal offences. After a plea bargain earlier this month, he pleaded guilty to three offences and received a suspended sentence and one year of probation. He is prohibited from storing his firearms at home, but he may store them somewhere else for hunting purposes.

February 24, 2006

Health and Social Services — the GN’s failed department

I shake my head at the way the Department of Health and Social Services continues to flounder, serving no one in particular and constantly blowing every conceivable opportunity to connect with the people it is supposed to be serving.

Watching this sorry sight since 1999, I recall being aghast at the way so many people were recruited from all over the South to fill key health positions.

These people usually made the same mistakes over and over again, thinking they were hired for what they had previously put in place, so they proceeded to do what they knew, even though it would never fit. Whenever that became apparent through embarrassing blunders and outcries from the public, they simply scratched their heads for a moment and did more of the same.

Everyone seemed to take their cue from another province, another initiative elsewhere, and measured and filtered everything from somewhere else.

In witnessing this, I knew that kind of thinking and planning was doomed.

I was distraught, watching all these people from elsewhere occupying all the most prestigious and influential positions in the department. No northerners, who could inject some insight and feeling for the people, were allowed a place where they could speak to the needs, hopes and aspirations of the people, or bring forward the recommendations emerging from the consultation processes carried out by the Interim Commissioner’s Nunavut-wide consultation mandate.

They seemed buried and uninteresting to these newcomers, who were so sure of themselves they didn’t miss a beat in applying only what they knew.

Being out of tune and out of sync with northerners, earning good wages, being in superior health compared to the masses, never having any direct experience with most of the challenges northern people face, they were sadly lacking in comprehension and empathy for the daily suffering all around them.

Suicide you say? Youth blowing themselves away? No, that had never touched their lives, so it was no big priority and there was no urgency for them to do something about it.

Family violence? No not in their homes, so no significant efforts were ever made in that area.

Poverty? Of course not, don’t be silly.

Illiteracy? Not in their families, so no understanding of the humiliating conditions under which people up here toiled.

Homelessness? Hard to understand — much less feel for when no one in your very isolated social circle ever experienced anything like that.

Alcoholism and drug addiction? No, these high-functioning people who hardly ever had nasty challenges to face mixed in with miles of grief, trauma and marginalization couldn’t even begin to figure that one out. It just never happened to them.

Lulled by big dollars, staff housing, good benefits and lots of southern colleagues all around them, it seemed impossible for them to break out of their bubbles and notice how much was upside down around here.

Did anyone do cross-cultural training or language training with them? Were they monitored on how they interacted and included northerners who worked at much lower levels within the department?

Did anyone, such as the many deputy ministers and ADMs who have run through this department like freight trains, ever stop long enough to wonder why they and their thinking never fit and how they were quickly tagged by the people as insensitive, out-of-touch, cold-hearted rule-worshipers with no ethics, no heart and no people skills?

And who in senior echelons ever noticed or ever chose to do anything about it as it very quickly became the GN’s Titanic, taking up so much of the budget, yet sinking like a stone?

Who at the top never bothered to listen to the legitimate concerns of the ordinary MLAs who also questioned this department’s outputs, attitudes, staffing mix, level of competence, and actions in many Legislative Assembly sessions?

These MLAs who raised these worries, quite correctly, only received smarmy and horribly contrived answers from a minister of health who always lacked any real deep insight into health issues, and relied way too heavily on the same bureaucrats who were being complained about, even responding to MLAs about them with briefing notes and comments penned by these same people defending themselves.

And the rest of the cabinet — were they asleep for two terms?

It is incredible that we can see failures on this massive a scale ongoing since 1999 — seven years! If this were anywhere else in Canada, the health ministry would have been put out of business, everyone thrown out of it and new folks brought in to clean up the mess.

• Get Northerners into top positions where they can articulate what Nunavummiut want, need and expect, and shape it into that.
• Clear out deadwood and even more moribund thinking.
• Let loose on the creativity, including real IQ, not the pathetic snowmobile afternoons, berry-picking, fishing and picnics that currently pass for traditional knowledge.
• People the place with elders in groups, not alone, so they can have the strength of numbers in their advice.
• Listen, listen, listen all around you.
• Be brave enough to bring in people to do an autopsy on where you went wrong so it can never happen like this again and go on so very long.
• Dig up the Nunavut wide consultation material from 1997-98 where the people had their input and see what you were supposed to be building and build it.
• Attract some of those northerners back in to the department who left, in disbelief, from a system they could not even recognize anymore. It is they who should be put in charge and all the educated southerners should be taking their direction from them.
• Stop letting bureaucrats compare and worship what health systems are doing everywhere else in the country and leave that fixation behind so they can shake their brains free of information overload and empty it out to be able to replace it with adaptiveness, flexibility, openness, leading-edge thinking, sensitivity and awareness.
• Apologize to the people for getting so far away from them and so far off the path of giving them what they needed and from refusing to listen to their input.
• Do it fast, do it now and drop all other initiatives that would take your time and attention away from it.

People are dying. They are sick, afraid, in trauma, grief, violence, addiction and they are losing hope. This department was a major contributor to this situation by what it didn’t do well or didn’t do at all.

It must rise up, out of the ashes — as it constantly set itself on fire — with its long history of bad decisions, haughtiness, exclusion, isolation and bureaucracy. It must take the lead now in clearing the debris and fast-tracking transparent, innovative consultative and empathetic processes for getting in touch with the people whose mandate it is to serve and giving them what they always deserved.

Nunavut’s new government was supposed to be different, closer to the people, caring, user-friendly, more knowledgeable, less autocratic and distant, more responsive, inclusive and creative. Let’s live up to the peoples’ mandate.

(Name withheld by request)
Ottawa

February 10, 2006

AA not connected with treatment centre

In a previous brief about the Isuarsivik Treatment Centre, you ended with an announcement about Alcoholics Anonymous, as if to imply they are part of the same organization.

Although many alcohol treatment centres in the world are for AA and even allow clientele to attend AA meetings during their recovery program, the Alcoholics Anonymous traditions state:

“Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional..., and Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues...”

I think it is important to realize that AA is AA and treatment centres are treatment centres. Just because a person goes to a treatment centre, it does not mean they are AA members, and just because somebody is an AA member it does not mean they have gone to any treatment centre. Furthermore, “the only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.”

There is no tradition that says in order to be an AA member, one has to go to a treatment centre.

(Name withheld by request)
Kuujjuaq

February 10, 2006

Homelessness is serious among employed people

There are many pressing issues on housing, but one housing issue I haven’t heard very much about from any of the Nunavut representatives is the issue of housing for employees.

I know for a fact there are many homeless workers all across Nunavut, especially here in Iqaluit. Most do not want to report living with one family after another while they are working to barely save up the $3,800 needed for the first and last month’s rent to get into an apartment, when housing is not provided by an employer. It is especially hard for those that are minimum wage earners — they have to wait for as long as 3 years to get low-income housing.

I totally understand wanting to move from a small community to another place in hopes of finding stable employment and housing. I know housing is a big issue here but what I cannot understand is how come there is absolutely no help available when it comes to workers’ homelessness, unless you are a middle income worker hired on with a housing subsidy.

When workers finally get tired of being homeless after many months of trying to find housing, they either get fired, or give up trying altogether because the cost of living is too high to save.

They have to then save up for plane tickets to get back home, to more homelessness, or it is up to the immediate family to pay for that person to get back home, a financial hardship for the person and the family.

It is scary for me to think subsidies might very well be phased out in the future as Nunavut representatives push their workers to find private rental housing. This move became apparent at the beginning of this year when they increased rents.

It is so unreal to even think about getting a loan of $250,000 to buy a house, and not know if you are going to keep your job as all the bills add up just to sustain your livelihood.

When you travel without your family because of personal reasons you still have to worry about paying twice a year to see your family and airline tickets cost easily up to $2300.

If all fails and you have not made it to five years of employment, you have to think about going back home while buying a ticket out of your own pocket to return to no housing at all and a stack of humongous bills.

With the rent increased, having to pay $200 more a month makes a big difference when you are barely making enough to feed a family, let alone having to go get a loan to get a house that is not affordable at all since most people get employment already with many worries of having unpaid bills before they move here, and more bills just to go home to see family and having more family come to stay with you.

I just want to say to homeless workers that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Just stick it out, and prove to yourselves you can do it. At least we can say we are employed.

Kataisee Attagutsiak
Iqaluit

February 10, 2006

Arthur Berton Cooper: 1928 — 2006

Arthur Berton Cooper, Northport, N.S., March 15, 1928 - Jan 29, 2006. It is with great sadness we announce the passing of a loving husband, father and grandfather in Victoria, B.C.

He was the son of the late Edward and Cora (Reid) Cooper, Saint John, NB. He is survived by his wife Bernadette; sister Carol (Bowyer) Smith, Grand Bay, NB; daughters, Jane Cooper (Steve Birrell), Iqaluit; Jennifer Lusher, Fall River; Laura Cooper (Brad Malcom), Ottawa; sons, Edward (Karen) Cooper, Vancouver and Nicholas Cooper (Martine Giangioppi), Iqaluit. Grandchildren: Daniel, Rejean, Samantha, Tattaujaq, Andrea, Jordan, Renèe, Natalie, Rebecca, Solenda, Michael, Matthew, and Camille.

A graduate of the University of New Brunswick, he worked for the Dept. of Environment as a meteorologist for 34 years, and later for the Nova Scotia Power Corp.

He lived in Iqaluit (Frobisher Bay) from 1960 to 1973. He enjoyed being physically active in various sports and particularly loved to ski, swim, cycle and shop. He loved to build, fix things, and enjoyed the great outdoors. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

A celebration of his life will be held in Campbell’s Funeral Home, Amherst, N.S., on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m., and will be followed by a reception. If desired, a donation in Art’s memory can be made to Doctors Without Borders at 720 Spadina Ave., Suite 402, Toronto, ONT, M5S 2T9 or Hope Cottage, 2435 Brunswick Street, Halifax, NS, B3K 2Z4.

The Cooper Family
Iqaluit

February 10, 2006

Iqaluit’s compost king clarifies views

Your article in last week’s paper was well written but it expressed my feelings just a little too well.

I was indeed upset but not at our mayor or the minister of the environment, and certainly not at the premier. All three individuals have my respect, as do the many hard-working folks at City Hall many of whom I consider friends.

The truth is I actually discouraged Elisapee and Olayuk from signing up to our composting program after they came forward at last year’s trade show. At the time we were still very much in an experimentation mode.

I apologize to them sincerely if your readers got the impression they were not supportive of our work.

A very efficient system is now in place thanks to the perseverance of some dedicated families who were patient enough to act as guinea pigs over the last few years. I would like to add that Elisapee is currently a member of our society and diverts her family’s organic waste for composting.

In 2001, our premier thought Iqaluit was too cold to compost. His skepticism was no different than that of a well-paid consulting engineer hired by the city around the same time and he had years of experience designing southern composting facilities. But there is more than one way to skin a caribou.

In this case, trying to use southern technology here is a mistake. We have a remarkable resource that the South doesn’t — cold. If we embrace our Arctic climate and let it work for us, many things suddenly and surprisingly become affordable. I know composting is not only possible here but I believe it truly holds the promise of a considerable financial saving for the city with huge spin-off benefits for the entire community.

I regret what seems to be a combative attitude, but it has been nurtured by the gatekeepers at Fortress City Hall over the last few years. I’ve watched the systematic degradation of our community’s goodwill on a broad range of issues while the city’s Solid Waste Steering Committee has been reduced to a “rubber stamp” committee only being able to offer input after the fact.

A case in point is the administrative decision to disallow junked vehicles at the landfill. It’s no wonder so few people are willing to serve on the committee.

If the true merits of this new approach are to be fully understood, a professional cost-benefit analysis is required. If the city sincerely wants to make the best of our dire financial circumstances, composting not only holds the promise of improving our community’s civic pride but also the city’s bottom line.

Additionally, with a commitment to long-term responsible waste management “incrementally” instead of throwing money here and there at the problem, a healthy list of funding sources would soon offer their support, pushing any direct financial requirement by the city well into the future.

At the same time, I am convinced all the untapped energy and goodwill I see throughout our community would happily bolster and promote real responsible waste management initiatives throughout our city.

Jim Little, Coordinator
The Bill Mackenzie Humanitarian Society
BMHS@nunanet.com

February 3, 2006

Remembering Sammy Alainga

Sammy Alainga has died at the age of 65.

This amazing man was born and raised on the land and became a good hunter at an early age.

During the 1960s, while on a hunting trip by boat, he was accidentally shot in the head with a high-powered rifle. He was rushed to the Montreal Neurological Institute where substantial life-saving surgery was performed. The surgeons gave Sammy very little hope of survival, and no chance of ever walking again.

Soon after waking from surgery, Sammy was found on the floor of his room. No one knew how he had managed to get over the safety rail surrounding his bed, but there he was, on the floor, fighting to get to his feet.

Within weeks, he was back here in town, having thrown away his crutches, walking with a stick, totally paralyzed on one side, but still able to walk by swinging his leg and arm in a forward movement, he managed to get around.

He later acquired a tiny dog, which went with him everywhere. Sadly, during one of Sammy’s hunting trips in his boat, the poor dog leaped over the side, in total fright, as the guns fired at a seal. The dog was never found and Sammy was devastated.

During another hunting trip in the late 1960s, I was with Sammy and filmed while he spotted a polar bear in the water, near the end of Frobisher Bay at Lok’s Land. With careful aim, using a good left eye and his right arm and a very strange grip on his gun, he hit the bear in the ear.

He was a very special man who proved to all who knew him that with determination we can overcome just about any hardship thrown at us.

Bryan Pearson
Iqaluit

February 3, 2006

Won’t talk to demons for wages

In response to William Noah of Baker Lake (Nunatsiaq News, Jan. 27) on his quest for a solution on suicide prevention up here in the North, there were good points at the beginning of his letter.

Knowing of the serious consequences that befall the victims of suicide, however, the conclusion of that particular letter ends up as the equivalent of a B-movie.

Why do we need a really gifted person to cast out demons, when, according to Noah, we only have to ask “a demon within the unfortunate individual,” who are you?

As a victim of suicide (two suicides in my household), I could get better, down to earth advice or condolence from the Desiderata: “If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter.”

And do not tell anyone to start talking to your demons. I don’t think anyone would like that, you know, talking with spirits. Nor even for wages.

Johnny Qitsualik
Kuujjuaq

February 3, 2006

North needs more airline competition

I think that if the North were to open the skies to competing airlines, instead of one main carrier, the price of seat sales and the price of food would drop.

We would start to realize that Northerners needn’t suffer. I, for one, am tired of carrying the main carrier on my back.

Although they say they are an Inuit company, that is no excuse. They may say they have contributed to the North, but all I have felt is high seat sales and high food prices.

I believe that if the North were to open up to competition, we would start to see less community problems such as homelessness, povery, and crime rates.

We would probably see changes that are unheard of. I also would start paying prices that are fair and not the prices that require both arms and both legs too.

Paul Innualuk
Pond Inlet

February 3, 2006

Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou threatened by development

The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB) shares John Komak’s concerns about developments affecting caribou health, particularly mining “Bathurst caribou decimated by wolves, bears, mines, climate,” Editorial, Jan. 20, 2006.)

Mineral exploration has skyrocketed in northern Canada. As of Dec. 2005, 93 companies and individuals held almost 3,800 mineral rights on the ranges of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou herds in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories alone, including more than 350 mineral rights on the calving grounds of these two herds. The herds also migrate into Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

(See www.arctic-caribou.com/mining.html.)

Among mining companies on the ranges are such major players as De Beers Canada, Cameco Corporation, BHP Billiton and Urangesellschaft Canada Ltd. Uranium and diamond exploration is leading the surge. In fact, three uranium companies held all 81 mineral claims on the Beverly calving grounds, downstream of the Thelon Basin watershed, which is being hailed by uranium mining companies as the next Athabasca Basin, rich in high-grade uranium.

Road construction, hydroelectric power expansion, growing communities and southern hunters arriving via new roads are other threats to the caribou populations.

The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou herds sustain 20 mainly aboriginal communities. While residents welcome the economic opportunities that mines and other industrial developments bring, they don’t want them at the expense of the caribou herds.

In January, the Baker Lake Hunters and Trappers Organization sent a letter to the ministers of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Nunavut’s Department of Environment asking that no new mineral permits be approved or issued for 2006 for a large area extending from the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary north to the Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary and east to the community of Baker Lake.

Action is urgently needed to protect the caribou herds and their habitat. Little is known about the recent seasonal distribution of the Beverly herd, and the BQCMB is working with governments, non-profit organizations and private companies to learn more through satellite collaring. It’s hoped population surveys for both the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds will go ahead in June 2007 — a first since 1994.

In 2004, the BQCMB made many recommendations to governments for protection of the herds and their habitat from human-caused activity. Your readers can learn more about these at our website, www.arctic-caribou.com.

They can also report information online about caribou disturbances they may have witnessed, or get caribou disturbance observation cards — handy for detailing notes when out on the land — by phoning (204) 467-2438 or e-mailing rossthompson@mts.net.

Ross Thompson
Secretary-Treasurer
Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board

February 3, 2006

North West Co. cheque-cash fees only one per cent

With reference to Ambassador Anawak’s recent letter in Nunatsiaq News regarding financial service fees in the North, we at The North West Company respect and understand the concerns expressed and the fact that some customers feel that our financial fees are too high.

In response, I’d like to clarify what these fees are and explain how they are set. I’d also like to offer an example of how we are working to make financial service transactions more efficient and the related fees less expensive in the North.

The letter refers to cheque-cashing fees of 5 per cent or $50 on a $1,000 cheque. In fact, our fees are considerably lower than this.

What we actually charge is the greater of $3 or one per cent. For a $50 cheque the fee is $3 and for a $1,000 cheque it is $10.

The letter asks the question. “Why is the fee higher for a $1,000 cheque when, as you point out, the work involved to cash the cheque is about the same for both amounts?”

The reasons relate to the cost of cash itself. The cash has to be moved from the south to the north and is tied up in transit for a considerable amount of time. The deposit of cashed cheques into our account then takes more time, usually several days compared to overnight or less in the South.

Lost or stolen cash parcels are also a higher risk and cost, because we do not have the same secure transit available in the South. Finally, cash is an investment and is reasonably expected to earn a return.

For example, if it wasn’t used for providing financial services it would be invested in other aspects of our business, such as merchandise or store improvements.

We track these types of costs and use them as a reference when we set our financial service fees. At the same time we are not insensitive to lower income customers, as the letter suggest. We cash all pension and seniors’ cheques free of charge and we offer exemptions and reduced rates to non-profit organizations.

One of the impediments to reducing the cash-related costs of financial services in the North is the continued reliance on cheques. Direct deposit is a solution. A newer idea is the use of cash cards.

We have recently started to test these in select communities by working with local administrators to have payroll payments loaded on individual cash cards instead of cheques. The cash card can then be used to purchase goods or services at any business with a debit machine and can be used to withdraw cash at an ATM.

Cheque cashing is more expensive to provide within the North, like most other products and services. The reasons relate to a higher cost of doing business, such as those I have described. We believe that once these costs are understood they stand the test of being fair and valid.

The North West Company is also committed to continually finding ways to make shopping more affordable so that more spending stays in the North instead of leaving for the South. With respect to financial services, we are starting to promote and invest in more electronic financial services so that costs associated with paper cheques and cash are reduced.

Jim Deyell,
Director, Public Affairs, Northern Canada,
The North West Company

January 27, 2006

City in financial fog, homeowners say

One only needs to read last week’s article on the city’s budget meetings (“Proposed tax hikes anger ratepayers, Jan. 20, 2006”) to gain an understanding of the financial fog that hovers over City Hall.

More than 80 Iqaluit homeowners have come together under the umbrella organization Namminiq Angirraliit Iqalunni Association to offer a tax-paying voice and perspective to the city’s current budget deliberations.

After reviewing in detail the city’s budget proposal and reviewing past financial statements for the city, NAIA wrote council with questions on the budget that in our opinion needed to be answered before informed budget choices could be made. We followed up this letter with a presentation to council last week which underlined our concerns about the need for council to have good financial information before making the tough choices that all councils must make in passing a budget.

Instead of answers to our questions, the Chief Administrative Officer, Ian Freemantle, again chose to reach back into the city’s archives to quote outdated studies completed prior to the election of this council. Councilors and observers were provided with a long and confusing explanation concerning financial scenarios considered back in 2002.

Mr. Freemantle was accurately quoted in your paper as saying, “I won’t put this city $26 million in debt — I won’t do it.” (A proposal not even on the table in the 2006 budget discussions). Citizens of Iqaluit have to question why, in any case, Mr. Freemantle would view this decision as his and not the council’s.

It did not go unnoticed that in Mr. Freemantle’s response to a request by homeowners to control tax increases, he was only prepared to discuss borrowing as an option to higher taxes. Clearly, Mr. Freemantle is refusing to look at expenditures such as a cutback in the proposed 10 per cent salary and benefit increase (totaling $1.1 million) which was quietly buried in the numbers put before council.

The citizens of Iqaluit have elected this city council to exercise good judgment in making decisions that are in the best interest of our community. To make sound decisions, councilors need clear financial information that provides them with an opportunity to choose between what administration would like in the budget and those priorities that council sees as reasonable, manageable and affordable for our community.

If councilors are not able to turn to public and provide clear, compelling arguments as to why choices were made, then administration has failed in their duty to provide them with the information they need.

Council will consider the budget again on Jan. 30. NAIA hopes that between now and then that our membership receives the answers to the financial questions posed in our letter. We also hope that council considers our recommendations on the budget process. Above all, NAIA hopes that councilors enter those Jan. 30 meetings with clear financial information on which to make very difficult decisions, so they can explain those decisions to citizens on Jan. 31.

NAIA Board of Directors
(Iqaluit Homeowners’ Association)
Iqaluit

January 27, 2006

Spousal abuse is not the Inuit way

When I write for the newspaper I try to think the Inuit way and deliver my ideas in the Inuit tradition so that they can be understood.

I am writing about ningaqtailiniq (avoiding violence) in defense of both men and women. I am direct in my letters because my Nattilingmiutiut, Aivilingmiut and some Amitturmiut dialects are direct.

When I was a young boy and I was getting education from my father, education as a future husband and how to be a good husband, he used to tell me never to “ningaq” (beat) my wife. He said that wife beaters were laughed at. That was a punishment, he said, for the wife-beaters. He would then say, “I have never touched your mother.”

During my term as Commissioner of Nunavut, the premier asked me if there was anything I would like to include in the Throne Speech. I included “Inuuqatigiittiarniq,” because that was the unwritten customary law that allowed Inuit to survive the 10,000 years, survive by helping each other. Another important concept is tapiriingniq (teaming up) with one another. Inuuqatigiittiarniq and tapiriingniq are something that we can practice by being good neighbors and working as a team.

Where both men and women practice ningaqtailiniq, tapirringniq and inuuqatigiittiarniq, it is a huge responsibility. It takes a lot of thinking but if both partners are committed, violence can be avoided. The point is, we Inuit have always practiced Inuusittiaqarniq (leading a good prosperous life.)

These important words can ring like a bell, throughout Nunavut. By having both men and women working together to solve our problems of alcohol and drugs, we can bring the ways of our ancestors into our present life. We must use the wisdom and knowledge of the elders and integrate it into our daily life.

Remember, as Inuit, we were always told to avoid confrontations, as these tactics are not helpful. Is it important to you to work together? Let’s do it for our children and grandchildren.

Peter Irniq
Iqaluit

January 27, 2006

Calling all exorcists: is suicide caused by demons?

There have been talks and meetings about suicide victims for so many years now. There have been phone-in shows through the CBC, and many “walks for life” over the past years.

There have even been some organized prevention groups and some committee members. It works for awhile, only for a period of time, or just for a few months.

I think we the people who have been volunteering have been the real problems. We are not even dealing with the real problem. We need to go and search deeply into the hearts of men. But do we know how?

Do we think we can help a person who is at risk just by listening to the radio? Do we think some Gospel music that we play every day on the radio will solve the problem? Do we think a kid will read the pamphlets on the bulletin boards? I don’t think so!

If you want to resolve the real problem; you have to face the real problem face to face! Dig right into the heart until it is submerged. Don’t give up or leave the person until what is in the heart comes out!

But the problem is not going to be resolved if you do not have the gift to cast out the demons.

You will be the victim as well. In that case, ask and look for the right person throughout Nunavut. Perhaps even look as far as America to find the right gifted person, or persons.

We need a really gifted person or persons to deal with the problems and who have the gift for casting out demons. If you need to use an exorcist, use an exorcist to resolve the problem until the work is done and completed.

We never had these kind of problems before alcohol and drugs were introduced to Nunavut in what used to be called the Northwest Territories. We have more kids than we have social workers who can handle kids who are at risk. At school we have social problems and no one to resolve them.

Some parents or grandparents spend long hours throughout the night playing cards and gambling, some go out to bingo and buy Nevada tickets with all the money they received that day and spend the whole cheque with nothing left for food, or money for the children.

If we cannot cast out our own little demons we will need someone else to cast out our demons for us. It’s as simple as that and we will need the right gifted person to do it for us. Walking around is not going to cast out demons. You will need to dig right into the heart of the person to find out who is inside the person.

We would need at least two priests who could go to each community to visit the people who have depressions and possessions. The priests who are gifted would have to be on wages.

Don’t even think that a person who is at risk can be helped just by religion, and just by listening to the music and dedications on the local radio. The person is up against the black brick wall! They need help quickly and confidentially. Some will take less time and some will take hours and hours, but you must not give up until the work is done.

If we want to resolve the problem, we must go to the heart and deal with it; setting up meetings and committees is not going to resolve the problem; we have tried that hundred times already and it didn’t work.

We have called out to the ministers and pastors, but nothing seems to work. It is time to work on it in a proper way, not by walking and talking. I have the solution for it and I hope you are reading me clearly. If not, you will still be talking to the black clouds and it will just drift away and pass you by.

Get to the heart and cast out the demons that are causing suicide. Don’t play games with it anymore. You have tried it before and it did not work. So games are over; you don’t play games with the spirits.

Get to the point; go to the person, sit down in front of a person, and ask the spirit inside of a person: “Who are you?”

Keep asking until the demon response to your questions. Do not just ask, ask by the highest Name; ask by the Name of Almighty God; ask by the powerful Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth; who died on the Cross and rose again from the dead; don’t give in until the demon is cast out and has left the person. Victory in Jesus.

William Noah
Baker Lake

January 27, 2006

We would pass savings to customers, retailers say

In response to the letter from Vicki Aitaok of Cambridge Bay, “Food mail benefits retailers, not consumers.”

We want to assure your readers that we are equally concerned with the high price of food in Canada’s North, which is the reason we are lobbying Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to create a new and increased food-mail subsidy rate for highly perishable and nutritious foods.

At the current perishable food-mail freight-rate the transportation charges on a single four-litre container of milk from Yellowknife to Cambridge Bay is approximately $4.08. The new rate we are lobbying to achieve would see the transportation costs on this same four-litre container of milk reduced to $1.66.

The $2.42 savings from the improved freight rate would be passed along to consumers and not pocketed by the retailer, as you state in your letter. In fact, there are over 140 northern and remote communities in Canada that are eligible to benefit from an increased subsidy.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, working with Canada Post, regularly monitors and audits the pricing of food mail eligible products throughout the North to ensure the subsidy is reflected in the prices of products sold.

It is often forgotten when comparing prices that retailers operating in remote locations are impacted by much higher operating costs, which include electricity, heating oil, maintenance, repair, and building costs. These expenses all factor into the prices of items sold.

We are proud to be part of the communities we serve and intend to do all we can to reduce costs and improve pricing. With the support of customers and local and regional governments hopefully our federally elected representatives hear our message and do the same.

Jim Deyell
Director, Public Affairs Northern Canada
The North West Company
on behalf of the Affordable Food Alliance
www.affordablefood.ca

January 20, 2006

Defending the inuksuk

Firstly, I would like to thank and congratulate Arctic Co-ops for showing a real inuksuk on it's 2006 calendar. Besides helping to make us Inuit proud, you are helping to preserve, protect and promote Inuit culture. In saying so, I will continue to write articles and to portray Inuit culture and language accurately, the way my ancestors have taught me, through my parents and other Inuit elders.

In early 1950s, Thomas Kusugaq, and Alex Spalding, a clerk with the Hudson's Bay Company in Naujaat-Repulse Bay, compiled Inuktitut words and defined the inuksuk as a: "traditional stone beacon usually made of piled stones on some prominent point or hill, as a guide to travelers and hunters or to give other information about game or directions." This type of Inuksuk was made by Inuit 10,000 years ago and is the one I promote and defend. It is used by Inuit in Nunavut as a proper name. This word can be found in the Inuktitut dictionary, published by Nunavut Arctic College.

In the same Inuktitut dictionary Mr. Kusugaq defines Inunnguaq (pretend Inuk) as a "representation of a person or human being, picture, sculpture, doll, mannequin, robot, android." The Government of the Northwest Territories used to commissioned Inuit to build Inunnguat (plural) and call them Inuksuit (plural.) When ever we see Inunnguat, with heads, arms and legs, this is what we mean.

We Inuit would appreciate if our fellow-Canadians would respect our culture and not alter our inuksuk, because it is our identity and one of our most treasured techonologies, since time immemorial. We are happy that others appreciate our symbols but we do not want the meaning taken out of our symbols. We Inuit have used the inuksuk for survival and assign a lot of value to its preservation.

I wish Inuit organizations and our elected representatives would begin talking more about copyrighting the important Inuit symbols such as the Inuksuk.

When our culture is interpreted the right way, we are stronger and have more pride. Teaching our children and our grandchildren, the accurate way, will allow them to have strength for their future, from their past. Thank you.

Peter Irniq,
Iqaluit

January 20, 2006

Nunavik Module offers help to abused women

I would like to comment on your guest editorial of Nov. 25, 2005, entitled "You are not alone."

First of all, I would like to express my appreciation for the writer's courage in telling her story. The events she describes are part of the daily reality for many women around the world, as well as in Nunavik. I have been working with the Inuit of Nunavik as a social services practitioner since 1993 and have listened to many similar stories.

It is true that for many women, it is very difficult to obtain the help they need and it can seem as if there is no hope. The writer has provided us with a very clear description of some of the factors that can keep women trapped in abusive situations.

However, she also offers hope and encouragement. She has found her way out and is living proof that a new life is possible.

At the Northern Quebec Module, we regularly receive clients from Nunavik who are living in abusive situations. At every opportunity we try to help these women examine their relationships and the alternatives available to them. As part of our work, we have recently developed and information handout that will soon be available in three languages (English, French, Inuttitut), and will be distributed throughout Nunavik. It is called "Resources for Women Living in Difficult Situations."

In closing, I would like to echo the writer's message to all women living in abusive relationships and tell them:

• You are not alone.
• You deserve a life free from abuse.
• There are people out there who can help you.
• Keep seeking help until you find something that works.
• Never give up.
• Have faith in the possibility of a better future.

Lynn Sparks, MSW
Social Services Department
Northern Quebec Module
Inuit Patient Services
Montreal

January 20, 2006

Thank you to the Smiths

The Smiths have gone. After a productive 25-year commitment to Iqaluit, this fine couple have both retired to southern Canada.

Diane Smith, who was suffering from cancer, came to the conclusion that she needed to be near special medical care in order to get proper treatment. During her many years in this community, she contributed as a volunteer to the church and for many other activities in town. The Smith kids did all their early education here and have gone on to successful careers. Richard Smith, a 25-year veteran of the high school as a shop teacher, helped and encouraged young people to develop skills that would enable them to find work in the ever-changing North. Both Richard and Diane made a difference to the life of the community. This brief comment is a thank-you to them.

Bryan Pearson
For the community of Iqaluit
Iqaluit

January 20, 2006

Northwest Co. overcharges on cheque cashing fees

In the mid-1900s, the HBC came up to Nunavut and basically pillaged our resources, with minimum returns to the people through trade in furs.

Today the trading in furs is not there anymore, but the pillaging goes on through exorbitant fees. I understand that in any community in Nunavut, the people who have no choice but to cash their cheques at Northern are charged at least 5 per cent. I would call this highway robbery except we have no highways and therefore I will call it simply legalized robbery from the people who have no choice or very limited choices.

How much more work is involved in cashing a $50 cheque than it is to cash a $1,000 cheques? Ten to 15 seconds maybe?

The same thing holds true for cash transfers, albeit at a different percentage. To me this is taking advantage of people who, by and large, are usually at the bottom end of earning ability and who have no choice but to go to your stores. Then you turn around and accept their money when they buy stuff from your stores.

You can explain to me all the legal reasons why you can do that, but it does not excuse the overly bloated fee structure you have put in place.

By copy of this letter I am asking that the department responsible for consumer affairs take a look at not just your company, but any companies who charge those kind of rates, because I think it is time that the people who kept your company afloat for the last 300 years, the Inuit and First Nations, really understand the kinds of tactics that are being used by your company to get more money out of them, even more than just selling them goods that are sold at inflated prices.

Jack Anawak
Ottawa

Editor's note: The HBC left northern Canada in 1987, when they sold their northern retail stores to a group of investors who eventually called themselves the "Northwest Company."

The good old days

My adopted grandson, Roger, who is 11 years old, is my hunting companion and he is always asking questions.

Roger once asked me on one of our hunting trips why I never miss what I shoot at. (He himself rarely misses what he shoots.) I replied, "Well let me think a minute." I was born when we were still living in igloos and depended on our dog teams during our hunting trips. Today, you shoot for fun and a good aim. "In those days, you thought before you shot. You waited until the caribou or other animals were in line, then you shot. There were many times when you killed two or more caribou with one shot," I said. This was before gay rights, and day care centres. Voting for a political party was unheard of. Our lives were governed by our grandparents, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and we stood up to take responsibility for our actions. Having meaningful relationships meant getting along with your cousins. The only time we closed our doors is when the snow started to drift in. Fast foods were the ones you ate right away, when you caught a fish or an animal. You could buy a new snowmobile from the Hudson's Bay Co. for $600, but who could afford it? That was too bad, because gas was only 85 cents a gallon. In my days, the only medicine was cod liver oil. When it was time to take it, we ran away. Thank God, for we used cod liver oil when we ran out of seal oil for our qulliq, or soapstone lamp. "Pot" was something your grandmother cooked in. We were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused," and say there's a generation gap.

Andre Tautu
Chesterfield Inlet

PSAC members help homeless family

Recently, Public Service Alliance of Canada members from throughout Nunavut, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories met in Iqaluit to attend a PSAC-sponsored union development program (UDP) to promote social consciousness and change.

A portion of the varied agenda included attending the launch of a newly published work by Jack Anawak titled Who is Equal.

In the course of his introduction to this human rights text, Mr. Anawak alluded to the plight of the Atagoyuk family, documented on the front page of the Dec. 9 Nunatsiaq News.

Jack Anawak's mention of this family's housing dilemma stimulated UDP course participants to offer a monetary donation of $220 with the hope that, in a small way, it will provide some comfort to the Atagoyuk family and more focus on the Nunavut housing situation.

UDP participants recognized that this family's circumstances are not unique, with many others here in Nunavut and elsewhere lacking basic affordable shelter. All others having means to assist those in need would do well contributing anything they could manage.

With a federal election quickly approaching, we would urge everyone to carefully examine the various candidate platforms so your decision can make a positive difference.

Gary Popoff
NEU and PSAC
Iqaluit

Thanks from Aakuluk daycare

The children of Aakuluk daycare would like to thank the following local businesses that supported and made our third annual Christmas calendar raffle a Sucess: Canadian North, First Air, Northmart, D.J. Sensations, Uqsuq Corporation, Kakivak Association, Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, CIBC, Partylite, Princess House and Official Baby Company Representatives.

Lynn Kilabuk
Aakuluk Daycare
Iqaluit

Osuitok Ipeelee: 1923 - 2005

The late Osuitok Ipeelee at work outside his home in Cape Dorset. (PHOTO COURTESY OF DORSET FINE ARTS)

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To the art world he was known as one of the best sculptors to emerge in contemporary Inuit art. To the people of Cape Dorset, Osuitok was respected as an artist but also as a skilled hunter, leader, and cultural communicator.

In the early 1950's, Jim and Alma Houston travelled by dog team across southern Baffin Island, heading for Cape Dorset. As they came across Inuit camps they would explain that they were interested in crafts and sculptures.

Unfailingly, the name of Osuitok Ipeelee was mentioned as the best carver in the area. When they finally met the man himself, his work bore out his reputation. Houston immediately recognized him not only as a master sculptor, but also as an artist whose imagination went far beyond the borders of his own culture.

So began a long and fruitful friendship, with Osuitok acting as Houston's assistant and guide in Houston's role as the government's Area Administrator. Osuitok often commented on his role in the early craft shop, confirming that he and Houston were the very first ones to start making prints in Cape Dorset. Two of Osuitok's images were included in the first print collection from Cape Dorset released in 1959, but he moved quickly back to carving, which was his preferred medium.

"Osuitok was one of the most notable sculptors in the Eastern Arctic," says Jimmy Manning, manager of the Arts Division of the West Baffin Co-operative in Cape Dorset. "I would agree with many that he was the best of his generation."

Osuitok started carving as a young man and learned by watching his father, Ohotaq. "My father used to carve crib boards out of ivory from the walrus tusk, and he would take it out to the ship to sell it. I would just surprise my father because I started to think, 'Maybe I could do that, too.'" Osuitok carved miniatures of kayaks and fox traps and other elements from his daily life for trade with the Roman Catholic missionaries based in Cape Dorset. These delicate replicas were much admired by his contemporaries sparking the reputation of Osuitok, which was established by the early 1950's.

Osuitok's talent was first publicly recognized in 1955 when he was commissioned to carve figures on the mace of the Government of the Northwest Territories. He then created a carving of H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth combining indigenous materials (stone and whalebone) with copper for her crown. This was presented to her on the occasion of her visit to Canada in 1959. His range as a three-dimensional artist continued to expand; in fact, there were few things he wouldn't try. His technical mastery of his medium was evident in everything he produced, but his best work had an inventive quality that distinguished him from most of his contemporaries. Mr. Manning confirms: "He was dedicated. He took his work very seriously."

Osuitok's work has been included in many group exhibitions nationally and internationally. His first solo exhibition was at the Canadian Guild of Crafts in Montreal in 1973; this was followed by several solo exhibitions in Toronto, Montreal, New York, and Mannheim, Germany. His list of commissioned work is extensive and includes the creation of an authentic "inukshuk" for the Department of External Affairs in Ottawa. The larger than life figure "in the likeness of a man" was built in Cape Dorset in 1970 and then shipped to Ottawa to be reassembled and installed.

His work is represented in major collections including the National Gallery of Art, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto Dominion Bank Collection and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. In 1978 he was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. In 1993 the Academy honoured him with a special medal and a publication to mark an exhibition of his work in Toronto which they organized. In 2004 he received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for the arts.

Leslie Boyd Ryan
Dorset Fine Arts
Toronto

Patricia Feheley
Feheley Fine Arts
Toronto

Tahera's Jericho Mine a great story

It was heartening to see the Tahera Jericho mine story in your number two slot for the top 10 news story of the year 2005.

It is indeed a great story of how a Canadian junior company is taking a prospect into production. It is also a tale of financing, marketing and plain old perserverance.

We hope that this is the first of many mining and exploration success stories that your paper will report over the years to come. At advanced exploration stage, we're looking forward to hearing about Cumberland's Meadowbank, Miramar's Doris North, Wolfden's High Lake, Baffinland's Mary River, and Comaplex's Meliadine projects moving forward.

In earlier exploration stages, there are Starfield's Ferguson Lake, Stornoway's Aviat, Shear's Churchill, Twin Mining's Jackson Inlet, True North's Beluga, Committee Bay's, as well as BHP Billiton's and DeBeers's various projects.

Nunavut has great geological potential that can be realized to bring benefits like jobs, business and training opportunities. Nunavummiut need to be aware of these opportunities and the youth need to take advantage of education and training to participate in a meaningful way.

Mining is not all about guys with hard hats digging in the dark any more. It's about men and women in a wide range of careers from financing, to camp services and expediting, to operating and maintaining high-tech computers and other equipment, as well as the environmental management of the mining process.

We believe that exploration and mining will be the cornerstone of Nunavut's economic future. We trust that Nunatsiaq News will be there to tell the story.

Lou Covello
President
NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines

January 20, 2006

Communities must start protecting women

A colleague of mine recently gave me a copy of the Nov. 25 guest editorial letter that appeared in the Nunatsiaq News.

As I was reading this woman's letter, I was submerged by a feeling of sadness for all the women experiencing daily violence and abuse from their spouses, but I was also feeling proud!

I was proud that a woman found the courage to speak up and reach out to all the women living under the terror of their husbands, boyfriends or fathers.

Having worked in the Nunavik health care system for several years, I cannot help thinking that the system is letting these women down, and to hear a woman victim of violence say that she has no one to help her brings tears to my heart because I know she is right.

Local community members working for Social Services or the Department of Youth Protection are finding it extremely difficult to do what they are mandated to do as they are continuously threatened with retribution from those abusing husbands and fathers.

And yet, everyone turns a blind eye on the situation and shrugs their shoulders when hearing of another woman who got beaten or worse, killed.

Demand tougher sentences for the abusers and all people who commit acts of violence! How can you expect a woman to report her abusing husband and lay charges against him when she knows he will be out of jail the next day and beat her again or even kill her for reporting him? Where can she go? Who will protect her and her children? The court who released her husband with conditions the next day? She knows better than that.

To the woman who found courage to write her letter and denounce the violence, I say thank you, and I hope your words will touch others like they touched me and that communities will start protecting women and speak up against violence.

(Name withheld by request)
Puvirnituq

A Christmas thank-you

I would like to take this opportunity to say Merry Christmas and thank you to my family: Joe, Martha, Louisa, Sam, Lavina, Abelie and Samule Eqila.

I love you all and peace be with you.

And second of all I want to say special thank you to Johnny Meeko Jr. and family, especially to Louisa and Nellie, for their hospitality and their friendship through my hard times. I love you lots. Thank you.

Christine Ekidlak
Sanikiluaq

January 6, 2006

Community action can prevent suicide

I was reading the article on the in-depth research on suicide. I believe that everybody in Nunavut has been affected by suicide.

We here in Rankin inlet did a workshop in November of 2002, called “Bridging the Gap between Elders and Youth.” We had five completed suicides in the month of October of that year and I was concerned that it was just going to get worse if we in the community did not do anything.

I applied for funding through the Department of Health and was approved for the small cost of $10,000. I approached a number of elders in Rankin to be included in the workshop. They all agreed to attend. I also asked the youth if they wanted to be a part of it.

The initial numbers that I wanted scared the facilitator, who was from Yellowknife. She was concerned that 100 was too many — 50 youth and 50 elders. I assured her that there would be many people there to help out. We finally agreed to have 50 in total: 25 youth, 25 elders.

Eventually the numbers grew when community members heard what we were trying to do. The workshop was a huge success, in my opinion, as it gave both elders and the youth a perspective that they never had before. The youth learned about the hardships that the elders went through and survived. The elders learned that the youth have other worries besides what new video game they are going to play.

The workshop really did bridge the gap and I am very happy to say that we haven’t had any completed suicides since November of 2002. I hope that we do not experience any for many years to come. One suicide is too many.

I am one of those who has been left behind by three brothers and many, many cousins and close friends. I know how hard it is to get up and try and go through hard situations but as the elders always say, “Anigurumaamiyuq,” which means “it will pass” and things will get better. They are right. Things always seem to be too big to bear. Talk to friends, family or someone you respect.

The whole community is there to help and this is true of all communities in Nunavut. No one wants to lose a community member to suicide. If you are contemplating ending your own life think about what other people are going through.

I applaud those that are trying to fix this problem of suicide.

Louis Taparti
Rankin Inlet

January 6, 2006

Nakurmimarialuk from Kangiqsujuaq

On behalf of Kangirsujuarmiut, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Makivik Corp. and Air Inuit for giving my community the shrimp to distribute to every beneficiary and money to issue food basket certificates to the needy.

Because of your generous gifts, we are enjoying the delicious shrimp and the needy will have enough food throughout this Christmas season. You also gave them a chance to buy gifts to their loved ones, which would not be possible without the food basket certificates.

Nakurmimarialuk from the bottom of our hearts. We are truly blessed by God through you.

Mary A. Pilurtuut
Kangiqsujuaq

January 6, 2006

Food mail benefits retailers, not consumers

I find it extremely interesting that northern retailers are going to make the food mail program an election issue during this upcoming federal election.

According to CBC North, the Northern and the Arctic Co-ops want the rates lowered. Up front, this sounds like a great idea — northerners can afford to buy more healthy food such as milk, cheese, fruits and vegetables. The only problem is that the Northern and Co-op stores across Nunavut pay cheap rates for food mail already, yet none of this is being passed on to the consumers.

Lower food mail rates aren’t going to affect me, the consumer. It is only going to pad the stores’ pockets even more. I can bring in food from Yellowknife far cheaper than I can buy it locally. I can buy a 4-litre jug of milk from Yellowknife at their retail prices, ship it up here and pay half of the local price of $13.99 for this same jug of milk.

Go ahead northern retailers, make this an election issue. I hope all northerners will finally speak out about who this program is really benefiting.

Vicki Aitaok
Cambridge Bay

January 6, 2006

Last minute shoppers are boorish

While sitting in my car on Christmas Eve waiting to pick up my loved one, who works at Northmart, it amazed me to see the number of people trying to get into the store after closing time and how upset they were that the store was closed.

The employees at Northmart have worked many hours leading up to the holidays. Remember Midnight Madness when the store was open until midnight?

Management employees were there from 8:00 a.m. and got out of there anywhere between 12:30 and 12:45 the next morning. There was no split shift. Management works the whole day no matter what the hours!

The following day, the store hours were extended again until 10:00 pm and the employees were back there at 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 that night. Those are very long hours, and Sunday hours have been extended also.

Being in the retail business, Northmart does not have the luxury of closing its doors between Christmas and New Year’s Day like the government and other organizations in the community.

The hours are posted on the door. Why can’t the people of Iqaluit show a bit more respect to the Northmart employees and plan their shopping for a time when they know the store is not closing in 10 minutes! It doesn’t matter if you are a manager or a cashier, the employees do not deserve the unfairness that the public puts upon them!

Many should plan out their day better and not show up five minutes before closing to do a big grocery or retail order.

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

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